Disable Speech Recognition feature in Windows

We have all experienced Windows errors over time and that can range from simple ones that will do very little to no harm and can be even system breaking making us lose our work or completely making the PC unusable. No one likes them but they happen, and usually, they happen once we least expect them.

No matter how frequent and unpleasant they might be there are ways to keep them at the minimum and even avoid them.

We will discuss steps that you can take in order to do this, simple tips and guides on how to keep your computer in top form and eliminate not just Windows, but any kind of errors altogether.

Keep your hardware clean

Believe it or not, some serious Windows errors like the dreaded blue screen of death can come from hardware issues not from the software at all. It is very important to keep your computer clean and with enough air flow so it can function properly.

Not so far ago we had an article about cleaning your hardware detailing what and how to do it. Here is a link to the article: https://errortools.com/windows/cleaning-your-pc/

Do not keep applications you are not using

Keeping applications on the drive might seem harmless but sadly that is not the case. Some applications have a certain impact on the system itself after all most of them are tweaking registry entries in Windows and sometimes having too many applications means an increased possibility of conflict over certain resources even when they are not running.

Some applications like adobe creative suite, for example, will have certain services always running in the background, and more of these kinds of applications you have, more services, more places for unexpected errors when they collide. Some of them will also install certain dependencies that could be problematic.

The general idea is: if you are not using it, uninstall it and you will be safer and more resilient to errors inside OS.

Do not use pirated or cracked software

Besides moral and law implications that using pirated or cracked software might bring you there are also certain other things that might be problematic. Certain "free" software might come packet with some problematic malware, for example, it is not uncommon for attackers to use some popular software to pack their malicious application with it.

Other things might be wrong and incomplete tweaking with application in order to bypass security and thus bringing some instability due to scripts needed to run in order to achieve this goal.

Keep your drivers updated

Errors can also come from old drivers or bad drivers, device manufacturers are not all-knowing and perfect, and sometimes drivers can wreak havoc on the system. Having updated drivers can minimize any kind of unexpected behaviors inside the operating system making it more stable and reliable.

You can check your driver version in the control panel inside the Windows OS and then compare it to the ones found on the manufacturer's site, if there are newer available it is recommended to download and install them,

Keep software updated

Applications can have bugs, and bugs can lead to certain errors both in the system and when using the app as well. It is in your best interest to get the latest patch or newer version of the software in order to avoid these unpleasant experiences.

Also, certain codecs and extensions that are installed directly in Windows can also have some unpredictable behavior, updating is the best solution to keep them in line.

Keep Windows updated

Same as with drivers and applications, Windows itself is not immune from bugs and some unpredictable issues. Luckily Microsoft is always working on fixes and features of Windows but in order to actually have benefited from that work, you will need to keep Windows updated. Sometimes a bad update can introduce some errors but you can always roll back to the previous and wait for them to fix everything and then download them all.

Check the health of your hardware regularly

Hardware components have their life cycle, more quality ones tend to last longer but eventually, they will reach the end of their lifecycle. There are a lot of testers for various components in your computer that can check different things and provide you with information about the state of your components.

If you are on Windows 11, Microsoft has included a basic health app inside OS, just type PC health check in search and start the app. For some more detailed information and advanced checks, you will have to use a custom application. There are plenty of them specialized for single components like RAM, SSD, etc. A simple google search with providing you with top results and most of them are free for personal use.

Remember, a faulty component or component that is reaching its life cycle can produce many errors inside the operating system.

As you know, you can find the number keys in two spots on your keyboard – one is above the letters while the second one is at the number pad. Recently, a number of users reported not being able to type any numbers on their keyboards while some reported that their keyboards only type numbers. This issue could occur on both sets of the number keys or on the one at the number pad. This is a rare situation and seldom happens to users. So if you are one of the few who experience the same problem then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on what you can do to fix the keyboard issue. This issue is most likely due to a switched-off number pad, outdated or corrupted keyboard drivers, turned on mouse keys or it might have something to do with the physical connections. Whatever the cause is, here are some options you have to try to resolve the problem.

Option 1 – Try to enable Numlock

The first thing you can do to fix the issue with the keyboard is to enable the Numlock since one of the most common reasons for this kind of problem is where the keyboard won’t type numbers because the Numlock key is disabled. Thus, you have to enable this key by pressing it once to enable the number pad.

Option 2 – Turn off the Mouse key

• From the Start Menu, go to Control Panel.
• Navigate to Ease of Access Center.
• Then select the option “Make the keyboard easier to use”.
• Navigate to the option “Control the mouse with keyboard” and then uncheck the “Turn On Mouse Keys” option to turn off the Mouse key.
• Click on Apply and then on OK to save the changes made.

Note: The problem with the keyboard could stem down to a simple issue in its settings so if you have successfully followed the steps for this solution then you should be able to fix the problem.

Option 3 – Reinstall, update or rollback your keyboard driver

Once you’ve determined that the problem is in the software part of the keyboard, it is now time to try to reinstall, update or roll back your keyboard drivers. To reinstall the driver for your keyboard, refer to these steps:

• From the WinX Menu, open the Device Manager.
• In the Device Manager, you should find your laptop’s keyboard under the “Keyboards” option. Right-click on it and select the “Uninstall” option.

Note: If you’re not quite certain about your laptop’s keyboard, you can uninstall all the keyboards if there’s more than one.

• After that, restart your PC and see if the keyboard driver is installing automatically. If not, open the Device Manager again and right-click on Keyboards, and select the option “Scan for hardware changes” to install it.

Once the keyboard driver is installed again, check if your keyboard is now working properly or not.

Option 4 – Try connecting the keyboard to a different USB port or another computer

The problem might have something to do with the USB port that’s currently in use by your keyboard. It could be that it’s not working so it makes sense to unplug it and attach it to another USB port. You can also clean the USB port on both ends to ensure that they are not affected by corrosion. In addition, you can also try connecting the keyboard to a different computer and see if the Shift key works there or not.

Option 5 – Try to check your connections

You can also try checking if the connection mode you are using for your keyboard is functioning properly. For instance, if you are using a Surface 2-in-device, you can clean the connection pins and see if it resolves the problem.

Option 6 – 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 Keyboard 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.

Windows 10 supports various devices to get connected to which makes it quite a flexible operating system. The connection varies on the fact that the device can be connected either with Bluetooth or other wireless and wired connection. However, no matter how great the features are, there a few times when they bring in some bugs too. One of these bugs won’t allow you to either remove or reinstall the Bluetooth mouse and keyboard device from your Windows 10 computer. So if you are currently experiencing this problem, read on as this post will guide you in fixing it. Before you go over the suggestions laid out below, you need to create a System Restore Point first since, in one of the options, you will be making some changes with the registry files as well as some critical Windows settings. Once you have that covered, refer to the following options.

Option 1 – Configure the Bluetooth Services

The first thing you can do is configure Bluetooth Services.

• Tap the Win + R key combination to open the Run dialog box.
• After that, type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
• You will then see a list of services and from there, look for the following services and make sure that their default values are set as follows:
  • Bluetooth Audio Gateway Service – Manual (Triggered)
  • Bluetooth Support Service – Manual (Triggered)
  • Bluetooth User Support Service – Manual (Triggered)
• Now click on the Start button to start all the aforementioned services and then check if you can now remove or reinstall the Bluetooth mouse and keyboard device.

Option 2 – Try running the Bluetooth Troubleshooter

As you know, Windows 10 has various troubleshooters with user-friendly interfaces where you can utilize them to fix issues in your PC. And since you’re dealing with some Bluetooth problem, you have to run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter.

• Open the Windows 10 Settings.
• Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
• You should find the option for Bluetooth on your right-hand side – click on it then click on the “Run the troubleshooter” option.
• Now follow the next screen options.

Option 3 – Try to reinstall or update the Bluetooth driver

The issue might have something to do with the Bluetooth drivers. It could be that it is outdated and needs to be updated or that you recently updated it and since then you have trouble removing the Bluetooth device and so to fix the issue, you can update, roll back or uninstall the Bluetooth drivers. How? Follow the steps below.

• Tap the Win + X keys to open the Device Manager.
• Next, look for the Bluetooth device and right-click on it.
• Select the option “Update driver”.
• After that, a new popup window will appear. In there, select the option, “Search automatically for updated driver software”.

Note: Checking the update may take a few minutes so you’ll have to wait until it finishes. If it is able to find an update, you must install it.

Option 4 – Get rid of any interference

If you have several wireless devices in the same room as your PC then it might have caused interference with the current connection in your PC which is why you have to switch off all the other devices and then try removing reinstalling the Bluetooth mouse and keyboard devices again.

Option 5 – Remove or reinstall the Bluetooth devices in a Clean Boot State

You might want to uninstall or remove the Bluetooth Devices while your computer is in a Clean Boot State. Putting your computer in this state will surely help especially if there are some processes that prevent the Bluetooth devices from being removed or reinstalled.

• 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.)
• After that, try to reinstall or remove the Bluetooth mouse and keyboard devices again.

When clean Windows is installed or when you place new hardware in your computer usually Windows itself detects the device and installs its driver. The question that comes now is, do you keep that driver or do you install the manufacturer's one. In order to answer this question let's analyze what is difference between the two drivers and other factors which could influence your decision.

Difference between drivers

First of all, know that drivers Windows installs are also drivers from the device manufacturer which have gone through Microsoft quality control in order to be included in Windows itself. Now naturally question which occurs, what is the difference, well answer to that would be this: in Windows, you have stripped down driver, just a driver in order for Windows to know what device is plugged and how to use it, meaning that for example if you install printer device, you will be able to print documents and Windows will know it is a printer but ... You will not get the control panel for that printer where you can adjust the printer itself and all of its features like let's say paperweight, etc. So if you need these kinds of features in that case it would be better to install a complete driver suite from the manufacturer and get the whole package. Windows will recognize the RAZER mouse for example but you will not be able to change its colors of program custom buttons on it until you install RAZER drivers. One more important thing to note is that drivers which are in Windows are less updated than drivers from the manufacturer's site. That being said, if you prefer and want to have the latest drivers you will prefer to get them again from the manufacturer.

Conclusion

So it seems that manufacturer's drivers are always in some form of advantage and that you will always want them and most of the time this is true, as a matter of fact, the only time I could think that you could use bare down Windows drivers is when new drivers update breaks something in Windows and device start behaving improperly. in this particular case, it is better to roll back to the previous Windows driver which has passed Microsoft quality control and is working for sure. In any other case, you are better off with the latest manufacturers drivers If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.

Error Code 0x802400d - What is it?

The Error Code 0x802400d most often occurs when users attempt to use the Windows Update tool on their computers to move from one version of the software to another. In some cases, this error is more likely to appear on your computer during the process if you have not performed regular updates to the software as they have been available.

Common symptoms include:

• Inability to finish the download of the necessary update to Windows 10
• Incomplete installation of the desired Windows 10 update

While it can take additional time to deal with the issues that cause Error Code 0x802400d to appear on your computer, there are several steps that you can take to address the problem. These are fairly simple to perform and do not require advanced knowledge of the system to employ.

Solution

Error Causes

The most basic cause for Error Code 0x802400d is that there is a file or a process that is causing the update process to hiccup. In many cases, this error appears when a user attempts to begin the process of updating their computer if they have several stacked updates to perform. Computers that are several updates behind where they should be will display this error more often than computers that are kept on a schedule of recommended updates.

Further Information and Manual Repair

While there are multiple reasons why the Error Code 0x802400d may appear on your computer during the Windows Update process, there are several methods that can be used to attempt to resolve the problem on your own. These are generally easy to do and do not require advanced techniques. However, if you do not feel comfortable addressing the issue on your own, contact a qualified Windows repair technician.

Here are some of the best methods that users can employ to resolve Error Code 0x802400d:

Method 1:  Run the System Update Readiness Tool

There are a number of different processes, files, and settings that could cause Error Code 0x802400d to appear on your computer during the Windows 10 Update process. For this reason, the most efficient way to determine what the culprit is for your specific issue is to download and use the System Update Readiness function.

This tool is available directly from Windows. Although there are other tools available on the Internet that claim to be able to fix the problem, these can contain viruses and malware, so be cautious if you decide to employ these instead. There are also several versions of the tool on the Windows website, so be sure to download the version that matches the operating system and version of your computer.

Once you have downloaded the Readiness tool from the Windows website, allow it to run a scan on your system. At a minimum, this process will take about fifteen minutes to complete. Although you will see a progress bar at the bottom of the window, it does not always update effectively. Some users have reported that the update appears to stop when it is two-thirds complete. Continue to let the scan run if this happens, rather than canceling it out. Even if the progress bar doesn’t update, the scan is still running.

Method 2: Remove New Software and Re-Attempt the Update Process

If you have recently installed new software on your machine, it can sometimes cause problems with the update process. The best way to resolve this issue is to remove or uninstall the software, run the update process again, and then reinstall the software once the Windows system has been successfully updated.

If the above methods are not successful in resolving Error Code 0x802400d from your machine and you are still unable to complete the Windows 10 Update process or if you are not confident in your ability to complete these steps successfully on your own, get in touch with a qualified computer repair technician who is familiar with the issues surrounding Windows 10 in particular. Microsoft offers certifications for Windows repair technicians, so look for a professional who has the experience, skills, and knowledge necessary to adequately address Error Code 0x802400d on your machine.

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.

Spying via some malicious app on the target phone is not a new thing but it can be very uncomfortable and even against the law in some countries.

Infecting the target phone can be done in various ways, another person can intentionally download and install applications on it, and you can install them via some phishing attacks or by an online scam. Once installed this piece of software presents a very serious invasion of privacy since it can track text messages, track phone location in real-time, record calls in real-time, eavesdrop on calls, take control of the camera and microphone, and many other applications.

Here are some common symptoms of mobile phones infected with spyware.

Symptoms of spyware

Random reboots
Slow performance
Strange text messages
Overheating
Unusual high data usage
Non-familiar apps in the app list
The fast drain of the battery
Long shutdown time
Strange interference and sounds during calls
Signs of activity during standby mode

If your phone exhibits any of these symptoms you might have a spyware app installed and running on it.

Common spy apps

There are many apps that have been designed to spy on people that can be downloaded in the app store or on Google Play today. Most of these spyware apps are aimed at parents wanting to keep an eye on and protect their children. However, these can be used by anyone in order to spy on a target person via their phone.

Below is a list of common apps that can be used to spy on you. Many spyware apps require a phone to be ‘jailbroken’ or ‘rooted’ before being installed, this is when the phone’s operating system is changed to allow the phone to become unlocked and customizable.

mSpy : An undetectable spying app for iOS devices. It can be used to read your chats, see your location, view your email, check your call history, record your keystrokes, and more.

Spyera : This app requires rooted and jail-broken iPhones to work. It can go undetected and monitors phone calls and your call history. It even allows call recording and eavesdropping on live calls.

Flexispy : Flexispy prides itself as the #1 phone monitor for parents and can monitor everything from calls to social texts.

Umobix : This powerful spyware app has a dashboard that allows users to easily monitor someone’s location, calls, texts, keystrokes, all major social media, and more. You can detect Umobix because it heats up the infected phone and greatly affects the battery life of the infected device.

Ikey Monitor : Although it requires the device to be rooted for Android or jailbroken for iPhones, this spy app captures keystrokes, passwords, and screenshots, allows for call recording and supports multiple languages.

Clevguard : Available for both iOS and Android, Clevguard allows users to track GPS and Wi-Fi locations, capture screenshots remotely, and more. Due to a recent update, the spy app drains the target phone’s battery significantly.

Remove spyware from your phone

If any of the beforementioned apps are present on your phone you need to remove them right away.

Go to your phone settings and remove the malicious applications, then download some protection suite and scan the whole phone for any other trace of software remains or other malware apps.

Error Code 0x80070422

Error code 0x80070422 is a Windows-based error code occurring in various versions of Windows including Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. It usually occurs when users attempt to update Windows. A message box will appear stating that the error code has occurred.  Users will notice the following common symptoms:

• Inability to complete Windows updates
• Error message occurring during use of Windows Update service

The error code, if left unresolved, can cause serious problems for PC users as they will be unable to access the latest updates to the Windows operating system. Such a situation can expose their system to vulnerabilities. Thus, fixing Windows 10 error code is of utmost importance.

Solution

Error Causes

Among the many reasons Error code 0x80070422  is encountered includes:

• Corrupted or missing registry and DLL files
• Badly or poorly installed software. The software could also be infected by a virus or Trojan
• Outdated or poorly installed drivers

Further Information and Manual Repair

Fixing Windows-based error codes can be a simple process. However, in some cases, it requires specialized skills. In the case of Windows 10 error code 0x80070422 consider the two (2) main solutions available through manual repair. You may also need to consider help from a certified Windows repair technician or the use of an automated tool if you are not confident you have the skills to perform the solutions below.

Method 1: Check if Windows Update is Running Properly

One of the main reasons for error code 0x80070422 is a Windows Update service that is not running on the right settings. To verify if an issue with your Windows Update service is the source of the problem applies the following steps:

1. Type “Windows Update” in the search bar near the Windows home button.
2. Select “Windows Update settings” when this option appears. (You may also click the home button, then “Settings” followed by “Update and Security”.)
3. Select “Advanced Options”
4. (You will be given an option to choose how updates are installed.) Select Automatic.
5. Save settings and restart the computer.

Once these settings are in place Windows will be able to download updates automatically. This enables your machine to run more smoothly. However, if after applying the steps above, Windows 10 error code 0x80070422 is not resolved, you may proceed to solution two (2).

Method 2: Disable Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)

IPv6 is the latest or most current version of Internet Protocol (IP). This provides your machine with an IP address, a crucial aspect of all communications related to the Internet. By disabling this IP some users have been able to successfully resolve Windows 10 error code 0x80070422.

Like many tasks involving Windows, there are more than one ways in which you can attempt to disable IPv6. These require different types of skills and must be approached with care, as mistakes can lead to serious issues with your machine. Methods include using Command Prompt, Registry Editor, or Control Panel.

If your experience with Windows 10 is quite limited and you are not certain of your skills choose the simplest approach as listed below.

1. Select Control Panel.
2. Choose “Network and Internet”, then “Network and Sharing Center”.
3. Right-click your Internet Connection. The name of your connection will be listed underneath the heading – “View your basic network connection and set up connections”.
4. Select “Properties” then uncheck Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)
5. Save settings by clicking OK.
6. Restart the computer and check if the 0x80070422 error code has been corrected.

Method 3: Using An Automated Tool

If the issue persists despite following the solutions above, the best step to take is to use an automated tool. This may not be your preferred course of action, especially since it can be difficult to ascertain the safety of certain tools found online. For this reason, choose a reputable source offering automated tools which are designed to specifically fix Windows 10 error code including error code 0x80070422.

Download and install a powerful automated tool to access the best Windows 10 error code solutions. The process is simple and includes clear instructions which enable even average Windows users to completely resolve complicated errors on their machine.

How to Stop Future Error Codes from Occurring

Though it is hard to predict when an error code will occur, each Windows 10 user can take precautionary steps to prevent other errors from occurring. This includes the following:

• Ensure you download software from reputable sources to avoid viruses and other forms of malware.
• Clean your registry often. The registry stores settings across all applications. Regular cleaning will your machine function more efficiently as it reduces the likelihood of issues such as crashes or system errors.

BSOD or Blue Screen of Death errors are one of the most common errors you can encounter on your Windows PC. One of these BSOD errors is the “ACPI_BIOS_ERROR”. If you suddenly get this error, it means that there is some problem in booting the operating system from your hard drive or Windows was not properly installed on your PC. In addition, this error could also mean that there is something wrong with the CMOS battery located in the motherboard. Unlike other BSOD errors, the workaround for this error is a bit different as these workarounds require a bit more expertise in updating the BIOS as well as setting the correct boot configuration. If you know are capable enough in troubleshooting the problem, refer to the instructions laid out below to fix the BSOD “ACPI_BIOS_ERROR”.

Option 1 – Try to remove the SSD and update the BIOS

The first thing you have to do is to check the primary storage devices on your PC. If you have just installed a new hard drive or SSD recently on your computer, then it’s most likely the cause of the BSOD error. Moreover, you should also ensure that your BIOS is up-to-date to the latest available build.

• Remove the SSD/HDD and inject a different HDD that was already preinstalled in your Windows PC.
• After that, update the BIOS to the latest available build. After updating it, insert the old SSD/HDD and then try to boot your PC again. The problem should be fixed now. If not, refer to the next given option.

Option 2 – Try to check the CMOS battery and reset the CMOS module

As mentioned earlier, the CMOS battery might also be the one that’s causing the problem. It is a physical component of the motherboard and is a memory chip that contains all the settings configuration on your computer and is also powered by a battery. So if your battery loses power, the CMOS will be reset and as a result, all the configurations will be gone as well. It is also possible that the CMOS module is not properly working and every time things are saved, they are properly written due to the battery. That’s why you have to consider changing the CMOS battery and see if it fixes the problem. In addition, you also have to make sure that you completely reset the CMOS module and then try booting your PC again.

Option 3 – Try to check the BIOS settings

If the BIOS settings are incorrect, chances are that’s the reason why you’re getting the “ACPI_BIOS_ERROR” BSOD error. Every BIOS has different settings which you can make use of to enhance your computer experience. So make sure that your BIOS is up-to-date and that the settings are in accordance with your requirement. Another thing you can try is to disable the Legacy USB and the Legacy BIOS in the BIOS settings if you are trying to install a 64 bit Windows version. Make sure that you also enable AHCI before plugging in the installation drive on your PC. Moreover, ensure that your PC is using IDE or Integrated Drive Electronics mode instead of SATA or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment. Aside from that, try to check the extracted setup if it is in NTFS format, if it is, you should extract the ISO in FAT32 and use it to install Windows.

Option 4 – Try to reset the ACPI Compliant Control Method

ACPI or Advanced Configuration and Power Interface provide an open standard that operating systems can use to detect hardware, perform power management, as well as monitor the status of your device and provide information for other processes. Chances are, there are some misconfigurations with this module on your PC that lead to believing that there is no battery present. That’s why you need to reset it and see if it fixes the BSOD error or not.

• Boot your PC into Safe Mode.
• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Type in “devmgmt.msc” in the field and tap Enter to open the Device Manager.
• After opening the Device Manager, go to the “Batteries” section and click it to expand it and then right-click on the “Microsoft ACPI-Complaint Control Method Battery” option and click on Uninstall.
• After you disable the module, click on any empty space and then click the “Scan for hardware changes” option.
• Then check if you can now boot your PC normally and without the BSOD error.

If you got the Microsoft Store error code 0x80072F30 while trying to open Microsoft Store, then it indicates that the Store fails to connect to the internet or is not able to launch successfully for some reason. It could be that the Windows Update Service has stopped or the Windows Store cache might be corrupted or it could just be due to a poor internet connection. Whichever the cause is, you have to fix this error so that you can use Microsoft Store again and you won’t be getting the following error message every time you open the app:

“Check your connection, Microsoft Store needs to be online, It looks like you are not, error code 0x80072f30.”

The error code 0x80072F30 is related to the Windows Store which prevents it from opening properly. To resolve this problem, you can try fixing the problem with the help of the options given below. Follow each one of them carefully.

Option 1 – Check your internet connection

The first and most obvious thing you can do is to check your internet connection. This may only be a basic tip but it sure works like a charm in most cases. And if you have another internet connection available, you can also try connecting to that and see if you can pull up Microsoft Store or not. 1] Change your internet connection: A basic tip, but sometimes works like a charm. You may want to check if your internet connection has an issue, or you can also try opening a website and see if you can open it and if possible try connecting to a different internet connection and see if the Microsoft Store opens for you. We also suggest you try changing your DNS and see if it helps.

Option 2 – Check the date and time as well as the time zone of your PC

A lot of services and apps rely on the Date, Time, and Time Zone of your PC which is why if they are not configured correctly, a request from the client machine will be rejected from the server and the same thing happens with the Microsoft Store.

• First, go to Settings > Time and Language.
• From there, check if it is set to Automatic or not – if it is, switch the toggle button off to set the Time and Time zone manually.
• Then select the right time zone manually.
• On the other hand, if the Time and Time zone is set manually, you have to switch the toggle button on to set Time and Time zone automatically.
• Restart your PC and afterward try opening Microsoft Store again and check if the problem’s fixed or not.

Option 3 – Run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter

Since Windows 10 is packed with various troubleshooters – one of which is the Network Adapter Troubleshooter – you can use it to troubleshoot the problem. To use it, follow these steps:

• Open the Search bar on your computer and type in “troubleshoot” to open the Troubleshoot settings.
• Next, scroll down and select the “Network Adapter” option from the right pane.
• Then click on the Run Troubleshooter” button.
• After that, your computer will check for any possible errors and will pinpoint the root cause of the problem if possible.

Option 4 – Try to reset the Microsoft Store cache

Just like browsers, Microsoft Store also caches as you view apps and games so it is most likely that the cache is no longer valid and must be removed. To do so, follow the steps below.

• Right-click on the start button and click on Command Prompt (administrator).
• Next, type in the command, “exe” and tap Enter. Once you do, the command will clear the cache for the Windows Store app.
• Now restart your PC and afterward, try opening Microsoft Store again.

Option 5 – Check the Windows Update Service status

You might also want to check the status of the Windows Update Service since the proper functioning of this app depends on the Windows Update Service. It could be that there is some issue with the service which is why you’re getting the error code 0x80072F30 while trying to open Microsoft Store.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open Services.
• Next, look for Windows Update Service from the list of available services in Windows.
• Once you see it, check if its status is STOP or Pause and then change the status to Automatic.

Still sitting on the fence about upgrading to Windows 11 because you don’t know what to expect? Interestingly, the new edition somehow manages to be both a total revamp and still very similar to its predecessor in many ways. It’s really something to experience for yourself.

We do want to give you a sneak peek, though. So here’s an overview of the biggest changes Windows 11 brings to the table.

What’s different in Windows 11?

1. Visual changes

The first thing anyone will notice after switching to Windows 11 is the striking visual difference. The entire interface is smoother, cleaner and more minimalistic than on Windows 10, even resembling the macOS in some instances.
Perhaps the most obvious change in appearance is the Start menu and Taskbar location, which is now at the bottom center. It’s actually very neat, but if you’re someone who loves familiarity, don’t worry, you can move it back to the left.

Moreover, you’ll notice that the Taskbar includes a Microsoft Teams icon by default (which you can, of course, remove) and that Live Tiles are gone. The News and Interests section has also been removed - or, shall we say, replaced. As opposed to Windows 10, news, weather forecasts and other information are now displayed as widgets.

To add to the cleanliness of the UI, Microsoft also enhanced the ‘Snap Layouts’ feature to help you better organize your windows and maximize screen real estate. It’s similar to app grouping on your smartphone. In Windows 10 this feature is slightly restricted, as it requires some manual resizing and dragging. In Windows 11, you can just hover over the minimize/maximize option on a window, select a layout and throw the windows in there. 

2. New accessibility features

Microsoft has certainly paid attention to accessibility with Windows 10, but Windows 11 takes this to a whole new level.

One of the ways Windows 11 has taken things up a notch is by adding the long-awaited ‘Live Captions’ feature and advanced Narrator options.

Live Captions apply both to media played on your PC as well as your own speech when you’re using the microphone. Keep in mind that, as with almost all kinds of subtitles, you have to be prepared for a potential delay. However, it’s barely noticeable and doesn’t take away from the usefulness of this awesome new feature whatsoever.

As for the Narrator, there are three new voice packs to choose from. Microsoft has tried to put emphasis on a more natural voice than we are used to. So, now you can choose between Aria, Jenny and Guy, who will read pretty much anything off your screen out loud. Aside from this, Microsoft has also expanded the list of braille displays supported by the Narrator feature. 
For users with anxiety or trouble concentrating, a welcomed addition is the Focus app, which is no longer part of the Clock app. It’s now separate and called ‘Focus Sessions’, automatically triggering the Do Not Disturb mode when activated. It blocks all pop-ups and flashes and lets you work in peace until you’re ready to switch it off.

3. Android apps

Android users may rejoice! Windows 11 supports the use of your favorite applications now. 

Microsoft has done this by integrating the Amazon Appstore to the Windows 11 Microsoft Store. From there, you can download your favorite Android apps and use them on your PC in a smartphone-like window.

Unfortunately not too many apps are supported at this time, but Microsoft is working on making the emulation possible for many more. Also, the option is only available in specific regions at this moment - check out if you’re one of the lucky ones.

4. Improved gaming performance

Avid gamers will be happy to hear that Microsoft has put some effort into streamlining Windows 11 for their gaming needs.

To give gamers a supreme visual experience, Windows 11 offers the ‘Auto HDR’ feature. As long as your monitor is HDR-compatible, this feature will automatically adjust the colors, brightness and contrast of games without any input from you. 

Another update is DirectStorage, which we were introduced to in Windows 10 already. In Windows 11, it’s been improved to tweak loading times and overall gaming performance efficiency even better. The predisposition for it to work optimally is that your device has an NVMe SSD. 

The Xbox Game Bar also helps gamers towards a smoother experience. It allows in-game screenshots, viewing processes that are running (similar to the Task Manager), monitoring the CPU and GPU performance and frame rate, integrating the Xbox App and more. There’s also a number of widgets you can now use with the Game Bar, for example the Spotify widget.

Another cool addition is the Xbox Game Pass, which unlocks hundreds of games to play on your Xbox App, with new additions coming in every month.

5. Smart App Control

Aside from a sleek new look and better accessibility for all users, Windows 11 also comes with a security power-up. Bear in mind that this feature is only available on clean Windows 11 installs. 

Smart App Control (SAC) is an AI-powered new feature designed to protect your PC from potential threats. It blocks untrustworthy apps and adware and helps detect potentially unwanted apps, maintaining your PC’s performance and keeping your system safe.

It comes with an ‘Evaluation’ mode, which you should definitely select when running SAC for the first time. That way, the app monitors your usage and assesses whether you’re a candidate for SAC. Some users need it to be on all the time, for others it might be too distracting. Evaluation mode will turn SAC on or off based on your usage.

Don’t disable SAC again unless you’re absolutely sure you don’t need it, since reenabling it will require a fresh install. We recommend you don’t turn it off, as it is a neat feature protecting your data and files from malware at all times.

Summary

Have we piqued your interest in trying Microsoft’s latest OS? It’s a pretty exciting new iteration, but we’ll let you find out for yourself. We hope you like it!