Often when we connect to the internet were browsing indexed pages through some well-known search engine, usually Google. But beneath the so-called normal internet lurks deep and dark web. You might have heard of the deep web and dark web if you have some geeky friends and we are here to explain what exactly is the deep and dark web.
The first thing to know is that the deep and dark web is not the same thing and they coexist separately from one another, you could say that beneath the deep web lies the dark web, yet another layer of the internet.
So let us explore first the deep web. What is exactly a deep web?
Deep web, hidden web, or invisible web
as sometimes referenced are part of worldwide web not indexed by search engines, meaning that engines do not basically see and index content of deep web sites.
The content of the deep web is hidden behind HTTP forms and includes many very common uses such as webmail, online banking, private or otherwise restricted access social-media pages and profiles, some web forums that require registration for viewing content, and services that users must pay for, and which are protected by paywalls, such as video on demand and some online magazines and newspapers.
The content of the deep web can be located and accessed by a direct URL or IP address but may require a password or other security access to get past public website pages.
While it is not always possible to directly discover a specific web server's content so that it may be indexed, a site potentially can be accessed indirectly (due to computer vulnerabilities).
To discover content on the web, search engines use web crawlers that follow hyperlinks through known protocol virtual port numbers. This technique is ideal for discovering content on the surface web but is often ineffective at finding deep web content. For example, these crawlers do not attempt to find dynamic pages that are the result of database queries due to the indeterminate number of queries that are possible. It has been noted that this can be (partially) overcome by providing links to query results, but this could unintentionally inflate the popularity of a member of the deep web.
Dark WEB
The dark web is the World Wide Web content that exists on darknets: overlay networks that use the Internet but require specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. Through the dark web, private computer networks can communicate and conduct business anonymously without divulging identifying information, such as a user's location. The dark web forms a small part of the deep web, the part of the Web not indexed by web search engines, although sometimes the term deep web is mistakenly used to refer specifically to the dark web.
The darknets which constitute the dark web include small, friend-to-friend peer-to-peer networks, as well as large, popular networks such as Tor, Freenet, I2P, and Riffle operated by public organizations and individuals. Users of the dark web refer to the regular web as Clearnet due to its unencrypted nature. The Tor dark web or Onionland uses the traffic anonymization technique of onion routing under the network's top-level domain suffix .onion.
Dark & Deep WEB difference
The dark web has often been conflated with the deep web, the parts of the web not indexed (searchable) by search engines. The dark web forms a small part of the deep web but requires custom software in order to access its content. This confusion dates back to at least 2009. Since then, especially in reporting on Silk Road, the two terms have often been conflated, despite recommendations that they should be distinguished.
Darknet websites are accessible only through networks such as Tor ("The Onion Routing" project) and I2P ("Invisible Internet Project"). Tor browser and Tor-accessible sites are widely used among darknet users and can be identified by the domain ".onion". While Tor focuses on providing anonymous access to the Internet, I2P specializes in allowing anonymous hosting of websites. Identities and locations of darknet users stay anonymous and cannot be tracked due to the layered encryption system. The darknet encryption technology routes users' data through a large number of intermediate servers, which protects the users' identity and guarantees anonymity. The transmitted information can be decrypted only by a subsequent node in the scheme, which leads to the exit node. The complicated system makes it almost impossible to reproduce the node path and decrypt the information layer by layer. Due to the high level of encryption, websites are not able to track the geolocation and IP of their users, and users are not able to get this information about the host. Thus, communication between darknet users is highly encrypted allowing users to talk, blog, and share files confidentially.
Darknet
The darknet is also used for illegal activity such as illegal trade, forums, and media exchange for pedophiles and terrorists. At the same time, traditional websites have created alternative accessibility for the Tor browser in an effort to connect with their users. ProPublica, for example, launched a new version of its website available exclusively to Tor users.
This post will guide you on what to do if your keyboard shortcuts or hotkeys are not working on your Windows 10 computer. A lot of users use hotkeys as they make things easier for them as they use their computer. However, there are instances when these hotkeys suddenly stop working. It’s actually one of the most common problems with keyboards. And so to resolve this problem, you can try out some suggestions prepared on this post.
Option 1 – Clean the keyboard keys physically
Your keyboard might not be working properly due to some dirt or other corrosion. First, you need to shut down your computer and then unplug the keyboard if you are using a desktop computer and then prepare it for cleaning. After that, use a small cotton ear cleaning tool to get between the creases and clean them. You can dip it slightly in alcohol to make it more efficient in cleaning dust and dirt. And if you can, you have the option to pull apart the keyboard completely and then wipe away all the corrosion from the inside. Once you’re done, put the keyboard back together and then plug it back into your PC. Now turn your PC on and check if the hotkeys are now working.
Option 2 – Try running the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
The first thing you can do to fix the problem is by running the Hardware Troubleshooter. Although it won’t make much of a difference, there’s still a possibility that it could automatically fix the problem with these function keys. To use it, refer to these steps:
The first thing you need to do is click on Start and then on the gear-like icon to pull up the window for Settings.
After opening Settings, look for the Update and Security option and select it.
From there, go to the Troubleshoot option located on the left-hand side of the list.
Next, select Hardware and Devices from the list and open the Troubleshooter and run it. Once it is doing its job, wait for it to complete the process and then restart the system.
After the system restarts, check if the problem’s now fixed. If not, refer to the next option given below.
Option 3 – Try connecting the keyboard to a different USB port
The problem might have something to do with the USB port that’s currently in use by your keyboard. It could be that it’s not working so it makes sense to unplug it and attach it to another USB port. You can also clean the USB port on both ends to ensure that they are not affected by corrosion.
If you have been previously using another keyboard, it might be better if you make sure that the software for the old device has been removed since there are instances when multiple software can cause problems due to similarities in actions.
Option 5 – Update the keyboard driver
You can also update the keyboard driver to fix the problem. There are cases when an outdated or corrupted driver can fix the problem. To do so, follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
From there, look for the keyboard driver and click on it.
Next, right-click on the keyboard driver and select the Update driver option.
After that, click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option to proceed.
Option 6 – Reinstall the keyboard driver
If updating the keyboard driver didn’t help, then you might want to reinstall it. How? Follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
Type in MSC into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. Look for keyboard driver, right-click on it and then select “Uninstall device”.
After that, unplug the device and restart your PC.
Then plug your device back in. Assuming your device is connected to your PC, open the Device Manager again.
Next, click on the Action button and click the Scan for hardware changes button. That should fix the problem.
Note: You could also completely uninstall the driver and go directly to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your hardware and then install it.
Option 7 – Enable Human Interface Device (HID) Service
Another thing to consider is the Human Interface Device Service. If this service is disabled, then no wonder why your hotkeys are not working. Thus, you need to enable this service. Refer to the following steps to do that:
Tap the Win + R key to launch the Run dialog box.
Then type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open Services.
After opening Services, scroll down until you see the Human Interface Device service.
Double click on HID and make sure that its Startup Type is set to “Automatic” and then click OK.
Restart your PC and check if the hotkeys are now working or not.
Option 8 – Try resetting the keyboard
You might also want to try resetting the keyboard as it can also help in fixing the problem. Setting it back to its default state will surely help.
OEM Partition, also known as System Reserved Partition, is placed by the OEM to help users recover their computers or bring back the original state of the computer when it was bought. If you’ve observed that a part of your hard drive says “Healthy (OEM partition)” in the Disk Management and it occupies space in GBs, then this means that it’s normal and there’s nothing to worry about except that part of the storage space is not available and even when you right-click on it, the only thing it displays is the Help menu. Thus, in this guide, you will be guided on how you can merge as well as delete an OEM partition in your Windows 10 computer.
Since the Disk Management tool in Windows won’t let you merge or delete the OEM partition, you can just use the built-in command-line tool known as Diskpart. Note that you have to be extra careful when you run the commands as it could mess your computer up and before you proceed with the instructions provided below, make sure that you create a System Restore point first. Once you have that covered, follow the instructions below.
Step 1: Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “cmd” in the field and tap Enter to open the Command Prompt.
Step 2: Next, execute this command to launch the Diskpart tool: diskpartStep 3: Execute this second command to view the list of the disks in your computer: list diskStep 4: Now select the disk you want to manage by executing this command: select disk xNote: In the command above, replace “x” with the letter of your disk.
Step 5: After that, execute this command to display all the volumes or partitions: list partitionStep 6: Now execute this command to select the partition you want to delete: select partition xNote: You have to replace “x” with the partition you want to delete.
Step 7: Once done, execute this command to delete the selected partition: delete partition overrideStep 8: Afterwards, execute this command to merge the OEM partition with the adjoining value: ExtendNote: if you only want to merge part of the partition, you need to use this command “extend [size=<size>]”. For instance, you want to extend its size by 5GB, then you need to type “Extend size=5000”. The size you set is the size you select from the OEM partition. This will extend the selected volume by size in MB or megabytes.
If you have a dual monitor setup on your Windows 10 computer and you mostly use the second screen when you are presenting something, this makes the Taskbar completely unnecessary and is not really required. So if you are using your computer generally and do not want the taskbar on your second screen, read on as this post will guide you in disabling Taskbar on your second display.
The good thing is, Windows comes with a built-in feature to disable Taskbar on your second screen or projector connected to your computer. In this post, you will be guided on how you can hide or disable the Taskbar from the second monitor in Windows 10. This post is coming in handy especially if you are using projectors or multiple displays.
Refer to the steps given below to disable Taskbar on the second display in Windows 10.
Step 1: Go to Settings and click on Taskbar from the left menu.
Step 2: After that, scroll down to lo look for Multiple Displays.
Step 3: Next, turn off the toggle labeled, “Show taskbar on all displays”.
Note: After completing the steps given above, it will disable the Taskbar on all the secondary displays. Bear in mind that these settings will work only if you are running a second screen in Extended mode. Contrariwise, if you are in the Duplicate mode, this setting will not work but you can always set your Taskbar to Autohide so that it won’t be displayed.
On the other hand, if you are facing some issues in finding which screen is primary and which one is secondary, refer to these steps:
Step 1: Go to Settings and select System.
Step 2: Next, from the left menu open Display.
Step 3: From there, select the desired display and make it the primary one as required by your setup.
As you know, a Virtual Private Network or VPN is used to access a particular network from another network which is why it is also referred to as a mini-internet. Moreover, you can use it in two ways. One, you can use it to get you access to a closed server which means that you would not be getting access to the internet. Second, you can also use it to access a set of resources while at the same time get access to the internet. However, what if you want to access your resources at home even when you’re away? And what if you want to use the private server at home or at your office even when you’re away? This is where the callout for a VPN server for yourself comes in. And so in this post, you will be guided in how you can create a public VPN server on your Windows 10 computer. Follow each one of the given steps below to get started.
Step 1: Find your IP address.
This step is rather simple since all you have to do is open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center. From there, click on “Local Area Connection” and then click on Details where you’ll see your IP address next to “Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address”.
Step 2: Next, set up port forwarding on your router.
In this step, you will have to configure port forwarding in your router so that you would be able to connect to the VPN server through a public network like the internet.
Log in to the Admin Panel of your router. You have to do this since your router will be the gateway for your access to the network.
After you’re logged in, look for the “Port Forwarding” or “Applications and Gaming” or “NAT/QoS” menu tab and other similar names.
Now you need to set the port number to 1723 for connections based on Point to Point Tunneling Protocol.
Then save the configuration and reboot your router.
Step 3: Set up a VPN server on Windows 10.
In the Cortana search box, type “ncpa.cpl” and click on the related entry from the search results.
After that, tap the Alt + F keys to bring down the File Menu and then select New Incoming Connection which will open a mini window where you can allow the user accounts on the particular machine to access the VPN connection.
On the other hand, you can also click the “Add someone” button so that you can add someone else to the whitelist that can access the connection.
Now click on Next and you’ll see an option to select how people will connect to the network. Check the checkbox for the “Through the Internet” option.
After that, you will see a page where you have to configure the network. Just select IPv4 and then click on Properties.
From there, you will be asked to continue some additional settings like letting users access your Local Area Network or how IP addresses will be allocated to these users. Click on OK to save the changes you’ve made.
Click on Allow Access after you configure the network. And if you want to, you have the option to print this information for future reference or for the client machine.
Now click on Close to exit the configuration process.
Step 4:Allow the VPN Connections through the firewall
In this step, you will have to allow the VPN connections through the firewall.
In the Cortana search box, type “Allow an app through Windows Firewall” and click on the related search result to open the intended Windows Firewall settings.
Next, click on Change Settings.
Then scroll down to check if Routing and Remote Access is Enabled for both the Public and Private networks and click on OK.
Step 5: Set up a VPN connection on Windows 10
Now all that’s left for you to do is to set up a VPN connection on Windows 10.
Go to Settings > Network and Internet.
From the list of options given, click on VPN located on the left pane to see the related settings.
After that, click on the “+” icon to add a VPN connection.
Next, select Windows Default under VPN Provider and under the Connection Name, input your VPN’s name, and then enter the IP address you got from the VPN service provider under the Server name or address section.
Now select PPTP under VPN type since it is the most commonly used protocol for VPNs.
In case you don’t know, there is a feature in Windows 10 computers that allows them to function a lot better. This feature is called Full-Screen optimization and it is enabled by default for several applications such as games and video players. If enabled, the Full-Screen optimization feature enhances the video playback and gaming by simply putting the CPU and GPU process as a priority. However, there are times when it can also result to a drop in the frame rate or FPS while in full-screen mode. And of course, the obvious solution to this dilemma is by disabling the Full-Screen optimization feature which is why Microsoft took action and removed this feature themselves in the recent Windows 10 Update releases. However, there is another way for you to enable it back or disable it yourself if you haven’t installed the recent updates yet and there are plenty of ways you can do both. All you have to do is follow the options given below carefully.
Option 1 – Try using Windows 10 Settings
If you haven’t installed the recent updates yet and all you have are the earlier releases, then this method would suit you.
Open the Windows 10 Settings app.
Next, navigate to System > Display > Graphics Settings or Advanced graphics settings.
From there, uncheck the “Enable Fullscreen optimization” option if you want to disable the feature, else just keep it checked.
Option 2 – Try using 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.
Afterward, if a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, click on Yes.
Once the Registry Editor is pulled up, navigate to this registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSystemGameConfigStore
Next, right-click on Explorer and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and then name it to “GameDVR_DSEBehavior and tap Enter to save it.
Now double click on the newly created GameDVR_DSEBehavior DWORD and set its value to “2” if you want to disable it, or “0” if you want to enable it.
Once you entered the value, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.
Option 3 – Try running the application in Compatibility Mode
If the first two options didn’t work, the next thing you can do is to run the application in a Compatibility Mode. Follow the steps below to do so:
Go to the location of the application or game on which you need to disable or enable the Full-Screen optimization feature.
After that, right-click on it and select Properties.
Next, switch to the Compatibility tab where you can see the “Disable fullscreen optimization” option to disable the feature and vice versa.
Now click on the Apply and OK buttons to apply the changes made in the application’s settings.
Gaming on the computer has become one of the most used past-time activities among people of all ages. And since we are still in pandemic it has only risen as activity. People can acquire a lot of games at various discounts on various platforms and enjoy them at the leisure of their home.
Among many game platforms and stores, Electronic art's Origin is one of the bigger ones, and having some titles that could not be found anywhere else coupled with the ability to have access to almost the whole game catalog with one monthly subscription make it one of the most used clients.
Sadly as with every piece of software Origin's client is not perfect by any means and it can behave strangely from time to time.
Hello everyone and welcome to errortools.com, today we will fix Origin error code 10 which oddly enough can appear out of nowhere and can even appear on the very end of installation for the chosen game. If you have managed to come by this error you are in luck to be here because we have a couple of fixes for it.
I know that you might be excited to play the game so let's go and do some fixing
Check Server status
Before diving into technicality and before we start deleting files and fixing things you should check the Server status. This seems maybe like something you should not do but if the server has experienced some kind of downtime or it is in maintenance Origin will throw this error in the client. Unexpected situations can cause various server issues all of a sudden and the first thing is to check are servers online and working. There are various ways to check server status from official origin website to Electronic arts twitter channel to Reddit and many more online server status websites. If it turns out that the server is to be blamed for this error then sit back and wait for EA to resolve the issue, there is not much you can do anyway.
Delete OriginThinSetupInternal.exe
After some research, it has come to light that originthinsetupinternal.exe can cause this specific error. The best solution is to delete the file and then run Origin as administrator so the file is remade new.
First, make sure that Origin is fully closed, check the taskbar and if it lurks there right-click on it and click on quit
Run file explorer and go into the folder where Origin is installed, by default it is C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin
Locate OriginThinSetupInternal.exe and delete it
Then locate origin.exe and right-click on it and then click on Run as administrator
Reinstall Origin client
If the previous solution has not solved the issue then Origin might have some corrupted files inside it. It is known that the Origin client can produce some bad files if the installation has been forcefully canceled. The best thing is to reinstall the completely whole client.
Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
Inside run dialog type in Control panel and press ENTER
In the control panel locate programs and features group and double click on it
Locate Origin, click to select it, and on top click on uninstall
After uninstall process is completed start file explorer and go to the folder where Origin was installed, by default it is C:\Program Files (x86). Locate the Origin folder and delete it.
Go to the official origin website and download the new client installation.
After the download is finished double click on it and follow onscreen instructions.
Disable antivirus
If every solution so far has not been able to remove error then obviously something else is interfering with the origin client and installation functioning. Altho not advisable, turn OFF your security suite including both firewall and antivirus and try installing the game again. There is the possibility that the origin client or some game file has been marked as false positive by security software thus preventing it from executing properly.
Error code 0x80070002 is a Windows Update error code. It occurs due to corruption errors which result when missing files in Windows Update prevent users from accessing updates on their system. It affects Windows 10 users and presents similar symptoms as error code 0x80070003, another Windows Update error. These symptoms include the following:
Presence of message box highlighting the name of the Windows Update error code
The inability of users to complete updates on their system
Error Causes
If certain files are missing in Windows Update on your system, you will most likely experience error code 0x80070002. These missing files prevent Windows Update from functioning properly even in cases where an update is downloaded on your PC.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Manual repair methods are necessary to resolve issues related to many Windows error codes. To fix Windows Update error codes like error code 0x80070002 in Windows 10, users will need to apply several procedures that include stopping and restarting the Windows Update service.
Note that the methods listed below must be done in the order they are listed. This is because they work in conjunction with each other to repair and replace corrupted update files that may be preventing your Windows Update service from functioning correctly.
Method One: Stop Windows Update Service
Stopping the Windows Update service will enable users to begin the manual repair process. It’s crucial, to begin with, this step, as it prepares users to delete temporary update files when the Window Update service is no longer functioning correctly. These temporary files may be the source of the corruption errors resulting in error code 0x80070002. Follow the steps below to stop Windows Update and resolve the error code.
Step one: Type Control Panel in the Search box near the Start button
Step two: Select Control Panel
Step three: Type Administrative Tools in the search box
Stop four: Select Administrative Tools
Step five: Click Services, then search for Windows Update
Step six: Right-click Windows Update service, then select Stop
After you have successfully stopped the service, proceed by deleting temporary update files in the SoftwareDistribution folder.
Method Two: Delete Temporary Update Files in SoftwareDistribution Folder
Error code 0x80070002 is unlikely to be resolved without addressing the problems related to missing or corrupted update files. By deleting temporary update files within the SoftwareDistribution folder, you will most likely be able to fix the error code and access updates within the Windows Update service.
Step one: Open File Explorer, then open Windows folder in drive C
Step three: Open the DataStore folder and delete all files within this folder
Step four: Click Back to access the SoftwareDistribution folder
Step five: Open the Download folder to delete all files from this folder as well
While attempting to delete these files, you may be asked to enter a password as an administrator. If this occurs, enter the required password to proceed.
Method Three: Restart Windows Update Service
Once you have logged on as an administrator and deleted appropriate update files in the SoftwareDistribution folder, follow the steps below to restart the Windows Update service.
Step one: Type Control Panel in the Search box near the Start button.
Step two: Select Control Panel
Step three: Type Administrative Tools in the search box, then select Administrative Tools
Step four: Double-click Services
Step five: Search for the Windows Update service
Step six: Right-click the Windows Update service, then select Start.
Once you’ve selected Start, you’ll be able to access the Windows Update service. Verify these manual methods have proven successful by restarting your PC, then check if you can access updates. If error code 0x80070002 has been resolved, you will be able to complete the download process when you attempt to access updates within Windows 10. You will also no longer see the error code 0x80070002 message box.
Error Code 45 is a common device manager problem that users encounter on any Windows 2000 and later operating system versions.
The error occurs when your Windows system fails to acknowledge the connected device by either stating that the device is not present or that it was previously attached to a computer.
The error pops up and appears on your computer screen with the following message:
“Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer” (Code 45)
Solution
Error Causes
The error is prompted either due to a temporary system file malfunction or a problem in the Windows registry system files. In the latter case, it could be due to a damaged or corrupted Windows registry.
Further Information and Manual Repair
While it may appear that Error Code 45 is a serious threat to your computer, it cannot be farther from the truth. Error Code 45, unlike other error codes, is the easiest one to fix. Here is how you can do it.
Method 1 – Reconnect the device to your computer
Unplugging and plugging the USB cable of the device into the computer is the easiest way to solve the error.
Doing this will help refresh the system and increase the likelihood of the device driver files loading and function properly.
It is often only a case of reconnecting the device back to your computer which helps eliminate the error and does not require any particular resolution other than this.
Method 2 – Install DriverFIX
Although reconnecting the disconnected device is all you need to fix the error code, it is always safer to fix your Windows registry system files by using a program like DriverFIX.
DriverFIX, with its user-friendly approach to help you fix your PC issues, comes with an integrated database that detects which drivers you need to reconfigure within just a few seconds and downloads it automatically.
It further ensures that your drivers are installed in their entirety leaving no room for any corrupted or damaged registry.
It also has the added advantage of being able to backup and restores your files should there be the slightest possibility of system file damage.
Thus, registry damage can be averted by letting the software roll back the system files to an earlier healthy checkpoint. DriverFIX is the answer to fixing your PC error codes accurately and quickly.
As you know, aside from making computing a lot easier, mouse and touchpad, it also makes computing more efficient and less time-consuming. And so life is unimaginable without these useful devices. However, it is a known fact that you can’t customize these devices since all touchpads and mice come with their own default scrolling direction but worry not for in this post you will be guided on how you can reverse their default scrolling directions.
Every user has their own different preferences when it comes to scrolling directions. You might want the scrolling directions to look like the page is being scrolled in the same direction in where you move your fingers over the touchpad or you might prefer it in an inverted way. Reversing the scroll direction for your device’s touchpad is really easy as Windows by default offers this customization. So if you are trying to find a way to reverse the scrolling direction of your mouse, then you have to follow a tricky little method which will be provided in this post.
It is apparent from the number of settings the touchpad is available that it has become more customizable. You can configure everything, from its gestures, taps, sensitivity, and even its scrolling direction. And now, if you want to reverse its scrolling direction, here’s what you have to do:
Step 1: Tap the Win + I keys to open Settings.
Step 2: From there, go to Devices and select Touchpad from the menu.
Step 3: Next, look for the Scrolling Direction setting.
Step 4: Then click on the drop-down and select your preferred setting. If you want the same direction scrolling, just select the “Downwards motion scrolls down” option, and if you want the opposite select the other one.
After you carry out these steps, the settings will be applied right away and you will see the changes. On the other hand, if you want to change the scrolling direction for your mouse, the procedure is not as simple as it was for the touchpad.
To reverse the scrolling direction for a mouse, refer to these steps:
Step 1: In the Start Search, type “device manager” and click on the appropriate result to open the Device Manager.
Step 2: After opening the Device Manager, look for your Mouse under the “Mice and other pointing devices” section. It is mostly listed as an “HID-compliant mouse”.
Step 3: Right-click on your mouse and click Properties.
Step 4: From there, go to the Details tab and from the drop-down menu, select Device Instance Path.
Step 5: Now take note of the value displayed on its value field and then tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Step 6: Type in “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Step 7: Next, navigate to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetEnumHID
Step 8: From this folder, you have to start matching the values in the first part of the value you’ve taken note of.
Step 9: Open the folder which has the same value and repeat this for the second part of the value.
Step 10: Afterwards, click on the Device Parameters and look for a property named “FlipFlopWheel” and invert its value from 0 to 1 or 1 to 0 to reverse the scrolling direction. And then restart your PC to apply the changes made.
After you restart your PC, you should see the changes in the scrolling direction of your mouse. Note that you can change the value back to its original value or just use the registry backup to undo the changes you’ve made.
Disk partitioning is a concept that’s been around for so long, but is still only familiar to few. If done right, it can help get your computer in perfect order.
Today we bring you a simple definition of disk partitioning, its pros and cons, and a quick tip on how to do it properly to reap its full benefit!
Definition and purpose
The simplest way to define disk partitioning would be: it’s exactly what it sounds like. It means taking a hard disk drive and separating it into different segments. These segments are called partitions. You can visualize it as cutting a cake into smaller pieces - not necessarily of the same size, though.
So what is the purpose of these pieces?
Well, when you first get a hard drive, it’s basically just a bunch of unallocated storage space. Until there’s at least one partition, this space is unusable to your operating system. Once you create a partition, your OS will recognize it as usable storage space.
You can choose to create a single partition and use it for all your files, from program files to personal data. A lot of off-the-shelf computers come with one primary partition like this and a small secondary one reserved for recovery purposes.
Whether or not you want to split your disk into more than one segment is up to you. We would generally recommend it, though. The whole point of partitioning is for each segment to have its own purpose.
So treating all your storage space as a single unit containing different file types would be like constructing an office building with only one massive room for everything - day-to-day work, conferences, interviews, etc. And all of this for different departments of the company. You can see how this might get a little messy.
Creating multiple partitions eliminates the task of running several different types of files from the same place. This takes a heavy load off the entire process of accessing data.
Disk partitioning also brings a ton of other benefits to the table. An important disclaimer, though: there are disadvantages too. We will walk you through both sides to help you get an objective idea and make an informed decision.
Source: Kina on Unsplash
What are the benefits of disk partitioning?
1. Better file organization
This is the most obvious and perhaps the biggest advantage of partitioning your hard drive.
As we already mentioned, partitioning allows you to create separate segments for different file and data types. You wouldn’t want to use the same partition for your system files and for games, would you?
If organization and time management are important to you, then multiple partitions are the right solution. Searching for specific files will be much easier overall. Say you have one hard drive, but three partitions: C for the system files alone, D for multimedia files and documents, and E for games and apps. Your computer loads the system from C without interference from the other two, and you know exactly where to look when searching for a file.
2. Easy reinstallation
File management isn’t the only thing made faster and simpler thanks to partitioning. If you opt for creating multiple segments on your drive, reinstalling Windows will be easy peasy.
That’s because all you need to do is format the partition your system is on. Then you reinstall the OS on it, and there you go. Now you have a clean installation, with all your files saved on other partitions intact. You can even make a copy of your system partition, so you can revisit the exact same installation in the future if you want. And the whole time your pictures, music, documents stay exactly where you left them.
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3. Possibility of using multiple file systems
By now you’ve understood that partitions function completely separately. This means that, if for some reason you need multiple file system capabilities, partitioning will allow that.
One segment could be used for, say, an NTFS file system, while another could run ext or APFS.
4. Running different OSes
You’re an avid Windows user but need to use Linux on the side? No problem. You don’t need to buy a separate computer or anything. The possibility of running different file systems also means you can use partitioning to run multiple operating systems.
Doesn’t that sound enticing? One machine for multiple totally different uses!
5. Backup and recovery made simple
Data loss can happen on any disk, partitioned or not. However, it’s much easier to get it back on a partitioned one. You know where you stored what, and each partition can be backed up exactly as it is. It’s also a lot faster to back up single partitions than entire hard drives.
Ultimately this also means a faster path to recovery. If you lose or accidentally delete important files and data, you might want to use a recovery tool like Recuva to scan for them and get them back. Recuva is even powerful enough to recover data from damaged hard drives. But no matter how powerful, scanning a whole drive is strenuous for any recovery tool. Scanning independent partitions is a lot more convenient than that, and will get you to your goal more efficiently.
6. Optimized performance
Now, let’s keep in mind that computer performance is influenced by a number of factors. Partitioning alone isn’t what makes it better or worse. However, it can contribute to optimization. It’s easier for your computer to scan, say, a 40 GB partition to fetch the system file it needs than scanning the entire capacity of your drive.
7. Improved security (possibly*)
Separate partitions can help make your system more secure. Firstly, they minimize file corruption. If one partition gets corrupted, the others should remain unaffected. And keeping in mind the previous point about backup and recovery, ‘fixing’ the damaged partition would be much easier than fixing the entire hard drive.
Partitioning also improves security in terms of malware protection. A malicious attack on one partition is easier to deal with than malware on the whole drive. If your system partition gets infected, you can simply reinstall your OS and that should do the trick.
*Do keep in mind that partitioning can’t defend you against more advanced attacks. So make sure not to give in to a false sense of security.
What are the disadvantages of partitioning?
1. Data is still vulnerable
Yes, it’s easier to back up and recover data from independent partitions. And yes, partitioning may help protect separated files and data to a higher degree. But remember: everything is still on a single physical drive. So while digital errors and issues may be easier to deal with on partitioned drives, physical damage obviously won’t be.
If your hard drive is destroyed in some way, all data on it will be gone. That’s why, if you have crucial files on your PC, it’s important to give them the proper backup treatment before it’s too late.
2. Disbalance of space
Allocating storage space on separate partitions may be a little more tricky than you think. You may fill up one partition a lot faster than another. So on one side you’re struggling with space, and on another you have too much of it to spare. Imagine nearly filling up your system partition and then it turns out you need a lot more space for its updates than you thought.
That’s why you really have to be sure you actually have enough files of different types that you need help managing efficiently. Otherwise you’ll just create a struggle and disbalance in terms of storage.
3. Increased risk of error
If done incorrectly, partitioning can lead to more harm than good. Aside from space disbalance, there is an increased risk of incorrect partition sizes and formatting. Plus, human error is also a factor: in a moment of distraction, you may erase one partition when you meant another. Undoing such mistakes will definitely be tedious and time-consuming.
4. SSDs eliminate the need of partitioning
SSDs (solid-state drives) don’t function in the same way that HDDs do. They have faster read times and can organize files on their own. This quite literally eliminates the need for organization on your part.
Partitioning: yes or no?
The bottom line is that multiple partitions might not be necessary for the average user. But if you’re planning on storing many file types or different file and operating systems on the same PC, then you should give it a shot. It’s also an excellent solution for businesses, of course.
And if our pros and cons list isn’t enough to help you decide, you can always send us a message and we’ll help you make the right choice.
Decided to partition your hard drive?
If you’ve decided to give it a go, you definitely should make sure to do it right.
The two most effective and reliable ways to partition are using the built-in options on Windows or investing in a dedicated partitioning tool, like the EaseUS Partition Master. Which one you'll opt for depends on your specific needs.
Option 1 may be more suitable for users with at least some level of experience. In this case, you’d have to know exactly which steps to take without making errors. This is done in Disk Management on Windows 10/11. From there, you can select the partitions you’d like to split into different volumes of selected sizes.
If this is your first time partitioning, we highly suggest you either consult professionals for this or move on to option 2. The EaseUS partitioning software is specifically designed for beginners, with an intuitive interface helping you succeed in the process. All you need to do is pick the Partition Master package tailored to your needs and follow their guide.
Each package offers technical support as well, and even free upgrades (to varying degrees based on your subscription). Plus, all of this is valid for not one, but two PCs.
It’s the perfect solution for a smooth and error-free partitioning process. If you want to organize your hard drives efficiently and make the most of all your space without doing irreparable damage, it’s definitely worth the investment.
