On April 7th Microsoft has released Windows build 21354 for their flagship OS and updates are rolling. Alongside the new update builds Microsoft has decided to create and release Windows 21354 build as an installable ISO image for anyone who wishes to do a clean installation of Windows without the need to update it after the installation.
We have not seen this move by Microsoft in a long time and honestly, we are welcoming it, it is always great to have updated ISO Windows build than to install the old version and sit through an hour or more of updates.
If you are interested in getting this ISO image and you are part of the insider program you can download it from here.
If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
Error 0x800CCC90 is a typical Outlook error. This error indicates that Outlook has failed to connect to the mail server that handles and manages the incoming and outgoing emails. The error message is displayed in the following format:
“There was a problem logging onto your mail server. Your User Name was rejected.”
This error limits your ability to send and receive emails on Outlook. If you largely communicate at the workplace using your Outlook account, this error may slow down your work productivity and performance dramatically. Therefore it is advisable to fix it immediately.
Solution
Error Causes
The error 0x800CCC90 is triggered several reasons including but not limited to:
Authentication issues
Failure of POP 3 Server
PST File Corruption
Registry issues- Invalid Entries
Viral infection
Further Information and Manual Repair
To resolve error 0x800CCC90, try the methods given below:
Method 1 - Adjust the Authentication Settings
To resolve the error 0x800CCC90, adjust the authentication settings. Here’s what you need to do:
First, go to the ‘Tools’ tab and select the ‘Accounts’ option.
Once you select the account option, an internet accounts box will appear on the computer screen.
Simply double click on the account property box after that go to the server tab and click on it.
Check the box that says ‘My Server Requires Authentication’.
Click on apply to accept changes tab to save changes and close the window.
To activate changes made, restart Outlook and then try sending emails again.
Method 2 - Download a PST Repair Tool
If the error is triggered by PST file corruption, then the best way to resolve it is to download the PST repair tool. Download the PST repair tool from a trusted website. Run it on your system to fix PST file issues and resolve error 0x800CCC90.
Method 3 - Scan for Viruses
Another way to resolve this error is to scan for viruses. Viruses usually enter computer systems through phishing emails or while downloading attachments.
You may not know this but viruses may be affecting your PC. Due to viruses, errors like error 0x800CCC90 can also be triggered. Therefore install an antivirus to scan and remove errors on your PC.
Method 4 - Clean the Registry and Remove Invalid Entries
Due to poor PC maintenance, misconfigured and invalid registry entries may be stored in the registry. Such entries may lead to Outlook errors too. Thus to resolve you must clean the registry and remove these entries right away. Download a registry cleaner to fix the error.
Whether the error is triggered by viral infection or registry issues, it is recommended you download only Restoro. This is the one-stop solution to resolve all PC related errors. This software is deployed with 6 scanners including a registry cleaner, an antivirus, and a system optimizer.
It is user-friendly and has simple navigation. It is compatible with all Windows versions. In just a few clicks this software resolves practically all types of PC-related errors including error 0x800CCC90.
Click here to download Restoro today!
As we near the end of 2022 we look at the current best antivirus software for popular platforms, why they are the best, and why you should get them.
Avira, a great free Antivirus
Avira has been around a long time with its free antivirus version of the larger protection suite. It had its ups and downs but the latest versions are really great. With high-speed scans and low system impact, Avira antivirus is really one of the best free antivirus software currently on the market.
The software itself has also received UI & UX updates making it straightforward and easy to use. The virus scanning engine is the same as in paid version that ranks among the top engines in the world for this type of work. The package also gives you some great browser protection and a good firewall as well, there is really no excuse to skip on this if you want a free solution.
The only thing that we would say is not so great in Avira is reporting some false positives, sometimes even for MS updates, it is rare but it can happen.
Malwarebytes, a powerful Windows antivirus
Malwarebytes Premium is easy to use, simple antivirus solution that shies away from complicated UI, and simply put, it just works. Its scanning engine is well-known and places among the top and best in the world often finding some malware that other can miss.
Another great thing is its integration with Windows itself, it is one of the rare applications that can and will work incredibly well beside your typical Windows protection tools so you can have both of them running at the same time.
Installation and running are really simple and every typical PC user will find it as easy as walking in the park. On the other hand, sadly system impact is a little high and it will have issues running on lower-end systems due to its memory requirements.
Intego MAC Internet Security X9, the best Mac antivirus
Gone are the days when MAC had no virus issues, since MAC rose in popularity among the users, also rose the number of viruses and malware. The system itself has some great protection built it inside but for more security and better control of it, you will need a third-party dedicated solution.
Intego was made by Mac antivirus experts who have been building this kind of software last 25 years. The interface is easy to use and premade presets are really helpful, but the security suite can also be customized to fit your needs and desires.
Since this is only available as a security suite, you are getting a firewall and some other security tools along with your antivirus that will run as a part of it.
The bad side is that scans can sometimes run slow, most of the time they are OK in terms of speed but occasionally they can switch to slower speeds and impact scanning time to some annoying times. Also, there is no webcam protection nor VPN service included where others on this list have them.
Bitdefender mobile security: best Android protection
While protection is not only needed for your gaming or workstation, software suites that are dealing with mobile and tablet security exist. The best of them is the Bitdefender antivirus mobile suite. Low on system resources and low on performance impact with the really great virus detection rate Bitdefender is at the top of suites for your phone.
Consistent high virus detection packed with low battery impact is great but the suite comes with tons of other tools as well like browser security tools, email protection, and real-time link and notification protection.
The application will always scan each file and newly installed application in the background and alert and cut off any found threat. App itself is easy to install and use and most of the time it will do everything in the background for you but offer you customization if you need it.
The package also includes VPN and application lock that will let you protect the critical applications from being accessed as well as an online account scanner. Anti-theft and anti-loss tools, which allow you to find, remotely lock or wipe a stolen or lost device, add yet another layer of protection.
One thing that is missing from this great package is fraudulent call protection. Newer Android phones have this feature inside but it would be nice if Bitdefender had it as well.
Bitdefender, the best antivirus software
Now that we have covered specific cases of each platform, there is one player that has all of them covered and with a quality product, that player is BitDefender and it is great. Personally, this is my protection suite of choice and as I type this it is running in the background.
Bitdefender has it all, low system impact, as a matter of fact, it is one, if not, the lowest performance impact engine on the market currently and that is packed with a great and highly consistent virus & malware detection suite. Along with real-time malware protection, browser security, and anti-spam tools, you also get anti-phishing defenses, ransomware protection, and a strong firewall.
Bitdefender scores are very high in both the zero-day threat and real-world protection tests at AV-Test, an established organization that tests antivirus software. Despite being tested against tens of thousands of well-known and widespread malware threats, the software consistently achieves a 100% blocking rate.
The suite also comes with a restricted free VPN and with parental controls as well. Webcam and microphone protection are also included in the suite and on top of all, it has great pricing plans and constant discounts.
BitDefender is really a great package and it might sound too good, but after years and years of personally using it I have not had single malware or virus issue, the only thing that I would put as a negative is that system is severely slowed down when system scans are performed so be sure to run or schedule them when you are not using your computer. This, of course, can put some people off and I will admit it is a serious drawback but for me, the security of my workstation is more important than leaving the computer for 20 or so minutes in order to perform a full scan of the system.
So you just have turned your computer ON only to find out that your device which was working perfectly yesterday is not working anymore. This situation can be very stressful and disappointing but do not despair, before you toss your device through the window know that this kind of behavior can be traced back to a software issue.
In this article, we will give you hints on what to do and where to pay attention when something like this happens so you get the device back in working order.
Check if it not a hardware malfunction
To save yourself time and unnecessary frustration with juggling through Windows first inspect the device to be sure that indeed it is working properly, check all led lamps which could indicate that the device is working and receiving power, and if it is an internal device try opening the case and visually check if there are signs of working like rotating fans or led lamps on it.
Check Cables
If it is an external device that has stopped working try checking power cables and cables which go to your computer, see if they are tightly connected. If it is an internal device also check cables, nudge them and if possible disconnect and clean them.
Disconnect and reconnect the device
Try this solution to see will Windows register the device again and start it.
Update Windows
If there is a Windows update not installed, install it and see if the device will start working.
Update device drivers
Go to device manager and update the device driver to its latest version or go to the manufacturer's site and download the latest driver version.
Reinstall the device
In the device manager, uninstall the device driver and reboot Windows. When Windows boots it will recognize the device and install the necessary drivers for it.
Disable antivirus and firewall
Sometimes antivirus can prevent certain devices from working properly, especially if they rely on some system files to which antivirus or firewall has cut access. Try disabling your PC protection to see if this will resolve the issue.
Use dedicated error software
Use DRIVERFIX to automatically search and fix driver issues.
Windows 11 is coming soon, from its typical view and color scheme, Windows 11 will natively support dark mode.
The dark mode is very popular in many applications today, some large companies like Adobe, Autodesk, and many more have already adopted a dark color scheme for their software so it is logical for others to follow and Microsoft is aboard for it.
The dark mode itself has its benefits, for people who work on computer for longer period of time dark mode inside applications will throw less white and blue light on their eyes making workhours easier and pleasant on them.
As a person who does indeed spend a lot of time in front of the screen, I would advise you to switch to dark mode regardless of the time that you spend with a computer, your eyes will be grateful.
Switching to Dark mode in Windows 11
Open Windows 11 Settings by pressing ⊞ WINDOWS + I
Click on Personalization on the left sidebar
On the right side click on Color
In color options click on the drop-down menu right next to Choose your color
Select Dark
Your choice will be applied right away and you can safely close settings.
Error 0x800706be is a Windows error code that pops up when a particular system file is having some issue. This error pops up on other Windows-compatible software as well as driver vendors. This error signifies a misconfigured or corrupted system file so you might encounter this error in different instances. For instance, this error might pop up when you click the audio icon from the system tray or when the Windows Upgrade or Update has failed. Needless to say, this error can be caused by different factors. Anyhow, this post will show you what you can do to fix the problem when the error pops up during a Windows Update or Upgrade. If you are seeing this error when you try to install the latest Windows updates, it will show a Windows Update failed message and you obviously won’t be able to update your Windows 10 PC until you fix this error. You will keep seeing this error even when you try to reboot or update it a couple of times.
As mentioned, the error code 0x800706be appears when there is something wrong with your system files – they are either corrupted or misconfigured. This error is most likely caused by the corrupted Windows Update Components. Corruption of these files is not unusual and it could happen anytime. So since the Windows Update files or components are corrupted, you won’t be able to successfully install the latest Windows Updates.
Here are some options you can try to fix the problem.
Option 1 – Try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Running the Windows Update troubleshooter is one of the basic things to do when facing any kind of issue with Windows Updates. As long as it can it will detect the issue and automatically solve them so that there will be no need for you to do more technical steps to resolve the issue.
Tap the Windows and R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Then type in “control.exe /name Microsoft.Troubleshooting” in the field and tap Enter to open the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
After that, click Windows Update and follow the next on-screen instructions.
Option 2 – Try resetting the Windows Update Components
This is another basic thing to do in fixing the error 0x800706be. It is also one of the solutions that mostly worked for users who also got this error when trying to install Windows updates. And since the problem is caused by corrupted Windows update components, the most logical thing to do is to delete old files and reset components.
To reset the Windows Update components, follow the given instructions below carefully.
Tap the Windows key once.
Then in the Windows Start Search, type in “command prompt”.
From the search results displayed, right-click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as administrator” option.
After that, type in “net stop wuauserv” and tap Enter.
Next, type in “net stop cryptSvc” and tap Enter.
Then type in “net stop bits” and tap Enter.
Type in “ren C:\Windows\Software\Distribution Software\Distribution.old” and then tap Enter.
Afterward, type in “C:\Windows\System32\catroot2\Catroot2.old” and tap Enter.
Next, type “net start cryptSvc” and tap Enter.
Then type “net start bits” and tap Enter.
Finally, type in “net start msiserver” and tap Enter.
Now close Command Prompt and then try updating Windows once more.
One of the issues with external storage devices is that unplugging them right away without using the “Safely Remove Hardware” feature is not safe and doing so could lead to data corruption and data loss. However, in some cases, even when you use the “Safely Remove Hardware” feature, you could get an error that says:
“Windows can’t stop your ‘Generic volume’ device because a program is still using it. Close any programs that might be using the device, and then try again later.”
It is possible that the system is still using the external device – for instance, a copy operation might still be in progress, or Windows is still indexing the contents of the drive in the background or it could also be that the drive is not configured to be quickly removed. To fix this error, there are a couple of suggestions you can try. You can try to close all the open programs and file explorer windows, or you could also configure the Device Removal Policy or change its file system to FAT32. In addition, you can also try to change its drive letter or use the DISKPART utility to get the drive to be offline or simply manage the hogging process that prevents it from being safely removed.
Follow each one of the given potential fixes below to resolve the error when using the Safely Remove Hardware feature.
Option 1 – Close all the open programs and File Explorer windows
The first thing you have to do to resolve the error is to close any open programs as well as File Explorer windows. This is because there are some programs and File Explorer instances that could be using the external device in the background which explains why you’re getting the error when you try to safely remove your device.
Option 2 – Try to configure the Device Removal Policy
The next thing you can do is to configure the Device Removal Policy. How? Refer to these steps:
Open File Explorer and right-click on the drive where you encountered the error.
Next, select Properties from the context menu.
After that, navigate to the Hardware tab and select the disk drive where you got the error under the “All disk drives” section.
Then select Properties under the Device Properties section. This will open a new mini window and from there, select Change Settings on the bottom portion of the window.
Now navigate to the Policies tab and select the “Quick Removal (default)” option under the Removal Policy section.
Click on the OK and Apply buttons to save the changes made and then see if the error is now fixed.
Option 3 – Try to manage the hogging process
You could also try managing the hogging process to get rid of the error.
Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc key combination to open the Task Manager.
Then look for the running processes and programs that are hogging your USB storage device. If there is a program that’s using your device, it will hog on some Disk or CPU while transferring data and interacting with the device which is why you’re getting an error when you safely remove the device.
Next, select the concerned processed and right-click on each one of them, and then select the End Task or End Process option. You can also restart the Explorer.exe process and see if that helps.
Option 4 – Try to change the drive letters
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and then type “diskmgmt.msc” in the field and click OK or tap Enter to open Disk Management.
Next, look for your USB storage device using the drive letter that’s assigned to it. Right-click on your device and select the “Change Drive Letter and Paths…” option.
This will open a mini window and from there select the drive letter you want to change and click on the Change button.
After that, another smaller window will appear where you’ll have to select the new drive letter from the drop-down menu.
Click OK and if you got a warning prompt, just click on Yes.
Now restart your computer.
Option 5 – Try using DISKPART utility to get the drive to be offline
The next thing you can try to resolve the issue is to use DISKPART. Refer to the given steps below to do so.
Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run and then type “cmd” in the field and tap Enter or click OK to open an elevated Command Prompt.
Next, type and enter this command to execute it: diskpart
The command you entered will initiate the DISKPART utility. After that, type and enter this second command: list disk
Next, type and enter this third command: list volume
The commands you just executed will help you in either listing all the Disk connects or all the partitions on those disks formed and from there, you need to select one command depending on the “list” command you entered. You can execute either of the two following commands:
select disk #
select volume #
After that, it will select the Disk or Partition you want to select.
Now type either one of the following commands:
offline disk #offline volume #
The command you entered will mark the selected disk is Offline. Afterward, try to safely remove your USB Storage device. Just remember that when you plug it back in again, you have to carry out the same method except for the last given command as this time you will have to enter either of these commands in order to get your USB storage device back online:
online disk #
online volume #
Option 6 – Try to change the file system to FAT32
If you keep getting this error on a particular USB device, you might have to format the disk and change its file system to FAT32. Make sure that you copy its contents safely into another location before you format the disk. Keep in mind that formatting the disk will remove all the contents of your drive.
Open File Explorer and right-click on the drive where you got the error and then select Format from the context menu.
Next, in the newly opened mini window, select the FAT32 (Default) option from the drop-down menu under File System.
Now check the Quick Format checkbox and then click on the Start button to start formatting your drive.
If you encounter the BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO Blue Screen error in your Windows 10 PC, then read on as this post will guide you in fixing this issue. Usually, this kind of Blue Screen error is caused by some issues with the Boot Configuration Data file. The main issue inside of the Boot Configuration Data file is that either some boot order files or older files might be in conflict with the newer ones or the stable ones and thus triggering the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO Blue Screen error.
This kind of Stop error also indicates that there is an error in the Windows Registry which is why you need to update potential culprit drivers as well as edit some entries in the Registry if need be. But before you get started, make sure that you create a System Restore Point first. After creating a System Restore Point, try to boot your computer into Safe Mode and then restart your computer normally. However, if it doesn’t work, proceed to the given options below.
Option 1 – Run System Restore
Performing System Restore might help you in fixing the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO Blue Screen error. You can do this option either by booting into Safe Mode or in System Restore. If you are already in the Advanced Startup Options, just directly select System Restore and proceed with the next steps. And if you have just booted your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.
Option 2 – Update or rollback your device drivers
If the first option didn’t work for you, then it’s time to either update or roll back the device drivers. It is most likely that after you updated your Windows computer that your driver also needs a refresh. On the other hand, if you have just updated your device drivers then you need to roll back the drivers to their previous versions. Whichever applies to you, refer to the steps below.
Open the Devices Manager from the Win X Menu.
Then locate the device drivers and right-click on them to open the Properties.
After that, switch to the Driver tab and click on the Uninstall Device button.
Follow the screen option to completely uninstall it.
Finally, restart your computer. It will just reinstall the device drivers automatically.
Note: You can install a dedicated driver on your computer in case you have it or you could also look for it directly from the website of the manufacturer.
Option 3 – Try fixing the Windows Registry files
In order to fix the Windows Registry files, you need to make a bootable Windows 10 USB drive and then boot your PC using it. To do so, refer to the steps below.
Once you see the Welcome Screen, click on Next.
Then click on the “Repair your computer” option located on the bottom-left section of the window.
Next, click on Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
After opening Command Prompt, execute each one of the commands listed below in the sequence that they are given:
CD C:WindowsSystem32config
ren C:WindowsSystem32configDEFAULT DEFAULT.old
ren C:WindowsSystem32configSAM SAM.old
ren C:WindowsSystem32configSECURITY SECURITY.old
ren C:WindowsSystem32configSOFTWARE SOFTWARE.old
ren C:WindowsSystem32configSYSTEM SYSTEM.old
After executing the commands given above, type in the next ones below and make sure to execute them in the given sequence below.
On the other hand, you can also fix the BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO Blue Screen error by running a Memory Check using the Windows Memory Diagnostic. Refer to these steps to do so.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “mdsched.exe” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Memory Diagnostic.
After that, the Windows Memory Diagnostic will give out two options such as:
Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
Check for problems the next time I start my computer
Select any of the given options. After that, your computer will restart and check for memory-based issues upon the restart. If there are any issues, it will automatically them.
Option 5 – Rebuild BCD files and repair MBR files
Like what you did on the third option above, you also have to make a bootable Windows 10 USB drive for this option and then boot your Windows 10 PC using it.
Once you get to the Welcome Screen part, click on Next.
Afterward, click on the Repair your computer option located on the bottom-left part of the window.
Then click on Troubleshoot.
Next, select the Advanced Options and then Command Prompt.
Once Command Prompt has been pulled up, enter each one of the following commands and in the sequence that they are given to rebuild BCD files and repair MBR files:
bootrec /repairbcd
bootrec /osscan
bootrec /repairmbr
Now type “exit” to close Command Prompt and then restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.
The Local Security Authority Subsystem Service or LSASS.exe is a process in the Windows operating system that is valuable as it enforces the security policy on the computer. Every time you log in to the Windows Server, the LSASS.exe is the one that handles the password changes and creates the access tokens while updating the security log. However, it is also frequently targeted by malware and is often imitated. The original location of this file is at “C:/Windows/System32” so if you open the Task Manager and notice that a process with a similar name has a different location then it is definitely a threat and is exploiting the security of your computer.
To resolve issues related to LSASS.exe, here are some fixes that could help.
Option 1 – Use the Performance Monitor’s Active Directory Data Collector
Note that this option will only work on the recent Windows server versions. Refer to the steps below to use the Performance Monitor’s Active Directory Data Collector set on your computer.
Tap the WINKEY + R button to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “Perfmon.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Performance Monitor and from there open the Server Manager.
Next, navigate to Diagnostics > Reliability and Performance > Data Collector Sets > System from the left side of the navigation bar.
Then right-click on “Active Directory Diagnostics” and select Start from the context menu. This will take about 5 minutes or 300 seconds depending on the performance capabilities of your hardware to gather the data required and then take some more time to compile a report from the gathered data. Note that these timings are dependent on one another.
After the report is compiled, you can find it under Diagnostics > Reliability and Performance > Reports > System > Active Directory Diagnostics. The report will contain all the information as well as conclusions. However, it does not mean that it will also contain the exact cause of the problem with LSASS.exe. Nevertheless, it should help you in fixing the problem.
Option 2 – Try to run the System File Checker
System File Checker or SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files to good system files that might be the cause why the LSASS.exe file is having some issues. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.
Type “cmd” in the Start search and then right-click on the appropriate search result.
Next, select “Run as administrator” to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
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:
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
Now restart your computer and see if the problem is fixed or not.
Option 3 – Put your computer in a Clean Boot State
If none of the options given above helped, you can try putting your computer in a Clean Boot State as this can help you in finding any incompatible programs that’s causing the problem.
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.)
From there, start to isolate the problem by checking which one of the programs you installed recently is the root cause of the problem.
Once you’ve found any incompatible programs, you need to uninstall them. Refer to the steps below to do so.
In the search box, type in “control” and then click on Control Panel (desktop app) among the search results.
After that, select Programs and Features from the list which will give you a list of all the programs installed on your computer.
From there, look for the concerned program and select it and then uninstall it.
Note: If you have downloaded the app from the Windows Store, you can simply right-click on it from the application list and then uninstall it.
Having a PC is a great thing, more often we are enjoying it than we have issues, but as time passes it seems that our computer is slowing more and more as new applications and games are coming which demand more powerful computers.
Before you decide to throw away your computer and buy a new one because you feel it is a bit slow, read through this guide where we will guide you to common tips & trick to make your PC run faster:
Keep your PC clean and tidy
Slowdowns and many other issues, even hardware failures can come from dirty PC. Make sure your PC is clean and tidy for maximum performance.
Optimize airflow through PC casing
Airflow is very important so your GPU and CPU and overall all hardware components can be kept in optimal working temperatures. If any device inside the casing is working in abnormal temperatures you will experience slowdowns and freezing on daily basis. Make sure that all fans are working and that your temperatures are in the optimal range to prevent overheating and make sure to have maximum performance.
Check PC for malware
Viruses, worms, and overall all malware can drastically reduce system performance. Make sure that your protection software is up to date with the latest definitions and that you have the latest Windows updates installed.
Create a Hi-Performance power plan
Windows power plans can be a very useful feature, especially if you are working on laptop but in order to boost performance and drain maximum, you will need to switch to a hi-performance power plan.
Free space on the system drive
Having little to no space on your Windows system drive can lead to extreme slowdowns, make sure that your hard drive is not on red when viewed from File explorer or you will experience even 50% poorer performance.
Choose startup applications
If you have many applications starting up with your Windows and many of them running in the background you will experience performance issues. Each application that runs in the background is taking RAM and CPU time for themselves which could be free and used for the program that you need.
Do not open too many tabs in Browser
Having too many tabs in Browser while working on a computer can also cause slowdowns, each tab is taking RAM for itself and even can cause Browser poor performance if a tab is LIVE and refreshing with new content all the time.
Remove browser extensions
Speaking of browser, having too many installed extensions which are active as soon as the browser is up and running can also lead to poor performances. Remove all which you really do not need and your computer will gain in speed.
Make hardware upgrade
Sometimes your system is just a little outdated, upgrading more RAM or switching to a new SSD with the greater speed can cause a world of difference in PC performance. Check to see how RAM is standard and upgrade accordingly, you can also upgrade the CPU and other bottlenecks in your system this way instead of completely buying a new PC.
Format and reinstall system
Drives, application traces, registry entries, etc. are piling up in your system over time, and if enough time is given it will clog your computer. From time to time it is a good idea to backup files and do a completely clean full format of HD and install a new and fresh copy of Windows with new and clean copies of applications and drivers.
That's it, 10 tips on how to make your Windows and PC perform better and speed it up. I hope that you found the read informative and helpful and I hope that I will see you soon.
If you suddenly encountered the PDC WATCHDOG TIMEOUT BSOD Blue Screen stop error with a bug check value of 0x0000014F, then it’s probably due to a system component that has failed to respond with the allocated period which prevents the system from exiting connected standby.
This kind of Blue Screen error could be caused by both hardware and software components. To fix this Stop error, here are some possible fixes you can try that might help but before you proceed, make sure that you create a System Restore point first and boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking.
Option 1 – Try to rollback, update or disable drivers
The next thing you can do to fix the PDC_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT Stop error is to roll back, or update, or disable device drivers. It is most likely that after you updated your Windows computer that your driver also needs a refresh. On the other hand, if you have just updated your device drivers then you need to roll back the drivers to their previous versions. Whichever applies to you, refer to the steps below.
Open the Devices Manager from the Win X Menu.
After opening the Device Manager, look for the device driver named “IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers” and expand it.
Then look for the SATA AHCI Controller entry and right-click on it. If you haven’t updated this driver in a while, select the “Update Driver” option. On the other hand, if you’ve just updated this driver, then select the Uninstall Device option.
Next, follow the screen option to update or uninstall it.
Finally, restart your computer. It will just reinstall the device drivers automatically if you have chosen to uninstall them.
Note: You can install a dedicated driver on your computer in case you have it or you could also look for it directly from the website of the manufacturer.
Option 2 – Try to disconnect or disable newly installed hardware
In this option, you will have to disable or remove the hardware you’ve just installed recently since external devices could be the one that’s causing the Blue Screen of Death error to appear. To do that, just disconnect any external device that’s connected to your computer physically and then check if it fixes the PDC_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT Blue Screen error.
Option 3 – Try running the Memory Diagnostic Tool
The Memory Diagnostic tool in windows can help resolve the PDC_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT Blue Screen error by checking and automatically fixing any memory-based issues. To run it, refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open Run and type mdsched.exe and hit Enter to open the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.
After that, it will give two options such as:
Restart now and check for problems (Recommended)
Check for problems the next time I start my computer
Once your computer has restarted, perform a basic scan or you could also go for the “Advanced” options such as “Test mix” or “Pass count”. Simply tap the F10 key to start the test.
Option 4 – Try to update the BIOS
Updating the BIOS can help you fix the PDC_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT BSOD error but as you know, BIOS is a sensitive part of a computer. Even though it is a software component, the functioning of the hardware depends on it largely. Thus, you must be careful when modifying something in the BIOS. So if you don’t know much about it, it’s best if you skip on this option and try the other ones instead. However, if you are well-versed in navigating the BIOS, then follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “msinfo32” in the field and press Enter to open System Information.
From there, you should find a search field on the bottom where you have to search for the BIOS version and then press Enter.
After that, you should see the developer and version of the BIOS installed on your PC.
Go to your manufacturer’s website and then download the latest version of BIOS on your computer.
If you are using a laptop, make sure that you keep it plugged in until you have updated the BIOS.
Now double click on the downloaded file and install the new BIOS version on your computer.
Now restart your computer to apply the changes made.
Option 5 – Try running the Blue Screen Troubleshooter
The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like PDC_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT. It can be found in the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.
Error Causes
Windows 11 is coming soon, from its typical view and color scheme, Windows 11 will natively support dark mode.
The dark mode is very popular in many applications today, some large companies like Adobe, Autodesk, and many more have already adopted a dark color scheme for their software so it is logical for others to follow and Microsoft is aboard for it.
The dark mode itself has its benefits, for people who work on computer for longer period of time dark mode inside applications will throw less white and blue light on their eyes making workhours easier and pleasant on them.
As a person who does indeed spend a lot of time in front of the screen, I would advise you to switch to dark mode regardless of the time that you spend with a computer, your eyes will be grateful.
