Friday, January 20, 2017

18 Common Windows 10 Problems & How to Fix Them

Millions of users have either upgraded to, or purchased new PCs that come with Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system. The operating system is the best Microsoft has offered in a while, mixing things that users loved about Windows 8 and the utility of Windows 7. It hasn't all been a success though. There are some common Windows 10 problems that still crop up for some people daily.

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Read: Windows 10 Review: A Love Affair

Microsoft plans to release new features and software changes to address Windows 10 problems for years to come. For example, it plans to debut the Windows 10 Creators Update in full early next year. Every month, it's also releasing new fixes to address issues. Until those fixes are available, here are some relative easy ways to address the problems some people are running into frequently.

Common Windows 10 Problems: Windows 10 Battery Problems

If you suddenly find your notebook, tablet or 2-in-1's battery doesn't last as long as it should, it may be time to turn on Windows 10's new Battery Saver feature.

Tap or click on the battery button in the right side of the Taskbar.

Read: How to Get Better Windows 10 Battery Life

Either dim your device's display by tapping the button on the right or turn on Battery Saver to dim your screen and cut down on the notifications and extras running in the background.

Common Windows 10 Problems: Fix Windows 10 Game Streaming Problems

The new Xbox on Windows app allows users to stream their gaming sessions directly from their Xbox One to their PC. This is particularly helpful when you're in another room and don't want to move to play your favorite games. Sometimes you're going to have issues with game streaming. Specifically, you'll run into some choppiness in the video.

Windows 10 on Xbox One (7)

Test Xbox One game streaming by opening the Xbox app.

Now go to the Connect area and look at the signal indicator to the left of your device's name. If it's red you will definitely run into some streaming issues.

To fix Windows 10 game streaming problems first connect your Xbox One directly to your wireless router to see if that's the problem. If it is, your wireless router may be too slow to handle the feature. You'll need to purchase a new one or stay wired to your network when using game streaming. You could also try adjusting the video quality of your stream to put less stress on your network.

Also, a lot of people seem to forget that streaming requires that the game be digital or you have your physical copy already in the disc drive.

Common Windows 10 Problems: Fix Windows 10 Camera App

Windows 10 has a built-in camera app that lets you capture pictures with your device's built-in camera. Sometimes the camera app will get stuck, leaving you without the ability to switch between multiple cameras on your device or capture a photo. If this happens, close the Camera app and look for other apps that might be using the camera.

Common Windows 10 Problems: How to Fix Windows 10 Minecraft Problems

Some users are reporting that Minecraft Windows 10 Edition isn't working on their systems when they try to take advantage of the free trial. Right now, the game only supports 64-bit processors. Mojang has a compatible version coming for 32-bit PCs, but we don't know when that will arrive.

Update: Minecraft Windows 10 Edition now works on 64-bit and 32-bit processors. It still doesn't work on the Surface 2, original Surface or Windows Phone, which has its own version of Minecraft Pocket Edition. 

Comon Windows 10 Problems: How to Fix Windows 10 Problems If Nothing Else Works

If you're having serious issues with Windows 10 after an upgrade, you can always have the operating system delete itself and reinstall without removing your files.

Click or tap on the Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen.

Tap or click on Settings. Tap or click on Update & Recovery. Tap or click on Recovery. Tap or click on Reset This PC.

Whether you choose delete all of your files along with Windows 10 is up to you. Once done, deleting, Windows 10 will install itself again. This should fix any issues you have with the operating system. Now that if you upgraded your Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 PC to Windows 10, you'll also have the option to go back to your previous operating system.

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Common Windows 10 Problems: How to Fix Windows 10 Apps

Windows 10's different apps are cool and new, but some of them still have issues. A few will even crash on you consistently right now.

To fix this first try closing the app by tapping or clicking on the X in the top right corner of the app. If you're in Tablet Mode, place your finger at the top edge of your screen and drag the app towards the bottom of your screen.

Now reopen it.

Go into the Windows Store to reinstall an app if you continue to have issues with it not working correctly or loading.

Common Windows 10 Problems: How to Add Music to Microsoft Groove

Windows Media Player is still around in Windows 10, but Microsoft isn't encouraging anyone to use it. Instead, it's rebuilt Xbox Music for the operating system. Groove Music allows users to stream music from Microsoft servers or play music that they already own. To add songs to Groove Music, drop them in the Music folder on your PC.

Groove Music (6)

Read: 12 Microsoft Groove Music Tips & Tricks

If you don't want to move your music files, open Groove Music.

Click or tap on the Settings cog in the bottom left corner of the app. Tap or click on the Choose Where We Look for Music link.

Common Windows 10 Problems: OneDrive Files Are Missing

For Windows 10, Microsoft went back to the drawing board on OneDrive, its online storage service. In Windows 8.1, users could store things on their OneDrive accounts, then have tiny place-holder files for browsing that content on their PC. That's gone on Windows 10.

Read: Is Microsoft OneDrive Worth Buying?

To see all the files stored on your OneDrive account you'll need to have those files sync to your PC. You can also view them all at OneDrive.com. That site is also the best place for monitoring how much free storage you have left.

Common Windows 10 Problems: How to Open Web Pages in Internet Explorer

Microsoft Edge is the new replacement for Internet Explorer. The company says that it's faster, more touch friendly and easier to use than the two versions of Internet Explorer the company included in Windows 8.1. Overtime, Microsoft Edge should be come more reliable, but right now its very, very buggy on some sites.

If a site continuously gives you issues in Microsoft Edge, tap or click on the three dots in the top-right corner.

Select Open in Internet Explorer.

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Common Windows 10 Problems: Cortana Doesn't Work

Well have to wait for Microsoft to address some of the issue with Cortana not responding when you tap or click on the microphone icon in the Taskbar. If your problem is that she isn't hearing you well when you give audio commands, try going into Cortana's settings using the Notebook Icon on the left side of her Window. Adjust for volume again, spend some time adding your voice print if you're in a reasonably quiet space.

Read: How to Use Hey Cortana with Windows 10

Cortana isn't available in every country yet, which would explain why you might be missing the personal assistant. Even if Cortana is available in your region, some features may not be.

Common Windows 10 Problems: Word Mobile & More Ask For Office 365

Microsoft shocked the world when it announced that it'd give away access to its new Office Mobile apps. So many people took advantage of the apps in testing that many forget they aren't entirely free. Officially, Word Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile and Excel Mobile are only free to users with a device that has a screen size smaller than 10.1 inches.

Read: How to Get Free Microsoft Office in Windows 10

Common Windows 10 Problems: Movies & TV Won't Stream Video

Microsoft's new Movies & TV app allows users to stream the content they've purchased or store it locally for playback. The former is useful if you really want to start watching something immediately. Local playback is great for planes, trains and other situations where connecting to Microsoft's servers isn't a possibility.

Even with recent updates, sometimes Movies & TV simply won't start streaming the content that users have purchased. When this happens, complete close the app by clicking on the X in the top-right corner of your screen. Touch users should swipe their finger downward from the top edge of their screen and tap the Close button in the right corner.

Starting the app up again should fix the issue.

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Common Windows 10 Problems: Start Menu Won't Open

There are some problems that have plagued Windows 10 since its launch in 2015. Windows 10's Start Menu may be both touch and keyboard-friendly, but it has big issues with reliability on some systems. Often times, it'll take longer than it should to load. On rare occasions, it just won't load at all.

If this is happening to you, try restarting your device. If it keeps happening, check out What to Do When the Windows 10 Start Menu Won't Open.

Common Windows 10 Problems: Microsoft Edge Won't Open Web Pages (New)

Sometimes, Microsoft Edge fails to open a web page that you've navigated to before without issue. When this happens, try creating an In-Private Tab by clicking on the three-dots in the address bar and selecting In-Private Tab.

Now navigate to the page that didn't work before. This is a temporary work around until Microsoft addresses some of the issues still effecting the operating system.

Common Windows 10 Problems: Can't Get Sound (New)

If you're trying to listen to music or watch a video, but don't get any sound from your PC, start by clicking on the speaker icon on the right side of the Taskbar at the bottom of your screen. First check the volume, then click on any arrows you might see that allow you to switch which device you are sending sound too. (Note that this only surfaces if you have Bluetooth or a second set of speakers connected.)

Definitely try restarting your device.

Common Windows 10 Problems: Missing Restore Media (New)

Microsoft designed the Windows 10 Recovery Tools to keep users from having to reinstall their operating system from flash drives and DVDs. In most situations, that's exactly how it behaves. Sometimes that's not the case though. You may be informed that you're missing the necessary media to refresh your PC when trying to refresh or restore.

Read: How to Reset Windows 10 Notebooks, Desktops and Tablets

If this happens to you, you'll need to download recovery media from the company that made your notebook, desktop or tablet. Some companies will let you download a copy free of charge. Others may charge you.

Good luck using Windows 10.


Source: 18 Common Windows 10 Problems & How to Fix Them

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