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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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Chkdsk Error - How to fix It In Seconds

What is Chkdsk Error?

Chkdsk (Check Disk) is a built-in Microsoft Windows O/S utility tool.

This tool is designed to verify the integrity of data stored on the hard drive. In addition to this, it resolves and finds errors that may corrupt and damage stored data on your system and affect your PC’s performance.

This tool is intended to keep your PC’s Windows database clean.

However, this tool has certain limitations. It prevents the hard disk from getting damaged but if it gets damaged and corrupt then this tool is no good. It fails to disk check and repair. As a result, you may come across Chkdsk error pop-ups.

In such an event, it is not advisable to run the malfunctioned Chkdsk utility on your PC as it may damage your system beyond repair making you lose all your valuable data saved on your system.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Chkdsk errors are triggered by multiple reasons:

  • Viruses
  • Hard Drive failure
  • Registry Corruption Due to Data Overload
  • Poor PC Maintenance

Chkdsk errors may cause PC to freeze and lag and also result in data loss as we discussed above.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To avoid serious damages that the Chkdsk error code can cause to your system, it is advisable to fix it. You can either hire a professional or install Restoro. The latter is not just the best way but also a time and money-saving option. It is fast, user-friendly and you can download it for free thus saving hundreds of dollars that you would be paying for professional services.

Why Use Restoro?

Restoro is an advanced PC repair tool embedded with multiple features such as a registry cleaner, anti-virus, system optimizer, and Active X and Class error scanner. It helps resolve practically all types and kinds of PC-related errors including the most notorious ones like the Chkdsk errors.

It has an automated and intuitive interface smoothly integrated with the latest technology that enables this software to scan your entire PC and detect errors in seconds.

With the help of its super functional registry cleaner, Restoro detects errors registry issues triggering Chkdsk errors on your system. It cleans all the unnecessary files like junk files, bad and invalid registry entries, and internet files that are stored in your hard disk and taking a lot of space. It removes the clutter and frees up your disk space and repairs the damaged registry.

It boosts the speed of your system and ensures that programs run smoothly on your PC and there are no hang-ups or system freezes.

The privacy error detector functions as a powerful anti-virus. With the help of this feature, Restoro identifies and scans for viruses and malware infecting your system. These are removed right away.

Restoro is 100% safe and efficient. It has a backup feature that enables users to create backup copies. This is carried for safety purposes. In case you lose your data during the repair of the Chkdsk error, you can always recover and restore the lost files without any hassle.

With some registry cleaners and repair tools you may often have to struggle with compatibility issues but not with this PC Fixer.

Restoro is compatible with all Windows versions. It is simple and very easy to use. From beginners, intermediate to experienced, all levels of users can use it with ease.

Here are the steps to get started:

  1. Click here to install Restoro on your computer
  2. Once the installation is complete, run the fixer for a scan. You have the option to either scan some portions of the PC or the entire PC.
  3. Scanning will take a few seconds
  4. Once the scanning is complete, Restoro will display the scan results. This is presented in a comprehensive report showing you errors found including the Chkdsk error and errors related to it.
  5. After that, all you need to do is press the repair button to resolve the error(s) promptly.
  6. Once the error is resolved, try running the Chkdsk utility again.
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Fix boot into the next phase of installation
There are various complex tasks that take place under the hood while you upgrade or clean install the Windows operating system on a computer. Because of its complexity, there are times when you might encounter some errors when you upgrade or clean install Windows 10. One of the errors you could encounter is the error that states, “Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next phase of installation. To install Windows, restart the installation”. This error does not only occur in Windows 10 as it could also occur on the other versions of Windows. There are a lot of possible causes for this error. It could be due to incompatible BIOS, corrupted system files, improper installation media or it could also be due to excessive hardware plugged into your computer and so on. Whatever the cause is, here are some potential fixes you need to check out to fix the problem.

Option 1 – Try to disconnect or disable newly installed hardware

In this option, you will have to disable or remove the hardware you’ve just installed recently since external devices could be the one that’s causing the Blue Screen of Death error to appear. To do that, just disconnect any external device that’s connected to your computer physically and then check if it fixes the error.

Option 2 – Try to update the BIOS

As you know, the BIOS is a sensitive part of a computer. Even though it is a software component, the functioning of the hardware depends on it largely. Thus, you must be careful when modifying something in the BIOS. So if you don’t know much about it, it’s best if you skip on this option and try the other ones instead. However, if you are well-versed in navigating the BIOS, then follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “msinfo32” in the field and press Enter to open System Information.
  • From there, you should find a search field on the bottom where you have to search for the BIOS version and then press Enter.
  • After that, you should see the developer and version of the BIOS installed on your PC.
  • Go to your manufacturer’s website and then download the latest version of BIOS on your computer.
  • If you are using a laptop, make sure that you keep it plugged in until you have updated the BIOS.
  • Now double click on the downloaded file and install the new BIOS version in your computer.
  • Now restart your computer to apply the changes made.

Option 3 – Try to reconfigure all the created partitions

You could also try to reconfigure the partitions by deleting and recreating all the available partitions on your computer and then see if it fixes the problem.

Option 4 – Make a proper bootable USB Drive/Stick

To make a proper bootable USB drive, you need to use the Windows Media Creation tool. The Media Creation tool in Windows allows you to use the ISO installation file to make a bootable device that you can use to install Windows on your PC. Note that this is kind of different from the usual installation process as it could erase your computer’s current settings and data on the primary drive. Thus, before you proceed, you need to backup all your data into some removable drive and then use the Media Creation Tool to make a bootable drive.
  • After making the bootable drive, you need to plug it into your computer and then reboot.
  • Next, tap the F10 or Esc key to open the boot options.
  • Now set the boot priority of the removable drive the highest. Once the setup comes forth, follow the next onscreen instructions and install Windows without any problems.
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Error Code 0xc00000e9
If Error Code 0xc00000e9 appears on your screen, there is no cause to panic yet as there are different ways to fix this. Here, I will list down different methods to get your computer back on track:
  1. Check peripheral connections
  2. Check your SATA cables
  3. Check your hard drive
  4. Check your BIOS settings

Quick Fix 1. Check Peripheral Connections

  1. Turn off your computer.
  2. After the computer has been shut down, take off all the peripherals or the USB cables that are connected to your USB ports. This includes even the keyboard and the mouse. We just need to have only the monitor plugged in for this one.
  3. Turn on your computer and see if it starts as it normally does.
  4. If it does, try connecting back your external devices or peripherals one by one until you find the one that causes the error.
  5. Once you trace the device that’s causing the error, you will have to change its USB cable and update its driver to support your operating system.

Quick Fix 2. Check your SATA cables

It is possible that what causes a barrier between your operating system and your hard drive from communicating is the SATA cable used. For example, if you’re using an older SATA with a SATA III port, there might not be adequate support for the transfer of data from one another. Or, the problem might be a loose SATA cable which would still require you to buy a new one to replace your loose or damaged cable. To check if your SATA cables are causing the error, simply follow these steps:
  1. Turn off your computer.
  2. Carefully open its case.
  3. Check the hard drive and the SATA port where it’s connected.
  4. Try to use a newer cable and connect it to your SATA port. (If you used a SATA II cable, you can see if a SATA III cable is more compatible.)
  5. Replace your SATA cable with a newer one if Step 4 proves to be successful.

Quick Fix 3. Check your hard drive.

  1. Try to use a different hard drive and see if error code 0xc00000e9 still appears.
  2. If it works out just fine, then the problem might be physical damage to your hard drive and would need to be repaired depending on the case. Just simply take it to a technician and let him know about the issue.

Quick Fix 4. Check your BIOS settings

  1. Restart your computer.
  2. Once your computer starts, press and hold the ESC, F2, F12, or DEL key to go to BIOS settings.
  3. You will then be redirected to the BIOS Setup Utility screen. From here, go to Boot options.
  4. In the Boot Options, see if your first boot device is your hard drive. If it isn’t, press the arrow key to select the hard drive and move it to the top of the boot device list.
  5. Save the settings.
  6. Reboot your computer.
Note: If all the methods above do not work, the problem might be on your drivers and you might need to update them. You can update your driver in two ways: Manual driver update and Automatic driver update. You can find procedures online in updating your drivers.
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Fix Windows Update Error 0x80240020
There are instances when the Windows 10 installation needs interaction before it reaches the file process. And so if you suddenly encounter the Windows Update Installation Failure 0x80240020 error under the Windows Update History, then you need to get it fixed. When you encounter this kind of Windows Update Error, you will see an error message that says, “The operation did not complete because there is no logged-on interactive user”. This error also indicates the “WU_E_NO_INTERACTIVE_USER” code. To resolve this issue, in this post we’ll walk you through a couple of steps but before you get started, know that you don’t have to run any troubleshooter or delete any file just to fix this error since all you have to do is enable one option that can automatically login with your account and complete the installation for you. With that said, just make sure to only try running Windows Update once you’re told to do so. There are two ways you can enable the option that could resolve the Windows Update Installation Failure 0x80240020 error. One is via Settings while the second one is via Registry Editor.

Option 1 – via Settings

Step 1: Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options. Step 2: From there, toggle on the “Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device and reopen my apps after an update or restart” option. Step 3: After that, it will make sure that the interaction part is removed from the Windows Update process. Note: If your device is joined in a domain or if some work or email policies are applied to your device by your company or organization, then you wouldn’t be able to see this option in Settings and that’s where the Registry Editor comes in. Just make sure that you’re logged in as an administrator and that you create a System Restore Point first since registry hacks are sensitive and could highly impact how your computer behaves or functions. Once you have that covered, follow the steps below.

Option 2 – via Registry Editor

Step 1: In the Start search, type “Regedit” and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor. Step 2: Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionWindowsUpdateOSUpgrade
Note: If the above-given registry key does not exist, you can simply create it. All you have to do is right-click on the WindowsUpdate key and then select the New Key option and type “OSUpgrade” as its name. Afterward, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value and name it “AllowOSUpgrade” and set its value to 0x00000001. Step 3: Restart your computer and check if the error is now fixed. And then try to update your Windows 10 computer again and while you’re at it, make sure that you’re around your computer to interact with the prompts needed to complete the installation process.
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Fix Print Spooler Service Error 1068
There is one service in the Windows operating system that is responsible for managing all the print jobs as well as handles the interaction with the printer. This service is known as the Print Spooler service. However, if it stops running, then you won’t be able to print anything on your computer. In such a case, you can try to restart the Print Spooler service, and to do that, you have to open the Windows Services Manager and look for the Print Spooler Service. Once you found it, right-click on it and select Restart. If it isn’t running, select Start and if the Service starts working again, then good but if not and you got an error message instead that says, “Windows could not start the Print Spooler service on Local Computer, Error 1068, The dependency service or group failed to start”, then read on as this post will give you a couple of suggestions you can try to resolve the issue. The reason why you could not start the service is most likely because the Print Spooler service is dependent on other services which might not be properly running. If the following services are not running then it’s no wonder why you’re getting the error.
  • HTTP Service
  • Remote Procedure Control (RPC) Service
You might not see the RPC service which means that the Print Spooler Service does not recognize its dependency on the RPC service. In such a case, you have to manually configure the dependency by following the options given below.

Option 1 – Try configuring the dependency via CMD

The first thing you have to do is to configure the dependency using CMD. Refer to the steps below to do so:
  • Open an elevated Command Prompt.
  • Then type in “sc config spooler depend= RPCSS” and hit Enter.
  • After the command has been executed, restart your computer and then check if it fixed the problem. If not, proceed to the next given option below.

Option 2 – Fix dependency via the Registry Editor

You can also resolve dependency using the Registry Editor. How? Refer to these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • After that, navigate to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesSpooler
  • Next, right-click on the “DependOnService” entry located on the right pane and select Modify.
  • Now change its value data to “RPCSS” and click OK to save the changes made and then exit the Registry Editor.
  • Reboot your computer and see if the issue is resolved.

Option 3 – Try running the Printer Troubleshooter

Another option you can check out is the Printer Troubleshooter. This built-in troubleshooter in Windows 10 can help you fix most print issues. It checks if you have the latest printer drivers and then tries to fix and update them automatically. Aside from that, it also checks if you have connectivity issues or if the Print Spooler and the required Services are running fine. To run it, follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “exe /id PrinterDiagnostic” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the Printer Troubleshooter.
  • Then click the Next button and follow the next on-screen instructions to fix the issue with the printer.
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How to remove Aro 2012 from your Computer.

Aro2012 is a PC Optimizer Software that typically comes bundled with other software. Even though Aro2012 poses no threat itself, the programs that it comes bundled with may pose a problem to your computer.

From the Author: ARO is an advanced repair and optimization utility designed to help improve and maintain computers running the Windows operating system (both 32- and 64-bit). ARO focuses on finding errors that hide out in the Windows registry, identifying PC and web browser clutter that may be hindering PC performance, and ensuring computers have adequate security solutions installed and up to date. With its advanced scanning engine, ARO provides deep scanning capabilities to identify and repair registry errors. ARO also searches for and removes “junk” files that accumulate over time and can put a damper on PC performance.

When installed Aro2012 creates a startup entry that allows it to run each time the computer is started. It also adds a task scheduler that allows it to run at various times.

About Potentially Unwanted Applications

Have you ever found an unwanted program on your computer system and pondered how it got there since you are sure you didn’t purposefully download and never gave authorization to be installed? A PUA / PUP (potentially unwanted application / potentially unwanted program) is a piece of software that comes bundled with freeware/shareware and you agree to install on your computer. These are programs you definitely don’t want on your PC since it doesn’t give any beneficial service. The term PUP was first coined to outline this downloadable crapware as something other than malicious software. The reason is, most PUPs get into a PC not because they slip via the security holes, for instance, but because the users have installed them by themselves – 100 % unintentionally needless to say. PUPs might not be malware but nevertheless, they are dangerous programs for your laptop or computer. At best, these types of unwanted programs provide hardly any benefit, and at worst, they can be quite harmful to your computer.

What do PUPs do on your PC, precisely?

Most Potentially Unwanted Programs comes in the form of adware, which typically aims to exhibit lots of annoying pop-up ads, banners, coupons, and bargains on web pages you explore. PUPS also comes in the form of unwanted toolbars or browser plug-ins. Not only they entirely take up space on your computer screen, but toolbars could also manipulate search engine results, track your surfing activities, decrease your internet browser’s overall performance, and slow down your internet connection to a crawl. They could appear innocent but PUPs tend to be spyware. And in the large majority of the cases, end-users will not be aware that they’re installing an unwanted program. These are software programs that don’t do anything useful to you; in addition to taking up space on your hard disk drive, they will also slow down your computer, often modify settings without your permission, and the list of frustrating features goes on and on.

How can you avoid ‘crapware’

• Read the fine print so that the end-user license agreement (EULA) you’re accepting is only for the program you actually intend to download. • Always choose “Custom” or “Advanced” installation and never blindly click the Next button, which should let you uncheck any “foistware” software programs you do not want. • Have a solid anti-virus program such as Safebytes Anti-malware that can protect your computer from PUPs. As soon as you install this software, protection from malware and PUPs is already turned on. • Avoid installing a freeware application you will not use. Nowadays ‘freeware’ isn’t actually freeware – but “crapware” bundling nonsense. • Don’t download software programs from pop-ups, online advertisements, file sharing websites, as well as other unreliable sources; look out for any preset, unwanted options when downloading the program. Avoid visiting blogs and sites that support pirated programs.

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

Practically all malware is inherently unsafe, but certain kinds of malicious software do a lot more damage to your computer than others. Some malware is designed to interfere with or prevent things that you’d like to do on your computer. It may well not permit you to download anything from the net or it will prevent you from accessing some or all of the websites, especially the antivirus sites. If you’re reading this, odds are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download and install the Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your computer. Although this type of issue will be harder to get around, there are some actions you can take.

Install in Safe Mode

If the malware is set to load at Windows startup, then booting in safe mode should avoid it. Only minimal required applications and services are loaded when you start your computer into Safe Mode. To launch your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers in Safe Mode with Networking, follow the instructions below. 1) At power-on/startup, hit the F8 key in 1-second intervals. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Networking and hit ENTER. 3) Once this mode loads, you should have internet access. Now, get the virus removal application you need by using the internet browser. To install the program, follow the guidelines within the setup wizard. 4) Immediately after installation, do a complete scan and let the software get rid of the threats it detects.

Download the antivirus program in a different internet browser

Web-based viruses could be environment-specific, aiming for a particular internet browser or attacking specific versions of the browser. If you seem to have a trojan attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to a different internet browser with built-in security features, such as Chrome or Firefox, to download your favorite antivirus program – Safebytes.

Install and run anti-malware from a Thumb drive

Another option is to create a portable antivirus program on your USB flash drive. Adopt these measures to use a thumb drive to clean your corrupted system. 1) Make use of another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the USB drive on the same computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Select the USB flash drive as the destination for saving the software file. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process. 5) Now, insert the pen drive into the corrupted PC. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the flash drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Simply click “Scan Now” to run a scan on the affected computer for viruses.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware: Lightweight Malware Protection for Windows PC

Want to install the very best anti-malware software for your laptop or computer? There are plenty of applications available that come in paid and free versions for Windows systems. Some of them are excellent, some are ok types, and some will ruin your PC themselves! You need to pick out a product that has obtained a good reputation and detects not only viruses but other kinds of malware also. On the list of strongly recommended applications by industry experts is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, the most dependable program for Microsoft Windows. SafeBytes can be described as a powerful, real-time antivirus application that is designed to assist the typical computer user in protecting their computer from malicious threats. Using its outstanding protection system, this software will quickly detect and get rid of most of the security threats, including adware, viruses, browser hijackers, ransomware, trojans, worms, and PUPs. SafeBytes has got a plethora of wonderful features that can help you protect your computer from malware attacks and damage. A few of them are given as below: Active Protection: SafeBytes provides round-the-clock protection for your personal computer limiting malware attacks instantly. It’ll continuously monitor your laptop or computer for hacker activity and also gives users superior firewall protection. Most Reliable AntiMalware Protection: With a critically acclaimed malware engine, SafeBytes gives multilayered protection which is designed to catch and remove viruses and malware which are concealed deep in your computer. Extremely Speed Scanning: SafeBytes’s very fast malware scanning engine lessens scanning times and extends battery life. At the same time, it will effectively detect and remove infected computer files or any internet threat. Website Filtering: Through its unique safety ranking, SafeBytes notifies you whether a website is safe or not to access it. This will ensure that you’re always certain of your online safety when browsing the web. Minimal CPU and RAM Usage: This software is lightweight and will run quietly in the background, and will not affect your computer efficiency. Premium Support: Support service is readily available for 24 x 7 x 365 days through email and chats to answer your queries.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To eliminate Aro 2012 manually, go to the Add or Remove programs list in the Control Panel and choose the program you want to get rid of. For web browser plug-ins, go to your web browser’s Addon/Extension manager and select the add-on you intend to disable or remove. It is also advised to reset your web browser to its default state to fix corrupt settings. To ensure complete removal, find the following registry entries on your computer and remove them or reset the values accordingly. Please keep in mind that only professional users should try to manually edit the registry because removing any single critical system file results in a serious issue or perhaps a PC crash. Additionally, some malicious programs have the capability to defend against its deletion. Completing this task in Safe Mode is advised.
Files: Search & Delete ARO2013_tbt.exe CleanSchedule.exe soref.dll AROSS.dll CheckForV4.dll aro.exe Registry: Search and delete: CURRENT_USER / AROReminder
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Perform Voice Activation Troubleshooting
One of the smoother things that Microsoft did with the Windows 10 operating system is to separate Cortana from Search. This means that Cortana is strictly now a voice assistant and many users have seen it coming since not everyone uses Cortana. In addition, it also paved the way for other virtual assistants like Alexa to get on board with Windows 10. And now in the newly released Windows 10 v1903, Windows has brought the Voice Activation under Privacy. In this post, you will be guided on how to perform the Voice Activation troubleshooting on your Windows 10 computer. To use Voice Activation in Windows 10, follow, in the Start Search, type “voice activation” and click on “Voice activation privacy settings” listed in the search results. And from there, you can choose to allow apps to use Microphone, like listen in the background as well as select which app can access it. Each time enabled voice assistants continue to listen via microphone for the voice keyword, the app will activate itself for the keyword and will react depending on what you ask it. So if you are using a voice assistant and it didn’t respond when you speak the keyword, just go to Settings > Privacy > Voice Activation and follow these steps:

Option 1: Check the App permission to use the voice activation feature.

You have to make sure that the toggle button for the Voice activation feature is turned on globally. It can be found under the “Allow apps to use voice activation” section. You also have to ensure that the microphone is available for apps that use this feature.

Option 2: Voice activation is not working under the lock screen.

If you tend to use the voice assistant even when your computer is locked, Microsoft has a specific setting that you have to turn on. You need to make sure that the toggle button for the “Allow apps to use voice activation when this device is locked” option is turned on. However, keep in mind that the voice assistants are not locked to only recognize your voice as they also answer to anyone who will use the voice keyword.

Option 3: Check the individual permissions of apps.

If the voice assistant is not working, you have to check each one of the apps’ permissions for voice keyword, and the option to work under locked condition works.

Option 4: Run the Microphone troubleshooter.

If you’ve verified that the settings are in place, then you have to run the Microphone troubleshooter by simply going to Settings > Privacy > Microphone. From there, make sure that the toggle button for the following options is turned on:
  • Allow apps to access your microphone
  • Enable microphone access for the voice assistant
And if it’s a desktop app, you have to enable the toggle on at the end.
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A Quick Guide to Fixing the Stop C00002lA Fatal System Error

Stop C00002lA Fatal System Error- What is it?

C00002lA Fatal System Error is a blue screen of death error that may occur when you start your Windows NT 4.0 based computer. This error causes the screen to turn blue and the system also shuts down. The stop C000021A error message is displayed in the following format:

Stop c000021a {Fatal System Error} The session manager initialization system process terminated unexpectedly with a status of 0xc0000017 (0x00000000, 0x0000000) The system has been shut down.

Error Causes

The stop C000021A error occurs when either Crsrss.exe or Winlogon.exe fails. When the Windows NT kernel identifies that either of these processes has failed, it stops and the error code stop C000021A appears on the computer screen. Here are some of the underlying causes for the stop C0000021A error:
  • The incompatible third-party program
  • Hard disk issues
  • Service pack installation has failed
  • Mismatched system files have been installed
  • Bad and invalid registry keys

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve the stop C000021A Fatal System Error on your PC try the following solutions:
  • Remove Incompatible Third Party Programs

If the error occurred after you recently installed a new program, then it is advisable to remove that program. The error occurs due to the incompatibility of the program. To remove the program go to the start menu and click on the control panel. Now click on Add/Remove Program tab and double click on the program name that you recently installed and remove it from the list. Once removed, not reboot your PC. Reinstall a compatible program and run it. It is most likely to resolve the issue. However, if the stop C000021A error still occurs, then it means the problem is critical. It is related to the registry.
  • Repair and Restore the Registry

This procedure is slightly long and tricky. To try it, you need to be technically sound. Here’s what you have to do: first create a parallel installation of Windows NT. Start your PC to the parallel installation and then open the Registry Editor. On the Registry Editor’s Windows menu click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE on Local Machine and then click Load Hive. Now type the path %systemroot%system32configsystem into the System hive of the prior installation. Then click open. Here you will be prompted to enter the name of the key, type TEST. Note the setting for the current DWord value in the preceding registry key. This is 0x1 and is denoted by CURRENT:Reg_Dword: 0x1. This value indicated that the Current Control Set for your original Windows NT installation corresponds to ControlSet001 in this window. Now if the value is 2, it indicated that the Current Control Set corresponds to ControlSet002. Now locate the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINETESTControlSetXXXControlSession Manager. XXX is the Current Control Set Value. And delete any pending file rename operation entries. Then click TEST hive and then click Unload Hive. After that again repeat the process, open the registry menu and click load hive, here type the path %systemroot%system32configSoftware to the Software hive of the prior installation and then click open. Now you type TEST 2 when you are prompted for the name of the key. Remove any pending file rename operations entries in the following registry keys: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINETEST2MicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINETEST2MicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnceEx Now click TEST2 hive and then click unload hive. Quit the Registry Editor and then restart your original installation. This will resolve the stop C000021A error.
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Windows laptop turns off when unplugged
If your Windows 10 laptop suddenly turns off when you unplug its power cord, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on how you can fix this issue. One of the most common causes for this kind of issue is that there is some problem with your laptop’s battery. It is possible that it might have gone bad or has been damaged. However, this couldn’t be the case especially if the laptop is new. The problem could have something to do with the system settings, connections, laptop hardware, and so on. To fix it, there are various suggestions you can check out such as follows:

Option 1 – Perform a hard reset on your laptop

This option works in most cases when the laptop with a removable battery is charging slowly as it is plugged in constantly. Refer to the steps below to do a hard reset on your laptop.
  1. Switch off the power of your laptop.
  2. Disconnect your laptop’s charger and then remove the battery.
  3. Tap and hold the power button for at least 30 seconds – doing so will discharge the capacitors of the motherboard and reset the memory chips that were active constantly.
  4. Plug the battery back and then charge the laptop again.
Check if the problem is fixed, if not, proceed to the next option below.

Option 2 – Try to change the Power Options

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility.
  • Then type “powercfg.cpl” and tap Enter to open the Power Options window.
  • Next, go to your selected power plan and click the “Change plan settings” option to open a new page.
  • From there, click on the “Change advanced power settings” option. This will open a new window where you can see various power consumption options.
  • Now on the next window that appears, click on “Change advanced power settings”. This will open another window where you have to expand the Processor power management > Maximum processor state.
  • Then change the value for On battery mode to 25% and enable Adaptive brightness.
  • Now shut down your computer and try to boot it with the power cord unplugged.

Option 3 – Try to run the Power troubleshooter

The next thing you can do is to run the Power troubleshooter. To do so, follow these steps:
  • Go to Settings and navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • After that, look for the “Power” option from the given list of built-in troubleshooters and click on it.
  • Next, click on the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Power troubleshooter.
  • Once the troubleshooter is done identifying the problems, follow the next on-screen instructions to resolve the problem.

Option 4 – Try to run the Power Efficiency Diagnostics Report

You could also try to run the Power Efficiency Diagnostics Report to fix the problem. This tool is helpful and will help you analyze the status of the battery but note that this can be quite overwhelming especially if you’re not well-versed in this matter.

Option 5 – Try to uninstall or reinstall the Battery driver

You might also want to uninstall or reinstall the battery driver as it can also resolve the problem. But before you start, you have to shut down your computer and remove the power chord as well as the battery. Once you’re done, follow these steps:
  • Plug the power cord and restart your computer.
  • Once your computer has restarted, tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and tap Enter to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, look for the “Batteries” driver from the list of drivers and expand it.
  • Then right-click on the “Microsoft ACPI-Compliant System” driver and click on the “Uninstall device” option.
  • Once it’s done, restart shut down your computer and remove the power cord and then attach the battery.
  • Now attach the power chord again and restart your computer to automatically install the driver.

Option 6 – Try to update the BIOS

Updating the BIOS can help you fix the problem but as you know, BIOS is a sensitive part of a computer. Even though it is a software component, the functioning of the hardware depends on it largely. Thus, you must be careful when modifying something in the BIOS. So if you don’t know much about it, it’s best if you skip on this option and try the other ones instead. However, if you are well-versed in navigating the BIOS, then follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “msinfo32” in the field and press Enter to open System Information.
  • From there, you should find a search field on the bottom where you have to search for the BIOS version and then press Enter.
  • After that, you should see the developer and version of the BIOS installed on your PC.
  • Go to your manufacturer’s website and then download the latest version of BIOS on your computer.
  • If you are using a laptop, make sure that you keep it plugged in until you have updated the BIOS.
  • Now double click on the downloaded file and install the new BIOS version on your computer.
  • Now restart your computer to apply the changes made.
Note: If updating the BIOS didn’t help, you might want to consider resetting it instead.
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Quick Fix Guide to Error 2032

What Is Error 2032?

Error 2032 is essentially the hexadecimal format of the error caused. This error code is actually a code format used by the Windows operating system. Manufacturers use this code to determine the cause behind the problem. This error is usually the result of the issues that arise with different applications. When this error occurs, individuals are not able to view multimedia content on their PC. They may also experience system crashes and this makes it crucial to resolve it.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error 2032 is caused by problems in Windows system files. Improper registry entries may also cause this problem. Some of the common causes that trigger Error 2032 are improper deletion of hardware or applications. Similarly, incomplete hardware or application installations or uninstallations may also cause issues. These file errors are actually caused when a computer has recently been attacked by a virus, spyware, or malware or if the system is trying to recover from an unanticipated shutdown. Such activities often result in the corruption or deletion of registry entries in Windows system files. The corrupt files will obviously cause problems and the application will fail to perform correctly.

Further Information and Manual Repair

While there are several ways to solve this problem, some of the most useful and practical solutions are listed below as follows.
  • If you are an advanced user, this workaround is for you. First and foremost, restart your computer and log on to it as the administrator. Now click on the ‘Start’ button.  Now follow this path: All programs ->Accessories-> System Tools->System Restore. Once you choose to perform System Restore, you will come across options where you can select to ‘Restore your computer to an earlier time’. This option will appear in a new window. Click on it and then click Next. Click on the Next button again that appears in the confirmation window. Restart your computer after the restoration is finished. You have just resolved the error.
  • Another easier alternative to fix Error 2032 is for novice users. Download an Error 2032 repair utility. Install this program as you are most likely to come across a Scan button. If there is an option to fix and repair an error, select it after the scan is complete. You can then restart your computer again. Look for the error and you will realize that it has disappeared and that your system is now ready to use.
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