So, if your computer is only running a few small applications, how can it use maximum disk capacity? This problem has been plaguing a lot of Windows 11/10 users; hence, we have delved a little further into the issue and found several solutions. If you have been facing this problem recently, please proceed with the article to know how you can fix 100 disk usage problem in Windows 11 or Windows 10.

Before heading to the causes and solutions of Windows 100% disk usage problem, you should be prepared that it is very easy to encounter critical problems when the computer is at 100% disk usage. Therefore, please always back up your important data. In case you lose precious files, like documents and photos, don’t hesitate to retrieve them with a file recovery software.

What Causes Windows 11/10 at 100% Disk Usage

• Large applications, such as Google Chrome and Skype, have often been blamed for the high usage of disk space in Windows PC.
• Similarly, some system features that was meant for facilitating users turn out to be laying burden on Windows OS.
• Besides, malware could also be responsible for the 100% disk usage issue.

The main idea behind fixing the disk space problem is to identify the root cause of the problem correctly, that is, the application which is eating up your memory so that we can delete or disable it.

If you are using an SSD drive on your computer, the first thing is checking SSD health and take actions if necessary. Additionally, there are several more ways in which we can fix Windows 10 100% disk usage error and ensure the computer runs smoothly. Even if you are not currently facing this problem, the chances are that it may happen to you sometime in the future. Therefore, it is beneficial for you to be equipped with the knowledge.

Method 1. Fix 100 Disk Usage by Disabling Prediction Service Chrome

• Open Google Chrome, then go to the three-dot menu > Settings.
• Scroll down to find and click Advanced option.
• Under Privacy and security, uncheck Use a prediction service to load pages more quickly option.
  

The option is for preloading pages when you are searching on Chrome so that you will get smooth experience. However, on some Windows 10 computer, the feature may cause 100% or high disk usage. The option may have a different name and location on different versions of Chrome, but should be easy to find according to its function.

Method 2. Fix Windows 10 100% Disk Usage Caused by Skype

Skype is another application that takes up a lot of disk space when in use, especially if it is automatically launched when you turn on Windows 10 computer. If you don’t want to completely uninstall Skype, please try the following trick to see if the 100% disk usage issue can be fixed.

• Open Windows 10 File Explorer, type “SKYPESERVER.EXE” in the search box and hit Enter.
• Right-click on the found SKYPESERVER.EXE file, then select Properties.
• Open Security tab, select ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES, then click on Edit button.
• On the box below, find Write and check the box under Allow, then tap Apply > OK.
  

Once the change is made, you will notice a reduction in the usage of your Disk Space. If Skype is not responsible for it, then you may need to use some other method.

Method 3. Fix 100 Disk Usage Windows 10 by Disabling Windows Search

Windows search feature is always running in the background, which can sometimes use up a lot of disk space when other apps are also running in the system. Usually, most people do not use this feature, preferring instead to use some other cloud service, this feature is redundant and unnecessary to most people. Hence, they would actually benefit from disabling this feature altogether to get more use out of their PC.

Here is how you can go about disabling this feature so that it stops running in the background of your computer:

• Press the CTRL key and the R key at the same time, and you will find that the Run application dialogue box will open.
• Type in services.msc and then press the Enter key.
• Scroll through the list and look for Windows Search and then right-click on that option.
• Select the Properties option and then, click on the General tab then scroll through the list until you find the Startup option.
  
• Change the setting to Disabled.
• Click Apply > OK to save the change.

Now, you have successfully disabled the Windows Search feature which may otherwise create problems for your computer and keep it from being able to run smoothly.

Method 4. Fix 100 Disk Usage Windows 10 by Disabling Windows Tips & Tricks

Windows has a tips and tricks feature which sends you notifications in different ways in which you can enhance your experience with your computer. Ironically, some users have reported that when this feature is enabled, it does tend to cause problems for many, and hence you may want to disable this feature by following the steps listed below:

• Click Windows 10 Start menu, then go to Settings > System.
• Select Notifications and actions tab.
• Scroll down to find and turn off Get tips, tricks and suggestions as you use Windows.
  

Method 5. Fix 100 Disk Usage Windows 10 by Performing Disk Check

If all else fails, then you can perform a disk check to see whether everything on your disk is running smoothly with the help of Windows PowerShell.

• Press the Windows key and the X key at the same time.
• A pop-up menu will appear on the left, select Windows PowerShell (admin).
• Click Yes on User Account Control window that appears.
• Now, type in the command chkdsk.exe /f /r and then hit the Enter key.
• Press the Y key to confirm the disk check-up when the machine restarts.
• The next time your computer restarts, the disk check command will be performed, after which the issue will hopefully be resolved.

Method 6. Fix 100 Disk Usage by Disabling Index in File Explorer

Open File Explorer in your computer, find and right-click on a disk drive, then choose Properties. In the pop-up window, you will find an option named “Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties” on the bottom.

This option enables the search engine of Windows OS to look inside the files and index the contents. Only with this option enabled, can you find a document by searching for a keyword inside through Windows search box. Without indexing the contents, you could only search for the file properties itself, like the name or the date it was created, but nothing inside.

However, to index some drives can take up a lot of computer capacity. Therefore, you may uncheck the above-mentioned box and see if the problem is solved or not.

Final Thoughts

After reading this article, you should know what to do whenever you run into the problem of 100% disk usage on Windows 11/10. If your computer is just running slow without high disk usage, here are more tips and tricks to speed up Windows 10. Anyway, share your experience and tips & tricks with us to help more people.

Possible Causes of Private Mode Not Working

It would be easier to fix the problem if we know the exact cause. As we have mentioned in the beginning, the problem is usually the result of recent changes on Samsung mobile device, which includes but not limited to:

• Rooting
• Installing TWRP, custom ROM or framework
• Restore a TWRP backup on custom ROM
• System update, especially to Android Nougat, Oreo and newer

Please recall if you have ever done such modifications to your Samsung phone recently. For most cases, the problem may disappear after reversing the phone to original status. If it is caused due to system update or other factors, however, you may try following methods to fix it. Anyway, back up existing phone data first.

Important: In case you mistakenly deleted photos or videos from your computer or SD card, don’t hesitate to try Jihosoft Photo Recovery to get them back as soon as possible.

Method 1. Restart Your Samsung when Can’t Access Private Mode

Press power button, and then choose either Restart directly, or Power off and then power on after several minutes. A simple restart can fix many problems on electronic devices and won’t take too much time. If you are lucky enough, this could solve the problem for you. Once you are able to turn on Private mode again, it is suggested to transfer or back up the files elsewhere as soon as possible.

Method 2. Force Stop Private Mode App and Clear Cache

Occasionally, the Private mode app itself doesn’t work properly. The following steps may help the app work normally.

• Step 1. Go to Settings > Application manager > System apps.
• Step 2. Scroll down to find and open Private mode.
• Step 3. Tap FORCE STOP, then confirm the operation when a window pops up.
• Step 4. Tap Storage > CLEAR CACHE.
• Step 5. Try turning on Private mode again.
  

Note: Clearing cache won’t wipe the files in Private mode.

Method 3. Change Screen Resolution If Failed to Enable Private Mode

Since Samsung Galaxy S7/edge, which runs on Android 7.0 Nougat, Samsung provides multiple screen resolutions. According to the tests of some Samsung S7 users, Private mode works again after changing screen resolution to WQHD. The relation between them is not clear, but you may have a try.

• Step 1. Go to Settings, scroll down to Display.
• Step 2. Tap on Screen resolution. There are 3 options: HD (1280×720), FHD (1920×1080), or WQHD (2560×1440).
• Step 3. Select WQHD. If WQHD is already selected, then choose another option (and apply) first, and then switch back.
• Step 4. Tap on Apply in the top right corner.
  

Method 4. Factory Reset Samsung to Fix Private Mode Not Working

Factory reset could be the last resort if the above methods fail to fix your problem to access Private mode. A factory reset will return a device to the status when it was delivered from factory, thus wipe potential issues that may cause Private mode not working error.

It is easy to reset a mobile phone to factory status. However, you have to face the hassle to set up your phone from scratch after that. Besides backup, you should also be careful of factory reset lock, which may ask you to log in to your Google or Samsung account before using the device.

Bonus Tips: Fix Safari Private Browsing Not Working on iOS

A lot of people come here to find a solution for private browsing not working problem in Safari, which could happen on iPhone and iPad. When it appears, you will be returned with “No results for xxx” or the private mode is not available on Safari. Don’t worry. You may try the following tips one by one to solve Safari private browsing not working on iOS 15.

• Go to Settings > Screen Time. Check if Content & Privacy Restrictions are enabled, in which case private mode is not available in Safari.
• Close all tabs in Safari, restart your iPad/iPhone, then turn on Private mode and check if the problem is solved.
• Restore your device to factory settings after backing up your iPhone or iPad.

Please leave a comment below in case none of the above methods work for you. There are too many possible issues that may cause the problem, but we can discuss here and get as many solutions as possible.

Part 1. Microsoft Windows Language Pack Types

Some Windows users may find that some parts of their operating system interface do not display in desired language after installing language pack. That’s because Microsoft provides 3 types of language pack:

• Fully localized language pack: It contains 100 percent of the resources for a language and locale.
• Partially localized language pack: It contains 100 percent of the resources for a language and locale, but not all of the resources are localized in the language pack
• Language Interface Pack (LIP): A partially localized language pack that includes less than 100 percent of the localized resources. LIPs can be installed only on top of a fully localized language pack.

For end users, what we can do is installing language interface pack, which is partially localized for some languages. This explains why you might install a Portuguese language pack, but still get some parts display in English after a reboot. Check the supported language packs and language interface pack (LIP).

Note: Make sure to save your work and close the running programs before applying the steps below, because your computer may be restarted forcefully or by yourself. In case you lose important work, like interrupted file transfer or unsaved document, don’t hesitate to recover unsaved or lost Word document as soon as possible. You can also use Jihosoft File Recovery Software to recover deleted or formatted photos, videos and more files from SD card, USB drive, hard drive and all other storage devices.

Part 2. Install Windows 10 Language Pack Using Windows Update

For Home and Pro edition users, the easiest method for installing Windows 10 language pack is using Windows Update. Depending on the Windows 10 version of your computer, the specific operation may slightly vary. Here is an instruction for Windows 10 Pro, 1703 build.

• Step 1. Go to Settings > Time & Language > Region & language.
  
• Step 2. Select a region, then click Add a language.
• Step 3. Choose the language you need. You may also need to choose specific region if it is English, French, etc.
• Step 4. Click the language pack you just added, then click Options > Download language pack. Here you can also download Handwriting and Speech pack.
  
• Step 5. Go back to the previous screen when the download is complete, and then click Set as default.
  

If everything goes well, the display language should be changed after a reboot.

Alternatively, since Windows 10 still keeps Control Panel, you can also go to Control Panel > Clock, Language and Region > Language, then choose Add a language, and set it as the primary language.

Part 3. How to Fix Windows 10 Language Pack Not Downloading

On some occasions, the language pack may refuse to be downloaded or installed. Here are some of the symptoms:

• The download process aborts accidentally without any error code
• Download failed
• Failed to install
• A language pack isn’t available
• The language can’t be installed on this computer

Please try a small trick to fix the problem:

• Step 1. Open Windows Explorer, go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download.
• Step 2. Delete all files and sub-folders within the Download folder.
  
• Step 3. Go back to the language pack page and try downloading again.

Now the language pack should be downloading, and you can set it as default display language as described above.

Part 4. Manually Download and Install Windows 10 Language Pack

You can also download language pack files (aka. CAB files) and install them manually. Since Microsoft doesn’t provide official direct download links for end users, you may need to search for language pack files on search engine, which is actually also very convenient. Just make sure the language pack suits for your Windows 10 build.

Where to Download Language Pack for Windows 10 Build 1809?

There is no direct link from Microsoft for end users to download the language packs. Besides, the language packs should be installed on the right build of Windows 10. Therefore, if you failed to download language packs through Windows updates, then you need to search for the desired language files online. Some forums and communities may post the latest cab files.

Follow these steps to manually install Windows 10 language pack:

• Step 1. Press Windows key + R, type lpksetup and press Enter.
  
• Step 2. Click Install display language.
  
• Step 3. Browse the location of downloaded CAB file, then click Next.
  
• Step 4. Accept the license terms, then click Next.
• Step 5. Installation will start automatically.
  
• Step 6. Click Close when the language pack installation is completed. Reboot may be required.

If the installed language is not set as default, you can do it manually on Settings > Time & Language > Region & language. However, the display language of the Office program may not be changed accordingly. You need to download language pack for Office.

Part 5. Windows 10 Single Language Change Language

Windows 10 single language is basically Windows home version, but with only one system language. It is usually pre-installed in some Windows laptops, and the users cannot add or change UI display language as Pro version users do. The best solution for Single Language Windows 10 is to upgrade to Pro version.

Part 6. How to Add Language Packs in Windows 11

Similar to the process in Windows 10, it is also easy to add and install a language pack in Windows 11. Here are the steps:

• Step 1. Click Start button and go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
• Step 2. Under Language, select Preferred languages and then click Add a language.
• Step 3. Choose a language from the list, and then click Next.
• Step 4. Select optional features (language pack, text-to-speech, handwriting) and click Install.
• Step 5. Wait a while and then you will see the added language from the drop-down list next to Windows display language.

The instruction above will help you make your Windows 11 computer more locally. However, it is possible that some users will encounter similar troubles as mentioned above which happen to Windows 10. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment with a detailed description of your problem and we will get it covered.

Why Use Free Scanner Software?

People usually use the scanners for scanning the important and confidential documents for multiple reasons. This follows the process of digitalization.

1. Scanners are used to exclude the burden of physical documents and they can be safely secured in the computers.
2. It also frees people from waiting in the long queues for getting the photocopy of the documents, now they can be scanned and used.
3. Scanner software can auto generate a digital file of the original document, which saves people a lot of time comparing with typing every word manually in computer.
4. Some scanner software can convert scanned image into readable and editable documents.

Make sure you know how to recover files in Windows 10 before destroying the physical documents. In case you accidentally lose the scanned digital files in the future, the best data recovery software and photo recovery software could be a lifesaver.

Following the same context, here mentioned are some of the scanner software that can be used on Windows 10 for scanning the documents.

Note: Most of the following top free scanner software for Windows 10 need the Camera app in order to work normally. Check how to fix Windows 10 camera not working.

1. Office Lens – Best Free Scanning Software for PC & Mobile Device

Office Lens, the official scanner software of Microsoft, is referred as one of the best free scanner software for Windows 10. It enhances and trims the picture of prints, whiteboards and business cards, then saves the scanned files to local storage as picture, PDF, Word or PowerPoint file, or to OneDrive as cloud backup. This free scanner software can be accessed in Microsoft Store as well as mobile app stores.

It proves itself best in performance as it enhances the productivity. Now Windows 10 users can easily map out their ideas, save them in OneDrive and share the important documents in the form of PDF. Business cards, whitepapers, other information can be scanned and stored. It works best with the languages i.e. English, German, Spanish and Simplified Chinese.

2. PDF Document Scanner – Best Free Scanning Software for PDF

Compatible with Windows 10 operating system, PDF document scanner comes with number of wide applications. This easy-to-use free scanner can adjust the document in the frame and capture an image, which is then saved in storage and converted in PDF. These PDF can be used as digital copies and excludes the hard copies of documents. The digital copies are then saved in either the cloud storage or other external sources.

3. HP Scan and Capture – Best Free Scanning Software for HP Product

HP Scan and Capture is a free utility for Windows 10. It can scan both the readable documents and images. This free scanner can detect HP devices connected to the same Windows 10 computer so that HP users can easily scan manage documents. However, it can also work without additional device. Once activated, the documents and images can be scanned and framed for basic editing. The scanned copy is saved as PDF in local storage. Have too many files in hard disk? See how to free up space on Windows 10.

4. PaperScan – Free Scanner Software for Windows 10 with Multiple Functions

Controlling the all nearby scanning devices, PaperScan is compatible with Windows10. It also provides the flatbed and document feeder support. One can easily use the already existing PDF and images for scanning and editing. It helps to adjust and enhance the image quality by auto-deskew, and remove punch holes and borders as well as detecting and removing blank pages.

This free scanner software displays information on the basis of resolution, size and color mode of the image. Once scanned, the file can be stored as PDF, PDF with encryption, TIFF, JPEG, PNG and even JBIG2. This scanner software comes with three editions: Pro, Home and Free. Unlike some other so-called free apps, which are full of ads or incomplete functions, you can complete all the basic tasks with PaperScan free edition worry-free.

5. NAPS2 – Best Free Scanner for Windows 10 with OCR

It is an open source software that is capable of scanning the documents and images with physical scanning hardware. It can convert scanned files into various targeted formats i.e. PDF, TIFF, JPG and PNG. Taking only 1.6M of your disk storage, the software is compatible with Windows 10 to work at maximum. Along with OCR tools, the free scanner helps to extract the text from scanned documents.

6. Windows Scan – A Free Scanner by Microsoft Corporation

This is a simple scanner software for basic requirements. If you have a scanner, Windows Scan will make it easy to scan documents and pictures and save them where you’d like. Whether you’re scanning a photo from the flatbed or scanning multiple pages by using a document feeder, the Scan app is the perfect assistant. Please note that some older scanners are not compatible with Windows Scan, and thus cannot be used in conjunction with the Scan app.

Bonus Tip:

Speaking of usability and convenience, mobile apps have put up the winning margin so large that a lot of PC scanner programs have not been updated since years ago. The best part of mobile scanning apps is that they are usually free for using basic features, though containing ads. Besides, mobile scanner apps are updated much more frequently according to feedbacks from thousands of real users.

CamScanner is a top-rated scanner app available on Google Play Store. You can use it to print out any documents with a nearby printer and fax them to over 30 countries and regions. You can choose to subscribe to get unlimited access to all features, or stick with the basic version and get the simple task done for free.

Bottom Line

With the above best 6 free scanners for Windows 10 computer and an extra scanner app for Android, we can easily make a proper choice whenever we need to scan physical documents into digital files for various purposes. If you know some better free scanning software for Windows 10 or want to know the best free scanner for a specific case, feel free to discuss with us in the comment.

PKPASS (Passbook Pass Format) is an Apple Wallet file used for saving boarding passes, coupons, loyalty cards, movie tickets, and other passes. It usually contains a pass provided by vendors (Airline Companies or Starbucks). So, the file you have received in your mail as PKPASS File actually contains your Boarding pass or any digital signature of the vendor, appearing as PNG pictures, json files and signature. Don’t worry. There are several ways to open PKPASS file extension in all your devices, like iOS and Android phone, PC or Mac.

Tip: Sometimes it is inevitable to mistakenly delete photos, videos and documents as important as PKPASS file, but the same, don’t be sad. We can easily recover deleted files on computer with a good file recovery software or photo recovery software. Just remember to conduct data recovery as soon as possible.

Part 1. How to Open PKPASS File on iOS Device (iPhone)

Opening PKPASS File on iPhone is elementary. There is an in-built app in your iOS device named Apple Wallet (Wallet for short, formerly Apple Passbook), which allows users to open and view the PKPASS file.

All you have to do is simply download that PKPASS file from your email, and when you tap on that file, it will be loaded and opened in Apple Wallet (Wallet). For your convenience, you can add that file to the app, so you don’t have to open the mail every time you want to see it.

Part 2. How to Open PKPASS File on Android Phone/Tablet

There is no built-in app comes with an Android which allows you to open PKPASS files, but it’s still easy. Just download an app called PassWallet from Google Play Store for free. The app will collect all your Passbook / Apple Wallet (.pkpass files) tickets & coupons.

Now tap to open .pkpass file with the PassWallet app, and then you can easily access it from your Android devices. Alternatively, some mobile manufacturers may have built Wallet app in their smartphones, so users don’t need to install third-party apps.

Part 3. How to Open PKPASS File on Windows PC

If you want to open PKPASS files on Windows PC, then it’s actually simpler than doing it in a phone. There are two ways to open PKPASS file in PC.

First, as PKPASS is a compressed archive just like .zip and .rar, so you can rename it with .zip or .rar extension, then you will get access to the contained information by extracting the file.

Second, if you find the first method a little complex, then you can also install Wallet apps from Microsoft Store, which will let you access and view all the PKPASS files on your PC for free or with a little cost.

Part 4. How to Open PKPASS File on Mac

Similarly, in order to open and view PKPASS files on your Mac, you need to download and install a tool on your Mac device.

To open PKPASS file on Mac, you need to use iPhone Emulator. The iPhone emulator is built into Xcode for Mac, so you need to download and install Xcode on your Mac, and then you will be able to view the PKPASS files on your Mac.

Conclusion

In this article, we have learnt several ways to open PKPASS files on different devices. Next time, you will know how to deal with the issue when you or someone you know receive with a PKPASS file as an email attachment after booking a flight ticket online. You can open them on every device at your disposal. We’d love to hear from you if this tutorial helps you.

Microsoft is expanding their visions and credibility in its latest versions of Windows operating system, but the updates are not always working well for everyone. A lot of known bugs are fixed in every new update, while a few new issues are also found later. For example, many people report that there is no sound on their laptops after Windows 10 update.

People were not expecting the audio issue after Windows 10 update, but it happened and confused a lot of users. A problematic update could also cause data loss, in which case a good file recovery tool will be needed. Therefore, be cautious before you decide to rush to a new update, or you can even disable Windows 10 auto update.

In addition to the update itself, a few other factors could cause audio issues on Windows 10. Anyway, if you’re also unable to switch the sound on or turn it up or down, then the following 6 solutions might fix the no sound problem on your Windows 10 laptop or desktop.

Method 1. Fix Audio Issues on Windows 10 with Basic Techniques

It is also recommended to try some basic troubleshooting steps first. Most of the times, the issue is what we consider a very non-sense step.

1. Check if the cables are in position. Make sure to plug the audio jack into the right port.
2. Check the plug of your speaker. Is it switched on and working fine?
3. Check the audio icon placed in the extreme down right corner of your desktop. Check if it’s muted or down low. Also check the volume of your speakers too.

Method 2. Fix Audio Issues on Windows 10 with Troubleshooter

Most Windows 10 users don’t use the troubleshooter only because they assume it won’t work. But trust me, Windows 10’s troubleshooter is a helpful feature to try first for technical issues.

• Click the Start menu, then go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
• Playing Audio should be near the front on the list. If not, scroll down to find and click it, then choose Run the troubleshooter.
  
• Follow the instruction provided by the troubleshooter.

The troubleshooter will automatically find the issues and try to solve it. There are more options, such as Recording Audio and Video Playback, on the Troubleshoot list. In most cases, you don’t find a need to go for further solutions. If there is still no sound on your Windows 10 laptop, then check more options below.

Method 3. Fix No Sound on Windows 10 Laptop by Updating Drivers

Device Manager is a place where Windows keeps all the information and settings about every hardware and driver. Our main purpose is to find that if the sound card and its driver are working properly or not on Device Manager.

• Press Windows key + X key, then choose Device Manager.
• Look for the option for Sound on Device Manager and expand it.
• Now right-click the sound card which should be similar to High Definition Audio Device.
  
• Choose Update Driver on the right-click menu, then click Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the wizard.

You can also visit the manufacturer’s website and look for the updates for your sound driver manually. Apart from this, you can select the other option on the last step – Browse my computer for driver software and find the default driver on your computer which should be compatible.

Method 4. Fix No Sound on Windows 10 by Setting Default Playback

Another common option that works all the time is to set your playback device as default from the sound settings.

• Click Start menu, then type Sound and open it from the matched result.
• Under the Playback tab, select the playback device and click Set Default button.
  

This will probably solve the audio issue on Windows 10.

Method 5. Fix Audio Issues on Windows 10 by Changing Default Format

If the above method does not fix the audio issue, you can go further.

• On Playback tab, select the default device, then click Properties.
• On Advanced tab, below Default Format, select another option and hit Test.
  

You can repeat the above steps but select another format and hit play. Keep doing so until you hear the sound, then click Apply > OK to save the changes.

Method 6. Fix No Sound in Windows 10 by Installing Updates

Every Windows update is released to fix some issues. If it has been quite a long time since your last update, you may check for updates in Settings:

• Click Start and choose Settings.
• Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Click Check for updates, then hit Install now if there is an update available.
• Restart your computer once the installation is finished.

You can disable Windows 10 automatic update afterwards if you don’t like it.

Bottom Line

The solutions in this tutorial have been proven to be helpful in fixing Windows 10 audio issues. We hope they will also give you some clues. When using computers for work or entertainment, we could also run into other critical errors on Windows 10. Feel free to tell us if you have any questions or solutions.

Tip: In case you lose precious RAW pictures by accident, try a photo recovery software to get them back as soon as possible.

Way 1. View RAW Files with Microsoft Camera Codec Pack on Windows 10

You may have found that Windows 10 allows users to preview thumbnails of some RAW images, like ARW, DNG and CR2, and open these RAW pictures with Photos app. As a matter of fact, Windows 10 is built-in with Microsoft camera codec pack, which automatically recognizes those device-specific file formats and allows users to preview RAW files in Windows Explorer without third-party apps.

With thumbnail preview, it would be super convenient to find or edit RAW image files with professional editing tools. Nevertheless, since Microsoft has stopped updating the codec pack, there are still plenty of RAW formats that Windows 10 doesn’t support, like NEF and ORF.

Tip: If you want to view RAW files on Windows 7 or Windows 8, please download Microsoft camera codec pack manually.

Way 2. View RAW Images on Windows 10 with Codec for Specific Camera

If Windows 10 doesn’t support the RAW image format of your camera, then it will only show the default image icons instead of thumbnails of your images. In this case, you need to install a specific codec for the RAW format or camera model, which will work like Microsoft camera codec pack and display thumbnails of the specific RAW file type.

Normally, you should be able to find the codec on manufacturer’s website, but there are also several useful third-party codec websites. Here we’re going to show how to install Nikon NEF codec to Windows 10 from such a codec site.

• Step 1. Visit http://www.free-codecs.com
• Step 2. Input “NEF codec” in the top-right search box and hit Enter.
• Step 3. From the results, click link: NEF Codec 1.31 Free Download.
• Step 4. View the information page, then click Download button on the right section and another download button on the new page.
• Step 5. Click the downloaded .exe file to start installing camera codec with setup wizard.
• Step 6. You may need to reboot your computer to make the codec work.
  

Now, your Windows 10 computer should show thumbnails of NEF images. In the meantime, you should be able to open NEF photos with Photos app. Just search for more codecs if you have another kind of RAW pictures that Windows 10 doesn’t support. Camera model info might help you find codec quickly. Please include it into searching keywords.

Way 3. Open RAW Photos with RAW Image Viewer on Windows 10

If installing various of codecs hassles you, you can use RAW image viewer which usually support most RAW formats. For example, ACDSee is one of the most famous RAW image viewer software.

Premium RAW image viewers may charge you for using advanced functions, but usually less expensive than Lightroom. Another drawback is that there is no thumbnail of the device-specific RAW images in Windows Explorer, which means quick preview is not available. Instead, users need to open the RAW viewer to check all RAW images in the same folder and manage them as you like. Overall, it is still a great choice if you don’t need another professional editor program.

Pros:

• Support a wide range of RAW formats as well as common images with one tool
• Provide advanced editing functions and management options

Cons:

• No thumbnail display in Windows Explorer
• May need payment

If you’re stick with the digital camera of one brand, it is a good choice to use the official image viewer and editor from the manufacturer, which usually supports RAW viewing, editing and even conversion to other formats.

Final Words

There are many more ways to view and open RAW images, but the above three methods should work in most cases in a Windows 10 computer. If you have more and better choices, don’t hesitate to share them with us in the comment so that more people will benefit from it.

Possible Causes of “Windows was unable to complete the format”

In order to solve a problem, firstly, we have to understand the problem as best as we can so in future we won’t have to face it again. The possible reasons of “Windows was unable to complete the format” are as follow:

• Mistakenly deleting the partition is a common cause of the problem.
• Viruses, which infect the drive from inside, may keep writing the dangerous stuff on our drive’s programs resulting in it would be inaccessible.
• Write-protected is also a possible cause because formatting your drive is also a writing process. In this case, you need to remove write protection.
• Bad sectors on the drive can also be a reason of “Windows was unable to complete the format” error as they interfere with the writing process.
• Physical damage of the drive is not a common cause, but can also prevent your drive from formatting when it really happens.

Though Windows was not able to complete the format in normal way when the above factors appear, we have some solutions to format your drives in other ways.

However, whichever way you formatted a storage device, you will lose the files and data inside. If you disk drive is still recognizable, you’re suggested to use a data recovery software to scan the device and get files out before applying the solutions below. If not, you may still use it to recover deleted data partially after formatting the disk drive.

Solution 1. Format USB Drive in Disk Management

Disk management is a Windows built-in function that allows you to manage all your disks and partitions into the computer. When Windows was unable to complete the format, Disk Management may be able to do that.
Formatting your drive in Disk Management requires simple steps.

• Step 1. Press Windows key + R at the same time, then type diskmgmt.msc in the box and hit Enter.
• Step 2. In Disk Management, right-click on the drive and choose Format…
  
• Step 3. Select File system format and other options, then press OK.

Disk Management is a very powerful system utility. It should be able to fix the “Windows was unable to complete the format” in most cases. If not, please keep reading the solution below.

Solution 2. Format USB Drive with Diskpart Command

Unlike Disk Management utility, diskpart is actually a command group. It can force display all disk partitions connected to the computer and perform formatting from higher level, which will help you get rid of “Windows was unable to complete the format” problem with ease.

Comparing with Disk Management, diskpart command gives you more authority over your partitions. Please note that the data in the USB drive will be wiped.

• Step 1. Press Windows key + R, then type cmd in the box and hit Enter.
• Step 2. Type diskpart in the command prompt window and hit Enter. User Account Control may pop up, just click Yes to proceed.
• Step 3. Type the following commands and hit Enter one by one:
  • list disk
  • select disk n (n represents the disk number that you want to format)
  • clean (this command will erase all of the data in the drive)
  • create partition primary
  • format FS=FAT32
  • assign letter X (X represents the USB drive, you can also change it to any unoccupied letter)
  • exit

By following these steps your drive will be partitioned and reformatted with FAT32 file system (which is the default file system of most USB drive). Now, you should no longer have Windows was unable to complete the format error.

Bottom Line

In case you lose important files from SD card or USB drive, don’t hesitate to try the file recovery software mentioned above as soon as possible to avoid data overwriting. Feel free to chat with us if you have other problems when using USB drive, like if you want to fix slow USB transfer speed.

Part 1. What is Software Reporter Tool?

Software Reporter Tool comes under “Chrome Cleanup Computer” which scans the computer’s memory to detect the useless files and software. You will find it as Software_Reporter_Tool.exe executable file which keeps running in the background of the computer system. When you look for its data or description, it will show up as the Software Reporter Tool.

To find Software Reporter Tool, you can head towards the Processes tab after opening Task Manager on your Windows computer. Now, right-click on it and select “Open File Location”. You will be redirected to the location:

“C:\Users\Your_User_Name\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\SwRepoter\Version_Number\”

You can find the .exe file in this folder. Alternatively, you can simply use the Run dialog box and follow this given code: “%localappdata%\Google\Chrome\User Data\SwReporter”. In this way, you can go to the executable file Software_Reporter_Tool.exe.

So, here you can see that the Software Reporter Tool has some relation with Google Chrome. Basically, when you download the Google Chrome web browser on your computer, then the Software Reporter Tool automatically gets installed and stored in the above-mentioned folder as Software_Reporter_Tool.exe.

Is Software Reporter Tool a virus?

Software Reporter Tool is downloaded because of Chrome browser, so need not to worry about its security. It is a part of the Google Chrome which is unidentified by most users. Therefore, when the users find this executable file running and taking high CPU usage, they naturally take it as a malware or malicious file. However, the antivirus or any such security system will not detect anything from it.

Software Reporter Tool, which is a part of Chrome Cleanup Tool, is capable to scan the computer’s drive and detect the harmful and useless programs, software and apps on the computer’s system and remove them. So, when you find it running in the background then basically it keeps scanning the data and looking for malicious programs on the system. Moreover, it also removes the add-ons and extensions which interrupt in the functioning of Google Chrome.
Software Reporter Tool scans the whole system once a week. Around 25 minutes time is taken by this executable to run for complete scanning.

Pro tips: You can’t be too careful when dealing with malware and suspicious apps, otherwise, a virus could cause painful data loss, in which case you’re recommended have a try with Jihosoft Data Recovery Software to recover files deleted by virus.

Pros of Software Reporter Tool

• As it scans and removes the harmful programs and software from the computer, Software Reporter Tool is useful for the security purpose of the computer from malware or any other malicious elements without any use of an anti-virus.
• Many times, while browsing you may end up to an automatic downloading of extensions and add-ons because of the third-party software or website. This may not come under your realization, but it fills up space and may create problems to your computer. Software Reporter Tool will detect such extensions and add-ons which are useless and not under your knowledge.
• Since Software Reporter Tool is a part of Google Chrome Cleanup Tool, it can be used for scanning the programs with trust. It is a safe tool which you can use for clearing the space and malicious programs from the computer system.

Cons of Software Reporter Tool

• Software Reporter Tool high disk or CPU usage is the main point criticized by people. Due to its working mode, Software Reporter Tool sometimes could take a large consumption of RAM. It can make your computer run in a sluggish and slow manner.
• When this tool crashes, you will find an error saying “Google Chrome Software Reporter Tool has stooped working” which is very annoying and disturbing while working with the computer.
• If Software Reporter Tool detects your useful extension, software, app or add-ons as useless or harmful, then it will automatically remove them without any permission or information. This can trouble the user several times as the tool keeps scanning the computer every week. Moreover, it will also remove your useful and harmless programs which are creating problems while running Google Chrome.
• Software Reporter Tools regularly scans the computer drive and memory and finally reports about the harmful programs and software to Google. This can put a question on the user’s privacy as the data is sent to the server by the tool. For this reason, many people want to disable Software Reporter Tool for privacy concern.

If you value the cons over the pros, then you can block Software Reporter Tool.

Before heading to the instruction and steps, you need to know that this will prevent Google from detecting the malware or malicious programs running on your computer. Moreover, your system will get devoid of this useful tool of Google Chrome Cleanup Software. So, it may happen that you will receive problems which will not be detected by Google and you may need to use any other third party application or tool to remove it. It is worthy to note that the Software Reporter Tool is a helpful tool in keeping out the potentially unwanted programs from the computer in a decent manner.

Part 2. How to Block Chrome Software Reporter Tool

The simplest way to remove Software Reporter Tool is to delete the content of the executable file or to rename it manually. However, you will not get rid of the Software Reporter Tool permanently in that way. It will get back in your system again, once you will update your Google Chrome web browser. You can go for this method for removing the Software Reporter Tool temporarily from your computer. For the permanent and stable solution, read the method given below.

You can stop Software Reporter Tool from running by disabling its access to the computer system. All you need to is to remove all the permissions of the folder where it is stored. Follow these simple steps to disable Software Reporter Tool for your computer.

• Step 1. First, locate the SwReporter folder as described above.
• Step 2. Right click on it, then click on Properties.
  
• Step 3. Now open the Security tab, then click Advanced.
• Step 4. On the new window, click on Disable inheritance > Remove all the inherited permissions from this object.
  
• Step 5. Click on Apply. You will get a confirmatory pop-up from Windows Security. Click on the “Yes” option.
• Step 6. To save and confirm the changes, click on “OK” twice.

In this way, you have disabled Software Reporter Tool successfully. This prevents any user or program to access this folder by blocking it from your computer. Whether you update the Chrome browser or do any other changes in the future, it will not get activated on your computer. It is a best suited permanent solution to block Software Reporter Tool.

Conclusion

If you are facing a problem because of high disk usage or high CPU load because of Software Reporter Tool, then you may block Chrome Software Reporter Tool to fix the issue. You can replace it with any other safe and flexible third-party software after that. The given method is suitable for the users to disable Software Reporter Tool permanently. You can find a temporary solution as well in this article. However, in case the issue of high disk or CPU usage still exists, you may need to look for other possible causes, such as Service Host Superfetch 100% Disk Usage.

If you face any problem while doing this then kindly let us know through comments.

External hard drives usually store many important data of their users, so it would be a disaster if the problem is not solved. Don’t worry. In this article, we are going to fix Seagate external hard drive not detected problem step by step, which will also possibly work for other storage devices.

• Why Seagate External Hard Drive Not Showing Up?
• Fix Seagate External Hard Drive Not Showing Up without Losing Data
• Solution 1. Assign a New Letter to External Hard Drive
• Solution 2. Initialization of Seagate External Hard drive
• Solution 3. Format and Repartition Seagate External Hard drive

Why Seagate External Hard Drive Not Showing Up?

The answer to this question is hidden under the numerous reasons that allow your Seagate external hard drive to not show up. Following are the reasons that are responsible for this act of not recognizing your drive.

1. USB port not working properly. It might be possible that your personal computer USB port is not working properly and you are unaware of this thing. It is the major reason for not recognizing your Seagate external hard drive.

2. Outdated hard drive drivers. Again, another reason will be your outdated hard drivers that make it impossible for your computer to find out Seagate external hard drive.

3. Attack of Virus. Yes, it might be possible your system is encountering any kind bug issue. As a result of these bugs, you are unable to work on your system smoothly and accurately.

4. Failure of Hard Drive. Physical or logical hard disk failure may occur in the course of normal operation, or due to an external factor such as exposure to fire or water or high magnetic fields, or other tough conditions.

These are the common reasons that make it possible Seagate external hard drive to not showing up. Of course, there are many more unpredictable causes, but you can try following solutions anyway.

Quick Troubleshooting to Seagate External Hard Drive Not Showing Up

We have analyzed the possible causes of Seagate external hard drive not showing error above. Accordingly, we can troubleshoot the issue with several DIY tricks:

• Try another USB port and cable, or use another PC.
• Update driver in Device Manager > Disk drives.
• Scan your entire computer with anti-virus software.
• If you find any indication of physical damage, then you’d better change to a new external hard drive since it is not safe anymore.

If the problem is fully or partially fixed but some files missing, then you can use a data recovery software to get the files back, which is able to find hidden and deleted photos, videos, documents and more files from external hard drive.

If there is no damage on your Seagate external hard drive but the problem persists, then you can try following solutions to get it fixed.

Solution 1. Assign a New Letter to External Hard Drive

If you get a “Please insert a disk into XX” alert when trying to open Seagate external hard drive in File Explorer, then it is possible that there is a drive letter conflict.

You need to assign a new letter to it or change the drive letter to an unused one.

• Step 1. Press Windows key + X, click Disk Management.
• Step 2. Select the partition of your external hard drive, then right-click and select Change Drive Letter and Paths…
• Step 3. Click Change, then assign a never-used driver letter.
• Step 4. Restart your computer and see if the external hard drive is detected.

The outcome will be very positive and you will find your Seagate external hard drive through My Computers. If your Seagate external hard drive doesn’t appear in Disk Management, please skip to Solution 3.

Solution 2. Initialization of Seagate External Hard drive

Sometimes what is happening to your hard drive is the problem of initialization. In this situation, you have to initialize your device first in order to make it work properly.

What you have to do is to right-click the drive and choose to initialize disk option. Now you have to follow appearing prompt to initialize the hard disk.
One important thing that needs to tell you here is that this type of operation will erase your all data in the hard drive. So be careful about this thing when you choose this method.

Solution 3. Format and Repartition Seagate External Hard drive

You can also choose this method and format your Seagate external hard drive. Formatting of Seagate external hard drive is possible through drive management and third-party software. You can find a step-by-step guide in regard to how to format and repartition hard drive in Disk Management.

• Step 1. Click Windows 10 Start menu, and type “CMD”.
• Step 2. From the matched result, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
• Step 3. In the command prompt window, type the following commands one by one and hit Enter after each.diskpart
  list disk
  select disk # (replace # with the letter of the external hard drive)
  cleanNote: This step will clean the disk make it appear in Disk management, but it will format the selected disk. Please make sure you select the right disk, otherwise you may need to recover data from formatted hard disk.
• Step 4. Enter Disk Management by pressing Windows key + X at the same time.
• Step 5. Right-click the unallocated partition and choose New Simple Volume.
  
• Step 6. Follow the setup wizard to complete the partition process.

Now Seagate external hard drive not recognized problem should be fixed. You can not only reclaim the huge disk space, but also get back the data in it. Feel free to share your cases with us and find effective solutions.