Downloading Windows Updates does not always go smoothly as you can encounter several issues like the “Some updates did not finish downloading, We will keep trying, Error code 0x80246007” error. In fact, this error can also occur on other Windows applications like OneNote.
According to security experts, this error happens for many reasons. For one, it could be that the Windows Update database is corrupted. It could also be that there is another process that’s in conflict with the Windows Update components or there might be some issue with the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS). Whichever the cause may be, you can fix it by following the solutions given below.
Option 1 – Delete the contents in the Temporary folder
You can also try deleting the contents in the Temporary folder – all the downloaded, pending, or failed Windows 10 updates. You can do that using the simple and easy steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “%temp%” in the field and press Enter to open the Temporary folder.
After that, select all the folders and files within the Temp folder and delete all of them.
Option 2 – Try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter is one of the things you can first check out as it is known to automatically resolve any Windows Update errors like Error code 0x80246007. 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 renaming or removing the pending .xml file
The problem might be due to some pending .xml file so you need to rename or remove it. To do so, just go to C:/Windows/WinSxS folder. From there, look for a pending .xml file – you can either rename it or delete it. This will allow the Windows Update to delete any pending tasks and build a new and fresh update check.
Option 4 – Restart the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
The Background Intelligent Transfer Service or BITS is a part of the Windows Update service that manages the background download of Windows Update, as well as scans for new updates and so on. Thus, if your Windows Update fails a couple of times, you might want to restart BITS. For you to do that, make sure that you have admin privileges.
Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “msc” in the field and hit Enter to open Services.
After opening Services, look for the Background Intelligent Transfer Service from the list of services and then double click on it to open Properties.
Next, set the Startup type to Manual and click on the Start button. If it doesn’t help, you can try setting it to Automatic (Delayed) and then reboot your PC.
Option 5 – Run the DISM tool
Running the DISM Tool helps in repairing the Windows System Image as well as the Windows Component Store in Windows 10. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth”.
Open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.
Then type in the following commands and make sure to hit Enter right after you type each one of them:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.
Option 6 – Delete the files from the Software Distribution folder
The downloaded Windows Updates are placed in a folder called “SoftwareDistribution”. The files downloaded in this folder are automatically deleted once the installation is completed. However, if the files are not clean up or if the installation is still pending, you can delete all the files in this folder after you pause the Windows Update service. For complete instructions, refer to the steps below.
Open the WinX Menu.
From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Cryptographic, and the MSI Installer
Next, go to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
Option 7 – Reset the Catroot2 folder
After resetting the SoftwareDistribution folder, you need to reset the Catroot2 folder to restart the services you just stopped. To do that, follow these steps:
Type each one of the following commands.
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
After that, exit Command Prompt and restart your computer, and then try to run Windows Update once more.
Error Code 0x800F0922 refers to an issue with downloading the newest version of Microsoft Windows, Windows 10. It could mean that your PC doesn't have enough free space in the System Reserved partition, or that it couldn't connect to the Windows Update servers. This issue is not very common, most users will never see this error code. Some, however, will need to follow the below fixes in order to download and upgrade their systems properly.Common symptoms include:
Dialog box appears with the Error Code 0x800F0922
Microsoft Windows 10 upgrade is unsuccessful and/or incomplete
Users are unable to open applications after attempting the Microsoft Windows 10 upgrade
Solution
Error Causes
There are two standard reasons why this error occurs during the Microsoft Windows 10 upgrade.
There may not be enough free space in the “System Reserved” partition of your hard drive.
Error Code 0x800F0922 could also mean that your PC was not able to successfully connect to the Microsoft Windows update servers due to a VPN (virtual private network) connection in your home or office network.
The .Net framework installation portion of the Windows 10 upgrade fails.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Error Code 0x800F0922 as stated is somewhat rare, but it does occur occasionally. Users who have experienced this error while attempting to upgrade their system to Microsoft Windows 10 have the following options for do-it-yourself fixes.
Method 1:
Use this method if you are operating on a network that uses a VPN connection.
Disconnect from your office or home network.
Turn off your VPN software.
Run the Microsoft Windows 10 upgrade.
Restart your PC.
Reconnect to your home or office network.
Turn your VPN software back on.
Method 2:
This will run the Windows 10 Update troubleshooter that is built into your PC.
Click on the Windows icon on the lower-left corner of your desktop.
Press the “w” key to open the SEARCH function.
Type “troubleshooting” in the search field and press ENTER
When the troubleshooting window opens, select the “view all” option from the left window pane.
Select “Windows update”.
Select “advanced” and then choose the “run as administrator” option.
Click the NEXT button and follow the on-screen prompts.
This troubleshooter will walk you through the steps needed for your specific situation.
Method 3:
This method will run the DISM (deployment image servicing and management) tool built into your PC.
Press the “windows key” on your keyboard followed by the “x” key.
Select the “command prompt admin” option.
Type the command “exe /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth” into the command prompt field and press ENTER.
Wait for the scan to run completely.
When the scan is complete, a message will appear telling you that “the operation completed successfully”.
Type the command “dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth” into the command prompt field and press ENTER.
This will take a while to run completely, but it will restore any missing or corrupted files necessary for the Microsoft Windows 10 update.
Restart your computer.
Attempt the Windows 10 upgrade again.
Method 4: Use this option if you believe the issue is a result of the .NET framework being disabled.
Press the “windows” key followed by the “x” key.
Select the “control panel” option.
When the control panel window opens, click your cursor in the search field on the upper right hand corner.
Search for the phrase “windows features”, then select the link “turn Windows features on or off”.
Select the check box (add a check) to the box next to “.Net framework”.
Click the OK button.
Proceed with your Microsoft Windows 10 upgrade.
To resolve this, all you need is third-party software to increase the size of the System Reserved partition.One of the four methods listed above should fix your Error Code 0x800F0922 issue and allow for a successful Windows 10 upgrade. On an occasion where there isn't enough space, use third-party software to increase the size of the System Reserved partition. If you do not possess the technical expertise required to accomplish this yourself or do not feel comfortable doing so, download and install a powerful automated tool to get the job done.
Connapi.dll is a type of dynamic link library file. This file contains small programs like any other DLL file and is called to load certain programs on your PC. The Connapi.dll error message occurs either when using or installing programs.
This error message is displayed in either of the following messages:
“Connapi.dll Not Found""This application failed to start because connapi.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.""The file connapi.dll is missing.""Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: connapi.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again.""Cannot find [PATH]connapi.dll"
Solution
Error Causes
Connapi.dll error may occur due to numerous reasons on your PC. The most common causes include:
Missing Connapi.dll file
Corruption of the Connapi.dll file
Driver Issues
Viral Infection
Registry Issues such as bad and invalid entries
This error may hamper your ability to access your desired programs causing you a great deal of inconvenience. And if the underlying cause of the error is related to the registry, then your computer can be at serious risks like system failure and crash.
Further Information and Manual Repair
To resolve Connapi.dll error code on your PC, here is a list of solutions. These are easy, very simple to perform, deliver the best results, and more importantly require no technical expertise.
Solution 1: Check your Recycle Bin - You May Have Deleted the File Accidentally
As dll files are shared files, it is possible that you accidentally deleted the Connapi.dll file while uninstalling a program from your system. In such a situation, go to the recycle bin and look for the file.
If you find the missing Connapi.dll file, simply restore it and then try running your desired program again. If the program runs, then the error is resolved. However, if it still persists, then try other solutions given below.
Solution 2: Update the Drivers
Try updating drivers for hardware devices on the system. To do this, go to the start menu and then Control Panel. Double click on Add or Remove programs icon.
Now select incompatible drivers and remove them. After that, restart your PC to activate changes. Now go to the manufacturers’ website to download new drivers and install them on your PC.
Solution3: Scan for Viruses
Another solution is to scan for viruses and malware. Sometimes these can also damage and corrupt dll files on your system. To perform a scan, simply download a powerful antivirus program and run it.
Solution 4: Clean and Restore the Registry
If the error code is still there, then this means the problem is triggered by the registry issues. To resolve it you must clean the registry and remove all the unnecessary and obsolete files like junk files, internet history, temporary files, and cookies.
The best way to clean these files instantly is to install Restoro. This is an advanced, cutting-edge, and multi-functional PC Fixer. It has a user-friendly interface and is integrated with powerful utilities like a registry cleaner, anti-virus, and a system optimizer. It is compatible with all Windows versions.
The registry cleaning feature scans your entire PC in seconds and detects all the registry issues. It removes all the bad registry entries and unnecessary files. Simultaneously, it also fixes the system files and dll files like Connapi.dll.
The anti-virus utility removes all types of malicious software on your system while the system optimizer utility ensures your system performs at its optimum speed.
To resolve Connapi.dll error, click here to download Restoro.
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
Recently, a number of users reported that they were not able to run PLEX and other similar streaming services ever since a Windows Update was automatically installed in the system. The error in these streaming services has something to do with a missing Mfplat.dll DLL file from the Windows Media Feature Pack. On the other hand, some users also reported that the mfplat.dll error occurred on several games as well which used the Media Feature Pack.
Usually, the mfplat.dll error is caused by the missing Media Feature Pack in Windows 10. Although most of the time the Media Feature Pack is installed by the application that needs it or through Windows Update automatically, there are just certain installers that do not have it. It could be that the Media Playback service was disabled by a particular Windows Update. Aside from that, the error might be because your computer is using Windows 10 N – a Windows 10 version that does not include the Media Feature Pack by default. Whatever the cause may be, you can troubleshoot the problem with the help of the options given below. But before you go on, keep in mind that downloading the missing DLL file and copying it to the folder of the program where you encounter the error won’t really help and will only make things even more complicated.
Option 1 – Install the Media Feature Pack for Windows 10 N version
As mentioned, the Windows 10 N version does not come with Windows Media Player. Meaning to say, the Media Feature Pack is also not installed by default or won’t be updated by the Windows Update component. So if you are not quite sure what Windows 10 version you currently have installed, refer to these steps:
Tap the Windows key + S and then type “about” in the search box.
From the search results, click on the “About your PC” to open the About tab of the Settings app.
Afterward, scroll down to the Windows specifications and check your Windows version under Edition.
Note: If you’ve determined that your computer is using the Windows 10 N version, you need to install the appropriate Media Feature Pack for your computer. How? Refer to the steps below:
Click this link to download and install the Media Feature Pack from Microsoft’s official website.
Upon installation, select the edition you want to install using the drop-down menu and then click on Confirm. Take note that there are few reasons why you’d want to install the older version since most streaming services like PLEX and most games usually require version 1803.
After that, wait until the request is validated. The download should begin in a few minutes automatically.
Once the download is completed, open the installation executable file and follow the next on-screen instructions to install the Media Feature Pack on your computer.
Restart your computer. After your computer has rebooted, open the application where you’re getting the mfplat.dll missing error and then check if the problem is now fixed.
Option 2 – Enable Media Playback via Command Prompt
If you encounter the mfplat.dll missing error when you attempt to run PLEX or other similar streaming service and you’ve already verified that the Media Feature Pack is indeed installed, you might want to try enabling it using an elevated Command Prompt. There are cases when a particular Windows Update ends up disabling the feature and creates the grounds which results in the mfplat.dll missing error. Thus, you can have to enable the feature via Command Prompt.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “cmd” in the field and hit Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
Next, click on Yes if a User Account Control prompt pops up.
After opening Command Prompt, copy and paste the following command and hit Enter to execute it:
Close Command Prompt and then open the app once again to check if the problem is now fixed.
Option 3 – Try extracting a copy of the mfplat.dll file from the windows.old directory
If you encounter the error shortly after you just upgraded to Windows 10 from an older version, the best thing you can do to resolve the problem is to use windows.old directory to fetch an old copy of the mfplat.dll file. To do so, follow the steps below.
Go to the Windows drive and then look for the windows.old directory where it preserves a copy of your old operating system as well as associated files in case something goes out of hand during the upgrade process.
After that, open the windows.old folder and then go to the syswow64 folder.
Next, from the syswow64 folder, copy the mfplat.dll file and paste it to C: windows syswow64.
Restart your computer and check if the error is now resolved or not.
Spending a large amount of time working or gaming in front of the computer can take a toll on your health. And as someone who indeed spends a large amount of time in front of the computer, I would like to share some insights about how can you be happy and healthy at the same time by incorporating some practices and habits.
Get good chair
This is first on the list because it matters the most. A proper sitting chair is essential for back health. If your budget allows it, do yourself a favor and get an anatomic sitting chair or gaming chair with lumbar support. It costs but it is worth it.
Learn to sit properly
As the important chair is, sitting properly is also as important as much. Your spine believe it or not is a very important part of your body and you need to take care of it. Sadly long periods of sitting sessions are bad for muscles around the spine that could reflect on the spine itself. Keep your back straight and keep your head not down nor up, place it in a position like when you are walking so the spine that is going from your head is in line with the spine on your back.
Stretch
By medical standards, each hour of sitting should be accompanied by a stretch session since sitting itself is placing too much pressure on certain muscles and blood circulation is lowered. Changing leg position and doing just a little stretch each hour can be really beneficial for your health in long run.
Take breaks
Yes, playing games is fun and most of the time we do not want to stop playing, especially if we are winning but taking breaks is essential for your personal health. Old saying goes that overdoing anything is bad and this applies true even to things that we do for pleasure and relaxation. Take periodic breaks to stretch, stand up and maybe even walk just a little.
Drink water
During long work hours or long gaming sessions, it is not uncommon that we are so focused on our activity that we forget to take our water intake. Approximately 2liters of water per day is needed for an adult person to function properly during that day and if you spend long times in front of a PC do not forget to drink water.
Do not neglect your daily tasks
As enjoyable as it is gaming can make us forget about our daily tasks, do not neglect your life and your tasks. Remember, gaming is only OK if it does not interfere with the daily things that you need to do. Do not postpone going for groceries because of gaming, do not switch shower for another level in the game. Do all of the things you must do first and then sit and game.
Take care of yourself mentally
Having mental health is as important as having a physical one. Playing games is fun, but playing games with someone is even better, do not forget to socialize and invite some friends so you can share some fun times together. Also, detach yourself from outcomes that will come because of gaming, this is very important for gamers that do a lot of PVP games and get annoyed and angry when they lose or when some other player is talking trash. Remember, gaming is for you to relax and enjoy, not to stress you.
Corsair is well known for RAM memory modules for PC but then it has expanded to PC peripherals and even selling some pre-build computers as well in past few years. New Corsair expansion now includes a laptop line, starting with their new gaming laptop Voyager.
Voyager laptop is packed with a mechanical keyboard and MacBook-like touch bar for your typing and pointing needs. It is built with a 16-inch QHD+ screen packing 240Hz that is run by Radeon 6800M GPU. Also inside lurks AMD 16 thread Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU, Wi-Fi 6E support, Dolby Atmos audio, and full HD 1080p WEB camera.
The keyboard has low-profile mechanical Cherry MX switches with per-key RGB lightning and above is what Corsair calls a macro bar, with 10 shortcut buttons and a small LCD in the center.
Corsair is also including a few features that tie in with its other products. Many of the company’s keyboards, mice, and other accessories use the ‘Slipstream’ USB wireless adapter, which is built into the Voyager laptop. The macro bar is also configured using the same software used for the Elgato Stream Deck, a popular product sold by Corsair.
In case you don’t know, Microsoft Office uses a separate mechanism than the Windows operating system for specific purposes such as Updates and Activation which brings in the content dependencies of this mechanism on different services and processes. Thus, in such cases, you could encounter errors like the error code 0x80070426. When you get this error, you will see the following error message on your screen:
“An unexpected error has occurred. Your request cannot be processed at this time. Please try again later. (0x80070426)”
This kind of error is caused by various supporting processes and services that are not working or are not being triggered as they were supposed to. If you are currently facing this issue, worry not for this post will guide you in fixing it. There are two potential fixes you can try – you can either check the responsible services or manually run the Activation Script. For more details refer to the given options below.
Option 1 – Try checking the responsible Services
In the Start search, type “services.msc” in the field and tap Enter or click OK to open the Windows Services Manager.
If a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, just click on Yes to proceed to the Windows Services Manager utility window.
After that, look for the “Software Licensing Service” service entry from the given list of services inside the window.
Then right-click on it and select Properties and from there, make sure that its Startup Type is set to Automatic.
Once done, click on the Start button to start the service and then exit the Services Manager.
Next, tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and then type “cmd” in the field and tap Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
After that, type and enter each command below one after the other.
net start slsvc
sc qc slsvc
sc queryex slsvc
sc qprivs slsvc
sc qsidtype slsvc
sc sdshow slsvc
Now check if the problem is fixed or not.
Option 2 – Try to manually run the Activation Script
In the Start search, type “cmd” and right-click on Command Prompt from the given search results and then select the “Run as administrator” option to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
Next, navigate to the following location inside the Command Prompt command-line utility if you are using Office 16.
In today's age, free cloud storage is no longer anything exclusive and plenty of companies will offer some free amount of it in hopes that you will buy a premium plan. Among plenty of starter and free options, there are of course some that are more generous and more appealing and offer a larger quantity of free space and even some other services.
In this article, we are taking a look and recommending some of the best ones in our opinion.
Google drive
First on the list is of course google with its google drive. With an amazing 15GB of free could storage just given to anyone who makes a google account this had to be the first recommendation. Also since google drive is requiring a google account you will be given all google office tools for free as well as the Gmail service. Completely free 15GB at your fingertips if you do not mind google tracking policies.
Microsoft one drive
Another company on the list, with only 5GB storage seems little compared to google this entry was simply included because google Microsoft also offers you Office 365 WEB for free with skype along with their Hotmail. So all in all another full package of apps with some free storage that requires also just an account.
IceDrive
With the free offer of 10GB this comes as an easy recommendation, IceDrive is a cloud storage company that is not offering anything of productivity apps but it has some great features in their cloud solution like being able to see encrypted files in your cloud. All you have to do to get this 10GB of storage is to make a free account.
MEGA
With an amazing 20GB of free storage, MEGA is certainly one that gives the most space for free. Sadly a few years ago it was hacked and files and user information were leaked, for that reason, it is on our last place of recommendation but if you are not worried about their security and plan just to use this as a temporary file sharing service with that amount I am sure it will fill your needs.
AudioToAudio is a browser extension for Google Chrome developed by Mindspark Inc. This extension allows users easy access to popular audio converting websites.
When installed, it changes the default search engine, home page, and new tab to MyWay.com. While active AudioToAudio gathers user browsing activities such as, but not limited to: visited websites, clicked links, search queries. This data is later used/sold by the Mindspark ad network to better target ads.
While browsing the internet with this extension enabled, you will see additional injected ads, sponsored content (such as links to web pages, banner ads, affiliate shop links, etc), and even pop-up ads from time to time if the regular ads are blocked.
AudioToAudio has been marked as a Browser Hijacker by several anti-virus applications and is marked for removal by most of them.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking is a form of unwanted software, commonly a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in web browser’s settings. They are created to interfere with browser functions for various purposes. Typically, hijackers are developed for the benefit of cyber hackers often through revenue generation from forced ad clicks and website visits. However, it isn’t that innocent. Your online safety is compromised and it is also extremely annoying. Some browser hijackers are programmed to make particular modifications beyond the browsers, like changing entries in the computer registry and letting other malware further damage your computer.
How to determine if your browser has been hijacked
When your web browser is hijacked, the following might happen:
1. your web browser’s homepage is suddenly different2. you get re-directed to sites you never meant to visit3. The default search page of the web browser is changed4. discover new toolbars that you simply did not add5. you see numerous ads pop up on the web browsers or computer screen6. webpages load slowly and often incomplete7. Inability to navigate to certain websites, especially antivirus and also other computer security software sites.
How they infect computers
There are many ways your computer or laptop can become infected with a browser hijacker. They usually arrive by way of spam email, via file-sharing networks, or by a drive-by-download. They can also be deployed via the installation of an internet browser toolbar, extension, or add-on. A browser hijacker could also come bundled up with some free software that you unknowingly download and install the browser hijack, compromising your PC security. Some of the most well-known hijackers are AudioToAudio, Babylon Toolbar, Conduit Search, OneWebSearch, Sweet Page, and CoolWebSearch.
Removing browser hijackers
Some hijackers could be removed by just uninstalling the related freeware or add-ons through the Add or Remove Programs in the Microsoft Windows Control Panel. But, the majority of hijackers are quite tenacious and require specialized applications to eliminate them. Novice computer users shouldn’t ever attempt the manual form of removal, as it requires thorough computer knowledge to carry out repairs on the computer registry and HOSTS file.
Browser hijackers can be effectively removed by installing and running anti-malware software on the affected PC. Safebytes Anti-Malware has a sophisticated anti-malware engine to help you prevent browser hijacking in the first place, and mop up any existing issues. In addition to anti-malware, a system optimizer tool, similar to Total System Care, could help you resolve Windows registry errors, eliminate unwanted toolbars, secure online privacy, and increase overall computer performance.
How To Get Rid Of Malware That Is Preventing Anti-Malware Installation?
All malware is bad, but certain types of malware do more damage to your computer than others. Some malware types alter internet browser settings by including a proxy server or change the PC’s DNS settings. In these cases, you will be unable to visit some or all internet sites, and thus not able to download or install the required security software to remove the malware. If you are reading this article, you probably have got affected by malware that prevents you from installing a computer security program like Safebytes Anti-Malware. There are a few actions you can take to get around this problem.
Install in Safe Mode
In Safe Mode, you are able to modify Windows settings, un-install or install some applications, and remove hard-to-delete viruses and malware. In the event the malware is blocking access to the internet and affecting your PC, running it in Safe Mode allows you to download anti-malware and run a diagnostic scan whilst limiting possible damage. In order to enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the PC is starting up or run MSCONFIG and locate the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can attempt to download and install your anti-malware software without the hindrance of the malicious software. Now, you can actually run the antivirus scan to remove computer viruses and malware without any interference from another application.
Switch over to a different web browser
Malicious code could exploit vulnerabilities in a particular internet browser and block access to all anti-virus software websites. If you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a computer virus or otherwise compromised by cybercriminals, the best plan of action would be to switch to an alternate browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to download your favorite computer security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.
Install and run antivirus from your Thumb drive
Here’s another solution which is creating a portable USB anti-virus software package that can scan your computer for malicious software without needing installation. Adopt these measures to use a USB drive to fix your infected computer system.
1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or MS Windows Defender Offline onto a virus-free computer system.2) Mount the USB drive on the same computer.3) Double-click the executable file to run the installation wizard.4) Choose the USB flash drive as the destination for saving the file. Do as instructed on the screen to finish up the installation process.5) Transfer the USB drive from the uninfected PC to the infected computer.6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes tool from the thumb drive.7) Run Full System Scan to detect and clean-up up all types of malware.
Protect Your PC and Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware
If you’re looking to install an anti-malware application for your computer, there are several tools in the market to consider but you should not trust blindly anyone, irrespective of whether it is paid or free software. A few of them do a good job in removing malware threats while many will damage your computer by themselves. When searching for an antivirus tool, purchase one that offers reliable, efficient, and complete protection against all known viruses and malware. When considering commercial anti-malware software options, most people choose popular brands, like SafeBytes, and are very happy with them.
Safebytes is among the well-established computer solutions companies, which provide this all-inclusive anti-malware application. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you protect your PC against infections brought on by various kinds of malware and other threats, including spyware, adware, computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, keyloggers, potentially unwanted program (PUPs), and ransomware.
SafeBytes anti-malware takes computer protection to a whole new level with its advanced features. Here are a few of the good ones:
Robust, Anti-malware Protection: Safebytes is built on the very best virus engine within the industry. These engines can find and eliminate threats even during the early phases of a malware outbreak.
Real-Time Protection: Malware programs trying to enter the computer are identified and stopped as and when detected by the SafeBytes real-time protection shields. This software will constantly monitor your PC for any suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the constantly changing threat scenarios.
Internet Security: Safebytes assigns all websites a unique safety rating that helps you to get an idea of whether the webpage you’re going to visit is safe to browse or known to be a phishing site.
Lightweight: SafeBytes is a lightweight application. It uses up a really small amount of processing power as it works in the background so you’re free to use your Windows-based computer the way you want.
Premium Support: For any technical problems or product guidance, you may get 24/7 professional assistance via chat and e-mail.
Overall, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program since it has loads of features and could detect and eliminate any potential threats. You now may realize that this tool does more than just scan and eliminate threats from your computer. So when you want advanced forms of protection features & threat detections, purchasing SafeBytes Anti-Malware will be well worth the money!
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you’d like to carry out the removal of AudioToAudio manually rather than utilizing an automated software tool, you can follow these simple steps: Go to the Windows Control Panel, click on the “Add/Remove Programs” and there, select the offending application to uninstall. In case of suspicious versions of web browser plugins, you can easily get rid of them through your browser’s extension manager. You may also want to reset your home page and search engine providers, as well as clear your browser cache and cookies.
If you decide to manually delete the system files and registry entries, utilize the following checklist to ensure that you know exactly what files to remove before undertaking any actions. However, this can be a tricky task and only computer professionals could carry it out safely. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. It is recommended that you do the removal procedure in Safe Mode.
For more information and manual removal instructions visit www.ErrorTools.com
Download Safebytes Anti-Malware: https://errortools.com/download/safebytes-anti-malware/
AudioToAudio is a browser extension for Google Chrome developed by Mindspark Inc. This extension allows users easy access to popular audio converting websites.
When installed, it changes the default search engine, home page, and new tab to MyWay.com. While active AudioToAudio gathers user browsing activities such as, but not limited to: visited websites, clicked links, search queries. This data is later used/sold by the Mindspark ad network to better target ads.
While browsing the internet with this extension enabled, you will see additional injected ads, sponsored content (such as links to web pages, banner ads, affiliate shop links, etc), and even pop-up ads from time to time if the regular ads are blocked.
AudioToAudio has been marked as a Browser Hijacker by several anti-virus applications and is marked for removal by most of them.
Anxiety from all these digital threats lurking everywhere? An antivirus program can help put your mind at ease.
What can a virus do to your device?
A virus is malicious software that can affect pretty much any device and does so in a variety of ways. Be it your computer, your phone or your smart lightbulb - as long as there’s access to the internet, malware can get to it.
How exactly does this kind of attack manifest itself? Well, there’s a wide variety of effects ranging from mild to severe. Among other things, they depend on which type of malware attacks your device - a virus, spyware, ransomware, adware or something else.
These are some of the things you can expect to happen:
Slow performance
System crashes
Theft of data and sensitive information
Connectivity issues
Constant browser redirects
Strange messages sent to your contacts
Interference with files
It really can be the stuff of nightmares. So, if you want to sleep peacefully knowing that your devices are completely safe, you should definitely consider getting an antivirus.
P.S. don’t let its name fool you - an antivirus does indeed protect your devices against more than just viruses.
What is antivirus software exactly?
Antivirus software is designed to help you battle and ward off malware. Basically, it scans your device to detect any suspicious activity and offers tools to get rid of the culprit.
At first, antiviruses were developed to fight against viruses only, but nowadays they cover a lot more ground. Here are some of the biggest benefits of getting yourself a powerful defender.
Advantages of antivirus software
1. It fights those pesky ads
Look, constant ads that pop up everywhere aren’t the absolute worst thing that can happen on your computer. If anything, they are annoying, like when you’re trying to sleep but that one fly in your room just won’t stop buzzing.
Now, there’s a free, well-established solution for that - installing an ad blocker. And we’re about a hundred and ten percent sure you’ve already done that on each and every browser you use.
However, “if I can’t see it, it doesn’t exist” isn’t the most ideal approach for your online safety. Ad blockers can’t block everything and they won’t protect you from potential adware. An antivirus on the other hand offers that layer of protection against malware snuck into pop-ups and spammy websites.
2. It protects you from hackers
Hackers don’t target government institutions only. They’ll target regular people too if they have something to gain.
Credit: Clint Patteron (Unsplash)
There are different types of hacking, such as phishing e-mails, transmission of malicious programs, credential reuse, denial of service and more. In any case, they take control of your device and hijack your data.
The good thing is that, as threats evolve, antiviruses evolve too and there are tons of quality programs on the market that can keep you secure for an affordable price.
3. It keeps your files and data safe
When malware enters your device, it can target pretty much any file and get access to any and all data.
Installing an antivirus program will make sure that every single file, new or old, is monitored at all times, warning you against threats immediately. That way, you can make sure to react before your other files become infected and data is lost or stolen.
Another great thing for data protection is that the best antivirus software normally comes with a password manager, so no one can use malware to steal your passwords.
4. It blocks all kinds of malware
As we already stated, malicious attacks can be performed in many ways and malware comes in in different shapes an sizes, such as:
Trojan horse
Spyware
Ransomware
Adware
Rootkit
RAT (remote access Trojan)
Keyloggers
Worms
Botnets
Credit: Growtika (Unsplash)
Nowadays, antivirus software is designed to fight against all of these types. That’s why more often than not we hear the term 'antivirus' used interchangeably with 'anti-malware,' like in this article.
5. It keeps your children protected
You can’t keep your eyes on your kid every second of the day and you can’t protect them from everything. But at least you can limit their exposure to the threats they can encounter at every corner of the digital world.
An antivirus program will block harmful or suspicious websites and ads, which is great both for you and your children. To take it a step further, though, many such programs come with special parental controls and offer monitoring as well. It’s a great solution for keeping your kids safe online without sounding like the irritating, overbearing, controlling parent who “just doesn’t get it!”
How to pick one
There are definitely lots of different antivirus programs out there, both free and paid. We recommend you look for a paid option, since free ones are unfortunately a lot more susceptible to being compromised through malicious attacks.
Now, there are a few factors to consider when choosing the right software. If you use your PC for basic things then a basic antivirus will suffice. However, the more complex your use and the more sensitive the data you deal with, the stronger it needs to be.
It’s also crucial that you take into account the features it includes. As we already mentioned, some programs have additional security options. For example, depending on the package you select, Bitdefender provides:
Some are included in plans and some are separate products, so make sure to check out all the offers.
And don’t worry if you have multiple PCs or you’re looking for protection for your smartphone or tablet as well; Bitdefender has suitable solutions for your needs. Of course, you can also just pick their classic antivirus software if you’re not in need of advanced protection.
Another important point is how regularly the software is updated and enhanced. The more frequent the updates the better, as bugs can make the program more vulnerable. Other things we advise you consider are user-friendliness, impact on performance, reputation (user reviews especially) and, of course, price.
The bottom line
Fact is: anyone can be a malware victim. Don’t let it be you.
You can’t put a price on peace and security, so don’t be reluctant to pay for yours - especially since a lot of options out there are extremely affordable. Is $159.00 a year really too much to pay for cross-platform protection for up to 10 devices? We don’t think so.
Explore your options and protect your files and data before it’s too late.
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