The quick demise of the BRAVE browser

Brave browser has gained popularity very rapidly and many websites have gone into the territory of recommending it. Sadly although the browser kind of offered better performance, it seems that so much advertised privacy and security was a lie.

Several months ago, Brave was involved in a “scandal”. Unfortunately, this incident did not get much media attention, and it’s hard to search for and discover as of today.

There is an article on the Android police website explaining this issue in detail, you can check it here: https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/06/07/brave-browser-caught-adding-its-own-referral-codes-to-some-cryptcurrency-trading-sites/

But to sum things up and keep them short if you do not want to go through the full article, Brave had been injecting their affiliate codes into popular crypto-currency websites. This means that they had been intercepting your traffic, which they promised was secure by the way, and modifying it.

This means Brave Software has access to all of your information on those crypto-currency sites as well. They can see your payments/purchases, and your activity on the websites (through affiliate statistics).

Now some people might point out that they are not interested in crypto or have been visiting some of the sites but the issue still remains and that is they did all of this, without telling the user. They intentionally didn’t tell the user because they knew it would cause backlash and disruption. They knew one hundred percent what they were doing, and they knew it was unethical.

And the point remains if something like this was already done, who knows what will come up in the future. Personal recommendation is to avoid Brave and go back to other browsers.

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New focus sessions in Windows 11
focus sessionWindows and Devices chief Panos Panay has revealed new focus sessions feature that will be in Windows 11 on his Twitter account today. He himself is referring to it as a game-changer especially with Spotify integration.

So what is a focus session?

From the video clip provided on Twitter, we can see that focus session users will be able to choose a specific task from the previously made task list, choose songs that will play in the background while the task is active, and set a timer for the chosen task with breaks. Maybe the best comparison and explanation would be a desktop google calendar task with music, basically, that’s it. A neat and good organizer inside your Windows 11 operating system. I think that this is generally a good idea and for sure it will find its audience.
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In this post, you will be guided on what to do if the Recent Items are no longer visible in the Taskbar icons in Windows 10. This can be quite inconvenient especially if you work simultaneously on many files and documents together and would require you to visit them regularly to incorporate changes. Thus, if you find that the Recent items are not visible in the Windows Taskbar, read on. In order for the Recent Items to appear on the taskbar icons in Windows 10 again, there are four potential fixes you can check out. You can try to show the recently opened items via Settings or clear the cache of the recent items. You could also make some changes in the Windows Registry or use the Group Policy Editor. But before you proceed with these potential fixes, it’s best if you create a System Restore Point first just in case something goes wrong after you made changes in the system. The System Restore Point allows you to undo these changes and bring back the previous state of your computer. Thus, you need to create one and then carefully follow the given options below.

Option 1 – Show the recently opened items via Settings

The first thing you can do to fix the problem is to show the recently opened items through the Settings app.
  • Open the Settings app and select Personalization.
  • From there, select the Start option and scroll down until you see the “Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar” option.
  • Make sure that its toggle button is turned on.

Option 2 – Try to clear the Recent Items cache

  • Tap the Win + E keys to open File Explorer.
  • Next, copy and paste this link on the address bar: %AppData%Microsoftwindowsrecentautomaticdestinations
  • Once you’re in the given location, you should see multiple files. Now select all these files and completely delete them.
Note: These files are automatically recreated when you interact with the system like performing tasks such as opening apps or accessing files.
  • After that, go to this next location: %AppData%Microsoftwindowsrecentcustomdestinations
  • Once there, delete all of its files and restart your computer. This should resolve the problem.

Option 3 – Try making changes via Registry Editor

The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to apply some tweaks in the Registry by following these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Next, navigate to this registry sub-path: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
  • From there, select the Policies Explorer folder located in the left pane.
  • Then move to the right pane and look for the “NoRecentDocsHistory” entry and right-click on it.
  • Now delete this entry.
Note: This entry is the one that stores the Group Policy setting for “Do not keep the history of recently opened documents. The Group Policy adds this entry to the registry with a value of 1 if you enable the “Do not keep the history of recently opened documents” policy. On the other hand, if you disable the policy by setting it to “Not configured” or deleting it, the Group Policy will delete the entry from the registry, and the system will act as though the value is 0 – for instance, it keeps the history of the recently opened files in your computer.

Option 4 – Try to use the Group Policy Editor

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “gpedit.msc” in the field and tap Enter to launch the Group Policy Editor.
  • Next, navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar.
  • Afterward, double click on the “Do not keep a history of recently opened documents” policy located on the right panel. This is the policy that lets you enable or disable recent items and frequent places.
  • Now to enable the recent items, as well as the frequent places, feature, click on the “Disabled” or the “Not Configured” option.
  • Once you’re done, close the Group Policy Editor and restart your PC.
Note: If you choose to enable this setting, the system and Windows programs will not create shortcuts to documents opened while the setting is in effect. Aside from that, they also stay but won’t display the existing document shortcuts and the system will empty the Recent Items menu on the Start menu and the Windows programs won’t also display shortcuts in the Start Menu. In addition, the Taskbar won’t also show the recently opened or frequently used folders, files, or websites.
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Fix Msvcr120.dll_clr0400.dll Missing Error
DLL files have certain functions that help the programs in the computer run properly. One of these DLL files is the Msvcr120.dll_clr0400.dll. This particular DLL file is responsible for the extraction of the required resources during the installation of a program and is used when the program is launched or when games are launched in the C++ language. However, a number of users recently reported that they’ve encountered an error that says, “Msvcr120.dll_clr0400.dll is missing” when they tried to install an application or when they tried opening an application. This kind of error could be due to several factors. It is possible that the DLL file is corrupted or there are some programs that interfere with the DLL file. On the other hand, it is also possible that it has been infected by a virus. To resolve this error, here are some potential fixes you need to check out:

Option 1 – Run System File Checker scan

The first thing you can do to fix the error is to try running the System File Checker or SFC scan. System File Checker is a command utility built into your computer that helps restore corrupted files and missing files. Refer to the following steps to run it:
  • Hit the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
  • After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
  1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
  2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
  3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
  • Reboot your computer.

Option 2 – Troubleshoot the missing Msvcr120.dll_clr0400.dll error in a Clean Boot State

You can also troubleshoot the isDone.dll error in a Clean Boot state. It could be that there are some third-party applications in your computer that are preventing the application from getting installed and to isolate this possibility, you need to boot your computer in a Clean Boot State and then try installing the program again. Putting your computer in this state can help you identify which program is the culprit and thus isolates the problem. In a Clean Boot state, your computer will start using only the pre-selected minimal set of drivers and startup programs. Note that you have to disable and enable one process at a time.
  • Log onto your PC as an administrator.
  • Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
  • From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
  • Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
  • Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
  • Click Disable all.
  • Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
  • After you’ve set your computer into a Clean Boot State, make sure that you’re signed in as administrator and then try to install the application again.

Option 3 – Try to re-register the problematic DLL file

You can also try to re-register the DLL to resolve the problem. The Regsvr32 tool is a command-line utility that can be used to register and unregister OLE controls like DLL and ActiveX (OCX) controls in the Windows operating system. Follow the steps below to use it.
  • Open Command Prompt as admin from the WinX menu.
  • Next, type the following commands in the elevated Command Prompt and hit Enter to execute the command. This will re-register the affected DLL file using the Windows operating system tool, regsvr32.exe.
    • exe /[DLL file]
    • exe [DLL file]
Note: Replace “[DLL file]” with the name of the DLL file that was pointed out in the error.
  • After you execute the given commands, you should see a message saying, “DllRegisterServer in vbscript.dll succeeded” if the Regsvr32 tool was able to run successfully. After that, try to install the program again and see if it now works.

Option 4 – Try to replace the DLL file with a trusted source

  • First, you need to get the new DLL file from another computer with preferably the same file version number.
  • After that, you need to boot your PC into Safe Mode and navigate to the paths listed below and then replace the file using a USB drive or other external storage devices.
    • x86: This PC > C:WindowsSystem32
    • x64: This PC > C:WindowsSysWOW64
  • Next, type “cmd” in the Cortana search box and right-click on Command Prompt, and select “Run as administrator” to open it with administrator privileges.
  • Now type the “regsvr32 ntdll.dll” command and hit Enter.
  • Restart your PC and check if the error is now fixed.

Option 5 – Scan your computer using Windows Defender

The DLL file might also be infected with malware or virus and to eliminate it which could explain why you’re getting the “Msvcr120.dll_clr0400.dll is missing” error. Thus, you have to scan your computer using security programs like Windows Defender.
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Option 1 – Disable or remove any unwanted extensions in Chrome

As you know, browser extensions help in enhancing the browsing experience but there are also times when it does exactly the opposite, and such is the case with the NETWORK_FAILED error in Chrome. It could be that one of the extensions in your browser is the one that’s causing the trouble. To disable or remove these unwanted extensions, here’s what you have to do:
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  • Restart Google Chrome, then tap Alt + F, and select Settings.
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Option 2 – Run the Malware Scanner and Cleanup tool in Chrome

If removing or disabling the unwanted extension didn’t help in fixing the error, you can try using the built-in malware scanner and cleanup tool in Google Chrome. These tools help you get rid of any unwanted pop-ups, ads, unusual Startup pages, toolbars, and even malware.

Option 2 – Run the Malware Scanner and Cleanup tool in Chrome

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

Option 3 – Try to disable the Proxy

If you are using a proxy, you might want to consider disabling it as it could have something to do with the NETWORK_FAILED error.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “cpl” and hit Enter or click OK to open the Internet Properties.
  • After that, go to the Connections tab where you should see the LAN settings. Click on it.
  • Next, uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server for your LAN” and ensure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked as well.
  • Then click Ok and then Apply to save the changes made.
  • Restart your PC.

Option 4 – Flush DNS and reset TCP/IP

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

Option 5 – Delete the WLAN Profiles

Deleting the WLAN Profiles might be a good idea if you are not able to connect to the internet on your computer and if you’re using Wi-Fi. It could be that the networks that were connected previously have gone rogue which is why it is not connecting properly. And so deleting the WLAN profiles would be for the best. That should do it.
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How to Fix Error Code 0xc1900106 on Windows 10

Error Code 0xc1900106  – What is it?

One of the most common errors encountered by Microsoft users upgrading from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 to Windows 10 is the Error Code 0xc1900106. Microsoft users experience a failure in the installation process. Either they will be notified that the installation process was ended but failed or that Windows is not able to install the update.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

More and more Windows users are having trouble upgrading their operating system to Windows 10. There are a lot of errors being encountered by users and one of them is the Error Code 0xc1900106. This error is normally due to the misconfigured system files. If a Windows user encounters this error, most likely their device has some registry problems.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Fixing error code-related issues could be best resolved to do manual repair methods. Applying repair methods manually can help Windows users address the root causes of the errors they encounter, as well as apply definite solutions to rectify the issue.

Most Windows users can be able to implement manual repair methods themselves but there are some cases where help from a Windows professional is needed. If you’re not a very tech-savvy person and not confident performing the manual repair methods yourself, it would be advisable to seek help from a professional Windows technician who is knowledgeable enough to address the errors or problems you are encountering. However, if you don’t want to resort to seeking help from a professional, you can also consider using a powerful automated tool.

In trying to fix Error Code 0xc1900106, here are the following manual repair methods you can take:

Method One: Custom Installation

  1. Make a backup of your personal files
  2. Users of Windows 8/8.1 should Refresh first then proceed to upgrade.
  3. If the Refresh process does not work, reset your device then try again.
  4. If resetting your device still does not work, you can proceed with a custom installation.
  5. When your Windows installation media is ready, you need to choose to boot from CD, DVD, or USB drive to begin setup. (For example purposes, this article will discuss booting from DVD).
  6. When your device is all set to boot from DVD, you will be prompted to Press any key to boot from CD or DVD…
  7. Once you’ve pressed any key, the screen will show the Windows logo which might take a while. No need to worry though, as long as you can see the indicator, you’re good.
  8. Choose your Language, Time, and Keyboard method from the drop-down menu then hit Next.
  9. Click on the Install Now button then wait until Setup begins.
  10. Tick on the I accept the license terms check box then select Next.
  11. Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)
  12. Choose the Primary partition then select Next. You will be prompted by the following warning: The partition you selected might contain files from a previous Windows Installation. If it does, these files and folders will be moved to a folder named Windows.old. You will be able to access the information in Windows.old, but you will be able to use your previous version of Windows. Just click the OK button then wait as the Windows continue to install. Windows will restart once this phase of the setup completes and will reboot into setup once again.
  13. At this point, Windows will detect and install your hardware. Once this finishes, Windows will restart again.

Method Two: Reset Windows Update Components

  1. From your device’s desktop, hit Windows key + X to open the command prompt as admin.
  2. Once the command prompt window appears, you can type or copy and paste the following commands (all at once):

net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserver ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 catroot2.old net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver pause

  1. Exit the command prompt.
  2. After you reset the Windows Update components, see if you receive Windows Updates which includes the firmware updates for your computer.

Method Three: Ensure Windows is Updated

  1. If you have an antivirus, make sure to disable it during the upgrade process.
  2. Run Windows Update to check if the system is updated.
  3. Ensure that the latest firmware and drivers are installed. To be able to do this, go to the computer manufacturer’s website or you can also try contacting company support.
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How to Fix Error Code 0x80070002 in Windows 10

Error Code 0x80070002 – What is it?

Error code 0x80070002 is a Windows Update error code. It occurs due to corruption errors which result when missing files in Windows Update prevent users from accessing updates on their system. It affects Windows 10 users and presents similar symptoms as error code 0x80070003, another Windows Update error. These symptoms include the following:

  • Presence of message box highlighting the name of the Windows Update error code
  • The inability of users to complete updates on their system

Error Causes

If certain files are missing in Windows Update on your system, you will most likely experience error code 0x80070002. These missing files prevent Windows Update from functioning properly even in cases where an update is downloaded on your PC.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Manual repair methods are necessary to resolve issues related to many Windows error codes. To fix Windows Update error codes like error code 0x80070002 in Windows 10, users will need to apply several procedures that include stopping and restarting the Windows Update service. Note that the methods listed below must be done in the order they are listed. This is because they work in conjunction with each other to repair and replace corrupted update files that may be preventing your Windows Update service from functioning correctly.

Method One: Stop Windows Update Service

Stopping the Windows Update service will enable users to begin the manual repair process. It’s crucial, to begin with, this step, as it prepares users to delete temporary update files when the Window Update service is no longer functioning correctly. These temporary files may be the source of the corruption errors resulting in error code 0x80070002. Follow the steps below to stop Windows Update and resolve the error code.
  • Step one: Type Control Panel in the Search box near the Start button
  • Step two: Select Control Panel
  • Step three: Type Administrative Tools in the search box
  • Stop four: Select Administrative Tools
  • Step five: Click Services, then search for Windows Update
  • Step six: Right-click Windows Update service, then select Stop
After you have successfully stopped the service, proceed by deleting temporary update files in the SoftwareDistribution folder.

Method Two: Delete Temporary Update Files in SoftwareDistribution Folder

Error code 0x80070002 is unlikely to be resolved without addressing the problems related to missing or corrupted update files. By deleting temporary update files within the SoftwareDistribution folder, you will most likely be able to fix the error code and access updates within the Windows Update service.
  • Step one: Open File Explorer, then open Windows folder in drive C
  • Step two: Double-click SoftwareDistribution folder
  • Step three: Open the DataStore folder and delete all files within this folder
  • Step four: Click Back to access the SoftwareDistribution folder
  • Step five: Open the Download folder to delete all files from this folder as well
While attempting to delete these files, you may be asked to enter a password as an administrator. If this occurs, enter the required password to proceed.

Method Three: Restart Windows Update Service

Once you have logged on as an administrator and deleted appropriate update files in the SoftwareDistribution folder, follow the steps below to restart the Windows Update service.
  • Step one: Type Control Panel in the Search box near the Start button.
  • Step two: Select Control Panel
  • Step three: Type Administrative Tools in the search box, then select Administrative Tools
  • Step four: Double-click Services
  • Step five: Search for the Windows Update service
  • Step six: Right-click the Windows Update service, then select Start.
Once you’ve selected Start, you’ll be able to access the Windows Update service. Verify these manual methods have proven successful by restarting your PC, then check if you can access updates. If error code 0x80070002 has been resolved, you will be able to complete the download process when you attempt to access updates within Windows 10. You will also no longer see the error code 0x80070002 message box.
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UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME
One of the worst Blue Screen of Death errors you can encounter is the UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME BSOD on Windows 10. In this BSOD error, your computer won’t be able to properly boot. Meaning to say, even if you want to reinstall Windows, you won’t be able to back up your important files. Thus, it wouldn’t be really feasible to fix the system files, and besides, reinstalling Windows 10 would take a lot of time, not to mention resources. The UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME error is the kind of BSOD error that occurs if Windows is not able to access the volume that contains the boot files. Resolving this BSOD error won’t be easy but you will surely manage by following the suggestions laid out below but before you go on, make sure to create a System Restore Point.

Option 1 – Try checking the hardware

If you got the UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME BSOD error while trying to update your computer to a higher version of Windows, then you need to check if you have the compatible drivers for the disk controller as well as re-check the drive cabling and make sure that it is properly configured. And if you’re reusing either ATA-100 or ATA-66 drivers, ensure that you have an 80-connector cable and not the standard 40-connector IDE cable.

Option 2 – Try using Automatic Repair

You might also want to use Automatic Repair in fixing the BSOD error. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • You can start by creating and booting from a bootable Windows 10 USB Stick.
  • After that, click on Repair your computer located in the bottom left corner when you are on the initial Windows Startup screen.
  • Next, click on Troubleshoot, and then on the other screen, click the Startup Repair option.
  • Now select the operating system you want to repair. Once you do that, it will start to repair your operating system. Wait until the process is completed and then check if the problem’s now fixed.

Option 3 – Try fixing the Master Boot Record or MBR

The MBR or Master Boot Record is the location and is where the architecture of the operating system is installed. Thus, if either the location or the architecture has tampered with, it can cause lots of BSOD errors like the UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME error.
  • Boot your computer into Safe mode with Networking using the Advanced startup options which you can access by tapping the F2 or F8 key. Once you’ve accessed the Advanced startup options.
  • After you access the Advanced Startup options, select Command Prompt by using the arrow keys on your keyboard.
  • After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:
bootrec /fixboot
  • After entering the command, wait until the process is completed and then restart your computer to apply the changes made successfully.

Option 4 – Run the CHKDSK command to repair hard disk errors

Running the Chkdsk utility could help you fix the UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME error. If your hard drive has issues with integrity, the update will really fail as the system will think that it’s not healthy and that’s where the Chkdsk utility comes in. The Chkdsk utility repairs hard drive errors that might be causing the problem.
  • After you access the Advanced Startup options, select Command Prompt by using the arrow keys on your keyboard.
  • After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /f /r
  • The command you entered will scan the hard disk for any errors and will automatically fix it if it finds some issues. Wait for the process to be completed and then reboot your PC.
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Software review series: Tor Browser
Back in the mid-'90s, when the US Navy was looking into ways to securely communicate sensitive intelligence information, a mathematician and two computer scientists emerged from the Naval Research Lab with something called "onion routing." It was a new kind of technology that would protect your internet traffic with layers of privacy. By 2003, The Onion Routing project, acronym Tor, was in the hands of the public, where its vast network of users the engine enabling Tor has since continued to grow. Today, thousands of volunteers all over the world are connecting their computers to the internet to create the Tor network by becoming "nodes" or "relays" for your internet traffic.

What is Tor?

At a basic level, Tor is a type of internet-connected network with its own internet browser. Once you connect to the internet with the Tor browser, your internet traffic is stripped of its first layer of identifying information as it enters the Tor network and is then sent bouncing through those relay nodes, which serve to encrypt and privatize your data, layer by layer like an onion. Finally, your traffic hits an exit node and leaves the Tor network for the open web. Once you're in the Tor network, it's nearly impossible for others to track your traffic's manic pinballing path across the globe. And once you leave the Tor network via an exit node, the website you view (assuming it has HTTPS in front of its address) isn't sure which part of the world you're hailing from, offering you more privacy and protection. Because Tor is a volunteer-run network, speed can often be an issue. As your traffic moves from node to node, you're likely to notice more speed loss than you would, for instance, with most commercial virtual private networks. This becomes particularly noticeable if you try to watch streaming Netflix content over Tor or make voice-over-IP phone calls or video calls with an app like Zoom. Tor technology isn't necessarily built to provide seamless audio-video experiences.

Tor and plugins

Speaking of videos, there are also limits to the amount of privacy Tor can offer you if you enable certain browser media plugins like Flash. Likewise, your browser's JavaScript plug-in which enables you to view a lot of websites' embedded media can still leak your IP address information. Torrenting files with Tor also exposes you to privacy risks. Because of these risks, Tor's privacy settings have these kinds of plug-ins disabled by default. If you're just looking to do general, daily internet perusal using a browser that will better hide your traffic from spying eyes, Tor probably isn't the best choice due to its slow speeds and incompatibility with most embedded media. But if you're concerned enough about privacy around a particular topic of internet research (and you don't have a VPN), Tor is probably the best choice for you.
If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
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Remove recommended icons from the start menu
windows 11 start menuIn Windows 11 by default inside the Start menu, there is recommended section that contains recently opened folders, documents, and files. If you do not wish this section and do not want recent items in your Start menu there is an easy way to turn it off.
  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open settings
  2. Click on Personalization
  3. On the right side scroll down and click on Start
  4. Click on the switch beside Show recently opened items in Start, Jump lists, and File Explorer
  5. Close settings
Settings will be automatically applied and there will be no more recommended items inside your Start menu to create clutter, it will be nice and clean.
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Fatal error occurred while trying to sysprep
There are several kinds of errors you could encounter when you are running Windows 10 on a virtual machine. The Windows OS knows the difference between booting up in a standalone computer or in a virtual machine. This is why some specific drivers and system capabilities are used while emulating the Windows OS on software and during this phase, there are times when the System Preparation may throw up an error that says, “A fatal error occurred while trying to sysprep the machine”. This kind of error arises due to a race condition wherein the Sysprep command tries to stop the Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator or MSDTC service and the VMware tool tries to start the MSDTC service. You may also see the following messages logged in the Setuperr.log file:
  • [0x0f0082] SYSPRP LaunchDll:Failure occurred while executing ‘C:Windowssystem32msdtcprx.dll,SysPrepDtcCleanup’, returned error code -2146434815[gle=0x000000b7]
  • [0x0f0070] SYSPRP RunExternalDlls:An error occurred while running registry sysprep DLLs, halting sysprep execution. dwRet = -2146434815[gle=0x000000b7]
  • [0x0f00a8] SYSPRP WinMain:Hit failure while processing sysprep cleanup providers; hr = 0x80100101[gle=0x000000b7]
To fix the 0x0f0082, 0x0f0070, 0x0f00a8 Sysprep errors, you can check out two potential fixes. First, you have to check the status of the MSDTC service and the second one is to check the settings in the Windows Registry. Note that these fixes are proven to be effective on many users and apply to several versions of Windows, including Windows 10.

Option 1 – Check the status of the MSDTC service via Command Prompt

As mentioned, the error could be caused by the malfunctioning of the MSDTC service or it. Thus, you have to uninstall and reinstall the MSDTC service to resolve the problem and you can do that using Command Prompt. Follow the steps below.
  • In the Start Search, type “command prompt” and from the results, right-click on Command Prompt and then select the “Run as administrator” option to open it with admin privileges.
  • If a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, just click on Yes to proceed.
  • Once you’ve opened Command Prompt, execute this command: msdtc –uninstall
  • The command you just entered will uninstall the MSDTC service. After that, you need to execute this second command to reinstall the service: msdtc –install
  • Now exit Command Prompt and check if the error is now fixed.

Option 2 – Check the Registry settings

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “Regedit” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • After opening the Registry Editor, navigate to this registry path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionSoftwareProtectionPlatform
  • From there, look for a DWORD value that’s named “SkipRearm” and double click on it.
  • Then change its value data to “1”.
  • Restart your computer to apply successfully apply the changes made and check if it was able to fix the error.
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