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How to Unmerge the User folder in Windows 10

The Windows 10 system allows users to change the default location of the User folders to another drive. This is probably to make sure that the files stay safe in case the system suddenly crashes. However, in some cases, while changing the path to another drive, for instance, the D drive or any folder, the Windows system recognized it as a hard drive as well so even though the files will be saved on that folder, it will appear as a hard drive in the Windows Explorer or look merged with another folder. It could also be that you had dragged and dropped a user folder to another user folder by accident. So if you’re wondering how you can unmerge the User folders, read on as this post will guide you on how exactly you can do that.

Take note that even if you try to use the File History to restore the User folders, it still won’t work and you won’t be able to move them back to their previous locations nor restore the folders back to their previous versions and it would only state that they are not available. In the instructions given below, we are using the Downloads folder as an example.

  • Step 1: Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Step 2: Next, type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Step 3: After opening the Registry Editor, navigate to the following registry key:

ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerUser Shell Folders

  • Step 4: Then double-click on the multi-string value {374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B} located in the right hand pane. And in the Value Data, copy and paste the following value:

%USERPROFILE%Downloads

  • Step 5: Now click OK and close the Registry Editor.

Note: Look close enough and you’ll see that the multi-string values belong to each one of the folders. From there, you have a Desktop, Favorites, Skydrive, Music, Pictures, and many more.

  • Step 6: Restart your computer. After that, the operating system will pick up the new folder location during the startup. Here are the values for the other folders:

Music – {1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE}

Pictures – {3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA}

Videos – {A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}

Documents – {A8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0}

Desktop – {B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}

  • Step 7: Now all you have to do is to change the location correctly. Start by tapping the Win + E keys to open the Windows File Explorer.
  • Step 8: After that, right-click on the Downloads folder located in the right-hand pane.
  • Step 9: Then click on Properties and go to the Location tab then type “D:\Downloads” in the location box.
  • Step 10: Click the Apply button and then the OK button to save the changes made. Doing so would ensure that not only the Downloads folder is restored but also that it does not stay merged to another folder or appear as a drive.

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How to Fix TrayApp Error 1706
What is TrayApp Error 1706? A TrayApp Error 1706 is not something you want to see. It is generally caused by an error in hexadecimal formatting, which is a common format employed by software programmers for Windows OS-compatible hardware drivers, Windows system files, and software apps. Developers and manufacturers of hardware drivers and software apps employ different codes in order to indicate different types of errors. The TrayApp error 1706 occurs in a long numeric code with a technical explanation of the cause. In many cases, the TrayApp error 1706 can have different TrayApp error 1706 parameters. It will usually sport a message like:
  • Install Error 1706 Trayapp
  • Reinstall Error 1706 Trayapp
  • Error 1706 Trayapp crash
  • Error 1706 Trayapp is missing
  • Remove Error 1706 Trayapp
  • Download Error 1706 Trayapp
  • Error 1706 Trayapp virus

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

More often than not, the TrayApp error will occur because there are damaged files in your operating system. When the Windows system file entry gets corrupt, it means that there malfunctioning in your system and it can be exposed to major security threats. And if it’s not resolved, it can potentially result in complete and permanent data loss and can make your storage media or your system as a whole inoperable. There can be other triggers for the TrayApp error, the common of which include:
  • Incomplete installation of software
  • Incomplete un-installation of software
  • Improper deleting of hardware drivers
  • Improper deleting of software applications
If you have the TrayApp error, you realize how common it is when restarting your system followed an improper shutdown or a recent malware or virus recovery. These situations result in corruption or deletion of essential system files. When Windows system files get corrupted or go missing, the data that is needed to run software won’t be linked properly.

Further Information and Manual Repair

There are two common manual ways of fixing TrayApp error 1706. The manual solution is:

Boot Your System and Log in As Administrator.

  • Click on Start and select All Programs.
  • Go to Accessories, then System Tools, and select System Restore.
  • In the dialog box, select, ‘Restore computer to an earlier date’ and then click on Next.
Click next twice on the dialog boxes and then the Automatic System Restore will start and restart your device.

Reimage Plus Fix for Trayapp Error 1706

This is the easiest way to resolve TrayApp Error 1706. However, there are cases when the manual process may not really work, and this can be caused by improper maintenance of your system. For that, Restoro is your short and comprehensive answer. Restoro is a multi-functional PC Fixer that works as an antivirus, registry cleaner, system optimizer, and much more. It can not only help resolve TrayApp Error 1706, but can also resolve other errors that can hinder the performance of your system, programs, and applications. It can also clean your registry and optimize your system to make it faster and quick loading. The software is compatible with all Windows versions. Just click here and download Restoro and get rid of any issues in your system!
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Facebook messengers alternatives
People are becoming more and more concerned with their privacy and Facebook's flagship messaging application is caught between it all. While still widely popular it has becoming to lose its ground due to many unanswered questions about privacy encryption. Lucky for all of us there are alternatives for more secure messaging.

SIGNAL

Arguably the most secure of all well-regarded messaging apps, Signal is the favorite of the European Commission, as well as newsrooms around the world. While Signal doesn’t disclose how many daily or monthly users the app has, Google’s Play Store says it has been installed more than 50 million times. While using Signal, each voice or video call connected through the app includes full end-to-end encryption. Signal takes an extra step by hiding message metadata so that the location of the original message is missing. While it asks for your mobile number, that number isn’t used with your profile. Instead, it acts as a numeric username. Once registered, you will find 1-1 chat, audio, and video calls, disappearing or “secret” chats, and a privacy lock so nobody can access the app even if they have your phone. Best of all, it’s completely free to use.

TELEGRAM

One of the biggest competitors to Facebook Messenger (and WhatsApp), Telegram is a very strong alternative. With more than 400 million users, it offers an interface that should feel right at home for anyone coming from Messenger. Telegram offers some huge benefits over Messenger, including features like groups that can hold up to 200,000 members for a chat. There is no limit on your media or chat size, and you can share all types of files between users and in groups. From a privacy standpoint, Telegram has robust security, but it is worth noting that only “secret” messages are end-to-end encrypted and can self-destruct. Non-secret messages can be stored on Telegram’s servers so you can pick them up between your devices quickly. That’s a consideration worth knowing prior to making Telegram your default Messenger replacement. Telegram is free across all platforms.

THREEMA

Rising in popularity, Threema is another privacy-focused alternative that has quickly become a competitor to Facebook Messenger. This paid service ($2.99 on both App Store and Play Store) is a pay-once, use forever option. Once you pay the small fee, you gain all of Threema’s touted privacy options, like open-source end-to-end encryption for both messages and calls. Like Signal, Threema won’t require you to link any phone numbers or emails to your account. All chats are handled anonymously, and the service generates a random user ID when you first open and register for the app. No data is collected from any of your chats and no ads are shown. The Swiss-made app does have its own servers hosted in Switzerland, which do not store any chat messages. Another privacy benefit of Threema is the notion that all of your contact lists, groups, and user profiles are hosted on your device, not on the Swiss servers. Because of that, Threema can once again state that none of your personal info is stored anywhere they have access.
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How to Fix Propsys.dll Error
Isn’t it annoying when you get an error message pop up stating ‘Cannot find propsys.dll” or “propsys.dll not found” when you start your computer or open a particular program? The propsys.dll file is crucial to the Windows operating system. This file is located in one of the following locations: "C:\Windows", C:\Program Files, C:\WINDOWS\system32, or C:\Program Files\Common Files". And the propsys.dll error indicates that the propsys digital library file is damaged and corrupt. The propsys.dll error may lead to a very unstable operating system. It may also hamper your ability to access many programs on your computer, lead to program and system crash and slow down the system’s performance. Therefore, to avoid these system threats, it is advisable to fix the error immediately.

Solution

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The common causes of propsys.dll file error are:
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  • The propsys.dll file is damaged due to a virus or spyware
  • Improper software removal
  • Hardware Failure
The propsys.dll error message is displayed in either of the following forms:
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  • Cannot find [Path]propsys.dll
  • This application failed to start because propsys.dll was not found. Reinstalling the application may fix this problem
  • The propsys.dll file is missing

Further Information and Manual Repair

There are many ways to fix the propsys.dll error. However, for optimum results from the fix, you must first identify the cause of the error and then choose the solution accordingly.
  • Recommended Solution for Registry Issue
If you use your system daily the resulting wasted/invalid/junk entries may dilate the registries. This can result in registry malfunctioning which may result in a propsys.dll error on your screen. When this happens, it is advisable to use a registry cleaner to fix the problem. Registry cleaner helps clean up the junk entries and repairing the corrupted registries. For this, you will first have to download a registry cleaner repair tool. Download and install the software on your computer. After downloading it, click the start scan button to run. This helps scan and diagnose system errors on your computer in seconds. Once the scanning is complete, click on the fix button to repair the registry problem.
  • Recommended Solution for File Damage and Corruption
Use the ‘System Restore’ option to restore corrupt and damaged files.  The ‘System Restore’ function will help you get a fresh copy back and simultaneously help fix the error. Here’s how to use and access the ‘System Restore’ function on your computer: Simply go to the start menu and in the search box type restore. Once you type, it will show you the system restore option. Now select ‘choose a different restore point’. After this, you will be presented with a list of restore points. Choose a point that you believe happened before the propsys.dll error. Confirm your selection and restart. Another alternative solution for file damage is to run a virus scan of your entire system; the damage could be related to a virus or malware infection.
  • Recommended Solution for Hardware Failure
If a propsys.dll error occurs due to hardware failure, then it is advisable to update the drivers for hardware devices that you think are related to propsys.dll. For example, if you receive the propsys.dll error when you play a 3D video game, then try updating the driver for your video card.
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Quick Guide to Fixing 0x0000007E Error

What is 0x0000007E Error Code?

If you’ve been experiencing a 0x0000007E error code pop message on your PC frequently then you need to get it fixed before it causes serious damage to your system. 0x0000007E is a Stop error or Blue Screen of Death error code. This error message turns your computer screen blue and locks you out of the program running on your computer. It freezes your system and hampers your ability to perform any type of task on your PC.

Solution

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Error 0x0000007E, a blue screen of death error triggers registry issues. It’s not easy to narrow down the cause of 0x0000007E as it results due to many reasons like memory overload, cluttered disk space, viral infection, malware attack, and if the hardware malfunctions. Ignoring 0x0000007E error pop up is not wise. It is more like a warning of the serious damage that can happen to your PC if it is not fixed timely. It also leads to slowing down the system and increases boot time. This error message exposes you to dangerous Windows PC threats like registry corruption and damage. Registry corruption can lead to system crash and failure and you may also lose all your important data saved on your PC.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Install Restoro

You don’t always have to spend hundreds of dollars to hire a technician to fix error pop-ups on your PC try using Restoro Restoro is an advanced and multi-functional PC repair tool with a comprehensive suite of powerful features designed to resolve almost all types of PC errors in seconds including 0x0000007E error code. It is a next-generation PC repair tool that serves as a system optimizer, anti-virus, and quality registry cleaner. Its built-in intuitive technology enables Restoro to scan, identify and repair the ultimate cause of the error code 0x0000007E in just a few seconds. Eventually, it spares you from the hassle of finding the root cause of the 0x0000007E error message and then selecting a tool specifically designed to resolve only that particular cause with limited features. This highly functional PC error tool is the answer for all your registry issues. By running Restoro on your PC, you can fix the 0x0000007E BSOD error code and avoid registry corruption.

Why Restoro?

The smart registry cleaner utility embedded in this tool enables it to scan for registry errors and clear up disk space accumulated by junk files, internet temporary files, invalid entries, and other types of unnecessary files taking up a good chunk of your disk space. This clutter also slows down your PC performance as it requires more power than it has to run the system because of the excess load on the RAM. However, by wiping out the clutter with this helper, you can optimize the speed of your PC and see a significant difference in its performance. Restoro backup feature enables you to create backup files for safety purposes. Furthermore, it has several other built-in value-adding features like privacy error utility and system stability utility for enhanced functionality. To resolve the error code 0x0000007E in seconds, all you need to do is download and install Restoro on your system and run it to scan for errors. In a few seconds, you will see a scanning report with comprehensive details of the types of PC damages. To fix the issue right away, create backups and click ‘fix’ to resolve. In just a few clicks you can repair your PC. Download Restoro Today!
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New Microsoft Windows 11 store
When Microsoft held Windows 11 presentation it took special time to present the upcoming new Windows 11 store as kind of a big deal. It was openly stated that with new Windows we will get a new store with a different attitude and new look.

microsoft storeNew Microsoft store

Microsoft has stated that both customer and developer feedback over time has contributed to their redesign and rethinking of the store itself. They want to be sure that policies for developers are more straightforward and clear so more developers will decide to bring their product to Windows. As for customers, they want more safety and more security so they feel protected when making a purchase. The new store will come in Windows 11 but also in Windows 10 as well via update.

Stories and collections

Introducing the new store will be curated stories. Microsoft believes that stores should be focused on user experience so stories from customers themselves will play a big role here. They are rich editorial content to keep you informed about the best apps and inspire you to achieve more with your device. This approach to information is aimed at bringing unknown applications to users via presenting them in a professional manner. Android apps in the store As stated in Windows 11 unveiling and presentation, Android apps will work inside Windows 11. Microsoft has teamed up with Amazon to bring you Android apps directly inside Windows via the new Microsoft store.

Pop up store from within a browser

When you are surfing on a certain webpage and want to save and install the application from there, a new pop-up store window will show allowing you to install the app directly. Microsoft has not said will this feature work outside their Edge browser so we will have to wait and see about that.

Support for multiple types of applications

Since now developers were tied to certain formats if they wanted to publish their application in any kind of environment. Microsoft wants to bridge this. Windows developers can publish any kind of app, regardless of app framework and packaging technology – such as Win32, .NET, UWP, Xamarin, Electron, React Native, Java, and even Progressive Web Apps. For Progressive Web Apps Microsoft has made open-source tool PWABuilder 3.

Flexibility and choice of commerce platform

Starting July 28, app developers will also have an option to bring their own or a third-party commerce platform in their apps, and if they do so they don’t need to pay Microsoft any fee. They can keep 100% of their revenue.
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Easy Methods of Fixing Error 1706

What is Error 1706?

Error 1706 is a Windows PC error. It occurs when you insert a Microsoft CD-ROM either to repair an Office or to install a feature set to Installed on First Use. The error message is displayed in the following format: Error 1706. Setup cannot find the required files. Check your connection to the network, or CD-ROM drive. For other potential solutions to this problem, see C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office101033\Setup.hlp.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error 1706 may occur due to several reasons. These include:
  • You originally installed MS Office from a network administrative installation
  • You are trying to use Office CD-ROM when the error is prompted by the Windows Installer for an Office source location
  • Viral Infection

Further Information and Manual Repair

The good news is that this error code is not fatal. However, to avoid inconvenience, it is recommended to resolve the error right away. To fix the problem you don’t have to be a computer programmer or hire one. In fact, this error code can be resolved quite easily. Here are some of the best and easiest do it yourself methods to resolve error 1706 on your PC:

Method 1

To resolve this issue find a different administrative installation for the Office source file location. To do this, go to the start menu and then click run. In the open box, simply type this command line new network pathSetup.exe /fvm package name.msi and press OK to continue and update changes. Once the update is complete and finished press OK to save and proceed. Please note after you follow these steps, the Windows Installer uses this new server location whenever it needs to reinstall, repair, or add a feature to your Office Installation.

Method 2

Another alternative method to resolve this method is to use CD-ROM for the Office Source Location. To do this you will have to remove Office and then re-install Office from the CD-ROM. Here are the steps to remove the Office program. First, quit all Office programs.
  1. Go to the Control Panel then click on the Program and Features option.
  2. Now double click the Add/Remove programs and remove the entry for the Microsoft Office 2003 or Microsoft Office XP product installed on your PC.
  3. After that, click on the Maintenance Mode Options dialog box, select Uninstall Office, and then click Next to proceed.
  4. Click Yes to confirm changes.
  5. Now insert Office 2003 or Office XP CD-ROM and follow the setup dialog boxes to reinstall the program on your system from CD-ROM.

Download Restoro to Correct Registry Errors

However, to ensure the installation is successful this time around, it is advisable to clean the registry and ensure the uninstalled program is not located in the registry. To do this, download Restoro and run it on your computer. This is a powerful PC Fixer integrated with a registry cleaner. The registry cleaner wipes out all the unnecessary files and uninstalled program files saved in the registry. Once the registry is cleaned, try reinstalling MS Office again. This will resolve the error 1706. Click here to download Restoro and repair error 1706.
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Gaming vs Regular headset comparison

Regular and gaming headphones have many differences between them and not knowing what they are can lead you to get yourself the wrong one. In this article, our goal is to analyze the differences between them so you can choose the right one for you.

headphone

Price

One thing that goes in both worlds is that the cheapest models on both sides are not really worth the purchase since both the quality and longevity will be very low. If we compare high-end models, regular headphones are far far more expensive than gaming ones. Hi-end gaming models can go as far as 400$, perhaps a little more but hi-end audio regular headphones are going even for over 2000$.

If we compare same-price headphones generally regular ones will offer you a little better sound quality but gaming headphones will offer some features such as positional audio that regular ones do not have.

Surround sound and positional audio

One of the main advantages of gaming headsets is positional audio and true surround sound. this technology is built-in so you can hear more clearly where your enemy is coming from that is a big help in competitive games. This is achieved by positioning multiple speakers in various positions and angles inside them. Each speaker has a different sound channel that is mixed with another speaker in order to provide you with a full surround experience.

Regular headphones have typically one or two speakers on both sides aimed at the same angle and can not offer precise surround or positional audio.

Noise cancellation

Both gaming and hi-fi headphones offer some sort of noise cancelation to minimize outside noise but if you really want to focus and have good noise cancelation you will have to look out for headphones with active noise cancelation or ANC.

Microphone quality

Let us say this right at the start, most middle and quality regular audio headphones do not have a microphone at all, and ones that might pack one usually have it at a lower quality than gaming ones. This of course makes perfect sense since regular headphones will focus on audio, and gaming ones will focus on playing games where having a good microphone is essential in order to game properly.

Speaker and sound quality

Speaker quality will reflect directly on the sound quality and fidelity. This is where audio regular headphones have an advantage over gaming ones. Since they do not have many small speakers positioned at various angled and instead have just a few, usually 2 or 1 large one, that one is of much better quality and range for audio than a pack of small ones. If you are searching for clarity and quality of the audio itself, especially if you are listening to some FLAC uncompressed music, then regular HiFi ones are a much better choice.

Longevity and durability

Another area where regular ones have an advantage but that is no surprise since their price goes far up compared to gaming ones. Most of the time everything in hi-end audio headphones is made from quality materials and designed to last a long time and therefore advantage. Most of the time gaming headphones will come in plastic versions whereas higher quality audio ones pack a lot of durable metal in frames and in buds making them much more durable. Of course, we are talking here about proper headphone use, not extreme cases of throwing, etc.

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How to Repair Windows 10 Upgrade Error Code 0x80070070 – 0x50011

Code 0x80070070 – 0x50011 – What is it?

If you’ve recently tried installing Windows 10, you might have encountered error code 0x80070070 – 0x50011 or its alternatives (error code 0x80070070 – 0x50012 and 0x80070070 – 0x60000). Whatever formats this error code presents itself in, it's usually accompanied by a barrage of other errors, as underscored on Microsoft’s official site. If you’ve encountered this error code, it simply means that your computer system might not have the required or required space to install the upgrade.

Likely, if you’ve experienced error code 0x80070070 – 0x50011, it’ll likely appear in the formats highlighted below:

  • 0x80070070 – 0x50011
  • 0x80070070 – 0x50012
  • 0x80070070 – 0x60000

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

At present, this Windows 10 upgrade error is triggered or caused by various factors:

  • Lack of computer resources or space
  • Virus/malware infestation
  • A clogged registry

Further Information and Manual Repair

Whilst new, not much information has been propagated regarding this error. However, there are some manual / practical steps you can take to have your Windows 10 upgrade up and running. Since the primary aspect of solving this problem is to make space on your computer system, here are some ways in which you can do so manually.

Method 1: Get more space

  • Check the current space on your computer  

Before making attempts to create space on your computer, it’s vital that you check to decipher how much free space you have available.

  • Make use of Disk Clean-up 

Since there’s a free service available on your computer to create space, why not use it and save time? If the Disk Cleanup tool is employed regularly, this will free up hard drive space and optimize your computer to work better.

  • Remove unwanted desktop apps 

There are several apps lying around on your computer that you simply don’t use, uninstall those and make space to elude error code 0x80070070 – 0x50011 or its alternatives (Code 0x80070070 – 0x50012, Code 0x80070070 – 0x60000)

  • Remove or archive files  

If you have lots of photos, media, documents (files), videos, etc, that you don’t use or will only need in the future, try cloud storage. You’ll still have those files within your possession but just not in a physical location. However, they’re still accessible. Another suggestion: If you use programs such as One Drive or Google Drive for desktop, limit your use to only the online application.

  • Add more storage

If you’re not able to implement the above steps to clear some space to accommodate your Windows 10 upgrade due to error code 0x80070070 – 0x50011, acquire more storage. This can be expanded by incorporating storage devices such as USB flash drives, CDs, cloud storage, and SD Cards.

Method 2: Scan your computer for virus/malware

If you regularly download stuff, especially software on the Internet from ‘not so secured’ sites, you might have picked up something. You might have downloaded malware or virus (along with other legit programs).

To resolve this issue, it’s advised and very important that you download a powerful antivirus and perform a complete scan of your computer system. After you’ve detected and removed the suspected malware/virus, you’ll then be able to eliminate error code 0x80070070 – 0x50011 and resume with your Windows 10 upgrade.

Method 3: Clean up your computer’s registry

If you do not clean your computer’s registry often, it could become congested or clogged by .XML files, junk files, and cookies. To resolve this problem, clean your registry by using a powerful and user-friendly tool to clean up the problem.

Click here to download Restoro.

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There’s no Incognito Mode in Chrome
As you know, just like other web browsers, Google Chrome offers Incognito Mode or private browsing which you can use to make sure that your browsing activities are not being tracked by any websites you visit and it also keeps targeted ads at bay. On the other hand, signing in to a website, even when in Incognito Mode is a different thing since that website can track your browsing activities. Thus, Incognito Mode is still useful especially if you want to browse the web safely and without getting tracked except when you log in to some site. However, there have been reports recently that Incognito Mode is missing in Chrome and users are clueless as to how or why it happened. If you are one of them, worry not for this post will walk you through what you can do if there’s no Incognito Mode in Chrome on your Windows 10 computer. This is an unusual and strange issue since the Incognito Mode in Chrome is available by default and you don’t have to do anything to enable it. It is possible that there might be corruption in the Windows Registry which caused the disappearance of Incognito Mode, worry not though for there are some tweaks you can apply to restore the missing Incognito Mode. To apply these tweaks, you need to create first a System Restore point, and then once you’re done, follow the instructions provided below carefully. Step_1: Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “Regedit” in the field and then hit Enter to open the Registry Editor. Step_2: Next, after opening the Registry Editor, navigate to this path – ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPolicies Step_3: From there, look for ChromePolicies and locate the DWORD named “IncognitoModeAvailability” and double click on it. Step_4: Edit the value of the “IncognitoModeAvailability” DWORD by changing its value from 1 to 0 so you can enable Incognito Mode in Chrome. Step_5: Once done, exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer and then check if you can now see Incognito Mode in Chrome. On the other hand, there is also another option that allows you to force open your Chrome browser in Incognito Mode. All you have to do is set the value of the “IncognitoModeAvailability” key to “2” instead of 0. This can be useful especially if you always browse the web in this mode. But you need to remember that you won’t be able to go back to the normal mode once you do this. Here are what the values of the IncognitoModeAvailability DWORD actually mean:
  • 0 – Incognito mode is enabled by default
  • 1 – Incognito mode is disabled
  • 2 – Chrome is forced to always open in Incognito mode
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Activision Blizzard Sued by California
blizzard hqFollowing a two-year investigation by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the state has filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard for fostering a "frat boy" culture in which female employees are allegedly subjected to unequal pay and sexual harassment. As reported by Bloomberg, Activision Blizzard is being accused by the state of California of discriminating against female employees at nearly all levels of employment, including in regards to compensation, promotion, assignments, and termination. The state alleges Activision Blizzard’s leadership has failed to address any of these outstanding issues or prevent them from occurring within the workplace. You can read the full details of the lawsuit here. The suit, filed Tuesday in the Los Angeles Superior Court, says Activision Blizzard, which is made up of about 20 percent women, assigns women, and women of color, to "lower paid and lower opportunity levels" with lower starting pay for similar work as their male counterparts. The documents also accuse Activision Blizzard of fostering a "pervasive 'frat boy' workplace culture in the office. Male employees are said to drink "copious amounts of alcohol" as they make their way through cubicles and "often engage in inappropriate behavior toward female employees." Male employees are said to come to work hungover, play video games during work "while delegating their responsibilities to female employees, engage in banter about their sexual encounters, talk openly about female bodies, and joke about rape." The lawsuit also cites one particular incident where a female employee, who was already subjected to intense sexual harassment at the company, committed suicide during a work trip with a male supervisor who allegedly brought inappropriate, sexual items with him on the trip. The lawsuit is asking for an injunction that will force Activision Blizzard to comply with workplace protections, as well as deliver unpaid wages, pay adjustments, back pay, and lost wages and benefits for female employees.

An Activision Blizzard spokesperson sent the following statement in response to the allegations:

We value diversity and strive to foster a workplace that offers inclusivity for everyone. There is no place in our company or industry, or any industry, for sexual misconduct or harassment of any kind. We take every allegation seriously and investigate all claims. In cases related to misconduct, the action was taken to address the issue. The DFEH includes distorted, and in many cases false, descriptions of Blizzard’s past. We have been extremely cooperative with the DFEH throughout their investigation, including providing them with extensive data and ample documentation, but they refused to inform us what issues they perceived. They were required by law to adequately investigate and to have good faith discussions with us to better understand and to resolve any claims or concerns before going to litigation, but they failed to do so. Instead, they rushed to file an inaccurate complaint, as we will demonstrate in court. We are sickened by the reprehensible conduct of the DFEH to drag into the complaint the tragic suicide of an employee whose passing has no bearing whatsoever on this case and with no regard for her grieving family. While we find this behavior to be disgraceful and unprofessional, it is, unfortunately, an example of how they have conducted themselves throughout the course of their investigation. It is this type of irresponsible behavior from unaccountable State bureaucrats that are driving many of the State’s best businesses out of California. The picture the DFEH paints is not the Blizzard workplace of today. Over the past several years and continuing since the initial investigation started, we’ve made significant changes to address company culture and reflect more diversity within our leadership teams. We’ve updated our Code of Conduct to emphasize a strict non-retaliation focus, amplified internal programs and channels for employees to report violations, including the “ASK List” with a confidential integrity hotline, and introduced an Employee Relations team dedicated to investigating employee concerns. We have strengthened our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and combined our Employee Networks at a global level, to provide additional support. Employees must also undergo regular anti-harassment training and have done so for many years. We put tremendous effort into creating fair and rewarding compensation packages and policies that reflect our culture and business, and we strive to pay all employees fairly for equal or substantially similar work. We take a variety of proactive steps to ensure that pay is driven by non-discriminatory factors. For example, we reward and compensate employees based on their performance, and we conduct extensive anti-discrimination training including for those who are part of the compensation process. We are confident in our ability to demonstrate our practices as an equal opportunity employer that fosters a supportive, diverse, and inclusive workplace for our people, and we are committed to continuing this effort in the years to come. It is a shame that the DFEH did not want to engage with us on what they thought they were seeing in their investigation.

Conclusion

We will see how things work out, but I am not too optimistic for Activision Blizzard, truth to be told these reports are really bringing up some disturbing news on the sunlight. I just hope that all responsible will be brought to justice.
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