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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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How to Fix DISM Error 1726 in Windows 10
What is DISM Error 1726? Every time you encounter some issues in your Windows 10 computer, especially when it comes to corrupted system files, you can always use the SFC scan and if the SFC can isn’t able to resolve the issue, there is also the DISM tool you can use which usually resolve the vast majority of system file corruption sufficiently. However, there are times when even the DISM commands experience issues as well. Such is the case with the 1726 error: “The remote procedure call failed”.

Some users reported that this DISM problem happens right before the process is supposed to end. According to experts, this error in DISM occurs due to any of the following reasons:

  1. A third-party program might have interrupted the DISM operation and is the one that triggered the 1726 error: “The remote procedure call failed”.
  2. The error could also pop up when there is a pending corruption repair. This usually happens when you tried to run a DISM command previously that was terminated manually or was halted because of some malfunction.
  3. Lastly, the error could also occur because the process that’s responsible for the procedure is disabled or was prevented from running.
Whichever the case is, here are some suggestions that might help you in resolving the 1726 error: “The remote procedure call failed”.

Option 1 – Try updating your PC to the latest Windows build available

Since the problem is specific to certain builds in Windows 10, you need to make sure that your computer is updated before you try other troubleshooting steps. Thus, follow the steps below to update your Windows 10 PC.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “ms-settings:windowsupdate” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Update screen.
  • After that, click on Check for Updates and then follow the next on-screen instructions to apply the latest Windows update.
  • Once the update has been installed, restart your PC and run the DISM command again and see if the problem is fixed.

Option 2 – Try to change the Startup Type of the Remote Procedure Call service

As stated early on, the error might also be caused by a disabled Remote Procedure Call service or RPC or that it might be prevented from running for some reason. In case you don’t know, RPC is the service control manager for both COM and DCOM servers and it’s responsible for performing object variation requests, exporting resolution as well as distributing collection for the servers. And so if the server is disabled, all programs that are using COM and DCOM including the DISM commands, will not function correctly. Thus, you need to make sure that the RPC service is scheduled to enable itself on every system boot. To do so, here’s what you have to do:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open Services.
  • From there, scroll down until you see the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service and then right-click on it and select Properties.
  • Then go to the General tab and change the drop-down menu next to Startup type to Automatic.
  • After that, click the Apply button and then OK to apply the changes made.
  • Restart your PC and run the DISM command once again at the next startup.

Option 3 – Try to modify the RpcSs registry key value

If the option didn’t work, you can also try enabling the RPC service using the Registry Editor. Before you proceed, make sure to create a System Restore point first and then follow the steps below afterward.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter or click OK to open the Registry Editor. And if a User Account Control prompt appears, just click on Yes.
  • After that, navigate to this registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SYSTEM CurrentControlSet Services RpcSs
  • After selecting the aforementioned registry key, go to the right pane and double-click on the Start value.
  • Next, change the Value data of start to 2 and click OK to save the changes made.
  • Exit the Registry Editor and restart your PC and check if the 1726 error in DISM has already been resolved or not.

Option 4 – Try to disable the Windows Search service temporarily

Some users also recommended disabling the Windows Search service for the meantime as it could be the one that’s interrupting the DISM process.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • In the field, type “services.msc” to open the Services window again and hit Enter to open it.
  • Next, scroll down over the services list and double-click on the Windows Update service.
  • Afterward, go to Windows Search properties and click the General tab and then click the Stop button to stop the service from running temporarily.
  • Now try running the DISM commands again and see if the problem’s fixed or not.
  • Restart the Windows Search service and then restart your PC as well.
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Check if your data has been stolen for free

Website breaches and stealing user data is nothing new in the world of the internet. Although a very unpleasant experience it still happens even on some high-quality websites. In this article, we will not focus on how can you not be the target of this kind of attack, because you really cannot. Weel you can kind of if you decide not to have your data on websites at all, but let's just say that is not something you are willing to do.

stolenSo, in this case, you have some social, forum, or gaming accounts but you heard that service has been breached and that your email or password might be stolen. Well in this case all you need to do is of course to login into the service and change your password. But, what happens if you are not aware at all that service has been compromised?

Mozilla foundation has asked themselves this same question it seems and they have decided to help us out. They have placed a free online service where you can just by typing in your email address find out if your email or data has been compromised in any way.

Go to https://monitor.firefox.com/ and check it out, if you find out that there is some website that you did not know was breached, change your password right away, and if you have used the same password for anything else (I hope not), change them as well.

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How to Fix Windows 10 Error Code 0xc0000142

Error Code 0xc0000142, What is it?

Error code 0xc0000142 is an error code that affects Windows 10 users. It often occurs when users attempt to run Windows applications. The message in the application error box allows users to recognize the error as it states that “the application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142).” Common symptoms of this error code include the following:

  • Inability to start applications
  • Inability to completely run Windows applications
  • The appearance of error code 0xc0000142 message box

Error Causes

Error code 0xc0000142 in Windows 10 is often caused by issues related to startup programs, corrupted files or other applications. To address this issue, the source of the issue needs to be located. But how will users be able to do this while the error code is present?

Further Information and Manual Repair

To fix error code 0xc0000142 users will need to employ at least one manual repair procedure. This may include checking your system for corrupt files through tools like Microsoft’s System File Checker (SFC). If you are uncertain of your skills or prefer to get professional support, contact a Windows repair technician to assist you.

The top three methods to resolve error code 0xc0000142 include the following:

Method One: Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot is one of the most basic procedures you can run to solve a Windows-based error code of this nature. It works by identifying whether or not conflict among startup programs is preventing Windows applications from running properly. This occurs through a clean boot process involving Windows using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs when you reboot.

Here is what you’ll need to do:

  • Step one: Go to Start and type msconfig
  • Step two: Right-click and select System Configuration
  • Step three: Select Service tab and click Hide all Microsoft Services then click Disable all.
  • Step four: Click Startup tab within the System Configuration dialog box.
  • Step five: Select Open Task Manager
  • Step six: Within the Startup tab of Task Manager, select Disable for each Startup item, then close Task Manager.
  • Step seven: Click OK on the Startup tab of System Configuration.
  • Step eight: Restart your computer.

This method resolves software conflict arising when you attempt to update, run a program or simply use your operating system. However, if error code 0xc0000142 remains unresolved after you restart your machine, follow the next step below.

Method Two: Run a System File Checker Scan

System File Checker (SFC) is a utility tool built into the Windows 10 operating system, as well as other versions of Windows, to detect and repair corrupted system files. Since corrupted system files can result in error code 0xc0000142, run this tool by following the steps below:

  • Step one: Go to Start and type Command Prompt or CMD.
  • Step two: Right-click and select Administrator
  • Step three: Check for and repair corrupted system files. Simply type sfc /scannow. (Be sure to place a space between “sfc” and “/scannow”).

Once these procedures are followed, the System File Checker tool will automatically scan your machine, and find and repair corrupted files. If this is the source or underlying cause of error code 0xc0000142 on your system, the error code will be resolved. However, if the source of the issue is not due to corruption in our system or is simply a more complicated issue try the next method highlighted below.

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Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070652
If you encounter a Windows Update error with an error code 0x80070652 and an error message saying, “ERROR_INSTALL_ALREADY_RUNNING”, then it indicates that there was a previous Windows Update that was not installed successfully. This kind of Windows Update error typically happens when it gets stuck and so to resolve it, here are some suggestions that might help.

Option 1 – Restart your computer and try installing the Updates again

You can restart your computer and then try installing the updates once again. There are instances when a simple restart resolves Windows Update errors. Thus, after you restart your computer, check for updates once again and see if you’re still getting the error or not.

Option 2 – Try running the Windows Update troubleshooter

You might also want to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing Windows Update error code 0x80070652. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.

Option 3 – Try downloading the Windows Update that failed

If the Windows Update that has failed is not a feature update and only a cumulative update, you can download the Windows Update and install it manually. But first, you need to find out which update has failed, and to do so, refer to the following steps:
  • Go to Settings and from there go to Update and Security > View Update History.
  • Next, check which particular update has failed. Note that Updates that have failed to install will be displayed under the Status column which has a label of “Failed”.
  • After that, go to the Microsoft Download Center and look for that update using its KB number and once you find it, download and then install it manually.
Note: You can also use the Microsoft Update Catalog, a service from Microsoft that provides a list of software updates that can be distributed over a corporate network. With the help of this service, it can be easier for you to find Microsoft software updates, drivers as well as fixes.

Option 4 – Try to restart the Background Intelligent Transfer Service

The Background Intelligent Transfer Service or BITS is a part of the Windows Update service and is the one that manages the background download of Windows Update, as well as scans for new updates and so on. And if Windows Update is experiencing some problems, you can try restarting BITS but make sure that you have admin privileges to do so.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open Windows Services.
  • From the list of Services, look for the Background Intelligent Transfer Service and double-click on it to open Properties.
  • After that, you need to set the Startup type to “Automatic (Delayed Start) and click on Apply.
  • Now click the Stop button to stop BITS and then click the Start button to restart the service.
  • Click OK to save the changes made and then restart your PC.

Option 5 – Try to update Windows after a couple of minutes or an hour

There are times when the issue is from Microsoft’s end. It could be that there’s some issue with Microsoft’s server so it would be better if you give it a couple of minutes or an hour or so before trying to run Windows Update again.
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Sandbox failed to start with error 0xc030106
If you suddenly encountered an error when you try to run the Windows Sandbox that says, “Windows Sandbox failed to start, Error 0xc030106, The virtual machine or container exited unexpectedly”, read on as this post will guide you on what you can do to resolve the problem. According to security experts, this kind of error in Windows Sandbox is due to some issues with the supporting virtualization component. It could also be caused by other factors and to fix it, there are several potential fixes you need to check out. You can try running the Windows Sandbox as an administrator. You should also make sure that all the supporting processes are running properly, as well as try to install any pending Windows Updates.

Option 1– Try to run Windows Sandbox as an admin

  • In the Start Menu, scroll down until you see the entry for the Windows Sandbox.
  • Then right-click on it and select More and then select the “Run as administrator” option to open it with admin privileges.
  • Next, if a User Account Control or UAC prompt pops up, just click on Yes to proceed.
  • You should now be able to open the Windows Sandbox without the error. However, if the error persists, proceed to the next given options below.

Option 2 – Ensure that all the supporting processes and services are running properly

If running Windows Sandbox as an administrator didn’t fix the error, you have to ensure that all related processes for Windows Sandbox are running properly. To do that, follow these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility and type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
  • Next, from the list of services, look for the following services in the given order:
    • Network Virtualization Service
    • Virtual Disk
    • Hyper – V Virtual Machine
    • Hyper – V Host Compute Service
    • Container Manager Services
  • After you find the aforementioned services, restart each one of them.
  • Once done, try to open the Windows Sandbox again and see if the error is fixed or not.

Option 3 – Try to install any pending Windows Updates

If the second option still didn’t work, then you might want to check Windows Updates on your computer and see if there are any pending Windows Updates you have to install. All you have to do is go to the Windows 10 Settings app and then go to the Windows Updates section and click on the “Check for updates” button to check if there are any pending updates that are needed to be installed. This could fix the Windows Sandbox error.
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How to Fix Windows 10 Error Code 0x80070570

Error Code 0x80070570 - What is it?

Error Code 0x80070570 is a common Windows 10 error code that generally is seen by users who are attempting to install a new version of the operating system. While it is most often associated with Windows 10, variations on this same error code have been present in previous versions of the operating system, going all the way back to Windows 7.

Common symptoms include:

  • Inability to run through the installation process to completion when attempting to install a new version of the operating system
  • Error message regarding corrupt or missing files
While it is frustrating to encounter an error like Error Code 0x80070570 as you try to install a new operating system version on your device, there are several methods that can be used to try to resolve the issue. If you do not feel like you have the skill or knowledge necessary to successfully apply the steps below, be sure to get in touch with a trusted computer repair technician that is competent in the repair of Windows 10 errors.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

In some cases, Error Code 0x80070570 arises erroneously when the system isn’t able to find a particular file that it needs. Other times, it happens when there is a conflict with the antivirus software that you are running and the installation software. Finally, there may be a faulty source of RAM in your computer that needs to be removed before the installation can be completed.

Regardless of what you believe to be the cause behind the error code, there are at least two different methods that you can use to try to resolve Error Code 0x80070570 on your device. The first is fairly simple and easy to follow, while the second requires a little bit more knowledge of your hardware in order to complete it successfully.

Further Information and Manual Repair

There are two common ways that users can attempt to get around Error Code 0x80070570 on their devices. Each requires a little more skill and technical knowledge than the last. If you don’t feel like you have the skill, time, or ability to invest in the methods below, be sure to get in touch with a Windows repair technician who can help you to complete the necessary steps in the right ways.

Here are the best ways to attempt to resolve Error Code 0x80070570 on your Windows device:

Method One:  Reattempt Installation

In some cases, when Error Code 0x80070570 appears on your computer, you can simply click on the OK button and then go back to the screen immediately proceeding where your installation has left off, choosing to restart the process of installation. For some users, repeating this method at least four times has allowed them to bypass the error without undertaking more serious and time-consuming methods to resolve the issue at hand.

Method Two:  Check Your Various Sources of RAM

If you have more than one source of RAM in your computer, first remove one of the sources, then re-attempt installation. If you are still encountering Error Code 0x80070570 after removing one of the sources, continue to remove each until you are down to a single source, then trade that last source for one of the ones that have been pulled.

If you have a bad source of RAM, this can help you to figure out which input is causing the error to appear and to address the problem appropriately. Once you have determined which specific source is causing the problem, you can reboot your computer and attempt to run the installation process one more time.

If your RAM sources are not specifically causing the issue, you may still need to run diagnostics tests on your hardware to identify the source of the problem at hand.

Method Three: Use An Automated Tool

If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 10 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.

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Windows SmartScreen can’t be reached right now
SmartScreen is a cloud-based anti-phishing and anti-malware component that’s come packed in all Windows 8 (8.1) and Windows 10 versions. This security component is also used in several browsers and programs like Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge and Outlook.com. Although this program is quite useful, there’ve been reports that SmartScreen is apparently blocking Microsoft’s own apps from opening. According to some users, they only get the “Windows SmartScreen can’t be reached right now” error message every time they try to open apps from the built-in Windows suite like Photos, Mail, Alarms, Maps, etc. Whenever Windows SmartScreen is either down or unreachable on an end-user PC, your computer won’t be able to download anything in both official and unofficial channels. This error might be due to a corrupted Windows account, or it could be that SmartScreen is disabled from the Windows Defender Security Center or it might be down due to an MS issue. In addition, the error might also be caused by a proxy entry.

Option 1 – Make sure that SmartScreen is enabled

Before anything else, the first thing you must do is to check if SmartScreen is even enabled as it might be the reason why you’re getting the error. You can verify this by simply going to the Windows Defender Security Center. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “ms-settings:windowsdefender” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Defender Security Center.
  • After that, click on the Open Windows Defender Security Center button located under Windows Security.
  • Then click on App & browser control.
  • From there, make sure that the Check apps and files toggle is set to Warn and then check the same thing for Microsoft Edge and SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps.
  • If it turns out that SmartScreen is indeed disabled, you have to restart your computer after making some changes and then check if the issue is fixed upon the next startup.

Option 2 – Check if SmartScreen is down for maintenance

Another possible reason why SmartScreen is not working is that it might be scheduled for maintenance. When SmartScreen is scheduled for maintenance, it will become unreachable for a lot of users at the same time and so before you go over unnecessary troubleshooting steps, you need to verify if SmartScreen is down for maintenance or not.

Option 3 – Try to disable the proxy server

If applicable, you can try to disable the proxy server to fix SmartScreen. There are some users who reported that they’ve fixed the problem after they’ve disabled the use of a proxy server using the built-in way. In some instances, certain proxy servers can interfere with the SmartScreen component and cause it to become unusable. However, if you are not using a proxy server, just skip this option and proceed to the next one, otherwise, follow the steps below to disable the proxy server.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “ms-settings:network-proxy” in the field and hit Enter to open the Proxy tab under Settings.
  • After that, scroll down to the Manual proxy setup and make sure that the toggle button of the “Use a proxy server” option is turned off.
  • Now restart your PC and check if the problem is fixed upon the next startup.

Option 4 – Try to create a new Windows user account

There are some users who were able to fix the problem by simply creating a new Windows user account. Although this solution will make you lose a couple of settings enforced through your user account, it’s actually effective in circumventing the “Windows SmartScreen can’t be reached right now” error. To create a new Windows user account, here’s what you have to do:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • And then type “ms-settings:otherusers” in the field and hit Enter to open the Family & other people tab under the Accounts menu.
  • After that, click on the “Add someone else to this PC” option and then click on “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
  • Next, insert the user credentials like emails, password, birth date, etc., and then click Next. Take note that if you want to create a new local user account, just click on Add a user without a Microsoft account.
  • After you’re done creating the new Windows user account, click the start icon and then click the account icon and choose to Sign out.
  • After you’re logged in, check if SmartScreen now works properly or not.
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Fix THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER 0x000000EA
If a program tried and failed to use the Graphics rendering capabilities of a computer, Windows 10 will most likely throw a Blue Screen error that says, “ THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER ”. 0x000000EA is the Stop code for this particular Blue Screen error and could be caused by a bad display driver or bad video card. Whatever the cause is, here are some suggestions you need to check out to resolve this Blue Screen error.

Option 1 – Try to rollback, update, or disable the Graphics card drivers

Since the THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER Blue Screen error has something to do with Graphics card drivers, you can either roll back, update or disable them depending on your preference in order to resolve the error.
  • First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
  • After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
  • After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters and select the “Uninstall Device” option from the menu.
  • Now restart your computer.
  • After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.
Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it.

Option 2 – Try removing hardware or drivers that you’ve installed recently

If you have recently installed some hardware or drivers, you might want to disable or remove them since external devices are proven to be one of the factors that trigger Blue Screen errors like THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER. All you have to do is physically disconnect any external devices that are connected to your computer and then check if it fixes the BSOD error or not.

Option 3 – Run System File Checker at boot time

  • Once you get to the Welcome Screen part, click on Next.
  • Afterward, click on the Repair your computer option located on the bottom-left part of the window.
  • Then click on Troubleshoot.
  • Next, select the Advanced Options and then Command Prompt.
  • After opening Command Prompt, type the “sfc /scannow” command and hit Enter to run the System File Checker scan.
  • Wait until the process is completed and type “exit” to close Command Prompt and then restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.

Option 4 – Try to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

As you know, the Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like the THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER error. It can be found in 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.
  • After that, 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 5 – Try to manually check the Graphics Card hardware

You might also want to check the physical status of your Graphics card and you can do this by disconnecting the Graphics card or any other external device connected to your computer. Once you’ve removed the external device, check it for any damages. If there’s none, connect it back to your computer and check if the THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER Blue Screen error is fixed or not.

Option 6 – Uninstall any faulty drivers

You can also uninstall any faulty drivers via Device Manager. How? Refer to these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and tap Enter to open the Device Manager.
  • From there, look for any faulty drivers. You can identify them easily as they will be marked with a yellow exclamation point. And then check which entries would not affect the normal functioning of your PC.
  • Now click on the entries of every faulty driver and click on the Uninstall option.
  • Once you’ve uninstalled them, restart your computer to allow your computer to reinstall the faulty drivers you’ve just removed.
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A Quick Guide to Fixing Connapi.dll Error Code

Connapi.dll Error Code - What is it?

Connapi.dll is a type of dynamic link library file. This file contains small programs like any other DLL file and is called to load certain programs on your PC. The Connapi.dll error message occurs either when using or installing programs. This error message is displayed in either of the following messages:
“Connapi.dll Not Found" "This application failed to start because connapi.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem." "The file connapi.dll is missing." "Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: connapi.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again." "Cannot find [PATH]connapi.dll"

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Connapi.dll error may occur due to numerous reasons on your PC. The most common causes include:
  • Missing Connapi.dll file
  • Corruption of the Connapi.dll file
  • Driver Issues
  • Viral Infection
  • Registry Issues such as bad and invalid entries
This error may hamper your ability to access your desired programs causing you a great deal of inconvenience. And if the underlying cause of the error is related to the registry, then your computer can be at serious risks like system failure and crash.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve Connapi.dll error code on your PC, here is a list of solutions. These are easy, very simple to perform, deliver the best results, and more importantly require no technical expertise.

Solution 1: Check your Recycle Bin - You May Have Deleted the File Accidentally

As dll files are shared files, it is possible that you accidentally deleted the Connapi.dll file while uninstalling a program from your system. In such a situation, go to the recycle bin and look for the file. If you find the missing Connapi.dll file, simply restore it and then try running your desired program again. If the program runs, then the error is resolved. However, if it still persists, then try other solutions given below.

Solution 2: Update the Drivers

Try updating drivers for hardware devices on the system. To do this, go to the start menu and then Control Panel. Double click on Add or Remove programs icon. Now select incompatible drivers and remove them. After that, restart your PC to activate changes. Now go to the manufacturers’ website to download new drivers and install them on your PC.

Solution3: Scan for Viruses

Another solution is to scan for viruses and malware. Sometimes these can also damage and corrupt dll files on your system. To perform a scan, simply download a powerful antivirus program and run it.

Solution 4: Clean and Restore the Registry

If the error code is still there, then this means the problem is triggered by the registry issues. To resolve it you must clean the registry and remove all the unnecessary and obsolete files like junk files, internet history, temporary files, and cookies. The best way to clean these files instantly is to install Restoro. This is an advanced, cutting-edge, and multi-functional PC Fixer. It has a user-friendly interface and is integrated with powerful utilities like a registry cleaner, anti-virus, and a system optimizer. It is compatible with all Windows versions. The registry cleaning feature scans your entire PC in seconds and detects all the registry issues. It removes all the bad registry entries and unnecessary files. Simultaneously, it also fixes the system files and dll files like Connapi.dll. The anti-virus utility removes all types of malicious software on your system while the system optimizer utility ensures your system performs at its optimum speed. To resolve Connapi.dll error, click here to download Restoro.
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What to do if Windows 10 Store is not downloading Apps
The store is not downloading Apps: As you know, the Windows Store is one of the places where you can download Windows apps. However, there are times when you might not be able to do so for some reason. For instance, if you search for an app and click on the get it now button, instead of downloading the app, nothing happens and there are also cases when the download will start but the page will refresh after half a second. When this issue happens, you won’t be seeing any error message or warning at all. So you’ll just have to look at the download get started where the page will refresh and you’ll be back at the Get button. This issue in the Windows 10 Store only happens for a few apps so even though you are able to download some apps, you might be able to do on other ones. Note that the apps affected are random and there is no specific set of apps that cause this issue while downloading and that this problem will repeat again each time you click on the Get it now button. This issue is definitely caused by Windows itself and has something to do with a bug in the Windows store which was brought by the latest Windows Update. It’s already a known issue among other Windows 10 users who are also suffering the same dilemma. So until Microsoft releases another update to fix this bug, you will have no choice but to deal with it in the meantime. On the other hand, you can also try a couple of suggestions laid out in this post. Follow the steps in every option given below to fix the issue with the Windows 10 Store.

Option 1 – Try signing out from the Microsoft Store

A lot of Windows 10 users were able to resolve the problem by simply signing out and signing back into the Microsoft Store. How? Follow these steps:
  • Go to the Microsoft Store.
  • Next, go to the Get page of the app you were trying to download.
  • And then click on your account picture located in the top right corner of the window and select your account.
  • Sign out from your account and after that, click the Get button to download the app.
  • After that, a new window will appear where you’ll have to select your account and click on Continue.
  • Now enter your credentials. Once you do, the app should be downloaded automatically after you’re signed in. And that’s about it.
Note: Keep in mind that this option is merely a temporary solution to the problem and once you close the Microsoft Store and open it back again, you will be back to square one.

Option 2 – Wait for the Windows Update

As mentioned, this is already a known issue and a lot of Windows 10 users have already complained about it to Microsoft so a bug fix will be soon released in the latest Windows Updates.
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