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

Lord-of-the-Rings-Online-to-Receive-VisualTech-Updates-asThis one is troublesome to recommend, on one side you have free to play games deeply inside Tolkien Lord of the Rings lore, on the other side, you have outdated graphics and some stupid item shop decisions like buys specific classes. But if you look past stupid item shop decisions and can live with playing free class in the game you will be pleasantly surprised. The game itself is surprisingly good, the story is great as expected from the game infused with lore taken from one of the best books series ever written, and the feeling when visiting iconic landscape is epic. But if I need to be real as I should, I would recommend this one to people appreciate good story and lore and ones that are fans of Lord of the Rings itself.

Neverwinter

Neverwinter-Sharandar-Artwork-001Neverwinter is a premium and licensed D&D MMO game and it is well strange. The free-to-play model of the game will let you enjoy it until you hit the end game, then you will have to shell real money if you want to be competitive but the journey until then is great. I would recommend it to D&D lovers and people that love to try other people's maps, yup you read it correctly. Neverwinter has a map editor making it one of a kind MMO game where you can create your own dungeons and post them for other players to play, this user-generated content makes it a very specific beast in this list, and for that feature alone it has my recommendation.

Tera

tera-classes-guideAnother one of the older titles, Tera will offer you nor depth nor anything new in terms of leveling, quests, or end game except… the COMBAT. This is maybe the greatest MMO Combat game ever created and it is quite fascinating that even after so many years no other game has managed to create a better combat system than one of Tera. If you enjoy action combat and like some specific aesthetics Tera is a game for you.

Albion

Albion-Online-LaunchAlbion is a sandbox game with open-world PvP and building mechanics where you can build your own forest, house, etc. You know, sandbox stuff, including a lot of crafting and well, other sandbox stuff. If you want great quests and some occasional play then skip Albion, this game is made for a more hardcore player base not being afraid to die and spend some time crafting and going through the economy. The best comparison might be with EVE but in fantasy settings.

Black Desert

bdoBlack Desert is also a sandbox game but different from Albion, here you can organize and hire a workforce and send them to different nodes on a map to harvest resources and build an economy while you are on some epic adventure. Housing is also included but you can buy already made houses instead of making your own in the world. Combat is a game that comes very close to Tera combat and it is very enjoyable. The end game is money sink and PvP based so be careful when choosing this one.

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 Error 1007

Error Code 1007 - What is it?

This is a typical system error.  This error means the requested operation cannot be performed in full-screen mode. It hampers your ability to run your desired program on Windows PC. It is displayed on computer screens in the following format:
"ERROR_FULLSCREEN_MODE" and/or as the hexadecimal value 0x3EF.”

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

The system error code 1007 can be triggered due to several reasons. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Windows registry damage or corruption
  • Device driver conflicts
  • Spyware or viral infection
  • Hardware malfunction
  • Software file damage or corruption
Unlike the blue screen of death error codes, this error is not fatal. But it may hamper your ability to run and work on your desired program. To avoid the inconvenience, it is advisable to fix it immediately.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Try these easy and effective do it yourself methods to repair the system error code 1007 on your PC:

Method 1 - Scan Your System for Viruses

If the underlying cause of error 1007 on your system is viral and spyware infection, then it is advisable to download a powerful antivirus and scan your entire PC. An antivirus not only detects but also removes all types of viruses including spyware, Trojans and adware. Once removed, try running your desired program again, if the program runs successfully, this means the error is resolved.

Method 2 - Update the Drivers

When the error code 1007 occurs due to driver conflict, then it is advisable to update the drivers. To do so simply use the driver update wizard from within Device Manager. The wizard will guide you through the entire driver update process, making it extremely simple for you to update the drivers in minutes.

Method 3 - Clean and Repair the Registry

You may experience the error 1077 because of registry damage or corruption. If this is the reason, then it is suggested you download Restoro. This is a user-friendly and multi-functional PC Fixer deployed with a powerful registry cleaner. It scans your entire system for registry related errors and issues, removes all unnecessary and obsolete files like cookies, junk files and bad registry entries, notorious for registry corruption. In addition to this, it also repairs the registry and damaged system files, thereby resolving the system error code 1007 immediately. Click here to download Restoro on your PC and fix system error code 1007 today!
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How to remove myBrowser

myBrowser is a Potentially Unwanted Program that allows users to access the internet. This browser suggests users install other PUP like myfiles, myemail, and others. This application claims to be a good reliable portable internet browser, however during our test use of the program several website scripts crashed and were not able to open up all the website assets required, leaving the users with a mediocre browsing experience.

While browsing the internet through this program, you might see additional ads and sponsored links injected into your search results and/or websites.

About Potentially Unwanted Applications

What is a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP)?

Everyone has experienced it – you download and install a free application, you then notice some unwanted programs on your computer system, come across a strange toolbar on your web browser, or find your default search engine has been changed to something else. You didn’t set them up, so how did they turn up? Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP), also referred to as Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUA), are programs that you never wanted in the first place and often come bundled with freeware software. Once installed, most of these applications can be difficult to eliminate and become much more of an annoyance rather than a necessity. PUP doesn’t involve malware in the traditional sense. A basic difference between PUP and malware is distribution. Malware is commonly dropped by silent installation vectors such as drive-by downloads while PUP gets installed with the consent of the user, who knowingly or unintentionally authorizes the PUP installation on their PC. PUP developers may argue that their programs aren’t malicious software but they can still be dangerous software and put the computer at risk much the same way a computer virus does.

What do PUPs do on your PC, precisely?

Unwanted programs can be found in various forms. Usually, they will be found in adware bundlers that are known to utilize aggressive and misleading advertising. The majority of bundlers install many adware applications from several vendors, each of which features its own EULA policy. Safebytes Anti-malware entirely removes this threat and protects your PC against unwanted programs or malware infection. PUPS also appear in the form of undesirable toolbars or web browser add-ons. They may change your internet browser settings, monitor your surfing activities and online searches, take up a large amount of space on your monitor, and degrade your web browsing experience. Potentially Unwanted Programs at times act quite similarly to computer viruses or spyware. They will often carry keyloggers, dialers, and other programs built inside them that may track you or send your sensitive details to third parties. Even if the PUPs aren’t basically malicious, these programs still do absolutely nothing good on your computer – they will take precious resources, slow down your PC, weaken your device’s security, making your PC more vulnerable to trojans.

Protect yourself from PUPs

• Read very carefully before you install anything. Do not click accept till you have read the fine print. There will probably be a clause about PUPs. • Always select “Custom” or “Advanced” installation and never blindly click the Next button, which will let you uncheck any foistware software programs you do not want. • Use an anti-PUP program. Security software like Safebytes Anti-malware provides the very best real-time protection against PUPs and also other malware. • Be alert if you install freeware, open-source software, or shareware. Don’t install programs that appear suspicious or malicious. • Always download software from reliable sources like official websites instead of untrustworthy sharing space. Stay away from file-hosting sites where/when possible. Comply with these guidelines and you should more or less never get potentially unwanted programs on your PC

What To Do When You Cannot Install Safebytes Anti-Malware?

Malware could cause all kinds of damage once they invade your PC, from stealing your private details to deleting files on your computer. Some malware is designed to restrict or prevent things that you wish to do on your computer. It may well not let you download anything from the internet or stop you from accessing a few or all of the internet sites, particularly the anti-malware sites. So what you should do if malware prevents you from downloading or installing Safebytes Anti-Malware? Follow the instructions below to eliminate malware by alternate methods.

Make use of Safe Mode to fix the problem

If any virus is set to run automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, stepping into safe mode could very well block this attempt. Since only the minimal programs and services launch in Safe Mode, there are hardly any reasons for issues to occur. Below are the steps you need to follow to start into the Safe Mode of your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers (check out the Microsoft website for instructions on Windows 8 and 10 computers). 1) Hit the F8 key repeatedly as soon as your PC boots, but before the big Windows logo comes up. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Make use of the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Networking and press ENTER. 3) When this mode loads, you should have the internet. Now, make use of your internet browser to download and install an anti-malware application. 4) Right after the software is installed, let the scan run to remove viruses and other threats automatically.

Obtain the antivirus software using a different browser

Some malware mainly targets specific web browsers. If this sounds like your case, make use of another internet browser as it might circumvent the virus. If you’re not able to download the security application using Internet Explorer, this means the virus is targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you should switch to another internet browser such as Chrome or Firefox to download the Safebytes program.

Create a bootable USB antivirus drive

Here’s another solution which is creating a portable USB anti-virus software package that can scan your system for malware without needing installation. Adopt these measures to run the anti-virus on the affected PC. 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or Microsoft Windows Defender Offline onto a clean PC. 2) Plug in the pen drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double click on the exe file to open the installation wizard. 4) When asked, choose the location of the USB drive as the place in which you want to store the software files. Follow the directions to finish the installation process. 5) Now, transfer the flash drive to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes tool right from the flash drive. 7) Click the “Scan” button to run a full computer scan and remove malware automatically.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware: Lightweight Malware Protection for Windows Computer

If you’re looking to download the anti-malware program for your computer, there are numerous tools on the market to consider however, you should not trust blindly anyone, irrespective of whether it is a paid or free program. Some of them do a good job in removing threats while some will ruin your computer themselves. You have to select one that is reliable, practical and has a good reputation for its malware source protection. On the list of strongly recommended tool by industry experts is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, a well known security software for Microsoft Windows. SafeBytes is a powerful, real-time anti-malware application that is designed to assist the common computer user in safeguarding their computer from malicious threats. With its outstanding protection system, this tool will quickly detect and eliminate the majority of the security threats, which includes adware, viruses, browser hijackers, ransomware, trojans, worms, and PUPs.

SafeBytes anti-malware takes computer protection to a whole new level with its enhanced features. The following are some of the great features included in the software.

Live Protection: SafeBytes offers real-time active checking and protection against all known viruses and malware. It will continuously monitor your pc for hacker activity and also gives end-users superior firewall protection. Best AntiMalware Protection: This deep-cleaning anti-malware application goes much deeper than most antivirus tools to clean your computer. Its critically acclaimed virus engine locates and disables hard to remove malware that hides deep within your computer. Website Filtering: SafeBytes provides instant safety rating to the webpages you’re going to visit, automatically blocking unsafe sites and to make sure that you are certain of your safety while browsing the internet. Lightweight Utility: SafeBytes is a light-weight application. It consumes a very small amount of processing power as it works in the background so you are free to use your Windows-based computer the way you really want. Premium Support: You will get 24/7 technical assistance to quickly resolve any concern with your security application. SafeBytes can keep your PC protected from the latest malware threats automatically, thus keeping your online experience secure and safe. Now you may realize that this tool does more than just scan and delete threats in your computer. If you’re looking for the very best malware removal tool out there, and if you don’t mind spending some dollars for it, opt for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you want to carry out the removal of myBrowser manually instead of using an automated software tool, you can follow these simple steps: Proceed to the Windows Control Panel, click on the “Add/Remove Programs” and there, choose the offending application to remove. In cases of suspicious versions of browser extensions, you can easily remove them through your web browser’s extension manager. You will most probably also want to totally reset your internet browser to its default settings. Lastly, check your hard disk for all of the following and clean your Windows registry manually to remove leftover application entries after uninstalls. Please remember that only advanced computer users should try to manually edit the registry because incorrect file deletion leads to a major problem or even a PC crash. Moreover, some malicious programs have the capability to defend against its deletion. Carrying out this in Safe Mode is advised.
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Fix Template_fields error in Microsoft Word
As you know, Microsoft Office Word is a program that’s widely used all over the web and it’s because it’s the best program there is when it comes to editing and processing words. However, even when it is the best there is, it is not without its faults and so on as it can still encounter some errors every now and then. One of these errors is the Template_fields errors. When you encounter such an error, you will see a pop-up window. This strange error randomly appears on documents but you need not worry as this post will provide you with possible solutions to resolve the problem. But before you proceed with these solutions, you have to create a backup for all your Word documents to Microsoft OneDrive preferably. To fix the problem, you can try to disable the add-ins or try to start Word in Safe Mode or repair Office. For more details, refer to the options given below.

Option 1 – Disable the Add-ins

Although add-ins enhance Microsoft Word, there are times when they can also cause problems that end up breaking Microsoft Word instead of improving it which is why you have to disable them. Refer to the following steps to do so:
  • Open Microsoft Word and then click on File.
  • After that, select Options from the menu and then click on Add-ins.
  • From there, you’ll see Manage: Com Add-ins as well as a button that says Go.
  • Now click on the Go button and wait for a couple of seconds for a new window to appear.
  • In the newly opened window, uncheck all the Add-ins and click on OK.
  • Restart Microsoft Word and check if the “Template_fields” error is now fixed or not.

Option 2 – Try starting Word in Safe Mode

You might also want to try rebooting Microsoft Office in Safe Mode as it is one of your best shots in finding out whether the problem is internal or external. However, if the problem does not appear after you reboot Microsoft Word in Safe Mode, then there is a possibility that the problem is with Microsoft Office itself. On the other hand, if the problem persists, then it could be a deeper issue.
  • First, start Microsoft Word in Safe Mode.
  • Next, tap and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard and open the Word document.
  • After that, you should see a dialog box. Click on Yes and see if Microsoft Word opens in Safe Mode.
  • Alternatively, you can open the search box and then type “winword.exe /safe” and hit Enter.

Option 3 – Try repairing Microsoft Office

If the first two options didn’t work, then you might want to try repairing Microsoft Office without getting rid of it. In most cases, this usually works in fixing any problems and returns the program back to its default state. To repair Microsoft Office, follow the steps below.
  • Right-click on the Start Menu button and select Apps and Features.
  • Next, scroll until you see the Microsoft Office program you want to repair and then select the Modify option.
  • After that, follow the options to repair Microsoft Office and then restart your PC and see if the “Template_fields” error is no longer present.
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Customize Lock Screen in Windows 11
Same as in Windows 10, Windows 11 also features a lock screen. IN this lock screen by default, you will see a clock and date above the standard Windows 11 background. Not all users will be happy with this choice but do not worry, you can choose and customize your lock screen to better suit your idea of it.

Lock Screen in Windows 11To personalize the lock screen do:

  1. Right-click on Desktop and select Personalize
  2. Click on the lock screen
  3. Choose one of three options and customize it
    • Personalize Your Lock Screen

      this option will let you set a custom image or slideshow for your lock screen. Choose either one that best suits you. Under selecting picture or pictures for the slide show you can uncheck the option to see tips, tricks, and facts on your lock screen.
    • Lock screen status

      when clicking on this option you can select the application widget that you wish to be shown on the lock screen like weather, mail, calendar, etc. Choose if you would like one by clicking on it.
    • Show the lock screen background picture on the sign-in screen

      as self-explanatory this switch will enable or disable chosen lock screen wallpaper on your login credentials screen.
  4. Close settings
All settings will be automatically saved and applied and when you wish to lock the screen easiest way is to press ⊞ WINDOWS + L shortcut on your keyboard.
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A Quick Guide to Fixing Error 2

Error 2 - What is it?

Error 2 is a typical Battle.net error code. Battle.net is a desktop app that allows you to access all Blizzard games. It enables Blizzard gamers around the world to play multiplayer matches together, online. Error 2 occurs when you are unable to connect to the login server. This error code is displayed in the following format:
Battle.net Error #2: Unable to connect. Please try again later. If the problem persists, please contact technical support.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error 2 may be triggered due to several reasons. These include:
  • Program conflict
  • Security software conflict
  • Bad DNS cache entry
  • Issues with network devices
  • Viruses and malware
  • Registry corruption
Error 2 is not a fatal error like the blue screen of death error codes. However, this error may hamper your ability to play Blizzard multi-player games. To overcome this problem it is advisable to fix error 2 immediately.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve this error you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to hire a professional and get it fixed. Here are some of the easy do-it-yourself methods to resolve this error on your PC. These methods require no technical expertise or knowledge. Let’s get started:

Method 1

Error 2 may sometimes pop up on the screen due to program conflict. This happens when you have Blizzard games and other programs running on your PC at the same time. In such a situation, it is advisable to close background applications to resolve conflicts between Blizzard games and other programs running in the background.

Method 2

Sometimes antivirus programs and firewalls can also hinder and interfere with the game’s connection to our servers. In this event, the best way to fix the error is to temporarily uninstall your security software.

Method 3

If error 2 is triggered by the issues with network devices then simply power cycle network devices to re-stabilize the connection. Power cycling router and modem allow you to reset and reestablish a connection to your ISP. To do this, shut down the computer then power down/unplug the router and the modem. Allow the modem to sit for 60 seconds, unplugged. Then turn it on and allow it to boot up till the front panel connection lights show a steady connection. Now turn on the router and do the same as you did with the modem. After that start the computer and allow it to completely boot up. Now try logging on to the Blizzard gaming server. This will hopefully resolve the issue.

Method 4

Viruses and malware infections can also trigger error 2. In such a situation install an antivirus and remove all malicious programs infecting your PC.

Method 5

If the cause of the error is related to registry corruption, then it is advisable to download Restoro. This is a user-friendly PC Fixer with a registry cleaner. The registry cleaner removes all unnecessary and obsolete files corrupting the registry, cleans and repairs the corrupted registry in a few minutes. Click here to download Restoro on your PC to resolve error 2. For further information you may be interested in these similar issues:
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Easy Remove PCPerformer From Windows

PC Performer is a registry cleaner made by PerformerSoft. The purpose of this program is to remove redundant items from the Windows registry. Registry cleaners remove broken links, missing references within the Windows registry. PC performer is designed to automatically optimize your registry and clean it up.

PC Performer adds registry entries for the current user that allow it to run automatically each time the system is rebooted. It adds a scheduled task to Windows Task Scheduler in order to run at various times. The software connects to the internet, therefore it creates a Windows Firewall exception that allows it to connect without interference. Multiple anti-virus programs detected this software as Malware, it typically comes bundled with other software or is distributed through a pay-per-install bundle.

About Potentially Unwanted Applications

People have encountered it – you download and install a piece of free software application, you then see some unwanted applications on your computer or discover a strange toolbar has been added to your browser. You didn’t install them, so how did they turn up? These unwanted programs, technically known as Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs), often come bundled along with other software and install themselves on user’s PC without their knowledge. They perhaps might not look like viruses to some individuals, but they can produce major annoyances and bring about serious trouble for users. The idea of PUP was coined to define this downloadable crapware as something other than malicious software. Much like malware, PUPs create problems when downloaded and placed on your computer, but what makes a PUP different is that you provide consent to download it – the fact is vastly different – the software installation bundle actually tricks you into agreeing to the installation. Still, there isn’t any doubt that PUPs are still bad news for computer users as they can be incredibly damaging to your computer in lots of ways.

What do PUPs look like?

The unwanted software programs after installation display loads of annoying pop-up adverts, create fake alerts, and quite often it even pushes the user to buy the software. Likewise, the majority of free software applications these days come with quite a few unwanted add-ons; in most cases a web browser toolbar or browser modification such as a homepage hijacker. Not only they needlessly use up space on your screen, but toolbars can also manipulate search engine results, watch your browsing activities, decrease your web browser’s performance, and decelerate your net connection to a crawl. PUPs employ aggressive distribution techniques to get in your computer. Some might include information gathering program code that could collect and send your private information back to third parties. Due to this unwanted program, your application may freeze, your security protections may get disabled that might leave the computer susceptible, your system may get ruined, and the list goes on and on.

Tips on how to prevent ‘crapware’

• Read cautiously before agreeing to the license agreement as it may have a clause about PUPs. • Usually, when setting up a program you will get two options, ‘Standard Installation (recommended)’ and ‘Custom Installation’. Don’t select ‘Standard’ as PUPs could be installed that way! • Use good anti-malware software. Try Safebytes Anti-Malware which will find PUPs and handle them as malware by flagging them for removal. • Be alert when you install freeware, open-source software, or shareware. Avoid downloading browser extensions and programs you are not familiar with. • Only download applications from the original providers’ sites. Avoid download portals as they use their own download manager to pack additional programs with the initial download.

What you can do if Virus Stops You From Downloading Or Installing Anything?

Malware could potentially cause several kinds of damage to computer systems, networks, and data. Certain malware goes to great lengths to stop you from installing anything on your PC, especially antivirus applications. If you’re reading this right now, you have perhaps recognized that a malware infection is a reason for your blocked web traffic. So what to do if you need to install an antivirus program like Safebytes? There are a few actions you can take to get around this problem.

Eliminate malware in Safe Mode

If the virus is set to load automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, getting into Safe Mode could very well block the attempt. Since just the bare minimum programs and services start-up in safe mode, there are hardly any reasons for issues to happen. The following are the steps you should follow to remove malware in Safemode. 1) At power on/start-up, hit the F8 key in 1-second intervals. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Select Safe Mode with Networking using arrow keys and hit ENTER. 3) Once you get into this mode, you should have an internet connection again. Now, obtain the malware removal application you need by using the browser. To install the software, follow the directions in the installation wizard. 4) After installation, do a complete scan and let the software delete the threats it detects.

Switch to an alternate browser

Web-based viruses can be environment-specific, targeting a particular web browser or attacking particular versions of the browser. The best solution to overcome this issue is to opt for a browser that is well known for its security features. Firefox contains built-in Phishing and Malware Protection to keep you safe online.

Install and run anti-virus from a USB drive

To successfully eliminate the malware, you will need to approach the issue of installing an anti-virus program on the infected PC from a different angle. Adopt these measures to employ a USB flash drive to fix your corrupted computer. 1) Use another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the pen drive into the clean computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus program to run the Installation Wizard. 4) When asked, choose the location of the pen drive as the place where you would like to put the software files. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. 5) Now, insert the pen drive into the infected computer. 6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes program right from the flash drive. 7) Click “Scan Now” to run a scan on the infected computer for malware.

Highlights of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Do you want to install the best anti-malware software program for your computer system? There are various applications in the market that comes in paid and free versions for Microsoft Windows systems. A few of them are great and some are scamware applications that pretend as legit anti-malware software waiting around to wreak havoc on your computer. While looking for anti-malware software, select one which gives dependable, efficient, and full protection against all known computer viruses and malware. On the list of recommended software is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. SafeBytes carries a really good track record of top-quality service, and clients are happy with it. SafeBytes anti-malware is a highly effective and easy-to-use protection tool that is suitable for users of all levels of computer literacy. With its cutting-edge technology, this application will let you remove multiples types of malware which include viruses, worms, PUPs, trojans, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers. SafeBytes anti-malware provides an array of advanced features which sets it apart from all others. Listed here are a few of the great ones: Anti-Malware Protection: Built on a highly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal tool is able to detect and remove many obstinate malware threats such as browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, and ransomware that other typical anti-virus programs will miss. Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes offers an entirely hands-free real-time protection that is set to check, prevent and remove all threats at its first encounter. It’ll check your PC for suspicious activity continuously and shields your PC from unauthorized access. Faster Scan: SafeBytes’s virus scan engine is one of the quickest and most efficient in the industry. Its targeted scanning seriously increases the catch rate for malware that is embedded in various computer files. Safe Browsing: Safebytes assigns all sites a unique safety ranking that helps you to have an idea of whether the webpage you’re going to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site. Low CPU Usage: SafeBytes is renowned for its minimal influence on processing power and great detection rate of countless threats. It runs silently and efficiently in the background so you’re free to use your computer at full power all the time. 24/7 Customer Support: SafeBytes provides 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and software upgrades for the best user experience.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove PCPerformer without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser. To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.

The following files, folders, and registry entries are created or modified by PCPerformer

Files: File at LOCALAPPDATAPCPerformerSetupPCPerformerSetup.exe. File at PROGRAMFILESPC PerformerPCPerformer.exe. File at PROGRAMFILESPC PerformerPSCheckUp.exe. File at PROGRAMFILESPC PerformerRegistryDefrag.exe. File at WINDIRTasksPC Performer Daily Check.job. File at WINDIRTasksPC Performer Scheduled Scan.job. Registry: Key PC Performer at HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePerformerSoft. Key PC Performer at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPerformerSoft. Key PCPerformer_is1 at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall.
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Guide to Correcting Error Code 46

Error Code 46 – What is it?

Error Code 46 is a device driver error that occurs when Windows fails to access the connected peripheral device to the computer as Windows is in a process of shutting down.

Users experience this error on any Windows 2000 and later operating system versions and usually see a pop-up with the following message:

“Windows cannot gain access to this hardware device because the operating system is in the process of shutting down. (Code 46)”

Solution

driverfix boxError Causes

Error Code 46 is caused when there is a temporary problem with windows system files which prompts that the system is undergoing a shut down when in fact is it not.

This prevents access to the connected devices. This error may also be caused by a registry issue in which case it has either become corrupted or damaged.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Unlike all other Windows error codes, code 46 is relatively easy to fix with the right knowledge and does not pose any serious threat to the well-being of your PC. Here is how you can do it.

Method 1 – Restart your PC

The simplest method to resolve Error Code 46 is to run a restart of your computer.

The error is most commonly a temporary registry glitch that prevents you from accessing the device connected to your computer. Upon restarting your computer, it will resume working properly as before.

There is no need to run a troubleshooting wizard, use system restore, or run anti-virus software to scan and remove malware or spyware. A simple restart is all that is needed.

Method 2 – Install DriverFIX

Although the error code can be resolved upon restarting the computer, there’s a possibility of damaged or corrupted Windows registry files. This can be fixed by using a program like DriverFIX.

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

It further ensures that your drivers are installed in their entirety leaving no room for any corrupted or damaged registry.

Error Code 46 may not be much of an issue, however, to prevent any risk of a Windows system corruption can be disastrous for your computer.

DriverFIX helps you fix your PC registry and device driver problems with user-friendly software and an integrated database. The database which consists of detailed information on what device driver needs to be installed will automatically download the required device driver without you need to refer to your hardware instruction manual.

Registry problems resulting from incomplete program installations and viruses such as malware and spyware damaged registry files. This affects your PC in serious ways.

DriverFIX further has an automatic backup and restoration system that helps create system ‘checkpoints’ which allow you to roll back to a healthier state and resume operations. This can help you avert any Windows error codes in the future.

Click here to download DriverFIX now!

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How to Fix UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP error
It is a fact that Blue Screen of Death errors can give you a headache for you will have a hard time fixing it as it is one of the most difficult errors you can encounter on your Windows computer. One of these BSOD errors is the UNEXPECTED KERNEL MODE TRAP error. If you receive this kind of error then it means that the operating system was not able to catch a trap or an exception generated by the CPU. This BSOD error has an error code 0x00000007F and indicates that the Intel CPU generated a trap that the kernel failed to catch. One of the most likely causes is hardware failure due to faulty memory. Aside from this cause, you also have to track down other probable causes for this problem like corrupted system files, incompatible drivers or programs, faulty hardware, and even dusty components, and so on. To fix the UNEXPECTED KERNEL MODE TRAP BSOD error, here are some suggestions that might help.

Option 1 – Uninstall the programs you installed recently

Chances are, some programs that you just installed might be the one that’s causing the BSOD error. Thus, you need to uninstall the program to resolve the problem.
  • In the search box, type in “control” and then click on Control Panel (desktop app) among the search results.
  • After that, select Programs and Features from the list which will give you a list of all the programs installed on your computer.
  • From there, look for the concerned program and select it and then uninstall it.
Note: If you have downloaded the app from the Windows Store, you can simply right-click on it from the application list and then uninstall it. In addition, you might also want to check the hardware components of your computer that might not support the operating system itself. You can disconnect all the external devices like USB drives, scanners, printers, etc., and then reboot your PC. After that, add the devices again one after the other and check if the BSOD error is now fixed or not. Moreover, you can also perform a clean boot to make things easier for you.
  • Log onto your PC as an administrator.
  • Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
  • From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
  • Clear the “Load Startup items” checkbox and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
  • Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” checkbox.
  • Click Disable all.
  • Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)

Option 2 – Update your device drivers

  • 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. Look for the device driver you and then select either “Update driver” or “Uninstall device”. And if you find any “Unknown device”, you need to update it as well.
  • Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.
  • If you have chosen to uninstall the driver, follow the screen options to complete the process and then restart your PC.
  • Connect the device and Scan for hardware changes – you can see this option under Device Manager > Action.

Option 3 – Use the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like UNEXPECTED KERNEL MODE TRAP. It can be found on the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
  • Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.

Option 4 – Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool

You can use the Memory Diagnostic tool in Windows to check RAM. Before you use this tool, make sure you save all your important work.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type in “mdsched.exe” in the field and hit Enter to open Memory Diagnostic.
  • After that, the Windows Memory Diagnostic will give out two options such as:
  1. Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
  2. Check for problems the next time I start my computer
  • Select any of the given options. After that, your computer will restart and check for memory-based issues upon the restart. If there are any issues, it will automatically them.

Option 5 – Disable Memory caching in the BIOS

You can also disable memory caching in the BIOS to fix the UNEXPECTED KERNEL MODE TRAP error.
  • Open the BIOS Setup screen.
  • Next, go to Advanced > Cache Memory and then disable it.
  • Tap the F10 key to save the changes made and restart your computer.

Option 6 – Run System File Checker

  • Tap Win + R to launch Run.
  • Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
  • After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
  • Restart your computer once the scan is completed.

Option 7 – Clean your hardware components for dust

Cleaning your computer’s hardware components for dust might also help in resolving the UNEXPECTED KERNEL MODE TRAP error. Make sure to use a soft cloth in cleaning the hardware as well as a small blower. Moreover, ensure that you do not damage any parts with moisture or cause harm to any circuits while you’re at it.
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Some Steam tips and tricks for easy life
steamSteam has cemented itself as the largest digital game shop in the World. First, release all the way back on September 12th, 2003, it was meant to be a standalone software client aimed to deliver updates to Valve’s games. It was soon expanded to include titles from third parties. The greatest Steam expansion and its popularity started in 2004 with the release of Half-life 2. Steam allowed prepurchased editions to be downloaded before the official release of the game making it available for play the moment it was officially out. Very soon after Steam gained its popularity, Valve has opened doors to other developers and offered them to use Steam as means for a digital distribution platform. Today it hosts over 30000 different game titles, not including DLC or applications. And how soon Valve’s steam deck is coming out soon we would like to share some great tips and tricks about Steam itself for easy everyday gaming.

Steam guard account security

Security of any of your accounts should be something that you really take seriously. So as always use a strong password for Steam but if you want an extra layer of security for it, and you should, use the Steam built-in feature: Guard Account Security. In order to activate Security Guard go to Steam>Settings>Account>Manage Steam Guard Account Security. Once enabled you will be able to use the Steam mobile application for special code when opening Steam or your email address.

Use Steam beta feature

Once a Steam account is created by default you will download and install the client. In the client, you will have the latest features available but there are more Steam features than default ones, beta features that can offer some improved and new functionality, and do not worry, they are stable and bug-free. I have been in Steam beta for years and not even once have I had any issues with the client itself but I have always had the latest features that will come to regular users later. To enable beta participation to go to Steam>Settings>Account, open the drop-down Beta participation menu, and choose Steam Beta Update. Confirm on OK and restart the Steam client. You will now get all the latest features first.

Manage your library via Collections

The collection is a neat idea for organizing your large game library into different collections or sections easily expanded and contracted for easier navigation and organization. To add the game to a collection just right-click on it and select Add To>New Collection, make a name for a collection like action, RPG, or whatever rocks your boat, and you are done. Once the collection is created other games can be added to it simply just by dragging it into the desired collection.

Make shelves

Shelves are ways to see your collections in the larger areas of the Steam clients. By clicking Add Shelf>Choose a Shelf, you can now add your collection to a shelf on the larger part of the client as a horizontal scrolling container with your chosen games. There are also some predefined shelves like All Games, Recent friend activity, and more.

Hide Game from Library

By right-clicking on a game and selecting Manage>Hide This Game you will remove the game from the active view of your Steam library. Note that the game will still be owned and a part of your library, you will just not be able to see it. This is a great feature when for example you have some things that came as a part of the game pack you are not really interested in when you have 2 different versions of the same game as for example standard and deluxe edition or just by simply not wanting to have game visible in the library. You can find a hidden game by typing its name in the search box and from there you can unhide it.

Play game soundtracks inside Steam

Some games offer you to purchase their soundtracks if you like music from them and some even include OST with a regular purchase. Steam lets you play these soundtracks and even lets you import your own music library folder into it in order to play all of your music inside the client itself. It has even options to automatically stop music playing once the game is run and you can make playlists as well. Your purchased game soundtracks are automatically included, the rest you will need to add by pointing Steam to the folder where you keep music in.

Configure gamepad

Inside Steam, you can configure your gamepad’s general settings, big picture settings, desktop settings, etc. Steam embraced the idea that many OC users these days own and play with gamepads so it has implemented configuration options inside it. To configure your pad go to Steam>Settings>Controller.

Use big picture Steam mode

Big picture mode is Steam's idea of making Steam an entertainment center. Once it is activated it switches from the application into full-screen mode aimed at large TV screens or monitors. You can easily navigate through it via gamepad, mouse, keyboard, or other devices. You have access to the store, your game library, etc. Same as your typical steam app but a little different. You can easily activate it via View> Big Picture Mode and see for yourself is this something you prefer over a standard application layout.

Enable Steam Cloud

Steam Cloud is a great feature that uses cloud storage to save your game progress meaning that you can easily switch to another PC, install games there and continue where you have left off. Many games support this feature instead of keeping saves locally and it is a great feature worth turning it ON. To turn and use Steam Cloud service go to Steam>Settings>Cloud>Enable Steam Cloud Synchronization. Just remember to check does game you are playing supports this option.

Share your Games via Family sharing

Family sharing is a Steam feature allowing you to share your game library with up to 5 accounts on up to 10 different devices. This is a great way to let other members of your family or even close friends enjoy some games you have or vice versa. They will get as well their own save games so you can sleep safe knowing that your progress can not be changed or hindered. Family sharing can be turned ON by logging into PC Steam client where you would like to share your library and navigate to Steam>Settings>Family and then clicking on Authorize Library Sharing On This Computer.

Refund a game

Sometimes the game is not the same as advertised, sometimes it will not work on your PC, sometimes hardware specifications are too high making the game unplayable, etc. For whatever reason, you might have Steam offers you a full game price refund if you wish to do so, you only need to meet 2 criteria, the game must have been purchased within 2 weeks period, older purchases cannot be refunded, and your game playtime must not be over 2 hours of game time. If you fit into this category all you need to do in order to get the full money back is going to Help>Steam Support, pick a recent game from the eligible list, and ask for a refund.

Gift a game

As you can buy gifts for your friends or loved ones in real life, Valve made sure you can do it in digital as well. Gifting game via Steam is simple and straightforward. Choose a game you wish to gift, go to your shopping cart and instead of clicking Purchase for myself, click on Purchase As a Gift, from there you will be taken to your friend list to choose to whom you would like to gift a game along with the option to write a little note to the receiver like happy birthday, enjoy or whatever.

Stream games in Steam itself

Although Steam is not there yet in streaming as Twitch or Facebook gaming is, there is an option to stream your game sessions on it. Click on Steam>Settings>Broadcast to make all adjustments and start streaming. You can also watch streams from your friend list and Steam is now broadcasting popular streams directly to its client if you want to watch it.

Take a game screenshot

By pressing F12, you can take a screenshot from any game and save it inside your Steam cloud library. You can change of course this default screenshot key via Settings>In-Game and if you would like to see your screenshots you can always do it under View Screenshot Library on a game’s page. That’s it, our Steam tips and tricks for easy and good gaming life, I hope to see you soon on errortools.com for your daily articles, tips, and tricks.
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Fix ERR_UNSAFE_PORT error on Chrome
As you know, one of the most useful web browsers all over the globe is Google Chrome. However, it is not without flaws as you could encounter errors while using it. One of these errors is the ERR_UNSAFE_PORT error. This kind of error is caused by the data being accessed using a port that isn’t recommended. When you encounter this kind of error in Chrome, you will see the following error message on your screen:
“The webpage is not available, The webpage at <Address> might be temporarily down or it may have moved permanently to a new address. Error code: ERR_UNSAFE_PORT”
In this post, you will be guided on how you can fix the ERR_UNSAFE_PORT error in Google Chrome on your Windows 10 computer. You can try to set allowed ports or reset or reinstall Google Chrome. For more details, refer to the given options below.

Option 1 – Try to set allowed ports

  • To get started, open Google Chrome.
  • After that, go to the Shortcut tab and type the following after the whole address in the field named Target: --explicitly-allowed-ports=xxx
  • It should look like this “C:/Documents and Settings/User/Local Settings/Application Data/Google/Chrome/Applicationchrome.exe --explicitly-allowed-ports=6666”.
  • Now click on Apply and click OK to save the changes made.

Option 2 – Reset Chrome

Resetting Chrome can also help you fix the error. This means that you will be 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 option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
  • Now restart Google Chrome

Option 3 – Try to clean reinstall Chrome

There are instances when programs leave files behind after you’ve uninstalled them and the same thing can happen to Chrome so before you reinstall Chrome, you have to make sure that you have deleted the User Data folder. To do so, refer to the following steps:
  • Hit the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “%USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalGoogleChromeUser Data” in the field and hit Enter to open the User Data folder.
  • From there, rename the default folder and name it something else, e.g. “Default.old”.
  • After that, install Google Chrome again and check if the issue is now fixed.
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