A DDS file is a raster image that’s saved in the DirectDraw Surface (DDS) container format. A raster (or bitmap) image is the typical graphics viewable on a computer display. DDS files are used for storing digital images, most often models for 3D video games. In this article, we’ll cover several programs that you can use to open, edit, or convert DDS files. How to Open DDS Files in Windows 10 Several free image editors can open and view DDS files in Windows 10....

This time we’ll look at how to replace or change color in Photoshop. There are a few different paths you can follow here, depending on your end goal. Whether you’re looking to apply a cool color effect to your photo, or change the color of a specific part of your image, here are a few different ways to replace color in Adobe Photoshop. How to Quickly Replace One Color With Another in Photoshop The first method of replacing one color with another in Photoshop is good for when you need to change the background color, or any solid color that takes up a lot of your picture....

With a single click or tap, you can quickly find your home address instead of having to set up the route each time you want to travel. If you have your account set up with an old home address, you can fix that by changing the home address in just a few taps. How to Set Home in Google Maps You can set your home address in Google Maps using a browser on your computer or via the Google Maps app on Android or iPhone....

Windows has three different Safe Mode options. This tutorial will show you how to start your Windows 11 PC in Safe Mode and how its options differ. 1. Enter Safe Mode from the Windows Recovery Environment Windows Recovery is the best route to start Windows 11 in Safe Mode if your PC isn’t booting up or doesn’t boot past a black/blank screen. Press 4 or F4 on your keyboard to boot into regular Safe Mode....

How To Turn Off Google Assistant on Any Device The instructions for disabling Google Assistant on each device vary. These steps also may change over time as Google introduces updates. There’s one easy way to figure out how to turn off Google Assistant on all of your devices. First, use the Hey Google or OK Google voice commands, or fire up Google Assistant using other input methods. When Google Assistant is running, you can use this command: “How to turn off Google Assistant....

With that upgrade came new features such as a scientific calculator, programmer functions, and more. One of those is a graphing calculator that can give standard graphing calculators on the market, like Texas Instruments, a run for their money. In this article, we’ll cover how to access the graphic calculator in Windows 11, how to enter and graph out functions, and how to use the calculator to solve for values along the graph....

We have a guide detailing how you can fix Microsoft Store slow download issues. In this tutorial, however, we’ll walk you through 11 things to do when Microsoft Store isn’t downloading apps on your Windows 10 computer. 1. Check Internet Connection It’s impossible to navigate the Microsoft Store, let alone download apps without an active internet connection. Therefore, if your download is stuck on pending, your first port of call should be to check your PC’s internet connection....

Nearly all of the core Windows operating system files are stored in the folders C:\Windows\System and C:\Windows\System32 (on your computer, the drive letter could be different). The Windows folder itself also holds a number of essential files. All of the programs that are installed on your computer typically have executable and related files stored in C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86). In general, you never want to modify, delete, or move any of the Windows system files that are located in any of these directories....

Download them and keep them forever. It’s a great way for gamers on a budget to get access to hours of entertainment without breaking the bank. Of course, it can be a bit tough to sort through more than 90 games, so we’ve put together a list of the best Humble Trove games that you should try out. 1. Trine Enchanted Edition Trine is a physics-based adventure/puzzle game. At only six hours, it won’t take you long to beat and is in no way difficult, but the puzzle solving is fun and well worth a bit of your time....

We’ll also explain how you can use the mouse or trackpad more efficiently, improve your skill, and make sure you’re avoiding any bad habits that could cause injury and pain. The Mouse Vs. The Trackpad For Productivity If you have the space for it, a mouse is better for productivity. It might not be the best choice at first, but with practice, you’ll have fast mouse movement and incredible precision that can speed up everything you do on your computer....

This feature is Windows SmartScreen, designed to stop potentially malicious code from running. The SmartScreen process (smartscreen.exe) runs in the background, which may mean it uses up your system resources occasionally. If you’re curious to learn more, or you’re worried about security, this guide should put you at ease. What Is Windows SmartScreen and How Does It Work? Windows SmartScreen has been a feature since the release of Windows 8....

Just like ntoskrnl.exe and other important system services, wuauserv requires priority access to your system resources from time to time. Unfortunately, this does mean that you’ll occasionally see wuauserv report high CPU usage. If that’s happening to you and you’re looking for a fix, here’s what you’ll need to do. Why Does Wuauserv Cause High CPU Usage? The Windows Update service (or wuauserv) is, as the name suggests, responsible for ensuring that your Windows PC is up-to-date....

What to Look for in Computer Speakers Every user has different needs when it comes to desktop speakers. For some, sound quality matters the most. Especially if you want to consume video games, music, or movies, if you wish to have decent volume and watch casual content such as YouTube videos, your priority might be space or design. One important decision to make is whether you want a 2.0 or 2....

There are many reasons why the device may feel sluggish, but you can make it run faster. Whatever your reason may be for wanting to speed things up, we share some tweaks to speed up Windows 10 and get the most out of your device. How to Tweak Windows 10 to Improve Your Computer’s Performance Windows 10 works fast on modern hardware, but over time, the operating system may start degrading due to viruses, bugs, compatibility issues, hardware problems and more....

In this article, we’ll give you a few interesting command prompt ideas that’ll change the way you look at the Command Prompt for good. There are other standard commands that all Windows users should know. How to Launch the Command Prompt? Before you can use any Command Prompt tricks, you’ll need to launch it. Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter. 1. Change the Command Prompt Window Color The Command Prompt’s black-only look can feel bland....

What Is Resolution? First, let’s get a quick understanding of what “resolution” is. Digital images are broken up into “picture elements” or “pixels.” Each pixel has a specific color and brightness value, and multiple pixels are arranged in a grid to form pictures. The more pixels there are in an image, the more detailed that image will be. A “low-resolution” image appears grainy, and it’s easy to see the actual pixels if you look closely....

The most common cause is the lack of admin rights. You can run your app as an admin to save your files in your chosen folder. You can also toggle a few other options on your PC to resolve the issue. 1. Use the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter If a specific app has trouble saving your files, use Windows’ built-in Program Compatibility Troubleshooter to fix the issue. This troubleshooter finds the issues with your app and advises the actions to take to resolve the problem....

Some of the technical codes accompanying the error are: OX0000007E (0XC00007D, 0XF7C6B8EA, 0XF7C6B7F4 – 0XF7CBBYF0). By booting into Safe Mode, I noticed that the boot process stopped when the MUP.SYS driver was loading. The first thing to try is to boot from the Windows XP installation CD and get to the recovery console (by pressing R), then do a chkdsk /r check. If it finds any errors, it will try to repair them....

It’s always easier to fix problems with Chromebooks when they’re active or turned on. On the other hand, diagnosing issues preventing your Chromebook from turning on can be pretty challenging. But it’s fixable. In this guide, we’ll cover five things to try if your Chromebook is not turning on. The troubleshooting techniques in this guide apply to all Chromebooks, irrespective of brand name, model, and specification. Note: If a new Chromebook won’t turn on or charge out-of-the-box, you should contact the vendor or return the device immediately....

It can be frustrating when your precious data seems to be out of reach, but there are many fixes that stand between you and finally giving up on recovering your information! Turning It Off & On Again Yes, it’s a cliche. However, the first thing you should try on a Windows computer that says it can’t read your data is to turn it off. Then take a deep breath, count to ten, and switch it on again....