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Fixing Error code 15 or Error code 16

If you get an Error Code 15 or Error Code 16 while you are browsing the web and you notice that your access is blocked to a particular website, then read on as this post will guide you in resolving this problem. Both Error Code 15 and Error Code 16 have the same message that states, “Access Denied: This request was blocked by the security rules”.

Note that the error depends on what kind of browser you are using, as well as the operating system and network that you are using. On the other hand, the fixes for this error are the same and there is a handful of them that you can check out just make sure to follow each one of them carefully.

Option 1 – Sync Date and Time

The first thing you can try is to sync the Date and Time of your computer as the wrong Date and Time settings are one of the most common causes of connection problems like Error code 15 or Error code 16. This is because of the incompatibility between the SSL Certificate validation date and the System Clock. Thus, you have to sync your System Clock. Refer to the steps below to do so.

  • Right-click on the Taskbar and click on the Adjust Date and Time option.
  • Next, click on the Sync Now button to synchronize the Date and Time with the Microsoft Servers.
  • Now make sure that the Time Zone that’s set on the same page is correct.

Option 2 – Try to reset the affected browser

Resetting the affected browser might help in fixing Error Code 15 or Error Code 16.

Mozilla Firefox

  • Open Firefox and click the icon that looks like three stacked lines located at the top-right section of the browser.
  • Next, select the question mark icon from the drop-down menu.
  • Then select “Troubleshooting information” from the slide-out menu.
  • After that, click on the “Reset Firefox” button located at the top-right section of the newly opened web page.
  • Now select “Reset Firefox” in the confirmation pop-up window that appears.

Google Chrome

  • Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
  • After that, click on Settings.
  • Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
  • After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
  • Now restart Google Chrome.

Internet Explorer

  • Launch Internet Explorer.
  • Next, click the wrench icon for Settings.
  • Then click Internet Options.
  • After that, go to the Advanced tab.
  • From there, click the Reset button. This will reset Internet Explorer’s settings to their default condition.
  • Now click OK to save the changes made.

Option 3 – Temporarily disable Firewall and third-party antivirus

Firewall and antivirus programs are known to block files the instant it detects a threat to the system. However, there are some cases when it can also block a file even when it’s a safe one. Thus, your antivirus or firewall programs might be the reason why you can’t download anything on your Windows 10 computer. To isolate the issue, you need to temporarily disable both the Firewall and antivirus programs and then check if you can now download anything from the internet. Do not forget to enable them again as disabling them can leave your computer vulnerable to cyber threats.

Option 4 – Disable the Proxy server

You can also try to disable the Proxy server for your LAN to fix Error code 15 or Error code 16 especially if your computer was attacked by some malware or adware recently. In such cases, there is a chance that the malware or adware has changed your network settings in order to generate intrusive advertisements. Thus, you have to disable the proxy server and you can do that by following these steps:

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “inetcpl.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to pull up the Internet Properties.
  • After that, go to the Connections tab and select the LAN settings.
  • From there. Uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server” option for your LAN and then make sure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked.
  • Now click the OK and the Apply buttons.
  • Restart your PC.

Note: If you are using a third-party proxy service, you have to disable it.

Option 5 – Check your VPN

If you are using a VPN application, there are times when it causes some issues like this error. If that’s the case, you can try to disable your VPN temporarily and see if the error is resolved or not and if turns out that your VPN is the culprit, you have to uninstall it and install a new one or its latest version. To uninstall it, follow the steps below.

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box
  • Then type “appwiz.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to open the Programs and Features in Control Panel.
  • From there, look for the VPN service you are using, select it and then click on Uninstall to remove it.
  • After that, restart your computer and try to install the latest version of the program again. It should work now. If not, proceed to the next available option below.

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Fix Windows Cannot Find a System Image
If you have encountered the “Windows Cannot Find a System Image on This Computer” error while you are trying to restore a system image, then read on as this post will guide you in resolving this problem. A system image is basically a backup of your whole data in the system. For instance, it can be the backup data of your hard disk or the whole hard disk itself, or one of the volumes. This is really useful in some cases like when you are not able to get back into your system for some reason or when your system has been corrupted. In such cases, you can utilize this feature and get going safe and sound. However, not all things go the way as expected like when you make a system image of a drive for instance, or use that backup to restore data and you suddenly encounter the “Windows Cannot Find a System Image on This Computer” error. This kind of error occurs due to a number of reasons but worry not for your data is safe and you can fix this error easily. This error is most likely triggered by changing the name of the “WindowsImageBackup” folder. Renaming this folder will certainly be an issue since it is the one that stores all your data. Aside from renaming the WindowsImageBackup folder, renaming the sub-folders can also cause this error which means that renaming the sub-folders of the WindowsImageBackup folder can trigger the error. To fix this error, here are some suggestions that might help:

Option 1 – Try putting the WindowsImageBackup folder in the Root directory

Windows will have issues finding the WindowsImageBackup folder if it isn’t in the root directory of the drive so if it is not there, the “Windows Cannot Find a System Image on This Computer” error will pop up. When a folder is in a root directory, it means that it shouldn’t be stored within a folder but in the main directory instead.  Thus, you need to put the WindowsImageBackup folder in the root directory to fix the error.

Option 2 – Don’t add any sub-folders in the WindowsImageBackup folder

Another cause of the error is when you add sub-folders in the WindowsImage Backup folder. Adding any sub-folders in this folder will only trigger the error so you should leave the folder as it is and you must not make any modifications to it. So if you have added sub-folders in it, make sure to remove them right away.

Option 3 – Make sure that there is one system image per USB drive

The error can also appear if you’ve stored multiple images inside a single USB drive as it could confuse Windows and will trigger the “Windows Cannot Find a System Image on This Computer” error. Note that storing system images of different volumes of your hard disk in a single USB will prevent you from restoring your data.

Option 4 – Try renaming the System Image folder

If you’ve just changed the name of the System Image folder after you store it on a USB stick or other external device, then it’s no wonder why you’re getting the “Windows Cannot Find a System Image on This Computer” error. Windows search for the default name, “WindowsImage Backup” folder when restoring your data so if it is not able to find it, it throws up this error instead. To fix the error, you need to change the folder back to its default name which is “WindowsImageBackup”.

Option 5 – Check the WindowsImageBackup sub-folders

As mentioned earlier, renaming sub-folders in the WindowsImageBackup folder can trigger the error so if you have renamed sub-folders in this folder, you need to change them back to their default names so that you can restore your data peacefully.
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Backup all drivers in Windows 10
When Windows is installed on a clean hard drive it usually finds most of the needed drivers for our computer to run, but if we by any chance have any old unsupported hardware or some exotic one chance are very high that Windows will not be able to locate and install drivers for it. And sometimes we do not even have drivers from where to download them, let's say for example you have purchased a second-hand laptop with Windows on it, you wish to create a clean and fresh copy of new Windows installation but you do not have drivers, and let us say the model is not supported so you can not download them. In this case, this shown method will help you a ton and save you a lot of time and frustration. So, in order to back all of your drivers from your Windows follow this simple guide step by step. Note please that this method will backup drivers themselves, you will not backup installation packages of drivers or similar stuff, only drivers installed in Windows itself.

Backing up the drivers

First thing first, create a folder where you want your drivers to be backed up somewhere in your HD and give it any name. Second, press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the secret Windows menu. keyboard with windows and x markedFrom the menu choose Command Prompt (administrator) Windows menu command prompt adminWhen the command prompt is active type the next command in it: DISM /online /export-driver /destination:C:\DriverBackup where: C:\DriverBackup is the folder and the hard drive where you want to store your backed-up drivers. Press ENTER That's it, you have now successfully backed-up all of your installed Windows drivers. Now, save all of your drivers on USB and reinstall Windows.

In order to now return backed drivers do the following:

Press again ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the secret Windows menu. keyboard with windows and x markedbut this time choose Device manager Windows menu device managerFrom decide, manager right-click on any device Windows has not been able to install appropriate driver and choose update driver
  • Click on the Browse my computer for driver software option.
  • Click the Browse button.
  • Select the folder with the driver backup.
  • Check the Include subfolders option.
  • Click the Next button.
  • Click the Close button.
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Fix Error 105 ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED in Chrome
If you suddenly receive an error saying, “Error 105 (net:: ERR NAME NOT RESOLVED): Unable to resolve the server’s DNS address” when browsing the web, then this means that the DNS lookup has failed. This kind of error is one of the most commons ones you can encounter while using the Chrome browser. And since it’s a pretty common error, the solutions for this one are pretty easy as well.

Option 1 – Disable both the Antivirus and Firewall temporarily

There are times when antivirus programs and the firewall blocks a website that they consider to be malicious or even because of false-positive effects. Thus, you need to disable these programs temporarily as it might be the reason why you’re getting the “Error 105 (net:: ERR NAME NOT RESOLVED): Unable to resolve the server’s DNS address” error in Chrome.

Option 2 – Check the Network Cables and restart the router then reconnect

Of course, the next thing you have to do is to check if the network cables connected to your computer or router are properly connected. And if your computer is connected via Wi-Fi, you need to make sure to restart your router once. In addition, you can also forget the Wi-Fi your computer is currently connected to and then try reconnecting again to see if it would work.

Option 3 – Try running the Chrome Cleanup tool

You might want to run Google Chrome’s built-in Malware Scanner & Cleanup tool as it could also help in getting rid of any unwanted ads, pop-ups, and even malware, as well as unusual startup pages, toolbars, and anything else that might overtake the network and could affect the performance of the browser.

Option 4 – Try removing the Proxy

Removing the Proxy might also help you in fixing the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED error in Chrome. Here’s how you can do it:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “inetcpl.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to pull up the Internet Properties.
  • After that, go to the Connections tab and select the LAN settings.
  • From there. Uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server” option for your LAN and then make sure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked.
  • Now click the OK and the Apply buttons.
  • Restart your PC.
Note: If you are using a third-party proxy service, you have to disable it.

Option 5 – Disable Prefetch in Chrome

In case you don’t know, Google makes use of a prediction service that helps users in completing searches and typing URLs in the address bar. This prediction service uses the already resolve IP address to connect to the website you’ve already visited. Thus, it would be better if you disable it in cases like this one.
  • Open Chrome’s Settings.
  • Next, go to Privacy and Security then look for “Prefetch”.
  • After finding Prefetch, toggle off the “Use a prediction service to help complete searches and URLs typed in the address bar” setting and then restart Chrome.

Option 6 – Flush the DNS, reset Winsock and then reset TCP/IP

  • Click the Start button and type in “command prompt” in the field.
  • From the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as administrator” option.
  • After opening Command Prompt, you have to type each one of the commands listed below. Just make sure that after you type each command, you hit Enter
    • ipconfig /release
    • ipconfig /all
    • ipconfig /flushdns
    • ipconfig /renew
    • netsh int ip set dns
    • netsh winsock reset
After you key in the commands listed above, the DNS cache will be flushed and the Winsock, as well as the TCP/IP, will reset.

Option 7 – Try using the Google Public DNS

  • The first thing you have to do is right-click on the network icon in the Taskbar and select Network and Sharing Center.
  • Next, click on the “Change Adapter Settings” option.
  • After that, search for the network connection that you are using to connect to the internet. Note that the option might be “Wireless Connection” or “Local Area Connection”.
  • Right-click on your network connection and click on Properties.
  • Then select the new window to choose the “Internet Protocol 4 (TCP/IPv4)” option.
  • After that, click on the Properties button and click the checkbox in the new window for the option “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
  • Type in “8.8.8” and “8.8.4.4” and click OK and exit.

Option 8 – Reset Chrome

Resetting Chrome can also help you fix the error. Resetting Chrome means restoring its default settings, disabling all the extensions, add-ons, and themes. Aside from that, the content settings will be reset as well and the cookies, cache, and site data will also be deleted. To reset Chrome, here’s what you have to do:
  • Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
  • After that, click on Settings.
  • Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
  • After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up the option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
  • Now restart Google Chrome.
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NoteHomepage removal guide

NoteHomepage (by MyWay) is a browser extension that may be bundled with other free software that you download off of the Internet, or delivered via other advertising means. When installed NoteHomepage will set the homepage and search engine for your web browser to http://search.myway.com. While installing this extension will gather information from your browsing sessions, including website visits, clicked links, and sometimes even private information, that it later sends back to display unwanted ads into your browser. Several anti-virus scanners have marked this extension as a Browser Hijacker and are therefore not recommended to keep on your computer. It is considered potentially unwanted, and many users wish to remove it, so it is flagged for optional deletion.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a form of unwanted software program, usually a web browser add-on or extension, which then causes modifications in the web browser’s settings. Browser hijacker malware is developed for many different reasons. Generally, browser hijacking is utilized for earning advertising revenue from forced advert mouse clicks and site visits. Even though it might seem harmless, these tools are designed by malicious individuals who always look to take full advantage of you, so that they can earn money from your naivety and distraction. Some browser hijackers are programmed to make certain modifications beyond the browsers, like altering entries on the system registry and letting other malware further damage your machine.

Find out how to identify a browser hijack

Below are some signs and symptoms that suggest your browser has been hijacked: the home page of your browser is changed unexpectedly; your browser is constantly being redirected to adult websites; the default search engine is changed; you are getting browser toolbars you have never noticed before; never-ending pop-up advertisements show up and/or your web browser popup blocker is disabled; your web browser gets sluggish, buggy, crashes regularly; Inability to navigate to certain websites, particularly anti-malware and also other security software websites.

So how exactly does a browser hijacker infect a computer?

Browser hijackers might use drive-by downloads or file-sharing networks or an e-mail attachment in order to reach a targeted PC. They could also come from add-on programs, also called browser helper objects (BHO), web browser plug-ins, or toolbars. Browser hijackers sneak into your computer in addition to free software application downloads also that you unknowingly install alongside the original. A good example of some infamous browser hijackers includes Babylon, Anyprotect, Conduit, SweetPage, DefaultTab, Delta Search, and RocketTab, however, the names are regularly changing. Browser hijackers will affect the user’s web surfing experience severely, track the websites frequented by users and steal personal information, cause difficulty in connecting to the web, and eventually create stability problems, causing software programs and systems to crash.

Learn how to remove browser hijackers

Some hijackers can be removed by just uninstalling the corresponding freeware or add-ons through the Add or Remove Programs in the Windows control panel. But, many browser hijackers are difficult to get rid of manually. No matter how much you try to get rid of it, it might keep returning again and again. Additionally, manual removals demand in-depth system knowledge and thus can be a very difficult job for novices. Industry experts always suggest users remove any malicious software including browser hijacker with an automatic malware removal tool, which is easier, safer, and quicker than the manual removal method. Employ a PC optimizer along with your anti-malware software to solve various registry issues, remove computer vulnerabilities, and boost your computer performance.

Download the software in Safe Mode with Networking

If the malware is set to run immediately when Windows starts, stepping into safe mode may block the attempt. Just minimal required applications and services are loaded whenever you start your laptop or computer in Safe Mode. To launch your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 PCs in Safe Mode with Networking, follow the instructions below. 1) At power on, hit the F8 key before 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) As soon as this mode loads, you should have an internet connection. Now, get the malware removal software you want by utilizing the web browser. To install the program, follow the directions in the installation wizard. 4) Immediately after installation, run a full scan and let the software remove the threats it discovers.

Switch over to an alternate browser

Some viruses may target vulnerabilities of a particular web browser that obstruct the downloading process. If you’re not able to download the anti-virus software program using Internet Explorer, this means malware is targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you need to switch to a different internet browser such as Firefox or Chrome to download the antivirus program.

Run anti-virus from a pen drive

To successfully get rid of the malware, you have to approach the problem of installing anti-malware software on the affected computer system from a different perspective. Adopt these measures to run the anti-virus on the affected computer system. 1) Download the anti-malware software on a virus-free computer. 2) Plug the USB drive into the clean computer. 3) Double click on the downloaded file to open the installation wizard. 4) Select flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you exactly where you wish to install the application. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process. 5) Remove the flash drive. Now you can utilize this portable anti-malware on the affected computer. 6) Double-click the anti-malware software EXE file on the USB drive. 7) Press the “Scan” button to run a full computer scan and remove viruses automatically.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To eliminate NoteHomepage manually, navigate to the Add or Remove programs list in the Windows Control Panel and select the program you want to get rid of. For web browser plug-ins, go to your web browser’s Addon/Extension manager and choose the add-on you want to disable or remove. You might also want to reset your home page and search providers, as well as clear your web browser cache and cookies. Finally, check your hard disk for all of the following and clean your Windows registry manually to remove leftover application entries after uninstalls. Please be aware that this is for professional users only and could be challenging, with incorrect file removal resulting in additional PC errors. In addition to that, certain malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. You’re advised to do this procedure in Windows Safe Mode.
Files: C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lamecoaceiheggdhlnjnmciaonfdamlg.600.11.14900_0 C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\lamecoaceiheggdhlnjnmciaonfdamlg C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\lamecoaceiheggdhlnjnmciaonfdamlg C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\NoteHomepageTooltab C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\profile\extensions\[email protected] C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\profile\extensions\[email protected]\chrome C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\profile\extensions\[email protected]\META-INF C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\profile\notehomepage_j Registry: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\NoteHomepage Toolbar.exe HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extensions HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\Extensions HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Firefox\Extensions HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Opera Software\Explorer\Main\Start Page Redirect=http://random.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NoteHomepage HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon Shell = %AppData%\IDP.ARES.Generic.exe HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Random HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Random. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\NoteHomepageTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\NoteHomepage
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Something happened, we couldn’t start upgrade
As you know, each one of the Windows 10 versions is priced differently and one of the considered more expensive compared to the Windows 10 Home version is the Windows10 Pro. The good thing is, Microsoft allows its users to upgrade from the Windows 10 Home version to the Windows 10 Pro version at a reasonable cost instead of buying the entire license again. However, upgrading your Windows 10 computer is not always that easy and you might encounter some errors along the way. One of the reported errors you could encounter is an error message that says, “Something happened, and we couldn’t start the upgrade”. This kind of problem is due to the problems with the Microsoft Store or the key authorization and to fix it, there are several options you can check out. You can try to run the built-in troubleshooters such as the Windows Update troubleshooter, Windows Store Apps troubleshooter, or Microsoft Accounts troubleshooter. You could also try to reset the Windows Store cache or re-register the Windows Store app. For more details, refer to each one of the given options below.

Option 1 – Try to run the Microsoft Accounts troubleshooter

Since the Microsoft Accounts troubleshooter is not built-in into the Windows operating system, you can download this troubleshooter by clicking on this link.

Option 2 – Try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter could also help you resolve the “Something happened, and we couldn’t start the upgrade” error. 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 – Run the Windows Store App troubleshooter

The Windows 10 Store Apps Troubleshooter will help you in fixing the problem in Microsoft Store. This is a great built-in tool from Microsoft that helps users fix any app issues. To use the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter, follow the steps below.
  • Tap Win + I keys again to open the Windows Settings panel.
  • Go to Update & Security and then go to Troubleshoot.
  • Under the Troubleshoot section, on your left-hand side, scroll down to find Window Store Apps.
  • Then click on the Run the troubleshooter option and follow the on-screen instructions and then see if it fixes the problem.

Option 4 – Try to reset the Microsoft Store cache

As you know, like any other apps, Microsoft Store also caches as you view apps and games so it is most likely that the cache is no longer valid and must be removed. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • Right-click on the start button and click on Command Prompt (administrator).
  • Next, type in the command, “wsreset.exe” and tap Enter. Once you do, the command will clear the cache for the Windows Store app.
  • Now restart your PC and afterward, try opening Microsoft Store again and then try to install your app or update your computer again.

Option 5 – Try to re-register the Microsoft Store app via Windows PowerShell

  • Tap the Win + X key combination or right-click on the Start button and click on the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option.
  • If a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, just click on Yes to proceed and open the Windows PowerShell window.
  • Next, type in or copy-paste the following command to re-register the Microsoft Store app and tap Enter:
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $Env:SystemRootWinStoreAppxManifest.xml
  • Wait for the process to be completed and then restart your computer.

Option 6 – Try contacting Microsoft

If none of the options worked, you might also want to contact Microsoft for further assistance in fixing the error.
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Taskbar has disappeared from the Desktop
As you know, the Taskbar is one of the integral parts of the Windows desktop and it has been there since the release of Windows 1.0 and up until now with Windows 10. Since then, Microsoft has been modifying the Taskbar with a new design which makes it a home for new features such as Windows Search, Task View, and many more. However, there are times when you may that the Taskbar has disappeared or has stopped responding. If you experience either one of these scenarios, read on as this post will walk you through what you can do to resolve the problem. Here are some suggestions you can check out to resolve the issue with the Taskbar in Windows 10 but before you proceed, make sure that you create a System Restore point first. To do that, follow these steps:
  • In the Start search, type in “create a restore point” and click the entry “System Properties”.
  • Next, select the main system drive under Protection Settings and click on the Configure button.
  • After that, select the “Turn on system protection” option and then click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made.
Once you’ve created a System Restore point, refer to the troubleshooting steps below to fix the Taskbar in Windows 10.

Option 1 – Try to restart the Explorer process

This may sound really basic but it actually is a proven method to fix the Taskbar issue. So if anything gets stuck on the system tray or the Taskbar, you can always fix it by restarting the explorer.exe. How? Refer to these steps:
  • First, right-click on the Taskbar and select the Task Manager.
  • After opening the Task Manager, go to the Processes tab and look for the process named “Windows Explorer”.
  • Then right-click on that process and select the option to Restart. Afterward, you should now be seeing the Taskbar as this will reload the whole Windows Shell.

Option 2 – Unhide the Taskbar using the Settings app

It is possible that the Taskbar could be hidden so you can try to unhide it using the Settings app.
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open Settings.
  • After that, go to Personalization > Taskbar.
  • From the main section, make sure that the “Automatically hide the task in desktop mode” is toggled to the off position. However, if it’s already off then proceed to the next options below.

Option 3 – Make sure that you are not in Tablet Mode

Since Windows 10 is designed to work on both desktop and mobile devices, it could be that your computer has slipped into Tablet Mode which explains why you’re not seeing the Taskbar. To check if your computer is really in Tablet Mode, follow these steps:
  • Go to the Start menu and select Settings.
  • Next, select the System setting and from the left pane select the Tablet Mode.
  • From there, make sure that the buttons next to the options given below are set to the off position:
    • Hide app icons on the taskbar in tablet mode
    • Automatically hide the taskbar in tablet mode

Option 4 – Try to check the Projection Settings

You might also want to check the Projection settings as it could be the reason why Taskbar has disappeared.
  • Tap the Win + P keys to open the Windows Projection settings.
  • Next, make sure that you select the “PC screen only” option and then check if your Taskbar has now appeared or not.
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GoForFiles Removal Guide

GoforFiles is a Potentially Unwanted Program that allegedly allows users to easily search for files, movies, apps, and other useful things on the internet. In our testing, this program on further inspection does not work, it only displays an error for every search query. To top this off this program comes bundled up with other programs which could be malicious or unwanted. This program adds startup links into windows, allowing it and its bundled programs to launch every time Windows is restarted or launched. A task scheduled is also made, that lets the launch of the program at different random times during the day. Many anti-virus applications have marked this program and its bundled counterparts as Potentially Unwanted Programs, and it is highly recommended to remove these programs from your computer.

About Potentially Unwanted Programs

Exactly what is a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP)?

People have encountered it – you download free software, you then discover some unwanted applications on your computer system, or discover a strange toolbar has been included with your browser. You didn’t have them installed, so how did they appear? These unwanted applications, which are called Potentially Unwanted Programs, or PUP in short, usually tag along as a software bundle when downloading the application and could cause serious problems for computer users. PUP does not involve malware in the traditional sense. What normally makes a PUP different from malicious software is the fact that when you download one, you’re doing it with your consent – although in most cases unintentionally and reluctantly. But, there is no doubt that PUPs remain bad news for computer users as they can be incredibly damaging to the PC in many ways. How do unwanted programs affect you? Unwanted programs come in many forms. More commonly, they will be found in adware bundlers which are known to utilize aggressive and misleading advertising. The majority of bundlers install many adware applications from a number of vendors, each of which features its own EULA policy. Safebytes Anti-malware completely removes this threat and safeguards your PC against PUP or malware infection. PUPS also appear in the form of undesirable toolbars or internet browser plug-ins. Not just they needlessly use up space on your screen, toolbars can also manipulate search results, track your web browsing activities, decrease your internet browser’s performance, and slow down your web connection to a crawl. They could seem harmless but PUPs are generally spyware. They may include dialers, keyloggers, and also other software built inside them that could monitor you or send out your sensitive information to 3rd parties. Because of this unwanted program, your application may freeze, your security protections can get disabled that could leave your computer susceptible, your system could get ruined, and this list goes on and on.

Tips for preventing PUPs

• Study cautiously prior to agreeing to the license agreement as it could have a clause about PUPs. • Always opt for the custom if you are given an option between Recommended and Custom Installations – never click Next, Next, Next thoughtlessly. • Install an advert blocker/pop-up blocker; Deploy anti-malware products such as Safebytes Anti-malware. These software programs will establish a wall between the computer and online criminals. • Be alert when you download and install freeware, open-source software, or shareware. Avoid downloading and installing browser extensions and applications you are not knowledgeable about. • Always download software from reliable sources like official sites as opposed to untrustworthy sharing space. Avoid torrents and peer-to-peer clients.

Can't Install Safebytes Anti-malware because of a Virus? Try This!

Malware could potentially cause all sorts of damage after they invade your system, from stealing your private details to erasing files on your PC. Some malware sits in between the computer and your internet connection and blocks some or all internet sites that you really want to visit. It might also prevent you from the installation of anything on your machine, especially an anti-virus program. If you’re reading this now, you’ve probably realized that a malware infection is a reason for your blocked internet traffic. So what to do when you want to download and install antivirus software like Safebytes? Do as instructed below to get rid of malware through alternative methods.

Boot your PC in Safe Mode

In Safe Mode, you can actually change Windows settings, un-install or install some applications, and remove hard-to-delete viruses. In the event, the virus is set to load automatically when the computer boots, switching to this mode could prevent it from doing so. To get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the system is starting up or run MSConfig and find the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you are in safe mode, you can attempt to install your antivirus program without the hindrance of the malicious software. Right after installation, run the malware scanner to remove standard infections.

Switch over to an alternative internet browser

Malicious program code might exploit vulnerabilities on a particular browser and block access to all anti-malware software websites. If you appear to have a trojan attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to a different web browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your favorite antivirus program – Safebytes.

Make a bootable USB antivirus drive

Another option is to save and operate an antivirus program entirely from a USB drive. To run anti-virus using a USB drive, follow these simple measures: 1) Make use of another virus-free PC to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Connect the flash drive to a USB port on the clean computer. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded software, with a .exe file extension. 4) Choose the USB stick as the location for saving the software file. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process. 5) Now, plug the USB drive into the infected system. 6) Double-click the EXE file to run the Safebytes program from the thumb drive. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and get rid of all kinds of malware.

Protect your PC from Malware With SafeBytes Security Suite

To protect your computer or laptop from various internet-based threats, it is very important to install an anti-malware application on your laptop. However, with so many antimalware companies out there, nowadays it is actually tough to decide which one you should obtain for your personal computer. A few of them are excellent, some are decent, and some will destroy your PC themselves! You must be careful not to choose the wrong product, especially if you buy premium software. Among few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended software program for the security-conscious end user. Safebytes is one of the well-established PC solutions firms, which offer this comprehensive anti-malware application. Using its outstanding protection system, this utility will instantly detect and remove the majority of the security threats, including browser hijackers, viruses, adware, ransomware, trojans, worms, and PUPs. SafeBytes anti-malware takes computer protection to a whole new level with its advanced features. Let’s look into a few of them below: Optimum AntiMalware Protection: With a critically acclaimed anti-malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection which is intended to catch and eliminate threats that are hidden deep in your computer’s operating system. Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes provides round-the-clock protection for your computer limiting malware intrusions in real-time. It will continuously monitor your computer for hacker activity and also gives users advanced firewall protection. Web Protection: Safebytes allots all sites a unique safety score that helps you to get an idea of whether the webpage you’re about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site. Faster Scanning: SafeBytes Anti-Malware has got a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to 5x faster than any other antivirus software. Light-weight: SafeBytes is a lightweight and user-friendly antivirus and antimalware solution. Since it uses minimal computer resources, this software leaves the computer power exactly where it belongs to: with you actually. 24/7 Online Support: Support service is readily available for 24 x 7 x 365 days via email and chats to answer your concerns. SafeBytes has created an excellent anti-malware solution to help you conquer the latest computer threats and virus attacks. You now may understand that this tool does more than just scan and delete threats on your PC. You’ll get the best all-around protection for the money you spend on SafeBytes AntiMalware subscription, there is no doubt about it.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to carry out the removal of GoforFiles manually instead of using 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 cases of suspicious versions of web browser plug-ins, you can easily get rid of it through your web browser’s extension manager. It is also highly recommended to factory reset your web browser to its default state to fix corrupt settings. In order to ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard disk and registry for all of the following and eliminate or reset the values as needed. But bear in mind, this can be a complicated task and only computer experts can perform it safely. Also, certain malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing deletion. You’re urged to do this process in Windows Safe Mode.
Files: %ProgramFiles%GoForFiles.comGoForFiles.com.exe %UserProfile%DesktopGoForFiles.com.lnk %UserProfile%StartMenuGoForFiles.comGoForFiles.com.lnk %UserProfile%StartMenuGoForFiles.comHelp.lnk %UserProfile%StartMenuGoForFiles.comRegistration.Lnk %UserProfile%ApplicationDataMicrosoftInternetExplorerQuickLaunchGoForFiles.com.lnk Registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware376694984709702142491016734454 HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun376694984709702142491016734454
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Fix The selected disk is not a fixed MBR disk
Both the DISKPART utility and the Disk Management are useful tools in Windows 10 that manage the disk space allocation, and so on. But these tools are not without errors as you could also encounter some when you run them. Recently, some users reported getting an error that says, “The selected disk is not a fixed MBR disk when trying to use the DISKPART utility”. Here’s the exact message of the error:
“The selected disk is not a fixed MBR disk. The ACTIVE command can only be used on fixed MBR disks.”
This kind of error only occurs when you try to activate a disk partition on a UEFI system partition. However, the command works only if your computer is based on BIOS/MBR. The UEFI method has no concept of the active partition and since you have a UEFI system, the disk type is GPT instead of MBR. To simply put it, your BIOS needs the MBR disk type while the UEFI needs the GPT disk type. To fix the “The selected disk is not a fixed MBR disk when trying to use the DISKPART utility” error, there are various potential fixes you can try. You might have to disable Secure Boot, convert the disk to MBR or fix the Boot Manager. For more instructions, follow the options provided below.

Option 1 – Disable the Secure Boot in the BIOS

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

Option 2 – Try converting the disk to MBR

You can try to change the File System of the drive from GPT to MBR but before you do so, make sure that you create a backup copy of your data to an external drive. Once you have that covered, follow the steps below.
  • Create a bootable Windows 10 media and boot your computer from it.
  • Next, click on the “Repair your computer” option on the first Windows 10 installation setup window.
  • Afterward, select the operating system partition from the given options and click on Next.
  • Now select Command Prompt within the System Recovery options box and execute this command to initiate the Diskpart utility: diskpart
  • Then type either one of these commands to view the list of all the Disk connects or the partitions on those disks formed: list disk or list volume
  • After that, execute another one of these commands depending on the command you previously entered to select the disk or partition you want to select: select disk # or select volume #
  • Now execute this command to clean your drive: clean
  • Finally, execute this last command to convert the selected disk or partition as MBR: Convert MBR
  • Restart your computer and check if the error is fixed.

Option 3 – Try to fix the Boot Manager

  • You can start by booting into the installation environment for Windows 10 from an installation media.
  • After that, click on Repair your computer and on the blue screen, select Troubleshoot and then select the Advanced options menu.
  • From there, select Command Prompt and once you open it, enter each one of the commands given below by sequence.
    • bootrec /FixMbr
    • bootrec /FixBoot
    • bootrec /RebuildBcd
  • Once you’re done executing the commands given above, type “exit” to close the Command Prompt window and then restart your computer and see if it fixed error code 0xc000014c.
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Display Stopped Responding and Has Recovered
The screen flickers into black, it comes back and on-screen there is a message Driver stopped responding and has recovered. If you have been through this you are aware that the issue is not serious but it can get pretty annoying fast since you are not aware when will it happen again, and it will happen again. In this guide, we will go through the usual reasons for this error and offer solutions to them. Follow the guide step by step in order to resolve the problem.
  1. Clean your PC Dirt and dust are your enemy no1, dirty graphic card can not be properly called and can cause overheating which can result in this particular error, make sure that your PC is clean and tidy in order to eliminate dust and dirt as a cause for malfunction.
  2. Turn off multiple applications and try running just one at a time Overburdening GPU can cause this error to appear since the graphic card can not handle all requests it gets from multiple active applications. Try to run just one application at a time for some time period to see if the error will appear again.
  3. Update driver Update your GPU driver to the latest version from the manufacturer's website, Display Driver Stopped Responding and Has Recovered Error in Windows 10 can be from outdated drivers not able to handle modern tasks
  4. Get newer GPU As hard as this advice is, sometimes the reason is an old graphic card that simply can not keep up with modern games and applications, upgrade it to a more modern GPU and watch errors go away.
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Fix Windows 11 Black Screen Error
A black screen error inside Windows 11 is a typical screen turning to solid black without any error message. This can be very annoying since it can randomly appear out of nowhere and it will appear while you are using the computer. Worry not, this is not a serious error and we have several solutions for it, so please keep reading and try them as presented in order.

Black screenRestart graphic driver

This is the first thing to check if the issue is due to software or driver malfunctioning, there is a shortcut for rebooting graphic driver inside Windows 11. Press WINDOWS + CTRL + SHIFT + B to reboot the graphic driver and see if this fixes the issue. A beep sound should be heard during this process and the screen should turn back to normal.

Check connections

Sometimes the screen can go black due to a faulty connection or cable. If you have it at your hand try a different cable or slightly and gently nudge the existing one to see will screen flicker. If you are on a laptop try gently moving the lid from back to front and pay attention to the screen. If screen flickers or picture returns with this method, cable or connector needs to be replaced.

Clean your computer

The black screen can be because the computer is overheating. If this is the case either fan inside is not working properly or there is a lot of dirt and dust that needs to be removed so airflow can be established again for proper cooling. We have an article on errortools.com on how to properly clean your PC but if you are not technical enough maybe the best solution would be to call someone who is or to take the PC to service for cleaning.

Change The Projection Settings

Press WINDOWS + P to open projection settings, check to see if PC is set to PC screen only. If any other option is selected change it to PC screen only since this can cause random black screen issues.

Uninstall latest updates

If this problem has started to manifest itself during the latest update, go to setting and roll back from the latest update to fix this issue.

Scan system for malware

The black screen can also be caused by various viruses and malware. IF you have anti-virus software, run a full system scan to check it for malware. If you do not have one, download a free one and run a system scan, we recommend Bitdefender.
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