Error Code 0x80d02002: How to Fix It In Windows 10

If you encounter an error message saying, “The connection was denied because the user account is not authorized for remote login” when you try to establish a remote connection, read on as this post will help you resolve the problem. This kind of error occurs when the targeted host does not allow you to access that system remotely. Based on the error, you are not authorized to log in remotely which means that you need to obtain the correct permission. There are several potential fixes you can try for this error. You can try to check the Remote Desktop Users group or add users to the Security group or check the Remote Desktop Service itself. Refer to the options provided below for more detailed instructions to fix the “The connection was denied because the user account is not authorized for remote login” error.

Option 1 – Try checking the Remote Desktop Users group

You can encounter this error when the Remote Desktop Users group does not have any permission for your user account that you are using to establish a remote connection. Thus, you need to make sure that your user account is a member of the Remote Desktop Users group. How? Refer to these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys on your keyboard and then type “cmd” in the field and tap Enter or click OK to open Command Prompt.
• After opening Command Prompt, type the “lusrmgr.msc” command and tap Enter to execute it.
• Alternatively, you can also search for “lusrmgr.msc” in the Start Search and once you’ve opened it, select Users and then double click on your user name to open its Properties.
• From there, switch from the “General” tab to the “Member Of” tab.
• Next, if you can’t see any Remote Desktop Users group under the Administrator, you have to add it. To do that, just click on the Add button.
• After that, on the newly opened window, click on the Advanced and Find Now buttons, respectively.
• And in the Search results box, double click on Remote Desktop Users.
• Now click on the OK button to save the changes made and check if you can now connect to a remote host or not.

Option 2 – Try to add a user to the Security group

You can actually block or allow a user from logging on through the Remote Desktop Services. However, if you do not have the right setting, you won’t be able to use this functionality. Thus, you need to confirm this setting. To do that, follow the steps below.

• In the Start Search, type “secpol.msc” in the field and tap Enter to open the Local Security Policy panel.
• From there, go to User Rights Assignment.
• Next, look for a policy named “Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services” located on your right-hand side and then double click on it to open its Properties.
• If you were not able to find the Remote Desktop Users under Administrator, then you have to add it by simply clicking on the Add User or Group button.
• After that, enter “Remote Desktop Users” in the blank field and click the OK button to save the changes made.
• Now restart your computer and try connecting again to the remote host.

Option 3 – Try checking the Remote Desktop Users group

There is a service that’s supposed to be running and needs to be set up correctly for you to connect to the remote host. And so you need to ensure that this service is up and running. To do so, follow these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility.
• Then type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter or click OK to open the Services Manager.
• Next, look for the Remote Desktop Services and double click on it to open its Properties.
• After that, go to the “Log On” tab and select the “This account” option and then click on the Browse button.
• On the next screen that appears, look for the Advanced button and click on it and use the Find Now button to search.
• You will see “NETWORK SERVICE”. Double click on it and then save the changes you’ve made to the settings.
• Finally, restart your PC and see if the problem is now fixed.

Have you been feeling anxious in the digital space? Feeling like you have a million eyes on you each time you visit a website? It can definitely make you uneasy. Luckily there’s an easy fix, and it’s called a VPN.

In this article we’ll take you through the basics of what a VPN does and some of the biggest benefits you can reap from buying one.

VPN: definition and how it works

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, so its name already says a lot about what it does. 

A VPN is specialized software that keeps your browsing private and secure. Essentially it hides your identity, preventing possible cyberattacks and data theft. This is especially important in cases of public network use, where you’re highly exposed to potential threats.

To be more specific, this software encrypts your Internet Protocol (IP) address by filtering it through a server hosted by the VPN provider first. That way, it prevents your Internet service provider, third parties and lurking online thieves from tracking the actual you.

Credit: FLY:D on Unsplash

Some providers, such as Surfshark VPN with its IP Rotator feature, even make it a habit to frequently change your IP address to further protect your identity. With most VPN providers, you can also appear to be in a completely different country, adding to your disguise.

There are tons of advantages you can look forward to if you decide to use a VPN. Take a look at some of the crucial ones.

Benefits of using a VPN

When choosing a VPN, you can find both free and paid options. We recommend you go with the paid ones, since they have stronger security, encryption and data protection, as well as more advanced features. Free VPNs come with limitations and risk of malicious attacks on the software itself.

You can choose to buy a singular VPN service or opt for antivirus software that has a VPN built in, for example Bitdefender’s Ultimate Security plan. That depends on what you use your computer for and how much. 

When you pick one, here’s what it can do for you.

1. Access region-specific content

When we said you could change your location, we meant it. Say you’re using a streaming service and a show you desperately want to watch isn’t available in your country. You can use your VPN to make it look like you’re browsing from a country where it’s unlocked.

This option is also convenient for gamers who want to access maps, skins and other in-game items unavailable in their location.

Surfshark VPN (Credit: Dan Nelson on Unsplash)

In addition, you can use this powerful feature when you’re traveling to a region where some of your favorite content may not be accessible.

Do keep in mind that you need to read the Terms and Conditions (yeah, we know - who does that?) of your games and services before doing this, since you could end up getting a penalty. It’s also important to remember that there are entire countries that have strict regulations or even bans on VPNs, for example Belarus, Russia and China. So make sure to be very cautious with your VPN use, friends.

2. Browse like no one’s watching

VPNs shield your browsing habits from prying eyes on the web. Those can be malicious hackers or just third-party cookies tracking your every move to later bombard you with targeted ads. For example, Surfshark VPN features a Cookie blocker that blocks all cookie-related pop-ups and lets you browse in peace (and secret). It works even when the VPN is turned off, which is also pretty neat.

In addition, their CleanWeb 2.0 technology makes sure ads and especially malware don’t stand a chance at all, since they’re blocked before they can even load.

The inability of sites to track your browsing means they can’t collect and analyze any of your data. So, your personal information - or your company’s information in case that’s what you’re using your computer for - is entirely hidden and secure.

3. Save money

It’s well-known that the prices of certain items and services vary based on your location, browsing time, age and many other factors. This most commonly goes for airline tickets and hotel stays.

You can use your VPN to avoid high prices and surcharges. Clear all cookies, turn on your VPN and visit an online shopping site to check out their prices. Then compare your findings with the offers you see when your VPN is off, when you spend a long time on the site or have an active account with the company. 

Sometimes this can really help you find the best deals and avoid breaking the bank. But again, check the Terms and Conditions before you purchase something using a VPN.

4. Secure your smart home

The more smart devices you have connected to your network, the more exposed you are to potential cyberattacks. Phones and computers are generally designed to be decently secure even without a VPN or antivirus, but smart home devices leave a lot to be desired in that regard. 

Protecting your home network with a VPN software means all devices connected to it are secure, be it an air purifier or Alexa.

5. Prevent connection slowdown

Your ISP can intentionally slow down your internet speed based on how much data you’ve consumed (data throttling) or your activities online (bandwidth throttling).

But with a VPN, what kind of data you send and receive and how much is entirely hidden. Therefore, if your ISP can’t see you, they can’t control you and they can’t throttle down your speed.   

The bottom line

You can never be too safe online. So definitely think about getting yourself a solid VPN to pump up your privacy and security as much as you can. And if you have any questions or need help choosing the perfect software for you, feel free to reach out to us.

Microsoft store is ready and prepared for Windows 11 official release on October 5^th and it is coming with some surprises. It has officially confirmed that many open source and free applications will be in it like Opera, VLC, discord, Libre office, etc. It seems that Microsoft wants to place its store as one place to go for all of your software needs. Another great surprise is the coming of Epic games store implementation. It was officially confirmed but not explained in detail, will we have Epic store opened in Windows store or we will only get installer as a package we will see but this is some great news. As for how it states now, it seems that the Windows store aims to eliminate searching the web for applications and bring them all into one environment with reviews and ratings so you know which one to install and use. It also features a great search engine to find proper applications for your needs. The new store will come to Windows 10 as well but after all Windows 11 has been mostly released and adopted. So expect it via update in two or three months' time. It would be great if some larger companies decide to join MS stores like Autodesk, Adobe, the Foundry, etc so you can install everything you need from it but one can only hope.

DuckGoGo a popular private search engine is releasing its first browser soon that is focused on privacy like its search engine. From the recent blog, Gabriel Weinberg, CEO of DuckDuckGo, has stated:

“Like we’ve done on mobile, DuckDuckGo for desktop will redefine user expectations of everyday online privacy,”

From everything that we have learned so far, the browser will be focused on making privacy super easy and simple, eliminating tons of different settings about privacy, and making the whole environment robust privacy protection all set by default. Settings will be applied in all fields, across search, browsing, email, and more. Gabriel also said that aim of the browser is not just a privacy browser, it is meant to be built and used as your everyday browser, for everyday use that protects your privacy as a bonus. One interesting thing that was stated is that browser itself is built upon OS-provided rendering engines instead of typical Chromium. DuckDuckGo says this approach will strip away a lot of the unnecessary cruft and clutter that's accumulated over the years in major browsers. Also, the company stated that when compared to Chrome, the DuckDuckGo app desktop is cleaner, way more private and that early tests have found out that it is significantly faster as well. Is this just corporate advertising or reality? We will see once the browser is released, or once it is released for public testing. Until then take care and happy holidays.

As you know, installing Windows 10 is quite a complicated process in the background even though it may look like an easy task in the foreground. There are times when the setup is stuck on the “Hi there” screen where you won’t be able to input any information in the fields given and you wouldn’t be able to do anything else since the screen does not move ahead. There are a lot of possible reasons why this issue occurs. It could be due to a damaged setup image, invalid boot configuration, and many more. To resolve this problem, there are several options you can check out. You can try to get a new setup image or run the Automatic Repair or you could also try to recreate the Boot Configuration files or BCD. To get started in checking out these solutions, make sure to follow the instructions provided below.

Option 1 – Try to run the Automatic Repair Utility

You might also want to use Automatic Repair in fixing the error. To do so, follow the steps below.

• You can start by creating and booting from a bootable Windows 10 USB Stick.
• After that, click on Repair your computer located on the bottom left corner when you are on the initial Windows Startup screen.
• Next, click on Troubleshoot, and then on the other screen, click the Startup Repair option.
• Now select the operating system you want to repair. Once you do that, it will start to repair your operating system. Wait until the process is completed and then check if the problem’s now fixed.

Option 2 – Try to rebuild the BCD files

You can also try rebuilding the BCD files to resolve stuck screen issue in your Windows 10 computer.

• You can start by booting into the installation environment for Windows 10 from an installation media.
• After that, click on Repair your computer and on the blue screen, select Troubleshoot and then select the Advanced options menu.
• From there, select Command Prompt and once you open it, enter each one of the commands given below by sequence.
  • bootrec /FixMbr
  • bootrec /FixBoot
  • bootrec /ScanOS
  • bootrec /RebuildBcd
• Once you’re done executing the commands given above, type “exit” to close the Command Prompt window and then restart your computer and see if it fixed error code 0xc000014c.

Option 3 – Try recreating the Windows 10 installation USB

Recreating the Windows 10 installation USB might help in fixing the problem. You can use a USB drive to do so but make sure that it has a great read-write speed. Follow the steps below to recreate Windows 10 installation USB”

• Click this link and then click the Download Tool Now button.
• Next, click the “Use the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)…” option and follow the next given instructions on the screen.
• Now select the ISO file option in step 5.
• After that, you should now have an ISO file.
• Next, go to the location where you’ve downloaded the ISO file.
• Then right-click on the Windows 10 ISO file and select the Open with option and then select File Explorer.
• Now click on “setup.exe” and follow the next instructions that appear on the screen. When asked, you have to select either Nothing (clean install) or Keep personal files only option. Take note that you must not select the “Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings since it doesn’t really work.

Option 4 – Try getting a new Windows image file

If none of the four given options above worked, you might want to get a newer installation image using the Windows Media Creation tool. After that, create the bootable USB drive and once completed and then try to run the Windows 10 setup again.

A lot of controversies and mixed emotions have come from statements about Windows 11 minimum system requirements, especially ones linked to TPM. Naturally, each time some software company giant announces how things are must have there are people who go out and prove them wrong. This time Raspberry Pi community was one which demonstrated that not only Raspberry Pi does not have a TPM module, it can run the full desktop version of Windows 11

Raspberry Pi 4 and things you need for Windows 11 installation

In order to actually install Windows 11 on your Pi, there are certain things that you will need. Check out the below list and prepare everything.

• Raspberry Pi 4 4GB or 8GB
• A 32GB or larger SSD via a USB 3 caddy. Best for performance or 16GB or larger microSD card
• USB boot enabled, see below.
• A micro SD card with the latest Raspberry Pi OS
• Windows 10 PC
• USB to Ethernet or WiFi dongle
• Bluetooth dongle (if you want Bluetooth)
• Keyboard, mouse, HDMI, and power for your Raspberry Pi

Configuring Pi to boot from SSD

In order to boot from SSD be sure that firmware and bootloader are up to date on the latest version and upgrade if needed. Be aware that this firmware update can only be performed using the official Raspberry Pi OS. Also if you are eager and want to use a standard microSSD card instead of an SSD to run Windows 11 feel free to skip this entire section.

1. Boot from microSSD with the latest Raspberry Pi OS on it.
2. Update firmware and OS using the terminal by typing sudo apt update sudo apt full-upgrade sudo rpi-update
3. Reboot your Pi
4. Install the latest version of bootloader again using the terminal with the command sudo rpi-eeprom-update -d – a
5. Reboot Pi
6. Launch raspi-config on your Pi via terminal with sudo raspi-config
7. Select option 3 (Boot options – Configure options for start-up) from boot options
8. Select Boot ROM version and press ENTER
9. Select latest and then OK
10. Select NO when prompted to reset boot ROM to defaults on the latest version boot ROM selected screen. Press OK
11. Select Boot order and press ENTER
12. Select USB Boot and click on OK and remove microSD card from Pi
13. Select Finish and click on NO when prompted to reboot

Creating Windows 11 installation image for Pi 4

In order to install Windows 11 on our Pi, we must create an installation image, follow the steps below explaining the process.

1. Go to https://uupdump.net/
2. Search for Windows 11 Arm
3. Select the latest build for arm64
4. Select Language on which you would like installer and Windows
5. Pick Windows edition you would like
6. Set download method to Download and convert to ISO and click on Create download package
7. Extract downloaded content into win11 folder and go into it
8. Double click on uup_download_windows.cmd
9. On the security warning screen click on More info and then on Run anyway
10. Wait for the process to finish completely
11. Once the process is finished, press 0 to close the prompt

Installing image on microSSD or SSD

If previous steps of instruction were follower precisely you now have an ISO image that can be installed onto microSSD or SSD

1. Connect SSD or insert microSSD card into your PC
2. Go to https://www.worproject.ml/downloads
3. Download Windows on Raspberry imager and extract it into the win11 folder
4. Open Imager and allow it to make changes to your computer, set your language, and click on next
5. Select storage drive where you would like to install Windows
6. Set device type and click on next
7. Select our Windows 11 ISO image we created and click on next
8. On the drivers screen select Use the latest driver package available on the server
9. On UEFI firmware select screen choose Use the latest firmware available on the server
10. On configuration screen click on next
11. Check your setting on the installation overview and if everything is ok click on install
12. Wait for the whole process to be finished
13. Once the process is completed, close Windows on Raspberry imager, take out SSD or microSSD card from PC and connect it on your Pi along with Pi peripherals.

Setting Windows 11 on Pi

In order to actually use Windows 11 on our Raspberry Pi we now have to set up the Windows 11 install using the standard post-installation setup sequence.

1. Power up Pi and press ESC when prompted
2. Go to Device manager and press ENTER
3. Select Raspberry Pi Configuration
4. Select Advanced configuration
5. Set Limit RAM to 3GB to a disabled state, press F10 to save, and ESC to exit.
6. Select Display configuration
7. Set the resolution to desired option and press ENTER, F10 to save, and ESC to exit
8. Go to CPU configuration
9. Check if the CPU clock is set to default, if not set it
10. Press ESC to go back all the way to the main menu
11. Select Continue to exit BIOS and boot your Raspberry Pi with Windows 11 on it

And there you have it, fully working Windows 11 OS on Raspberry Pi despite what Microsoft says Note that due to lack of some drivers performance can be less than optimal, for example, full HD videos will not work since there are no compatible graphic drivers for Pi and some other stuff like Wi-Fi will also cause some issues but overall Windows 11 is working pretty well.

After a lot of backlash about choosing the default Windows browser, Microsoft has officially backed up and brought back a one-click browser change into Windows 11. For anyone who is not aware, when Windows 11 was released if you wanted to switch to another browser you had to go into the settings app and choose the default browser for different types of file extensions like HTML, HTM, PDF for opening on the web, etc. Of course, this was completely unnecessary and it was not well received by users. So after some time, Microsoft backpedaled to standard one click, choose your default browser solution that existed in the previous version of Windows OS. Altho sometimes Microsoft knows how to irritate its users base, it is good to know that they can also listen and fix things that are required.

Recently, a number of users reported an error when they tried to open graphic-intensive apps like video games. According to users, when they tried to open an app, they get the “Display driver failed to start” error instead. Thus, if you encounter the same error, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on how exactly you can fix it. Here’s the full content of the error message:

“Display driver failed to start; using Microsoft Basic Display Driver instead. Check Windows Update for a newer display driver.”

This kind of error could be due to several factors. It is possible that it could be a result of a corrupted or outdated graphics driver. Aside from that, it could also be due to some issues with the system settings. Worry not though for there are potential fixes that can help you fix the problem. But before you troubleshoot the problem, you need to update your Windows 10 computer first and if it didn’t help fix the problem, then here are the potential fixes that should help resolve the “Display driver failed to start” error.

Option 1 – Try to restart the Graphics driver

Although Windows 10 can recover the graphics driver on its own when it crashes, there are times when it fails to do its job. To restart the graphics driver in your computer, simply tap the Win + Ctrl + Shift + B key combination. After that, the graphics driver will be back in less than a second.

Option 2 – Try running the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

Running the built-in hardware and devices troubleshooter can also help you in fixing the “Display driver failed to start” error.

• 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.

Option 3 – Try to update or rollback the Graphics driver

You can try to update your Graphics card driver using the Device Manager in your computer to resolve the “Display driver failed to start” error or you can also go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it. To update your Graphics driver via Device Manager, refer to these steps:

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

Option 4 – Try setting your system for maximum performance

If the first three options didn’t fix the error, you can try setting your computer for maximum performance since Windows 10 allows you to choose the effects you want to activate your system and you can do this by adjusting the performance ratio. Adjusting the performance ratio can be done via a certain setting in your computer – and this setting should be set to “Maximum Performance” to resolve the error.

• In the Windows Search bar, type in “performance” and from the search results that appear, select the “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” option.
• Next, a mini window will appear and from there, click on the radio button that says, “Adjust for best performance”.
• Once done, click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made. This should resolve the problem.

Program and features are Control panel section where once accessed contains all programs installed on the operating system. From these windows, any logged-in user can modify applications, uninstall them, etc. If for whatever reason you want to limit this access to users and remove this group from the control panel please do keep reading as we show you how you can achieve this desired result using two methods: via policy editor or registry editor. Feel free to use any provided method as both works (except on Windows 10 Home edition) and achieve the same thing, it all comes down to preferred preference on how you wish to do things.

Local group policy editor method

This method is more straightforward and easier perhaps than its counterpart but it has one significant drawback, it will not work on Windows 10 Home edition which does not have in itself a policy editor included. If you are using Windows 10 Home edition then feel free to skip this method and do it via registry editor. That being said let's start:

• Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
• Inside run dialog type in gpedit.msc followed by ENTER to open Group policy editor
• Go to User Configuration\ Administrative Templates\ Control Panel\ Programs\
• Double-click on the setting named Hide Programs and Features page
• Change the toggle option from Not Configured to Enabled
• Click on the Apply button and then the Ok button to save the changes
• at this point, everything is supposed to be applied and your changes should take effect immediately. However, it has come to our attention that sometimes this is not the case. If you are one of these users which for whatever reason have not experienced applying to set momentarily do not despair and follow this quick guide on how to refresh settings and apply them right away.
• Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden menu
• Click on command prompt (admin)
• In command prompt type in gpupdate /force and press ENTER in order to force update and set setting right away

Registry editor method

The registry editor method is a more complex one but it will be your only way of doing it if as mentioned you are running Windows 10 Home edition. As always it is highly recommended to make a backup of the Windows registry before tempering with it.

• Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
• Inside run dialog type in regedit and press ENTER to open the registry editor
• If you would like to make a backup of the Windows registry go to File > Export and save the backup on a secure location naming it as you wish
• Locate the following key inside the registry editor HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Programs
• Right-click on the right pane of the Programs key and choose the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option
• Name the value as NoProgramsAndFeatures
• Double-click on the NoProgramsAndFeatures value to open it
• Change the value data to 1
• Save the changes
• Reboot the computer in order for changes to take effect.

note: you can always change values back in order to show again panel by changing the value to 0 in registry editor or choosing Not Configured or Disabled in the local group policy editor

REevil is one of the most active and successful hacking groups connected to Russia and operating all over the world. The group recently demanded a huge bitcoin ransom for an attack targeting IT firm Kaseya in the USA. Since Tuesday blog and payment site run by REvil group cannot be longer reached without any kind of explanation or why. The reason behind the disappearance is unknown but has sparked speculation that the group may have been targeted deliberately by authorities. US President Joe Biden said he raised the issue with Vladimir Putin during a phone call on Friday, after discussing the subject during a summit with the Russian president in Geneva last month. Mr. Biden told reporters that he had "made it very clear to him...we expect them to act" on information and also hinted the US could take direct digital retaliation on servers used for intrusions. The timing of Tuesday's outage has sparked speculation that either the US or Russian officials may have taken action against REvil - though officials have so far declined to comment and cyber experts say sudden disappearances of groups are not necessarily uncommon. The development comes after a series of high-profile ransomware attacks which have hit major US businesses this year. The FBI accused REvil - also known as Sodinokibi - of being behind a ransomware attack on the world's largest meat processing company JBS last month.