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Mapped network drives are not working

When you have to connect to a drive that’s on a different computer or on external storage, that’s where the mapped network drives come in. Mapped network drives make accessing files a lot easier. However, there are times when it won’t work for some reason.

Windows will notify you about the unavailability of mapped network drives in several ways. For one, Windows might display a red X on the network drives or it could be that its status will be unavailable when you try to use it from the Command Prompt or via a notification.

It is recommended that you run a few scripts when you log in to your PC as it may so happen that the network drive takes more than usual to connect. Before you start troubleshooting the problem using the given options below, keep in mind that some workouts might only work under certain scenarios. You might need some network access at logon or you might need access to the Group Policy settings. So you need to choose what you prefer more.

You can try the given workarounds below if the mapped network drives are not showing or connecting or working on your Windows 10 computer. These workarounds use scripts to make sure that you are connected to them as soon as you start to use your PC.

As mentioned, before you can troubleshoot, you need to create scripts first. There are two scripts here namely MapDrives.ps1 which is executed by the second script named MapDrives.cmd and is done at a regular and non-elevated Command Prompt. Follow the steps below to get started.

  • You have to create a script file named “MapDrives.cmd” first and then save it on a place where the files are safe. To do that, open a text editor like Notepad and then copy and paste the following script:

PowerShell -Command "Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser Unrestricted" >> "%TEMP%StartupLog.txt" 2>&1

PowerShell -File "%SystemDrive%ScriptsMapDrives.ps1" >> "%TEMP%StartupLog.txt" 2>&1

  • After that, save the file and name it “MapDrives.cmd”.
  • Next, create a script file named “MapDrives.ps1” and then copy and paste the following content. Just make sure to save both scripts in the same folder.

$i=3

while($True){

    $error.clear()

    $MappedDrives = Get-SmbMapping |where -property Status -Value Unavailable -EQ | select LocalPath,RemotePath

    foreach( $MappedDrive in $MappedDrives)

    {

        try {

            New-SmbMapping -LocalPath $MappedDrive.LocalPath -RemotePath $MappedDrive.RemotePath -Persistent $True

        } catch {

            Write-Host "There was an error mapping $MappedDrive.RemotePath to $MappedDrive.LocalPath"

        }

    }

    $i = $i - 1

    if($error.Count -eq 0 -Or $i -eq 0) {break}

    Start-Sleep -Seconds 30

}

Note: Now that you’ve created the script files, it’s time for you to proceed to the options given below.

Option 1 – Try creating a startup item

Note that this option only works on devices that have network access at login. So if it’s not there, the script will fail to reconnect the network drivers automatically. To create a startup item, here’s what you have to do:

  • Open the Startup folder located at %ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartUp.
  • From there, copy and paste the MapDrives.cmd.
  • After that, open the Scripts folder located at %SystemDrive%Scripts copy-paste MapDrives.ps1 and then copy and paste MapDrives.ps1 in there.

Note: After you complete the steps above, a log file named “StartupLog.txt” will be created in the %TEMP% folder. Now all that’s left for you to do is to log out of your computer and then log back in. This will ensure that the mapped drives are open.

Option 2 – Create a scheduled task

It is possible to create a scheduled task that runs as soon as you log in to your computer. To create a scheduled task, follow the steps below.

  • You have to copy the MapDrives.ps1 script file to the scripts folder of Windows located at %SystemDrive%Scripts.
  • After that, open the Task Scheduler and select Action > Create Task.
  • Next, type a name and description of the task in the General tab.
  • Then click on the Change User or Group button and select a local user group and click OK.
  • Now check the box labeled “Run with highest privileges” and switch to the Triggers tab.
  • From there, create a new trigger with the “At Logon” option in the Begin the task drop-down menu and then click OK.
  • After that, switch to the Actions tab and create a new action then choose to Start a program.
  • Next, type “Powershell.exe” in the Program/Script field, and in the Add arguments (optional) field, type the following:

-windowsstyle hidden -command .MapDrives.ps1 >> %TEMP%StartupLog.txt 2>&1

  • And in the Start in the (optional) field, type “%SystemDrive%Scripts” as the location of the script file.
  • Now under the Conditions tab, select the “Start only if the following network connection is available” option and then select Any connection and click OK.
  • Restart your computer or log off from your account and then log back in so that the task will be executed.

Option 3 – Use the Group Policy settings

You need this option if the mapped network drives are defined via Group Policy settings. You have to update the action of the drive maps to Replace. As a result, it will delete the existing mapped drive and create the mapping on each logon again. However, any settings on the mapped drive that are changed from the Group Policy settings will be gone on each logon. So if the changes don’t work, you need to run the gpupdate command together with the /force parameter in order to refresh the Group Policy setting quickly.

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Fix Device requires further installation Error
If you are trying to connect an external device to your computer but you suddenly encounter an error that says, “Device requires further installation”, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on how exactly you can fix this error. In most cases, USB sticks, headphones, speakers, and other external devices, install drivers automatically once you connect them to your computer which means that the drivers are downloaded and installed in the system as soon as the external device is plugged in. However, if the driver has become corrupted or outdated, you might encounter an error like the
“Device requires further installation”
Aside from corrupted or outdated drivers, the error could also be caused by pending updates, an incorrect version of the Intel PROSet Wireless driver, or checking the wrong event. Whatever the cause is, this post will provide you with some potential fixes that can help you resolve the problem. But before you troubleshoot the problem, ensure that your Windows 10 computer is updated to its latest version and you must also not forget to check that you’re checking the correct event on the Event Viewer. Once you have these things covered, proceed to the instructions below.

Option 1 – Try to update the device drivers to the latest version

One of the most likely root causes of the “Device requires further installation” error is either outdated or corrupted drivers in your computer. This kind of problem is more common on several devices like scanners and printers for which the drivers are provided with them.
  • First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
  • After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. From there, look for any outdated device drivers and click on each one of them.
  • After that, right-click on each entry of the device drivers and select the “Uninstall Device” option from the menu.
  • Now restart your computer.
  • After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.
Note: You also opt to download the latest versions of the device drivers directly from the website of the manufacturer. Once you’ve downloaded them, you can install them into your computer right away and then try connecting the external device again. On the other hand, you can also try to reinstall the device drivers.

Option 2 – Try to install the latest version of the Intel PROSet Wireless driver

A lot of users who experience the problem reported that their wireless driver wasn’t also working properly and it was then found that it was caused by the outdated Intel PROSet wireless driver. Thus, to fix the problem, you need to install the latest version of this driver from the intel.com website and install it on your computer. When you download the driver, make sure that your computer is running an Intel system and then download the correct driver depending on whether your computer is a 64-bit system or a 32-bit one.
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Best MMO games to play during this winter
How summer is slowly slipping away and winter is coming people will spend more time indoors, and on top of that delta variant of Covid-19 is rampaging through the world. Being the gamer is now maybe the best time to be, sitting in the comfort of your home, safely isolated from viruses and people, just pushing buttons and emerging yourself in a vast world and new adventures. But games cost money, and sometimes being a gamer can be expensive, also the COVID situation makes it even more difficult to spend some time with friends. Do not worry, we are here to help. I am presenting you the list of MMO games that you should try or play during this COVID Winter, and since they are MMO games, you can play them with your friends and hang out in the virtual world. Some of them are also free to play so they will not cost you any money to enjoy them. The following list is not set in any particular order and remember that this is not a ranked list. There is no best MMO and I will not try to place any of these titles as one dominant, I will just point their style and who they might be for, it is up to you to decide which one you will pick and enjoy.

Best MMO’s in no particular order

EVE Online

eve online MMOEVE Online is one of the earliest MMO games out there but since its release, it is still actively developed and is receiving updates. This science-fiction Sandbox will offer space lovers everything they need and more. Large scale PvP, mining, pirating, etc. It can be daunting and complex for beginners but take your time to get familiar with its systems and you will be rewarded greatly with an immersive and complex game worth the time. Open PvP in some zones might not be everyone’s cup of tea and seeing only your ship might be a turn-off for some players, but if you do not mind these things give it a go. It is free to play with an item shop.

Final Fantasy XIV

ff14 mmoFF14 had a tough start, so tough that it was scrapped and destroyed and has been remade again and that idea was great. The game now is better than ever and at this time it is experiencing large players from other games surging into it. This on the rails fantasy MMO will offer you a great story and great leveling experience. It has a free trial where you can play the whole original game for free but if you wish to continue playing you will have to buy the expansion and pay a monthly subscription but the content is well worth the money.

World of Warcraft

wowLet’s be honest, not a single list of MMO games cannot be without a once greatest and most successful MMO ever made, World of Warcraft. But instead of me praising the game why it was the greatest and why you should play it and how great it is I am going to take a little different approach. I am going to recommend you World of Warcraft classic, yup, you read it correctly, classic. Now World of Warcraft is a retail game with a subscription service but with that one subscription you will be able to access three games in the World of Warcraft universe: World of Warcraft retail (standard game), World of Warcraft Classic (vanilla WOW without expansions offering you experience as it once was when it was released) and World of Warcraft the Burning Crusade classic (same as WOW classic but with the first expansion the Burning Crusade). Among all solutions, I would really urge you to play either WOW classic or WOW TBC classic simply for reason that they are far superior games in comparison to typical retail ones, but if you like easier game go for retail, it is included in the sub anyway.

Guild Wars 2

gw2Guild Wars 1 was one of my favorite games and I sank a lot of times in it and once Guild Wars 2 came I must admit I was pleasantly surprised with it and I would recommend it highly. The base game is completely free to play with only expansion to be purchased and it is buy to play model without monthly fees. It has specific mechanics different from other games and interesting classes to try. The living world is a great feature of the game and it is still very strong with its player base.

Star Wars: old republic

Star-Wars-The-Old-RepublicThis game is made for people who enjoy, love, and like Star Wars. Mechanically besides being able to have henchmen with you and space battles (which I do not really like how they are done) game itself does not offer anything special. Where it shines is in the story and overall Star Wars experience. If you look at this game as a single-player game with multiplayer dungeons you will have a great time, since the story is really good but sadly end game lacks in comparison.

Elder Scrolls Online

Blackwood-release-date-on-TESO-when-will-the-new-chapterI am going to admit something here, I was not fond of the idea to make the beloved Elder Scrolls series into MMO, but in time I gave it a go and I am really glad I did. This game is great and it is getting better and better as time progresses. It is buy to play without monthly fees and basic game free, same as FF14 but without fees. It has a decent community and offers a really good Elder Scrolls experience and now it is packing Morrowind expansions and other great areas. Highly recommended for any Elder Scrolls fan.

Lord of the Rings Online

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Neverwinter

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Tera

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Albion

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Black Desert

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Secret World Legends

the-secret-world-relaunching-as-1200x675If you like occult and supernatural with new world order themes and conspiracy theories, Secret World Legends is the game for you. Somewhat little clunky its setting and story really set it apart in many many ways. It has semi-action combat and it is free to play with item shop but all the content can be experienced for free. Recommended for fans of deeper gameplay and horror lore.

Runescape

runescapeWhen I said no MMO list can be without World of Warcraft, it also cannot be without Runescape, one of the oldest games it was revamped with newer mechanics and graphics, free to play all the way and you can also pick old school Runescape if you really want to go all the way on a nostalgia trip. I would recommend a newer one for newer players, the game offers a great story and unusual quests infused with puzzles and interesting storylines. If you like really good quest design without fetch and grind quests along with interesting story this is a game for you.

AION

aionLast on my list would be AION, a very interesting game made also a long way back, but the fact that is completely free with the cosmetic shop will make it as one to recommend since you can experience the whole game for free. It has some limited flying mechanics in it and later game zone are open PvP zones, story is interesting and leveling process is enjoyable. Also game itself is not really easy and if not careful you can get yourself in danger quite quickly. Recommended for old-school feeling.

Conclusion

That's it, there are many more MMO games out there but some are on verge of closing down and some are plainly bad. I hope that I have made your choice easier and that you will find one or a few from this list to spend your time in it. Remember, stay safe and take care of yourself.
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How To Fix the D3dx9_43.dll Error Code

D3dx9_43.dll – What is it?

D3dx9_43.dll is a type of dynamic link library. This is one of the many files contained in the DirectX software collection which is used to load and run most of the Windows PC based games and advanced graphics programs. D3dx9_43.dll error message is displayed when any one of the Microsoft games fails to load. The error message is displayed in either of the following formats:
“D3dx9_43.DLL Not Found" "The file d3dx9_43.dll is missing" "File d3dx9_43.dll not found" "D3dx9_43.dll not found. Reinstalling might help fix this."

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

D3dx9_43.dll error may occur due to multiple reasons. These include:
  • D3dx9_43.dll files get corrupt or damaged
  • Missing Microsoft DirectX file
  • Viruses and malware on your system
  • Driver issues
  • Registry overloaded with invalid entries
If the D3dx9_43.dll error is not fixed timely, it not only causes you a great deal of inconvenience as it hampers your ability to play Microsoft games but since the underlying causes of the error are critical, it can result in serious PC damages like system failure, system crash, and data loss. Therefore to avoid it, it is advisable to resolve the error code immediately.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Though this is a critical PC error but the good thing is that it is easy to resolve. To fix it, you don’t always have to pay hundreds of dollars to a professional technician or be technically sound. Here are some of the best ways to repair and resolve D3dx9_43.dll error on your system:

Check the Recycle Bin

If you get the error message "The file d3dx9_43.dll is missing" then the best method to resolve this error from your system is to check your recycle bin. The Microsoft Direct X file could be there especially if you recently uninstalled a gaming program. Here’s why: dll files are shared by multiple programs. So, it is possible that the program you deleted from your PC also shared the same file to load and run. And because of this reason, the file also got removed from your PC when you uninstalled that particular program. Therefore, check your recycle bin. If you find the d3dx9_43.dll in there, restore it and try running the desired Microsoft game again. See if it works.

Re-Download DirectX

Nonetheless, if you can’t relocate it, try installing the latest version of DirectX on your system. This can be done by downloading the DirectX End-User Runtimes Web Installer on your system from the official Microsoft website.

Update Your Drivers

If the error is related to video card driver, then it is advisable to update the driver. By updating the driver for your video card you can fix the D3dx9_43.dll error instantly.

Repair the Registry

Other reasons for the D3dx9_43.dll error could be corrupt and damaged dll files. It triggers registry issues and sometimes even malware infections. DLL files often get corrupt when the registry overloads with too many files these include mostly unnecessary and obsolete files like junk files, cookies, temporary internet history, invalid and bad registry entries. As the clutter and overload the registry, the important files like dynamic link libraries get damaged. Here cleaning and restoring of the registry is the best way to resolve the error pop-ups like D3dx9_43.dll. You can repair the registry manually however, it is time consuming and somewhat technical. But if you are looking for a simple and a quick fix, then download Restoro.

Try Restoro.

Restoro is a next-generation and multi-functional PC repair tool. It is embedded with a variety of PC fixing and performance-boosting utilities all in one. It includes a registry cleaner with an intuitive algorithm that detects all types of registry issues on your system and resolves them in seconds. It cleans the registry, restores the damaged D3dx9_43.dll files, and repairs the registry. Furthermore, Restoro also includes utilities like an antivirus, Active X controls and class detector. With the help of the in-built antivirus you can scan for viruses and malware infecting your system and remove them right away. It also functions as a system optimizer boosting the speed of your PC dramatically. It is safe, efficient, and compatible with all Windows versions. Click here to download Restoro, resolve the D3dx9_43.dll error, and resume enjoying Microsoft games on your PC.
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Disk Cleanup is stuck on Update Cleanup
There is a built-in tool in Windows 10 the Disk Cleanup Utility which can help you restore hard disk space by removing temporary files, Thumbnails, old Windows files, Windows Upgrade logs, Delivery optimization files, and many more. However, from time to time, this built-in tool also experiences some issues. One of these issues is when it gets stuck on Windows Update Cleanup. Read on to find out what you can do in such a case. When the Disk Cleanup Utility is stuck on the Windows Update Cleanup, the process could be slow and take a long time to complete when purging the files. If this happens, click on Cancel to close the dialog box. After that, try running the Disk Cleanup Tool again as administrator and check if the files that you want to clean is still there or not. If it isn’t there, then this means that the cleanup has been done, otherwise, you need to refer to the options given below.

Option 1 – Try to manually delete the contents in the SoftwareDistribution folder

  • 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.
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.

Option 2 – Try to manually delete the contents of the Windows.old folder

The Windows.old folder is the one that holds the older version of Windows when you upgrade. It comes really useful when you want to revert to the previous version of Windows 10. Thus, you can delete the Windows.old files in case the cleanup tool is stuck.

Option 3 – Try running Disk Cleanup in a Clean Boot State or Safe Mode

Another thing you can try is to restart your computer in a Clean Boot State or Safe Mode. Chances are, there are some programs that are preventing the Disk Cleanup Utility tool to run properly. After you restart your computer in a Clean Boot State or Safe Mode, try to run the Disk Cleanup tool again and then see if it now works or not.

Option 4 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

You might also want to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing this issue. 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 5 – Run the DISM tool to fix the corruption in the Component Store

You can try running the Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management or DISM tool to fix the Wdf01000.sys Blue Screen error. 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.
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Use the Installation Media to Repair or Boot
If you are not able to access the Windows 10 Advanced troubleshooting options within Windows then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on how you can repair or boot the Windows 10 installation without losing data using the bootable installation USB or DVD media. To repair or boot Windows 10 using the installation media, you have to download the Windows ISO, create a bootable USB or DVD drive, boot from the media and select “Repair your computer” and then select Startup Repair under Advanced troubleshooting. To get started, follow the given steps below carefully. Step 1: Frist, download the Windows ISO. Although this is not necessarily needed, it’s still better if you download the Windows ISO first so make sure that you download the same ISO version as installed on your computer. Step 2: Next, create a bootable USB or DVD drive.
  • Insert your USB drive into your PC.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type in “cmd” and tap Enter to open the Command Prompt. Alternatively, you can also search for “cmd” in the Cortana search box to open Command Prompt.
  • Once you’ve opened CMD, type in this command to open the DISPART utility – diskpart
  • After that, you should see a new black and white window that would say, “DISKPART>”.
  • Next, type in “list disk” in the command line and tap Enter to see the list of all the Storage devices as well as your hard disk connected to your PC. Here, you have to identify your disk’s number.
  • Type in this command where “X” is the disk number you have identified and then tap Enter – disk X
  • Type in this command and hit Enter to clear the table records and all the visible data on the drive – clean
  • Now you have to recreate a new primary partition of the drive so you’ll have to type in this command and tap Enter right after – create part pri
  • A new primary partition has been created so you have to select it by typing this command and tapping Enter – select part 1
  • Now you have to format it to make it visible to normal users by typing – format fs=ntfs quick
Note: If your platform supports the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface or UEFI, replace the “NTFS” with “FAT32” in the command on Step 10.
  • After that, type in this command and tap Enter after – active
  • Finally, type this command and hit Enter to exit the utility – exit
  • After you prepare the image for the operating system, save it to the root of your USB Storage device.
Step 3: After creating a bootable drive, boot from the media and select the “Repair your computer” option. Once you boot from the USB drive, it will start the Windows 10 installation right away. So you must not keep on clicking Next as you will end up installing Windows. You need to look for the “Repair your computer” link on the first installation screen and click on it and then boot your computer into Advanced Recovery. Step 4: Select Startup Repair under the Advanced options screen
  • Once you’re at the Advanced Recovery screen, select Advanced Options and select Troubleshoot.
  • After that, look for the Startup Repair and click on it and then follow the next on-screen instructions. This solution will help you fix issues that do not allow you to boot into your computer.
  • On the next screen, you will see the admin account with its name. Click on it and verify using the account password associated with the email.
  • After verification, it will start to diagnose your computer and automatically resolve any detected issues related to boot.
  • After the issue is fixed, your computer should reboot normally and you should now be able to use it. Note that your personal files are still intact since the process didn’t delete or wipe them out.
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How to get rid of DailyProductivityTools

The DailyProductivityTools Toolbar is packed as a browser extension that claims to increase your productivity with access to free online tools and developed by Mindspark Inc. This extension may seem handy at first, however, while browsing the internet with it active you will experience additional ads, sponsored content, and pop-up ads throughout your browsing sessions and search results.

When installed DailyProductivityTools changed your default new tab page to Search.MyWay.com disguising as a ‘Enhanced Google Search Engine’. This extension monitors your browsing activity, visited websites and links, then uses this information to better target Ads.

DailyProductivityTools has been marked as a Potentially Unwanted Program, and is recommended for removal by many anti-virus applications.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted software, often a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in the browser’s settings. Browser hijacker malware is designed for a variety of reasons. Generally, the idea is to force users visit certain sites that are aiming to increase their site visitor traffic and produce higher ad revenue. Many people believe that the browser hijacker is only a harmless website but that is incorrect. Almost every browser hijacker pose an actual threat to your on-line safety and it is important to classify them under privacy risks. What’s more, hijackers can make the entire infected system vulnerable – other harmful malware and viruses will grab these opportunities to intrude into your computer system very easily.

How one can identify a browser hijack

The following are some symptoms that suggest you have been hijacked: you find unauthorized modifications to your internet browser’s homepage; your internet browser is constantly being redirected to adult sites; the default web browser configurations have been modified and/or your default search engine is altered; you find many toolbars on the web browser; you see lots of pop-ups on your computer screen; your browser has become unstable or starts running slowly; you’re blocked to access those sites of antivirus solution providers.

So how does a PC get infected with a browser hijacker?

A browser hijacker can be installed on your computer if you check out an infected site, click on an email attachment, or download something from a file-sharing site. They could also come from add-on programs, also known as browser helper objects (BHO), browser plug-ins, or toolbars. Browser hijackers sneak into your pc along with free software downloads also that you unwittingly install alongside the original. Examples of popular browser hijackers are Fireball, Ask Toolbar, GoSave, CoolWebSearch, RocketTab and Babylon Toolbar. Browser hijacking can lead to severe privacy problems and even identity theft, disrupt your browsing experience by taking control of outbound traffic, considerably slows down your PC by consuming lots of resources, and lead to system instability also.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

Certain browser hijacking can be easily corrected by finding and removing the corresponding malware program through your control panel. But, many hijackers will be more difficult to locate or remove since it might get itself connected with certain important computer files that enable it to operate as a necessary operating system process. Novice PC users shouldn’t ever attempt for the manual form of removal, as it demands comprehensive system knowledge to do repairs on the system registry and HOSTS file. Professionals always recommend users remove any malicious software including browser hijacker by using an automatic malware removal tool, which is better, safer, and faster than the manual removal method. Among the best tools for repairing browser hijacker malware is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. It can help you eliminate any pre-existing malware on your computer and provides you real-time monitoring and protection against new internet threats. Along with anti-virus software, a system optimizer program, similar to Total System Care, can help you repair Windows registry errors, eliminate unwanted toolbars, secure your internet privacy, and stabilize software programs installed on your computer.

Malware Blocking Access To Safebytes Site And Anti-Malware Downloads - What To Do?

Malware can cause many kinds of damage to computer systems, networks, and data. Some malware types modify internet browser settings by including a proxy server or modify the PC’s DNS settings. In such cases, you’ll be unable to visit certain or all of the websites, and therefore unable to download or install the necessary security software to eliminate the malware. If you are reading this article, chances are you’re stuck with a virus infection that is preventing you to download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your PC. Although this kind of issue will be tougher to get around, there are a few actions you can take.

Install in Safe Mode

In the event the malware is set to run at Windows start-up, then booting in Safe Mode should prevent it. Since only the minimum applications and services start-up in safe mode, there are hardly any reasons for conflicts to take place. The following are the steps you should follow to remove viruses in Safemode. 1) After switching on the computer, hit the F8 key while the Windows splash screen begins to load. This would invoke the “Advanced Boot Options” menu. 2) Select Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and press ENTER. 3) When this mode loads, you should have the internet. Now, utilize your internet browser normally and go to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 4) Immediately after installation, run a full scan and allow the software to get rid of the threats it detects.

Switch over to an alternate internet browser

Certain viruses may target vulnerabilities of a specific browser that block the downloading process. In case you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by a virus or otherwise compromised by online hackers, the best course of action is to switch over to a different web browser like Firefox, Chrome, or Safari to download your favorite security software – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Run anti-malware from your USB drive

Here’s yet another solution which is using a portable USB antivirus software that can scan your system for malicious software without needing installation. Follow these steps to run the anti-malware on the infected computer. 1) On a clean computer, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug in the USB flash drive to a USB slot on the clean computer. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, with an .exe file extension. 4) When asked, choose the location of the USB drive as the place where you would like to store the software files. Follow the instructions on the screen to finish off the installation process. 5) Now, transfer the flash drive to the infected PC. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the pen drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and clean-up up all kinds of malware.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware: Light-weight Malware Protection for Windows Computer

Nowadays, anti-malware software can protect your computer from different types of online threats. But how to select the best one amongst many malware protection application that’s available in the market? Perhaps you might be aware, there are many anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. Some of them are good, some are ok types, while some will affect your PC themselves! It is important to choose a company that creates industry-best anti-malware and it has attained a reputation as reliable. On the list of highly recommended software programs is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. SafeBytes carries a superb reputation for quality service, and clients seem to be happy with it. SafeBytes antimalware is a highly effective and user-friendly protection tool which is suitable for users of all levels of computer literacy. Using its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you eradicate several types of malware including computer viruses, PUPs, trojans, worms, adware, ransomware, and browser hijackers.

SafeBytes has got a variety of wonderful features that can help you protect your PC from malware attack and damage. Some of them are listed as below:

Antimalware Protection: This deep-cleaning antimalware software goes much deeper than most antivirus tools to clean your computer system. Its critically acclaimed virus engine finds and disables hard to remove malware that hides deep inside your personal computer. Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes gives round the clock protection for your computer restricting the malware attacks instantly. This software will continuously monitor your PC for suspicious activity and updates itself continuously to keep current with the latest threats. Web Filtering: SafeBytes gives instant safety rating about the pages you’re going to check out, automatically blocking harmful sites and make sure that you’re certain of your online safety while browsing the internet. Low CPU Usage: SafeBytes is well known for its low influence on computer resources and great detection rate of diverse threats. It runs silently and efficiently in the background so you are free to use your computer at full power all the time. 24/7 Customer Support: SafeBytes provides you with 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance and updates for best user experience. SafeBytes has come up with a wonderful anti-malware solution that can help you conquer the latest computer threats and virus attacks. There is no doubt that your computer system will be protected in real-time as soon as you put this software to use. So if you’re searching for the very best malware removal application out there, and if you don’t mind paying out some dollars for it, opt for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you’d like to carry out the removal of DailyProductivityTools manually instead of using an automated tool, you may follow these simple steps: Navigate to the Windows Control Panel, click the “Add/Remove Programs” and there, choose the offending program to uninstall. In case of suspicious versions of web browser plug-ins, you can actually get rid of it through your web browser’s extension manager. You will likely also want to reset your internet browser. If you opt to manually delete the system files and Windows registry entries, utilize the following checklist to make sure you know exactly what files to remove before carrying out any actions. But bear in mind, this can be a difficult task and only computer experts can perform it safely. Furthermore, certain malicious programs have the capability to defend against its removal. It is advisable that you carry out the removal procedure in Safe Mode.
Files: %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\DailyProductivityToolsTooltab %LOCALAPPDATA%\DailyProductivityToolsTooltab %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\difcnlhbpohkmlhkpkimihocbagbijii %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\difcnlhbpohkmlhkpkimihocbagbijii %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\difcnlhbpohkmlhkpkimihocbagbijii %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\difcnlhbpohkmlhkpkimihocbagbijii Registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftware\Wow6432Node\DailyProductivityTools HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftware\DailyProductivityTools HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftware\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\dailyproductivitytools.dl.myway.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\[APPLICATION]\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall..Uninstaller DailyProductivityToolsTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
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How to Allow or deny Apps permissions
As you know, each one of the applications that you use in your Windows 10 computer has its own set of permissions by default. These applications either allows or denies the interactions between a few other applications, depending on their own needs. This is why you might suddenly encounter a message that says,
“This app wants to access your pictures” or “This app wants to access your account info”
both of which are followed by two buttons that will ask you to Allow or Deny the action. You can always click on any of the given options. This will determine the permission of the application. Users in Windows 10 are given the option to either allow or deny applications in accessing their account information like name, picture and other account information. Thus, in this post, you will be guided on how you can change the Privacy settings of these apps to allow or deny them permission to access not just your account info but for all users, as well as specific apps in Windows 10. The user account information is part of the Privacy data in Windows 10 that you can control easily using the Settings app. In fact, you can revoke or grant access permission for your account information, all the users and specific applications to do that, follow each one of the instructions provided below carefully.

Allow or deny apps permission to account info for yourself:

Step_1: The first thing you have to do is open Settings. From there, select Privacy. Step_2: After that, scroll and look for Account info and select it. Step_3: Now turn off the toggle button for the “Allow apps to access your account info” option if you want to deny apps permission to your account info. But if you want to allow them access, simply turn the toggle button on. Keep in mind that when you allow access or permission, you can select which apps can access your picture, name, and other account info by simply using the settings on the page you’re currently in.

Now if you want to allow or deny apps to access your account info for all the users, here’s what you have to do:

Step_1: First, open Settings and click on the icon for Privacy. Step_2: Next, scroll down until you see the Account info located on the left side and then click on it. Step_3: After that, click on the Change button under the “Allow access to account info on this device” section. If you want to deny account info access for all other users, then turn the toggle button off. Doing so will automatically disable not just the account info access for all users but also for all the apps as well.

On the other hand, if you want to allow or deny account info access to specific apps, you can do so by following these steps:

Step_1: As you did earlier, go to Settings and click on the Privacy icon. Step_2: After that, scroll down and select Account info located on the left side. Step_3: Now turn on or off the toggle button under the “Choose which apps can access your account info” section if you want to deny or allow specific apps permission to access Account Info. If you’ve turned on the toggle button under the “Allow apps to access your account info”, all the apps get access permissions by default.
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Enable or Disable Auto-Mounting in Windows
Every time a new drive or any storage device is connected to a Windows 10 computer, the operating system tends to allot a drive letter to it automatically. Not only that, as the OS also maps the location of the drive which helps it point the letter to the exact port location of the drive and serve requests from the user. As a result, it builds up a bit of cache as per the pattern in which the user uses the storage of the computer. This whole process is known as “Auto Mounting” which works for hard disks or optical drive readers that are connected using the SATA ports and even for USB drives that are connected using the USB ports. There are several ways you can enable or disable the Auto-Mount feature in Windows 10. You can do it using the MountVol tool or the Registry Editor or the Diskpart utility. Before you proceed, it is recommended that you create a System Restore point first so that you can always undo the changes you made in case anything goes wrong.

Option 1 – Enable or disable Auto Mounting via MountVol tool

In this option, you will be using the mountvol command in the Command Prompt. Refer to the steps below.
  • Tap the Wins key once and type in “command prompt” in the field.
  • From the search results, right-click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as administrator” option to run it with admin privileges.
  • Next, type the following command and tap Enter to enable the Auto Mount feature:
mountvol /E
  • On the other hand, if you want to disable the Auto Mount feature, type the following command instead:
mountvol /N
  • After that, type the command below to remove all the previously assigned drive letters:
mountvol /R
  • Finally, restart your computer.

Option 2 – Enable or disable Auto Mounting via Registry Editor

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “Regedit” in the field and tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • After that, navigate to this registry key: ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesmountmgr
  • Next, look for a DWORD named “NoAutoMount”. If you can’t find a DWORD with that name then simply create a new DWORD with the same name and make sure that the base is selected to Hexadecimal.
  • Now double click on that DWORD and change its value to 0 if you want to enable it, otherwise, input 1 as its value to disable it.
  • Restart your computer.

Option 3 – Enable or disable Auto Mounting via Diskpart utility

  • Tap the Wins key once and type in “command prompt” in the field.
  • From the search results, right-click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as administrator” option to run it with admin privileges.
  • After opening Command Prompt as admin, type the following command and hit Enter to launch the Diskpart utility:
diskpart
  • After that, a User Account Control prompt will appear. Just click on the Yes button.
  • Next, type the following command and hit Enter:
automount
  • Following the command you entered, you will an output that either says, “Automatic mounting of new volumes enabled” or “Automatic mounting of new volumes disabled” which means you can use it to check the status of Auto Mount.
  • Now if you want to enable the Auto Mount feature, type the following command and tap Enter:
automount enable
  • And if you want to disable the Auto Mount feature, just enter the following command:
automount disable
  • To remove all the assigned letter and history of drives that were connected previously, type the following command:
automount scrub
  • Finally, restart your computer.
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How to Fix Error Code 0x8024002e

Error Code 0x8024002e - What is it?

Windows 10 error code 0x8024002e is related to the Windows update service. When you see the error code displayed on your screen, it means that the Windows update service has been blocked or not working. As a result of this error code, your computer might lag and the system may freeze while performing normal operations. The error may read as follows:
“There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information this may help: (0x8024002e)”.
Common symptoms include:
  • Slow computer performance
  • System freezes while performing normal operations or freezes while multitasking
  • BSOD error is showing
  • Some unwanted files get opened automatically
  • Updating is not possible

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

This error code appears because of the following reasons:
  • Incomplete installation of the Windows operating system
  • Incorrect registry entry
  • Corrupt or damaged system files
  • The computer has come under a virus attack
  • Miscommunication between the computer and the Windows Automatic Update service
The decline in RAM or outdated Hard Disk Drive

Further Information and Manual Repair

Method 1:

  • Remove any external media connected to the computer
  • Crash reboot your PC 2 to 3 times.
  • Now check if you are still having the problem.
If the problem still persists, try the following methods if you are able to boot to the desktop and check for the problem.

Method 2:

Changing Windows Update property to automatic: You might see this error if your Windows update property is set to manual. Follow the steps below to change it to automatic. Open Task Manager.
  1. Click on the Services tab. Find “Open Services” at the bottom of the window.
  2. A new window will pop up. Scroll down and find “Windows Update” from the list. Double click on the Windows Update. It will open its properties.
  3. Select Automatic for ‘Startup Type.’ Click Apply, Start, and OK.
Now, try the Windows Update and check if you are still getting the error message. If the problem isn’t resolved, reboot your PC for the changes to take effect and then try again.

Method 3:

Disable Antivirus program: If you have any antivirus installed on your PC, you might need to disable it first and see if that helps. Although, most of the antivirus makers have made changes to work smoothly with Windows 10, it is a new Operating System and some antivirus may cause conflict. Disable the antivirus and check for updates to see if it is preventing you from updating your system and displaying the error code 0x8024002e.

Method 4:

Run inbuilt Windows update troubleshooter. Follow the steps given below:
  1. Press Windows + W keys on your keyboard to enable the search option.
  2. In the Search box type Troubleshooting.
  3. Click on View all
  4. Click on Windows update and follow the prompts to run the troubleshooter.
If the issue persists, try Method 5

Method 5:

Run the System File Checker tool (sfc.exe):
  1. Open Command prompt.
  2. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
  3. The sfc /scannow will scan all protected system files and replace corrupted files with a cached copy that is located in a compressed folder at %WinDir%System32dllcache. The %WinDir% has the Windows Operating System folder. For example, C:\Windows.
Do not close the Command prompt window until the verification is 100% complete. The command prompt will show the scan results when it is done. After it is done, you may receive one of the following messages:
“Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.” This means you do not have any missing or damaged system files.
OR you may receive a message saying:
“Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation.”
To resolve this problem, run the System File Checker in safe mode and make sure that the PendingDeletes and PendingRenames folders exist under %WinDir%WinSxSTemp.
OR you may also receive a message saying, “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them. Details are included in the CBS.Log%WinDir%LogsCBSCBS.log.” OR you may receive a message saying, “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. Details are included in the CBS.Log%WinDir%LogsCBSCBS.log.”
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Automatically restart apps when you sign back
If you wish to continue where you have left off when you signed out of Windows follow this guide and learn how to continue your work after signing in, restart apps in your Windows. You can set Windows 10 to Automatically save your restartable apps when you sign out and restart them after you sign in. Here’s how:
  1. Right-click on the Windows logo to open the secret menu
  2. Select Settings
  3. Click open Accounts
  4. From the left side, select Sign-in options
  5. Scroll down till you see Restart apps setting
  6. Toggle the Automatically save your restartable apps when you sign out and restart them after you sign in setting to On position
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