A Quick Guide to Resolving Error 0146 on Your Dell Laptop
Error 0146 - What is it?
Dell laptop is a great choice for laptop users who like to have the best configuration, fast working platform, and long warranty period. But this does not mean that your errors can’t pop up on Dell laptops.
Users can experience a variety of hardware and software-related issues on Dell laptops. And one such error is the error code 0146.
This is a typical Dell laptop hard drive-related error code. It can cause your Dell laptop to freeze and system applications to stop responding for a long period of time. Therefore, it is recommended to fix the error immediately.
Solution
Error Causes
Error 0146 may be triggered due to several reasons on your system. These include:
Program corruption
Viral infection
Hard drive issues
Further Information and Manual Repair
The good news is that error 0146 is easy to fix. Here are some of the easy do it yourself methods that you can try to resolve error 0146 on your system:
Method 1 - Run a Virus Scan
Malware and viruses can corrupt and damage the hard drive and trigger error 0146. In such an event, it is recommended that you open your antivirus, update it and run a full virus scan on your PC.
Once the scan is complete, remove all the viruses. This will hopefully resolve the error 0146.
Method 2 - Run Your Laptop in Safe Mode and Clean Boot
Another alternative is to run your Dell laptop in safe mode and clean boot. To do this, simply disconnect all the attached devices like wireless printers, routers, and USB keys and turn off your laptop.
Turn it on again and then press and hold the F8 key. Make sure you do it quickly before the Windows logo comes up. Now select ‘Safe mode with networking’ and press enter.
After that, open System Configuration Utility by going to the start menu and typing ‘msconfig’ in RUN, and then click OK. In the System Configuration Utility click General then selective startup. Now uncheck the load startup items box ad select services and then check the hide all Microsoft services box and disable all.
To apply these changes, click ‘Apply’ and then OK. Now restart your laptop.
Method 3 - Change to SATA Drive
Sometimes error 0146 may pop up due to hard drive configuration changes.
If this is the reason for error occurrence, then simply go to Dell Laptop BIOS. Check whether the hard drive configuration has been changed to AHCI SATA from SATA Drive.
If it has changed, then it is advisable to change it back to SATA Drive. When you are done back up all your data, and then format your hard drive. It is important to create a backup because formatting will make you lose all your data.
Once you format the hard drive, reinstall Windows from scratch.
Method 4 - Run a Registry Scan
If the error 0146 results due to program corruption then there is a possibility that the underlying reason might be registry damage. Therefore it is advisable to run a registry scan and repair it.
To do so, download Restoro. This is a cutting-edge and user-friendly PC Fixer integrated with a registry cleaner.
Run it to scan for registry issues. It removes all obsolete files corrupting and damaging the registry, repairs important and damaged system files and cleans the registry in the shortest time.
Click here to download Restoro and resolve error 0146.
The world today is still sadly under pandemic and by the looks of it, COVID-19 is here to stay, well at least for some time in the near future. Razer seems to think so as well since their upcoming gear is not really what you would expect.
Enter Hazel, a new and upcoming Razer smart mask.
Protection
Hazel mask has a high bacterial surgical N95 filter with fluid resistance that will protect you against large droplets and splashes. A detachable active ventilator regulates airflow and is capable of filtering around 95% of airborne particles. Mask comes with a special charging case that has an auto sterilization UV light that will kill bacteria and viruses inside the case interior while it charges.
When the mask is recharging it will change color from red to green visually showing the level of the current charge. Mask of course has easy to replace filters inside ventilators and Razer is standing by that fully charged mask will last enough for full-day use.
An active ventilation system brings cool air while releasing breathing heat at the same time drastically reducing CO2 inside the mask that could produce dizziness and headache.
Silicon guard is on its edge gluing to around your face in order to prevent exterior air sneaking inside the mask and positioning it firmly so it does not rest on your lips in order for easier and clearer communication.
Hazel personalization and technical features
Hazel has a clear and transparent design making it better for social interaction since other people will be able to see your lips and smiles thus making it more natural. A low light mode that turns on automatically when it is dark outside is also aimed for easier communication.
Speaking of communication, the mask comes with voice Amp technology that has a built-in mic and amplifier thus making your voice lines clear so you are not muffled when wearing the mask itself. Your friends and other people will be able to hear you like you are not wearing a mask at all.
Thicker air loops apply less pressure on ears and can be adjusted for a more secure fit, while the mask itself can be custom-made to fit your face shape.
And of course Hazel comes with 16.8 million colors and a suite of effects with Razer Chroma RBG
Error code 0x80070070 can be presented when there is not enough drive space on the computer to install updates. It is possible to uninstall apps that are not often used, or you may delete or archive files that are no longer needed, you may even add on some removable storage space to free up the internal memory of the computer. The computer needs a significant amount of internal memory in order to be able to update the operating system properly. When the computer fails to have the amount of memory that is needed to perform the update, the error code 0x80070070 will be presented. If this error message is not resolved, your computer might be opened to other error messages, including error code 0x80072EE2.
Common symptoms include:
Windows cannot install updates properly.
You might not be able to install any additional programs or apps onto the computer.
When you check the memory of the computer, it may be very near its full capacity.
Solution
Error Causes
The Windows 10 upgrade error is caused by varying factors including a lack of computer space or resources, malware or virus infestation, or a clogged registry on the computer. The error code 0x80070070 will present itself when there is not enough free space on the computer to perform the necessary updates on the computer. Too many apps or programs downloaded onto the computer, too many photos, or too much music may also contribute to the lack of storage space on the computer, thus contributing to the error, and the computer not being able to install the updates to the operating system properly.
Further Information and Manual Repair
There is not a lot of information regarding this error code, but there are a few methods to repair it when it does present itself. There are practical and manual steps that can be taken when trying to get the PC up and running. The primary way to solve this problem is to free up disk space and there are several ways to do this. Please do note that if these methods seem confusing or too complicated, do contact a Windows repair technician so that they may properly correct the problem. You will need to know for sure that it is error code 0x80070070 that you are dealing with so that these options are the best bet for fixing it.
Method One: Disk Cleanup
It is important to know how much space there is on the computer to start with prior to trying to free up any space. Use the free program on the computer called the Disk Cleanup tool. This will save time and free up some hard drive space while optimizing the computer to work better.
From the Start menu, browse to the Explore option, and then select This PC. Right-click on the C drive, and then select Properties. Select Disk cleanup. From here, select the options that you would like to clear. Make sure that the recycle bin is emptied of any temporary files or any error logs. Once done, select Okay.
Use this same process to clear the system files after an update from Windows, as they may still have files from the old operating system in place.
Method Two: Remove Unwanted Apps
Go through your computer and remove any unwanted apps that are present. There are sure to be some that you do not use or do not want.
Follow these steps: From the Start menu, select Settings. Then, select System, Apps, and Features. When you have found the program that you would like to uninstall, select it and then select Uninstall. NOTE: some apps that are built into Windows do not have the capability to be uninstalled. Once you have selected Uninstall for the app or program, follow all directions that appear on the screen.
Method Three: Cloud Storage
If there are a lot of media, photos, documents, videos, and the like that are not used on a regular basis, try out cloud storage. These files will still be in your possession and will be able to be accessed from anywhere. There are many applications or websites that cater to this.
Method Four: External Storage Options
If none of the above methods work, add more storage. To acquire more storage, you can incorporate devices such as SD cards, USB flash drives, and even external hard drives.
Method Five: Use An Automated Tool
If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 10 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.
This post will help you fix the request that failed due to a fatal device hardware error on your Windows 10 PC. You can encounter this error when that hard drive/SSD on your computer is damaged physically and the system is either unable to access or perform read/write operations in it. Aside from hard drive/SSD, this error can also happen to removable drives.
This kind of error is not uncommon and in most cases, the hardware is physically damaged due to which you are not able to perform operations. However, there are a couple of fixes that you can try to resolve the problem before you go ahead and back up your data and move them to a different drive. What exactly causes this error? It’s actually self-explanatory and it gives you an idea that the drive is either corrupted or in a bad state. To resolve the error, follow the given options below carefully and see which one worked best for you.
Option 1 – Verify the hard drive using SMART attributes
In case you don’t know, Windows has a built-in feature of SMART analysis which analyzes the hard drive/SSD and checks all the parameters by performing some minor operations. To use it, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + S keys and type “command prompt” in the field then right-click on the related search result and select the “Run as administrator” option.
After opening Command Prompt as admin, type the “wmic diskdrive get status” command and hit Enter.
You should get a result after that, and if you see that it’s “normal”, proceed to the next option below.
Option 2 – Use the CHKDSK utility
When it comes to some issues concerning the hard drive or removable devices, there is a utility in Windows that might help which is called “chkdsk”. This error check utility can help with several issues in the system.
Tap the Win + S keys to open the Search box.
Then type “command prompt” in the field and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
After opening an elevated command prompt, copy and paste the following command and hit Enter:
Note: In the command given above, “[/F]” will try to fix the system errors while “[/R]” will be the one to fix the bad sectors.
Now if you are prompted to run CHKDSK after your reboot your PC, just tap Y and reboot your PC.
If CHKDSK is not able to find any errors, tap the Win + E keys and navigate the access window. From there, right-click on the concerned drive and click on Properties.
After opening Properties, click on the tab Tools and then click on the “Check” button under the Error-checking section.
Wait until the process is completed and then restart your computer.
Option 3 – Format your drive
You can try formatting your drive since this problem also occurs on removable hard drives. In addition, if your drive is not properly initialized, this error will really pop up. Thus, you need to make sure that the hard drive is initialized and that the correct partition style is selected.
To get started formatting your drive, tap the Win + E keys and then go to the access page of the drive.
Next, right-click on the drive and select Format.
After that, uncheck the “Quick Format” option and then format your drive properly.
Now once the formatting process is finished, unplug the drive and plug it back in afterward.
Check if the error is already fixed. If the drive is not initialized, tap the Win + R keys and hit Enter.
After opening the Run dialog box, type “diskmgmt.msc” and hit Enter to open Disk Management.
From there, right-click on the drive volume and select Initialize Disk.
Next, select the correct partition type and proceed.
That should fix the problem, if not, follow the next advanced option below.
Many times we were talking and writing here on Errortools.com about security, privacy, hacking, identity theft, etc. We tried to raise important security questions and I hope I have managed to at least shed some light and change maybe some bad behaviors for some, helping them embrace better routines about their security on their PC.
In this light, I will today present you with one neat and awesome piece of software, a password manager worth your time and money (if you want premium features): BitWarden.
What BitWarden offers?
The first thing that it offers is the completely free basic plan, granted BitWarden is not an open-source project nor completely free but it has an unlimited free basic plan that will cover 90% of user needs. There is also a free basic unlimited plan for Organizations letting you and one more user share files and other stuff via BitWarden making it a cool option if you need it.
Premium features offer you encrypted sharing of files, two-step login, 1GB file attachments (encrypted), Bitwarden Authenticator (TOTP), Vault Health Reports, Emergency Access, and Priority Support. The cost for all of these additional features is 10 USD per year for an individual plan or 40 USD per year for organizations where you will get an increase of maximum users from 2 to 6. Yes, you read that correctly, only 10 USD per YEAR for the whole set of features. Granted if you do not need any of them, enjoy the free version forever.
Besides very low premium cost BitWarden will offer you compatibility with all major browsers and devices including both Android and iOS platforms making it a great cross-platform solution to login and maintain your passwords anywhere with just one click.
Once installed all you need to do is set one master password and be very careful not to lose or forget this one, if you do all of your other generated passwords will be lost forever.
Features
Secure Password Sharing
Share your encrypted data quickly and easily, and only with the users or teams who need access
Cross-Platform Accessibility
Access critical data in your Bitwarden vault from any location, browser, and device
Cloud-Based or Self-Host
Get up and running in minutes in the cloud or you can self-host Bitwarden for complete data control
Security Audit & Compliance
Open source and third-party audited, Bitwarden complies with Privacy Shield, GDPR, CCPA regulations
Vault Health Reports
Access insightful reports to reveal weak, reused passwords, and other helpful data security metrics
Directory Sync
Our powerful Directory Connector streamlines user and group onboarding and keeps them in sync
Always-On Support
Our Customer Success agents are available to support you around the clock
Detailed Event Logs
Bitwarden creates audit trails to help you keep track of user and group access to sensitive data
Flexible Integrations
Unite your existing systems with Bitwarden using SSO authentication, Directory services, or powerful APIs
Conclusion
There are many password managers out there but via recommendation I have tried BitWarden and truth to be told, I really never felt the need to try anything else, it is great at what it does and it is moving forward with features and it is constantly updated and maintained.
Download the nlm11.16.2.0_ipv4_ipv6_mac_universal.tar.gz file to the Desktop.
To install the Autodesk Network License Manager:
Double click on nlm11.16.2.0_ipv4_ipv6_mac_universal.tar.gz to unpack the installer package.
After unpacking nlm11.16.2.0_ipv4_ipv6_mac_universal.pkg, will be /Downloads/adlm/FLEXnet folder.
Double click on nlm11.16.2.0_ipv4_ipv6_mac_universal.pkg to start installation and follow the installation wizard.
The license server will be installed in /usr/local/flexnetserver/ directory.
Change permissions for /usr/local/flexnetserver/ directory to 777
Open Terminal (located in /Applications/Utilities/Terminal) and enter the following command:
sudo chmod -R 777 /usr/local/flexnetserver
Note: Administrator password may be asked. While typing no characters are shown, just type out the password and hit return key.
Note: To start the license server only with elevated permissions (using sudo command), change permissions to 755 instead of 777.
Create /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses directory for network license file location
sudo mkdir /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses
Find the license server Host Name and Host ID.
Generate the Network License File in the Autodesk Account
Once the license file is generated, make sure it has a .lic extension (e.g. adsk_license.lic) and is in a plain text format and place it in /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses directory
Note: In this article we will refer to adsk_license.lic as network license file name. Feel free to change the actual name of the license file, but make sure to reflect the new name when using the commands below.
Create a debug.log file in the /usr/local/flexnetserver/ directory using the following command:
touch debug.log
To start the Network License Server use the following command:
To configure the license manager use the following steps:
Download Autodesk Network License Manager v. 11.16.2 for Linux from this link
Download the nlm11.16.2.0_ipv4_ipv6_linux64.tar.gz file to your desktop.
To install the Autodesk Network License Manager run following command as root.
tar –zxvf nlm11.16.2.0_ipv4_ipv6_linux64.tar.gz
rpm -vhi nlm11.16.2.0_ipv4_ipv6_linux64.rpm
The license server will be installed in /opt/flexnetserver/ directory.
Find the license server Host Name and Host ID
To obtain the license server system hostid run the following command
/opt/flexnetserver/lmutil lmhostid
From the command output note the hostid in quotes, if the system has two active NIC cards, select the first MAC address.
lmutil - Copyright (c) 1989-2018 Flexera. All Rights Reserved.
The FlexNet host ID of this machine is "000c297949e0"
To obtain the license server system hostname run the following command
/opt/flexnetserver/lmutil lmhostid hostname
From the command output note the hostname of the license server.
mutil - Copyright (c) 1989-2018 Flexera. All Rights Reserved.
The FlexNet host ID of this machine is "HOSTNAME=Centos7.localdomain"
Generate your Network License File in Autodesk Account
Once the license file is generated, make sure it has .lic extension (e.g. adsk_license.lic) and place it in /opt/flexnetserver/licenses directory. If the directory doesn't exits, create it with this command: sudo mkdir /opt/flexnetserver/licenses
Note: in this article we will refer by adsk_license.lic your network license file name.
/opt/flexnetserver/lmutil lmstat -a -c /opt/flexnetserver/licenses/adsk_license.lic
To stop your license server service
/opt/flexnetserver/lmutil lmdown -q -force
alternatively you can also run ps command to obtain process ids for lmgrd and adskflex and then kill those processes
ps -aw | grep lmgrd
ps -aw | grep adskflex
kill -9 (provide process ids obtained by previous commands individually)
To start the license server automatically after the system reboot
Open /etc/rc.d/rc.local script as root and enter license server start up command in it.
touch /var/lock/subsys/local
/opt/flexnetserver/lmgrd -c /opt/flexnetserver/licenses/adsk_license.lic -l /opt/flexnetserver/server_log.logNote: To ensure that the script will be executed during boot, run following command as root.
chmod +x /etc/rc.d/rc.local
Make sure that all necessary ports are open:
lmgrd.exe needs ports 27000 to 27009.
adskflex.exe needs port 2080.
Note: Errors may occur if the network license file is corrupt or in the case of a combined network license it has incorrectly combined licenses. To learn more about combining licenses, see Combining License Files for Multiple Autodesk Products. Use the License File Parser to verify that the license contains the appropriate products and FLEXnet feature codes and does not display an error
Verify that TCP ports (2080, 27000-27009) used by Autodesk Network License Manager are not blocked by Firewall.
The FLEXlm® based version uses the following incoming ports:
TCP ports 2080 (for the adskflex vendor daemon)
TCP ports 27000 to 27009 (for the lmgrd master daemon, which uses the first open port in the range)
Note: If these port addresses are restricted by a router or firewall software, users on the remote side of the router will not have access to licenses controlled by the Network License Manager.
Verify that the client computer is configured with the correct license server name or IP.
Windows:
Clear license server information from the system registry.
Type regedit in the Windows Search box and hit Enter key.
As the key is selected, in right panel ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE will be visible.
Right click on the key and delete it.
Specify the license server in ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE system variable
Go to Start > Control Panel > System and Security > System.
Select Advanced system settings.
On the System Properties dialog, click Environment Variables.
Under System Variables, click New.
Enter ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE for the variable name and 2080@SERVER_NAME _OR _IP for the variable value.
Note: the license server information most often is recorded in LICPATH.lic file and can be verified there too. ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE system variable supersedes LICPATH.lic. Thus, setting the system variable is preferable when this error is seen.
If the license server is on a VPN or a remote network set the FLEXLM_TIMEOUT environment variable:
Go to Start > Control Panel > System and Security > System.
Select Advanced system settings.
On the System Properties dialog, click Environment Variables.
Under System Variables, click New.
Enter FLEXLM_TIMEOUT for the variable name and 5000000 for the variable value.
Click OK to save the setting.
Note: if needed the variable value can be increased to 10000000.
Mac/Linux:
Specify the Autodesk Network License server information in $HOME/.flexlmrc file.
Use a text editor to create a flexlmrc.txt file and save it in Plain text format (In TextEdit on Mac: Format - Make Plain Text) on desktop.
The file content should look like this, except with the name or IP address of the license server.
ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE=@SERVER_NAME _OR _IP
If the license server is on the same machine as the Autodesk software, use localhost as the license server name. Thus, the content of flexlmrc file could look like this:
ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE=@localhost
Note: On firewall restricted network or when accessing the license server via VPN, need to include TCP port/s (usually 27000 or 2080) into Autodesk License Server service as follows: ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE=2080@SERVER_NAME _OR _IP
Once flexlmrc file is created move it to user's $HOME folder as follows:
Open a Terminal window
Type open ~ (Mac) or nautilus ~ (Linux) to open $HOME folder
Drag and drop flexlmrc.txt file from Desktop to the home folder.
To make the file a configuration file, rename it to .flexlmrc (please note . [DOT] in front of the file name) by running the following command:
mv flexlmrc.txt .flexlmrc (Mac)
mv flexlmrc .flexlmrc (Linux)
Verify that the license server information registered with the product is correct (versions 2020 and later only)
In versions 2020 and later, the license server information is registered with the AdskLicensing service running locally on the workstation. When changing to a new license server, the old server information may still be registered with AdskLicensing and result in the error above, if this is not appropriately updated.
See the below steps to solve this:
Click the Start menu and type cmd.
Right-click on the Command prompt and choose "Run As Administrator."
In the Command prompt, run the following command, followed by ENTER:
The new thing from Mozilla is not a browser, it is a VPN!
Besides Firefox, Mozilla offers now Firefox Relay, an app helping you to mask your email and phone number, and a new Mozilla VPN.
Mozilla has recently announced a new subscription model that will let you use all products together for $6.99 per month. Although this is a little more expensive than the competition that goes around for $5 per month note that with this subscription you are having access to all services, not just VPN.
VPN will not only hide your IP address but will also make sure websites cannot access your real location and it encrypts all of your network activity. Relay will give you protection against spam, serving as a shield for your email and limiting spammers from access to your real email address and phone number. With Mozilla subscription will let you use both services.
If you have or are currently getting a troublesome error saying, “The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible” when you boot your computer, then continue reading as this post will give you some suggestions that may help you resolve the error.
This pesky error pops up during the booting process of your computer and prevents you from booting to your Windows 10 PC and displays the error message on a black screen instead. To fix this problem, here are some suggestions you need to check out.
Option 1 – Try checking the boot order in BIOS
Turn on your PC and repeatedly tap the Setup key right away about once every second until you see the Computer Setup Utility or the BIOS settings.
Then use the right arrow key to select the Security menu and then use the down arrow key to select the Secure Boot Configuration option and then tap Enter.
Just a heads up, before you can use Secure Boot Configuration, a warning will pop up. Simply tap F10 to continue to the menu. After opening it, use the down arrow key to select Secure Boot and then the right arrow key to set the setting to Disable.
Next, select the Legacy Support option using the down arrow key and then the right key to set the setting to Enable.
Now tap F10 to confirm the changes and then use the arrow key to select File menu and then the down arrow key to select Save Changes and then Exit and tap Enter to select Yes. From there, your computer should restart and once it does, use the power button to switch it off.
If you are now able to boot from your hard drive, you need to know which option to choose once the boot menu pulls up. Refer to the steps below to easily boot from your hard drive.
Tap the power button to boot your PC. Once your PC starts, a message will appear indicating that the boot mode has now changed.
Next, you’ll see a security screen displaying a four-digit code. Type in this four-digit code and tap Enter.
After that, tap the power button to turn the computer off and wait for a couple of seconds and then turn your PC on and tap the ESC key right away repeatedly until you see the Startup menu.
Now tap F9 to open the Boot Menu and use the down arrow key to select the hard disk and make sure to select it by tapping Enter on your keyboard.
Restart your PC and check.
Option 2 – Try running the DSKCHK Check from the Recovery Media.
The DSKCHK utility scans your hard drive for any errors, bad files, or corrupt sectors so this should help in fixing the problem.
The first thing you need to do is to download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft and then open it after the download. The file should be “MediaCreationTool.exe”.
Then tap Accept to agree to the terms and conditions and then from the initial screen, select the “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC” option. Keep in mind that the language, architecture, and edition of the bootable drive will be selected based on your PC’s settings but you have to uncheck the Use the recommended options for this PC in order to choose the correct settings for your own computer that’s getting the error.
Now click Next and then click the USB drive or DVD option once prompted to select between USB or DVD depending on what device you are using to store this image on. Then click Next and select the required drivers from the list of storage devices currently connected to the computer.
Click Next. After that, the Media Creation Tool will proceed to download the files needed to install and create the installation device.
The next thing you have to do is to insert the installation drive.
After that, you will see the “Choose your keyboard layout” window so select the one you prefer and then the Choose an option screen will pop up.
Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt. After opening Command Prompt, input the following command and hit Enter.
CHKDSK /R /X C:
Now boot your PC without the recovery drive and check if the problem’s fixed or not.
Option 3 – Try resetting the BIOS
Open the computer case and then look for the battery in the motherboard. If you can’t find it, you can seek out the motherboard or computer documentation of your PC as well as browse the web or contact the manufacturer for further assistance.
Removing the battery should be easy especially if your computer uses a coin cell battery. Just use your fingers to grab on the edge of the battery then pull it up and out of the socket that’s holding it in place.
Keep the battery removed for about 10 minutes and then insert it back and try booting into the BIOS.
Option 4 – Try using the Startup Repair
Inject the installation drive you created earlier and boot your PC.
Select the keyboard layout from the Choose your keyboard layout window.
From there, the Choose an option screen pops up. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
Hello and welcome to our Outlook 2013 Preview. Everyone has heard of sneak peeks when it comes to new movies and games that are coming out soon. That is what advertisements and test reels are for to get the audience interested and excited before the piece of media even comes out.
It serves to entertain the target audience in the months, maybe even years, up until the release date of this thing they want to play or see and it keeps it in the public mind.
It is also great for the viewers because it is a hint to what they will expect when it comes out and it keeps them wanting more excitedly. However, did you know that sometimes computer software releases previews and sneak peeks too?
Outlook 2013
Well, they do and Microsoft has released some sneak peeks and previews of their new Outlook, Outlook 2013!
This is probably to get consumers ready for when it comes out next year; people are going to be getting excited about this new makeover that Microsoft Office, with Outlook, has given itself, people from Microsoft even saying it is ‘the most ambitious’ version of Office yet!
The new orange color scheme and logo design look promising enough for the consumer without even checking the new features and special things that have been revealed about it yet!
Outlook 2013 Features
The best part of this new Outlook is that you can move widgets around in it.
If you don’t like the fact that your inbox is placed over your outbox, you can move it- simple as that! It will be really handy for people who like messing around with layouts and will also be handy for people who tend to overlook things at the bottom of the pile like spam and trash if they can move them to a more noticeable location for themselves.
Another great thing is that the new Microsoft Office that Outlook comes with has a cool new stylus option, allowing you to personalize things with your own handwriting or even drawings.
This can then be used as your email signature on Outlook which can give a really nice and personal feel to the emails you are sending.
Another new thing is their labeling of drafts. Like Gmail, Google’s own email service, a red-lettered ‘draft’ will now appear over composing messages you have not yet sent.
Handy Email Tools in Outlook 2013
This is handy because you know where your message has been saved as opposed to how it could be saved in your outbox or be sent to the trash.
Also, there are new links with Facebook that allow you to see what your friends are doing through Outlook. You can also converse with Facebook friends through Outlook now, which is a big step forward in this age of social media.
You can get an email from a person and, at a click of a button, also read all their Facebook posts. However, there is not an option for Twitter or Tumblr or even Myspace, which is a shame I suppose, but maybe in the next update.
So, I think Outlook 2013 will be worth looking at, don’t you?
If by any chance you are working on a touchscreen PC, tablet, or any similar device and have no access to a hardware keyboard there is a way to place Touch Keyboard on your screen for easy typing, and you can enable icon on the taskbar for easy access.
Enabling the Touch Keyboard
Right-click on the Taskbar
Select Taskbar Settings
Go to Personalization > Taskbar
Click on Taskbar Corner Icons to expand it
Click on the switch next to Touch Keyboard to turn it ON
Close settings
The icon will immediately appear on the Taskbar in the lower right corner. Clicking the icon virtual keyboard will appear on the lower part of the screen.
You can use this keyboard to type in applications the same as you were typing on hardware one.
By taping on X in the upper right corner, you will hide the keyboard. Tap on the icon in Taskbar to bring it up again.
Hide the Taskbar icon
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Click on the switch next to Touch Keyboard to turn it OFF
Have you been feeling anxious in the digital space? Feeling like you have a million eyes on you each time you visit a website? It can definitely make you uneasy. Luckily there’s an easy fix, and it’s called a VPN.
In this article we’ll take you through the basics of what a VPN does and some of the biggest benefits you can reap from buying one.
VPN: definition and how it works
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, so its name already says a lot about what it does.
A VPN is specialized software that keeps your browsing private and secure. Essentially it hides your identity, preventing possible cyberattacks and data theft. This is especially important in cases of public network use, where you’re highly exposed to potential threats.
To be more specific, this software encrypts your Internet Protocol (IP) address by filtering it through a server hosted by the VPN provider first. That way, it prevents your Internet service provider, third parties and lurking online thieves from tracking the actual you.
Credit: FLY:D on Unsplash
Some providers, such as Surfshark VPN with its IP Rotator feature, even make it a habit to frequently change your IP address to further protect your identity. With most VPN providers, you can also appear to be in a completely different country, adding to your disguise.
There are tons of advantages you can look forward to if you decide to use a VPN. Take a look at some of the crucial ones.
Benefits of using a VPN
When choosing a VPN, you can find both free and paid options. We recommend you go with the paid ones, since they have stronger security, encryption and data protection, as well as more advanced features. Free VPNs come with limitations and risk of malicious attacks on the software itself.
You can choose to buy a singular VPN service or opt for antivirus software that has a VPN built in, for example Bitdefender’s Ultimate Security plan. That depends on what you use your computer for and how much.
When you pick one, here’s what it can do for you.
1. Access region-specific content
When we said you could change your location, we meant it. Say you’re using a streaming service and a show you desperately want to watch isn’t available in your country. You can use your VPN to make it look like you’re browsing from a country where it’s unlocked.
This option is also convenient for gamers who want to access maps, skins and other in-game items unavailable in their location.
In addition, you can use this powerful feature when you’re traveling to a region where some of your favorite content may not be accessible.
Do keep in mind that you need to read the Terms and Conditions (yeah, we know - who does that?) of your games and services before doing this, since you could end up getting a penalty. It’s also important to remember that there are entire countries that have strict regulations or even bans on VPNs, for example Belarus, Russia and China. So make sure to be very cautious with your VPN use, friends.
2. Browse like no one’s watching
VPNs shield your browsing habits from prying eyes on the web. Those can be malicious hackers or just third-party cookies tracking your every move to later bombard you with targeted ads. For example, Surfshark VPN features a Cookie blocker that blocks all cookie-related pop-ups and lets you browse in peace (and secret). It works even when the VPN is turned off, which is also pretty neat.
In addition, their CleanWeb 2.0 technology makes sure ads and especially malware don’t stand a chance at all, since they’re blocked before they can even load.
The inability of sites to track your browsing means they can’t collect and analyze any of your data. So, your personal information - or your company’s information in case that’s what you’re using your computer for - is entirely hidden and secure.
3. Save money
It’s well-known that the prices of certain items and services vary based on your location, browsing time, age and many other factors. This most commonly goes for airline tickets and hotel stays.
You can use your VPN to avoid high prices and surcharges. Clear all cookies, turn on your VPN and visit an online shopping site to check out their prices. Then compare your findings with the offers you see when your VPN is off, when you spend a long time on the site or have an active account with the company.
Sometimes this can really help you find the best deals and avoid breaking the bank. But again, check the Terms and Conditions before you purchase something using a VPN.
4. Secure your smart home
The more smart devices you have connected to your network, the more exposed you are to potential cyberattacks. Phones and computers are generally designed to be decently secure even without a VPN or antivirus, but smart home devices leave a lot to be desired in that regard.
Protecting your home network with a VPN software means all devices connected to it are secure, be it an air purifier or Alexa.
Credit: Bence Boros on Unsplash
5. Prevent connection slowdown
Your ISP can intentionally slow down your internet speed based on how much data you’ve consumed (data throttling) or your activities online (bandwidth throttling).
But with a VPN, what kind of data you send and receive and how much is entirely hidden. Therefore, if your ISP can’t see you, they can’t control you and they can’t throttle down your speed.
The bottom line
You can never be too safe online. So definitely think about getting yourself a solid VPN to pump up your privacy and security as much as you can. And if you have any questions or need help choosing the perfect software for you, feel free to reach out to us.