Technically, HTTP Error 429 is not an error; it is a response from the server that is used to tell the clients to stop sending the requests, as the server does not have many resources to handle so many requests right now. This can happen due to a routing issue from the ISP (Internet Service Provider) or if the server is overloaded with user client requests.

Let’s have a look at the solutions to this error. Before that, you need to verify that your internet connection is working properly.

1. Use VPN

To troubleshoot the network connection or fix this error, the best solution is to start by connecting a VPN extension to your browser. VPN (Virtual Private Network) is used to provide a protected connection to the server as it hides the user details over the internet.

Usually, VPNs are used to access the content not allowed in the region or country. This means if your ISP is blocking the website, connecting a VPN will change the route to the server according to the location selected by the user. To do so, follow the steps:

1. Open a new tab and search for the VPN extension. If you already have an extension, you can connect to a VPN to access the Imgur. But if you don’t use the VPN, search for Touch VPN or any other VPN that you like to connect.
   
2. Visit the Chrome web store to install the extension. Once you have installed it, simply click the extension icon from the top and select the VPN.
   
3. Now, connect the VPN to any location and see if you can access the Imgur.

2. Flush DNS

DNS (Domain Name System) plays a key role in connecting websites to the server successfully. This is because DNS is used to translate the domain names into IP addresses to send the request to the right server address. So, it is possible that your DNS has a problem when translating the domain name To ensure that, try flushing the DNS by following the steps:

1. Press the Win key and type Command Prompt.
2. Right-click the Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
   
3. Here, type the following command to flush the DNS settings.

   ipconfig /flushdns

   

4. Once done, close the command prompt and try connecting to the Imgur.

3. Use Google DNS

Google DNS server is one of the best DNS servers as it is faster, more reliable, and more secure as compared to other DNS servers. So, if your DNS server is down or not working, try using the Google DNS server to ensure whether the DNS is causing this issue or not. To use the Google DNS, follow the steps:

1. Click the Start Menu and type Control Panel.
2. Hit Enter to navigate into the control panel.
   
3. Then, go to Network & Internet > Network and Sharing Centre.
4. Click Change adapter settings, then right-click the network adapter and go to Properties.
   
5. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
   
6. Here, choose Use the following DNS server addresses and type the following addresses.

   8.8.8.8
   8.8.4.4

   

7. Finally, click OK to change the DNS server to the Google DNS server.

4. Reset network settings

As we know, the Imgur HTTP error can be caused by a network issue. It is recommended to try resetting the network settings. Resetting the network settings is a way to reinstall the network adapters, remove the proxy, and reset the settings to default. This improves the network performance, especially if there are misconfigured network settings. To reset the network settings, follow the steps:

1. Press the Win key and type Network Reset.
   
2. Open the Network Reset settings by pressing the Enter key.
3. Click the Reset Now button to reset the network settings. This will restart your PC with the default network settings.
   

5. Clear the Imgur site cache

When you visit the website, the browser automatically saves its content in the cache files so that the browser does not need to request the data every time you visit the site. However, if the cache data of any website gets corrupted, it will cause the website to stop working in your browser. So, in this method, we will try clearing the site cache to see whether the issue will be fixed or not.

1. Click the three dots from the top right and select Settings.
   
2. Go to Privacy & Security from the left sidebar.
3. From here, navigate to Site settings.
   
4. And click View permissions and data stored across sites.
   
5. Here, search Imgur, then click the delete icon to remove the site data.
6. Click Delete to confirm.
   
7. Once done, try accessing the Imgur site.

In case the error still persists even after following the above methods, try contacting your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to describe your issue. The ISP will better help you get rid of this error, especially if it is a routing issue. You can also wait for some time to get this issue automatically resolved.

The post How to Fix “HTTP ERROR 429” When Visiting Imgur? appeared first on Appuals.com.

All of this lies under your privacy configuration which you will need to change in order to resolve the problem in question. We will be using this article to show you how to fix the voice search feature in Google on your PC, so follow through.

With that said, it is important to note that the voice search feature is not available in all of the countries. Similarly, you cannot use the voice search feature in every language as well. 

Therefore, keep these things in mind before you get into troubleshooting the issue. If you see the voice search option in the Google search bar and it still does not work, follow through with the article. Otherwise, change your language and region in your Google search settings. 

1. Change Microphone’s Privacy Settings

The first thing that you should check when starting to troubleshoot the problem is your microphone’s privacy settings. Windows comes with a number of privacy features that allow you to block apps on your computer from accessing your peripherals, such as your microphone, camera and more. 

If Windows is preventing background apps on your PC microphone access, any voice activation features will not work. In such a circumstance, you will need to change the privacy settings to resolve the issue. To do this, follow the instructions below:

1. Open the Settings app on your PC with the Windows key + I shorthand.
2. Then, navigate to the Privacy & security > Microphone section.

   

3. After that, make sure both Let desktop apps access your microphone and Let apps access your microphone options are enabled.

   

4. Restart the browser and see if the problem persists. 

2. Check Google Site Permissions

In some scenarios, the issue can also arise due to the Google website permissions in your browser. This happens when the website does not have the required permissions to access your microphone because of your browser settings. 

Every website you visit has individual permissions when you visit it in your browser. Therefore, if your Google website lacks the permissions to access the microphone, the voice search feature will fail to work. To resolve this, you will have to give the website access to your microphone. Follow the instructions below:

1. First, open the Google website.
2. Then, click on the lock icon in the address bar and select Site permissions. This can be called Site settings in some browsers.

   

3. From the list of permissions, locate Microphone and select Allow from the menu.

   

4. Refresh the website and see if the problem is still there.

3. Check Browser Input

If your browser is using the wrong input source as your microphone, the voice feature will fail to work. This happens when the wrong input device is selected in your browser settings. 

As such, when you try to use the voice search feature, the browser tries to access the provided input device which does not exist or does not function. This results in the voice search feature failing as well. 

To fix this, you will need to ensure the correct microphone device is selected as the input. Follow the instructions below to do this:

1. First, open the Settings menu in your browser. Do this by clicking the More menu in the top-right corner and selecting Settings from the menu that appears.

   

2. In the Settings menu, search for Microphone.
3. After that, click on the Microphone option under All permissions. This text can vary slightly, such as Site settings, depending on your browser.

   

4. In the Microphone settings, use the drop-down menu to select your correct input device.

   

5. Then, refresh the Google website and see if the voice search feature is still not working.

4. Update Browser

An inconsistency with the browser can also cause the voice search feature to not work. This is especially true for Microsoft Edge when a bug caused the issue in question. 

In such a situation, updating the browser on your PC should fix the issue. This can potentially help when you have not updated your browser for quite a while. To update your browser, follow the instructions below:

1. First, open the Settings menu by clicking on the More button in the top-right corner.

   

2. After that, switch to the About section.  
3. There, update the browser to see.

   

4. Then, restart the browser and check if the problem persists. 

5. Reset Browser Settings

Another potential cause for the issue can be your overall browser configuration. This can include any third-party extensions that you have installed on your browser which interfere with the site permissions and ability to use your microphone.

This can usually happen when you have security extensions installed. In this case, you will have to reset your browser settings. This will reset the browser to its default values along with uninstalling your extensions. 

Follow the instructions below to do this:

1. Go to the Settings screen via the More menu in the top-right corner.

   

2. After that, switch to the Reset settings tab. 
3. Then, click the Restore settings to their original defaults option to reset your browser.

   

4. Once you do that, see if the voice search feature works now. 

6. Reinstall Browser

Finally, if none of the above methods circumvent the voice search feature issue, you will have to reinstall your web browser. In some instances, the issue can also originate due to a faulty browser installation which prevents specific components from functioning.

If this case is applicable, you will be able to mitigate the problem by reinstalling the web browser on your PC. To do this, follow the instructions below:

1. Open the Control Panel via a search in the Start Menu.

   

2. After that, go to the Uninstall a program section.

   

3. Then, locate your web browser and double-click on it.

   

4. Go through the on-screen prompts to finish the uninstallation.
5. Once you do that, download the setup file for your browser and install it on your PC. 

These solutions should help you overcome the voice search feature not working issue on your computer. The problem is mostly caused due to privacy settings on your PC which prevent the Google website from accessing your microphone. Checking the privacy settings should help in resolving such an issue in future. 

The post How to Fix Google Voice Search Not Working on PC appeared first on Appuals.com.

The high memory usage by Chrome’s GPU process can be caused by several factors. Firstly, we will try to clear the issue with less invasive methods and then we will move to methods like removing browsing data and uninstalling Chrome.

1. End the GPU Process in the Chrome’s Task Manager

The GPU process on Chrome will use high memory due to a malfunction in its core components. Here, ending the GPU process in Chrome’s Task Manager will solve the problem. The process will restart with the default configurations. You may have to reload some tabs.

1. In the Chrome window, expand the Chrome menu and hover over More Tools.
2. In the sub-menu, open Task Manager and right-click on the column headings. You can also launch the Chrome Task Manager by pressing Shift + Esc keys.

   

3. Select GPU Memory and click on GPU Memory to sort the processes w.r.t high GPU usage.
4. See which of the tabs or processes are consuming the memory.
5. Select the one and click on End Process.
6. Repeat the same for other tabs. 
7. Select the GPU Process and click on End Process.

   

8. Close the Task Manager and check if the high memory usage issue is resolved.

2. Relaunch Chrome, Restart the Graphics Driver or the System

The GPU process of Chrome will consume excessive memory due to a malfunction in Chrome’s graphic-handling modules, an error loop in the system’s graphics driver, or the graphics components of the operating system being stuck in operation.

To resolve this issue, you can try relaunching Chrome, restarting the graphics driver, or restarting the system.

Relaunch Chrome

1. Exit Chrome and open the system Task Manager or Activity Monitor.
2. End all the Chrome-related processes and open Chrome. Verify if the GPU issue is resolved. You can also use the following in a new tab in Chrome to restart it:

   chrome://restart

   

Restart the Graphics Driver

1. Press the following keys on the keyboard:

   Windows
   
   Ctrl
   
   Shift
   
   B

   

2. See if the memory usage by the GPU process is back to normal.

Restart the System

1. Close the Chrome browser and restart the system.

   

2. Upon restart, launch Chrome and see if the issue is resolved.

3. Update the Chrome Browser to the Latest Build

A Chrome bug might have triggered excessive memory usage by the browser. Updating the browser to the latest build will fetch fresh files from Google & can clear the high memory usage.

1. Open the Chrome menu and hover over Help.
2. Select About Google Chrome and make sure the browser is updated.
3. Once done, click on Relaunch, and then check if the GPU process is back to normal.

   

4. Update, Reinstall, or Disable the Graphics Driver (Windows Only)

If the graphic driver of the system is outdated or is not compatible with the Chrome browser, it won’t work correctly. This can lead to the GPU process using a lot of memory. To solve this problem, you can update, reinstall, or turn off the graphics driver

Update the Graphics Driver

1. Right-click Windows and open Device Manager.
2. Expand the Display Adapter tab and right-click on the graphics driver.
3. Select Update Driver and once updated, restart the system.

   

4. Launch Chrome and see if the problem is solved.
5. If this does not work and you have an update utility (like HP Support Assistant), use the utility to update the driver and restart the system. Check if this clears the issue.

Reinstall the Graphics Driver

1. Download the latest graphics driver from the OEM website.
2. Open the Device Manager and expand the Display Adapters tab.
3. Right-click on the graphics driver and select Uninstall Device.

   

4. Checkmark the option of Attempt to Remove the Driver of This Device and click on Uninstall.
5. Restart the system, and if Windows tries to install a generic driver, let it complete. Check if this clears the issue.
6. If not, install the latest OEM graphics driver and restart the system. See if the GPU issue is cleared.

Disable the Graphics Device

1. Open the Device Manager and expand the Display Adapters tab.
2. Right-click on the graphics driver and select Disable.

   

3. Confirm to disable the device and see if this clears the high memory problem.

5. Disable Background Chrome Apps

You will see high memory usage by the Chrome GPU process if a background Chrome app is extensively using the GPU. In such a case, disabling Background Chrome Apps will solve the problem.

1. Open the Chrome menu and navigate to Settings.
2. Go to the System tab, and in the right pane, disable Continue Running Background Apps When Google Chrome is Closed.

   

3. Close Chrome and end its running processes in the Task Manager.
4. Launch Chrome and check if the high memory usage by the GPU process has ended.

6. Disable Chrome’s Hardware Acceleration

When hardware acceleration is enabled, the media-related tasks (such as playing a video in the browser) are handed over to the GPU from the CPU. If this feature is not optimal in your setup, it can cause high memory usage by the GPU.

To fix this, disable Hardware Acceleration in the Chrome settings.

1. Open the Chrome menu and go to Settings > System.
2. In the right pane, disable Hardware Acceleration When Available and relaunch Chrome. See if the GPU issue is resolved.

   

3. If the Hardware Acceleration is already disabled, enable it and confirm if this clears the high memory usage.

7. Check for a Faulty Browser Extension

The GPU process will use memory extensively if an extension is misbehaving or not compatible with your system. In such a case, checking for a faulty extension and removing it will solve the problem.

1. Click on the Extensions icon and open Manage Extensions.
2. Disable all the extensions one by one and relaunch Chrome. Check if the issue is resolved.

   

3. If the issue is resolved, enable the extensions one by one to find out the offending one. Once found, uninstall it.
4. If the issue persists even after disabling the extensions, uninstall all the extensions and see if that solves the problem.

Following is the list of extensions that are reported to cause the issue:

• Tab Sleeper
• LastPass
• Adobe Acrobat
• Grammarly
• Ghostery
• Ublock Origin
• Augury

8. Clear Browsing Data of the Chrome

You will face a high memory issue if the browsing data (cookies, cache, and history) is no longer in a valid state and as a result, causes extra load on the GPU. This can be solved by clearing the browsing data of Chrome.

Backup any essential data (such as the website passwords) that you may require later.

1. Open the Chrome menu and go to More Tools > Clear Browsing Data.
2. Sign out of the Google account (to keep the history in the Google account) and set the Time Range of All Time.
3. Select all the categories and click on Clear Data.

   

4. Once done, relaunch Chrome and see if the GPU memory usage is normal.

If the issue clears but reoccurs after some time, you may use a Cache Killing extension to automatically delete the cache.

9. Create Another Chrome Profile

If your user profile in Chrome has invalid configurations or its core components are damaged, this can lead to excessive memory usage by Chrome. To solve this, create another Chrome profile on your system.

1. Launch the Chrome browser and click on your user icon (near the three vertical ellipses).
2. Click on Add and follow the prompts to complete the process.

   

3. Once done, check if the GPU usage is normal in the new profile.

10. Reset the Chrome Settings

You will get high memory usage by the GPU process if the customization of a graphic setting of the browser is not optimal for your system. To fix this, reset the Chrome Settings to the default settings.

1. Open the Chrome menu and go to Settings.
2. Navigate to the Reset Settings tab and click on Reset Settings to Their Original Defaults.

   

3. Confirm to reset the settings to the defaults and relaunch Chrome. Verify if the GPU process issue is resolved.

11. Reinstall the Chrome Browser

The GPU process will show high memory usage if its core modules handling graphics are damaged or malfunctioning. An update that did not properly patch the previous installation might have caused the issue.

In such a case, reinstalling the Chrome browser will solve the problem. Before uninstalling, make sure to note down or back up the data (such as website passwords) that may be required later. To uninstall Chrome on Windows:

1. Close the Chrome browser and right-click on the Windows button.
2. Open Apps & Features and expand the options for Chrome.
3. Select Uninstall and confirm to uninstall the browser.

   

4. Follow the prompt on the screen to complete the process, and once done, restart the system.
5. Open the Run command box and delete the Chrome folders from the following locations:

   \Program Files\Google
   
   %localappdata%\Google

   

6. Reinstall Chrome and see if the high memory usage is cleared.

If none of the above works, reset the system to the factory defaults or reinstall the system’s OS. If not, replace the RAMs of the system and check if that clears the issue. If this does not work, contact Google Support. Till then, you may use another browser.  

The post How to Fix High Memory Usage by Chrome GPU Process? appeared first on Appuals.com.

This extension will enhance your productivity to the next level for tasks such as writing, translating, summarizing, etc. Once added to Chrome, click on it, and a digital terminal will be opened. If you are familiar with Notion (a workspace application), you will find a similar UI.

Benefits of Using the MaxAI.me Extension

The main benefit of using MaxAI over chatbots is that during the writing process, you will not need to open the AI tool separately; instead, you can use the AI directly on the same web page you are working on. This saves time that would otherwise be spent on switching tabs or windows and copying/pasting queries or responses.

MaxAI offers a plethora of pre-defined prompts and one-click prompts, and its ability to fetch results from different providers adds to its advantages over traditional chatbots. Moreover, there is no need to log into the ChatGPT account.

For programmers, MaxAI provides assistance with code, error detection, suggestions, and complete code snippets – all available in an instant. This extension supports multiple programming languages and aids in learning the latest programming concepts.

Technical Details About the MaxAI Extension

The extension came available on Chrome Web Store on 2023-03-20 and is lastly updated on 2023-08-16 (version 2.0.14). It has a size of 5.26MB.

More than 500K users have already downloaded it and it has a rating of 4.8 out of 5. Its required permissions are:

• Tabs
• Scripting
• Storage
• Management
• contextmenus
• clipboardread
• clipboardwrite
• Host permissions of <all_urls>

Install and Setup the MaxAI Extension on the Google Chrome

1. Launch the Chrome browser and navigate to the MaxAI.me page of the Chrome Store.
2. Click on Add to Chrome and in the prompt shown, click on Add Extension.

   

3. Once added you will be taken to the Getting Started page, either use Continue With Google or Continue with Email to sign into the MaxAI.me extension and set it up as per your requirements.

   

4. Click on the Extensions icon and click on the Pin icon to ping the extension to the Chrome toolbar.

   

Remember that the extension will only work on the current open websites after refreshing the page. Also, note that the extension does not work on:

• New tabs without loaded websites
• Chrome pages
• Chrome Web Store pages
• openai.com

How to Use the Extension

Launch MaxAI.me

Click on the MaxAI.me extension in the Chrome Toolbar. You can also use the default shortcut Ctrl + J to open the sidebar of the extension.

Select the AI Provider

On the first launch, you can select the AI service provider. Currently, options are ChatGPT, Open AI API, Chat GPT Web App, Claude Web App, Bard Web App, and Bing Web App. The default AI service provider is Chat GPT.

In regular use, click on the icon of the service provider and select the required AI provider.

Ask AI and Response

1. In the Ask AI box, type your query and you will get a response from the AI provider.
2. To copy the response, click on the copy icon or select the text, right-click, and click Copy.

   

Use Prompt

1. To change an already generated response, click on the Use Prompt icon and select the required response.

   

2. To use a prompt before generating a response, click on the Use Prompt icon and select the required response.

   

The extension has built-in prompts that can be used to:

• Improve Writing
• Fix Spelling and Grammar
• Make Shorter
• Make Longer
• Change Tone
• Simplify Language
• Paraphrase
• Summarize
• List Key Takeaways
• Translate
• Explain This
• Find Action Items
• Reply to This
• Run This Prompt
• Continue Writing
• Brainstorm Ideas
• Blog Post
• Outline
• Social Media Post
• Code
• Press Release
• Creative Story
• Essay and more

New Chat, One-click Prompts, and Relaunch Extension

1. Once you are done with the current chat, click on the Brush icon and a new chat window will be shown.

   

2. To use One-click Prompt, hover over the Brush icon and select One-Click Prompts.

   

3. To relaunch the extension, hover over the Brush icon and select the Restart Extension icon. You will need to refresh the opened web pages for the extension to make it work on those pages. 

   

Launch Chat in a New Window

1. To open the chat in a new window, click on the square box icon.

   

2. The chat will be launched in a new Chrome window and you can continue within that window.

Launch Settings of the MaxAI.me Extension

3. To change the settings of the MaxAI extension, click on Settings.

   

4. A new Chrome window will be shown with different options for the MaxAI extension. Settings are explained in detail in the following section.

Settings of MaxAI Explained

In Settings, you can perform different actions. By default, you will be taken to the Me and MaxAI tab.

Me and MaxAI

In this tab, you can log out of your account and if you want to change your plan, click on My Plan. Here, you can select your desired free or Pro plan.

My Own Prompts

Here, you can add New Prompts or New Prompts Group. Enter the name of the prompt, select the icon, and enter the prompt template, Execution mode, and visibility. Click Save and the prompt will be available for future chats.

If you are done with your customized prompts, you can delete them and to restore prompts to the default settings, click on Restore.

Open AI API Key

You can use this tab to enter your Open AI API key and customize its options.

Shortcut

The default shortcut to open the MaxAI sidebar is Alt + J. To change it, click on it and select the required shortcut keys.

Appearance

Here, you can change the appearance of the sidebar to dark or light. Also, you can enable or disable Gmail AI Assistance.

Additionally, viewing of PDF AI Viewer can be enabled or disabled here. Shortcut Hint can also be enabled here.

Mini Menu

Mini Menu is by default enabled. When enabled, selecting text on a webpage will show the Mini menu to you. Click on the Use Prompt icon and select the required prompt. Sidebar will be shown and you will get the desired response.

Mini Menu can be enabled or disabled in this tab. You can also exclude sites where you do not want to see the Mini Menu. 

Languages

In this tab, you can select the Preferred Language and desired Response Language. Selecting Auto in the response language will make the extension respond in the same language in which the prompt is used.

ChatGPT Stable Mode

ChatGPT stable mode is a feature that reduces ChatGPT interruptions and network errors. When enabled, you will get 30 minutes of interruption-free ChatGPT usage. For more time, you will need a pro subscription.

Perks

Here, you can use One-Click Prompts and claim rewards by inviting friends. One-click Prompts help in generating responses for predefined scenarios. You can also make favorites and create your One-click Prompts.

Help Center

Here, you can get help setting up the MaxAI extension and contacting MaxAI developers.

Cons of Using MaxAI

Despite its usefulness, this extension has its share of limitations. These cons are:

1. Limitation to Chrome or Chromium-based browsers (such as Edge) only. Not everybody prefers Chrome and non-availability for other browsers is a basic limitation.
2. After the first week of unlimited free use, there is a daily cap for usage. Although, you can increase the limit by inviting friends.
3. In Chatbots, chats are saved in a sequence to access later. But with MaxAI, responses are not saved for any future use.

Remember the extension is a new one and it may overcome these limitations in the future. Even with these limitations, it is still very helpful.

Upcoming Features

The extension is still in its early days and the work is in the process to implement the following main features:

• Prompt Engineering Guide
• Save ChatGPT History
• WebChat GPT to search results from the web when browsing the Internet
• AutoGPT
• Agent GPT
• BabyAGI
• GoalGPT
• ChatPDF
• KeepChatGPT
• MiniGPT
• SiteGPT
• YouTube summary
• OpenAI API cookbook
• WhatsApp-GPT
• TweetGPT

Is it Safe?

With the popularity of AI, the web is full of fake AI extensions. So, a logical question that can come to mind is whether it is safe. VirusTotal report is clean and there is no flagging of the extension on any significant platform.

Uninstall the MaxAI Extension

1. Click on the MaxAI.me extension and open its Settings.
2. Log out of the extension and close the window.

   

3. Click on the Extensions icon and for the MaxAI.me extension, click on the three vertical ellipses.
4. Select Remove from Chrome and confirm to remove the extension.

   

That’s it, folks. If you have any queries or suggestions, we are available in the comments section.

The post What is MaxAI.me Extension and How to use it? appeared first on Appuals.com.

In this article, we’ll explore six of the best dark mode extensions for browsers out there, transforming not just your browser but your entire web experience.

The following extensions are for Chromium-based browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Opera, and more, but some of them also work on Firefox. We also have a bonus option for Safari users at the end.

1. Dark Reader

Dark Reader, a widely acclaimed extension, takes the concept of dark mode to the next level. It is a highly customizable extension that gives you control over settings like Contrast, Grayscale, Sepia, and Brightness for every website. It is also straightforward to turn the dark mode on/off using the toggle. You can customize the extension further by using the Dev Tools setting in the controls.

It is also worth noticing that the extension is open source, does not store your data, and is advertisement free. Just add the extension to your browser and let it work its magic.

2. Super Dark Mode

Super Dark Mode is another amazing dark mode extension for browsers. It is a very feature-rich extension providing features such as specific dark themes for individual websites and setting an automatic time schedule for enabling dark mode on your browser.

Dark mode can be turned off by clicking on the extension’s icon. You can also adjust things like opacity, grayscale, and contrast/brightness. If you want, you can also easily exclude a website from the dark mode.

3. Midnight Lizard

If customization is your main goal, then you cannot find a better extension than Midnight Lizard. You can shift between dark, light, grayscale, and colorful schemes. It also enables you to saturation, contrast, brightness, and hue of Background, Button, Text, Borders, and Images. I mean what else can you ask for? You can also quickly turn off the extension by using the toggle in the extension settings.

Midnight Lizard is also open source like Dark Reader. There is also a bug report option, where you can inform the developers regarding any issues you might be facing. Overall, it has proved to be an amazing extension during our testing.

4. Dark Night Mode

Dark Night Mode is an extension for users who are looking for a straightforward, plug-and-play option. It has minimal customization and works extremely well on all the websites we have tested it on. Options such as brightness control, whitelisting a website, and auto-mode timings are available.

This minimalist approach makes it a perfect solution for individuals who seek a straightforward and effective dark mode. Unfortunately, the downside is that this extension is only available for Chromium browsers.

5. Turn Off The Lights

Turn Off The Lights is a unique extension in this list as it focuses on video streaming sites. It works by dimming the background around the video being watched, making it the center of attention. It works perfectly well with all major sites such as YouTube, Dailymotion, Hulu, etc. It does not automatically get activated whenever you play a video but rather has to be activated each time by clicking on the extension.

In terms of customization, there are tons of options available. You can add a background image around the video instead of dimming the surroundings. Not only this you can also add atmosphere lightning around the video giving it a glow. There is also a Speech Recognition option using which you can communicate with the extension.

6. Dark Mode for Safari

As apparent from its name, this extension is only for the Safari browser. After installing this extension all the websites will display a darker theme. You can choose between five themes: Dark, Mono Dark, Soft Dark, Dark Curtain, and Mono.

There is also an option to schedule the dark mode for a specific time during the day. They also have very responsive customer support that addresses your queries and suggestions within a day.

Conclusion

There you have it, the best extensions for dark mode on browsers. We suggest that you personally try each of the mentioned extensions and settle for the one that best suits you. If you want to make sure these extensions run in your browser 24/7, check out our guide on how to enable extensions in Incognito Mode.

FAQs

The post The Best Dark Mode Extensions For Browsers in 2023 appeared first on Appuals.com.

At the moment, you can only access Bing Chat on other browsers with an extension. Bing AI isn’t like ChatGPT currently, which you can access from anywhere. However, Microsoft is pushing toward this advancement.

Below will be a quick overview of Bing AI chat and the requirements to use Bing AI. Afterward, we’ll go through the steps to install the Bing Chat extension and how to use it.

What is Bing AI Chat?

Powered by Open AI’s GPT-4, Microsoft’s Bing Chat works as a chatbot for Bing’s search engine. Similar to ChatGPT, you can ask questions, and Bing AI will respond with the answers along with the sources from which the information was taken.

The answers are less robotic and more in a humanized tone, which is easier to understand and relate to.

Requirements to Use Bing Chat on Other Browsers

Bing Chat has two requirements before you can use it in your browsers, except for Edge. The steps are straightforward and are as follows:

1. Make a Microsoft Account

First and foremost, you’d need a Microsoft account to use Bing Chat. You can’t access it with Gmail or any other email address. Therefore, head over to the Microsoft ‘Create account’ page and register your account. If you already have an account, you can use that without creating a new one.

Once done, move on to the next requirement.

2. Install the Bing Chat Extension

The “Bing for all browsers” extension works for Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and other browsers. Simply install this and start using Bing Chat.

I’ll mention the steps for this in the next section.

How to Install Bing Chat Browser Extension for Chrome and Firefox

Since you can’t use Bing directly from the website on Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, you will need to download the extension to use it. Here’s how to do that:

On Chrome

1. Open Chrome and go to the Bing Chat for All Browsers link.
2. Log in to your Gmail.
3. Download the CRX file.

4. Afterward, type chrome://extensions in the URL bar,
5. Toggle on Developer mode.

6. Drag and drop the downloaded CRX file into the Extensions page.
7. Select Add Extension when the prompt appears to install the Bing Chat extension.

Note: If Chrome blocks the download, click on the file and select Download anyway.

You can also download and extract the ZIP file to a directory and after that, follow the steps below:

1. Type chrome://extensions in the URL bar,
2. Toggle on Developer mode.
3. Click on Load unpacked.

4. Now select the directory where you extracted/unpacked the ZIP file.

On Firefox

1. Open Firefox and click on the extensions icon in the top-right corner.

2. Type “Enable Bing Chat” in the search bar.

3. Select Enable Bing Chat from the search results.

4. Select Add to Firefox.

5. Click on Add when prompted.

How to Use Bing Chat on Any Browser

Once you install the Bing Chat extension, using it is pretty simple and can be done in the following way:

1. Open your browser and click on the extension icon > Bing Chat for All Browsers.

2. Select Open Bing Chat.

3. Click on Sign in on the top-right if you aren’t already logged in to your Microsoft account on Chrome/Firefox.

4. Enter the login credentials for your Microsoft account.
5. If Bing Chat doesn’t appear, then open a new tab and click on the extension again.
6. Now the Bing Chat screen will appear, and you’ll be able to use it.

The post Access Bing Chat on Other Browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) appeared first on Appuals.com.

Downloading a web browser is one of the first things you do when you get a new PC or reset Windows. There are several browsers on the market today, such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Opera, Mozilla Firefox, and Brave, to name a few. However, on nearly all Windows PCs, Microsoft Edge comes as a built-in program. Nevertheless, you might need to add one or two more browsers.

Windows users prefer to download other browsers using in-built Microsoft Edge, but it doesn’t work for everyone or one might want to explore other possible ways to download a browser without using a browser. This article will focus on these methods and see which one will work for you. Let’s go!

What are the common Web browsers?

There are around 200 web browsers in the world, but only a portion of them are commonly used by Internet users. According to StatCounter, Google Chrome leads with a 62.55% market share, followed by Safari and Microsoft Edge at 19.95% and 5.13% respectively. The most common web browsers are:

• Google Chrome
• Apple Safari
• Microsoft Edge
• Mozilla Firefox
• Internet Explorer
• Brave
• Opera
• Samsung Internet Browser
• UC Browser
• DuckDuckGo
• Vivaldi

Let us look at how you can download one of these browsers without using a browser on your computer.

How Do I Download a Browser Without Using a Browser?

If you want to download a browser without using a browser, you can run different commands in Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell to download your favorite browser. One can also use scripts or third-party tools to download browser apps. Try the following methods:

1. Try Chocolatey: This is a third-party tool that works like APT in various Linux distributions. Chocolatey enables users to remove, update, or install programs. You can use this package manager to install your favorite browser using its feature: terminal commands.
2. Use Microsoft Store: You can use Microsoft Store which comes as an in-built app in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Previously, you couldn’t use the store to install web browsers, but things have changed. Since January 2022, users can now install various browser applications directly from the Microsoft Store without needing a pre-existing browser.
3. Use the Curl command: The Curl command is available in the most recent versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11, and can be run on Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell. This command is a cross-platform tool that you can use to make internet requests for downloading files and programs, similar to web browsers.
4. Use Invoke-WebRequest Windows PowerShell script:You can utilize Windows PowerShell to download browser files from the Internet without using a Web browser. One of the easiest methods is to execute the Invoke-WebRequest Windows PowerShell script. The primary requirement to successfully run this script is to possess the browser download link.
5. Try the Winget command: If you have Windows 10 v1809 or newer versions, or Windows 11, you can quickly run the Winget command using Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt to obtain your preferred web browser. This only requires one command for the browser you want in order to get the program on your computer.

1. Try Chocolatey

1. Search for PowerShell in the Windows search box and open it as an administrator.
2. First, you need to enable the executable scripts by running the following command line:

   

   Set-ExecutionPolicy AllSigned

3. Next, install Chocolatey by running the command below:

   Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force; [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol -bor 3072; iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://community.chocolatey.org/install.ps1'))

4. Finally, to download a Web browser using the installed Chocolatey, use the specific browser commands below:

   choco install googlechrome

   choco install firefox

   choco install opera

   choco install brave

   choco install vivaldi

2. Use Microsoft Store

1. Click on the Microsoft Store icon on the Taskbar if it’s pinned there or search it in the Windows search box.
2. Once it’s open, click on the search box and type in the browser name you want to download.
3. Finally, select Get or Install. The browser will be installed on your computer without further steps.

3. Use the Curl command

1. Search and open Windows PowerShell as an administrator.
2. First, run the following command to navigate to the Windows desktop:

   cd Desktop

3. Next, type and run the following command and remember to insert the exact browser link:

   

   curl -L browserlink -o download.exe

4. Give time to the commands to run to completion and check your browser icon to launch it.

Pro tip: Use the browser URL links highlighted at the end of this article. Put them in the curl command as highlighted in step number 3 and 4.

4. Use Invoke-WebRequest Windows PowerShell script

1. Open Windows PowerShell as an administrator as we did in the previous steps.
2. First, run the command below:

   cd Desktop

3. Next, type the following command and press Enter to run it:

   

   Invoke-WebRequest browserlink -o download.exe

4. Remember to put the exact browser link in the command and then give it time to complete the process.

5. Try the Winget command

1. Open Windows PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Copy and paste the following commands and run them:

   winget install --id=Google.Chrome

   winget install --id=Mozilla.Firefox

   winget install --id=Opera.OperaGX

   winget install --id BraveSoftware.BraveBrowser

3. Windows PowerShell will update you when the process is complete; wait and launch your browser.

   

Here are the browser links you can use to download browsers directly or insert them in curl commands or in the Invoke-WebRequest Windows PowerShell script:

• 64-bit Google Chrome: https://dl.google.com/chrome/install/standalonesetup64.exe
• 64-bit Mozilla Firefox: https://download.mozilla.org/?product=firefox-latest&os=win64
• 32-bit Mozilla Firefox: https://download.mozilla.org/?product=firefox-latest&os=win
• 64-bit Opera: https://net.geo.opera.com/opera/stable/windows

The post How to Download a Browser Without Using a Browser? appeared first on Appuals.com.

Why does Runtime Error 5 occur?

Runtime Error 5 occurs because there is an issue with the Google Chrome program code. There are different types of this error.

• Catastrophe of this error  – This error can cause your entire computer to freeze and may even lead to a crash. It occurs when Google Chrome cannot process the information it has received.
• Memory Leak  – This happens when Google Chrome uses up too much memory on your computer. This could be because the program isn’t freeing up memory like it’s supposed to, or there’s a problem with the program code that makes it run in an endless loop.
• Logic Error  – This type of error happens when Google Chrome gets the right information but gives back the wrong result. It’s caused by a problem in the program code that messes with how information is processed.

Sometimes, Chrome Error 5 is caused by a misplaced file within Chrome, which may have been accidentally deleted or moved. This issue can often be resolved by the software itself as it downloads and installs the latest file from Google. Additionally, this error may occur if your computer’s Windows registry attempts to use a non-existing file. In such cases, scanning and fixing your registry should remedy the problem.

Solutions to fix Chrome Error Code 5

To fix this run-time error, you will need to perform these fixes one by one until the problem disappears.

1. Clearing the Browser Cache.
2. Launching Chrome with administrator privileges.
3. Removing Faulty Extensions.
4. Resetting the Browser to Default settings.
5. Reinstalling the Browser.
6. Scanning Computer for Malware and Viruses.
7. Try using a different browser.

1. Clearing the Browser Cache

Sometimes, simply clearing your browser cache can resolve the issue. The cache stores information from sites you’ve visited to help pages load faster. However, when these files can get corrupted, causing issues like this one. To clear Chromes cache, follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome and press the three dots on the top right of the screen.

   

2. Open settings and navigate to “Privacy and Security.”
3. In Privacy and Security, click on “clear browsing data.”

   

4. In clear browsing data, open the time range and select “All time.”
5. Uncheck “Browsing history”, “Cookies and other site data” and Check the option “Caches images and files.”
6. Press Clear data to clear the browser cache.

   

If the problem was with a corrupted cache file, this should fix it, and the error should not occur again. But if this does not fix it, carry out the next fix.

2. Launching Chrome with administrator privileges

Launching Chrome with administrator privileges can resolve the error. This error can also occur due to insufficient permissions, which prevents Chrome from carrying out certain operations, such as updates. By running Chrome as an administrator, you provide the browser with the necessary permissions to carry out its tasks without obstruction.

1. Press the Windows key to open the Start menu.
2. Type “Google Chrome” in the search bar.
3. Right click on Google Chrome and select the option “Run as administrator.”

   

4. This will launch the program with administrator privileges.

3. Removing Faulty Extensions

Extensions can greatly enhance your browsing experience by adding new features and capabilities to Chrome. However, faulty or malicious extensions can cause various issues, including Chrome Error Code 5. They can interfere with Chrome’s regular operations, including updates, thus leading to error messages. Here’s how faulty extensions can be identified and removed to fix the error:

Identifying Faulty Extensions

To identify the faulty extension causing the issue, you’ll need to disable all your extensions and then re-enable them one at a time, checking if the error reappears each time.

1. In the Chrome address bar, type chrome://extensions/ and press Enter. This will bring up the Extensions page.

   chrome://extensions/

   

2. Use the toggle switch on the top right of the screen named “Developer Mode” to disable all your extensions.

   

3. Restart Chrome and check if the error is resolved.

If the error doesn’t appear, it’s likely one of the extensions was causing the issue. You can identify which one by re-enabling the extensions one by one, checking each time if the error reappears.

Removing the Faulty Extension

Once the problematic extension is identified, you can proceed to remove it:

1. Go back to the Extensions page (chrome://extensions/).
2. Enable one extension at a time and use Chrome.
3. Once the error returns, just remove the last extension you enabled.
4. Find the faulty extension and click on “Remove”. A confirmation box will appear.
5. Click “Remove” again to confirm your action.

Removing faulty extensions not only can help in resolving Chrome Error Code 5 but can also improve your browser’s overall performance and security. It’s a good practice to regularly review and manage your extensions, keeping only those that you actively use and trust.

4. Resetting the Browser to Default settings

When you reset Chrome, you are effectively erasing all your personalized settings, clearing the cache and cookies, disabling all extensions, and returning Chrome to its original ‘fresh install’ state.

This error can be caused by an array of issues, from problematic extensions to corrupted files in your cache. When you reset the browser, you remove these potential problems. In essence, you are giving Chrome a clean state to operate from, free from any elements that may have been causing the error. Here’s how you can reset Chrome:

1. Open Chrome, click on the three dots in the upper right hand corner to open the menu, then click on “Settings”.

   

2. Scroll down to the bottom and click on “Reset settings.”
3. In the “Reset settings” tab, click on “Restore settings to their original defaults”.

   

4. A box will appear warning you that your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs will be reset, and extensions will be disabled. Click “Reset settings” to confirm.

   

Keep in mind that this step won’t erase your bookmarks, history, or saved passwords, so you won’t lose any critical information.

Remember, this is a fairly broad sweep solution. If resetting Chrome resolves the error, you might still want to invest time in finding out what caused the problem in the first place (be it a certain setting or a specific extension) to avoid encountering the same issue in the future.

5. Reinstalling the Browser

Reinstalling Chrome will remove all corrupted files and problematic settings within the browser. Sometimes, issues might persist even after clearing the cache, removing extensions, or resetting the browser. In such cases, reinstalling Chrome entirely can provide a fresh start, ensuring that all the elements of the browser are in their original, uncorrupted state. To reinstall Chrome, you first need to uninstall it. Here’s how to do this:

1. Click the Windows Start button and type “Control Panel” in the search bar, then select it from the results.
2. In the Control Panel window, select “Uninstall a program” under the Programs section.

   

3. Scroll through the list of installed programs until you find Google Chrome. Right click on it and then click “Uninstall”.

   

4. Confirm your decision to uninstall the browser.

After you’ve uninstalled Chrome, you can proceed to reinstall it:

1. Open another browser (e.g. Microsoft Edge) and go to the official Google Chrome download page.
   Click “Download Chrome”.
2. Run the installer after it’s downloaded. It will automatically download the latest version of Chrome and install it.

Remember to back up any important data like bookmarks or saved passwords before you uninstall Chrome, as this process will remove all your personal data associated with the browser.

6. Scanning Computer for Malware and Viruses

Malware and viruses can be a root cause of various issues on your computer, including this particular error with Chrome. They can manipulate or corrupt system files and processes, leading to unusual errors and performance issues. In particular, if a malware targets your browsers or network settings, it could trigger errors like Chrome Error Code 5.

Scanning your computer for malware and viruses, and subsequently removing any that are found, can help fix these issues. This process ensures that your system is clean from malicious programs that might interfere with the normal functioning of applications, like Chrome.

1. Click on the Windows Start button and type “Windows Security” in the search bar, then select it from the results.
2. In the Windows Security window, select “Virus & threat protection”.
3. Under the “Current threats” section, select “Quick scan” to run a quick scan of your system.

   

4. Alternatively, for a more thorough check, select “Scan options” > “Full scan” > “Scan now”. Keep in mind that a full scan may take a while to complete, depending on the speed of your storage drives.
5. If Windows Defender finds any threats, it will alert you and provide recommendations for dealing with them. Follow the instructions to quarantine or remove the threats.

Regular scanning of your system is a good practice to keep it safe and ensure smooth performance. Additionally, be cautious while downloading files or visiting websites to avoid inadvertently introducing malicious software into your system.

7. Try using a different browser

If you are still consistently facing this error and none of the mentioned solutions are working, one of the final options is to temporarily switch to a different browser. While this does not exactly ‘fix’ the error, it provides a workaround that allows you to continue browsing the internet without being hindered by the error.

To choose a new browser, refer to this guide that has great alternatives for those who want to try something other than Chrome: The 7 Best Web Browsers For Every Kind of User – 2023 Edition.

Before you make the switch, ensure that you export your bookmarks and other important data from Chrome so you can import them to the new browser. Each browser generally has a ‘Import/Export’ option in their settings to make this process easier.

The post How to Fix “Error code: 5” in Chrome Browser? appeared first on Appuals.com.

Let’s get to the reasons behind your search engine being hijacked and explore ways to rectify the situation. There are two major reasons why this problem occurs, and we’ll also go over a bonus method at the end.

1. Browser Hijackers in Play

Browser Hijackers are malicious programs that are designed to modify a web browser’s settings without the user’s consent and redirect their online activities to unintended websites. One way to do so is by modifying the search engine or altering the homepage settings. So, for example, a certain browser hijacker can simply change your search engine from Google to Yahoo without explicit consent.

The real question is: How does a browser get hijacked? To put it simply, Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) are used as a key measure of browser hijacking. They can be in the form of a regular software or a browser extension. These refer to software programs that, when installed on a user’s computer, cause undesirable effects or changes without the user’s explicit consent.

PUAs often come bundled with legitimate software downloads or are disguised as helpful tools. This tricks many users into unintentionally installing them. Once installed, these PUAs can take control of the browser and alter its configurations which leads to the frequent redirection to Yahoo.

Certain web browsers such as earlier versions of Microsoft Edge are more susceptible to such hijackers. However, other browsers such as Brave and Google Chrome boast better security measures allowing protection against these malicious programs.

How to Fix This?

If the problem has started to occur more recently, a malicious software is to be blamed for this. However, this could be a software you recently installed in your system or an extension that you downloaded on your browser. Therefore, you need to uninstall it first and then attempt to change your search engine back to Google, or it will keep reverting back to Yahoo.

To remove the malicious software:

1. Search for “Add and Remove Programs” on the search bar and access the first option.
   

   

2. Next, look through the list of installed programs for any unfamiliar or suspicious entries. These could be PUAs or potentially malicious software responsible for the browser hijacking. You can sort the list by “Install Date” which can be helpful in determining the latest downloaded applications.
   

   

3. If you identify any unwanted or suspicious applications, select them and click on the “Uninstall” button. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

To remove the extensions:

Select your browser from the tabs below to see specific steps for it.

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Brave
• Opera
• Edge
• Safari

Open Chrome and type chrome://extensions in the search bar and press Enter. You’ll be shown the extensions and an option to remove them. If you find something unusual, or something you recently downloaded, we recommend removing it.

chrome://extensions

Open Firefox and type about:addons in the search bar and press Enter. You will see numerous extensions installed in the browser and you also have the option to remove them.

about:addons

Open Brave and type brave://extensions in the search bar and press Enter. Delete any unnecessary or odd-looking extensions from this page.

brave://extensions

Open Opera and type opera://extensions in the search bar and press Enter. Remove any extensions you find unnecessary.

opera://extensions

Open Microsoft Edge and type edge://extensions in the search bar and press Enter. Remove any unwanted extensions here.

edge://extensions

Open Safari and click on the word “Safari” written in the top-left corner in the menu bar, select Settings from the drop-down menu. Now, click on the Extensions tab. You can select or deselect the extension’s checkbox to turn that extension on or off.

If a bad software or extension was causing the problem, it should be fixed by now.

2. Limited Browser Security

One reason why this problem may arise is that many users have restricted the security settings of their browser. Web browsers come with built-in security features that help protect users from various online threats including browser hijackers. These security settings are designed to prevent unauthorized changes to the browser’s configuration, block access to malicious websites, and detect potentially harmful downloads.

However, some users disable the effectiveness of these security features to accommodate certain websites or applications that require more permissive settings. For instance, they might enable browser extensions from untrusted sources or ignore security warnings when visiting suspicious websites.

As a result, there can be unwanted changes in the default search engine, frequent redirects to unfamiliar websites, and exposure to potential security risks.

How to Fix This?

It’s simple. Don’t compromise on browser security at all. Enhance it to the maximum possible level to make sure that the browser is not compromised. Different browsers have different security protocols and levels to offer to the users. Select your browser from the tabs below to see specific steps for it.

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Brave
• Opera
• Edge
• Safari

Open Chrome and type chrome://settings/security in the search bar press Enter. Next, opt for “Enhanced Protection”. This protection offers faster and proactive safeguards against hazardous websites, downloads, and extensions. It also provides timely warnings about potential security breaches to protect your passwords.

 chrome://settings/security

Open Firefox and type about:preferences#privacy in the search bar and press Enter. Next, opt for “Strict” protection. In strict mode, Firefox provides stronger protection by blocking various elements that can compromise your privacy and security.

This enhanced protection includes blocking social media trackers, cross-site cookies in all windows, tracking content in all windows, crypto-miners, and fingerprints. Generally, Mozilla Firefox is considered to be one of the safest browsers which has enhanced protection already against PUAs and malware extensions.

about:preferences#privacy

Open Brave and type brave://settings/shields in the address bar, then press Enter. You’ll land on the Shields page, where you’ll see the option for “Standard protection.” Since Brave is considered one of the safest browsers around and doesn’t have any strict protection profiles, ensure that this is selected.

brave://settings/shields

Open Opera and type opera://settings/security in the search bar and press Enter. Next, enable “Protect me from Malicious Websites”. While this protection isn’t as much as offered in Google Chrome, it will definitely help you out in filtering the bad websites.

opera://settings/security

Open Edge and type edge://settings/privacy in the search bar and press Enter. Next, enable “Strict” settings. These privacy settings are helpful in blocking the majority of trackers from numerous sites.

edge://settings/privacy

Open Safari and click on the the word “Safari” written in the top-left corner of the screen and choose “Settings.” Then, navigate to the “Privacy” tab and check the following options:

• Prevent cross-site tracking
• Hide IP Address
• Block All Cookies.

3. Reset the Browser

In certain cases, the malware is too strong, or has already superseded the browser settings causing the search engine problem and many others too. In such a case, a browser reset remains the only viable option. Keep in mind that resetting your browser means that all previously stored data will be deleted. This might include passwords and other login info in some cases as well.

How to Fix This?

Select your browser from the tabs below to see specific steps for it.

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Brave
• Opera
• Edge
• Safari

Open Chrome and type chrome://settings/resetProfileSettings in the search bar and press Enter. Next, press “Reset settings” and Chrome will be restored back to default without any extensions.

chrome://settings/resetProfileSettings

Open Firefox and simply type “reset firefox” in the search bar and you will see an option that says “Restore default settings and remove old add-ons for optimal performance” followed by a button saying “Refresh Firefox”. Click on it and give confirmation when prompted to do so.

Open Brave and type brave://settings/resetProfileSettings in the search bar and press Enter. Next, Press “Reset settings” and Brave will be restored back to default.

brave://settings/resetProfileSettings

Open Opera and type opera://settings/resetProfileSettings in the search bar and press Enter. Confirm by clicking on “Reset.”

opera://settings/resetProfileSettings

Open Edge and type “edge://settings/reset” in the search bar and press Enter. Next, click the Reset option and give your confirmation when prompted to do so.

For Safari users this process is a bit more hands-on since Safari does not have a universal reset option. Instead you’ll have to manually delete all your browser data, though it’s quite easy to do so:

• Clear History: Open Safari and click on “History” in the menu bar, then select “Clear History.” Choose how far back you want your browsing history cleared, and click “Clear History.”

• Reset General Settings: Click on “Safari” in the menu bar and select “Settings.” In the “General” tab, reset your default homepage to whatever you want. Then, switch to the “Search” tab and change the search engine to Google, or any other option you prefer.

• Disable Extensions: Go to the “Extensions” tab in Settings, select each extension and click “Uninstall.” Most Safari extensions are apps or connect with a native app, so you’ll need to remove that in order to get rid of the extension.

• Clear Cookies: For clearing cookies and website data, go to the “Privacy” tab, click on “Manage Website Data“, then “Remove All.”

EXTRA: Use Antivirus

Antivirus software is another option to try if none of the other methods work. Use whichever professional virus protection program you already own. Windows comes with a pretty potent antivirus tool already built in called Windows Defender.

To access Windows Defender:

1. Press the Windows key and search for “Windows Security,” click on the first option that pops up.
2. In the Windows Security window, you’ll find various options for virus & threat protection, firewall & network protection, and more.

To check your firewall status:

1. In the same Windows Security window, click on “Firewall & network protection.”
2. Here, you can check whether the firewall is active for both private and public network configurations.

If you find the Windows Defender Firewall turned off, click on the appropriate network and turn it back on.

Although Windows Defender offers robust protection, you may choose to use third-party antivirus software. Options like Norton, Avast, and McAfee are widely recognized and offer comprehensive protection. Make sure you install only trusted software on your computer and stay away from any tech support scams.

Run the antivirus software and let it scan your computer entirely, don’t select one of the quick scan options. The scan results should bring back some revealing information and you can then delete or quarantine the infected parts of your system accordingly.

Conclusion

It can be incredibly frustrating to find your browser’s search engine constantly reverting back to Yahoo or another service, especially when you prefer using Google. Thankfully, with the steps outlined in this guide, you can tackle this issue effectively.

Going forward, remember to be extra cautious when downloading new software or browser extensions, as these are often the main culprits behind such changes. Stay safe online by maintaining good digital hygiene and utilizing robust security measures.

FAQs

The post FIX: Why Does My Search Engine Keep Changing to Yahoo? appeared first on Appuals.com.

This error message is often caused by incomplete account information on your Microsoft account. The Bing AI requires users to have their country and date of birth provided in their account settings to be able to use the AI on their web browsers. In some cases, the error message can also appear due to the interference of a third-party extension.

We will take you through a number of solutions to the error message in question in this article that should help you resolve the issue completely.

How to Fix Bing Chat Sign In Error?

There are different ways you can resolve the error with Bing Chat, depending on what is causing the issue. If the error message is being caused by a third-party extension, you will need to disable it to get Bing Chat working. Let us take a look at the various causes of the issue and their respective solutions.

1. Add Date of Birth and Country:The primary cause of the “Sign in to continue your chat” error message is the missing necessary account information from your Microsoft account. This happens when the account you’re using does not have a provided date of birth and country of residence, preventing Bing from interacting with you. Evidently, this information is required by Microsoft to ensure they understand the age group and location of users interacting with their AI chat.
2. Remove Third-Party Adblocker: The interference of third-party extensions on your browser can also sometimes cause the error message in question. This happens when the extensions are blocking some of the widgets and requests required by the AI chat to provide its service. A third-party adblocker is often the root cause of such a scenario. However, other third-party extensions can also contribute to the issue. You will need to remove the problematic add-on to resolve the issue.
3. Clear Browsing Data: In some cases, the browser data on your web browser can encounter corruption which can cause the services you visit to experience issues. This happens when the cookies or the cache of the sites is damaged, in which case you will need to clear out the browsing data to overcome the error message.
4. Reset Microsoft Edge: In some scenarios, the error message with Bing Chat can also occur due to an inconsistency with the web browser, i.e. Microsoft Edge. When this happens, you will need to reset the web browser to its default settings which should get rid of any inconsistencies and resolve the error message above. 

1. Add Date of Birth and Country

1. If you are missing the Date of Birth and Country details on your account, Bing will notify you on its website. 
2. Thus, open the official website by clicking here.
3. There, click on the Click here button.

   

4. If you do not see the button, you can directly navigate to your account settings by opening this link.
5. Then, on the Account settings page, click on the Edit profile info option.

   

6. In case you already have the Date of Birth and Country details provided, choose any other Country from the list. 
7. If you are missing the details, simply fill them in.
8. Click Save. 
9. After that, open the Bing Chat page again and see if the error message is still there.

2. Remove Third-Party Adblocker

In case the error message is appearing due to the intervention of a third-party extension, you will have to remove them. This can often happen due to a third-party ad blocker. To ensure this is the case, open a Private window and log in to your Microsoft account. Third-party add-ons are disabled by default in private mode unless you explicitly enable them, so the issue should disappear if an extension is causing it. 

If you have enabled a third-party extension in private mode, make sure to disable it. Then, open the Bing Chat if the problem occurs. In case the problem goes away, follow the instructions below to remove a third-party extension from your browser:

1. First, click on the More option (three dots) in the top-right corner.
2. Then, click Extensions from the drop-down menu.

   

3. On the follow up menu, click the Manage extensions option.

   

4. There, click the Remove option under the extension to remove it.

   

3. Clear Browsing Data

1. Start by opening the More menu. 
2. From the list, click the Settings option.

   

3. After that, navigate to the Privacy, search and services tab.

   

4. Then, click on the Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data.

   

5. Select All time from the Time range menu.
6. You can uncheck the browsing history option if you do not want to lose your history.
7. Finally, click the Clear now option.

   

8. Open Bing Chat to see if the error is still there.

4. Reset Microsoft Edge

1. First, click on the More menu.
2. After that, select Settings from the drop-down menu.

   

3. On the left-hand side, click on Reset settings.

   

4. There, click on the Restore settings to their default values option.

   

5. Finally, click the Reset option to reset Microsoft Edge.

   

You should be able to resolve the Bing Chat sign in error with these solutions. Make sure that your extensions are not interfering with the Bing Chat AI on your browser to ensure such issues do not happen in future. 

The post Fix: “Sign in to Continue Your Chat” Error in Bing Chat appeared first on Appuals.com.