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Windows 10 Power Toys detailed guide

Hello and welcome everyone, today we will be talking about power toys, a great, completely free, open-source, Microsoft-supported Windows project which aims to provide Windows itself with powerful features not found natively in it.

We will explore power toys completely here and explain each module and its features.

The first thing is of course to download power toys themselves. You can find them here. After you download them, double click on the downloaded file and install. Start power toys, you will find them at the bottom of the taskbar, note that power toys need to be active in order to use their features.

power toysWhen opened you will be greeted with general settings window. These are settings for power toys themselves, Here you can check for updates, change the looks of power toys, run it on system startup and run them as administrator. Set them up so they best suit your needs.

Color Picker

Moving down next tab we have is Color picker.

power toys colorpicker hex editorThe color picker will let you as the name suggests pick colors, it will sample colors from running applications and windows, snap their values, and place them in the clipboard. A useful application if you are working as a graphic designer, want to create some cool word document, or just want to compare the difference between colors.

After the Color Picker is activated, hover your mouse cursor over the color you would like to copy and left-click the mouse button to select a color. If you want to see the area around your cursor in more detail, scroll up to zoom in. The copied color will be stored in your clipboard in the format that is configured in the settings (HEX by default). The editor lets you see the history of picked colors (up to 20) and copy their representation in any predefined string format. You can configure what color formats are visible in the editor, along with the order that they appear. This configuration can be found in PowerToys settings. The editor also allows you to fine-tune any picked color or get a new similar color. Editor previews different shades of currently selected color - 2 lighter and 2 darker ones. Clicking on any of those alternative color shades will add the selection to the history of picked colors (appears on the top of the colors history list). Color in the middle represents your currently selected color from the history of the colors. By clicking on it, the fine-tuning configuration control will appear, which will let you change the HUE or RGB values of the current color. Pressing OK will add newly configured color into the history of the colors.

Fancy Zones

Moving down, we have fancy zones.

power toys fancy zonesFancyZones is a window manager utility for arranging and snapping windows into efficient layouts to improve the speed of your workflow and restore layouts quickly. FancyZones allows the user to define a set of window locations for a desktop that are drag targets for windows. When the user drags a window into a zone, the window is resized and repositioned to fill that zone. When first launched, the zones editor presents a list of layouts that can be adjusted by how many windows are on the monitor. Choosing a layout shows a preview of that layout on the monitor. The selected layout is applied automatically.

File Explorer

Next, File Explorer.

power toys settings file explorerOnly 3 options here but maybe some are important to you. This extension lets you enable SVG file preview in File Explorer, enable Markdown preview, and enable SVG thumbnails. Turn on each one you might need.

Image Resize

Next down the line, we have Image resize.

power toys image resizeImage Resizer is a Windows shell extension for bulk image-resizing. After installing PowerToys, right-click on one or more selected image files in File Explorer, and then select Resize pictures from the menu. You can specify your own sizes if you want, you can resize when dragging files, you can overwrite files or make new copies of new sizes, and many more options. A very useful tool I am sure plenty of users can use since this eliminates the need for pictures or any other image application for common resizing tasks.

Keyboard Manager

The keyboard manager is the next tab in power toys.

power toys keyboard shortcutsThe PowerToys Keyboard Manager enables you to redefine keys on your keyboard. For example, you can exchange the letter A for the letter D on your keyboard. When you select the A key, a D will display. You can also exchange shortcut key combinations. For example, the shortcut key, Ctrl+C, will copy the text in Microsoft Word. With the PowerToys Keyboard Manager utility, you can exchange that shortcut for ⊞ Win+C). Now, ⊞ Win+C) will copy text. If you do not specify a targeted application in PowerToys Keyboard Manager, the shortcut exchange will be applied globally across Windows. PowerToys Keyboard Manager must be enabled (with PowerToys running in the background) for remapped keys and shortcuts to be applied. If PowerToys is not running, key remapping will no longer be applied.

Power Rename

Nex we have a very cool and powerful Power Rename

power toys power renamePowerRename is a bulk renaming tool that enables you to:

  • Modify the file names of a large number of files (without renaming all of the files with the same name).
  • Perform a search and replace on a targeted section of file names.
  • Perform a regular expression rename on multiple files.
  • Check expected rename results in a preview window before finalizing a bulk rename.
  • Undo a rename operation after it is completed.

Run Utility

Power Toys Run utility follows next.

power toys run warningPowerToys Run is a quick launcher for power users that contains some additional features without sacrificing performance.

PowerToys Run features include:

  • Search for applications, folders, or files
  • Search for running processes (previously known as WindowWalker)
  • Clickable buttons with keyboard shortcuts (such as Open as the administrator or Open containing folder)
  • Invoke Shell Plugin using > (for example, > Shell:startup will open the Windows startup folder)
  • Do a simple calculation using the calculator

Shortcut Guide

Last but not least we have a Shortcut guide.

power toys shortcut guide largeThis guide uses PowerToys to display common keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows ⊞ key. Windows key keyboard shortcuts can be used while the guide is being shown and the result of those shortcuts (active window moved, arrow shortcut behavior changes, etc) will be displayed in the guide. Releasing the Windows ⊞ key will make the overlay disappear. Tapping the Windows ⊞ key will display the Windows Start menu.

Hey, you made it till the end, thank you for reading and I hope to see you soon.

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Easy Remove FoxTab From Windows

FoxTab Toolbar is a browser hijacking toolbar add-on for IE, Firefox, Chrome, and Opera browsers that claims that it allows you to access your favorite sites faster, and improving your overall search and browsing experience. 1-click access to search results, most popular websites, and web services directly from our Foxtab browser toolbar.

Fox tab will integrate itself into your browser, modifying the search engine, welcome page, and new tab. This toolbar may change some browser settings, display unwanted ads, and sometimes displays additional ads from its ad sponsor. Some of the settings that this toolbar changes can lower the security of your browser.

Upon installation the toolbar ads scheduled tasks in Windows, allowing it to run with your browser every time, and to automatically update itself. Several anti-virus programs have flagged this software as Malware and therefore it is classified as a browser hijacker and recommended for optional removal.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijackers (sometimes called hijackware) are a type of malicious software that modifies internet browser settings without the user’s knowledge or approval. These types of hijacks are rising at an astonishing rate across the world, and they can be actually nefarious and sometimes dangerous too. They are created to interfere with web browser programs for many different reasons. Often, hijackers will force hits to internet sites of their choice either to increase targeted traffic generating higher ad revenue, or to gain a commission for every user visiting there. Although it might appear harmless, these tools are made by malicious people who always try to take full advantage of you, so that hackers can earn money from your naivety and distraction. What’s more, hijackers can make the whole infected system fragile – other destructive malware and viruses will take hold of these opportunities to get into your computer system effortlessly.

How to know whether the browser is hijacked?

Symptoms that your internet browser is hijacked include: 1. your home page has been reset to some unknown webpage 2. bookmark and the new tab are also changed 3. default web engine is changed 4. you see unwanted new toolbars added 5. you’ll notice random pop-ups start showing regularly 6. your web browser starts running sluggishly or exhibits frequent glitches 7. Inability to navigate to particular sites, particularly anti-malware as well as other computer security software webpages.

How it infects your PC

Browser hijackers infect PCs in numerous ways, including via a file-share, a drive-by download, or an infected email. They can also be deployed via the installation of an internet browser toolbar, extension, or add-on. Also, certain shareware and freeware can put the hijacker in your PC through “bundling”. Browser hijackers can record user keystrokes to collect potentially invaluable information that leads to privacy issues, cause instability on systems, drastically disrupt the user experience, and ultimately slow down the PC to a point where it becomes unusable.

Tips on how to get rid of browser hijackers

Certain kinds of browser hijackers can be removed from your computer by deleting malicious applications or any other recently added freeware. Often, it can be a tough task to find and eliminate the malicious component because the associated file might be running as part of the operating system process. Also, manual removals require in-depth system understanding and thus can be a very difficult task for beginner computer users. Professionals always suggest users remove any malicious software including browser hijacker by using an automatic removal tool, which is easier, safer, and quicker than the manual removal process. Safebytes Anti-Malware detects all kinds of hijackers – including FoxTab – and eliminates every trace efficiently and quickly. Employ a pc optimizer along with your antivirus software to solve various computer registry problems, eliminate system vulnerabilities, and boost your computer performance.

Malware Blocking Access To Safebytes Website And Anti-Malware Downloads - What You Should Do?

Malware may cause many different types of damage to computer systems, networks, and data. Some malware is meant to interfere with or prevent things that you wish to do on your PC. It may well not permit you to download anything from the internet or prevent you from accessing some or all of the sites, particularly the anti-malware sites. If you’re reading this, you may have affected by a virus that stops you from downloading a computer security program like Safebytes Anti-Malware. There are a few steps you can take to get around this problem.

Download the software in Safe Mode with Networking

If any virus is set to load automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, getting into Safe Mode could very well block the attempt. Just the minimum required programs and services are loaded when you start your PC in Safe Mode. To start your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers in Safe Mode with Networking, please do as instructed below. 1) Tap the F8 key repeatedly as soon as your system boots, but before the large windows logo comes up. This would conjure up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Choose Safe Mode with Networking using arrow keys and hit ENTER. 3) When this mode loads, you will have the internet. Now, get the virus removal software you want by utilizing the internet browser. To install the software, follow the guidelines within the setup wizard. 4) Immediately after installation, do a complete scan and let the program remove the threats it finds.

Download the antivirus program in a different web browser

Some malware mainly targets particular browsers. If this is your situation, employ another web browser as it could circumvent the computer virus. In the event you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by malware or otherwise compromised by online hackers, the ideal course of action would be to switch over to a different browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to download your favorite computer security application – Safebytes Anti-Malware. Create a bootable USB anti-virus drive Another option is to make a portable anti-malware program onto your USB flash drive. Try these simple measures to clean up your infected PC using a portable antivirus. 1) Make use of another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the pen drive into the clean PC. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) When asked, choose the location of the USB drive as the place in which you would like to store the software files. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation. 5) Disconnect the USB drive. You may now utilize this portable anti-virus on the affected computer system. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the thumb drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Hit the “Scan Now” button to start the malware scan.

Protect Your PC and Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Do you want to install the best anti-malware software for your computer? There are plenty of applications on the market that comes in free and paid versions for Windows computers. Some are very good ones, some are decent, and some are simply just bogus anti-malware software that will damage your PC themselves! You need to be very careful not to pick the wrong product, particularly if you buy a paid application. On the list of recommended software programs is SafeBytes AntiMalware. SafeBytes has a very good reputation for excellent service, and clients seem to be happy with it. SafeBytes anti-malware is a trusted tool that not only protects your computer system permanently but is also quite easy to use for people of all skill levels. After you have installed this application, SafeBytes' superior protection system will make sure that absolutely no viruses or malware can seep through your computer. SafeBytes has great features when compared with other anti-malware programs. Below are some of the great features included in the application. Active Protection: SafeBytes offers real-time active monitoring service and protection against all known viruses and malware. It’ll monitor your computer system for suspicious activity regularly and its unparalleled firewall guards your PC against illegal access by the outside world. World-class AntiMalware Protection: Built on a highly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal tool is able to detect and remove numerous obstinate malware threats such as browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, and ransomware that other common antivirus software will miss. Safe Browsing: SafeBytes checks and provides a unique safety rating to every single site you visit and block access to web pages known to be phishing sites, thus protecting you from identity theft, or known to contain malicious software. Low Memory/CPU Usage: This software is lightweight and will run quietly in the background, and that does not have an effect on your PC efficiency. 24/7 Online Technical Support: SafeBytes provides you with 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and updates for the best user experience. Overall, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program since it has plenty of features and can detect and remove any potential threats. There is no doubt that your computer will be protected in real-time as soon as you put this software program to use. If you’re looking for the absolute best malware removal tool out there, and if you don’t mind shelling out some money for it, go for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove FoxTab without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser. To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.

The following files, folders, and registry entries are created or modified by FoxTab

Registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunrandom.exe HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallFoxTab HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallFoxTabDisplayIcon %AppData%[RANDOM CHARACTERS][RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallFoxTabDisplayName Trojan horse name HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce[RANDOM CHARACTERS] %AppData%RANDOM CHARACTERS[RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe
[/section][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][/vc_section]
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Back in the mid-'90s, when the US Navy was looking into ways to securely communicate sensitive intelligence information, a mathematician and two computer scientists emerged from the Naval Research Lab with something called "onion routing." It was a new kind of technology that would protect your internet traffic with layers of privacy. By 2003, The Onion Routing project, acronym Tor, was in the hands of the public, where its vast network of users the engine enabling Tor has since continued to grow. Today, thousands of volunteers all over the world are connecting their computers to the internet to create the Tor network by becoming "nodes" or "relays" for your internet traffic.

What is Tor?

At a basic level, Tor is a type of internet-connected network with its own internet browser. Once you connect to the internet with the Tor browser, your internet traffic is stripped of its first layer of identifying information as it enters the Tor network and is then sent bouncing through those relay nodes, which serve to encrypt and privatize your data, layer by layer like an onion. Finally, your traffic hits an exit node and leaves the Tor network for the open web. Once you're in the Tor network, it's nearly impossible for others to track your traffic's manic pinballing path across the globe. And once you leave the Tor network via an exit node, the website you view (assuming it has HTTPS in front of its address) isn't sure which part of the world you're hailing from, offering you more privacy and protection. Because Tor is a volunteer-run network, speed can often be an issue. As your traffic moves from node to node, you're likely to notice more speed loss than you would, for instance, with most commercial virtual private networks. This becomes particularly noticeable if you try to watch streaming Netflix content over Tor or make voice-over-IP phone calls or video calls with an app like Zoom. Tor technology isn't necessarily built to provide seamless audio-video experiences.

Tor and plugins

Speaking of videos, there are also limits to the amount of privacy Tor can offer you if you enable certain browser media plugins like Flash. Likewise, your browser's JavaScript plug-in which enables you to view a lot of websites' embedded media can still leak your IP address information. Torrenting files with Tor also exposes you to privacy risks. Because of these risks, Tor's privacy settings have these kinds of plug-ins disabled by default. If you're just looking to do general, daily internet perusal using a browser that will better hide your traffic from spying eyes, Tor probably isn't the best choice due to its slow speeds and incompatibility with most embedded media. But if you're concerned enough about privacy around a particular topic of internet research (and you don't have a VPN), Tor is probably the best choice for you.
If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
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To disable Speech Recognition on your computer, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Go to Settings > Ease of Access. Step 2: From there, go to Speech. Step 3: Now switch off the toggle button for Speech Recognition to disable this feature. On the other hand, you can also disable the Online Speech Recognition feature if you really don’t want to have anything to do with it. You have two options to do that – you can either do it using Settings or using the Registry Editor.

Disable Online Speech Recognition feature via Settings:

  • Click on the Start button and select Settings.
  • Next, go to the Privacy section and click on the Speech option located at the right pane.
  • Then switch the toggle button off to turn off the Online Speech Recognition feature.
Note: Speech services exist on your computer and even in the cloud since Microsoft collects essential information from these services in order to enhance user experience and if you want to stop this, you have to turn off the “Getting to know you” option under the “Inking and typing Personalization” section.

Disable Online Speech Recognition feature via Registry Editor:

Before you proceed, you need to create a System Restore Point first.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Next, navigate to the following registry path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftSpeech_OneCoreSettingsOnlineSpeechPrivacy
  • After that, check the default value of the “HasAccepted” key located in the right pane. As you can see its value is set to “1” which means that the Speech Recognition feature is enabled. And so to change it, you have to set “0” as its new value to permanently disable the feature.
  • Just double click on the key and change the value from “1” to “0”. Keep in mind that even if you are using a 64-bit Windows 10 computer, you still have to create a 32-bit DWORD value.
  • After that, restart your computer to apply the changes made.
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Not enough storage is available to process...
Each time you execute a command on your computer, it takes into account a number of files and space for the code in the background for the command to be executed. Thus, executing the command is not that easy which is why you could encounter some errors along the way due to various limitations or poor allocation of memory, and so on. One of the errors you might encounter when executing a command on Windows 10 and Windows Server is the “Not enough storage is available to process this command”. There are several potential fixes you can check out to fix this error. To fix this error, you can try to delete the temporary files in your computer, run the DISM tool or apply some registry tweaks. For more details, refer to each one of the given options below.

Option 1 – Try to delete the temporary files

The error could be caused by some temporary or junk files in your computer and so you need to clear them up to fix the problem. You can achieve that using the Storage Sense feature.
  • Open Setting > System > Storage from the WinX Menu.
  • From there, you will see a list of all the local and connected storage devices along with the details on the free space. Make sure that Storage Sense is on.
  • Next, find a link that says “Free Up Space” and click it to open.
  • After that, a screen which is the built-in program in Windows 10 will appear and will scan your computer for the following junk files so you can free up disk space:
    • Windows Upgrade Log Files
    • System created Windows Error Reporting Files
    • Thumbnails
    • Temporary Internet Files
    • Previous Windows Installation Files
    • Delivery Optimisation Files
    • DirectX Shader Cache
  • Choose the files you want to get rid of and then click on the remove files option. Note that you’ll have an idea of the total size as you select any of the junk files listed above.
  • Now go to the “Free Up Space Now” section and click the Clean now button. This will get rid of all the temporary or junk files in your computer and should hopefully fix Error 1310.

Option 2 – Run the DISM tool

You can also run the DISM Tool as it could also help in fixing the “Not enough storage is available to process this command” error in Windows 10. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth” that could help in fixing error 0x80246019.
  • You can run the DISM tool via Advanced Startup Options or you could boot your computer into a Clean Boot State and then select Command Prompt.
  • Open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • Then type in the following commands and make sure to hit Enter right after you type each one of them:
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    • exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  • Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish. Once it’s done, restart your computer and try again. If it didn’t work, you can try to use the “/StartComponentCleanup” parameter: Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

Option 3 – Try to use the Registry Editor

The memory range allocated for the tasks and commands to be executed is associated with the IRPStackSize DWORD. Thus, to fix the error, you need to extend the range by applying some registry tweak. Before you proceed, make sure that you create a System Restore point first. Once you’re done, follow these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “Regedit” in the field and tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Next, navigate to this registry key: ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesLanmanServerParameters
  • From there, look for the DWORD named “IRPStackSize” and right-click on it. If you can’t find this DWORD, just right-click on any empty space and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  • Input “IRPStackSize” as the DWORD name and double click on it and set its Value data to be greater than its default value. Note that the maximum value allowed is “0xc” and the range starts from “0x1”.
  • Now click on OK and exit the Registry Editor and then restart your computer and see if the error is fixed.
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Easy Methods of Fixing Error 1706

What is Error 1706?

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

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

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

Further Information and Manual Repair

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

Method 1

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

Method 2

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

Download Restoro to Correct Registry Errors

However, to ensure the installation is successful this time around, it is advisable to clean the registry and ensure the uninstalled program is not located in the registry. To do this, download Restoro and run it on your computer. This is a powerful PC Fixer integrated with a registry cleaner. The registry cleaner wipes out all the unnecessary files and uninstalled program files saved in the registry. Once the registry is cleaned, try reinstalling MS Office again. This will resolve the error 1706. Click here to download Restoro and repair error 1706.
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Mail and Calendar not working with Cortana
Mail and Calendar not working with Cortana? As you know, Cortana was first launched way back in 2014 with an emphasis on its tight integration with both the Windows Mail and Calendar apps. This integration has been one of the highlighting features of this Personal Digital Assistant. However, there are some users who reported that the Calendar and Mail integration with Cortana is not working on their Windows 10 computers. This kind of problem could be due to several factors like the loose integration between the services, incompatible versions of the components, and many more. According to the users who experienced the issue, the features affected are the syncing of calendar appointments, sending emails via Cortana, and so on. To fix this problem, there are several options you can try. You can try to restart Cortana’s processor run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter. You could also try to relink your Microsoft account or reinstall the Mail and Calendar apps, as well as reinstall Cortana.  For more details, follow the suggestions given below.

Option 1 – Restart Cortana’s process in the Task Manager

Restarting Cortana’s process in the Task Manager could also help you resolve the problem. Refer to the steps given below to do so.
  • Tap the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys to open the Security options window.
  • From there, look for the Task Manager in the given list and open it.
  • Next, look for the process of Cortana and right-click on it, and then select the End Task option to end its process.
  • After that, the Cortana process will restart by itself and re-initialize.

Option 2 – Run the Windows Store App troubleshooter

The Windows 10 Store Apps Troubleshooter will help you in fixing the Web Preview problem in Cortana. This is a great built-in tool from Microsoft that helps users fix any app issues. To use the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter, follow the steps below.
  • Tap Win + I keys again to open the Windows Settings panel.
  • Go to Update & Security and then go to Troubleshoot.
  • Under the Troubleshoot section, on your left-hand side, scroll down to find Window Store Apps.
  • Then click on the Run the troubleshooter option and follow the on-screen instructions and then see if it fixes the problem.

Option 3 – Try to relink your Microsoft Account

You might also want to relink your account in Microsoft using the Windows 10 Settings app.
  • Open the Windows 10 Settings app.
  • Next, navigate to Accounts > Email & Accounts and from there, go to the section of Accounts used by Email, Calendar, and Contacts.
  • After that, select your email account and select Manage.
  • Once done, a new panel will come up where you have to click on the “Delete account from this device” link.
  • Once you get a confirmation, select Delete and then relink the same account. This should resolve the problem.

Option 4 – Try to reinstall or update the Mail and Calendar apps

  • Open Windows PowerShell as admin.
  • Next, execute this command: Get-AppxPackage *windowscommunicationsapps* | Remove-AppxPackage
  • Once done, restart your computer and go to the Microsoft Store page to get the latest updates for both Windows Mail and Calendar apps.

Option 5 – Try to reset Cortana via Settings

  • Launch the Windows 10 Settings app and go to Apps > Apps & Features.
  • Next, look for the entry of Cortana on the right-side panel and select it.
  • After that, select the Advanced options and then select the Terminate button under the Terminate section.
  • Once done, click on the Reset button under the Reset section.
  • Restart your PC.
  • After your computer boots, launch Cortana again and check.

Option 6 – Try to reinstall Cortana

If none of the options given above works, you must consider reinstalling Cortana.
  • First, right-click on the Taskbar and select the Task Manager.
  • Next, select File menu > Run new task and type “Powershell” in the field and then select the “Create this task with administrative privileges” option.
  • Click on OK to open the PowerShell console.
  • After that, type the following command and hit Enter to execute it:
Get-AppXPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.Cortana | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}
  • Restart your computer and check if the problem is now fixed.
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How to Fix Windows 10 Activation Error 0Xc004F074

Error code 0Xc004F074 - What is it?

Did you previously use Windows 7 or 8 but decided to run with the latest Windows 0S, Windows 10? An early error message encountered was activation error code 0Xc004F074. Error code 0Xc004F074 is manifested when the user fails to activate Windows directly after the installation of Windows 10. This occurs if the previous operating system on your computer was Key Management Service (KMS) activated.

The KMT provides a more seamless operation when users are activating volume license editions of Microsoft Windows and Office. This process tends to be clear to end-users of the system.

Symptoms of error code 0Xc004F074 include:

  • Windows is unable to reach your company’s activation service.
  • The Key Management Service is unavailable.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Various factors might incite error code 0Xc004F074. A primary cause is a discrepancy or difference between the KMS client and the KMS host machine. The host computer could possibly be operating a Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2008, while the client runs on OS Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2. To supplement, the computer’s time might be a contributing factor. The time on the host machine and client might show a difference (Usually the host time exceeds 4 hours).

Further Information and Manual Repair

To rectify error code 0Xc004F074, users are advised to try various methods. These methods include:
  1. Method 1: Update Your KMS Host 9 (Windows Server 2003)

Are you running later versions of Windows Server? Use an update that fixes or installs KMS on your computer. The update is available on Microsoft’s website. Keep clearly in mind that the update is only for Windows Server 2013 Service Pack 1 and later versions of Windows Server 2003.

  1. Method 2: Update Your KMS Host 9 (Windows Server 2008)

This step is similar to the aforementioned. However, it applies to Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. This ensures the service is extended to Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

  1. Method 3: Update the Time

It was previously mentioned that the time reflected on the KMS host and client might cause error code 0Xc004F074 to manifest. A simple fix to adhere to is to always ensure that the time between both is updated. To Resync the time on the client, execute the following command.

w32tm /resync

  1. Method 4: Uninstall the Existing KMS

For this method to be successfully deployed, you’ll need to have in your possession an activation key or KMSpico Key. As you cannot apply the new key with the existing one, remove or uninstall the initial key. To perform this step, open the command prompt. This should be done while the computer is in admin mode. Then, run the command

(slmgr.vbs /dlv)

It should be executed without the brackets and before you have removed the existing key.

After executing the command, you’ll encounter the description:

Windows(R) Operating System, VOLUME_KMS_WS12_R2 channel

Move along with the process by applying the slmgr.vbs /upk to uninstall the existing KMS key.

After the old key is uninstalled, you’re ready to apply the following:

slmgr.vbs /ipk <NewKMSProductKey>

To check if things are in place and complete the process, follow the steps below: PC Settings >Update and Security > Activation

  1. Method 5: Download an Automated Tool

If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 8 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.
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How to change network from Public to Private

If you would like your computer to be discoverable on your network and use print and file sharing you will have to change your network profile on your computer from public to private.

computer network

Follow the provided guide step by step to change your network profile setting:

Switch to private profile in Windows 10

Locate the Wi-Fi icon in your system tray and click on it. Click on properties on your WI-FI network to open the network menu. Inside the menu in the Network profile section enable the Private option.

Your changes will be automatically saved.

Switch profile to private in Windows 11

Find the WI-FI icon in the system tray and right-click on it, then choose Network and Internet Settings. Network & Internet page with open, find your network name at the top and select properties.

On the WI-FI page, in the Network Profile Type section choose Private. As in Windows 10, your changes will be automatically charged, and you can start using them immediately.

Another way around

If you want to switch back to a public profile follow provided steps but disable the private option.

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Can’t pair Bluetooth keyboard, Check the PIN
If you have suddenly run into a problem when trying to connect or pair your Bluetooth keyboard with your Windows 10 computer, read on as this post will guide you on how exactly you can resolve the problem. This kind of problem typically occurs when you’ve disabled the Bluetooth option. However, this option is already enabled and you still encountered the same error message saying, “Check the PIN and try connecting again”, then you need to troubleshoot the problem further. In most cases, this kind of issue can be fixed when you restart your computer and go to the Windows Settings and select the “Add Bluetooth or other devices” option and then put the keyboard into pairing mode. And when the keyboard appears in the “Add a device” dialog box, just select it. On the other hand, if your Bluetooth keyboard won’t get connected to your Windows 10 computer and you encounter an error that says, “Can’t pair Bluetooth keyboard, Check the PIN and try connecting again”, then you need to check out the options provided below but before you do so, make sure that you create a System Restore point first as some of the troubleshooting options provided involves the Windows Registry.

Option 1 – Try to use the Device Pairing Wizard

The Device Pairing Wizard is the one that allows your computer to look for any new devices and display them underneath it. All you have to do to use this wizard is to follow its instructions to connect your Bluetooth device to Windows 10. To get started, follow these steps:
  • First, tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility and type “devicepairingwizard” in the field, and then hit Enter to run the Device Pairing Wizard.
  • After that, wait for a couple of seconds until the devices appear. Once they do, select the Bluetooth device you wish to add.
  • A new screen with a passcode should appear instantly. You need to take note of the given passcode and type them on your Bluetooth keyboard.
  • Once done, tap Enter. This should help in pairing your computer to your Bluetooth keyboard.

Option 2 – Try to use the Registry Editor

The next thing you can do to resolve the pairing issue with your Bluetooth keyboard is to use the Registry Editor by following these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “Regedit” in the field and then hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Next, navigate to this registry path: HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Bluetooth/ExceptionDB
  • From there, look for the folder named “Addrs” and expand it. If you see any folders or keys under it, select them and delete them. These keys represent the MAC address of your Bluetooth devices.
  • Once you’re done, restart your computer and try to pair your Bluetooth keyboard once more.

Option 3 – Try running the Bluetooth Troubleshooter

As you know, Windows 10 has various troubleshooters with user-friendly interfaces where you can utilize them to fix issues in your PC. And since you’re dealing with some Bluetooth problem, you have to run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter.
  • Open the Windows 10 Settings.
  • Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • You should find the option for Bluetooth on your right-hand side – click on it then click on the “Run the troubleshooter” option.
  • Now follow the next screen options.

Option 4 – Try to reinstall or update the Bluetooth driver

The issue might have something to do with the Bluetooth drivers. It could be that it is outdated and needs to be updated or that you recently updated it and since you have trouble pairing your Bluetooth keyboard, you can update, rollback, or uninstall the Bluetooth drivers. How? Follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + X keys to open the Device Manager.
  • Next, look for the Bluetooth device and right-click on it.
  • Select the option “Update driver”.
  • After that, a new popup window will appear. In there, select the option, “Search automatically for updated driver software”.
Note: Checking the update may take a few minutes so you’ll have to wait until it finishes. If it is able to find an update, you must install it.
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Fix Windows Activation Error 0xC004F212
Microsoft allows its users to download a copy of Windows to install on PCs. However, when you enter the key after the installation and you got the Activation Error 0xC004F212 instead, then it means that the license key and the Windows version you’ve just installed, do not match. When you encounter this error, you will see the following error message on your screen:
“The product key used on this PC didn’t work with this edition of Windows. Activation Error 0xC004F212.”
Every time Microsoft generates a license for a copy of Windows, it is associated with one particular Windows variant. Windows comes in many editions like Enterprise, Home, Professional, and so on. For instance, if you bought a license for Windows 10 Enterprise but you have installed Windows 10 Professional instead, then the activation will surely fail and you’ll encounter the Activation Error 0xC004F212. You will be asked to select which edition you want to install when you reinstall Windows 10 using a digital license. If you opted for an edition other than the one you are licensed to use, then you will most likely get the Activation Error 0xC004F212. If you have purchased your license key from a store or some website, you might want to check back with them about the exact version of Windows. Doing so will help you narrow down the problem. And if you have second thoughts about the license key’s validity, you can just reach out to a Microsoft Support agent to check the validity of the license key. Also, if have bought it from the store, there should be an option to get a refund. That way you can choose to buy the right version of Windows.

Option 1 – Try running the Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter

The first thing you can do to resolve the Activation Error 0xC004F212 is to run the Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter. To do so, follow these steps:
  • Go to Settings and then select Activation.
  • After that, click on the Windows Activation and then troubleshoot. This will help you address most of the commonly found activation issues in Windows devices.
The Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter will determine if your license key is a valid Windows 10 digital license for an edition that is not currently installed. If it turns out that it’s not, then the troubleshooter will show you how to install the correct edition.

Option 2 – Try forcing Windows 10 ISO to use the right version

You can also try to force Windows 10 ISO to use the correct version depending on the product key. Note that this option only works between Windows 10 Home and Professional version since they both have a common ISO. So if it’s Enterprise, then this option won’t work for you.
  • Extract the Windows 10 ISO files using an extractor.
  • Then browse to the folder you created and go to the sources folder.
  • From there, you need to create a text file named “PID.txt” and make sure to follow the exact format given below:
[PID] Value=xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
Note: “xxxxx” is the KEY to your Windows version.
  • Next, you need to create the ISO again or bootable media that will repack everything and then create the Media file. You can use the Media Creation tool for this.
Note: Windows will check the key during the installation and will figure out the right version of Windows.

Option 3 – Contact Microsoft Support for assistance

If you’re at your wits’ end in trying to update your Windows 10 computer, you should consider contacting Microsoft Support for help as they can offer you various options that would make fixing Windows Activation Error 0xC004F212 a lot easier and faster.
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