Windows - Make Tech Easier

Latest Windows 10 and 11 Update Problems and How to Fix Them

Sayak Boral — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 21:25:00 +0000

Windows 10 and Windows 11 have had their share of problems. The operating system had over 1200 security vulnerabilities just in 2022. Microsoft quickly moves in to fix many of these security holes in the system, so it’s essential to stay up to date. Yet, Windows updates can bring their own problems. This guide shows what to do when an update does more harm than good.

Note: if a problem here is marked as “FIXED,” it means Microsoft has rolled out an update that fixes the problem, and the solution is simply to make sure your system is fully updated. If a problem is not yet “FIXED,” then either read that entry for workarounds to that specific problem or scroll down the page for advice on how to roll back updates.

[Partially Fixed] July 11, 2023, Windows 11, Version 22H2, KB5028185

Problems: boot loop issues | failure to install errors with codes 0x80070002, 0x80248007, and 0x8007045b | longer startup times | flickering displays

Microsoft launched the July 2023 cumulative update well ahead of schedule. It’s aimed at bringing security improvements to... Read more

How to Remove Bing Chat Button from Microsoft Edge and Windows Search

Siddharth Dudeja — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 19:25:00 +0000

Microsoft’s new Bing AI chat feature recently made its way into Microsoft Edge and Windows Search. As expected, not everyone likes this update, but you can disable it. If you don’t want to see the obvious Bing Chat icon every time you open Edge or search for something on Windows, this tutorial shows you how to remove it.

Good to know: want to start using Bing Chat with ChatGPT? We have you covered with this detailed guide.

Remove Bing Chat Button from Microsoft Edge

When the update that brought the Bing AI Chat button on Edge first rolled out, there wasn’t an option to natively disable the button. Fortunately, Microsoft added the option to disable the Bing AI “Discover” button in a recent Microsoft Edge update. Follow these steps to turn off the option:

Launch Microsoft Edge.
Click the three-dot menu icon on the top-right section of the window.
Select the “Settings” option in the pop-up menu.

How to Disable TCP/IPv6 on Windows

Meenatchi Nagasubramanian — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 21:25:00 +0000

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is a newer version of the Internet Protocol than IPv4. One of the key differences is the length of the IP addresses. IPv4 uses a 32-bit address and can generate up to 4 billion unique addresses, whereas IPv6 uses a 128-bit address and can generate 340 undecillion unique addresses. However, if IPv6 is causing problems, you can disable it and stick to IPv4 using any of the methods explained in this guide.

Good to know: is Wi-Fi not working on your Windows device? Learn what to do about it.

1. Turn Off IPv6 Using Settings

By default, Windows uses both Internet protocols: IPv6 and IPv4. However, you can disable IPv6 from the Network Adapter settings on your computer.

Click the Start button and the Settings app.

Click “Network & internet” in the left pane, and select “Advanced network settings” at the bottom of the right panel.

How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070643

Zainab Falak — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:25:00 +0000

Windows error 0x80070643 is a common issue that users may encounter when attempting to install a new update on their Windows operating system. It typically occurs when installing security updates and is often related to corrupted files and issues with the Security app. This tutorial discusses the different troubleshooting methods to fix this issue for good.

Good to know: learn how to remove bloatware from Windows.

Basic Troubleshooting

Before moving on to the more issue-specific fixes detailed below, try these easy solutions that may solve the error without additional complications:

Run SFC and DISM scans: corruptions, errors and inconsistencies within the system are known to cause issues like the Windows update error. To check whether this is the case, we recommend running the SFC and DISM utilities via Command Prompt.
Update your drivers: when drivers become outdated or corrupt, they may not meet the requirements of security updates or may suffer from compatibility issues that can lead to installation failures. To address driver-related issues, you must update them regularly. You can... Read more

100% CPU Usage in Windows? Here’s How to Fix it

Farhad Pashaei — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 10:25:00 +0000

We’ve all been there. You turn on your PC, and instead of getting straight to work, you’re faced with horrific slowdown and loud-running fans. Hit Ctrl + Shift + Escape, and you will see that your CPU usage is inexplicably at 100%.

It’s a common problem that’s, luckily, not usually too hard to solve. Here are several fixes for the 100% CPU usage problem in Windows.

Reasons for High CPU Usage in Windows

There are many factors that can cause 100% CPU usage in Windows. You should try to find out the cause first before attempting to fix it.

Here are some of the reasons why your CPU gets overloaded:

Background Processes: Processes that are constantly running in the background can cause many problems. You should monitor hidden processes that are constantly running.
WMI Provider Host: The WMI Provider Host process is an essential part of the Windows operating system that helps organize, monitor, and troubleshoot different aspects of your computer. Sometimes it could malfunction and lead to various complications.
Malware Infection:... Read more

How to Fix Thumbnails Not Showing on Windows

Meenatchi Nagasubramanian — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 00:25:00 +0000

Thumbnails allow you to easily preview images with file extensions, such as .JPG, .PNG, etc., without actually opening the files. If this option weren’t available, you’d have to open countless files to find the one you’re looking for. If you notice that your thumbnails suddenly stop working, you will find the solution in this tutorial.

Good to know: need to rotate, flip or blur images in PowerPoint? We have an entire tutorial dedicated to showing you how to do that.

1. Check File Explorer Options

If you do not see image thumbnails on your PC, you must first check whether the thumbnail preview option is enabled.

Launch File Explorer.
Click the three-dot icon, and click “Options” in the drop-down menu in the top bar. If your PC is running Windows 10, click “File” at the top, followed by “Change folder and search options.”

Switch to the... Read more

How to Undervolt Your CPU With Throttlestop in Windows

Crystal Crowder — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 00:25:00 +0000

The more strenuous the tasks you carry out on your PC, the more your CPU (processor) will heat up, and the more vital it is to reduce CPU temperature. Gaming, video-editing, and even just poor ventilation can all cause overheating. Luckily, you can use a borderline-miraculous tool called Throttelstop to undervolt your CPU to reduce high temperatures and power usage.

Note: if you’re unsure about whether your CPU temperatures are too hot, read our guide on how to monitor your PC temperature in Windows. Certain laptops are also locked off from undervolting, which you can check by looking for a “Locked” sign in the Throttlestop FIVR menu.

What Is Undervolting?

Before pushing on, it’s worth knowing what undervolting is, as it’s a pretty serious process. While undervolting doesn’t damage your CPU, overdoing it can make your system unstable (though it’s easy to reverse.) Overvolting, on the other hand, can damage your CPU if abused, but used carefully, can allow you to overclock your CPU to higher speeds (we won’t be covering that today.)

Undervolting reduces the amount of power/voltage being... Read more

Best Ways to Fix DiskPart Has Encountered an Error in Windows

Farhad Pashaei — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 00:25:00 +0000

DiskPart is a built-in Windows command-line utility that manages system disks and partitions. Many users resort to employing DiskPart, especially since it continues to function even if the Disk Management utility stops working. However, even this trusty tool can sometimes run into trouble. Read on to learn how to fix the most common DiskPart errors on Windows.

Good to know: have the Power Options disappeared from your computer? Learn how to bring them back.

Basic Troubleshooting

Before proceeding to the issue-specific fixes, it’s best to start with a few general approaches that could easily help take care of the issue.

Clean up system files: cache files tend to build up over time on your system and may eventually end up interfering with the performance of your computer. To prevent this, regularly run the Disk Cleanup utility on your PC.
Run a CHKDSK scan: this command scans your drive and fixes corrupted sections if it detects any. You can run it via Command Prompt with administrator privileges, but always launching cmd with admin rights when... Read more

How to Fix the Msftconnecttest Redirect Error on Windows

Chifundo Kasiya — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 21:25:00 +0000

Sometimes when browsing, you’ll be redirected to a new tab with an error message that reads: “The connection to www.msftconnecttest.com is not secure.” You wave it off as a once-off event, but the redirects keep happening every few seconds, interrupting your browsing experience, and you know something’s wrong. This tutorial shows how to stop the Msftconnecttest redirect error.

Good to know: confused about what browser cookies are? We can help.

1. Perform an Antivirus Scan

The Msftconnecttest error can be the result of browser hijacker malware. To remove it, fire up your antivirus, and perform a scan.

For instance, you can scan your PC with Microsoft Defender, a capable antivirus that allows you to not rely on third-party antiviruses.

2. Reset Your Browser

If the virus scan you performed in the previous step identified a browser hijacker on your computer, getting rid of it won’t be enough. Since it already made changes to your browser’s settings, you will need to reset them to stop the error once and for all.... Read more

Is Microsoft Windows Search Indexer Causing High CPU Usage? Try These Fixes

Zainab Falak — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 05:25:00 +0000

The Windows Search Indexer is an essential component of your operating system, responsible for indexing files and content on your hard drive. While this feature typically works quietly in the background, it can sometimes lead to high CPU usage in Windows. This guide shows solutions that will fix high CPU usage caused by Windows Search Indexer, once and for all.

Good to know: if you’re seeing the Windows “Indexing is paused” error instead, we walk you through how to remove it from your system.

1. Restart the Windows Search Service

One of the most common causes behind high CPU usage associated with the Windows Search Indexer is glitches or temporary issues with the Search service.

Restarting the service could solve this issue. It would essentially give the Search service a fresh start and reload the Search Indexer from scratch.

Press Win + R to open Run.
Type services.msc in Run, and click Enter.

8 Fixes for “Windows Has Recovered From an Unexpected Shutdown”

Sayak Boral — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 21:25:00 +0000

Sometimes when your PC randomly restarts, you may see the following error message: “Windows has recovered from an unexpected shutdown.” This can happen without warning and interrupt your work. It stems from issues with hardware or software, and the cause is difficult to determine without some investigation. It’s easy to apply a fix, though, after you understand what went wrong. This guide discusses the best solutions.

Good to know: learn how to see PC startup and shutdown history on Windows.

1. Check for Power Fluctuations and Surges

This mainly concerns desktop PCs. Your desktop computer requires a regular flow of power to operate reliably – but at times, the power supply may be inconsistent.

If you experienced a computer shutdown due to a sudden loss of power or an accidental surge, it could corrupt the system files, leading to an “unexpected shutdown” message after a reboot. When you check the events summary in Windows Event Viewer, it will indicate a status, such as: “The previous system shutdown at date-time was unexpected.”

How to Fix the Inaccessible Boot Device Error in Windows

Khizer Kaleem — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 00:25:00 +0000

The “Inaccessible boot device” error causes a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) on Windows PCs. It occurs when the PC cannot access the system partition where important boot files are located, so Windows is unable to boot because it cannot read the designated boot device. The “Inaccessible boot device” can occur with both SSDs and hard disk devices. Let’s go through the various methods to fix this issue in Windows.

Good to know: for more information regarding general fixes targeting BSoDs, check out our dedicated article.

Preliminary Fixes to Try

Before implementing the error-specific fixes listed below, go ahead and try some general solutions to see if you can resolve the “Inaccessible boot device” error on your Windows PC with minimal effort.

Reinstall GPU drivers: a corrupted graphic card driver can cause an “Inaccessible boot device” error. To fix this, perform a clean graphics card driver installation on Windows.
Check for viruses: malware can be another cause of this error. To eliminate this possibility, run a malware scan using Windows’ built-in Microsoft Defender utility... Read more

How to Fix a Windows Infinite Reboot Loop Problem

Crystal Crowder — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 21:25:00 +0000

After starting your Windows device, you may occasionally run into an infinite reboot loop issue (also called “infinite boot loop” or a computer stuck restarting issue). The startup logo seems stuck on a black screen with a small circle going round and round. It’s a fairly common problem in Windows, old and new versions alike. If you’re unable to get past the login screen, try one of the following solutions.

What is the Infinite Reboot Loop Error?

An infinite reboot loop means that the Windows startup screen has to automatically refresh in the middle of an ongoing boot operation. This leads to a black screen that will not advance to the next boot phase.

The Windows PC fails to start up during an infinite reboot loop because of sudden interruptions in the booting process. When the PC is unable to complete its standard boot sequence, the startup fails to take place.

Determining the cause of an infinite boot loop error is relatively simple since it’s usually down to one of the following culprits.

Bad Windows updates: your PC... Read more

4 Ways to Listen to Apple Music on Windows

Charlie Fripp — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 15:25:00 +0000

Music lovers are spoiled for choice when it comes to streaming platforms. While Deezer, Tidal and Pandora are moderately popular, there is no doubt that the battle for the top spot is between Spotify and Apple Music. While you may assume that Apple Music is confined to Apple devices, you can listen on Windows, too. While it requires a $10 monthly subscription, you can sign up for a free trial and blast your favorite music on Windows in no time. Here we show you how to listen to Apple Music on Windows.

1. Listen on iTunes

iTunes is Apple’s default music and podcast player on macOS, but a robust Windows app has been available for several years. In addition to organizing and listening to your downloaded songs and MP3s, you can also use iTunes to listen to Apple Music. It can be downloaded through the Microsoft Store, but it’s not as smooth as it could be. For example, there are complaints of it crashing often and data getting mixed up.

Note: iTunes is available for both Windows 10 and 11, and the most current... Read more

How to Instantly Delete Large Files and Folders on Windows

Mustafa Ashour — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 21:25:00 +0000

Deleting most files or folders on Windows is as easy as selecting what you want to delete and clicking the Delete button. However, when dealing with large files or folders, it could take a long time to perform the deletion. In this post, we’ll discuss the best way to instantly delete large files and folders.

Good to know: alternatively, check out how you can view large files on Windows without lag.

Why Does It Take So Long to Delete Large Files or Folders?

When wanting to delete a sizeable file or folder of 10GB or more, Windows can take up to ten minutes to perform the deletion, especially on HDDs. That’s because Windows performs some steps in the background first, including counting the number of files, identifying their types, and more.

How to Instantly Delete Large Files or Folders using Command

To instantly delete large files or folders, we’ll need to instruct Windows to skip the pre-deletion steps. Although it sounds like an unsafe action, it’s really not! Windows has a built-in command that can perform... Read more

8 Ways to Fix the “Sign-In Option Is Disabled” Error in Windows

Zainab Falak — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 19:25:00 +0000

The “Sign-in option is disabled” error in Windows can be frustrating, as it prevents you from accessing your account. This error typically arises when a particular sign-in method, such as a password, PIN, or biometric authentication – ... Read more

How to Schedule Windows to Empty Recycle Bin Automatically

Mustafa Ashour — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 15:25:00 +0000

Whenever you press the Delete key on your keyboard, Windows clears the file, or rather, moves the file from its actual location to the Recycle Bin. This behavior helps you easily recover the file or folder if you’ve deleted it accidentally. However, if left unchecked, the number of files in the Recycle Bin will gradually increase over time. That being said, it is possible to set Recycle Bin to automatically empty itself at regular intervals so you don’t have to remember to do it yourself. This post goes on to show you how to schedule Windows to empty Recycle Bin for you.

Automatically Empty Recycle Bin Using Task Scheduler

Task Scheduler is a built-in application in Windows that allows you to automate tedious tasks on your PC. You can even set it up to automatically clear your Recycle Bin for you. Here’s how:

Type “Task Scheduler” in Windows Search and click the best match below. Alternatively, you can also use the Run (Win + R to open a dialog box) command taskschd.msc to open the Task Scheduler.

12 of the Best Windows App Docks

Sayak Boral — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 21:25:00 +0000

Windows added – and is still adding – a variety of features to become more user-friendly. However, anyone who’s used macOS would notice one glaring omission: an app dock. As with most things Windows is missing, there are third-party tools to fix it, including Mac dock for Windows apps, which give your desktop that extra bit of slickness.

Note: Most of the “vanilla” Windows dock apps haven’t been updated in a long time, and the best modern options require you to use an additional desktop customization tool called Rainmeter. It means you’ll need to do a bit more work to get your dock, but it’s totally worth it! If you don’t want to go through the trouble, then we also have a few non-Rainmeter docks for you.

How to Install and Uninstall Rainmeter App Docks

To get you started, here’s a brief summary of how to work with Rainmeter-based app docks in Windows. (You can install/uninstall non-Rainmeter docks as you do any other app.)

Download and install the latest version of Rainmeter. It supports everything from Windows 7 and... Read more

How to Fix the System Service Exception BSOD in Windows

Tanveer Singh — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 19:25:00 +0000

The System Service Exception error is a particularly common yet often hard-to-diagnose Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error. It can occur due to multiple reasons, from corrupted files and faulty drivers to malfunctioning hardware or software. This makes it a challenge to pin down its exact cause, especially if Windows doesn’t provide much information about the BSOD. The tried and tested methods below will help you get rid of the System Service Exception error, and get your system up and running.

Good to know: learn what to do if you’re dealing with the Machine Check Exception BSOD error instead.

Before Getting Started

The System Service Exception can become a frustrating problem if it drops you into an infinite boot loop. You won’t be able to access the regular Windows environment in such cases.

To be able to run the basic fixes below, boot into Safe Mode, then begin the diagnostics. Try these before diving into the more advanced fixes covered later.

How to Set Up Microsoft Family Safety Features in Windows

Crystal Crowder — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 15:25:00 +0000

You don’t need a third-party tool to monitor your child’s activities on your PC. You just need to set up the Microsoft Family Safety features already built into Windows. The features include a set of parental controls to make it easier to keep track of what your children are doing – and even block them from sites you don’t feel are safe.

Good to know: learn the difference between a local account and Microsoft Account on Windows.

Setting Up a Child Account

Before you can set up Microsoft Family Safety features, you have to set up a child’s account to monitor. Your child will need an email address for this, but if they don’t have one yet, you can create one during the process. If you don’t want your child to have an email address yet, you can manage their email account for them. If your child already has an account on the PC, skip that section.

Go to “Start -> Settings -> Accounts,” or press Win + I, and click “Accounts.”