Before we delve into the list of platforms for video hosting, let’s take a step back and consider the question: What are you looking for when it comes to a video hosting platform?

Read Also:  8 Sites to Make Money for Video Creators

How to Choose the Right Video Hosting Platform?

When picking a place to store your videos, you need to know what you want. Think about these things:

• What kind of videos will you make? Examples: promotional videos, live videos, or personal blogs.
• How many videos you will make?
• How much money you want to spend.
• What features are important to you?

After you know what you want, think about these things when choosing a platform:

• Easy to Use — It should be simple to put up and show videos.
• Space and Speed — There should be enough room for your videos, and they should play quickly.
• Video Quality — Videos should look good and play smoothly.
• Help and Support — Good help if you have questions or problems.

Top 8 Platforms to Host Videos

Now you know what makes a good platform for hosting videos. Here’s a list of the best ones available. There are 3 that are free and 5 that cost money. So, choose based on your budget and needs.

1. YouTube
2. Vimeo
3. Dailymotion
4. Cincopa
5. Wistia
6. Spotlightr
7. Vidyard
8. SproutVideo

1. YouTube

YouTube is the biggest place to watch and share videos, with more than 2 billion users every month. It’s free, and you can put up, watch, and share videos.

You can also have your own space on YouTube called a channel. Here are the main things you can do:

What YouTube Offers:

• Show live videos.
• Reach many people with your videos.
• Have and run your channel.
• Store as many videos as you want.
• Put your videos on your website or blog.
• See how your videos are doing with YouTube’s tools.

What YouTube Doesn’t Have:

• Ads can interrupt and distract.
• You can’t change the look of videos you put on other sites.
• No way to save videos. You need other tools for that.
• Can’t lock your videos with a password.

How Much Does YouTube Cost?

It’s free.

Who Should Use YouTube?

If you’re a business wanting to show videos to many people, YouTube is great. It’s also good for people with little money, or if you make videos and want many followers online.

But if you want more features and control, think about using a paid place from this list.

2. Vimeo

Vimeo is a well-known place to watch and share videos for free. It started in 2004 by two friends who wanted to put their videos on the internet. Now, it has over 200 million users. You can use it for free or pay for extra features. The paid options are good for the price.

The best thing about Vimeo is how easy it is to work with others. You, clients, or team members can all see videos that aren’t public. You choose who can see each video and can change this whenever you want. Here’s more of what Vimeo offers:

What Vimeo Offers:

• No limits on video size, length, or how much you can use.
• Put up high-quality videos.
• Change how videos look on other sites.
• No ads.
• Lock videos with a password.
• Save videos.
• Make it look like your brand (only if you pay).
• Businesses can make video players their own, work as a team, and see how their videos do.

What Vimeo Doesn’t Have:

• Show live videos only if you pay a lot ($75/month).
• Doesn’t work well with many other tools or places.
• Not as many people use it.

How Much Does Vimeo Cost?

It’s free, but you can test all paid features for 30 days. Paid options cost between $7 and $75 each month.

Who Should Use Vimeo?

If you’re an artist, a small or medium business, or a creative person, Vimeo is great. It helps you show your work and tell people about what you do.

3. Dailymotion

Dailymotion is another popular place to watch and share videos. It’s like YouTube, and over 300 million people visit it every month. It started in France in 2005.

What Dailymotion Offers:

• Store as many videos as you want, with no limits on use.
• Show live videos (but you need to join their partner program).
• Lock videos with a password.
• Make lists of videos and put videos on other sites.
• Share videos on social sites.

What Dailymotion Doesn’t Have:

• Videos can only be as big as 2GB.
• Videos can’t be longer than 60 minutes.
• You need other tools to save videos.
• Has ads.

How Much Does Dailymotion Cost?

It’s free.

Who Should Use Dailymotion?

If you make videos and want something other than YouTube, or if you want to make money in more than one way, Dailymotion is a good choice.

4. Cincopa

Cincopa is a strong place for storing and showing media. It’s not just for videos; you can also use it for pictures, sound files, and podcasts. They have many designs for slideshows, photo galleries, video players, and private video storage.

Cincopa has a free tool called RecTrace for your web browser. It lets you record your screen and camera. You can use it right from your email. Just click the RecTrace in your Gmail, record, and the video will be added to your email.

Big companies and groups like Euronews, Pfizer, CNN, and the US State Department use Cincopa (as their website says).

What Cincopa Offers:

• Store videos for Sharepoint and learning systems.
• Keep and play videos that were recorded before.
• Show live videos.
• Turn talking in videos to text.
• Works with email marketing tools.
• You’re in charge of your videos. For example, use passwords, choose who can watch, and where videos can be shown.
• Ask viewers for info with a form during a video.
• See detailed info on how your videos are doing.

What Cincopa Doesn’t Have:

• Sometimes, it’s slow to use the tool where you move items around.
• Not many tools in the free version. You need to pay for the Plus plan (or higher) to get more.
• You have to pay for pictures or sound files, even if you don’t want them.

How Much Does Cincopa Cost?

It’s free to try for 30 days. Paid plans range from $25 to $350 each month.

Who Should Use Cincopa?

Agencies, big businesses, and teachers.

5. Wistia

Wistia is a place to store and show videos for digital marketers. It helps businesses share videos easily, manage them, and change how they look.

With Wistia, you can add forms or buttons in the video player. This helps with more advanced uses.

What Wistia Offers:

• Store podcasts.
• No ads.
• Test different versions of videos.
• Add clickable buttons in videos.
• Works with big CRMs and email tools.
• Soapbox is a tool by Wistia for recording screens in Chrome. Record yourself and add the video to an email.
• Videos help with search engines.
• See detailed info on how videos do.
• Make video lists and add Wistia videos to your site.
• Lock videos with a password.

What Wistia Doesn’t Have:

• No live videos.
• Not many tools in the free version (you can only add three videos).
• Can be too costly if you don’t have much money.

How Much Does Wistia Cost?

It’s free for up to 3 videos. Paid plans start at $99 a month. There’s also an Advanced plan, but you need to ask for the price.

Who Should Use Wistia?

If you’re a digital marketer or a big business, and you want to get more sales or leads, Wistia is great.

6. Spotlightr

Spotlightr is a place to store and show videos. It’s great for marketers, small businesses, and teachers. It helps you do more with your videos by giving you tools to track and market them better.

It’s also less costly than other paid video places on our list. Here’s more of what Spotlightr offers:

What Spotlightr Offers:

• Use videos from places like YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo without ads.
• Easy tool to add videos.
• Add videos or video lists to your site. Choose where videos can be shown.
• Share videos on social sites.
• Ask viewers for their name and email before they watch.
• Add clickable buttons, pictures, forms, and more in videos.
• See how videos are doing.
• Use passwords for videos. If you sell courses online, you can keep videos safe and private.
• Works with many email tools, marketing platforms, and over 750 apps because of ZAPIER.

What Spotlightr Doesn’t Have:

• Some people might run out of space or use. You need to pay more for extra space or use.
• Even though they say they use fast servers, sometimes videos load slowly.

How Much Does Spotlightr Cost?

You can try it free for 2 weeks. Paid plans range from $7 to $40 a month.

Who Should Use Spotlightr?

Small businesses, marketers, people in sales, coaches, and teachers.

7. Vidyard

Vidyard is a top-notch place to store, show, and study videos. It’s user-friendly and gives detailed info about how your videos are doing.

It works well with tools like Salesforce, Marketo, and HubSpot. This makes Vidyard great for sales and marketing teams who want to use videos to help their business.

What Vidyard Offers:

• Detailed info on videos.
• A tool in your browser, like RecTrace and Soapbox, for recording screens.
• No ads.
• Add a banner with your name at the start of videos.
• Show live videos.
• Lock videos with a password.
• Works with many business tools like HubSpot, Gmail, and more.
• Add videos to your site, blog, or emails.
• Add clickable links and buttons in videos.
• Turn talking in videos to text.

What Vidyard Doesn’t Have:

• Not for people who make videos because you can’t make money from them.
• The free version mostly lets you record and add videos.
• The business plan costs a lot ($1250 a month).

How Much Does Vidyard Cost?

It’s free for basic tools. Paid plans range from $15 to $1250 a month.

Who Should Use Vidyard?

Big businesses that can pay for this high-cost video place.

8. SproutVideo

SproutVideo is a place in the cloud to store and show videos. It helps all kinds of businesses make, store, manage, and share videos.

It has many tools like seeing how videos do, changing how videos look, getting leads, and more. SproutVideo always has people to help when you need it.

What SproutVideo Offers:

• Show videos on-demand and live.
• Detailed info on videos.
• Lock videos with a password or need a login.
• Choose where videos can be shown by country, website, or IP address.
• Ask viewers for their name and email before watching. Great for getting leads.
• Add clickable buttons in videos.
• Helps with search engines and makes video lists for you.
• Make a nice site around your video.
• Show videos from low to very high quality.

What SproutVideo Doesn’t Have:

• Not many tools in the Seed and Sprout plans.
• No built-in group of viewers.
• It’s a bit hard to use.

How Much Does SproutVideo Cost?

You can try it free for 30 days. Paid plans range from $24.99 to $499.99 a month.

Who Should Use SproutVideo?

Small and medium businesses, and marketers who want to get leads and make sales.

The Final Thought

If you want a free place to store videos, YouTube is the best choice.

For small to medium businesses, Spotlightr and Cincopa are good. They have special tools that many paid video places don’t have. Plus, they cost less than many others.

Big businesses with a lot to spend might like Vidyard. It’s a top-notch video place. It’s easy to use, and it gives detailed info on how videos are doing.

The post 8 Best Video Hosting Platforms (Updated) appeared first on Hongkiat.

However, some websites don’t offer a straightforward way to download videos. Hence, a video downloading tool comes in handy in such situations. It allows you to download and save video clips in different resolutions.

There are a ton of video-downloading apps out there, but it might be difficult for you to select the best app out of many. Anyway, we’ve made this task simple for you. Here are 10 of the best desktop apps to download online videos:

In this article:

1. AllavSoft

Allavsoft is one of the most useful media downloader software. Simply type in the URL and it will retrieve all of the content, whether you’re downloading a single video or a playlist.

It claims to allow you to download high-quality multimedia from platforms such as – Deezer, Spotify, SoundCloud, Tidal, MixCloud, Bandcamp Qobuz, and other sites without any subscription required.

2. VideoHunter

VideoHunter is one of the most powerful desktop video downloaders, which can provide you with a premium download online video experience. It has a clean and simple UI without any ads and malware. Meanwhile, it can bulk online download videos.

3. 4K Video Downloader

4K Video Downloader is one of the best desktop apps that allows you to download online videos quickly and easily. It is simple to use and has many features that allow you to download a single video or save a full playlist.

4. Any Video Converter Freeware

Any Video Converter Free is a sophisticated video download and conversion toolkit that’s (almost hard to believe) isn’t paid. You may rip discs, get them from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Dailymotion, etc., apply adjustments and effects, and save or burn them in various formats.

Furthermore, the videos may be downloaded and converted in batches, and simple changes can be made with a few mouse clicks.

5. Freemake Video Downloader

Freemake Video Downloader is one of the simplest and most effective desktop apps to download videos from the web and convert them to any format you choose.

Additionally, it is also more than just a simple YouTube downloader and supports over 500 audio and video codecs and lets you download videos from a variety of popular video hosting services.

6. iTubeGo

You can download any video from thousands of websites with iTubeGo. It’s an intuitive tool that offers audio/ video downloading and conversion features without compromising the quality of the media.

Music, audiobooks, sound effects, and other content can all be downloaded for free from hundreds of music-sharing sites. This includes MixCloud, SoundCloud, VEVO, FreeSound, and others.

One wonderful feature of the tool is that when you download any video, iTubeGo immediately gives suggestions on TV series and movies based on your download.

7. AllMyTube

Wondershare’s AllMyTube has nearly everything there should be in a video downloader. It allows you to retrieve online videos from over 1,000 websites, and all you have to do is enter the URL of the video you want and start downloading it.

Additionally, it also converts your downloads into 16 file types and compresses them for playback on over 100 devices.

8. GihoSoft TubeGet

Gihosoft TubeGet is a simple video downloader that supports downloading videos from YouTube, Twitter, Vimeo, Facebook, and other popular video-sharing platforms.

It can also extract audio from YouTube videos and convert them to a variety of video formats, including MKV, AVI, MOV, as well as for platforms like Android and iOS.

Apart from its video downloading features, you can use it to manage your phone’s multimedia data, as well as backup and restore your data to avoid data loss.

9. YTD Video Downloader

This is yet another video downloader with a limited free edition. You may test out the premium software for seven days for free.

Premium members get a better experience by being able to download and convert numerous URLs in one go, as well as using the software without ads or upsells. Plus, it has an easy-to-use interface that anyone can use.

10. aTube Catcher

aTube Catcher is a one-stop shop for everything you need to use for multimedia purposes. This program is a full-fledged video/audio downloader with other features such as – a screen recorder, video converter, and more. It claims to be able to download videos from anywhere on the internet. And all these features are free.

Conclusion

To sum things up, we have listed a total of 10 desktop apps to download online videos.

Although all these video downloaders are awesome and have tons of features, our three best picks are Freemake Video Downloader, VideoProc, and 4K Video Downloader. They all offer different features which can be very useful for different users.

The post 10 Best Desktop Apps to Download Online Videos appeared first on Hongkiat.

Under normal circumstances, an Android factory reset is not difficult to do, but if your phone isn’t working or the touchscreen isn’t responding, then it may be a problem. However, the good news is that you can factory reset your phone without using the touch screen by following the below-listed methods.

Things to do before performing a Factory Reset

First and foremost, backup your data because a Factory Reset can remove all the data from your device, and there are different ways to backup your data on an Android phone.

One way is to use Google Drive to back up your data on Android phones; you can also use other cloud-based storage for backup. Another way is to use a physical device, such as an external hard drive or USB flash drive.

If you choose a physical device, you will need to connect it to your phone using a USB cable. Once it is connected, you can then transfer your data to the external device.

Whichever method you choose, make sure that you have a backup plan in place in case something happens to your phone. This way, you will always be able to access your data.

Before resetting through Recovery Mode, make sure your phone is 100% charged and unplugged from the charger.

Reset Android phone via Recovery Mode

Recovery mode is a bootable partition on Android devices that allows users to perform several advanced system operations, such as resetting the device to its factory state, flashing a new software image, or accessing the Android System Console.

It is also the safest mode to reset your Android phone if the normal method for factory reset does not work.

Its process is fairly simple. To access the recovery mode, you will need to use a specific set of keys on your device. The key combination varies depending on the manufacturer.

1. Samsung Android Phone

1. Press the power button to switch off the phone.
2. Press the home button + power button + volume UP button together, and hold it for 5-10 seconds until the Android logo appears on your screen.



3. After entering the recovery mode, a menu appears. Navigate through the menu using the volume up/down button, select the Wipe data or factory reset option from the menu, and press the power button to select it.
4. Once the Factory reset process is complete, click the Reboot system now option.

2. HTC Android Phone

1. Go to Settings > Battery manager > Disable fast boot.
2. Now, turn off the phone.
3. Press Volume Down + Power button.
4. Select the Recovery mode from the menu using the power button.
5. Select Factory reset.
6. Click Reboot system now.

3. LG Android Phone

1. Switch off your phone.
2. Press the Volume Down + Power button for 5-7 seconds until the Android logo appears on the screen.
3. Select the Recovery mode from the menu using the power button.
4. Select Factory reset.
5. Click Reboot system now.

Reset Android phone using a third-party software

If you don’t want to use Recovery Mode, you can reset your phone using UItFone Android System Repair software. This software can fix more than 150+ Android-related problems without deleting your data. It’s also accurate and fast and you don’t need to be a tech expert to use this software. 

Follow the simple steps below to perform a factory reset via UItFone Android System Repair.

1. Go to the official website of UItFone Android System Repair.
2. Download, install and run it on your computer.
3. Connect your phone to the PC through a USB data cable.
4. Now, click the software icon and select the Repair Android System option.



5. Populate your phone’s information like brand, series, model, and country and hit Next.



6. Let the software download the “corresponding firmware package” for your device.



7. Click Repair now after completing the downloading process.



8. Let the software complete the repairing process for you. It wouldn’t take much time. After the repair process, restart the program. Hit the One-click to enter recovery mode option. After that, click the Factory reset option to finish the reset process.

Conclusion

In this article, I have discussed two ways to factory reset your Android phone. If you’re having trouble resetting your Android phone normally, you can try these solutions. 

First, try to reset the phone via recovery mode. If that doesn’t work, you can try UItFone Android System Repair software. We hope one of these solutions solves your problem and helps get your android phone up and running again.

The post Android Factory Reset Not Working? Try These Fixes appeared first on Hongkiat.

However, every problem comes with a solution and in this article, we will outline a few methods that you can use to get your device online again after a factory reset. Let’s begin.

Quick Fixes

First, try these quick fixes and see if the problem is resolved.

1. Airplane mode

It’s a quick and straightforward fix. The Airplane mode turns the data off and doesn’t allow you to make calls and SMS. So you can use the Airplane mode to put your phone completely out of connectivity for a few minutes and put it back on again.

1. To set your phone on Airplane mode, drag the notification bar and find the Airplane icon. Tap this icon to put your phone into Airplane mode.



2. Now deselect the Airplane mode, turn on the data and see if it’s working or not. If not, don’t worry and try our next quick fix.

Note: If putting your phone on Airplane mode does not work in the first go, repeat it two to three times.

2. Check your internet connection

A bad or interrupted internet connection can be a reason for your Android device not being able to go online. To solve this, turn on and off the mobile data or WiFi modem to see if it fixes your problem.

1. For mobile data, drag the notification bar and find the “mobile data” icon to check the internet connection.
2. Turn it off for a minute and then turn it on.

Similarly, try to restart your WiFi modem. If it does not work, move to the next quick fix.

3. Restart your phone

Restarting your phone to get back the internet connection is one of the quick fixes that you can try. Here’s how to do it:

1. To restart your phone, press the power button (below the volume button) for three to five seconds until you see a restart option on your screen.
2. Click Restart and wait for a few minutes until your phone turns on again.

Restarting your phone to solve the network problem issue may take several minutes, but it’s worth waiting as it thoroughly solves the internal glitches.

More detailed fixes

If none of the above quick fixes work, below are some more detailed solutions to fix this issue.

1. Change internet connection

If you’re experiencing internet connectivity issues, one potential solution is to change your internet connection. If you’re using a dual-sim phone and trying to connect through mobile data, you can switch from one sim’s data to the other sim.

If you’re using WiFi, it could be a problem with your internet service provider (ISP). In this case, you can try changing your ISP and getting a faster internet connection.

1. Go to Settings > SIM card and mobile network.



2. Now go to Mobile data and select a SIM for data.

Don’t forget to activate the data package before switching to the second network. See if it helped you or not. If yes, it’s evident that there was a problem with the previous SIM’s data. And if not, there may be another issue.

2. Fix APN settings

Access Point Name (APN) is the name of a gateway between your carrier’s cellular network and the public Internet. An APN has the network settings that your phone needs to connect to your provider.

However, after a factory reset, the Access point name (APN) settings sometimes auto reset. So, the wrong or faulty setting may affect the internet performance on your phone.

1. To fix the APN settings, go to Settings and then Sim card and mobile network.



2. Select the sim that you are using. In my case, I selected “Telenor” and tapped Access Points Names.



3. Click on your sim’s name, i.e. Telenor, tap on APN type and reset to default.

Hopefully, it will work for you. If not, contact your service provider to get the new APN address. Fill up the new address by clicking on the + icon. And see if it helped you or not. If not, you must try the following hack.

3. Reset APN protocol IPv4/IPv6

An APN protocol is a way for your phone to connect to the internet. It is used by your carrier to connect to the internet and send data. IPv4 and IPv6 are the two APN protocols. Some Android phones work best at IPv4, while others work ideally at

IPv6. IPv4 often brings internet connection problems. After a factory reset, it might be possible that your phone’s APN protocol got switched to IPv4, and that’s why it’s not working for you.

IPv4/IPv6 is the best APN protocol for fast internet connection. Let’s reset the APN protocol to fix your android phone that is not connecting to the internet after a factory reset.

1. From Settings, go to Sim card and mobile network. Select the sim that you are using.



2. Now go to Access Point Names and again select your SIM.



3. Here, tap on the APN protocol and select the IPv4/IPv6 option.

4. Network type

A network type in Android phones refers to the technology that your phone uses to connect to the cellular network. There are four major types of networks: 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G. Each generation offers faster data speeds and improved coverage.

You may face a network connectivity issue after a factory reset due to changes in a network type. The preferred network type gives you the facility to browse at 2G, 3G, 2G/3G, and 2G/3G/4G auto speed.

By changing the preferred network type, you can solve the problem.

1. To change the preferred network type, go to Settings and then SIM card and mobile network. Select the SIM that you are using for mobile data.



2. Now go to the Preferred network type and select the 2G/3G/4G auto option.

Conclusion

In this article, I have discussed solutions to the internet connectivity issue that arises after a factory reset. Turning the mobile data off and then on or restarting the modem usually fixes the issue if the problem is in the IP address after a factory reset.

Sometimes, your sim’s network settings may be affected after a factory reset. In this case, you should check the default APN settings, APN protocol, and network type and set them to the recommended options as explained above. This will most probably solve the internet connectivity issue after a factory reset.

The post How to Fix Android Not Connecting to Internet After Factory Reset appeared first on Hongkiat.

Over time, the registry can become cluttered with old or damaged files, which can cause problems for your computer. If you’re experiencing stability issues, crashes, or errors, it may be time to back up and restore your registry.

Backing up and restoring the Windows registry is very important as it can cause serious problems with the functioning of the computer if something goes wrong with the registry. And in this post, we are going to tell you how to do that. Let’s take a look.

Which backup method to opt for?

There are two ways to backup and restore the registry – manually or by using third-party software. Let’s look at the pros and cons of both methods.

Manul backup

Manual backups are typically done by exporting the registry to a file on another drive or storage media. It is a simple process that can be completed in just a few minutes. Also, you don’t have to fear losing any crucial data as the registry is backed up in its entirety.

3rd-party software

Moreover, third-party software programs that backup and restore the registry are also available. These programs will automate the process and often include other features such as scheduling backups, compression, and encryption. Some of these programs can be purchased outright, while others are offered as a subscription service.

Therefore, deciding which method to use to backup and restore the Windows registry. If you’re comfortable working in the Registry Editor and are confident in your ability to follow directions, then manually backing up and restoring the registry is probably the best option.

However, if you’re not comfortable working in the Registry Editor or are concerned about making a mistake, using a third-party software program is probably the best option.

But for today, we will cover the manual process.

Backup Windows 11 registry manually

You can easily backed up and restore Windows 11 registry manually in a few minutes.

Here are the instructions to do that:

Using the System Restore process:

1. To begin, open the Start menu and type “create a restore point” into the search bar. Then take it out and open it.



2. Then, under System Protection, click on the System Drive and then click the Configure button.





3. Now, under the Restore Settings section, select the Turn on System Protection option. Then, select Apply and click OK.



4. After that, tap on Create.



5. Now, enter a good name for the restore point and click Create once more.

Finally, Windows will build a system restore point in a few moments, backing up all of your registry files in the process.

Using Registry Editor Process

Follow the procedures below to back up registry files using the Registry Editor.

1. To run Registry Editor with administrative credentials, open Windows Search, type “registry editor”, and then select Run as administrator. Alternatively, use Win+R to enter the Run prompt and type “regedit”.





2. In the task bar, select File and scroll down to Export.



3. After that, give the file a good name and select a location. Under Export range, select All and then click Save.

Finally, wait a few seconds for the backup file to appear on your computer.

Restore Windows 11 registry manually

If you are using Windows 11 and your registry has been corrupted or damaged, there is no need to worry as you can easily restore it manually. Just follow the simple steps given below and you will be able to do so within minutes.

Using System Restore Process:

1. To begin, go to the Start menu and type Restore Point into the search box. Then take it out of the box and open it.
2. Under System Protection, tap on the System Restore button.



3. Here, select Choose a different restoration point and then hit Next.



4. Select the previously created restoration point and click Next.



5. Finally, go over your restore point and click Finish to begin the restoration.

Using Windows registry process

1. On the Taskbar, click the Search icon, type “registry editor”, and then select Run as administrator.
2. Now move your cursor to the File menu, then select Import from the drop-down menu.



3. Choose your backup file from the list of options and then select Open.



4. Select the Backup file you generated before following the steps outlined previously in this tutorial (For this, check step 3 under Using Registry Editor Process).
5. This concludes the discussion. You may also right-click it and choose Merge from the drop-down menu.

Backup individual registry keys on Windows 11

1. To open the Registry Editor, press Windows + R on the keyboard and it will open the Run box. Here, type “regedit” and click OK.



2. If the UAC (User Account Control) window appears, select Yes to open the Registry Editor and go to the location of the Registry file you wish to back up.



3. Select File > Export from the menu. It will ask for the file name and then create a useful term that fits the situation.
4. Under the Export range, pick the Selected branch as the default.



5. Finally, save the backup by clicking the Save option.

Restore individual registry keys on Windows 11

1. Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows + R on the keyboard and it will open the Run box. Here, type “regedit” and click OK and it will open the Registry Editor.
2. If the UAC (User Account Control) window appears, select Yes to open the Registry Editor.
3. From the taskbar, select File > Import.



4. Click the Open button when you’ve found the Registry Backup File.
5. Now you’ll see the “The keys and values contained in C:\Users\USERNAME\Documents\Policy-Backup.reg have been successfully added to the registry,” message on your screen.

And that’s it! The registry backup file has been successfully restored to its original location.

Wrap Up!

So that concludes our advice on how to backup and restore the registry on your Windows 11 computer. Please let us know if you have any questions about the aforementioned processes in the comments section. We will respond as soon as possible with a solution.

The post How to Backup and Restore Windows 11 Registry appeared first on Hongkiat.

Usually, a new Android phone battery lasts a day or two, depending on your usage and capacity. However, its battery capacity somewhat decreases after every year of use.

If you find yourself in a situation where your Android phone’s battery is dying and you need your phone to stay on for as long as it’s possible, then here are some useful tips to save some battery juice.

1. Switch to Battery Saving Mode

This one is obvious, and most Android phones automatically turn the Battery Saving Mode on after your battery drops to critical levels. However, if your Android phone battery appears reasonably charged and you know you won’t be able to set it before it decreases, turn on the battery-saving mode to save battery life before hitting critical levels.

To enable battery saving mode:

Open the Settings app, go to Battery > Battery Saver and turn it on.

2. Avoid actions that keep the screen active

If you get stuck with a dying Android phone battery, you can save battery life by avoiding actions that keep the screen active. These may include:

• Using maps for too long.
• Unnecessarily scrolling through social media platforms.
• Using phone’s camera.
• Playing games.
• Using Google.
• Apps that keep the screen on.
• Using your phone as a hotspot.
• Extensive GPS use.
• Watching streaming videos or music online. YouTube can wait!
• Making online video calls that would otherwise be avoided.

3. Avoid connecting to the Internet

This may not always be convenient, but turning off your internet helps increase your battery life. If you need to look up something online on your dying Android phone battery, try connecting to an available WiFi connection instead of mobile data, as it drains less battery.

4. Reduce screen brightness

Today’s phones come with larger, brighter screens. However, lighting up all those pixels takes plenty of juice. So, if you are running out of juice, make sure to reduce the screen brightness to save the remaining battery.

Go to the notification bar and pull it down. Here, you can find the screen brightness option.

You can also adjust screen brightness by the following method:

From Settings, go to Display and brightness and then Brightness level. From here, you can adjust the screen brightness.

5. Cut off screen-off time

You can save the remaining battery by cutting off the “screen-off time” or “screen timeout.” Screen-off time is the period of your screen where it turns off after reaching the specific time limit of inactivity.

You can choose the screen-off time between 15 seconds to 30 minutes. By reducing the screen-on time, you can save the remaining battery. Here’s how to do it:

From Settings, go to Display and brightness and then Screen timeout. Now select the screen timeout. The least is the best.

6. Limit functions that use battery

Your phone uses battery power for many small things you never even notice. LED notification light? Yes, that requires a battery. That tingly press when you tap your screen is also powered by your Android battery. Phone ringing and vibrating, alarm vibrations, glance screens – of course, they need power!

Also, it’s good to apply dark-themed wallpapers on your lock and home screens, especially if your phone has an AMOLED display. To change wallpaper:

1. Go to Settings > Display > Wallpapers, where you can browse the default wallpapers on your device.



2. Next, turn off options like touch vibration to save battery life. From Settings, go to Sound > Other Sounds and Vibrations. Uncheck the options you would like to turn off.



3. 4. To turn on Dark Mode, open Settings and go to Display > Dark Theme.

7. Switch off Synchronization

If you are using the internet on your phone and your battery starts draining fast, turn off synchronization for your unnecessary apps. You can also disable auto-sync for your entire Google Account. This may prevent your apps from receiving new information, and you may have to check for emails manually.

To switch off auto-sync on your Android phone, go to Settings > Accounts. Here, you can turn off the Automatically sync data option. Toggle it off and tap OK.

8. Battery optimization

To save your remaining battery, you can optimize your phone apps. Battery optimization protects your phone battery by restricting apps from running in the background.

1. Open Settings and go to Power Marathon > Advanced Settings.



2. Now go to Battery optimization, tap the drop-down arrow on the Not optimized option and select All apps.

9. Turn off Wake Screen for notifications

Whenever a notification pops up on your phone screen, it consumes some battery. You can save your phone’s battery by turning the notifications OFF. To do this:

1. Go to Settings > Notification center > Wake screen for notifications.



2. Now tap Allow apps to wake screen and turn it off.

10. Ultra power saving

Ultra-power-saving mode can save your phone’s battery from reaching the lowest level. It will sustain the remaining battery and keep your phone active for calls and SMS. However, you wouldn’t be able to use the internet and all your phone apps in this mode.

This could be a lifesaver for you if you badly need to stay connected with your loved ones through any means of communication.

1. To turn on the Ultra-power saving mode, drag the notification bar, click the battery icon (Ultra power), and Enable it.



2. If you don’t find ultra-power saving mode on the notification bar screen, open settings and then go to Power marathon > Ultra power saving mode. From here, you can turn on ultra power saving mode.

Conclusion

In this article, I have discussed various methods to stretch the dying battery life on your android phone. I hope this guide helped you in your hard time, and from now onward, you are prepared for such a condition.

In the end, a PRO TIP for you is to keep a Power Bank at your disposal every time you go out for a longer period of time so you don’t end up with a dead phone in a difficult situation.

The post How to Save Battery Juice on a Dying Android Phone appeared first on Hongkiat.

I will also provide some helpful tips on how to prevent this from happening in the future. Let’s get started!

Quick Fixes

Before getting into more technical solutions, let us first, try these quick fixes and see if this helps solving the problem.

1. Make sure that the laptop battery is tightly seated into its slot.
2. Check to see whether you have tightly plugged the charger cable into the charger port as shown in the screenshot below.



3. Check if you have connected the charging cable to the right port on your laptop. Modern laptops come with two or more USB-C ports that look the same. But one is for charging and the other is for data transfer. If you plug the charger into the data transfer port, your laptop might not be charged.
4. Shut down your laptop and remove the battery (if your laptop has a removable battery). Clean the dirt from the battery compartment and power jack with a dry cloth. Wait for a minute or so, and then put the battery in its position again. Turn the laptop on and see if this resolves the issue.

If none of the above quick fixes work, below are some more detailed solutions to fix this issue.

1. Check the wall socket

First, check and see if you have plugged the charger properly into the wall socket. There’s no hope in charging a laptop that is not connected to a power source, so be sure to double-check that it is plugged in tightly.

If you have connected the charger properly, then check the wall socket. For this, remove the charger and plug it into some other socket. If this solves the issue, your previous wall socket has an issue.

2. Inspect your battery

The laptop battery is responsible for providing power and charge. If your laptop is not charging, there might be a problem within your battery.

To inspect your battery:

1. Turn off the laptop and remove the battery.
2. If the battery is non-removable, remove the laptop’s back cover. Now open the battery screws and remove them.
3. With the battery detached from the laptop, press and hold the Power button for 20 seconds. It will remove the remaining charge from the laptop.
4. Now plug the charger into the wall socket. If the laptop starts and receives the power, it means the charger is working fine and the battery is faulty.

3. Inspect your charger

Sometimes, the problem could lie with the battery or the charger might be the culprit. If your laptop isn’t charging, you should inspect your laptop charger for any possible issue with it.

To inspect your charger, try using another charger. If it works, then it’s a no-brainer that your current charger is the culprit.

To inspect the charger cable, look at the charger cable for damage all along its length. If any part of the cable is bulgy or if you notice a burning smell from the cable or adaptor, it indicates that the charger cable is burned out from inside.

4. Inspect the charging port and battery jack

Remove any dirt from the charging port with the help of a blower. If the charging port seems loose and the charger cable won’t fit in it firmly, there’s a chance that your power jack has been damaged or broken from the inside of the motherboard. You should consult a laptop technician in this case.

Sometimes a faulty battery jack also causes the battery to not charge. To inspect the battery jack, turn off the laptop and remove the battery. Clean any dirt from the battery jack. If it’s loose, go to the repair shop to fix it.

5. Inspect battery health

All the lithium-ion batteries have a certain life span and they wear out after a certain time.

To allow you to fully examine the laptop hardware, many modern laptop OEMs, such as HP, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, and others include device diagnosis software.

If you are using an old laptop, follow the below steps to examine the battery health:

1. Go to Start and type powershell. Click Run as Administrator on the right side.



2. In the PowerShell window, type powercfg /batteryreport /output "C:\battery-report.html (including the inverted commas).



3. The Windows PowerShell will generate a battery report in .html file format and save it to the C drive on your laptop.



4. Now open the C drive and click the battery-report file.

This report shows the details of your laptop’s battery usage, a prediction regarding its remaining life based on previous charges, and other data.

It also includes the remaining cycles count of the battery. If the battery report indicates deterioration or shows the cycles count exceeding its limit, it’s time to replace the battery.

6. Check for overheating laptop

Overheating, like all other electronics, has a bad effect on batteries. If your laptop is overheating, it’s possible that the battery is becoming warm and causing damage.

The charging system may malfunction as a result of the battery sensor misfiring, falsely indicating that the battery is either entirely charged or completely discharged, resulting in the problems.

You may also discover that your system shuts down to prevent overheating and resulting in a fire. If the battery is heating up, shut down the laptop for a few minutes. When the laptop cools down, start it again.

7. Run the power troubleshooter

The power troubleshooter aids in detecting issues caused by any fault with the power supply. If your laptop is having issues with power consumption, you may benefit from learning how to use the Windows 10 Power troubleshooter.

To run the Power Troubleshooter:

1. Press Windows key + I. Go to Update & security.



2. Click Troubleshoot in the left pane. In the right pane, click Additional troubleshooters.



3. Now select Power from the options and click Run the troubleshooter. The troubleshooter will start detecting any issue related to the power supply.



4. The Power troubleshooter provides an analysis of the problem after the scanning. The Troubleshooter will most likely fix any issues with the power supply. However, in a few circumstances, it may provide some suggestions.

If there are any Power troubleshooting instructions, follow them.

Conclusion

In this article, I have discussed solutions to the laptop battery charging issue. In most cases, the quick fixes work for most users.

Different users encounter different issues. Sometimes, there may be a battery health issue, a charger cable burn out or an issue in the charger port.

When you’ve done all of your research and attempted every possible troubleshooting tip and trick, your last best option is to seek expert help. Take your laptop to a trusted repair shop for further detailed troubleshooting.

The post How to Fix Windows Laptop Battery That’s Not Charging appeared first on Hongkiat.

This issue is actually quite common, and it’s easy to fix. In this article, I will walk you through the steps necessary to get your Google Play Store up and running again.

What causes Google Play Store to stop working?

There are many possible reasons why Google Play Store might stop working. One common reason is that the app has become corrupted and needs to be reinstalled.

Another possibility is that there’s a problem with your device’s cache. Also, there might be a problem with your internet connection. Finally, there could be a problem with Google Play Store’s servers.

Quick fixes for faulty Google Play Store

First, try these quick fixes and see if the problem is resolved.

1. Check the Internet connectivity

It seems childish but first, check your Wi-Fi connection or mobile data. Are you connected to the internet? If the internet connection is slow or unstable, restart your modem (in case of WiFi) or disconnect and then reconnect (if you are using mobile data).

2. Check if it’s a problem at Google’s end

Check to see if the Google Play Store services are running. Seek help from sources like Downdetector, UptimeRobot, or other such sites. If you can see many people complaining about the same issue, the problem might be on Google’s end.

Alternatively, go to the official Google Play’s Twitter page. There you can find updates regarding the App’s service issue. If the issue is with the service, you should not worry anymore. This is a temporary service down and Google will fix it on its own.

3. Restart the device

Restart your device. This will terminate any background process that might be conflicting with the play store and will give a fresh start.

Simply press the power button, tap the Restart option, and your device will be restarted.

4. Close unnecessary apps

Close all the apps that you are not using as they are consuming the RAM. There might not be enough memory available for the Google play store to run properly. To check the RAM usage of apps, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Storage.



2. In storage, tap on RAM and then go to Memory used by apps.



3. Here you can see the memory usage of each app installed on your phone. You can close any unnecessary app or force stop it.

Detailed solutions for Google Play Store

If none of the above quick fixes works, below are some more detailed solutions to fix this issue.

1. Clear junk files

If your Android device’s storage isn’t sufficient, your Google play store app may not work. All of the applications require space on your device to run efficiently. That is why it is critical to clear out any junk files that are clogging up your storage space.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap RAM and Storage space.

Now see if there is enough storage space available. If it’s still not enough, clear up some storage space from your device. Here’s how to do it:

1. Tap Clear up storage space.
2. Select the data you want to delete and tap Clean up all.

2. Check your date and time settings

Google usually checks the date and time on your Android device. If the date and time are not according to your time zone, Google may have difficulty synchronizing them. This may cause your Google Play Store to stop working.

To adjust the date and time, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > System management.
2. Select Date and time.
3. Turn off the Auto option. Set the date and time according to your time zone. After setting the date and time, don’t forget to enable the Auto option again.

3. Clear cache from Google Play Store

Sometimes, clearing the app store cache also fixes the problem.

To delete the cache from your Google play store:

1. Open Settings > Application & Permissions > App Manager.
2. Look for Google Play Store.
3. Click on Internal Storage. Now, tap Clear Cache.

You may need to sign back into your account after doing this.

4. Disable VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) is a great thing to have on your phone if you are fond of content that is restricted in your geographic location. But it can sometimes lead to the lagging of certain apps like the Google Play Store.

All countries have different Play stores. If you are trying to use the Play store from another country using a VPN, you might be unable to use it on your Android phone. To disable VPN on your device:

1. Go to Settings > Other networks and connections > VPN.
2. Now tap VPN. If the VPN is enabled, Disable it.

If you are using a third-party VPN on your Android, disable it as well.

5. Get the latest version of Google Play Store

Updating the apps on your android device is highly crucial for their efficient working, and this will not only maximize their full potential but will save them from such glitches. If you haven’t upgraded your play store to the most up-to-date version, update it immediately.

To update the Google play store:

1. Open Google Play Store app and tap on your profile photo in the top right corner.
2. Now open Settings > About
3. Here, you’ll be able to see the Play Store version.
4. If it’s updated, then you don’t need to do anything. However, if it’s not updated, you will see an "Update Play Store" message. Click it and wait for the update process to complete.

6. Check Android System Updates

Another thing you can do to fix this issue is to check the Android system updates. Android system updates are updates to the Android operating system. Android system updates are important because they can include security patches that fix vulnerabilities in the Android operating system.

These updates can also include new features and improvements to the operating system. It’s important to keep your Android device updated with the latest system updates to ensure that you have the best possible experience and that your device is as secure as possible.

Follow these steps to check if there are any Android system updates available:

1. Go to Settings > System update.
2. If any system update is available and is pending download, download and install it.

7. The last solution: Factory reset!

The last resort for resolving Google Play Store failure on Android is to factory reset the device. After performing a factory reset on an Android phone, the device will be restored to its default settings and all user data will be deleted.

Any applications that were installed on the phone will also be removed. Before factory reset, make sure to back up all of your data.

To do the factory reset of your device:

1. Open Settings > System Management > Backup & Reset.
2. Here, tap Erase all data.

Now, you have got your hands on an empty and new-like device. Your problem should be fixed by now.

Conclusion

If you are having issues with the Google Play Store, these are a few things that you can do to try and fix it. We’ve listed some of the most prevalent solutions for the Google Play Store failure on Android, so hopefully one of them will help you get connected to the Play Store and download the apps that you want.

If you’ve tried all these fixes and your Google Play Store is still not working, you should contact the customer service. Let them know what troubles you have been having and see if they can help you resolve the issue.

The post How to Fix Google Play Store Not Working on Android appeared first on Hongkiat.

If yes, we have you covered. Before moving to the solution of this error, it is crucial to know what Error 492 is.

What is Error 492 on Google Play Store?

Error 492 is a common error encountered by a lot of Android users. Users usually encounter this error while downloading any app or trying to update the already present apps. Due to this error, they can get their hands on any new app.

What causes the Error 492?

In the case of Error 492, there could be a lot of reasons for this. Some of them are:

• Cache problems
• The app itself could be problematic
• Corrupt or Damaged SD Card
• Your play store account could be the problem

How to fix the Google Play Store Error 492

Some of the methods to fix this error are as follow:

1. Restart your device
2. Clear the cache on your Android device
3. Uninstall Google Play updates and log out of your account
4. Uninstall the affected app & reinstall It
5. Format your SD Card
6. Go for Factory Reset

Now let us explore each of these solutions one after the other.

1. Restart your device

If you face this error either during a download or an update, the first thing you can do is to restart your device. Simply press the power button, tap the Restart option, and your device will be restarted.

Restarting your device will close all the apps working in the background. This provides you with a cleaner interface and a fresh start, and you can now open the Play Store.

If the error is fixed, you are done, and there is no need to move to the next step. But if you still face the error, move to the next solution.

2. Clear the cache on your Android Device & Google Play Services

The next solution to get rid of Error 492 is to clear the cache on your android device. This will clear your device of any unnecessary or harmful applications.

Although it’s advised to keep on clearing your device’s cache now and then, if you haven’t done that for a long time, this is the right time for you.

To clear the cache on your android device, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings on your mobile screen and press it and locate the Application and Permission option.



2. Scroll down, find the App Manager and open it. In different devices, it could be named differently like Apps, Applications, etc. In the App Manager, find Google Play Store.



3. Press the Clear cache option.



4. Move back to App Manager.
5. Find the Google Play Services app. Open it and press the Clear Cache option.



6. Now go back to Google Play Store and try installing any app. If the error is gone, you are good to go. Otherwise, move to the next solution.

3. Disable Google Play Store and log out

The next solution is pretty straightforward and doesn’t have any complicated steps. Here are the few steps you need to follow for this solution:

1. Go to the Apps/App Manager part in your device’s settings.
2. Find Google Play Store and Disable it.



3. Now go to Settings > Accounts & Sync > Google.



4. Select the Delete account option and remove your account from the device.



5. Now, go to the Add account which you can find in the Accounts. Add your account details and log in again.



6. Go to the Google Play Store and try installing any app once again.

If the Error 492 on Google play store is still there, do not lose hope and move to the next part.

4. Uninstall the affected app & reinstall it again

If you see the Error 492 message while trying to install an app, simply stop the process. Close the Google Play Store app. If the app was already installed, uninstall it. Go to the play store again and reinstall the app. In most cases, doing this will fix the error.

Similarly, if you face this error while updating an app, here are a few things you need to do:

1. Uninstall the affected app.



2. After successful uninstallation of the app, reinstall it.

5. Format your SD Card

One of the other common reasons for this error can be a corrupted or damaged SD card. In such cases, removing the SD card or formatting can solve the issue. One thing you should keep in mind while going for this solution is that formatting the SD card will remove all the data stored on it. So, make sure you have a backup for the data stored in your SD card before formatting it.

To do this:

1. Go to Settings > RAM and storage space. In some android phones, it is Storage space or Storage.



2. Locate the SD card option. Now, tap on the Format.

Once done, go to the Google Play Store and check if the error is fixed.

6. Perform a Factory Reset

This is an option that rarely fails in getting rid of any error, be it the Error 492 on Google Play Store or other. If you go for a factory reset, your device will be cleared of all the data. So make sure to do a backup of all your data before doing the factory reset of your android phone.

Follow these steps for the factory reset of your device:

1. Go to Settings > System Management. Tap Backup & Reset option.



2. Press the “Erase all data” option and then choose Format Phone Storage.
3. That’s it. Now you will get your hands on an entirely new device. No error will now appear before you.

Conclusion

Errors like Error 492 on Google Play Store are pretty common among android users. So, if any such error pops up in front of you, there is nothing to worry about. Just make sure to follow the above solutions, and you will be good to go.

I hope that this article has answered your question of how to fix Error 492 on the Google Play Store.

The post How to Fix Error 492 on Google Play Store appeared first on Hongkiat.

To help fix your Android device’s WiFi issues, I have compiled a list of techniques. You can try to apply any of these solutions to troubleshoot WiFi issues on your Android device and see which one works for you. So, let’s get on.

First, try this…

Before we delve into somewhat complicated solutions, I want you to try the simplest and most basic measures first.

1. Restart your Android phone.
2. If the issues persist, then try toggling between WiFi and Mobile Data.
3. Go to Settings > Network and Internet. This setting’s name may be different on your device.
4. Switch off the WiFi for 30 seconds and then turn it on to see if this works.
5. Sometimes, due to low storage space, the WiFi turns off and doesn’t connect until you free up spaces on your Android.

If your Android device’s WiFi is still not turning on then try the below solutions to fix the Android WiFi problem.

#1. Toggle Airplane Mode On/Off

Turn the Airplane mode on for 30 seconds and then turn it off and try connecting your WiFi. Sometimes, the mobile signals block the WiFi signals.

You can find the Airplane mode option in the notifications panel for most Android phones. Simply drag down the panel and tap it on/off.

You can also go to Settings > Network and Internet then switch off the Airplane mode there.

#2. Reconnect to the WiFi Network

Another way to fix the Android WiFi issue is to forget and reconnect to your network. To do this:

1. Go to Settings and then tap on Networks and Internet or Wireless and Networks depending on your device.



2. Tap and hold on to your WiFi network name. Tap the Forget option.



3. Click on the network again to connect and put in your password.

If your WiFi starts working, Voilà! If not then try the below solutions.

#3. Install System Updates

Regular updating of your phone helps solve issues from bugs and glitches in the software. If there is a system update by the manufacturer, go ahead and install it as it may contain fixes for your phone including WiFi connectivity issues.

To update your system:

Go to Settings > System > System Update. Even if your system is up to date, you can tap Check for updates. If there is any update here, plug your phone into an electric socket and update the system.

#4. Try a different WiFi connection

If you have another WiFi network, try connecting to it. Network connectivity issues can be mistaken for WiFi issues with your phone.

If your phone connects to another network then your original network is the main culprit. Contact your internet service provider and ask them to repair your network.

#5. Reset your modem

Another simple solution is to simply turn your modem off for 30 seconds and then turn it back on. This will change your IP address and might solve your WiFi problem.

Do check for the modem manual for the instructions on resetting as different modems have different procedures for resetting.

#6. Change Network Settings

If none of the above methods works for you then try resetting the WiFi and Bluetooth settings. This will not cause any loss of data but will erase the WiFi and Bluetooth settings.

To change WiFi and Bluetooth settings, go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Reset WiFi, mobile, and Bluetooth. This will only reset your WiFi and Bluetooth settings. Then, try to connect to your WiFi network. This will most probably solve your WiFi problem.

#7. Backup data, then factory reset your device

If you have tried all the tricks and followed all techniques and still your Android phone’s WiFi is not turning on, then I would suggest that you backup all your data first and then restore your phone to factory settings.

First, use your favorite software to back up your data – you can also use Google’s backup options from Settings > System > Backup > Backup now option. You can also connect your phone via USB to a computer and copy all your important photos and documents to your PC.

To restore your phone to factory settings, go to Settings > System > Reset Options. Tap Delete all data (factory reset). Once the process is completed, you can log into your Google account where you can restore your previous settings. This will most probably solve your Android WiFi issues.

Conclusion

In this article, I have discussed solutions to WiFi issues in Android phones. In my opinion, turning the modem off/on or resetting the WiFi router/modem could solve most of the WiFi connectivity issues in Android devices.

Sometimes, there may be a network issue from the Internet Service Provider (ISP). In that case, you should wait for the network to resume as you can’t do anything except file a complaint to your ISP.

If the problem is in your phone and none of the solutions is working, factory reset is the last resort. You can use this option after backing up all your important data.

The post How to Troubleshoot Android WiFi Problems appeared first on Hongkiat.