When the Outlook desktop application is misbehaving or crashing, you are able to force run outlook in safe mode. Here're the steps to open outlook in safe mode on Windows.

When it comes to email clients, Outlook is among the most widely used both for personal and office uses. Among the best reasons for Outlook is it is filled to the brim with assorted features for a wide range of users. In fact, though I personally use Thunderbird on my small personal machine due to its simplicity of use and ease, Outlook is my goto when it comes to Work emails and communication.

Generally, Outlook application on desktop launches with no problems. However, there can be times when Outlook crashes as soon as you open it up. For example, a current update to Windows 10 caused outlook crash with 0xc0000005 error as soon as it's opened. In some cases, Outlook may not become it ought to. During these kinds of situations, you can open Outlook in Safe mode. Advertising media are Outlook in safe mode, it automatically fixes a lot of issues. So, within this simple and quick guide, allow me to show different ways to start Outlook in safe mode in Windows.

Note: The techniques and steps shown below works with any modern version of Outlook including Outlook 2013, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019, and Outlook 365.

How to Open Outlook in Safe Mode From Taskbar

If you have pinned Outlook to the taskbar, you can start it in safe mode directly from the taskbar. Here's how.

Hold on the "Ctrl" key around the keyboard.
While holding down the key, click the Outlook icon on the taskbar.
You will notice a prompt asking if you want to start Outlook in safe mode. Click "Yes".
Now, select the Outlook profile you need to open and click "Ok".

If you did not create any extra profile, keep your default one as is and press "Ok". That is all. Outlook is going to be launched within the safe mode with the profile you select.

How you can Open Outlook in Safe Mode From Start Menu

To run Outlook in safe mode directly from the start menu, stick to the steps listed below.

Open the Start menu by pressing the Windows key around the keyboard.
Type "Outlook" in the search bar.
Hold down the "Ctrl" key and then click the "Open" option around the right panel.
Click "Yes" within the confirmation window.
Select the Outlook profile from the dropdown menu.
Click "Ok".

That is it. Once you click the button, safe mode Outlook will be opened automatically. This process is useful when the taskbar icon is not responding or if you did not pin Outlook to the taskbar.

Run Command to Start Outlook in Safe Mode

Outlook includes a dedicated run command to start it in the safe mode. The run command is very useful if you're not able to open it up via the Start menu or the taskbar.

Open the Run window with "Windows Key + R" shortcut.
In the blank field, type "outlook.exe /safe" and click on "Ok".
Click "Yes" in this window.
Now, choose the Outlook profile and click on "Ok".

That's it.

How to Start Outlook in Safe Mode From Command Prompt

If you want to, you may also launch outlook in safe mode while using Command Prompt. All you need to do is perform command and you're simply done.

Open the Start menu.
Type "cmd" and click on the "Command Prompt" result.
After opening the Command Prompt window, type the below command and press Enter.
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\outlook.exe" /safe
Click "Yes" in the Outlook window.
Choose the profile and click "Ok".

Note: If Outlook is installed in some other directory, modify the file path within the above command to match the actual Outlook.exe file path.

How you can Create Outlook Safe Mode Desktop Shortcut

If Outlook is behaving oddly often, you may create a dedicated desktop shortcut to start Outlook in safe mode.

Right-click on the desktop.
Select the "New → Shortcut" option.
Type the following path within the field and click on "Next".
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\outlook.exe" /safe
Name the shortcut and click "Finish".
To produce Outlook, double-click on the desktop shortcut you just created.
Click "Yes" within the confirmation window.
Select "Profile" and click "Yes".

Note: If Outlook is installed in another directory, modify the file path in the above command to complement the particular Outlook.exe file path.

If you've ever set a picture as the lock screen or desktop, you might find yourself dissatisfied using the crop that Windows 10 decided to use. Fortunately, you can custom-crop images to suit your display.

And you may get it done with just the software that came with your computer. All that you should do is open the image you need to use within Windows 10's Photos app, which knows the dimensions of your display, so you don't have to look them up.

Here's how you can edit photos to fit your display in Windows 10:

1. Open your image in Photos and hover over the top of the window together with your cursor.

2. Click Edit.

3. Select Lock Screen.

4. Adjust the crop box by dragging it and moving the corner dots to decide on the portion you want to use and click Apply.

5. Click Save a copy.

6. Click on the ... button.

7. Select Set as.

8. Select Set as lock screen or Set as background. Repeat steps 8, 9 and 10 as necessary.

You've cropped your image to suit your display!

If the Windows secret is causing unnecessary keystrokes while gaming or any other activities, here's how you can block or disable Windows type in easy steps.

Whenever you press the Start or Windows Key, the Start menu will be opened. For a majority of Windows users, pressing the Windows key after which searching for applications and files is nearly a second nature. However, while playing you might want to disable the Windows answer to avoid accidental key presses. After all, it is very simple to press the Windows Key instead of the Ctrl or Alt key.

So, when the Windows secret is getting into your way for whatever reason, play one of the methods shown below to disable the Windows key or Start key. Since Windows doesn't offer any official option, we have to use third-party applications or registry or group policy edits. I'll show all of them, stick to the one you want.

1. Disable Windows Key using AutoHotKey

Using a simple AutoHotKey script, you can quickly block the Windows key. All you need to do is execute the script and you're simply done. Listed here are the steps you should follow.

Get AutoHotKey and do the installation.

Right-click on desktop.

Select "New → Text document".

Name the file as "Disable Win Key.ahk". You are able to name the file anything you like, just make sure that you simply replace .txt extension with .ahk.

Right-click on the file and choose the "Edit Script" option.

Copy the below code.
;; Disable Left Windows Key
LWin::Return
;; Disable Right Windows Key
RWin::Return
Paste it within the opened file.

Press "Ctrl + S" in order to save the file.

Close Notepad.

That is all. Just double-click around the file you simply designed to execute the script. As long as the script is running, the Windows key is going to be disabled. While the script is running, you can see the AutoHotKey icon in the taskbar.

To allow Windows key, right-click around the AutoHotKey icon on the taskbar and select "Exit". This can close the script and also the Windows key functionality will be restored.

2. Disable Windows Key via GPO

You can also disable the Windows key using GPO. All you need to do is configure an insurance policy in Group Policy Editor. Here's how.

Open Start menu.
Type "Edit Group Policy" and press Enter.
Go towards the following folder.
User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → File Explorer
On the best panel, double-click on the "Turn off Windows Key hotkeys" policy.
Select the "Enabled" radio option.
Click "Apply" and "Ok" buttons.
Close the Group Policy Editor.
Restart Windows.

After rebooting, the Windows key will no longer work. Not just the Windows key but all the hotkeys combined with the Windows key won't work. For instance, the job view shortcut "Win + Tab" no longer works.

To allow the win key, choose the "Not configured" radio option in step 5 and reboot Windows. Setting the GPO to Not Configured will enable the Windows Key.

3. Registry Edit to bar Windows Key

With a simple registry edit, you can block the Windows key. If you work with Windows 10 Home edition, this is the alternative for that group policy method.

Open the Start menu.
Type "Registry Editor" and press Enter.
Copy the below path.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

In the opened registry editor, paste the copied path in the address bar and press Enter.
Right-click on the "Explorer" folder.
Select "New → DWORD (32-bit value)" from the context menu.
Type "NoWinKeys" because the value name.
Double-click on the newly created Dword value.
Type "1" within the Value Data field.
Click "Ok" in order to save the changes.
Close the registry editor.
Restart Windows.

Once you restart the system, the Windows key won't work.

To re-enable the Windows key, simply delete the "NoWinKeys" value in the registry editor.

Wrapping Up

As you can tell, it is really quite simple to disable the Windows key. If you are searching for any temporary solution. i.e, an easy method to enable and disable win key whenever needed then I recommend you stick to the AutoHotKey method. If you are searching to permanently disable Windows key then follow the Group Policy or Registry method.

Windows 10 automatically shows three columns of tiles within the Start menu. There's a hidden fourth column, though, that may demonstrate more apps and info instantly whenever you click on the Windows button. Here's how to enable it.

1. Open Settings. You can do this from the Start menu.

2. Click Personalization.

3. Click Start in the left menu after which toggle "Show more tiles" to on.

The beginning menu will now come with an extra column of space, which you can drag tiles into.

Bonus tip: Should you drag the right edge of the beginning menu right, you will get another 4 columns of tiles to rearrange and organize to your heart's content.

If you want to alter the display resolution setting on your Windows 10 PC, its easy knowing how. Whether you need to try a sharper resolution on the laptop that defaults to some lower option or have to change it back to the recommended size from the less-than-stellar option, we've got your back.

Here, we'll show how you can improve your display setting. We suggest that you select the recommended one and adjust your font and icon sizes to match you.

1. Click the Start button.

2. Select the Settings icon.

3. Select System.

4. Click Advanced display settings.

5. Click the menu under Resolution.

6. Select the option you would like. We strongly recommend going with the one that has (Recommended) next to it.

7. Click Apply.

You've changed your display resolution!

Just because iPhones play better with MacBooks doesn't resulted in they can't work with Windows 10 laptops. Syncing your data requires a a bit more know-how on Windows 10 (instead of macOS' plug-and-play syncing, or how you can just drag and drop files with Android on Windows 10), however with a few clicks and a little patience, you'll have everything current.

Copying for an iPhone

Syncing music, photos, movies and TV shows means getting confident with iTunes. If you're already utilizing it, you're good to go. If you're not, you can download that and import your music by visiting File > Add Folder to Library to maneuver your current music into iTunes. Once you're prepared to sync, adopt these measures.

1. Connect your iPhone for your laptop having a Lightning cable.

2. Click Continue when asked when the computer might have access towards the phone.

3. Click on the phone icon within the top bar.

4. Click Sync.

This will sync the 2 devices. Whether it doesn't, visit the sidebar and enable the Sync checkboxes under Music, Apps, Movies, TV Shows and Photos and click Sync again.

For the way much data you're syncing, this might take awhile. Get a drink or a snack and are available back later.

5. Look at your photos, music, apps and videos to verify they arrived on the phone from Windows 10.

Copying From an apple iphone

This is where things get tricky. In an attempt to avoid piracy, syncing from an iPhone isn't as simple and sending data into it. Luckily, there are several workarounds.

Music and Movies: This prevents you stuck in Apple's wheelhouse. If you can move non-iTunes media files to your phone out of your PC, you cannot send them in the handset to the computer. However if you buy media from iTunes on your iPhone, you will get it on your hard drive via the cloud. So long as you maintain one Apple ID, you'll have the ability to download all your songs and movies again from iTunes on your computer at no extra cost.

Photos: To understand how you can import photos from an iPhone to Windows 10, see our guide here.

Files: The cloud is the friend for syncing files. While I personally use Dropbox, you may also use iCloud.

It's ideal for users who like Apple's software, including Pages, Numbers and Keynote.

If you're a Dropbox user, you should use the iPhone app and desktop app to view files or photos on either device. If you're a Google user, you can use Sheets, Slides and Docs.

Nowhere Windows 10 wallpaper is great to check out, but it's more enjoyable to find the background you would like in your laptop. In the end, you're going to be the one staring at the screen all day and don't desire to be peering in a dark blue logo all night at a time. It's also wise to consider altering your icon size, in addition to saving the beautiful Windows 10 lock screen images so you have more wallpaper options. For additional granular customization, try enabling Dark Mode or Light Mode on Windows 10 and consider changing to these beautiful themes.

With that in mind, here's how to improve your desktop background in Windows 10.

How to change your desktop background in Windows 10

1. Click on the Windows icon within the lower left of the screen near the search bar.

2. Click Settings within the list on the left.

3. Click on Personalization, that is fourth in the bottom out there.

4. Click Background. The background page will come up which allows you to preview your background picture and lets you choose from several photos or perhaps your own photos for the desktop background.

5. Click the box underneath Background to choose between a picture, solid color, or slideshow for the background.

6. Underneath Choose the picture, click on among the options or click Browse to select one from your computer. Click whatever photo you would like and it'll appear as the desktop background.

7. If you do not like the layout of the photo, you are able to click on the box underneath. Under Select a fit, pick between fill, fit, stretch, tile, or center options for your background.

8. Once you have made your selections, your Windows 10 background can change automatically, no manual submitting required.

If you have multiple audio playback devices connected to Windows 10, you can set the main one you want because the default playback device. Follow the instructions below to alter the default audio playback device in Windows 10.

You can attach as many audio playback devices as you want in Windows. For example, I have three audio devices. i.e, monitor speakers, external speakers, and headphones. Each and every playback device is available to you once they are powered on as well as in the significant state. When you have multiple audio playback devices, Windows does its best to pick the default one. In some cases, the audio drivers will choose the default playback device.

When the default configuration isn't the way you like, you are able to change the default playback device in several different ways. Within this simple and quick post, I will show the methods to change the default audio device in Windows 10. Follow the method you're comfortable with and you will be good very quickly.

1. Change Default Audio Playback Device from Taskbar

You are able to alter the default playback device directly from the taskbar in Windows 10. Here are the steps you need to follow.

First, click the "Volume" icon around the taskbar.
Now, click the playback device name.
As soon as you click, you will see all the connected audio playback devices. Select the playback device you would like.

Once you choose the device, Windows will set it as the default. You can stick to the same steps to quickly alter the playback device as and when needed.

2. Set Default Playback Device from Settings

The Settings app also provides a simple method to quickly set a default audio playback device. All you have to do is choose the audio device in the dropdown menu. Follow the steps listed below.

Open Settings by pressing the "Windows Key + I" keyboard shortcut.
Go towards the "System" page.
Choose the "Sound" tab on the left panel.
Around the right panel, choose the audio playback device from the dropdown menu under the "Output" section.
Settings all automatically saved.
Close the Settings app.

That's all.

3. Change Audio Output Device for A Select Application

If you want to, you may also set the default audio output device on a per-application basis. For instance, if you want Spotify to make use of external speakers by default, then you change its audio output device via settings. Here's how.

Open Settings.
Go to "System".
Now, go to the "Sound" page.
On the right page, scroll down and click on the "App volume and device preferences" option underneath the "Advanced Sound Options" section.
Here, you will notice all of the opened applications. If the application is not opened, you will not view it here.
Choose the audio playback device from the top dropdown menu from the application.
Settings are automatically saved.
Close the Settings app.

That's all.

Microsoft's first Android device, the so-called Surface Duo, is believed to become just around the corner, and the closer we obtain to the launch, the greater information emerges on onpar gps.

One of the latest discoveries is really a feature called app groups, which according to WL should allow users to pair two different apps and launch them simultaneously.

In other words, it lets users create sets of apps that can launch together at the same time. For example, if you always launch Onenote and Outlook together, you can create an app group, and then when clicked, both apps are automatically started.

Despite being called app groups, which implies that multiple apps could be controlled by doing this, it appears as though the whole thing could be limited to just two apps. It doesn't make sense at all at this time, but however, Microsoft might be looking into expanding this at some point in the near future to incorporate more apps.

Surface Duo likely launching in July

And when the entire idea heard this before for you, it's because Samsung's already offering something similar as part of the App Pair feature on its phones.

As far as Microsoft's Android feature goes, such an approach would virtually seem sensible on Windows 10 too. And it's since the purpose of this tool would be to boost productivity, and Windows 10 itself has made productivity quite a priority. Launching two apps simultaneously ought to be possible on Windows 10 too - which is, only that native functionality in this regard would obviously come in much handier than third-party alternatives.

Surface Duo is expected to ship with Microsoft Launcher pre-loaded, albeit Microsoft would need to update the app to aid dual-screen devices. Based on people familiar with the problem, the Duo should be announced in July.

Windows 10's Tablet Mode provides a more touch-friendly experience by looking into making all applications run at full screen (instead of in windows) and giving you a Start screen instead of a Start Menu. If you have a 2-in-1 device, Windows 10 asks you if you want to enter tablet mode any time you convert your notebook into a slate.

However, if you want to switch between Tablet and Desktop modes manually, stick to Desktop mode even on a tablet or steer clear of the prompt and have it switch to tablet mode automatically, you are able to change the settings. And if you want to only use the on-screen keyboard, check out this separate guide.

Configuring Tablet Mode involves three basic actions:

Go to the Tablet Mode tab under Settings -> System.
Toggle the "make Windows more touch friendly" option off or on.
Select whether the device switches modes automatically, prompts you or never switches.

Step-by-Step Instructions with Screenshots

1. Click Settings around the Start Menu.
2. Select System.
3. Select Tablet mode in the left pane. A Tablet mode submenu appears.
4. Toggle "Make Windows more touch-friendly . . ." to onto enable Tablet mode. Toggle them back to visit desktop mode.
5. Select "Don't ask me and always switch" in the "When this product automatically switches" menu if you want Windows 10 to switch modes on your 2-in-1 without prompting you.

The new AV1 codec isn't enabled by default. Here is how you are able to install AV1 codec in Windows 10 to allow AV1 video codec support.

AV1 codec is free and developed by Open Media as a successor towards the existing VP9 codec. Just like with VP9, AV1 codec is developed for the web use like online streaming media. When compared with libvpx-vp9, x264 high profile, and x264 main profile, AV1 codec achieved higher data compression while keeping the standard. Not that but unlike HEVC, AV1 codec is royalty-free. This only denotes that the creators do not have to be worried about unnecessary patent infringements.

Taking into consideration the open nature of the AV1 codec, Microsoft included support for AV1 codec in Windows 10. For videos encoded with AV1 codec to experience, you first need to install AV1 codec in Windows 10 and enable it. Without the AV1 codec, the built-in player cannot play AV1 encoded videos. You will notice the "This item was encoded in a format that isn't supported" 0xc00d5212 error. Installing the AV1 codec will fix the 0xc00d5212 error.

Thankfully, it is rather easy to install the AV1 codec in Windows 10. Allow me to show you how.

Steps to Install AV1 Codec in Windows 10

These are the steps you should follow to install the AV1 codec in Windows 10.

Go to the official AV1 codec store page and click on "Get".
If prompted, click the "Open Microsoft Store" button.
Within the Microsoft Store app, click on the "Get" button.
As soon as you click the button, the Store will download the AV1 codec and install it automatically.
Close the shop app.
Reboot Windows.

That is it. You've installed the AV1 codec in Windows 10. To verify if the codec is in working order, download AV1 codec encoded video and then try to listen to it using the Movies & TV app. When the app plays the video, you've succeeded in installing the AV1 codec. Do remember that some third-party media players like VLC have built-in support for AV1 codec.

Uninstall AV1 Codec from Windows 10

When the AV1 codec is causing problems or performance issues, you are able to uninstall it pretty easily.

Follow these steps to uninstall AV1 codec in Windows 10.

Open the Settings app (press Win + I).
Go to the "Apps" page.
Click on the "Apps & features" tab on the left panel.
On the right panel, click "AV1 Video Extension".
Click "Uninstall".
Click on the "Uninstall" within the flyout menu.
Close the Settings app.
Reboot Windows.

As soon as you click the Uninstall button, the AV1 codec will be uninstalled from the system. If you want to reinstall it, stick to the steps in the first section.