The Steam Autumn sale is coming!

Oh, gamers rejoice, the Steam autumn sale is just around the corner!!!

The sale starts on November 22nd and lasts until November 29th. A great deal for any gamer, especially for ones that have plenty on their wishlist. Speaking of wishlists now would be a good time to place some interesting titles on them so you can be notified about discounts on them.

If you by any chance are unavailable to participate in the Autumn sale, do not worry, Steam winter sale is coming on December 22nd and it will last until January the 5th so you can save for it.

The best tactic for sale is not to jump on the train right away, it is best to wait until a few days, maybe even until the last 2 days since some games can go even lower on discount in the last days of the sale. Also, there might be also some packages that include games you wish to buy but are packed with other ones in a bundle and even with a higher discount.

So get prepared for the upcoming sale and treat yourself to something nice!

steam sale

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Change mouse pointer size & style in Windows11
mouse pointerWindows 11 provides several different ways to make your cursor stand out and be easier to spot inside it. You can make the mouse pointer larger, invert it, or change its color.
  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open settings
  2. Click on Accessibility in the sidebar
  3. Select Mouse Pointer and Touch
  4. Adjust mouse cursor size with size slider by clicking on circle and dragging it left or right
  5. Under Mouse Pointer Style pick desired style from White, Black, Inverted, and Custom
    1. White: The cursor is white with a black outline (standard setting)
    2. Black: Cursor is black with a white outline
    3. Inverted: Cursor automatically changes color to an inverted version of the color it is currently hovering over
    4. Custom: You can pick the color for the cursor that you want.
And that is all about it, once you are done with pointer customization just close settings, all changes are saved automatically.
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Fix Update and MS Store Error code 0x80070424
As you know, both the Windows Update and Windows Store are inter-dependable services in Windows 10 operating system. So when one of these services encounters an error like the “0x80070424, ERROR_SERVICE_DOES_NOT_EXIST”, the other service will most likely get this error as well. Note that this kind of error can occur to both the Windows Update Standalone Installer and to the Windows Update section in the Windows 10 Settings app. Some users also reported getting this error while trying to update Windows Defender as well. You can see the following error message in the Windows Update Standalone Installer:
“Installer encountered an error: 0x80070424, The specified service does not exist as an installed service.”
While you’ll see the following error message in the Windows Store:
“The were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: (0x80070424).”
To fix this error, you can try to re-register the Background Intelligent Transfer Service DLL file or run the Windows Update and Store apps troubleshooters. You can also reset the Windows Update-related folders or the Microsoft Store or fix the Windows Update files by using the DISM tool. On the other hand, you can also use the Registry Editor or check Windows Services. For more details regarding these potential fixes, refer to each one of the given options below.

Option 1 – Try to re-register the Background Intelligent Transfer Service DLL file

You may have to re-register the Background Intelligent Transfer Service DLL file using the regsvr32.exe before you can successfully install the program and fix ntdll.dll file crash error. The Regsvr32 tool is a command-line utility that can be used to register and un-register OLE controls as 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.
    • regsvr32 Qmgr.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Qmgrprxy.dll /s
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.
  • Now restart your computer and check if the error is now fixed.

Option 2 – Try to run the Windows Store or the Windows Update Troubleshooters

The Windows 10 Store Apps Troubleshooter will help you in fixing the Error code 0x80070424. This is a great built-in tool from Microsoft that helps users fix any app installation issues. So this is worth a try to solve the problem. This built-in tool also helps you fix the Windows 10 Store if it isn’t working. To use the Windows Store Troubleshooter, follow the steps below.
  • Tap Win + I keys again to open the Windows Settings panel.
  • Go to Update & Security and then go to Troubleshoot.
  • On your right hand side, scroll down to find the Windows Store Apps and then click on Run the troubleshooter option and see if it fixes the problem.
Note: You can also try running the Windows Update troubleshooter to fix the error. You can run it under the Windows Update section of Update & Security.

Option 3 – Delete the files from Software Distribution Folder & Catroot2 folders

The downloaded Windows Updates are placed in a folder called “SoftwareDistribution”. The files downloaded in this folder are automatically deleted once the installation is completed. However, if the files are not clean up or if the installation is still pending, you can delete all the files in this folder after you pause the Windows Update service. For complete instructions, refer to these steps.
  • Open the WinX Menu.
  • From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
  • Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
  • After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Cryptographic and the MSI Installer
  • Next, got to the C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files there by tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
After resetting the SoftwareDistribution folder, you need to reset the Catroot2 folder to restart the services you just stopped. To do that, follow these steps:
  • Type each one of the following commands.
net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
  • After that, exit Command Prompt and restart your computer and then try to run Windows Update once more.

Option 4 – Try to reset the Microsoft Store cache

Just like browsers, Microsoft Store also caches as you view apps and games so it is most likely that the cache is no longer valid and must be removed. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • Right click on the start button and click on Command Prompt (administrator).
  • Next, type in the command, “wsreset.exe” and tap Enter. Once you do, the command will clear the cache for the Windows Store app.
  • Now restart your PC and afterwards, try opening Microsoft Store again and then see if Error Code 0x80070424 is resolved or not.

Option 5 – Try to check the Windows Update or WU setting in the Registry

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “regedit” in the field and tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Next, go to this registry path: ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate
  • Here, look for the DWORD named “DisableWindowsUpdateAccess” and double click on it and then set its value data to “0”.
  • Exit the Registry Editor once you’re done and restart your computer.

Option 6 – Try to check the status of some Windows Update Services

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter or click OK to open Services.
  • From the list of Services, look for the following services and make sure that their Startup type is as follows:
    • Windows Update Service – Manual (Triggered)
    • Background Intelligent Transfer Service – Manual
    • Workstation Service – Automatic
  • After that, check if the Service status of the listed services above are set to Running. If they’re not, click on the Start button to start these services and then check if you can now enable the Windows Update service or not.

Option 7 – Run the DISM tool

You can also run the Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management or DISM tool to fix the error code 0x80070424. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth”.
  • Open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • Then type in the following commands and make sure to hit Enter right after you type each one of them:
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    • exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  • Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.
  • Once it’s done, reboot your computer and check if it has fixed the error.
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Cortana is Not Connecting to the Internet
Recently, a number of Windows 10 users reported that they were not able to use Cortana properly because it wasn’t able to connect to the internet. According to these users, Cortana won’t connect to the internet even when their internet connection is stable. According to security experts, this issue is confirmed to occur only with Microsoft accounts. This problem might have something to do with a proxy server that interferes with Cortana. There were reports that this issue was caused by a proxy that was filtering the network connection which also happens to interfere with Cortana’s ability to adapt search results and queries based on the user’s location. It could also be caused by some glitch in the home network or your Microsoft account information is inconsistent or your Microsoft account has to be verified. Here are some suggestions that could help fix the connection issue in Cortana, just start with the first one and work your way down until you encounter an option that fixes the problem.

Option 1 – Restart or reset your modem or router

The first thing you can try is restarting or resetting your modem or router. All you have to do is unplug the power cable of the modem and then plug it back in after a few seconds. You could also use the reset button of the modem at the back if it is one. But before you press the reset button, keep in mind that it will erase all the connection credentials and it will be set back to its default settings. After rebooting the network, you can restart your computer to force your modem or router to reassign an IP address to your computer.

Option 2 – Restart Cortana

Restarting Cortana can help you resolve the issue.
  • To restart Cortana, open the Task Manager, right-click on Cortana and select the “End process” option.
  • Then go to the File tab and select “Run new task”.
  • After that, type in “cortana.exe” and press Enter to restart the process.

Option 3 – Try to remove Proxy

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

Option 4 – Open another app that uses a Microsoft account

This might seem like an odd fix, however, a couple of users tried doing this and it worked for them as it allowed Cortana to connect to the internet again. In this option, you just have to launch another app that uses your Microsoft account information in the same way as Cortana, for instance, the Store app. Once you open the app, a prompt should appear along with a dialog box that allows you to update your Microsoft account with the information required. After that, restart your computer and check if Cortana is now able to connect to the internet or not.

Option 5 – Verify your Microsoft account

In some cases, Cortana might not be able to connect to the internet because your Microsoft account is no longer verified. This usually happens when you use a two-step authentication system with your Microsoft account. To verify it, just open Settings and click on Accounts. After that, check if you have a Verify hyperlink under your Microsoft account or not then click on Verify. Afterward, follow the next on-screen prompts to verify your Microsoft account. Once your account is verified, restart your computer.

Option 6 – Reset Cortana settings

  • Open Cortana and go to the Settings section where you’ll see the “Turning off Cortana clears what Cortana knows on this device, but won’t delete anything from the Notebook. After Cortana is off, you can decide what you’d like to do with anything still stored in the cloud” option. Turn this option off.
  • Restart your PC.
  • After your computer boots, launch Cortana again and check.
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Quick Fix for Error Code 100

What is Error Code 100?

Error Code 100?? Whenever a Setup error contains error codes in the message, this indicates what the setup was operating on, let’s say copying files. The text in the error message will determine whether that it is fatal or not. An error code 100 is a system error that is displayed as ‘ERROR_TOO_MANY_SEMAPHORES’ or as a value 0x64. This error means that the system ‘cannot create another system semaphore.’ A semaphore is used in controlling access to parallel programming or a multi-user platform through multiple processes. This error can prevent certain features of your Windows to perform properly, like trying to get a print, copying files, deleting files, or any other routine computer activities.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error code 100 can affect a wide range of activities that you normally perform on your PC. This error can occur for a number of reasons, of which some of the common ones include:
  • When the Microsoft SQL Server fails to start the service
  • When the account used for starting AOS does not match the database in SQL Server
  • When the AOS licenses have exceeded their limit
  • When the SQL Server database is incorrectly case sensitive
Though these are the common causes for error code 100, there can be other ways through which this error can occur. To find out the specific cause for error code 100, follow these steps:
  • Go to Start and select All Programs. Go to Administrative Tools and click Even Viewer
  • Click Application in Even Viewer
  • Locate the error message in the right pane by scrolling down
  • Click on the error message and see if the message applies to the error code.

Further Information and Manual Repair

In order to manually repair this error, you will have to work with your Network Administrator as they will have security privileges to take the steps. However, there are more than one ways to resolve this issue, for instance:
  1. Starting SQL Server Service
    • A likely cause of an error code 100 can be that your SQL Server service is not started. To activate it, follow these steps:
    • Got to Start and Click on All Programs, go to Administrative Tools and click on Services
    • Find SQL/MSSQLServer service
    • Right Click on it and click Start to activate the service
  2. Network Resolve
If you are connected to a network, then you can work with your network administrator to fix error code 100. Follow these steps to resolve this error:
  • Got to Start and then Run. Type dcomcnfg and press Enter
  • Locate Default Security and click it
  • Find Default Access Permissions and click Edit Default
  • You should locate System and Interactive, listed in the Allow Access. If they’re not listing, you can add them by clicking Add
  • Find the local computer in the list and click on Allow Access
  • Click Ok on the following three steps
  • Log off the computer and log in again.
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Not enough USB controller resources Error
As you know, USB is now being widely used in all devices with USB A as the leading type with most devices based on it. Peripheral devices such as Pen Drives, External Hard disks, and many more also use a USB port. On the other hand, USB C is also coming up to be the next big standard in the computing world because of its high transfer speeds, wider compatibility as well as support for external Graphics Processing Units. However, just recently, USB 3.0 ports have been reported to cause the following error to pop up on Windows 10 computers every time a USB device is plugged in.
“Not enough USB controller resources. The controller does not have enough resources for this device.”
To fix this error, here are some guidelines you can check out. Make sure to follow them carefully.

Option 1 – Try to use a lower generation USB port

The first thing you can do is to try using a lower generation USB port as this issue mostly occurs when a device is connected to a USB 3,0 port. This means that you have to plug in your device to a USB 2.0 port and then see if it fixes the error or not. You can easily decipher a USB 3.0 port from a USB 2.0 port as the former is in blue.

Option 2 – Try to use a dock

You could also try to use a dock to resolve the error. Note that when too much power on laptops and notebooks are drawn from the USB ports and as a USB 3.0 port draws more power compared to a USB 2.0 port. Thus, if you plug in your USB storage device into a USB 2.0 port with the help of a dock, it should fix the problem.

Option 3 – Try disabling the xHCI Mode option in the BIOS

  • First, boot your computer into the BIOS.
  • Once your computer has booted, go to the Advanced tab.
  • Next, make sure that the entry for “xHCI Pre-boot mode” is set to Disabled under the USB Configuration section.
  • Now save the changes you’ve made and then restart your computer to Windows 10 and see if the error is now fixed.

Option 4 – Update or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller driver

Since it could be a driver issue, you can try to update or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller drivers using the Device Manager. Refer to the following steps:
  • First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
  • Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
  • From there, look for the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” option and then right click on each one of the USB drivers, especially the Generic USB Hub driver, and then select the Update Driver from the menu.
  • Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
Note: If updating the USB Controller drivers didn’t work, you can try to reinstall them instead.

Option 5 – Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

You could also run the Hardware and device Troubleshooter to try and fix the “Not enough USB controller resources” error.
  • The first thing you need to do is click on Start and then on the gear-like icon to pull up the window for Settings.
  • After opening Settings, look for the Update and Security option and select it.
  • From there, go to the Troubleshoot option located on the left-hand side of the list.
  • Next, select Hardware and Devices from the list and open the Troubleshooter and run it. Once it is doing its job, wait for it to complete the process and then restart the system.
  • After the system restarts, check if the problem’s now fixed. If not, refer to the next option given below.
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Error Code 0x80d02002: How to Fix It In Windows 10

Error Code 0x80d02002? - What Is It?

Error Code 0x80d02002 is one of the common errors encountered by Windows users upgrading to Windows 10 or installing new Windows updates. This error results in program lock-ups, system crashes, and freezes, or slow PC performance. It can also cause possible loss of private data on your device.

Some of the common error messages involving Error Code 0x80d02002 include:

  • Something went wrong, Please try again later. Windows update error dt_000 – 0x80d02002
  • Error(s) found: Code 0x80d02002 Windows update encountered an unknown error. Windows update ran into a problem.
  • Windows Update Cannot Check For Updates – 0x80d02002
  • 0x80d02002 – Windows could not search for new updates. An error occurred while checking for new updates for your computer. Some updates were not installed.
  • There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help – 0x80d02002
While upgrading to Windows 10, depending on the state of your computer, you might encounter other error messages, including error code 0xc000021a

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error Code 0x80d02002 normally occurs when a user updates their system, upgrades to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1, or installs new Windows updates. There are several reasons why this error happens which includes:
  • Internet connection problems
  • Blocked system ports
  • Conflict on system level

Further Information and Manual Repair

In trying to fix Error Code 0x80d02002, you can employ manual repair methods to effectively and efficiently solve the issue. However, keep in mind that one tiny error made in using the command prompt can result in data loss or put your computer in a no-boot situation. In such cases, you can seek help from a Windows professional or consider using an automated tool whenever necessary.

You can try doing the following manual repair methods in an attempt to fix Error Code 0x80d02002:

Method One: Reset Windows Update Components

In trying to fix Error Code 0x80d02002, you may try resetting manually and check the Windows update components by doing the following steps:

  1. Right-click on the Start button then select Command Prompt (Admin) from the list to open a Command Prompt window.
  2. Once the Command Prompt window appears, type or copy and paste the following commands all at once then hit Enter:
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 then check if the issue is resolved.

Method Two: Check If The Region Is Correct

  1. On the Start screen, type Region. Afterward, click on Settings then hit
  2. Under the Format tab, choose English (United Kingdom).
  3. Select Language Preferences then click on Add a language. Afterward, add “your language.”
  4. After you’ve added your preferred language, choose it then click on Move Up to make it the first language. Close now the Language window.
  5. On the Region window, select Additional Settings and see if the values are the same.
  6. Select the Location tab then change the Home Location to “your country,” then hit

Method Three: Perform an SFC Scan

Check if there are system files that need to be repaired by running an SFC Scan. Follow the steps below:

  1. Type CMD in the search bar then right-clicks on it. Select Run as Administrator. This will open a Command Prompt window in elevated mode.
  2. In the next window, select
  3. Once the Command Prompt window appears, type the command: sfc /scannow
  4. Leave the Command Prompt window open and wait for the process to complete. This might take a while depending on how fast or slow your device is.
  5. When everything’s fine, the message saying “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations” will appear.

 Method Four: Disable Skype or Antivirus

There are times when Skype or your installed antivirus can conflict in updating your system. You can disable first your antivirus or Skype as you update your system and enable them once again when you successfully update your system.

Method Five: Download A Powerful Automated Tool 

Can’t seem to put up with the long and technical manual repair process? You can still fix this error by downloading and installing a powerful automated tool that will surely get the job done in a jiffy!

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Guide to Quickly Fixing the Thorconnwndclass
Thorconnwndclass error is an Outlook error that has recently reared its head. Known to create several problems in the proper functioning of the Outlook application, this error is essentially a constituent of the Norton Antivirus Crash Guard Symantec component. That’s why those using the Norton Antivirus program are most likely to encounter this error.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

When the Thorconnwndclass error occurs, the Outlook closes unexpectedly, users encounter problems while sending or receiving emails and, performance of Outlook is degraded and this happens because issues arise while accessing the PST file. Because of this damaged PST file, stored data is unavailable for access. Other factors that trigger the Thorconnwndclass error are listed below.
  • Corrupt or damaged Outlook Add-ins
  • Corrupt or damaged Outlook bar
  • Unfinished Outlook installation
  • Faulty settings
  • Thorconnwndclass Norton is being used with Outlook
Regardless of the underlying factors that lead up to the occurrence of this error, it's of paramount importance that workarounds are implemented to ensure desired performance of Outlook in the long run.

Further Information and Manual Repair

While there are several ways to rectify this error, some of the most common ones are listed below as follows.
  • The most effective solution is the PST file repair tools available online. These tools use a complex algorithm and thoroughly scan the PST file and repair it as needed. This resolves the Thorconnwndclass error that one encounters in Outlook. Usually such software have an easy to use interface and can easily be used, without the need for the user to have a strong technical background. Another advantage of using these software available online is that they not only repair the file, but they often play a pivotal role in retrieving inaccessible or lost data.
Some other tips for manually resolving this problem are listed below as follows.
  • First and foremost, disable your Norton Antivirus program if it’s installed on your system. Now, open the Outlook application in Safe Mode. Since this problem may also be triggered by damaged or corrupt Outlook add-ins, it is strongly advised that you disable or uninstall them. Now, you will come across some .dat files. Rename them by changing the existing .dat files to new .dat.
  • Another useful approach is to employ the Inbox Repair tool offered by Outlook.
  • Finally, one can also use the scanpst.exe file to fix any problem or error that resides within the  Outlook application.
Read More
Intel’s GPU ARC coming aimed at AMD & Nvidia
intel ARCThis is not the first time that Intel is trying to enter the GPU field but its adventures so far were, well let us agree not so good. All of that is hoping to be changed with the upcoming ARC GPU. The first generation of Arc graphics, code-named Alchemist and previously known as DG2, will support desktop PCs and laptops and is set to arrive in the first quarter of 2022. Alchemist will have hardware-based Ray tracing and AI-driven supersampling. This indicates that GPU is aimed to compete in the Hi-end spectrum and battle side by side with Nvidia and AMD on the market. Alchemist will also pack full DirectX 12 Ultimate support. Intel also released names for the next upcoming future generations of ARC GPUs: Battlemage, Celestial & Druid. More information about ARC products will be released later this year. “Today marks a key moment in the graphics journey we started just a few years ago. The launch of the Intel Arc brand and the reveal of future hardware generations signifies Intel’s deep and continued commitment to gamers and creators everywhere,” Roger Chandler, Intel vice president, and general manager of client graphics products and solutions.
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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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Easy Directions Finder Removal Guide for Windows PC

Easy Directions Finder is a browser extension developed by Mindspark Inc. for Google Chrome. This extension offers users quick access to popular websites for navigation and evens. While at first glance this might look useful, keep in mind that this extension has been marked as a Browser Hijacker by several anti-virus applications.

When installed EasyDirectionsFinder will record your browsing history, visited links, clicked URL-s, and viewed products. This data is later forwarded/sold to Mindspark's ad network and used to better target ads to users.

While browsing the internet with this extension installed (it does not have to be enabled) you will see additional injected ads, sponsored links, and pop-up ads throughout your browsing sessions. Due to its information mining behavior and aggressive ad injections, it is recommended to remove this extension from your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted software, often a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in web browser’s settings. Browser hijackers are capable of doing more than just modifying homepages. In general, browser hijacking is utilized for earning advertising revenue from forced ad mouse clicks and site visits. While it may seem naive, all browser hijackers are dangerous and thus always classified as security risks. When the malware attacks your laptop or computer, it starts to mess things up a whole that slows your system down to a crawl. In the worse case, you may be pushed to deal with serious malware threats as well.

How one can know whether the web browser is hijacked?

The common symptoms that suggest having this malicious software on your computer are: the browser’s home page is modified; you find yourself regularly directed to some other webpage than the one you actually intended; the default web browser settings have been modified and/or your default search engine is altered; unsolicited new toolbars are added to your web browser; your internet browser displays endless pop-up ads; web pages load slowly and often incomplete; you can’t navigate to certain webpages, like computer security software related sites.

So how does a browser hijacker infect a computer?

Browser hijackers may use drive-by downloads or file-sharing networks or an e-mail attachment in order to reach a targeted PC. They could also be deployed via the installation of an internet browser toolbar, add-on, or extension. A browser hijacker could also come bundled up with some freeware that you unintentionally download to your PC, compromising your internet security. Some of the most popular hijackers are EasyDirectionsFinder, Babylon Toolbar, Conduit Search, Sweet Page, OneWebSearch, and CoolWebSearch.

Browser hijacker removal tips

Some browser hijacking could be easily reversed by discovering and eliminating the corresponding malware software through your control panel. Sometimes, it can be a tough task to discover and eliminate the malicious component since the associated file will be running as part of the operating system process. Moreover, browser hijackers could modify the Computer registry therefore it can be quite tough to restore all the values manually, especially when you’re not a very tech-savvy individual. Industry experts always suggest users eliminate any malware including browser hijacker with an automatic removal tool, which is better, safer, and quicker than the manual removal solution. SafeBytes Anti-Malware could counter persistent browser hijackers and give you active PC protection against all types of malware. Together with the antivirus tool, a PC optimizer, such as SafeBytes Total System Care, can help you in deleting all related files and modifications in the computer registry automatically.

How To Get Eliminate Malware That Is Preventing Antivirus Downloads?

Malware could cause many different types of damage to computers, networks, and data. Some malware sits in between the computer and the internet connection and blocks a few or all sites that you really want to visit. It will also prevent you from adding anything to your PC, particularly anti-virus applications. So what to do when malicious software prevents you from downloading or installing Safebytes Anti-Malware? There are a few actions you can take to get around this issue.

Boot your computer in Safe Mode

If any malware is set to load immediately when Microsoft Windows starts, getting into Safe Mode could very well block the attempt. Since only the minimal programs and services launch in Safe Mode, there are hardly any reasons for conflicts to happen. Below are the steps you should follow to start into the Safe Mode of your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers (check out Microsoft site for directions on Windows 8 and 10 computers). 1) At power on, press the F8 key while the Windows splash screen starts to load. This will conjure up the “Advanced Boot Options” menu. 2) Choose Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and hit ENTER. 3) Once you get into this mode, you should have an internet connection again. Now, utilize your internet browser normally and go to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 4) After the software program is installed, let the diagnostic scan run to remove trojans and other malware automatically.

Switch over to an alternative web browser

Web-based malware can be environment-specific, targeting a specific web browser or attacking particular versions of the browser. If you seem to have malware attached to Internet Explorer, then switch to an alternate browser with built-in security features, such as Chrome or Firefox, to download your preferred antivirus program – Safebytes.

Install security software on a flash drive

Another option is to create a portable antivirus program onto your USB flash drive. Abide by these steps to run the anti-malware on the infected PC. 1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free computer. 2) Plug the pen drive into the clean PC. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, with a .exe file format. 4) Select the USB stick as the location for saving the software file. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. 5) Now, insert the USB drive into the infected computer. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the pen drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and clean-up up all sorts of malware.

SafeBytes AntiMalware Overview

If you’re looking to purchase anti-malware for your laptop or computer, there are plenty of brands and packages for you to consider. A few are very good ones, some are ok types, while some are just fake anti-malware applications that will damage your computer themselves! You need to purchase a product that has obtained a good reputation and detects not just viruses but other sorts of malware too. While thinking about reliable applications, Safebytes AntiMalware is certainly the strongly recommended one. Safebytes is among the well-established computer solutions companies, which provide this complete anti-malware tool. Using its outstanding protection system, this tool will quickly detect and remove most of the security threats, including adware, viruses, browser hijackers, ransomware, PUPs, and trojans.

There are numerous wonderful features you’ll get with this security product. Here are some of the good ones:

Best AntiMalware Protection: With its enhanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware elimination tool can detect and eliminate the malware threats hiding in the computer system effectively. Live Protection: SafeBytes offers totally hands-free real-time protection and is set to observe, prevent and eliminate all threats at its very first encounter. It’ll regularly monitor your pc for hacker activity and also gives end-users superior firewall protection. SuperSpeed Scanning: Safebytes Anti-Malware, with its enhanced scanning engine, provides extremely fast scanning that can promptly target any active internet threat. Website Filtering: SafeBytes provides an instant safety rating about the pages you’re going to check out, automatically blocking dangerous sites and making sure that you are certain of your online safety while browsing the net. Low CPU Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight and easy-of-use antivirus and antimalware solution. As it uses low computer resources, this program leaves the computer power exactly where it belongs: with you. 24/7 Live Professional Support: You may get high levels of support 24/7 if you are using their paid version. Overall, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program since it has plenty of features and can detect and eliminate any potential threats. You can be sure that your computer will be protected in real-time once you put this software to use. So if you’re searching for the absolute best malware removal tool out there, and if you don’t mind paying out a few bucks for it, go for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you do not wish to use a malware removal software and like to remove EasyDirectionsFinder manually, you could possibly accomplish this by going to the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu in the Control Panel and delete the offending program; in cases of browser plug-ins, you may uninstall it by going to the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. You’ll likely also want to reset your browser. Finally, examine your hard drive for all of the following and clean your Windows registry manually to remove leftover application entries after uninstallation. But bear in mind, editing the registry is often a hard task that only advanced computer users and professionals should attempt to fix the problem. Moreover, some malicious programs have the capability to defend against its deletion. Completing this task in Safe Mode is advised.
Files: %LOCALAPPDATA%\EasyDirectionsFinderTooltab %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\EasyDirectionsFinderTooltab %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\pjclebnjamlmkpgapopafeniobfnlllf %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\pjclebnjamlmkpgapopafeniobfnlllf %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\pjclebnjamlmkpgapopafeniobfnlllf %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\pjclebnjamlmkpgapopafeniobfnlllf Registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\EasyDirectionsFinder HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\EasyDirectionsFinder HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\easydirectionsfinder.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Google\Chrome\PreferenceMACs\Default\extensions.settings, value: pjclebnjamlmkpgapopafeniobfnlllf HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\easydirectionsfinder.dl.myway.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\easydirectionsfinder.dl.tb.ask.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\[APPLICATION]\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall..Uninstaller EasyDirectionsFinderTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer
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