As you know, the Google Drive service is a Backup and Synchronization service provided by Google. It was launched way back in April 2012 which provides users with the options to synchronize, store and share files by uploading them to Google’s servers where they stay until they are deleted personally by the users and can be accessed anywhere using the Google Account that’s used to upload them.
Recently, a lot of users reported that they were unable to connect to Google Drive from their Windows 10 computers. This kind of problem has been noticed in the middle of the upload process and can be seen at times after the app launches. If you also experience the same issue, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you in fixing it.
There are a lot of possible reasons why this kind of problem occurs. It could be that the app was not able to launch properly or the internet got disconnected when the app was about to launch. It is also possible that the Firewall has blocked the app from connecting to the internet or that the antivirus program is preventing the app from making contact with its database. Aside from that, it is possible that the account you are using on your computer is preventing Google Drive from connecting to the internet due to some configuration errors.
Follow the suggestions provided below to fix the connection issue with Google Drive.
Option 1 – Configure the Firewall
As mentioned, the Windows Firewall might be blocking the app from contacting its database so, in this option, you have to allow Google Drive through the Firewall. To do so, follow these steps:
In the Windows Start Search, type “firewall” and click on the “Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall” option from the search results.
After that, you will see a list of apps, and here, click on the “Change Settings” button.
Next, scroll down and make sure to check both the “Public” and “Private” options for Google Drive.
Now click on Ok to save the changes made and then try to launch Google Drive again.
Option 2 – Try to launch Google Drive again
Google Drive might have not launched properly that’s why it can’t connect to its servers so you can try to launch it again and see if it helps.
Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
Next, go to the Processes tab and click on the “View” option located at the top.
After that, uncheck the “Group by Type” option and click on the “Google Drive Sync” from the list of processes.
Then click on the “End Task” option and close the Task Manager.
Launch Google Drive again and see if the issue is now resolved.
Aside from Firewall, antivirus programs, especially the third party ones, are also known to block files applications the instant it detects a threat to the system. Thus, your antivirus program might be the reason why you can’t download anything on your Windows 10 computer. To fix this, you can try to disable the antivirus program on your computer in the meantime and then try to launch Google Drive again. Do not forget to enable them again as disabling them can leave your computer vulnerable to cyber threats.
Option 4 – Try to create a new account
There are times when a certain configuration for a user account might be blocking some elements of the Google Drive app. In such cases, you can try to create a new account to fix the problem.
Click on the Windows key and then click on the icon for Settings.
From there, click on the Accounts button and select the “Family & Other People” option from the left pane.
Next, click the “Add someone else to this PC” option.
After that, click on the “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” option and select the “Add a user without a Microsoft Account” setting.
Type in the credentials for the new account you are creating and click on Next.
After the account is created, click on the account and then select the “Change account type” option.
Click on the drop-down menu and select the “Administrator” option and then click on OK.
Now sign out of the current account and sign in to the new one and then open Google Drive again.
Error 1722 is a type of Windows Installer error. Developed by Microsoft, Windows Installer is a software component used for the installation, maintenance, and removal of software on Windows systems.
This is basically an .MSI file that contains explicit instructions about installing and removing specific applications that are supported by this file for example JAVA and ArcGIS.
The error 1722 occurs when there is a problem with the Windows Installer package. And because of this the program supported by Windows Installer Package fails to set up and install.
This error message is displayed in the following format:
“Error 1722. There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support or package vendor.”
Solution
Error Causes
You may encounter error 1722 due to multiple reasons such as:
Windows Installer Package corruption
Improper Windows Installer Package installation
Windows Script Hosting permission issues
Viral Infection
It is advisable to fix error 1722 to ensure the application supported by the Windows Installer Package that you are trying to set up on your PC, installs successfully.
Further Information and Manual Repair
To resolve Windows Installer Package error 1722 on your PC, try the methods given below:
Method 1
Sometimes the error 1722 may pop up if the Windows Installer Package is not installed properly. In such an event, it is advisable to uninstall Windows Installer Package and then reinstall it.
To do so, click on start, then control panel, program, and features and then choose the Add/Remove Program option to uninstall the Windows Installer Package on your system.
Once it is removed, click OK to save changes. Then reboot your PC. Now download the Installer package and reinstall. After the installation is complete, now try installing the application supported by the Installer package you wished to install.
However, first, it is suggested that you remove any traces of the failed application first. For example, if you previously received the error while installing Java, then remove all traces of failed Java installation.
Method 2
The alternative method is to change Window Script Hosting settings. To do this, go to the start menu, open Run and then type ‘Regedit’ in the command line and then press OK to continue. Check for either or both of the following registry keys
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindows Script HostSettingsEnabledHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindows Script HostSettingsEnabled
If either of these has a DWORD value of ‘0’, then scripting is disabled. Change the values to ‘1’ will enable scripting and resolve the issue.
Method 3
There can be two reasons for Windows Installer Package corruption, viruses or registry overloaded with bad entries and obsolete files.
If the error is triggered by viruses, then run an antivirus program to remove viruses and restore your PC. However, if the error is related to registry issues, then download Restoro.
This is an easy-to-use PC Fixer with a powerful registry cleaner. The registry cleaner wipes out all the obsolete files cluttering the registry and repairs the damaged and the corrupt important files thereby repairing all errors including error 1722 on your system.
Click here to download Restoro.
If you are an iPhone or an iPad user and you sometimes open your email Yahoo Mail account on your phone, then you will most likely experience the MF Message Error Domain: Error 1032.
This error may occur when you access your mail account. The MF Message Error Domain: Error 1032 may prevent you from composing new emails and even stop the inbox from loading.
Solution
Error Causes
The error 1032 can be triggered due to multiple reasons such as:
Overloaded History
Problems with the account log-in credentials
Outdated Yahoo Mail app
Authentication issues
Further Information and Manual Repair
To fix this issue on your iPhone or iPad, here are some methods you can try:
Method 1 - Delink and Re-setup Yahoo Email Account
If the error code 1032 occurs due to problems with the account log-in credentials, then try re-setting up your Yahoo email account.
To do this, go to tap settings mail, contacts, and calendar, then remove your email account. Now repeat the process and provide valid log-in credentials to re-setup your Yahoo email account.
Method 2 - Update Yahoo Mail App
Another reason can be the outdated Yahoo Mail App. If this is the cause, then simply update it to the latest version. To do this, simply download the latest version from the iTunes store and run it. This will hopefully resolve the issue.
Method 3 - Manage App Connections to Resolve Authentication issues
If the error 1032 occurs due to authentication issues then there are possibilities of conflicts between account security settings. The best way to resolve the error in such a situation is to learn how to manage app connections. Here’s how it’s done:
Use your desktop computer to sign in to your Yahoo account. Now click the menu icon and select account info. Enter your account password and sign in again. Now click manage apps and website connections under Sign-in and security section.
A list of all authorized mobile devices and applications will be displayed to you. Remove any existing entries appearing for mobile devices. After this, try logging into your Yahoo account from your iPhone or iPad. You will not receive the error.
Method 4 - Clear History
When the cause of the issue is overloaded history, then the best way to go about it is clearing the clutter in the history. Also clear cache and cookies.
The cache is the location where temporary files are saved for speeding up the file retrieval process. But sometimes it can get corrupt and the iOS may fail to retrieve data from corrupt cache contents.
To clear history and cache, simply tap Settings, Safari, and then clear history, cookies, and data. The process may take some time depending on the cache file size.
If you are in the process of booting up your computer but suddenly encountered an error saying, “The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains errors” with an error code of 0xc0000454, read on as this post will help you resolve the problem.
The error code 0xc0000454 occurs when you boot your computer and when the Windows Boot Manager encounters an issue with the Boot Configuration Data or BCD. The error code 0xc0000454 (STATUS_INSUFFICIENT_NVRAM_RESOURCES) signifies that there are no sufficient NVRAM or Non-Volatile Random Access Memory resources to complete the API. NVRAM is a component of the system based on the software that stores the Boot Configuration Data in an operating system. Usually, a simple restart can resolve the problem. However, if you’ve already done that and it’s of no use, then there are other potential fixes you can check out to troubleshoot the problem.
To resolve the error code 0xc0000454, here are some potential fixes that should help:
Option 1 – Try to repair corrupted BCD
As mentioned, the error could also be due to corruption in BCD, and to fix it, you can use Bootrec.exe – a built-in command-line tool used to troubleshot issues related to boot up and Windows Startup. Before you run this tool, make sure that you have inserted a bootable USB or DVD into your computer. Once you have that covered, follow these steps:
You need to go to the Advanced Startup Options.
Then click on Troubleshoot.
Next, select the Advanced Options and then Command Prompt.
Once Command Prompt has been pulled up, enter each one of the following commands and in the sequence that they are given to rebuild BCD files and repair MBR files:
Bootrec /Fixmbr
Bootrec /FixBoot
After you execute the commands given above, you should see a confirmation message that says, “The operation completed successfully”.
Now type the “Bootrec /RebuildBCD” command to rebuild BCD.
Finally, close Command Prompt and then restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.
Option 2 – Try to run the Automatic Repair Utility
You might also want to use Automatic Repair in fixing the error. To do so, follow the steps below.
You can start by creating and booting from a bootable Windows 10 USB Stick.
After that, click on Repair your computer located on the bottom left corner when you are on the initial Windows Startup screen.
Next, click on Troubleshoot, and then on the other screen, click the Startup Repair option.
Now select the operating system you want to repair. Once you do that, it will start to repair your operating system. Wait until the process is completed and then check if the problem’s now fixed.
Option 3 – Disable the Secure Boot in the BIOS
Disabling the Secure Boot in the BIOS settings is definitely recommended to resolve the error. To disable Secure Boot, here’s what you have to do:
First, boot your computer into Windows 10.
Next, go to Settings > Windows Update. From there, check if there is anything that you have to download and install if you see any available updates. Usually, OEMs send and update the list of trusted hardware, drivers, and operating systems for your computer.
After that, go to the BIOS of your computer.
Then go to Settings > Update & Security > Advanced Startup options. If you click on Restart Now, it will restart your computer and give you all the advanced options.
Next, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options. As you can see, this screen offers you further options including System restore, Startup repair, Go back to the previous version, Command Prompt, System Image Recovery, and UEFI Firmware Settings.
Select the UEFI Firmware Settings which will take you to the BIOS.
From there, go to the Security > Boot > Authentication tab where you should see Secure Boot. Note that every OEM has its own way of implementing the options so it varies.
Next, set Secure Boot to Disabled and set Legacy Support to On or Enabled.
Save the changes made and exit. Afterward, your computer will reboot.
Option 4 – Try to reset the BIOS
If updating the BIOS didn’t help in fixing the error, you can try to reset the BIOS instead.
Start your computer and tap the F10 key during the booting process to enter the BIOS. If it does not work, you can try tapping the F1 or F2 key as well as the Del key.
Once you’re already in the BIOS, tap the F9 key to get the prompt to RestoreLoad default configuration now for the BIOS.
Next, click on Yes and then follow the next on-screen instructions that appear to set the BIOS back to its default settings.
Once you’re done restoring the default settings of the BIOS, restart your computer and then check if it now boots properly.
Error Code 49 is a common device driver error that users encounter on any Windows 2000 and later operating system versions.
The error occurs when the connected peripheral devices fail to function properly due to an overload of the system hive’s size.
The error when prompted pops up on your screen with the following message:
"Windows cannot start new hardware devices because the system hive is too large (exceeds the Registry Size Limit). (Code 49)”
The error causes unattached devices to be displayed on the system hive list.
Solution
Error Causes
Error Code 49 mainly results from problems in Windows registry system files; the system hive in the Windows registry exceeds its size limit.
The system hive is part of the Windows registry and it is where files regarding devices are contained along with user preferences and applications.
The devices will not work until the system hive size is brought back to normal levels.
Further Information and Manual Repair
There are several ways you can use to fix your error code. Here are the following.
Method 1 – Uninstall unused devices
One of the best ways to address the error code is to uninstall the unused devices which are listed on your computer’s system hive. To do this:
Log in using an Administrator account
Click the Start button and then click ‘Run’
In the box, enter the command:
"set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1 cd%SystemRoot%System32 exit"and click enter
Open Device Manager, click ‘View’, and then choose ‘Show hidden devices’ to see unused devices.
When you can see the list, click on the device you want to uninstall by selecting the ‘Driver’ tab and then select ‘Uninstall’.
After uninstall is complete, restart your computer.
Method 2 – Use System Restore
If the error still persists, you can use system restore to eliminate the problem. Here is how you can do so:
Log in using an Administrator account
Click ‘Start’ button and select All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore
Click ‘Restore my computer to an earlier time’ and click ‘Next’
Select the last Windows restore point from the ‘On this list, click a restore point’ list, and click ‘Next’
Click ‘Next’ on the confirmation window to proceed
Restart your PC after restoration is complete
By restoring the system via a last saved system checkpoint, you can obtain undamaged Windows system files that can help avert the error code.
Method 3 – Manually uninstall and reinstall the device driver
If using system restore does not work in resolving the error code either, you may have to resort to manually uninstalling and then reinstalling the device driver causing the problem.
This would be necessary since the remaining incomplete files due to a partial removal or installation of programs is what results in the error code. By uninstall and reinstalling the device driver program, it would lead to the completion of the files.
You can do this by firstly logging in as Administrator and open Device Manager. Select the device that is causing the problem and double click it and make sure that the peripheral is connected properly to the PC.
Upon opening, click on the ‘Driver’ tab and then select ‘Update Driver’. Make sure to refer to the system documentation that you received with your PC or computer to check for the motherboard details and driver specifics.
Method 4 – Use software to automatically download the driver
Manually uninstalling and reinstalling the driver will do the trick; however, it may be time-consuming, especially when you would have to resort to your hardware user manual.
Therefore, using a program such as DriverFIX can save you a lot of time and frustration in having your device work properly on your computer.
DriverFIX, with its user-friendly approach to help you fix your PC issues, comes with an integrated database that detects which drivers you need to reconfigure within just a few seconds and downloads it automatically.
It further ensures that your drivers are installed in their entirety leaving no room for any incomplete files to remain that create Error Code 49.
It also has the added advantage of being able to backup and restore your files should there be the slightest possibility of system file damage. DriverFIX is the answer to fixing your PC error codes accurately and quickly.
Click here to download DriverFIX to fix Error Code 49 quickly and effectively!
In today's modern world many households have internet access, most of the connection nowadays is done via Wi-Fi or wireless but there is a high probability that you have also a few devices connected via cable. There are of course many disadvantages and advantages between cable connection and wireless connection.
The main advantages of a hard cable connection are of course faster speed and stability compared to Wi-Fi. But if we look into the cables themselves there is also a big difference between them. Not all cables are the same and quality as well as speed vary a lot between them. Choosing the right cable is essential in order to make a maximum of your internet and we have some great tips and explanations of what cables do so you can make the right choice and enjoy your full internet potential.
Not all cables are the same
Cheap cables and expensive ones are not the same no matter what everyone tells you. The old proverb you get what you pay is true and more expensive cables will be made from better materials and will have a higher transfer rate.
Quality network cables are separated into different categories with proper markings and when buying one you should always look for these markings on the cables themselves, do not buy cables that do not have markings since they will often provide lower transfer rates or will not be shielded from outside influences resulting in packet drops and instability in a network.
Categories and what they mean are:
Cat-5 with a maximum speed of 100Mbps, typically unshielded.
Cat-5e with a maximum speed of 1Gbps, available in both shielded and unshielded varieties.
Cat-6 with a maximum speed of 10Gbps for runs under 55 meters (around 180ft), available in both shielded and unshielded varieties.
Cat-6a with a maximum speed of 10Gbps, shielded.
Cat-7 uses a proprietary GG45 connector rather than the standard RJ-45 connector seen on other cables for speeds of 10Gbps, shielded.
Cat-8 with a maximum speed of 25Gbps (Cat-8.1) or 40Gbps (Cat-8.2) at a distance of around 30 meters (around 100ft), shielded.
Unless stated, these standards are typically rated at their quoted speeds for a run of around 100 meters (around 330 ft) and use a standard RJ-45 Ethernet connector. Each generation of cable is designed to be compatible with the generations that came before it, so it’s possible (for example) to use a Cat-6a cable with a router that only supports speeds of 1Gbps.
Shielded cables
When purchasing higher quality cable you might not be able to choose if you have shielding or not since some standards like Cat-6a, Cat-7, and Cat-8 are always shielded. But if you do not have the need for these and you are satisfied with Cat-5e for example you can choose.
Shielded cables are a little more expensive but they will provide you with a coating that will eliminate interference from outside waves making cables more reliable. Of course, if the cable will go through a room that does not have many radio waves or some other interferences then buying a shielded cable is a waste of money.
Cable platings
Usually, there are two types of connector platings on connectors, silver, and gold, and people usually think that gold is much better but there are major differences between silver and gold platings and truth to be told there is no better one, both are different and should be considered depending on your need.
Silver plating will provide you with faster speed since its conductivity is larger than gold, but gold is slower on the oxidation front so its life span is longer. On the other hand, if your cables are always connecting and disconnecting gold will be first to be scrubbed off from the surface since the gold coating is much thinner.
Overall if you would only connect cable once and have slower internet than cable capacity gold is the way to go, in another case if you would use the cable as always connecting and switching and your internet plan is the same as cable transfer capacity you might want to go with silver one.
Cable material quality
Network cables are made from copper, your standard conduction material but even here there are differences in quality and therefore the chance of pocket losses over it. More quality less loss and more stable connection and this will depend on the purity of copper that is used in the cable itself. More purity in copper, more stability, simple as that.
Conclusion
So as you can see, there are a lot of different things that will influence your pick of proper network cable but the overall best advice is to get one that will fit well into your needs and setup. pair it up with your router and your internet plan since just simply buying something that you can not use is really a waste of money.
A lot of controversies and mixed emotions have come from statements about Windows 11 minimum system requirements, especially ones linked to TPM.
Naturally, each time some software company giant announces how things are must have there are people who go out and prove them wrong.
This time Raspberry Pi community was one which demonstrated that not only Raspberry Pi does not have a TPM module, it can run the full desktop version of Windows 11
Raspberry Pi 4 and things you need for Windows 11 installation
In order to actually install Windows 11 on your Pi, there are certain things that you will need. Check out the below list and prepare everything.
Raspberry Pi 4 4GB or 8GB
A 32GB or larger SSD via a USB 3 caddy. Best for performance or 16GB or larger microSD card
USB boot enabled, see below.
A micro SD card with the latest Raspberry Pi OS
Windows 10 PC
USB to Ethernet or WiFi dongle
Bluetooth dongle (if you want Bluetooth)
Keyboard, mouse, HDMI, and power for your Raspberry Pi
Configuring Pi to boot from SSD
In order to boot from SSD be sure that firmware and bootloader are up to date on the latest version and upgrade if needed. Be aware that this firmware update can only be performed using the official Raspberry Pi OS.
Also if you are eager and want to use a standard microSSD card instead of an SSD to run Windows 11 feel free to skip this entire section.
Boot from microSSD with the latest Raspberry Pi OS on it.
Update firmware and OS using the terminal by typing
sudo apt updatesudo apt full-upgradesudo rpi-update
Reboot your Pi
Install the latest version of bootloader again using the terminal with the command
sudo rpi-eeprom-update -d – a
Reboot Pi
Launch raspi-config on your Pi via terminal with
sudo raspi-config
Select option 3 (Boot options – Configure options for start-up) from boot options
Select Boot ROM version and press ENTER
Select latest and then OK
Select NO when prompted to reset boot ROM to defaults on the latest version boot ROM selected screen. Press OK
Select Boot order and press ENTER
Select USB Boot and click on OK and remove microSD card from Pi
Select Finish and click on NO when prompted to reboot
Creating Windows 11 installation image for Pi 4
In order to install Windows 11 on our Pi, we must create an installation image, follow the steps below explaining the process.
Download Windows on Raspberry imager and extract it into the win11 folder
Open Imager and allow it to make changes to your computer, set your language, and click on next
Select storage drive where you would like to install Windows
Set device type and click on next
Select our Windows 11 ISO image we created and click on next
On the drivers screen select Use the latest driver package available on the server
On UEFI firmware select screen choose Use the latest firmware available on the server
On configuration screen click on next
Check your setting on the installation overview and if everything is ok click on install
Wait for the whole process to be finished
Once the process is completed, close Windows on Raspberry imager, take out SSD or microSSD card from PC and connect it on your Pi along with Pi peripherals.
Setting Windows 11 on Pi
In order to actually use Windows 11 on our Raspberry Pi we now have to set up the Windows 11 install using the standard post-installation setup sequence.
Power up Pi and press ESC when prompted
Go to Device manager and press ENTER
Select Raspberry Pi Configuration
Select Advanced configuration
Set Limit RAM to 3GB to a disabled state, press F10 to save, and ESC to exit.
Select Display configuration
Set the resolution to desired option and press ENTER, F10 to save, and ESC to exit
Go to CPU configuration
Check if the CPU clock is set to default, if not set it
Press ESC to go back all the way to the main menu
Select Continue to exit BIOS and boot your Raspberry Pi with Windows 11 on it
And there you have it, fully working Windows 11 OS on Raspberry Pi despite what Microsoft says
Note that due to lack of some drivers performance can be less than optimal, for example, full HD videos will not work since there are no compatible graphic drivers for Pi and some other stuff like Wi-Fi will also cause some issues but overall Windows 11 is working pretty well.
A solid reason to switch to Mac from Windows PC is Mac OS. Based on Linux, offers more stability and better security than Windows but you will not be able to find a vast array of applications on it.
Even when Mac OS X (the first big one) was first introduced, it looked and felt like ages beyond Windows (Microsoft just recently made a slick and modern design with Windows 11). Under the hood, it turned out that the operating system itself is stable and incredibly fast & responsive. If you value stability and easiness of use, Mac OS is the Operating system for you.
Apple ecosystem
This one is easy, if you are already invested in apple devices like iPhone and iPad, having an apple computer is one step forward into the apple ecosystem and one more step into easy sharing of documents and data between devices.
Calendars, emails, photos, videos, documents, and many more can easily be shared and synched between devices with a single apple ID making workflows much easier than on other operating systems.
Development
Developers all around the world say that developing on Mac is much better and smoother than on PC, this has probably to do something with OS being based on Linux but whatever the case is, it is much smoother and it just feels better. Apple laptops are often the go-to choice of developers for a reason.
Also if you are in the development business for applications and services aimed at iPhone or iPod then there is no really another way than to be into the apple ecosystem and own apple hardware.
Professional software
A lot of professional-grade software exists for both the Windows platform and Mac OS but there is some software that exists exclusively for Apple hardware like Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro. Both applications are used by professionals and are industry-standard software.
Logic pro is used by industrial audio specialists all around the world and is used in professional studios. Final Cut Pro is also used worldwide by video editors and if you are specializing in any of these two fields Mac seems like a very reasonable platform since the software can not be found on Windows. These two are examples, there are other similar applications that are only available on Mac OS
Longevity
Apple hardware is made of high-quality materials and components and it is proven over time that it lasts longer than usual. There are iPhones out there that have 13 years and they are still working, G3 and G4 Macs that are still functional.
When buying Apple products they will outlive other ones if treated properly so in the end you could be saving money by purchasing them.
Open Source Software is developed, tested, or improved through public collaboration and distributed with the idea that the must be shared with others, ensuring an open future collaboration. In other words, it is free software developed and maintained by public contribution. Many open-source projects have reached performance and usability like their paid alternatives, some have even surpassed them. Here we will explore open source alternatives to paid applications, you will find alternatives to paid ones that aim to do the same task.
LINUX - alternative to Windows or macOS
When it comes to the operating system, Windows and macOS mostly dominate the home market, but if you go a little deeper into the OS world you will hear this talk about LINUX and its distributions. LINUX is an open-source operating system, it has many various distributions aimed at different types of users and they are also open source as well. Its security and account privileges, as well as complete control over it, make it one of the best-operating systems in the world, many servers that run websites today use LINUX as their choice of operating system mostly due to its superior security features. If LINUX is good enough for big web companies, I am sure it will be at least satisfactory to you as well. Get your LINUX distribution here.
Thunderbird - alternative to outlook
A great alternative to any mail client actually, connect all of your emails into thunderbird and use it as the centralized email client for all of your email needs. Thunderbird does not lack any features that its paid counterparts have and overall it is a great application worth installing. Grab it from here.
VLC media player - media player able to play almost anything
Are you looking for a great media player alternative to Windows media player or iTunes? Look no further, VLC is a lightweight media player that can play almost any file type, it is customizable and packed with features even its paid counterparts would envy. Its playback features are unmatched by other applications and once you try it, I am sure you will hardly go back from it. Give it a go and grab it from here.
KeePass - password manager
Keepass is a simple, user-friendly lightweight password generator and manager, it uses industry-standard AES encryption and two-factor authentication to keep the details of your accounts safe and secure. you can store him and the database on a USB stick for safekeeping making it a great one to use on a go, wherever you need it. Get it from this link.
FileZilla - FTP client
A lightweight and future-rich FTP solution. It supports remote file editing and resuming of lost transfers, overall great application which anyone who needs this type of software should not overlook. Download it from its official website.
Audacity - alternative to Audition, Fl, apple logic pro,...
Digital audio editor and recording computer software with some great features like recording audio from multiple sources, post-processing of all types of audio, including podcasts by adding effects such as normalization, trimming, and fading in and out. Audacity has a great following and it is well documented, easy to learn and use. Grab it from here.
Shortcut - alternative to adobe premiere, avid media composer, DaVinci resolve
The shortcut is a video editor application that demonstrates how long an open-source project can go if enough dedication and work are put into it, started as not so great and not so feature-packed in beginning, today it can easily contend with its paid counterparts with its non-destructive editing, color gradation, keyframing, etc. It is running and using FFmpeg, an open-source video framework that lets it open and works with virtually any video or audio format. Download it from here.
Gimp - alternative to adobe photoshop
This one has been around since 1996 and it is one of the best maintained open source applications. With its features like built-in support for layers, filters, and automatic photo enhancement. It also makes it easy to create new graphic design elements and you can really take things to the next level by downloading plug-ins created by the broader GIMP open source community. Gimp is the best pixel manipulation-free tool on the market and with the right skills, it can go side by side with adobe's flagship product. Check it out here.
Inkscape - alternative to adobe illustrator, Corel draw
What is Gimp for photoshop that is Inkscape for illustrator. This free open-source vector graphic tool does not fall behind with its tools in comparison to its paid counterparts and I would highly recommend it for anyone. Features like alpha blending, cloning on-point path manipulations can assure that you can create anything you want inside it. get your copy from here.
Libre office - alternative to MS office
Libre office is one of the most quality office suite there, it has spreadsheets, word processor, presentation app, calculation applications, database application, and diagrams. All these applications create and make one great suite that can open Microsoft Office files and even work with them naturally. Completely free and active in development there is no reason, not t use it in your daily routine. Go to its official website and download it for a test run.
Amarok - alternative to iTunes
Amarok is an audio player with a broad range of features like integration with multiple Web audio services, dynamic playlists, bookmarks, scripting, context view, and more. get it from here.
PDF Creator - alternative to adobe acrobat
As its paid counterpart PDF Creator lets you make PDF files from any application that could print. It works the same way as adobe acrobat and supports encryption and digital signature, it lacks in PDF forms a little but if that is not something that you need, it is a great alternative to acrobat and completely free. Download it from here.
Blender - Alternative to Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3dmax, foundry Modo, cinema4d,...
3D modeling and animation software is very expensive. From the point of home user long it has been lost dream to have industry quality 3D modeling, animation, and rendering application for an affordable price. Blender has made that dream a possibility, completely free and open-source this package offers everything that its paid counterparts offer, some could even argue that since its open-source nature and availability of full code it offers even more. Why you are still here? Go get it here.
Bluefish - alternative to Adobe Dreamweaver
When it comes to web editing and code editing applications, notepad ++ seems like a person go-to application, but if you prefer a more professional suited IDE for web development check out Bluefish, auto-filling, code syntax, and constant development make sure that this application will not go away soon and it is worth investing your time in it. Get it from here.
ClamWin - alternative to Kaspersky, BItdefender, Norton
This antivirus has over 600000 users and active database updates also feature a full email scanner, scanning scheduler, and File Explorer integration. It is far better than other freeware alternatives and if you are looking for a free antivirus option look no further, ClamWin is here to stay. Grab it from here.
Natron - alternative to adobe aftereffects, foundry nuke
Full-featured node-based composition and effects suite. Natron is a powerful Digital Compositor that can handle all of your 2D/2.5D needs. Its robust OIIO file formats and OpenFX architecture is what makes Natron the most flexible open-source compositor for the visual effects community. Its interface and functionally are the same across all platforms such as macOS, Linux, and Windows. Natron has a powerful keying, roto/roto paint, 2D tracking tools that are staple for all current film production project that requires visual effects. Get natron from here.
Clonezilla - alternative to Norton Ghost
When it comes to cloning hard drives usually there is only one application, Norton ghost. Clonezilla tends to change that by offering the same usability as the ghost. Grab your copy from here.
FreeCAD - alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk AutoCAD has years of development and dedication of its team behind it to keep it as the best CAD application on the market and it shows. However, if you are not really a hardcore professional who needs all of AutoCAD features and can live without some automation inside it FreeCAD is one of the best free open source options, it will certainly get the job done and with its dynamic simulation and analysis, it is guaranteed that you can achieve same results as in AutoCAD with little more time investment. Get if here.
Octave - alternative to MATLAB
Octave is the best open-source educational tool used for numerical computation with an interactive environment. The tool features powerful mathematics-oriented syntax with built-in plotting and visualization tools and also Octave syntax is largely compatible with Matlab. Get your copy from here.
Godot - alternative to Unity3D, Unreal
Godot is a lightweight feature-packed node-based game development engine, completely open-source and free to use for commercial projects. The engine has reached 3.2 version and it is more and more adopted by various independent game makers across the globe, recently there are to of video tutorials and documentation to get you up and running and its open-source nature lets you modify the engine itself in any way that suits and benefits you. Also, any project made with Godot is completely yours, there are no hidden fees or anything similar. Download it from here.
Conclusion
That's it, my pick for 20 open source alternatives which I believe you should at least try and if you end up with at least one, you have saved some hard-earned money.
And always remember:
Open-source programs give you complete freedom without any shady terms and conditions.
Open-source software code is readily available for anyone who wants it, so anyone can use it, share it, modify it for their own needs, and study it.
No spying eyes, no tracking, and no telemetry
In some cases, open-source tools offer features or performance benefits that surpass their commercial counterparts.
No hidden charges, completely free.
If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
Error 504 is a type of runtime error that occurs on Windows PC. A runtime error is a bug that causes software or hardware problems thereby preventing programs from working on your PC correctly.
This error may occur during the execution of the program. It also slows down your PC performance.
Solution
Error Causes
Error 504 can be triggered by many causes such as:
Incompatibility between 2 software programs
Malicious software
Missing DLL files
Registry issues
Further Information and Manual Repair
Whenever you experience the error 504 on your system, it is advisable to resolve it immediately, typically because runtime errors like error 504 can lead to system failure and valuable data loss which is more than often hard to recover.
To resolve this error code, you don’t necessarily have to hire a professional for the job. In fact, here are some solutions that you can try to fix by yourself, even if you are not a computer programmer.
1. Get the latest updates for Windows and for the program showing the error
This is a quick way to resolve runtime error 504 on Windows PC. To update the latest updates for Windows and for the program causing the error, open Windows Update by going to the start menu.
In the search box type ‘update’ and then in the list of results click Windows Update. In the left pane click on check for updates, wait while Windows looks for the latest updates.
It will show you a list of updates available select the important updates that you want to install. Then click ok and then click install updates.
After the updates are successfully complete, restart your PC and try running the application. If the error still persists, then try the solution given below.
2. Scan For Malicious Software
Sometimes the runtime error 504 may occur due to viral infection and malware. So, to resolve it download an antivirus. However, the antivirus can also slow down your PC performance.
3. Scan for Registry Issues
Another way to resolve it is to scan for registry issues. The registry and DLL files get damaged when it overloads with too much data. This particularly includes irrelevant and obsolete files. Registry issues trigger runtime errors like 504.
The best way to resolve it is to download Restoro. This is an advanced and multi-functional PC Fixer embedded with multiple utilities like a registry cleaner, an antivirus, and a system optimizer.
The registry cleaning utility resolves registry issues by removing the unnecessary files completely and repairing the damaged dll files. The antivirus module scans and removes all kinds of malicious software on your PC like viruses and Trojans, thereby resolving the runtime error 504 in seconds.
As for speed, Restoro also functions as a system optimizer which boosts the performance of your system significantly.
Restoro is safe and bug-free software. It has simple navigation and a user-friendly interface which makes it very easy to operate and workaround. It is compatible with all Windows versions.
Click here to download Restoro and resolve error 504 today!
If you are trying to install or reinstall a program on your Windows 10 computer but encountered an error instead that says, “Fatal error, Installation fails, Installation ended prematurely because of an error”, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you how you can fix it.
This kind of error is most likely caused by some files that may have been left behind by the previous installation of the program. Each time a program is uninstalled, it leaves behind its files and if the uninstallation process wasn’t completed properly, then it would result in errors like the
“Fatal error, Installation fails, Installation ended prematurely because of an error”.
Moreover, this kind of error is a generic one that can also occur with any software reinstallation or installation. And to fix this error, there are several suggestions you must check out. You can try to install or reinstall the program in a Clean Boot State or restart the Windows Installer Service. You could also try to re-register the Windows Installer Service or re-register the VBScript.dll file.
Option 1 – Install or reinstall the program in a Clean Boot State
It is possible that there are some third-party applications in your computer that are preventing the program from getting installed and to isolate this possibility, you need to boot your computer in a Clean Boot State and then try installing the program again. Putting your computer in this state can help you identify which program is the culprit and thus isolates the problem. In a Clean Boot state, your computer will start using only the pre-selected minimal set of drivers and startup programs. Note that you have to disable and enable one process at a time.
Log onto your PC as an administrator.
Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
Clear the “Load Startup items” checkbox and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” checkbox.
Click Disable all.
Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
After you’ve set your computer into a Clean Boot State, make sure that you’re signed in as administrator and then try to install the program again.
Option 2 – Try to restart the Windows Installer Service
The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to restart the Windows Installer Service. To do this, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility and type “services.msc” in the field and then hit Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
Next, look for the Windows Installer service among the list of services shown.
Once you found it, right-click on it and open its Properties.
From there, click on the Stop button and then click on the Start button.
But if it isn’t running, then just click on the Start button.
Option 3 – Try to unregister and re-register the Windows Installer Module
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type the “msiexec /unregister” command and hit Enter to unregister the Windows Installer Module.
Next, type the “msiexec /regserver” command and hit Enter to re-register the Windows Installer Module.
Now restart your computer and see if unregistering and re-registering the Windows Installer Module fixed the problem or not.
Option 4 – Try to re-register the vbscript.dll file
You may have to re-register the vbscript.dll file using the regsvr32.exe before you can successfully install the program and fix the error. The Regsvr32 tool is a command-line utility that can be used to register and un-register the OLE controls like DLL and ActiveX (OCX) control in the Windows operating system. Follow the steps below to use it.
Open Command Prompt as admin from the WinX menu.
Next, type regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll in the elevated Command Prompt and hit Enter to execute the command. This will re-register the affected DLL file using the Windows operating system tool, regsvr32.exe.
You should see a message saying, “DllRegisterServer in vbscript.dll succeeded” if the Regsvr32 tool was able to run successfully. After that, try to install the program again and see if it now works.