There are plenty of ways you can update your Windows drivers:
Use Windows Update
Use the Device Manager
Update the drivers from the manufacturer’s website
The third option, which happens to be the fastest as most secure as well, is using a third-party driver updater and fixer like Outbyte Driver Updater.
Compared to the other 3 solutions mentioned above, using a dedicated driver updater means you will never download the wrong driver for your hardware model.
More so, you save time by not having to manually visit each manufacturer’s website to get the drivers.
The last reason why Outbyte Driver Updater should be your go-to solution is that it also fixes the drivers that you have, or detects the ones that are missing entirely.
Outbyte Driver Updater
This lightweight and portable tool will detect all of your missing drivers by itself, and update them as soon as possible.
The latest entry in the Ride video game franchise, Ride 4, is now live and ready to play on Microsoft’s family of Xbox One consoles.
Given that Ride 4 supports Smart Delivery, a feature that promises a free unlock of the next gen version for free when the same account uses a next gen console, the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S versions are also live in the Microsoft Store.
Ride 4 is available in both a regular version and a Special Edition that comes with the base game, the Season Pass, and a Credits Multiplier.
Are you going to play Ride 4 now on Xbox One or will you wait until your Xbox Series X or S arrives? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments below and then follow us on Pinterest and Facebook for more Xbox gaming news.
The official Slack app for Windows 10 devices updated to Version 4.10.0 today. This update contained a wide variety of bug fixes for errors relating to window resizing and switching workplaces and also improved the ability to find recently accessed files.
Here’s the full release notes:
What’s new
Use files? Us too! If you’ve recently used or linked to them on your device, Slack will be slicker at swooping them up and snatching them into your grasp in Slack.
Bug fixes
Sometimes, you could not exit full screen mode with escape on windows, which was wrong, because that’s literally what escape means. Now, it works.
We fixed some issues that caused window resizing of Slack to be difficult. We never want to be difficult.
Quickly switching workspaces caused problems. Switching workspaces should only cause opportunities, so we fixed that.
There were a few little bugs that caused crashes, like bugs do. We fixed those, and we’ll fix the next ones too.
A few playershave reported on the official EA forums that they are having problems with FIFA 21.
It would seem that every time they launch the game, it simply crashes.
I have it on PC and every time i open the game i see the loading screen and then the game shuts down, can somenone give me any help? My PC is better that the recommended requirements for the game BTW.
EA support staff was quick to answer, and they gave a number of solutions that just might work.
These solutions, along with others, were included in this article that might help you bypass this issue if you are experiencing it as well.
Quick Tip:
If you haven’t bought the game yet, then there’s no time to waste! Get your hands on it as soon as possible and join the pros in the biggest football game ever!
700+ teams
30 official leagues
Unparalleled graphics
17,000+ authentic players
Have a career in professional football and grow
Play as one of the best football teams of the 2021 season
There are plenty of ways you can update your Windows drivers:
Use Windows Update
Use the Device Manager
Update the drivers from the manufacturer’s website
Install dedicated driver downloading software
Additionally, you could try using a third-party driver updater or fixer to handle your problems, one like Outbyte Driver Updater.
It works faster and it is more reliant than manually updating your device drivers, and you also know that it will also get the right driver for your hardware, and the latest version as well.
More than that, Outbyte Driver Updater will also detect broken or missing drivers, downloading and installing those too within a matter of minutes.
Outbyte Driver Updater
Game crashes are often caused by old or missing drivers, so fix these issues by taking care of your drivers at once!
Check your own system requirements by performing a DxDiag.
Also, keep in mind that there was a mistake when posting the minimum system requirements for FIFA 21 on Steam, so make sure you visit the official Origin website to see the real system requirements.
3. Modify your FIFA 21’s files
Go to the following folder:
C:UsersUSERDocumentsFIFA 21
Open the FIFA setup file using a text editor such as Wordpad
Find the line that says :
DIRECTX_SELECT = 0
Change that line to:
DIRECTX_SELECT = 1
Save it and then try launching FIFA 21 again.
Keep note that you are modifying your game files.
This may cause irreparable damage to your game‘s installation and you may need to download and install it all over again.
4. Launch FIFA 21 without having your controller plugged in
This step is pretty straightforward. Simply connect your controller to the PC after FIFA 21 has launched.
Also, make sure that you aren’t using any knock-off controllers, or any controller emulators since those too have caused problems with FIFA games in the past.
5. Set the game to the lowest possible settings, and run it again
If your PC‘s specs aren’t too far off from FIFA 21’s minimum requirements, you could try launching it with all the settings set to the lowest possible values.
While gameplay won’t be as enjoyable, you will at least see whether your old gaming PC is to blame or not.
6. Be patient and wait for a patch
EA is quick to solve many of the issues that appear at launch, even if it may take some time.
If none of the solutions mentioned above work, simply wait to see what future FIFA 21 patches will bring.
By following these steps, you should no longer be experiencing crashes when trying to load FIFA 21.
Let us know which of these steps you’ve followed by leaving us a message in the comments section below.
With the early access to FIFA 21, a lot of gamers and fans of the series jumped on the hype train and downloaded the game, trying to play the trial.
FIFA 21 has a lot of new amazing features, but it also keeps the game modes from previous versions.
Unfortunately, it also has a lot of old and new problems. One of the most important ones is that a lot of players are reporting an error message when trying to access Ultimate Team:
Hi, I can play any online game mode with my account, but can’t play FUT 21 at all ! I’m using EA play, and when I go to ultimate team I get this error: We are sorry but there has been an error connecting to FIFA 21 Ultimate Team I’m sure something is wrong with my EA account. I tested my other account and it worked just fine. Please help me !
It seems like all the other game modes and features work as expected, the problem affecting only Ultimate Team.
Quick tip:
Each new entry in the FIFA franchise brought amazing new changes, and this applies to FIFA 21 as well.
Buy the game now and prove your worth on the online stadiums.
700+ teams
30 official leagues
Unparalleled graphics
17,000+ authentic players
Have a career in professional football and grow
Play as one of the best football teams of the 2021 season
You will be presented with a list of trusted devices
Select each device and untrust each one of them
Log into your console
Make the PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live account your primary account
Delete EA Play and EA-related games and settings
Launch FIFA 21 like a regular game
2. Check your EA Play subscription
The FIFA 21 trial is only available for users with EA Play. This means that you have to have a valid subscription and a working account.
If your subscription has expired, FIFA 21 trial won’t work.
Multiple gamers confirmed that after renewing their EA Play subscription, the game worked as intended, without any errors.
So just go to the official EA Play website, log in to the account with your credentials, and then renew your subscription. After that, try to play FIFA 21 on your Xbox One console.
3. Play a Seasons game
The first workaround is the simplest, as well. The good thing is that it worked for a lot of FIFA 21 players.
If you’re getting the same error, just play an entire Seasons game. After that, quickly back out and go to the Ultimate Team (UT) panel and it should work.
After following this process a couple of times, only clicking on the Seasons panel and then quickly on the UT panel seems to solve the problem.
This solution worked for most gamers that encountered the error, so you can try it as it might work for you too.
Keep in mind that this is just a workaround and you’ll have to do it every time you want to access Ultimate Team.
3. Clear Alternative MAC address
Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
Navigate to Settings > Network Settings > Advanced Settings > Alternative MAC Address.
Select Clear.
After that, press the Xbox button on your console to shut it down.
Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet and wait a minute or two.
After that, plug in your power cord back into the wall outlet.
Wait until the LED light from your power brick goes from white to orange.
Then, press the Xbox button on your console to power it on.
4. Clear persistent storage
Disconnect and reconnect your Xbox One from the Internet.
After that, press the Xbox button to open the guide.
Navigate to Settings > Blu Ray & Disc > Persistent Storage.
Select Clear Persistent Storage. Repeat the process three times.
After that, you can also power cycle your Xbox One console. To do that, just press the Xbox button on your console for 5 seconds while it is on, waits for the console to shut down, and power it back again by pressing the Xbox button.
We have to mention that different solutions worked for different users, as an official fix from Xbox or EA is not available. The first two workarounds had the most success, so be sure to try them first.
For any other suggestions or questions, feel free to reach for the comments section below.
If you’ve been playing TERA Online for a long time now, chances are you’ve encountered the infamous user authentication failed error message. Truth be told, no matter where you get this error, it can really throw you off.
Much so if you’re just trying to get your daily dose of relaxation from TERA Online and discover that you’re suddenly unable to do so.
Fortunately, this error is not exactly rare, and there are a lot of TERA Online players who’ve experienced it at least once before. This doesn’t just mean you’re not alone in this, it also means there are a few fixes worth checking out.
What is TERA Online?
TERA Online is an MMORPG released quite a while ago (2011 was its initial release in South Korea). It had a bunch of closed and open beta testing sessions before the official release.
The game has regular MMORPG features such as PVP, crafting, and questing, and uses a non-target battle system. This means that instead of clicking the target and selecting things to hit them with, you just fire away as you would in an action game.
More so, you’ll need to be quite skillful, considering that you’ll have to dodge enemy attacks actively. That’s TERA Online in a nutshell, although we skipped a lot of awesome features.
We’re not here to talk about TERA, but we can (hopefully) help you fix the user authentication error in the next few following sections.
The usability of a VPN in such issues has been widely debated. The general consensus is that more often than not a VPN will do the trick, as it does with many other connectivity issues.
Private Internet Access is a Kape Technologies product and also one of the few VPNs that offer 24/7 live chat support.
Note that if the VPN fix doesn’t work, you shouldn’t give up just yet. Disconnect from the server you chose, connect to another (preferably fast) one and try again.
Private Internet Access
Getting the User Authentication Failed error in TERA? Private Internet Access could help you fix this issue.
Network congestion is usually a quite decisive factor that determines the occurrence of connectivity issues. Thus, if the VPN server is overcrowded, you may want to try another one.
2. Try logging in with Facebook
Reportedly, users noticed that logging into their TERA Online account through Facebook seemed to work. Just use the game launcher and instead of logging into your TERA Online account, use your Facebook account to perform the operation.
However, for this fix to work, you’ll need your TERA and Facebook accounts to be linked. This can be easily achieved on the Account Settings page on the TERA Online website.
Long story short: make sure your Facebook and TERA accounts are linked, then try to log into TERA with your Facebook account.
3. Avoid logging from multiple accounts
Apparently, TERA Online has this 24-hour block that applies to users who try logging in from several accounts on the same machine, in a short interval of time.
To prevent that from happening, only stick to one or two accounts. As far as we know, there’s no limit to log-in attempts from the same account, as long as you don’t switch IP addresses frantically between attempts.
Also, it would be a great idea to check if you were banned. Many users mistakenly believed this error had something to do with their bad connection when in fact, their accounts were in fact inaccessible due to bans.
Final thoughts on fixing TERA user authentication error
All in all, if you’re trying to log into TERA Online and receive the user authentication error, don’t panic. There are a few reasons why this could be happening, and a bunch of fixes for these reasons.
First and foremost, you should make sure that your account is not banned. Else, trying any of the fixes might be completely useless.
One of the most popular fixes for this issue is using a VPN. If using a VPN seems to be in vain, try switching servers between ditching this suggestion. It could save you a lot of time and hassle.
Last, but not least, you could try logging in with your Facebook account, as suggested by various users on the TERA Online forums.
Calendar apps are useful, but sometimes certain issues can appear, and many iOS users reported Your response to the invitation cannot be senterror message.
This issue can be a problem, especially if others are sharing their events with you, so in today’s article, we’re going to tackle this issue and show you how to fix it.
How can I fix Your response to the invitation cannot be sent error message?
1. Reset Calendar app
On your iOS device go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars.
Now select the account that you use and turn the Calendars off.
Wait for a few moments and turn the Calendar on again.
Restart your iPhone and check if the problem is still there.
Several users reported that this method worked for them, so be sure to try it out. On some versions of iOS this setting is located in Settings > Accounts & Passwords or in Settings > Calendar > Accounts section.
2. Turn off the Calendar app
To go to Settings on your iOS device.
Now select Your Name > Cloud.
Locate the Calendars app and disable it.
Wait for a minute or so, and turn it on.
Restart your phone and check if that helps.
3. Update iOS to the latest version
On your iOS device go to Settings > General > Software Update.
If you see that a software update is available, tap it to download and install it.
Once your system is up to date, check if the problem is resolved. This has been an issue for a while, and Apple will most likely fix it for good via the software update.
Your response to the invitation cannot be sent error message can be problematic, but it can be fixed by resetting the Calendar app or by updating your iOS software to the latest version.
Did you manage to fix this problem? Feel free to share your solutions with us in the comments section.
In case there’s an issue with Apple’s servers, you’ll need to wait until the problem is resolved.
2. Check your Internet connection
Make sure that your connection is stable.
If your Wi-Fi connection is dropping, you might want to fix that or wait until your connection is stable before trying to complete the process.
Alternatively, connect to a different, more stable Wi-Fi network.
3. Try Force restart
Press and release the Volume Up.
Now press and release the Volume Down.
Press and hold the Side button until the screen turns off and on.
Once the Apple logo appears, release the Side button.
4. Skip the iCloud setup
Try to update your iOS.
When you get asked to set up your iCloud account, select Skip.
After the update process is finished, go to Settings > Sign in to your iPhone.
Enter your login information.
5. Reset your network settings
On your iOS device go to Settings > General.
Go to Reset > Reset Network Settings.
After resetting your network settings, try to perform the update again.
6. Try to update your device using iTunes
Connect your iOS device to the computer using the USB cable.
Start iTunes on your computer.
Click the Device icon in iTunes.
Click on Summary and then on Check for Updates.
Now click Update to start the update process.
If you get stuck on the Updating iCloud settings screen, try restarting your device or skip the initial iCloud setup process. Did you manage to fix this issue? Let us know if our solutions were helpful to you.
Usually, the mentioned error occurs due to your antivirus, as it might interfere with your Internet connection.
Therefore, it’s advised that you check your antivirus settings as well as the firewall.
The simplest way is to temporarily disable the firewall. In case the issue is still there, you might have to completely disable your antivirus or remove it.
If removing the antivirus solves the problem, you should consider switching to a different antivirus solution.
So there are plenty of antivirus programs that can provide security for online browsing, including sensitive information like banking and online payments.
Scroll all the way down to the Network Proxy and click the Settings button.
Set Configure Proxy Access to the Internet to No proxy or to Use system proxy settings.
Click OK to save changes.
Keep in mind that these instructions are for Firefox, but if you’re using a different browser, the process should be relatively the same.
After disabling the proxy, you just need to disable it on your system, as shown below:
Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
Now navigate to the Network & Internet section.
Choose Proxy from the left pane. (In the right pane, disable all options.)
After doing that, the proxy should be completely disabled on your PC and the problem will be resolved.
3. Disable Windows Firewall
In the Search bar type firewall.
Choose Windows Defender Firewall from the list.
Pick Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off from the menu on the left.
Now you need to select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) for both Private and Public networks.
Lastly, click OK button to save changes.
Now Windows Firewall should be disabled. If everything works properly afterward, enable the firewall once again and try to find which setting is causing the issue.
4. Restart your router/modem
In some cases The requested URL could not be retrieved message can appear due to certain glitches with your router/modem.
If that’s the case, we advise you to turn these off by pressing the Power button on each device.
Wait for about 30 seconds and power them back on. Wait for the devices to boot completely. After both devices boot, check if the problem is still there.
Several users reported that this method worked for them, so feel free to try it out.
5. Use Command Prompt
Right-click the Start button to open Win + X menu.
Now choose Command Prompt (Admin) (or PowerShell (Admin) for older OS).
Run the following commands:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
After doing that, you should have a new IP address and the issue should be resolved. For the best results, be sure to use this solution after restarting your router.
6. Perform a Clean boot
Press Windows Key + R. Now enter msconfig in the input field and click OK or press Enter.
Head over to the Services tab and check Hide all Microsoft services option.
Now click the Disable all button.
Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
Right-click the first application on the list and choose Disable from the menu. (Do this for all startup applications.)
Next, go back to the System Configuration window.
Click Apply and OK to save changes and restart your PC.
Once your PC restarts, check if the problem is still there. If the issue doesn’t appear, then it’s certainly caused by one of your applications or services.
To pinpoint it, you need to enable services and applications one by one or in groups until you manage to recreate the problem.
Once you find the problematic application, it’s advised to remove it from your PC.
There are several ways to do that, but if you want to remove the application completely along with all of its files and registry entries we recommend using uninstaller software.
Open the Settings app and navigate to the Update & Security section.
In the right pane, click Check for updates button.
If any updates are available, Windows will download them automatically and install them once you restart your PC.
Once your system is up to date, check if the problem is still there.
As mentioned, The requested URL could not be retrieved message can prevent you from accessing certain websites. We truly hope that you solved the problem after reading this article.
If you used another way that we didn’t mention here, please share it with us in the comments and we will certainly update the solutions list.
Reportedly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation noticed an increasing number of hotel remote workers.
While remote working from hotel rooms isn’t inherently bad, connecting to a hotel Wi-Fi network might subject you to certain security risks.
Some of the most serious ones include personal data thefts, or compromising work resources.
Hotel room teleworking is trending
Apparently, more and more US hotels started advertising room reservations during the daytime for those who seek a distraction-free environment.
This comes as a blessing for teleworkers who can’t seem to focus on their work environment while at home. On the other hand, the risks may outweigh the benefits in this situation, especially in lieu of appropriate security measures.
Unfortunately, when it comes to Wi-Fi networks, hotel management staff caters to the convenience of their customers, at the expense of their security.
As a result, not only is the Wi-Fi password available for everyone to see in the hotel lobby, but it also gets replaced quite rarely.
The risks of using hotel Wi-Fi networks
There are a few quite serious risks you may expose yourself to while using Wi-Fi networks in hotels:
Traffic monitoring – Your network activity could be exposed to a malicious third-party
Evil Twin attacks – Cloning the hotel network, misleading clients to connect to the fake one instead
Man-In-The-Middle attacks – Intercepting and stealing sensitive information from one’s device
Compromising work – Facilitating cybercriminals to steal work credentials or other similar resources
You can purchase a premium VPN subscription plan, we recommend Private Internet Access, to encrypt network traffic.
A VPN can easily protect your privacy by encrypting traffic between your device and the VPN gateway.
This renders network monitoring tools and Man-In-The-Middle attacks useless.
However, you should still keep an eye out for Evil Twin attacks. More often than not, an Evil Twin network won’t be password-protected and will have a weaker signal.
2. Don’t use the hotel’s Wi-Fi
If you have a hefty data plan on your mobile device, just use that instead of the hotel’s Wi-Fi.
You can either create a hotspot on your phone/tablet or use USB to tether it and share your Internet connection.
Also, you may want to avoid using the auto-connect feature on your PC, to avoid it automatically connecting to the hotel’s Wi-Fi network or an unprotected Evil Twin one.
3. Keep it simple
If you’re there for work, make sure you stay focused and avoid logging in on too many websites.
That goes double for any website where you may input sensitive data, such as your SSN, credit card details, as well as other credentials.
Last, but not least, always check the security certificates of the websites you’re visiting. If you don’t see HTTPS, then it’s a no-go.
If you follow these steps, you shouldn’t have to worry about the dangers of working using a hotel’s Wi-Fi.
What’s your take on this latest development? Share your opinion with us in the comments section below.
Microsoft has just launched a new unified support site which should make it easier for users to find support and troubleshooting resources for Microsoft 365. In an effort to make the platform more inclusive, the company is bringing a series of improvements to Windows release notes, the Windows update history pages, as well as related resources.
As seen in the screenshot below, Microsoft is introducing a new URL structure for Windows release notes, which will now include the knowledge base (KB) ID. This change will let users find support articles by KB ID when using the search engine. There are also some under-the-hood changes for users who use different tools to find support articles using metadata.
Furthermore, Microsoft is also adding convenient share controls at the bottom of all support pages to make it easier for users to share them on social media platforms, including Facebook and LinkedIn.
Needless to say, this is quite a welcome approach, especially for power users who often need to look for technical information about Windows updates, troubleshooting guides, and more. However, you may need to wait a couple of months to see these enhancements, as they will begin to roll out to the general public in the coming weeks.
Microsoft has just released the Windows 10 preview build 20231 for the Dev Channel, which brings two new improvements that will only be available to select Insiders. First of all, Insiders doing a clean install of the build 20231 (ISOs are available here) may notice a new page during the out of box experience allowing them to choose how they plan to use their PC.
The current list of options includes Gaming, Family, Creativity, Schoolwork, Entertainment, and Business, and each of them will suggest tools and services during PC setup. “This is the initial wave of work for this feature, and Insiders may notice different options presented in OOBE depending on what they select, however at this time Insiders will not notice any other configuration differences after exiting OOBE,” the Windows Insider team explained.
The second new feature in this build is the ability for IT admins to change app default file associations on a per-user or per-device basis. This feature will only be available for a subset of Insiders installing this build, and you can find the testing steps below:
Generate Default Application Associations XML file by following this page.
Manually modify the XML by adding 2 new properties:
Add Version=”1″ to the DefaultAssociations tag.
Add Suggested=”True” to any Association tag.
Enable the group policy to set the default file associations by following this doc.
Reboot or log in as the user.
Starting with this build, some Insiders may also notice a change to enable displaying graphics card information listed under Settings > System > About. The build 20231 also brings various bug fixes and known issues, and you can find the full list below:
Fixes
We fixed the vEthernet adapter disconnecting inside of the Windows Subsystem for Linux. Please see this GitHub thread for full details.
We fixed an issue that could result in your ALT + Tab order changing unexpectedly and leading you to switch to the wrong window.
We fixed an issue that could result in Action Center and notification buttons not being visible after switching between High Contrast Black and High Contrast White.
We fixed an issue where the “Show audio alerts visually” option under Settings > Ease of Access> Audio wasn’t functioning for incoming notifications.
We fixed an issue where if the PC was locked using with Narrator running, dismissing the lock screen wouldn’t announce the signed in username on the login screen.
We fixed an issue when using Narrator and logging in with Windows Hello, Narrator wouldn’t announce the error message if your face wasn’t recognized.
We fixed an issue resulting in audio and microphone glitches over Bluetooth for certain devices. As a reminder, when encountering issues in this space, please take a moment to capture a repro trace, as it helps the teams investigate. More details about capturing traces available .
We fixed an issue impacting Task View reliability.
We fixed an issue resulting in the Windows Hello setup camera preview in OOBE displaying in the wrong position if you rotated your device into portrait mode during setup.
We fixed an issue resulting in Settings hanging on launch for some Insiders.
We fixed an issue resulting in systemsettingsbroker.exe crashing for some Insiders.
We fixed an issue where the HideRecentJumplists MDM Policy wasn’t taking effect.
We fixed an issue that could result in duplicate cloud provider entries appearing in the File Explorer navigation pane.
We fixed an issue resulting in PDF previews no longer displaying in File Explorer.
We fixed an issue resulting in the touch keyboard unexpectedly dismissing after setting focus to the search box in File Explorer.
We fixed an issue where when typing with the Chinese Pinyin IME, if your text included an apostrophe, then after finalizing your composition by pressing Shift the result would display a garbled character.
Known issues
If you were one of the Insiders repeatedly entering a temp profile with the previous flight, please refer to the following forum post to get your profile back into a good state. If you were not impacted, this issue will not impact you in today’s flight.
We’re looking into reports of the update process hanging for extended periods of time when attempting to install a new build.
We’re working on a fix to enable live preview for pinned site tabs.
We’re working on enabling the new taskbar experience for existing pinned sites. In the meantime, you can unpin the site from the taskbar, remove it from the edge://apps page, and then re-pin the site.
We’re working on a fix for an issue where some Office applications crashing or missing after updating to a new build.
We’re working on a fix for an issue causing some devices experiencing a KMODE_EXCEPTION bugcheck when using certain virtualization technologies.
We’re working on a fix for an issue where after taking this build some users receive a Compatibility Assistant notification that “Microsoft Office is no longer available”. Despite the notification, Office should still be there and working fine.
We are working on a fix for an issue where selecting an IME candidate or hardware keyboard text prediction candidate may insert the candidate adjacent to the one selected.
We’re investigating an issue reported by some Insiders wherein the taskbar is obscuring the Power button in the Start menu. If this is happening on your PC, you may need to use the Windows key plus X menu to shutdown for the time being.
Last but not least, the Windows Insider team said today that all Insiders in Dev Channel will soon see the new Skype Meet Now in the Windows 10 Taskbar, as well as the recent change to enable moving the text cursor via gestures on the touch keyboard. That’s it for today’s Insider news, let us know in the comments if you think these new options to customize your PC during the installation of Windows 10 are a good idea.
When you add a file to your Microsoft Team’s file section, it becomes editable by everyone in Microsoft Teams, not just the creator of the file. There are plenty of times that you will want to share a document and make it editable to everyone, but there are certainly other times when you would prefer that not everyone had edit access to everything. For individual file permissions, it’s worth noting that all Microsoft 365 documentation is stored in SharePoint.
SharePoint, as the name suggests, allows you to share Word, Excel, and other files with your remote team within Microsoft Teams. Along with sharing, SharePoint allows you to group-edit and view the same document with your colleagues. SharePoint’s core functions are to act as a document management and storage system for your organization.
These instructions are for those looking to manage file access with SharePoint in Microsoft Teams.
1. Open Microsoft Teams, go to the “Files” Tab, and choose the “Open in SharePoint.”
2. Once SharePoint opens in Microsoft Edge, choose an existing file (or upload a new file) and choose the three vertical dot menu to bring up more options and choose Manage access.
Before adjusting access settings, you can organize your documents by learning how to create a folder in SharePoint to group related files more efficiently.
3. From the Manage access menu, you can change existing team members’ permissions, add and set new permissions for specific team members, or change the appropriate viewing privileges as needed; can view (cannot make changes) and can edit (make any changes).
4. Choose Grant Access at the bottom to confirm the file access settings in Microsoft Teams.
Once you complete the steps, you will be able to change the file permissions among users with SharePoint in Microsoft Teams. It is important to note that you will need administrator privileges on the Microsoft Teams account to change users’ file access in SharePoint.
Check out our other guides for more!
Over the past year, we’ve been covering a lot of other Microsoft 365 related topics. We suggest you check them out over at our dedicated news hub. Some topics include how to use Microsoft Access, use Microsoft To Do with Outlook, and more. Also, feel free to let us know how you’re using Microsoft Teams and SharePoint by dropping us a comment below.
Among Us is a multiplayer murder mystery game set in outer space. That game has quickly become one of the most widely played titles among Twitch streamers, which has led to a surge in Among Us Steam downloads.
The greatly increased number of Among Us players has strained the Among Us servers, as original server estimates for the game were relatively low.
Thus, server issues for Among Us have become more prevalent as the game’s player base has expanded.
An announcement on the game’s Steam page says:
We have decided to cancel Among Us 2 and instead put all our focus into improving Among Us 1… We have lots of things planned and we’re excited to bring new content to everyone as you continue to enjoy playing!
One of the most prevalent Among Us error messages states, You disconnected from the server. Reliable packet 1 (size=#) was not ack’d after #ms.
That error often arises as a consequence of server overload. However, there might be an issue with your Internet connection.
How can I fix the Among Us You disconnected from the server issue?
1. Check the server status for Among Us
First, try checking the server status for the game at InnerSloth’s Twitter page.
InnerSloth updates its Twitter page with posts about current Among Us server issues.
If you see that server issues are mentioned there, then you will most likely need to wait for them to be solved.
2. Play Among Us with a VPN
Because this error message appears sometimes because of the overloading of the servers in your local region, it is a very good idea to try and log into the game using a VPN service.
When it comes to this task, the best software option is by far Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN.
This powerful software can shift your online location quickly and efficiently, and beyond this, also protects you from any unwanted information gathering by third-parties.
To resolve this dreaded error message, simply click the download button below, install PIA, run it, change your location, and then try logging into the Among Us server again.
Private Internet Access
Resolve the annoying Disconnected from server error on Among Us servers by using this software to change your location today!
Next, click the server button at the bottom right corner of the game’s menu to open the options shown directly below.
Then select a different server region on the menu from the one you usually play Among Us with. Select a region that has the biggest time gap with your time zone.
Click the Find Game button on the Among Us menu.
Select a game to join. With an alternative server region selected, the game might now start.
The resolutions above might be enough to fix the Reliable packet error for most Among Us players. Hopefully, Innersloth will get the game’s server issues more fully sorted with future updates.
In what Microsoft dubbed the Azure Sphere Security Research Challenge, 70 researchers from 21 countries gathered to surface security exploits in the company’s Azure Sphere and over the course of 90-days the researchers found 40 exploits, 20 of which were considered “Critical or Important severity security vulnerabilities.”
According to the Microsoft Security Response Center blog, the company broke up the bounties into two high priority research scenarios that focused on the core of the Azure Sphere OS and then six general scenarios across various levels of Azure Sphere OS. In the end, Microsoft awarded the $374,300 bounty awards across 16 eligible reports.
“Many of the vulnerabilities found during the research challenge were novel and high impact and led to major security improvements for Azure Sphere in their 20.07, 20.08 and the latest 20.09 updates, which have been automatically pushed to Azure Sphere devices that are connected to the internet to help secure Azure Sphere customers. Security researchers from McAfee ATR and Cisco Talos reported some of the highest impact vulnerabilities in Azure Sphere, especially a full attack chain developed by McAfee ATR that exposed a weakness in the cloud and multiple weaknesses on the device including a previously unknown Linux kernel vulnerability.
Obviously, there are more details regarding the specific vulnerabilities and the various executions researchers used during the bounty program and most of that info can be found at Microsoft’s Azure Sphere team blog, here.
Microsoft’s Azure Sphere represents much of the company’s efforts into IoT and with new devices and sensors coming online daily that make use of IoT platforms, we should expect to see more dedicated bounty programs pop up throughout the year.
Periodic backups are crucial for any business, and if your organization utilizes Amazon Simple Storage Solution (Amazon S3), then you will be pleased to learn that there is a quick way to automate backups for S3.
With the method we’ll show you here, you can configure your daily, weekly, or monthly automatic backups for S3. It’s straightforward if you follow the laid down here.
How do I automate backups for Amazon S3?
1. Install and configure the Amazon AWS CLI
Visit this page to find Amazon‘s detailed installation instructions.
Configure the access ID, user profiles, and key using the following command: aws configure
AWS Access Key ID [None]: <AccessID>
AWS Secret Access Key [None]: secretkey
Default region name [None]: us-east-1
Default output format [None]: json
NOTE: In the command above, replace <AccessID> with your access ID, secretkey with your secret key, and us-east-1 with your region. When in doubt, leave the region unchanged.
2. Create a batch file
Open Notepad.
Enter the following line of command into the blank Notepad file: aws s3 sync "C://Desktop/backups/" s3://your-bucket
Press the CTRL + S combination and save the file with the .BAT extension.
Click on the Start Menu button and search for task scheduler.
Open Task Scheduler. If it fails to open, fix it with this guide.
Click on the Actions menu and choose Create Task from the dropdown menu.
Name and describe the new task.
Add a one time, daily, weekly, or monthly trigger.
Click on the Actions tab.
Select Start a program from the resulting dropdown menu.
Find the batch file you created in step 3.
Save the task.
This page contains a detailed, short guide on how to automate backups for S3. You only have to follow the exercise caution when following the steps.
After saving the newly created task, you no longer have to back up your data to Amazon S3 manually because the Task Scheduler will do it for you at the configured interval.
Taco Bell has released a new commercial promoting their current Xbox Series X competition which, as you may have guessed, gives people the opportunity to get an Xbox Series X console when it comes out next month.
What’s noteworthy about the ad is that it features several live action elements from the popular Halo video game franchise such as Spartan armor and a ring itself. It’s unclear if these elements were borrowed from the upcoming live action Halo TV series which is set for release sometime in 2021 but they’re pretty cool regardless.
You can watch the ad below.
The inclusion of Halo content for an Xbox Series X launch promotion is rather amusing given that the Halo: Infinite video game will no longer be a launch title. Much like the Monster Energy Halo x Xbox Series X promotion, planning for this Taco Bell campaign was also likely well underway before the game’s delay was announced. It’ll be interesting to see if we get any more Halo promotions before the end of the year.
What did you think of this ad? Does it get you excited for Halo: Infinite and the Xbox Series X? Are you hyped for the live action TV series? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments below and then follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more Xbox gaming news.
Hamachi is a useful tool, but many users reported various errors with this app on their PC. These errors can cause various problems, and in today’s article, we’ll show you how to fix them.
Hamachi errors can cause many issues on your PC. Here are some common issues that users reported:
Hamachi network adapter error – Can occur if the necessary virtual network driver isn’t installed. Update the adapter driver.
Hamachi VPN error Windows 10 – Can be caused by other VPN applications. You can fix the issue simply by removing the other VPN from your PC.
Hamachi tunnel problem Windows 10, yellow triangle – Can occur if the necessary services aren’t running. Open the Services window and restart the required services.
Hamachi error this network does not exist, failed to connect to network adapter – The issue is most likely your firewall, so be sure to check its configuration and make sure that Hamachi is allowed to go through it.
Hamachi error 2503, 52, 1068, 2755, code 2502 – These errors can appear due to various reasons, but you should be able to fix them using one of our solutions.
According to users, the cause for Hamachi errors can be your antivirus. Sometimes your antivirus can block the VPN, so be sure to check its settings and make sure that Hamachi is allowed to run.
If this isn’t the issue, you might want to try disabling certain features or disable your antivirus altogether.
In case the problem is still there, your last option would be to remove your antivirus completely from your PC.
Even if you remove your antivirus, your PC will remain protected by Windows Defender, so there’s no need to worry about your safety.
The market is full of reliable antivirus software options that do not interfere with other applications on your PC.
Look for an antivirus that has a comprehensive threat database, real-time browsing connection, and low CPU usage. These are the most important features and they are generally included in free antivirus tools.
Some antivirus tools include built-in VPN solutions. If that appeals to you, you can drop your Hamachi subscription and use one software both for threat protection and online privacy.
2. Update the drivers automatically
Sometimes Hamachi errors can be caused by missing drivers, and if you’re getting a tunneling problem or a VPN error, the issue might be the missing drivers.
You could try updating them manually by selecting every single one from Device Manager and selecting the Update driver option but that will take a lot of time and doesn’t guarantee perfect results.
The quickest and safest way to update your drivers is by using specialized software like Outbyte Driver Updater.
It’s very simple to use but first, you need to download and install the tool. It will run automatically and start scanning your PC for old, missing, or malfunctioning drivers.
Don’t go away because the process will only last for a couple of seconds and after that, you will receive a list with the recommended drivers to install.
The last step is even easier because if you want to install all of them you just need to click on the Update All button.
Of course, you can also install only a few by checking their corresponding boxes and hitting their individual Update button from the right.
3. Make sure that Hamachi service is running
According to users, you can encounter various Hamachi errors simply if the required services aren’t running. Many users reported tunneling and VPN error in Hamachi, and in most cases you can fix these issues simply by restarting the Hamachi services. To do that, just follow these steps:
Open the Services window. The fastest way to do that is to press Windows Key + R and enter services.msc. Now press Enter or click OK.
When the Services window opens locate and double-click the Hamachi Tunneling Engine service.
When the Properties window opens, click the Stop button to stop the service. Wait for a couple of moments and then click the Start button. Click Apply and OK to save changes.
According to users, this simple solution fixed the tunneling and VPN error with Hamachi, so we encourage you to try it out.
4. Remove problematic applications
If you’re having Hamachi errors, such as the tunneling problem or the VPN error, the issue might be caused by third-party software.
Sometimes VPN clients can interfere with Hamachi and that can lead to this and many other problems.
To fix the problem, it’s advised to find and remove your current VPN client. Users reported that Dell VPN client caused this problem to appear, but after removing it, the issue was resolved.
Bear in mind that other software can cause this issue to appear, and not just your VPN client.
If your VPN client was the problem, you should consider switching to a different one. The best VPNs for Windows 10 are reliable and user-friendly software that will not interfere with your system.
Consider software with a large number of servers across the globe, unlimited bandwidth, top-level encryption, and a very transparent privacy policy.
If the VPN was the cause of your problem, then the issue should be remediated. Check your PC for other problematic/malicious software as well. You can do that from the Add or remove the panel in Windows Settings.
5. Reinstall Hamachi
Sometimes Hamachi errors can be caused by a corrupted installation, and if that happens, the best course of action would be to reinstall Hamachi.
This is fairly simple to do, but in order to completely reinstall Hamachi, it’s advised that you use specialized uninstaller tools.
In case you don’t know, uninstaller software can completely remove the desired application from your PC.
Unlike the regular uninstall process, these dedicated tools will remove all files and registry entries associated with Hamachi.
After Hamachi is completely removed, it will be as if it was never installed on your PC. Now you just have to download and install the latest version and the issue should be completely resolved.
6. Install the driver manually while Hamachi is installing
Press Windows Key + X and choose Device Manager from the list.
Locate LogMeIn Hamachi Virtual Ethernet Adapter, right-click it, and choose Update driver from the menu.
Select Browse my computer for driver software.
Now head over to the Hamachi installation directory, by default it should be: C:Program Files (x86)LogMeIn Hamachi
Note: Once you select this directory, your PC should scan it and install the missing driver. Once that is done, the latest driver will be installed and the installation will complete successfully.
Bear in mind that you’ll need to update the driver quickly in order for this to work, so it might be a good idea to have the Device Manager open while installing Hamachi.
7. Use a different installer
According to users, sometimes Hamachi errors can be caused by your installer.
This is an unusual cause, but several users reported that they fixed the problem simply by removing Hamachi and using the different setup file to install it.
Users claim that they downloaded the installer from a different source that is not Hamachi’s official website, and by doing so the problem was resolved.
We don’t know how reliable this method is, but many users claim that it works, so feel free to try it out.
8. Try using an older version of Hamachi
In some instances, Hamachi errors can appear if you’re using the latest version. When it comes to software, usually it’s a good practice to use the latest software since it offers the latest features and updates.
However, sometimes certain features can be buggy, and that can lead to this and many other errors. To fix this problem, some users suggested rolling back to the older version of Hamachi and checking if that helps.
To do that, remove the current version and then download and install the older version. To find an older version, you might have to use third-party sources.
Once you download the older version, install it, and check if that solves your problem.
Bear in mind that Hamachi will check for the latest version once you install it, so be sure to prevent it from downloading the latest updates.
9. Disable Windows Firewall
Search for windows firewall and select Windows Defender Firewall from the list.
Click on Advanced settings from the menu on the left.
Select Windows Defender Firewall Properties.
Go to the Domain Profile tab and set Firewall state to Off.
Go to the Private Profile and Public Profile tabs and do the same. Lastly, click Apply and OK to save changes
Note: Disabling the firewall isn’t the best choice in terms of safety, but if Hamachi works after you do that, the issue is probably related to one of your firewall settings, so you’ll need to manually find and change it.
Several users reported that port25565 was the problem, so to fix this issue, be sure that port 25565 is open on the Incoming rules page. After making this change, the problem should be resolved and Hamachi will start working again.
Hamachi errors can cause many problems on your PC, but in most cases, these problems are caused by your firewall settings, corrupted installation, or other applications.
However, we hope that you managed to fix this problem by using one of our solutions and if you have any addition, leave us a note in the comments section below.
New ESRB ratings for next gen collections containing Wolfenstein, Dishonored, and Prey video games have been spotted, seemingly confirming that these titles will be getting enhanced versions for Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox Series X (and S) consoles.
No other consoles are mentioned in the listings which suggests that these Bethesda titles will be exclusive to Microsoft’s next gen Xbox consoles. This makes sense considering that the latter recently acquired the former.
Both collections are said to contain four video games each. While the listings don’t mention what these games are, it would makes sense for The Dishonored & Prey The Arkane Collection to contain Dishonored, Dishonored 2, Dishonored: Death of the Outsider and Prey and The Wolfenstein Alt History Collection to come with Wolfenstein: The New Order, Wolfenstein: The Old Blood, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and Wolfenstein: Youngblood.
System errors can occur once in a while, and many users reported getting ERROR_RELOC_CHAIN_XEEDS_SEGLIM error on their Windows 10 PCs.
This error also comes with The operating system cannot run %1 message, and today we’re going to show you how to fix it properly.
How can I fix the ERROR_RELOC_CHAIN_XEEDS_SEGLIM error?
1. Switch to a different browser
Several users reported that this problem occurs while trying to run Internet Explorer. According to them, the application was unable to start due to The operating system cannot run %1 message.
As a potential workaround, users are suggesting to switch to a different browser and check if that solves the problem.
As for a better and more reliable browser we recommend Opera One. It’s a fast browser that doesn’t interfere with your system so the RELOC_CHAIN_XEEDS_SEGLIM error becomes highly improbable.
If you enjoy social media, you will love this browser from the start because you will have shortcuts for Messanger WhatsApp, Instagram and even comes with a native AI.
You will probably also like the My Flow feature that allows you to connect your phone to the browser.
A big plus for Opera One is also the built-in VPN service. Once you start it, your privacy and identity will be protected even from your ISP.
Search for cmd and click on Run as administrator to start Command Prompt.
Enter sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Be patient while Windows scans for corrupted files and don’t interrupt the scan.
Note: If the SFC scan stops, read this expert guide to fix the problem quickly.
3. Remove problematic updates
Press the Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
Go to the Update & security section, then to the Windows Update tab, and click on View update history.
Click on Uninstall updates.
Locate a recent update on the list and double click to uninstall it.
Note: Keep in mind that Windows 10 tends to install updates automatically, so it’s recommended to download the Show or hide updates troubleshooter. Using this tool you can prevent problematic updates from being installed automatically.
4. Reinstall Windows Media Player
Search for windows features and select Turn Windows features on or off from the list of results.
Expand the Media Features folder and uncheck WindowsMedia Player. Click OK to save changes.
Restart your PC.
Note: After your PC restarts, Windows Media Player will be removed. To install it again, repeat the same steps, but be sure to check the Windows Media Player option.
Once the Windows Media Player installs again, the issue should be completely resolved.
5. Completely remove the antivirus software
Having a proper antivirus is rather important, but certain antivirus tools might not be fully compatible with your system.
Many users reported that ERROR_RELOC_CHAIN_XEEDS_SEGLIM error appeared on their system due to Norton or McAfee antivirus tools.
If you have these tools installed, we urge you to remove them completely and check if that solves the issue.
Keep in mind that many antivirus tools tend to leave leftover files and registry entries that can interfere with your system even after you uninstall the application.
To completely remove your antivirus, it’s recommended to use its dedicated removal tool. Many antivirus companies offer these tools for their software, so be sure to download a dedicated removal tool for your antivirus.
After running the tool, all files and registry entries associated with your antivirus will be removed from your system. Once the antivirus software is completely removed, check if the issue still persists.
As previously mentioned, many users reported that Norton and McAfee are the main cause of this problem, but any other antivirus can also cause this issue to appear.
Although removing the third-party antivirus solutions, you will still have Windows Defender to protect your computer.
On the other hand, it is advised to have a more efficient antivirus that doesn’t interfere with your Windows services and also offers great complete protection against malware.
Several developers reported this problem while using postgreSQL with PHP on their PC. To fix the problem, you need to download postgreSQL, and copy its DLLs to the following directory C:WindowsSystem32
Keep in mind that this solution only applies to problems with postgreSQL, so if you don’t have this application installed, you can skip this solution entirely.
In addition, copying DLLs to the System32 directory can sometimes cause issues, so be sure to create a backup and use extra caution.
7. Make changes to your user account
7.1 Create a new user account
Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
Go to Accounts section. Now go to Family & other people in the left pane and click on Add someone else to this PC in Other people section on the right.
Select I don’t have this person’s sign in information.
Enter the user name for the new account and click the Next button.
Switch to the new account and check if the problem still persists. If not, copy all your important files to the new account and continue using it as your main account.
Note: Several users reported that this issue occurs when clicking links in Outlook, Skype, and Excel. If you have the same problem, you might be able to solve it by creating a new user account.
Sometimes your user account might be corrupted, and the only way to fix the problem is to create a new one.
Some users are also suggesting to make a few changes to the registry. These steps aren’t mandatory, and if creating a new account fixed the problem for you, you can probably skip these steps.
7.2 Modifiy current user account with registry editor
Log in with your new account and navigate to the C:Users directory.
Locate your old user profile and rename its folder to your_username.old.
Press the Windows Key + R and enter regedit. Click OK or press Enter.
Go to File and select Export and select a safe location for your registry (in case anything goes wrong, you can use this file to restore the registry to its previous state).
In Registry Editor, navigate to the following key from the left pane: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionProfileList
Expand the ProfileList key and you should see several subkeys available.
Check all the keys and look for the ProfileImagePath value in the right pane. You need to find the key whose ProfileImagePath value represents the location of your old profile.
Memorize the last four digits of that key, in our example, it’s 1001 but it might be different on your PC, right-click the key and choose Delete. Double-check everything and be sure to delete the right key. Deleting the wrong key can cause issues with your PC, so be extra cautious.
Navigate to the following key and delete the key that has the same four digits that we mentioned in the previous step: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrent VersionProfileGuid (if you can’t find this key, feel free to skip this step).
Restart your PC and login with your new account, then transfer the data from your old account to the new one if you already haven’t.
Note: In most cases, it’s just necessary to create a new user account and transfer your files to it, but if the problem still occurs, you might have to change your registry as we showed you in the steps above.
8. Change your registry
Start the Registry Editor as shown in our previous solution.
Be sure to back up your registry before proceeding.
Press Ctrl + F and enter 9BD02EED-6C11-4FF0-8A3E-0B4733EE86A1 or 6A0357B5-AB99-4856-8A59-CF2C38579E78. Click the Find Next button.
You should find the following value: C:ProgramDataApp-V9BD02EED-6C11-4FF0-8A3E-0B4733EE86A16A0357B5-AB99-4856-8A59-CF2C38579E78RootVFSSystemieframe.dll
Replace it with the following value: C:WindowsSystem32ieframe.dll
Repeat the search and replace the values as we mentioned in our previous step (repeat the search a couple of times in order to replace all values).
Restart your PC and check if the problem is resolved.
Note: Keep in mind that this solution is for advanced users, so if you choose to apply it, be extra cautious in order to avoid causing damage to your Windows installation.
9. Rename the ssleay32.dll
This solution applies mostly to PHP developers that are getting The operating system cannot run %1 error on their PC. According to users, you might be able to fix this problem by reinstalling PHP and all the necessary components.
In addition, some users are suggesting to locate ssleay32.dll in the C:WindowsSystem32 folder and rename it. Keep in mind that renaming files in System32 folder can be potentially dangerous, so use extra caution.
After renaming the file, the issue should be completely resolved. This solution applies only to users that have PHP installed, so if you’re not a web developer you can skip this solution entirely.
10. Change the Skype shortcut parameters
Make sure that Skype isn’t running in the background. If it is, close it.
Locate the Skype shortcut, right-click it, and choose Properties from the menu.
Locate the Target or Start in field and add /legacylogin after the quotes. Do not change the path inside the quotes. Click Apply and OK to save changes.
Note: After making the changes, use that shortcut to start Skype. This is just a workaround, but it works according to users, so be sure to try it out. Keep in mind that you’ll have to keep using that shortcut to start Skype every time you want to use it.
11. Stop the Apache service and copy the DLL files
If you’re running WAMP and PHP on your local PC, you might experience The operating system cannot run %1 error once in a while.
If you’re having this problem, you need to stop Bitnami WAMP Apache service using the Stack Manager application.
After that, copy libeay32.dll and ssleay32.dll from installdir/php/ to installdir/apache2/bin/ directory. Lastly, start Bitnami WAMP Apache service again and check if everything is in order.
This solution is for web developers that have WAMP running on their PC. If you’re not using this application, this solution won’t apply to you.
12. Remove Internet Explorer Developer Channel
Press the Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
Go to the System section and navigate to Apps & features, then select Internet Explorer Developer Channel and click the Uninstall button to remove it.
Note: If you don’t have an Internet Explorer Developer Channel, you can fix the problem by installing and then removing it by using the instructions above.
Another solution that can help web developers that have this problem with PHP is to update libeay32.dll and ssleay32.dll files.
Simply download these files from the latest PHP package and update them, and the problem should be resolved. In addition, some users are also suggesting updating php_curl.dll, so you might want to try that as well.
Note: This solution only applies to PHP developers.
ERROR_RELOC_CHAIN_XEEDS_SEGLIM and The operating system cannot run %1 errors can cause a lot of problems on your PC, but you should be able to fix them by using one of our solutions.
If you have any additions or suggestions leave us a note in the comments section below.
iCloud is an essential component of Apple’s ecosystem, and it’s available as cloud storage on all Apple’s devices.
Many users reported There was an error downloading this photo from your iCloud library message on their iOS device, so today we’re going to show you how to tackle this issue once and for all.
How can I fix There was an error downloading this photo from your iCloud library?
1. Sign out of iCloud
On your iOS device, go to Settings and select your name.
Now tap on Sign Out.
After doing that, you just need to sign back in and all your photos should be redownloaded and the problem will be gone.
Note: You will see a warning saying that all your photos will be removed from your phone, so be sure to back them up beforehand. Several users reported losing their photos with this method, so use it at your own risk.
2. Turn off Low Power Mode
On your iOS device go to Settings > Battery.
Now locate the Low Power Mode feature and disable it.
After doing that, the problem should be resolved. Many users reported that this setting was causing the issue, so be sure to disable it.
3. Change iCloud settings
On your iOS device go to Settings > Account > iCloud Account.
Now go to Photos and turn off Download and Keep Originals and Optimize iPhone Storage.
After doing that, check if the problem is resolved.
4. Backup up your device via iTunes
Open iTunes and connect your iOS device.
Unlock the iOS device and if you see a confirmation message choose Trust.
Now click the device icon in the upper left part of the iTunes window.
Go to the Backups section, make sure that This computer is selected, and click on Back Up Now.
Wait for the process to finish.
Now you need to reset your iPhone and restore the backup. Don’t worry, if you completed the previous steps properly, you should have a backup available on your computer. Follow these steps:
On your iOS device go to Settings > General > Reset.
Select Erase All Content and Settings.
If you want, you can upload the backup to iCloud just to be safe.
After resetting your iPhone, connect it to your computer and select Trust This Computer.
Select your device from Finder or in iTunes.
Now choose Restore Backup.
Select the latest backup and click on Restore.
Wait for the process to finish.
Once the process is done, the issue should be resolved. Keep in mind that this is a drastic solution, so use it only if the other solutions didn’t fix the problem for you.
There was an error downloading this photo from your iCloud library message can be problematic, but we hope that our solutions helped you fix this issue.
Sometimes you need to translate something, but if you need to translate something in real-time on your computer?
If that’s the case, you’ll be pleased to know that there are specialized live translation apps that you can use, and in today’s article, we’re going to show you the best ones for your PC.
What are the best live translation apps to use?
Microsoft Translator
Microsoft Translator is a live translation application that can be used to translate both text and speech, as well as live conversations.
If needed, you can also download AI-powered language packs and use them offline. The software supports speech input, text, or handwriting, so you can translate everything with ease.
There’s support for over 60 languages which will be more than enough for all your needs. Windows Translator also supports real-time translated conversations with up to 100 people.
Support for Cortana is also available, as well as the ability to translate images that you take on your devices. If needed, you can also share your translation with other apps.
Overall, Microsoft Translator is a great live language translation app, and since it’s completely free, you should definitely try it out.
Microsoft Translator features:
Completely free
Supports speech, text, or written input
Works with over 60 languages
Ability to start or join conversations through Cortana
Support for real-time translated conversations up to 100 people
Another useful live translation app for Windows is QTranslate. This software is simple to use, and you just need to select the text that you want to translate and use the keyboard shortcut to show the translation.
The software works with the following online translation services: Babylon, Baidu, DeepL, Google, Microsoft, Naver, Promt, Yandex, and youdao.
QTranslate can be used to translatetext in any application that supports text selection, and there’s also support for image text recognition.
Speech recognition is available as well, so you can translate speech in real-time. Additional features include text to speech, online dictionaries, spell checking, etc.
QTranslate offers great features, and the only flaw might be the lack of offline support. However, the application is free and simple to use, so you should try it out.
If you’re looking for a live language translation app, then you might want to try Just Translate. The software is available on multiple platforms, and it will work on your PC or Mac, Android, and iOS device.
The application is simple to use, and it can translate emails, instant messages, or websites with ease. Documents are also supported, and you can translate any document in a matter of seconds.
Just Translate also supports voice recognition, and the software will automatically translate what you said to the desired language. Of course, the software also offers a built-in text-to-speech feature.
As for the number of foreign languages, the software supports 100 languages, so you should be able to translate anything you need in a matter of moments.
Just Translate offers solid features, and since it’s available on multiple platforms, there’s no reason not to try it out.
Just Translate features:
Available on Mac, PC, Android, and iOS
Supports over 100 different languages
Ability to translate emails, instant messages, and websites
Another software that supports live translation is iTranslate. This is an Android and iOS app, but there’s also a web app that you can use on Windows or any other platform.
The app supports text translation, and it can recognize text in more than 100 different languages. Voice translation is also available and it will instantly translate what you say.
The voice translation feature also works offline, but currently, it supports only four languages in offline mode. Camera translation is available as well, allowing you to translate cards, signs, and everything else.
The app supports keyboard translation in messaging apps, so you can stay in touch with contacts that don’t speak your language.
Overall, iTranslate is a solid translation app, but unfortunately, some features are only available in the Pro version.
Google Translate is probably one of the best-known translation apps on the market. As you know, Google Translate is available on mobile devices, but you can use it on your PC as a web app.
The app supports keyboard input, but it can also translate voice input, or scan images and translate the text that appears on them.
In case you’re using the device on your phone, it can provide instant translation from your phone’s camera. If needed, you can also draw letters and translate them on your phone.
Offline support is also available, so you can translate everything you need even if you’re offline. As for the number of languages, there’s support for over 100 different languages.
Google Translate is a well-known live translation app, and it’s completely free to use, but not all features are available for all languages.
Google Translate features:
Available on Android, iOS, and in browser
Supports over 100 different languages
Supports text input, speech input, and image scanning
The matchmaker is full issue isn’t an incredibly serious problem; it just shows that the indie game Among Us is affected by the sheer number of users.
Launched in 2018, this game quickly grew in popularity, attracting millions of players and watchers.
Because of this, the servers aren’t equipped to handle this many users at the same time.
The error shows that tons of players are online at the same time, and the server has no more space to admit more players. This prevents players from entering games.
When players try to find a match, they can get the error that says:
Among Us matchmaker is full. Please try again in a few minutes.
This error message mostly shows up during peak gaming hours. If you experience this, know that it’s completely normal.
Don’t fret because you’re about to learn some workarounds to get rid of this error and enjoy the game.
How can I fix the Among Us matchmaker is full error?
1. Confirm that the servers are working
Before implementing any serious troubleshooting procedures, you have to be sure that the Among Us servers aren’t undergoing maintenance.
If you check these recommended places and realize that the issue isn’t peculiar to you, then it’s safe to wait it out and retry after a couple of minutes.
Otherwise, continue troubleshooting it with the solutions that follow.
2. Use a VPN service
We recommend that you try using a VPN service, as the error mentioned above is usually caused by a large group of users playing from the same location at once.
Because the Among Us servers work based on the location that you find yourself in, there are specific high traffic hours for each of the server zones.
A powerful VPN like Private Internet Access (PIA), can change the location the servers identify you from and thus allow you to connect without seeing the dreaded error message.
Besides this, owning a well-known VPN service also protects your privacy online from any third-party entity that might want to collect your data.
Private Internet Access
Easily bypass the Among Us matchmaker full error by changing your location with a few clicks of the mouse!
Plenty of players on the official forums agree that the steps to getting a good starter team are pretty straightforward:
Discard or sell all of the starter packs that you have or may get along the way.
Start doing all of the advanced Squad Build Challenges (SBCs) one-by-one.
Save up a large amount of currency
Buy your team with the proceeds.
Try to make team compositions with players from the same country for better synergies and loyalty in certain Squad Build Challenges.
What to look out for in Starter Team
While these steps may seem pretty simple enough, there are some things that need mentioning.
For starters, this strategy is only profitable at the beginning or the end of a season.
That is when all the prices are low and you don’t have to go farming like there’s no tomorrow for a single player.
This is mainly because the Futbin solutions are not up yet, so the prices are still low.
You need to have experience playing the game, since the advanced Squad Build Challenges aren’t exactly a walk in the park for some.
You’ll need to stay glued to the game so that you can take advantage of all the non-repeatable Squad Build Challenges available at any given moment.
Making a team composition using mostly players from the same country is very difficult.
This due to the Random Numbers Generator (RNG) nature of packs.
However, if you do manage to do this, you will easily build up a team of at least 80 in rating each.
Keep note that the highest rated players would not be the best option for starting squads as they usually sell with an enormous price.
Therefore, try to pick up enough average gold players in your team as early as possible.
This is because they are most cost-efficient solution for your starter team needs.
All in all, you should follow the advice listed above and maybe even put in a bit of time.
With a bit of luck, you’ll definitely have a good starter team to begin the FIFA 21 season!
Have you built your starter team yet? Let us know what methods you used to get a solid head start by leaving us your suggestions in the comments section below.
Fifa 21 is the latest in an extremely long-lived game series.
A whole new season is upon players, which means a whole new opportunity to make a name for themselves.
Of course, lots of players wait for new seasons to come so that they can take advantage of yet-unexplored market prices as a means to make in-game currency.
One of the best ways to do so is to perform if trading.
Quick Tip:
Speaking of trading and making money, if you don’t own FIFA 21 yet, get it now at the best possible price!
Enjoy the best of footbal, and grow alonside your favorite teams and players in no time.
700+ teams
30 official leagues
Unparalleled graphics
17,000+ authentic players
Have a career in professional football and grow
Play as one of the best football teams of the 2021 season
You first need to pay attention to see which is the Team of the Week (TOTW) and try to figure out which player from it will be popular.
A large number of cards of that type will then be placed on the market at an inflated price. This works best when you have enough cards of the same type to fill an entire market page.
This is not exactly a fool-proof strategy, as it relies on a buyer’s carelessness. On e good example are those who use the console and do not take the time to search for the lowest price on players.
The buyers search the market and see all the players up at a set price and buy a player. After seeing this, they end up thinking that must be his going rate.
Things to look out for to make IF trading effective
One thing you should also remember is to be aware of upcoming events and SBCS. This is because they usually have an effect on any IFs you are holding or looking to buy.
You also need to already have some consistent capital to start off with. This is so that you can afford the occasional mistake, such as a bad bulk buy.
The recommended amount varies but the common consensus is to have enough to buy an entire page’s worth of current IFs.
Because of the volatile nature of the market, any IF would theoretically rise in value at one point or another.
Unfortunately, this means an IF could be popular now, or just in a few months. Thus, this method requires a high amount of patience.
Keep in mind that IF trading can also be used as a means to build capital to buy off a good Starter Team.
What other tips would you give beginners that want to make in-game currency in FIFA 21? Let us know in the article below, and we’ll update it accordingly!
If you ever encountered the infamous error connecting to the server while using Mirth, you’ve come to the right place. There are quite a few reasons why Mirth would deny your server connection requests.
The good news is that this issue isn’t exactly unheard of, so there are a bunch of fixes that might restore the order of things for you. Many users complain about their occasional inability to connect to the Mirth server.
But worry not, as we’ve managed to isolate a bunch of fixes that could get you right on track.
What is Mirth?
Mirth, also referred to as Mirth Connect, or NextGen Connect is a health-industry cross-platform system that’s widely used for information management. It uses a bi-directional message sending technology to achieve great results.
More so, it uses several transports to send messages between both systems and applications. It integrates a wide selection of administration tools and helps facilitate fast and efficient health data exchanges.
Mirth error connecting to the server
As we’ve briefly mentioned above, some users may experience issues whenever connecting to the Mirth server. To be more precise, the client doesn’t recognize the server and asks you to check if the server is, indeed, running. Here’s the full error message:
There was an error connecting to the server at the specified address. Please verify that the server is up and running.
It’s also worth mentioning that the same users who got this error encountered no previous issue, not even while installing the program on their computers.
How to fix Mirth server error?
1. Update/downgrade Java
The most common reason why Mirth would throw a server connection error your way is the Java version. Apparently, this error started to manifest around Java version 8, so it’s been quite a while.
Users complained that not long after updating to Java version 8, they started to experience these server connection issues. The obvious fix to this problem was to downgrade to an older version of Java (i.e. version 7 for version 8 users).
We can’t advise you to downgrade to a version that old because of security issues, but you could try one of these two potential fixes:
Try downgrading to a previous version of Java if the suggested fix above doesn’t seem to work
Although the second fix seemed to work for many users a while ago, it will probably do more harm than good for you.
Reportedly, Mirth performs a quick Java version check upon launching, and prompts you to update to the latest version.
2. Change ports
If the administrator (client) version of Mirth isn’t configured to run on the same ports as the server, the connection might not be valid. As a result, you may encounter connection issues.
Make sure you’re matching ports whenever you configure the client and server versions of Mirth, to avoid compatibility issues.
3. Reinstall Mirth
If you’ve recently updated Mirth and notice that you’re suddenly unable to connect to your Mirth server, you might be the victim of a faulty installation.
The reasons why an installation could become faulty are countless, so we’ll focus more on the effect this issue has.
However, for your peace of mind, it’s probably because of outdated cached data on your PC. Many programs have this nasty habit of building insane amounts of cached data, which they conveniently forget to discard.
The most common result of this mishappening is hard-to-figure-out problems with the software program that saved the data, to begin with.
4. Use a VPN
If you’re connecting to an external Mirth server (i.e. not localhost) and are suddenly unable to connect to it, you might experience a shift in your network’s configuration.
More often than not this issue can be caused by your ISP blocking traffic on certain addresses, or imposing port rules. If that’s the case, you can turn to a trustworthy VPN to get you out of this situation.
Connect to a fast VPN server (servers that are closer are generally also faster)
Launch Mirth and check if you’re still unable to connect
A VPN can help you bypass several connection issues, especially if your ISP gets overzealous and starts blacklisting vital addresses/hosts/ports.
5. Change your TLS version
Open the mirth.properties file in a text editor and try changing the TLS protocols to other versions. Please note that by doing so you might tamper with the security of your machine.
It’s been noticed that older versions of the TLS protocol may restore the functionality of Mirth and let you establish a valid connection to the server.
However, the same old versions are incredibly insecure. Thus, proceed with caution and refrain from modifying settings you’re not comfortable with or know little about.
6. Check your firewall
Windows’ Firewall has been the kernel of many connectivity issues throughout time. Therefore, it makes sense to check if it’s not actively blocking your attempts to establish a connection between your Mirth client and server.
Furthermore, if you have any third-party security software, it would be a wise thing to check if they’re also not blocking Mirth’s connection attempts.
More often than not, security solutions can give you a hard time by restricting services and apps they’re not really supposed to.
Final thoughts on fixing Mirth server connection error
All things considered, if you’re having a hard time getting Mirth’s client to connect to the server, there might be hope yet.
The reasons for this occurrence are many and varied, so first and foremost you need to make sure you’ve got the latest version installed on your PC.
After you’ve done that and checked that the program is properly configured, you can start checking connectivity parameters.
If you feel adventurous, you can install a VPN, but note that using such a tool won’t help you if your server runs on the same machine.
Many users tend to pin items to Taskbar so they can easily access them when needed. While this is quite convenient, many reported that items pinned to Taskbar disappear on Windows 10.
This is a minor problem, but it can cause inconvenience, and in today’s article, we’re going to show you the best ways to fix it for good.
What can I do if pinned items disappear on Windows 10?
1. Check your antivirus settings
Open your antivirus settings.
Now look for the Folder Protection option.
Check if the Desktop folder is protected. If it is, remove it from the list of protected folders.
Save changes.
Users reported this problem with older versions of BitDefender, but Windows Defender can also cause this issue. To fix it, do the following:
Open Windows Security and go to Virus & threat protection.
Disable Controlled Folder Access feature.
After doing that, check if the pinned Taskbar items still disappear on your PC.
2. Change Group Policy Settings
Press Windows Key + R and enter msc. Press Enter or click OK.
Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar. In the right pane, double-click on Remove pinned programs from the Taskbar.
Set it to Disabled or Not Configured and save changes.
After doing that, check if pinned items still disappear on Windows 10.
Locate the application that you want to pin in File Explorer.
Now right-click the application and choose the Pin to Taskbar option.
Several users reported that items from Start Menu, search results, and shortcuts will disappear from the Taskbar. To avoid this, always pin the .exe file of the application that you want to pin.
This is just a workaround, but it seems to be working according to several users.
4. Move the Taskbar to the left
Right-click Taskbar and uncheck Lock the taskbar option.
Click and hold on the Taskbar and move it to the right.
Now move it back to the original position, and your icons should appear.
Keep in mind that this is just a workaround, but it might help you if pinned Taskbaricons disappear on Windows 10.
5. Restart File Explorer
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Right-click the Windows Explorer and choose Restart from the menu.
After doing that, check if the problem is resolved. Keep in mind that this is just a workaround, so it might not work for you.
These are just a couple of simple solutions that you can use if pinned Taskbar items disappear on Windows 10, so be sure to try them all.
Our PC consists of a wide range of devices, some related to performance and graphics, many related to device connectivity, and others for networking operations. Each must perform effectively. But many found Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Adapter has a driver problem.
Be it the Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Adapter driver code 10 error or other similar problems with it, there’s always a solution for it. But before we head to those, let’s find out the role played by the adapter.
What is the Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Adapter used for?
IPv4 and IPv6 are two alternative IP protocols that assign unique addresses to PCs the world over. The Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Adapter device acts as a translator for IPv4 and IPv6 PCs for Internet communications.
As we exhaust the limited IPv4 addresses, the importance of the Teredo Tunneling Adapter becomes more than ever due to its ability to provide IPv6 connectivity to devices running IPv4.
What can I do if Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Adapter has a driver problem?
Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, here are a few quick ones to try:
Restart the computer.
Install any pending Windows updates and make sure you are on the latest OS version.
If these don’t work, move to the fixes listed next.
1. Use Outbyte Driver Updater
The Outbyte Driver Updater software can resolve driver issues by installing updated drivers for internal and external PC devices with antiquated or missing ones. With its super quick scanning and very large driver database, Outbyte Driver Updater is worth noting when you need to fix driver issues.
You can try updating the Teredo Tunneling Adapter driver with Outbyte Driver Updater Pro or its freeware version. One of the main differences between those versions is that Outbyte Driver Updater Pro will also automatically install downloaded drivers.
Other useful features
The driver backup utility enables you to back up drivers
You can schedule scans with Outbyte Driver Updater’s schedule manager
Its Download manager displays driver download progress
Live chat support provided for Outbyte Driver Updater
Moreover, you can also fix corrupted drivers that may cause risky system errors, by using automatic scans and replacing faulty drivers with new ones.
You should therefore consider this driver manager and optimize the system devices with the latest driver versions.
Outbyte Driver Updater
Manage all your drivers successfully with this secure and user-friendly driver software app.
Right-click on the active network adapter, and then choose Properties.
Now, tick the checkbox for Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), and click OK to save the changes.
Once done, restart the computer.
A few users reported that enabling IPv6 got things up and running when they came across the Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Adapter has a driver problem message.
4. Edit the registry
Press Windows + R to open Run, type regedit, and click OK.
Click Yes in the prompt.
Paste the following path in the address bar and hit Enter:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\TCPIP6\PARAMETERS
Double-click the DisabledComponents entry.
Enter 0 under Value data and click OK to save the changes.
Finally, restart the computer.
The above resolutions can fix the Microsoft Teredo Tunneling adapter that has a driver problem for Windows 7 and even the other iterations, including the latest, i.e., Windows 11.
Then, use an elevated command prompt to copy it to the C:\Windows folder.
Up next, also download the raccine-reg-patch.reg Registry file.
Don’t hesitate to double-click on it.
When it prompts you to merge the contents into the Registry, don’t hesitate to give it your permission to do so.
Raccine basically works by registering the raccine.exe executable as a debugger for vssadmin.exe. It does so by using the Image File Execution Options Windows registry key.
Once you register raccine.exe as a debugger, every time vssadmin.exe is executed, it will also launch Raccine, which will check to see if vssadmin is trying to delete shadow copies.
If it happens to discover that a process is indeed using vssadmin delete, it will automatically terminate the process.
How to delete Shadow copies Windows 10?
If your wish is to delete Shadow copies in Windows 10, then click the Win + Rkeyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog, input SystemPropertiesProtection, and press Enter.
Up next, you just need to select a partition to delete all these shadow copies from, and choose Configure.
Finally, make sure to press Delete in order to remove all restore points from this drive or partition, and click Apply.
You can delete shadow copies to free up space in your computer but never think of that any longer due to ransomware threats.
Raccine can easily solve this particular issue. Let us know in the comments area below if you tried it already.
Watching movies or playing music in your Windows 1o device can be a great experience with propper sound settings. And if you are an audiophile having the right balance of sound in your device is really important.
By adjusting the frequency ranges of said signals by boosting or cutting them until you’re satisfied with the quality of the sound you can create that sound experience you have been searching for.
This is something that you can either do manually or automatically. Although Windows 10 has an integrated equalizer there is not as much room and freedom to make advanced sound settings.
There is another option though, which would imply installing an equalizer on your device from where you can adjust the sound frequencies as you wish.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered in both cases.
In this article, we will explore exactly how you can adjust your equalizer settings in just a few easy steps, so keep reading.
How can I set the equalizer for the best sound in Windows 10?
1. Use a compatible sound equalizer
Before going deeper into the subject, the first and most important step is to make sure you are choosing the best sound equalizer for your device.
There are numerous options out there, and after making some tests, we would like to recommend using Bloom 3D.
Using this software it is very simple. Once you installed it on your device and choose your favorite enhancement, it is ready to go. It can be used with any headphones, players, or media streaming app you want.
Through the incorporated equalizer, you can modify the sound settings, if found necessary.
Moreover, Bloom 3D comes with an incorporated Music player so that the bloom settings will apply even when listening to your favorite music.
The sound booster option will allow you to turn up the volume of your device by raising it up a couple of notches but without creating any distortions which will reveal some amazing details that you wouldn’t hear otherwise.
If gaming is your thing, then the 3D sound technology will really make a difference in how you experience the entire game.
Additionally, another amazing thing about this equalizer is the free access to more than 20k Local and International Internet Radio Stations across 120 countries.
Here are some of its key features:
Amazing audio effects to enhance the sound experience.
Realistic surround sound atmosphere.
Innovative 3D sound technology.
Sound engaging algorithm.
Noise filtering option.
Safe volume booster.
Boom 3D
An amazing 3D audio with surround effects that will tweak your sound near to perfection. Try it now!
Right-click on the sound icon and select theplayback option.
Next, select the default speaker or headset device that you use for your PC.
Double click the default icon and click on Properties.
Click on the change settings option in the general tab.
Go to theDriver tab and clickon update driver.
Note: This is the default Windows 10 equalizer. If for some reason you don’t have this equalizer, then you can easily download Realtek HD driversfrom the internet and use its equalizer.
Update drivers automatically
Updating the drivers manually is great but if you are looking for a safer and easier way to do it, then using dedicated software such as Outbyte Driver Updater is the way to go.
All you need to do in order to start is a stable Internet connection and you will have all the latest drivers installed on your PC in no time.
Not only that, but Outbyte Driver Updater will also fix any broken or missing drivers from your device by using its dedicated built-in library, that it’s constantly updated.
Another big advantage of using such a tool is that it automatically finds the versions that are actually compatible and working on your system.
You can rest assured that you’ll get the latest version of the driver because this library is updated every time a new driver version is being released.
Outbyte Driver Updater is portable and extremely easy to use. Once installed, you will only have to wait for the scan to start and be completed. Afterward, the software will automatically update your drivers.
Select Related settings and choose Sound settings.
Click on the Enhancement tab and check the box next to Equalizer.
In the Settings box, select the sound setting you want to activate.
Click on OK to save the settings.
There you have it, this is how you can activate and set up your equalizer for an enhanced sound experience. You can either do this manually or simply install a dedicated tool that will do exactly that for you.
We hope that by following these few steps, you can significantly improve the quality of your audio experiences.
If you have additional questions or suggestions, please let us know in the comments section below.
Aaron Greenberg, General Manager of Xbox Games Marketing at Microsoft, took some time to celebrate a “record year” for Xbox Game Studios on Xbox Wire. It has been a spectacular year for Xbox Game Studios, especially with Microsoft’s recent acquisition of ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion. As we collectively count down the days to the release of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S on November 10th, Greenberg looks at all the things that Microsoft and Xbox Game Studios have accomplished over the past year.
15 Xbox Game Studios games launched to-date (10 of which are brand new titles) and many more to come, a record for Xbox.
1.66 billion hours played by our fans and counting, the most ever year-to-date for Xbox Game Studios titles.
Microsoft Flight Simulator, our longest running franchise, returned with an overall Metacritic score of 92, a top-rated PC game this year.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps was the highest-rated Xbox game we launched this year with an average Metacritic score of 90.
Grounded, a new release from Obsidian, quickly exceeded more than 1 million players, while Sea of Thieves has now surpassed 15 million players to date.
Wasteland 3, not only was a fan-favorite and previously won the award for best RPG at gamescom, it also had an average Metacritic score of 86.
Besides all the great Xbox Game Studios announcements, the Xbox community has achieved some amazing in-game stats on Xbox One and Windows PC on Xbox Game Pass.
MicrosoftFlight Simulator players have already logged over 26 million flights and more than a billion miles flown, which averages out to 15 times more than the number of real-life flights taken globally each day in 2019, and enough miles to circumnavigate the globe over 40,000 times.
Minecraft Dungeonshas become a co-op favorite, with 6.9 million multiplayer sessions over the past two months, nearly two-thirds of which (4.4 million) were couch co-op.
More than 500 million bugs have been squashed in Grounded, but there are over 10 quintillion insects in the world so we’ve only exterminated 0.000000000005%.
Starting on November 10, 2020, Microsoft will release its next-generation Xbox consoles with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Xbox Game Studios will continue to crank out Xbox game exclusives to Xbox Game Pass and add to its already robust game offerings via Xbox Backward Compatibility. It is going to be hard for other competitors, including Sony to offer the best place for gamers when Microsoft owns most of the game studios and makes the decision on whether or not to release certain games on their platform.
You probably read the early reviews, saw the videos on YouTube, and heard the podcasts online. Everyone thinks the Surface Duo is disappointing.
Well, to begin my own review, I have a big message for everyone who is reading. Those early reviews of the Surface Duo are wrong. You shouldn’t dismiss the Surface Duo as a “bad phone” and you need to give it a chance, first.
Why? One month ago, I purchased the Surface Duo with my own money. I even sent away my Google Pixel 3XL to Microsoft to pay for it. And, after having it in my pocket as my daily driver for close to a full 30 days, I have a very different message.
The Surface Duo really changed the way I use my phone. It is an exciting dual-screen Android to love — if you give it a chance and use it the right way and don’t compare it to other phones on the market. Here’s my Duo story.
Editor’s note: The Surface Duo was not provided for review to us by Microsoft. Arif purchased the phone with his own money.
The Specs: A lot for $1,400
As with all my Surface reviews, I try not to delve into the technical aspects of the device. The Surface Duo will be no different. I’m going to focus on how I used the device, the hiccups I experienced. I will not be running Geekbench Benchmarks or battery tests. But, here’s a look at the specs.
Name
Specs
Dimensions (closed)
145.2 mm (H) x 93.3 mm (W) x 9.9 mm
4.8mm thin
Weight
250 grams
Display
Dual PixelSense Fusion Displays open: 8.1” AMOLED, 2700×1800 (3:2), 401 PPI
Single PixelSense Display: 5.6” AMOLED, 1800×1350 (4:3), 401 PPI
Battery
3577mAh
Charger
18W USB-C included
Camera
Adaptive camera 11MP, f/2.0, 1.0 µm, PDAF and 84.0° diagonal FOV optimized with AI for front and rear
Networks
WiFi: WiFi-5 802.11ac (2.4/5GHz)
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0
LTE: 4×4 MIMO,
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile
Connections
USB-C 3.1
Storage
6GM RAM, 128GB of internal storage
Speaker and Audio
Mono speaker, Dual Mic noise suppression, and echo cancellation
Qualcomm aptX audio
This model of the Duo I am reviewing is available for $1,400 at the Microsoft Store. You can also find a more expensive option with 256GB of storage for $1,500, too. If you’re looking to save on the Duo, though, you can trade-in your old phone and get back up to $700 off. I got $400 back for my Pixel, making my purchase close to $1,000.
The hardware and design: Hinges, thinness, and fit and comfort
Like everyone else, one of my favorite things about the Surface Duo is the hardware. The phone is made of Gorilla Glass around the front and back. The buttons, fingerprint reader, and frame on the Duo facing the right are made of composite material, but the left side has the metal hinge. The fingerprint reader is on the right side of the device and is spot-on, never missing a login.
Then, there are the 360-degree hinges itself. The hinges separate the two screens and are tucked away at the top and bottom, encased in the two halves of the metal enclosure to the left of the phone (or just middle when folded open.) In one month of use, and thousands of times opening and closing, these hinges never failed me. Nor did it pick up pocket lint, dirt, or any other material.
To me, the hinges always felt just as precise and operational as the watchband hinges on a Lenovo Yoga. It creates a cool look because the hinges are polished metal. Plus, it helps holds the Duo up at almost any angle, if you’re to use it in one of its different modes.
This all means the Duo feels premium, but also thin. As I said in my early- hands-on, I’ve never felt a phone like this. On this matter, the Surface Duo really is in a league of its own when compared to other flagships. The phone itself is almost as slim as the USB-C port on board the bottom of the device. It’s quite unique at 4.8 mm thin.
Asides from that, the fact that the Duo has those two screens, separated by the hinge, make it stand out from the Galaxy Z Fold. The hinge does make the gap a little seamless, though. I found that as I slide my hands between the two screens the hinge feels like it isn’t there, even if it is visually separated.
Oh, and about putting the Duo in your pocket. At 250 grams in weight, and with its overall thinness, it fits fine in a pair of my tightest jeans. When the weather was warm, it slid easily into my shorts. Then, as the weather got colder, It slid well as my sweat pants and jeans pockets. I never had to worry about the fit, and you shouldn’t either.
The screens: Aspect ratio, inking, sensitivity, bezels
Now, for more on the screens. The Surface Duo comes with two 5.6 inch AMOLED panels. Each has a 1,800 x 1,350 resolution, and each is set in the 4:3 aspect ratio. When expanded out, the displays open up to a single 8.1 inch AMOLED display at 2,700 x 1,800 resolution in the 3:2 aspect ratio, albeit with split down the middle.
I initially had some trouble getting used to this new screen. Coming from an iPhone XS, the Duo felt a little shorter and wider than I was used to. Some apps like Instagram felt a bit cramped due to this aspect ratio. I felt the Duo wasn’t meant for social media, but after a few days, the aspect ratio felt more welcoming. Giving it a chance, I felt as though the Duo’s aspect ratio was putting more emphasis on the content I actually wanted to see, like a specific picture on Instagram, or a single tweet in my Twitter timeline.
Asides from that, the Duo’s screens are visually impressive. In both bright sunlight and indoors, everything on the screen appears sharp and crisp. It’s a pretty pleasing experience, especially with the adaptive brightness, which makes sure the screen is at the optimal brightness.
I’ll also touch on the bezels here. While many have criticized the phone for its thick bezels, I think it does help in terms of usability. When I switch the Duo into its various modes of use or decide to use the Surface Slim pen, having those thick bezels helps with holding the device in a more comfortable matter. I never had to worry about my hands accidentally touching the screen.
I'm definitely not an artist. But, I did a quick sketch in Autodesk on the Duo while looking at an image on one screen and I absolutely loved it. Prime time to learn to draw? pic.twitter.com/sFQVQlhTFS
Finally, there’s the sensitivity and inking experience. While some early reviewers reported bugs with the touch-screen experience, I haven’t had any major issues. Almost 99% of the time the keyboard was responsive, as well as the swiping and moving of apps and general day to day usage.
The other 1% of the time the issue with my screen was just with the orientation. Out of my 3 weeks with the device, a few times the Duo’s screens would not respond when I rotated it, or it would rotate on its own about once a week. Sometimes, an app also wouldn’t slide to the other screen. Usually, locking and unlocking the phone would fix this, and it wasn’t something that was breaking the phone.
Even inking was a great experience. With a wide and short format, and the ability to fold like a book, the Duo feels a lot like a Moleskine notebook. I was able to pull up an image on one screen. and then mimic it and draw on the other. I also used the Duo as a journal, but more on that next where I get into how the Duo changed how I used my phone.
The dual-screen experience and modes of use: Change the way you use your phone
I headlined this review as “a phone to love” and that’s all because of the Surface Duo’s dual-screens. Coming from iPhone, a Pixel, and a Lumia 950 XL, the Duo really changed the way I use my phone. For $1,400, you’re getting a lot of phone in one device.
But, why you may ask? Well, the hinges on the Duo allow you to fold it into various modes of use or postures, like a modern Windows 2-in-1. These include Book Mode, Compose Mode, Dual Landscape Mode, Single Screen Mode, Tent Mode, and Peek Mode.
It is here where things come into play and where the Duo is unlike any other phone you’ve ever used. I found myself switching between these various modes, based on what situation I need my phone for. Combined with various gestures Microsoft has talked up for multitasking and swiping apps around, this means the Duo is versatile.
Book mode
Book mode is how I spent the majority of my time using the Duo. For Book Mode, reading webpages and checking the news was fun. I was able to keep two different news apps, or two different webpages side by side, one on each screen. This is done by swiping the app to the screen you want it on and then pulling up to open the secondary app from the home screen. Twitter alongside Instagram. Snap alongside WhatsApp, Edge alongside Chrome? The possibilities are endless.
Essentially, you’re able to get more done and see two things in different apps at once, in a full-view that’s not squished down as it would be on a Galaxy Fold. And, what about this? Enjoying full-screen Android on one screen, and Windows 10 on the other, via a remote session!
But the one benfit of this on the Surface Duo? You can run windows remotely on one screen and right alongside Android on the other… No other phone can do that this flawlessly. pic.twitter.com/Yx8NCRr7pK
For me, Book mode is also useful for inking. I folded the Duo open in this mode and inked in OneNote with Surface Slim Pen as a journal. With the way the Duo’s aspect ratio feels, and how OneNote is optimized for the Duo, it’s quite natural and exactly like writing in a Moleskine notebook. I highly recommend Surface Slim Pen for this reason, as it adds a whole set of new use cases to the device.
One thing I've been doing since the start of 2020 was keeping my thoughts in a digital journal in OneNote. Before that, I had a physical Moleskine. It's amazing to me how similar writing in Onenote every night on my Duo feels to writing in a Moleskine. I dang love this phone. pic.twitter.com/lEhvzoHtjI
Book mode also has another interesting use. If you hold an app to the middle of the hinge, the Duo will span it across both screens. Amazon’s Kindle app supports this mode and will split so you see pages on each screen. A lot of apps don’t support this splitting yet, though, and will just be divided down the middle with the hinge. As dual-screen phones become more mainstream, this is something that’s up to Android developers to adapt their apps to, and not Microsoft.
Compose mode
Compose mode is one of the weird use cases of the Duo. In this mode, you turn the Duo around vertically and span an app on the top, to get a keyboard on the bottom. This is for typing emails in Outlook or a document in Word. You also can fold the Duo like a laptop with the screen in a laptop mode to enjoy this mode. As much as Microsoft tries to sell it, this was a bit strange to me because of the small screen and keyboard. I never used compose mode much because I didn’t find it comfortable.
Landscape mode
Then, there’s Landscape Mode. This is one of my favorite modes for spanning one app across both displays, with the phone rotated vertically. Here you hold an app in the middle to span it vertically and get to use the full 8.1-inch screen to your advantage. This is great for web browsing, as it feels like you’re holding a newspaper in your hand. With the exception of the hinge cutting out content, scrolling, reading content feels quite natural here, especially on Twitter and Instagram.
Single screen mode
Next, there’s the single-screen mode. For most people, this mode will feel most natural. You can fold the Duo back, and hold is as you would a traditional phone. This mode cuts back on the Duo’s dual-screen features, but it’s the most comfortable for replying to texts at quick, without having to deal with swiping on the mini-keyboard. And yes, the back screen does go inactive when the phone is folded, but you can always switch back to it by flipping the phone and double-tapping it.
Heck, you even can use the Slim Pen to use your handwriting and ink on the screen respond to texts in this mode, too, if you install GBoard.
Saw a tip on Reddit to use Surface Pen with Gboard on the Surface Duo so you can pen as a keyboard. Really amazing. It's accurate. Why did everyone slam the Duo. I know it's being compared to flagships but on its own it does a lot of damn amazing things. I love this phone so much pic.twitter.com/22dcZomySA
It’s also where you’ll spend most of your time if you’re taking photos. I’ve seen some people fold the Duo and keep it like this in their pocket too, for quicker access to the cameras and such, but it’s not something I’ve tried. I am worried about scratching the screens.
Tent mode
Tent mode is one of the most unique aspects of Surface Duo. Here you fold the Duo over into a “tent.” I like this mode for one reason, and it relates to multi-media or gaming. Folding the Duo over like this is great for watching movies or other TV shows. I enjoyed watching NASCAR Races, MLB games, episodes of Spongebob, as well as gaming via xCloud on the Duo in this mode. The possibilities are endless because you can prop your phone anywhere and enjoy it, without buying a stand.
Peek mode
Finally, there’s the peek mode. Since the Duo lacks an external screen, in peek mode, you get to “pull” the Duo open at its side and see your notifications and the time on a glance screen. Right now, peek mode only works with seeing the time and date, but tweaking a setting gets it working to show notification badges. It’s a cool way to make up for the lack of an outside screen.
The camera: Good enough, but could be better
One of the most controversial things about the Duo has been the lack of an external camera. I’ve mentioned my concerns about this multiple times in different posts, but after using the phone for about a month, I’ve come to a different conclusion: For $1,400, the camera isn’t the greatest you could find on a flagship Android or iPhone, but it does get the job done and could be a little bit better.
Compared to my iPhone XS (and my Pixel before I traded it in) the Surface Duo’s single 11MP camera is just decent. With an f2.0 lens, and the lack of lasers to autofocus (it uses PDAF) the low-light images aren’t the best on the Duo. But, for outdoor shots, and general day-to-day photography in good lighting conditions, the Duo is great. You can see this in the slider below, where I took some photos of flowers using the Duo’s cameras.
In inside lighting, the photos also come out decent. However, the Duo’s cameras do like to wash out some colors or even the reflections of lights. I wrote a post about how to correct this through Google Photos. But you can see the difference in my Tweet below.
And here is that same photo edited in Google Photos with the auto correction. It's amazing to see how poor the camera can performs sometimes. It's hit or miss. But with Google Photos you can fix it when it goes wrong. pic.twitter.com/HSh1fgl1ma
One thing of note, though, is the way that you handle the camera. With no exterior camera, you need to fold the phone and then rotate it to switch from selfie mode to world-facing mode. Sometimes (which I say at 4% of the time,) the Duo wouldn’t properly flip photos or have a delay in the shutter click when I did this. It was awkward and annoying, but eventually, I did get used to it. I remain hopeful this can be get patched in future software updates. It’s just something you need to be patient with to properly enjoy the Duo.
With the exception of the photos I’ve posted and taken of the Duo itself (with my iPhone,) I’ve used my Duo exclusively for Instagram, Snapchat, and other pictures on social media. Nobody has told me that my photo quality has dropped. So, there is that. I think the camera is good for what I need. Compared to the dual or triple camera setup on other phones it isn’t the best, but I do have hope that Microsoft can improve it in software updates, too.
I also want to mention that the Duo does have a portrait mode like the iPhones and Pixels, but it’s pretty much useless if you’re taking a photo of something that’s facing you. For selfies, though, it’s pretty magical and will give you a fantastic bokeh effect you’ve likely seen on iPhones and Pixels. The front-facing camera is good for Teams, too, with my colleague telling me I was “crystal clear” when we did a test call.
The performance, software, connectivity, and the bugs: Not like everyone says
Now, for the performance. Powered by Android, and with last year’s Snapdragon 855 processor inside paired with 6GB RAM, a lot of people and reviewers have slammed the Duo for having outdated specs for its price. While this is true, and that is a rightful comparison, there’s another side to the story.
There’s a need to talk about how one actually uses the device without getting into the Geekbench and technical scores. Again, time to give the Duo a chance and put it into a real perspective.
For day-to-day usage, productivity, and social media, a Snapdragon 855 with 6GB of RAM on an Android phone is more than enough to get anything you need to do, done. All of my favorite apps, including Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Microsoft Edge performed fine on the Duo. I didn’t experience device-breaking lag or freeze (especially in Microsoft Edge) that those early reviewers have complained about.
Leveraging the dual-screens, I was able to run Twitter alongside Instagram. Edge alongside Chrome. Netflix alongside Amazon Videos… and the list can go on. Performance-wise, there wasn’t a single thing that the Duo couldn’t handle that my iPhone or Pixel can.
And, when setting up my apps, the Duo sped through it all with speed. Just be aware, not every Android app is optimized to use the dual-screens. Most non-Microsoft apps aren’t optimized and will default to the opening on one of the Duo’s single screens.
I've set up the Duo to feel like my Pixel did. I don't get why people said it freezes and is slow?! My apps all installed really quick. pic.twitter.com/dP5rRaZKdC
But it’s not always roses and perfume for the Duo. Just like the camera, occasionally there is a bug or two. While the Duo works fine 99% of the time, there are some bugs. Sometimes, Microsoft Launcher (which powers the Duo on top of Google’s Android) could not respond to my swipes as I moved apps across the screen, or swipe up on the screen to see all apps.
Usually, I’d just lock and unlock the phone to fix this, and it works fine. Again, another case where you have to give the phone a chance while Microsoft works out the bugs via software updates.
It should be noted that a lot of performance issues with the Duo can be addressed with software updates. The phone already received two since it launched, and more is on the way. Microsoft is also committed to three years of Android updates and monthly security updates for the Duo, so I am hopeful any bugs will be patched.
Battery life: More than enough to get through the day
When it comes to battery life on a phone, it depends on the user. Some people are glued to their phones all day, and others mainly keep it in their pockets. I am someone who falls in between that.
For my typical 8 AM- 10 PM day, the Surface Duo lasts me fine. With a full charge at 100% in the morning, I’d be down to 20% by the evening before bed. I’d also get anywhere between 4-6 hours of screen on-time, depending on how much I used the phone on a given day.
Considering the Duo has two screens, and a small 3,577mAh battery, I’d say that’s good enough for most people. I never was worried about battery life, and the Duo was always ready for me when I needed it. Plus, with an 18-watt quick charger included in the box, it charged up the device from 20-100% in about 45 mins.
Use as a phone: Can you hear me now? Good!
Of course, the Duo is a phone. Although Panos Panay and Microsoft don’t like calling it one, the Duo has all the functionalities of a cellphone. Here, there are no surprises. While the size makes the Duo a bit weird to hold in your hands to your ears, it’s as excellent of a phone as it is anything else.
Answering calls on the Duo works well. The phone rings, and as you open the screen, you’ll see it appear on the right screen (which has the earpiece.) I’ve had no issues with dropped calls or voice quality. The earpiece is loud, and everyone has told me that I sound clear, and as if I were in the room with them. And, when I finished the call, I could just fold the Duo closed to hangup.
PS: the Duo supports Voice over LTE and all the major networks in the USA. I used it with T-Mobile so I was able to enjoy WiFi calling. Just be aware, there is no 5G support on the Duo, mainly because of its chipset not supporting it.
The case and the bumpers: Much needed for protection
Midway through my review period, I decided to put the included bumper case on the Duo. I thought I would live without it, but after a few weeks, I felt like the Duo was too fragile, so I went for the extra protection.
The bumper case pastes to the sides of Duo with double-sided tape. It’s not a permanent bond and can be pulled back off later, but officially Microsoft says it’s not meant to be removed. It comes in four colors and adds a nice level of grip and makes the Duo feel a bit safer in the hands.
However, the bumper is made of a tacky rubber, which means it gathers pocket dust. But, it also does protect the composite side of the screen near the power buttons, which people have can lose its colors.
All in all, the bumper case is a must for the Duo. It helps protect the phone, and it’s nice that it’s included. After all, the last thing you want is to crack your $1,400 phone.
A great phone, despite the missing things
3,000 words later, and this is what I have to say. Yes, the Surface Duo isn’t perfect. It has its bugs and is far from the monster smartphone, but if you give a chance, you’ll love it. Sure, the camera isn’t the best, but the real use cases for the Duo are with it’s dual-screens. It changes the way you use your phone.
Things like NFC are missing from the Duo, but you can fix that by pairing it with a watch. And 5G support? is it even needed? And, expandable storage? With Microsoft 365, you get 1TB of OneDrive for your photos, so this shouldn’t be a worry. And how about wireless charging? You can add it to the Duo with third-party accessories.
Microsoft has now made it easier to highlight a specific person within a call with the new Spotlight feature, now generally available in Teams meetings. The company says that the new experience should be available for all commercial users in the Microsoft Teams desktop app.
The Spotlight feature allows presenters to lock an individual video feed for everyone to see during a Teams meeting. Once a person receives a spotlight, their camera feed will be prioritized over all attendees. The feature is particularly useful when a participant wants to act as the meeting host, present data, or answer a question.
Here’s a video look at how the Spotlight feature works.
To use the feature in Microsoft Teams, all you need to do is click the ellipsis icon next to any attendee and choose “Spotlight.” Once a participant is spotlighted, an icon should appear next to their name within the participants list.
Keep in mind that the organizer/presenter can only spotlight one video at a time. Moreover, if they record a meeting in which a person video is highlighted, the video won’t be spotlighted in the recording. At this point, Teams users won’t be able to start or stop spotlighting on their mobile devices. However, when someone using the desktop app spotlights a video feed, that video will be spotlighted for mobile users as well.
You may be familiar with the Blue Screen or Black Screen of Death errors, but when you hear other colors, it changes everything.
Apparently, there are other colors, though not so common, but computer users have experienced the purple, brown, yellow, red, and even green screen of death.
The main reason for such errors is malfunctioning or corrupted hardware drivers on your computer system.
And this color coding simply helps when you get the issue and the tech support at Microsoft can help you resolve it as they understand how deep an issue each one carries.
This article is about the Yellow Screen of Death, which occurs when an ASP.NET web application encounters a problem and eventually crashes.
ASP.NET is an open-source web application framework used in Windows OS for web development to build dynamic web pages.
So what happens when you get the yellow screen of death in Windows 10? We’ve got some troubleshooting tips for this PC error!
How do I fix the Yellow Screen of Death issue in Windows 10?
1. Uninstall and reinstall the graphics card driver
Right-click Start.
Select Control Panel.
Go to Programs.
Click Uninstall a program.
Right-click the graphics card driver you’re using and select Uninstall.
Confirm that you wish to continue with the uninstall.
A prompt will appear asking if you want to delete all saved profiles. Clicking Yes will delete all its software and saved profiles. Clicking No will remove its software but the profile files are saved on your hard disk.
Once driver files have uninstalled, restart your computer to complete the uninstallation.
Turn on your computer and reinstall your graphics card driver.
Outdated drivers can cause a variety of issues and are the very first thing to check when experiencing the Yellow Screen of Death issue.
However, do note that driver files should be uninstalled before you update to newer drivers, or when removing an older graphics card and replacing it with a new one.
Just use the steps detailed above in order to uninstall the graphics card from your system.
Moreover, other outdated drivers can cause this problem as well and there’s no secret that updating drivers manually can be a long and tedious process.
Therefore, you might want to use a tool that will easily update all your drivers for you. Just download Outbyte Driver Updater to do it automatically.
As confirmed by users worldwide, Outbyte Driver Updater will help you avoid any kind of damage to your PC by downloading and installing the wrong driver versions.
If you don’t have any driver updates available, right-click on the graphics card driver and click Uninstall, then restart your computer.
Update drivers from Windows Update
Click Start.
Select Settings.
Select Update & Security.
Select Windows Update.
Click Check for updates.
Update drivers from the manufacturer’s website
Right-click Start.
Select Device Manager.
Expand the Sound, Video and game controllers option.
Right-click on the name of the graphics card.
Click Update driver software.
Restart your computer.
Go to your graphics card manufacturer’s website, check for the latest Windows 10 drivers available and then install it based on the instructions on the website.
Besides, you can as well update your drivers using a specialized driver update program aforementioned in the first solution.
3. Boot in Safe Mode
Click on the Start button.
Select Settings.
Click Update & Security.
Select Recovery from the left pane.
Go to Advanced startup.
Click Restart now.
Select Troubleshoot from the choose an option screen.
Click Advanced options.
Go to Startup Settings and click Restart.
Once your computer restarts, a list of options will come up.
Choose 4 or F4 to start your computer in Safe Mode.
Safe mode starts up your computer with limited files and drivers but Windows will still run. To know whether you’re on Safe mode, you’ll see the words at the corners of your screen.
If the issue of the Shift key, not working persists, check whether it occurs while your computer is in Safe mode. Follow the above steps to start your computer in Safe Mode.
A quicker way to get into Safe Mode is to restart your computer then do the following:
From the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
Once your computer restarts, a list of options will come up.
Choose 4 or F4 to start your computer in Safe Mode.
If the issue isn’t there while in Safe mode, then your default settings and basic drivers are not contributing to the issue.
4. Perform a clean boot
Go to the search box.
Type msconfig.
Select System Configuration.
Find the Services tab.
Select Hide all Microsoft services box.
Click Disable all.
Go to the Startup tab.
Click Open Task Manager.
Close Task Manager, then click OK.
Reboot your computer.
Performing a clean boot for your computer reduces conflicts related to software that can bring up the root causes of the Shift key not working.
These conflicts can be caused by applications and services that start up and run in the background whenever you start Windows normally.
In order to successfully perform a clean boot on Windows 10, you have to be logged on as the administrator, then follow the above procedure.
You will have a clean boot environment after all these steps are carefully followed, after which you can try and check if the Shift key not working problem is gone.
Can’t open Task Manager? Don’t worry, we’ve got the right solution for you.
Insert the Windows installation disk or USB drive, then restart your computer. You will see a message requesting you to Press any key to boot from DVD.
Do so and press any key to boot from DVD.
Once you see the Install Windows page displayed, click Repair your computer to start Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
In WinRE, go to Choose an option screen.
Click Troubleshoot.
Click Advanced Options.
Click Automatic Repair.
In order to do this, you need to download Windows 10 ISO then create a Media Creation Tool, which you can do from another computer.
Once you have the installation media, follow the steps above. If you don’t see the Press any key to boot from DVD message, change the boot order in your BIOS settings to start from disk or USB.
Be careful when changing BIOS settings as the BIOS interface is designed for advanced computer users because you may change a setting that may prevent your computer from booting properly.
You should only update BIOS when necessary like when solving a compatibility problem. It can be complicated and render your computer inoperable in case of any errors.
Follow the steps below exactly as they are to change the boot order then perform a repair:
In the restart process, check for any instructions on how to interrupt normal startup.
Enter the BIOS Setup Utility. Most computers use F2, F10, ESC, or DELETE key to begin this setup.
Find a tab in BIOS set up utility labeled Boot Order, Boot Options, or Boot.
Use the arrow keys to go to Boot Order > press Enter.
Locate the removable device (CD, DVD, or USB flash drive) in the Boot list.
Use arrow keys to move the drive upwards to appear as the first in Boot list > Press Enter.
Your boot order sequence has now been changed to boot from DVD, CD, or USB flash drive.
Press F10 to save changes and exit the BIOS Setup Utility.
Click Yes in the confirmation window and your computer will restart normally.
Let the scan proceed for a few minutes to remove any malware infecting your computer.
Select your preferred language, currency, time, keyboard, or another input method.
Click Next > click Repair your computer.
Choose the operating system you want to repair (in this case Windows 10) > Click Next on the Choose an option screen.
Select Troubleshoot.
Select Advanced Options.
Click System Restore or Startup Repair.
Once the repair is complete, check whether Windows 10 will not boot issue goes away, otherwise try the next solution.
Did any of these solutions help you fix the Yellow Screen of Death in Windows 10? Let us know in the comments section below.
Microsoft today announced that it’s planning to build new data centers in Greece, bringing the total number of Microsoft data centers worldwide to 63. With this new initiative called “GR for GRowth,” the company aims to invest in the cloud services infrastructure, support economic growth, and launch digital skilling programs.
The new data centers will deliver companies local access to Azure, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365, along with compliance, security, and privacy combined with data residency. The initiative will also help the company achieve its long-term goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030.
“By a substantial margin, this is the largest investment Microsoft has made in Greece in the 28 years we have been operating here. In part, this reflects confidence that our world-leading datacenter technology can help enable innovation and growth across Greece’s economy. In addition, this large investment reflects our optimism about Greece’s future, its forward-leaning government, and the country’s ongoing economic recovery,” said Brad Smith, President, Microsoft.
As a part of the digital-skills training program, the new data center would generate more than 10,000 job opportunities for local people by 2025. Microsoft believes that the new investment marks a major milestone in its mission to bring financial benefits of 1.0 billion euros to the country over the next five years. “Microsoft aims to boost the digital competencies of an estimated 100,000 public sector, business and IT professionals, educators, and students to support the digital transformation of public and private organizations,” the company explained.
If you’re getting the ERROR_INVALID_HANDLE error code with The handle is an invalid description, follow the troubleshooting steps listed in this article to fix it.
This error affects Windows 10 users when they try to log in to their computers. The error message prevents users from connecting to their accounts and actually using their PCs.
There are two main causes for this error: a recent Windows 10 update didn’t install correctly or some system files got corrupted or damaged. Here’s how one user describes this problem on Reddit:
So I just installed the upgrade and it was working just fine for a while . But now it went bat sh** crazy and BSOD […] I tried restarting the PC and it gives The Handle is invalid. […] Another issue is when I press shutdown after the Handle invalid it stay on and wont shut down.
On Windows 10, this error also blocks the print process, leaving users unable to add a printer or use the one already installed.
The handle is invalid error also affects older versions of Windows, preventing users from installing any updates or software on their computers.
In this article, we’re going to show you how to fix this error on Windows 10, as well as on older Windows versions.
How do I fix the Handle is invalid error?
1. Press the restart button
If you can’t access your user account due to this error, try restarting your computer several times. Many users confirmed that this simple action solves the problem.
If you don’t want to perform a hard reset, you can hold down the Shift key and click the on-screen power button, select the restart option while holding the Shift key, and then select Continue to Windows 10.
This will force Windows to repair damaged or corrupted update files.
2. Boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the security updates
Hold down the Shift key and click the on-screen power button
Select the restart option while holding the Shift key
Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, choose Startup Settings , and hit Restart
Select Safe Mode after restart.
Go to Update & Security, click on Windows Update and click on Advanced options
View your update history and uninstall the latest updates
Restart your computer.
Note: Many users report that cumulative updates KB3135173 and KB3124262 are actually the culprits, and uninstalling these two updates fixed the problem.
3. Update Citrix VDA
This solution works only for users running Citrix VDA. Some Windows updates are incompatible with Citrix VDA 7.6.300, causing The handle is an invaliderror. To fix this, download the cumulative update VDA 7.6.1000.
If you’re using VDA v7.7, download the newer versions of the tool, VDA 7.8 or higher, which contain the fix. For more information and a step-by-step guide, go to Citrix’s support page.
How do I fix The handle is invalid printer error?
1. Run a full system scan
Malware may cause various issues on your computer, including errors. Perform a full system scan in order to detect any malware running on your computer.
You can use Windows’ built-in antivirus, Windows Defender, but you can also opt-out for an advanced security tool, such as a third-party antivirus with deep malware scans included.
Install and run the antimalware removal tool, which should come with your antivirus security suite.
You should use the antivirus software to scan the entire computer, including the printer driver. Check to see if the printer is still unrecognizable after filtering and removing possible malware.
2. Update your PC drivers
How to update drivers on Windows 10?
Type update in the Search box, and click Check for Updates to download and install the latest updates.
To install particular drivers, launch Device Manager.
Expand the available categories and select the device that you wish to update the driver for.
Right-click on the driver and select Update driver.
Note: Another option is to download the available driver updates directly from the manufacturer’s website.
Looking for the driver on the manufacturer’s website can be risky because you still might get the wrong one and produce more damage.
That’s why we recommend downloading and installing Outbyte Driver Updater that updates all your drivers automatically in just a few seconds.
This excellent tool has a library of over 18 million drivers and it’s extremely easy to use so try it out right now. It scans for updates as antivirus scans for threats so, in a way, it has the same mission, to keep your system safe.
After the installation, Outbyte Driver Updater will automatically run a scan and in a few seconds, it will provide you with a list of files to update.
Clicking on the Update All button will install all the recommended updates but you can also install them individually by selecting their corresponding boxes and clicking on their Update buttons.
Make sure that you’re running the latest Windows OS updates on your machine. As a quick reminder, Microsoft constantly rolls out Windows updates in order to improve the system’s stability and fix various issues.
Go to Windows Update, check for updates, and install the available updates.
4. Repair your registry
1. Go to Start, type cmd, and click on Run as administrator to start Command Prompt
3. Restart your computer. All corrupted files will be replaced on reboot.
Note: The simplest way to repair your registry is to use a dedicated tool, such as CCleaner. Don’t forget to first backup your registry in case anything goes wrong.
If you haven’t installed any registry cleaner on your computer, check out our article on the best registry cleaners to use on Windows 10 PCs.
You can also use Microsoft‘s System File Checker to check for system file corruption.
5. Download the HP Universal Print Driver
Many Windows 10 users reported that downloading the HP Universal Print Driver fixed The handle is an invaliderror. As a quick reminder, this tool automatically detects and configures supported HP devices and some non‑HP devices.
Locate Microsoft Print to PDF, right-click it, and choose Remove Device.
Click the Add a printer button.
Click The printer that I want isn’t listed.
Select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings and click Next.
Select PORTPROMPT: (Local Port) from the menu and click Next.
Select Microsoft and Microsoft Print to PDF.
Select Replace the current driver option and click Next.
Add a name for the printer and wait for Windows to install it.
How do I fix The handle is invalid error on all Windows versions?
1. Install the latest updates or upgrade to Windows 10
Microsoft regularly rolls out updates to all supported Windows versions. Go to Start, type update, click Check for updates, and install the available updates.
If you’re using Windows 7 or Windows 8, you can use the Upgrade Assistant to get your OS to the latest version.
2. Update the app affected by this error
Installing the latest version of the app affected by The handle is invaliderror may help you fix the problem.
To do this, you can either use the update button of the app or go to the app’s official website and install the latest version from there.
3. Download the HP Universal Print Driver
If The handle is invaliderror is preventing you from using your printer, download the HP Universal Print Driver. This tool automatically detects and configures supported HP devices and some non‑HP devices.
You can download the HP Universal Print Driver for Windows 7 and newer from HP’s website.
By following these steps, you should be able to get rid of the annoying error message for good.
As always, if you’ve come across other workarounds to fix this error, you can help the WindowsReport community by listing the troubleshooting steps in the comments below.
![The operating system cannot run %1 [FIX]](https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/The-operating-system-cannot-run-1.jpg)
![5 best live translation apps [Travel Friendly]](https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/live-translation-apps.jpg)
![[Solved] Items Pinned to Taskbar Disappear in Windows 10/11](https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/items-pinned-to-taskbar-disappear-windows-10.jpg)
![Secure Volume Shadow Copy in Windows 10/11 now [Ransomware]](https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/delete-ransomware-wiping-Shadow-copies-using-Raccine.jpg)
![How to set equalizer for best sound [Windows 10 Guide]](https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/How-to-set-equalizer-for-best-sound-in-Windows-10.png)
