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[SOLVED] How to flush DNS cache on a Mac
Flushing your DNS cache is an efficient way to troubleshoot DNS and connectivity issues, as well as keeping the local record of domain name server information more secure. In this blog, you’ll learn what DNS cache is, how DNS cache works, why you should flush DNS, and most importantly, how to flush DNS on your Mac.
TOC
How to flush DNS on your Mac
To flush DNS on your Mac, you’ll need to enter a Terminal command on your Mac. Here’s how to do it:
- On your keyboard, press Command and Space to invoke Spotlight.
- Type terminal and press Enter to launch the Terminal app.
- Copy and paste the following command into the Terminal window, then press Enter.
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Note: this command only works on macOS EI Capitan and newer. If you’re using an older versions of macOS, check the next section for the correct command. - You’ll be asked to enter your Mac’s login password to run the command. Just enter the password and press enter again. Please note that due to security reasons, the password will not be displayed when you’re typing. There’s no notification when the process completes.
Note: if you’d like to hear an audio notification after the NDS flush process completed, run the following command instead:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder; say dns cleared successfully
Flush DNS commands on older macOS versions
The table below lists the correct commands for resetting DNS cache on older macOS versions:
macOS version | Terminal command |
---|---|
macOS EI Capitan and newer | sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder |
Yosemite | sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder |
Lion, Mountain Lion, and Mavericks | sudo dscacheutil –flushcache |
Snow Leopard | sudo lookupd –flushcache |
Tiger | lookupd –flushcache |
What is DNS cache and how it works
DNS, or the domain name system, is the phonebook of the Internet. It translates human readable domain names (e.g. techzoneonline.com) to machine readable IP addresses (e.g. 123.456.789.1), connecting web browsers with websites and allowing browsers to get to websites and other Internet resources. Without the DNS, we’ll not be able to visit a website by its domain name. We have to manually enter the IP address of its web hosting.
The DNS cache on your Mac is a temporary database that stores information about previous DNS lookups. It’s like a phonebook at your hand.
Anytime you enter a URL into your web browser, or click the hyperlink on a webpage, a DNS lookup process is initiated. If it’s the first time you visit a website on your Mac, your Mac will connect to a DNS server that tells your web browser where to go (which IP address your browser should go) .
The DNS server maintains a directory of websites and their corresponding IP addresses. When your Mac connected to a DNS server to fetch the IP address of a website and provides it to the web browser, that information is stored on your Mac in the DNS cache.
In other words, every time you visit a website, your operating system and web browser keep a record of that domain and corresponding IP address. This eliminates the need for repeated queries to remote DNS servers and allows your OS or browser to quickly resolve a website’s URL.
Why you should flush DNS
There are several reasons to flush DNS. The most common one of which is to make sure the DNS records in your local cache is up-to-date, to resolve DNS errors when trying to visit specific sites, and to protect your Mac from NDS cache poisoning and spoofing.
Hopefully, after reading this guide, you’ve learned how to flush DNS on your Mac. Feel free to drop a line in the comment area below if you have any questions or suggestions on this topic. Thanks for reading!
It’s quite annoying to find your mouse is becoming laggy and jumpy when you want to get some serious work done. If you’d like to fix the slow mouse performance issue and get rid of a laggy, jumpy, choppy and even unresponsive mouse, you’ve come to the right place! This post is a comprehensive troubleshooting guide that works on any Bluetooth mouse like the Apple Magic Mouse, Logitech Bluetooth mouses, etc.
TOC
- Do some basic troubleshooting steps
- Make sure your mouse is charged
- Clean the bottom surface of your mouse
- Make sure you’re using the mouse on a flat surface
- Turn off your mouse and turn it back on
- Unpair and re-pair the mouse
- Restart your Mac
- Remove any USB device connected to your Mac
- Remove any new wireless electronic device nearby
- Disable and re-enable Bluetooth on your Mac
- Adjust the tracking speed & scrolling speed
- Disable Handoff Feature
- Reset your Mac’s Bluetooth module
- Delete Apple Magic Mouse related Bluetooth property list files
- Reset NVRAM
Do some basic troubleshooting steps
Before trying anything more complicated, let’s do some basic troubleshooting steps first.
Make sure your mouse is charged
Unlike the wired mouse, the performance of the Bluetooth mouse is affected by its battery status. If your mouse isn’t charged or has worn out batteries, the cursor will be laggy and jumpy.
Clean the bottom surface of your mouse
Make sure the bottom surface (especially the IR light sensor) is clean. A Magic Mouse 2 user reported in Apple Support Communities that if there were pieces of lint or hair in the cavity containing the IR light sensor, the mouse will become laggy.

You can use a soft, dry cloth to clean the railing and remove any debris from the laser opening of the mouse and see if it lags again.
Make sure you’re using the mouse on a flat surface
The mouse may not work properly if you use it on a bedsheet and such uneven surfaces. It’s suggested that you use your mouse on a flat and clean surface.
Turn off your mouse and turn it back on
Most mouses have a power button. You can turn it off, then turn it back on to see the mouse lag issue persists. You can also pull out its replaceable battery and reinsert it.
Unpair and re-pair the mouse
Sometimes the mouse lag issue would be fixed after you re-paired your Bluetooth mouse.
To re-pair the mouse, you need to unpair it first. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to System
Preferences
>Bluetooth
and remove your mouse from the Bluetooth devices list. - Re-pair your mouse according to the mouse pairing tutorial.
Restart your Mac
Restarting your Mac often can fix temporary glitches like laggy mouse input and irregular mouse cursor. By restarting your Mac, you’re performing an SMC reset, which may help fix the wireless keyboard / mouse lag issue.
Remove any USB device connected to your Mac
If you have any USB device connected to your Mac and your Bluetooth mouse happens to be laggy and jerky, try removing those USB devices.
According to the white paper “USB 3.0* Radio Frequency Interference Impact on 2.4 GHz Wireless Devices” released Intel in April 2012:

“There is degradation in the performance of the wireless mouse when a USB 3.0 device is connected to the notebook computer. At a distance of 3 feet and greater away from the notebook computer, a significant lag was experienced in the response of the mouse. The impact to mouse performance was found to be the same whether the USB 3.0 peripheral device had data being actively written to it or if it was merely connected to the notebook computer and the link to it established.”
“A similar impact to wireless mouse performance was noted if a USB 3.0 device, such as a flash drive, was used. Since the noise from the USB 3.0 is broadband, it could potentially impact any radio whose antenna is close by. Although the test results are not shown in this paper, similar impact was seen to Bluetooth radio performance.”
Remove any new wireless electronic device nearby
If there are any new wireless electronic device nearby, it may cause interference to your Bluetooth mouse. To rule that out, try keeping any new wireless electronics farther away from your mouse and Mac.
Disable and re-enable Bluetooth on your Mac
Sometimes the Bluetooth mouse lag issue would be resolved after you re-enabled Bluetooth on your Mac. To re-enabled the Bluetooth function on your Mac:
- Go to System Preferences > Bluetooth, click Turn Bluetooth Off to disable Bluetooth.
- Wait for 30s and click turn Bluetooth On to re-enable Bluetooth.
Adjust the tracking speed & scrolling speed
If the tracking speed of your mouse is set to a low volume, the cursor would be lagging or moving slowly. You can follow the steps below to adjust the tracking and scrolling speed of the mouse:
- Go to System Preferences > Mouse, under the Point & Click tab, move the slider under Tracking speed to the right to increase its tracking speed.
- Go back to System Preferences > Accessibility, on the left sidebar, scroll down to click Point Control, then click Mouse Options…
- Move the slider next Scrolling speed to the right to increase its scrolling speed. Click OK to save the changes.
Disable Handoff Feature
Some Mac users have reported that the Handoff feature would interfere with the wireless mouse, and they fixed the mouse lag issue by disabling the Handoff feature on Mac. If you don’t need the Handoff feature on your Mac, just follow the steps below to disable it and see if this fix the mouse lag issue:
- Go to System Preferences > General.
- Uncheck the box next to Allow Handoff feature between this Mac and your iCloud devices.
Reset your Mac’s Bluetooth module
You can try your luck to reset your Mac’s Bluetooth module if you’re still having the Bluetooth mouse lag issue.
Note: Your Mac’s Bluetooth module will be reset to its factory settings after you reset its Bluetooth module, which means that the wireless keyboard and wireless mouse will temporarily lose connection to your Mac. Make sure you have a wired keyboard and mouse available in order to continue using your Mac.
To reset your Mac’s Bluetooth module:
- Launch the Terminal app on your Mac.
- Copy and paste this command in Terminal and press Enter on your keyboard: sudo pkill bluetoothd
- You will be asked to enter your Mac’s login password. Simply type the correct password and press Enter to execute the command. Please note that for security reasons, when you enter the password in Terminal, you won’t get any visual confirmation.
See if your mouse lags or not after you reset your Mac’s Bluetooth module. If this issue persists, try the next fix, below.
Delete Apple Magic Mouse related Bluetooth property list files
If you’re using an Apple Magic Mouse, try deleting mouse-related Bluetooth property list files:
- Launch the Finder app.
- On your keyboard, press Shift ⇧ + Command (or Cmd) ⌘ + G to invoke the Go to Folder… prompt. Copy and paste the path and Press Enter to open the Preferences folder.
- Search “mouse” to locate the Apple Magic Mouse related .plist files and delete them.
- Restart your Mac and pair your Magic Mouse again.
See your Magic Mouse lags or not. Normally, after deleting the .plist files, the mouse lag issue should be fixed.
Reset NVRAM
Short for Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory, NVRAM is a memory that saves its stored data like user preferences and settings on your Mac regardless if the power is on or off.
It’s rare for NVRAM to get corrupted on a Mac, but once it does, it may cause the mouse lag issues. Luckily, it’s quite easy to reset NVRAM on Mac, it just involves restarting your Mac and holding a certain keyboard key combination s it boots back up. Here’s how to do it:
Note: Depending on the processor your Mac is equipped with, the steps for resetting NVRAM will vary.
Reset NVRAM on Mac with Intel processor
If you’re using a Mac with Intel processor, just follow the steps below to reset NVRAM:
- Disconnect all USB peripherals like your external drive (except your external keyboard) from your Mac.
- Click the Apple icon on the top menu bar, then select Shut down… to completely shut your Mac down.
- After shutting down your Mac, locate the Command (⌘), Option, P, and R keys on your keyboard. We’ll use these keys later.
- Turn on your Mac using its power button.
- Press and hold the Command (⌘), Option, P, and R keys as you hear the first start-up sound and release the keys after the second start-up sound.
Reset NVRAM on Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip
The Apple T2 Security Chip is the second-generation, custom silicon for Mac, which delivers several new capabilities to your Mac, such as security for Touch ID data, encrypted storage and secure boot capabilities, and enhanced image signal processing.
If your Mac is equipped with the Apple T2 Security Chip, follow the steps below to reset NVRAM:
Note: here’s the full list of Macs that have the Apple T2 Security Chip.
You can follow the steps below to reset NVRAM on your Mac with Apple T2 Security Chip:
- Disconnect all USB peripherals like your external drive (except your external keyboard) from your Mac.
- Shut down your Mac completely.
- Press and hold the Command (⌘), Option, P, and R keys.
- Keep holding down the 4 keys as your Mac starts with Apple logo and release the keys after the Apple logo appears and disappears for the second time.
Reset NVRAM on Mac with Apple M1 processor
According to the Apple Support Communities, there is no hardware for resetting SMC / NVRAM on M1 Macs, so you just cannot rest NVRAM on Macs with the M1 and M2 processor.
The M1 processor is designed to perform tests on NVRAM automatically as soon as your Mac starts up from a shutdown.
That’s it! Hopefully, this guide helped you fix the wireless mouse lag issue on your Mac. If you have any questions or suggestions on this issue, just drop a line in the comment area below. Thanks for reading!
Running into the error message: “This build of Vanguard requires TPM version 2.0 and secure boot to be enabled in order to play”? If you’re going to run Valorant on your Windows 11 computers, you may get this error message. But don’t worry, this is not a critical error, and you should be able to resolve this problem on your own after following some simple steps!
What is Valorant TPM 2.0 error
According to @AntiCheatPD, Valorant has started to enforce both TPM and Secure boot if users are playing on Windows 11 to ensure a trusted platform when playing Valorant. If either of the features do not work, you’ll get the VAN9001 error message and Riot Vanguard, Riot Games’ custom game security software, will prevent Valorant from running on your Windows 11 computer.
How to fix Valorant TPM 2.0 error
To fix Valorant TPM 2.0 error, you just need to ensure both Secure Boot and TMP 2.0 are enabled on your Windows 11 computer. If you’re not sure if these two features are enabled or not, simply follow the steps below to check and enable it.
Check if Secure Boot is enabled
Secure Boot is a security standard developed by PC industry members to help ensure that a device boots using only software trusted by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). If Secure Boot is disabled on your Windows 11 PC, you’ll run into the TPM 2.0 error in Valorant.
Just follow the steps below to check if Secure Boot is disabled on your computer:
- On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to invoke the Run command box. Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
- In the System Information window, locate Secure Boot State in the System Summary section.
If the Secure Boot state is Off
, you’ll need to enable Secure Boot from the PC BIOS menu (UEFI Firmware Settings).
Check if TPM 2.0 is enabled
TPM 2.0, or Trusted Platform Module version 2.0, is an important building block for security-related features like Windows Hello for identify protection and BitLocker for data protection. TPM 2.0 is required to run Windows 11, and most PCs that have shipped in the last 5 years are capable of running TPM 2.0.
You can follow the steps below to check if TPM 2.0 is enabled on your computer:
- On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to invoke the Run command box.
- Type tpm.msc and press Enter to open Trusted Platform Module Management window.
- If you see a message saying “The TPM is ready to use”, and its specification version is 2.0, it suggests that your computer has TPM 2.0.
- If you see a message saying “a compatible TPM cannot be found”, your computer may not have a TPM, or your PC may have a TPM that is disabled.
- If you see a message saying “The TPM is ready to use”, and its specification version is 2.0, it suggests that your computer has TPM 2.0.
Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 settings are managed via the UEFI BIOS (PC firmware) and vary based on your device.
Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0
There are generally two ways to enter the UEFI Firmware Settings. You can either restart your PC and press a certain key (usually F1, F2, F10, etc.) when you see your computer manufacturer logo screen or just follow the steps below:
- On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and I to open Windows Settings. Then go to Windows Update > Advanced options > Recovery > Advanced startup. Click the Restart now button to restart.
- You’ll see the Choose an option screen. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings. Click the Restart button to restart to change UEFI Firmware settings.
- Once your computer restarted to UEFI Firmware settings, you need to find the Secure Boot option and enable it. The Secure Boot option is usually found in the Boot tab.
- The TPM 2.0 setting is often contained in a sub-menu in the UEFI BIOS labeled Advanced, Security, or Trusted Computing. The option to enable the TPM 2.0 may be labeled Security Device, TPM state, Security Device Support, AMD fTPM switch, AMD PSP fTPM, Intel PTT, or Intel Platform Trust Technology.
After you’ve enabled Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, the Valorant TPM 2.0 error should be resolved. If this error persists after you enabled both settings, you may need to downgrade your computer to Windows 10 to avoid the Valorant TPM 2.0 error.
If you have any thoughts or questions on this issue, feel free to drop a line in the comment area below.
Chrome OS Flex is finally here! As Google’s latest cloud-first operating system for PCs and Macs, Chrome OS Flex is secure, responsive, less demanding on hardware and easy to deploy and manage, giving us a free and sustainable way to modernize our old devices.
If you’re interested in Chrome OS Flex, you’ve come to the right place! This article provides a detailed tutorial on how to create a bootable USB for Chrome OS Flex.
According to the Chrome OS Flex official site, Chrome OS Flex supports running on PCs and Macs that meet the hardware requirements, and Google will provide free system update services.
Minimum device requirements for Chrome OS Flex
According to the official documentation provided by Google , the minimum hardware requirements to run Chrome OS Flex are as follows:
- Architecture: Intel or AMD x86-64-bit compatible device
- RAM: 4 GB
- Internal storage: 16 GB
- Bootable from USB drive
- BIOS: Full administrator access. You’ll need to boot from the Chrome OS Flex USB installer and make some adjustments in the BIOS if you run into issues.
- Processor and graphics: Components made before 2010 might result in a poor experience.
Note: Intel GMA 500, 600, 3600, and 3650 graphics hardware do not meet Chrome OS Flex performance standards.
Google regularly tests, maintains, and certifies Chrome OS Flex features and functionality on many individual models. While Chrome OS Flex might work on non-certified devices, Google does not guarantee performance, functionality, or stability.
Start creating the bootable USB for Chrome OS Flex
Making the bootable USB for Chrome OS Flex is quite easy, which can be done in minutes if your network is in good condition.
Step 1: Create the USB installer
To create the USB installer for Chrome Flex OS, you’ll need a USB drive (8 GB or more) and a computer with internet access. Since Chrome OS Flex is still in beta, Google does not recommend deploying Chrome OS Flex directly to a computer’s hard drive.
To create the USB installer for Chrome Flex OS:
- Launch Google Chrome browser and go to the Chrome Web Store to add Chromebook Recovery Utility to Chrome.
- Once done, launch Chromebook Recovery Utility from Chrome.
- Click Get started to continue.
- On the Identify your Chromebook screen, click select a model from a list to select Google Chrome OS Flex and Chrome OS Flex (Developer-Unstable), then click Continue.
- Insert your USB flash drive into your computer. Select it and click Continue.
- Click Create now to create a recovery image.
Important: All data and partitions on your recovery media will be deleted.
It may take same time to download and create the recovery image. Wait a few minutes, then click Yes if you’re prompted with the following UAC window. - Click Done when your recovery media is ready. Then remove your recovery media from your computer.
Step 2: Boot Chrome OS Flex from your recovery media
Insert your recovery media into the computer where Chrome OS Flex will be installed, then follow the instructions below to boot Chrome OS Flex from the recovery media:
- Shut down the computer where Chrome OS Flex will be installed after you inserted the recovery media.
- Press the computer power button to turn it back on. Then press the boot key (e.g. the
F10
key) repeatedly on your computer to enter the boot menu screen. If you’re unsure which key to use, see Boot keys. - Use the
Arrow
key to select the USB drive, then press theEnter
key to boot it from the USB drive. - You’ll see the icon of Google Chrome on your screen. Wait a few seconds and you’ll see the welcome screen. Click Get started to continue.
- Since Chrome OS Flex is still in early beta, Google does not recommend installing Chrome OS Flex directly to the local hard drive. Choose Try it first here, so that we can experience Chrome OS Flex by booting from your USB stick. Click Next to continue.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and click the lower right button to complete the following operations:
– Access to the Internet (connect to the Internet cable or connect to Wi-Fi)
– Agree to the Google Terms of Service
– Sync Chrome device apps, settings, and more
– Accept CloudReady 2.0 hardware data collection
– Connect to your phone - Click Get started after you’re ready to start using your Chrome device.
That’s it! Now it’s time to experience Chrome OS Flex.
Chrome OS Flex at a glance
Chrome OS Flex is lightweight and it can be running smoothly on old devices that meet its device requirements. The system UI is simple and refreshing:
Settings

About Chrome OS page

Settings > Devices > Displays

Note: Chrome OS Flex does not optimize the display for 4K screens on the installation wizard page; if you are using a 4K screen, it is recommended to go to Settings > Devices > Displays and set the Display size ratio to 180% or 200% to make items on your screen larger.
Chrome OS Flex desktop





App screen

Control center

Webpage shortcuts

Connect to your phone

Conclusion
Chrome OS Flex is the free version of Chrome OS for PCs and Macs. Cloud-first, secure, lightweight, responsive, and easy to manage are the key features of Chrome OS Flex. Compared with Windows and macOS, Chrome OS Flex does not require high hardware configuration, and it’s easy to install and deploy. Besides, Chrome OS Flex offers a good solution to reduce e-waste and extend the life of your existing devices.
However, Chrome OS Flex does not support running Android apps or Google Play, which limits its functionality, as the users will not be able to install or sideload any Android apps on devices running on Chrome OS Flex. In addition, Chrome OS Flex doesn’t support running Windows virtual machines.
Any thoughts? Feel free to drop a line in the comment area below if you have some questions or thoughts on this topic!
On October 20, 2021, Microsoft announced the first preview of their Android apps experience into the Windows Insider Program. For Dev, Beta and Release Preview Channel users in the United States on eligible devices running Intel, AMD and Qualcomm platforms, they can install Amazon Appstore to download and run Android apps. However, lots of Android apps are not available on Amazon Appstore. The good news is that Windows 11 allows you to sideload Android apps, so you can still enjoy apps and games not available through Amazon Appstore. After reading this article, you’ll learn how to sideload Android apps on Windows 11.
Before starting
Before you dive right into sideloading Android apps, you’ll need to:
- Enable virtualization
- Enable Hyper-V
- Join Windows Insider Program
Note: If you already have Amazon Appstore up and running on your Windows 11 computer, you can skip this part, because your machine has enabled virtualization and Hyper-V.
To enable virtualization
If you’re not sure whether you’ve enabled virtualization on your Windows 11 PC, just follow the instructions below to check:
- On your keyboard, press Ctrl, Shift and Esc and the same time to open Task Manager.
- Navigate to the Performance tab. In the CPU section, you’ll see the virtualization status on your machine.
If you haven’t enabled virtualization yet, you’ll need to enable it from the UEFI firmware (BIOS) settings. Here’s how to do it:
- Shut down your machine from the Start Menu, then wait a few seconds and turn it back on.
- When you see the boot screen, follow the on-screen instruction to press the correct key on your keyboard to enter the BIOS menu. (depending on your computer manufacturer, you may need to press F2, F10 or F12 key to enter the BIOS menu)
- Once you’ve entered the BIOS setup, find the Virtualization field and change the value to enabled, or check the box next to Virtualization to enable it.
To enable Hyper-V
Hyper-V is Microsoft’s hardware virtualization product that allows you to create and run a virtual machine on your computer. To sideload Android apps on Windows 11, you need to have Windows Subsystem for Android installed, which requires Hyper-V to be enabled.
Note: Hyper-V is built into Windows as an optional feature — there is no Hyper-V download.
Hyper-V requirements
- Windows 11 Enterprise, Pro, or Education.
- 64-bit Processor with Second Level Address Translation (SLAT).
- Minimum of 4 GB memory.
Follow the steps below to enable Hyper-V on your Windows 11 computer:
- On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to invoke the Run command box. Enter
optionalfeatures
and press Enter to open the Windows Features window. - Check the boxes next to all the Hyper-V related features. Then click OK.
- Restart Windows 11 and Hyper-V will be enabled.
Install Windows Subsystem for Android
Next, you need to install Windows Subsystem for Android on your Windows 11 computer. If you’ve installed Windows Subsystem for Android, just skip step 1-2.
- Launch Microsoft Store and search for Amazon Appstore. Click the Install button to install Amazon Appstore.
- To get the Amazon Appstore work on your Windows 11 machine, you’ll be required to download the Windows Subsystem for Android from Microsoft. Click Download to start downloading.
- Once downloaded, click Open Amazon Appstore to launch Windows Subsystem for Android.
- On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key, and type android to search for Windows Subsystem for Android. Click on the best match result to open the Windows Subsystem for Android settings.
- Set the Subsystem resources to Continuous, then turn on Developer mode. Note the IP address displayed on the Developer mode tile.
Download Android Platform Tools
After you enabled virtualization and installed Windows Subsystem for Android on your computer, you need to download the Android SDK Platform tools to sideload Android apps on your Windows 11 machine.
Just follow the steps below to download the Android SDK Platform tools:
- Go to the official Android Studio SDK Platform tool page.
- Click on Download SDK Platform-Tools for Windows.
- Check the box next to I have read and agree with the above terms and conditions, then click Download Android SDK Platform-Tools for Windows to start downloading.
- Once downloaded, locate the downloaded .zip file. Right-click on it and select Extract all… to extract the .zip file.
- Download the Android app installation package and save it to the platform-tools folder. If you don’t know where to download the .APK file, you can go to apkpure.com.
Sideload Android apps on Windows 11 PC
Now, you can start sideloading Android apps on your Windows 11 machine. Here’s how:
- Right-click on the platform-tools folder and select Open in Windows Terminal.
- Execute the command below to connect with Android Debug Bridge (ADB):
.\adb connect <IP address>
Note: you need to replace the <IP address> placeholder with the IP address displayed on the Developer mode tile in the Windows Subsystem for Android settings. - After you see “already connected to <IP address>“, execute the command below to install / sideload the Android app:
.\adb install "your app.apk"
Note: you need to replace your app.apk to the file name of the .apk file you downloaded.
Wait a few seconds, and the .apk file will be successfully installed on your Windows 11 computer. - To launch the Android app you just installed, simply press the Windows logo key, and click on its icon.
That’s it! Now you’ve successfully sideloaded Android apps on your Windows 11 computer. Feel free to drop a line in the comment area below if you have any questions or suggestions on this topic. Thanks for reading!
The Windows Run command box is a easy way to access Windows settings, tools and apps. It’s a built-in feature in Windows OS since Windows 95. Through the Windows Run command box, you can easily open any Windows settings, tools or apps in just 2 steps. Once you’re familiar with these Run commands, you’ll be more productive when working on a Windows 11 computer.
This post collects a complete list of Run commands that you can use in Windows 11. Most of them can also be used on Windows 10, 8.1 and even Windows 7.
TOC
- How to access the Run command box
- Most-used Run commands for Windows 11
- Control Panel Run commands
- Windows 11 Settings Run commands
- Windows 11 Settings – System
- Windows 11 Settings – Bluetooth & devices
- Windows 11 Settings – Personalization
- Windows 11 Settings – Apps
- Windows 11 Settings – Accounts
- Windows 11 Settings – Time & language
- Windows 11 Settings – Accessibility
- Windows 11 Settings – Privacy & security
- Windows 11 Settings – Windows Update
- Run commands for folder locations
- IP config commands
- Other useful Run commands
How to access the Run command box
There are more than one way to access the Run command box. Here I’ll introduce three different methods to access it:
1. Use the keyboard combination
The easiest way to open the Run command box is use the keyboard combination. Simply press the Windows logo key and R at the same time on your keyboard, the Run command box will pop up.

2. Right-click on the Start menu
You can also access the Run command box via the Start menu. Just right-click on the Start menu, then select Run.

3. Search for Run
You can also simply press the Windows logo key on your keyboard and type run. Then select the top result to open the Run command box.

Most-used Run commands for Windows 11
Below is the list of most frequently used Run commands that can help you access the most popular apps and settings in Windows 11 in just 2 steps.
Action | Run command |
---|---|
Open Command Prompt | cmd |
Open Control Panel | control |
Open Registry Editor | regedit |
Open File Explorer | explorer |
Open Services utility | services.msc |
Open Local Group Policy Editor | gpedit.msc |
Open the System Configuration dialog box | msconfig |
Open the Temporary files folder | %temp% or temp |
Open Device Manager | devmgmt.msc or hdwwiz.cpl |
Shuts down your computer | shutdown |
Manage Windows Power options | powercfg.cpl |
Open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool | dxdiag |
Open Resource Monitor | resmon |
Open Performance Monitor | perfmon.msc |
Open Computer Management console | compmgmt.msc or compmgmtlauncher |
Access Network Connections | ncpa.cpl or control netconnection |
Open the current user profile directory | . |
Open the Users folder | .. |
Open Remote Desktop Connection | mstsc |
Access File Explorer Options | control folders |
Turn Windows Features On/Off | optionalfeatures |
Check Windows Version | winver |
Open Disk Partition Manager | diskpart |
Open Disk Defragmenter utility | dfrgui |
Open Windows Mobility Center (available only on laptops) | mblctr |
Access Mouse Properties | main.cpl or control mouse |
Access Windows Defender Firewall | firewall.cpl |
Open System Properties window | sysdm.cpl |
Open any website | Enter Website URL |
Open Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool | mrt |
Control Panel Run commands
Here is the list of Run commands that can help you access different part of Control Panel or control applets directly:
Action | Run command |
---|---|
Access Sound properties | mmsys.cpl |
Access Devices and Printers properties | control printers |
Open Add a Device Wizard | devicepairingwizard |
Open Time and Date properties | Timedate.cpl |
Open Region properties – Language, Date/Time format, keyboard locale | intl.cpl |
Open Fonts Control Panel folder | Fonts |
Open Internet Properties | Inetcpl.cpl |
Open Keyboard Properties | main.cpl keyboard |
Open Mouse Properties | control mouse |
Open Administrative Tools (Windows Tools) folder in Control Panel | control admintools |
Access Security and Maintenance Control Panel | wscui.cpl |
Control Display settings (in Windows Settings) | desk.cpl |
Control Personalization settings (in Windows Settings) | Control desktop |
Manage current user account | control userpasswords or control.exe /name Microsoft.UserAccounts |
Open User Accounts dialog box | control userpasswords2 |
Create a System Repair Disc | recdisc |
Create A Shared Folder Wizard | shrpubw |
Open Shared Folders window | fsmgmt.msc |
Create a System Repair Disc | recdisc |
Open Task Scheduler | Control schedtasks or taskschd.msc |
Access Windows Firewall with Advanced Security | wf.msc |
Open Data Execution Prevention (DEP) feature | systempropertiesdataexecutionprevention |
Access System Restore feature | rstrui |
Access Performance Options | systempropertiesperformance |
Access Pen and Touch options | tabletpc.cpl |
Control Display Color Calibration | dccw |
Adjust User Account Control (UAC) Settings | UserAccountControlSettings |
Open Microsoft Sync Center | mobsync |
Access Backup and Restore control panel | sdclt |
View and Change Windows Activation settings | slui |
Open Windows Fax and Scan utility | wfs |
Open Ease of Access Center | control access.cpl |
Install a program from the network | control appwiz.cpl,,1 |
Windows 11 Settings Run commands
In this part, you’ll find a complete list of Run command that helps you access the settings in the Windows 11 Settings app.
Windows 11 Settings – System
Action | Run command |
---|---|
Open Settings app home page | ms-settings: |
Open Display settings | dpiscaling or ms-settings:display |
Open Sound settings | ms-settings:sound |
Manage Sound Devices(Input/Output Devices) | ms-settings:sound-devices |
Open Sound Mixer settings | ms-settings:apps-volume |
Open Sound Mixer dialog box | sndvol |
Adjust Sound Mixer settings | ms-settings:apps-volume |
Open Notifications settings | ms-settings:notifications |
Open Focus assist settings | ms-settings:quiethours |
Change Power & Battery settings | ms-settings:batterysaver-settings or ms-settings:powersleep |
Open Storage Settings | ms-settings:storagesense |
Configure Storage Sense | ms-settings:storagepolicies |
Open Nearby Sharing options | ms-settings:crossdevice |
Configure Multitasking | ms-settings:multitasking |
Open Windows Activation settings | ms-settings:activation |
Open Windows Troubleshoot Settings | control.exe /name Microsoft.Troubleshooting or ms-settings:troubleshoot |
Open Recovery settings | ms-settings:recovery |
Open Projecting to this PC settings | ms-settings:project |
Open Remote Desktop settings | ms-settings:remotedesktop |
Open Clipboard settings | ms-settings:clipboard |
Open About settings page | ms-settings:about |
Adjust Graphics preference settings | ms-settings:display-advancedgraphics |
Change the Night light settings | ms-settings:nightlight |
Change where new content is saved | ms-settings:savelocations |
Windows 11 Settings – Bluetooth & devices
Action | Run command |
---|---|
Open Devices settings | ms-settings:connecteddevices or ms-settings:bluetooth |
Open Printers & Scanner settings | ms-settings:printers |
Open Touchpad settings | ms-settings:devices-touchpad |
Open AutoPlay settings | ms-settings:autoplay |
Open Cameras Settings | ms-settings:camera |
Open Pen and Windows Ink settings | ms-settings:pen |
Open Your Phone settings | ms-settings:mobile-devices |
Open USB settings | ms-settings:usb |
Open Mouse settings | ms-settings:mousetouchpad |
Windows 11 Settings – Network & internet
Action | Run command |
---|---|
Open Network & Internet settings panel | ms-settings:network |
Connect and manage WiFi settings | ms-settings:network-wifi |
Manage known Wi-Fi networks | ms-settings:network-wifisettings |
Manage Ethernet Network settings | ms-settings:network-ethernet |
Add, connect, and Manage VPN | ms-settings:network-vpn |
Open Mobile Hotspot settings | ms-settings:network-mobilehotspot |
Set up a dial-up internet connection | ms-settings:network-dialup |
Open Proxy settings | ms-settings:network-proxy |
View Network Status | ms-settings:network-status |
Open Airplane mode (Wireless/Bluetooth) settings | ms-settings:network-airplanemode or ms-settings:proximity |
View data usage | ms-settings:datausage |
Windows 11 Settings – Personalization
Action | Run command |
---|---|
Open all Personalization settings | ms-settings:personalization |
Customize Background settings | ms-settings:personalization-background |
Customize Color settings | ms-settings:personalization-colors or ms-settings:colors |
Customize Start Menu | ms-settings:personalization-start |
Choose which folders appear on Start next to the Power button | ms-settings:personalization-start-places |
Customize Lock Screen | ms-settings:lockscreen |
Add or change Fonts | ms-settings:fonts |
Open Taskbar settings | ms-settings:taskbar |
Change Themes | ms-settings:themes |
Open Device Usage settings | ms-settings:deviceusage |
Windows 11 Settings – Apps
Action | Run command |
---|---|
Open Apps and Features settings | ms-settings:appsfeatures |
Open Default apps settings | ms-settings:defaultapps or computerdefaults |
Open Offline maps settings | ms-settings:maps |
Configure Optional features | ms-settings:optionalfeatures |
Open Apps for websites settings page | ms-settings:appsforwebsites |
Download Offline maps | ms-settings:maps-downloadmaps |
Open Video playback settings | ms-settings:videoplayback |
Configure Startup Apps | ms-settings:startupapps |
Windows 11 Settings – Accounts
Action | Run command |
---|---|
View all Accounts settings | ms-settings:accounts |
View Your Accounts Info | ms-settings:yourinfo |
Access Email & app accounts settings | ms-settings:emailandaccounts |
Open Family & other users account settings | ms-settings:family-group or ms-settings:otherusers |
Set up a kiosk | ms-settings:assignedaccess |
Open Windows Sign-in Options | ms-settings:signinoptions |
Access Work or School accounts | ms-settings:workplace |
Open Windows backup (Sync) settings | ms-settings:sync or ms-settings:backup |
Open Dynamic lock settings | ms-settings:signinoptions-dynamiclock |
Open Windows Hello setup | ms-settings:signinoptions-launchfaceenrollment |
Open Windows Hello Fingerprint setup | ms-settings:signinoptions-launchfingerprintenrollment |
Open Windows Hello Security Key setup | ms-settings:signinoptions-launchsecuritykeyenrollment |
Windows 11 Settings – Time & language
Action | Run command |
---|---|
Open Date & Time settings | ms-settings:dateandtime |
Open Language and Region settings | ms-settings:regionformatting |
Open Typing and keyboard settings | ms-settings:typing |
Open Speech settings (Speech language, Microphone, Voices) | ms-settings:speech |
Windows 11 Settings – Accessibility
Action | Run command |
---|---|
Open Accessibility settings | utilman |
Open Text size settings | ms-settings:easeofaccess-display |
Change Text Cursor settings | ms-settings:easeofaccess-cursor |
Open Visual Effects settings | ms-settings:easeofaccess-visualeffects |
Open Mouse Pointer and Touch settings | ms-settings:easeofaccess-mousepointer |
Open Magnifier settings | ms-settings:easeofaccess-magnifier |
Open Color Filters settings | ms-settings:easeofaccess-colorfilter |
Change Contrast settings | ms-settings:easeofaccess-highcontrast |
Open Narrator settings | ms-settings:easeofaccess-narrator |
Start Narrator after/before sign-in | ms-settings:easeofaccess-narrator-isautostartenabled |
Open Accessibility Audio settings | ms-settings:easeofaccess-audio |
Access Closed Captioning options | ms-settings:easeofaccess-closedcaptioning |
Open Keyboard settings | ms-settings:easeofaccess-keyboard |
Open Mouse settings | ms-settings:easeofaccess-mouse |
Change Speech recognition settings | ms-settings:easeofaccess-speechrecognition |
Open Eye Control settings | ms-settings:easeofaccess-eyecontrol |
Windows 11 Settings – Privacy & security
Action | Run command |
---|---|
Open Privacy settings | ms-settings:privacy |
Open Windows Security settings | ms-settings:windowsdefender |
Mange Activity history across devices and accounts | ms-settings:privacy-activityhistory |
Open Find My Device options | ms-settings:findmydevice |
Open developers options | ms-settings:developers |
Access General Windows permissions | ms-settings:privacy-general |
Open Online Speech recognition settings | ms-settings:privacy-speech |
Open Feedback & diagnostics settings | ms-settings:privacy-feedback |
Open Inking & Typing personalization settings | ms-settings:privacy-speechtyping |
Open Search Permissions settings | ms-settings:search-permissions |
Open Windows Searching settings | ms-settings:cortana-windowssearch |
Open Automatic online file downloads permissions setting | ms-settings:privacy-automaticfiledownloads |
Open File System access settings | ms-settings:privacy-broadfilesystemaccess |
Open Calendar access settings | ms-settings:privacy-calendar |
Open Phone Call access settings | ms-settings:privacy-phonecalls |
Open Call history access settings | ms-settings:privacy-callhistory |
Open Contacts access settings | ms-settings:privacy-contacts |
Open Unpaired devices access settings | ms-settings:privacy-customdevices |
Open Documents Library access settings | ms-settings:privacy-documents |
Open Email access settings | ms-settings:privacy-email |
Open App Diagnostics access settings | ms-settings:privacy-appdiagnostics |
Open Location access settings | ms-settings:privacy-location |
Open Messaging access settings | ms-settings:privacy-messaging |
Open Microphone access settings | ms-settings:privacy-microphone |
Open Notifications access settings | ms-settings:privacy-notifications |
Configure Account info access for apps | ms-settings:privacy-accountinfo |
Open Pictures library access settings | ms-settings:privacy-pictures |
Open Radio control access settings | ms-settings:privacy-radios |
Open tasks access settings | ms-settings:privacy-tasks |
Open Videos library access settings | ms-settings:privacy-videos |
Open Voice Activation access settings | ms-settings:privacy-voiceactivation |
Open Camera Access settings | ms-settings:privacy-webcam |
Open Music Library access settings | ms-settings:privacy-musiclibrary |
Windows 11 Settings – Windows Update
Action | Run command |
---|---|
Open Windows Update settings | ms-settings:windowsupdate or ms-settings:windowsupdate-action or control update |
Open Windows Update Advanced options | ms-settings:windowsupdate-options |
View Windows Update History | ms-settings:windowsupdate-history |
View Optional updates | ms-settings:windowsupdate-optionalupdates |
Schedule the restart | ms-settings:windowsupdate-restartoptions |
Open Delivery Optimization settings | ms-settings:delivery-optimization |
Join the Windows Insider Program | ms-settings:windowsinsider |
Run commands for folder locations
The Run commands below can help you quickly visit various Windows folders:
Action | Run command |
---|---|
Open Recent files Folder | recent |
Open Documents Folder | documents |
Open Downloads Folder | downloads |
Open Favorites Folder | favorites |
Open Pictures Folder | pictures |
Open Videos folder | videos |
Open Specific drive or Folder location | Type Drive name followed by a colon (e.g. D: )or Folder path (e.g. E:\Bin\Books ) |
Open OneDrive folder | onedrive |
Open all Apps folder | shell:AppsFolder |
Open Windows Address Book | wab |
Open App Data folder | %AppData% |
Access Debug Folder | debug |
Open current user directory | explorer.exe . |
Open Windows Root Drive | %systemdrive% |
IP config commands
ACTION | RUN COMMAND |
---|---|
Display information about IP configuration and the address of every adapter. | ipconfig/all |
Release all local IP addresses and loose connections. | ipconfig/release |
Renew all local IP addresses and reconnect to the internet and network. | ipconfig/renew |
View your DNS cache contents. | ipconfig/displaydns |
Delete DNS Cache contents | ipconfig/flushdns |
Refresh DHCP and Re-register your DNS Names and IP Addresses | ipconfig/registerdns |
Display DHCP Class ID | ipconfig/showclassid |
Modify DHCP Class ID | ipconfig/setclassid |
Other useful Run commands
Action | Run command |
---|---|
Update Group Policy Settings | gpupdate |
Switch Projector display | displayswitch |
Open Gaming mode settings | ms-settings:gaming-gamemode |
Access Presentation Settings | presentationsettings |
Control Windows Script Host Settings | wscript |
Connect to a wireless display | ms-settings-connectabledevices:devicediscovery |
Open Event Viewer | eventvwr.msc |
Open Certificate Manager | certmgr.msc |
Launch Driver Verifier Utility | verifier |
Open Local Security Policy Editor | secpol.msc |
Configure Game Controllers | joy.cpl |
Open File Signature Verification Tool | sigverif |
Backup and restore user names and passwords | credwiz |
Open System Properties (Advanced Tab) | systempropertiesadvanced |
Open System Properties (Computer Name Tab) | systempropertiescomputername |
Open System Properties (Hardware Tab) | systempropertieshardware |
Open System Properties (Remote Tab) | systempropertiesremote |
Open System Properties (System Protection Tab) | systempropertiesprotection |
Open Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Management tool | tpm.msc |
That’s it! The Run box remembers all the commands you executed. So, the next time you want to use the Run command, you only need to type the first letter to select the command.
If you failed to download or install a certain Windows 11 update via Windows Settings, don’t worry. You can still download the official standalone update package from the Microsoft Update Catalog site and manually install it on your computer.
Microsoft Update Catalog, what is it?
The Microsoft Update Catalog is a service from Microsoft. It’s a website that offers updates for Windows computers running Windows 2000 SP3 and later operating systems including Windows 11. It’s a one-stop location for finding Microsoft software updates, drivers, and hotfixes.
Is it safe to download from Microsoft Update Catalog?
It’s safe to download from Microsoft Update Catalog, because the Microsoft Update Catalog site uses secure HTTPS links:

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) an internet communication protocol that protects the integrity and confidentiality of data between the user’s computer and the site.
https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/security/https
How to manually download and install Windows 11 updates from Microsoft Update Catalog
It’s quite easy to download and install Windows 11 updates from Microsoft Update Catalog.
Before visiting the Microsoft Update Catalog site, you need to find the KB number of the Windows update that you need to download manually.
For example, if you need to download the 2021-11 Cumulative Update for Windows 11, then you can google it’s KB number first (which should be KB5007262).
Once you got the KB number of the specific Windows update, you can follow the steps below to download and install the Windows update:
- Go to the Microsoft Update Catalog site.
- Enter the KB number of the Windows Update you want to download into the search box. Then Click the Search button.
- In the search result page, you may find more than one Windows update available. You need to select the one that suits your system type and click the Download button.
- In the download window that pops up, right-click the Windows Update package and to start downloading.
- When the download is completed, locate the downloaded Windows Update package, then double-click on it to start installing it manually.
Note: If you’re using Chrome to download the Windows Update package from the Microsoft Update Catalog site, you may find that Chrome would block the download. The block may be triggered by the Safe Browsing with Enhanced Protection feature in Chrome. But don’t worry. The Windows Update package provided in the Microsoft Update Catalog is virus-free.
That’s it! Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ve learned how to manually download Windows 11 Update. If you have any questions or suggestion on this topic, you’re more than welcome to leave us a comment below. Thanks for reading!
Running into Error code 0x8007007f when trying to upgrade to Windows 11 with Windows 11 Installation Assistant? If so, you’ve landed on the right page. Although it’s quite annoying, you should be able to fix this issue easily after reading this article!
What is Error Code 0x8007007f

According to many Windows 10 users, the Error code 0x8007007f would appear while they’re using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant tool to manually upgrade to Windows 11.
During the upgrading process, the Windows 11 Installation Assistant app would through out a message, which reads: “Something went wrong. Select Try again, and if that doesn’t work, contact Microsoft support for help. Error code 0x8007007f”.
This error code seems to appear exclusively among the users who were trying to use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
Possible causes of the Error code 0x800700f
At the time of writing, Microsoft has not revealed the exact cause of the Error code 0x8007007f appeared in the Windows 11 Installation Assistant. It’s believed that insufficient administrator permission, corrupted system files or outdated drivers are the possible causes of this error.
How to fix Windows 11 Update Error Code 0x8007007f
If this issue persists after you selected Try again, here are more fixes for you to try. You may not have to try them all; just work your way down through the list until you find the one that works for you.
- Run Windows 11 Installation Assistant as administrator
- Disable third-party antivirus
- Update your graphics driver
- Perform SFC scan
- Upgrade to Windows 11 with the ISO file from Microsoft
Run Windows 11 Installation Assistant as administrator
Before trying any other fixes, running Windows 11 Installation Assistant as administrator first. To do so:
- Right-click on the file Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe and select Run as administrator.
- Select Yes in the UAC prompt to allow Windows 11 Installation Assistant to run with Administrator privilege.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to start installing Windows Windows 11.
See if this issue persists. If this fix doesn’t work, try the next one, below.
Disable third-party antivirus
The built-in Windows Defender is good enough to protect your computer. If you have any third-party antivirus installed on your PC, it’s best to disable or uninstall the third-party antivirus software before you launch the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, as many third-party antivirus may interfere with the installation assistant.
To uninstall your antivirus software, follow the steps below:
- Close the antivirus software if it’s running on your PC.
- On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to invoke the Run dialog, then type control and press Enter to open Control Panel.
- On the Control Panel window, select Uninstall a program under the Programs section. It will open the Programs and Features window.
- Find your third-party antivirus software among the program list. Right-click on it and click Uninstall/Change. Then follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall it.
Launch Windows 11 Installation Assistant and see if this issue reappears. If you still running into this error, try the next fix, below.
Update your graphics driver
Many Windows 10 users reported that outdated or incompatible graphics driver was the root cause of this issue. Graphics card manufacturers like Nvidia, AMD and Intel have already released their Windows 11-compatible graphics drivers before Windows 11 was officially rolled out.
If you haven’t updated your graphics card driver for a long time, you should update your graphics driver.
To update graphics driver on your computer, go to your graphics card manufacturer site:
Note: remember to download the correct graphics driver corresponding to your graphics model and your Windows OS.
Once you downloaded the graphics driver on your computer, double-click on the driver file to install the graphics driver update.
Launch the Assistant and see if this error persists after you updated your graphics driver. If you still see the error message, try the next fix, below.
Perform SFC scan
This issue may occur when there are some important system files corrupted. If you are not sure whether there is any system file corruption or not, you just need to run System File Checker (SFC). By Running SFC, you can fix any system file corruption from the the resident component store.
To run SFC, follow the steps below:
- On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time. Type
cmd
and press Shift, Ctrl and Enter at the same time to invoke an elevated CMD. - In the CMD window, execute the following command:
sfc /scannow
Note: this command doesn’t require Internet access.
Check if the Windows search issues persists after the SFC command is executed.
If this doesn’t help, you may need to use DISM command tool to repair the Windows Component Store itself. To do so, just follow the steps below:
- In an elevated CMD, execute the following commands one by one (note: this command require Internet access):
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Restart Windows 10 after all the commands are executed and see if this issue get fixed.
Normally this should resolve all issues. If the issue reappears, you can run SFC again to fix potential system file corruption and verify that the DISM command tool was successful in repairing the errors.
Upgrade to Windows 11 with the ISO file from Microsoft
If you’re still unable to upgrade to Windows 11 using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, you may need to consider using Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) file to upgrade to Windows 11.
To download the Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft, go to the Download Windows 11 page.
In the Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) section, select Windows 11 and click the Download button below to start downloading.

Once downloaded, you can use the ISO file to install Windows 11 on your computer.
That’s it! If you have any questions or suggestions on this topic, feel free to drop a line in the comment area below.