How to turn the game mode off in Windows 11

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.

Step 5: Restart your computer.

One of the cool and interesting features in Windows is the Screensaver which allows users to display animation or change the wallpaper automatically when the computer is not being used. This feature can also time out and lock your computer when it remains idle for quite some time. However, if you notice that the screensaver of your computer turns on a lot earlier, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on how you can change the timeout settings of the screensaver of your Windows 10 computer. Usually, the screensaver in Windows 10 is turned off by default, however, if some other user has turned it on or if you have turned it on, you can actually change the timeout settings of the screensaver using several methods. You can do it through the Personalization settings, Registry Editor, as well as the Group Policy Editor. Before you proceed with the instructions provided below, make sure that you create a System Restore point first. Once done, follow each one of the suggestions carefully to successfully change the Screensaver timeout settings in Windows 10.

Option 1 – Modify the timeout settings of Screensaver via Personalization settings

• Open the Start menu and type “screen saver” in the field.
• On the search results that appear, click on the “Change Screen Saver” option.
• From there, you have the option to change the screen saver type, preview, open settings, change the wait time, as well as choose to display lock screen on your resume.
• Now to change the timeout settings of your screensaver, you have to increase the wait time from 1 to 15 or anything that works for you.
• Once done, click OK and exit to save the changes made.

Option 2 – Try to change the screensaver time via Registry Editor

The next option you can try to change the timeout settings in the screensaver is using the Registry Editor. To get started, follow these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility and type “regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• Next, navigate to this registry path: ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindows
• From there, right-click on Windows located in the right pane and select New > Key.
• Name the key as “Control Panel” and right-click on it and select New > Key and then name it as “Desktop”.
• Once done, click on the newly created Desktop key to highlight it.
• After that, right-click on any empty space in the right pane and select New > String Value and then type “ScreenSaveTimeOut” and hit Enter to save it.
• Now right-click on ScreenSaveTimeOut and select Modify and then set its value data in seconds.
• Click on OK and exit the Registry Editor to save the changes made.

Option 3 – Change Screensaver timeout settings via Group Policy Editor

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “gpedit.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
• Next, navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization.
• Then look for a policy setting named “Screen saver timeout” and double click on it and then click on the Enabled option to enable it.
• Add the screen timeout in seconds and click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes.
• Restart your computer.

Note: If you want to disable the screensaver feature in your computer, you can always do so by disabling a policy setting named “Enable Screen Saver”.

Encountering errors is never a pleasant experience and fixing errors can sometimes take a large amount of time. Also depending on your expertise and knowledge about computers and the operating systems themselves could be determining factor would you try to wrestle with error.

We will explore and analyze the advantages of both methods so you can choose and know when to apply one and when to reach for the other.

Advantages of manual method

Full control is the main advantage of manually solving errors, when you go deep dive into manually fixing problematic issues you are one that has control. Complete freedom is also another, sometimes fixing things can be done in several different ways and when you are the man behind the wheel, you are the one that can choose how to approach and what solution to apply in order to solve the issue.

Disadvantages of using manual method

The main disadvantage that some users might encounter is that they will need to know ins and outs of computer and operating systems' workings. Of course, the more complicated errors, the more knowledge it will require in order to apply the proper fix. There is also a risk to break something else if the person that is doing the fixing is not fully competent so this is also something to think about.

Another thing that goes against manual fixing is the time it will require in order to actually fix it, some more complex stuff will probably depend on searching for some external resources like searching for compatible drivers for example, or navigating complex registry keys inside Windows.

Advantages of automatic solutions

If you are a user that has no knowledge about how the operating system works, if you do not know what is a registry or how to properly navigate through the Windows folder then the automated solution is for you. The main advantage of automated systems is that you can easily fix errors without any kind of technical knowledge and usually with just one click of a button.

Saving time is also one of the advantages of fully automated solutions because they will work much faster than manually locating the problem and then fixing it. Also, most of these systems will have in place active monitoring that will check always if your system is in top form and alert you when something is not right.

Disadvantages of one-click solutions

Automated solutions are great, they can solve various issues and errors without any knowledge from the user, but they are not perfect. Like security suites sometimes an automated system can misinterpret something as an error when in fact it is not and fixing it could mean some apps not working anymore, luckily you can choose would you like to apply the suggested solution. So if you are using one do not just click fix without looking at what it is trying to fix and maintain.

Another problem with this is the price it is carrying, manually solving your computer error will cost you your time and knowledge but good automated software will come with a price tag. Some people might not be too happy to pay for this kind of application but at the end of the day, it will still be cheaper than a professional technician. The last thing that you should be aware of is that in order for the app to do its work properly it will need to be active all the time, now for modern computers, this is not the issue but for some older ones with a small amount of memory might lead to some slowing them down. This is a price to be paid in order to have your system always errors free.

Should you use an automated solution at all?

This depends on your knowledge and time available, professional IT technicians will not need this type of solution nor will power users but for most common people this will offer computers free of errors for an affordable price.

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 wuauserv net 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 wuauserv net 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.

Well if anyone told me just a few years ago that I will see the day when Microsoft releases a new OS based on Linux I would be very amused, but that day has come. Mariner is the newest OS out of nowhere. Microsoft’s new Linux Distro, dubbed Common Base Linux (CBL)-Mariner, isn’t the type of distro you’d want to install directly on any old machine. It’s primarily meant for cloud infrastructure and edge products. Specifically Microsoft’s Cloud and Edge products. But if you are curious, it’s possible to run. Juan Manuel Rey, a Microsoft Senior Program Manager for Azure VMware, recently published a guide to ISO CBL-Mariner image. With that, you can easily get it up and running. And you can build CBL-Mariner on an Ubuntu 18.04 desktop. So you can try it out since it is free. You can get it from here: https://github.com/microsoft/CBL-Mariner It is obvious that Microsoft aims to set itself as a leader in enterprise server environments with this move and it is very likely that it may succeed or at least give a good shake to its competitors, mainly red hat and Suse which are two dominant distros in that field. Many believe that they can win over by providing regular updates and package delivery via their already established system and that feature could be a turning point for some. In any case, time will tell and we shall see.

In case you don’t know, the .Net Framework is a programming infrastructure introduced by Microsoft. You will need it to run on lots of services and applications. Note that most of the applications that require the .Net Framework are packed with their installation files which is why it will be installed automatically on your computer when you install an application. However, there are instances when you’ll get an error message saying, “The .NET Framework 4.7 is not supported on this operating system” while trying to install the .NET Framework as a standalone service. The very reason why this error message appears is stated in the error message itself. Although the .Net Framework is supported on Windows 10, it is not actually compatible with some other Windows 10 versions. So it is most likely that you are seeing this error message because the .Net Framework in your computer is not compatible with the Windows 10 version you are running. Since that’s the case, you need to update Windows 10 to fix the problem. Updating your Windows 10 computer is the only solution you can try to fix this problem. Thus, it is advised that you check for Windows Updates even if you are now using the latest version of Windows 10. And since the issue is caused by an incompatible operating system version, once you install the exact version of Windows 10 required by the .Net Framework, the problem will be fixed. Simply follow the steps given below to do so.

• Step 1: Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Step 2: After that, type in “winver” in the field and tap Enter.
• Step 3: Next, your Windows 10 version should be given in the new window that appears. Take note that the number after the Version which is in the second line is your version number of Windows 10. And that the number must be 1507 or 1709. The first two digits in these numbers are the year while the second two represent the month when the update was released. So if you are running a 1709 version, this means that the Windows 10 version you are using was released in September 2017.
• Step 4: The next thing you have to do is to make sure that you have the Windows 10 version that’s compatible with the .Net Framework. To verify, you need to click here and click on the System Requirements.

After opening the link, take a look at the Supported Operating System section where it says, “Windows 10 Anniversary Update” and “Windows 10 Creators Update”. Since there are users who are not familiar with the version numbers related to both the Anniversary and Creators updates, refer to the list given below.

• November Update (1511)
• Anniversary Update (14393)
• Creators Update (1703)
• Fall Creators Update (1709)
• Spring Creators Update (1803)

As you can see, the Creators Update has version 1703 while the Anniversary Update has version number 14393 so if you are using a version lower than the 14393 version then it’s no wonder you aren’t able to install the .Net Framework 4.7 on your Windows 10 PC. Now all that’s left to do is to update your Windows 10 version and make sure that you will be updating it to the latest version available and then try installing the .Net Framework again.

So you just have turned your computer ON only to find out that your device which was working perfectly yesterday is not working anymore. This situation can be very stressful and disappointing but do not despair, before you toss your device through the window know that this kind of behavior can be traced back to a software issue. In this article, we will give you hints on what to do and where to pay attention when something like this happens so you get the device back in working order.

1. Check if it not a hardware malfunction

   To save yourself time and unnecessary frustration with juggling through Windows first inspect the device to be sure that indeed it is working properly, check all led lamps which could indicate that the device is working and receiving power, and if it is an internal device try opening the case and visually check if there are signs of working like rotating fans or led lamps on it.

2. Check Cables

   If it is an external device that has stopped working try checking power cables and cables which go to your computer, see if they are tightly connected. If it is an internal device also check cables, nudge them and if possible disconnect and clean them.

3. Disconnect and reconnect the device

   Try this solution to see will Windows register the device again and start it.

4. Update Windows

   If there is a Windows update not installed, install it and see if the device will start working.

5. Update device drivers

   Go to device manager and update the device driver to its latest version or go to the manufacturer's site and download the latest driver version.

6. Reinstall the device

   In the device manager, uninstall the device driver and reboot Windows. When Windows boots it will recognize the device and install the necessary drivers for it.

7. Disable antivirus and firewall

   Sometimes antivirus can prevent certain devices from working properly, especially if they rely on some system files to which antivirus or firewall has cut access. Try disabling your PC protection to see if this will resolve the issue.

8. Use dedicated error software

   Use DRIVERFIX to automatically search and fix driver issues.

Windows 11 comes with glass and transparency effects by default once it is installed. The transparency effect looks really good but if in any case, you do not like them, you can easily turn them off very easily

1. Open settings inside Windows 11
2. Inside settings click on Accessibility in the sidebar
3. Click on Visual Effects on far-right
4. Inside Visual effects, settings click on the switch beside Transparency effects to OFF

Windows will automatically save settings and apply changes right away. Just close your settings application and continue with work. You can always turn it back ON if you change your mind.

As you know, Windows 10 has a complicated mechanism for Activation which helps in the verification of a genuine copy of Windows 10. However, there are times when you might encounter some errors during the activation process. One of these errors is the error code 0xc000f074. This kind of error could be due to the Key Management Service or KMS which is unreachable by the client computer or if the key used in the SLSetAuthenticationData function call is incorrect. This kind of error mostly affects surfaces on computers that are upgraded from either Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. In such cases, you may encounter any of the following error messages:

“Windows is unable to reach your company’s activation service. Please connect to your corporate network. If you are connected and continue to see the error, contact your system administrator. You can also click on the error detail to find the exact error. Error code: 0xC004F074.” “Activating Windows(R), (Key hash)… Error: 0xC004F074 The Software Licensing Service reported that the computer could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional information.” “Error 0xC004F074, SL_E_AUTHN_MISMATCHED_KEY, The Software Licensing Service reported that the key is mismatched.”

To fix the Windows 10 Activation error 0xC004F078, you have to use the correct key for your type of Windows copy or use Command Prompt to reinstall the key or you could also try running the Activation troubleshooter.

Option 1 – Try running the Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter

The first thing you can do to resolve the Activation error code 0xc000f074 is to run the Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter. To do so, follow these steps:

• Go to Settings and then select Activation.
• After that, click on the Windows Activation and then troubleshoot. This will help you address most of the commonly found activation issues in Windows devices.

The Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter will determine if your license key is a valid Windows 10 digital license for an edition that is not currently installed. If it turns out that it’s not, then the troubleshooter will show you how to install the correct edition.

Option 2 – Try to use the correct key for the type of Windows version you have

If the Windows Activation troubleshooter wasn’t able to resolve the error, then you can try using the correct key for your type of Windows version. All you have to do so is check the type of your Windows copy if it’s OEM, retail, or volume. And make sure that you have the correct, valid product key for your operating system.

Option 3 – Try to use Command Prompt to reinstall the key

• In the Start Search, type “command prompt” and right-click on Command Prompt from the search results, and then select “Run as administrator”.
• After that, execute this command to uninstall the existing key: vbs /upk
• Next, you need to install the KMS product key by executing this command: vbs /ipk <The KMS Product Key>
• Once you’re done, you will see a prompt that’ll tell you whether the operation was either successful or not.
• To active, the KMS product key online, use this command: vbs /ato
• Use this command to activate the key using the telephone: exe 4
• After you’ve activated the KMS product key, restart the Software Protection Service. You can also verify the Activation Status to check if your fix was successful or not.

Option 4 – Contact Microsoft Support for assistance

If you’re at your wits’ end in trying to upgrade your computer, you should consider contacting Microsoft Support for help as they can offer you various options that would make fixing Windows Activation error code 0xc000f074 a lot easier and faster.

If you are familiar with the Dynamic Lock feature in Windows 10, then it has probably made it easier for you to lock your computer the instant you move away from it. This interesting feature does not need any special software like IR Cameras to use this feature as long as your Windows 10 computer supports Bluetooth which it most likely does. However there are times when the Dynamic lock feature is either missing or not working. When that happens, here are some suggestions that could help you. But before anything else, you need to create a System Restore point first since you will be modifying some critical system settings as well as registry files. After you’ve created a System Restore point, refer to the following options below to fix the issue with Dynamic Lock.

Option 1 – Try using the Settings app

• Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings app and then navigate to Accounts > Sing-in options.
• After that, scroll down until you see the Dynamic Lock section.
• Next, make sure that the checkbox for “Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you are away” is checked.
• Now that you’re all set, exit the Settings app.

Note: If for some reason the above-given solution didn’t work, you can try the next options below.

Option 2 – Try to pair your Bluetooth Device

If you get a message saying, “Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you are away” in the Notifications Center or in the Settings app, then you need to pair your Bluetooth device. To do so, follow the steps below.

• Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
• From there, make sure that Bluetooth is turned On and then pair your Bluetooth device.
• And if you open the Windows Defender Security Center, you will see the following message as well.
• Simply click on the Add Bluetooth device button and it will open the Bluetooth settings where you can also pair the device.

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. And if you want to reinstall the Bluetooth driver, just select the “Uninstall driver” option and follow the next on-screen instructions that follow.

Option 4 – Try to use the Registry Editor

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• If a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, just click on Yes to proceed.
• After that, navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon

• Next, look for a DWORD named “EnableGoodbye” located on the right-side panel and then make sure that its value is set to 1 which means that it is enabled while 0 indicates disabled.
• Now close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes made successfully.

Option 5 – Try checking the Group Policy setting

If your Windows 10 version has the Group Policy Editor, you can use it to fix the Dynamic Lock issue as well. Simply follow the steps below to use it.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “gpedit.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
• Next, navigate to the following path:

Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesWindows ComponentsWindows Hello for Business

• After that, look for an entry named “Configure dynamic lock factors” and double click on it to open a new window.
• Once you enable this Group Policy setting, the signal rules will be evaluated to detect the absence of a user and will lock the device automatically. On the other hand, if you disable or don’t configure this setting, you can continue locking your computer with existing locking options. Take note that it may be Not configured or Enabled but shouldn’t be set to Disabled.
• Now select the radio button for Enabled and set the Signal rules then click OK.
• Then exit the Group Policy Editor and restart your computer.