windows

Klondike (Solitaire) and other solitaire games from Windows for free on iPhone and iPad

05/02/2022 by

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Each user of a PC running Windows is familiar with solitaire card games included in the basic system package – Klondike (aka Klendike or Solitaire), Spider, etc. These and other games are also available for iPhone and iPad owners.

Download Microsoft Solitaire Collection for iPhone and iPad (App Store)

Klondike Solitaire, despite its obvious simplicity, played an important role in the development of modern desktop operating systems. It was developed by employees of Apple and Microsoft during their close collaboration in 1989 to make it easier for users to adapt to the graphical interface, as well as to the then innovative input device, the computer mouse.

♥ BY TOPIC: 100 best games for iPhone and iPad according to Yablyk.

In subsequent years, Microsoft included several more solitaire games in the package of regular Windows games, and in 2016 released the corresponding application for iOS for the first time.

In addition to the Klondike, Spider and Free cell in the package Microsoft Solitaire Collection includes two relatively new games – Pyramid (Pyramid) and TriPeaks (Three Peaks).

At the same time, the developers have somewhat expanded the basic functionality. In particular, we implemented integration with Xbox Live for distance competitions with friends, and also added several new design themes with the ability to create your own “skins” from photos.

However, it was not without monetization – the application contains third-party advertising, which can be turned off only after purchasing a premium account.

Download Microsoft Solitaire Collection for iPhone and iPad (App Store)

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VK (Vkontakte) application for Mac and Windows

04/02/2022 by

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You may not know, but the social network Vkontakte has its own application for Mac, Windows and Linux – VK messenger. The creators position their program as an exclusively “messenger … for quick and convenient communication of people around the world.”

♥ BY TOPIC: How to download videos from VK (VKontakte) to iPhone or iPad and watch without the Internet.

Application design VK messenger most identical to the section Messenger in the new interface of the web version, which is a definite plus.

VK Messenger interface is two-panel. All correspondence is displayed in the left side menu, the main window is displayed in the right side. Unfortunately, there is no section with contacts. You have to either use the search or scroll through the list manually, which is somewhat inconvenient, with a large number of friends.

There are no questions about the workspace, since this is a fully functional copy of the web interface with all even the smallest, but no less important goodies like search, marking important messages (there is a separate list), emoticons and so on.

There is support for group conversations, sending photos, documents, audio messages.

As well as video and audio calls.

If you turn to the profile information of the interlocutor, then there you can make an audio or video call, turn off notifications or use the search for all sent and received images, videos, audio recordings and documents, which is also convenient.

The developers did not forget about the ability to respond through system notifications. An incredibly handy item.

You can set the dark theme in the program settings:

Among other options in the settings, we should highlight the ability to change contact details, password, language, clear the cache (a rather useful option that developers for some reason often forget about and already have to wander through countless system folders to clean the client from garbage), set up notifications, keep
“black list” of users.

VK Messenger is a fairly stable client and can satisfy almost all user needs. And most importantly, it’s free.

Download VK Messenger for macOS, Windows and Linux (official site of developers)

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How to find out which processor is in a Windows computer: all the ways

20/01/2022 by

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Novice users may not know technical information about their computer. Meanwhile, its parameters are important, determining the speed of the system. Knowing exactly what is inside the computer, you can understand whether it needs an upgrade and how compatible it is with new software.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to automatically switch the language (layout) on the keyboard in Windows.

The main technical element of the system is the processor. The operation of this “brain” of a computer is determined by the architecture, the number of cores, and the clock frequency. That is why obtaining accurate information about the processor model is so important for understanding the current capabilities of the system and the need for an upgrade. We will tell you about a few simple ways to find out the processor model of your computer and additional information about this module.

Among the above methods, only the first pair is suitable for Windows 10, while the rest can be used in other versions of Windows.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to create an icon in Windows to turn off / restart the computer.

How to find out in Windows what processor (CPU) is installed in the computer?

Method 1. Follow the path Start → Options → System. Select the section on the left “About the system” or “About the program“. The main window will display the characteristics of the device. Among other information, you can see the processor model there.

In Windows 7, similar information can be seen in the menu Control Panel → System and security → System. The list of information about the computer will also indicate the processor model.

Method 2. The Windows Task Manager also has the information we need. To get it, right-click on the “Start“, then select “Task Manager‘ and go to the tab “Performance”. On the left you will see a list of indicators of the main modules of the system, the first in the list is the CPU. Click on this item. In the main window on the top right you can see the name of the processor model. In the lower part of the window, additional information about it appears: its current and base frequency, number of cores, cache size.

Method 3. Use a keyboard shortcut Win + R to call the window “Run“. The Win key is located on the keyboard at the bottom left, between the Ctrl and Alt keys, and has an emblem in the form of the Windows logo. In the window that appears, enter the command msinfo32. The application will launchSystem Information“. In its main window you will find a long list, but we are interested in the item “CPU“. It is there that the information of interest to us is contained.

Method 4. Open a command prompt and type in the command wmic cpu get name. The processor model will be displayed in the window.

Method 5. The latter method concerns many third-party programs that reveal the detailed characteristics of a computer, primarily a processor. The simplest and most common of them is CPU-Z. It is interesting and useful in that it specializes just in the characteristics of the processor. In CPU-Z, you can see an abundance of useful information about it.

Usually these methods are enough to determine the model of your processor. But this is far from the only way. For example, you can find out which processor is in the computer’s BIOS. We will not consider the most difficult method – disassembling a computer and physically studying the microcircuit – nevertheless, this option is not the most convenient.

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How to open HEIC photo on Windows or Mac

15/01/2022 by

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There are many graphic formats, but there are not so many popular ones. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages, differences in compression algorithms. So, TIFF is suitable for storing raster graphics or images with a large color depth, PDF allows you to use the capabilities of the PostScript language, and JPG (JPEG) is most often used for storing photographs (details).

♥ BY TOPIC: 20 iPhone camera features every Apple smartphone owner should know.

However, this format, used by most camera devices, was developed as early as 1991. Since then, better alternatives have emerged. But their implementation remained difficult – how to convince many manufacturers to work with the new format? A bold step was taken by Apple, which, starting with iOS 11, proposed using the new HEIF format to store photos. HEIC became the container format for such data, and photos in Apple devices also received this extension (iPhone and iPad began to shoot in HEIC format instead of the usual JPG).

♥ BY TOPIC: Retouch iPhone: The best photo retouching apps for iOS.

What are the HEIF, HEIC formats and why are they better than JPG (JPEG)?

The abbreviation HEIF itself literally means High Efficiency Image Front or “High Efficiency Image Format”. In fact, this is a version of the new HEVC or H.265 video compression format developed by the MPEG group in 2013-2015. Apple did not invent anything, but simply moved to a more advanced graphics storage technology. Only the 7th generation iPhone and subsequent smartphones of the company, iPad Pro and newer models of Apple tablets can take and store photos in HEIF format. Other devices running iOS 11 will only be able to view photos and videos taken in the new format after decoding. With a high degree of probability, it can be argued that HEIF will soon replace the outdated JPEG.

The list of advantages of HEIF (HEIC) over JPG (JPEG) is really impressive:

• half the size with the same quality;
• the ability to store several images in one heic-container at once (may be required in Live photos);
• support for transparency, similar to the GIF format;
• support for 16-bit colors, not 8-bit, like JPEG;
• saving image changes (cropping, rotation) and the ability to cancel operations;
• the ability to store data in one container with or without compression.

♥ BY TOPIC: Color Accent: How to change individual colors in photos to black and white on iPhone and iPad.

How to open and convert HEIC photo on Windows computer?

By default, Windows does not understand this format. It is also not supported by popular graphic editors for this OS, including the famous Adobe Photoshop. Plugins and updates are yet to be released. In the meantime, double-clicking on a .heic file will bring up a prompt to select an application.

Only for Windows 10 (for other versions there is a similar solution, about it below), it became possible to install a special codec in the Microsoft Store to view the new format (link). To do this, in the app store, find “HEIF Image Extensions” and install this free add-on.

After that, files with the .heic extension will open like other graphics in compatible applications. Yes and in Explorer thumbnail images will appear.

Online converters

Owners of older versions of Windows will have to use converters. The easiest option is online tools that do not require the installation of additional software. A popular resource is Heictojpg.

Up to 50 photos in the new format can be uploaded to the service for free at a time and converted to JPG files. You do not need to make any settings – the service will optimize and convert automatically. It remains only to download the result.

To convert .heic not only to JPG, but also to other formats, the CloudConvert resource will help.

Applications for Windows

The free CopyTrans HEIC codec program will also prove to be a useful tool for Windows.

After installing it, Windows will receive support for the .heic format and will allow you to easily convert HEIC to familiar JPEG. To do this, simply right-click on the picture and select the desired menu.

But the iMazing HEIC Converter program offers only conversion functions. The application is free, but it allows you to convert HEIC not only to JPG, but also to PNG. You just need to drag the files into the working window and click the button Convert.

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How to open and convert HEIC on Mac (macOS)?

Support for the HEIF format appeared not only in iOS 11, but also in macOS High Sierra. But on a computer, you may also need to work with JPG. Luckily, iOS 11 (and newer), like High Sierra (and newer), will automatically convert any generic HEIF files to JPEGs on the fly, provided they’re sent via the menu. Share. This allows for compatibility between devices.

But what if the folder contains a lot of photos in the desired format, but what you need is JPEG? And not all applications support the new format, including social networks. In this case, a conversion is required.

The already mentioned free application iMazing HEIC Converter will be able to convert them with a simple drag and drop of files into the window.

But it is possible to use the tools built into macOS.

The conversion will help implement the standard application View.

1. Open in Finder folder with HEIF images to be converted to JPG.

2. Select the required files with the key ⌘Cmd, and the combination ⌘Cmd+A or menu Edit → Select All will select all the contents of the folder.

3. Right click on one of the files. Popup menu Finder select Open in program → View.

4. Selected photos will open in the standard application View. Display image thumbnails in the sidebar (if they don’t appear) with the combination ⌘Cmd + ⌥Option (Alt) + 2.

Select (highlight) all files with combination ⌘Cmd+A or commands “Choose all” on the menu “Edit”.

5. Menu “File” Choose a section “Export selected images…”.

6. In the window that appears, click the button “Parameters” and open submenu “Format”, where you select the desired option, such as JPEG (JPG).

7. The conversion will start after pressing the button “Select”.

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How to convert HEIC to JPG directly on iPhone and iPad?

You can convert photos taken in HEIC directly to your iPhone or iPad. There are several options to do this right on your mobile device.

1. Photo editor. iOS photo editors such as Adobe Lightroom CC support the HEIC format. They can export photos to JPG or any other supported format.

2. Send image by Email. The built-in Mail app in iOS automatically converts attached HEIC photos to JPG, even if the quality option is selected “Actual”.

3. Apps conversion. You can find several free and paid HEIC to JPG converters in the iOS app store. It is difficult to identify a clear favorite, all applications do about the same thing. In the App Store, enter HEIC to JPEG into the search bar and select the option you like.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to look good in any photo: 5 simple tips.

How to save photos in JPG by default in iOS on iPhone and iPad, and not in HEIC?

It is quite logical that some users do not want to deal with the additional conversion of heic files to the familiar JPG. For such people, Apple has retained the ability to take pictures in a standard format in iOS.

1. Open the app “Settings” and go to section “Camera”.

2. Select a subsection “Formats” with two choices: “High efficiency” and “Most Compatible”.

In the first case, the use of the HEIC format is implied, while the option “Most Compatible” implies the use of the JPEG format for the photo. The same menu also defines video codecs – the new H.265 and the traditional H.264, respectively.

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DISCOUNT (459r → 99r) Money Pro – a program for accounting finance for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android and Windows

13/01/2022 by

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Once again opening a wallet or checking an account on a bank card, you ask yourself a question – “Where did the money go?” Starting to frantically remember, you realize that only half of the money spent was directed in the right direction.

Download Money Pro for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch (App Store)…
Download Money Pro for Mac (Mac App Store)…

To prevent this from happening from month to month, you need to start planning. And having an iPhone, iPad, Mac and the corresponding application, it will take very little time. Let’s see how good the face is. Money pro…

The work in this kind of programs is based on three pillars: the regular recording of all transactions, budget planning and analysis.

Transactions

The ease of adding expenses and income is the key to the success of any finance manager, because these actions must be performed daily and many times.

The Money Pro application has many categories of expenses and income with individual icons, the ability to comment, attach a photo, add tags, counterparties and assign a class.

There is also a calendar, thanks to which you can quickly move to a specific day and see all the actions performed.

In the tab “Balance»The available funds are managed. Here, when adding a new account, you can choose a suitable icon from a large variety. All icons are sorted into categories.

There is the possibility of adding a widget that allows you to carry out a scheduled transaction or go to the application to perform a new operation.

Budget planning

Everything is simple and straightforward. There is an analogue of the calendar for quick transition to various types, as well as the columns of expenses and income.

Subcategories are added to expenses. In fact, the fewer categories in general, the easier it is to add a transaction. We strongly recommend that you keep this element to a minimum. Otherwise, you need to spend a lot of time adding a record of the next expense.

Also cool is that the circles themselves visually display the amount of money spent in relation to the planned budget for each category.

Analysis

Finding a hole in your budget will require reports. V Money pro there are a sufficient number of them.

Of the additional goodies, there are graphs in the form of a diagram and useful filters.

Control of bank accounts and cash

The program has literally a magical function – “Online banking”. All transactions made by cards will immediately be synchronized with Money Pro and automatically sorted by category. True, a monthly subscription to this service will cost the user 529 rubles (requires a GOLD subscription).

Money Pro is a cross-platform application, in addition to versions for iOS and macOS, the program is also available on Android and Windows.

Download Money Pro for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch (App Store)…
Download Money Pro for Mac (Mac App Store)…

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How to automatically switch the language (layout) on the keyboard in macOS or Windows

08/01/2022 by

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I’ve always envied English-speaking computer users – they don’t have to switch keyboard layouts when working or surfing the internet. We are already used to combinations Ctrl + Shift (on Windows) or ⌘Cmd + Space (on a Mac), and in terms of the frequency of pressing, these “hot” keys sometimes even surpass the “overwritten” by us Copy / Past actions.

♥ ON TOPIC: How to speed up Windows 10, 8 or 7 by disabling unnecessary operating system services.

What is it for?

Changing languages is sometimes annoying and confusing. Often we forget to choose the right language or choose the wrong one by mistake, as a result we end up with complete nonsense, which must be deleted and the phrase re-typed. In addition, residents of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, some regions of Russia often need to use not even two, but as many as three languages on their computer.

With some simple calculations, you can estimate that several working hours per year are spent switching keyboard languages.

To solve this problem, there is an excellent program called Punto switcher… I discovered this application a long time ago. Later I compared it with analogues and competitors, but still returned to Punto…

The program was overgrown with functionality and became more stable from year to year, and in the end the right to Punto switcher was bought by Yandex. From this, the application only gained great popularity and further active development.

♥ ON TOPIC: What’s the difference between JPEG, GIF, PNG, RAW, BMP, TIFF?

What does Punto Switcher do?

Punto switcher Is a program that automatically switches the language (layout) of the keyboard, constantly monitoring the input of characters and comparing the received words with their reference books. As a result, the application determines in which language you enter the word. The keyboard layout automatically changes depending on the language.

For example, Punto Switcher knows that “plhfdcndeqnt” is “hello” and “fsyschl zksch” is “macbook pro”.

With Punto Switcher, your keyboard layout will always be correct.

In addition, the application allows you to use the Rules – specify a word or abbreviation, when typing which you do not need to switch the keyboard layout.

Punto Switcher can also correct words written in the wrong case, for example: yABLYK will replace Yablyk. In addition, it is possible to prohibit work Punto switcher in certain programs and games. You can also correct text that has already been entered in the wrong layout (the Break or Shift + Break key on Windows will convert the selected text to a different layout; on Mac – the ⌥Option (Alt) key), add keyboard shortcuts to work with the program, and much more.

Converting typed text on Windows:

Converting Typed Text on Mac:

As you can see, typing with Punto becomes easier and faster, especially for people who do not know the “blind” typing method. The program will save you time and sometimes nerves. On top of that, the app is completely free.

♥ ON TOPIC: How to change the icon of an application, folder or file on Mac (macOS).

Why are some users uninstalling Punto Switcher?

This is due to insufficient familiarity with the program settings. For example, I had to meet people who uninstalled Punto Switcher because they could not write a certain set of characters unknown to the program for a long time. But after all, after entering the first characters, it was necessary to press any arrow on the keyboard (this is configured in the parameters).

This action tells the application not to switch the layout when typing the current word.

Download Punto Switcher for Windows…
Download Punto Switcher for Mac…

How to set up and use a Windows keyboard on Mac

07/01/2022 by

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You can use almost any keyboard designed for Windows PCs with Mac computers, be it a USB or Bluetooth keyboard. True, the mod keys on Mac and PC keyboards are different. This can lead to erroneous keyboard shortcuts or other unexpected keystrokes when using a PC keyboard with a Mac.

The problem can be easily resolved by reassigning the keys Windows and ALT on the ⌘Cmd and ⌥Option (Alt) on a PC keyboard connected to the Mac. This way, you can use the familiar keyboard shortcuts found on the standard Apple keyboard. For many Mac users who are forced to work with a PC keyboard, this will really make life easier.

♥ ON TOPIC: Is there Ctrl + Alt + Del on Mac (macOS)?

How to use a PC keyboard with remapped Windows and ALT keys with a Mac

The method described below works with all PC keyboards with the standard CTRL / Windows / ALT layout and all versions of macOS.

1. Connect your PC keyboard to Mac via USB or Bluetooth as you usually do;

2. Open the Apple menu and select “System Preferences”;

3. Click on “Keyboard”;

4. Select the tab “Keyboard” and click on the option Modification keys in the lower right corner of the settings panel;

5. On the menu “Select a keyboard” specify the required PC keyboard;

6. Open the key menu ⌥Option (Alt) and choose ⌘Cmd;

7. Open the key menu ⌘Cmd and choose ⌥Option (Alt);

8. Click on OK…

9. When you do all of the above, when connected to a Mac, the WINDOWS key on your PC keyboard will become ⌥Option (Alt), a ALT will become ⌘Cmd…

Note that on some Windows PC keyboards, the CTRL and ALT keys also function differently from the Mac keys. Fortunately, they can be reassigned using the above method.

To check if the keys have been reassigned, try using your familiar keyboard shortcuts. For example, take a screenshot (⌘Cmd + ⇧Shift + 3) or close the window (⌘Cmd + W). Of course, the keys themselves will not go anywhere from the keyboard and will retain their old names, but they will perform the new functions you have specified. Those who are accustomed to “blind typing” should not be confused by this fact.

Below is an example of a PC keyboard. As you can see, the modification keys on it are different from those familiar to Mac users.

And here is the keyboard for Apple computers.

If you compare both shots, it becomes clear why you should remap keys on a PC keyboard if you are using it with a Mac.

The above method is useful for those who have chosen an excellent PC keyboard for their work, but are used to working with a Mac. As mentioned, it is suitable for all keyboards and all macOS.

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How to Transfer Live Photo from iPhone to iPhone, Mac, Android or Windows

05/01/2022 by

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Apple, of course, will never be recognized – but Live Photos are nothing more than ordinary mini-videos. But sending such a file to a friend is not easy. For example, if you do this by mail, then the recipient will receive only a photo (no video). What to do?

♥ ON TOPIC: How to take a photo with a trail effect (long exposure) on an iPhone: 2 ways.

How to Transfer Live Photos from iPhone to iPhone or iPad

There are three correct ways to transfer Live Photos from iPhone to iPhone or iPad:

Method 1 – via iMessage message

1. Run the application Message and create a new message iMessage (Apple users only).

2. Click the camera icon in the lower left corner. In the opened camera interface, click the icon Add image in the upper left corner.

3. Select Life Photos (the image is marked with the appropriate icon) and press the blue button send…

Method 2 – via AirDrop transfer

1. Open Live Photos in the photo app (a checkmark will be placed in the upper left corner).

2. Click the icon Share.

3. In the menu that appears, tap the AirDrop…

4. Select the user to whom you want to send the image.

We talked in more detail about transferring files via AirDrop in this article.

Method 3 – by creating a Shared Album in iCloud

1. Open the app Photo, go to album Photo Live Photos in the tab Albums…

2. Press the button Select in the upper right corner and select the files that will be placed in Shared Album…

3. Press the button Share this…

4. In the menu that appears, select To the general album…

5. Follow the instructions on the screen to create Shared Album (in detail). Ultimately, you will have a new one on your iPhone. Shared Album…

6. Open the created Shared Album and invite users to it. After that, the same album will appear on their iPhone or iPad in the application. Photo…

In dispatch Live Photo there is nothing unusual through this methods – they can be shared just like any other media file. The main thing is to make sure that you are transferring a “live photo”. This will be indicated in the upper left corner by the corresponding icon with the inscription “LIVE”Or with the name of the applied effect.

♥ ON TOPIC: What is HDR, Auto HDR and Smart HDR in an iPhone camera, whether to enable it, and how it affects photo quality.

How to Transfer (and View) Live Photos from iPhone to Mac

It should be noted right away that viewing Live Photos on Mac is possible only in the iMessage and Photos applications.

Method 1 – via a message in iMessage (you can transfer to someone else’s or your Mac)

Send an iMessage to a Mac user from iPhone by attaching Live Photos as an attachment. The iMessage service must be configured on the Mac (instructions).

After receiving the message, open the sent photo in Live Photos format (there should be a corresponding icon in the upper left corner), click the button Share this and choose Add to Photo… The imported Live Photos will appear in the corresponding section of the application. Photo…

Method 2 – Import to Photos app via cable (to someone else’s or your Mac)

Connect iPhone to Mac using a cable. Open the Photos app and select the identified iPhone from the menu on the left in the section Devices… In the window that opens, the photos available for import from the Photos application on the iPhone will open on the right. Select Live Photo and click Import selected (quantity)… The imported Live Photos will appear in the corresponding section of the Photos app.

Method 3 – by creating a Shared album in iCloud (on someone else’s or your Mac)

On iPhone you need to create Shared Album with Live Photos (see instructions above) and provide access to it for the necessary users. Thereafter Shared Album appears in the Photos app on your Mac.

Method 4 – iCloud Photos (only on your Mac)

Transfer Live Photo from your iPhone to your Mac you can enable the function Photo to iCloud on both devices.

On iPhone along the way: application Settings → Your name → iCloud → Photo.

On Mac along the way: application Photo → Settings → iCloud Tab…

If your iPhone contains more than 5 GB of photos and videos, then this method will require the purchase of additional space in iCloud.

Thus the whole Mediathek iPhone (along with Live Photos) will be available in the Photos app on Mac. Live Photos on Mac will appear in the section of the same name in the Photos application.

Method 5 – Photo Stream (only on your Mac)

Transfer Live Photo from your iPhone to your Mac you can enable the function Photo stream on both devices.

On the iPhone along the way: the app Settings → Your name → iCloud → Photo…

On a Mac along the way: the app Photo → Settings → iCloud Tab…

Live Photos (and other images and videos) appear on your Mac in their respective sections of the Photos app.

The main disadvantage of this method is that only photos and videos (including Live Photos) taken within the last 30 days will be copied to the Mac. In other words, the Photo Stream section of the Photos app on Mac will contain content captured in the past month.

♥ ON TOPIC: Reverse shooting on iPhone, or how to shoot video “backwards”.

How to Transfer and View Live Photos on Android or Windows

Unfortunately, Live Photo is only available on iPhone, iPad and Mac. On all other systems – Windows, Android, etc. – you will see only a regular static photo instead of a “live” one.

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How to set a password of any length in Windows 10 (even one character)

22/12/2021 by

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For your safety, Microsoft requires a minimum password length and complexity for all of its accounts. If you need to secure all local accounts as well, you can set requirements for a minimum password length for all users in Windows 10. Here’s how you can do it.

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By default, when you create a new local user account in Windows 10, you do not need to enter a password. However, if you want to set a minimum password length for users, there are several ways to organize this security measure on your computer.

♥ ON TOPIC: Hidden folders and files in Windows 10: how to hide (show) photos, videos, documents, drives.

How to set minimum password length using command line

First, you need to launch an elevated Command Prompt window. If you prefer to work with PowerShell, you can use this shell as well. The following command will run pretty much the same in any environment, but if you want to do it in PowerShell, be sure to run it with the parameter “Run as administrator”…

Enter in the system search bar “Cmd” or “command line”then right click on the result “Command line” and select “Run as administrator”…

At the command prompt, enter the following command (replacing the parameter X for the minimum password length you want to set):

Net accounts / minpwlen: X

Press the key “Enter”and you will see a prompt informing you that the command completed successfully.

Note… While you can technically set your password to between 1 and 20 characters, try choosing an option for sufficient security so that it doesn’t prevent users from remembering their passwords. Hardly anyone will be delighted to have to come up with and remember an 18-character password.

Now, if you want to make sure that the settings are applied, enter the following command and press the key “Enter” for check:

Net accounts

To reset the minimum password length, enter the following command. It will make it optional to enter passwords for local accounts:

Net accounts /minpwlen: 0

And to make your accounts even more secure, it might be advisable to set a maximum password age, which forces users to generate a new password after a certain amount of time.

ON THIS TOPIC: How to speed up your Windows 10, 8, 7 PC: 20 tips.

How to Set a Minimum Password Length Using Group Policy for Professional and Enterprise Users

For those who don’t want to mess with the command line or prefer to work with a graphical interface, Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise versions give you the opportunity to use the Local Group Policy Editor. It’s quite a powerful tool, so if you’ve never used it before, it’s worth spending some time exploring its capabilities.

And if you work on a corporate network, it is best to consult with your system administrator first. If the work computer is part of a domain, then it is likely that it is affected by the Domain General Group Policy, which will override Local Group Policy anyway.

You must also create a system restore point before proceeding. Windows will probably do this automatically after installing the Anniversary Update. However, it doesn’t hurt to duplicate this process manually. And if something goes wrong, then you can always roll back to the working version of the system.

First, launch the Group Policy Editor by pressing Windows + R and typing gpedit.msc in the input field. Now press the key “Enter”…

Follow the path Computer configuration → Windows configuration → Security options → Account Policies → Password policy.

In this section, find the parameter “Minimum password length” and double click on it.

In the properties menu that opens, enter the minimum password length that you want to set on your computer and click OK after finishing editing the parameter.

As a bonus, if you want to include password complexity requirements as well, you can force users to create a much more secure password. In this case, you will have to meet certain criteria. Windows applies these complexity requirements the next time users change or create passwords.

If you enable this policy setting, passwords must meet the following criteria:

not contain the user account name or part of the full user name that exceeds two consecutive characters.
be at least six characters long.
contain characters from any of the following three categories:

1. Latin capital letters (from A to Z).

2. Latin lowercase letters (from a to z).

3. The main 10 digits (from 0 to 9).

4. Non-alphabetic characters (for example,!, $, #,%).

Double click on the parameter “The password must meet the complexity requirements”to open its properties menu.

In the window that appears, click on the radio button next to the item “Switched on” and then the button OK…

That’s all you need to do. You can now close the Group Policy Editor. Changes to this policy take effect immediately and do not require you to restart your device.

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How to change password in Windows 10

After setting the minimum password value, you can start changing the password itself.

Open up Windows settings… and go to section Accounts…

Select the menu Login options, and then Password and press the button Change…

Enter a new password according to the set length.

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How to create an icon for shutting down / restarting a computer in Windows

22/12/2021 by

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Shutting down your Windows computer is pretty quick – in Windows 10, it only takes three clicks. But why do unnecessary actions every day, because you can simplify them a little. All you have to do is create a shortcut to turn off your computer. Thus, you will be able to save your time.

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How to create a computer shutdown icon

To create a shutdown icon, right click on the desktop, hover over the menu “Create” and select “Label”…

A menu will appear “Create shortcut”… In a text box “Specify the location of the object” enter the following command and press “Further”:

shutdown.exe /s /t 00

In the next window, enter a name for the new shortcut if necessary. By default, the word Shutdown will be substituted, but you can choose another.

Now press “Ready” to complete the shortcut creation process.

A new shutdown icon will appear on the desktop.

Now, when you double-click on the icon, your computer turns off instantly.

♥ ON TOPIC: Hidden folders and files in Windows 10: how to hide (show) photos, videos, documents, drives.

How to change the image on the label

By default, the resulting icon looks dull. The fix is simple enough.

Right click on the shortcut and select “Properties”…

Go to the tab “Label” and click on the button Change Icon…

In the pop-up that appears, click OK…

Select the appropriate icon and click OK.

Click on Apply…

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Other useful shortcuts

As you may have guessed, in addition to shutdown, you can create several other shortcuts for other actions. The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice one shortcut to get another – you can create as many as you like.

The steps are similar to those already discussed, only you must enter different commands for each shortcut.

So again, just right click on your desktop, hover over “Create” and select “Label”… Then enter any of the commands below to create any other shortcuts you need.

Reboot

Shutdown.exe /r /t 00

Go to sleep

rundll32.exe powrprof.dll, SetSuspendState 0,1,0

Entering hibernation mode

rundll32.exe PowrProf.dll, SetSuspendState

Lock your PC

Rundll32.exe User32.dll, LockWorkStation

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How to set up video screensavers from Apple TV 4 on Windows and Mac

16/12/2021 by

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Starting with the 4th generation Apple TV, Apple set-top boxes have received beautiful “live” screensavers with attractions from different parts of the world. Looks incredibly great! Do you want to get the same ones on your computer? Use the simple installation instructions!

First, a few words about what Apple TV screensavers are. Especially for Apple TV 4, the developers of the “apple” company added streaming video playback from a special Apple server to the screensaver familiar to everyone – and resourceful users found the server and connected to it (Apple seems to have nothing against it). As you might guess, everything works over the Internet – but beauty, as you know, requires sacrifice. Ultimately, after a little setup, a computer that has not been used for a long time starts to play fantastic videos (the list of which is constantly growing).

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How to set up video screensavers from Apple TV on Mac

one… Download the latest setup file (ZIP archive) from GitHub.

2… Unpack the archive.

3… Double click on the file with the name Aerial.saver and agree to install.

4… In the menu that appears (System settings → Desktop and screensaver) select the Aerial splash screen.

There is a button on the right Screen saver settings, here you can turn off annoying videos, select the required resolution, etc.

Done – now in standby mode, your computer will delight you with gorgeous views. As they say, a trifle, but nice :).

It should be noted that after activating the splash screen, the animation may start after a few seconds – it takes time to load the data.

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How to set up video screensavers from Apple TV on Windows

one… Download the latest setup file (zip archive) from GitHub.

2… Unpack the archive.

3… Right click on the file AerialScreenSaver.scr and select the item Install…

4… Go to the menu Personalization and install the new Aerial screensaver. If you wish, you can also configure its appearance there as you wish – time of day, different monitors, etc.

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How to find a forgotten Wi-Fi password on a Windows computer: 4 ways

03/12/2021 by

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When we connect our device to a Wi-Fi network, we usually have to enter a password for it. This is a one-time operation, then the connection will be carried out automatically. As a result, over time, the password can be simply lost or forgotten. But it may be required at least to be used with new gadgets or to provide access to guests. And resetting the network settings or rearranging the system will force you to re-enter the Wi-Fi password. But even if it is forgotten, there are simple ways to recognize it.

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How to find the password for the currently connected Wi-Fi network on a Windows computer

If your computer is currently already working on the desired network, the password for which is required to be learned, then it will not be difficult to do this.

On the taskbar, find the network icon. It is usually found on the right side of the tray, next to the volume control, clock, and language switch.

Right click on this item and select “Open Network & Internet Settings“.

In chapter “State“Select the item”Configuring adapter parameters“. You can get there by entering the command ncpa…cpl in the window “Execute“(Called by pressing the combination Win + R).

Highlight the current wireless connection.

Right-click on it and select “State”…

In the middle of the window that opens, click on the button “Wireless properties“.

In the new window, go to the “Security“, Where the desired Wi-Fi password will be hidden. One has only to check the box for the option “Show entered characters”to display the password as text instead of black circles.

So it will be possible to reveal the password from the Wi-Fi network and with its help subsequently log into it with a new device. But it is best to warn the situation in advance, password managers will help with this. You can also write down the password on paper and store it later in a safe place.

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How to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network to which the computer was previously connected

It may well happen that your computer is currently working on a different network. But you need to find out the password from the network in which it worked earlier. This can also be done relatively easily, but in this case you will have to use the command line.

To start it, enter the query in the Windows search bar “Command line”. In the search results, right-click on the item “Command line” and select “Run as administrator”…

In the opened Command line enter the command:

netsh wlan show profiles

and press “Enter”…

The system will give information about all Wi-Fi networks to which it was connected earlier. You need to find the SSID (name) of the required network, for example, in our case “Yablyk-Public”…

Now enter a new command with your information in it. It might look like this:

netsh wlan show profile name=Yablyk-Public key=clear

Instead of “Yablyk-Public” substitute the name of your Wi-Fi network. In the given information, we need the field “Key content“. It is the password we require.

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How to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network in a router (modem)

Even if the password is not on the computer or on a piece of paper, then it is definitely stored in the router, which creates the wireless network. This information can also be obtained directly from the device. But in the absence of access to his network, you will have to connect to him directly using a network cable. To do this, the computer must have an Ethernet port or, in its absence, a USB-Ethernet adapter.

When the connection is made, launch the browser and enter the address of the router (modem) in its address bar. It usually represents or 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, 192.168.100.1 etc. These are standard LAN addresses, and in most cases they are used.

And then enter the login and password from your router. These data are usually set when setting up the device, and the factory settings are often indicated on a sticker on the bottom of the router. Quite often, the following pairs are used as the default login and password:

Login: admin
Password: admin

Login: admin
Password: 1234

Login: root
Password: 1234

Most router menus have approximately the same logic. We need to find the security settings of the wireless network. In this section, the password for connecting to it will be indicated, and in clear text.

Problems in this option will appear only if the password for the router is lost. In this case, you will have to reset it to factory settings, which will automatically reset the password from the Wi-Fi network.

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How to find out the password from Wi-Fi using the free WirelessKeyView program

If you don’t want to dig into the system settings, then a specialized program will help WirelessKeyView… It will just show all the passwords stored on the computer from wireless networks. Versions for both 32-bit systems and 64-bit systems are offered completely free of charge on the developer’s official website. ZIP archive is password protected:

WKey4567#

Application WirelessKeyView does not require installation.

There are programs with similar functionality for detecting passwords for Android. But these applications will require root privileges for full system access.

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Hidden folders and files in Windows 10: how to hide (show) photos, videos, documents, drives

28/11/2021 by

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Most operating systems do not consider it necessary to show all files to their users, for the sake of their safety, at least. In Windows, you can also hide not only files, but also folders, and even entire disks. This trick is regularly used by advanced users. If initially the function was a systemic one to protect service files from accidental deletion, now this way confidentiality is ensured: often you need to hide certain information from other users.

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Suppose that you want to hide some files or folders, or even drives, or see them in Windows 10. What if one of the default tools doesn’t work? Let’s take a look at all the ways in which you can hide or find a hidden file, folder and drive on your computer.

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How to make a file or folder hidden in Windows

Using the “Explorer” menu

Open up “Conductor” Windows and select all files and folders you want to hide. Click on the button Hide Selected Itemsto hide them.

The icons for hidden files will become dimmer.

To return to the previous mode of displaying these elements, use the same button again.

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Using the Folder Options menu

This method worked in Windows 8.1 and earlier versions of the operating system. Open up “Conductor”but this time right click on any folder where you want to hide files and folders.

We need a parameter “Properties”…

In the tab “General” you will find the attribute “Hidden”… Activate it to hide the selected folder with files in it.

Repeat the same process and uncheck this box to show the hidden file folders you previously selected.

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How to hide (show) a hidden folder or file in Windows

Using the “Explorer” menu

Open up “Conductor”… In the tab “View” you can find the checkbox “Hidden items”… Activate this box and you will be able to see all hidden files and folders inside the directory you are in.

This menu was added in the version of the program for Windows 10. Previously, you had to go to the properties of folders to give permission to display hidden files and folders. When you finish working with the desired catalog, simply uncheck the box and the hidden elements will disappear again.

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Using the Control Panel

If for some reason the above method doesn’t work for you, there is another way. Press the keys Win + Sto open the search menu, search for “Control Panel” and open it.

In the search box already “Control panels” find “Conductor”…

You will see the item “Explorer Options”…

In the tab “View” activate the required option Show hidden files, folders and drives or “Do not show hidden files, folders and drives”… Click on Apply and OK…

It is important to understand that this is a universal setting, meaning the ability to show or hide hidden files, folders and drives everywhere, and not just in the folder that you are viewing. If you want to perform specific actions on a specific folder, then follow the first method.

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Using the registry

We do not recommend using this option until you try the others. It is worth resorting to working with the registry if other options do not work. In order to find and open the registry editor, press the key combination Win + Rto open the window “Run”, then enter the command regedit and press “Enter” to run the application.

Now navigate to the specified registry key:

Computer HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Explorer Advanced

Double click on the parameter Hidden in the right window pane and set the value 1to show hidden files, folders and drives, or 2to hide them.

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How to reliably hide a specific file or folder so that they cannot be seen using the usual (above) methods

Pay attention to this unusual trick. Hiding a file or folder using the command below from a terminal window will more reliably hide the object. This means that no user will be able to view the hidden file or folder even if the corresponding attribute is changed from the folder options. This provides you with an extra layer of security because anyone with access to your computer can view files and folders using their properties and attributes function.

Make a note of the path to the file you want to hide in the first place. You can copy it from the explorer search bar.

Now run the CMD application (command line) with administrator rights

and enter a command like this:

attrib C:Users<имя пользователя>PicturesDownloadsfilename.png +s +h

In our case, we got the command:

attrib C:UsersYablykDocumentsSecret +s +h

Note: This method does not support Cyrillic characters, which means that the file or folder must have a name consisting of Latin letters or numbers without spaces.

Be sure to change the username to the name from your computer and the further part of the path up to filename.png to the path to the file you need with its correct extension.

Attribute + s will tell the operating system that this is a system file that needs to be protected, and + h will tell the file to be hidden forever.

You can use this same command to hide the folder. And to display the file or folder again, use the minus sign (-s -h).

attrib C:UsersYablykDocumentsSecret -s -h

We suggest that you first practice on a temporary file, because you obviously do not want to lose access to an important file / folder.

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How to hide an entire drive in Windows

You can hide the entire drive using Registry Editor. This cannot be done in the control panel or in the folder options menu.

Open Registry Editor and navigate to the specified registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Policies Explorer

Click on the blank space on the right and select Create → Parameter DWORD (32 bits)…

Give the parameter a name NoDrives, save it and then double-click it to edit it.

In chapter Calculus system select an option Decimal… And as The values enter the number of the disk you want to hide. How do you find the disk number, you ask, because it is usually represented in the form of an alphabet letter, C or D?

This can actually be done quite easily. Letter A corresponds to the number 1, Letter B to 2, C is equal to 4, D is equal to 8, and so on. Each letter has a doubled number of the previous letter. It is not hard to guess that drive E will correspond to the number 16. This number must be entered as the value of the specified registry parameter.

But what if you want to hide several different drives? Just add their numbers and enter the resulting number. For example, if you want to hide disks A and D, then add 1 to 8. Parameter NoDrives should be equal to 9. Do not forget to save the registry value and restart your computer.

To map the drive (s) again, simply delete the NoDrives entry you created above.

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Third Party Applications

There are a number of third-party applications on the market that can help you easily manage, hide or show files, folders and drives on your Windows 10 computer. These applications have a number of additional features that we will discuss.

The first program is Secret Disk, which creates a hidden and password-protected virtual disk on your computer to save confidential files and folders. The basic version of the application is free, and its functionality is sufficient for most users.

The second application is My Lockbox, which adds its own icon to the desktop. Using the icon, you can quickly hide or show files and folders anywhere. The program works with keyboard shortcuts. The free version can lock a single folder with an unlimited number of subdirectories and files inside.

There are other apps that can help you hide files, folders, and drives in Windows 10, but that should be enough to keep things organized. In this operating system, there are several ways to hide information, it all depends on which files or folders you are trying to hide and how. You can choose one of the methods we have proposed, just make sure that you clearly understand all the difficulties that you may face.

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How to fix the bad sound of any AirPods on Mac and Windows 10

24/11/2021 by ALOK DAS

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If you connect Bluetooth headphones to a computer on macOS or PC, the sound from them can be terrible like the plugs from the transition for 100 rubles. No one is safe from the problem, but she solved in a few clicks.

When I ran into it myself, I had to delve into English-language sites: in Russian I found help only for macOS.

Here is an instruction on what to do in both cases. It will help everyone who has a Bluetooth headset.

Headphones record and play sound simultaneously

AirPods has two modes: listening and talking. In the second case, the sound quality decreases, because the headphones work on input and output immediately.

This happens when something is trying to record a sound right now. For example, opened in the background of Shazam or a fixed recording of audio messages in the messenger.

Windows 10 can tie additional functionality to the headset, such as “telephone communications,” which I’ll describe as disconnect below.

How to improve AirPods (Pro) sound on macOS

Check and close programs that have access to the microphone:

1. Select Apple menu () -> System settings
2. Click Protection and Security -> Confidentiality
3. Click on the item on the left. Microphone. On the right are programs that can record sound. Do not change anything here
4. Select Apple menu () -> Forcefully complete …
5. Close all open programs that are listed in step 4.

Important. In the window Finish pyrrindly … all open applications are not displayed. If the sound is still bad, close the programs from step 4 in MacOS status bar (where is the clock and charge).

Reconnect the audio output source if the program did not help to close:

1. Select Apple menu () -> System settings
2. Click Sound -> Exit
3. In the list, select Built-in speakersthen again mine Airpods.

Menu entrance in the same settings, turns on the microphone of the selected device. Therefore, clicking on this item immediately reduces the quality of the reproduced sound. Make sure the menu is closed.

How to Improve AirPods (Pro) Sound on Windows 10

Disconnect the “telephone connection” of the device:

1. Go to Control Panel. To do this, on the desktop, click Win + r -> enter “control panel” and click OK
2. Select Equipment and sound -> Devices and Printers
3. Find your headphones in the list of devices and go to their The properties through RMB
4. Click on Services
5. Make sure that Wireless telephone no checkmark

Check and close the programs that use the microphone, if disconnecting the telephone did not help:

1. Select Start -> Parameters
2. Click Confidentiality -> Microphone
3. Scroll to the beginning of the list of applications with access to the microphone. Do not change anything here
4. Open Task Manager keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Escape
5. Close all open programs that are listed in step 4.

As a result, we just turned off the microphone

While this is a noticeable drawback of Bluetooth technology: the headphones sound great only as long as there are the right conditions.

Outgoing sound will deteriorate during recording because the data transfer modes are changing. Because of this, PC headsets are still advised to use wired options.

After turning off the programs that use the microphone, your headphones will shut up for a few seconds, and then the high-quality sound will return to them.

If this does not happen, do not be afraid to contact support. She helps.

Best Lightroom equivalents: 10 apps for Windows and Mac

20/11/2021 by

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Many photographers consider Adobe Lightroom to be their standard photo manipulation and editing application. Unfortunately, you will no longer be able to purchase the program and work with it for as long as it takes. Adobe Lightroom is now a subscription-only distribution.

Unfortunately, this business model is not for everyone. It’s no surprise that someone starts to think about alternative products. Can they provide the best Adobe Lightroom features for free, or are there a one-time fee? Let’s take a look at the best options on the market.

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Best Adobe Lightroom Alternatives

Today, Adobe Lightroom and its terms of use aren’t for everyone. If you are looking for another option for yourself, we offer the best alternative applications to date.

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Capture One Pro

This program can be called the closest analogue to Lightroom, which can directly replace it. But the starting price of $ 300 makes the package a tool for professionals or very wealthy amateurs. But Capture One Pro’s feature set is truly amazing. The program allows you to transfer your catalogs from Lightroom. It supports RAW files from several hundred cameras.

The application offers a wide variety of tools for processing photos, and even from a visual point of view, the utilities look nice. Capture One Pro offers several truly professional features such as Live Snap mode support.

Let’s face it, for most users, Capture One Pro will seem overwhelming and overwhelming. But the creators offer a trial version so that everyone can try to work with the product and form an opinion about it.

Available for: Windows, Mac

Capture One Pro Video Tutorials

Download Capture One Pro (Paid, Free trial available)

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DarkTable

At the other extreme with regard to Capture One is the DarkTable product (overview). It’s free and stands out for its open source code. Nevertheless, despite the availability, this product still implements the basic functions of Lightroom.

DarkTable gives you granular control over your assets and offers decent editing tools. As in the previous product, there is also support for the RAW format from hundreds of cameras, which is appreciated by users. That being said, DarkTable has some tools that even Lightroom CC lacks: adjusting curves, split toning.

True, there is no need to talk about the convenience of the interface in DarkTable – only commercial alternatives can usually boast of this.

Available for: Windows, Mac, Linux

DarkTable Video Tutorials…

Download DarkTable (Free)

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Adobe bridge

Even before Lightroom came along, Bridge and Photoshop were considered the best tool for many photographers. In this pair, Adobe Bridge was in charge of asset management. And this product is still available, still serving as a good replacement for Lightroom. Bridge is generally regarded as one of the best free Adobe apps available on the market. True, you’ll need to have an Adobe account to download the product, but even a basic unpaid account will work.

Adobe Bridge meets all your cataloging needs. You can group your pictures into folders and collections, add star ratings to them, apply keywords, view metadata, and more.

Unfortunately, the free version won’t include Adobe Camera Raw. So if you are taking RAW images, then you will have to add your own processor for processing. And for direct editing, you will need to look for a separate editor. It could be GIMP – a good free analogue of Adobe Photoshop. As a paid option, I would advise you to pay attention to Affinity Photo.

Available for: Windows, Mac.

Adobe Bridge tutorials…

Download Adobe Bridge (Free)

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DxO PhotoLab

This product was previously known as OpticsPro. This program will also be of interest to professionals, directly competing with Capture One. And its price is comparable to Lightroom. But the set of functions is comparable to that of Adobe – Photolab also fully manages assets, which makes it possible to import photos and organize them.

Photolab introduces basic Lightroom photo enhancement features. They are clear and simple. Users speak well of the noise removal capabilities. There are several native tools here, and there is also support for RAW from 400 cameras. All this set makes the tool a really convenient and interesting alternative to Lightroom for many users.

Available for: Windows, Mac.

DxO PhotoLab Video Tutorials…

Download DxO (Paid, Free Trial Available)

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Rawtherapee

RawTherapee is primarily a standalone RAW processor that guarantees broad support for a wide variety of cameras. The program, along with Lightroom, can be called an analogue of Adobe Camera Raw. At the same time, there are also several basic functions of digital resource management.

RawTherapee will not be able to import your images and sort them into folders – the user must select a different tool for this. But once the photos are available to the app, they can be color-coded and rated to indicate the best shots.

And the capabilities of RAW have long been appreciated by numerous photo enthusiasts. Fuji camera users who create complex RAW files are especially delighted. The RawTherapee app makes you spend time learning, but it will be rewarded with the result.

Available for: Windows, Mac, Linux

RawTherapee Guide (English)

Download RawTherapee (Free)

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Skylum luminar

Luminar is considered almost the most affordable analogue of Lightroom, but the functions of the program do not look lightweight at the same time. In the app, you can find AI tools that automatically allow you to recognize the content of images. Using artificial intelligence to make selective adjustments is much easier. For example, it will help to change the exposure of the background, but it will leave the objects in the foreground intact.

The application has packet filters, powerful tools to improve sharpness and reduce noise in pictures. Most of the retouching capabilities provided in Lightroom are also present in Skylum Luminar. The gallery of this application allows you to import photos into it, sort them in the required way and manage the entire library. The application really turned out to be cool, it is worth paying attention to it.

Available for: Windows, Mac

Skylum Luminar Manual (English)

Download Skylum Luminar (Paid, Free trial available)

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ON1 Photo RAW

This product can be considered a newcomer to the market. ON1 Photo RAW takes the very best of Lightroom: the ability to sort and organize photos, fast RAW processing, and some Photoshop features like working with layers. Thanks to this set, the app can combine images in a way that other Lightroom alternatives cannot boast.

ON1 Photo RAW also works quickly, the advantages of the program are the flexibility to customize it. At the same time, it works well with filters and effects. The rather cluttered interface, in which the really necessary tools can be hidden away, may scare off the user a little. ON1 Photo RAW will take some getting used to.

Available for: Windows, Mac

ON1 Photo RAW Video Tutorials

Download ON1 (Paid, Free trial available)

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ACDSee Photo Studio Professional

A Windows program with that name looks clearly like an imitation of Lightroom. But the user who paid for it $ 100 gets all the basic functions of the famous Adobe application, as well as some additional features.

The owner will be able to use numerous tools to create their own photo library, organize it and catalog them. A full RAW editing mode is also available, which supports as many as 500 different cameras. The Liquify tool will be a unique opportunity. It can be used to retouch images by moving groups of pixels, but not changing them. Usually for these purposes it was necessary to additionally launch Photoshop.

Available for: Windows

Video tutorials ACDSee

Download ACDSee (paid, free trial available)

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Apple Photos

Surely, some of the applications from Apple or Google are already installed on your smartphone or computer. But can they provide an opportunity to replace their development with Lightroom?

In fact, the stock Photos app on iOS, iPadOS, and Mac already works pretty well as a photo management tool. This application works quite well with any third party editors chosen by the user. Plus, Apple Photos on Mac has tools like Tone Curve and Clarity slider. This helps to achieve the results that Lightroom provides. And RAW support is natively present in macOS, so Apple Photos can also receive data directly from most cameras.

Available for: Mac (preinstalled on macOS by default)

Learn more about Apple Photos

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Google photos

This application differs from all others in that it is originally based on the use of cloud technologies. And access to the service is carried out through a regular browser.

It’s easier than installing a separate application. Excellent processing comes from technologies borrowed from programs like Snapseed and Google’s machine learning algorithms. Support for the RAW format is available, albeit limited.

Google’s app is great for organizing your shots. At the same time, the user does not need to think about how and what keywords should be added to the images. Artificial intelligence automatically detects objects in a photo and gives them out during a regular search.

Available for: Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, web, etc.

Download Google Photos (Free)

Google Photos for the web

There are very good reasons why Adobe Lightroom is at the top. No matter how strange some of the nuances in the operation of the application, it is deservedly considered the best of what is on the market. But if you don’t like the terms of your Lightroom subscription, here are a few alternatives. They can be purchased either immediately, or even free to use.

One of the main criteria when choosing an alternative to Lightroom is the level and capabilities of RAW processing. Not all apps are as good at this, some will perform better with certain cameras than others. It is for this reason that it is worth downloading and testing the available trial versions of the product. Check how well it is compatible with your hardware and whether it is a convenient workflow.

How to reset Windows 10 to factory settings?

18/11/2021 by

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Is your Windows 10 PC running slowly or constantly having problems? In such a case, one of the most justifiable ways to fix the problem is to reset to factory settings. This procedure is also recommended if you are planning to sell your computer. Here’s what Microsoft suggests to do with the system in such a case.

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Before starting the reset procedure itself, it is better to back up your files first. Otherwise, you risk irrevocably losing data that is important to you.

When you’re ready to factory reset your Windows 10 PC, open the menu Windows Settings… To do this, press the button “Start” and select the gear icon.

This will open the settings window. Here you will need to find the section at the bottom. Update and Security…

In the left pane of this section, you can see a list of the available functions. We need “Recovery”…

This will take you to the System Restore window. You will need an item “Reset the computer to its original state”… You are presented with a short description of what will happen. Now you can press the button “Begin”…

After that, an additional window will appear to return the system to factory settings. You will be prompted to choose one of two options:

Save my files… This option will remove all installed applications and their settings, but personal files will remain unchanged.

delete everything… Selecting this option will remove both all applications with their settings and all personal files.

From the two options offered, choose the one that suits you best.

The next window will tell you what happens when the button is pressed “Reset”…

The list of actions will differ depending on which method was selected in the previous step.

If everything was done correctly and you are ready to start, then press “Reset”…

Your Windows 10 PC will begin restoring its system to its original state. The whole process will take a few minutes, so don’t worry. And when the recovery is complete, the computer will go to reboot.

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The file is not deleted on the computer: How to delete on Windows and Mac

21/10/2021 by

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It so happens that a computer, be it a PC or a Mac, refuses to delete a file. Fortunately, this problem is being fixed.

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The file is not deleted: how to delete it on a Windows computer

The main reason for the inability to delete a file on a PC, as a rule, is the system process in which this file is involved. In this case, a notification appears on the screen that the action cannot be performed, since the file is open in such and such a program.

If you are determined to delete the file, close the application that is using it and try again. There may be some difficulties with programs running in the background, but they can be easily resolved. Just open the Task Manager using the Ctrl + Alt + Del key combinations, find the application you need in the list, click on its name and click on “Remove task“.

It so happens that in the Task Manager it is impossible to find a program that blocks the deletion of a file. In this case, you can use a special utility like LockHunter. Install the utility, right-click on the problematic file and select “What is locking this file?”

When the LockHunter window opens, click on “Unlock It!”. The attempt to delete the file should now be successful. Otherwise, restart your computer and try your luck again.

In some cases, you cannot delete a file because your account does not have permission to do so. If this is the case, you will see an access denied message. Changing the owner of the file will help fix the problem. To do this, you need a password and a computer administrator login.

Right click on the file and then select “Properties“→”Security“→”Additionally“. Near “Owner” Press “Change“, Then select”Additionally” and “Search“. Find the required account in the list that opens and click OK.

The file should now be deleted without issue. If you still can’t erase the file, restart your computer and try again.

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File won’t delete: how to delete on macOS

Just like on a PC, the inability to delete a file on Macs is often due to the fact that it is being used by some application. Try closing all programs and uninstalling the application again. If that doesn’t work, please restart your device.

If, even after restarting your Mac, the file is still not deleted, enable Safe Mode. To do this, restart the computer and press and hold the ⇧Shift key at the time of boot (the computer will boot much slower and the message “boot in safe mode “).

Move the file to the trash, empty it, and then return your computer to normal mode.

In addition to being used by other applications, disk errors can interfere with file deletion. To solve this problem, search in Finder “Disk Utility” (“Programs” → “Utilities”) and use the service “First aid” to check the problematic file. Then restart your computer and try deleting the file again.

Also, check if the file you want to delete is not protected. We described in detail how to remove the protection in this article.

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How to clear (delete) Telegram cache on iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows or Mac

30/09/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Sooner or later, any active user of Telegram may face an interesting problem – the device’s drive turned out to be full, although no large files were placed. And it’s all the fault of our favorite messengers, which not only transmit us huge amounts of information, but also store it. This problem is especially critical for Telegram. After all, this messenger transmits a lot of photo and video content, archives, books and other information. You will be surprised, but Telegram with its files can occupy several gigabytes on the disk!

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What happens if you delete the cache in Telegram?

It seems reasonable to want to clear the Telegram cache, but then what happens to your important files stored inside? Don’t be afraid. All contacts, private chats, groups and channels will remain intact. The messages sent via Telegram will also be saved, because files are not stored locally, but in a cloud service. A copy lost during cleaning can always be restored in the chat or channel where it was originally located.

Clearing the cache in Telegram means deleting downloaded files, videos and photos on the device with the ability to re-download them if necessary.

If you have a vague idea of what the application cache is, and where it is located at all, then we will tell you about it. This way you can clear Telegram temporary data on your smartphone and computer. In addition, we will give some tips on how to set up the messenger and teach it to save valuable space.

But why does the cache take up so much space at all? This is due to the fact that all information downloaded or sent in the messenger is saved on the phone or computer. The cache is needed for quick access to files without reloading them. In fact, everything we viewed on Telegram is stored in hidden application folders, ruthlessly disposing of space. Fortunately, the Telegram cache can always be cleared.

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How to clear Telegram cache in mobile app on iPhone, iPad or Android

1. Open the Telegram app on your iPhone, iPad or Android and go to the “Settings“.

2. Go to the section “Data and memory“.

3. Click on the item “Memory usage” In chapter “Network and cache usage“.

4. Select “Clear cache“.

Please note that before deleting, you will be asked to clarify which types of files need to be deleted. You can delete photos, files or other documents by checking the corresponding checkboxes. This is very useful if you want to keep, for example, the files sent to you, but get rid of old photos from various channels.

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How to set up cache storage in Telegram?

If Telegram is an important working tool for you, then you probably constantly communicate in chats and read numerous channels. But in this case, clearing the application cache is a temporary solution. After a while, the problem with the free space of the drive reappears. Try to optimize Telegram settings (these Telegram parameters are almost identical in the application for mobile devices and the computer version of the messenger):

1. Set storage limits and automatic cache deletion along the way Settings → Data & Memory → Memory Usage… Here you can also choose how long to store downloaded (viewed) media. The following setting options are offered: 3 days, 1 week, 1 month and Always… On the same screen, you can set the limit for the saved cache: 5 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB and No…

2. Refuse to save the photo on your mobile device. To do this go to Settings → “Data and Memory” → Save Received Photos and deactivate all sources.

3. Refuse to autoload media files. You can also find such an item in the section “Data and memory»Menu«Settings“. Avoid downloading media files both on mobile networks and while roaming over Wi-Fi networks. Disabling these types of autoloads will have a great impact on Telegram cache optimization.

4. Disable video and GIF autoplay on your device. Of all types of media, these are the most voluminous. You can change the automatic media download mode in the same section “Data and memory“.

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How to clear Telegram cache on Mac and Windows

If you use the web version of the messenger, then clearing its cache is very easy. You just need to delete your browser history. Telegram-related files will be deleted together with data from other sites. If you are using a separate application, then you will have to do the following:

1. In the application, open the menu “Settings“.

2. In the section “Data and memory“Select the item”Memory usage“.

3. You will see an information window about which files are in the application cache and how long they take. In the same window, you can set limits on the size of the entire cache, a limit for media and automatic cleaning, taking into account the retention period of items.

4. Click “Delete temporary copies of all files“To clear the Telegram cache on your computer.

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Blue Screen Error (BSOD) Video Scheduler Internal Error in Windows: How to Fix it?

25/09/2021 by

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Errors are found on all computers, yours is no different from others. You have to understand that this is just a machine that faces a wide variety of hardware or software problems.

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The most critical error in Windows 7, 8, 10 is a destructive BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) or “blue screen of death” with a sad emoticon, accompanied by a message about the essence of the problem. In this article, we will tell you about a common mistake, which is described by a cryptic phrase “Video Scheduler Internal Error”…

To an inexperienced user, the phrase seems frightening and almost fatal, but there are ways to fix this error without having to reinstall the system with disk formatting. Restarting your computer is not a serious problem in itself, but data loss can have serious consequences. Few would like to run into them, especially if there is no data backup available.

Below are a few steps you can take to get your computer back up and running.

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Why does BSOD Video Scheduler Internal Error appear on Windows 10 PC?

Before proceeding to the first step in fixing the problem, it is important to know the reason why it occurs at all. This will help determine how logical the actions we plan to perform on the computer are and whether they are related to factors that can cause an internal BSOD Video Scheduler error on a Windows 10 PC (8). Here are some reasons why Blue Screen of Death errors appear on Windows 10 (8) PCs:

1. Problems with the graphics adapter (video card)… These problems can be of both software and hardware nature. Outdated drivers are related to software reasons, and a faulty video card is already a hardware problem that can only be solved by replacing or repairing the device.

2. Damaged system files… It is difficult to determine exactly how the existing system files are damaged, but it could be due to the installation of new software or the presence of a malicious file. Abrupt disconnection of the computer from the power source without performing the proper preliminary procedures can also damage the system files while they are being processed while the computer is running.

3. Infection with viruses. Malware and similar small pieces of malware are created every day by cybercriminals. They want to violate users’ privacy and gain access to their computer. The impact of such programs can also cause it to malfunction.

4. Damage to the Windows registry. Another reason causing the Video Scheduler BSOD error on Windows 10 PC is tampering with the Windows registry. The registry is a hierarchical database of all computer settings that underpins the operation of any system. Simple changes to registry settings can cause your computer to become unstable.

5. Recent hardware / software changes… Any new hardware recently connected to the computer may be incompatible with it, which will lead to a “blue screen of death”. Likewise, if you have installed new software or updated an existing one, this too may conflict with existing system files and cause unstable Windows behavior.

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How to fix Video Scheduler Internal Error on Windows 10 PC (Windows 8)

There are quite a few steps to fix Video Scheduler Internal Error BSOD on Windows 10 PC (Windows 8). Most of them are simple and quick solutions that you may have done many times and so periodically on your computer. Here is a list of such understandable and necessary actions:

Run antivirus

The first step, which is always recommended, even if your computer is stable, is to check the system for viruses. This is the most common action for all the problems you encounter on your computer, including the BSOD Video Scheduler Internal Error in Windows. If you do not have a third-party antivirus on your system, fear not, because it has built-in Windows Defender. This default antivirus from Microsoft works quite well, according to many experts, and helps fight malware while keeping your system safe.

I recommend using Advanced System Protector, one of the best security software out there. ASP stands out from all peers with its simple and intuitive interface and regularly updates virus definitions.

Download Advance System Protector here.

Attention: never install or run two different antiviruses on your computer, as each of them identifies the other as a potential threat, which can lead to system problems.

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Install available Windows updates

Another quick way to get rid of the internal BSOD Video Scheduler error in Windows 10 (Windows 8) is to check for Windows updates and install prepared updates. Microsoft releases software updates and fixes from time to time so that users can enjoy a stable, hassle-free, and convenient experience.

Note. It is also possible that the BSOD error occurred due to the installation of a recent Microsoft update. In this case, check for a recently installed update along the path: Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features → Installed Updates and remove it.

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Remove the latest hardware / software add-ons

The next possible solution would be to remove all peripherals connected to your computer, including USB sticks. It is possible that specific hardware may cause a conflict, and disabling this device may resolve the BSOD Video Scheduler Internal Error in Windows 10. But you shouldn’t disconnect the keyboard and mouse from the computer.

Similar to hardware, check if you have recently installed a new program or application on the system. We already touched on the topic of uninstalling updates in the previous step, now you need to return to the same settings along the way: Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features and check for installed applications.

Uninstall any programs installed in the past few days and then check your system for this problem.

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Check your graphics card drivers

The very word VIDEO in the error description clearly indicates a graphics problem on your computer. It’s time to move on to the next video card troubleshooting step. If the problem is of a hardware nature, then it is best to contact a specialist. But first, you can check the drivers for the video card yourself. A driver is a small piece of software that communicates between hardware and the operating system. To update your drivers, open “Device Manager“And follow these steps:

1. Open “Device Manager»By entering this phrase into the search bar in the lower left corner of the screen.

2. In the new window, find the section “Video adapters”And click on the arrow in front of it.

3. The name of the video adapter will be displayed. Right click on the name and select “Update driver“. Windows will automatically search for the latest update for your graphics card and install it.

4. After installing the update, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

If updating the drivers does not resolve the internal BSOD Video Scheduler error in Windows, then the next step is to reinstall the video drivers. Follow the same steps to open Device Manager and find your video adapters.

Now in the menu that appears when you right-click on the device, select the third option – “Delete device“.

Finish the chain of actions and restart your computer. In Windows 10, any uninstalled driver will be automatically installed by default when you restart your computer. But if it doesn’t, you can download the executable file from the Windows Download Center or from the graphics card manufacturer’s website.

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Check system files and hard drive for damage

To check your system files for errors, get ready to feel like a programmer. In fact, this process does not require writing code, but simply entering some commands in the window of the MS DOS operating system. You will need to run Check Disk, System File Checker, and DISM. First, open a command prompt in administrator mode by following these steps:

1. Enter in the search bar in the lower left corner of the screen “Command line“And in the search results, right-click on”Command line“By choosing”Run as administrator“.

2. A new black window with white characters will open. Enter the following command to check the hard drive for logical or physical damage.

chkdsk /f /r

Note. If you see an error message that says the check disk command could not be run, click “Y” and restart your computer. The process will start automatically on next boot.

3. To check for system files and fix them if necessary, enter the following command at a command prompt in administrator mode.

sfc / scannow

4. The final step in the command line is to launch Deployment Image Servicing and Management or DISM.

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Note: The commands must be executed sequentially, one after the other.

5. Restart your computer and it will try to fix the BSOD Video Scheduler error in Windows 10 (Windows 8) by itself.

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Run Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup helps remove unnecessary files from your computer and fix BSOD Video Scheduler Internal Error in Windows. It is recommended that you complete this step at least once a month on your computer, even if it is in perfect stable condition.

1. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key and the letter E.

2. Click on “This computer»In the list on the left. Then right click on the local C drive and select “Properties“.

3. In a new window on the “General” Press “Disk cleanup“.

4. A new window will appear with a list of files that can be deleted. Select everything and click the button below “Clean up system files“.

5. After completing the cleaning process, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

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System Restore

System Restore helps you restore your computer to a previous stable state. This procedure does not delete personal files, but the only caveat to this step is that after restoring your computer to a previous state, you will lose all settings changes and installed programs made after creating this system restore point. To resolve the BSOD Video Scheduler Internal Error issue in Windows, initiate a System Restore by following the steps below:

1. Enter “Recovery“In the search box.

2. In the new window that opens, click the “Recovery“.

3. Select an item “Start System Restore”…

4. Click “Further”And follow the instructions on the screen.

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Check the physical condition of the video card

If you know how to open your computer case, you can physically check your graphics card. This will make sure at least its correct connection and no visible damage. Otherwise, you will need to take the device to the nearest service center for diagnostics and repair.

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Restore your computer to factory settings

If all the above steps don’t work, then unfortunately the only remaining option to fix BSOD Video Scheduler Internal Error in Windows 10 (Windows 8) is to restore your computer to factory state.

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How to take a screenshot on a Windows computer: 4 ways + the best programs to take screenshots

21/09/2021 by

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Windows users are well aware that there is a Print Screen button on the keyboard to take screenshots. But what if this key is not physically present, or is it labeled in an incomprehensible way? Then you need an alternative way to take screenshots in Windows. Moreover, as practice shows, the classical method using the Print Screen key and then inserting an image into Paint is rather slow.

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And this is just one of the reasons why the user can refuse to use the Print Screen key. Let’s try to learn how to take screenshots in Windows without resorting to the well-known and classic solution using the helper button.

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How to take a screenshot of the screen on a Windows computer using the PrtScr key (Print Screen)

To take a screenshot on a Windows computer in the classic way, click the button PrtScr on keyboard. Pressing the Print Screen key will save the capture object (screenshot) – the entire screen, including the taskbar.

Then open a graphics editor, for example, the standard Paint application. Create a new document and click the button Insert, after which the screenshot will be pasted from the clipboard.

Notes:

In newer versions of Windows, the PrtScr button may be disabled by default. To enable it, open Windows Settings, go to the section Special abilities → Keyboard and set the Print Screen switch to Included…

Also, on some versions of Windows, pressing the PrtScr launches a special utility for creating screenshots (more details below).

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How to take a screenshot of a screen in Windows using the Snippet and Sketch utility or the Scissors utility

Any modern version of Windows already has a built-in utility designed just for creating screenshots. It is simply called “Scissors”. With its help, users can quickly take screenshots of the entire screen, as well as its individual parts: windows, rectangular fragments, arbitrary selections.

Scissors

Just open the Start menu and select Scissors from the standard Windows programs. Launch the program and you can already use this simple and effective tool.

“Scissors” allows you to take a screenshot of the entire screen, a selected part of it, or a selective window of the active application. The settings for these parameters are located in the tab Mode…

Working with “Scissors” will turn out much faster than pasting a picture into Paint and then cutting out a fragment of it there. It is no coincidence that many users have Scissors pinned to the taskbar for quick access.

Fragment and sketch

And if you are running Windows 10, then you can use the new system utility – “Fragment and Sketch”which is started by pressing the button Print Screen on the keyboard or using a key combination Win + Shift + S…

You can launch the screenshot utility directly from any Windows application.

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Where are screenshots stored in Windows when using PrtScr and the Slice & Sketch and Scissors utilities?

Screenshots created by standard tools are not saved to the computer, but copied to the clipboard. In order to see the screenshot taken, run a graphics editor, for example, Paint and press Insert or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + V.

After that, the image will appear in the editor, where it can be edited or saved in the required format.

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The best third-party apps to take screenshots on Windows

And while Windows offers several built-in solutions for taking screenshots, sometimes it makes sense to turn to third-party programs. Yet they offer more control and customization options. Choose the best screenshot tool (links below) and customize your keyboard shortcut.

As a rule, after installing a program, its icon appears in the tray.

In addition, third-party applications allow you to define different keyboard shortcuts for different types of screenshots. For example, you might have Ctrl + Shift + 3 for a full screen screenshot and Ctrl + Shift + 4 for a screenshot of the current window.

And after taking a screenshot in most of these applications, you can also launch the editor of the resulting picture, in which you can add arrows, footnotes and many other objects that will help explain and describe the picture and even hide the necessary details.

Moreover, almost every third-party screenshot software has the ability to upload the resulting screenshots to the Internet for free and share with users using a link.

With these capabilities, primitive editing in Paint simply becomes pointless.

The best free screenshot software for Windows

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Reassigning a different key instead of Print Screen

If you do not have a Print Screen key, what prevents you from reassigning it? Moreover, there are special tools for remapping keys in Windows. One of them is the SharpKeys application.

With this program you can change the assignment of any unused key. It can be Power or Media Play. They can be temporarily assigned the functionality of the Print Screen key.

This method can be quite useful if you really need a dedicated key for capturing screenshots.

To change the functionality of the key, install, run the program SharpKeysand then click on the button Add…

In the left column, select the key whose functionality you want to reassign, and in the right column, select the key to which you want to reassign. In our case, we have changed the functionality of the key Right Alt on PrtSc… Click on OK…

Press the key Write to Registry to write changes to the Windows registry.

Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Attention. Before starting to work with SharpKeys, make sure that the remapped key will not be used for its original functionality.

In any case, in the program itself, it will be possible to delete all created changes (the Delete key followed by restarting the computer).

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How to take a screenshot in Windows using the on-screen keyboard

One of the accessibility tools available with Windows is the onscreen keyboard. It will be useful for people who have problems using a physical keyboard or when you need to enter text, but your keyboard does not work for some reason. However, you can also use this solution to access the Print Screen key. Open the onscreen keyboard by typing keyboard next to the Start button in the search box.

After launching the utility, a regular Windows application window will appear, inside which there will be an image of the keyboard. Press the key PrtScn on the right side of it, and your system will respond exactly as if you had pressed the Print Screen button on a real keyboard.

But such a solution has a drawback – the screenshot will be taken instead of with the virtual keyboard window open.

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How to enable screenshots in games in Windows 10

With the game mode enabled in Windows, you can easily take screenshots while playing the game. To activate the option, open Windows settings and go to section Games…

Please select Game menu and set the corresponding switch to position Included…

To create screenshots in games, use the suggested combinations or specify your own.

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Conclusion

With the above methods, you can forget about using the Print Screen key to take screenshots in Windows altogether. Moreover, the alternative methods are faster and more flexible than pasting into Paint. Try one of the suggested options and improve your workflow.

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How to listen to Apple Music in a browser on Windows (or Mac) computer

19/09/2021 by

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The popular streaming service Apple Music doesn’t just run on iPhones and iPads. You can also listen to music on Apple Watch, Apple TV set-top box, as well as computers running macOS and Windows. In this post, we will share two official ways to allow you to use Apple Music subscription on computer.

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How to Listen to Apple Music on Windows Computer or Mac in Browser

Beginning in fall 2019, Apple is offering a full web version of its Music service. To use the service:

1. Open any browser on your computer and go to music.apple.com (a third-party service musi.sh can become an alternative Apple Music player in the browser)

2. Press the button “To come in” in the upper right corner and enter your Apple ID information. Or press the button Trial subscriptionif you have not used the service before.

3. After that, within a few seconds, the user has access to their iCloud Music Library, including Apple Music playlists, recommendations, and more.

Basically, the web interface is almost identical to the desktop version of the Music app on macOS (iTunes on Windows). The history of listening to music is also available in the web interface, recently added songs are displayed. It is possible to add a track to Play next, search music by artist, album, song, and playlist.

The web version of Apple Music in Safari on Mac supports system-level dark theme.

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How to Listen to Apple Music on Windows or Mac Computer Using iTunes

Apple’s only official way to listen to  Music on Windows and macOS computers is to use iTunes.

1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes for Windows from this page.

ITunes for Mac (renamed Music in newer versions of macOS) is preinstalled by default.

2. Launch iTunes.

3. On Windows, click the icon “Account” and enter the details of the Apple ID subscribed to Apple Music. On Mac go to the menu “Account”…

4. Click “To come in”…

5. To download your own playlists, created, for example, on the iPhone, go to ITunes Preferences → section “Basic” and check the box next to ICloud Music Library…

You can also turn on iCloud Music Library from the tab “For you” in iTunes.

After that, within a few seconds, the iCloud library data, including Apple Music playlists, recommendations, etc., will be loaded into the application.

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How to configure Windows to eject USB sticks and drives without using Safely Remove.

11/09/2021 by ALOK DAS

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One of the first lessons in working with flash drives involved removing them from a computer port. Everyone knows that you cannot turn off a USB flash drive unexpectedly, while writing information to it. And at the end of the work, it is necessary to carry out Safe Removal devices. But in Windows 10, the need to look for a small button in the tray and click on it to turn off the flash drive disappeared. The October 2018 1809 update made life unexpectedly easier for millions of users. Microsoft said that the protection of external drives was implemented in Windows 7, but the implementation of such a solution was officially announced only in Windows 10.

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In fact, such a function has been around in Windows for a long time.

The default functionality depends on the Windows build. For external drives connected via USB or Thunderbolt, Windows implements two main policies: “Quick removal” and “Optimal performance“. In Windows 10, version 1809, the first is installed by default. Previously, the operating system focused on better device performance.

Windows allows you to set different policy settings for each external device. The system will remember them after turning off the device. When it is turned on again on the same port, the specified parameters will be applied to the drive.

Any user can change the policy settings for their storage devices as needed. There are two options available with the following specific features:

Quick removal. This policy manages communication with external drives so that they can be removed from the system at any time. Thus, you can simply remove the USB flash drive from the USB port without a procedure. Safe Removal… But to implement such a policy, Windows abandoned disk write caching. Because of this, the communication speed has deteriorated.

Optimal performance. By applying this policy, the work with the drive is carried out in such a way as to maximize the performance of data exchange. After applying the policy, Windows starts caching write operations when working with a USB flash drive. But to remove the device from the computer, you will have to use the procedure Safe Removal… It will protect the data on the device and ensure the completion of all planned operations.

In other words, if you have Windows 10 build 1809 or higher installed on your computer, then “safe removal” is not required (although it remains on the system as an option).

The only thing, always remember that in any case, you cannot remove flash drives and disks while writing data to them. Any other time – no problem.

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How to change the policy for a connected external storage device (USB stick, etc.) in Windows 10

1. Connect the drive to your computer.

2. Right-click the menu “Start“And select”Conductor“.

3. Determine the drive letter or label associated with the external drive. For example, it could be “My Data (E🙂“.

4. Now right-click again on the “Start“And select the menu”Disk management“.

5. In the lower part of the window, in the list of disks, find the drive, click on its heading in the left column with the right mouse button and select the “Properties“.

6. In the new window, go to the “Politicians»And select the required value for this device. When you select the item, “Optimal performance“, You can additionally activate the item”Allow write caching for this device“, Which will increase the speed of data exchange.

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How to set up your computer to safely remove a USB stick or hard drive on older versions of Windows

In older versions of Windows, you can also enable the Safely Disconnect External Drives feature. To do this, change the default policy setting.

1. From the menu Start → Control Panel go to “Device Manager“.

2. In the section “Disk devices“Select your external storage and right-click on it and select”Properties“.

3. In the “Politics»Set the required parameter. To be able to safely disconnect the device without additional manipulation, select “Quick removal“. Otherwise, when activating the second menu item, you will have to use the procedure “Safely remove a device“.

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How to clear the cache on a Windows 10 computer (and the DNS cache) without installing additional software

12/07/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Windows in the course of its work accumulates temporary data on the computer storage. Over time, they can become a source of problems. Like clearing the browser cache, resetting the system cache is a good tool when troubleshooting system problems to improve system performance and free up disk space. In this article, we will show you how to clear the cache in Windows 10.

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How to delete cache in Windows 10 with Disk Cleanup

1. To delete the Windows cache, enter the phrase Disk Cleanup…

2. Select an application Disk Cleanupthat appears in Windows search results.

3. Once launched, this program will begin to calculate how much space you can free up on the operating system disk (C 🙂…

4. A window will open Disk Cleanup (C 🙂… Scroll to the bottom and check the box “Temporary files”… You can also delete files from other places on the system, for example, from “Baskets” or “Downloads”…

5. After you have selected the items you want to clean, click the “Clean up system files“.

6. Once Windows calculates the amount of disk space that will be freed, you will be taken to the same page again. Select the files and locations you want to clean up again, but now click OK.

7. A warning will appear prompting you to confirm that you want to delete the files permanently. Click the “Delete files“.

8. Utility Disk Cleanup will delete unnecessary files on your computer. This process can take several minutes.

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How to clear the DNS cache on Windows

If you want to clear DNS cache on Windows 10 PC, open Command Prompt as administrator. To do this, enter “Command line” in the Windows search bar in the lower left corner of the desktop.

application “Command line” will appear in the search results. Right click on it and select from the menu “Run as administrator”…

Then run the following command:

ipconfig /flushdns

You will receive a message stating that the DNS cache was cleared successfully.

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How to delete the Windows Store cache

1. To clear the Windows Store cache, open a window “Run”by pressing the keyboard shortcut Windows + R on keyboard. A window will appear “Run”…

2. In a text box signed as “Open”, enter the command wsreset.exe and press “OK”…

3. After entering it, a black window will appear. You don’t have to do anything here, so just wait a few seconds for the cache to clear.

4. After closing the window, the cache will be deleted and the Windows Store will start. You can close this application if you want.

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How to clear the location cache on Windows

1. To clear the location cache, click the icon. Windows in the lower left corner of the desktop for the menu to appear “Start”… There click on the gear icon to open Windows settings.

2. A window will appear “Parameters”… Scroll down and select a section “Confidentiality”…

3. In the column on the left, select “Location“ In chapter “App permissions“…

4. On the right side of the window, scroll down until you find the group Location Information Log…

5. Press the button “Clear” under the heading “Clear location history on this device”…

After deleting the location information to the right of the button “Clear” a check mark should appear.

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12 July 2021

Tags: iFaq.

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Is there an alternative to Alt + Tab from Windows on Mac?

11/07/2021 by ALOK DAS

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If you are a new Mac user but are familiar with the keyboard shortcut Alt + Tab to quickly switch between applications in Windows, you might be glad to know about the built-in ability on macOS to do something similar.

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Is there an analogue of the Alt + Tab command from Windows on macOS?

Windows users are no doubt familiar with a feature often referred to as Task Switcher… It consists in quickly switching between open applications by pressing a key combination Alt + Tab… This feature has been present in the operating system since the 1987 version of Windows 2.0, but macOS has a similar combination.

If you want to quickly switch between open apps on Mac, click ⌘Cmd + Tab… A row of open application icons will appear in the center of the screen. If you hold down the ⌘Cmd, then when you press the key Tab the cursor will move between the icons from left to right.

You can also hold ⌘Cmd + ⇧Shift and press Tabto move the selection cursor in the opposite direction – from right to left. Or you can press ⌘Cmd + Tab and use the left and right arrow keys to select the desired application.

With the application you want to switch to, release the keys ⌘Cmd + Taband the application will move to the foreground.

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Display all windows of an open application with ⌘Cmd + Tab

There are other things you can do with the ⌘Cmd + Tab switch. After pressing this combination, highlight the icon of the application you want, and then press the up or down arrow. This will start a mode in which thumbnails of all open windows of this application are displayed on the screen. It’s like a long-standing macOS feature called Exposé or Mission Control.

Here you can select any window you want by clicking on it with your mouse pointer or highlighting it with the left and right arrow keys and pressing Return (Enter).

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Exiting and minimizing applications with ⌘Cmd + Tab

You can also manage open applications with the ⌘Cmd + Tab keyboard shortcut. In the list of applications opened with its help, highlight the program you need and press the key “Q”to exit this application. Also you can press the key “H”to hide or show this app again.

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Quickly switch between windows of open applications

There is a way to manage windows without using a combination ⌘Cmd + Tab… If you have two or more windows open and active from the same application and you want to switch between them using a keyboard shortcut, press ⌘Cmd + `(backtick / tilde)…

You can also click ⌘Cmd + ⇧Shift + `to view the windows in reverse order. When you see the window you want in the foreground, just release the keys. As you can see, the task switcher on macOS is no worse than Windows, and sometimes even better.

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How to Disable Windows 10 Login Password: Working Ways

10/07/2021 by ALOK DAS

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To log into Windows, the user usually needs to enter a password. This is a useful security measure. But not all users like and need it.

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This problem can be solved by logging into the system without entering a password, which will obviously save time. In this article, we’ll take a look at several options for disabling password in Windows 10.

Note… This approach is suitable for those who consider their computer and information on it safe and without authorization using a password. In this case, you can start changing the settings. And if there are any fears or doubts, you should not risk it.

Here are some tips to help you set up a user to sign in to Windows 10 without entering a password.

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Method 1. How to disable the password in the Windows 10 user account settings

1. Press the keyboard shortcut Windows + R and enter the command in the run window netplwiz… She manages user accounts of the system.

2. The “user accounts“. In it, above the section “Users of this computer“You will see a field for setting a check mark”Require username and password“. Remove it from this place.

3. Click OK to apply the changes. This will disable the need to enter a password when logging into your PC.

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Method 2. How to disable Windows 10 login password by changing password (version 1)

1. Press the key combination Ctrl + Alt + Delete and among other options you will see “Change Password“.

2. Click “Change Password“, Which will lead to the appearance of a form for making changes. It will require you to enter the current password and a new one. Enter the password you are using, but leave the new password blank. Click on OK… So the system will understand that you do not need to ask for a password to enter it.

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Method 3. How to disable the Windows 10 login password by changing the password (version 2)

1. Go to “Main menu“, Click”Parameters“.

2. Open the “Accounts“.

3. In the left pane, select “Login options“.

4. In the section “Password»Change it as in the previous method. You will need to enter the current password used to log in and leave blank space for the new combination. This will tell Windows that the password will not be used. This is how one of the options for logging into the system without authorization is implemented.

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Method 4. How to disable Windows 10 login password by changing password (version 3)

1. Go to “Main menu“, In the search box enter cmd… Run Command Prompt as Administrator.

2. To change the user’s password, use the command in the format net user <имя пользователя> “<пароль>”. In our case, enter an empty password, for example, net user operator “”. This will also lead to the formation of an empty password. Note that there should be no spaces between the quotes.

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Method 5. Change the password in the Computer Management snap-in (version 3)

1. Open the command launch window using the combination Windows + R and enter compmgmt…mscand then press OK…

2. In the left part of the window “Computer management»Follow the branch Utilities -> Local Users and Groups -> Users…

3. Select your username in the right pane and right-click on it. Among the options that appear, select the first one, “Set password …“.

4. Leave both password fields blank and click OK to save the change.

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Conclusion

We’ve covered several ways for a regular user to log into Windows 10 without entering a password. But doing so will allow anyone to access your personal data. You should take additional measures to ensure the security of your information.

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The mouse cursor is missing on Windows, what should I do?

10/07/2021 by ALOK DAS

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The cursor pointer has become such a familiar tool for us that we understand its full significance only when it freezes or ceases to be displayed on the main screen. With the disappearance of the cursor, it is easy to lose your temper rather quickly – it is inconvenient and difficult to work in this mode.

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But there can be several reasons for the disappearance of the mouse pointer in Windows 10, including a software update, unlocking the screen after long hours of inactivity, waking the computer from sleep mode, accidentally disconnecting the pointing device itself, or simply updating Windows.

Sometimes the cursor disappears when working in Google Chrome, which will require you to reopen all tabs after restarting the browser. Some people solve the problem with a touch screen or stylus to work with the active surface. But this can in no way be considered a universal approach. We suggest you check out some quick solutions to help you get your missing mouse pointer back.

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Tip 1. Try using keyboard shortcuts

The reason for the disappearance of the cursor could be an incorrect installation of Windows 10. But then some combinations with the participation of function keys will come to the rescue. Try to push Fn + F3, Fn + F9 or Fn + F11… This can bring the cursor back to the screen.

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Tip 2. Try a different mouse

Get someone to lend you their mouse for a while to check the status of your own device. With the help of a temporary replacement, it will be possible to understand whether the problem lies in the hardware itself or lies in the internal system drivers. If your mouse was connected via Bluetooth, it is recommended that you check if another device with a similar wireless type of data transfer is interfering.

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Tip 3. Update your drivers

Will need to open “Device Manager”by pressing the key combination Win + R and entering the command devmgmt.msc… Using the keys Tab and the cursor arrows expand the tab “Mice and other pointing devices”, click Alt + Enter on your device and using the key Tab go to tab “Driver”… Click on the button “Update Driver”…

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Tip 4. Disable conflicting devices

Different devices connected to the PC at the same time sometimes conflict with each other. This can cause the cursor to disappear. Just unplug everything you can from your computer: USB devices, keyboard, printer, etc. Then shut down your computer and boot it up again. After that, reconnect the mouse to the PC and check its functionality.

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Tip 5. Run a virus scan

Operating system malfunctions can be caused by unknown malware. As a result, it may cause the mouse to malfunction. It is worth checking your computer for viruses at least using the built-in defender. In the start menu, type Defender and run “Security Center”… Here, on the right side of the window, select the option “Protection from viruses and threats “ with a shield icon, and then – “Check now “… This program will conduct a deep and intelligent scan of the system for malware, but for peace of mind, you can use similar third-party solutions.

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How to control the cursor in Windows using the keyboard

Make sure that you have followed all our tips for troubleshooting computer problems associated with the disappearance of the mouse cursor in Windows 10. But if this did not help, and you urgently need to work with only the keyboard, then for this case there are some tips:

If your keyboard works without problems, you can access various menu items using the key Tab… You can use the arrow keys to move up and down. All that remains is to press Enter and select the marked position.

Using the keyboard shortcut Alt + Ffour you can close the currently open window.

If the mouse cursor is visible in Windows 10, but you cannot control it, then try using the combination Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock… When the window appears Mouse Pointer Control click “Yes”to enable cursor control of the mouse pointer. This will help simulate mouse movement.

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Darktable – Free Photo Editor – Adobe Lightroom Alternative for Windows, Mac and Linux

08/07/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Sooner or later, any person involved in photography will surely hear the advice: you need to shoot in RAW. As soon as you follow it, you will find out over time that files in this format are not like other traditional graphic formats. You will need special programs to open RAW and work with it. One such application is Darktable.

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It’s no secret that the most famous program for working with RAW images is Adobe Lightroom. However, there are many reasons for choosing an alternative. Darktable looks like a good option – a free open source application that can act as a good replacement for Lightroom.

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What is Darktable?

Darktable (download for Windows, Mac and Linux here) is a program for viewing and editing RAW image files. It, in turn, is designed to store image data that has not undergone any processing. The main difference from JPG is the lack of any data compression. You won’t even be able to send this file to someone for later viewing.

RAW files are like a movie that hasn’t been edited yet. Darktable is the place to go for digital photography processing. This was the reason for the appearance of such a name. The main reason for using RAW and Darktable instead of the usual JPEG and GIMP is the ability to perform editing without making permanent changes to the original file. This processing of a photo is called non-destructive editing.

Darktable has two main workspaces: Overview and Treatment…

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Features of the Overview tab

In the tab Overview you can export images, edit metadata and apply tags. In this space, you can work with the names of your images and organize them.

The panel on the left side of the screen will help you import photos. You just need to take images from your camera and collect them into collections. The program provides an opportunity to view detailed information about each photo.

This is just a short list of the main solutions to be solved in Review tasks.

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How to export snapshots from Darktable

A very important option of the program is its export from RAW format to the format that you can share. To do this, select the dropdown Export images). It contains many additional parameters, including file name, storage location, format, compression ratio, and others.

And even without changing the default settings, you can still convert RAW files to JPG, which can then be sent to family members or uploaded to the Internet.

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How to edit metadata

If you share your photos with others, it will be useful to indicate the author in each photo. This is especially important if your hobby becomes a job.

IN Metadata editor you can create a title for each photo and put a description of what exactly is shown or is happening in the picture. You can also add who took the photo, who posted it, and under what license the photo is available.

Removing metadata from photos helps protect your privacy, which is why it is so important to do this job before distributing images on the Internet.

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How to add tags to your photos

But for the internal organization of files, tags are very useful. They can be used to mark which images have already been edited and which have remained intact. Tags can help separate portrait photos from landscape photos.

To add tags, go to the section Tags… There are already several options available for use. But the program allows you to create your own tags or import those created earlier in another installed copy of Darktable. From this section, tags can be attached to selected photos.

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How to geotag your photos

Many places may look the same on your travels. With the help of geotags, you can mark exactly where the photo was taken. You need to go to the section Geotagging and add a GPX track to your shot.

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How to process (edit) snapshots in Darktable

Treatment Is the part of the application that is responsible for changing the image. This is where you can work on your photos, making them match your visions.

On the right side of the window, you can select correction settings to improve imperfect images: sharpening blurry shots, correcting white balance, and cropping elements that may have accidentally entered the frame.

Or you can use your image and breathe new life into the frame. By adjusting the contrast, the subject can be brightened. Panel sliders allow you to experiment with colors, adjust lighting. Effects such as motion blur and vignetting are immediately available.

Darktable groups all of these tasks into modules. Some of them are visible at default settings and are organized into sections: Favorites, Basic Modules, Tone, Color Correction, Correction and Art Modules.

In chapter “List of modules” additional solutions are listed.

Clicking on one of the options will automatically add it to the above sections. Clicking on the item again will delete it. This will allow you to make the features you use the most easily accessible and hide the ones you don’t need. This way, you can customize the application and organize the tools in it, eliminating the need to dig into menus to complete any assigned task.

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How to track changes

On the left side of the window, you can see a list of changes made to the current image. When you go to the section Change history Surprisingly, Darktable has already automatically applied a few default settings to your photo. But you can also undo them by returning to the original. And while working, it is possible to create your own intermediate copies of the picture, snapshots.

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Other Darktable features

Now that you have edited your photo and exported the file, you can select the mode Other, where a few more photo tools will appear.

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Using the Map function in Darktable

In this section, you can use geotags to place photos on the map, taking into account the location of their shooting. The map can be provided by various services. By default, this is OpenStreetMap, but it is optionally possible to use Google Maps as well.

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Using Print Functions in Darktable

This feature enables you to print your image. Choose your printer, set the paper size, adjust the color profile, and more. Darktable provides a preview of the picture so you can see where it is on the sheet of paper.

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Using the Slideshow feature in Darktable

In order to present your collection of photos as a slideshow, you do not need to download other applications. Darktable does an excellent job of this. But don’t expect a lot of customization from this simple feature.

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Using the binding function in Darktable

Binding devices in Dakrtable allows the program to connect directly to the camera. The application itself acts as a viewfinder for capturing images. Darktable uses the gphoto2 library to bind and control devices. Keep this in mind if you have any problems or need to check the library for compatibility with your camera.

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Should I use Darktable?

Darktable isn’t just a great app because it’s free. Many other similar open source programs provide similar functionality, but do not have the same clear and simple interface.

Unlike some other apps, Darktable is a tool made by photographers for photographers. It allows you to adapt the interface to your workflow and do it in a new way every time.

It is not the only free open source tool for photographers. And while Darktable is one of the best free RAW editors, there are many other free apps for editing your photos.

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Brite – Planner, Daily Planner, Notes, Habit Tracker for iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows

24/06/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Each of us has a lot of related personal, household or work affairs. And remembering what determines what and in what sequence it is necessary to perform actions, and even at what exact time, is quite difficult. Fortunately, special applications come to the rescue.

In fact, there are many of them, but users, even understanding the capabilities of this class of programs, are simply frightened of such a variety. Which app is right for you? Will the chosen service solve the required tasks? Some programs allow so much that the overloaded interface is downright repulsive. Others, beautiful and laconic, turn out to be too expensive. As a result, users prefer to use simple, understandable, proven, but separate specialized solutions: calendar, notes, reminders. But each of these applications requires personal attention, it’s good if the software is free.

And how I would like to get the perfect planner, sharpened directly for you! Brite is a great attempt at realizing this idea. The application brings together a planner, chat, notes, a diary, and a tracker. Moreover, to work with them, it is proposed to use a single interface that is open to customization for your needs. The service can be accessed both through the web interface at the link https://britetodo.com, and using applications for the main mobile platforms: iOS (download) and Android (download). Let’s take a closer look at this versatile multi-planner.

Brite launch and settings

Considering that Brite is trying to combine several important tasks in itself, the question of interface congestion inevitably arises. When you start the application for the first time, you will be prompted to log in to it, including using a Google account to select a color scheme and perform the initial setup.

It is proposed to identify the priority areas of your life and the required basic functions. Depending on the answers, the scheduler interface will be generated. But no one bothers, if necessary, to activate additional sections later or to abandon unnecessary ones.

Even during the initial setup, the interface attracts attention – the banners are made in a single and fashionable style for today, they are laconic and understandable. Along the way Settings → General you can also set almost any application parameter: language, currency, from what day the week starts and from what time – day, weather, temperature format, receiving notifications and much more. The abundance of fine-tuning gives the feeling that the application can really fully adapt to your preferences.

In addition, notifications are configured in the program itself.

The available options are customizable through blocks and widgets. They are also divided into categories: On every day and Popular… The app already offers a couple of dozen different widgets.

The necessary block can be added literally with one tap on the button “Add widget”…

The developers are gradually adding blocks, so you should expect more features from Brite.

Application desktop and its capabilities

At first glance, the application desktop looks colorful. Wait, what did you want from a multifunctional planner, moreover, customized for your goals? But soon you begin to see clear logic in the arrangement of elements.

There is a calendar at the top of the window. Seven buttons for the days of the week are located in the format of a quick access panel, they are clickable. Below are customizable to-do blocks and widgets. You can swap them. Vary colors and icons.

If you click on the desired day, a to-do list for it will open. It contains blocks: Personal tasks, Habits, Work, Useful… You can immediately add your affairs to the block. It is convenient that additional dialog boxes do not appear, text is entered directly in the line.

The task can be set by priority (five colored labels), difficulty and duration. Section “Habits” – something new. Here you can set habits by creating your own or choosing from a list of several popular ones, including “Do not swear” or “Don’t bite your nails”… By clicking on the selected habit, you can set the color of its square, cycle, reminder and note.

Block “Work” actually duplicates “Personal tasks”… This is where you add a task and create attributes for it. Unfortunately, you cannot tick the execution box in this block.

In the block “Useful” there are various motivational articles. Most are not interested in them, but there are people who need such support.

Description of the bottom menu bar

The icon on the far left opens the section “Notes”.

In addition to formatted text, you can add images, video, audio, other files, checklists and much more to a note.

Unfortunately, the notes cannot be divided according to some criteria, the same projects. As a result, the application simply groups the notes and does not even provide the ability to search in them. To make notes in the project, you need to create them through the section “My Project”.

Swiping from right to left opens up additional options (share, delete and add).

The second icon from the left in the bottom menu is “Projects”… Creating a project can be useful for grouping related tasks. It can also be customized, provided with its own color and description.

Optionally, you can share the project for co-editing.

The center button with the “+” icon can be used in different ways depending on the active section. For example, if the section is open Notes or Projects, then pressing the “+” button will create a new note or project, respectively (see screenshots above).

If the active section is Main (Home) page (second button from the right) or Tasks (the far right icon), then, when you click on the “+” button, a menu with ample opportunities for adding (work task, personal task, goal, notes, habits, etc.)

Brite web version

The service can also be accessed on Mac and Windows computers via the web interface located at https://britetodo.com. Its screen as a whole is similar to a mobile application, the functionality and design style are exactly the same.

But the web version will only work in tandem with the mobile application, there is no independent work yet.

Brite advantages and disadvantages

So far, the product is just conquering the market, so one cannot do without small flaws. But first, let’s point out the obvious advantages of Brite. The complex concept of “all-in-one” was realized. The application is really convenient for storing various tasks and doing business. This is not just a to-do planner, but a platform for any control of your productivity – just add the necessary block, for example, the same meditation or financial accounting. Cross-platform and web version allows you not to be tied to one device. The start of the application is clear and simple, it can be customized at any time. Tasks and their parameters are entered concisely and without unnecessary additional windows and elements.

Brite features from the iOS app description in the App Store:

one. Timeline – your entire day in one interactive list with weather, goals and objectives, meditation widgets and other elements that you can customize to your liking!
2. Personal tasks – upgrade your discipline and become happier with our simple and convenient to-do list
3. Work tasks – be more productive every day. Use reminders, AI tags and Timeline.
four. Notes – Create, save and share your ideas and thoughts with built-in notes functionality.
five. The calendar – save and manage important dates and reminders
6. Focus mode – use to improve the skill of concentration and high-quality performance of assigned tasks. In focus mode, the counter turns on and no other tasks are available. You can fully focus on the present moment and fully devote yourself to the task.
7. Day planner – start your day with a plan! The interactive scheduler will help with this.
eight. Storage – manage, save and share your files and ideas.
nine. Commands and Chat – create and join teams to solve complex problems together.
10. Projects – create and manage projects and complex tasks. Projects are integrated with timeline, tasks, groups and finance.
eleven. CRM – Track your sales on the go. Control every step and use automation.
12. Visual diagrams – easily create diagrams, visualize your plans. Tasks will be created from visual diagrams automatically!
13. Finance – Manage the personal and budget of your business at Brite. The Finance tool is integrated with CRM and Tasks, and allows you to set budgets, enter income and expenses, view analytics.
fourteen. Password vault – store and share passwords with team members via internal chat. It is very convenient!
fifteen. Habit tracker – create and manage new habits. Track your results.

The disadvantages include some confusion – nevertheless, the same features can be implemented in different sections, and with a different logic of work. Here you can advise developers to improve the integration and interaction of blocks. Sometimes the visual layout fails, the flaws are not critical, but they are there. However, at this stage of the product’s life, it is forgivable. We should expect improvements in the web version, in particular, there are questions about authorization and synchronization (synchronization is not done automatically, but manually).

It’s not free?

Professional products of this kind are usually paid. It is all the more pleasant to know that there is nothing to pay for the basic version of Brite with limited features. In this case, the application will not bombard you with ads at all. Access to all functions and 10 GB in the cloud for files will cost 249 rubles per month or 1,550 rubles for an annual subscription. But at the same time, there is the possibility of trial free weekly access to the full functionality of Brite.

Conclusion

Russian developers-enthusiasts decided to implement a rather ambitious task – a lot of things had to be placed in Brite in a compact form. I must say that in general the application was successful. This is a truly unique project that is capable and will develop. The goals of creating a customizable, laconic and multifunctional scheduler have been achieved – you can leave only the required blocks in the application and use them. Small flaws can be considered a “childhood disease”. So, if you are looking for a convenient organizer and planner, Brite simply cannot be ignored.

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How to make FaceTime calls from Android or Windows

15/06/2021 by ALOK DAS

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The next FaceTime update opens up new and really wide horizons for the application. This was announced at the WWDC 2021 conference. From now on, the service will work not only with Apple devices, but also with others, based on Android or Windows operating systems. Moreover, you can interact with FaceTime even through a browser. Thus, Apple’s branded service is trying to become a full-fledged competitor to Zoom or Skype.

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How do I make a FaceTime call from Windows or Android?

In truth, an Android or Windows device user will not be able to initiate a FaceTime call, but will be able to join an active conversation created on an Apple device.

With iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey, you can let anyone, even if they don’t have an Apple device, join a FaceTime call with you by pre-creating a conversation link that you can share anywhere.

Using this link, friends and family members who do not have an Apple account can enter a FaceTime call with you using a web browser open on any non-Apple device, be it a Windows PC or an Android phone / tablet.

This effectively makes FaceTime a platform independent video service, although you still need to be an iOS or Mac user to initiate a FaceTime call and send a link. This is how it works.

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How do I create a link to a FaceTime call and share it with users?

1. Launch the FaceTime app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

2. Click “Create link”…

3. Optionally give the FaceTime link an identifiable name by clicking “Add name” at the top of the menu that appears Share…

4. Select a method for sending the link, for example, via “Messages”, “Mail”, a third-party messenger, or select Copy to copy the link to the clipboard.

Once you submit the link and the recipient opens it, they will be redirected to a web page where they can enter their name to join the conversation. As soon as he joins the call, the usual FaceTime options appear on his device screen to mute the microphone, mute video, switch camera view, and end the call.

It is important that FaceTime calls will retain end-to-end encryption, which will also remain on Windows or Android devices.

See also:

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How to create an invisible folder in Windows 10

02/06/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Have you ever wanted to hide your data from prying eyes? This can be done programmatically. Our tip will help you hide the folder on your Windows 10 desktop.

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You can always find better and safer ways to protect your information, but our recipe will be simple and therefore comfortable.

First, let’s try to create a folder that we will try to hide. There is no need to assign any badge to it yet. Just right click on your desktop, click “Create” and select “Folder”… An object with a name will appear “New folder”, which you can initially rename according to your needs.

When you give a new name to the folder, press and hold ALT and enter 255 using the numeric keypad, and then press “Enter”… It is important to understand that you must press the keys on the numeric keypad, not the number keys at the top of the keyboard. What you have now done is typed a special character that is not on the keyboard by typing an ASCII character. This is the folder name with an invisible, non-breaking space character that will not appear in Windows Explorer.

Now that the name is invisible, we can take care of the folder icon as well. First you need to right-click on it and select the item “Properties”…

Go to the tab “Setting”and then in the section Folder icons click “Change icon …”…

In the window with a list of available icons, scroll to the right and select one of the invisible icons, click OK… It remains to press again OK, which will close the folder properties window. That’s it – your folder icon is gone!

You can still find the folder at Desktopif you grab a large area with the mouse pointer to select multiple icons. Otherwise, this element will remain invisible. The folder will remain invisible even in Explorer, staying that way even if there is content inside (Explorer usually gives a preliminary list of files inside a folder when you hover over it).

If you want to hide several folders on the desktop at once, then repeat the above procedure, but press Alt + 255 several times to enter several invisible characters. The fact is that two folders cannot get the same name, so for the second one you will need to enter two spaces.

You can repeat the same action with three or more folders, simply increasing the number of invisible spaces in the folder name each time.

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This is unsafe and can cause problems.

Obviously, this way of hiding files is hardly safe. Anyone can find the contents of an invisible folder using a system search. Someone may also accidentally discover it while working with desktop elements.

This method can be useful if you just need to hide something for a while or you want to play a trick on someone. But if you really want to protect any files, then you have to resort to better methods.

This trick is not an official Windows feature, so it can sometimes have problems. Sometimes the icon may be black or have poorly visible outlines instead of being completely invisible. This could be due to the size of the icon. If the icon is still visible, select it, press Ctrl and use the mouse scroll wheel to select the desired size.

If you have any problems, then simply move the files from the hidden folder to the new one, and then delete the invisible one. Alternatively, you can try to restore the folder to its normal state.

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How to make a folder visible again

To undo the folder invisibility trick, you will have to right-click on it and select “Properties”… After that, you need to go to the tab “Setting”, and press there “Change Icon”… This time, choose the regular icon for the folder instead of the old invisible one.

And to change the name, you have to right-click on the folder and then select “Rename”… Enter a new name for this folder and press Enter.

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How to turn off word correction (T9, autocorrect) in Viber on Mac (macOS) or Windows

31/05/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Most of us actively use at least a dozen different programs on our computers, while there is no time to read the multi-page instructions in detail. As a result, you have to regularly resort to the help of search engines or put up with minor inconveniences.

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For example, many users of the desktop version of the Viber messenger for a computer (Mac and Windows) complain about the auto-correction feature introduced by the developers to correct spelling errors. Naturally, the program is far from always able to correctly understand the user and often changes the meaning of the phrase, replacing the incorrectly written words and completely changing the meaning of the phrase.

The nuance is that in the Viber settings there is no corresponding menu to disable the auto-correction function, and many users start looking for a problem in the operating system.

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Viber on Mac (macOS) and Windows fixes words (auto-correction), how to disable it?

In fact, it is not difficult to find the required switch, it is enough to call the context menu by right-clicking in the text input field, and then uncheck the box in the item “Correct spelling errors automatically “ (Correct spelling automatically).

By the way, there is also the function “Check spelling “ (Spelling and Grammar) – When activated, misspelled words will be underlined in red.

Disk is 100% loaded on Windows: how to fix the problem

24/05/2021 by ALOK DAS

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The reason for the computer freezing often lies in the use of an old version of Windows. But the same problem can occur with users of a completely new computer with Windows 10, which was installed just a few days ago. But what’s going on?

A cursory examination of the situation may show that the reason lies in the 100% utilization of the hard drive. It seems incredible to be true. But in recent versions of Windows there is a problem with increased disk load, which slows down the entire operating system. And this applies to both conventional hard drives (HDD) and solid-state drives (SSD). Several patches have been released to fix the situation, but first we need to track down the problem.

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How to fix the “Disk Usage 100%” error in Windows 10

Immediately after identifying this problem in Windows, several causes were found. But now, after some time about Microsoft’s message about the error, its sources have begun to be identified as many, and even more.

Once this problem is identified, the user has several options available. Perform the following steps in sequence one by one, checking each time the disk loading status indicator in “Task manager“.

Please note that even if a solution is found, Windows Update with the next patches may reset the changes made. So it’s worth bookmarking this page for future fixes.

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Does your computer slow down? Run disk check

A performance issue often occurs when trying to use Windows Search to locate a file or program, or any operation that requires some work on the disk. It can be copying or pasting a group of files.

To determine if this problem is affecting you, the next time your computer slows down, press Ctrl + Alt + Del and select “Task Manager“.

There is another way. You can right-click on the taskbar and select the item “Task Manager“. Please note that it may take some time to display information about the disk loaded by tasks.

On the first tab “Processes“You can see the column”Disk“. In case of real problems with its performance, the load will be at 100% and the top field will be painted over in red.

This problem can be caused by bad sectors on the hard disk. But the situation can be easily resolved using the built-in Windows disk check tool. Open “Conductor“And select in the left column”This computer”, And then in the right half of the window, find your hard drive. Right-click on the C: drive and select the “Properties“. In the tab “Service” In chapter “Checking for errors” Press “Check“.

In the window that appears, click “Scan disk“. Wait while the system checks the drive. A reboot may be required to complete the tests. But this operation should fix the disk error.

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Check the status of your antivirus

As with any situation with poor computer performance, you should first make sure that your system is protected from viruses. Maybe this malicious PC is interfering with your work. The software that protects your computer must be able to withstand threats. And it does not matter whether the application is free or paid.

Tools like Malwarebytes Anti-Malware should be able to scan the system drive and identify the reasons for the non-standard load on it. But this work may take some time.

If threats are detected, follow the recommendations of the antivirus manufacturer to fix the problem. Then reboot the system and check disk boot again. If the problem has not been resolved, then the malware is not the cause. Let’s move on to the next steps.

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Disable Windows Search to improve disk performance

At this step, you need to check if the problem with 100% disk load is related to the Windows Search service.

In addition, there is a bug in Windows 10 that leads to a search loop, which causes an increased load on the system disk.

To stop the service and prevent it from starting during the current session, before rebooting the system, open a command prompt (the fastest way is to press the “Start“And dial cmd in the search box, and then right-click on the shortcut “Command line“And choose”Run as Administrator“).

Enter the following command:

net.exe stop “Windows search”

To permanently disable the Windows Search or Indexing service, press Win + R and type services…msc, and then press “Input“. In the appeared window “Services»Find the Windows Search element and double-click on it to open the service properties. In field “Launch type»Select«Disabled“. You can stop the service right in this window. To save the changes, it remains to press the button OK…

A few seconds after disabling Windows Search, Windows 10 performance should improve. If this did not happen, you need to move on to the next steps.

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Disabling the Superfetch service

There is another service in Windows 10 that can become a potential problem with excessive disk usage. This is the Superfetch service.

To fix the situation, open a command prompt (the window may remain from the previous step) and enter:

net.exe stop superfetch

Wait a few minutes to see the effect of this action on disk performance, then run a disk check at the command prompt:

chkdsk.exe / f / r

The system will inform us that the computer will restart to complete the disk check. Make sure all applications have saved their data and can be closed. If this recipe did not help, then the problem turns out to be more complicated than it might seem at first. But we will try to solve it anyway.

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Is Flash causing the disk 100% load error?

Flash technology is one of the most prominent vulnerabilities in modern computing. It is better to refuse to use it. Adobe itself plans to finalize its multimedia plugin in 2020, so there is no good reason to keep using it. Flash is one of the popular causes of disk load on Windows 10 when using the Google Chrome browser.

In this browser open Menu → Settings → Advanced and find the section “Privacy and security“.

Here click on “Content settings“And find the section Flash…

In it you will see a switch that should be moved to the “Block Flash on sites“. Now you can go back, restart the browser and check the hard disk mode.

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Use a different web browser

It is likely that it is not Flash that makes the disk work through the browser. The reason may be in the browser itself, which is very likely when using Google Chrome. Nobody bothers to choose another program for surfing the Internet. In addition, Windows 10 has two built-in browsers at once. Internet Explorer may seem outdated, then Microsoft Edge will be an adequate replacement for Google Chrome. It is better to have several browsers at hand, because some will be better than others in some way.

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Is Skype wasting disk resources?

Another popular application that can cause a 100 percent hard drive load is Skype.

To find out, it’s worth starting by checking the startup status of the program. You can do this in the Task Manager or check the applications collected near the clock icon in the tray. If Skype is found there, you will need to exit it by right-clicking on the program icon and selecting “Sign out of Skype“.

Now press the combination WIN + R and paste the following address into the field:

C: Program Files (x86) Microsoft Skype for Desktop

C: Program Files (x86) Skype Phone

Now press OK and find the skype.exe file. Right-click on it and select “Properties“. On the tab “Safety»Click«Edit“And select”ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES“.

Check the box “Recording“In the column”Allow” and press “Apply“, and then OK… Now we need to return to “Task Manager»And see the changes. You can also just change Skype to another messenger. If this recipe didn’t help, it’s time to move on to the next one.

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Fixing a bug with the PCI-Express driver

Some drivers in Windows 10 don’t work as they should. One of the firmware that is causing the hard drive to be 100% loaded is the StorAHCI.sys driver, which may contain an error. This program is designed to work with storage devices connected to the motherboard of a PC or laptop through the enhanced PCI-Express host controller interface. Connecting such peripherals can be a problem.

Open “Device Manager“. You can find it by searching in Windows 10, or by right-clicking on your PC in File Explorer, and then selecting Properties -> Device Manager… Expand the branch “IDE ATA / ATAPI controllers“. If there is a record about the AHCI controller, then you need to click on it twice, open the tab “Driver“And choose”Driver details“. If the driver is specified

C: Windows system32 DRIVERS storahci.sys,

then his error may well affect the operation of your computer.

Close the driver information window and go to the “Intelligence“By selecting the fields”Property“”Path to device instance. ” Hover over a value, right-click on it and select “Copy“. Now this information should be placed in a text document, for example, using Notepad.

Now press WIN + R, enter in the field “Execute»Command regedit and click OK. go to address HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE System CurrentControlSet Enum PCI and find the line you copied earlier without the random number at the end to open your AHCI controller branch.

Now expand the folder with that long random number and expand the branch Device ParametersInterrupt Management MessageSignaledInterruptProperties… The element appears in the right pane. MSISupported… Double click on it and change the value to 0… Now press OK to confirm. Windows must be restarted to apply the changes.

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Is Steam causing a disc loading problem?

Are you a gamer and a digital distributor of Steam products? There is a good chance that this system is causing problems with constant disk loading. This usually happens due to the delivery of updates, which can loop the background loader. To fix the problem, clear the Steam cache.

First, make sure you’re signed out of Steam. In cases where this program is causing a disk boot problem, it may freeze when trying to exit. In this case, use the Windows 10 Task Manager to close the Steam client.

Now you can open the run window using the WIN + R combination and enter the command:

steam: // flushconfig

A dialog box appears informing you that the content has been removed. You need to confirm your decision by pressing a button OK… In this case, games and all saves will remain on the disk – there is no risk of losing them.

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Disable Diagnostic Tools in Windows

It is worth considering the impact of diagnostic tools in Windows 10. Many users disable this feature altogether for privacy reasons. But the diagnostic tools were also caught in the abnormal load on the hard drive.

In this case, simply disable the DiagTrack service. This can fix the problem with 100 percent disk utilization. But first you need to get access to the command line in Administrator mode.

This can be done by clicking the “Start“And entering in the search field cmd… Wait for the search results, right-click on the program shortcut “Command line“And select the menu”Run as administrator“. In the window that appears, enter the following commands to stop and completely disable the diagnostic tools:

sc config “DiagTrack” start = disabled

sc stop “DiagTrack“

In addition, you can go to the menu Settings → System → Notifications and actions and disable there receiving tips, tricks and tips when working with Windows. This can help combat the problem of disk loading.

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Windows Update can cause increased disk load

Any Windows user knows about the need to update the system. But changes made to the OS can cause the “disk is 100% loaded” problem. This usually happens when a problem appears in Windows Update. This may be a refusal to download the desired file. Then the user has two options:

Leave the computer alone. Close all open applications and wait. As a result, the files will still be downloaded, and depending on the system update settings, Windows may require a reboot.
Shut down the computer. Immediately after that, you can turn on the computer and wait until Windows Update fixes the problem.

Once the update has finished downloading the files, it is recommended that you start the installation process as soon as possible. As we mentioned above, new patches can undo the previous fixes for the disk boot error. It is important to remember which updates are being installed so that you can cancel them in case of a problem.

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Resetting virtual memory

Computer virtual memory is a combination of RAM and hard disk space. Using such a scheme can cause constant disk loading. If there is not enough RAM to perform some tasks, then it is replenished at the expense of disk space. The data placed there is then returned to RAM, if necessary.

Virtual memory is used by default in Windows, working with it can help to solve the problem “disk is 100% loaded”. To begin with, you should reset the settings.

Use the WIN + Break / Pause combination to open the “System“. Go to the menu “Additional system parameters“In the left column. In the appeared window “Properties of the system“Select the tab”Additionally“, And on it in the section”Performance“Press the button”Parameters“.

There go again to the tab “Additionally“, Which will contain the section”Virtual memory“. Click “Change …“And uncheck the”Automatically select paging file size for all drives“. On the same screen, it is recommended to select the drive with the installed system as the medium for the paging file, usually C :, and then the custom size. Please indicate Original size and Maximum size… Note that both are in MB, not GB.

These numbers can scare inexperienced users, so they’d better rely on the recommended settings. As the maximum value, you should enter a figure that is no more than one and a half times the amount of real RAM. So, for a computer with 4 GB of memory, enter the maximum number of 6.5 GB or 6144 MB.

After entering the values, press “Ask“, and then OK to continue. Now remove from the system the temporary files that were used in the previous virtual memory allocation. To do this, open the window “Execute» (WIN + R), а затем введите там temp. Откроется каталог со временными файлами. Выберите их всех с помощью комбинации Ctrl + A и удалите нажатием клавиши Delete…

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Активируйте режим высокой производительности

Одним из последних возможных шагов в устранении проблем является изменение настроек питания Windows. Стандартные режимы могут сопровождаться ошибкой нагрузки на диск, но переключение на более высокий режим производительности способен решить эту проблему.

Недостатком этого решения является разве что повышенное потребления энергии вашим компьютером. Но для современных эффективных процессоров это не станет серьезной проблемой. Тем не менее в нетбуках и мощных ноутбуках, выступающих в роли десктопа, время автономной работы в таком режиме может заметно снизиться.

Для переключения в этот режим откройте экран «Питание и спящий режим» с помощью комбинации WIN + X и выбора опции «Управление электропитанием».

Выберите раздел Сопутствующие параметры → Дополнительные параметры питания… В списке схем выберите «Высокая производительность».

Если эта опция не отображается, то придется создать собственный план питания. В левом столбце нажмите на меню «Создание схемы управления питанием», выберите «Высокая производительность», дайте новому плану название, добавьте необходимые настройки и выберите его в качестве своей основной схемы. Вскоре проблема с диском должна исчезнуть, нагрузка должна снизиться со 100% до 10% и менее.

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Установите последние драйверы SATA

Знаете ли вы, что драйвер для устройства хранения данных тоже способен приводить к ошибке «диск загружен на 100%»?

Ваш компьютер с Windows 10 почти наверняка использует подключения SATA для жестких дисков, SSD и оптических приводов. Если драйвера интерфейса устарели, то может возникнуть ошибка использования диска. Чтобы избежать этого, необходимо обновить драйвера SATA до их последних версий.

С помощью комбинации WIN + X откройте меню и выберите «Диспетчер устройств». В этом окне разверните ветку «Контроллеры запоминающих устройств» и найдите ваш контроллер для работы с SATA-устройствами. Если есть опасения в ошибке – можно обновить все варианты.

Для обновления контроллера надо кликнуть по нему правой кнопкой мыши и выбрать «Обновить драйвер».

Дальше надо выбрать опцию «Выполнить поиск драйверов на этом компьютере», а затем – «Выбрать драйвер из списка доступных драйверов на компьютере». Здесь надо будет выбрать «Стандартный AHCI контроллер» и посмотреть, как это повлияет на производительность.

Возможно, понадобится перезагрузить Windows, чтобы изменения вступили в силу. Обратите внимание, что если этот способ не поможет, можно самостоятельно проверить сайт производителя на предмет наличия нового драйвера. Затем его можно установить с помощью прилагаемых инструкций.

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Использование диска редко должно достигать 100%

В обычном режиме работы компьютера нет никаких причин, чтобы диск был загружен задачами на 100%. Проблемой может стать устаревшая платформа, тогда придется отключать плагины в браузере, останавливать службы или запускать проверки антивирусного программного обеспечения. Но причины такого поведения диска могут лежать в аппаратной части компьютера. Возможно, диск уже выработал свой ресурс, он неисправен или нужна замена кабелей. Есть вероятность, что проблема связана с инструментом дефрагментации Windows.

В случае, если компьютер пытается дефрагментировать медленный HDD-диск, могут возникнуть проблемы. Откройте «Планировщик заданий» с помощью комбинации WIN + Q и ввода в строку поиска названия этого приложения. В этой программе отключите все запланированные задачи дефрагментации диска.

Попробуйте все предложенные нами способы в следующий раз, когда Windows начнет работать медленно из-за постоянной загрузки диска. Сохраните предложенные исправления в набор вариантов для решения наиболее частых проблем с операционной системой.

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Free Office (Word, Excel) for Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad and Android from Russian developers

10/04/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Whether we like it or not, from April 1, 2021, all smartphones and computers sold in Russia must have domestic software preinstalled. And even if his list is not very extensive yet, it will definitely be supplemented. In the meantime, out of almost three dozen applications, the main part is Yandex and Mail.ru products, while the rest are clients of online cinemas and other entertainment platforms. But there is also the “MyOffice” package among office products, which can become a competitor to the classic MS Office.

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“MyOffice” did not appear out of nowhere – the product developed by Russian programmers from scratch was often mentioned in various publications and reviews. In January 2021, the platform received a major update that significantly improved the user experience and expanded functionality. It is not surprising that the package was included in the list of domestic software offered for installation on digital devices.

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It’s free!

Mobile gadgets can get “MyOffice Documents”, and on personal computers you can install “MyOffice Standard. Home version “… Thus, buying a device, along with it, out of the box, an office suite will also be available. with an official free license for home users. And you can download the product yourself, again is free evaluating the functional. The distribution kit is available both on the developer’s website and in the Microsoft Store, Apple Mac App Store. And the mobile application can be easily found in Google Play, App Store and even Huawei AppGallery. In addition, you can use the web version of the MyOffice editors. Download links are available at the end of the article.

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What is included in MyOffice?

Web version of MyOffice editor

The package “MyOffice Standard. Home version “, available for PC, includes two applications – the text editor” MyOffice Text “and the editor of spreadsheets” MyOffice Spreadsheet “. Installation requires 64-bit Windows 10 or macOS 10.15 or newer product versions. The mobile version of the package, oddly enough, is richer – it includes 4 products. In addition to the aforementioned main pair, there is also a tool for viewing presentations and PDF documents, as well as a file manager. As a reminder, the app works with major mobile operating systems and is available in their stores.

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What can MyOffice do?

There are only two products in the standard free home package. But let’s be frank, for the vast majority of users this is quite enough.

Applications work both with open formats ODF / ODT / ODS, as well as OOXML / DOCX / XLSX, and with their own XODT / XODS formats. Outdated DOC / XLS are also supported, but when you save the documents, you will be prompted to convert them to a more modern format. MyOffice applications easily open RTF, TXT and PDF, while the editors will display text identically on different operating systems.

The very same pair of desktop applications are a great alternative to the classic Word and Excel. MyOffice allows you to both easily create and edit text documents, and carry out their complex layout – add tables, graphs, images. The text editor can use templates, styles, various kinds of lists, hyperlinks, tables of contents and tables, formatting the text in the desired form.

Work with spreadsheets is handled by “MyOffice Spreadsheet”. This tool also supports templates and, importantly, provides formulas for calculations – there are more than two hundred of them, both mathematical and logical. In addition to data processing, there are tools and their visualization – graphs and diagrams. In tables, you can create multiple sheets, sort and filter data.

An important requirement for products of this kind is macro support. MyOffice has it, and the Lua programming language is used to develop scripts that help automate actions. The package can check spelling in Russian and English, and for the former there is also a grammar checker. To solve problems with font compatibility and the same display of documents on different platforms, a proprietary set of XO Fonts is used.

The mobile version of the package is an excellent addition to the main desktop one. Let us again recall the important advantage of this domestic product – “MyOffice Documents” is distributed free of charge and without imposing advertising products. Mobile applications also provide the ability to edit text files and tables, as well as view PDF files. To exchange files, it is proposed to use instant messengers or cloud storage – Google Drive, Yandex.Disk, Dropbox and others. The mobile application will be in demand when making edits literally on the go, and its functionality allows it. Moreover, “MyOffice Documents” allows you to make audio comments. To do this, open the desired file, hold your finger in the right place for a couple of seconds and call the context menu.

With its help, you can comment on this place with your voice. The attached audio can then be listened to in a mobile application in the same application or on a computer with the MyOffice package installed. The function is convenient and unique – voice notes speed up the processing of documents, because it is easier to speak notes on the go than to enter them from the keyboard. At the same time, the audio itself is not transmitted to third-party servers, but is stored directly inside the document, which allows the XODT format.

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Distinctive features of the MyOffice package

The adaptive toolbar allows you to display all commands without tabs; they are grouped into sections, the composition of which changes depending on the object selected in the document. As a result, the user sees on the panel only those tools that may be useful to him for the current work. This makes MyOffice understandable even for an inexperienced user.

Another useful feature is the extended clipboard, which can contain up to 10 text fragments. The “Quick Actions” menu can be called without a mouse and quickly find the desired function. MyOffice keeps a history of formatting, using the Brush History tool, allowing you to return to the previously used style options. There are also “chips” for spreadsheets – they can select the active area, freeze columns and rows, rotate text in cells. Another interesting feature is the support for table-style formatting of cells with alternating row fillings. Also, “MyOffice Table” can restore accidentally deleted sheets.

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Package performance

During the tests, other popular packages were used as a comparison: P7-Office, LibreOffice and Office 365. Performance was evaluated in working with multi-page or multi-line (for tables) documents in DOCX, DOC, ODT, XLSX, XLS, ODS formats. The tests were carried out on computers of different generations; the time to launch an office editor with the opening of a test file was estimated.

I must say that Microsoft 365 proved to be the undisputed leader in almost all tests. The second and third positions were shared with alternating success between MyOffice and LibreOffice. At the same time, MyOffice proved to be excellent in working with DOCX, overtaking even the Microsoft product, and with the text format ODF, the de facto Russian national standard in paperwork, the package performs well.

In general, relative to competitors, MyOffice looks very decent, uncritically inferior to the leader in performance.

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Conclusion

Developed since 2013, the platform has smoothly evolved into a reliable and convenient tool for working with the main formats of office documents. Previously, “MyOffice” was aimed at the corporate segment, and the appearance of a version for private users can significantly increase the popularity of the product. The quality, convenience and capabilities of the desktop version of “MyOffice Standard” and the mobile version of “MyOffice Documents” allow attracting new users to the product, because the ability to use a free powerful office suite without any advertising is a rarity in offline mode. Obviously, “MyOffice” is rightfully an important player in the Russian office software market.

Download “MyOffice Standard. Home version “for Windows
Download “MyOffice Standard. Home version “for Mac
Download “MyOffice Standard. Home version “for iPhone and iPad
Download “MyOffice Standard. Home version »for Android
Download “MyOffice Standard. Home version “in Huawei AppGallery
Web version “MyOffice”

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How to quickly clean Windows from garbage (cache, unnecessary system files, etc.)

27/03/2021 by ALOK DAS

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And although hard drives are constantly increasing their volume, for some reason users feel that there is not enough space all the time. The situation becomes even more real if an SSD is used. After all, it initially offers less volume than a traditional hard drive using mechanics.

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And if you really do not have enough space on your computer drive, then in this material we will offer you some tips. With their help, you can clear space for the subsequent installation of important programs and placement of files. Most often, it is enough to remove the debris cluttering the drive.

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How to enable Disk Cleanup in Windows

Windows includes a built-in tool that removes temporary files and other non-critical data. To access this service, right-click on one of the hard drives in the window “Computer” and select “Properties”…

Alternatively, you can simply search with the query Disk Cleanup…

In the disk properties window, click Disk Cleanup…

Select the file types you want to delete and click OK. The list usually includes temporary files, system logs, files in the recycle bin, and other unimportant items.

You can also delete system files that are not initially on this list. Click the “Clean up system files “if you also want to delete non-critical system files.

After that, a tab will appear “Additionally”…

Go to it and use the button “Clear” In chapter System Restore and Shadow Copy…

This will delete the system recovery data. Clicking the button will delete all restore points except the most recent one. So before using this feature, make sure that your computer is working properly – after all, you will not be able to roll back to the previous system states.

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Remove unnecessary apps that take up a lot of space

Removing programs will help free up space, but some programs are so small that getting rid of them will do nothing. Go to the menu Optionsand then select a section Applications…

On the menu “Applications and Features” you can click on the column “The size”to see how much space each program installed on your computer takes up.

Alternatively, you can use a third-party uninstaller such as Revo Uninstaller. It will help you make sure that all files remaining after cleaning from the application are also deleted and do not take up space.

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Check what your computer’s drive is doing (what files)

Sometimes users do not really know what exactly their hard drive is clogged with. To obtain this information, use a hard disk analysis program. This app will scan your drive and show you exactly which files and folders are taking up the most space. Of the best and most popular tools for analyzing the contents of a hard drive, we recommend WinDirStat.

After scanning your system, WinDirStat will show you exactly which folders, files and their types are taking up the most space.

Make sure that you do not touch any important system files when deleting – only delete files with personal data. If you see that the program folder in the Program Files folder takes up a lot of space, then you can try to uninstall this program, but not manually, but through the Windows uninstallation tools. And WinDirStat will tell you exactly how much space the application you are interested in takes up, even if it is not in the Control Panel for Programs and Components.

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How to delete Windows cache and temporary files

Windows’ built-in disk cleanup tool is generally useful. It allows you to delete even temporary files, but we are talking about system elements. But the utility does not see temporary files created by other applications. We are talking, for example, about the caches of the Chrome or Firefox browsers, which can take up gigabytes of hard disk space. The cache takes up some disk space, saving you time when accessing websites in the future. But this can be very inappropriate if you need to free up space right now.

And for more aggressive cleaning of temporary and unnecessary files, use the popular CCleaner application. This program will scan installed applications and remove unnecessary files associated with them.

CCleaner will also allow you to clean up Windows files that are left without the attention of the built-in cleaning program.

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Search for duplicate files (duplicates)

You can use a dedicated duplicate file finder application that will scan your hard drive for duplicate files. They are most likely unnecessary and can be removed. Among the free applications with such functionality, we can recommend VisiPics.

And if you are ready to invest a little and get a more efficient tool, then check out Duplicate Cleaner Pro. This application attracts not only with its pleasant interface, but also has many additional features to help you find and remove duplicate files.

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Customize Windows Recovery Options

If the system restore files (restore points) take up a lot of hard disk space, you can reduce the amount of space allocated for this purpose. The tradeoff is that you have fewer restore points to roll back to previous system states and fewer previous copies of files to restore. If these features are not as important to you as the space they use on your hard drive, then you can free up up to several gigabytes of space previously reserved for system recovery.

To do this, go to the section Recovery…

Click on the button link Configuring System Restore

In the window that opens, click Tune…

Reduce the allocated space for System Restore, or delete any existing restore points from the disk.

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Extreme options

These tips will definitely help you free up the space you need, but will also disable important Windows features. It is better to use such options in the most critical functions, when you desperately need to free up disk space right here and now:

Disable hibernation… When you hibernate the system, it saves the contents of RAM to your hard drive. This allows it to store the state of the system without consuming power. The next time you boot your computer, you will be returned to the same place from where you left. Windows saves the contents of your RAM to a file C: hiberfil.sys… To save space on your hard drive, you can turn off hibernation completely, and the large file will be deleted.

To disable hibernation, use the command line running as administrator:

At the command prompt, enter the command powercfg -h off and press Enter…

This action will disable hibernation and delete the file hiberfil.sys from the hard drive.

To enable hibernation, use the command powercfg -h on in the same way.

Disable System Restore… If reducing the amount of space used for System Restore didn’t help you much, you can disable this system feature entirely. But be prepared for failure if you need to take advantage of system restore in case of problems with its work. So using this method is required with extreme caution and awareness of the possible consequences.

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Apple Keychain Google Chrome on Windows: How to enable?

27/03/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Users of the Google Chrome browser are already quite comfortable working with it not only on Windows, but also on Mac. Moreover, Apple is constantly working to improve the compatibility of the ideological rival’s product with its operating system. In early 2021, an official Apple extension appeared that allows Chrome to use passwords from iCloud Keychain. This step will simplify the work of owners of Apple gadgets in the Windows environment.

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Until recently, iCloud Keychain Access was only available in the Safari browser. This tool created and stored strong passwords on iPhone, iPad and Mac, and now it can be used in the Chrome browser on Windows and macOS. All data is synchronized, that is, passwords created in Chrome on Windows will appear on Apple devices and vice versa – all Safari passwords from iPhone, iPad and Mac will become available in Google Chrome.

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How to enable keychain password sync with Google Chrome on Windows computer?

You can access passwords saved in Keychain Access in Chrome on a Windows PC if it has iCloud version 12 or later installed first. You can download the iCloud app for Windows here.

After installing the application on your computer, launch it and sign in with your Apple ID:

Then check the box next to Passwords and press Apply…

A message will appear stating that you need to download an extension to work with passwords in Google Chrome. ICloud Passwords… Click on Loading or go directly to the iCloud Passwords extension page following the link.

Reboot your computer.

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How to access saved password from Apple Keychain in Google Chrome?

If you go to a site that requires a password, the service ICloud Passwords can help you with automatic input of the secret combination.

1. On a Windows computer, navigate to the landing page in Google Chrome.

2. In the browser, click the button ICloud Passwords… A notification may appear about the need to enter a confirmation code – enter a combination of six numbers in the window that appears in the lower right corner.

3. Now select the account you are going to use. The username and password will be entered on the site automatically. Then you can log in.

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How do I add a new password to iCloud Keychain from Google Chrome?

If you are just creating a new account or entering a password that is not stored in iCloud, then the service ICloud Passwords prompts you to remember your credentials. This will allow you to use them on your iPhone, iPad or Mac with ICloud Keychain…

1. On the site that opens in Google Chrome on a Windows PC with a request to log in, enter your credentials or create a new account. You may need to enter a six-digit access confirmation code in the pop-up window. Keychain…

2. In the notification that appears in the lower right corner of the Windows screen, click the button “Save password”… This action will save the new account (username and password) in iCloud. If you do not want to save the data, then select “Not now” or “Never for this site”…

If you choose the second option, this setting can be subsequently reset, if necessary, but on a Mac computer.

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How do I update my existing iCloud Keychain password in Google Chrome on Windows?

It happens that you change the password on the website, while there is an old combination in the Keychain. It can be updated for the next correct login to the site. In this case, the updated password will appear on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac running the service. ICloud Keychain…

1. Go to the website you need in the Google Chrome browser on your Windows PC and log in with a new link of credentials (username / password). You may need to enter a six-digit keychain access confirmation code in the pop-up window.

2. In the notification that appears, click on “Update password”… If you don’t need to update your iCloud password, click “Not now”…

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How do I check iCloud Keychain passwords saved in Google Chrome?

The decisive role in this issue is played by the icon displayed in the browser for the site.

Icon	Description
	This website has a saved password. Click on the button to access it.
	This website has a saved password. Service must be activated ICloud Passwords to gain access to credentials. Click on this button and follow the further instructions.
	No password has been saved for this website, or the service ICloud Passwords cannot fill any fields on the current page.
	Check if iCloud Passwords is turned on and if you’re signed in to the iCloud app for Windows at all

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Analogue F5 (update) in macOS, as on Windows

24/03/2021 by ALOK DAS

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If you have recently switched from Windows to Mac, then you probably already encountered a problem at least once – you cannot refresh the page by pressing F5 on the keyboard. What’s the matter?

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Is there an equivalent of the F5 button on a Mac as in Windows?

It’s simple – in macOS, another key (more precisely, a keyboard shortcut) is responsible for updating the page.

And what, you ask?

Command (⌘) + R! (from the English “refresh” – “refresh”).

Combination Cmd (⌘) + R works in all popular browsers on Mac – not only in “native” Safari, but also in third-party ones – Google Chrome (and projects based on it), Mozilla Firefox, Opera, etc.

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Is it possible with F5 after all?

Yes of course! Not all users (especially beginners) like learning and memorizing a new shortcut – and some, in addition, don’t like the fact that they have to press two buttons, not one, and even unusual ones.

Meanwhile, changing the command button to refresh the page is not at all difficult. The best part is that you don’t even have to look for special software on the Internet to change the keys, since everything can be easily done using standard macOS tools!

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How to replace the keyboard shortcut Cmd + R with the familiar Windows key F5

1. Open on your Mac System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Keyboard Shortcuts -> Program Keyboard Shortcuts…

2. Click the plus sign (located under the window labeled All programs).

3. Select your preferred browser from the drop-down menu – for example, Safari or Google Chrome.

4. In line Menu name you must specify the exact name of the menu command to update. For example, in the case of Safari, we open the Apple browser and start looking for the exact name in the menu bar (located at the top of the screen). The desired phrase – Reload page – located in the section View…

For Google Chrome, the menu command is called differently – Refresh the page, and it is located in the section Look…

5. Finally, in the line Keyboard shortcut specify the desired button – in our case it will be F5…

6. Click Add to…

Done! Now you can refresh pages “the old fashioned way”, as usual by pressing the F5 key, and search on the keyboard Cmd (⌘) + R no more.

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Pages to Word (doc, docx): how to save on Mac, iPhone, iPad or Windows

24/03/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Perhaps not very pleasant, but true – Microsoft Windows has been the dominant platform for educational, administrative and business institutions for years. And iOS and Mac users who prefer to edit documents in the program Pagesif they do not want to look like outcasts in the office, they must learn how to export files to the format .doc and .docx… Fortunately, the corresponding functionality is kindly built into the application itself.

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There is a difference between the latest and older versions of Pages in how the algorithms for exporting data to Word are implemented. Not principled, but capable of confusing the neophyte of the Mac computer empire, so the first rule is to update on time. Apple is not in vain to meet users halfway, now the software package, which includes Pages, is free (for users of new computers) – there should be no problems with downloading and installing. The following instructions describe the process of exporting the latest version of Pages data to a .doc or .docx file.

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How to save Pages files as Word (doc, docx) on Mac

1. Launch Pages, open the desired document, which must be saved to a file for Word.

2. Click on the menu “File” on the top panel, then select “Export to”, and in the submenu that opens, we are looking for the same “Word”…

3. Pages will open another window in which in the tab “Word” we are interested in the section “Extra options”indicated by a triangle.

4. The fundamental point – the stable version of MS Word 2003 is still installed and properly operated on thousands of PCs, but it does not recognize the format .docx… Accordingly, it is worth asking which Office package is used where our file will be sent, and then select the appropriate extension.

5. The final step – it remains to come up with the name of the new file, type the desired combination and press the button “Export”…

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How to save Pages files as Word (doc, docx) on iPhone or iPad

1. Launch Pages app on iPhone or iPad (download link)

2. Open a document and click on the button with three dots in the upper right corner.

3. Select a section “Export”…

4. On the screen that appears, select the format Word (or another, if necessary).

5. A menu will open Share, in which you need to select the method of transferring the received file.

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How to save Pages files as Word (doc, docx) on Windows

1. Open any browser and go to icloud.com.

2. Enter your Apple ID credentials.

3. Open the web application Pages…

4. Select a document.

5. Go to document options.

6. From the drop-down menu, select “Send a Copy”…

7. Select the required format. In our case Word…

8. Conversion of the file will start. After it ends, press the button Email…

9. A new letter form will open with an attached file in Word format. Enter the address in the field “To whom” and press the button “Send”…

On the unpleasant – the abuse of specific characters in Pages, like the same Emoji icons and other beautiful, but “heavyweight” editing, significantly complicates the export procedure. Sharing with colleagues on a Windows PC is better with simple, standardized documents, fortunately, business style just implies the use of such.

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How to completely disable Windows Defender

20/03/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Gone are the days when Kaspersky was considered a necessary program for any computer. And the point is not at all that people have become careless – it is just that such an important task of protection is gradually being taken over by operating systems.

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It has been said for a long time about macOS that there are basically no viruses. And Microsoft has over time equipped its popular Windows operating system with built-in defender. A utility running in the background protects the system from unsafe programs. This program is called Windows Defender or Windows Defender, and in the latest editions – Windows Security. Many users have happily shifted the task of securing their computer to a built-in Microsoft application.

But not everyone likes the built-in Windows antivirus. Sometimes you want or need to turn it off. This happens when the Defender does not allow the launch of the necessary programs or “on the fly” deletes downloaded files. And with a third-party antivirus, if you use it, this utility may conflict. In an ideal situation, the built-in antivirus should turn off with the installation of a third-party similar tool, but this often does not happen – apparently, the Defender does not like competitors. Then two utilities with the same functionality can interfere with each other’s work, seeing the rival as malicious software that eats away resources. The user notices how his computer starts to “slow down” for no reason.

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How do I temporarily disable Windows Defender?

Suppose you want to run a trusted program, but Windows Defender suddenly finds it dangerous. In this case, you can stop the service and do it right in its settings. The solution seems simple, but only temporary.

To do this, follow the path: Options -> Update & Security -> Security Windows → Virus and threat protection → Virus and threat protection settings → Manage settings…

__________

Reputation Defenders

__________

In this window, deactivate the “real time protection“.

For a while, the antivirus will pretend that it no longer works. You will be able to work with files that he previously considered dangerous. But you should have paid attention to the warning when you deactivate the “Defender” that it will automatically turn on again soon. If you want to permanently stop this service or if you need more time to work, then you will need to resort to more sophisticated methods.

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How do I completely disable Windows Defender?

1. Follow the path Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Security -> Virus & Threat Protection -> Virus & Threat Protection Options -> Manage Settings or Options -> Update & Security -> Security Windows → Virus & threat protection → Virus & threat protection settings → Manage settings and set the switch “Anti-counterfeiting“To position Turned off…

2. Start Windows Registry Editor. Press the key combination Win + R and in the window that appears, enter the command regedit… Then press Enter.

3. In the left part of the registry window, go to the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE → SOFTWARE → Policies → Microsoft → Windows Defender…

4. In the right empty area, right-click and select New -> DWORD Parameter (32 bit).

Give the new parameter a name DisableAntiSpyware… Now double click on it and enter the value 1.

5. Similarly, create a couple more parameters: AllowFastServiceStartup and ServiceKeepAlive… But they will need to be set to 0.

6. On the left panel, right-click on the section Windows Defender and through the menu Create → Section create a subsection Real-Time Protection… Perhaps it is already there. Enter it and create parameters in a known way DisableIOAVProtection and DisableRealtimeMonitoring… Both should get the value 1.

7. Return to the section Windows Defender and create a new folder in it Spynet… You will need to create a parameter in it DisableBlockAtFirstSeen and assign it the value 1, and also LocalSettingOverrideSpynetReporting with zero value and SubmitSamplesConsent equal to 2.

8. On the left pane of the registry window, go to the new path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SYSTEM -> CurrentControlSet -> Services -> WinDefend… We are interested in the parameter Start, for which you need to set the new value 4. This action does not work in all versions of Windows, an error may appear at this step. But why not give it a try?

9. Restart your computer and go to the “Security Windows“. If you did everything right, then in the window “Protection from viruses and threats” a message will appear stating that there is no anti-virus program.

10. There is one last action left. Right-click on the Start menu and launch Task Manager from there. In it, open the “Startup” tab (you may need “More”) and find the parameter in the list Windows Defender Notification icon (Windows Security notification icon). Now right click on it and click Disable. All that remains is to reboot the computer.

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How do I permanently disable Windows Defender using a third-party application?

It is likely that the above method will seem too complicated for you. A third-party free program Dism ++ will help to solve this problem. It helps to fine-tune your system, among the proposed features are present, including disabling Windows Defender.

1. Follow the path Settings → Windows Security → Virus & Threat Protection → Virus & Threat Protection Settings → Manage Settings or Options -> Update & Security -> Security Windows → Virus and threat protection → Virus and threat protection settings → Manage settings. Here you need to make the slider inactive “Anti-counterfeiting“.

2. Go to the site of the Dism ++ program and download its archive. Unpack its contents and run the appropriate version of the program. For modern Windows computers, the Dism ++ x64.exe option is fine.

3. In the application window, follow the path Optimization → Security Settings and activate the parameter “Disable Windows Defender“.

4. You just have to restart your computer.

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Free “clouds” without registration to transfer files between iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows

19/03/2021 by ALOK DAS

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The Internet allows you to quickly exchange documents. The main tool for this has been and remains e-mail. But cloud technology has made file sharing even easier. Do you want to transfer your file to someone, but don’t use Dropbox, Yandex.Disk, Google Drive, or don’t know much about technology?

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It is possible to send a person a direct link to the file, which will be a solution to the problem. Putting a file in the cloud is easy, but there are even more convenient ways to share information. We will consider several of these options.

These free services do not involve creating accounts, and you do not need to install a client program to work with them. And the interfaces are intuitive, so you won’t have to waste time on training. All you need to do is upload your file to the right place and get a direct link to it, then send it to the recipient. It’s so easy!

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This service stands out at least in that it allows you to transfer files up to 2 GB in size. At the same time, you will not find any restrictions on the number of downloads, which is clearly a big plus. Files can be sent attached to email messages, which most users usually do. But it’s much easier to share links to them in chats or elsewhere. WeTransfer allows users to create such messages with a pointer to shared files.

1. Go to the main page of the service and press the button “Add your files” to add a file.

2. To create a link to the downloaded file, click on the button with three dots.

3. Check the box next to Link and press the button Transfer… The process of uploading the file to the cloud will begin.

4. Press the button Copy link to copy the link.

5. Send the link to the recipient in any convenient way. To download a file, you just need to follow the link and press the button Download…

Optionally, you can password protect the downloaded files. And to control their removal, you will have to purchase a subscription. But the user will also receive the ability to encrypt their information, and the ability to store it longer than the default seven days.

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This service allows you to exchange files by email in seconds and is completely free. Getting started with SendTransfer is easy – just drag and drop the file into the download window. You can also click on the Add Files to Transfer button to view your prepared files for transfer and add new ones to them.

In the next step, you will need to enter the email addresses of the people to whom this file should be sent. There you can, if you wish, write a message and, of course, your own sender’s address.

Click the Send button on the right and the files will be sent to the recipients.

This service allows you to send files up to 10 GB in size. When uploading files, you can also specify how long they will be stored on SendTransfer servers. The default is seven days.

The recipient will receive an email with a link, upon switching to which he will be redirected to the service.

To download the document, it remains to click the button Download…

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For those who just want to share their screenshots from time to time, the Snaggy service is suitable. Take a screenshot or part of it using the tools built into the operating system that allow you to copy the screenshot to the clipboard.

1. Create a screenshot in the clipboard. To do this, press the keyboard shortcut Alt + Print Screen (for Windows), ⇧Shift + Ctrl + ⌘Cmd + 3 (for Mac).

2. Open the main page of the Snaggy service.

3. Press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + V (for Windows), ⌘Cmd + V for mac

After inserting into the window, the picture will be uploaded to the Snaggy servers. The service will offer a unique link that can be shared.

Snaggy works both with a fragment of an image selected in a graphic editor and with other applications for taking screenshots. The program allows you to edit the picture before sharing it. You can crop it, rotate it, sign it or add something to it.

Keep in mind that Snaggy only works on one image at a time.

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The free version of the service allows you to preview files, does not have a limit on their size, provides password protection for documents and provides an opportunity to customize the type of links. Sounds too good to be true. The service is quite easy to use, and its interface is similar to the other downloaders on our list. Smash can send files via email and Slack, as well as generate links.

The user gets 14 days to store files and options to customize the appearance of the download page. You can turn off file preview if desired. To top it off, Smash decided to show creative designs instead of ads when uploading files.

The service provides an excellent set of functionality in its free version. But you can get even more Smash tools with a lucrative premium subscription.

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Finally

Dropbox and similar cloud services allow you to store large and small files and share them as easily as if they were on your computer. But usually these services require registration with them. If you do not want to do this or prefer faster solutions for one-time file sharing – the solutions listed above are just what you need. Apple product owners should also remember that between macOS and iOS devices, you can share files directly using AirDrop.

See also:

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Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts: 40 useful keyboard shortcuts

12/03/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Modern operating systems have so many functions that they are difficult to keep track of and difficult to access. Sometimes very useful things are located in the depths of the menu. To make it easier to work, it is better to use keyboard shortcuts. By pressing two or three buttons at the same time, you can quickly launch the desired function.

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Below is a list of useful combinations, some of which worked in previous versions of Windows, while others appeared only in Windows 10. There is no sense to memorize all the options, and very few people can do it. Just select the operations that are most demanded in your work, write down and place in the most conspicuous place the corresponding keys. Soon, you will learn and use useful keystrokes. And when the first combinations are mastered, you can move on to the next.

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Window and application management

Win + Left Arrow – press the application window to the left side of the screen.

Win + Right Arrow – press the application window to the right side of the screen.

Win + Up Arrow – the application window will expand to full screen. If it was previously pressed against one of the edges, it will be located in the upper quarter of the screen.

Win + Down Arrow – the active window will be minimized. If it was previously pressed against one of the edges, it will be located in the lower quarter of the screen.

Win + D – you can show the desktop by minimizing all windows, or return everything back.

Win + Shift + M – maximize all minimized windows.

Win + Home – all windows except the active one will be minimized. Pressing the key a second time will restore all windows.

Alt + Tab – a famous and popular combination that allows you to switch between running applications.

Alt + F4 – the active window will be closed.

Win + Shift + Left (or Right) Arrow – the active window will be moved to another monitor, if any.

Win + T – sequential search of taskbar icons. To launch the selected application, press “Enter”.

Win + 0 … 9 – launch from the taskbar of the application, the position of the icon of which corresponds to the entered number.

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Explorer Combinations

Win + E – Start Explorer – Windows file manager.

Ctrl + N – open a new window in Explorer.

Ctrl + mouse scroll wheel – change the presentation format of elements (table, icons, sketches, etc.)

Alt + up arrow – going up one level of the directory tree.

Alt + left arrow – viewing the previous folder.

Alt + right arrow – view the next folder.

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Virtual desktops

Win + Ctrl + D – add a new virtual desktop.

Win + Ctrl + Left Arrow – switching between virtual desktops, moving from right to left.

Win + Ctrl + Right Arrow – switching between virtual desktops, moving from left to right.

Win + Ctrl + F4 – close the active virtual desktop.

Win + Tab – display all desktops and applications open on them.

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Windows

Ctrl + Shift + Esc – launching the Task Manager.

Win + R – open the “Run” window for manual entry of commands.

Shift + Delete – deleting files without using the Recycle Bin.

Alt + Enter – showing the properties of the selected element.

Win + space – switching the input language and keyboard layout.

Win + A – launch of the “Support Center”.

Win + S – open the search window.

Win + H – call the “Share” panel.

Win + I – call the “Windows Settings” window.

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Games and screenshots

Win + PrtScr – create a screenshot. It will be saved in your images folder.

Win + Alt + PrtScr – take a screenshot of the game.

Win + G – open the game panel for the subsequent recording of the progress of the passage.

Win + Alt + G – record the last 30 seconds of the game in the active window.

Win + Alt + R – start or stop recording.

Win + P – switching between display modes. This requires a second display.

Tell us in the comments what useful Windows keyboard shortcuts do you know?

See also:

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How to download Google Earth Earth Globe in 3D for Windows and Mac for free

11/03/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Google earth (Google Earth) is one of the most significant projects of the “corporation of good”. A three-dimensional model of the globe right on your computer, photographs of real objects from many sources, 3D buildings … a great way to learn more about your planet!

Since 2015 the paid version of the application Google earth pro, previously available by subscription (the license cost as much as 25 thousand rubles a year) – with support for GPS navigation, higher resolution for printing, export of video from tours of the planet, etc. began to be distributed completely free of charge.

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How to download the free Pro version of Google Earth for Mac, Windows and Linux

one… Go to the Google Earth Pro page (in the Russian version – Google Earth).

2… Click on the inscription Accept terms and conditions and download… The download of the application will start automatically. Save the file to your PC or Mac and wait for the download to finish.

Attention: If the download does not start in Safari on Mac, use the Chrome browser (download here)

3… On a PC – run the installation exe-file, on a Mac – dmg-file “GoogleEarthMac-Intel.dmg “, and then “Install Google Earth.pkg “…

four… Follow the installation instructions.

five… Launch the program after installation and start traveling around the virtual earth.

See also:

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Turning on a computer on Windows and macOS on a schedule: how to set up

05/03/2021 by ALOK DAS

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As you know, computer users fall into two categories – those who turn off their device at the end of the day, and those who leave it on. Nevertheless, sometimes even the most zealous “switches” get distracted and, after finishing work, forget to turn off the computer. Fortunately, there are special programs that allow the device to turn off automatically at a set time.

There are many different applications for automatically shutting down your computer, however we recommend choosing two of them – RTG Ninja Shutdown and Simple Shutdown Timer…

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How to schedule an automatic shutdown (restart) of your computer using RTG Ninja Shutdown in Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 10

Created by Indian developer Priyanshu Kumar, RTG Ninja Shutdown is portable and only one window. To use it, you need:

one. You can download the application in the form of a ZIP archive on the developer’s website.

2. After downloading, unzip the files and save them in a convenient place for you.

3. Double click on the executable file, and the process of installing the program will begin.

Then everything is very simple. Select the mode “Offline”And set the exact time to turn off the computer. Please note that the program will not work if you do not fill in all four fields, so it is imperative to set the hours, minutes, seconds, as well as the time of day (AM “before 12 noon” or PM “after 12 noon”). Then you need to select the action that the computer should do at the set time – shut down, reboot or log out of the account (Shutdown, Restart or Log off). Press “Set»To complete the setting. To hide the application window, click on “Hide“.

RTG Ninja Shutdown also features an online mode that allows you to remotely set the shutdown time for your computer.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to automatically switch the language (layout) on the keyboard in macOS or Windows.

How to schedule automatic shutdown / restart (restart) of a computer using Simple Shutdown Timer in Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 10

Believe it or not, PCWinTech’s Simple Shutdown Timer is even easier than the RTG Ninja Shutdown. As you can see in the picture, the program is ridiculously small. The application allows you to set the period of computer activity down to seconds. After setting the time, select from the drop-down menu what the computer should do – log off, reboot, shutdown or hibernate (log off, reboot, shutdown, hibernate). Press “Start»And start the timer.

Simple Shutdown Timer is installed on a computer like any other program and works with Windows 2000 and newer versions. A portable version is also available. If you are command line savvy, there are several commands for Simple Shutdown Timer, which you can learn more about on the developer’s website.

If you are not impressed with the above applications, there are many others like Windows Reboot and Switch Off.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to set a password of any length in Windows 10 (even one character)…

How to set up automatic shutdown on Mac

If you are the owner of a Mac, then the automatic shutdown of the computer can be configured according to these instructions.

See also:

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How to automatically switch the language (layout) on the keyboard in macOS or Windows

06/02/2021 by ALOK DAS

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I’ve always envied English speaking computer users – they don’t have to switch keyboard layouts when working or surfing the internet. We are already used to combinations Ctrl + Shift (on Windows) or ⌘Cmd + Space (on a Mac), and in terms of the frequency of pressing, these “hot” keys sometimes even surpass the “overwritten” by us Copy / Past actions.

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What is it for?

Changing languages is sometimes annoying and confusing. Often we forget to choose the right language or choose the wrong one by mistake, as a result we end up with complete nonsense, which must be deleted and the phrase re-typed. In addition, residents of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and some regions of Russia often need to use not even two, but as many as three languages on their computer.

With some simple calculations, you can estimate that several working hours per year are spent switching keyboard languages.

To solve this problem, there is an excellent program called Punto Switcher… I discovered this application a long time ago. Later I compared it with analogs and competitors, but still returned to Punto…

The program was overgrown with functionality and became more stable from year to year and in the end the right to Punto Switcher was bought by Yandex. From this, the application only gained great popularity and further active development.

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What does Punto Switcher do?

Punto Switcher Is a program that automatically switches the language (layout) of the keyboard, constantly monitoring the input of characters and comparing the received words with their reference books. As a result, the application determines in which language you are entering the word. The keyboard layout automatically changes depending on the language.

For example, Punto Switcher knows that “plhfdcndeqnt” is “hello” and “fsyschl zksch” is “macbook pro”.

With Punto Switcher, your keyboard layout will always be correct.

In addition, the application allows you to use Rules – specify a word or abbreviation, when typing which the keyboard layout does not need to be switched.

Punto Switcher can also correct words written in the wrong case, for example: yABLYK will replace Yablyk. In addition, it is possible to prohibit work Punto Switcher in certain programs and games. You can also correct text that has already been entered in the wrong layout (the Break or Shift + Break key on Windows will transfer the selected text to another layout; on Mac – the ⌥Option (Alt) key), add keyboard shortcuts to work with the program, and much more.

Converting typed text on Windows:

Convert typed text on Mac:

As you can see, typing with Punto becomes easier and faster, especially for people who are not familiar with the “blind” typing method. The program will save you time and sometimes nerves. On top of that, the app is completely free.

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Why are some users uninstalling Punto Switcher?

This happens due to insufficient familiarity with the program settings. For example, I had to meet people who uninstalled Punto Switcher because they could not write a certain set of characters unknown to the program for a long time. But after all, after entering the first characters, it was necessary to press any arrow on the keyboard (this is configured in the parameters).

This action tells the application not to switch the layout when typing the current word.

Download Punto Switcher for Windows…
Download Punto Switcher for Mac…

How to open HEIC photo on Windows or Mac

02/02/2021 by ALOK DAS

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There are many graphic formats, but there are not so many popular ones. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, differences in compression algorithms. So, TIFF is suitable for storing raster graphics or images with a large color depth, PDF allows using the capabilities of the PostScript language, and JPG (JPEG) is most often used for storing photographs (detailed).

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However, this format, used by most camera devices, was developed back in 1991. Better alternatives have emerged since then. However, their implementation remained difficult – how to convince many manufacturers to work with the new format? A bold step was taken by Apple, which, starting with iOS 11, proposed using the new HEIF format for storing photos. The container format for such data became HEIC, and photos in Apple devices also received such an extension (iPhones and iPads began to shoot in HEIC format instead of the usual JPG).

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What are HEIF, HEIC formats and why are they better than JPG (JPEG)?

The abbreviation HEIF itself literally means High Efficiency Image Front or “high efficiency image format”. In fact, this is a version of the new HEVC or H.265 video compression format developed by the MPEG group in 2013-2015. Apple didn’t invent anything, it just moved on to more advanced graphics storage technology. Only the 7th generation iPhone and subsequent smartphones of the company, iPad Pro and newer models of Apple tablets can shoot and store photos in HEIF format. Other devices running iOS 11 will be able to view photos and videos captured in the new format only after decoding. With a high degree of probability, it can be argued that HEIF will soon replace the outdated JPEG.

The list of HEIF (HEIC) advantages over JPG (JPEG) is really impressive:

• half the size with the same quality;
• the ability to store several images in one heic-container at once (may be required in Live photos);
• support for transparency, similar to the GIF format;
• support for 16-bit colors, not 8-bit, like JPEG;
• saving image changes (cropping, rotating) and the ability to cancel operations;
• the ability to store data in one container with or without compression.

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How to open and convert HEIC photo on Windows computer?

Windows does not understand this format by default. Popular graphics editors for this OS, including the famous Adobe Photoshop, do not support it either. Plugins and updates are yet to come out. In the meantime, double-clicking on the .heic file will display a prompt to select an application.

Only for Windows 10 (for other versions there is a similar solution, more about it below) in the Microsoft Store it became possible to install a special codec to view the new format (link). To do this, in the app store, find “Extensions for HEIF Images” and install this free add-on.

Heic files will then open like other graphics in compatible applications. And in Explorer thumbnails of the images appear.

Online converters

Owners of older versions of Windows will have to use converters. The easiest option is online tools that do not require additional software to be installed. A popular resource is Heictojpg.

At one time, you can upload up to 50 photos in the new format to the service for free and get converted to JPG files. You don’t need to make any settings – the service will optimize and convert automatically. All that remains is to download the result.

Heic can be converted not only to JPG, but also to other formats using the CloudConvert resource.

Windows Apps

The free CopyTrans HEIC codec program will also be a useful tool for Windows.

After installing it, Windows will receive support for the .heic format and will allow you to easily convert HEIC to the usual JPEG. To do this, just right-click on the picture and select the desired menu.

On the other hand, iMazing HEIC Converter only offers conversion functions. The app is free, but it allows you to convert HEIC not only to JPG, but also to PNG. You just need to drag the files into the working window and click the button “Convert”…

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How to open and convert HEIC on Mac (macOS)?

HEIF support appeared not only in iOS 11, but also in macOS High Sierra. But even on a computer, you may need to work with JPG. Fortunately, iOS 11 (and newer), like High Sierra (and newer), automatically converts any generic HEIF files to JPEG on the fly, provided they are sent via the menu Share this… This allows for compatibility between devices.

But what if the folder contains a lot of photos in the required format, and you need a JPEG? And not all applications support the new format, including social networks. In this case, conversion will be required.

The already mentioned free iMazing HEIC Converter can convert files by simply dragging and dropping files into the window.

But it is possible to use the tools built into macOS.

The transformation will help to implement a standard application View…

1. Open in Finder folder with HEIF images to be converted to JPG.

2. Select the required files using the key ⌘Cmd, and the combination ⌘Cmd + A or menu Edit -> Select All will select all the contents of the folder.

3. Click with the right mouse button on one of the files. In the pop-up menu Finder select Open in program → View…

4. The selected photos will open in the standard application View… Display thumbnails of images in the sidebar (if they don’t appear) using the combination ⌘Cmd + ⌥Option (Alt) + 2…

Select (highlight) all files using the combination ⌘Cmd + A or commands “Choose all” on the menu “Edit”…

5. On the menu “File” Choose a section “Export selected images …”…

6. In the window that appears, click the button “Parameters” and open the submenu “Format”, in which select the desired option, for example, JPEG (JPG).

7. Conversion will start after clicking the button “Choose”…

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How to Convert HEIC to JPG Directly on iPhone and iPad?

You can convert captured photos to HEIC directly on your iPhone or iPad. There are several options to do this right on your mobile device.

1. Photo editor. Photo editors on iOS like Adobe Lightroom CC support the HEIC format. They can export photos to JPG or any other supported format.

2. Sending images by Email… Built-in Mail app on iOS automatically converts embedded HEIC photos to JPG even if quality option is selected “Actual”…

3. Conversion applications… There are several both paid and free HEIC to JPG converters on the iOS app store. It is difficult to identify a clear favorite, all applications do approximately the same thing. In the App Store, type HEIC to JPEG into the search bar and select the option you like.

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How in iOS on iPhone and iPad save photos by default to JPG instead of HEIC?

It is quite logical that some users do not want to deal with additional conversion of heic-files into the usual JPG. For such people, Apple in iOS retained the ability to take pictures in a standard format.

1. Open the app “Settings” and go to section “Camera”…

2. Select a subsection “Formats” with two choices: “High efficiency” and “Most Compatible”…

In the first case, the use of the HEIC format is implied, while the option “Most Compatible” implies using the JPEG format for photos. The same menu defines the video codecs – new H.265 and traditional H.264, respectively.

See also:

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How to Transfer Live Photo from iPhone to iPhone, Mac, Android or Windows

01/02/2021 by ALOK DAS

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♥ BY TOPIC: How to take a photo with a trail effect (long exposure) on iPhone: 2 ways.

How to Transfer Live Photos from iPhone to iPhone or iPad

There are three correct ways to transfer Live Photos from iPhone to iPhone or iPad:

Method 1 – via iMessage message

1. Run the application Message and create a new message iMessage (Apple users only).

2. Click the camera icon in the lower left corner. In the opened camera interface, click the icon Add image in the upper left corner.

3. Select Life Photos (the image is marked with the appropriate icon) and press the blue button Send message…

Method 2 – via AirDrop transfer

1. Open Live Photos in the photo app (a checkmark will be placed in the upper left corner).

2. Click the icon Share.

3. In the menu that appears, tap the AirDrop…

4. Select the user to whom you want to send the image.

We talked in more detail about transferring files via AirDrop in this article.

Method 3 – by creating a Shared album in iCloud

1. Open the app Photo, go to album Photo Live Photos in the tab Albums…

2. Press the button Choose in the upper right corner and select the files that will be placed in Shared Album…

3. Press the button Share this…

4. In the menu that appears, select To the general album…

5. Follow the instructions on the screen to create Shared album (in detail). Eventually you will have a new one on your iPhone. Shared Album…

6. Open the created Shared Album and invite users to it. After that, the same album will appear on their iPhone or iPad in the application Photo…

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How to Transfer (and View) Live Photos from iPhone to Mac

It should be noted right away that viewing Live Photos on Mac is only possible in the iMessage and Photos applications.

Method 1 – through a message in iMessage (you can transfer to someone else’s or your Mac)

Send an iMessage to a Mac user from iPhone by attaching Live Photos as an attachment. The iMessage service must be configured on the Mac (instructions).

After receiving the message, open the sent photo in Live Photos format (in the upper left corner there should be a corresponding icon), click the button Share this and select Add to Photo… The imported Live Photos will appear in the corresponding section of the application Photo…

Method 2 – Import to Photos app via cable (to someone else’s or your Mac)

Connect iPhone to Mac using a cable. Open the Photos app and select the identified iPhone from the menu on the left under Devices… In the window that opens, the photos available for import from the Photos application on the iPhone will open on the right. Select Live Photo and click Import selected (quantity)… The imported Live Photos will appear in the corresponding section of the Photos app.

Method 3 – by creating a Shared Album in iCloud (on someone else’s or your Mac)

Method 4 – iCloud Photos (only on your Mac)

Transfer Live Photo from your iPhone to your Mac you can enable the function Photos to iCloud on both devices.

IPhone along the way: application Settings → Your name → iCloud → Photo.

On Mac along the way: application Photo → Settings → iCloud Tab…

If your iPhone contains more than 5 GB of photos and videos, this method will require purchasing additional iCloud storage.

Thus the whole Mediathek iPhone (along with Live Photos) will be available in the Photos app on Mac. Live Photos on Mac will appear in the same-named section of the Photos application.

Method 5 – Photo Stream (only on your Mac)

Transfer Live Photo from your iPhone to your Mac you can enable the function Photo stream on both devices.

On the iPhone along the way: the app Settings -> Your name -> iCloud -> Photo…

On a Mac along the way: the app Photo → Settings → iCloud Tab…

Live Photos (and other images and videos) appear on your Mac in the appropriate sections of the Photos app.

♥ BY TOPIC: Reverse shooting on iPhone, or how to shoot video “backwards”.

How to Transfer and View Live Photos on Android or Windows

Unfortunately, Live Photo is only available on iPhone, iPad and Mac. On all other systems – Windows, Android, etc. – you will see only a regular static photo instead of a “live” one.

See also:

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How to reduce size (compress) video without losing quality on Windows, Mac and Linux computer

25/01/2021 by ALOK DAS

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In this article, we will tell you how to prepare a high-quality video, shot in high resolution, for sending to the network or to any device (for example, iPhone or iPad) without losing quality, talk about audio and video formats, and also talk about convenient tools who are capable of these tasks.

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We live in a high-tech world in which almost any device, be it a DSLR camera, GoPro or even a smartphone, can shoot high-quality, high-definition video. This is definitely great except for one drawback – the size of these files.

Storing and moving such content is a real pain, because the size of data in everyday life is no longer even calculated in gigabytes, but in terabytes. And if it comes to uploading files to the network or transferring to mobile devices, then get ready to go through a considerable number of converters and spend a good part of the day looking for an acceptable tool and profile. We are happy to help you in this matter.

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Free video compression software

If you have a question about converting video files, then you definitely need a computer (not a smartphone or tablet). Handbrake is a very powerful, free and, most importantly, cross-platform utility (macOS, Windows, Linux) that will perfectly cope with this task. Of course, if you want something less sophisticated, you can use some Freemake Video Converter or FFmpeg, which also proved to be excellent, but in this article we will perform the conversion via Handbrake.

Download Handbrake for macOS, Windows or Linux (developer’s official site)…

Launch the application and select a video, and only then we begin to understand the jungle of numerous settings.

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1. Start with audio

Before working with video, let’s take a look at audio. After the lines Original file, Heading and Preset there is an area of deep settings with tabs. Now we are interested in Audio… You will be surprised, but high-quality sound takes up a lot of disk space.

Make sure the video contains no more than one audio file. High-quality video (especially if it’s some kind of Blueray license) can have several audio tracks (channels) in different languages. Leave the one with priority, and delete the rest by selecting the “Nothing“. This is done in the column Track…
Select AAC (CoreAudio) or MP3 in the Codec column. These are the so-called lossy encoding formats, in which the audio is of a fairly high quality and relatively low weight.
In the “Bitrate” column, select “160” for most videos. If audio is very important, then you can set a higher bit rate (256 or 320). But generally 160 is enough.

P. S .: Please do not confuse the “Bitrate” and “Sample Rate” columns. The second one is always recommended to be left in “Auto”.

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2. Choose the best container and codec

If the video will be uploaded to video hosting sites like YouTube, Vimeo or Facebook, select MP4 as a container in the line Format tabs Summary…

Codecs are configured in the “Video” tab.

Choose H.264 or H.265 if you are working with high quality, high definition video. MPEG-4 will perform compression and the quality will drop slightly.

ATTENTION! Never change the Frame Rate (FPS) value.

FPS (Frames per second) – the number of frames per second. It is believed that for a comfortable video viewing, it is enough to have a recording with FPS fluctuating around 24-30 frames per second. It is logical to assume that it is possible to reduce the FPS with the 60 recorded by the camera to values acceptable to the eye, thereby supposedly achieving a smaller size without loss of quality (as if it were a resolution).

In fact, absolutely all video hosting sites, guides and experts do not recommend changing the number of FPS that was recorded by the camera. Reducing the number of frames will make fast-moving scenes choppy and unnatural.

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3. Reduce the resolution

It’s cool if your device can shoot video in 4K resolution, but not every monitor or TV supports it. The most popular resolution is HD or Full HD TV. Resolution is one of the most important components in reducing the size of a video file without degrading quality.

List of the most popular resolutions:

2160p (3840×2160);
1440p (2560 × 1440);
1080p (1920 × 1080);
720p (1280 × 720);
480p (854 × 480);
360p (640 × 360);
240p (426 × 240).

In Handbrake, the resolution is set in the menu “Dimensions“.

Conveniently, the new window has a button “Preview“, Which allows you to look at the final file resolution in the window before converting.

For YouTube or Facebook, the optimal resolution is 720p, although the same YouTube perfectly supports 4K.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to create a Gif from any YouTube video without using special programs.

5. Bitrate

Let’s start with a little educational program. Bitrate is the number of bits used to store one second of multimedia content. In our case, the bitrate expresses the degree of compression of the stream. The whole thing is measured in kilobits or megabits (mainly for video) per second. The higher the bitrate, the better the video quality.

Many DSLR cameras and other devices shoot video in a higher bitrate than video hosting can transmit. For example, below are the recommended bitrate requirements depending on the video resolution for YouTube:

It is not recommended to make the bitrate lower than these values. Otherwise, quality will suffer. But if the bitrate is higher than these values, then you can reduce it.

This can be done in the “Video“By checking the box”Average bitrate”And indicating an acceptable value. Be sure to check the box “2-pass encoding“.

♥ BY TOPIC: Timelapse (Interval) in the iPhone and iPad camera: what is it and how to shoot such videos?

Finally

To start converting video, click the button “Start”… With this step-by-step guide and clever Handbrake settings, you will be able to reduce the size of the final file without losing quality.

If desired, the encoding process can be stopped with the Stop button. You can watch the progress at the bottom of the program window.

The difference in size will greatly depend on the device or service on which the video will run.

Having worked in such a program, you can save a lot on the purchase of devices and drives with less memory. You see, 64 GB iPad instead of 256 GB or 512 GB modification is already enough for a rich film library.

See also:

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Signal: a private messenger for iPhone, Android, Windows and Mac

23/01/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Today instant messengers have become the main communication tool for millions of people. But the more information passes through such channels, the more requirements for its confidentiality. It is this factor that sometimes comes to the fore. For some, protecting their data is much more important than a variety of emoticons and themes. At the end of 2020, the once unpopular messenger Signal made the whole world talk about itself. What is the secret of this application and why did it become famous?

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What is Signal?

This name hides a messenger that carefully encrypts the messages it sends. Popular and common counterparts: Skype, Viber, WhatsApp, iMessage and Telegram have a disadvantage – privacy issues.

An important feature of Signal is its non-involvement with large corporations. The service is being developed by a non-profit foundation with the same name, and it exists through donations. The very ideology of this messenger is that there is simply no need for it to collect data about its users and impose ads on them.

Signal implements forced E2E encryption, from the beginning of the chain to its end. This reliably protects information – even the service owners themselves do not have access to user messages. For example, in Telegram, which is considered to be quite secure, similar encryption can only be enabled in confidential chats and upon request.

Signal developers do not hide anything – the application source code is open. The client and server code is posted on GitHub.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to send and receive self-deleting messages in Telegram (text, photo or video).

What’s the secret behind Signal’s popularity?

Before 2021 began, WhatsApp posted an update to its privacy policy. After reading it, you can find a lot of interesting things. It turned out that now the messenger will transfer the data of its users to Facebook, its parent company. Moreover, it is possible that this was practiced behind the scenes before, just this time the corporation decided to legalize this phenomenon.

It turned out that WhatsApp plans to transfer data such as phone numbers of users and all their contacts from address books, names of people in profiles and their photos, statuses and even the time of their last appearance on the Internet, as well as data from application logs, location, information about purchases and other minor things. All this information will be used by Facebook for its own purposes, as well as provided to subsidiaries and partners.

This news caused a storm of dissatisfaction among users, WhatsApp decided to “soften” the pill and promised to postpone the introduction of new rules. At the same time, representatives of the company still assure that the privacy of user data is the cornerstone of the messenger. True, the news proves otherwise. Unsurprisingly, many users have opted to use alternatives.

Messenger Signal is not such a “dark horse”. It has been developed since 2013, but earlier it was actively used by those who seek to make their correspondence as protected as possible: journalists, human rights defenders, activists. But with the growing discontent, WhatsApp and ordinary people turned their attention to an independent and at the same time providing the necessary privacy service. In just a week, the number of Signal users has grown by 8.8 million. True, Telegram has downloaded 11 million users over the same period.

The popularity of Signal was added by positive reviews about the messenger from such prominent public figures as Elon Musk and Twitter creator Jack Dorsey. And Edward Snowden, who knows a lot about information security, has been using Signal since 2015 in order to hide from surveillance by the special services. Signal is a great alternative for WhatsApp users who don’t want to share their data with unknown sources.

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Signal Features

Signal’s basic features are standard for any modern messenger. Here’s what he can do:

receive and transmit messages;
make voice and video calls, including group calls, up to 8 participants;
send voice messages, photos, videos, emojis and stickers;
share your location with interlocutors;
organize group chats with up to 1000 participants.

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How does Signal keep users safe and private?

The main concept of the messenger is the initial encryption of all correspondence, including in group chats, as well as transmitted pictures, voice and video calls. This information is available only to the participants in the conversation. At the same time, the Signal servers themselves do not participate in encryption – it is based on the E2EE principle, that is, end-to-end encryption from device to device. This prevents Signal developers, for all their desire, to access user messages and then pass the information on to someone else. To implement the messenger, a special encryption protocol was created with the uncomplicated name Signal Protocol.

But in other messengers, the same Telegram, E2EE, if present, is only as an additional option. Signal uses encryption by default everywhere, the only exceptions are SMS messages sent to unregistered subscribers. A good bonus is the ability to send photos and videos to contacts that disappear a few seconds after viewing, as well as blurring faces on the transferred images.

An important feature of Signal is the verification of contacts, so that you are convinced of the correspondence with the person you really need. The opportunity is realized with the help of security codes that can be verified by phone or by checking a QR code in person. If you change the working device, even with the SIM card saved, a new code will be generated.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to block a contact in WhatsApp on iPhone and Android.

Why is Signal better than Telegram?

When choosing an alternative to WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram are most often called. The second product has domestic roots, the messenger is famous for its privacy and security. Nevertheless, in this segment, Telegram, in direct comparison, is inferior to a lesser known competitor. End-to-end E2E encryption is also in the “cart”, but it can only be activated for a secret chat with two interlocutors in it. And in ordinary correspondence, and even more so in group, there is simply no such possibility – the server is engaged in encryption. And if someday the owners of Telegram want to know what you are texting about, then he has such an opportunity. But in Signal, E2E encryption is forced, it is also applied to group chats.

All user correspondence is stored on Telegram servers, this was done for the clear purpose of subsequent synchronization on all new devices. And it’s easier to find the messages you want. But whether it is safe is a big question. In Signal, a different principle is chosen – the correspondence is stored only on the user’s device and is not sent anywhere. Moreover, the service does not even store your contact lists on its servers.

It is very easy to make sure that the stated is true – the Signal source code is completely open, both for clients and for servers. You can find this information on GitHub. Telegram applications are also open source, but how the server software works is a mystery. You can only hope that your information is in good hands and is not passed on to outsiders. And many information security experts argue that the Signal encryption protocol is generally more reliable than that used in Telegram MTProto, although the developers of the “cart” themselves may not agree with this. But there is a history of hacking Telegram by hackers who got access to a secret chat even bypassing E2E encryption.

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Why is Telegram better than Signal?

And if Signal focuses on confidentiality, then in practicality and convenience it is inferior to a more eminent competitor. For example, in a Telegram group chat there can be up to 200 thousand people, while in Signal the number is limited to 1000. While Signal can transfer files up to 100 MB, Telegram allows you to exchange files up to 2 GB.

All Telegram correspondence is stored in the cloud. Yes, it is unsafe, but you can work with the service even without an installed client, right from the browser. The original concept of Signal was to store conversations on user devices, so the web version of the messenger does not exist and it will never appear. Telegram is known for its bots, which can be easily programmed for the desired actions. But in Signal they are not and, most likely, will hardly appear. For such robots to work, developers must gain access to user correspondence. Signal will definitely not accept such violations of its strict security principles. And you will not find any similarity of Telegram channels in Signal either.

The most obvious difference is the friendlier Telegram interface, with the ability to use background pictures, numerous stickers. Signal developers see this and promise to improve the visual part of the shell, adding animated pictures, backgrounds, new profile fields.

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What you need to know when registering with Signal?

Registration in this messenger will require entering your personal phone number. Still, it was not possible to achieve complete anonymity. As in Telegram, here the phone number is the user ID. But this information will allow you to check the list of contacts and show which of your friends also uses Signal.

Someone may not like that in order to receive a message through Signal, you will have to show your interlocutor your phone number.

When installed, Signal will offer you to use it as the default application for sending SMS and MMS. Initially, they were transmitted in encrypted form. The recipient party was personally given the key, which made it possible to read the messages. An outside observer, the same mobile operator, saw only an incomprehensible set of characters instead of text. But now this function does not work. After all, even with this implementation, the operator receives information about who with whom and how often they correspond. And to implement this idea, a child application Silence was created in Signal. It just provides SMS and MMS encryption.

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How to work with Signal?

The messenger can be installed on a smartphone or tablet running Android or iOS. There are also clients for personal computers, both for Windows and for macOS with Linux (in DEB format). During registration, you just need to indicate your phone number. The service is completely free.

Download Signal for iPhone, iPad, Android, macOS, Windows and Linux

After completing the usual messenger installation and registration procedures, you will be prompted to create a PIN code to encrypt messages. This code does not need to be entered constantly, but with its help it will be possible to restore data, including contacts, if the application is reinstalled. If you forget your PIN, you will lose access to information, Signal will not help you.

It will not work when registering on another device, just install the messenger on your computer and enter your phone number there. You need a phone with Signal already installed. The camera will need to read the QR code generated by the new device. In total, the messenger can be simultaneously installed on five devices associated with one phone number. This limitation is directly in line with the safety rules. Also, you will not be able to use one account simultaneously on two mobile devices.

During the initial setup, Signal will scan your phone book, showing which of your acquaintances also uses this messenger. But you can refuse this procedure if you do not want to give the application access to contacts. But later in Signal you will have to enter the numbers of the interlocutors manually – this is the price for the confidentiality of the telephone directory.

After Signal is installed, you can use this messenger in the same way as other similar products.

See also:

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How to set a password of any length in Windows 10 (even one character)

21/01/2021 by ALOK DAS

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For your safety, Microsoft requires a minimum password length and complexity for all of its accounts. If you need to protect all local accounts as well, you can set requirements for a minimum password length for all users in Windows 10. Here’s how you can do it.

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By default, when creating a new local user account in Windows 10, you do not need to enter a password. However, if you want to set a minimum password length for users, there are several ways to organize this security measure on your computer.

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How to set minimum password length using command line

First, you need to launch an elevated Command Prompt window. If you prefer to work with PowerShell, then you can use this shell as well. The following command will run almost the same in any environment, but if you want to do it in PowerShell, be sure to run it with the parameter “Run as administrator”…

Enter in the system search bar “Cmd” or “command line”then right click on the result “Command line” and select “Run as administrator”…

At the command prompt, enter the following command (replacing the parameter X for the minimum password length you want to set):

Net accounts / minpwlen: X

Press the key “Enter”and you will see a prompt indicating that the command completed successfully.

Note… While you can technically set the password to be between 1 and 20 characters long, try choosing an option for sufficient security so that it does not prevent users from remembering their passwords. Hardly anyone will be delighted to have to come up with and remember an 18-character password.

Now, if you want to make sure the settings are applied, enter the following command and press the key “Enter” for check:

Net accounts

To reset the minimum password length, enter the following command. It will make it optional to enter passwords for local accounts:

Net accounts /minpwlen: 0

And to make your accounts even more secure, we can advise you to set a maximum password age, which forces users to generate a new password after a certain time.

ON THIS TOPIC: How to speed up your Windows 10, 8, 7 PC: 20 tips.

How to Set a Minimum Password Length Using Group Policy for Professional and Enterprise Users

For those who don’t want to mess around with the command line or prefer to work with a graphical interface, Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise versions give you the option to use the Local Group Policy Editor. It’s quite a powerful tool, so if you’ve never used it before, it’s worth spending some time exploring its capabilities.

And if you are on a corporate network, it is best to consult with your system administrator first. If the work computer is part of a domain, it is likely that it is affected by the Domain General Group Policy, which will override Local Group Policy anyway.

To get started, launch the Group Policy Editor by pressing Windows + R and typing gpedit.msc in the input field. Now press the key “Enter”…

Follow the path Computer configuration → Windows configuration → Security options → Account Policies → Password policy.

In this section, find the parameter “Minimum password length” and double click on it.

In the properties menu that opens, enter the minimum password length that you want to set on your computer and click OK after finishing editing the parameter.

If you enable this policy setting, passwords must meet the following criteria:

not contain the user account name or part of the full user name that exceeds two consecutive characters.
be at least six characters long.
contain characters from any of the following three categories:

1. Latin capital letters (from A to Z).

2. Latin lowercase letters (from a to z).

3. The main 10 digits (from 0 to 9).

4. Non-alphabetic characters (eg!, $, #,%).

Double click on the parameter “Password must meet complexity requirements”to open its properties menu.

In the window that appears, click on the switch next to “Switched on” and then the button OK…

That’s all you need to do. You can now close the Group Policy Editor. Changes made to this policy take effect immediately and do not require you to restart your device.

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How to change password in Windows 10

After setting the minimum password value, you can start changing the password itself.

Open up Windows settings… and go to section Accounts…

Select menu Login options, and then Password and press the button Edit…

Enter a new password according to the set length.

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How to create an icon for shutting down / restarting a computer in Windows

19/01/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Shutting down your Windows computer is pretty quick – in Windows 10 it only takes three clicks. But why do unnecessary actions every day, because you can simplify them a little. All you have to do is create a shortcut to turn off your computer. Thus, you will be able to save your time.

♥ BY TOPIC: Poll: What version of Windows did your first computer run on?

How to create a computer shutdown icon

To create a shutdown icon, right click on the desktop, hover over the menu “Create” and select “Label”…

A menu will appear “Create shortcut”… In a text box “Specify the location of the object” enter the following command and press “Further”:

shutdown.exe /s /t 00

In the next window, enter a name for the new shortcut if necessary. By default, the word Shutdown will be substituted, but you can choose another.

Now press “Done” to complete the shortcut creation process.

A new shutdown icon will appear on the desktop.

Now, when you double-click on the icon, your computer shuts down instantly.

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How to change the image on the label

By default, the resulting icon looks plain. The fix is simple enough.

Right click on the shortcut and select “Properties”…

Go to the tab “Label” and click on the button Change Icon…

In the pop-up that appears, click OK…

Select the appropriate icon and click OK.

Click on “Apply”…

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Other useful shortcuts

The steps are similar to those already discussed, only you must enter different commands for each shortcut.

So again, just right click on your desktop, hover over “Create” and select “Label”… Then enter any of the commands below to create any other shortcuts you need.

Reboot

Shutdown.exe /r /t 00

Go to sleep

rundll32.exe powrprof.dll, SetSuspendState 0,1,0

Entering hibernation mode

rundll32.exe PowrProf.dll, SetSuspendState

Lock your PC

Rundll32.exe User32.dll, LockWorkStation

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Poll: What version of Windows did your first computer run on?

16/01/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Despite the fact that most of our readers, as well as editorial staff, prefer to use computers running macOS from Apple, many of us nevertheless began our computer self-study with Windows, the most memorable stages of the evolution of which we decided to mention in this material.

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Taking into account the statistics by age categories of Yablyk visitors and taking into account the different experience of working with computers, we can safely assume that among us there are oldfags who found the very first versions of Windows even before the separation of this graphical add-on from the MS-DOS kernel, and novice users , for which problems like a “blue screen of death” or a freezing task manager with a probability of 99.9% are nothing more than tales from the dark Middle Ages.

So, in a nutshell, we will mention the most memorable versions of Windows, and at the end we will determine which of them became the starting point for most readers on the path to knowledge of information technology.

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Windows 1, 2, 3

2020 marks the 35th anniversary of the release of the first Windows graphical shell, which allowed MS-DOS users to communicate with their computer using a pointer rather than text operators on the command line.

In our editorial office there are no people who had the pleasure of using such vintage software, but knowledgeable people say that it took Microsoft 5 years to make a really competitive Windows 3.0 product out of an unsuitable Windows 1.0, which fully justified the name “Windows”.

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Windows 95

It was this system that became the basis for most citizens of the countries of the former USSR, when in the late 90s the first affordable PCs under its control appeared on the market. And, despite the large number of fond memories of those times, the most memorable “function” of the system was the aforementioned “blue screen of death”, which so often ended the most exciting gaming sessions for novice gamers.

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Windows 98/2000 / ME

Both subsequent operating systems were based on Windows 95 and did not differ too radically from it, and for users of Windows 98, the ability to reinstall a system that was dying or began to lag wildly after several months of active use became literally a necessary skill. Then Microsoft solved this problem not by getting rid of the OS from bugs, but by introducing the ability to create backups in Windows ME.

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Windows XP

The light at the end of the tunnel not only dawned, but in full force hit the eyes of happy users in 2001, when Microsoft released one of its best creations – the Windows XP operating system, which remained the most popular in the world until 2012. Users not only willingly switched to XP from earlier versions, but also rolled back to it for a long time on new computers where, under pressure from Microsoft, they installed “factory” new items like Windows Vista. Having rummaged in the most distant drawers and closets, many of us can find the coveted disk with pirated Windows XP, and even with the third service pack or some kind of roll-up like Zver-Edition.

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Windows Vista

All large companies have failures, and one of the main skills of good leadership is the ability to forget failures and move forward. However, the people running Microsoft Corporation have tried to convince themselves and others that the misunderstanding called Windows Vista can be exploited. Nevertheless, this product turned out to be so unsuccessful that neither an advertising company, nor improved contracts with hardware manufacturers, nor any other means of resurrecting stillborn software could revive it.

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Windows 7

Thanks to the success of Windows Vista, the “7” released in 2009 was met with great skepticism by users, especially since there were plenty of bugs and shortcomings in its first version. However, over time, the public tasted the novelty, and suddenly it turned out that Windows 7 is not just a worthy, very functional and graphically pleasing continuation of Windows XP. Actually, many users still work on devices running this OS.

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Windows 8

Continuing the binary success / failure cycle, in 2012 Microsoft rolled out Windows 8, whose interface was designed specifically for touchscreen devices. Contrary to the company’s analysts’ forecasts, hybrid PCs and tablets did not oust traditional laptops and desktops from the market, and Windows 8 itself, even with the subsequent mega-update to 8.1, was not needed by anyone.

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Windows 10

Back from the world of dreams and fantasies, in 2015 Microsoft returned the interface for users of mice and touchpads, and also returned to its place the “Start” button, which was removed in Windows 8. According to the expert’s forecasts, the company does not plan to release a radically new operating system in the near future, but will focus on updating the top ten, especially since, according to the cycle mentioned above, the next major failure has come.

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Poll: What version of Windows did your first computer run?

Please take part in our vote:

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VK Messenger: Vkontakte (VK) program for Windows, Mac, Linux computer

10/01/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Perhaps you did not know, but the Vkontakte social network has its own application for Mac, Windows and Linux – VK Messenger… The creators position their program as exclusively “messenger … for fast and convenient communication of people around the world.”

♥ BY TOPIC: How to download a video from VK (VKontakte) to an iPhone or iPad and watch without the Internet.

Application design VK Messenger as much as possible identical to the section Messenger in the new interface of the web version, which is a definite plus.

The VK Messenger interface is two-panel. All correspondence is displayed in the left side menu, and the main window on the right. Unfortunately, there is no contact section. You have to either use the search, or scroll through the list manually, which is somewhat inconvenient, with a large number of friends.

There are no questions about the work area, since this is a fully functional copy of the web interface with all, even the smallest, but no less important perks like search, marking important messages (there is a separate list), emoticons, and so on.

There is support for group conversations, sending photos, documents, audio messages.

As well as video and audio calls.

If you refer to the profile information of the interlocutor, then there you can make an audio or video call, turn off notifications or use the search for all sent and received images, video, audio recordings and documents, which is also convenient.

The developers have not forgotten about the ability to respond via system notifications. Incredibly handy thing.

In the program settings, you can set a dark theme:

Among other parameters in the settings, one should highlight the ability to change contact information, password, language, clear the cache (a rather useful option that developers often forget about for some reason and already have to wander through countless system folders to clean the client from garbage), set up notifications, maintain
“Black list” of users.

VK Messenger is a fairly stable client and can satisfy almost all user needs. And most importantly, it’s free.

Download VK Messenger for macOS, Windows and Linux (official site of the developers)

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Hidden folders and files in Windows 10: how to hide (show) photos, videos, documents, drives

01/01/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Most operating systems do not consider it necessary to show all files to their users, for the sake of their safety at least. In Windows, you can also hide not only files, but also folders, and even entire disks. This trick is regularly used by advanced users. If initially the function was a systemic function to protect service files from accidental deletion, now this way confidentiality is ensured: often you need to hide certain information from other users.

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How to make a file or folder hidden in Windows

Using the “Explorer” menu

Open up “Conductor” Windows and select all files and folders you want to hide. Click the button Hide Selected Itemsto hide them.

The hidden file icons will become dimmer.

To return to the previous mode of displaying these elements, use the same button again.

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Using the Folder Options menu

This method worked in Windows 8.1 and earlier versions of the operating system. Open up “Conductor”, but this time right click on any folder where you want to hide files and folders.

We need a parameter “Properties”…

In the tab “Are common” you will find the attribute “Hidden”… Activate it to hide the selected folder with files in it.

Repeat the same process and uncheck this box to show the hidden file folders you previously selected.

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How to hide (show) a hidden folder or file in Windows

Using the “Explorer” menu

Open up “Conductor”… In the tab “View” you can find the checkbox “Hidden Elements”… Activate this box and you will be able to see all hidden files and folders inside the directory you are in.

This menu was added in the Windows 10 version of the program. Previously, you had to go to the properties of folders in order to give permission to display the files and folders hidden in them. When you finish working with the desired catalog, simply uncheck the box and the hidden elements will disappear again.

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Using the Control Panel

If for some reason the above method doesn’t work for you, there is another way. Press the keys Win + Sto open the search menu, search for “Control Panel” and open it.

In the search box already “Control panels” find “Conductor”…

You will see the item “Explorer Options”…

In the tab “View” activate the required option “Show hidden files, folders and drives” or “Do not show hidden files, folders and drives”… Click on “Apply” and OK…

It is important to understand that this is a universal setting, meaning the ability to show or hide hidden files, folders and drives everywhere, not just in the folder that you are viewing. If you want to perform specific actions on a specific folder, then follow the first method.

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Using the registry

We do not recommend using this option until you try the others. It is worth resorting to working with the registry if other options do not work. In order to find and open the registry editor press the key combination Win + Rto open the window “Run”, then enter the command regedit and press “Enter” to launch the application.

Now navigate to the specified registry key:

Computer HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Explorer Advanced

Double click on the parameter Hidden in the right window pane and set the value oneto show hidden files, folders and drives, or 2to hide them.

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How to reliably hide a specific file or folder so that they cannot be seen using the usual (above) methods

Make a note of the path to the file you want to hide in the first place. You can copy it from the explorer search bar.

Now run the CMD application (command line) with administrator rights

and enter a command like this:

attrib C:Users<имя пользователя>PicturesDownloadsfilename.png +s +h

In our case, we got the command:

attrib C:UsersYablykDocumentsSecret +s +h

Note: This method does not support Cyrillic characters, which means that the file or folder must have a name consisting of Latin letters or numbers without spaces.

Be sure to change the username to the name from your computer and the further part of the path up to filename.png to the path to the file you need with its correct extension.

Attribute + s will tell the operating system that this is a system file that needs to be protected, and + h will tell the file to be hidden forever.

You can use this same command to hide the folder. And to display the file or folder again, use the minus sign (-s -h).

attrib C:UsersYablykDocumentsSecret -s -h

We suggest that you first practice on a temporary file, because you clearly do not want to lose access to an important file / folder.

♥ BY TOPIC: 32- or 64-bit Windows: What’s the Difference and Which System Should I Install?

How to hide an entire drive in Windows

You can hide the entire drive using Registry Editor. This cannot be done in the control panel or in the folder options menu.

Open Registry Editor and navigate to the specified registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Policies Explorer

Click on the blank space on the right and select Create a → Parameter DWORD (32 bits)…

Give the parameter a name NoDrives, save it, and then double-click it to edit it.

In section Calculus system select an option Decimal… And as The values enter the number of the disc you want to hide. You may ask how to find the disk number, because it is usually represented in the form of an alphabet letter, C or D?

This can actually be done quite easily. Letter A is 1, B is 2, C is 4, D is 8, and so on. Each letter has twice the number of the previous letter. It is easy to guess that drive E will correspond to the number 16. This number must be entered as the value of the specified registry parameter.

To map the drive (s) again, simply delete the NoDrives entry you created above.

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Third party applications

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How to find a forgotten Wi-Fi password on a Windows computer: 4 ways

22/12/2020 by ALOK DAS

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♥ BY TOPIC: How to format (erase) a USB flash drive (SSD, HDD) on Windows or Mac (macOS).

How to find the password for the currently connected Wi-Fi network on a Windows computer

If your computer is currently already working on the desired network, the password for which is required to be learned, then this will not be difficult.

On the taskbar, find the network icon. It is usually found on the right side of the tray, next to the volume control, clock and language switch.

Right click on this item and select “Open Network & Internet Settings“.

In section “condition“Select”Configuring adapter parameters“. You can get there by entering the command ncpa…cpl in the window “Execute“(Called by pressing the combination Win + R).

Highlight the current wireless connection.

Right-click on it and select “Condition”…

In the middle of the window that opens, click on the “Wireless properties“.

In the new window, go to the “Safety“, Where the desired Wi-Fi password will be hidden. One has only to check the box for the option “Display entered characters”to display the password as text instead of black circles.

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How to find out the password for the Wi-Fi network to which the computer was previously connected

It may well happen that your computer is currently working on a different network. But you need to reveal the password from the network on which it worked earlier. This can also be done relatively easily, but in this case you have to use the command line.

To launch it, enter the query in the Windows search bar “Command line”. In the search results, right-click on the item “Command line” and select “Run as administrator”…

In the opened Command line enter the command:

netsh wlan show profiles

and press “Enter”…

Now enter a new command with your information in it. It might look like this:

netsh wlan show profile name=Yablyk-Public key=clear

Instead “Yablyk-Public” substitute the name of your Wi-Fi network. In the given information, we need the field “Key content“. It is the password we need.

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How to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network in a router (modem)

And then enter the login and password for your router. This data is usually set during device setup, and the factory settings are often indicated on a sticker on the bottom of the router. Quite often, the following pairs are used as the default login and password:

Login: admin
Password: admin

Login: admin
Password: 1234

Login: root
Password: 1234

Most router menus have roughly the same logic. We need to find the security settings of the wireless network. In this section, the password for connecting to it will be indicated, and in clear form.

Problems in this option will appear only if you lose the password to the router. In this case, you will have to reset it to factory settings, which will automatically reset the password from the Wi-Fi network.

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How to find out the password from Wi-Fi using the free WirelessKeyView program

WKey4567#

application WirelessKeyView does not require installation.

There are programs with similar functionality for detecting passwords for Android. But these applications will require root privileges for full system access.

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How to unlink (deauthorize) a Mac (Windows) computer from an Apple ID

15/12/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Most users of apple technology have to deal with the program iTunes (now on Mac, the Music app and Finder do it.) It is designed not only for flashing iPhone and iPad, but also for storing a media library, making purchases, listening to music, creating backups, etc.

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If you have one or two computers, there is nothing to worry about. However, if you often have to change work PCs or like to access Apple services (for example, Apple Music) from different places, sooner or later you will have to figure out how to authorize and deauthorize work machines.

The fact is that Apple allows users to connect to one account no more than five computers… This means that you can “link” several computers to your account, through which you can access all data from the iTunes Store cloud with downloaded applications, purchased music, as well as Apple Music.

The computer will be authorized during the first actions with the Apple ID account. This can be playing music “from the cloud”, purchasing an application, etc.

Please note that if you have several installed operating systems on your computer, you will need to “bind” the PC in each of them.

Apple started all of this as part of its anti-piracy program. If the system monitors computers strictly, then with mobile devices everything is not so strict. This is where the general Apple ID accounts and the purchase of applications for one account went.

When the limit of five computers is exhausted and you try to “link” the sixth to your account, you will be prompted to “unlink” one of the previously activated ones (for this you need to go to iTunes (Music applications on Mac) from it) or reset all computers at once. This is convenient if you are logged into a friend’s PC, to whom you need to go, or one of the “tied” PCs is sold or there is no access to it. Together with them, your home or work computer will also be unlinked from the Apple ID.

How to bind (authorize) or unbind (deauthorize) a computer?

Linking your Mac or Windows computer to your Apple ID isn’t difficult. To do this, go to the Music application on Mac (iTunes on Windows) and select “Authorization “ → “Authorize this computer … “ from the menu “Account”… Please note that the line with menu items has recently been hidden for Windows PC, to display it, press “Alt”.

To unlink the computer from the account, select “Deauthorize this computer … “ from the same menu “Account”…

To untie all computers at once you need to log in to the Music (iTunes) application through the section Account and then go to the menu View…

Then you should press the button “Deauthorize All “, then the required computers must be authorized again. Please note that this procedure can be performed no more than once a year. These terms are set out in Apple’s user agreement. Deactivating all PCs it is advisable to do it as a last resort. For example, if a sold or lost computer remains tied, or you need to untie a PC on which the OS was reinstalled.

You can also re-authorize within a year. However, this will have to be done through contacting Apple Support.

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Update error 0x80240fff Windows 10: how to fix (5 ways)

03/12/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Any Windows user knows how important it is to install system updates on time. But hundreds of people constantly working with Windows 10 have recently faced the annoying error 0x80240fff. It occurs just when trying to update the system. Moreover, this error not only prevents the installation of subsequent patches, but also prevents daily tasks from being performed.

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Microsoft itself believes that Windows 10 update error code 0x80240fff may be associated with overlapping product and series names. For example, when a user in System Center Updates Publisher (SCUP) creates a product named “Tools,” this could cause a problem. This confuses the computer when evaluating categories, since you now have a product called Tools and an upgrade classification called Tools. As a result, Windows 10 gives the bewildered user error 0x80240fff.

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Why does update error 0x80240fff occur in Windows 10?

There are several unclear reasons for this error at once. But the main sources of the problem can be cited as: poor internet connection, interference from the firewall, corrupted Windows update files, or an error in Windows system files.

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Best ways to fix error 0x80240fff Windows 10

We suggest you use several methods to fix update error 0x80240fff in Windows 10.

Run Windows Troubleshooter

To resolve well-defined problems: Internet connection, network adapter functionality, errors with Windows update, run the tool “Troubleshooting for System Update“.

1. Press the menu Start and go to Options…

2. In the section “Update and security“Select”Troubleshooting»On the left panel.

3. In the right pane, click on “Update centre Windows“, and then – “Run the troubleshooter“.

4. If there are any problems with the system, the Windows tool will automatically detect and fix them.

This can help you solve general technical problems with the system, as well as problems with its updates.

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Restart Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)

Follow the instructions below to restart the service:

1. Launch a window “Run”, for this press Windows + R… Enter services.msc and press Input…

2. Find “Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)“, Click on it with the right mouse button to go to its properties.

3. On the “Are common” pay attention to “Launch type“. Make sure the option “Automatic (delayed start)“. If there is another option, change it to the one you need and click on the button “Apply“.

4. On the services tab, check that this service is running. If it is stopped, then press the button Run…

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Disable VPN software

Some Windows users were able to fix update error 0x80240fff simply by disabling the VPN solution. Therefore, if you are using any VPN software on your PC, try disabling it and checking for updates. There is a high chance that this will fix your problem without any hassle.

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Reset Windows Update Service Settings

In most cases, it was resetting some Windows Update service settings that helped users solve similar system problems. Therefore, it is worth trying to fix this update error in the same way.

To check if this is the right solution for you, follow these steps. Perhaps this will help resolve update error 0x80240fff.

1. Run a command prompt on your system as an administrator.

2. Then stop the following processes one by one: MSI Installer, Windows Update Service, BITS, Cryptography. This can be done by running the commands given below:

net stop msiserver

net stop wuauserv

net stop bits

net stop cryptSvc

Don’t forget to press Input (Enter) after entering each line with the command.

3. Next, you need to rename or delete folders Catroot2 (C: Windows System32 catroot2) and Software Distribution (C: Windows SoftwareDistribution).

This can be done manually or using the commands below:

ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old

4. After that, run the MSI installer and other services again to see if these steps resolve the Windows 10 update error 0x80240fff. Now start the services again by running the following commands:

net start msiserver

net start wuauserv

net start bits

net start cryptSvc

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Disable firewall

In some cases, security systems prevent Windows from updating, which leads to an error message with the code 0x80240fff… Disabling security solutions or firewalls temporarily is not harmful in and of itself. It is likely that this is the easiest and at the same time the fastest way to solve your problem.

To disable Windows Firewall open up Options and go to section Update and security…

Open the tab Windows Security in the column to the left. On the right side of the screen, select Firewall and network protection…

Open one by one active Firewall parameters (Domain network, Private network and Public network) and disable them.

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Missing battery icon on Windows 10 laptop: how to recover?

01/12/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Imagine opening your laptop, logging in, but missing the battery icon in its usual place on the taskbar. This can be unpleasantly surprising and even shocking – how do you know how much charge is left in the battery and when the laptop turns off? Users try to find the battery icon among the items hidden in the taskbar, but they will not be able to find anything there, except for some other useful icons.

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Windows 10 usually displays a battery icon in the notification bar (next to the date and time) when using a laptop or tablet.

If, when you log in on your portable device, you do not find the desired battery icon on the taskbar, then check the bar with hidden items. With a high probability, the loss will be found there. If so, just drag the battery icon to the notification bar.

But if you did not find the desired element among the hidden ones, then our instructions will help you return it to the right place. Follow the steps outlined to get the missing battery icon.

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar Options… You can also follow the path Settings → Personalization → Taskbar.

2. Scroll down the window and under “Notification area” click Turn system icons on or off…

3. Find the icon in the list Food and if it is off, activate it. The item will now appear on the taskbar again.

If the power icon is grayed out, then the problem is a lack of battery in your laptop or computer. Don’t look for the battery icon on the taskbar if your device doesn’t have a battery.

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Remove and reinstall the Battery device to resolve the issue with its missing icon

If you have followed all of the above steps and the battery icon does not appear, try removing and re-adding the hardware as a battery in Windows Device Manager by following these steps:

1. Press the key combination Win + X to open the shortcut menu and select “Device Manager” there.

2.In “Device Manager” select the dropdown section “Batteries” and there find two other elements:

AC adapter (Microsoft) and ACPI Compliant Battery…

3. Right-click on “AC adapter (Microsoft);»And select “Disable device”…

4. A pop-up warning will appear prompting you to disconnect the device, select “Yes”…

5. Now you need to repeat the above steps 3 and 4 to disable “Battery with ACPI-compatibility“…

6. Now you need to re-enable the devices. Right click on each one and select “Enable device”…

7. Restart the laptop and the battery icon should appear on the notification taskbar.

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Updating the motherboard driver

According to the advice of experts, if the laptop is out of date, you need to check and update the motherboard drivers. The most important of these is the motherboard chipset driver. After updating it, the missing battery icon may appear in Windows 10. If you are new to Windows 10 or not a technician, you can download and update any outdated drivers using dedicated software.

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Check Windows Updates

You should check for Windows updates regularly. As we all know, new Windows patches are coming out to fix and fix bugs, improve security and performance. To check for the latest Windows updates:

1. Click on Start or the Windows icon at the far left of the screen, go to “Parameters”…

2. Go to menu Update and Security…

3. Click Check for Updates…

All these steps can help you find the missing battery icon in Windows 10. If we missed some troubleshooting option, then feel free to tell us about it in the comments.

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How to restart Google Chrome on Windows or Mac with one touch if the program is frozen

30/11/2020 by ALOK DAS

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The Google Chrome browser is used everywhere, and therefore everyone is well aware of the problems that occur with it. In particular, it happens to freeze thoroughly at the most inopportune moment, which requires an immediate reboot. Below we will tell you how to quickly and painlessly cope with such difficulties.

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Google Chrome, in addition to its advantages, is also known for how quickly it manages to fill up all the RAM. The processor instantly boots to capacity, and the computer starts to slow down terribly and throw notifications to the user asking for help. You can cope with the problem by simply reloading the application. That is, by closing and reopening the browser, as usual, users do. But there is another way to quickly close and restore the program.

It differs from the first in the speed of the operation. This method is not known to everyone, although it is much simpler than a manual reset. So, in order to update the operation of the frozen browser, you can enter the command in the address bar chrome: // restart… For more convenience, it can be saved as a bookmark and used in critical cases. And you can do it like this:

1… Create a bookmark for any random page;

2. Click on it with the right mouse button and click on the button “Edit“;

3. In the line that appears with the URL subtitle, copy the command chrome: // restart, and in the field “Name»Enter any convenient word, in our case Restart…

It is only important not to forget that when you restart the browser, all data entered in the open tabs may disappear. Therefore, before rebooting, it is advisable to make sure that as a result of the operation, any important unsent comment or message will not be lost.

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Windows “con” folder: why can’t I create a directory with this name?

23/11/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Not everyone likes the Windows operating system. How else to explain such a large number of macOS and Linux users? There are a lot of awkward and sometimes even strange things in Window. For example, in this system, for some reason, you cannot create a folder named “con”.

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Why you can’t create the “con” folder in Windows – a legend

For some reason, Windows is still associated with Bill Gates, attributing to him all the main shortcomings of the system. But the founder of the company has long since retired from its management, doing mainly charity work. Today Bill Gates is considered to be one of the richest man in the world. But once upon a time no one could predict the future guru of the IT world in a strange boy. Even then, Gates singled out mathematics for himself, while ignoring other subjects that were not interesting to him. Peers laughed and frankly mocked the eccentric classmate, giving him the nickname “con”. In teenage slang, it means “nerd” or simply “nerd”.

It often happens in life that such persecution by schoolchildren motivates young people to gain independence earlier and strive to obtain a certain status. Thus, a person wants to prove to the whole world that he is wrong about himself. Perhaps it was the resentment against his peers that led to the fact that Gates forbade the creation of a folder in Windows with the word he hated. True, this version is still dubious. Bill Gates proved to everyone by his destiny that the “nerd” has become a successful and wealthy man, whose success story is studied in business schools around the world.

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Why does Windows actually prevent the creation of the “con” folder?

To find the answer to this strange question, it is worth looking at the history of Microsoft. Its operating system MS-DOS was released in 1981. The final development of the product ended in 2000, by that time 8 versions of the operating system had already been released. At that time, MS-DOS was the main product of the company, making it one of the leaders in the growing IT market. Gradually, Microsoft from a small company turned into a huge corporation.

And then in MS-DOS the word “con” was given important functionality – the name was a service name and was reserved by the system for input and output devices. In modern versions of Windows, the name “con” is considered the system name from the previous memory. I must say that it is not the only one of the same kind. You cannot call directories with the words nul, aux, prn and some other similar words. At one time these names were also allocated by MS-DOS for their functions. For example, the word nul for the system is “nothing”, a kind of “black hole”. So it is obvious that the problem with creating the “con” folder in Windows is not a personal motive (although that would be a beautiful story), but banal historical limitations of the system.

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DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL error on Windows 7, 8, 10: how to fix

19/11/2020 by ALOK DAS

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The Blue Screen of Death, or BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death), is an error displayed on a computer screen when something fatal has happened to it. If Windows 10 displays a solid blue background with an error message Stop Code: DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL, then this may indicate a problem with the system drivers.

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Errors like this can be especially frustrating when you’re doing something important. It’s good that the computer does not have to be carried for repair, but you can try to fix the problem yourself. But, before proceeding with the fixes, you must understand the causes of the DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL error.

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Why does the error “Stop code: DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL” appear?

As stated above, the main cause of the Blue Screen of Death error is faulty drivers. These system programs are programmed to access the wrong hardware addresses. But the problem is not limited to faulty drivers, there are other reasons leading to the “blue screen of death”. What are we talking about?

Other causes leading to DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL or BSOD error include improper installation of software, device drivers, corrupted system files, faulty hardware, outdated Windows system, etc.

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How to fix “Stop Code: DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL” error in Windows?

There are many ways to fix this Blue Screen of Death error. The first and foremost step is to fix the problem by updating outdated, incorrect and faulty drivers. To do this, you need to install updated or new drivers for your system. This can be done quickly with manual manipulation of system settings or with an efficient tool such as Advanced Driver Updater. It will help you fix performance problems on your system caused by outdated drivers.

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Manual ways to update system drivers to fix IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL error

Since the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error means there is something wrong with any of your system drivers, device memory or antivirus software on your device. Here’s a way you can try:

Check for Windows Updates

To check for the latest Windows updates, follow these steps:

1. Go to the menu Start -> Settings -> Update & Security…

2. In the section “Update and security»Select Windows Update -> Check for Updates…

3. After completing the process, reboot the system to apply the updates.

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Use Device Manager to remove outdated drivers

It is always best to fix the root of the problem, and in our case, you will need to remove the outdated and corrupted drivers to fix the IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL error in Windows 10. In most cases, outdated and unknown drivers will be marked with a yellow icon in front of them. So, here’s how to fix the driver problem:

1. Click Win + Rto open the window “Run”…

2. Enter devmgmt.msc and click OK. Will appear on the tap “Device Manager”…

3. Locate the faulty driver, then right-click on the device name and select Uninstall device.

Now restart your computer and your problem should probably be solved.

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Fix “Stop Code: DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL” using Advanced Driver Updater

1. Download Advanced Driver Updater, install and run it.

2. On the home screen, you will see if your system drivers are up to date or out of date.

3. If the drivers are considered outdated, you need to update them. To do this, press the button “Start Scanning” in the tab “Condition”…

4. The driver scan will start.

5. After scanning is complete, you can click “Refresh All”to update any outdated drivers.

6. After the process is complete, you need to restart your computer to apply the required changes. You can search for outdated drivers again using the above process. This will most likely solve the problem in the end.

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Fix “Stop Code: DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL” error using System Restore

In addition to updating your drivers, you can also fix the Stop Code: DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL error in Windows 10 by performing System Restore. This is the last option in which the user can fix an error with such a code with a few simple steps. To do this, press Win + R and open the “Run” window and enter rstrui.exe there, and then click OK. Now click “Next” and select the restore point created before installation. Click on the Next button again to restore the system to the state of the selected date and time. Follow the further instructions to complete the recovery process. Restart your computer and check if the problem is resolved or not.

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Which option helped you fix the Stop Code: DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL?

Updating device drivers is one of the best ways to fix Blue Screen of Death and errors like IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL. This error is quite common on Windows, and we have listed the best possible fixes in our step-by-step guide. Did this article help you? Maybe you know some other ways to fix such errors? Share your experiences and thoughts with us in the comments.

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Error 0x80070002 in Windows: how to fix it? (5 ways)

05/11/2020 by ALOK DAS

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This common problem is encountered by many Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. This is an error code 0x80070002, which indicates that the required files are missing or damaged when downloading an update that was successfully installed. Yes, it doesn’t sound logical, but it’s Windows.

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When you work on your computer and think that everything is fine, an error message with the code 0x80070002 may suddenly appear on the screen. Let’s try to figure out the best way to fix this problem in Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7.

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Method 1. Troubleshoot Windows Update to get rid of error 0x80070002

1. Press the Windows key + R key combination to open the window “Run”…

2.Now type Control in the search box and press Enter to open “Control Panel”… For convenience, change the view mode via View → Large Icons…

3. Click on the icon “Troubleshooting”…

4. Now in the section “System and safety” click on item “Troubleshoot with Windows Update”located on the right side of the window.

5. A new window will appear on the screen with the title Windows Update… Press on “Further”…

6. The process of detecting the problem will start, which will help to resolve the error 0x80070002.

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Method 2. Correcting the system date and time to fix error 0x80070002 in Windows

1. Press the Windows key + R key combination to open the window “Run”…

2. Now enter Control in the search box and click Input, to open “Control Panel”.

3. Click on Regional Standards → Date and Time or directly to “Date and time”if this item is on the list.

4. Change the date and time according to your region and time zone.

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Method 3. Changes in the registry editor to fix error 0x80070002

1. Press the Windows key + R key combination to open the window “Run”… In the field enter Regedit…

2. Now follow the path exactly as shown below:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion WindowsUpdate

3. Find the section OSUpgrade… If it is missing, then right-click on WindowsUpdate and click Create → Section and give it the name OSUpgrade.

4. In this section, on the right side of the window, there is an empty space under the key named “Default”as shown in the screenshot.

5. Right-click on an empty space and select Create -> Parameter DWORD (32 bits)…

6. Now give the created element a name AllowOSUpgrade…

7. Click on it with the right mouse button and select “Change”…

8. A new pop-up window will appear, where in the field “Value” you must enter the number 1.

9. Press the button OK and reboot the system. So using this method you can fix error 0x80070002 in Windows 10.

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Method 4. Eliminating error 0x80070002 using the command line

1. Enter “command line” in the search box located in the corner of the toolbar.

2. Run the application as administrator.

3. Now enter the following command chkdsk / r and press Enter. This command will check the system drive.

4. After completing the process, you will be prompted to enter Y and N…

5. Click Yto restart the system.

6.With this method, error 0x80070002 in Windows 10 can also be identified and fixed.

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Method 5. Run dism.exe to deal with error 0x80070002 in Windows

1. Start the command line again following the previous method.

2. Now in the black window enter the following command

dism.exe / Online / Cleanup-Image / Restorehealth

Reboot your system and check if this solution fixed error 0x80070002 or not.

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Conclusion

Hopefully, with the help of some of the suggested solutions, you managed to get rid of the annoying error code 0x80070002 in Windows 10. Remember that this code is usually related to updating Windows. Pay attention to the following points that must be considered before updating the system:

First of all, back up your data.
Always remember your Microsoft account and product key.
There must be enough disk space.
Don’t forget to create a recovery disc.

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How to quickly open two windows of one application on iPad in iPadOS

02/11/2020 by ALOK DAS

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You probably already know about the ability in iPadOS to use multiple windows for one application. Surely you have already realized that creating a new window is not so easy. You will need to open the application, slide the Dock up from the bottom of the screen, touch the application icon again, and then click on the small icon “+” in the upper right corner. But did you know that iPadOS has an easier way to open two windows of the same app?

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You can simply drag the item you want to the edge of the screen and leave it there for later opening in a new Split View window. Let’s see how it will look.

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What can be dragged to a new window on iPad

First, let’s take a look at a partial list of what you can drag and drop to a new window in iPadOS:

Files;
Folders;
Links;
Locations;
E-mail addresses;
PDF.

These are just a few general examples, but there are others. In fact, almost any element can be dragged into a new window. All you have to do is tap and briefly hold a file, link, image, etc., and then drag. An object will appear that can be moved in some direction. But on the way it can be “dropped” in the right place. For example, this will allow you to add a URL to the Notes application. This operation became available starting with iOS 11.

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How to quickly open two windows of one application on iPad in iPadOS

If you drag an object to the edge of the screen, the split screen / multitasking animation starts. The application window that opens will depend on the type of element being dragged. For example, you can read yablyk.com without leaving the site by dragging a link to the edge of the screen to open another article in Safari.

The dragged email address will open the Mail window, and so on. Dragging and dropping a PDF attachment from an email, on the other hand, can open a window of the PDF-bound application.

And in the same way, when dragging an application window into multitasking mode, you can choose how to delete the new window: either in split view or in slide mode. This is how it might look in action. First, the letter is dragged from the mailbox to open in a new Split View window.

Next, you need to drag the PDF (PHP) attachment from that email to another new window that will open the Documents application.

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Overall, this feature works almost perfectly. Apple has provided users with a fantastic way to open windows. It can be called the best without a doubt as it is very fast and intuitive. Try it!

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Is there a Delete key (like in Windows) on Mac (macOS), or how Backspace works on Apple keyboards

31/10/2020 by ALOK DAS

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For many years of Windows hegemony in the desktop operating system market, most users have developed a strong immunity to the development of new interfaces, devices and control systems. In this regard, the lack of even the most significant Windows functions on computers running macOS causes some discomfort.

A prime example is the lack of the Delete key on Mac keyboards (in Apple laptops and Magic Keyboard), which deletes text directly in front of the cursor, and not behind it, as it does Backspace…

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Indeed, novice Mac users who work a lot with text editors are quite often faced with this problem and are not even aware of the existence of a solution. In fact, the function of deleting text to the right of the cursor exists on Macs – the keyboard shortcut is responsible for it Fn + Backspace…

Like many other keyboard shortcuts, Fn + Backspace it is hard to use with one hand, so it is advisable to reassign the function to another “shortcut” – for this you can use a special utility for assigning commands to keyboard shortcuts, for example – PowerKey.

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The best free music creation software for Mac and Windows

27/10/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Free apps are often available in one of three flavors: a simplified version of premium software, fully functional trial versions of premium software, or standalone programs created to profit from the introduction of viruses with useless toolbars. However, fortunately for many users on the Internet, you can find some very good reliable digital audio workstation (DAW) for creating music on Mac and Windows.

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Below is a list of the best free audio recording software to download, launch, and get started with.

Pro Tools | First

In 2015, Avid introduced a free version of its legendary workstation – Pro Tools | First… Naturally, the initial version received significant limitations compared to the older versions of Pro Tools and Pro Tools | Ultimate, however, provides all the tools you need to get basic skills and create simple compositions.

Pro Tools Features | First

Support for 16 audio tracks (simultaneous multi-channel (up to 4 channels) recording);
ready-made templates for sessions depending on the direction (electronic music, rock, pop, jazz, hip-hop, etc.);
loop recording (loops);
built-in Xpand! synthesizer that lets you play and record acoustic pianos, strings, drums and wind instruments, guitar, bass, sound effects and more;
Midi editor (16 tracks);
23 effects, sound processors and plugins;
Cloud synchronization (up to 3 projects).

Download Pro Tools | First (USB iLock is not required)

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Presonus Studio One Prime

BY Presonus Studio One available in four different versions. Studio One Professional is the most functional option of all, and it costs about $ 400. Studio one prime, in turn, can be safely called a simple version, and its use is absolutely free.

Presonus has developed Studio one prime for novice users and DAW hobbyists who want to try out the software before purchasing something expensive. This means that in Studio one prime some key features that are available by default in most other applications are intentionally omitted. One of the significant disadvantages Studio one prime also the lack of the ability to import / export MP3 files or use third-party synthesizers and effects. This state of affairs is unlikely to attract the attention of users for a long time, because the program includes only 9 effects and 1 instrument.

In the meantime, there is no need to know about it. ”

On the other hand, Studio one will not display annoying notification about the terms of free use of the program. In addition, there is no trial period as such. The interface looks very clean, and the application itself is much smoother than most free software. Perhaps the reason for this is the fact that Studio one prime Is not entirely free software, but rather a demo version of a reliable, highly efficient and expensive digital audio workstation. Despite all the limitations, the free version has many essential tools and features that musicians need to create multitrack recordings.

Download Studio One Prime

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Audacity

In the late nineties, two engineers from Carnegie Mellon University developed Audacity, an open source audio editing and recording program with a user-friendly interface. Since then, the praiseworthy app has grown steadily and has reached a level of extraordinary popularity.

Often an application Audacity Considered the free counterpart of the famous Sound Forge, it is used for editing, podcasting and converting vinyl records to digital for a variety of reasons.

It is worth paying special attention to the compatibility of the program, making it easy to install and use on almost any version Windows, Mac OS X and even Linux… The software is equipped with support for creating multitrack recordings and a number of advanced effects, including noise removal, timeline stretching, and frequency adjustment. In addition, Audacity can work with several third-party and user-defined plugins.

In the meantime, there is no need to know about it. ”

Part Audacity includes the ability to undo applied effects an unlimited number of times, but this is not very useful when you have to undo all to edit one effect. Minus Audacity you can also name the lack of the ability to preview effects in real time. However, despite these small “gaps”, Audacity remains one of the most used DAW applications.

Download Audacity

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Ardor

Ardor Is an open source DAW designed to work on Linux and available for Mac OS X… The creator of the program Paul Davis is also the developer of the JACK sound server for Linux. In addition, he previously worked as a programmer at Amazon.

Ardor is a multifunctional application with the ability to create multi-track recordings. The list of functions also includes the option to import video for the purpose of creating soundtrack for a movie.

Part Ardor includes a set of essential tools for recording and mixing. The development is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux.

Download Ardor

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Cockos REAPER

Justin Frankel starred in the creation of both a media player Winampand file sharing networks between users of the Gnutella file-sharing network. In addition, he led the development of REAPER (Rapid Environment for Audio Prototyping and Efficient Recording), a shareware program with many features and capabilities, most of which can compete with professional DAWs.

Despite the fact that REAPER more than functional software, it offers to learn how to use all the features of the program before purchasing the paid version. According to Cockos, it will allow users to get used to the functionality and workflow as such.

In the meantime, there is no need to know about it. ”

REAPER allows you to customize almost all program components, including the shape and color of control buttons. In addition, the application is equipped with hundreds of native instruments and effects, and also allows the use of VST plugins. Another plus REAPER is the presence of its own software environment, in which users can write scripts on their own, detect and fix vulnerabilities, and also compile their own plugins using various languages. The program is available for Mac and Windows…

Download REAPER

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Zynewave Podium Free

In 2005, programmer Frits Nilsson decided to quit his job as interface designer at TC Electronic and focus on DAW applications, which began to develop back in the nineties. Nilsson created a company Zynewave and released a program called Podium – Fully functional DAW with 64-bit sound engine, MIDI support, compatibility with VST and third party plugins, and a number of other advanced features.

Now Zynewave offers a free version of the program called Podium Free. It disables multiprocessing, which degrades application performance and surround sound playback. Everything else Podium free completely duplicates Podium…

In the meantime, there is no need to know about it. ”

Note that for successful work with the program, users will have to learn a little and get used to all the processes. However, then a user-friendly interface and a few high-quality effects will pay off. There is no trial period, so notifications about free terms are never displayed. In addition, it is worth noting that Nielson regularly releases updates with fixes for vulnerabilities and other bugs.

Zynewave Podium Free Download

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Windows computer freezes? Hotkeys to help solve the problem

14/10/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Sometimes a Windows computer may suddenly freeze while it is running. This behavior of the system is frankly disappointing. There are many reasons for this, most often users simply overload the computer, putting up with the loss of data. However, there are a couple of little-known keyboard shortcuts that can help you deal with one of the common causes of computer freezes.

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We’ll share a new and useful keyboard shortcut that you probably don’t know about. And then we will discuss a few more quick options for resuming the “frozen” computer.

Computer screen stuck on Windows 8 or Windows 10 – try a little-known keyboard shortcut to fix the problem

It turns out that Windows allows you to use a standard keyboard shortcut to restart the video driver. You can use it at any time by pressing the combination Win + Ctrl + Shift + B…

As soon as you do this, the computer screen will darken for a moment and a beep will sound. This is how the computer reacts when the video driver is reset. In a second or two, the picture on the monitor will return to its previous state. Since this action only affects the system graphics driver, all open applications will remain in the same location. No data will be lost.

Many users have probably paid attention to the video problems that arise after the next Windows 10 update. Win + Ctrl + Shift + B just allows you to fix the problem. Sometimes it can occur when a laptop wakes up from sleep with external monitors connected.

This combination only works on Windows 8 or 10, so Windows 7 users will have to look for another solution. However, the method will work regardless of what graphics drivers are installed on the system. Settings from Nvidia, AMD and even Intel integrated graphics can be reset.

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Classic hotkeys for frozen applications in Windows

Depending on the reason for the hang, this combination may or may not solve the problem. If your graphics driver freezes, restarting it should allow you to continue working without restarting your computer.

But if that doesn’t work, try pressing Alt + Tab to switch to another program. It did not help? Try then Ctrl + Shift + Escto open the Task Manager. It will be possible to unload any unresponsive programs from memory.

If none of these methods work, click Ctrl + Alt + Del… If Windows is not responding after a while, you need to turn off the computer by holding the power button for a few seconds. This is tantamount to unplugging the power plug, but this is the only remaining way to avoid system freeze.

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How to clear DNS cache on Windows, Mac and why you need to do it

09/10/2020 by ALOK DAS

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This procedure is optional, but in many cases it can help you solve Internet connection problems on Windows and macOS computers. For instructions on working with DNS, see the material below.

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Why do I need to clear the DNS cache?

This operation is the first priority if there are problems connecting to certain web resources. For example, if a site that has moved to a new hosting fails to load, or a substitute page is opened instead of the required page (which is caused by malware interfering with the DNS service). In addition, clearing the cache is often necessary after changing the DNS gateway (modem, router) settings.

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How to enable / disable DNS caching

In macOS, this option is always active by default, in the case of Windows, it is quite simple to switch the service to active mode or vice versa:

1. Go to Control Panel → Administration → Services;

2. Find and open the DNS client service menu;

3. On the “General” choose the type of launch. For normal operation, select the “Automatically”…

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How to clear Windows DNS cache

The easiest way to clear the DNS cache is using the command line. To do this, you need to do the following:

1. Press Win + R or select Start → Execute;

2. In the window that appears, enter “cmd” (without quotes) and press Enter;

3. In the command line that opens, enter the ipconfig / flushdns command;

4. Restart your computer (you can limit yourself to restarting the browser).

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How to clear DNS cache on Mac (macOS)

Clearing the cache in the apple operating system is also done through the command line:

1. Open the Terminal;

2. Enter the command:

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

3. Press Return and enter the administrator password;
4. Wait until the end of cleaning (it usually takes a few seconds).

The above command is relevant for the latest macOS versions since High Sierra 10.13.x.

For older operating systems, you can try using an alternative option.

sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache

Using a third party DNS service

If resetting the cache did not solve the problem, then it may lie in the operation of the service itself. In this case, you should test your internet connection through a third-party service such as Google Public DNS. This is only recommended for advanced users, and the corresponding settings can be found here.

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Where to find Home, End, PgUp, and PgDown buttons on a Mac keyboard from Windows

24/09/2020 by ALOK DAS

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PC (Windows) users, moving to Mac, face a number of difficulties, for example, the lack of buttons on standard Apple Magic Keyboard Home, End, Page Up and Page Down…

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These keys are a good help when working with large documents, spreadsheets, or simply when working on the Internet. Fortunately, on macOS, they can be replaced with a few keyboard shortcuts:

Home (option 1) – ⌘Cmd + Up Arrow
Home (option 2) – Fn + Left arrow
End (option 1) – ⌘Cmd + Down Arrow
End (option 2) – Fn + Right arrow
PageUp – Space
PageDown – ⇧Shift + Space

For users who are accustomed to using physical keys rather than using combinations, the only option is to buy a full-size keyboard Apple Aluminum Keyboard…

In addition to its direct functions, the keyboard can be used as a USB hub for connecting drives or other peripherals to two USB ports.

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The temperature of the processor on a computer in Windows: what should be and how to find out?

13/09/2020 by ALOK DAS

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It’s no secret that a computer’s processor is a key component. After all, this is the brain of the entire system, performing many operations, even when it seems to be asleep. And the main enemy of any computer hardware is temperature. The more and more intensively the device works, the more heat it generates. Because of it, the processor can even significantly reduce its performance. But what should be the processor temperature, how to monitor and limit it?

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Why is the processor heating up?

As we have already said, the number of tasks assigned to the processor and their labor intensity directly affects the heating of this block. And you can see the load level of the main computing module of the computer in “Task Manager”… To call it, you need to press the key combination Ctrl + Shift + Esc in Windows. In the very first line of the tab “Processes” (“Performance” for older versions of Windows) will show the total processor load, and the subsequent lines indicate which application is consuming how many resources.

On the chart (tab “Performance”) displays the history of the processor load for the last minute. If the temperature rise of the processor is associated with a load on it, then this is normal.

The same type of load can load the processor in different ways. The top multi-core representatives of the Core and Ryzen families can be loaded with a mere percentage of the tasks that will take 30-50% of the resources from Celeron. And background tasks that the processor deals with while idle can seriously load the system.

In addition, the reasons for processor overheating can be: installation of malware, incorrect operation of temperature sensors, insufficient fan speed due to dust accumulation, as well as dried thermal paste.

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How to detect CPU overheating?

An increase in fan speed and the resulting noise, as well as an increase in power consumption by the device, may indicate overheating of the processor. And the BIOS (UEFI) or system utilities can provide accurate information about the temperature of the processor.

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Programs for checking the temperature of the processor in Windows

Core Temp

Core Temp is a simple and Russian-speaking program, which is important for many. It displays basic information about the processor, including its temperature. Core Temp works with all current versions of Windows, including Windows 7/10.

The program allows you to find out the temperature of each processor core and displays this information in the Windows taskbar. If Core Temp is at system startup, then the necessary information will always be present in the taskbar. The program can also be used as a data provider for the All CPU Meter desktop widget. But Core Temp also has its own widget designed for Windows 7 – Core Temp Gadget. Another interesting addition to this program is Core Temp Grapher, which plots CPU load and temperature. Both plugins can be found on the add-ons page of the official Core Temp website.

CPUID HWMonitor

CPUID HWMonitor is a free application that is considered one of the most popular for viewing the status of the hardware components of a computer or laptop. HWMonitor shows the temperature of both the processor as a whole and all its cores separately. Moreover, depending on the model of the motherboard, you can also find out the temperature of the socket. The Min and Max columns show the average values, while the Value column shows the current temperature.

HWMonitor can also show useful information such as:

Temperature of the graphics card, hard drives and motherboard.
Rotation speed of various fans.
Information about the voltage on the components and the load on the processor cores.

Download HWMonitor (Free)

Speccy

This simple program is perfect for beginners. The Russian-language application provides information about the main computer devices and their characteristics. In addition to a lot of interesting and useful information in the Speccy, you can see important readings of the thermal sensors of your computer or laptop. The CPU section will show the current processor temperature. In other sections, you can find out the temperature of the video card, motherboard, SSD and HDD drives, if they have appropriate sensors.

Download Speccy (free for non-commercial use)

SpeedFan

Typically, this program is used to monitor the fan speed of the cooling system of a laptop or computer. But at the same time, the utility can also provide information about the temperature of the main components of the system, from the processor and its cores to the video card and hard drives.

The program is constantly updated, reading data from all current motherboards. It works correctly in both Windows 7 and Windows 8 / 8.1 / 10. But on older systems, SpeedFan can lead to problems when trying to adjust the fan speed. There are several additional features in the program. For example, she knows how to build graphs of temperature changes. This can be useful to see to what extent the processor heats up when performing resource-intensive tasks.

Download SpeedFan (Free)

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Normal CPU operating temperature – how many degrees?

Novice users are often interested in this question, and it is relevant both for laptops and computers, both for solutions based on Intel and AMD.

There is no universal answer to this answer. Even two processors with the same index under the same conditions can have different operating temperatures. The difference will be small, but still noticeable. The description of processors always contains the phrase “maximum operating temperature”. This does not mean at all that work at rates below critical will be normal. A temperature of 100 degrees can be considered fatal for most processors. But in fact, the system will begin to protect its “brain” and at lower rates, including throttling.

This name is used to protect the processor from overheating. As the temperature rises, work cycles will be skipped. With a decrease in the load, the heating of the module will also decrease – it will return to the previous mode. In general, the recommended operating temperature is 70-80% of the maximum. High temperatures will shorten the life of the processor. And to operate in the optimal temperature range, you need an efficient cooling system. It is believed that at low load the processor should not heat up above 35-50 degrees.

Current solutions from Intel (this includes most models released over the past 10 years) operate in the following temperature ranges:

28 – 41 degrees idle. It assumes that the Windows desktop is running, but no system maintenance is performed in the background.
40 – 62 degrees (50 – 70 degrees for overclocked models) in load mode. This includes demanding games, video rendering, archiving tasks, working with virtual machines, etc.
67 – 72 is the maximum operating temperature as recommended by Intel.

For AMD processors, the temperature standards are about the same, except that for some representatives of the FX series, the maximum recommended temperature is only 61 degrees Celsius. Do not be alarmed if in load mode your indicators turn out to be slightly higher than the recommended ones. This may be the case if the computer or laptop has been working for a long time.

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What to do if the processor overheats?

If you think the processor temperature is too high, then you can try to reduce it in several ways:

1. Free utility SpeedFan will help speed up the rotation of the fan blades on the processor. This will draw away excess heat and lower the temperature.

2. Open the cover of the system unit. But this solution is temporary, and the components will be exposed to dust.

3. With the lid open, you can try to remove the hot air with a vacuum cleaner or fan.

4. Replace the thermal grease on the processor.

5. If there is a passive cooling system, it is worth replacing it with an active one. Water cooling will show the greatest efficiency.

6. Install additional case fans. The temperature inside the case also affects the temperature of the processor. The faster the cold air gets inside the system unit, the better.

7. Adjust the RPM of the processor cooler depending on the load. But it is not worth setting 100% of the revolutions on a permanent basis. If the cooler fails, you can replace it with a more powerful one.

8. If you constantly work with programs that heavily load the processor, try replacing it with a more productive one.

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How to change the icon (icon) of a shortcut in Windows 10

10/09/2020 by ALOK DAS

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The icons were designed to provide the ability to quickly visually identify an object on a computer. But sometimes the icon in Windows 10 turns out to be so impersonal and uninformative that it is of little use. It’s good that the operating system allows you to simply change the icon. Here’s how to do it.

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Find the shortcut where you need to change the icon. The object can be located directly on the desktop, or you need to go to it using “Explorer”… Right click on the shortcut and select “Properties”…

In the object properties window, make sure you are on the tab “Label”, and then click there the “Change icon …“.

The Change Icon window appears, with a box containing a list of icons available for use with this shortcut. By default, the source of icons is a Windows system file named imageres.dll. If you want to use an icon other than the default ones, you can click the button “Overview…” and select either EXE, DLL, or ICO. In fact, you can use any image you like in this capacity, you just need to first convert it into the ICO format. And after downloading the file, you will see new icons in the list that you can use to denote a shortcut.

Regardless of whether you have selected one of the default or added items, just click OK…

Now, in the shortcut properties window, you can see that the icon has changed to the one you selected. Click on Applyto save the settings.

Congratulations! Your shortcut has acquired a new icon. Feel free to install whatever icons you want. This will give the operating system more personality.

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How to set up and use Windows keyboard on Mac

10/08/2020 by ALOK DAS

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With Mac computers, you can use almost any keyboard designed for Windows PCs, be it a USB or Bluetooth keyboard. True, the modification keys on Mac and PC keyboards are different. This can lead to erroneous keyboard shortcuts or other unexpected keystrokes when using a PC keyboard with a Mac.

The problem can be easily solved by remapping the keys Windows and ALT on the ⌘Cmd and ⌥Option (Alt) on a PC keyboard connected to the Mac. In this way, you can use the familiar keyboard shortcuts typical of the standard Apple keyboard. For many Mac users who have to work with a PC keyboard, this will really make life easier.

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How to use a PC keyboard with remapped Windows and ALT keys with a Mac

The method described below works with all PC keyboards with the standard CTRL / Windows / ALT layout and all versions of macOS.

1. Connect your PC keyboard to Mac via USB or Bluetooth as you usually do;

2. Open the Apple menu and select “System settings”;

3. Click on “Keyboard”;

4. Select the tab “Keyboard” and click on the option Modification keys in the lower right corner of the settings panel;

5. On the menu “Select a keyboard” specify the desired PC keyboard;

6. Open the key menu ⌥Option (Alt) and select ⌘Cmd;

7. Open the key menu ⌘Cmd and select ⌥Option (Alt);

8. Click on OK…

9. When you do all of the above, when connected to a Mac, the WINDOWS key on your PC keyboard will become ⌥Option (Alt), and ALT will become ⌘Cmd…

Be aware that on some Windows PC keyboards, the CTRL and ALT keys also function differently from the Mac keys. Fortunately, they can be reassigned using the above method.

Below is an example of a PC keyboard. As you can see, the modification keys on it are different from those familiar to Mac users.

And here is the keyboard for Apple computers.

If you compare both shots, it becomes clear why you should remap keys on a PC keyboard if you are using it with a Mac.

The above method is useful for those who have chosen an excellent PC keyboard for their work, but are used to working with a Mac. As mentioned, it fits all keyboards and all macOS.

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How to read formatted (HFS + and APFS) USB flash drive on Mac in Windows: 4 ways

10/08/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Windows and macOS use different file systems – for hard drives for Windows it is NTFS, for macos it is HFS + (in newer versions it was replaced by APFS). External hard drives and USB sticks are formatted in another Windows-supported standard – FAT32, macOS “understands” this format. But…

It often happens that an external drive or flash drive is not created on a Mac in FAT32 – and, therefore, Windows cannot read the information on the device. Below we will discuss how to “teach” the Microsoft operating system to understand “someone else’s speech.”

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1. Installing Apple HFS + Drivers (HFS +, Read Only)

If all you need from the files on the flash drive is reading, there is an option with the installation of the appropriate software from Apple for Windows.

Important: make sure there is no Paragon or MacDrive software on your Windows computer before installing the drivers. If they are already installed, remove them.

Download the appropriate Apple HFS + driver here, then do the following:

Copy files ApplsHFS.sys and AppleMNT.sys in C: Windows System32 drivers
Combine the file Add_AppleHFS.reg with your windows registry.
Restart your computer.

The entire installation process is shown in detail in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuXNXcDYXRIIn the meantime, there is no need to know about it. ”

After rebooting, if everything is done correctly, your Windows PC should recognize the connected USB flash drive or external hard drive.

If you want to not only read, but also edit files on removable drives, then one of the following methods will suit you.

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2. HFSExplorer (HFS +)

Price: Free

The only free solution to solve our problem.

Note: Windows and Java administrator rights are required to run. Yes, ideally it would be nice to live without the “Java” in general, but in this case, you will have to either install it or pay money.

HFSExplorer is very easy to use. Simply connect your Mac-formatted external drive to your Windows computer, open the program, and then select File – Load File System From Device. HFSExplorer will automatically recognize, mount and open HFS + devices. Files on a USB flash drive can be unzipped and transferred to Windows.

Note: keep in mind that HFSExplorer is read-only, i.e. you won’t be able to change files on your Mac stick or delete them. In addition, the program does not integrate with Windows Explorer – files are available for work only in the HFSExplorer application, and to work they must first be copied into the Windows environment.

Download HFSExplorer

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3. Paragon HFS + for Windows and Paragon APFS for Windows (read and write)

Price: 1440 rubles, there is a trial period for 10 days

We pay money – but we get full access to read and write on a Mac-flash driveconnected to a Windows computer. Besides, working with files is carried out at high speed, which cannot be said about the previous program. Why, Paragon HFS + (or APFS) for Windows integrates HFS + (or APFS) with Windows Explorer! As a result, any application can read and write files formatted in an incomprehensible “poppy” format. It’s convenient – and safe, because you don’t need to install unsafe Java on your computer.

And yes – if you need to read HFS + (or APFS) – a USB flash drive for Windows once in your life (and this is most often the case), then a 10-day “trial” is enough for you, you won’t have to buy anything.

Useful advice: if you encounter the error “inaccessible_boot_device”, boot into BIOS, specify IDEA in SATA settings, boot into Windows Safe Mode, do System Restore, then return to BIOS and set the old setting in the SATA section – AHCI.

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4. MacDrive (HFS +, read and write)

Price: $ 50, with a free 5-day trial

The most expensive option of all. Like Paragon’s solution, it offers full read / write access via Windows Explorer and high speed. There are also tools for recovering and splitting a disk into parts – and everything in the file systems familiar to Mac.

Download MacDrive

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How to open and set up Music Visualizer on Mac and Windows

03/08/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Many iTunes users (Music applications on Mac) do not even suspect that Apple’s multimedia processor has a very beautiful visualizer that can display various dynamic graphic variations on the display to the music being played. In our article, we will tell you how to launch and customize this aesthetic interface element to your taste.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to control music on a computer from an iPhone or iPad.

How do I run the renderer on Mac or Windows?

The visualizer works both on macOS (Music application) and on the Windows version of iTunes. After starting any music track or album, just press the keyboard shortcut Command + T (⌘ + T) on Mac or Ctrl + T on Windows to launch the renderer. You can also perform this action by going to the menu “View“(“Window” on Mac) and clicking “Visualizer“.

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8 commands to customize the renderer

After you have entered the visualizer window, just press one of the following keys to perform certain actions:

? – displaying the entire list of commands;

M – changing the rendering mode (changing the rendering of models and forms);

P – choice of color scheme;

i – information about the track being played;

C – autocycle switching (enabled by default);

F – Turns the frame rate indication on or off in the lower right corner.

X – freeze mode “freeze” (visualization freezes, and the camera rotates around it with a change in scale);

N – enable / disable clouds;

L – camera lock (stops changing the panorama).

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How to make an application for Mac, Windows or Linux from any site, fast and free

14/07/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Using the Web2Desk service, you can make a favorite program for computers running Windows, Linux, and macOS from your favorite site.

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How to create an application for Mac, Windows or Linux from a site

1. Go to the Web2Desk website;

2. Enter the address of the site from which the application will be made (in our example, https://yablyk.com);

3. Think of the name of the application (in our example – Yablyk);

4. Add your own or use the shortcut issued by the service;

5. Write the email address to which the letter will be sent containing a link to download the program;

6. Select the platforms for which you want to create an application – you can choose from: Windows, Linux and macOS.

7. Press the button Create now to download the application.

When starting the application, Mac users may encounter this message:

To launch the application, open in System settings and go to the “Protection and Security.

Click on the “Confirm Login ».

And then, in the window that appears, click the “Open”:

For convenience, the resulting application can be transferred to the program folder or to the Dock-panel (on Mac).

The program created in the described way consumes much less RAM compared to the browser, working more quickly. In addition, by placing the application icon on the desktop or taskbar, accessing your favorite site will become a little more convenient.

Download the Apple Label application created for Web2Desk for Mac, Windows or Linux

Download the official Apple app for iPhone and iPad on the App Store

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How to get a new Start menu in Windows 10 right now: 2 ways

14/07/2020 by ALOK DAS

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In one of the next updates to Windows 10, the Microsoft operating system will get another redesigned Start menu. This time it will get an elegant look in the style of Fluent Design. If you want to refresh the look of Windows with new tiles and other tools of this element right now, then in this material we will tell you how to do it.

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An improved Start menu appeared in a special assembly of Windows 10 build 20161, available to registered testers. But there is a workaround to get this update on your computer right now.

Microsoft describes the design of the updated Start menu as “more streamlined,” the tile background has now become uniform, partially transparent instead of the previous plain color.

And to get the 20161 build of Windows 10 right now you need to put your PC in Windows Insider Dev development mode. It carries out early testing of new functions, so you may encounter a whole series of errors.

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How to get a new Start menu in Windows 10

1. Press the menu button “Start“.

2. Select the “Parameters»Or press the gear button on the left.

3. Go to the “Update and Security“.

4. In the left column, click on the element “Windows Insider” or Windows Insider Program.

5. Click “To begin“

6. Click the + icon next to “Account Linking“.

7. Select your account type and click “Proceed“.

8. Click “Channel Dev » and confirm your choice.

9. Press “AgainConfirm“.

10. Click “Restart now“.

Your system will reboot.

11. Returning to “Parameters“, Press “Update centre Windows“.

12. Click “Resume Updates” (or “Check for Updates»)

13. After applying the updates, click “Reload now“.

You should now have a new Start menu. To confirm your actions, open the Start menu and find tiles for Windows programs such as Office. If these programs have solid backgrounds that contrast strongly with the Start menu, then you have it new.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to fix Windows 10 errors and improve performance: the best programs (free).

How to force download a new Start menu

If you have not seen your new Start menu, there is an explanation for this. It is known that Microsoft is still testing a new Start menu, but you can get this item using another solution.

The only problem associated with it is that this method will require certain advanced user skills, as it involves using the command line and a third-party utility. But this is always a little risky. If you received an updated Start menu with an update in Windows Insider mode, then you will not need this trick. Otherwise, do the following:

1. Download the ViveTool utility.

2. Unzip it to the folder of your choice.

3. Open the Start menu, enter cmd.exe and right-click on the search result.

4. Select “Run as administrator”.

5. Click Yes.

6. Change to the directory where the extracted ViveTool utility is located using the cd command, for example:

cd C: Temp Utilities ViveTool

7. Now enter the following text:

ViVeTool.exe addconfig 23615618 2

8. Click Enter.

9. Restart your computer.

10. Now after loading you should see a new Start menu.

See also:

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How to minimize all “show desktop” windows on Mac (macOS): 3 ways

17/06/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Probably every at least a little advanced Windows user knows that instant access to the desktop (desktop) in Windows is done using the Win + D key combination. But on the Mac, there are at least 3 ways to minimize windows. What kind?

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How to minimize all windows on Mac (macOS) using hotkeys

First, check the settings – open the application on Mac System settings and select Mission control.

Make sure that opposite the inscription Show Desktop a hot button is assigned. By default, there is a key F11but you can change it to any other.

Now we can proceed directly to the execution of the command.

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To do this, simultaneously press any of these keyboard shortcuts:

You will immediately find yourself on the desktop of your Mac, and all open windows will be minimized.

But you can make everything even simpler – by pressing a single button F11. To do this, go to another section of System Preferences called Keyboard, and check the box next to Use function keys F1, F2, etc. as standard.

Done! Click F11 – and calmly go to the desktop by pressing just one button.

♥ BY TOPIC: Smart Folder Finder on Mac: How to Create, Customize, and Use.

How to show desktop on Mac (macOS) using Active Angles

The Active Angles feature on Mac lets you assign specific macOS system commands to move the cursor (arrows) to the corners of the screen. Function on the way is turned on System settings → Mission control → Active angles.

Thus, for example, you can assign a command “Desktop” (minimize all windows) to move the cursor to the upper left corner of the screen.

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How to minimize windows (show desktop) on Mac using trackpad

P.S. Useful advice for owners of “touch” MacBooks or Magic Trackpad trackpads. For you, Apple has developed a special Multi-Touch gesture to access the desktop. To activate it, it is enough to spread the thumb and three other fingers from the center to the edge.

Enjoy your use!

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How to enable “perpetual” incognito mode in Google Chrome on Windows

15/06/2020 by ALOK DAS

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The incognito mode in Google Chrome has long been shown to be in demand. During normal operation, our browser remembers the history of visits, downloads, cookies, and other data. And the site itself receives certain information about its visitors. But it’s possible to visit resources so that information about this is not stored anywhere. This allows you to implement the “Incognito” mode, in which Google Chrome does not save information about sites.

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And the situation is quite real when the use of such a regime is required not once, but on an ongoing basis. Many users do not need to store cookies and web browsing history. You can make the incognito mode permanent for Google Chrome.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to make groups of open Chrome tabs by topic.

How to enable automatic activation of incognito mode every time you start Google Chrome

First you need to right-click on the Chrome icon on the taskbar. A window will open in which you can see recently visited sites at the top. And between the elements “New incognito window“And”Unpin from taskbar“You can find the item”Google chrome“.

You need to right-click on it and select “Properties“.

You will see a window with the properties of the browser. In the tab object field Label you can find the path to the run

"C:Program Files (x86)GoogleChromeApplicationchrome.exe"

Immediately after the quotation marks, add the –incognito switch to get the following:

"C:Program Files (x86)GoogleChromeApplicationchrome.exe" -incognito

Now you can click To apply and Ok.

The next time you start the Google Chrome browser (launched through the taskbar), it automatically starts in “Incognita”.

The same method will work for the Google Chrome shortcut on the desktop.

If you need to return to the normal application launch mode, simply delete the key –Incognito out of the way to the same icon properties. Or you can remove it from the taskbar altogether. When creating a new icon there will no longer be any keys in the address.

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June 15, 2020
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10 unnecessary standard programs in Windows 10 that can be removed

14/06/2020 by ALOK DAS

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New versions of operating systems not only become faster and more convenient, but also overgrown with many tools and applications. Perhaps this is user concern. That’s just not all of these utilities they need. Many components of Windows 10 are never used by us, but consume resources or simply take up disk space. In conditions where an ultrabook with a small capacity SSD is used, this becomes a problem.

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In this article, we will talk about some pre-installed Windows 10 applications, the absence of which you may well not notice. Most of them can be deleted using the menu. Start → Parameters → Applications → Applications and features → Additional components.

In the application list, select the unnecessary component and click Delete.

There are still components in the menu “Additional features”. They need a separate approach. If necessary, previously deleted packages can be easily restored by pressing the button. Add Component in the specified menu. This will return to the original form of the system. So in order.

♥ BY TOPIC: Hotkeys for working with windows in Windows.

Cortana

A Windows 10 update with code 20H1 or 2004 introduces Cortana Voice Assistant onto computers. Moreover, he appears even where he was not there before. Russian-speaking users can rejoice at the new opportunity, only after clicking on the blue circle does the inscription appear: “Cortana is not available in your area.”.

It seems strange to add an assistant to the localized Russian version of Windows who does not know how to speak Russian. It would be logical to remove Cortana so that it does not take up space.

To do this, right-click on the icon “Start” and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)“.

In the dark window that appears, enter the command:

Get-appxpackage -allusers Microsoft.549981C3F5F10 | Remove-AppxPackage

After pressing a key “Enter” Cortana application will be uninstalled. And if someday the assistant can work fully in Russia, then nothing prevents you from installing it again from the Microsoft Store.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to reset Windows 10 to factory settings?

Internet explorer

Let’s be honest with ourselves – most of us use Internet Explorer to download another browser (Chrome or Firefox) immediately after installing Windows 10. Then this application is not enough for anyone. So why not delete it too?

Follow the path Start → Settings → Applications → Applications and Features → Additional Features. Find and select Internet Explorer from the list, then click Delete.

Now in Windows 10 this browser will no longer be. But if you suddenly need it (for example, to work with specific registrar plug-ins), then in the same window, click on the button Add Component, highlight the desired package and press the button “Install”.

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Windows Media Player

The player preinstalled in Windows has not changed much since the days of the old Windows XP. This applies primarily to its functionality. To consume multimedia content, it is easy to find much more understandable and fast programs. Apparently, Microsoft has long given up on their Media Player by hand, it is no coincidence that the “Groove Music” and “Cinema and TV” applications with duplicate functionality appeared in the system. If Windows users choose preinstalled applications for working with media, then obviously not Media Player. You can delete it in the window “Extra options”.

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Paint

Paint is suitable only for creating primitive or children’s drawings, but most users do not use this editor. In addition, he has many free and much more advanced alternatives.

For a while, Paint was an integral part of the system, which did not allow it to be removed. But in the May 2020 update, Windows 10 users finally got this opportunity. Find in the menu “Extra options” this useless image editor and uninstall it.

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Wordpad

If Paint does not help much when editing drawings, then with texts the situation is similar with WordPad. This editor is very simple and has never stood out with any special features. Yes, WordPad can open DOC and DOCX formats, but it saves newly created texts in the already forgotten RTF format. Do I need an intermediate between Notepad and powerful Word? You can also delete WordPad through “Additional features”. A good replacement for this application will be Microsoft Word or free Open Office, Google Docs.

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Windows Fax and Scan

If you work in an office, you may need a scanner and a fax. But why do you need this functionality at home, if there are no such devices there. And who / when was the last time he sent a fax? It perfectly replaces regular email.

This application can also be deleted. Go to menu “Additional features” and find there a package Windows Fax and Scanclick Delete. If you ever need to send a fax or scan a document, then the application can always be returned back.

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“Quick support”

Microsoft believes that users of Windows 10 regularly seek help from a tool “Quick help”. But this is only a theory, but in practice the picture is completely different. Rather than trying to find the answer to the problem in template phrases, it is better to look for a solution on the Internet or ask friends / specialists to help with the help of remote access programs. If you have many helpers with whom you communicate through social networks or instant messengers, and you are able to run TeamViewer, then the application “Quick support” can be deleted.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to speed up your computer with Windows 10, 8, 7: 20 tips.

View Tasks

Next to the menu “Start” there is a button “Presentation of tasks”.

By clicking on it, you can see recently opened files and documents. If you already have a Microsoft account, and you are working with branded mobile applications, then in this window you can see files from other devices. These can be Word documents or Excel spreadsheets open on your Android or iPhone.

It sounds promising, but so far it goes little beyond the scope of the idea. Even the orientation in the files here is implemented inconveniently. And it’s not clear why to look for something on the timeline, if you can search for the same files, folders and menus in “Explorer”, on the taskbar and in the menu of recent documents. In the meantime, Timeline looks like a beautiful but useless tool.

To disable this application, click Start → Settings → Privacy → Action Log.

Set the radio buttons next to “Save my activity log on this device” and Submit My Activity Log to Microsoft in position Turned off. After that, in the section “Show actions from these accounts” click “Clear”.

And to get rid of the button View Tasks right-click on the taskbar and uncheck the option “Show Task View Button”.

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People Button

The taskbar has a useful button that shows your contacts and makes it possible to attach them to the taskbar. The function at first glance seems useful, but it only integrates with the Mail application of Windows 10 and Skype. No one else can work with her.

Right-click on the taskbar and deactivate the checkbox next to “Show the People panel in the taskbar”. This will remove the unnecessary button.

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Universal applications

In addition to the previously unhelpful applications in Windows 10, there are also many others hidden under the general name Universal Applications. They can be seen as tiles when you press the menu button “Start”. The versatility of applications is that they are optimized to work on touch screens. But the benefit of such programs can be doubted. If “Mail” and “Photos” may still be in demand then 3D Viewer only the owners of the 3D printer will need Xbox Console Companion – Microsoft game console owners.

For removing 3D Viewers in the Windows PowerShell console (right-click on the Start menu), run the command:

Get-AppxPackage *3d* | Remove-AppxPackage

And to get rid of unnecessary you Xbox Console Companion you must enter the following command in the same place:

Get-AppxPackage *xboxapp* | Remove-AppxPackage

Similarly, through the PowerShell console, you can remove other rarely used applications: 3D Builder, Phone Companion, Money, Sports, News and others.

If you need to recover such previously deleted programs, you can do this from the Microsoft Store or the universal Windows PowerShell team. It will allow you to restore immediately the entire set of universal programs.

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers| Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}

Only avid fans of Microsoft will need this command.

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How to change the username in Windows 10: 3 ways

14/06/2020 by ALOK DAS

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When logging into Windows 10, the screen displays the name of the user account. Perhaps you want to change it for some reason. This is easy to do, and there are several ways to do it. Let’s talk about them in more detail.

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How to change username in Windows 10

There can be many reasons for changing the username in Windows 10, some try to make their account less playful or get rid of the impersonality in the face of a certain “user”. If you decide to change the user account name in Windows 10 that appears on the screen when you log in, then this can be done in several different ways. In this article, we will talk about the 3 best options for quickly changing a username in Windows 10.

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Using netplwiz to change username in Windows 10

The netplwiz account setup utility helps you instantly change user names in Windows 10. Let’s find out how to do this.

1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter netplwiz and click Enter. It is likely that you may need to select the desired user account from several available in the list.

2. In the window “Users of this computer»Select the account whose name you want to change.

3. After you have done this, click on the “Properties“Located below the window.

4. In the window that appears, enter the new username in the “Full name“.

5. Now click “To apply“And OK to save changes.

Now you can see the new username when you log in or out of your account.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to create an invisible folder in Windows 10.

Working with the Local Users and Groups console to change the username in Windows

Here’s another quick way to change your username on Windows. To do this, you need to run the lusrmgr.msc command. Follow these steps:

1. Right-click the Start menu and select “Run“. Alternatively, you can press the keys Win + rto open the “Run“.

2. When the “Run“, Enter the lusrmgr.msc command in it and click”Enter“. Now you can work in the “Local users and groups ».

3. Here you will find the “Users“And”Groups“. Expand the “Users»In the left pane.

4. Here you can see several user accounts of your system. Double-click on the user account you want to rename.

5. Enter a new username when prompted. This name must be entered in the “Full name“.

6. Click “To apply“And OK to save changes.

You can also use this option to prevent the user from changing their password. To do this, select the “Deny user password change“, Click”To apply“And Ok.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to automatically switch the language (layout) on the keyboard in macOS or Windows.

Using the Control Panel to change the username in Windows

The last way to change your username on Windows is to use the Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press the keys Win + rto open the launch window. After opening enter control panel and press Enter. You can do otherwise – use the search by entering the phrase control panel in the search box on the taskbar.

2. When you find yourself in the “Control panels“, Click”user accounts“.

3. In the next window, click “Change the name of your account”.

5. Now you need to enter a new account name.

6. Click “Rename»To save changes.

That’s all! Now you can see the new name on the window screen when you log in and log out.

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How to record video from a computer screen in GIF (gif) on Windows and Mac: 6 free programs

12/06/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Recording from a computer screen is a very useful thing that can be useful in various situations, for example, for designing materials, a visual explanation of how a particular function / program works, or just to turn a fragment from a funny video into a GIF file. There are many applications that allow you to record actions on the screen, six of which will be discussed in today’s review.

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Recordit

A convenient solution that allows you to save the screencast immediately in GIF format. The principle of operation is simple: click on the icon, select the recording area and do a capture. Then save the GIF file. The animation plays in the browser. Utility parameters allow you to select the frame rate settings and highlight the cursor.

Download Recordit for Mac and Windows (developer site)

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Licecap

Like Recordit, the application saves the recording in GIF format, but, unlike the first, it has more advanced features, including allowing you to pause and add text captions. Among other functions: support for hot keys, the ability to adjust the frame rate and its own exchange format, providing a high level of compression without loss of quality.

Download LICEcap for Mac and Windows (developer site)

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GIPHY Capture. The gif maker

Simple and easy-to-use free application from the popular Giphy service. The program provides the ability to adjust the size, add a text signature and select options for looping gifs. The utility is exclusive to Mac.

Download GIPHY Capture. The GIF Maker for Mac (Mac App Store)

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Screen to Gif

A free application for Windows that allows you to record and edit GIF-animation. The program offers a simple interface and a number of features. You can choose the size of the recording area, frame rate, customize the display of the mouse cursor, clicks, etc. The program allows you to make a screencast of not only the home screen, but also images from a webcam or from an interactive whiteboard for drawing.

The recorded file can be edited or saved for further adjustment in video format or as individual frames. The utility supports the Russian language.

Download Screen to Gif for Windows (developer site)

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Gif brewery

Probably one of the best Gif animation apps on Mac. The application offers ample opportunities for creating GIFs (screencasts, Gif from a video, Gif from a file on the Internet), optimizing (compressing) animations, as well as editing, including resizing, cropping, overlapping text and stickers.

Application Overview
Download Gif Brewery for Mac (Mac App Store)

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Gifcam

The application is suitable for those who are not satisfied with the basic functionality. GifCam offers a large number of different chips (a detailed description of the program’s features here), including an advanced recording mode that records only pixels that have changed their position, thereby reducing the final file size.

There are also several color optimization modes, and using the cinemagraph function, you can create static pictures with partial animation. GifCam is available only for Windows.

Download GifCam for Windows (developer site)

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Test ping of any site or computer: how to check on Windows and Mac?

03/06/2020 by ALOK DAS

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If you communicate with IT experts or inveterate gamers, you probably heard the word “ping”. Computers and websites “ping” in order to check the connection speed, find out the network status of another PC or site, or fix problems with Internet access. But how do you know the “ping” yourself? Now we will tell.

What is Ping?

Ping is a program for checking the integrity and quality of Internet connections in TCP / IP networks. In everyday life, the request itself was also called “ping.”

♥ BY TOPIC: We translate megabytes into megabytes, or how to correctly understand the speed of the Internet.

What program is needed to test Ping?

Checking ping is only at first glance a difficult event. In fact, in order to find out this parameter, you don’t need to be a cunning hacker or an experienced programmer at all.

On all popular operating systems – Windows, Mac, and Linux – the ping measurement is run through the command line. On Windows, it is called that; on Mac and Linux, the Terminal application is used.

The easiest way to open a command line or Terminal is to use the built-in search in the OS.

Once the command line or Terminal is started, enter the command to start the ping measurement:

ping [адрес веб-сайта]
or
ping [конкретный IP-адрес]

example: ping yablyk.com

On Windows, the default ping is only taken once. To do it constantly, enter a command like ping -t [адрес веб-сайта или конкретный IP-адрес]. On Mac and Linux, the query repeats automatically; you don’t need to do anything.

♥ BY TOPIC: Wi-Fi speed: how to check on a computer, iPhone or iPad and how to avoid errors.

What do ping request results mean?

Four variables deserve attention:

Time: how much it took to send and receive ping. Up to 20 milliseconds is a very good indicator, more than 150 is a bad result, there will be noticeable delays in online games;
TTL: the number of networks through which ping passed;
Packages: the number of packets sent and sent must be identical;
Round-Trip Time: minimum, maximum and average time spent on ping. Too much difference between the three numbers indicates that the network is unstable.

♥ BY TOPIC: Speed test, or how to check Internet speed on iPhone, iPad and any computer: 5 best services.

5 useful tips for measuring ping correctly

1. Repeat the test several times. It often happens that the speed of your Internet connection jumps up and down. Therefore, an “honest” result is given only by many multiple checks.

2. Do not measure exclusively during peak hours. When the window is Sunday evening or a rainy day, everyone is sitting at home and loading the network to the maximum. Yes, so you will find out what your provider is capable of in “combat” conditions. But there is still 24 hours in the day, and you use the Internet not only in the evening rush hour.

3. If you connect via Wi-Fi, create the most objective conditions for the test – take measurements in the same room and without physical obstacles between the laptop and the modem.

4. Before checking, restart your computer. If your laptop has not rebooted for a long time, background processes may distort the ping score.

5. Do not use VPN during tests (for the same reason).

See also:

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How to open a PSD file without Photoshop online or on a Windows and Mac computer

31/05/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Photoshop can be blamed a lot for one or another shortcoming, but it’s hard to deny that this is one of the most popular photo processing tools. Accordingly, the proprietary format PSD is ubiquitous. But if classic JPG is not difficult to see, then with Photoshop format everything is not so simple.

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But there are a number of free tools that allow you to view such files, convert them, or even edit them. Of course, many utilities cannot become a full replacement for the famous Adobe application. Even the most powerful of the presented options do not have such a range of capabilities as Photoshop, not everyone can recognize the layers. But if you just need to look at the contents of the PSD file or transfer it to another format, make small changes, such tools will prove to be a great alternative to bulky and expensive Photoshop.

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A type: editor, converter.

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux.

This famous application is a good replacement for Photoshop. GIMP can both process photos and create drawings, design elements. Of course, in terms of the number of functions, the free application is inferior to Photoshop, however, the level of capabilities here is quite high. Professionals also work with this program, appreciating its cross-platform nature. GIMP makes it possible to recognize layers, as well as convert the PSD format to many other convenient graphics: BMP, JPG, PDF, PNG, GIF and others.

Download Gimp for Linux, macOS and Windows

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A type: editor, converter.

Platform: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.

This application also stands out for its cross-platform. Its main purpose, which is obvious from the name, is sketching. But Autodesk SketchBook also copes with simple image editing. The program will quickly correct the size to the desired one, make notes and remove unnecessary elements. An important feature of SketchBook is layer support. And the processed file can be saved in such popular formats as JPEG, PNG and BMP. And although the application itself is free, it can only be used as such for non-commercial use.

Android: Autodesk SketchBook

iOS: Autodesk SketchBook

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Artweaver

A type: editor, converter.

Platform: Windows

This program has quite powerful features, which attracts both amateurs and professionals. In Artweaver, you can work with layers, cut out fragments, apply filters and draw brushes on top of the picture. The program will open a PSD file without problems, which can then be saved in other graphic formats, including JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG and others. And all this functionality is already present in the free version. For 34 euros you can purchase a paid version of Artweaver, which will appear much more tools for drawing.

Download Artweaver

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View

A type: viewer, editor, converter.

Platforms: macOS

Standard application View for macOS is perhaps the most convenient tool for simple operations with photos on Mac: resizing, image format or marking. In addition, View easily allows you to view and PSD files, however, without the ability to edit layers.

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A type: editor, converter.

Platform: Windows

This photo editor at first glance seems simple. Nevertheless, he performs the main tasks: he knows how to correct colors, cut out fragments, change the size of drawings, draw over the picture and even apply some effects. By default, an application with a PSD cannot work, but it is possible to install a free plug-in that fixes a format compatibility issue. This will make it possible to work with PSD files and re-save them to other formats.

Here’s what you need to do to install a special plugin:

1. Download and install the Paint.NET application itself.

2. Download the plugin itself and extract it from the archive.

3. Close running NET.

4. Go to the folder with the installed program, find the FileTypes directory there and go to it.

5. Copy the contents of the archive with the plugin there.

Download Paint.NET

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A type: editor, converter.

Platform: web (online).

This tool has an important advantage – for it to work, nothing needs to be installed on your computer. You just need to go to the Photopea website and upload your PSD file there. Further image processing is carried out online. At the same time, the working interface is very similar to Photoshop, in addition, there are many tools for drawing, design and retouching. After processing, the file can be saved in one of the proposed popular formats, including JPG with PDF.

This service itself is free, but exists by displaying ads. Developers are asking for $ 9 a month for refusing ads, and from 30 to 60 actions, the number of actions stored in the history will increase.

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A type: viewer.

Platforms: web (online), Android, iOS.

The famous cloud service unexpectedly acts as a viewer of PSD files. You just need to upload your file to Google Drive and this will already make it possible to view it in a browser in the cloud service applications.

iOS: Download Google Drive

Android: Download Google Drive

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XnView MP

A type: viewer, editor, converter.

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.

This powerful tool works on various operating systems and is able to view more than 500 image formats. But the viewer also includes some editing functions: you can fix the colors, apply some effects, resize the picture and cut certain sections out of it. The program still does not recognize layers, but it makes it possible to convert PSD to many other graphic formats.

Download XnView MP

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A type: viewer, editor, converter.

Platform: Windows

The viewer not only makes it possible to open the PSD file, but also edit it using the built-in tools. True, the operations are simple: color grading and resizing, and even then, not with layers, but with the whole image. A PSD file can be re-saved to one of a couple of dozens of available options, including JPG, GIF and PNG.

Download FastStone Image Viewer

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Irfanview

A type: viewer, converter

Platform: Windows

This program is one of those omnivorous graphic viewers that “can handle” the PSD format. Editing layers is a difficult task for such applications, but converting from one format to another is a normal function. IrfanView allows you to make JPG, BMP, WEPB, GIF, PNG or other files from PSD. An important feature of the program is its speed, conversion even on slow PCs will be quick.

Download IrfanView

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A type: viewer, converter.

Platforms: web (online), Windows.

Another online service with a significant name allows you to only view the PSD and convert these files. The working document directly in the browser can be saved to JPG, BMP, TIFF, PNG GIF and others. There is a version of the application for Windows as well, but it is deprived of conversion capabilities, there you can only view the necessary files.

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Apple Photos

A type: viewer, editor, converter.

Platform: iOS macOS

In iOS and macOS, there is a standard “Photos” application that can open the PSD format by itself. In this program, you can impose various filters on the picture, correct colors in it and convert to JPG format.

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A type: editor, converter.

Platform: macOS

The program Pixelmator is a quality analogue of Photoshop on Mac. It is a powerful, beautiful, and easy-to-use image editor designed specifically for macOS. The application recognizes and allows editing layers of not only PSD files, but also vector documents in the form of SVG. The application is paid.

Download Pixelmator

Download Pixelmator Pro

See also:

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