Disable non MS store apps in Windows 11

When we get ourselves a new USB stick, new hard drive, or any storage device not including optical drives they are usually preformatted and ready to be used out of the box. However, reformating them has several benefits and while we are reformatting we can choose in which file system format we want the memory to be formatted. In this article, we will compare and explore 3 typical and standard format options you can get while formating a new media in Windows 10.

FAT32

The oldest one on the list, coming all the way from DOS days. Great for devices that need to be plugged in different operating systems and for USB flash drives. Its advantages are compatibility with all major operating systems and little memory usage comparing to other ones. However, the file system is limited to file sizes of the maximum capacity of 4GB and partitions can not exceed more than 32GB.

NTFS

First introduced in Windows NT this file system offered slower performance than FAT32 and somewhat limited usability but the main advantages were more stability and fewer errors. Its main advantages are support for files larger than 4GB and partitions larger than 32GB along with the ability for on the file encryption, main disadvantage would be limited operating system usage, NTFS can not be used on systems that work on FAT32 like MS-DOS for example or older versions of Windows. The best usage for this file system is in internal hard disk drives and system drives.

exFAT

New kid on the block, well at least from the perspective of the previous 2. exFAT offers unlimited file sizes and unlimited partition sizes but at a price that is even more limiting than NTFS. Some Linux distributions will require a driver to be installed in order to see the exFAT partition. The best use is in storage, in external hard drives. That's it, 3 major file systems, we hope that you have managed to learn something new today, and remember to drop by tomorrow for more articles about advice, tips, tricks, and troubleshooting.

Gaming has come a long way since its infant days and grown from spending some free time between coding to full e-sport events watched worldwide. As have some basic peripherals been upgraded like gaming keyboards and gaming mouse so have headsets been receiving similar treatments. In today's article, we are presenting you with some of the best headsets specifically designed and made for gaming purposes. If you are looking for headphones for music listening look elsewhere, these bad boys are all made for replicating precise audio positioning and similar technology specifically tailored for games.

SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X

The best gaming headset overall for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, Android The SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X is the best gaming headset overall, offering great sound, consistent wireless performance, and a comfy, attractive design at a reasonable price. The headset’s 2.4-GHz wireless connectivity keeps you glued to your game without any lag or interference. Even better: Thanks to its USB-C dongle and USB-A adapter, you can enjoy wireless performance with any system, from a PS5 to a Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, to an Android phone.

Razer Blackshark V2

Razer's best headset yet for PC, PS5, PS4, Switch, Xbox One The Razer Blackshark V2 is probably the best headset that Razer has ever made. This mid-range wired headset provides fantastic sound for both games and music, particularly thanks to its innovative THX profiles. The famous film audio company has lent its expertise to make the Blackshark V2's surround sound realistic and nuanced, especially for a handful of games like Apex Legends and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which have their own optimized profiles.

Logitech G Pro X

Built for tournament play for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Switch The Logitech G Pro X delivers tournament-grade performance for a reasonable price. The headset's distinguished black design sets itself apart from the competition, in no small part thanks to its flexible headband and supremely comfortable foam and leatherette earcup options. The Go Pro X delivers rich, direction-accurate sound out of the box whether you're playing on PC or console. It's also the first gaming headset to sport a built-in Blue microphone, allowing for extra-crisp voice chat whether you're practicing with your Apex Legends squad or streaming to your online fans

SteelSeries Arctis Pro

Audiophile sound for gamers made for PS4, PC (with GameDAC), Xbox One, Switch, mobile (analog) SteelSeries’ Arctis Pro + GameDAC brings audiophile-grade features to the already excellent Arctis design. This headset includes a DAC (digital-to-analog converter), which allows it to deliver high-resolution 96-kHz/24-bit audio. The GameDAC also allows for a wealth of customization options, whether you want to fine-tune sound via an equalizer or customize the headset’s subtle RGB lighting.

HyperX Cloud Stinger

Big sound on a budget for PS, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, mobile The Stinger’s sturdy, feather-light frame and soft, faux-leather earcups make for one of the best gaming headsets on a budget, and its handy on-ear controls and solid microphone certainly don’t hurt either. Finding a comfortable fit is arguably the most important thing you can look for in a gaming headset, and the Cloud Stinger doesn’t disappoint on that front. The Stinger also offers very solid audio quality for the price, though things can get a bit blown out at max volume

Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT

The best gaming headset with Bluetooth for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch (handheld), mobile The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is one of the best gaming headsets that Corsair has ever made. Not only is this headset extremely comfortable, but it also provides excellent sound quality. It works wirelessly with PCs and PlayStation consoles via USB, as well as mobile devices, streaming players, and smart TVs via Bluetooth. You can connect it to a Switch, Xbox controller, or older system via a 3.5 mm audio cable. There's very little that the Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT can't do.

Xbox Wireless Headset

The best Xbox affordable headset for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, mobile The Xbox Wireless Headset is exactly what the name suggests: a wireless headset that works particularly well with Xbox consoles. Whether you have an Xbox Series X, an Xbox Series S, an Xbox One, or a Windows 10 PC with an Xbox controller adapter, this headset can provide fantastic sound with a simple pairing procedure. Not only that: the Xbox Wireless Headset supports Bluetooth as well, meaning that you can listen to music or take calls on your phone while you game.

Razer Kaira Pro

The best Xbox Series X wireless headset for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, mobile Debuting alongside the Xbox Series X, the Razer Kaira Pro is arguably one of the best gaming headsets for Microsoft's next-gen console. This sleek, lightweight wireless headset pairs with Xbox consoles right out of the box. But you can also use it with PCs and mobile devices, thanks to built-in Bluetooth capabilities. The Kaira Pro is not terribly expensive, and the sound quality is excellent, particularly for video games.

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless

Affordable wireless for PC, PS5, PS4, Switch, Mobile (USB-C wireless), Xbox One (wired) Getting good wireless performance has never been this seamless, or affordable. Thanks to its high-speed, discrete USB-C dongle, the SteelSeries 1 Arctis Wireless allows you to instantly enjoy wireless game audio from your Nintendo Switch, Android phone, PS4, or gaming PC, with none of the convoluted pairing or interference that comes with Bluetooth-based headsets. It’s worth mentioning the Nintendo Switch functionality again, as it’s hard to get a wireless headset for Nintendo’s handheld hybrid.

Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero

Absolute best in wireless for PC, PS4 (Wireless); Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mobile (Wired) The highly customizable high-end headset that's especially ideal for PC, the new Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero is one of the best gaming headsets out there. This premium headset packs an incredibly comfortable pair of gel-infused ear cushions, which are also designed to play well with glasses. The Aero's 50mm speakers sound great out of the box, and it comes with a solid noise-canceling microphone to boot.

HyperX Cloud Alpha

Superior style, sound, and value for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch, mobile Thanks to a sturdy metal frame, a slick red-and-black paint job, and some of the most comfortable leatherette earcups this headset is really a steal for its price. This is a headset that you can transport with you anywhere and connect to almost any system, without ever having to worry about it breaking.

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2

Console-centric wireless sound with Bluetooth for PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, mobile The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is one of the best console headsets on the market, particularly if you want a wireless model. This peripheral boasts great sound, plush earcups, and two kinds of wireless functionality. The PS4 version can connect to either PS4 or PC via a USB dongle; the Xbox One version can connect to the Xbox One right out of the box. Both versions can connect to mobile devices and PCs via Bluetooth. It's an extremely convenient feature, especially since very few gaming headsets offer Bluetooth functionality.

Astro A20 Gaming Headset Gen 2

Wireless headset for both PS5 and Xbox Series X and PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, mobile The Astro A20 Gaming Headset Gen 2 is an ambitious and full-featured headset from one of the most trusted manufacturers on the market. This wireless peripheral offers excellent sound quality and a comfortable fit. More than that, though, the Astro A20 can also connect wirelessly to both the PS5 and the Xbox Series X, which is a rare feat, even among the best gaming headsets.

Razer Barracuda X

The best wireless Switch headset also for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, mobile The Razer Barracuda X is a wireless gaming headset that's ideal for the Nintendo Switch and mobile platforms. Thanks to its small USB-C dongle, it can connect wirelessly o the Switch in handheld mode, a rarity among gaming headsets. However, it also comes with a USB-A adapter, which means you can connect it to just about any other system you like, from PC to PS4, to Switch in docked mode. The USB-C dongle also fits neatly into a PS5.

High Dynamic Range or HDR is a technique that’s used to create lifelike videos which have improved and better dynamic range, especially when it comes to details. And as you know, Windows 10 supports the steaming of HDR videos as long as the display supports it and it comes with the option to enable the HDR Playback for Windows 10 Video Streaming apps. However, before you can get the best viewing experience, you need to calibrate the display further for HDR video on your Windows 10 PC. Take note that even when you have the HDR Playback feature enabled on your computer, you still need a display that supports it. To make sure that your display supports this feature, you can use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool to have the display correctly wired and have the latest WDDM 2.4 drivers installed as well as set the other settings properly. Once you’ve made sure that your computer’s display really supports HDR and you’ve already enabled the HDR Playback feature, now it’s time for you to calibrate. Remember that when you calibrate the display, you should make an external monitor your primary display if you are using it for HDR and then adjust the settings to your liking. And if you are calibrating for primary display, you need to disconnect all other displays.

Follow the given steps below to calibrate the display of your PC.

• Step 1: You need to open the Video Playback first. To do so, navigate to Settings > Apps > Video Playback.
• Step 2: Under the Video Playback settings, uncheck the “Don’t increase display brightness when watching HDR video on battery” checkbox or plug in your PC.
• Step 3: Next, click the “Change calibration settings for HDR video on my built-in display” link located on the right side.
• Step 4: After that, click on the Play button located on the left side to play the video. Then move the sliders to the left or right so you can start to calibrate. Once you see that the quality of the image is to your preference, stop.

Note: Just a tip when calibrating – you just have to find the right balance between the details in the darker parts of a scene. For instance, you have Mountains in the background and buildings in the front – you need to drag the slider to the right to add more details to the snow on the mountain or drag the slider to the left to add more details to the buildings. After that, you can pause the video and exit the full-screen mode. Keep in mind that the quality of HDR depends on you as it is a personal choice. Some users might like a brighter shade while other ones want the darker shade so it really depends on your taste. If you are not satisfied with how your HDR turned out, you can just try calibrating the display again. Simply go back to the default HDR video calibration and click or tap the Reset calibration button. Another thing to remember. First, you can only see HDR content on the full screen and if you’re using a laptop, you need to make sure to watch videos when plugged in and check that the battery settings won't’ lower the brightness.

Error Code 0xc00007b – What is it?

When error code 0xc00007b occurs in Windows 8, users are unable to run gaming or multimedia programs on their devices. The message box will occur stating that error code 0xc00007b is present. This issue is usually related to software conflict associated with the use of a gaming program that has errors. It may also result when users use applications that are not compatible with the version of Windows they have installed on their machine.

Solution

Error Causes

Error codes on Windows devices can result from many reasons, including lack of proper PC maintenance, the presence of malware, and issues related to servers. In the case of error code 0xc00007b, it manifests itself on various versions of the Windows operating system when users attempting to run applications incompatible with their system or use the incorrect bit location. To correct these issues that may be causing error code 0xc00007b, users will need to use manual repair methods listed in this article. Failure to rectify this error code could result in others such as error code 0xc0000142.

Further Information and Manual Repair

The manual repair procedures listed in this article do not require extensive technical knowledge. Thus, even average Windows users will be able to apply these solutions in order to fix error code 0xc00007b in Windows 8. However, in case of difficulty applying the solutions listed below, contact a Windows repair technician.

Method One: Install Windows Updates

One of the first manual repair methods you can attempt is to use Windows Update. This will enable users to access the latest updates for the version of Windows they have on their system. To update your system, follow the instructions below.

• Step one: Open Start Menu, then select Settings
• Step two: Select Update & security
• Step three: Select Windows Update
• Step four: Install updates if any are available

After you’ve completed the installation of the latest updates, reboot your machine then attempt to run the gaming application you were unable to open due to error code 0xc00007b. You should be able to run the application if Windows Update fixed the issue. However, if the error code reoccurs, proceed to the next manual repair method by installing Microsoft DirectX.

Method Two: Install Microsoft DirectX

Another important manual repair method relates to the use of DirectX, a free tool available to Windows users regardless of the version of the Windows operating system present on their PC. Visit Microsoft’s official website and search for DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer. Ensure you access the latest version of the program, then click download.

The app enables Windows users to access high-speed gaming by providing a powerful platform for games and multimedia applications. Access to the latest version of DirectX can help users fix the issues causing error code 0xc00007b in Windows 8.

When the installation process is complete, reboot your PC, then proceed by checking if you are able to run your gaming applications. If you are still unable to run the applications the issue will need to be resolved via another manual repair method.

Method Three: Install Latest Version of .NET Framework

Access the latest version of Microsoft’s .NET Framework to complete the final manual repair method. Be sure to follow the steps listed below to download the latest version of the .NET framework. This is crucial as only the latest version of the framework is equipped with the necessary capabilities required to successfully address the issues causing error code 0xc00007b on your device.

• Step one: Open your favorite web browser
• Step two: Enter www.microsoft.com/net
• Step three: Click Downloads
• Step four: Select the latest version of the .NET Framework by clicking the framework at the top of the list. (Currently, the latest version is .NET Framework 4.6.2.)
• Step five: Select preferred language, then download
• Step six: Run software.

Restart your computer after you’ve downloaded the latest version of the .NET framework. Open the gaming application you were previously unable to run due to error code 0xc00007b.

You’ll be able to access all your gaming or multimedia programs if the issue was resolved via this manual repair method. Otherwise, you may need to reinstall the programs you are unable to run as there may be an issue with the program itself resulting in software conflict or the inability to run other gaming programs.

Method Four: Download an Automated Tool

If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 8 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.

There are instances when instead of fixing problems the Windows Update brings you problems on your Windows 10 computer. You might even see some pending Windows Updates which for some reason, refuse to install no matter what you do. The good thing is you won’t have to deal with those failed and pending updates that are incompletely downloaded to your PC as you can actually delete them. Follow the instructions prepared below to delete the failed and pending Windows Updates.

Step 1: The first thing you have to do is delete all the contents in the Temporary folder

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Next, type in “%temp%” in the field and hit Enter or click OK to open the Temporary folder.
• From there, select all the folders and files within the Temporary folder and then delete them all.

Note: %temp% is one of the many environment variables in Windows that could open the designated folder by Windows as the Temporary folder which is usually located at C:\Users[username]AppDataLocalTemp.

Step 2: Next, remove the pending.xml file

• Go to the C:\Windows WinSxS folder.
• Once you’ve opened the folder, look for a file named “pending.xml” file and right-click on it and you can either rename it or delete it.
• After that, the Windows Update should delete the pending tasks and build a fresh new update.

Step 3: Delete all the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder

The Software Distribution folder in the Windows operating system is a folder that can be found in the Windows directory and is used to store files temporarily which might be required to install the Windows Update on your PC. Thus, it is required by the Windows Update and maintained by WUAgent. Aside from that, it also contains all the Windows Update History files and once you delete them, you will most likely lose the Update history. As a result, the next time you run the Windows Update, it may result in a longer detection time.

• Open the WinX Menu.
• From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
• Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.

net stop wuauserv net stop bits

• After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service and the Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
• Next, got to the C:\Windows\Software\Distribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
• Once all the contents in the Software Distribution folder are deleted, restart your PC and then go back to Command Prompt and input the following commands again.

net start wuauserv net start bits

Since the folder has already been flushed, it will be populated afresh the instant your restart your computer and open Windows Update.

Step 4: Try resetting the catroot2 folder

You can also try resetting the catroort2 folder as it is known to fix tons of Windows Update issues. Both the Catroot and catroot2 are Windows operating system folders that are required for the Windows update process.  So when you run the Windows Update, the catroort2 folders stores the signatures of the Windows Update package and helps it in the installation. It makes use of the “%windir%System32catroot2edb.log” file in the updating process. Afterward, the updates are stored in the SoftwareDistribution folder which is used then by the Automatic Updates in order to execute the updating process. Keep in mind that you must not rename or delete the Catroot folder. Although the Catroot2 folder is recreated automatically by Windows, the Catroot folder isn’t.

If you have recently installed a new internal or external hard drive or SSD and you’ve noticed that its status on the left side of the Disk Management tool states “Unknown Not Initialized”, this indicates that Windows can’t initialize the disk and that you won’t be able to use this new SSD or hard drive. You can encounter this kind of issue randomly and not just with a new hard drive or SSD but also with existing drives. There are times when you won’t be able to find your drive or partition in the File Explorer. In such a case, you have to check the Disk Management if your drive or partition is there physically. You also have to check if you can see it as Not Initialized. If it is, then this means that the disk or partition does not have a valid signature that is if it’s not registered with the system properly. Note that a disk is registered when you format it at least once so if the disk was available before, then it could be somehow corrupted. To resolve the problem, you can try to initialize the disk manually or bring it online and add a drive letter. You can also try checking the Device Manager for issues or check the cable physically.

Option 1 – Try to manually initialize the disk

Since initializing the disk is the most common way to resolve the “Unknown Not Initialized” error, this is what you have to try first.

• To initialize the disk manually, you have to open the Disk Management from the WinX menu by tapping Win + X keys and selecting Disk Management.
• From there, you can find the non-initialized disk. Right-click on it and select the “Initialize Disk” option.
• Next, select the partition style. It is recommended that you use the MBR option instead of the GPT or GUID Partition Table.
• Now click the OK button. Your hard drive or SSD should now initialize without any problem.

Option 2 – Set the disk Online and add the Drive letter

• If the disk appears to be offline under Disk Management, right-click on it and select the Online option.
• On the other hand, if the disk is already set Online but does not have a drive letter, right-click on it and select the Change drive letter and path option.
• Select a letter that is not allocated yet.
• Once you’re done, you have the option to format the disk in either NTFS or FAT32 but if you are using a 64-bit computer, make sure that you opt for NTFS.

Option 3 – Try to check any issues in the Device Manager

It is also possible that the hard drive is not working properly due to some driver issues. Thus, it’s better if you check the Device Manager and see if that drive is listed with a yellow exclamation mark next to it. And if that’s the case, you have to right-click on that drive and select the Uninstall drive option. After that, click on Action and then run the Scan for hardware changes. It should fix the problem.

Option 4 – Try to physically check the cable

You might also want to check the physical status of the wires and see if they are connected properly or not. Specifically, you have to check two cables, such as:

• The first one is the power cable that’s connected to your SMPS.
• Next is the one that’s connected to your motherboard.

If any of the two cables are not working or missing, then it’s no wonder why your drive has an “Unknown Not Initialized” status. Thus, you need to have them replaced to fix the problem.

The latest security vulnerability was discovered inside both Windows 10 and Windows 11 letting any user access admin privileges inside the operating system. This can, of course, be used by a potential attacker to get full control of the system. The problem lies in Microsoft's security rules assigned to the Windows Registry and the Security Account Manager. Both for some reason have reduced restrictions allowing any local user to fully access the files without administrator privileges. The problem is even more amplified if we think about Security Account Manager which includes all account data including the passwords of all users using the same PC. This can provide a potential attacker with all information and let them log on into the administrator account for full control. Microsoft is aware of the matter and is tracking it with code CVE-2021-36934, and includes a complete workaround for the issue, which includes restricting access to  %windir%\system32\config and deleting any restore points or Shadow volumes that were created before that point until the hole is plugged with an official security patch.

Gaming on the computer has become one of the most used past-time activities among people of all ages. And since we are still in pandemic it has only risen as activity. People can acquire a lot of games at various discounts on various platforms and enjoy them at the leisure of their home. Among many game platforms and stores, Electronic art's Origin is one of the bigger ones, and having some titles that could not be found anywhere else coupled with the ability to have access to almost the whole game catalog with one monthly subscription make it one of the most used clients. Sadly as with every piece of software Origin's client is not perfect by any means and it can behave strangely from time to time. Hello everyone and welcome to errortools.com, today we will fix Origin error code 10 which oddly enough can appear out of nowhere and can even appear on the very end of installation for the chosen game. If you have managed to come by this error you are in luck to be here because we have a couple of fixes for it. I know that you might be excited to play the game so let's go and do some fixing

Check Server status

Before diving into technicality and before we start deleting files and fixing things you should check the Server status. This seems maybe like something you should not do but if the server has experienced some kind of downtime or it is in maintenance Origin will throw this error in the client. Unexpected situations can cause various server issues all of a sudden and the first thing is to check are servers online and working. There are various ways to check server status from official origin website to Electronic arts twitter channel to Reddit and many more online server status websites. If it turns out that the server is to be blamed for this error then sit back and wait for EA to resolve the issue, there is not much you can do anyway.

Delete OriginThinSetupInternal.exe

• After some research, it has come to light that originthinsetupinternal.exe can cause this specific error. The best solution is to delete the file and then run Origin as administrator so the file is remade new.
• First, make sure that Origin is fully closed, check the taskbar and if it lurks there right-click on it and click on quit
• Run file explorer and go into the folder where Origin is installed, by default it is C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin
• Locate OriginThinSetupInternal.exe and delete it
• Then locate origin.exe and right-click on it and then click on Run as administrator

Reinstall Origin client

If the previous solution has not solved the issue then Origin might have some corrupted files inside it. It is known that the Origin client can produce some bad files if the installation has been forcefully canceled. The best thing is to reinstall the completely whole client.

• Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
• Inside run dialog type in Control panel and press ENTER
• In the control panel locate programs and features group and double click on it
• Locate Origin, click to select it, and on top click on uninstall
• After uninstall process is completed start file explorer and go to the folder where Origin was installed, by default it is C:\Program Files (x86). Locate the Origin folder and delete it.
• Go to the official origin website and download the new client installation.
• After the download is finished double click on it and follow onscreen instructions.

Disable antivirus

If every solution so far has not been able to remove error then obviously something else is interfering with the origin client and installation functioning. Altho not advisable, turn OFF your security suite including both firewall and antivirus and try installing the game again. There is the possibility that the origin client or some game file has been marked as false positive by security software thus preventing it from executing properly.

Started as an internal network and has slowly expanded since 1960 internet has taken over the world. In the beginning, it was a means of information change but in the modern age you can run applications and virtual machines over the internet, you can stream video and audio, and you can communicate in real-time with someone on the other side of Earth.

With the internet growing so fast in such a small amount of time it is only logical and wise to take a step back and take a good look at what it offers now, what are great things about it and what are some of the worst.

Good sides of the internet

Information

There are a lot of advantages of the internet, first and foremost is information. Internet was made as an information exchange service and even today you can find a lot of various information about various topics that interest you. A site like Wikipedia is a completely free online encyclopedia and a lot of news companies have their own internet sites where you can find free information and news.

On the other hand, there are also websites like udemy, edx, Coursera, and many others that will offer you the education, some for free, some for money but you can get a glimpse and part of university quality education for just a fraction of price.

Online shopping

Sites like Amazon have used the internet and launched themselves as today's multi-billion companies. In today's world, there is not a single thing you can not buy online. Many sites today are going from the large online marketplace where you can find everything to small niche specialized ones. Also every major brand in the world today has its own online store.

Other shops will offer you music, movies, games, etc. Services like steam, xbox pass, sony pass etc, will let you buy games online, other music, movies, and many more.

Streaming services

Days, when you had to buy movies in order to watch them at home, are gone, thanks to the internet we have plenty of streaming services for movies and tv shows as well as ones for music. If you do not want to spend money on actually purchasing things then a good idea is to have a streaming plan set up when you want it.

Email and messaging

Communication is a great thing and since the dawn of mankind people have been talking and sharing with each other, the internet has made it possible to send mail electronically and instantly and modern chat communication is everywhere. We can not just talk with our friends and family that can be on the other side of the world, we can also talk in real-time with the sales representative, with technical service, or attend online classes with a group of people.

Cloud storage services

Saving your pictures in this digital media age on the hard drive can be risky but thanks to modern technologies you can save most of your precious files on cloud servers for safekeeping. From pictures to documents and even other files that you need and want to save. There are some of them that will offer you a free amount and some basic free plans as well.

Bad sides of the internet

Malware, viruses, and phishing

We could not talk about the bad side of the internet if we do not mention its greatest threat. Bad sites, infected software, phishing emails, and many more malicious threats. Problem is that these kinds of tricks and attacks have become more and more sophisticated and harder to detect and avoid.

Pornography

Pornography is bad, having it freely available to children is even worse. Sadly the only way to regulate this is on a computer-by-computer basis by turning on parent control on each one. There are many studies that go into detail about why this is bad, sadly currently there are no effective ways to isolate this content.

No privacy

When we say there is no privacy we do not mean by using social media and not setting your privacy settings altho that also fits in this point, what we are talking about is data mining of your habits and things you do. It is well known that today lot of websites are using some form of AI recommender system in order to tailor your internet experience to suit your needs better. Most of these AI systems are trained by mining your data and analyzing your habits.

If you have 2 google accounts there is a high probability chance that for the same query you will get different results, depending on your so far browsing habits. The same goes for other services as well.

Dark webshops

There are some great things in dark and deep WEB-like sites with true news and information. Even some legit libraries where you can find and download rare books. Sadly as goes with the internet dark and deep WEB also has its well, dark sides, from disturbing content to shops that sell stolen items to straight stealing your money by parading as legit shops but only to steal your money.

Dating sites

We all try to find someone that is perfectly matched with us but using the online dating site has many proven bad effects on psychology. It also devaluates interaction between people and can lower self-esteem.

Bad habits

Since the internet has become wildly available and popular on various devices like tablets and mobile phones more and more people are spending an unhealthy amount of time on it. Harvesting the benefits of the internet is great but find some time for other people as well.

DownSpeedTest is a Browser Toolbar Extension for Google Chrome that allows users to test their internet speed and convert files, however this speed test does not show proper values, nor even close.

Upon installation DownSpeedTest will replace your default New Tab page with its own Search Engine “MyWay.com” or “Search.MyWay.com”. This Search Engine camouflages itself as a “Enhanced Google Search Engine”, but all it does is allow more room for easier ad injection. In the background, this extension monitors user browsing behavior and records visited links, viewed products, clicked links and time spend on websites. This information is later used for Ad targeting.

While browsing the internet with this extension enabled you will experience additional ads, sponsored content, and even pop-up ads on some occasions. Due to its information mining behavior and aggressive ad placement, DownSpeedTest had been marked as a Browser Hijacker and it is recommended for removal.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted program, commonly a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in the browser’s settings. There are lots of reasons why you may experience a browser hijack; but commercial, advertising and marketing are the major reasons for their creation. These are typically used to force hits to a specific site, manipulating web-traffic to generate ad-revenue. Even though it might appear naive, these tools are made by malicious people who always try to take full advantage of you, so that hackers could earn money from your naive and distraction. In a worst-case scenario, your browser could be hi-jacked to download malicious software that can do a lot of damage to your laptop or computer.

How one can know whether the browser is hijacked?

When your web browser is hijacked, the following might happen: your browser’s homepage has been reset to some unknown webpage; new bookmarks pointing to porn websites have been added to your bookmarks; the default browser configurations are modified and/or your default web engine is altered; you see unwanted new toolbars added; unstoppable flurries of pop-up ads show up on your computer screen; your browser gets slow, buggy, crashes regularly; you can’t navigate to specific internet pages, such as security software related websites.

How does a browser hijacker infect a computer?

Browser hijackers infect computers via malicious e-mail attachments, downloaded infected documents or by visiting infected internet sites. They can be included with toolbars, add-ons, BHO, plugins or browser extensions. Also, some freeware and shareware can put the hijacker in your PC through “bundling”. Browser hijackers could record user keystrokes to collect potentially important information leading to privacy concerns, cause instability on computers, significantly disrupt user’s browsing experience, and ultimately slow down the system to a point where it becomes unusable.

How you can fix a browser hijack

One thing you could try to eradicate a browser hijacker is to find the malware in the “Add or Remove Programs” list of the Microsoft Windows Control Panel. It might or might not be there. When it is, uninstall it. However, most browser hijackers are difficult to eliminate manually. Regardless of how much you attempt to get rid of it, it might come back over and over. Amateur PC users should never try for the manual form of removal methods, since it demands in-depth system knowledge to perform fixes on the system registry and HOSTS file. Anti-malware software is really effective when it comes to picking up and eliminating browser hijackers that regular anti-virus application has overlooked. If you’d like to get rid of persistent hijackers effectively, install the top-rated Anti-Malware software Safebytes Anti-Malware. Use a system optimizer (like Total System Care) along with your anti-malware software to fix various registry issues, remove system vulnerabilities, and improve your computer performance.

What To Do If You Cannot Install Any Anti-Malware?

Practically all malware is bad and the consequences of the damage could differ according to the specific kind of malicious software. Some malware is created to interfere with or block things that you’d like to do on your PC. It may not permit you to download anything from the web or prevent you from accessing a few or all of the internet sites, especially the anti-malware websites. So what you should do if malware prevents you from downloading or installing Anti-Malware? There are a few actions you can take to circumvent this problem.

Install the anti-virus in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a unique, simplified version of Microsoft Windows in which only essential services are loaded to counteract viruses and also other problematic applications from loading. If the malware is set to load immediately when computer starts, switching into this mode may prevent it from doing so. To start the computer into Safe Mode, press the “F8” key on the keyboard just before the Windows logo screen shows up; Or after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, look over “Safe Boot” under the Boot tab, and then click Apply. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can try to install your antivirus application without the hindrance of the malicious software. Following installation, run the malware scanner to get rid of most standard infections.

Download the anti-malware program using a different browser

Web-based malware could be environment-specific, aiming for a particular web browser or attacking particular versions of the browser. If you’re not able to download the security program using Internet Explorer, it means virus is targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you should switch over to an alternative web browser such as Chrome or Firefox to download Safebytes Anti-malware software.

Install anti-malware on a thumb drive

Another solution is to save and operate antivirus software tool completely from a Pen drive. Follow these steps to use a USB flash drive to clean your infected PC. 1) Make use of another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the USB drive on the same system. 3) Double click on the downloaded file to run the installation wizard. 4) Choose the USB flash drive as the location for saving the software file. Follow the instructions to complete the installation process. 5) Now, plug the USB drive into the corrupted computer. 6) Double-click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the pen drive to run the application. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and clean-up of all types of malware.

Protect Your Computer & Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

If you’re planning to purchase anti-malware for your computer, there are lots of brands and utilities for you to consider. A few of them do a good job in getting rid of threats while many will harm your PC by themselves. You need to select one that is trustworthy, practical and has a good reputation for its malware source protection. While thinking about the dependable programs, Safebytes Anti-Malware is certainly the strongly recommended one. SafeBytes anti-malware is a reliable software that not only secures your system permanently but is also very user friendly for people of all skill levels. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you protect your PC against infections brought on by different kinds of malware and other threats, including spyware, adware, viruses, worms, trojans, keyloggers, potentially unwanted program (PUPs), and ransomware.

SafeBytes has great features when compared with other anti-malware programs. The following are some of the features you might like in SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Live Protection: SafeBytes provides complete and real-time security for your computer system. This tool will continuously monitor your PC for any suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the latest threats. World-class AntiMalware Protection: With a critically acclaimed anti-malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection which is made to find and remove threats which are hidden deep in your computer’s operating system. Safe Browsing: Safebytes assigns all sites a unique safety ranking that helps you to have an idea of whether the webpage you’re just about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site. Lightweight: This program is light-weight and will work quietly in the background, and will not affect your computer efficiency. 24/7 Online Technical Support: Support service is available for 24 x 7 x 365 days via email and chats to answer your queries. SafeBytes can keep your PC safe from latest malware threats automatically with very little input needed from you again. Once you have installed this software, you no longer have to worry about malware or any other security worries. You will get the very best all-around protection for the money you pay on SafeBytes anti-malware subscription, there’s no question about it.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To get rid of DownSpeedTest manually, go to the Add or Remove programs list in the Control Panel and select the offending program you want to get rid of. For internet browser extensions, go to your browser’s Addon/Extension manager and choose the plug-in you intend to disable or remove. You’ll likely also want to reset your web browser. To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard disk and computer registry for all the following and remove or reset the values as needed. Please be aware that this is for skilled users only and might be challenging, with incorrect file removal causing additional system errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing deletion. You’re suggested to do this procedure in Safe Mode.