MapsGalaxy is a Browser Extension developed by MindSpark Inc. witch usually comes bundled with other software. This extension claims it allows users to search the web, open maps, and check out fasters routes to a destination.
While active, it monitors your browser activity. The links you visit, the searches you make, the websites you use, and even personal information is sent back to MindSpark Inc. to later be sold/used to deliver ads to your browser.
While this extension is active you may see additional unwanted ads, sponsored links, and pop-up ads displayed in your search results and browser. It also changes your default search engine to MyWay, ensuring its ads are displayed. Several anti-virus scanners have marked this extension as a Browser Hijacker and are therefore not recommended to keep on your PC.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking is actually a form of unwanted software program, usually a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in browser settings. Practically all browser hijackers are made for marketing or advertising purposes. Typically, it will drive users to predetermined websites that are looking to increase their advertising campaign revenue. Many people believe that such websites are legitimate and harmless but that is not true. Almost every browser hijacker poses an actual threat to your online safety and it is vital to classify them under privacy risks. They do not just screw up your internet browsers, but browser hijackers can also modify the computer registry to make your computer or laptop vulnerable to various other malware attacks.
How to know if your internet browser has been hijacked
Below are some symptoms that indicate you have been hijacked: 1. your web browser’s homepage is suddenly different 2. you observe new unwanted bookmarks or favorites added, usually directed to ad-filled or pornography websites 3. The default search page of your web browser is modified 4. discover new toolbars that you didn’t add 5. you’ll notice random pop-ups start occurring frequently 6. websites load very slowly and sometimes incomplete 7. Inability to navigate to certain websites, especially anti-malware and other security software sites.
Exactly how they infect computer systems
There are many ways your PC can get infected by a browser hijacker. They typically arrive by way of spam email, via file-sharing networks, or by a drive-by download. They could also be deployed via the installation of a web browser toolbar, extension, or add-on. A browser hijacker could also be installed as a part of freeware, shareware, demoware, and pirated programs. Well-known examples of browser hijackers include Conduit, CoolWebSearch, RocketTab, OneWebSearch, Coupon Server, Searchult.com, Snap.do, and Delta Search.
Browser hijackers might record user keystrokes to collect potentially invaluable information leading to privacy concerns, cause instability on computers, significantly disrupt the user experience, and eventually slow down the PC to a point where it will become unusable.
How to fix a browser hijack
The one thing you can try to get rid of a browser hijacker is to locate the malicious software in the “Add or Remove Programs” list in the Windows Control Panel. It may or may not be there. When it is, try to uninstall it. Having said that, most hijackers are quite tenacious and need specialized tools to remove them. Inexperienced PC users should not attempt the manual form of removal methods, since it requires in-depth computer knowledge to do fixes on the system registry and HOSTS file.
Find Out How To Install Safebytes Anti-Malware On An Infected Computer system
Practically all malware is inherently unsafe, but certain kinds of malicious software do more damage to your PC than others. Some malware variants alter web browser settings by adding a proxy server or change the PC’s DNS configurations. In these cases, you’ll be unable to visit certain or all internet sites, and therefore unable to download or install the required security software to eliminate the infection. If you’re reading this article now, you have perhaps recognized that virus infection is the cause of your blocked web connectivity. So how to proceed when you want to download and install an antivirus application such as Safebytes? There are some options you could try to get around with this problem.
Get rid of viruses in Safe Mode
Safe Mode is a special, basic version of Microsoft Windows in which just a bare minimum of services are loaded to prevent viruses as well as other problematic applications from loading. In the event, the malicious software is set to load immediately when the computer boots, switching into this particular mode could prevent it from doing so. In order to get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the computer is booting up or run MSCONFIG and look for the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can attempt to download and install your anti-malware program without the hindrance of the malware. At this point, you are able to run the anti-virus scan to remove computer viruses and malware without hindrance from another malicious application.
Utilize an alternate web browser to download the anti-malware application
Malicious code could exploit vulnerabilities in a specific browser and block access to all anti-virus software sites. If you seem to have a trojan attached to Internet Explorer, then switch to a different browser with built-in safety features, such as Chrome or Firefox, to download your favorite antivirus program – Safebytes.
Install and run anti-virus from your flash drive
Here’s another solution which is utilizing a portable USB anti-malware software package that can scan your computer for malicious software without the need for installation. Adopt these measures to run the anti-virus on the infected computer. 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or Microsoft Windows Defender Offline onto a clean computer. 2) Plug the pen drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click on the downloaded file to open the installation wizard. 4) Select the drive letter of the pen drive as the place when the wizard asks you exactly where you would like to install the antivirus. Do as instructed on the screen to finish up the installation process. 5) Unplug the USB drive. You may now utilize this portable anti-malware on the infected computer. 6) Double-click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the flash drive to run the software. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and clean-up up all types of malware.
Features and Benefits of SafeBytes Anti-Malware
If you are looking to download an anti-malware application for your computer, there are plenty of tools in the market to consider nonetheless, you should not trust blindly anyone, regardless of whether it is a paid or free program. Some are worth your money, but many aren’t. You need to pick one that is trustworthy, practical, and has a strong reputation for its malware source protection. On the list of the recommended tools by industry leaders is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, the most dependable program for Windows computers.
SafeBytes anti-malware is really a powerful, very effective protection tool created to assist users of all levels of computer literacy in detecting and removing harmful threats from their personal computers. This software program can easily identify, eliminate, and protect your PC from the most advanced malware threats such as spyware, adware, trojan horses, ransomware, worms, PUPs, along with other possibly damaging software programs.
SafeBytes carries a plethora of amazing features which can help you protect your laptop or computer from malware attack and damage. Let’s look into some of them below:
Live Protection: SafeBytes provides real-time active checking and protection from all known computer viruses and malware. It will regularly monitor your pc for hacker activity and also provides end-users with sophisticated firewall protection.
Optimum AntiMalware Protection: With its advanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware elimination tool can detect and remove the malware threats hiding in your computer system effectively.
Safe Web Browsing: SafeBytes inspects the hyperlinks present on a web page for possible threats and notifies you if the website is safe to check out or not, through its unique safety rating system.
Fast Multi-threaded Scanning: SafeBytes’s virus scan engine is among the quickest and most efficient within the industry. It's targeted scanning drastically increases the catch rate for viruses that are embedded in various PC files.
Lightweight: The program is lightweight and can run silently in the background, and will not impact your PC efficiency.
24/7 On-line Tech Support: Support service is available for 24 x 7 x 365 days via email and chats to answer your queries.
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you want to manually get rid of MapsGalaxy without the use of an automated tool, it might be actually possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You’ll likely also want to reset your internet browser.
If you choose to manually delete the system files and registry entries, make use of the following list to make sure you know exactly what files to remove before undertaking any actions. But bear in mind, this can be a difficult task and only computer experts could accomplish it safely. Additionally, certain malicious programs have the capability to defend against its deletion. It is highly recommended that you carry out the removal process in Safe Mode.
The Winload.efi file is an Extensible Firmware Interface or EFI file. EFI files are executable files for the firmware of the computers that are mainly based on UEFI and execute the tasks of loading the files to the bootloader of the computer. They are used for a specific set of tasks such as turning on the computer, installing Windows, restarting the computer or resetting it, and so on. This is why the Winload.efi file is a significant file so if it gets corrupted, lost, or damaged, it would be impossible for the Windows operating system to proceed.
Here are some errors you can encounter that are related to the Winload.efi file:
efi is missing
efi cannot be found
efi is missing or contains errors
This program can’t start because winload.efi is missing from your computer
This application requires the file winload.efi, which was not found on this system.
There was a problem starting [path]winload.efi. The specified module could not be found.
In addition, the 0xc0000225 , 0xc00000e and 0xc0000001error codes are also associated with the Winload.efi file.
Before you start troubleshooting the problem, you can try to perform System Restore first. This will help undo any changes you’ve made in your computer that might have triggered the Blue Screen error. To perform System Restore, here’s what you have to do:
First, press 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.
If System Restore didn’t help in fixing the Blue Screen error, now’s the time for you to resort to the troubleshooting tips provided below but before you get started, make sure that your create a System Restore point first.
Option 1 – Try rebuilding the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) and repairing MBR
Once you get to the Welcome Screen part, click on Next.
Afterwards, click on the Repair your computer option located on the bottom-left part of the window.
Then click on Troubleshoot.
Next, select the Advanced Options and then Command Prompt.
Once Command Prompt has been pulled up, the following commands to rebuild BCD files and repair MBR. Don’t forget to hit Enter right after you type each command.
bootrec /repairbcd
bootrec /osscan
bootrec /repairmbr
Once the command line is successful in finding out a Windows installation, hit Y to let it boot from the list which will successfully rebuild BCD.
Now type “exit” to close Command Prompt and then restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.
Option 2 – Disable the Secure Boot in the BIOS
Disabling the Secure Boot in the BIOS settings is definitely recommended to resolve errors related to the Winload.efi file. 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 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 3 – Run System File Checker scan
You might also try running the System File Checker or SFC scan to fix the error. System File Checker is a command utility built into your computer that helps restore corrupted files and missing files. Refer to the following steps to run it:
Hit the Win + R keys to launch Run.
Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them
Reboot your computer.
Option 4 – 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 8th 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.
In Windows 11 if you do not own a mouse or it has suddenly malfunctioned you can still move your arrow on-screen using the numeric pad.
In this guide, we will guide you on how to turn this option ON, follow this easy guide step by step.
Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open Windows settings
Click on Accessibility on left
Scroll down to reach the interaction section on the right and click on Mouse
Click on Switch beside Mouse keys under accessibility options
The Windows 10 operating system utilizes a variety of measures in order to track your app launches so that it can boost both your start and search results. It can personalize the start menu based on the apps that you use the most on the Start menu as well as the search results. This way, the App Launch Tracking is definitely useful especially when you want to access your favorite and frequently used apps quickly in the Start menu and search results on your Windows 10 computer.
On the other hand, Windows 10 provides users with the ability to control their privacy settings in order to protect the privacy of users. Windows 10 users can either opt to enable the app launch tracking to improve the start menu and search menu or opt to disable the app launch tracking in order to prevent the Windows operating system from tracking that you open if you really value your privacy that much. Whichever setting you prefer, you need to change the privacy control settings as well as make some tweaks in the Windows Registry in order to turn on or turn off the app launch tracking feature.
Option 1 – Turn off or turn on app launch tracking via Settings
Go to Settings and click on Privacy.
After that, toggle On the “Let Windows track app launches to improve Start and search results” option on the right side of the page under the General Settings to enable the app launch tracking feature.
And of course, if you wish to disable the app launch tracking feature, simply toggle Off the “Let Windows track app launches to improve Start and search results” option on the very same page under General Settings.
After that, close the Settings window.
Note: Keep in mind that when you disable the app launch tracking feature, the “Show most used app” setting will either be grayed out or labeled as “Disable” on your Windows 10 computer. Thus, if you want to keep viewing the most used apps, just re-enable the app launch tracking feature if you have disabled it.
Option 2 – Turn off or turn on app launch tracking via Windows Registry
Before you proceed, make sure to create a System Restore point
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter or click OK to open the Registry Editor.
There are times when it is really inevitable to delete your hard drive partitions especially if you are already running low on disk space in your Windows 10 computer. Users typically delete the volume which is not being used in such cases in order to free up some space for the volume that’s running low on disk space.
To resolve the problem, users tend to use the Disk Management utility to delete hard drive partitions. However, some users reported that the “Delete volume” option is not available as it is grayed out. Thus, users aren’t able to delete hard drive partitions and aren’t able to free up disk space.
This kind of problem usually occurs when there is a Page file on the volume that you are trying to delete and so on. Oftentimes, this issue is mistaken for the problem where you are unable to delete an EFI-protected partition. However, in this case, not only you are unable to delete EFI-protected partition but also NTFS file systems. This is really hard to deal with but worries not for there are some potential fixes you can check out to resolve this problem.
Option 1 – Try to manage the Page file in the Partition
As mentioned earlier, if a Page file exists in a partition, you won’t be able to delete it. The page file is what stores your data when the system’s random access memory fills up. To resolve this, follow these steps:
Go to the Start menu and type “View advanced system settings” in the field and open it from the search results.
Next, click on Settings in the Advanced tab.
On the new window that pops up, go to the Advanced tab and select Change.
Next, uncheck the checkbox of “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” and highlight the drive you want to delete.
Then select “No paging file” and click on Set.
Now click on the Apply and OK buttons on all the windows and restart your computer.
Option 2 – Delete storage partition via Command Prompt
Tap the Win + X keys or right-click on the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) or you could also type in “cmd” in the Cortana search box and right-click on the Command Prompt icon and then select the “Run as Administrator” option from the context menu.
Once you have Command Prompt pulled up as admin, type in and enter this command – diskpart
After entering this command, the Diskpart Utility will start. Diskpart Utility is a command-line-based utility just like Command Prompt but it will get a UAC Prompt after you invoke it so you have to click Yes for the UAC Prompt.
After that, type in list volume and tap Enter to see the list of all the partitions created on your PC. This includes both types of partitions that are visible to the normal users in the File Explorer as well as the ones that are created by Windows 10 by default which helps it in storing the boot files and other essential system files.
You should see a list of all the partitions made on your computer. Select the partition you want to delete by its Unique Identification number as Volume X where X denotes the Unique Identification Number.
Next, type in the select volume number command and hit Enter to select the desired volume.
Then delete the volume you’ve selected and type in the delete volume command and hit Enter to delete the volume you just selected and convert it into unallocated space.
Option 3 – Delete storage partition via Windows PowerShell
Start by tapping the Win + X keys or simply right click on the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or you could also type in “Windows PowerShell” in the Cortana search box and right-click on the Windows PowerShell icon and select the “Run as administrator” option.
Once you’ve opened the Windows PowerShell, type in the Get-Volume command and hit Enter to get a list of all the partitions on your PC.
Next, select the drive letter you want to delete and then type in the Remove-Partition –DriveLetter command and hit Enter to delete the selected partition. Note that you need to replace the drive letter with the letter of the partition you want to get rid of.
After that, it will ask you for confirmation. Just hit the Y key for Yes or hit the A key to say Yes to All. This will delete all the partition you’ve selected and will move them in as unallocated space.
If you are trying to copy a file but suddenly encountered an error message saying, “An unexpected error is keeping you from copying the file”, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will help you resolve the problem.
This error comes along with another message that states, “Error 0x80070037: The specified network resource or device is no longer available”. This kind of error occurs when the power supply to the external device is weak and causes the device to be disconnecting and reconnecting consistently. To fix this problem, you need to check out the potential fixes provided below.
Option 1 – Try to physically check the USB ports
You need to check the USB ports as there could be some ports that are loose or damaged physically which affects the overall performance of the port. You could also try to change the USB port since modern computers have a variety of USB ports. So if your USB drive supports USB 3.0 or 3.1, make sure that you plug it inside a USB 3.0 or 3.1 ports. If you’re not sure which port, just keep in mind that the USB 3 port is usually blue or you can also use your computer’s documentation or manual as a reference to locate it.
Option 2 – Check the connected cables physically
Aside from the USB ports, you also have to check the physical status of the connected cables because if there are damaged ones, just like with USB ports, it would also affect the overall connectivity of the device with the computer. So if you notice some irregularities in the connecting cable physically, you might have to buy another one and replace it and then see if it fixes the problem or not.
Option 3 – Update or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller driver
Since it could be a driver issue, you can try to update or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller drivers using the Device Manager. Refer to the following steps:
First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
From there, look for the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” option and then right-click on each one of the USB drivers and select the Update Driver from the menu.
Note: If it is a regular USB drive, then it will be listed as a USB Mass Storage Device but if you have a USB 3.0 device, then look for a USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller.
Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
Note: If updating the USB Controller drivers didn’t work, you can try to reinstall them instead.
Option 4 – Try connecting to a slower USB port
If connecting your device to USB 3.0 or 3.1 ports didn’t work, you might want to try connecting it to a slower USB port this time. There are times when the device is not capable of supporting the higher power supply from a USB 3.0 or 3.1 port which is why the weak circuits do not work properly. Thus, try connecting your device to a USB 2.0 port and check if your device is now working.
Option 5 – Try to turn off the Power Saving option
You could also try to turn off the Power Saving option to resolve the problem. All you have to do is switch to Power Management after you select the Properties of the USB device and from there, uncheck the “Allow the computer to turn off the device to save power” option. On the other hand, if you are using a laptop and did not use the USB device for a long time, then it could be powered off. This will ensure that the system does not turn off the USB device.
Option 6 – Try to connect your device to another computer
It is also possible that your computer does not support your device. To check that possibility, you can try connecting your device to a different computer and see if it is working without any issues. If it is, then you need to get another device that’s compatible with your computer.
Option 7 – Try to use a different device
You could also try using a different device and connect it to your computer. This will help you figure out if your device is damaged or not. So if the other device you connected is working just fine, then you might have to replace your device with a new one or consult an expert and have it repaired if possible.
Option 8 – Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooters
The first thing you need to do is click on Start and then on the gear-like icon to pull up the window for Settings.
After opening Settings, look for the Update and Security option and select it.
From there, go to the Troubleshoot option located on the left-hand side of the list.
Next, select Hardware and Devices from the list and open the Troubleshooter and run it. Once it is doing its job, wait for it to complete the process and then restart the system.
After the system restarts, check if the problem’s now fixed. If not, refer to the next option given below.
Windows 10 has displayed one of the most efficient and user-friendly interfaces. However there have been many issues on the backend of this commonly praised operating system: For example, Windows Update is still a wonky and error-laded system application. One example of this error is Windows Update Error 0x80073712 which stands in the way of users just wanting to keep their PCs updated hassle-free.
The error code 0x80073712 signifies that a file needed by Windows Update to function is either damaged, missing, or corrupted. However, this does not mean that your Windows version will forever stay as-is with no mode to update it. Windows Update Error 0x80073712 is perfectly fixable with the set of provided steps below and some of Windows’ built-in troubleshooting steps:
Solution 1: Open Windows Update Troubleshooter
Open the Windows Update Troubleshooter by pressing the Window Key and “S” keys simultaneously.
Enter the word “Troubleshoot” in the search box and select the Troubleshoot result
On the new window, select “Windows Update” to troubleshoot.
Run the troubleshooter, then open Windows Update and try to install the update again.
Solution 2: Run the DISM tool
Open the command prompt by pressing Windows Key and “S” key simultaneously
Enter “cmd” in the search box. Right Click command prompt among the results and select “Run as administrator”
In the Command Prompt window type the following and press the Enter key after every command
To close the Administrator: Command prompt window, type Exit, and then press Enter.
Run Windows Update again.
Solution 3: Rename the Software Distribution folder
Open the command prompt as previously mentioned
Input the following command pressing Enter after every linenet stop wuauservnet stop cryptSvcnet stop bitsnet stop msiserverrename c:windowsSoftwareDistribution softwaredistribution.oldnet start wuauservnet start cryptSvcnet start bitsnet start msiserverexit
Restart the PC and run the updater if it works again.
Solution 4: Restart Windows Update Services
Press the Windows logo key and R together to open Run -> Input services.msc -> and press Enter
Search for the Windows Update service -> Check its status
If it is not indicated, right-click on the service and select Start to force start your Windows Update
If you see an error, locate the Startup Type option and set it to Automatic
Now you should reboot your computer and see if your Windows Update is OK
Solution 5: Fix Registry Issues
If after all the aforementioned solutions, you still experience problems with Windows Update, the problem may lie in the registry that is either damaged or corrupted. You may choose to do manual editing of your Windows registry by opening your Windows registry editor. But doing so is risky as one wrong letter may do incalculable damage to your system. To do so safely for more inexperienced users., we recommend using a third-party registry cleaner/tools, many of which can be found online.
TelevisionFanatic is a potentially unwanted browser hijacking extension developed by Mindspark Interactive Network. It is marketed to enjoy one-click access to local TV listings, watch recently-aired episodes of your favorite shows and viral web videos, plus TV news and show recaps. However, all of these services require registration and sensitive personal data, that is later sold/forwarded to serve ads.
Upon installation, this extension adds registry entries that allow it to run each time the computer is started. It also changed your default search engine to MyWebSearch and hijacks your default new tab behavior opening MyWebSearch instead. These search results display unwanted ads, and clutter pages with sponsored links that negatively affect your browsing experience. Multiple anti-virus scanners have detected TelevisionFanatic as a browser hijacker, and therefore it is flagged for optional removal.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking is amongst the web’s constant problems that target browsers. It’s a kind of malware program that alters your web browser’s configuration settings and redirects you to sites or pages that you had no intention of visiting. Browser hijackers could do a variety of things on your PC. It redirects you to the sponsored internet sites and injects ads on the web browser that helps its creator generate income. While it might appear naive, all browser hijackers are damaging and thus always regarded as security risks. Some browser hijackers are designed to make certain modifications beyond the browsers, like altering entries on the computer registry and letting other types of malware further damage your PC.
Browser hijacking signs and symptoms
When your browser is hijacked, the following could happen:
1. home-page is changed2. new bookmarks pointing to porn sites have been added to your favorite pages3. the default online search engine and/or the default browser settings are modified4. you see unwanted new toolbars added5. you may see many pop-up ads on your computer screen6. your internet browser starts running slowly or displays frequent glitches7. you are blocked to access those sites of antivirus solution providers.
Exactly how browser hijacker finds its way to your computer
Browser hijackers may use drive-by downloads or file-sharing websites or an e-mail attachment to reach a targeted PC. Many internet browser hijackings come from add-on software, i.e., browser helper objects (BHO), toolbars, or plug-ins added to web browsers to provide the extra features. Browser hijackers sneak into your pc in addition to free software application downloads that you unwittingly install alongside the original. Common examples of browser hijackers include Conduit, CoolWebSearch, Coupon Server, OneWebSearch, RocketTab, Snap.do, Delta Search, and Searchult.com.
Browser hijackers can record user keystrokes to collect potentially important information leading to privacy concerns, cause instability on systems, severely disrupt user’s browsing experience, and finally slow down the system to a stage where it will become unusable.
Removing browser hijackers
Some hijackers can be removed by uninstalling the freeware they came with or by deleting any extension you’ve recently added to your browser. However, most hijackers are hard to get rid of manually. Irrespective of how much you try to remove it, it might return over and over again. And there is no denying the very fact that manual repairs and removal can certainly be a difficult job for an inexperienced PC user. Besides, there are various risks connected with tinkering around with the system registry files.
What To Do When You Cannot Download Safebytes Anti-Malware?
Viruses can cause plenty of damage to your personal computer. Some malware sits in between your computer and your internet connection and blocks a few or all sites that you would like to visit. It might also block you from the installation of anything on your system, particularly antivirus applications. So what you should do if malicious software prevents you from downloading or installing Anti-Malware? There are some steps you can take to get around this issue.
Make use of Safe Mode to fix the issue
In Safe Mode, you may modify Windows settings, uninstall or install some software, and remove hard-to-delete viruses. In the event the malware is obstructing internet connection and affecting the computer, launching it in Safe Mode allows you to download anti-malware and run a diagnostic scan whilst limiting potential damage. To start the computer into Safe Mode, hit the “F8” key on the keyboard right before the Windows boot screen comes up; Or right after normal Windows boot up, run MSCONFIG, check the Safe Boot under Boot tab, and click Apply. Once you are in safe mode, you can attempt to download and install your anti-malware program without the hindrance of malicious software. Following installation, run the malware scanner to eliminate standard infections.
Switch over to an alternate web browser
Malicious program code could exploit vulnerabilities on a specific web browser and block access to all antivirus software websites. If you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by malware or otherwise compromised by online hackers, the most effective thing to do would be to switch to an alternate web browser such as Firefox, Chrome, or Safari to download your favorite computer security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.
Run anti-malware from your USB drive
Here’s another solution which is utilizing a portable USB anti-virus software that can check your system for malware without the need for installation. To run anti-virus using a thumb drive, follow these simple steps:
1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or Windows Defender Offline onto a clean PC.2) Plug the USB drive into the clean PC.3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard.4) Select the drive letter of the flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you where you want to install the antivirus. Do as instructed on the screen to finish off the installation process.5) Disconnect the flash drive. Now you can utilize this portable anti-virus on the infected computer system.6) Double-click the anti-malware software EXE file on the pen drive.7) Press the “Scan” button to run a full system scan and remove malware automatically.
A Look at the Best Anti-Malware Program
Do you want to download the best anti-malware program for your laptop or computer? There are many applications in the market that comes in free and paid versions for Microsoft Windows computers. A few of them are good and some are scamware applications that pretend as genuine anti-malware software waiting around to wreak havoc on your PC. You need to select one that is dependable, practical, and has a strong reputation for its malware source protection. One of the highly recommended software programs is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. SafeBytes carries a superb reputation for top-quality service, and customers seem to be happy with it.
SafeBytes anti-malware is a trustworthy tool that not only secures your computer completely but is also very user-friendly for people of all skill levels. With its outstanding protection system, this software will automatically detect and get rid of the majority of the security threats, which include adware, viruses, browser hijackers, ransomware, PUPs, and trojans.
SafeBytes anti-malware provides a plethora of enhanced features which sets it aside from all others. Let’s check out some of them below:
Anti-Malware Protection: Safebytes is built on the best virus engine within the industry. These engines will identify and remove threats even during the early stages of a malware outbreak.
Real-time Active Protection: Malware programs looking to get into the computer are discovered and stopped as and when detected by the SafeBytes active protection shields. This utility will continuously monitor your PC for suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the constantly changing threat situation.
Internet Security: SafeBytes gives an instant safety rating on the pages you are about to visit, automatically blocking dangerous sites and ensuring that you are certain of your safety while browsing the web.
High-Speed Malware Scanning Engine: SafeBytes Anti-Malware has got a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to 5 times faster than any other antivirus software.
Minimal CPU and Memory Usage: SafeBytes is well-known for its low influence on processing power and great detection rate of numerous threats. It works quietly and efficiently in the background so you’re free to use your computer or laptop at full power all of the time.
24/7 Guidance: SafeBytes provides you with 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and updates for the best user experience.
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you wish to manually remove TelevisionFanatic without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser.
To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.
The following files, folders, and registry entries are created or modified by TelevisionFanatic
Disk partitioning is a concept that’s been around for so long, but is still only familiar to few. If done right, it can help get your computer in perfect order.
Today we bring you a simple definition of disk partitioning, its pros and cons, and a quick tip on how to do it properly to reap its full benefit!
Definition and purpose
The simplest way to define disk partitioning would be: it’s exactly what it sounds like. It means taking a hard disk drive and separating it into different segments. These segments are called partitions. You can visualize it as cutting a cake into smaller pieces - not necessarily of the same size, though.
So what is the purpose of these pieces?
Well, when you first get a hard drive, it’s basically just a bunch of unallocated storage space. Until there’s at least one partition, this space is unusable to your operating system. Once you create a partition, your OS will recognize it as usable storage space.
You can choose to create a single partition and use it for all your files, from program files to personal data. A lot of off-the-shelf computers come with one primary partition like this and a small secondary one reserved for recovery purposes.
Whether or not you want to split your disk into more than one segment is up to you. We would generally recommend it, though. The whole point of partitioning is for each segment to have its own purpose.
So treating all your storage space as a single unit containing different file types would be like constructing an office building with only one massive room for everything - day-to-day work, conferences, interviews, etc. And all of this for different departments of the company. You can see how this might get a little messy.
Creating multiple partitions eliminates the task of running several different types of files from the same place. This takes a heavy load off the entire process of accessing data.
Disk partitioning also brings a ton of other benefits to the table. An important disclaimer, though: there are disadvantages too. We will walk you through both sides to help you get an objective idea and make an informed decision.
Source: Kina on Unsplash
What are the benefits of disk partitioning?
1. Better file organization
This is the most obvious and perhaps the biggest advantage of partitioning your hard drive.
As we already mentioned, partitioning allows you to create separate segments for different file and data types. You wouldn’t want to use the same partition for your system files and for games, would you?
If organization and time management are important to you, then multiple partitions are the right solution. Searching for specific files will be much easier overall. Say you have one hard drive, but three partitions: C for the system files alone, D for multimedia files and documents, and E for games and apps. Your computer loads the system from C without interference from the other two, and you know exactly where to look when searching for a file.
2. Easy reinstallation
File management isn’t the only thing made faster and simpler thanks to partitioning. If you opt for creating multiple segments on your drive, reinstalling Windows will be easy peasy.
That’s because all you need to do is format the partition your system is on. Then you reinstall the OS on it, and there you go. Now you have a clean installation, with all your files saved on other partitions intact. You can even make a copy of your system partition, so you can revisit the exact same installation in the future if you want. And the whole time your pictures, music, documents stay exactly where you left them.
Source: Andrew M on Unsplash
3. Possibility of using multiple file systems
By now you’ve understood that partitions function completely separately. This means that, if for some reason you need multiple file system capabilities, partitioning will allow that.
One segment could be used for, say, an NTFS file system, while another could run ext or APFS.
4. Running different OSes
You’re an avid Windows user but need to use Linux on the side? No problem. You don’t need to buy a separate computer or anything. The possibility of running different file systems also means you can use partitioning to run multiple operating systems.
Doesn’t that sound enticing? One machine for multiple totally different uses!
5. Backup and recovery made simple
Data loss can happen on any disk, partitioned or not. However, it’s much easier to get it back on a partitioned one. You know where you stored what, and each partition can be backed up exactly as it is. It’s also a lot faster to back up single partitions than entire hard drives.
Ultimately this also means a faster path to recovery. If you lose or accidentally delete important files and data, you might want to use a recovery tool like Recuva to scan for them and get them back. Recuva is even powerful enough to recover data from damaged hard drives. But no matter how powerful, scanning a whole drive is strenuous for any recovery tool. Scanning independent partitions is a lot more convenient than that, and will get you to your goal more efficiently.
6. Optimized performance
Now, let’s keep in mind that computer performance is influenced by a number of factors. Partitioning alone isn’t what makes it better or worse. However, it can contribute to optimization. It’s easier for your computer to scan, say, a 40 GB partition to fetch the system file it needs than scanning the entire capacity of your drive.
7. Improved security (possibly*)
Separate partitions can help make your system more secure. Firstly, they minimize file corruption. If one partition gets corrupted, the others should remain unaffected. And keeping in mind the previous point about backup and recovery, ‘fixing’ the damaged partition would be much easier than fixing the entire hard drive.
Partitioning also improves security in terms of malware protection. A malicious attack on one partition is easier to deal with than malware on the whole drive. If your system partition gets infected, you can simply reinstall your OS and that should do the trick.
*Do keep in mind that partitioning can’t defend you against more advanced attacks. So make sure not to give in to a false sense of security.
What are the disadvantages of partitioning?
1. Data is still vulnerable
Yes, it’s easier to back up and recover data from independent partitions. And yes, partitioning may help protect separated files and data to a higher degree. But remember: everything is still on a single physical drive. So while digital errors and issues may be easier to deal with on partitioned drives, physical damage obviously won’t be.
If your hard drive is destroyed in some way, all data on it will be gone. That’s why, if you have crucial files on your PC, it’s important to give them the proper backup treatment before it’s too late.
2. Disbalance of space
Allocating storage space on separate partitions may be a little more tricky than you think. You may fill up one partition a lot faster than another. So on one side you’re struggling with space, and on another you have too much of it to spare. Imagine nearly filling up your system partition and then it turns out you need a lot more space for its updates than you thought.
That’s why you really have to be sure you actually have enough files of different types that you need help managing efficiently. Otherwise you’ll just create a struggle and disbalance in terms of storage.
3. Increased risk of error
If done incorrectly, partitioning can lead to more harm than good. Aside from space disbalance, there is an increased risk of incorrect partition sizes and formatting. Plus, human error is also a factor: in a moment of distraction, you may erase one partition when you meant another. Undoing such mistakes will definitely be tedious and time-consuming.
4. SSDs eliminate the need of partitioning
SSDs (solid-state drives) don’t function in the same way that HDDs do. They have faster read times and can organize files on their own. This quite literally eliminates the need for organization on your part.
Partitioning: yes or no?
The bottom line is that multiple partitions might not be necessary for the average user. But if you’re planning on storing many file types or different file and operating systems on the same PC, then you should give it a shot. It’s also an excellent solution for businesses, of course.
And if our pros and cons list isn’t enough to help you decide, you can always send us a message and we’ll help you make the right choice.
Decided to partition your hard drive?
If you’ve decided to give it a go, you definitely should make sure to do it right.
The two most effective and reliable ways to partition are using the built-in options on Windows or investing in a dedicated partitioning tool, like the EaseUS Partition Master. Which one you'll opt for depends on your specific needs.
Option 1 may be more suitable for users with at least some level of experience. In this case, you’d have to know exactly which steps to take without making errors. This is done in Disk Management on Windows 10/11. From there, you can select the partitions you’d like to split into different volumes of selected sizes.
If this is your first time partitioning, we highly suggest you either consult professionals for this or move on to option 2. The EaseUS partitioning software is specifically designed for beginners, with an intuitive interface helping you succeed in the process. All you need to do is pick the Partition Master package tailored to your needs and follow their guide.
Each package offers technical support as well, and even free upgrades (to varying degrees based on your subscription). Plus, all of this is valid for not one, but two PCs.
It’s the perfect solution for a smooth and error-free partitioning process. If you want to organize your hard drives efficiently and make the most of all your space without doing irreparable damage, it’s definitely worth the investment.
Error Code 0x80240001 usually occurs in Windows 10 and is specific to the process of updating your system. It is similar to an error code found in previous versions of the software during the update process. There are a number of steps that can be taken to solve this error code, most of which are fairly easy for the average user to undertake.
Common symptoms for this particular error code include:
Inability to complete the updating process of your Windows 10 system
A notice that the Windows Update Agent is not able to provide appropriate services through the update module.
While it can be frustrating to have this message appear during the update process, users can resolve the error in a number of ways. However, if you are not confident in your ability to follow the steps below or if the methods listed fail to resolve the problem, contact a certified Windows 10 repair technician to assist you in the process.
Solution
Error Causes
Error Code 0x80240001 occurs when the Windows Update tool is unable to complete its service successfully. This error occurs most often when users attempt to update to Windows 10 from older versions of the software, including Windows 7, 8, or 8.1.
This particular error code can also occur when your system has not been updated in a regular fashion. Stacked updates make it more likely for Error Code 0x80240001 to occur.
In most cases, when Error Code 0x80240001 appears on your screen, the update process will be halted. Sometimes, the screen may display a single color background, removing the appearance of all other windows and applications.
Fortunately, there are several methods that you can use to attempt to circumvent the problem and see the update process through to completion.
Further Information and Manual Repair
While it can be frustrating to deal with an error when you attempt to update your Windows software, there are several ways that you can seek to resolve the issue that causes Error Code 0x80240001. These steps are relatively simple to complete and do not require advanced techniques to be used. However, if you are not confident in your ability to complete the steps listed below, enlist the aid of a qualified Windows technician to help you.
Here are the most common ways that Error Code 0x80240001 can be resolved for Windows 10:
Method One: Download and Use the Windows Repair Tool
From the Windows website, you can download the Windows Repair tool, if it is not already installed on your computer. While there are other tools available through outside sites that claim that they can resolve this error, in many cases, they can be a carrier for viruses and other kinds of malware, so it is inadvisable to use non-Windows tools to fix this particular error code.
Once you have successfully added the Windows Repair tool to your computer, open it up and look for the option to run “Repair Windows Update.” Using this process, your system can search for and resolve the error, allowing you to successfully run the update tool through to completion.
Method Two: Uninstall Recently Added Software
In some cases, software that has been recently added to a non-updated computer can cause the update process to experience issues. If you believe that this may have occurred in your case, simply uninstall the software in question, then attempt to run the Windows 10 Update process again.
The best way to prevent this error from reoccurring when you seek to update your Windows 10 system is to apply updates within a short period of time from their release date. It is recommended that users update regularly, which can allow them to avoid a number of issues that are common to the update process.
If you have any difficulty in resolving Error Code 0x80240001 after you have attempted these steps, you may need to enlist the help of a qualified technician who is familiar with the specific errors related to the Windows 10 Update process. This can especially be helpful if you have recently installed a number of new kinds of software and are unsure of whether or not any specific one may be causing your issues. If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 10 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.
If you encounter error 0x8024500C after a Windows Update or when you were trying to update Windows Store apps, read on as this post will guide you in fixing the problem. This kind of Windows Update error indicates that the Windows Update service has been blocked.
Here are some suggestions you could check out to resolve the Windows Update error 0x8024500C on your Windows 10 computer.
Option 1 – Try checking the status of all the Windows Update Services
You need to check if all the Windows Update Services are up and running or not. To do so, follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open Windows Services.
From the list of Services, look for the following services that support Windows Update:
Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
Delivery Optimization
Windows Update
Windows Update Medic Service
Once you’ve found them, check if they are running just fine or not. if not, you can right-click on each entry and click on Start.
Option 2 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
You might also want to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing Windows Update Error 0x8024500C. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.
Option 3 – Try downloading and installing the Windows Updates manually
Error 0x8024500C might be due to a Windows Update that has failed. So if it is not a feature update and only a cumulative update, you can download the Windows Update and install it manually. But first, you need to find out which update has failed, and to do so, refer to the following steps:
Go to Settings and from there go to Update and Security > View Update History.
Next, check which particular update has failed. Note that Updates that have failed to install will be displayed under the Status column which has a label of “Failed”.
After that, go to the Microsoft Download Center and look for that update using its KB number and once you find it, download and then install it manually.
Note: You can also use the Microsoft Update Catalog, a service from Microsoft that provides a list of software updates that can be distributed over a corporate network. With the help of this service, it can be easier for you to find Microsoft software updates, drivers as well as fixes.
Option 4 – Try checking the Registry settings
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
After that, navigate to this registry path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate
Then double click on “DisableWindowsUpdateAccess” located at the right side of the panel and make sure that its value is set to “0”. If not, you have to change it to “0”.
Now restart your computer and check if error 0x8024500C is now fixed or not
Option 5 – Disable the Proxy server
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “inetcpl.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to pull up the Internet Properties.
After that, go to the Connections tab and select the LAN settings.
From there. Uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server” option for your LAN and then make sure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked.
Now click the OK and the Apply buttons.
Restart your PC.
Note: If you are using a third-party proxy service, you have to disable it.
Option 6 – Try to reset the Microsoft Store cache
Just like browsers, Microsoft Store also caches as you view apps and games so it is most likely that the cache is no longer valid and must be removed. To do so, follow the steps below.
Right-click on the start button and click on Command Prompt (administrator).
Next, type in the command, “exe” and tap Enter. Once you do, the command will clear the cache for the Windows Store app.
Now restart your PC and afterward, try opening Microsoft Store again.
Option 7 – Perform a System Restore
Performing System Restore might help you in fixing the Windows Update error 0x8024500C. 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.
In Windows 11 if you do not own a mouse or it has suddenly malfunctioned you can still move your arrow on-screen using the numeric pad.
In this guide, we will guide you on how to turn this option ON, follow this easy guide step by step.
