How to game on a low budget

Microsoft sent an email to users on the Dev build channel saying that the company intends to push some builds that don’t represent what consumers will receive with Windows 11 when it officially releases. In other words, these are going to be some rather buggy builds that won’t be too enjoyable to use. The company recommends users switch from the Dev to the beta channel if they aren’t prepared to deal with the instability. We’ll have to wait and see just how buggy these builds are, but if Microsoft is actually sending out a warning about them it is very likely that builds will be plagued with issues and maybe even stability problems.

Back to Windows 10

How we can expect some buggy build of Windows 11 if you prefer a stable system over new features maybe best decision would be to switch back to Windows 10 until the new OS hits official release.

Switching from dev build channel to beta channel

Another solution, if you do not want to deal with too many issues, is to switch from Dev build channel to beta where things will be more stable. Follow the guide below in order to quickly switch to the beta channel. Following instructions only apply to Windows 11 installations that are linked up to the Windows Insider program, not clean installation of OS.

1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open settings
2. Inside settings click on Windows update
3. In Windows Update click on Windows Insider Program
4. Inside click on Choose your Insider Settings
5. Click on the button next to Beta Channel to select it (you can switch back to the Dev channel here if you change your mind)

The setting will be saved automatically and from now on you will only receive beta channel updates.

If you are trying to access a particular file on your Windows 10 computer either to open, rename or delete it, and you suddenly encounter an error stating, “Could not find this item. This is no longer located in [Path]. Verify the item’s location and try again”, read on for this post will help you out in resolving this issue. If you are able to find and view a file on your computer, you should have clear access to it. And since you are seeing an error message when you try to do something about this file, you are not able to do anything with the file. There are times when this error pops up with the files created by third-party services and that the file’s extension is not defined properly. On the other hand, there are also other obscure causes for this error. To fix it, here are some suggestions you can try.

Option 1 – Delete the file using Command Prompt

If you wish to delete the problematic file and weren’t to, you can use Command Prompt.

• In the Start menu, type in “Command Prompt” to search for it or you could also click the search button right next to the Start menu and then right-click on the related result and select the option “Run as administrator”.
• Once you’ve opened Command Prompt, copy and paste the command given below and tap Entre after you do so. You also have to make sure that you key in the correct path where the file is located as well as its name.

rd /s \?X:badfolderpath Note: In the command above, “X” is the placeholder letter so you must input the letter that corresponds to the drive’s letter where the file is located.

• After that, you will see the “Operation completed successfully” message on your screen. If you don’t, check if you’ve really inputted the correct location of the file or its name.

Option 2 – Use a Command Prompt tweak to rename the file

If you don’t want to delete the file and only want to rename it, you can apply some tweaks using the Command Prompt. Make sure to follow the steps carefully.

• In the Start menu, type in “Command Prompt” to search for it or you could also click the search button right next to the Start menu and then right-click on the related result and select the option “Run as administrator”.
• After opening Command Prompt, type in “cd” followed by the path where the file is located with this format – “C:\Folder1\Folder2\Folder3”. However, you have to omit the problematic file this time. To put it simply, the last folder in the command must be the folder where the file is located.
• After inputting the command, tap Enter on your keyboard and then use the set of commands given below. Note that each command is a new line so you need to tap Enter after copying each line.
  • DIR /A /X /P
  • RENAME (the current name of the problematic file) (a non-problematic name)
  • EXIT

Note: Make sure that you only input the current name and the new name separated by a space. You must not write the brackets in the command. If everything goes well, you will now be able to operate the file like you used to before.

Option 3 – Use Command Prompt to delete the file without any extension

This option applies to cases where the affected file does not have any viable extension which means that Windows does not really know what to do with it and it only displays the “Could not find this item. This is no longer located in [Path]. Verify the item’s location and try again” error message. It usually occurs with the files created by browser plugins that are mostly from Mozilla Firefox. To delete these kinds of files, here’s what you have to do:

• Follow the first two steps from the previous option above so you can navigate to the location of the file accurately just be careful in inputting the folders.
• Don’t forget to tap Enter right after each command and then use the next command below so you can delete the affected file which has no extension:

del *.*

• After you’re done, open the File Explorer and then check if the file is now deleted or not.

Option 4 – Try using another workaround without using Command Prompt

This option is a lot like a workaround but it definitely gets the job done for you. It’s ideal for you if you do not want to deal with Command Prompt and only want to do everything in a graphical environment. To get started, follow the steps below.

• Look for the affected file or folder on your PC using File Explorer. Once you found it, right-click on it and select the “Add to archive” option from the context menu.
• Once the archiving options window pops up, look for the “Delete files after archiving” option and make sure that you select it then click OK to start archiving the folder or file. After that, you should now notice the file no longer exists.
• After that, delete the archive file as well.

The Windows update error 0x8024ce0e can happen as a result of improper installation, a virus, or due to file corruption. Follow this guide to easily fix errors and continue with your work.

1. Restart Windows

   As awkward as it seems this method actually works most of the time. Click on the start button and restart your system.

2. Check hard disk space

   Of course, when installing updates there should be enough disk space for updates to be downloaded and installed. Check your disk space to see if there is sufficient available space.

3. Disconnect external components

   External components can interfere sometimes with the update process, disconnect external hard drives, USB, and other devices, leaving only the keyboard, mouse, and core ones.

4. Check devices in the device manager

   Open device manager and visually check to see if there is a device with a yellow exclamation sign next to it. If there is such a device, right-click on it and choose update driver.

Modem Error 633 error is a dial-up error that usually occurs when using a USB modem with a Windows computer. The Modem Error 633 error message is displayed as the following:

“Error 633: The Modem is already in use or not configured properly.”

Solution

Error Causes

This error can be triggered due to several reasons such as:

• A software program conflicts with the USB modem
• The modem is not configured properly
• The Telephon.ini file is missing or damaged
• There is some issue with the way Windows is managing the communication (COM) ports on your computer.

Further Information and Manual Repair

If you experience the Modem Error 633 on your PC, you don’t have to panic. Though this error does not pose any major threats like data loss, it may hamper your ability to use the internet therefore it is advisable to resolve the error. Repairing the Modem Error 633 is quite easy. There are a number of ways to fix this error. So, let’s get started:

Solution 1: Delete Incompatible Software and Non-Present Modems

• Click on the start menu and go to the ‘Control Panel’. Now choose the option ‘Phone and Modem’.
• Here you will see three tabs, the dialing rules, modems, and advanced. Choose the tab ‘Modems’. As you click on it, you will see modems installed on your PC. To repair the Modem Error 633, select and remove all the incompatible software and modems that are not present and click ‘OK’.
• Now to bring the changes into effect, restart your system with the modem plugged in and try connecting to the internet again.

Solution 2: Change the Communication Ports

If the error occurs because the modem is not properly configured, then this solution is possibly the best way to resolve this error. Here’s what you need to do:

• Click on the Start menu and choose My Computer.
• Now click on the option ‘Manage’ to open the Computer Management Window.
• Once it opens, click the option ‘Device Manager and then expand the option modems. Click on Properties, then the Advanced tab, and the Advanced Port Settings button.
• As you click on the Advanced Port Settings, then click on the COM Port Number drop-down box.
• Choose a new Communication Port. However, make sure it is not already in use.
• Once you make changes, click ‘OK’ and then restart your PC.
• Now Open Device Manager again. Open the Modern Properties Window and then Click the Diagnostics tab.
• After that view the command response window to verify if the error is fixed. If yes, then create a new dial-up connection and connect to the internet with ease.

Solution 3: Disable the Startup items

• Another way to resolve Modem Error 633 on your PC is to go to the start menu and type ‘msconfig’ into the search box and then press ‘enter’.
• Open the misconfig.exe program. As you open it, you will see 4 tabs, General, Boot, Service, Start-up, and Tools.
• Now click on the ‘Start-up’, ‘Disable All’, and then press Apply.
• After you press Apply, a window will pop up asking to restart the computer.
• Confirm it and click restart.
• Once the computer restarts now try connecting to the internet again. This will hopefully resolve the Modem Error 633.

If you suddenly noticed that your Onscreen keyboard in Windows 10 has become completely white or transparent for some reason, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on what you can do to resolve this kind of issue in your computer. As you know, the on-screen keyboard is included in Windows 10 and has an executable file named “osk.exe”. The on-screen keyboard is a part of the Ease of Access feature in Windows 10 which allows users to navigate the computer with the help of the mouse instead of the physical keyboard. However, there are times when you might encounter some issues when using the on-screen keyboard. One of the issues reported recently is that the on-screen keyboard becomes transparent or it only displays the borders but there is no way for you to access it. You also won’t be able to move it from the view completely. To fix this problem, there are several suggestions you can check out. You can try to check the Fade button or run the Windows Touch Keyboard troubleshooter. You can also restart its process in the Task Manager. For more details, refer to each one of the given options below.

Option 1 – Try to check the Fade button

The first thing you can do is to check the Fade button on the on-screen keyboard. You can find it at the bottom right corner of the keyboard. If it is enabled, then it’s probably the reason why your on-screen keyboard is transparent as it lets it fade in the background. Thus, you have to disable it to resolve the problem.

Option 2 – Try to run the Windows Touch Keyboard troubleshooter

The next option you can check out is running the Windows Touch Keyboard troubleshooter. This troubleshooter will help you identify the problem and would fix them automatically.

Option 3 – Try to restart the process of the on-screen keyboard via Task Manager

The next thing you can do is to restart the on-screen keyboard’s process in the Task Manager. Just follow the steps below.

• First, tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
• Next, go to the Processes tab and look for the option that says, “Accessibility On-screen Keyboard”.
• Once you found it, click on the drop-down arrow next to it and right click on the “On-screen Keyboard” option, and select End task to end its process.
• After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility and type “osk.exe” in the field, and then hit Enter to open the on-screen keyboard.

Thorconnwndclass error is an Outlook error that has recently reared its head. Known to create several problems in the proper functioning of the Outlook application, this error is essentially a constituent of the Norton Antivirus Crash Guard Symantec component. That’s why those using the Norton Antivirus program are most likely to encounter this error.

Solution

Error Causes

When the Thorconnwndclass error occurs, the Outlook closes unexpectedly, users encounter problems while sending or receiving emails and, performance of Outlook is degraded and this happens because issues arise while accessing the PST file. Because of this damaged PST file, stored data is unavailable for access. Other factors that trigger the Thorconnwndclass error are listed below.

• Corrupt or damaged Outlook Add-ins
• Corrupt or damaged Outlook bar
• Unfinished Outlook installation
• Faulty settings
• Thorconnwndclass Norton is being used with Outlook

Regardless of the underlying factors that lead up to the occurrence of this error, it's of paramount importance that workarounds are implemented to ensure desired performance of Outlook in the long run.

Further Information and Manual Repair

While there are several ways to rectify this error, some of the most common ones are listed below as follows.

• The most effective solution is the PST file repair tools available online. These tools use a complex algorithm and thoroughly scan the PST file and repair it as needed. This resolves the Thorconnwndclass error that one encounters in Outlook. Usually such software have an easy to use interface and can easily be used, without the need for the user to have a strong technical background. Another advantage of using these software available online is that they not only repair the file, but they often play a pivotal role in retrieving inaccessible or lost data.

Some other tips for manually resolving this problem are listed below as follows.

• First and foremost, disable your Norton Antivirus program if it’s installed on your system. Now, open the Outlook application in Safe Mode. Since this problem may also be triggered by damaged or corrupt Outlook add-ins, it is strongly advised that you disable or uninstall them. Now, you will come across some .dat files. Rename them by changing the existing .dat files to new .dat.
• Another useful approach is to employ the Inbox Repair tool offered by Outlook.
• Finally, one can also use the scanpst.exe file to fix any problem or error that resides within the  Outlook application.

What is Windows ImageAcquisition High CPU & Disk usage? The Windows Image Acquisition is the driver model in charge of the communication between the graphics hardware and the operating system. There are times when it causes high disk and CPU usage in Windows 10 systems which results in slow performance of the computer. To fix this issue, read on as this post will help you in addressing the problem. The cause of this problem might have something to do with the hardware or the drivers. And so if your computer becomes slow because of the Windows Image Acquisition process, here are some suggestions that might be of help. You can try to restart the Windows Image Acquisition service, run a System File Checker Scan, disconnect & reconnect imaging hardware as well as update and reinstall the drivers and updating the graphics drivers. For a complete set of instructions, follow the given options below.

Option 1 – Try restarting the Windows Image Acquisition Service

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
• From there, look for the Windows Image Acquisition Service and check on its service Status.
• If the Service Status is blank, right-click on it and select Start. And if the service Status is Running right-click on it and select Restart. After that, check if your computer’s performance is now back to normal.

Option 2 – Try running a System File Checker scan

As you know, running a System File Checker scan can help in replacing missing files as well as repair the corrupted ones which might be the reason behind the problem.

• Tap Win + R to launch Run.
• Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
• After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow

The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:

1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.

• Restart your computer after the scan is completed.

Option 3 – Try disconnecting and reconnecting the imaging hardware and then update and reinstall its drivers

It could be that the hardware that calls for the Windows Image Acquisition service has some issues which are why disconnecting and reconnecting the imaging hardware like scanners, printers, cameras can help in fixing the problem. In addition, you can also boot your computer in a Clean Boot State so that you can find the problematic hardware by hit and trial method. Refer to the steps below to do so:

• 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.)

Option 4 – Try updating the Graphics drivers

• First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
• After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
• Type in devmgmt.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.

Note: You also have the option to 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.

Crash Dump is a type of malfunction that can happen when a few portions of the processor's data or RAM memory are erroneously copied to one or more files. It is common among Windows PCs. It used to be most prominent on the Windows 95 edition but subsequent versions have mostly remedied the situation. Even with the remedies over time though, this error still occurs.

Error Causes

A Crash Dump usually points to some serious and critical errors with your Computer. Below are some of the possible causes for this error:-

• Corrupt memory
• Incorrect configurations on hardware
• Programming errors.
• Incompatible drivers
• Faulty Operating system

Despite the listed causes for Crash Dumps. Nobody is ever ready for them. A crash dump is classified as an unexpected error simply because it can happen anytime.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Most PC users get scared and anxious when a crash dump happens. Which need not be the case. You can easily repair a Crash Dump without necessarily requiring a computer technician. Follow these simple steps and the malfunction will soon dissipate:

a) Re-Install the Operating System

Put the setup CD into the computer disk drive. Once you've completed this, reboot the pc.

b) Push F8

Push the F8 function key on your keyboard while the pc is re-booting. This takes you to a menu where you should choose “Advanced Boot Options”

c) Click "Repair My Computer"

As soon as you push the F8 option, and do what's suggested in the last measure above, you must click on "Repair My Computer" and press the "Return/Enter" key.

d) Click on the "Startup Repair"

Search for the start-up repair option, and choose it. Subsequently, move to Next. Using this method, the cause of the Crash dump will undoubtedly be recognized and ended after a thorough scan of your system. Additionally, it is smart to take note of the whole Crash Dump information that appears on your screen. Windows supplies you with detailed error messages. Write down each of the error codes in hexadecimal values as well as capital characters as displayed on the screen.

• Disconnect Hardware  and Un-Install all Drivers

Disconnect and remove any new hardware that is causing your PC to crash dump. Uninstall any drivers you used to install the hardware. If this solves the problem, contact the hardware manufacturer and request the latest and updated device drivers. At length, prior to starting panicking, see the error information that appears on your own display. Browse to see whether it includes info on a certain driver that you ought to search for and install. Bottom line, remain calm when your computer crash dumps and use the mentioned steps to repair it.

All malware is detrimental and the magnitude of the damage will vary greatly depending on the type of infection. Some malware variants modify internet browser settings by adding a proxy server or modify the PC's DNS settings. When this happens, you'll be unable to visit certain or all the sites, and therefore not able to download or install the required security software to clear out the computer malware. If you’re reading this article, chances are, you’re stuck with a virus infection that is preventing you from downloading and/or installing the Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your computer. Refer to the instructions below to remove malware through alternate methods.

Method 1: Install Anti-Malware in Safe Mode with Networking

If the malware is set to load automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, entering safe mode may block the attempt. Since only the minimal applications and services start-up in safe mode, there are rarely any reasons for conflicts to happen. You will need to do the following to remove malware in Safe mode.

• 1) Tap the F8 key continuously as soon as your computer boots, however, before the large Windows logo or black screen with white texts come up. This would invoke the Advanced Boot Options menu.
• 2) Choose Safe Mode with Networking using arrow keys and press Enter.
• 3) When you are into this mode, you will have access to the internet once again. Now, utilize your web browser normally and download Safebytes Anti-Malware.
• 4) After installation, do a complete scan and allow the software to get rid of the threats it detects.

Method 2: Utilize An Alternate Internet Browser to Download Anti-Malware Software

Malicious program code may exploit vulnerabilities in a specific web browser and block access to all antivirus software sites. If you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by computer malware or otherwise compromised by cybercriminals, the most effective plan of action is to switch to an alternate web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to download your chosen security program - Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Download SafeBytes Anti-Malware for Malware Removal

Method 3: Install and Run Anti-Malware From a USB Drive

To effectively remove the malware, you might want to approach the problem of installing an antivirus software program on the affected computer from a different angle. Adopt these measures to employ a flash drive to fix your infected computer.

• 1) Use another malware-free PC to download Safebytes Anti-Malware.
• 2) Plug the thumb drive into the uninfected computer.
• 3) Double click on the executable file to open the installation wizard.
• 4) Choose the drive letter of the USB drive as the place when the wizard asks you exactly where you would like to install the anti-virus. Follow activation instructions.
• 5) Now, transfer the thumb drive to the infected computer.
• 6) Double-click the antivirus program EXE file on the USB flash drive.
• 7) Click on the “Scan Now” button to start the malware scan.

If no other method of downloading and installing the antivirus software works, then you've no other option than to hit the last resort: a full Windows reinstallation, the only approach known to have a 100% rate of success at virus removal.

In recent times, some Windows 10 users have seen an error code BCM20702A0, when using Bluetooth and they are concerned as to what it is all about. We can say for certain that it has something to do with your Bluetooth driver. The error message in question is:

The drivers for this device are not installed. There are no compatible drivers for this device.

The problem here tends to no longer allow specific Bluetooth components to properly communicate with your Windows 10 operating system. It also affects laptops that do not have native Bluetooth support; therefore, the manufacturer installed a dongle on the inside to deliver the service. This is not the best way to do things because native support is always better. On the other hand, maybe you’re using a Broadcom USB Bluetooth dongle that is acting up, and as such, the error is showing. Below are solutions provided for this particular error and how to eliminate it.

1. Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter

   Press ⊞ WINDOWS to open the menu and select settings In settings choose Update & Security Go to troubleshoot and on the right panel click on additional troubleshooters Click on Bluetooth Select Run the troubleshooter, then sit back and allow the tool to do its thing. Once you’ve completed the task, click on Apply this fix if any repairs are needed Reboot your computer

2. Install Broadcom driver from official website

   Windows drivers for Broadcom Bluetooth devices are no longer posted on their website. They should be available through Microsoft’s Windows Update service. If drivers were not downloaded automatically by Windows Update, use Device Manager to refresh the driver from Windows Update. However, the Broadcom Bluetooth drivers seem to be available here on the Lenovo website. To fix the BCM20702A0 driver error, you may download and install them. After downloading it, right-click on the downloaded item, and select Run as administrator. After installation, restart your computer, then check again if it works.

3. Remove all Bluetooth drivers and USB controllers

   If previous solutions did not work, go to device manager and remove all Bluetooth devices along with all USB controllers. Reboot your computer and Windows will automatically reinstall and set all devices.