The World of Windows

How do I update or uninstall the Better xCloud script in Tampermonkey?

2026-10-17T15:14:00.000-05:00

Managing, updating, or removing the Better xCloud userscript is handled directly within the Tampermonkey extension dashboard in Microsoft Edge.

1.Open the Tampermonkey Dashboard:Required to view all installed userscripts.

Click the Extensions puzzle piece icon in the top-right corner of Microsoft Edge.
Click on Tampermonkey and select Dashboard from the pop-up menu.
You will see a table listing all active scripts installed on your browser.

2.Option A: Update Better xCloud:For updates: Fetch the latest code directly from GitHub.

Automatic Updates: Tampermonkey checks for updates automatically every 24 hours by default.
Manual Update Trigger:
1. On the Installed scripts tab in the dashboard, find Better xCloud.
2. Click on the Check for updates button (or check the box next to Better xCloud and select Check for updates from the Bulk actions dropdown at the bottom).
3. If an update is available, Tampermonkey will prompt you to click Update.

3.Option B: Uninstall or Disable Better xCloud:For uninstallation: Remove the script completely.

To Temporarily Disable (without deleting):
- Toggle the On/Off switch next to Better xCloud in the Installed Scripts list to Off. Refresh [xbox.com/play](https://xbox.com/play) to return to the standard xCloud interface.
To Permanently Remove:
1. Click the Trash Can icon on the far-right side of the Better xCloud row.
2. Confirm the deletion when prompted by Tampermonkey.

Verifying Removal / Resetting settings

If you uninstall Better xCloud, any custom stream settings (such as forced server overrides or custom codecs) stored in local browser cache will immediately revert to Microsoft's default xCloud configuration upon refreshing [xbox.com/play](https://xbox.com/play).

RetroArch Starter Guide: Installing Cores

2026-10-14T17:49:00.000-05:00

Cores are essentially other programs and games that run through RetroArch. RetroArch requires cores to run any content.

Tip

Many game console may have multiple emulator cores, the question of which one is the best may come up. Emulators can be designed to be more accurate at the cost of a performance hit, check out the Emulation General Wiki for a good look at what will suit your needs and hardware.

Installing cores through RetroArch interface¶

Tip

If you do not see the "Core Downloader" option, you may have installed RetroArch using a package manager. If so, see Installing cores through package manager (Ubuntu PPA only). Otherwise, to enable it:

Navigate to Settings
Navigate to User Interface
Navigate to Menu Item Visibility
Enable Show Core Downloader

Navigate to Online Updater
Navigate to Select Core Downloader
Select the core you want to download

Note

If you're using the Ubuntu PPA version of RetroArch and have enabled "Show Core Downloader" manually, your changes will not be reflected unless your the Cores directory setting is set to a writable location in the Directory Configuration.

Installing cores through package manager (Ubuntu PPA only)¶

Note

Installing RetroArch through the Ubuntu PPA will disable the "Core Downloader" option in RetroArch's interface, therefore core installation needs to happen through the Ubuntu package manager.

Open a terminal
Start typing sudo apt-get install libretro-
Press tab a few times until all available possibilities show, press space to expand the list.
Now type the full name of the core you want to install Example: sudo apt-get install libretro-nestopia
Press enter and follow the process to install

How do I install and configure the Better xCloud extension/script in Microsoft Edge?

2026-10-10T15:13:00.000-05:00

Better xCloud is an open-source userscript that injects power-user controls—such as bitrate customization, server region forcing, local co-op, and high-performance video codecs—directly into [xbox.com/play](https://xbox.com/play).

Because Microsoft Edge does not host userscripts natively, you must first install a script manager extension like Tampermonkey.

1.Install the Tampermonkey Extension:Required to parse and inject the JavaScript file into xbox.com/play.

Open Microsoft Edge on your PC.
Go to the Microsoft Edge Add-ons Store and search for Tampermonkey (or get it directly from the Chrome Web Store).
Click Get to install the extension to Edge.
Note: If prompted by Edge, enable Developer Mode in edge://extensions to allow userscript execution.

2.Install the Better xCloud Script:Fetch the official script release from GitHub.

Navigate to the official project site at better-xcloud.github.io/chromium/ (or open the official Better xCloud GitHub repository).
Click the Install Better xCloud button.
Tampermonkey will automatically open a new tab showing the script source code.
Click the Install (or Reinstall) button inside the Tampermonkey tab to authorize the script.

3.Launch Xbox Cloud Gaming & Verify Installation:Access the new embedded settings overlay.

Navigate to [xbox.com/play](https://xbox.com/play) in Edge.
Log into your Microsoft account if prompted.
You will see a new Better xCloud button or gear icon embedded in the top-left or top-right area of the interface.
Click the icon to open the Better xCloud Configuration Menu.

Key Settings to Configure for Edge

Once the menu is open, adjust these recommended parameters:

1. Stream & Server Settings

Region / Server Override: Force connection to your nearest geographic data center if Xbox auto-routing assigns you to a higher-ping server.
Target Resolution & Quality: Lock the stream output to 1080p.
Prefer IPv6: Enable this toggle if your router and ISP support IPv6 to help lower overall routing hop latency.

2. Audio & Video Decoding

Codec Preference: Switch between H.264 and Direct / AV1 based on your GPU's native hardware decoding capabilities. (If your stream stutters, switch back to Default/H.264 High Profile).
Volume Booster: Use the script's built-in audio amplifier if quiet game audio is difficult to hear through headphones.

3. Controls & Gameplay

Disable Post-Stream Survey: Silences the mandatory "How was your stream?" pop-up every time you quit a game.
Local Co-Op Support: Enables multiple local controllers to route to the same cloud stream for local multiplayer games.
Mouse & Keyboard Emulation: Allows playing controller-only cloud titles using your PC's native mouse and keyboard layout.

RetroArch Starter Guide: Starting a game

2026-10-07T17:47:00.000-05:00

Requirements¶

To load a game you need two things: A libretro core, and a ROM file.
- Some systems/games may also require additional system files (such as a BIOS to run correctly.

via 'Load Content/Core'¶

Load the core¶

Select Load Core> Core from the main menu, then choose a libretro core from the list.
Some releases of RetroArch come with a supply of cores built-in. If you don't have any cores installed, or want to add new ones, connect to the internet and select Download a Core from the bottom of the list.
Select your core in the list to load it.

See Download Cores.

When a libretro core is loaded, you will see the name and version of the core in the bottom left of the screen (Ozone/XMB/RGUI) or in the notification bar (GLUI).

Game CD ripping

Load the content¶

You can then browse for a ROM by selecting Load Content. Browse to your content's folder and select your ROM from the list. Then select Current Core or select another core from this list. The content will now launch.

To set the folder for the Start Directory option (which will otherwise start in the user's root directory), set File Browser in Settings> Directory.

See File Browser

via Playlists¶

Alternatively, you can launch content from Playlists.

Scan for content to add to the playlist.

See File Browser and Import Content.

Open your chosen Playlist.
Highlight your chosen row and select it. A new submenu will appear: Select Run to start the game.
If you have already Set Core Association, then the content will launch immediately. If you have not, one more list will ask you which Core you want to run the Content with.

This option will automatically choose the "best" core to run the content.

History / Favorites¶

Content can be launched the 'History' and 'Favorites' playlists the same way as a regular Playlist.

Exiting a game¶

Press the key/button combination to open the Quick Menu and select Close Content. This will safely close both the Content and its Core, and return you to the Main Menu of RetroArch.

What are the best browser flags and hidden settings in Microsoft Edge for Xbox Cloud Gaming?

2026-10-03T15:12:00.000-05:00

Microsoft Edge contains hidden flags (edge://flags) and system toggles that optimize how the browser decodes WebRTC video streams and processes user inputs for Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud).

1. Core Microsoft Edge Flags (`edge://flags`)

Type edge://flags into the address bar, search for the following flags, adjust their settings, and click Relaunch.

Hardware Video Decoding & Rendering Flags

#enable-gpu-rasterization → Set to Enabled
- What it does: Forces the GPU (rather than the CPU) to rasterize web elements and stream overlays.
- Benefit: Free up CPU cycles, lowering frame-pacing micro-stutters during heavy action.
#zero-copy-video-capture → Set to Enabled
- What it does: Writes incoming WebRTC video frames directly into GPU memory buffers without first passing through system RAM.
- Benefit: Eliminates a memory copy step, saving 5–15 ms of video decoding latency.
#choose-angle-graphics-backend → Set to D3D11on12 or D3D11
- What it does: Changes the underlying graphics abstraction layer Edge uses to render WebGL/WebRTC streams.
- Benefit: Default OpenGL or Vulkan wrappers in Chromium can cause input delay on Windows. Direct3D 11/12 offers the lowest input-to-display latency on NVIDIA/AMD/Intel graphics drivers on Windows 11.
#override-software-rendering-list → Set to Enabled
- What it does: Overrides Chromium’s internal built-in GPU blocklists.
- Benefit: Forces hardware acceleration even on older or integrated GPUs (like Intel HD graphics) that might otherwise fall back to laggy software decoding.

2. In-Stream & Native Edge Features

Enable "Clarity Boost"

Clarity Boost uses spatial upscaling algorithms built directly into Edge to sharpen the compressed 1080p video stream coming from xCloud servers.

Start a game stream on [xbox.com/play](https://xbox.com/play).
Click the "..." (More Actions) menu icon in the top-left corner of the stream.
Toggle Clarity Boost to ON.

Enable High-Performance Graphics in Edge Settings

Go to edge://settings/system.
Ensure Use graphics acceleration when available is toggled ON.
Ensure Efficiency Mode is turned OFF while gaming, as it throttles browser CPU background threads.

3. Windows 11 GPU Preference Override

Ensure Windows assigns Microsoft Edge to your high-performance discrete GPU rather than an integrated graphics chip:

Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
Under Custom options for apps, locate Microsoft Edge (or browse to C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe).
Click Options and select High Performance (selecting your discrete NVIDIA/AMD GPU).
Save and restart Edge.

4. Advanced Community Tool: Better xCloud

While not a native flag, the open-source script Better xCloud is widely considered essential for power users streaming via Microsoft Edge:

Higher Bitrate: Forces xCloud to stream at high-profile bitrates (up to 15–20 Mbps instead of the default 9–12 Mbps cap).
Region/Server Selection: Allows manual selection of the lowest-ping xCloud data center rather than relying on auto-routing.
Codec Selection: Forces hardware H.264 or AV1 decoding depending on your GPU’s optimal hardware capabilities.

What are the best network and router settings for low-latency Xbox Cloud Gaming on PC?

2026-09-30T15:10:00.000-05:00

Unlike local gaming, Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) streams video frames while transmitting button presses back to Microsoft's data centers in real time. Because of this, connection jitter and packet delay matter far more than raw download speed.

1. Physical Layer & Local Hardware

Priority #1: Use Ethernet (Cat6)

A direct wired connection completely eliminates wireless interference, packet drops, and airtime congestion.

Latency impact: Saves 10–30 ms of pure input delay compared to Wi-Fi.

If on Wi-Fi: Optimize Wireless Bands & Standards

If Ethernet is impossible:

Force 5 GHz or 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6 / 6E / 7): Do not use the 2.4 GHz band. 2.4 GHz suffers from heavy interference (microwaves, Bluetooth, neighboring routers) and creates severe micro-stutters.
Disable "Band Steering" (Smart Connect): Routers that combine 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under a single SSID can automatically drop your PC to 2.4 GHz mid-game. Split them into separate SSIDs (e.g., HomeNet_5G) and connect exclusively to 5 GHz/6 GHz.
Use 80 MHz Channel Width (5 GHz): Avoid forcing 160 MHz on 5 GHz if you live in a dense area, as DFS (radar) interference can cause transient signal drops.

2. Advanced Router Configurations

Access your router’s administrative panel (192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in a browser):

Quality of Service (QoS) & SQM

Without QoS, when another device downloads a file or streams a 4K video, your router buffers incoming packets (known as Bufferbloat), spiking your ping from 20 ms to 200+ ms.

Smart Queue Management (SQM): If your router supports CAKE or FQ-CoDel (found in AsusWRT, OpenWrt, or specialized gaming routers), enable it. It intelligently manages traffic to guarantee sub-10 ms bufferbloat under load.
Device Prioritization: In standard QoS settings, assign your PC's IP/MAC address to High Priority. Set your maximum upload and download speed limits to 85–90% of your actual internet speed to prevent the modem from buffering.

Router Wi-Fi & Traffic Features

Enable OFDMA and MU-MIMO: Helps the router handle multi-device traffic concurrently without queueing your game packets.
Enable Airtime Fairness (CAUTION): Turn this ON if you have slow legacy devices on your network hogging bandwidth, or OFF if it causes stability issues on modern Wi-Fi 6 cards.
Disable SIP ALG: A legacy VoIP feature in routers that can alter low-latency UDP streams and break cloud connections.

3. Windows 11 & Browser Tuning for xCloud

Xbox App vs. Browser Performance

Microsoft Edge (Browser) + Clarity Boost: For many users, running Xbox Cloud Gaming inside Microsoft Edge ([xbox.com/play](https://xbox.com/play)) delivers lower input latency than the Native Windows Xbox App.
- In Edge, click the "..." (More Actions) menu inside the game stream and toggle Clarity Boost to ON. This improves video sharpness without adding processing delay.
Disable Location Services (Windows 11): Windows periodically scans for surrounding Wi-Fi networks to update location data. This causes a noticeable 500 ms ping spike every 60 seconds on Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Location and toggle Location services to Off.

Controller Connection

Plug in via USB-C: Bluetooth introduces an additional 8–15 ms of local input delay. Wiring your controller directly to your PC ensures your inputs reach the app instantaneously.

Recommended Targets

Metric
Minimum Target
Optimal Target

Download Speed
20 Mbps
50+ Mbps

Ping to Data Center
< 50 ms
< 20 ms

Jitter (Ping Variation)
< 5 ms
< 1 ms

Packet Loss
0.0%
0.0%

RetroArch Starter Guide: User Interface

2026-09-29T11:30:00.000-05:00

RetroArch is a powerful and free open source front-end that serves as a single center for the emulation of retro video games, game engines and multimedia applications.

Navigating

Navigating on RetroArch is as easy as you can imagine. Depending on the device you have, the control scheme is determined automatically. For example, if you are going to use it on a computer, the basic key combinations of the keyboard will apply. You move with the arrow keys and select with the Enter key, and you return with the Backspace key. If you plug a controller, you can also move with the D-Pad buttons.

The default GUI for RetroArch is Ozone. While the "skin" may differ on certain platforms, basic layout and navigation remains broadly the same.

PC

By default the keyboard should be ready to use.

Using the left and right arrow keys, you move to a different tab, each tab will relate to an aspect of the RetroArch experience (main menu for game loading, settings for settings etc.). Once the desired tab is selected, use the up and down arrow to move to an option.

Game CD ripping

To advance in the menu press Enter (or Return). To go back to the previous menu push Backspace.

Whilst in a game use the F1 key to open the Quick Menu.

Pushing Esc twice will quit the program.

Main Menu

Welcome to the main menu. This is where you will launch games, download and update cores, and have access to freely available content. Load Core, Load Content and the Online Updater are the menu items you will probably be using the most.

Discover more

Emulator software download

RetroArch Cloud Sync

Emulation Community Membership

Classic video games

Settings

Here you will find all the options available to configure RetroArch, from Graphics, Input, Sound and everything else.

Favorites

Favorites allow yous to maintain a short list of games for quick access. You can add content to this playlist from the Quick Menu or before launching it.

History

Recently launched content will be added to this Playlist. The content you ran last will be at the top.

Image, Music and Video

These tabs will handle all your media. Images will contain any screenshots you've made.

Netplay

RetroArch relies on peer-to-peer networking to reduce network latency and ensure the best possible experience. It allows multiplayer over the internet. The user can host or join a network gaming session, or use the Spectator mode to watch others play. RetroArch has a built-in netplay lobby.

Import content

Either you scan automatically, so that any content that matches the internal database will be added to Playlists, or you scan manually, not being dependent on the database so you can freely add your content to Playlists.

Mobile

The mobile interface, GLUI, is more minimalistic compared to the PC's interface. Touch is the default input, although depending on device other options may be available. There are three different tabs, which can be switched at the bottom of the menu.

Main Menu

The main menu will be where you launch games, download and update cores, start or join netplay sessions and pretty much anything to do with gaming.

Playlists

Handles anything to do with creating and maintaining playlists. It gives you scanning options to recognise your game collection. It also provides access to your images, music and videos.

Settings

Here you will find all the options available to configure RetroArch, from Graphics, Input, Sound and everything else.

How do I fix NAT Type and Xbox network connectivity errors in Windows 11?

2026-09-23T15:09:00.000-05:00

Fixing NAT Type issues (Strict or Moderate) and Xbox server connectivity errors on Windows 11 requires configuring the Teredo tunneling protocol, enabling core network services, and ensuring your router allows Xbox Live traffic through.

1.Enable core Windows network services:Required for Teredo tunneling and Xbox Live connectivity.

Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Locate IP Helper in the list, double-click it, set Startup type to Automatic, and click Start if it is stopped.
Locate and configure the following services to Automatic or Manual (Trigger Start):
- Xbox Live Auth Manager
- Xbox Live Game Save
- Xbox Live Networking Service
Click Apply and OK.

2.Reset Teredo state via Command Prompt:Re-enables the primary IPv6-over-IPv4 tunnel used by Xbox Live.

Press Win + X and select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
Check your current Teredo state by executing:

DOS

netsh interface teredo show state

If the state displays disabled or offline, run the following commands sequentially:

DOS

netsh interface teredo set state type=default
netsh interface teredo set state state=enabled
netsh interface teredo set state type=enterpriseclient

Verify connection status again with netsh interface teredo show state. The state should now report qualified or managed.

3.Reset Windows Defender Firewall rules:Prevents blocked inbound UDP handshake packets.

Teredo relies on Windows Defender Firewall to manage incoming connection state requests. If third-party firewalls or custom rules block it, NAT defaults to Strict/Blocked.

Open Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
Click Restore firewalls to default (or open Command Prompt as Admin and run netsh advfirewall reset).
Ensure that Windows Defender Firewall is ON for Public and Private networks—disabling the Windows firewall actually breaks Teredo functionality rather than enabling it.

4.Switch to a Public DNS server:Resolves server lookup failures caused by ISP DNS filtering.

Some ISP DNS servers fail to resolve Microsoft's Teredo qualification servers (win11.ipv6.microsoft.com).

Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet).
Next to DNS server assignment, click Edit.
Select Manual, toggle IPv4 to On, and enter public DNS servers:
- Preferred DNS: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google)
- Alternate DNS: 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.4.4 (Google)
Click Save.

5.Configure Router UPnP or Port Forwarding:Allows your router to dynamically route inbound Xbox Live traffic.

Log into your router’s admin gateway (typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
Navigate to Advanced / Network Settings and turn UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) ON.
If UPnP is already enabled or your NAT remains Strict, set up static Port Forwarding rules to your PC's local IP address for the following ports:

Protocol
Port Numbers

UDP

88, 500, 3544, 4500

UDP & TCP

3074

Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) Notice

If your NAT type remains Strict or Unavailable after completing these steps, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may be using CGNAT (where multiple customers share a single public IPv4 address).

How to test: Check the WAN IP address displayed in your router settings. If it falls within the range 100.64.0.0 – 100.127.255.255, you are behind CGNAT.
Solution: Contact your ISP and request a Dynamic Public IP or Static Public IP address to enable open port forwarding.

Downloading, Installing and Updating RetroArch for Windows 10 and Later

2026-09-22T11:37:00.000-05:00

The stable version is our first priority and the main distribution version. Since it is the major release, it comes out periodically. Stable releases take more time to manufacture, but new features become available in the next version. For example: A version can have a new theme and feature, and in the next version, this theme and feature can be removed, improved or changed. As can be understood from the name of Stable, this version is more stable because it is controlled accordingly to make it work better on the platform it is suitable for.

Stable release are here, and then select the architecture of your computer.

Nightly.

This version contains the latest commits available on GitHub, and the latest enhancements and features are added daily. This version may not be as stable as Stable version because it is built daily, but this does not mean that it is not stable.

The current nightly is here. There are several files you can download in these folders. For a new installation you want RetroArch.7z or the setup package (RetroArch-20XX-XX-XX-setup.exe).

Installing.

If you pick the 7z archive package, extract it in a folder that doesn't require administrator permissions such as C:\Users\yourusername\RetroArch or any other drive. Don't extract it to Program Files or your Windows folder. This could case some issues.

Updating.

You can update the installation by downloading the latest 20XX-XX-XX-RetroArch.7z package and overwriting the executable.

If you pick the installer package we recommend to use the default location, follow the installation steps and you should be good to go. You can update the installer version by downloading the latest version and re-running the installer.

Starting RetroArch.

WARNING

If you were running a stable release prior to 1.4.0. you will need to update the system libraries. You can do so by downloading the full RetroArch.7z package or redist.7z from the download locations.

On the first run you will be greeted by this screen:

From here you can launch content, change settings and build up your content collection.

Keyboard Controls

The RetroArch user interface is designed with gamepad navigation in mind but it also features robust keyboard and mouse support. Learn more about keyboard input at Input and Controls.

Gamepad Controls

XINPUT controllers should work out of the box. If the controller can be autoconfigured the OSD will inform you of the autoconfiguration event. We also include autoconf profiles for many popular controllers. If your controller doesn't auto configure you can follow this procedure:

Navigate to Settings
Navigate to Input
Navigate to Input User 1 Binds
Select User 1 Bind All
Press the buttons as required

TIP

If you have several different controller types you may want to use the User 1 Save Autoconfig followed by User 1 Bind Default All options after binding in order to achieve hotplug functionality

Directory Configuration¶
Configuring directories is an important aspect to get the best RetroArch experience possible. To configure the directories follow these steps:

Navigate to Settings
Navigate to Directory
Select the directory you want to changed
Navigate to the desired location

You should always configure the following paths:

System Directory for system files
Savefile Directory for save files
Savestate Directory save state files
Browser Directory for your content

TIP

The Browser Directory is used as a startup location which allows easy access to your content library.

Installing Cores¶

RetroArch requires cores to run any content. You can download cores directly from RetroArch's interface by following this procedure:

Navigate to Online Updater
Navigate to Select Core Downloader
Select the core you want to download

Running Content¶

After you have installed one or more cores you can run your content following this procedure:

Navigate to Load Content
Browse to the folder that contains the content you want to run
Select the content that you want to run
If you have more than one compatible core you will be asked to select the core you want to use for that purpose

TIP

By default loading content will trigger a content scan. If your content matches with any of our databases it will be added to a playlist for easy access. You can find the playlists by navigating to the right of the main menu. Every content you launch is added to a history playlist that you can use to load it again quickly at any time

Glossary¶

Here is the list of terms in a LibRetro, RetroArch or platform subject, field, or area of usage, with accompanying definitions.

frontend

A frontend is a program designed to run libretro cores such as Kodi's RetroPlayer, RetroArch, Phoenix, Minir

core

A core is a program that has been ported to the libretro API and runs inside a libretro frontend

content

Content can be a game, an image, a video, an audio file that is executed by a core. In most cases contents are the ROMs of an emulated platform

Best video game consoles

retropad

RetroPad is libretro’s input abstraction controller, it’s the interface between the physical controller and the core inputs

save files

Save files are saves that are made from within a game, usually cross platform and should work across emulators in most cases

save states

Save states are snapshots of the content memory at a particular moment, these are not always cross platform and most certainly won’t work on a different emulator than the one used to create them

system files

Additional files that might or not be part of the romset that might be needed to get some content to work (usually referred to by the BIOS term)

autoconf

A configuration file that has button definitions for a particular gamepad

How do I fix Microsoft Store download errors like 0x80073D0D or stuck downloads when installing Gaming Services?

2026-09-16T15:08:00.000-05:00

1.Change the default app installation target back to the C: drive:Fixes error 0x80073D0D caused by secondary or external drive conflicts.

Error 0x80073D0D occurs when Windows attempts to deploy system services (like Gaming Services) onto a secondary drive (D:, E:) or a volume with mismatched file system permissions.

Open Settings > System > Storage.
Scroll down and click Advanced storage settings, then select Where new content is saved.
Under New apps will save to:, change the dropdown menu to Local Disk (C:).
Click Apply.
If you have an external or secondary drive connected, safely eject or disconnect it temporarily while installing Gaming Services.

2.Reset the Microsoft Store cache with WSReset:Clears stuck app state and corrupted store background memory.

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type wsreset.exe and press Enter.
A blank Command Prompt window will appear. Do not close it.
After 10–15 seconds, the window will close automatically, and the Microsoft Store will relaunch with a cleared cache.

3.Flush the Delivery Optimization and Windows Update caches:Clears stuck 0% or 99% download buffers.

When downloads get stuck indefinitely, the background update buffer is often holding locked or incomplete files.

Right-click Start and select Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).
Paste and run the following block of commands to stop update services and purge stale download files:

PowerShell

net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
net stop dosvc
Remove-Item -Path "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\*" -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
net start wuauserv
net start bits
net start dosvc

4.Re-register the Microsoft Store via PowerShell:Fixes broken app deployment handlers.

In PowerShell (Admin), run the following command to rebind the Microsoft Store package to your system:

PowerShell

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.WindowsStore | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Restart your PC and retry downloading Gaming Services or the Xbox App.

5.Delete hidden .GamingRoot files on secondary drives (If applicable):Removes ghost drive signatures on secondary hard drives.

If you previously installed Xbox games or Gaming Services to a secondary partition:

Open File Explorer and click View > Show > Hidden items.
Go to the root directory of your non-system drives (e.g., D:\ or E:\).
Delete the hidden file named .GamingRoot and the XboxGames folder if they are empty.
This allows Windows to generate clean volume configurations without throwing deployment block errors (0x80073D0D).

Verifying Service Dependencies

If the download continues to fail, verify that essential Windows background services are running:

Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Locate the following services and ensure their Startup type is set to Automatic or Manual:
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
- Delivery Optimization
- Windows Update
- Storage Service

Waterfox Essentials: Manage preferences and add-ons, Connection settings in Waterfox

2026-09-15T07:58:00.000-05:00

Your organization or Internet service provider may offer or require you to use a proxy. A proxy acts as an intermediary between your computer and the Internet. It intercepts all requests to the Internet to see if it can fulfill the request using its cache. Proxies are used to improve performance, filter requests, and hide your computer from the Internet to improve security. Proxies are often part of corporate firewalls.

Connection settings to use a proxy can be set in Waterfox Options as follows:

Click the menu buttonand select Settings.
In the General panel, go to the Network Proxy section.
Click Settings…. The Connection Settings dialog will open.

No proxy: Choose this if you don’t want to use a proxy.
Auto-detect proxy settings for this network: Choose this if you want Waterfox to automatically detect the proxy settings for your network.
Use system proxy settings: Choose this if you want to use the proxy settings configured for your operating system.
Manual proxy configuration: Choose this if you have a list of one or more proxy servers. Ask your system administrator for the configuration information. Each proxy requires a hostname and a port number.
- If the same proxy name and port number are used for all protocols, check Use this proxy server for all protocols.
- No Proxy For: List of hostnames or IP addresses that will not be proxied. Use <local/> to bypass proxying for all hostnames which do not contain periods.
Automatic proxy configuration URL: Choose this if you have a proxy configuration (.pac) file. Enter the URL and click okay to save changes and load the proxy configuration. file: and data: schemes can also be used here (e.g. file:///c:/proxy.pac or data:,function FindProxyForURL(){return "HTTPS example.com:3443";}).
- Reload: The reload button will load the currently available proxy configuration.

Info

The Connection Settings dialog will also show extensions that control how Waterfox connects to the internet. You can disable these extensions by clicking Disable Extension.

How do I completely reinstall Windows Gaming Services using PowerShell commands?

2026-09-09T15:06:00.000-05:00

1.Open PowerShell as Administrator:Required to elevate permissions for system app removal.

Right-click the Start button (or press Win + X).
Select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
Click Yes on the User Account Control (UAC) prompt.

2.Uninstall Gaming Services and purge registry entries:Clears corrupted service keys that cause reinstall failures.

Execute the following command to remove the Gaming Services package across all users:

PowerShell

Get-AppxPackage *gamingservices* -allusers | Remove-AppxPackage -allusers

Next, execute these two commands to wipe any orphaned registry keys left behind by failed updates:

PowerShell

Remove-Item -Path "HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\GamingServices" -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Remove-Item -Path "HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\GamingServicesNet" -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

3.Restart your PC:Crucial for clearing locked background processes.

Restart your computer. Do not skip this step—Windows must unload the cleared registry entries from system memory before reinstalling the service handler.

4.Trigger fresh Gaming Services installation:Directly launches the hidden Microsoft Store download page.

After rebooting, open PowerShell as Administrator again.
Execute the following command to open the official Gaming Services product listing:

PowerShell

Start-Process "ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2322VK5"

The Microsoft Store will open directly to the Gaming Services page. Click Get or Install.
Once the download completes, launch the Xbox App and test your game or cloud sync.

Alternative Command (Command Line Trigger)

If the Store page fails to prompt an install button after running the command above, you can force the Store dependency installer directly via PowerShell:

PowerShell

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider | Reset-AppxPackage

Which operating system is better suited for mobile devices: Windows or Linux?

2026-09-08T14:27:00.000-05:00

In the current landscape of 2026, the answer depends heavily on whether you mean a handheld smartphone or a touch-screen tablet/2-in-1 device. Neither Windows nor Linux are mainstream "mobile" leaders like Android or iOS, but they serve specific niches.

1. Windows: The "Productivity First" Choice

Microsoft officially retired Windows 10 Mobile years ago, but in 2026, we see a "soft return" through full Windows 11 running on ARM-based mobile hardware (like the NexPhone).

Best For: Professionals who need the full Microsoft Office suite, specialized enterprise apps (legacy .exe files), and seamless integration with a Windows desktop.
Pros:
- Convergence: Plug your phone into a monitor, and it becomes a literal desktop PC.
- Driver Support: Better support for peripherals like external docks, printers, and unique hardware.
- Security: Frequent, centralized updates and enterprise-grade encryption.
Cons:
- Interface: Even with "Tablet Mode," Windows 11 can feel clunky on small screens without a mouse.
- Battery Life: Resource-heavy; it tends to drain mobile batteries faster than optimized mobile OSs.

2. Linux: The "Privacy & Customization" Choice

Linux on mobile has matured significantly by 2026 with projects like Ubuntu Touch, Sailfish OS, and PostmarketOS.

Best For: Privacy enthusiasts, developers, and people who want to "own" their hardware without telemetry or forced accounts.
Pros:
- Lightweight: Runs much smoother on older or low-spec hardware than Windows.
- Waydroid Support: Modern Linux mobile distros can run Android apps via Waydroid, giving you access to the Android app ecosystem without the Google tracking.
- Privacy: No built-in ads, "Copilot" AI tracking, or data harvesting.
Cons:
- App Gap: Native mobile apps are still limited. You'll often rely on web apps or the Android container.
- Technical Knowledge: Setting it up often requires "tinkering."

Comparison Table: 2026 Mobile Landscape

Feature
Windows 11 (Mobile/ARM)
Linux (Ubuntu Touch/Sailfish)

Primary Use
Office, Enterprise, Desktop replacement
Privacy, Tinkering, Lightweight use

App Support
Full Windows Apps (.exe, .msi)
Native Linux + Android (via Waydroid)

Touch UX
Moderate (Designed for Desktop first)
High (Gestures-based mobile UI)

Customization
Low (Microsoft's walled garden)
Infinite (Open source)

Hardware
Rare (Specialty devices like NexPhone)
Moderate (PinePhone, Fairphone, Volla)

The Verdict

Choose Windows if you want your phone to double as your work laptop and you live in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Choose Linux if you are tired of big-tech surveillance and want a fast, clean, and highly customizable mobile experience.

How do I fix cloud save sync issues between my Xbox console and Windows 11 PC?

2026-09-02T15:05:00.000-05:00

1.Force-quit the game on Xbox to release cloud locks:Most common cause on Xbox Series X|S.

On your Xbox console, press the Xbox button to open the guide.
Highlight the game and press the Menu button (☰).
Select Quit.
Why this matters: Quick Resume keeps the game suspended in memory, which prevents the console from uploading the latest local save file to Xbox Live until the application is fully closed.

2.Synchronize your Windows 11 system clock:Prevents timestamp conflicts between devices.

On PC, open Settings > Time & language > Date & time.
Ensure Set time automatically is toggled On.
Under Additional settings, click Sync now to force-align your PC clock with Microsoft time servers.
Why this matters: Cloud save systems compare UTC timestamps to determine which save is newer. If your PC clock is off by even a few minutes, Xbox Live rejects the sync request.

3.Reset Gaming Services and Xbox App on PC:Fixes corrupted background sync handlers.

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Search for Gaming Services, click the three dots (...), and select Advanced options.
Click Repair. If the issue persists, click Reset.
Repeat the process for the Xbox app.
Restart your PC.

4.Delete the local PC save cache:Forces Xbox Live to perform a fresh cloud pull.

Close the game on PC.
Press Win + R, type %localappdata%\Packages, and press Enter.
Locate the folder corresponding to your game (or search for the folder named Microsoft.GamingApp...).
Navigate to SystemAppData\wgs (Windows Gaming Save).
Move or delete the contents inside the wgs folder (keep a backup on your Desktop just in case).
Relaunch the game through the Xbox App; it will prompt "Syncing data..." and pull down a fresh, uncorrupted copy from the cloud.

Handling the "Which save do you want to use?" Prompt

If Windows presents a conflict dialogue during launch:

Choose Cloud Save: If your latest progress was made on console and hasn't loaded onto PC yet.
Choose Local Save: Only if you made recent progress on PC offline that you want to overwrite to the cloud.

Caution: Selecting the wrong option immediately overwrites the cloud save on Xbox Live servers, making the previous save unrecoverable.

Waterfox Essentials: Manage preferences and add-ons, Choose display languages for multilingual web pages

2026-09-01T17:59:00.000-05:00

Some web pages are offered in multiple languages. Waterfox will choose a language based on your preferred languages list. If a page is not available in your top language, Waterfox checks to see if it’s available in the next language on your preferred list.

To change the language for Waterfox’s menus, notifications and interfaces, see Use Waterfox in another language.

View language list

Click the menu buttonand select Settings.
In the General panel, scroll down to Language under Language and appearance.
Click the Choose button next to Choose your preferred language for displaying pages to see your list of languages.

Add, remove and reorder languages

Add a language

From the language list above, choose a language in the Select a language to add menu.
Click the Add button.

Remove a language

Select the language you want to remove in the list of active languages.
Click the Remove button.

Reorder languages

From the language list, select the language you want to move.
Click the Move Up and Move Down buttons to set languages to your preferred order.

How do I set up Xbox Remote Play to stream non-Play Anywhere games from my console to Windows 11?

2026-08-28T15:04:00.000-05:00

Waterfox Essentials: Manage preferences and add-ons, display and appearence, Change your default search settings in Waterfox

2026-08-25T15:18:00.000-05:00

The Search panel in Waterfox Options lets you customize your search options. You can add or remove search engines, change your default search engine, assign or change keyword shortcuts, turn the search bar on or off, and choose whether to display search suggestions first or not at all.

Open the Search panel

Click the menu buttonand select Settings.
Select Search in the left pane.

Search bar

Use the address bar for search and navigation: This is the default setting. It provides a unified search and address bar.
Add search bar in toolbar: Select this setting if you prefer a separate search bar.

Default search engine

Use the drop down menu under Default Search Engine to choose the search engine you wish to use by default.

Note: Some extensions that are added to Waterfox can set a new default search engine.

You can disable or remove the extension that made the change or you can choose another search engine from the drop-down menu, if you prefer a different default.

Search suggestions

As you type into the search bar or the address bar, your default search engine shows you suggestions based on popular searches or on your previous searches. See Search suggestions in Waterfox for more information.

Provide search suggestions: Select this setting to turn search suggestions on or off.
- Show search suggestions in address bar results: When search suggestions are turned on, select this setting to also include search suggestions in the results that are listed when you search from the Waterfox address bar. Up to two suggestions from your Search history may also appear. These will be indicated with a clock icon instead of a magnifying glass icon.
- Show search suggestions ahead of browsing history in address bar results: Select this setting to show search suggestions before your browsing history.
- Show search suggestions in Private Windows: Select this setting to show search suggestions in Private Browsing windows.

One-click search engines

When you start typing in the address bar or search bar, you’ll see icons for other search engines you can search with:

You can choose an alternative search engine and use it for your search with one click, if you don’t want to use the current default.

To remove alternative search engines you don’t want to be displayed in the search bar or address bar, remove the check mark next to the search engine listed in the Search panel under One-Click Search Engines. This will not remove the search engines themselves.

Remove or add search engines

To remove a search engine from Waterfox, restore the default search engines that come with Waterfox or add a new search engine, go to the One-Click Search Engines section of the Search panel.

Remove a search engine

Click on the search engine you want to remove, to highlight it.
Click the Remove button at the bottom, to take it off your list.

Info

You must use the Add-ons manager to remove any search engines installed as Waterfox extensions (see Disable or remove Add-ons for details).

Restore default search engines

If you remove any of the search engines that come with Waterfox by default, click Restore Default Search Engines at the bottom of the Search panel to bring them back.

Add a new search engine

Click the Find more search engines link at the bottom of the Search panel.
- A Waterfox Add-ons page will open, listing available search tools.
Click on the search engine you want to add and click Add to Waterfox.

For more information about adding or removing search engines, see Add or remove a search engine in Waterfox.

Search engine keywords

You can assign or change keyword shortcuts for your favorite search engines to make it easier to perform a search. For more information, see Assign shortcuts to search engines.

How do I access my Xbox Play Anywhere titles and Game Pass games on Windows 11?

2026-08-22T15:03:00.000-05:00

Accessing Xbox Play Anywhere titles and Game Pass games on Windows 11 is managed directly through the native PC Xbox App and Microsoft Store.

1.Match your Microsoft Store and Xbox App accounts:Prerequisite to avoid license verification errors.

Open the Microsoft Store app in Windows 11 and confirm you are signed in with the account that holds your game purchases or Game Pass subscription.
Open the Xbox App and sign in with your gaming profile.
If your primary gaming account is different from your purchasing account, open Xbox App Settings > Account and link your purchasing account under Store Account.

2.Access and install Xbox Game Pass games:

Click the Game Pass tab on the left sidebar of the Xbox App.
Browse the PC Game Pass catalog.
Select a game and click Install to download it to your storage drive, or select Play with Cloud (requires Game Pass Ultimate) to stream it without downloading.

3.Locate your Xbox Play Anywhere purchases:

Click My Library on the left sidebar of the Xbox App.
Select the Owned filter at the top.
Any digital Xbox game you bought on console that supports Xbox Play Anywhere will automatically appear here with a PC install license attached at no extra charge.
Click the game title and select Install.

4.Launch and sync cross-progression:

Launch the game from your library or the Windows 11 Start Menu.
The game will automatically pull your cloud saves, achievements, and add-ons from your Xbox console session upon launch.

Important Features

No Console Required: Xbox Play Anywhere provides digital cross-entitlement—buying a supported game once unlocks both the Xbox console and Windows 11 PC versions permanently.
Xbox Mode for Handhelds & PCs: Windows 11 supports a controller-first full-screen view inside the Xbox App for seamless navigation on handheld devices (like the ASUS ROG Ally) or TV-connected PCs.

Safari is the second most used browser while Firefox is losing more and more ground

2026-08-18T10:37:00.000-05:00

Safari has solidified its position as the world’s second most popular browser, while Firefox continues to decline in market share.

Yes, the statement is largely accurate: Safari holds the #2 spot globally (especially strong on mobile), while Firefox continues to lose significant market share across all platforms, dropping from a once dominant position to around 2-3% globally, behind Chrome and often Edge, though Safari's position relative to Edge on desktop can fluctuate. Chrome leads overall, but Safari is second due to iOS/macOS dominance, while Firefox struggles with declining users despite its independent engine.

Here’s the latest breakdown of global browser usage in 2025:

Global Browser Market Share (2025)

Browser
Market Share
Trend

Chrome
~64–65%
Stable dominance, still far ahead of competitors

Safari
~18–19%
Growing, especially strong on iOS/macOS

Edge
~5–6%
Slowly gaining traction, boosted by Windows integration

Firefox
~2–3%
Declining steadily, losing relevance

Others
~6–7%
Includes Opera, Samsung Internet, Brave, etc.

Sources: StatCounter (Sept 2025), Cloudflare Radar (Q1 2025)Cloudflare Radar, Visual Capitalist (2025 overview)

Key Insights

Chrome’s dominance: It remains the undisputed leader, with nearly two-thirds of global usage. Its cross-platform availability and Google ecosystem integration keep it ahead.
Safari’s rise: Safari benefits from Apple’s hardware ecosystem. With iPhone and Mac sales strong, Safari usage has grown, cementing its #2 spot worldwide.
Edge’s slow climb: Microsoft Edge is gaining modest ground thanks to Windows 11 default settings and AI-powered features, but it’s still far behind Safari.
Firefox’s decline: Once a major player, Firefox now struggles to maintain relevance. Its market share has dropped to just a few percentage points, as users migrate to Chrome, Safari, or Edge.
Niche browsers: Brave, Opera, and Samsung Internet hold small but loyal user bases, often appealing to privacy-conscious or mobile-first users.

⚠️ Why Firefox Is Losing Ground

Performance & compatibility issues compared to Chrome and Safari.
Lack of ecosystem integration (no hardware tie-in like Apple or Microsoft).
Marketing disadvantage: Firefox doesn’t have the same corporate backing or bundled distribution channels.
User inertia: Once people are locked into Chrome or Safari, switching feels unnecessary.

Outlook

Safari will likely continue to grow as Apple expands its device base.
Firefox may survive as a niche browser for privacy enthusiasts, but its mainstream relevance is fading.
Edge could become a stronger competitor if Microsoft leverages AI and Windows defaults more aggressively.

What are the most useful Steam Deck launch commands and environment variables for Proton GE?

2026-08-15T14:01:00.000-05:00

In Steam, launch commands and environment variables allow you to adjust how Proton initializes games. They are added under Game Properties > General > Launch Options.

The Core Rule: How Syntax Works

Every environment variable or wrapper script must be placed before %command%, which acts as a placeholder for the game's actual executable.

Bash

VARIABLE_NAME=value %command%

To use multiple variables at once, simply chain them together with spaces before %command%:

Bash

SteamDeck=0 PROTON_LOG=1 MANGOHUD=1 %command%

Top Environment Variables & Use Cases

1. Bypass "Steam Deck" Locks & Forced Settings

Command: SteamDeck=0 %command%
What it does: Tricks the game into thinking it is running on a standard PC desktop rather than a Steam Deck.
Why use it: Some games automatically lock graphics settings, limit resolution options, or force low-texture presets when they detect a Steam Deck. Setting SteamDeck=0 unlocks full PC settings menus.

2. Low-Latency Runtime Frame Rate Capping

DirectX 9/10/11: DXVK_FRAME_RATE=60 %command%
DirectX 12: VKD3D_FRAME_RATE=60 %command%
What it does: Limits the frame rate directly at the DXVK/VKD3D graphics translation layer before the frame hits the display server.
Why use it: Provides lower input latency and smoother frame pacing compared to using OS-level frame limiters. Replace 60 with your desired target (e.g., 30, 40, 45).

3. Fixing Stuttering & Synchronization Issues

Disable Fsync: PROTON_NO_FSYNC=1 %command%
Disable Esync: PROTON_NO_ESYNC=1 %command%
What it does: Forcefully disables Linux eventfd-based multithreading synchronization.
Why use it: While Fsync/Esync improve CPU performance in 99% of games, older or non-standard engine titles can crash, freeze, or suffer heavy frame pacing spikes under them.

4. Direct3D / OpenGL Fallback Modes

Force WineD3D: PROTON_USE_WINED3D=1 %command%
Disable DX12: PROTON_NO_D3D12=1 %command%
What it does: Instructs Proton to bypass Vulkan-based translation (DXVK/VKD3D) and fall back to OpenGL or DirectX 11.
Why use it: Essential for legacy DirectX 8/9 games or older indies that exhibit broken textures or white screens when translated to Vulkan.

5. Troubleshooting & Crash Diagnostics

Command: PROTON_LOG=1 %command%
What it does: Generates a detailed Wine/Proton execution log file named steam-AppID.log in your Deck's /home/deck/ directory when the game launches.
Why use it: If a non-Steam or newly installed game immediately crashes to desktop on launch, opening this log file will pinpoint missing .dll files, unhandled exceptions, or audio codec failures.

6. Display Scaling & Window Resolution Override

Command: gamescope -w 1280 -h 720 -W 1920 -H 1080 -U %command%
What it does: Forces Gamescope to render the game internally at 720p (-w 1280 -h 720) and upscale it to 1080p (-W 1920 -H 1080) using AMD FSR 1.0 (-U).
Why use it: Extremely useful when docked to a 1080p or 4K TV/Monitor, allowing you to run demanding games at lower internal resolutions with sharp FSR upscaling without changing global OS settings.

Quick Reference Summary

Launch Variable
Recommended Use Case

SteamDeck=0 %command%
Unlocks restricted PC graphics settings in specific games.

DXVK_FRAME_RATE=40 %command%
Ultra-low latency 40 FPS limit for DX11 games.

VKD3D_FRAME_RATE=40 %command%
Ultra-low latency 40 FPS limit for DX12 games.

PROTON_NO_FSYNC=1 %command%
Fixes multithreading thread-lock freezes in legacy titles.

PROTON_LOG=1 %command%
Creates crash log files in /home/deck/ for troubleshooting.

MANGOHUD=1 %command%
Forces system performance overlay metrics on screen.

Which are the most complete and highest performing web browsers?

2026-08-11T10:25:00.000-05:00

The most complete and highest-performing web browsers in 2026 are Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Brave, and Opera. Each excels in different areas: Chrome in speed and ecosystem integration, Edge in AI features and Windows synergy, Firefox in privacy and customization, Safari in efficiency on Apple devices, Brave in security and ad-blocking, and Opera in innovation with built-in tools.

Top Web Browsers in 2026

Browser
Strengths
Weaknesses
Best For

Google Chrome
Fast performance, huge extension library, seamless Google integration
High memory usage, weaker privacy defaults
Users who want speed + Google ecosystem

Microsoft Edge
Built-in AI assistant, strong Windows integration, excellent performance
Limited extensions compared to Chrome
Windows users, productivity-focused browsing

Mozilla Firefox
Open-source, strong privacy tools, customizable
Slightly slower than Chrome/Edge
Privacy-conscious users, developers

Apple Safari
Optimized for macOS/iOS, energy-efficient, strong security
Limited customization, Apple-only
Mac/iPhone users

Brave
Built-in ad/tracker blocking, crypto wallet, privacy-first
Smaller extension ecosystem
Security-focused users, crypto enthusiasts

Opera
Innovative features (VPN, sidebar tools, AI), lightweight
Less mainstream, smaller community
Users who want built-in extras

Sources:

Key Considerations

Performance: Chrome and Edge consistently lead in speed benchmarks.
Privacy: Brave and Firefox are the strongest choices for minimizing tracking.
Ecosystem Fit: Safari is unbeatable on Apple devices, while Edge is best for Windows.
Customization: Firefox offers the deepest flexibility with extensions and tweaks.
Innovation: Opera often introduces unique built-in features like free VPNs and AI tools.

⚠️ Trade-offs & Risks

Resource Usage: Chrome is fast but consumes significant RAM, which can slow older devices.
Compatibility: Safari is excellent on Apple hardware but limited outside that ecosystem.
Extension Ecosystem: Brave and Opera may lack niche extensions available on Chrome/Firefox.
Privacy Defaults: Chrome and Edge prioritize convenience over strict privacy, requiring manual settings adjustments.

If you want raw speed and compatibility,

Show me how to install and update Proton GE on the Steam Deck using ProtonUp-Qt in Desktop Mode.

2026-08-08T14:00:00.000-05:00

Installing and managing Proton GE on the Steam Deck is straightforward thanks to ProtonUp-Qt, a graphical manager available directly in KDE Discover.

1.Switch to Desktop Mode:Requires restarting into KDE Plasma desktop.

Press the STEAM button on your Deck (or press the physical Power button).
Select Power from the menu.
Choose Switch to Desktop.

2.Install ProtonUp-Qt from Discover:Ensure your Steam Deck is connected to Wi-Fi.

Click the blue shopping bag icon in the bottom taskbar to open the Discover Software Center.
Click the search bar in the top-left corner and type ProtonUp-Qt.
Select ProtonUp-Qt from the search results and click Install.

3.Download the Latest Proton GE Release:

Launch ProtonUp-Qt from your Application Menu (under Utilities or Games) or directly from Discover.
Ensure Steam is selected under the Install for dropdown at the top.
Click the Add version button at the bottom.
Set Tool to Proton-GE (the top option).
In the Version dropdown, select the newest release (e.g., GE-Proton9-XX) and click Install.

4.Assign Proton GE to Your Games in Gaming Mode:

Double-click the Return to Gaming Mode shortcut on the desktop.
In Gaming Mode, select the game you wish to fix or test.
Click the Gear icon (Settings) on the right side of the game page and select Properties.
Navigate to the Compatibility tab.
Check Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool.
Select the newly installed GE-Proton build from the dropdown list.

How to Update or Remove Proton GE

Updating: Proton GE builds do not overwrite previous versions; each release installs as a separate compatibility layer. To update, open ProtonUp-Qt in Desktop Mode, click Add version, and select the newest GE release.
Cleaning Up Old Versions: Over time, old Proton GE builds can take up several gigabytes of space. To remove an outdated build, open ProtonUp-Qt, highlight the version you no longer use, and click Remove selected.

Chrome has been updated

2026-08-06T17:15:56.843-05:00

Vertical tabs moves your tabs to the side of your window, allowing you to see entire tab titles, easily manage tab groups, and free up vertical space. It’s the perfect setup if you typically have a lot of tabs open at once.

To move your tabs, right-click your tab strip and select Show tabs vertically.

Sign and annotate your PDFs

Skip downloading and printing when it’s time to sign a PDF. Use the annotation tool to hand-draw your personal signature, complete forms, and highlight lines.

Open a PDF and click Annotations .
Choose your pen or highlighter style and color.
Draw your annotation or signature, and click Save .

Autofill your loyalty cards, flight details, and vehicle info

Stop digging for details! Chrome now integrates with Google Wallet to quickly and securely autofill more types of information.

Loyalty cards: Earn your rewards without the physical card.
Vehicle info: Quickly complete forms for insurance quotes, parking bookings, or registering your car online.
Flight details: Check in faster with automatic filling of confirmation numbers and dates.

To use these features:

Sign into Chrome.
Go to Chrome Settings > Autofill and passwords > Enhanced Autofill
Turn on ‘Enhanced autofill’.

Sign in to work across devices

Signing in lets you save and use bookmarks, passwords, tab groups, and other data from your Google account.

Learn more
Take your browser with you

Download Chrome for your mobile device or tablet for the same browser experience, everywhere.
Discover more Chrome features

Learn about everything Chrome has to offer so you can do even more online.

Check it out

View two pages in one tab

Split view puts two pages side-by-side in the same tab. This makes it easier to compare options, watch a video while taking notes, and more.

To open a split view, drag another tab to the left or right edge of your browser window. Or, right-click a link and select Open Link in Split View.

Waterfox Essentials: Manage preferences and add-ons, display and appearence, Change the program used to open email links

2026-08-04T16:58:00.000-05:00

Change the program used to open email links

Waterfox normally uses your operating system’s default mail program to send an email message. This article explains how you can change the program that is launched when you click on:

The Email link menu item in the Waterfox Menu bar File menu (if the Menu bar is enabled).
The Email link toolbar button (if you customize Waterfox controls, buttons and toolbars).
The Email Image… (right-click) context menu item for an image on a web page.
A “mailto” or email link on a web page (such as email@example.com).

Setting the mail client used by Waterfox

Click the menu button and select Settings.
In the General panel, go to the Applications section.
Search for the Content Type mailto and select it.
Click on the Action column in the mailto row to change the action.
- Always ask will prompt you each time you use a mail function for which program or service to use.
- Use <Program> (default) will automatically launch your operating system’s email program (for example, Thunderbird, Outlook, Windows Live Mail Windows Mail) to its message composition window. For instructions on how to change your operating system’s default e-mail program, see the next section of this article.
- Use <Webmail> will open the message composition page for your webmail service (such as Yahoo! Mail or Gmail) inside Waterfox. For more information about using webmail services, see the Using webmail services section of this article.
- Use other… will let you specify an external program for Waterfox to launch.
- Application Details… will let you view information about or remove the webmail services that Waterfox can use.
Close the about:preferences page. Any changes you’ve made will automatically be saved.

Info

If the mailto Content Type is missing, or if action items such as Use Gmail are missing, a Waterfox Refresh will restore all Content Types and actions to default settings. However, this will remove all customizations, including settings for other content types. See [Refresh Waterfox

reset add-ons and settings](/support/refresh-waterfox-reset-add-ons-and-settings) and Manage file types and download actions in Waterfox for more information.

Setting your operating system’s default mail program

By default, Waterfox will use your system’s default mail client to send email for the actions listed above. For Thunderbird, see the Make Thunderbird the Default Mail Client article for steps you can take to make it the default mail program. Check the online or in-product documentation for other mail programs.

In general, you can change the default mail program by following these instructions:

Open the PC Settings application (press and release the Windows Start button, then click the gear icon).
Select Search and apps from the sidebar.
Select Defaults from the sidebar.
Click the icon under the heading Email to show your choices.
Select the email program you want to use.
Click the Windows Start button, then click Settings.
Click the Apps icon, then click Default Apps the list.
Click the icon under the heading Email to show your choices.
Select the email program you want to use.
Right-click the Windows Start button, then click Settings.
Click Apps from the options to the left, then click Default apps.
Find the email program you want to use in the list of applications and click on it.
- A Set default file types or link types settings page will appear.
Underneath a file or link type (for example, .eml or MAILTO) click on the entry and select the email program you wish to use as the new default.
Do the same for the other file or link type entries.
Click the Windows Start button, then click the Default Programs item.
Click on Set your default programs.
Under Programs, click the email program you’d like to use (e.g., Thunderbird, Windows Live Mail, Outlook).
Click Set this program as default.
Click OK at the bottom of the window.
Click the Windows Start button, then click on the Control Panel icon to open the Windows Control Panel.
Click the Add or Remove Programs icon to open the Add or Remove Programs applet.
On the left side of the Window click the Set Program Access and Defaults icon.
In the Access and Defaults window, click on the Custom radio button to expand the Custom category.
Underneath Choose a default e-mail program, click the radio button next to the program you want to use (e.g., Thunderbird, Windows Live Mail, Outlook).
Click OK at the bottom of the window.

Using webmail services

Waterfox allows you to use a webmail service such as Gmail (called Google Mail in some locales) }or Yahoo! Mail for Waterfox’s mail functions. Use the instructions in the Setting the mail client used by Waterfox section above to use a webmail service in Waterfox for mailto links or the Email link feature.

If the webmail service you want to use is not available in your Waterfox Options General panel’s Applications section as a mailto choice, you can try to find an extension that supports it, either by searching addons.mozilla.org for the specific webmail service or by doing a webmail search or a mailto search and browsing through the results.

Based on information from Default mail client (mozillaZine KB), How to change the default web browser or email application (Apple.com Support), The KDE Control Center (KDE.org), Select Preferred Applications in Ubuntu (DebianAdmin.com) and How to Set Your Default Email App in Windows 11 (howtogeek.com).

How do custom Proton releases like Proton GE work, and how do they fix compatibility issues on Steam Deck?

2026-08-01T13:57:00.000-05:00

While Valve’s official Proton handles the vast majority of Steam games out of the box, community-driven forks like Proton GE (short for GloriousEggroll, maintained by Red Hat engineer Thomas Crider) serve as the bleeding-edge "troubleshooter" tool for Linux and Steam Deck gaming.

To understand how Proton GE works, it helps to know why Valve’s official Proton leaves certain fixes on the table.

Why Custom Proton Builds Exist

Valve is a commercial enterprise subject to strict software patent laws, licensing agreements, and long-term stability testing. Official Proton releases (including Proton Stable and Proton Experimental) are kept conservative to avoid introducing bugs into games that already work well.

By contrast, Proton GE is an unofficial, community-maintained fork. Because it is distributed as a third-party open-source project by an individual rather than a corporate entity, it can bundle experimental code, community patches, and third-party media codecs that Valve cannot legally or practically ship by default.

How Proton GE Fixes Compatibility Issues

Proton GE modifies the underlying translation stack—combining Wine, DXVK (Direct3D to Vulkan), VKD3D-Proton, and FFmpeg—with four primary categories of fixes:

1. Proprietary Video & Audio Decoding (Media Foundation)

The Problem: Many games (especially Japanese RPGs, Capcom titles like Resident Evil, or games with pre-rendered FMVs) use Microsoft's proprietary Media Foundation (mfplat.dll) framework or patented H.264/AAC codecs for cutscenes. Because Valve cannot distribute these proprietary decoders, games on official Proton often show black screens, color-bar test patterns, or crash when a cutscene plays.
The GE Fix: Proton GE incorporates custom GStreamer plugins, FFmpeg builds, and native Media Foundation patches directly into the environment. This allows the Steam Deck to transcode and play these video cutscenes natively without needing pre-cached video shaders from Valve.

2. Bleeding-Edge `wine-staging` Patches

The Problem: New game releases often rely on obscure Windows API calls or graphics driver features that aren't yet supported in stable Wine/Proton builds.
The GE Fix: Proton GE re-bases its build on the newest experimental Wine commits (wine-staging) and pulls in upstream patches days or weeks before they reach official Valve builds. If a game releases on Friday with a day-one crash bug on Linux, Proton GE frequently has a community workaround ready over the weekend.

3. The `protonfixes` Automated System

The Problem: Some games require specific DLL overrides, registry keys, environment variables, or custom launcher bypasses to function.
The GE Fix: Proton GE embeds an automated python script system called protonfixes. When you launch a game using Proton GE, protonfixes identifies the game's Steam ID and silently applies the exact Winetricks dependencies, launch arguments, or DLL overrides required for that title without requiring you to manually edit files in Desktop Mode.

4. Custom Hardware & Upscaling Features

The GE Fix: Proton GE frequently backports experimental performance and input features:
- System-Level Upscaling: Integrates custom AMD FSR 1.0 or OptiScaler injection patches directly into the Wine display server.
- Controller Haptics: Adds specialized PulseAudio routing and USB haptics for controllers like the DualSense/DualSense Edge.
- Input Bypasses: Fixes raw mouse input issues or gamepad detection bugs in older games.

Best Practice: When to Use Proton GE

You do not need to set Proton GE as your default for every game. Because GE uses bleeding-edge code, it can occasionally introduce regressions in games that were previously stable.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                 RECOMMENDED PROTON WORKFLOW                 │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 1. Default Choice ───► Standard Proton or Proton Experimental│
│                        (Offers the highest stability)       │
│                                                             │
│ 2. Troubleshoot ────► Switch to Proton GE IF you encounter: │
│                        • Black cutscenes / test pattern bars│
│                        • Unresolved day-one launch crashes  │
│                        • Non-Steam / third-party games      │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

The World of Windows

How do I update or uninstall the Better xCloud script in Tampermonkey?

Verifying Removal / Resetting settings

RetroArch Starter Guide: Installing Cores

Installing cores through RetroArch interface¶

Installing cores through package manager (Ubuntu PPA only)¶

How do I install and configure the Better xCloud extension/script in Microsoft Edge?

Key Settings to Configure for Edge

1. Stream & Server Settings

2. Audio & Video Decoding

3. Controls & Gameplay

RetroArch Starter Guide: Starting a game

Requirements¶

via 'Load Content/Core'¶

Load the core¶

Load the content¶

via Playlists¶

History / Favorites¶

Exiting a game¶

What are the best browser flags and hidden settings in Microsoft Edge for Xbox Cloud Gaming?

1. Core Microsoft Edge Flags (edge://flags)

Hardware Video Decoding & Rendering Flags

2. In-Stream & Native Edge Features

Enable "Clarity Boost"

Enable High-Performance Graphics in Edge Settings

3. Windows 11 GPU Preference Override

4. Advanced Community Tool: Better xCloud

What are the best network and router settings for low-latency Xbox Cloud Gaming on PC?

1. Physical Layer & Local Hardware

Priority #1: Use Ethernet (Cat6)

If on Wi-Fi: Optimize Wireless Bands & Standards

2. Advanced Router Configurations

Quality of Service (QoS) & SQM

Router Wi-Fi & Traffic Features

3. Windows 11 & Browser Tuning for xCloud

Xbox App vs. Browser Performance

Controller Connection

Recommended Targets

RetroArch Starter Guide: User Interface

Navigating

PC

Main Menu

Settings

Favorites

History

Image, Music and Video

Netplay

Import content

Mobile

Main Menu

Playlists

Settings

How do I fix NAT Type and Xbox network connectivity errors in Windows 11?

Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) Notice

Downloading, Installing and Updating RetroArch for Windows 10 and Later

Nightly.

Installing.

Updating.

Starting RetroArch.

Keyboard Controls

Gamepad Controls

Directory Configuration¶ Configuring directories is an important aspect to get the best RetroArch experience possible. To configure the directories follow these steps:

Installing Cores¶

Running Content¶

Glossary¶

How do I fix Microsoft Store download errors like 0x80073D0D or stuck downloads when installing Gaming Services?

Verifying Service Dependencies

Waterfox Essentials: Manage preferences and add-ons, Connection settings in Waterfox

How do I completely reinstall Windows Gaming Services using PowerShell commands?

Alternative Command (Command Line Trigger)

Which operating system is better suited for mobile devices: Windows or Linux?

1. Windows: The "Productivity First" Choice

2. Linux: The "Privacy & Customization" Choice

Comparison Table: 2026 Mobile Landscape

The Verdict

How do I fix cloud save sync issues between my Xbox console and Windows 11 PC?

Handling the "Which save do you want to use?" Prompt

Waterfox Essentials: Manage preferences and add-ons, Choose display languages for multilingual web pages

View language list

Add, remove and reorder languages

1. Core Microsoft Edge Flags (`edge://flags`)

Directory Configuration¶
Configuring directories is an important aspect to get the best RetroArch experience possible. To configure the directories follow these steps:

2. Bleeding-Edge `wine-staging` Patches

3. The `protonfixes` Automated System