There is one service in the Windows operating system that is responsible for managing all the print jobs as well as handles the interaction with the printer. This service is known as the Print Spooler service. However, if it stops running, then you won’t be able to print anything on your computer. In such a case, you can try to restart the Print Spooler service, and to do that, you have to open the Windows Services Manager and look for the Print Spooler Service. Once you found it, right-click on it and select Restart. If it isn’t running, select Start and if the Service starts working again, then good but if not and you got an error message instead that says, “Windows could not start the Print Spooler service on Local Computer, Error 1068, The dependency service or group failed to start”, then read on as this post will give you a couple of suggestions you can try to resolve the issue.
The reason why you could not start the service is most likely because the Print Spooler service is dependent on other services which might not be properly running. If the following services are not running then it’s no wonder why you’re getting the error.
HTTP Service
Remote Procedure Control (RPC) Service
You might not see the RPC service which means that the Print Spooler Service does not recognize its dependency on the RPC service. In such a case, you have to manually configure the dependency by following the options given below.
Option 1 – Try configuring the dependency via CMD
The first thing you have to do is to configure the dependency using CMD. Refer to the steps below to do so:
Open an elevated Command Prompt.
Then type in “sc config spooler depend= RPCSS” and hit Enter.
After the command has been executed, restart your computer and then check if it fixed the problem. If not, proceed to the next given option below.
Option 2 – Fix dependency via the Registry Editor
You can also resolve dependency using the Registry Editor. How? Refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
After that, navigate to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesSpooler
Next, right-click on the “DependOnService” entry located on the right pane and select Modify.
Now change its value data to “RPCSS” and click OK to save the changes made and then exit the Registry Editor.
Reboot your computer and see if the issue is resolved.
Option 3 – Try running the Printer Troubleshooter
Another option you can check out is the Printer Troubleshooter. This built-in troubleshooter in Windows 10 can help you fix most print issues. It checks if you have the latest printer drivers and then tries to fix and update them automatically. Aside from that, it also checks if you have connectivity issues or if the Print Spooler and the required Services are running fine. To run it, follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “exe /id PrinterDiagnostic” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the Printer Troubleshooter.
Then click the Next button and follow the next on-screen instructions to fix the issue with the printer.
As you know, Windows Update is the source for everything latest for Windows from Microsoft. Your computer receives essential updates frequently because of the Windows Update service and this Windows Update mechanism depends on various services such as Background Intelligent Transfer Service or BITS, Windows Server Update Service, Windows Update service, and many more. Although it may seem like a complex delivery system, it is a very efficient one. However, it is not without its issues as it still encounters errors every now and then. One of these errors is 80244019 which applies only to the Windows Server operating systems and to resolve it, you need to determine its cause.
The Windows Update Error 80244019 is most likely caused by faulty and corrupted DLL files or Registry Entries, connectivity issues, and outdated configuration of Windows Update service on the client end. Moreover, the error can also be caused by malware or if a file is not found on the server. This error can lead to a number of system issues like Startup and shutdown issues, software installation errors, external devices connection, system lags, unexpected application, and program issues, and many more. To resolve the problem, refer to the options given below.
Option 1 – Restart some Windows Update services
The first thing you have to do is to restart Windows Update-related services. Refer to the steps below to do so.
Open the WinX Menu.
From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauservnet stop bits
After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service and the Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
Next, go to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files there by tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
Once all the contents in the Software Distribution folder are deleted, restart your PC and then go back to Command Prompt and input the following commands again.
net start wuauservnet start bits
Since the folder has already been flushed, it will be populated afresh the instant your restart your computer and open Windows Update.
Option 2 – Try turning on the Data Execution Prevention or DEP
The problem might be caused by disabled Data Execution Prevention which is why you have to make sure that it’s turned on.
Option 3 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
You might also want to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing Windows Update Error 80244019. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.
Option 4 – Try reconfiguring the Windows Update Settings
You can also try to reconfigure the settings in the Windows Update section to resolve the error.
Tap the Win + I keys to open the Windows Settings.
Next, click on Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update Settings and from there, click on the Advanced Options.
After that, uncheck the “Give me updates for other Microsoft Products when I update Windows” option.
Now restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made and then check if the Windows Update error is now fixed.
Option 5 – Try to manually install the Windows Updates
Windows Update Error 80244019 might be due to a Windows Update that has failed. So if it is not a feature update and only a cumulative update, you can download the Windows Update and install it manually. But first, you need to find out which update has failed, and to do so, refer to the following steps:
Go to Settings and from there go to Update and Security > View Update History.
Next, check which particular update has failed. Note that Updates that have failed to install will be displayed under the Status column which has a label of “Failed”.
After that, go to the Microsoft Download Center and look for that update using its KB number and once you find it, download and then install it manually.
Note: You can also use the Microsoft Update Catalog, a service from Microsoft that provides a list of software updates that can be distributed over a corporate network. With the help of this service, it can be easier for you to find Microsoft software updates, drivers as well as fixes.
Error Code 40 is a device driver error that users encounter on any Windows 2000 and later operating systems. It occurs when the peripheral device that you connect to your PC cannot be accessed due to a change in the system registry.
This is due to the presence of invalid sub-keys of the device driver in the system registry.
It is a common error that users come across and appears on your PC with either of the following messages:
“Information in the registry entry for this driver is invalid”
OR
"Windows cannot access this hardware because its service key information in the registry is missing or recorded incorrectly. (Code 40)"
Solution
Error Causes
As mentioned above, the error code is triggered when the device driver’s invalid sub-keys appear in the registry, effectively changing it. This happens when the windows system files get damaged due to the following factors:
An incomplete program uninstallation
An incomplete program installation
Hardware is not removed properly
System recovery from viruses
An improper system shut down
Factors such as incomplete installations or uninstallations or an improper system shut down can cause files to become damaged that threaten the health of your computer.
Removing viruses from the computer is also another factor as it removes the entries in the Windows system files which contain the viruses including spyware or malware
Further Information and Manual Repair
Fixing Error Code 40 is similar to fixing other device manager error codes. Here are a few methods you can try.
Method 1 – Use System Restore
You can use system restore to eliminate the problem. Here is how you can use it:
Log in using an Administrator account
Click ‘Start’ button and select All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore
Click ‘Restore my computer to an earlier time’ and click ‘Next’
Select the last Windows restore point from the ‘On this list, click a restore point’ list, and click ‘Next’
Click ‘Next’ on the confirmation window to proceed
Restart your PC after restoration is complete
By restoring the system via a last saved system checkpoint, you can obtain undamaged Windows system registry files that can help avert the error code.
Method 2 – Manually uninstall then reinstall the device driver
If using system restore also does not work in removing the error code, you may have to resort to manually uninstalling and then reinstalling the device driver causing the problem.
This would be necessary since the remaining incomplete files due to a partial removal or installation of programs is what contributes to the error code. By uninstall and reinstalling the device driver program, it would lead to the completion of the files.
You can do this by firstly logging in as Administrator and open Device Manager. Select the device that is causing the problem and double click it and make sure that the peripheral is connected properly to the PC. Upon opening, click on the ‘Driver’ tab and then select ‘Update Driver’.
Make sure to refer to the system documentation that you received with your PC or computer to check for the motherboard details and driver specifics.
Method 3 – Use software to automatically download the driver
Manually uninstalling and reinstalling the driver will do the trick, however, it may be time-consuming especially when you would have to resort to your hardware user manual.
Therefore, using a program such as DriverFIX can save you a lot of time and frustration in having your device work properly on your computer.
DriverFIX, with its user-friendly approach to help you fix your PC issues, comes with an integrated database that detects which drivers you need to reconfigure within just a few seconds and downloads it automatically.
It further ensures that your drivers are installed in their entirety leaving no room for any incomplete files to remain that create Error Code 40.
It also has the added advantage of being able to backup and restores your files should there be the slightest possibility of system file damage.
Thus, registry damage can be averted by letting the software roll back the system files to an earlier healthy checkpoint. Driver Assist is the answer to fixing your PC error codes accurately and quickly.
Click here to download DriverFIX to fix Error Code 40 quickly and effectively!
Updating your Windows 10 computer does not always go smoothly as there are some errors you can encounter along the way. One of these Windows Update errors is the error code of 0x80246008. This kind of error can occur during different phases of an update that’s being downloaded or installed and even when an update is being initialized.
If you narrow down the cause of this Windows Update error, you’ll most likely see that it is related to the deliverability of a file to a computer from the servers of Microsoft. In other words, the error might be due to conflicts from programs like Firewall as well as third party programs like Antivirus or it could also be due to corrupted disk image or system files or it could be that any of the supporting Windows Update components and services are not working properly. Whatever the cause may be, the potential fixes provided in this post can be applicable to Windows Updates as well as the Microsoft Store.
Refer to the suggestions provided below to resolve the Windows Update Error 0x80246008 but before you proceed, make sure that you create a System Restore point first.
Option 1 – Apply some tweak in the Windows Registry from Command Prompt
Tap the Win + X keys and select Command Prompt (Admin) to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
Next, navigate to the root location of the bootable device inside the Command Prompt command line.
Once you’re in the root location, type the following command and tap Enter to execute it:
After that, close the Command Prompt command line and then tap the Win + R keys to open Run utility.
In the field, type “services.msc” and click OK or tap Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
From there, look for the following services:
Windows Update – Manual (Triggered)
Background Intelligent Transfer Service – Manual
Now open their Properties and make sure that their Startup type is as mentioned above and that they are running. If they are not running, just click on the Start button.
Option 2 – Run the System File Checker Scan
If the registry tweak didn’t work, you can run a System File Checker scan instead. It is a built-in command-line utility that replaces bad and corrupted system files to good system files that might be the cause why you’re getting the error when you try updating your computer. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.
Tap Win + R to launch Run.
Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
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.
Restart your computer.
Option 3 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
If the System File Checker wasn’t able to resolve the Windows Update error, you could also try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing any issues related to Windows Update including this one. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.
Option 4 – Try to disable your antivirus program
Disabling the antivirus program or any security software installed in your computer is always a good idea you can try when the Windows Update process does not go smoothly. So before you try updating your computer again, make sure to disable the antivirus or security program and once the Windows Update is done, don’t forget to enable the antivirus program back again.
Option 5 – Try deleting the files from the SoftwareDistribution folder and resetting the Catroot2 folder
The downloaded Windows Updates are placed in a folder called “SoftwareDistribution”. The files downloaded in this folder are automatically deleted once the installation is completed. However, if the files are not clean up or if the installation is still pending, you can delete all the files in this folder after you pause the Windows Update service. For complete instructions, refer to the steps below.
Open the WinX Menu.
From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauservnet start cryptSvcnet start bitsnet start msiserver
After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Cryptographic, and the MSI Installer
Next, go to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
After resetting the SoftwareDistribution folder, you need to reset the Catroot2 folder to restart the services you just stopped. To do that, follow these steps:
Type each one of the following commands.
net start wuauservnet start cryptSvcnet start bitsnet start msiserver
After that, exit Command Prompt and restart your computer.
Netflix was one that made streaming service standard and even after some stumbles even today it is still a respected service.
So in that spirit, we are bringing you the list of all new and old movies and TV series releasing to NETFLIX this September.
September 1
Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
How to Be a Cowboy — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Agatha Christie’s Crooked House (2017)
Anjaam (1994)
Barbie: Big City Big Dreams (2021)
Brave Animated Series (Season 1)
Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001)
Green Lantern (2011)
House Party (1990)
El Patron, radiografia de un crimen / The Boss: Anatomy of a Crime (2014)
HQ Barbers (Season 1)
Letters to Juliet (2010)
Level 16 (2018)
Los Carcamales / Oldsters (Season 1)
Kid-E-Cats (Season 2)
Kuroko’s Basketball (Season 3)
Marshall (2017)
Welcome Home: Roscoe Jenkins (2008)
September 2
Afterlife of the Party — NETFLIX FILM
Q-Force — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
The Guardian
September 3
Dive Club (Season 1) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Money Heist (Season 5) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Sharkdog (Season 1) — NETFLIX FAMILY
Worth (2021) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
September 5
Bunk’d (Season 5)
September 6
Countdown: Inspiration 4 Mission to Space (Season 1 – Episodes 1 & 2) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
Shadow Parties (2021)
September 7
Kid Cosmic (Season 2) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Octonauts: Above & Beyond (Season 1) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
On The Verge (Season 1) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
UNTOLD: Breaking Point — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd (2018)
September 8
Into the Night (Season 2) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
JJ + E — NETFLIX FILM
The Circle (Season 3) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Show Dogs (2018)
September 9
Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
The Women and the Murderer (2021) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
September 10
Firedrake the Silver Dragon (2021) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Metal Shop Masters — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Kate — NETFLIX FILM
Pokemon Master Journey: The Series (Part 1) — NETFLIX ANIME
Prey — NETFLIX FILM
Lucifer (Season 6) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Lucifer season 6 poster cast
September 13
Crime Stories: India Detectives (Season 1) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
September 14
You vs. Wild: Out Cold — NETFLIX FILM
The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
September 15
Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space (Season 1 – Episodes 3 & 4) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
Too Hot to Handle Latino — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Nailed It! — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Schumacher — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
September 16
Safe House (2012)
Birth of the Dragon (2017)
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (Season 1) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
My Heroes Were Cowboys (2021) — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
September 17
Chicago Party Aunt — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Sex Education (Season 3) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Tayo and Little Wizards (Season 1) — NETFLIX FAMILY
The Stronghold (2020) — NETFLIX FILM
September 22
Dear White People (Season 4) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Confessions of an Invisible Girl — NETFLIX FILM
September 23
A StoryBots Space Adventure (2021) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
September 24
Ganglands (Season 1) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Midnight Mass — NETFLIX ORIGINAL
My Little Pony: New Generation — NETFLIX FAMILY
Error Code 30088-26 is shown when the user tries to install the MS Office suite to their PC. It is mostly due to several reasons including corrupted Office installation, the remnant of old office installation, or even Windows updates. We will cover all reasons along with provided solutions to each one.
Follow the guide below to address each scenario with the fix for it.
Corrupted Office installation
In order to fix this issue, you will need to repair the installation itself.
Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
Inside run dialog type in Control Panel
In the control panel double click on Programs and features
In the list of installed application find MS Office and click on it to select it
On top, just above the application list click on the change
Office dialog will be opened with multiple choices
Click and select Online repair and then click on Repair
Make sure that you have a stable internet connection and leave the process to be finished
Remnants of old office installation
Manually cleaning remnants of old office installation is not an easy task and it can be different from system to system depending on the previous Office version.
Luckily Microsoft has a dedicated office cleaning tool made for purpose of removing old tails and remnants of old office installations.
After the tool has been successfully downloaded, double-click on the .diagcab file to open it
Click on Advanced and make sure that the box associated with Apply repair automatically is checked.
Click the Next button to proceed
Wait until the initial detection phase is complete, then click on Installing at the first prompt
Select the program that you’re encountering issues with (most likely Microsoft Office) and click Next once again
At the next screen, click on Yes, try to uninstall
Wait until the operation is complete, then restart your computer and re-install the Microsoft Office suite
Windows Updates
After digging and trying out various solutions for this issue we came to the conclusion that this error can occur if Windows is not fully updated, and by fully updated we mean fully, not just critical updates, but all available ones. Check-in your setting to see if there are some uninstalled or pending updates waiting to be installed and if that is the case install them all.
After completely updating your Operating system error should vanish and you should be able to install Microsoft office without issues.
If you suddenly noticed that your Onscreen keyboard in Windows 10 has become completely white or transparent for some reason, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on what you can do to resolve this kind of issue in your computer.
As you know, the on-screen keyboard is included in Windows 10 and has an executable file named “osk.exe”. The on-screen keyboard is a part of the Ease of Access feature in Windows 10 which allows users to navigate the computer with the help of the mouse instead of the physical keyboard. However, there are times when you might encounter some issues when using the on-screen keyboard. One of the issues reported recently is that the on-screen keyboard becomes transparent or it only displays the borders but there is no way for you to access it. You also won’t be able to move it from the view completely. To fix this problem, there are several suggestions you can check out. You can try to check the Fade button or run the Windows Touch Keyboard troubleshooter. You can also restart its process in the Task Manager. For more details, refer to each one of the given options below.
Option 1 – Try to check the Fade button
The first thing you can do is to check the Fade button on the on-screen keyboard. You can find it at the bottom right corner of the keyboard. If it is enabled, then it’s probably the reason why your on-screen keyboard is transparent as it lets it fade in the background. Thus, you have to disable it to resolve the problem.
Option 2 – Try to run the Windows Touch Keyboard troubleshooter
The next option you can check out is running the Windows Touch Keyboard troubleshooter. This troubleshooter will help you identify the problem and would fix them automatically.
Option 3 – Try to restart the process of the on-screen keyboard via Task Manager
The next thing you can do is to restart the on-screen keyboard’s process in the Task Manager. Just follow the steps below.
First, tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
Next, go to the Processes tab and look for the option that says, “Accessibility On-screen Keyboard”.
Once you found it, click on the drop-down arrow next to it and right click on the “On-screen Keyboard” option, and select End task to end its process.
After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility and type “osk.exe” in the field, and then hit Enter to open the on-screen keyboard.
Error code 0x8024402f is a Windows Update error indicating some sort of connectivity issue. Windows may show you theError 0x8024402f in Windows 10 whenever you try to download and install new updates. This error is caused by small interruptions in communications between the computer to be updated and the update to be downloaded. These issues usually resolve themselves. Windows Firewall settings may also be blamed for this problem.
Common symptoms
Error code 0x8024402f prevents you from installing the latest version of Windows 10
This Error prevents you from downloading new and latest updates from Microsoft
Solution
Error Causes
This error is caused by a problem with the Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile.
This error can occur even if no changes are made to network settings.
Your Firewall settings may cause this problem.
A high number of update requests on the Windows Update server may cause this problem.
More Information and Manual Repair
Method 1:
Exit Windows Update. Wait for 10 to 15 minutes, and then restart Windows Update to check for updates. OR
Turn on Windows Automatic Update so that updates are installed automatically every 24 hours.
Method 2:
Uninstall the Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile:
Click Start>Control Panel>Programs and Features
Locate the Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile
Right-click and then select Uninstall/Change
Confirm that you want this component to be uninstalled. This may take a few minutes.
Reboot your computer
When the system has restarted, re-run Windows Update as you normally would.
Method 3:
Check your internet connection:
As mentioned earlier the error code 0x8024402f is related to connection problems with Windows Update. It means that your computer isn’t able to connect with the Microsoft Update server; therefore you’re unable to receive any new updates. So, you either have a problem with the internet connection or the Microsoft Update server is corrupted. If the problem is caused by the Microsoft Update server, you just need to wait a while because Microsoft staff will most probably solve the problem quickly.
Method 4:
But, if the issue isn’t related to your internet connection, you should perform the following method:
Got to Search and enter Identify and Repair
Open Identify and repair network problems
Click on the Search Result.
It should automatically Start the identifying process
If your network has any issue then it will show you and ask you to fix it.
Now, establish your internet connection. The problem 0x8024402 should be solved by now and you’ll be able to update your Windows 10 Technical Preview to the latest 10049 builds.
Method 5:
Turn on Windows Firewall:
If you have some anti-malware or antivirus on your Windows 10 PC, then it might turn off Windows Firewall on its own or create its own Firewall as default. If this is the case, you will need to turn on Windows Firewall.
Search for "Firewall" OR
Click on Windows Firewall from Control Panel.
On the left pane, Click on Turn Windows Firewall ON or OFF.
Click on Turn on Windows Firewall then Click Ok.
That is it. Now, try again and see if you are still getting Windows Update Error 0x8024402f in your Windows 10.
Method 6:
This is an advanced method:
If the above steps fail, then you might surely want to try this advanced method, which is Enabling ActiveX in your Router Firewall settings.
If you had turned off ActiveX in your Router Firewall settings then this must be the culprit and so Error 0x8024402f is shown whenever you try to get Windows Update.
All you need to do is Enable ActiveX by going to your Router Firewall settings and that should do it. The Error should be gone for good now and you will be easily able to install the Updates in your Windows 10.
If you do not possess the technical expertise required to accomplish this yourself or do not feel comfortable doing so, download and install a powerful automated tool to get the job done.
Wondering if upgrading to Windows 11 will boost your gaming experience? We can’t give you a straightforward answer, sadly. But we can take you through the tweaks you can expect if you have all the right requirements and help you make a final decision.
Is Windows 11 good for gaming?
Essentially, the answer to this question is yes. Microsoft has definitely added a bunch of enhancements and features to its latest OS to give gamers the best possible experience. However, you have to keep in mind that this may not work out smoothly for every single user.
Whether you’ll be able to fully take advantage of the Windows 11 gaming features really depends on your setup. As expected, Windows 11 has more demanding system requirements than its predecessor.
Credit: Florian Olivo on Unsplash
So, unless your hardware can run the new OS comfortably, you might not be able to make the most of all these gaming perks. In that case, we recommend you first upgrade your hardware and then make the switch. Be prepared to be a little surprised by a few other interesting changes in comparison to Windows 10, though!
For some of the new gaming features to work, it’ll also be necessary for you to have an NVMe SSD and an HDR-compatible monitor. So let’s take a look at 4 big improvements you can expect if your setup is compatible.
Gaming enhancements on Windows 11
1. Enjoy faster loading speed with DirectStorage
For this powerful feature to work, you need a compatible graphics card and, as stated before, an NVMe SSD. It’s also important for your GPU to support the DirectX 12 graphics API at least. And since we’re on that subject, you’ll be happy to know that Windows 11 has also introduced a new version of the API called DirectX 12 Ultimate.
Now, what does DirectStorage do? It’s a new feature designed to make full use of the speedy storage of NVMe SSDs. It also transfers game data directly onto the graphics card, lightening the load on your CPU. Normally the CPU would have to decompress the data first, but DirectStorage helps bypass this. That’s how loading times are reduced and games run more smoothly.
2. Fully immerse yourself through Game Mode
Windows 11’s Game Mode is certainly a welcomed addition. When you turn on Game Mode, usage of background apps that aren’t essential to your game is reduced. This results in the game you’re running becoming a priority process. This way, it uses your hardware and system resources to the max. Ultimately, the Game Mode means less lag and higher frame rates so you can play undisturbed and fully enjoy your gaming session.
3. Vibrant visual experience thanks to AutoHDR
For this one you’ll absolutely need an HDR-compatible monitor. Basically, HDR (High Dynamic Range) means a wider range of contrasts and colors that can be displayed on a monitor.
Windows 10 has an HDR feature, but you have to turn it on and off manually (“Use HDR”). Plus, users have reported that, if left on, it results in an unappealing appearance of content other than movies and games.
Windows 11 fixes that problem with its AutoHDR feature. Toggling it results in the system automatically adjusting the color contrast, balance and brightness based on what you’re currently looking at. For gamers, this means vivid imagery in every single game, resulting in a supreme visual experience. You can check out Microsoft’s own video showcasing the power of AutoHDR.
Aside from AutoHDR, another way Windows 11 improves the visual aspect is through its support for refresh rates of up to 360Hz.
4. Xbox Game Pass & Game Bar
It’s no secret that Microsoft wants to integrate Windows and Xbox. We’ve seen some attempts with Windows 10, but they’re pretty wonky compared to the new OS.
Windows 11’s built-in Xbox Game Bar enables quite a few options all gamers desire. You can take screenshots and videos of your game and send them, for starters. Furthermore, you can use it to see audio settings and monitor your PC’s performance without having to leave the game or open the Task Manager.
Widgets are also a really cool part of the Game Bar. You can choose from a wide variety of widgets, such as Xbox Achievements, Spotify, Gallery, Xbox Social and more.
Moreover, the Xbox Game Pass has been streamlined on Windows 11. Game Pass is a subscription service that unlocks hundreds of awesome games and supports cloud streaming. Do keep in mind that the games are only unlocked for a certain period of time, as the selection rotates once in a while.
What can you do for a better gaming experience?
Windows 11 does offer tweaks that require zero input from you. However, there are a few things you can do manually to get even more out of your new OS while gaming.
Turn off enhanced pointer precision. Most games enhance precision by default, so having this feature on might interfere with that.
Make sure to select your high performance graphics card for each game. Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and tap ‘Graphics’ from the ‘Related settings’ menu. Find the game you want to adjust, click on ‘Options’ and choose your high performance graphics card to be the default setting. While there, you can also turn on ‘Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling’ at the top.
Disable unnecessary apps and programs. As long as they aren’t essential to running your game, they might take up valuable system resources, so disable them to make space for your gaming requirements.
Check for pending updates and install them. It’s well-known that out-of-date software causes bugs, latency and crashes. The same goes for your GPU drivers.
Use the High-performance power plan (Control Panel > Power Options > Additional plans) to maximize the use of resources for the best possible performance.
Summary
Windows 11 has done quite a bit for avid gamers. We hope your setup is compatible with all these new features and you can experience these enhancements ASAP!
If you don’t have the required drivers installed in your computer, the hardware that you try to connect to your computer will most likely fail. In order to keep the operating system running on your computer, manufacturers develop drivers that can work harmoniously with your devices and applications. However, internet Wi-Fi connections can fail if suitable drivers are not installed. Worry not though for this post will guide you in installing Wi-Fi drivers on your Windows 10 computer.
As you know, a driver is an essential piece of software designed for a specific operating system like Windows 10, Linux, and many more. The operating system uses it to communicate with other hardware devices such as printers and mice. Most hardware manufacturers feature a support page of their own product where you can look for the necessary drivers available for download.
You will see that the Windows operating system has a set of drivers that are already installed and you do not have to do anything except plug in the device. So if the driver is not locally available, it will pull it down from its web server and automatically install it for you after you connect the device. However, there are instances when you might encounter some issues while using your Wi-Fi and during these times, you might have to reinstall your Wi-Fi drivers so read on as this post will provide you guidelines in installing Wi-Fi drivers in Windows 10. Refer to the steps below to do so.
Step 1: First, go to your manufacturer’s website and look for the right driver you want to install to download your Wi-Fi driver.
Step 2: After that, you have to download the correct Wi-Fi driver if it’s available. You have to know the exact name and version of the driver so that you can download it and this information can be found from the Device Manager. Just make sure that you have the right wireless adapter driver downloaded.
Step 3: Once done, open the setup of the new driver that you’ve downloaded earlier and run the file and then follow the next on-screen instructions that appear right after.
Step 4: You’re not done yet as you need to verify if you have downloaded and installed the correct Wi-Fi driver. Refer to the sub-steps below to do so:
First, right-click on the Start button and select the Device Manager to open it.
From there, look for the Network Adapters and expand its category to make all the network adapters visible including the wireless adapter.
You can easily spot the wireless adapter as it has the “wireless” term in its entry.
Next, right-click on the wireless driver entry in the Device Manager and select Network adapters, and then click on Properties to check the version number of the driver.
Now select the Driver tab and view the details. If it looks well then it means that you have the right version of the driver installed.
Kindle is, without doubt, a great piece of hardware, perhaps it is the closest thing to a book within the domain of digital devices. With its low price and usability, it has found itself in many homes and within the grasp of many readers in the world. You can buy digital books in the Amazon store for fraction of a regular price if it digital Kindle edition. You keep your library in the cloud and download just books you want to read on your device.
In this article, we will explore how you can send your existing PDF or any other supported file that you already have to your kindle device so you can read it on it.
Before we begin, you should make sure the file you're trying to convert is compatible with the Kindle:
HTML
RTF
JPEG
GIF
PNG
BMP or
PDF
The compatible file types cover most formats you're likely using, but if you find the document you want on your Kindle isn't compatible, there are a few ways to convert it. In the program it typically opens into, like Microsoft Word for .doc files or an image editing apps for .PNG ones, select 'Save As', and in the drop-down menu, see if any of the compatible options are available.
If not, you could try a PDF converter tool. There are plenty of great paid options and a few good free ones too.
Transfering PDF
To get a PDF on a Kindle, you're going to need to know your Kindle's email address. You'll need to head over to the Amazon website and sign in first. Select 'Your devices and content', click 'Manage Devices'. You should see a list of the books you have assigned to your Kindle account, above this list, in a toolbar should be some options - you'll currently be on 'Content', which should be followed by 'Devices', 'Preferences' and 'Privacy Settings'. Click on 'Devices', and in the next menu, select the option for the Kindle you want the document on. You'll be brought to a Device Summary page which tells you your Kindle email as well as the type of device it is.
You now need to approve your personal email, so that when the Kindle receives your PDF, it knows to download this. Make sure the email you approve is the one you're planning to send documents to your Kindle from otherwise it won't work. To approve your email address follow the steps for finding your Kindle email address but instead of selecting 'Devices' in the top bar, click 'Preferences'.
Scroll down this list until you find Personal Document Settings, and select this option so it expands into more options. From here, scroll down until you find 'Approved Personal Document E-mail List'. This list will show people who can email stuff to your Kindle, Below the emails is an option to 'Add a new approved e-mail address', which you should select. Enter your email address and click 'Add address' to get yourself approved.
Head over to your email client of choice, attach the file to an email, and send the email to your Kindle email address. You're able to send multiple documents at once, so if you have loads of files you want on your Kindle, you don't need to send separate emails. If you're sending over a PDF file, you can ask Amazon to automatically convert the file into a Kindle one, which lets you annotate the sections and change the font size. Simply put the word 'convert' as the subject line and the rest will be handled for you. 'Sync Your Kindle'.