Upcoming Windows 11 features

PuzzleGamesDaily is a Browser extension developed by Mindspark. This extension monitors user activity such as website visits, clicked links and other web-related tasks that It later uses to display targeted ads.

When installed it changed the default home page, search engine and new tab page to MyWay.com, and while browsing the internet with this extension active you will see additional pop-up ads, injected (unwanted) ads, and sponsored links during your browsing sessions.

From the Terms of Use: You hereby acknowledge and agree that by using an MS Product you may be exposed to Content that may be offensive, indecent or objectionable in your community […] MS Products are exposed to various security issues, and should be regarded as insecure. By accepting this Agreement, you acknowledge and accept that the MS Products and any information you download or offer to share by means of an MS Product, may be exposed to unauthorized access, interception, corruption, damage, or misuse, and should be regarded as insecure. You accept all responsibility for such security risks and any damage resulting therefrom.

This extension has been marked as a Browser Hijacker by several anti-virus scanners and has been flagged for optional removal. It is not considered malicious but many users wish to remove it due to the above reasons.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is regarded as the internet’s constant danger that targets internet browsers. It’s a type of malware program that directs the web browser requests to some other suspicious internet sites. Browser hijacker malware is created for many different reasons. Often, it will force users to particular sites which are aiming to boost their advertising campaign income. Many people believe that these websites are legitimate and harmless but that is not true. Nearly every browser hijacker pose an existent threat to your online safety and it’s vital to categorize them under privacy risks. Browser hijackers could also permit other destructive programs without your knowledge to further damage your computer.

Major signs that your internet browser has been hijacked

There are many signs that indicate your web browser is highjacked: the browser’s home-page is modified; bookmark and new tab are likewise modified; the main web browser settings is modified and unwanted or insecure sites is put into the trusted sites listing; you are getting browser toolbars you have never found before; you observe numerous ads show up on your web browsers or display screen; your browser has instability problems or displays frequent errors; Inability to navigate to certain sites, especially anti-malware and also other computer security software webpages.

So how exactly does a browser hijacker infect a computer?

Browser hijackers attack computers through malicious e-mail attachments, downloaded infected documents or by checking out infected sites. They can be included with toolbars, BHO, add-ons, plugins, or browser extensions. Browser hijackers sneak to your computer in addition to free software application downloads that you unwittingly install along with the original. An example of some infamous browser hijacker includes Babylon, Anyprotect, Conduit, SweetPage, DefaultTab, RocketTab, and Delta Search, but the names are regularly changing. Browser hijackers could record user keystrokes to gather potentially important information leading to privacy concerns, cause instability on systems, significantly disrupt the user experience, and eventually slow down the computer to a stage where it will become unusable.

Removal

Some hijackers can be easily removed by uninstalling the free software they were included with or by deleting any extension you’ve recently added to your PC. Yet, certain hijackers are far more difficult to discover or get rid of since it could get itself associated with certain crucial computer files that enable it to operate as a necessary operating system process. Inexperienced PC users shouldn’t ever attempt for the manual form of removal, since it needs detailed computer knowledge to carry out fixes on the system registry and HOSTS file. Anti-malware application is very effective with regards to catching and removing browser hijackers that regular anti-virus software has overlooked. Among the best tools for fixing browser hijacker malware is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. It assists you eliminate any pre-existing malicious software on your system and provides you real-time monitoring and protection from new threats.[/section][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][section header="How One Can Eliminate Malware that is Blocking Websites or Preventing Downloads"]Malware could cause several different types of damage to PCs, networks, and data. Some malware sits in between your computer and the net connection and blocks some or all websites that you would like to visit. It might also prevent you from adding anything on your computer, particularly anti-malware applications. If you’re reading this article, you may have infected by malware that prevents you from downloading a computer security program such as Safebytes Antimalware on your PC. Refer to the instructions below to eliminate malware through alternative ways.

Install the antivirus in Safe Mode

The Windows OS has a special mode known as “Safe Mode” in which just the minimum required programs and services are loaded. If the malicious software is set to load automatically when PC boots, switching into this mode could prevent it from doing so. To enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the PC is starting up or run MSCONFIG and look for the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. After you restart into Safe Mode with Networking, you may download, install, as well as update anti-malware program from there. After installation, run the malware scanner to remove most standard infections.

Switch to a different web browser

Certain malware may target vulnerabilities of a particular web browser that block the downloading process. If you are not able to download the security program using Internet Explorer, it means virus could be targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you need to switch over to another web browser like Chrome or Firefox to download Safebytes Anti-malware software. Create a portable antivirus for eliminating viruses Another option is to store and run an antivirus program entirely from a Flash drive. To run anti-malware using a flash drive, follow these simple steps: 1) On a clean computer, install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Mount the pen-drive onto the same computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software package to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Pick thumb drive as the place when the wizard asks you exactly where you wish to install the application. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. 5) Now, transfer the thumb drive to the infected PC. 6) Double-click the anti-malware program EXE file on the USB flash drive. 7) Simply click “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the infected computer for viruses.

A Look at the Best AntiMalware Program

If you’re looking to install anti-malware software for your computer, there are plenty of tools on the market to consider nonetheless, you cannot trust blindly anyone, regardless of whether it is a free or paid program. Some of them are great, some are decent, and some will destroy your computer themselves! When looking for an anti-malware program, purchase one that offers dependable, efficient, and complete protection against all known viruses and malware. When considering the trustworthy software programs, Safebytes Anti-Malware is certainly the highly recommended one. SafeBytes is a powerful, real-time antivirus application that is designed to assist the average computer end user in safeguarding their PC from malicious threats. Using its cutting-edge technology, this software can help you eliminate several types of malware which includes computer viruses, trojans, PUPs, worms, ransomware, adware and browser hijackers.

SafeBytes anti-malware takes PC protection to a totally new level with its advanced features. Here are some of the good ones:

Active Protection: SafeBytes provides real-time active monitoring and protection against all of known viruses and malware. They are extremely efficient in screening and removing numerous threats because they’re continuously improved with latest updates and alerts. Best AntiMalware Protection: Using a critically acclaimed malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection that is intended to catch and eliminate threats that are hidden deep in your computer’s operating-system. Fast Multi-threaded Scanning: SafeBytes’s virus scan engine is among the quickest and most efficient in the industry. Its targeted scanning vastly increases the catch rate for viruses that is embedded in various computer files. Website Filtering: Safebytes assigns all sites a unique safety ranking that helps you to get an idea of whether the website you’re about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site. Lightweight Tool: SafeBytes gives complete protection from online threats at a fraction of the CPU load because of its enhanced detection engine and algorithms. 24/7 Online Support: Support service is available for 24 x 7 x 365 days via email and chat to answer your concerns. To sum it up, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is pretty great for securing your computer against all kinds of malware threats. There is no doubt that your computer system will be protected in real-time once you put this tool to use. You will get the very best all-around protection for the money you spend on SafeBytes Anti-Malware subscription, there is no doubt about it.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you would like to perform the removal of PuzzleGamesDaily manually rather than utilizing an automated software tool, you can follow these measures: Go to the Windows Control Panel, click the “Add or Remove Programs” and there, select the offending program to uninstall. In case of suspicious versions of browser plugins, you can actually remove it via your web browser’s extension manager. You may even want to reset your web browser settings, and also clear your browser cache and cookies. To make sure of complete removal, find the following registry entries on your computer and remove it or reset the values appropriately. However, this can be a difficult task and only computer professionals can carry out safely. Furthermore, certain malware is capable of replicating or preventing removal. It is advisable that you carry out the removal process in Safe Mode.

ChatZum is a Potentially Unwanted Program that installs a Toolbar into your browser. This program allegedly allows users to zoom in on photos without clicking on them, however, upon further research, it was discovered that this function does not work on the latest version of browsers.

From the Author: ChatZum is a Browser add-on (toolbar) that enables its users to hover over images in Major Social network's websites and view a larger version of an image.

While installing this toolbar will track user web browsing sessions and will record website visits, clicks, and sometimes even personal information. This information is later used to display targeted ads to the user. To allow easier user tracking, the program changes the browser home page and default search engine to Nation Search Advanced, which injects additional advertisements and tracks user activity.

Several anti-virus applications have marked this program as Potentially Unwanted, and it is not recommended to keep it on your computer, especially considering the fact it will most likely not work on your browser.

About Potentially Unwanted Applications

If you have ever installed a free application or shareware, chances are high that the computer will get installed with a bunch of unwanted applications. A Potentially Unwanted Program, also called PUP, in short, is actually software that contains adware, installs toolbars, or has got other hidden objectives. These types of programs are generally bundled up with a free application that you download from the internet or may also be bundled inside the custom installers of many download websites. PUPs aren’t always viewed as “pure” malware in the strictest sense. A fundamental difference between PUP and malware is distribution. Malware is normally dropped by silent installation vectors like drive-by downloads while PUP gets installed with the consent of the computer user, who knowingly or unknowingly approves the PUP installation on their computer system. But, there is no doubt that PUPs remain bad news for PC users as it could be quite dangerous to your computer in many ways.

The damage PUPs can do

The unwanted programs after installation display numerous annoying pop-up ads, trigger fake alerts, and sometimes even forces a computer owner to pay for the software. PUPs that come as browser add-ons and toolbars are commonly recognizable. These toolbars alter your homepage and your search engine in the installed web browser, track your web activities, modify your search results with redirects and sponsored links, and eventually slow down your browser and diminish your browsing experience. Potentially unwanted programs use aggressive distribution methods to get onto your computer. The worst part of setting up a PUP is the adware, spyware, and keystroke loggers that could lurk inside. Even if the PUPs really aren’t inherently malicious, these applications still do practically nothing good on your PC – they’ll take valuable system resources, slow down your PC, weaken your computer security, making your PC more vulnerable to malware.

How to avoid ‘crapware’

• Read the EULA thoroughly. Look for clauses that state that you have to accept advertising and pop-ups or bundled applications from the company. • Always opt for the custom if you’re offered an option between “Custom” and “Recommended” Installations – never ever click Next, Next, Next thoughtlessly. • Use a good anti-malware application. Try Safebytes Anti-malware which can find PUPs and treat them as malware by flagging them for deletion. • Be alert if you download and install freeware, open-source applications, or shareware. Do not ever install software applications that seem shady or malicious. • Always download applications from the original website. The majority of PUPs find their way onto your laptop or computer is via download portals, so steer clear of it altogether. Remember the fact that even though PUPs could potentially cause damage and hinder the proper functioning of the PC, they can’t enter into your system without your consent, so be alert not to provide them with it.

How One Can Get rid of Malware that is Blocking Websites or Preventing Downloads

Malware could potentially cause many kinds of damage to PCs, networks, and data. Some malware goes to great lengths to stop you from downloading or installing anything on your computer, especially antivirus software. If you’re reading this article, odds are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download or install the Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your PC. Even though this sort of problem can be tougher to circumvent, there are some steps you can take.

Make use of Safe Mode to resolve the issue

If the malware is set to run automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, stepping into safe mode could block the attempt. Just minimal required programs and services are loaded when you boot your computer in Safe Mode. To launch your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers in Safe Mode with Networking, do as instructed below. 1) Tap the F8 key repeatedly as soon as your PC boots, however, before the big Windows logo or black screen with white texts come up. This would invoke the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Choose Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and hit ENTER. 3) When this mode loads, you should have the internet. Now, obtain the malware removal program you want by utilizing the web browser. To install the program, follow the guidelines in the installation wizard. 4) Right after installation, do a full scan and allow the software program to get rid of the threats it detects.

Switch to an alternate internet browser

Some malware mainly targets certain browsers. If this is your situation, employ another internet browser as it might circumvent the computer virus. When you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by a trojan or otherwise compromised by online hackers, the best thing to do is to switch over to an alternate internet browser such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Apple Safari to download your chosen security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Create a portable USB antivirus for eliminating viruses

Another technique is to download and transfer an antivirus application from a clean computer to run a scan on the infected computer. Follow these steps to run the anti-malware on the affected computer. 1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free PC. 2) Connect the flash drive to a USB slot on the clean computer. 3) Double click on the exe file to run the installation wizard. 4) Choose the USB stick as the location for saving the file. Follow the instructions on the screen to finish off the installation process. 5) Now, transfer the flash drive to the infected computer. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the USB drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Click the “Scan Now” button to start the virus scan.

Protect your PC from Malware With SafeBytes Security Suite

If you are looking to install an anti-malware program for your PC, there are lots of tools in the market to consider nonetheless, you just cannot trust blindly anyone, regardless of whether it is a paid or free program. A few of them are great but there are several scamware applications that pretend as authentic anti-malware programs waiting around to wreak havoc on your PC. You have to pick a company that develops industry-best anti-malware and it has earned a reputation as reliable. One of the highly recommended applications by industry analysts is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, the safest program for Microsoft Windows. SafeBytes can be described as a highly effective, real-time antivirus application that is made to assist the average computer user in protecting their PC from malicious internet threats. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you protect your computer against infections brought on by various kinds of malware and other internet threats, including spyware, adware, trojans, worms, computer viruses, keyloggers, ransomware, and potentially unwanted program (PUPs).

There are many wonderful features you’ll get with this particular security product. Listed below are some of the features you will like in SafeBytes.

Active Protection: SafeBytes offers a completely hands-free active protection and is set to observe, block, and kill all computer threats at its very first encounter. It will check your PC for suspicious activity at all times and its unrivaled firewall shields your computer from illegal entry by the outside world. Robust, Anti-malware Protection: Using a critically acclaimed malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection which is made to catch and remove threats that are concealed deep inside your PC. Web Security: Safebytes allots all sites a unique safety ranking that helps you to get an idea of whether the webpage you’re just about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site. Extremely Speed Scanning: SafeBytes’s virus scan engine is among the fastest and most efficient in the industry. It's targeted scanning significantly increases the catch rate for viruses which is embedded in various computer files. Lightweight: SafeBytes is really lightweight software. It consumes an extremely small amount of processing power as it runs in the background which means you will not observe any computer performance difficulties. 24/7 Support: For any technical concerns or product assistance, you may get 24/7 expert assistance via chat and email. To sum it up, SafeBytes Anti-Malware offers outstanding protection combined with an acceptable low system resources usage with both great malware detection and prevention. You now may realize that this particular tool does more than just scan and remove threats from your computer. You will get the best all-around protection for the money you pay on SafeBytes AntiMalware subscription, there’s no question about it.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to do the removal of ChatZum manually rather than using an automated software tool, you can follow these simple steps: Navigate to the Windows Control Panel, click the “Add/Remove Programs” and there, choose the offending application to remove. In case of suspicious versions of web browser plug-ins, you can easily get rid of it through your web browser’s extension manager. You might also want to reset your home page and search providers, as well as delete browsing history, temporary files, and cookies. If you choose to manually remove the system files and Windows registry entries, use the following list to make sure you know exactly what files to remove before undertaking any actions. Please note that only advanced users should try to manually edit the system files mainly because removing any single vital registry entry results in a serious problem or even a PC crash. In addition, certain malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing its removal. Doing this malware-removal process in Safe Mode is recommended.

Privacy is a hot topic lately in all circles so naturally themes like private or incognito browsing pop up immediately as discussion topics. Naturally, when discussing private or incognito browsing it is very important to understand what exactly private or incognito browsing is, what does it do and how it works in order to shed some light on is it really private and safe as we are told. So, when you browse the internet normally websites have tendencies to save your browsing data, save cookies, remember passwords, etc in order to provide you with a better surfing experience next time you visit that same site. Private or incognito browsing treats you as a completely new user which is the first time visiting a given website. It clears all your data, including your browsing history, cookies, etc., on exiting. Every website you visit in private or incognito mode treats you as a new visitor, even if you have visited it before in incognito mode. And basically, that's it. So is it really private? No, it is just a non-remembering mode of internet browsing where after your browsing session history and other data is cleared from the browser, but while you are on the internet you are pretty visible to all like any other normal user. There are a lot of misconceptions and wrong thinking about browsing the internet in this mode so let's take a look at some typical ones.

1. The government and other companies can not track me

   Many people think that the Government cannot trace their identity when they surf privately. This is only a myth. There are many ways by which the Government can reach you if you do something illegal. When you surf online, you are connected with an ISP of your area, which helps the officials track your location.

2. Virus and other malware can not infect me while in private or incognito mode

   Many people think that private mode protects them from virus and malware attacks. It is not true because malware and viruses can enter your PC through a software download, phishing email, etc. To protect your PC from virus and malware attacks, you should have good security software.

3. My IP address is hidden when I am in incognito or private browsing mode

   This is not 100% true. If you search “What is my IP” in incognito and standard mode, you will get the same results. This means that websites can view your IP address in private mode also. Using a VPN would be a good option if you want to hide your IP.

4. I can not be tracked via ads

   Since cookies are deleted after exiting private browsing, many people think that ads cannot track them. When you surf in incognito mode, the browser saves cookies in a temporary mode, allowing ads to track you during your entire private browsing session.

5. I am not visible when I am in incognito or private

   You may think if you sign in to your Gmail or other social media accounts in private mode, no one will see you online. This is not true. It does not matter whether you have signed into your account in normal mode or incognito mode; others can always spot you online.

In your regular browsing mode, you may have some addons, extensions, themes, etc installed and you can use them. They may track your activities. The data is deleted when you exit the browser. When you use the private browsing mode, the browser is loaded in its original form, typically without the installed addons, extension, themes, etc. The data gets deleted when you exit the browser. This mode doesn’t save data to disk but keeps it in memory during the current session. If you are really concerned about your privacy we have articles about using DuckDuckGo and deep web where you can be sure that your browsing sessions are encrypted.

There are cases when your Windows 10 PC can encounter an issue where it gets stuck and will display a message that says, “Preparing Security Options”. If this is happening to your Windows 10 PC, you won’t be able to use your keyboard or even mouse and your screen will only be stuck on the screen as mentioned above. As your computer is still stuck, you will be left with no choice but to shut it down and restart it. Tap the F11 key as soon as your PC powers on. This will take you to the Advanced Startup options where you can carry out some steps. If it still didn’t work, you have to boot your Windows 10 PC into Safe Mode and then try out the troubleshooting options below.

Option 1 – Try using System Restore

You can do this option either by booting into Safe Mode or in System Restore. If you are already in the Advanced Startup Options, just directly select System Restore and proceed with the next steps. And if you have just booted your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the steps below.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
• Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
• After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.

Option 2 – Uninstall the Windows Updates you’ve installed recently

The issue could be caused by Windows Updates so you need to check if it’s indeed the case. The best way you can do so is via Safe Mode.

• Boot your PC into Safe Mode and then tap the Win + I keys to open Settings.
• After that, click on Update and Security and then select Windows Update from the left side menu column.
• Next, select the “View installed update history” option on the right-side column and click on Uninstall Updates which will open a window that will show the list of all the installed updates on your PC.
• From there, select the update you want to uninstall and click the Uninstall button located in the lower right corner of the window.

Option 3 – Try disabling the Fast Startup

• Boot your PC into Safe Mode.
• Then tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Next, type in “control” to open Control Panel.
• After that, select Hardware and Sound and click on Power Options.
• Select “Choose what the power buttons do” from the left side menu pane and click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
• Afterward, uncheck the “Turn on fast startup (Recommended)” entry and click on Save Changes.
• Now restart your PC and check if the problem’s fixed.

Option 4 – Try running both the SFC scan and CHKDSK utility

You can do both SFC and CHKDSK using Safe Mode and Advanced Startup options. For Advanced Startup options, click on the Command Prompt option and proceed with the steps. And if you have booted your computer into Safe Mode, follow these steps:

• Tap the Win + X keys or right-click on the Start button and click Command Prompt (admin).
• After that, type in this command and tap Enter to run the System File Checker or SFC – “Sfc /scannow”.
• Alternatively, you can use this command instead if the previous command didn’t work – “sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c: /offwindir=c:windows”.
• Wait until the SFC scan is done with the process and then restart your PC.
• Next, run the CHKDSK utility and once it’s done checking your disk for errors and then reboot your PC to save the changes made.

Option 5 – Try resetting Windows 10

You can reset your Windows 10 PC using either the Advanced Startup Options or by booting into Safe Mode.

• Tap the Win + I keys and go to Update and Security > Recovery.
• Then click on Get Started under the Reset this PC section.
• After that, follow the on-screen instructions with how you want to reset your PC and what files and settings you want to revert.
• Then it will reset your PC by reinstalling it

Option 6 – Try to rename the SoftwareDistribution folder

In this option, the Command Prompt is supposed to be like the one in option 4. You can use both ways there to open the Command Prompt.

• Open an elevated Command Prompt as admin and type in the commands below and tap Enter right after you typed in each one of them
• net stop wuauserv
• net stop bits
• rename c:windowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
• net start wuauserv
• net start bits

Note: You can also rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to “SoftwareDistribution.bak” or “SoftwareDistribution.old” after you boot your PC into Safe Mode.

Option 7 – Try rebuilding BCD

Rebuilding the BCD can help you in fixing the stuck Windows 10.

• You can start by booting into the installation environment for Windows 10 from an installation media.
• After that, click on Repair your computer and on the blue screen, select Troubleshoot and then select the Advanced options menu.
• Next, select Command Prompt and type in the commands below one by one, and tap Enter right after you do so.
• exe /FixMbr
• exe /FixBoot
  • exe /RebuildBcd

Strange and anxious message no internet, secured can happen even during when everything is ok and you do indeed have internet. So in order to fix this issue please keep on reading.

Reset Router

Most a simple and most straightforward solution and 80% of the time it works like a charm. Before trying other solutions, try this simple one.

---

Run the Networking Troubleshooter

1. Run the build-in Windows 10 troubleshooter for networking.
2. To do this, right-click Start then select Settings
3. In the Settings window, click Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Internet Connections > Run the troubleshooter then follow the instructions

---

Device Manager solution

The Windows device manager is the place where you can update, disable and re-enable, and reinstall your devices, including the network adapter which is most likely the cause of this issue. In Device Manager, click Network adapters then locate your network adapter and right-click on it Do the following things in order presented:

1. Update driver.
2. Disable device, enable Flight mode in the taskbar, reboot PC, then Enable device and turn off Flight mode.
3. Uninstall device, reboot PC, reinstall the device if it was not installed automatically

---

Refresh IP Configuration

Refreshing your IP configuration reassigns your IP address, which will fix the problem if it was down to your IP allocation issues Open the Command Prompt, then enter the following commands:

---

Reset Winsock

There are a couple of other things you can try in the command prompt. The Winsock protocol controls a big chunk of your computer’s communication with network services and resetting it will reset many of those under-the-hood elements to their default settings. Enter the following into the command prompt:

---

Fix Connection’s Properties

Click the Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) connection icon in the taskbar, then Network & Internet Settings. In the new window, click Change adapter options then right-click the affected connection and click Properties. In the Properties window, make sure all the following boxes are ticked:

• Client for Microsoft Networks
• File and Printer Sharing
• Internet Protocol Version 4
• Internet Protocol Version 6
• Link-layer Topology Discovery Responder

Click OK and restart PC.

---

Disable iPv6

IPv6 is the relatively new Internet protocol that more and more PCs are using due to the fact that the number of available IPv4 addresses is simply running out. Not all networking equipment and ISPs play nice with iPv6, however, so if you have this switched on, then it could be interfering with your connection. If you suspect this might be the issue, uncheck the IPv6 box under your connection’s Properties.

Error Code 44 – What is it?

Error Code 44 is a device driver error that users encounter when using Windows 2000 operating system and later versions.

It is when the peripheral device that is connected to the computer, such as a printer or a fax machine, cannot be accessed as the programs required for operation interfere with other software on the computer. The error code will pop up with the following message:

“An application or service has shut down this hardware device. (Code 44)”

Solution

Error Causes

Error Code 44 is caused when the program that you are using shuts down the peripheral device installed on your system. It is triggered by the following:

• Corrupted system registry entries
• Device driver files are outdated
• Device driver files are missing

It is critical to fix the Error Code 44 as it can pose serious risks to the wellbeing of your PC.

Further Information and Manual Repair

While bothersome, like other error codes, error code 44 to is relatively easy to fix. Here are ways to help resolve the error.

Method 1 – Restart your PC

The easiest method you can use to solve your PC error code is to simply run a restart of your Windows system. It may be that the error prompted upon connecting the device you have connected is merely a temporary problem, and upon restart, will resume functioning smoothly.

Method 2 – Run the Troubleshooting Wizard

If restarting your PC does not help, you will have to find the exact nature of the problem by running the troubleshooting wizard for the device and address the problem accordingly. To do this, proceed with the following steps:

• Run Device Manager on your PC
• Click on the program under the installed programs that are creating problems for you
• Click on the ‘General’ Tab
• Click ‘Troubleshoot’
• Upon opening, the Troubleshooting Wizard will ask a series of questions regarding the error. Answer the questions and follow its directions for solving the error code.

After following the directions of the Troubleshooting wizard, make sure to restart your PC for the changes to take effect. Then check if your device is still causing problems.

Method 3 – Manually uninstall and reinstall the device driver

If troubleshooting does not work, you may have to resort to manually uninstalling and then reinstalling the device driver causing the problem.

This would be necessary since the remaining incomplete files due to a partial removal or installation of programs is what contributes to the error code. A fresh install, after uninstallation of the previous drivers, would lead to the completion of the files.

You can do this by firstly logging in as Administrator and opening Device Manager. Select the device that is causing the problem and double click it and make sure that the peripheral is connected properly to the PC.

Upon opening, click on the ‘Driver’ tab and then select ‘Update Driver’. Make sure to refer to the system documentation that you received with your PC or computer to check for the motherboard details and driver specifics.

Method 4 – Use software to automatically download the driver

Manually uninstalling and reinstalling the driver will do the trick, however, it may be time-consuming especially when you would have to resort to your hardware user manual.

Therefore, using a program such as DriverFIX can save you a lot of time and frustration in having your device work properly on your computer.

Driver Assist, with its user-friendly approach to help you fix your PC issues, comes with an integrated database that detects which drivers you need to reconfigure within just a few seconds and downloads it automatically.

It further ensures that your drivers are installed in their entirety leaving no room for any incomplete files to remain that create Error Code 38.

It also has the added advantage of being able to backup and restores your files should there be the slightest possibility of system file damage. DriverFIX is the answer to fixing your PC error codes accurately and quickly.

Click here to download DriverFIX to fix Error Code 44 quickly and effectively!

If you are currently facing the “A required device isn’t connected or cannot be accessed” error with codes 0xc0000185, 0xc0000225, 0xc0000001, 0xc00000f, and 0xc000000e on your Windows 10 computer, worry not for this post will help you resolve this problem. All these error codes point out the same thing – your computer needs to be repaired. Some of these error codes are related to the “winload.efi” file which means that you are using the UEFI system. This file also loads up important drivers in order to start the Windows Kernel. And if you got a remark from any of these error codes indicating that there is a hardware failure or that the driver configuration is incorrect, then you must physically check if the wires are connected properly. This kind of error occurs mostly when your computer wasn’t able to locate the system files that are needed to boot up your computer. Thus, the only way to fix this problem is to correct the boot record. It is recommended that you utilize the “/RebuildBCD” option in order to rebuild the BCD files. To do so, follow these steps:

• You can start by booting into the installation environment for Windows 10 from an installation media.
• After that, click on Repair your computer and on the blue screen, select Troubleshoot and then select the Advanced options menu.
• From there, select Command Prompt and once you open it, enter each one of the commands given below by sequence.
  • bootrec /FixMbr
  • bootrec /FixBoot
  • bootrec /ScanOS
  • bootrec /RebuildBcd
• Once you’re done executing the commands given above, type “exit” to close the Command Prompt window and then restart your computer and see if it fixed error code 0xc000014c.

On the other hand, if rebuilding the BCD using the /RebuildBCD option didn’t help, you can try a crude way to rebuild the boot record from scratch. You can do that by following the given steps below which will export and delete/backup the BCD available in the system.

• Go to the Advanced Recovery Mode.
• From there, go to Command Prompt and execute the commands given below and make sure to enter them one after the other.
  • bcdedit /export C:BCD_Backup
  • c:
  • cd boot
  • attrib bcd -s -h –r
  • ren c:bootbcd bcd.old
  • bootrec /RebuildBcd

If it still didn’t help, then troubleshoot the problem further with the help of the following instructions.

Option 1 – Disable the Secure Boot in the BIOS

Disabling the Secure Boot in the BIOS settings is definitely recommended to resolve the error. To disable Secure Boot, here’s what you have to do:

• First, boot your computer into Windows 10.
• Next, go to Settings > Windows Update. From there, check if there is anything that you have to download and install if you see any available updates. Usually, OEMs send and update the list of trusted hardware, drivers, and operating systems for your computer.
• After that, go to the BIOS of your computer.
• Then go to Settings > Update & Security > Advanced Startup options. If you click on Restart Now, it will restart your computer and give you all the advanced options.
• Next, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options. As you can see, this screen offers you further options including System restore, Startup repair, Go back to the previous version, Command Prompt, System Image Recovery, and UEFI Firmware Settings.
• Select the UEFI Firmware Settings which will take you to the BIOS.
• From there, go to the Security > Boot > Authentication tab where you should see Secure Boot. Note that every OEM has its own way of implementing the options so it varies.
• Next, set Secure Boot to Disabled and set Legacy Support to On or Enabled.
• Save the changes made and exit. Afterward, your computer will reboot.

Option 2 – Run System File Checker

You could also run a System File Checker or SFC scan. All you have to do is select Command Prompt from the Advanced Options. Once you’ve opened Command Prompt, type the “sfc /scannow” command and tap Enter to execute it.

Option 3 – Disable the Early Launch Anti-Malware Protection

• You need to restart your computer in the Start Menu first while holding down the Shift key on your keyboard.
• After that, it will restart your computer to Startup Settings.
• Now ensure that the 8^th option is labeled as “Disable early launch anti-malware protection.
• Then tap the F8 key since the aforementioned option above is listed at number 8. This should launch and load Windows on your PC with the Early Anti-malware protection disabled for that session only when you try to carry out the same task and then check if the error related to the Winload.efi file is now fixed.

Option 4 – Try to run Automatic Startup Repair

In this option, you need to boot your computer into the Advanced Startup Options and from there, run the Automatic Startup Repair and then wait until the process is completed.

Option 5 – Try to reset the BIOS or the UEFI Settings

If updating the BIOS didn’t help in fixing the error, you can try to reset the BIOS instead.

• Start your computer and tap the F10 key during the booting process to enter the BIOS. If it does not work, you can try tapping the F1 or F2 key as well as the Del key.
• Once you’re already in the BIOS, tap the F9 key to get the prompt to RestoreLoad default configuration now for the BIOS.
• Next, click on Yes and then follow the next on-screen instructions that appear to set the BIOS back to its default settings.
• Once you’re done restoring the default settings of the BIOS, restart your computer and then check if it now boots properly.

Option 6 – Try to physically check the hardware

You should also check the physical status of the hardware in your computer. You can clean the dust off the hardware components like the Network Card of the computer. You might want to use a small blower or you could also use a soft cloth and run the components gently. Make sure that you don’t damage any parts with moisture or cause harm to any circuits while you carry out this task.

Msvcr71.dll Error - What is it?

Msvcr71.dll is a dynamic library link that belongs to the Microsoft Visual C Runtime library. This file is a core Windows component used by numerous Windows applications like Microsoft Office version 2002 and 2003, Windows XP Media Center, and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. The Msvcr71.dll error commonly occurs when two applications share the same DLL file. When an application is deleted sometimes the Msvcr71.dll file is also deleted which is associated with two applications on your PC. So, when you try to run the other application you come across the Msvcr71.dll error on your system. The error also occurs when you try to install new programs or update the old program versions. This also misconfigures the DLL files and results in the Msvcr71.dll error. Msvcr71.dll error messages are often displayed as the following:

• “This application has failed to start because Msvcr71.dll was not found.”
• “Mscvr71.dll is a bad windows image. Please check against your installation diskette.”
• “Cannot find [PATH]msvcr71.dll"
• "The file msvcr71.dll is missing."

Solution

Error Causes

Deletion of the Msvcr71.dll file is one cause for the Msvcr71.dll file error. However, this error can also be generated due to other causes such as:

• Corrupt, missing, or misconfigured msvcr71.dll file
• Damaged and missing .dll files
• Corrupt runtime code library
• Registry issues
• Malware attack and viral infection
• Msvcr71.dll error codes usually occur on Windows versions XP and Vista.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Here are different ways to resolve the Msvcr71.dll error code on your system:

1. Reinstall the program/application that is causing the Error to Pop up on the Screen

When this error code occurs due to misconfigured or missing the Msvcr71.dll file, try reinstalling the program/application that is causing the error to pop up on your screen. When doing this, make sure there is no problem with the setup files from the disk you are performing the installation on your PC.

2. Check the Recycle Bin and Restore the Deleted File

If the Msvcr.dll file was deleted accidentally when you uninstalled a program on your PC, then the deleted file is most likely to be in the recycle bin. Check it and if you find it, restore it. Once the file is restored try running the application again.

3. Scan for Malware and Viruses

Install an antivirus and scan for malware and viruses. This software can also corrupt DLL files and runtime code libraries. However, this is not the best solution especially if you already have too many programs installed on your PC. New program installations cause more complications and besides antivirus are infamous for slowing down PC speed.

4. Repair the Corrupt Registry

If the three methods discussed above don’t help you resolve the Msvcr71.dll error code on your system, then this means the cause of the error is more critical than you think. The error is triggered by a corrupt and damaged registry. If this issue is not addressed timely, it can result in system failure and a fatal crash. To resolve the error code Msvcr71.dll, you need to repair the corrupt registry. And the best way to go about it is to download Restoro Restoro is a user-friendly, highly functional, and multi-functional repair tool integrated with high speed and powerful utilities such as a registry cleaner, system stability scanner, Active X and class error module, and an antivirus. It also functions as a system optimizer. It is the answer to your entire PC-related errors and issues. The automated and intuitive algorithm deployed inside this tool enables it to detect all registry errors and issues generating Msvcr71.dll error. DLL files often get damaged due to data overload, disk fragmentation, and malicious files saved in the registry. The registry cleaner removes all the unnecessary and obsolete files from the registry, clears up disk space, and repairs defragmented, damaged, and misconfigured disks. DLL files including Msvcr71.dll and also fixes the registry. It’s an in-built antivirus scan and removes viruses and the system optimizer feature ensures that your PC runs at its optimum speed. It is safe, bug-free, efficient, and easy to use.  It runs smoothly on all Windows versions. Click here to download Restoro and resolve the Msvcr71.dll error on your PC.

It is no secret that Microsoft is trying to keep Windows relevant and that it is trying to make it as good as possible. A new Windows update will bring some interesting stuff in it which well some like it, some not so much. Among various technical and security updates Microsoft will bring some directly visible to each user.

First

of these features will be File explorer compact mode. This feature is a sort of spacing content in file explorer giving it easier access if you are using a touch screen device. Now, this feature is somewhat strange, and altho I can understand and get behind the logic of this move I am not sure I like it. Lucky for me and others who feel the same this option can be turned off for now.

Second

feature is something I can get behind, improvements for virtual desktops. There is an article on errortools about virtual desktops feature and I really hope you are using it since it is a great feature. Anyway, new update will bring us separate desktop wallpapers for each desktop and we will be able to arrange them in order we like.

Third

thing that I would like to address is animation features. We will have windows slowly fade and resize when opened, minimized, maximized, etc. So far we are unable to tell how this can and will it affect overall system performance. I am sure it will have some impact but hopes are that it will be kept to a minimum. If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.

Error 118 - What is it?

Error 118 is a typical Google Chrome error. It pops up when Google Chrome fails to load websites like Facebook. It is usually displayed in the following format:

‘Error Message: Error 118 (net::ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT): The operation timed out.’

Solution

Error Causes

Error 118 may be triggered due to several reasons. This includes:

• Problems with DNS setting
• IP Address is filtering websites
• Cookies and invalid registry entries

Further Information and Manual Repair

To ensure smooth internet browsing on Google Chrome, it is advisable to repair the error 118. If error 118 is not resolved you will be unable to load and access your desired websites. To avoid inconvenience and resolve the issue immediately, try the methods suggested below. These are easy and effective do-it-yourself methods that require no technical skills.

Method 1 - Change Proxy Settings

If your IP address is filtering websites, then you might experience error 118 while using Google Chrome. When this is the error cause, then it is advisable to add a proxy for your PC. To change proxy settings and add a new proxy, simply click on Customize and Control Google Chrome menu. Now click the options button. Under the Google Chrome Options window select the Under the Hood tab. After that in the Network, section click the change proxy settings button. Check Show Suggestions for navigation errors and Use DNS pre-fetching to improve page load performance boxes. Now under Internet Properties, click LAN Settings. Under LAN settings you will see the Proxy Server box, check it, and enter your new proxy settings. Click OK to confirm and save settings. This will hopefully resolve the issue.

Method 2 - Change to Google DNS

When the error is related to DNS settings then try this method to resolve it. Simply set DNS to use Google DNS. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Go to the start menu, click Windows Control Panel, Network and Internet, and change adapter settings. Here you will see Local Area Connection.
2. Right click to select properties at the bottom.
3. Check Internet Protocol Version 4 and click properties.
4. Now check the ‘Obtain an IP address automatically’ box and also select the option that says ‘Use the following DNS server addresses’.
5. Change Preferred DNS to 8.8.4.4 and Alternate DNS server to 8.8.8.8 now click OK to confirm.

Method 3 - Remove the Bad Entries and Cookies Damaging the Registry

Bad entries and cookies saved in the registry can also trigger error 118. To fix the issue immediately download Restoro. This is PC Fixer with multiple utilities including a registry cleaner. The registry cleaner removes all bad entries and cookies in seconds and repairs the damaged registry. Click here to download Restoro and resolve error 118.