Hello and welcome to our Business Email Etiquette. Most people have experience in writing emails at some point before in their lives. However, the emails an average person writes are probably personal emails and not mails for work purposes.
Emails you send to friends are incredibly different in content and context to business emails you would send to customers or employers or even other colleagues in your workforce.
So, if you have a job that involves you writing emails to people in business style, learning business email etiquette is an absolute must for you.
1. Heading layouts
When you are sending emails to friends, you generally lay them out like a memo. This means there is very little detail in the layout besides basic greetings and paragraphs, usually starting with the greetings.
However, with a business email, it is best to lay it out exactly like you would lay out a formal letter. You need to put the company’s address in the right-hand corner and the date as well. Only then must you go on to the greetings.
This will make your email look more formal, making you seem like a professional who knows what they are doing as opposed to someone who just couldn’t be bothered spending the extra time to get the layout right.
2. Proper greetings
When you are sending an email to a friend, you usually greet them informally. If their name was Mary Johnson, you’d probably start your letter with a ‘Hey Mary’ or a ‘Hello Mary.’
However, this is not considered a professional way to write an email to a customer or other important person in your business. Again, you must use the proper method that you would greet someone with were you writing them a formal letter instead.
If your customer is Mary Johnson again, you should greet her with respect. ‘Dear Ms. Johnson’ would be the most appropriate way to start off your letter’s actual body in this case. If you do not know the recipient’s name, then you should start with a simple ‘Dear Sir or Madam.’
Politeness will always get you incredibly far, no matter what line of work you are in.
3. Informal language
You should get straight to the point with your email. Don’t dawdle on with it like you would if chatting to a friend and don’t write it how you would speak either.
You use language that sounds impressive and smart while not using such obscure language that your recipient doesn’t know what you are saying. All the time, you must keep it informal where possible, possibly even impersonal as well.
It will make you seem very professional in the long run.
4. Signing off
When you are sending your email, you must end it as you would with a letter also. Don’t just say ‘Bye’ and your first name; that is too personal.
You need to say ‘yours sincerely if you know the name of the recipient and ‘yours faithfully’ if you do not. Then you should end with your full name and whatever position you have at the company. (CEO, technical staff etc.)
So there you have it! All you need to do now is to show your boss that you can handle the emails from now on!
The Microsoft Photos app is a useful tool that allows users to view, edit, as well as create videos on their Windows 10 computers. Although it works just fine most of the time, there are some instances when you might encounter some issues when using it. One of these issues is when you cannot save media from the Photos app after you’ve edited an image. This is most likely related to a permission issue. However, according to some users, they got the error where the edited media file can’t be saved. When you encounter this kind of error, you will see the following error in your Photos app:
“It looks like you don’t have permission to save changes to this file.Try saving a copy instead.”
There are several options you can explore to resolve this error. You can try updating the Microsoft Photos app or verify the ownership of the destination folder. You can also re-register and reinstall the app. For more detailed instructions, make use of the options provided below.
Option 1 – Try to update the Microsoft Photos app
The first thing you can do to fix the problem is to update the Microsoft Photos app.
Open the Microsoft Store and click on the three horizontal dots for the menu located on the top right portion of the window to see the options.
Next, select Downloads and updates and then click the Get updates button in the top right. This will install any pending updates for all the apps including the Microsoft Photos app using the Microsoft Store.
Option 2 – Try to verify the ownership of the destination folder
The next thing you can do to fix the error is to verify the ownership of the folder because chances are, the location where you’re trying to save the file might not have enough permissions to read and write the file to the disk. Thus, you need to take ownership of the folder by following these steps:
Type “command prompt” in the Windows Search bar and then right-click on the relevant search result and select “Run as administrator”.
After that, if a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, just click on Yes to proceed.
Next, type and enter this command: TAKEOWN /F <path>
Note that the <path> is the location of the folder or file in File Explorer.
Now type and enter this second command: ICACLS <path> /grant administrators:F
Finally, once the command has been executed, restart your computer and then see if you can now access the folder or file.
Option 3 – Try resetting the Photos app
If the first option of restarting the background process of the Photos app didn’t work for you, you can try to reset the Photos app so that it will use the default factory settings. Note that this option works when you are experiencing this issue after making a couple of changes in the Photos app.
To get started in resetting the Photos app, open the Windows 10 Settings.
Then go to Apps > Apps & features.
After that, scroll down until you see the Photos app option – click on it and open its Advanced options.
From there, you will see the Reset button, click on it and click and then click on it once more to confirm.
Note: The process may take a couple of minutes to complete. Once it’s done, open the pictures again using the Photos app.
Option 4 – Try reinstalling the Photos app
If none of the first two options given above worked, then you might want to consider reinstalling the Photos app. Unlike what most users think, it isn’t really that hard reinstalling preinstalled apps as you have the Windows PowerShell for that. To use this program in reinstalling the Photos app, follow these steps:
Open the Windows PowerShell program with admin privileges and key in the following command:
Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
After that, execute this second command to re-register and reinstall the Microsoft Photos app.
Note: In the command given, do not forget to replace the “PackageFullName” with the actual package name for the Photos app. After executing the command, it will uninstall the Photos app from your computer so you need to install it again from the Windows Store by simply looking for it. Once you found it, just click on install to start the installation process.
Code 21 is a Device Manager error code that appears when you try to use a hardware device attached to your computer and the Windows prohibits you from using it.
This is due to the Windows experiences problems loading the device driver. This error message is displayed in the following format:
“Windows is removing this device. (Code 21)”
Solution
Error Causes
Error code 21 means that Windows is in the device removal process and the device has not been completely removed. It occurs when you set a device to be removed and then select the same device to run on your system.
Upon your instructions, Windows start to remove that device and when you on the other hand try to use/access the same device that you selected for removal, it kicks up Code 21.
Further Information and Manual Repair
If you are experiencing error code 21 on your PC, it is advisable to resolve it immediately.
Though this error will not damage your system, but will significantly lower the performance of your PC which is definitely something you don’t want especially if you work on your computer daily and use it to perform important time-sensitive errands.
To repair and resolve, try the methods given below:
Method 1 - Wait for a Few Seconds and Then Press F5
This is one of the best and easiest ways to resolve code 15 on your system. Wait for a few seconds, and then press the F5 key. This will update the Device Manager view and the error will most probably go away.
Method 2 - Restart Your PC
Sometimes error codes may pop up due to temporary glitches. To resolve such errors, a simple reboot of your PC is enough. Shut down Windows and then restart your system.
This is most likely to resolve Code 21. However, if the error still persists then this means the underlying problem for code 21 is deeper than you think. Try method 3 to resolve.
Method 3 - Install DriverFIX
As mentioned earlier, the error code 21 may occur if you have selected a device to remove and then you try to reuse it.
To resolve, you may have to install the device again and the driver for that the reinstalled device. To reinstall the driver without any hassle, simply download DriverFIX.
It is a smart, user-friendly, and intuitive software program designed to resolve driver problems. The program is embedded with intelligent device identification technology which:
Automatically detects all the appropriate system drivers
Matches them with the latest available versions
And then updates drivers according to their compatible versions on a regular basis
Furthermore, it enables accurate installation and ensures that your system is running at its optimal speed.
Other features that this program boasts are full backup and restoration, safe USB management, and ejection.
If nothing works, you can try the full backup and restoration feature and restore your PC to its previous state when it was functioning properly before the error occurred.
DriverFIX creates a backup of all your files and data hedging keeps you from disasters like data loss. It restores the system to the time when it was working properly.
Click here to download DriverFIX on your system and resolve error code 21 today.
Some Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users reported experiencing a Compare Exchange128 error when trying to upgrade to Windows 10. The error reads, “You can’t install Windows 10 because your processor doesn’t support CompareExchange128”. In order to upgrade to Windows 10 (64-bit), the CMPXCHG16B instruction must be present. If you receive this error, this mostly means that your CPU doesn’t have the CMPXCHG16B instruction.
Solution
Error Causes
The CompareExchange128 error normally occurs due to two possible reasons:
CPU lacks CMPXCHG16b Instruction
Old & Outdated BIOS – Even if your CPU has the CMPXCHG16b instruction, the CompareExchange128 issue can still occur if you have an older BIOS.
Further Information and Manual Repair
One main requirement to upgrade to Windows 10 is for your CPU to have the CMPXCHG16b instruction. You also need the right BIOS version to guarantee a smooth installation. See below on how to manually fix this issue.
NOTE: If you don’t feel confident using the manual methods listed below, it’s highly advisable to get help from an expert technician. If you don’t know someone, you can also use an automated tool to fix this.
Before performing any fixes, try to determine first if the cause of the error is due to your CPU lacking the CMPXCHG16b instruction. You can use a CPU Info tool that provides complete details about your processor, memory, and motherboard. If you’re looking for more in-depth information, you might also try command-line utilities. But, the safest and easiest way to check this is by simply searching online. Try using the search query: <CPU Model> CMPXCHG16b
Method 1 – Update your BIOS
This method will download the latest BIOS from your motherboard’s manufacturer. This makes sure your CPU has the CMPXCHG16b instruction needed to complete the Windows 10 64-bit installation. To update your computer’s BIOS, complete the following steps:
Determine first the current BIOS you have on your computer. Open System Information Windows app and type msinfo32 in the search bar. The BIOS version will appear under the processor speed. Record it somewhere.
Go to the support page of your motherboard’s manufacturer. Find if there’s any update on the BIOS that you’re currently using. If you find one, download the BIOS update file available. Make sure that you’re looking into the right model and you download all the necessary documentation. Otherwise, the BIOS update might not work.
Update your BIOS. Most BIOS update steps are straightforward. Just make sure to follow the steps provided.
Method 2 – Install Windows 10 32-bit version
If updating the BIOS doesn’t work, what you can do is install a 32-bit version of Windows 10 instead of the 64-bit version. Here’s how to do this:
Download and install the 32-bit version of Windows you currently have. If you have a Windows 7 64-bit version, get the 32-bit version of Windows 7. The same goes for Windows 8.1. When you do this, you might want to back up your files first. Remember that installing the 32-bit version works like other installations, and could delete some of your files.
After installing the 32-bit version, go to Updates and install all the necessary updates. This includes upgrading to Windows 10 if you’re asked to.
When you installed the Windows 10 upgrade, you’ll now have the Windows 10, 32-bit version installed. This will be the version activated on Microsoft servers. Despite this, the activated version stored is only applicable to your computer’s hardware, not the version of Windows 10.
Download Windows 10, 64-bit version.
Prepare an empty DVD or USB flash drive. Use Creation Media software then click the Create Installation Media for Another PC option.
Install the 64-bit Windows 10 version you downloaded from Step 4. Make sure not to put anything when you’re asked to input the serial number.
Once the installation is complete, you’ll have the 64-bit version of Windows 10.
Method 3 – Buy a new processor/motherboard
If the above two methods don’t work, there’s a great chance that this error occurs because of an outdated processor/motherboard. Your next possible solution is to buy an updated model that’s fully compatible with 64-bit Windows 10.
Method 4 – Download an automated tool
If all else fails, you might want to consider using this powerful automated tool to quickly fix the problem and any other computer-related issues.
The Photos app in Windows 10 is the default photo viewer. However, there are times when it might encounter some problems while you use it. One of these problems in the Photos app reported recently is where users try to export or share the images and videos from the app but weren’t successful in doing so. This can be really quite a hassle in opening images on your computer, especially since the Photos app is the default photo viewer in Windows 10 and if you don’t have any other photo viewer app installed.
This kind of problem in the Photos app can be noticed when you try to use the “Remix” function for both photos and videos. In other words, this problem can occur with just pictures, videos, as well as a combination of both. So if you are trying to watch a video using this app, then you wouldn’t be able to play it. In such a case, the only thing you can hear is the audio but you wouldn’t see anything except for a hazy purple screen that has not export or share option.
There are several possible causes for this problem and it could be fixed by updating the display driver/graphics driver or disabling the hardware-accelerated video encoding. You could also try updating or resetting or reinstalling the Photos app. For more details, follow each one of the suggestions provided below.
Option 1 – Try to update the Graphics driver
You can try to update your Graphics card driver using the Device Manager in your computer to resolve the blank dialog boxes problem or you can also go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it.
To update your Graphics driver via Device Manager, refer to these steps:
First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
Type in msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters and select the “Uninstall Device” option from the menu.
Now restart your computer.
After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.
Option 2 – Try disabling the hardware-accelerated video encoding
The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to disable the hardware-accelerated video encoding in your computer. To do that, follow these steps:
Open the Photos app and click on the visible three dots located in the upper right corner of the app and then select Settings.
From there, you should see the version number of the app in the “About this app” section. So if your app is version 2018.18071.****0.0 or greater, you should see the Video section which has a toggle button.
Turn that toggle button off to disable hardware-accelerated video encoding in the Photos app. This should fix the problem, if not, simply follow the next given options below.
Option 3 – Try to update the Microsoft Photos app
Open the Microsoft Store and click on the three horizontal dots for the menu located on the top right portion of the window to see the options.
Next, select Downloads and updates and then click the Get updates button in the top right. This will install any pending updates for all the apps including the Microsoft Photos app using the Microsoft Store.
Option 4 – Try resetting the Photos app
To get started in resetting the Photos app, open the Windows 10 Settings.
Then go to Apps > Apps & features.
After that, scroll down until you see the Photos app option – click on it and open its Advanced options.
From there, you will see the Reset button, click on it and click and then click on it once more to confirm.
Note: The process may take a couple of minutes to complete. Once it’s done, open the pictures again using the Photos app.
Option 5 – Try reinstalling the Photos app
If none of the options given above worked, then you might want to consider reinstalling the Photos app. Unlike what most users think, it isn’t really that hard reinstalling preinstalled apps as you have the Windows PowerShell for that. To use this program in reinstalling the Photos app, follow these steps:
Open the Windows PowerShell program with admin privileges and key in the following command:
Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
After that, execute this second command to re-register and reinstall the Microsoft Photos app.
Note: In the command given, do not forget to replace the “PackageFullName” with the actual package name for the Photos app. After executing the command, it will uninstall the Photos app from your computer so you need to install it again from the Windows Store by simply looking for it. Once you found it, just click on install to start the installation process.
Error Code 0x8007041d is an error that arises during the Windows 10 Update process. In some cases, this error code can also arise during the Windows 10 Activation process. It is an error code that has been present in multiple versions of the software but usually arises when antivirus or registry issues interfere with the Windows Update or Activation software.
Common symptoms include:
Inability to download the needed Windows 10 updates
Inability to complete the Windows 10 Update process
If you are experiencing the Error Code 0x8007041d on your machine, there are several methods that you can use to attempt to resolve the problem. Several of the steps that are most successful for the resolution of this error require familiarity with registry and antivirus tools, so if you are unsure of your ability to complete these steps on your own, contact a qualified computer repair technician to assist you.
Solution
Error Causes
In most cases, Error Code 0x8007041d arises when there is a conflict between multiple antivirus or malware tools on the computer, if there is an issue in the Windows registry, or if your Windows Defender software is out of date. During the Windows Update process, the system checks to ensure that there are not any factors that are present that could introduce viruses to the system, so if there are any indicators that could present issues to the software, Error Code 0x8007041d will often arise.
Further Information and Manual Repair
For users who experience Error Code 0x8007041d, there are several steps that can be taken to resolve the issue. If the following methods are not successful for you or if you are unsure of your ability to undertake them on your own, contact a qualified Windows 10 computer technician.
Here are the best ways to attempt to fix Error Code 0x8007041d on your computer:
Method 1: Remove Additional Security Software Apart from Windows Defender
In some cases, having multiple versions of malware or antivirus software installed on your computer can cause the Windows system to create conflicts between them, which can interfere with your ability to update. During the update process, the system may attempt to determine if there is any malware present, and having multiple kinds of antivirus software present on the same machine may return mixed results.
If you currently are running antivirus software that is separate from Windows Defender, consider removing it from your computer prior to running the update software. This may allow you to successfully complete your update process without conflict. Additional software can be reinstalled after the update is complete, but make sure to keep both sets of software up to date in order to lessen the chances of encountering this error code again during future updates.
Method 2: Update Your Windows Defender Software
If you currently have Windows Defender as your primary antivirus software, check to see whether it is fully up to date. Out of date antivirus software can cause conflicts with the Windows Update process since the update to Windows 10 will not be able to be completed unless the system is free from viruses or malware.
If you are unsure of whether or not your Windows Defender is up to date, open it and run the process to check for updates, then re-attempt to run Windows Update. In some cases, you may want to restart your computer before running the Windows 10 Update process a second time.
Method 3: Run the Registry Repair Tool
Another issue that could cause Error Code 0x8007041d is a problem in the system registry. If you believe that this may be the case, run the Windows Registry Repair Tool on your machine to check for and resolve any issues. This is a fairly simple and straightforward tool to use, but it can help you to resolve any number of problems that may interfere with your ability to update your Windows 10 software.
If you have taken the steps listed above, restart your computer before attempting to proceed with the Windows Update process. If the three methods listed above are not successful in completely resolving Error Code 0x8007041d on your machine or if you are not comfortable in your ability to implement these steps on your own, contact a qualified Windows repair technician who is familiar with the Windows Update process to assist you.
If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 10 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.
When it comes to booting an operating system on a computer, one of the most essential pieces of software you can use is the UEFI. In fact, a lot of users now prefer to use UEFI instead of BIOS. It also depends on whether the UEFI or the BIOS is supported on the motherboard. Recently, a number of users reported an issue with UEFI where they were unable to find it under the Advanced Options screen where it’s supposed to be located.
The missing UEFI Firmware settings in the Advanced Options could be caused by several reasons. It is possible that the access to the UEFI menu is blocked or it could also be due to the Extra Fast Startup feature being enabled. It is also possible that the operating system is installed in Legacy mode.
There are several options to try to fix this issue. You need to check if your computer supports UEFI or you could also try to disable Fast Startup or bypass the Extra Fast Startup feature. You can also use a boot to UEFI shortcut as well as check the CMOS battery.
Option 1 – Try checking if your computer supports UEFI
The first thing you have to do is to verify if your computer supports UEFI. If your computer does not support UEFI, then it’s no wonder why you don’t see the UEFI Firmware settings in the Advanced Options.
Option 2 – Try turning off Fast Startup
First, boot your computer in Safe Mode.
Once your computer is booted in Safe Mode, tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type in “control” to open the Control Panel.
Next, click on the Hardware and Sound section and click on Power Options.
Afterward, select the “Choose what the power buttons do” option from the left side menu pane.
Now click on Change settings that are currently unavailable and uncheck the entry that says, “Turn on fast startup (Recommended)”.
Then click on Save Changes and restart your computer and see if it has fixed the problem or not.
Option 3 – Try bypassing the Extra Fast Startup feature
As mentioned, the missing UEFI Firmware settings could be due to the Extra Fast Startup feature. To fix it, you have to disable this feature. All you have to do is tap and hold the Shift key and click on the Shutdown button from the Start button. This will boot your PC with the UEFI booting from the beginning and then use the hotkey for your motherboard to boot into the UEFI setup.
Option 4 – Try using a boot to UEFI shortcut
Right-click on any empty space on your Desktop and select New > Shortcut.
This will open a new mini window. And here, you have to type this in the text field: shutdown /r /fw
After that, click on Next and name the desktop shortcut and then click on Finish.
Next, right-click on the newly created shortcut and select Properties.
Click on the Advanced button and select the “Run as administrator” option.
Now click OK to save the changes made. Each time you execute this shortcut, your computer will automatically be booted to the UEFI Firmware Settings.
Option 5 – Try to check the CMOS battery
Another thing you can do is check the CMOS battery physically on the motherboard and see if it has to be replaced since a damaged CMOS battery can also cause the issue with the missing UEFI Firmware settings.
Option 6 – Set your computer from Legacy to UEFI
If applicable, you can try to set your computer from Legacy to UEFI to resolve the problem.
In the Windows Search box, type “command prompt” and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as administrator” option.
After that, execute this command: mbr2gpt.exe /convert /allowfullOS
Now, wait until the process is completed since you can track its process on your screen.
Once it’s done, go to Settings > Update & Security > Advanced Startup options and from there, click on Restart Now. This will restart your computer and give you advanced options.
Next, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options where you will see further options including System Restore, Startup Repair, Go back to the previous version, Command Prompt, System Image Recovery, and UEFI Firmware Settings.
Now select the UEFI Firmware Settings. This will take you to the BIOS. Boot Mode is typically available under Boot > Boot Configuration. Once you’re there, set it to UEFI and then save the changes you’ve made. After that, your computer will restart.
During the Microsoft Windows 10 upgrade, certain users have experienced an issue with error code 8024001F. Users should note that this error is also known as Windows Update 8024001F and 0x8024001F. This error code is relatively common and is usually caused by a faulty internet connection. Thanks to this common reasoning, the error is generally fixed easily, and users are able to restart their Microsoft Windows 10 upgrade.
Common symptoms include:
A dialog box appears with the Error Code 8024001F when attempting to upgrade to Microsoft Windows 10.
Your current version of Windows is unable to recognize the need for an update to Microsoft Windows 10.
Solution
Error Causes
With only three issues causing error code 8024001F, it is relatively easy to determine your particular issue and then follow the steps below to rectify the situation.
Your computer is not connected to the internet.
The Windows firewall is interfering with the Microsoft Windows 10 update.
Your third-party antivirus and firewall software is interfering with the Microsoft Windows 10 update.
Your system is infected with the Conficker worm, which is preventing the Microsoft Windows 10 update from processing correctly.
Microsoft Support asks that you contact them directly for further assistance if you are able to rule out these three reasons for error code 8024001F.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Error code 8024001F is easily corrected using one of the following methods. Each of these methods should be convenient and comfortable for a basic computer user at home. If at any time you are unsure or feel you need more assistance, Microsoft Support asks that you contact them directly for more guided support.
Windows will then run the Troubleshooter, attempting to detect any known issues with your system.
Depending upon the results you should be able to follow the on-screen prompts which will alleviate the update issue.
Method 2- Correct your internet connections
Closeout of the error code 8024001F dialog box.
Close the Microsoft Windows 10 updater.
Attempt to access the internet through your normal browser.
** If you can successfully access the internet, then an internet connection is not the cause for this error code.
If you are unable to access the internet verify that you are plugged into your network, both at the router/wall and at your computer jack.
If you use a router, verify that all of the lights are on and active (showing an active internet connection).
Establish an internet connection if possible. If you are unable to establish an internet connection, you may need to contact your internet provider.
If you are able to reestablish an internet connection, then you should have no problem running your Microsoft Windows 10 update.
Method 3- Adjust the Windows Update settings
Log into your current version of Windows as the Administrator (enter a password if prompted).
Click the START button on your keyboard or screen.
Search for the term “admin”, press ENTER
Click the “administrative tools” option
Select the “services” file, re-enter your password.
Open the Windows Update file by right-clicking on the name.
Choose the “properties” option
Under the GENERAL tab, make sure that the “startup type:” is set to AUTOMATIC (DELAYED START)
Under the “Service Status” header, click the START button.
Click OK
Restart the Microsoft Windows 10 update.
Method 4- Scan for the Conficker Worm
Access the web address to be directed to the Microsoft Safety Scanner.
Run this free scanner provided by Microsoft to verify if the Conficker Worm is your issue.
If this worm is causing your error, Microsoft will walk you through the steps necessary to remove the worm.
Method 5- Firewall and Anti-Virus software
If you are using the Windows firewall or a third-party anti-virus and firewall software, disable these programs.
Run the Microsoft Windows 10 upgrade.
After the upgrade is complete, turn your antivirus and firewall software back on.
Users should not have a problem employing the above methods. Start with the simplest solutions first, and then work your way to the more intricate methods. In some cases, depending on why this particular error code was caused, you may have to use a powerful automated tool to have it resolved.
CLR20R3 error is received when you are launching an application in Windows 10. It can happen because of two reasons, a corrupted application file or missing system components. Keep on reading in order to find solutions to fix this error.
Run the program in compatibility mode
Locate problematic application executable file
Right-click on executable
Click on properties
Go to the compatibility tab and try running the application in the previous version of Windows or as an administrator.
Reset Windows media component
Right-click on Start, then left-click on command prompt (admin)
In command prompt type next command and after each line of command press ENTERregsvr32 atl.dllcd C:\WINDOWS\eHomeehSched /unregServerehSched /serviceehRecvr /unregServerehRecvr /serviceehRec.exe /unregServerehRec.exe /regserverehmsas.exe /unregServerehmsas.exe /regserver
Reinstall Windows media player
Go to control panel
Click on Program and Features > Turn Windows feature on or off.
Expand Media Features, uncheck Windows Media Player, and click Ok.
Restart your PC, go through the same steps, tick Windows Media Player, and restart your computer once again.
Reinstall .NET framework
Go to control panel
Click on Program and Features > Turn Windows feature on or off.
Uncheck “.NET Framework 3.5” and “.NET Framework 4.8”, and click Ok.
Restart your computer, go through the same steps, check “.NET Framework 3.5” and “.NET Framework 4.8”, and restart your computer once again.
Disk partitioning is a concept that’s been around for so long, but is still only familiar to few. If done right, it can help get your computer in perfect order.
Today we bring you a simple definition of disk partitioning, its pros and cons, and a quick tip on how to do it properly to reap its full benefit!
Definition and purpose
The simplest way to define disk partitioning would be: it’s exactly what it sounds like. It means taking a hard disk drive and separating it into different segments. These segments are called partitions. You can visualize it as cutting a cake into smaller pieces - not necessarily of the same size, though.
So what is the purpose of these pieces?
Well, when you first get a hard drive, it’s basically just a bunch of unallocated storage space. Until there’s at least one partition, this space is unusable to your operating system. Once you create a partition, your OS will recognize it as usable storage space.
You can choose to create a single partition and use it for all your files, from program files to personal data. A lot of off-the-shelf computers come with one primary partition like this and a small secondary one reserved for recovery purposes.
Whether or not you want to split your disk into more than one segment is up to you. We would generally recommend it, though. The whole point of partitioning is for each segment to have its own purpose.
So treating all your storage space as a single unit containing different file types would be like constructing an office building with only one massive room for everything - day-to-day work, conferences, interviews, etc. And all of this for different departments of the company. You can see how this might get a little messy.
Creating multiple partitions eliminates the task of running several different types of files from the same place. This takes a heavy load off the entire process of accessing data.
Disk partitioning also brings a ton of other benefits to the table. An important disclaimer, though: there are disadvantages too. We will walk you through both sides to help you get an objective idea and make an informed decision.
Source: Kina on Unsplash
What are the benefits of disk partitioning?
1. Better file organization
This is the most obvious and perhaps the biggest advantage of partitioning your hard drive.
As we already mentioned, partitioning allows you to create separate segments for different file and data types. You wouldn’t want to use the same partition for your system files and for games, would you?
If organization and time management are important to you, then multiple partitions are the right solution. Searching for specific files will be much easier overall. Say you have one hard drive, but three partitions: C for the system files alone, D for multimedia files and documents, and E for games and apps. Your computer loads the system from C without interference from the other two, and you know exactly where to look when searching for a file.
2. Easy reinstallation
File management isn’t the only thing made faster and simpler thanks to partitioning. If you opt for creating multiple segments on your drive, reinstalling Windows will be easy peasy.
That’s because all you need to do is format the partition your system is on. Then you reinstall the OS on it, and there you go. Now you have a clean installation, with all your files saved on other partitions intact. You can even make a copy of your system partition, so you can revisit the exact same installation in the future if you want. And the whole time your pictures, music, documents stay exactly where you left them.
Source: Andrew M on Unsplash
3. Possibility of using multiple file systems
By now you’ve understood that partitions function completely separately. This means that, if for some reason you need multiple file system capabilities, partitioning will allow that.
One segment could be used for, say, an NTFS file system, while another could run ext or APFS.
4. Running different OSes
You’re an avid Windows user but need to use Linux on the side? No problem. You don’t need to buy a separate computer or anything. The possibility of running different file systems also means you can use partitioning to run multiple operating systems.
Doesn’t that sound enticing? One machine for multiple totally different uses!
5. Backup and recovery made simple
Data loss can happen on any disk, partitioned or not. However, it’s much easier to get it back on a partitioned one. You know where you stored what, and each partition can be backed up exactly as it is. It’s also a lot faster to back up single partitions than entire hard drives.
Ultimately this also means a faster path to recovery. If you lose or accidentally delete important files and data, you might want to use a recovery tool like Recuva to scan for them and get them back. Recuva is even powerful enough to recover data from damaged hard drives. But no matter how powerful, scanning a whole drive is strenuous for any recovery tool. Scanning independent partitions is a lot more convenient than that, and will get you to your goal more efficiently.
6. Optimized performance
Now, let’s keep in mind that computer performance is influenced by a number of factors. Partitioning alone isn’t what makes it better or worse. However, it can contribute to optimization. It’s easier for your computer to scan, say, a 40 GB partition to fetch the system file it needs than scanning the entire capacity of your drive.
7. Improved security (possibly*)
Separate partitions can help make your system more secure. Firstly, they minimize file corruption. If one partition gets corrupted, the others should remain unaffected. And keeping in mind the previous point about backup and recovery, ‘fixing’ the damaged partition would be much easier than fixing the entire hard drive.
Partitioning also improves security in terms of malware protection. A malicious attack on one partition is easier to deal with than malware on the whole drive. If your system partition gets infected, you can simply reinstall your OS and that should do the trick.
*Do keep in mind that partitioning can’t defend you against more advanced attacks. So make sure not to give in to a false sense of security.
What are the disadvantages of partitioning?
1. Data is still vulnerable
Yes, it’s easier to back up and recover data from independent partitions. And yes, partitioning may help protect separated files and data to a higher degree. But remember: everything is still on a single physical drive. So while digital errors and issues may be easier to deal with on partitioned drives, physical damage obviously won’t be.
If your hard drive is destroyed in some way, all data on it will be gone. That’s why, if you have crucial files on your PC, it’s important to give them the proper backup treatment before it’s too late.
2. Disbalance of space
Allocating storage space on separate partitions may be a little more tricky than you think. You may fill up one partition a lot faster than another. So on one side you’re struggling with space, and on another you have too much of it to spare. Imagine nearly filling up your system partition and then it turns out you need a lot more space for its updates than you thought.
That’s why you really have to be sure you actually have enough files of different types that you need help managing efficiently. Otherwise you’ll just create a struggle and disbalance in terms of storage.
3. Increased risk of error
If done incorrectly, partitioning can lead to more harm than good. Aside from space disbalance, there is an increased risk of incorrect partition sizes and formatting. Plus, human error is also a factor: in a moment of distraction, you may erase one partition when you meant another. Undoing such mistakes will definitely be tedious and time-consuming.
4. SSDs eliminate the need of partitioning
SSDs (solid-state drives) don’t function in the same way that HDDs do. They have faster read times and can organize files on their own. This quite literally eliminates the need for organization on your part.
Partitioning: yes or no?
The bottom line is that multiple partitions might not be necessary for the average user. But if you’re planning on storing many file types or different file and operating systems on the same PC, then you should give it a shot. It’s also an excellent solution for businesses, of course.
And if our pros and cons list isn’t enough to help you decide, you can always send us a message and we’ll help you make the right choice.
Decided to partition your hard drive?
If you’ve decided to give it a go, you definitely should make sure to do it right.
The two most effective and reliable ways to partition are using the built-in options on Windows or investing in a dedicated partitioning tool, like the EaseUS Partition Master. Which one you'll opt for depends on your specific needs.
Option 1 may be more suitable for users with at least some level of experience. In this case, you’d have to know exactly which steps to take without making errors. This is done in Disk Management on Windows 10/11. From there, you can select the partitions you’d like to split into different volumes of selected sizes.
If this is your first time partitioning, we highly suggest you either consult professionals for this or move on to option 2. The EaseUS partitioning software is specifically designed for beginners, with an intuitive interface helping you succeed in the process. All you need to do is pick the Partition Master package tailored to your needs and follow their guide.
Each package offers technical support as well, and even free upgrades (to varying degrees based on your subscription). Plus, all of this is valid for not one, but two PCs.
It’s the perfect solution for a smooth and error-free partitioning process. If you want to organize your hard drives efficiently and make the most of all your space without doing irreparable damage, it’s definitely worth the investment.
External hard drives have become essentials as they store data. However, they are also prone to issues and one of them is the “The device is not ready”. You could encounter this error when you try to access your connected hard drive. This error won’t allow you to access the contents of your hard drive so unless you fix it, you won’t be able to access any of the files on your hard drive.
One of the most likely causes of this error is a hardware defect. Aside from that, it could also be due to loose connections, obsolete device drivers, as well as compatibility issues between the operating system and the hard drive. Before you start troubleshooting the problem, you need to determine if you were able to access your hard drive before you encountered the error or not. If not, you need to check the compatibility of the device with your operating system as it could be the reason why you’re getting the error.
There are several potential fixes you can check out to fix this error. You can try to check the hardware connections, run the built-in Hardware and Devices troubleshooter, as well as the USB troubleshooter. You could also run the CHKDSK utility or update the drivers of the device or the USB drivers.
Option 1 – Try checking the hardware connections
The first thing you have to do before you further troubleshoot the problem is to check the hardware connections of your computer and see if there are damaged ones, just like with USB ports, it would also affect the overall connectivity of the device with the computer. So if you notice some irregularities in the connecting cable physically, you might have to buy another one and replace it and then see if it fixes the problem or not.
Option 2 – Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooters
The first thing you need to do is click on Start and then on the gear-like icon to pull up the window for Settings.
After opening Settings, look for the Update and Security option and select it.
From there, go to the Troubleshoot option located on the left-hand side of the list.
Next, select Hardware and Devices from the list and open the Troubleshooter and run it. Once it is doing its job, wait for it to complete the process and then restart the system.
After the system restarts, check if the problem’s now fixed. If not, refer to the next option given below.
Note: You could also try to run the USB troubleshooter as it could also resolve the problem.
Option 3 – Run the CHKDSK utility
As you know, the CHKDSK utility can help you in identifying the bad sectors in a drive and fix them automatically. Thus, you can run it to fix the “The device is not ready” error when you connect your USB drive to your computer.
Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
Next, type and enter this command to execute it: chkdsk /f <drive>
Now, wait until the process is completed and exit Command Prompt.
Restart your computer and try connecting the USB drive again and see if the error is fixed.
Option 4 – Try to update the drivers of the device
Although you can always update the device drivers using the Device Manager, you might want to try downloading the latest set of drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website. Once you’ve downloaded them, install them right away and then correct the external hard drive.
Option 5 – Update or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller driver
If updating the drivers of the device did not fix the “The device is not ready” error, you can try to update or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller drivers instead of using the Device Manager. Refer to the following steps:
First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
From there, look for the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” option and then right-click on each one of the USB drivers and select the Update Driver from the menu.
Note: If it is a regular USB drive, then it will be listed as a USB Mass Storage Device but if you have a USB 3.0 device, then look for a USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller.
Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
Note: If updating the USB Controller drivers didn’t work, you can try to reinstall them instead.
Option 6 – Restart your computer in a Clean Boot State
If the first three given options didn’t work and you still see the error when you connect external devices, you can try putting your computer in a Clean Boot State and then try connecting them again.
Log onto your PC as an administrator.
Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
Click Disable all.
Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
Now try to connect the external devices and check if the error is now gone.
