Interesting information has come out from Microsoft, Windows 11 dark theme will include a different sound theme from its standard light one.
When in dark mode on Windows 11, the system sounds generally become softer, and they echo a bit, creating a more soothing experience that matches the overall look and feel of the dark mode. Flipping back to light mode brings the system sounds back to their normal level.
However, even though the light model has slightly louder sounds than the dark mode, Microsoft has taken great care to make sure the audio is more soothing, according to a report from CNBC.
The designers of Windows 11 took inspiration from an approach called calm technology. Microsoft’s Christian Koehn and Diego Baca wrote about calm technology in a post on Medium. In it, they said, “Windows 11 facilitates this through foundational experiences that feel familiar, soften formerly intimidating UI, and increase emotional connection.”
According to a Microsoft spokesperson in a statement to CNBC, “The new sounds have a much rounder wavelength, making them softer so that they can still alert/notify you, but without being overwhelming.”
Dxgkrnl.sys is a file related to the Microsoft DirectX driver – a suite of technologies developed by Microsoft to provide hardware acceleration for heavy multimedia applications like 3D games as well as HD videos. However, there are times when you encounter Blue Screen errors for this system file which is quite a lot. So when you encounter a Blue Screen error that’s related to this file, then it could be that the dxgkrnl.sys file is infected with some virus or malware and this might go unnoticed since antivirus programs regard dxgkrnl.sys as a system file. Here are some Blue Screen errors related to the dxgkrnl.sys file:
SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION .
BAD_POOL_HEADER
STOP 0x0000000A: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL.
STOP 0x0000001E:
KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
STOP 0x00000050:
PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
To fix the dxgkrnl.sys Blue Screen error, here are some suggestions you have to check out.
Option 1 – Try running the DirectX Diagnostic Tool
Since the dxgkrnl.sys error has something to do with the DirectX Graphics APIs, you can run the DirectX Diagnostic tool to resolve the problem.
Option 2 – Try updating or re-installing DirectX
If the DirectX Diagnostic tool didn’t work, you can try to update or reinstall DirectX instead. This can help in fixing the problem because when you reinstall or update DirectX, it will replace the incompatible or corrupted components of DirectX from your computer.
Option 3 – Try to run the DISM commands
You might want to repair potentially corrupted files in your system as having them could also trigger the dxgkrnl.sys Blue Screen error. To repair these corrupted system files, you can run the DISM commands:
Tap the Win + X keys and click on the “Command Prompt (Admin)” option.
After that, input each one of the commands listed below sequentially to execute them:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Once you’ve executed the commands given above, restart your computer and check if the dxgkrnl.sys Blue Screen error is now fixed.
Option 4 – Try updating or reinstalling your Graphics drivers
Updating or reinstalling the Graphics drivers in your computer can also help in resolving compatibility issues between the operating system and the driver that also cause this kind of BSOD error.
First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters and select the “Uninstall Device” option from the menu.
Now restart your computer.
After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.
Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it.
Option 5 – Try to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter
As you know, the Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like dxgkrnl.sys. It can be found on the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.
Option 6 – Try disabling the SLI Technology in NVIDIA Control Panel
In case you don’t know, there is a technology called SLI that comes with the NVIDIA graphics cards. With the help of this technology, the usage of various GPUs is allowed on a computer and hence helps in triggering the Alternate Frame Rendering and boosts the Graphics Performance directly. This is why this option to disable the SLI technology is suitable in fixing the problem if you are using an NVIDIA Graphics card.
Search for NVIDIA Control Panel in the Cortana Search box and then click on the related search result or you can also right-click on the NIVIA icon located in the system tray and then select the NVIDIA Control Panel to open it.
After that, navigate to the 3D settings section.
Then select the “Set SLI Configuration” option and click on the “Do Not Use SLI Technology” option.
Now click on Apply located at the bottom-right corner of the window to save the changes made.
Restart your computer.
Option 7 – Try turning off NVIDIA Surround
Note that this option is only applicable if your computer is using the NVIDIA Graphics card.
In the Cortana Search box, search for NVIDIA Control Panel and click on the related search result.
After opening the NVIDIA Control Panel, go to 3D Settings > Configure Surround, PhysX.
Now uncheck the “Span displays with Surround” option and then click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made.
If you are following the latest gaming trends and spend a lot of time on social media, watching streams, etc. you might be under impression that gaming as a hobby is very expensive. If you plan to play the latest games on a very large screen in their highest setting that might be true but if you do not care about that you can still play games and spend much less money on them.
That being said we are here to share with you some tips and tactics on how to play good games with minimum money spent.
Do not buy games the moment when they are released
Buying a game on its launch date is maybe the worst and most expensive thing you can do. Games have their highest price on launch day but sadly with the current state of the industry, they are in their worst state as well. Games eventually became better over time after patches are released but so does their price drops after the hype has calmed down. So if you really must have some specific game on its launch day, go for it but know that by doing so you are getting the worst version of the game for its higher price.
Wishlist games and wait for the sale
All services today have a wishlist, very good and money-saving tactic is to wishlist interesting titles and wait for them to be on the sale. Services will usually have the option of sending you an email once your wishlist titles are on sale so you will be notified once they do. A good tactic as well is to wait for large sales like for example summer, winter, easter sales, or many other seasonal ones.
Get free games
Some online stores are offering free games from time to time and some are always offering some titles as gifts in order to get customers to their platform. EPIC has become famous for gifting some great titles over the past years completely for free and there are a lot of free-to-play games on each platform that you can play.
Get second-hand PC
Having a new computer is great but if your budget is tight you might consider getting your PC as a second hand instead of the new one. Hardcore games will switch components more frequently than your typical users and usually the components will be sold cheaper and be more affordable.
Play games on some older devices in general
Many games today are available on many platforms not only just on your typical PC. Same titles are available on your mobile phones, tablets, and even on your Android TV. Many titles will not even require the latest technology or monster of a computer in order to run them. You can also lower game settings and play many games on lower hardware if you do not mind not having top graphics settings.
Play over the cloud streaming
If you are very tight on budget but want to enjoy new games in their full glory there is always the option to play games via a cloud streaming service, it is not exactly a mega cheap option since it has a monthly fee but it is cheaper than some high-end gaming computer. If you combine this with the game pass you can enjoy the latest games with high-quality settings and pay it on a monthly basis.
The Blue Screen of Death error or BSOD is definitely not an issue to face on your computer. Many users, if not all, have already experienced this headache at least once. One of these BSOD errors is the ATTEMPTED EXECUTE OF NOEXECUTE MEMORY error. The bug check error code for this is 0x000000FC and is usually caused by outdated or faulty drivers. In some cases, it could also be caused by an error in the Random Access Memory or RAM. This kind of error in the RAM might be physical, based on drivers, or even some kind of unwanted malware. So basically there are lots of possibilities why this particular BSOD error pops up.
If you are currently facing this BSOD error, read on and carefully follow the suggestions given below but before you do that, make sure to create a System Restore point just in case something goes wrong. This way, you can always undo those changes using the System Restore point. Once you have that covered, proceed to the options given below to fix the ATTEMPTED EXECUTE OF NOEXECUTE MEMORY error.
Option 1 – Try updating Windows 10 with all the security patches and updates
You might be able to fix the ATTEMPTED EXECUTE OF NOEXECUTE MEMORY error by simply updating your Windows 10 computer with all the security patches and updates. To do so, go to Settings then proceed to the Windows Update section > Update & Security > Windows Update, and then click on the Check for Updates option. After you do that, it will automatically find and install all the latest security patches and feature updates from Microsoft.
Option 2 – Try updating all your drivers
From time to time, drivers get corrupted or outdated so it’s no surprise that they conflict with the operating system and cause errors like the ATTEMPTED EXECUTE OF NOEXECUTE MEMORY BSOD error. To fix the problem, you need to update all your drivers. Follow the steps below to update your drivers.
Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. If you see a red or yellow sign that shows up against the driver, right-click on the driver’s name and select “Update Driver Software” or “Uninstall”. And if you find any “Unknown device”, you need to update it as well.
Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.
Restart your PC.
Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturer and check if there’s a new update – if there is, download it.
Option 3 – Try running a Memory Check using Windows Memory Diagnostic
As mentioned, this error might be caused by some issues in the memory. To resolve it, you need to run the Memory Check on your Windows 10 PC. Refer to these steps to do so.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “mdsched.exe” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Memory Diagnostic.
After that, the Windows Memory Diagnostic will give out two options such as:
Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
Check for problems the next time I start my computer
Select any of the given options. After that, your computer will restart and check for memory-based issues upon the restart. If there are any issues, it will automatically them.
Option 4 – Try using the System File Checker via Command Prompt
System File Checker or SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files with good system files that might be causing the ATTEMPTED EXECUTE OF NOEXECUTE MEMORY BSOD error. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.
Tap Win + R to launch Run.
Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
This is a typical system error code. It stops your ability to run or load programs on your PC. The error message is displayed in the following format:
‘Windows cannot verify the digital signature for this file.
A recent hardware or software change might have installed a file that is signed incorrectly or damaged, or that might be malicious software from an unknown source.’
Solution
Error Causes
Error 577 may be triggered due to several reasons. However, the most common causes of this error include:
Device Driver Conflicts
Hardware Malfunction
Viral Infection
Windows Registry Corruption or Damage
Software File Corruption or Damage
Error 577 can prove to be fatal if the underlying causes are related to viral infection or registry corruption.
Further Information and Manual Repair
To resolve error 577 on your PC, you don’t have to hire a professional and spend hundreds of dollars on repair. The process for fixing this error is simple and easy.
Here are some of the best and efficient methods to repair error 577 - no technical expertise is required.
Method 1 - Check and Update Device Drivers
If the problem is triggered by the outdated or corrupted driver for the device reporting the error then it is advisable to update the driver.
To do this, first, uninstall the corrupted driver and then reinstall the latest version.
For this simply click the start menu, go to the control panel and then click Performance and Maintenance, and then System. In the new window, you will then see a tab called Hardware and the Device Manager.
Double click on the device whose driver you need to uninstall. Click on the properties window with a tab marked driver. Then click on the driver you want to uninstall. To activate changes reboot your PC.
Now reinstall the latest and updated version of the driver uninstalled using the Plug and Play feature.
Method 2 - Scan For Viruses
System error codes like 577 can also pop up if your PC is infected by viruses. Viruses enter through phishing emails and downloadable files from unreliable websites.
If the reason for error 577 is a viral infection, then simply install a powerful antivirus, run it to scan your entire PC. Remove all the viruses and malicious programs immediately to resolve.
If the issue still persists, then try method 3.
Method 3 - Repair the Registry
Sometimes registry corruption can be the underlying cause for error 577. The registry is the part that saves all activities performed on the system.
It stores both important and unnecessary files like junk files, cookies, and bad registry entries. If these files are not removed from the registry frequently, they accumulate and corrupt the registry which then generates system error codes.
To resolve and repair the registry in seconds, simply download Restoro. This is a user-friendly PC Repair Tool embedded with a registry cleaner. It wipes away all unnecessary files corrupting the registry and repairs it.
Click here to download Restoro.
If you’ve been experiencing a 0x0000007E error code pop message on your PC frequently then you need to get it fixed before it causes serious damage to your system. 0x0000007E is a Stop error or Blue Screen of Death error code.
This error message turns your computer screen blue and locks you out of the program running on your computer. It freezes your system and hampers your ability to perform any type of task on your PC.
Solution
Error Causes
Error 0x0000007E, a blue screen of death error triggers registry issues. It’s not easy to narrow down the cause of 0x0000007E as it results due to many reasons like memory overload, cluttered disk space, viral infection, malware attack, and if the hardware malfunctions.
Ignoring 0x0000007E error pop up is not wise. It is more like a warning of the serious damage that can happen to your PC if it is not fixed timely. It also leads to slowing down the system and increases boot time.
This error message exposes you to dangerous Windows PC threats like registry corruption and damage. Registry corruption can lead to system crash and failure and you may also lose all your important data saved on your PC.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Install Restoro
You don’t always have to spend hundreds of dollars to hire a technician to fix error pop-ups on your PC try using Restoro
Restoro is an advanced and multi-functional PC repair tool with a comprehensive suite of powerful features designed to resolve almost all types of PC errors in seconds including 0x0000007E error code.
It is a next-generation PC repair tool that serves as a system optimizer, anti-virus, and quality registry cleaner. Its built-in intuitive technology enables Restoro to scan, identify and repair the ultimate cause of the error code 0x0000007E in just a few seconds.
Eventually, it spares you from the hassle of finding the root cause of the 0x0000007E error message and then selecting a tool specifically designed to resolve only that particular cause with limited features. This highly functional PC error tool is the answer for all your registry issues.
By running Restoro on your PC, you can fix the 0x0000007E BSOD error code and avoid registry corruption.
Why Restoro?
The smart registry cleaner utility embedded in this tool enables it to scan for registry errors and clear up disk space accumulated by junk files, internet temporary files, invalid entries, and other types of unnecessary files taking up a good chunk of your disk space.
This clutter also slows down your PC performance as it requires more power than it has to run the system because of the excess load on the RAM.
However, by wiping out the clutter with this helper, you can optimize the speed of your PC and see a significant difference in its performance.
Restoro backup feature enables you to create backup files for safety purposes. Furthermore, it has several other built-in value-adding features like privacy error utility and system stability utility for enhanced functionality.
To resolve the error code 0x0000007E in seconds, all you need to do is download and install Restoro on your system and run it to scan for errors. In a few seconds, you will see a scanning report with comprehensive details of the types of PC damages.
To fix the issue right away, create backups and click ‘fix’ to resolve. In just a few clicks you can repair your PC.
Download Restoro Today!
The screen flickers into black, it comes back and on-screen there is a message Driver stopped responding and has recovered. If you have been through this you are aware that the issue is not serious but it can get pretty annoying fast since you are not aware when will it happen again, and it will happen again.
In this guide, we will go through the usual reasons for this error and offer solutions to them. Follow the guide step by step in order to resolve the problem.
Clean your PC
Dirt and dust are your enemy no1, dirty graphic card can not be properly called and can cause overheating which can result in this particular error, make sure that your PC is clean and tidy in order to eliminate dust and dirt as a cause for malfunction.
Turn off multiple applications and try running just one at a time
Overburdening GPU can cause this error to appear since the graphic card can not handle all requests it gets from multiple active applications. Try to run just one application at a time for some time period to see if the error will appear again.
Update driver
Update your GPU driver to the latest version from the manufacturer's website, Display Driver Stopped Responding and Has Recovered Error in Windows 10 can be from outdated drivers not able to handle modern tasks
Get newer GPU
As hard as this advice is, sometimes the reason is an old graphic card that simply can not keep up with modern games and applications, upgrade it to a more modern GPU and watch errors go away.
Google Chrome 94 is here and it has introduced a controversial idle detection API. For those people that do not know what idle detection API is, well basically Chrome can be asked by a website to report when a user of the site has a site open and is idle on the device. The issue that people have with this is that this particular feature can be used to report when the user is not using a computer at all.
Good thing is that website or web application will prompt you to allow it to use this feature like when a site/application wants to use your microphone or web camera. Developers are on board with this feature since it can provide them with more telemetric data on how users are interacting with their website/application but there are some that are strongly voicing against this.
Tantek Çelik, Mozilla Standards Lead, commented on GitHub, saying:
As it is currently specified, I consider the Idle Detection API too tempting of an opportunity for surveillance capitalism motivated websites to invade an aspect of the user’s physical privacy, keep long-term records of physical user behaviors, discerning daily rhythms (e.g. lunchtime), and using that for proactive psychological manipulation (e.g. hunger, emotion, choice)…Thus I propose labeling this API harmful and encourage further incubation, perhaps reconsidering simpler, less-invasive alternative approaches to solve the motivating use-cases.
Others who have spoken against this feature are people from the WebKit development team inside Apple. Ryosuke Niwa, an Apple software engineer who works on WebKit said:
That doesn’t seem like a strong enough use case for this API. For starters, there is no guarantee that the user won’t immediately come back to the device. Also, who is such a service supposed to know what another device user might be using at any given point? We’re definitely not going to let a website know all the devices a given user might be using at any given point. That’s a very serious breach of the said user’s privacy. It seems to me that such a suppression/distribution mechanism is best left for the underlying operating systems/web browsers to handle.
Of course, technology itself as always can be used for good or for bad and time will tell if this feature has brought good stuff or it has paved another brick in surveillance and privacy manipulation. As said for now option will prompt for agreement and let's hope that it will be used for good causes from this day into the future.
Wondering if upgrading to Windows 11 will boost your gaming experience? We can’t give you a straightforward answer, sadly. But we can take you through the tweaks you can expect if you have all the right requirements and help you make a final decision.
Is Windows 11 good for gaming?
Essentially, the answer to this question is yes. Microsoft has definitely added a bunch of enhancements and features to its latest OS to give gamers the best possible experience. However, you have to keep in mind that this may not work out smoothly for every single user.
Whether you’ll be able to fully take advantage of the Windows 11 gaming features really depends on your setup. As expected, Windows 11 has more demanding system requirements than its predecessor.
Credit: Florian Olivo on Unsplash
So, unless your hardware can run the new OS comfortably, you might not be able to make the most of all these gaming perks. In that case, we recommend you first upgrade your hardware and then make the switch. Be prepared to be a little surprised by a few other interesting changes in comparison to Windows 10, though!
For some of the new gaming features to work, it’ll also be necessary for you to have an NVMe SSD and an HDR-compatible monitor. So let’s take a look at 4 big improvements you can expect if your setup is compatible.
Gaming enhancements on Windows 11
1. Enjoy faster loading speed with DirectStorage
For this powerful feature to work, you need a compatible graphics card and, as stated before, an NVMe SSD. It’s also important for your GPU to support the DirectX 12 graphics API at least. And since we’re on that subject, you’ll be happy to know that Windows 11 has also introduced a new version of the API called DirectX 12 Ultimate.
Now, what does DirectStorage do? It’s a new feature designed to make full use of the speedy storage of NVMe SSDs. It also transfers game data directly onto the graphics card, lightening the load on your CPU. Normally the CPU would have to decompress the data first, but DirectStorage helps bypass this. That’s how loading times are reduced and games run more smoothly.
2. Fully immerse yourself through Game Mode
Windows 11’s Game Mode is certainly a welcomed addition. When you turn on Game Mode, usage of background apps that aren’t essential to your game is reduced. This results in the game you’re running becoming a priority process. This way, it uses your hardware and system resources to the max. Ultimately, the Game Mode means less lag and higher frame rates so you can play undisturbed and fully enjoy your gaming session.
3. Vibrant visual experience thanks to AutoHDR
For this one you’ll absolutely need an HDR-compatible monitor. Basically, HDR (High Dynamic Range) means a wider range of contrasts and colors that can be displayed on a monitor.
Windows 10 has an HDR feature, but you have to turn it on and off manually (“Use HDR”). Plus, users have reported that, if left on, it results in an unappealing appearance of content other than movies and games.
Windows 11 fixes that problem with its AutoHDR feature. Toggling it results in the system automatically adjusting the color contrast, balance and brightness based on what you’re currently looking at. For gamers, this means vivid imagery in every single game, resulting in a supreme visual experience. You can check out Microsoft’s own video showcasing the power of AutoHDR.
Aside from AutoHDR, another way Windows 11 improves the visual aspect is through its support for refresh rates of up to 360Hz.
4. Xbox Game Pass & Game Bar
It’s no secret that Microsoft wants to integrate Windows and Xbox. We’ve seen some attempts with Windows 10, but they’re pretty wonky compared to the new OS.
Windows 11’s built-in Xbox Game Bar enables quite a few options all gamers desire. You can take screenshots and videos of your game and send them, for starters. Furthermore, you can use it to see audio settings and monitor your PC’s performance without having to leave the game or open the Task Manager.
Widgets are also a really cool part of the Game Bar. You can choose from a wide variety of widgets, such as Xbox Achievements, Spotify, Gallery, Xbox Social and more.
Moreover, the Xbox Game Pass has been streamlined on Windows 11. Game Pass is a subscription service that unlocks hundreds of awesome games and supports cloud streaming. Do keep in mind that the games are only unlocked for a certain period of time, as the selection rotates once in a while.
What can you do for a better gaming experience?
Windows 11 does offer tweaks that require zero input from you. However, there are a few things you can do manually to get even more out of your new OS while gaming.
Turn off enhanced pointer precision. Most games enhance precision by default, so having this feature on might interfere with that.
Make sure to select your high performance graphics card for each game. Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and tap ‘Graphics’ from the ‘Related settings’ menu. Find the game you want to adjust, click on ‘Options’ and choose your high performance graphics card to be the default setting. While there, you can also turn on ‘Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling’ at the top.
Disable unnecessary apps and programs. As long as they aren’t essential to running your game, they might take up valuable system resources, so disable them to make space for your gaming requirements.
Check for pending updates and install them. It’s well-known that out-of-date software causes bugs, latency and crashes. The same goes for your GPU drivers.
Use the High-performance power plan (Control Panel > Power Options > Additional plans) to maximize the use of resources for the best possible performance.
Summary
Windows 11 has done quite a bit for avid gamers. We hope your setup is compatible with all these new features and you can experience these enhancements ASAP!
If you encounter an error code of 0xa0000400 while trying to upgrade your Windows 10 computer using the Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant or the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, then you might find this post useful as it will guide you in resolving this problem. When you get this error, you will see the following error message:
“Something went wrongYou can contact Microsoft support for help with this error. Here is the error code 0xa0000400.”
As you know, keeping your computer up to date with all the Windows Updates is important and is imperative especially if you are experiencing a couple of issues like the Windows Upgrade error 0xa0000400. At the time of writing, there is no specific cause that has been found for this error. However, there are some potential fixes that might help you. You can try to recreate the Windows 10 installation USB and get the ISO files or you could also get a newer version of the Windows Media Creation Tool, or turn off your internet connection at a specific time or run the Windows Update troubleshooter. For more details, refer to the options given below.
Option 1 – Try to recreate the Windows 10 installation USB
Recreating the Windows 10 installation USB might help in fixing the problem. You can use a USB drive to do so but make sure that it has a great read-write speed. Follow the steps below to recreate Windows 10 installation USB”
Click this link and then click the Download Tool Now button.
Next, click the “Use the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)…” option and follow the next given instructions on the screen.
Now select the ISO file option in step 5.
After that, you should now have an ISO file.
Next, go to the location where you’ve downloaded the ISO file.
Then right-click on the Windows 10 ISO file and select the Open with option and then select File Explorer.
Now click on “setup.exe” and follow the next instructions that appear on the screen. When asked, you have to select either Nothing (clean install) or Keep personal files only option. Take note that you must not select the “Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings since it doesn’t really work.
Option 2 – Try turning off the Internet connection at a specific time
You might want to turn off your internet connection at a specific time. This option can be quite tricky so what you need to do is to disconnect the internet connection when the update is downloaded using the Windows Upgrade tool. It’s actually okay since all the files you need would be downloaded safely and the Windows Upgrade tool will be the one to install the newer updates using those files.
Option 3 – Try to get a newer version of the Windows Media Creation tool
You can also fix the Windows Upgrade error 0xa0000400 by using the latest version of the Windows Media Creation tool. And so if what you have is an older version, you need to update it in order to resolve the error and upgrade your Windows 10 computer.
Option 4 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter is one of the things you can first check out as it is known to automatically resolve any Windows Update or upgrade errors like error code 0x800701E3. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.
Option 5 – Try running Disk Cleanup
You might want to run the Disk Cleanup utility as it is a useful tool that could delete temporary and useless files in your computer.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type “cleanmgr” in the field and hit Enter to open the Disk Cleanup window.
After that, select the drive you want to clean.
Now click OK to clean the disk and restart your computer.
As you know, each one of the Windows 10 versions is priced differently and one of the considered more expensive compared to the Windows 10 Home version is the Windows10 Pro. The good thing is, Microsoft allows its users to upgrade from the Windows 10 Home version to the Windows 10 Pro version at a reasonable cost instead of buying the entire license again.
However, upgrading your Windows 10 computer is not always that easy and you might encounter some errors along the way. One of the reported errors you could encounter is an error message that says, “Something happened, and we couldn’t start the upgrade”. This kind of problem is due to the problems with the Microsoft Store or the key authorization and to fix it, there are several options you can check out. You can try to run the built-in troubleshooters such as the Windows Update troubleshooter, Windows Store Apps troubleshooter, or Microsoft Accounts troubleshooter. You could also try to reset the Windows Store cache or re-register the Windows Store app. For more details, refer to each one of the given options below.
Option 1 – Try to run the Microsoft Accounts troubleshooter
Since the Microsoft Accounts troubleshooter is not built-in into the Windows operating system, you can download this troubleshooter by clicking on this link.
Option 2 – Try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter could also help you resolve the “Something happened, and we couldn’t start the upgrade” error. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.
Option 3 – Run the Windows Store App troubleshooter
The Windows 10 Store Apps Troubleshooter will help you in fixing the problem in Microsoft Store. 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 4 – Try to reset the Microsoft Store cache
As you know, like any other apps, Microsoft Store also caches as you view apps and games so it is most likely that the cache is no longer valid and must be removed. To do so, follow the steps below.
Right-click on the start button and click on Command Prompt (administrator).
Next, type in the command, “wsreset.exe” and tap Enter. Once you do, the command will clear the cache for the Windows Store app.
Now restart your PC and afterward, try opening Microsoft Store again and then try to install your app or update your computer again.
Option 5 – Try to re-register the Microsoft Store app via Windows PowerShell
Tap the Win + X key combination or right-click on the Start button and click on the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option.
If a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, just click on Yes to proceed and open the Windows PowerShell window.
Next, type in or copy-paste the following command to re-register the Microsoft Store app and tap Enter:
Interesting information has come out from Microsoft, Windows 11 dark theme will include a different sound theme from its standard light one.
Good thing is that website or web application will prompt you to allow it to use this feature like when a site/application wants to use your microphone or web camera. Developers are on board with this feature since it can provide them with more telemetric data on how users are interacting with their website/application but there are some that are strongly voicing against this.
Tantek Çelik, Mozilla Standards Lead, commented on GitHub, saying:
