Help Desk – Help Desk Geek https://helpdeskgeek.com Tech Tips from Trusted Tech Experts Sat, 19 Aug 2023 04:27:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.3 Razer Mouse or Keyboard Not Showing Up in Razer Synapse? Try These 6 Fixes https://helpdeskgeek.com/help-desk/razer-mouse-or-keyboard-not-showing-up-in-razer-synapse-try-these-6-fixes/ https://helpdeskgeek.com/help-desk/razer-mouse-or-keyboard-not-showing-up-in-razer-synapse-try-these-6-fixes/#disqus_thread Nicolae Bochis]]> Sat, 19 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0000 https://helpdeskgeek.com/?p=73149

Razer Synapse is the software app that, when paired with Razer peripherals, helps you manage, customize and use them to their fullest potential. However, sometimes the software doesn’t detect your […]]]>
Razer Synapse is the software app that, when paired with Razer peripherals, helps you manage, customize and use them to their fullest potential. However, sometimes the software doesn’t detect your Razer gaming keyboard, mouse, or headset. Making it work can be frustrating, especially if you previously set up a custom profile you want to use.

The issue of Razer Synapse not recognizing peripherals most often happens with the mouse and keyboard. But it can happen to any peripheral such as a headset, microphone, or any other hardware Synapse typically works with. This article will show you how to fix the problem of Razer Synapse 3 and Razer Synapse 2 not recognizing peripherals.

1. Perform Hardware Troubleshooting

There are several ways you can troubleshoot your hardware, especially when it comes to peripherals such as mouse and keyboard. You can plug them out of your computer and try them on another device with Razer Synapse software installed to see if they can be detected.

If you don’t have another PC handy, you can simply plug your peripherals into a different USB port. Make sure it’s plugged directly into your PC without using intermediary USB hubs. Also, you should check the device’s cables and USB ports for any physical damage.

Finally, Windows 10 and 11 have a hardware troubleshooter that you can use to see if there is a problem with your devices. Hardware and Devices troubleshooter is not visible from Settings. You’ll have to use the Command Prompt. Here’s how:

  1. Make sure the Razer devices you are testing are connected to your PC.
  2. Click a magnifying glass on your Windows 10/11 taskbar. This will open the search bar. Type cmd and select Command Prompt.
  1. Type the troubleshooter command: msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic.
  1. This will open Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. Click Next.
  1. Wait for the troubleshooter to detect problems.
  1. If the troubleshooter suggests any resolutions, select Apply this fix to execute it.

2. Reinstall Device Drivers

Another fix that reportedly works is reinstalling all Razer HID-compliant devices. This can help resolve any problems your mouse and keyboard drivers might have.

  1. Press Win + X on your keyboard to bring up the Power User menu.
  2. Select Device Manager from the menu.
  1. Double-click Mice and other pointing devices to view the peripheral devices.
  1. Right-click the Razer mouse and select Uninstall device.
  1. Confirm by selecting Uninstall when prompted.

Restart your PC, and Windows will automatically reinstall the Razer device drivers you uninstalled. Any corrupted drivers that were causing problems will be replaced.

3. Update Razer Device Drivers

Perhaps your device drivers are not corrupted but simply outdated. If this is the case, you can download the latest version directly from the Razer official website or use a third-party app, such as Easy Pro, to automatically update drivers on your PC.

Here’s how to update your Razer mouse drivers from the official website:

  1. Go to the Razer Support page and select PC.
  1. Select Mice (or another peripheral you want to update) on the next page.
  1. On the Mouse Support page, select Downloads.
  1. Click on a green plus symbol next to the Mice and Mats (or any other peripheral you want the latest drivers for).
  2. Find your device on the list and click Download next to it.
  1. Once downloaded, click the .exe driver file to install it on your PC. Follow the on-screen instructions (if any) to complete the process.

4. Turn off the Antivirus

Some antivirus programs can prevent Razer Synapse from detecting peripherals. Windows Defender, and some third-party antivirus apps, need to be temporarily disabled to fix this issue.

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection to temporarily disable Windows Defender.

After disabling the antivirus, launch Razer Synapse to see if it detects your keyboard and mouse. If this works, add Razer Synapse to the exclusion list in Windows Security (or alternative software you might be using). This will allow you to turn the antivirus back on without blocking the Synapse software.

5. Use Synapse’s Repair Option

You can try Synapse’s repair option to fix the software not detecting devices. Lots of users reported this is how they managed to resolve the issue.

  1. Open the Run box by pressing the Windows key + R on your keyboard.
  2. Type appwiz.cpl and click OK.
  1. Find Razer Synapse on the list of programs, and right-click it. Select Change.
  1. When the Razer window opens, select the Repair option.
  1. Be patient while Synapse finds and repairs any potential issues. This might involve downloading and reinstalling missing or corrupted modules.

When it’s finished, launch Synapse and log into your account. See if it now detects your mouse and keyboard.

6. Uninstall Razer Synapse and Reinstall It

Corrupted files are not specific only to drivers. They can show up anywhere, even in the Synapse modules and files. This can potentially lead to Synapse failing to detect Razer peripherals. The solution to this problem would be thoroughly uninstalling and reinstalling Razer Synapse software. Make sure to do it properly so that no leftover data could be corrupted and influence how Synapse works.

Follow these steps to reinstall Razer Synapse:

  1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to bring up the run box.
  2. Type appwiz.cpl and click the OK button. This will bring up Programs and Features.
  1. Find Razer Synapse in the list of programs and right-click it. Select Uninstall.
  1. When prompted by Razer, select Uninstall.
  1. Select all Razer software and click the Uninstall button in the lower right corner.
  1. Razer will ask you if you really want to remove their software. Select Yes, Remove.

Even after you complete uninstalling Razer Synapse, you’ll have to make sure to delete all the remaining files that might be hidden. Here’s how:

  1. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Razer.
  2. Click Hidden items in the ribbon to ensure all the files are displayed. If you are a Windows 11 user, click the three dots, then go to Options > View > Check Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
  1. Delete all the files in the Razer folder. Select them with your mouse, and press the DEL button on your keyboard.
  2. Go to C:\ProgramData\Razer and ensure the Hidden items option in the ribbon is checked.
  1. Delete all the files in this Razer folder too.
  2. Reboot your computer.

Now you can install Razer Synapse from the official website, just like you did the first time. After the installation, see if the software detects your Razer products.

Does your Razer device show up in Razer Synapse after applying any of these fixes? If you’re still having issues, read our detailed guide on how to fix a USB device not recognized in Windows.

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What Is CCXProcess.exe (And Should You Remove It) https://helpdeskgeek.com/help-desk/what-is-ccxprocess-exe-and-should-you-remove-it/ https://helpdeskgeek.com/help-desk/what-is-ccxprocess-exe-and-should-you-remove-it/#disqus_thread Jake Harfield]]> Tue, 15 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0000 https://helpdeskgeek.com/?p=72971

CCXProcess.exe is a pesky process that appears out of nowhere and uses up your system resources. If you notice that CCXProcess is causing high CPU usage and want to figure […]]]>
CCXProcess.exe is a pesky process that appears out of nowhere and uses up your system resources. If you notice that CCXProcess is causing high CPU usage and want to figure out why, you’ve come to the right place.

In this tutorial, we’ll explain what CCXProcess.exe is, what it does, how to verify its legitimacy, and how to remove it if you no longer need it.

What Is CCXProcess.exe?

CCXProcess.exe stands for the Creative Cloud Experience Process. This is an integral part of the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop software and is set to launch automatically on startup. Often, it will create multiple versions of other processes, including the cscript.exe and conhost.exe processes.

The primary function of CCXProcess.exe is to provide features for Adobe programs like Photoshop, Lightroom, After Effects, Premiere Pro, and more. Some of its features include providing dynamic assets like templates, filters and an easy way to switch between apps.

The CCXProcess executable file is found at C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Creative Cloud Experience and is usually between ~140 and 680 bytes in size.

Is CCXProcess.exe Malware?

The CCXProcess.exe file is a legitimate Adobe software background process that helps Adobe applications work correctly. However, many users note that not one but two CCXProcess.exe tasks appear in their Task Manager.

Unfortunately, malware and viruses can be designed in such a way as to mimic legitimate process names and avoid detection.

Because of this, there is a slight chance that at least one of the CCXProcess.exe files you’re seeing results from malicious software.

How to Check If CCXProcess.exe is Malware?

To make sure that your CCXProcess.exe is legitimate, check for these red flags:

  1. You don’t have Adobe programs installed. If you have no Adobe software installed on your computer (especially if you’ve never had Adobe apps on your PC), then the CCXProcess.exe file may be malware.
  2. The CCXprocess.exe file is in the wrong location. In Task Manager, right-click CCXProcess.exe and select Open File Location. If the folder that opens isn’t C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Creative Cloud Experience or one of the other Adobe folders, then it’s likely to be malware. If you view the file’s properties, it should also say it’s from Adobe Systems.
  1. You’ve noticed performance issues. Malware, spyware, and cryptocurrency miners often cause increased use of system resources, making your computer slow down, run hot, or frequently freeze. If you’ve noticed this, fake CCXProcess.exe might be to blame.
  2. Your antivirus software flags it. When you think you have a malware or trojan infection, you should first scan your PC with your antivirus software. If it flags CCXProcess.exe, you know that it’s malware.

How to Disable CCXProcess.exe

There are four ways to disable or uninstall the CCXProcess, depending on whether you use the Microsoft Windows or Mac operating systems. Here they are:

Method 1. Use the Adobe Creative Cloud App

  1. Launch the Adobe Creative Cloud dashboard.
  2. Select your profile icon at the top-right corner of the app.
  3. Select Preferences.
  1. Choose General.
  2. Select Settings, then uncheck Launch Creative Cloud at Login.
  1. Restart your computer and make sure the process doesn’t restart.

Method 2. Use the Task Manager on Windows

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  2. Select the Startup tab.
  3. Right-click CCXProcess.exe and select Disable.
  1. Reboot your PC.

Method 3. Use the Windows Registry Editor

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type “regedit” and press Enter.
  1. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe by double-clicking each folder.
  2. Right-click somewhere in the window and select New > Key in the pop-up menu.
  1. Rename the key “CCXWelcome” and move it to the right-hand pane.
  2. Right-click on the empty area again and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  1. Rename the DWORD “Disabled” and hit Enter.
  2. Double-click the Disabled DWORD and set the value data to 0.
  1. Select OK.
  2. Restart your PC.

Method 4. Use the Utilities Feature on Mac

  1. Open Finder > Applications.
  2. Select Utilities > Adobe Creative Cloud Experience.
  3. Right-click CCXProcess and select Move to Bin.
  1. Right-click Bin and select Empty Bin.
  2. Open the Activity Monitor and select the Memory tab.
  3. Find Adobe Creative Cloud Experience (CCXProcess), select it, and press the X symbol to close it.
  4. Repeat steps 1 to 4, then reboot your Mac device.

Get Rid of Fake Processes

To avoid detection, malware, spyware, and other viruses masquerade as legitimate processes — like CCXProcess.exe. Worse, this malicious software is becoming more common as the years go by. Hopefully, this article helped you determine whether your CCXProcess task was legitimate and resolve your PC’s performance issues.

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How to Fix Audacity’s “Error opening sound device” Issue https://helpdeskgeek.com/help-desk/how-to-fix-audacitys-error-opening-sound-device-issue/ https://helpdeskgeek.com/help-desk/how-to-fix-audacitys-error-opening-sound-device-issue/#disqus_thread Mahesh Makvana]]> Mon, 14 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0000 https://helpdeskgeek.com/?p=72987

Having trouble working on your projects in Audacity as the app keeps saying, “Error opening sound device”? Your app may be facing difficulties working with your playback and recording devices, […]]]>
Having trouble working on your projects in Audacity as the app keeps saying, “Error opening sound device”? Your app may be facing difficulties working with your playback and recording devices, leading to the above error message. You can make a few changes here and there on your PC to resolve your error. We’ll show you how to do that.

A few reasons you get the above Audacity error are that you haven’t enabled all your sound devices, your PC doesn’t allow the app to access your microphone, your sound device drivers are outdated or faulty, a required Windows service isn’t running, and more.

Enable All Sound Devices on Your PC

When you get the “Error opening sound device” error in Audacity, check and enable all playback and mic devices on your PC. This ensures the app has access to the required device when you’re working on your projects in the app.

  1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R.
  2. Type the following in the box and press Enter: mmsys.cpl
  3. Open the Playback tab, right-click a disabled playback device, and choose Enable. Do this for all disabled devices on the list.
  1. Right-click the device you want to set as the default playback device and choose Set as Default Device and Set as Default Communication Device.
  2. Switch to the Recording tab on the same window, right-click a disabled recording device, and choose Enable. Repeat this step for all disabled devices on the list.
  3. Right-click the device you want to use as the default recording device and choose Set as Default Device and Set as Default Communication Device.
  1. Select Apply followed by OK at the bottom.

Let Audacity Access Your Microphone on Your PC

Audacity needs access to your microphone to record audio. If you or someone has denied this permission on your PC, grant the app the mic permission to resolve your issue.

On Windows 11

  1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
  2. Select Privacy & security in the left sidebar and Microphone on the right pane.
  3. Turn on the Microphone access, Let apps access your microphone, and Let desktop apps access your microphone options.

On Windows 10

  1. Launch Settings by pressing Windows + I.
  2. Select Privacy in Settings.
  3. Choose Microphone in the left sidebar.
  4. Select Change on the right and turn on the toggle.
  1. Enable the Allow apps to access your microphone option.
  2. Toggle on the Allow desktop apps to access your microphone option as well.

Select Your Preferred Sound Devices in Audacity

You may get an “Error opening sound device” message because Audacity isn’t using your preferred devices. To fix your issue, you can manually set your playback and recording devices in the app.

  1. Open Audacity on your computer.
  2. Select Edit > Preferences from the menu bar.
  3. Choose Audio Settings in the left sidebar.
  4. Select the Playback drop-down menu on the right and choose your preferred playback device.
  1. Select the Recording drop-down menu and choose your preferred mic.
  2. Choose OK at the bottom to save your settings.

Adjust the Sample Rate in Audacity

Audacity’s “Error opening sound device” error might result from incorrect sample rates specified in the app. In this case, find your device’s default sample rate and use that rate in Audacity to fix your issue.

To find your device’s sample rate:

  1. Open Run using Windows + R, type the following in the box, and press Enter:
    mmsys.cpl
  2. Open the Recording tab, right-click your mic, and choose Properties.
  3. Access the Advanced tab.
  4. Note the sample rate displayed in the Default Format section. In the following screenshot, the sample rate is 48000 Hz.

To change the sample rate in Audacity:

  1. Open Audacity and select Edit > Preferences.
  2. Choose Audio Settings in the left sidebar.
  3. Select the Default Sample Rate drop-down menu on the right and choose the rate you noted above. In our case, it’s 48000 Hz.
  1. Select the Project Sample Rate drop-down menu and choose the same rate you noted above.
  2. Select OK at the bottom to save your changes.

Update Your Sound Device Drivers on Windows

Outdated sound device drivers on your PC can cause Audacity not to open the sound stream, leading the app to display the above error message. In this case, update your device’s installed drivers to resolve your issue.

  1. Right-click the Start menu and choose Device Manager.
  2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click your sound device, and choose Update driver.
  1. Select Search automatically for drivers on the following page.
  2. Let Device Manager find and install the latest sound drivers on your PC.
  3. Reboot your PC when you’ve updated the drivers.

Disable Software Playthrough and Overdub in Audacity

Audacity developers recommend disabling both Software Playthrough and Overdub features in the app to possibly fix an “Error opening sound device” error. You can use this method and see if that resolves your problem.

  1. Open Audacity on your computer.
  2. Select Transport > Transport Options and turn off Software Playthrough.
  1. Choose Transport > Transport Options again and disable Overdub.

Restart the Required Windows Audio Services

Windows runs various audio services in the background to help your installed apps open sound streams. When you experience issues in your audio apps like Audacity, those required Windows services may not be running or malfunctioning.

In this case, reboot those services and see if that resolves your problem.

  1. Open Run by pressing Windows + R, enter the following in the box, and press Enter:
    services.msc
  2. Right-click the Windows Audio service on the list and select Restart.
  1. Right-click the Windows Audio Endpoint Builder service and choose Restart.
  2. Close the Services window and open your Audacity app.

Remove and Reinstall Your Sound Devices

If your “Error opening sound device” issue isn’t fixed, your sound devices may be faulty. In this case, uninstall and reinstall those devices on your PC to potentially resolve your issue.

  1. Open Device Manager on your PC.
  2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click your sound device, and choose Uninstall device.
  3. Enable the Attempt to remove the driver for this device option and choose Uninstall.
  1. Restart your PC when you’ve removed your sound device.
  2. Your PC will automatically install your device on the next boot.

Many Ways to Resolve Your Audacity Sound Device Issues

Audacity displays an “Error opening sound device” error when the app has trouble locating and working with your sound devices. This situation prevents you from using the app for your tasks. Luckily, the issue isn’t too difficult to deal with.

You can use the above methods to resolve your error and resume your activities in the app. Enjoy!

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Fixed: Discord Is Stuck on a Gray Screen (11 Methods) https://helpdeskgeek.com/help-desk/fixed-discord-is-stuck-on-a-gray-screen-11-methods/ https://helpdeskgeek.com/help-desk/fixed-discord-is-stuck-on-a-gray-screen-11-methods/#disqus_thread Mahesh Makvana]]> Thu, 10 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0000 https://helpdeskgeek.com/?p=72897

Does your Discord app get stuck on the gray screen and won’t go past it? Your app has run into technical issues, being unable to load the main interface. Various […]]]>
Does your Discord app get stuck on the gray screen and won’t go past it? Your app has run into technical issues, being unable to load the main interface. Various items can cause your desktop app to behave this way. We’ll show you a few ways to get around this problem so you can start chatting with your friends again.

If you’re curious why Discord gets stuck on a gray screen, some causes are that your internet connection isn’t working, Discord’s servers are down, your app doesn’t have required permissions to run, your computer’s date and time settings are not correct, and more.

1. Check Your Computer’s Internet Connection

Discord requires an active internet connection to function. The lack of such a connection causes the app not to work or malfunction. It’s possible your computer’s internet connection has suddenly stopped working.

In this case, check your connection status by launching a web browser and opening a site. If your browser fails to load the site, it indicates a problem with your connection. In this case, resolve those issues by rebooting your router or contacting your internet service provider (ISP).

2. Check if Discord Is Down

Discord’s servers may be experiencing issues, causing the platform to go down. In this case, you can’t use the app or the app functions, as most of those items rely on Discord’s online servers.

You can check if the platform is down using sites like Discord Status and Downdetector. These sites will notify you if Discord is experiencing issues. And if that’s the case, you’ll have to be patient and wait until the company resolves the problems and brings Discord back up.

3. Fully Close and Relaunch Your Discord App

Discord’s minor app issues can cause the main interface not to load and display a gray screen instead. In this case, you can try to resolve those issues by giving Discord a reboot.

  1. Select X in Discord’s top-right corner to quit the app window.
  2. Right-click Discord in your PC’s system tray and choose Quit Discord to close the app.
  1. Open your PC’s Start menu, find Discord, and launch the app.

If your app refuses to close using the above method, force your app to close using the Windows Task Manager utility as follows:

  1. Right-click the Windows taskbar and choose Task Manager.
  2. Right-click Discord on the list and choose End task.
  1. Relaunch the app using your preferred way.

4. Restart Your Computer

If restarting Discord didn’t fix your issue, give your computer a reboot to possibly resolve your problem. This is because your machine may be experiencing a minor glitch, causing Discord not to load the standard interface.

Restarting your computer allows you to fix many minor issues with your system.

You can reboot your Windows PC by opening the Start menu, selecting the Power icon, and choosing Restart.

Launch Discord when your computer turns back on.

5. Run Discord With Admin Privileges

Discord doesn’t need admin rights to function, in general. However, it’s a good idea to launch the app with admin privileges when you have trouble using it. This gives the app more permissions, letting it perform the tasks it can’t do in a regular account.

  1. Right-click Discord on your desktop or in your Start menu.
  2. Select Run as administrator in the context menu.
  1. Choose Yes in the User Account Control prompt.

If Discord works in admin mode, make Windows always launch this app with admin rights as follows:

  1. Right-click your Discord desktop shortcut and select Properties.
  2. Choose Shortcut and select Advanced.
  3. Turn on the Run as administrator option and select OK.
  1. Select Apply followed by OK in Properties.
  2. Open Discord using your desktop shortcut.

6. Troubleshoot Discord’s Compatibility Issues

One reason Discord gets stuck on a gray screen is that the app has compatibility issues. These issues cause the app not to load its features on your specific operating system version.

In this case, run the app as if you’re using a previous Windows version and see if that resolves your issue.

  1. Right-click the Discord shortcut on your desktop and select Properties.
  2. Choose the Compatibility tab in Properties.
  3. Enable the Run this program in compatibility mode for option.
  1. Select Windows 7 from the drop-down menu.
  2. Choose Apply followed by OK to save your changes.
  3. Launch Discord using your desktop shortcut.

7. Toggle Discord’s Hardware Acceleration

Discord’s hardware acceleration feature lets the app offload some CPU tasks onto your computer’s GPU. When you have trouble using the app, it’s a good idea to turn this feature on or off, depending on its current status.

Note that this method requires you to be able to access Discord’s settings menu. If you can’t reach that menu, skip to the next fix.

  1. Open Discord on your computer.
  2. Select User Settings (a gear icon) in the app’s bottom-left corner.
  3. Select Advanced in the left sidebar.
  4. Toggle the Hardware Acceleration option on the right.
  1. Close and relaunch Discord.

8. Clear Discord’s Cached Data

Like many other apps, Discord creates and utilizes cache files to enhance your app experience. Sometimes, these files go corrupt, being unable to serve Discord with the required content. This causes the app either not to work or malfunction.

That may be the case with your Discord app. In this case, you can resolve your issue by clearing your Discord cache files. You don’t lose your account data when you do this, and your app will recreate these files.

  1. Open Run by pressing Windows + R.
  2. Type the following path in Run and press Enter: %AppData%\discord
  3. Delete the following three folders in the directory that opens:

    Cache
    Code Cache
    GPUCache
  1. Launch your Discord app.

9. Set the Correct Date and Time on Your Computer

One possible reason Discord fails to load and displays a gray screen is that your computer has incorrect date and time settings. Discord requires the correct date and time settings for many app functions.

In this situation, get around the issue by making your PC use the automatic date and time:

  1. Open Settings on your PC by pressing Windows + I.
  2. Navigate to Time & language > Date & time in Settings.
  3. Enable the Set time automatically option.
  1. Turn on the Set time zone automatically option as well.
  2. Quit Settings and launch Discord.

10. Update Discord on Your Computer

If you still can’t use Discord and continue to get a gray screen, you may be using an old version of the app. Such versions often have many issues, and you can resolve those issues by updating your app.

  1. Open Discord on your computer.
  2. Right-click Discord’s icon in your system tray and choose Check for Updates.
  1. Let the app find and install the available updates.

11. Remove and Reinstall Discord on Your Computer

If your gray screen issue hasn’t gone away yet, your last remedy is to uninstall and reinstall Discord on your computer. Doing so deletes all the app files and brings new files. This helps fix issues with your app’s core files.

You don’t lose your channels, servers, messages, or other data when you uninstall Discord. You can log back into your account when you reinstall the app to retrieve all your account items.

  1. Open Settings on your PC by pressing Windows + I.
  2. Select Apps > Installed apps in Settings.
  3. Choose the three dots next to Discord and select Uninstall.
  1. Select Uninstall in the prompt.
  2. Open the Discord website and download and install a fresh copy of the app on your computer.

Bid Goodbye to Discord’s Gray Screen Problem on Your Computer

Discord gets stuck on a gray screen for many reasons. The issue is frustrating as the gray screen doesn’t let you access your servers or messages, locking you out of your account completely.

Luckily, it won’t be that way for too long. Use the methods outlined above, and your Discord issue will be gone. Once that happens, you can start messaging your friends again on this platform. Enjoy!

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Microsoft Edge Shortcut Keep Appearing on Your Desktop? 5 Fixes to Try https://helpdeskgeek.com/help-desk/microsoft-edge-shortcut-keep-appearing-on-your-desktop-5-fixes-to-try/ https://helpdeskgeek.com/help-desk/microsoft-edge-shortcut-keep-appearing-on-your-desktop-5-fixes-to-try/#disqus_thread Jake Harfield]]> Thu, 27 Jul 2023 22:00:00 +0000 https://helpdeskgeek.com/?p=72579

While Microsoft Edge has made great strides in recent years, many users still prefer other browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox. However, Microsoft forces Edge onto its users in many […]]]>
While Microsoft Edge has made great strides in recent years, many users still prefer other browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox. However, Microsoft forces Edge onto its users in many ways, including by placing its shortcut on your Desktop — even after you’ve tried to delete it.

In this tutorial, we’ll explain what to do if Microsoft Edge keeps adding its shortcut to the Desktop.

5 Ways to Stop Microsoft Edge Shortcut Appearing on Desktop

Here’s what to do if Microsoft Edge keeps appearing on your Desktop. These fixes should work for both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1. Use the Windows Registry Editor

You can use the Registry Editor to prevent Windows from adding the Microsoft Edge shortcut to your Desktop. Here’s how:

  1. Right-click on the Desktop and select New > Text Document.
  1. Paste the following command into the text document:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate]

“CreateDesktopShortcutDefault”=dword:00000000

“RemoveDesktopShortcutDefault”=dword:00000001

  1. Select File > Save As.
  2. Select the Save as type drop-down menu and choose All files.
  3. Name the file “edge.reg” and save the file to your Desktop.
  1. Double-click on your newly created file to add the new registry key. When the pop-up appears, select Yes.

Note: Before making changes to your registry files, we recommend making a backup in case anything goes wrong.

2. Disable Microsoft Edge Startup Processes

If you disable the Edge startup process, you can effectively prevent the application from adding its Desktop icon shortcut. To do so:

  1. Right-click your Taskbar and select Task Manager. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  1. On Windows 10, select Startup. On Windows 11, select Startup apps from the left-hand menu.
  2. Scroll down and find Microsoft Edge or msedge.exe. Select it, then select Disable in the top-right corner. On Windows 10, right-click the process and select Disable.

3. Remove Microsoft Edge as Default Browser

If you set the Microsoft Edge browser as your default, you grant it several permissions that allow it to do things like add a Desktop shortcut. By making another browser your default, you remove these permissions.

  1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Select Apps.
  1. Select Default apps.
  1. On Windows 11, search for the browser you’d like to use, then select it. Choose Set default in the top-right corner of the window. On Windows 10, select your default web browser, then choose the app you’d like to set as default.

4. Change the Group Policy

If you own Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro Edition, you can access the Group Policy Editor and prevent Edge from running on its own or reinstalling after a Windows update.

  1. Open the Start Menu and search for “gpedit.”
  2. Select Edit group policy.
  1. Expand Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components.
  2. In Windows Components, find Microsoft Edge and select it.
  3. In the right-hand pane, find “Allow Microsoft Edge to pre-launch at Windows startup, when the system is idle, and each time Microsoft Edge is closed.”
  1. Double-click this option and select Disabled.
  1. Select Apply.
  2. Do the same for “Allow Microsoft Edge to start and load the Start and New Tab page at Windows startup and each time Microsoft Edge is closed.”

You can also use the Group Policy Editor to prevent other users from adding Edge to the Desktop:

  1. Navigate to Configuration > Administrative Tools > Control Panel > Customization.
  2. Select Personalization, then disable “Prevent desktop icons from changing.”
  3. Select Apply.

Note: This option may not be available on Windows 10.

5. Turn Off Scheduled Tasks

Microsoft Edge runs several scheduled tasks in the background after you start up your PC. For example, it might check for updates (or add its shortcut to the desktop). To prevent this:

  1. Open the Start Menu and search for “task scheduler.” Select the first option.
  1. Double-click Task Scheduler Library to expand the menu.
  2. Right-click MicrosoftEdgeUpdateTaskMachineCore in the center pane.
  3. Select Disable.
  1. Do the same for MicrosoftEdgeUpdateTaskMachineUA.

Organize Your Desktop

There’s no doubt that the Chromium-based Edge browser is an improvement on Internet Explorer. But constantly seeing the Microsoft Edge icon return to your Desktop can be frustrating, especially if you don’t even use the Edge web browser.

Hopefully, this tutorial has helped you stop Edge from creating Desktop shortcuts so that you can keep everything nice and organized.

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