Everything You Need to Know About Disk Partitioning
Disk partitioning is a concept that’s been around for so long, but is still only familiar to few. If done right, it can help get your computer in perfect order.
Today we bring you a simple definition of disk partitioning, its pros and cons, and a quick tip on how to do it properly to reap its full benefit!
Definition and purpose
The simplest way to define disk partitioning would be: it’s exactly what it sounds like. It means taking a hard disk drive and separating it into different segments. These segments are called partitions. You can visualize it as cutting a cake into smaller pieces - not necessarily of the same size, though.
So what is the purpose of these pieces?
Well, when you first get a hard drive, it’s basically just a bunch of unallocated storage space. Until there’s at least one partition, this space is unusable to your operating system. Once you create a partition, your OS will recognize it as usable storage space.
You can choose to create a single partition and use it for all your files, from program files to personal data. A lot of off-the-shelf computers come with one primary partition like this and a small secondary one reserved for recovery purposes.
Whether or not you want to split your disk into more than one segment is up to you. We would generally recommend it, though. The whole point of partitioning is for each segment to have its own purpose.
So treating all your storage space as a single unit containing different file types would be like constructing an office building with only one massive room for everything - day-to-day work, conferences, interviews, etc. And all of this for different departments of the company. You can see how this might get a little messy.
Creating multiple partitions eliminates the task of running several different types of files from the same place. This takes a heavy load off the entire process of accessing data.
Disk partitioning also brings a ton of other benefits to the table. An important disclaimer, though: there are disadvantages too. We will walk you through both sides to help you get an objective idea and make an informed decision.
What are the benefits of disk partitioning?
1. Better file organization
This is the most obvious and perhaps the biggest advantage of partitioning your hard drive.
As we already mentioned, partitioning allows you to create separate segments for different file and data types. You wouldn’t want to use the same partition for your system files and for games, would you?
If organization and time management are important to you, then multiple partitions are the right solution. Searching for specific files will be much easier overall. Say you have one hard drive, but three partitions: C for the system files alone, D for multimedia files and documents, and E for games and apps. Your computer loads the system from C without interference from the other two, and you know exactly where to look when searching for a file.
2. Easy reinstallation
File management isn’t the only thing made faster and simpler thanks to partitioning. If you opt for creating multiple segments on your drive, reinstalling Windows will be easy peasy.
That’s because all you need to do is format the partition your system is on. Then you reinstall the OS on it, and there you go. Now you have a clean installation, with all your files saved on other partitions intact. You can even make a copy of your system partition, so you can revisit the exact same installation in the future if you want. And the whole time your pictures, music, documents stay exactly where you left them.
3. Possibility of using multiple file systems
By now you’ve understood that partitions function completely separately. This means that, if for some reason you need multiple file system capabilities, partitioning will allow that.
One segment could be used for, say, an NTFS file system, while another could run ext or APFS.
4. Running different OSes
You’re an avid Windows user but need to use Linux on the side? No problem. You don’t need to buy a separate computer or anything. The possibility of running different file systems also means you can use partitioning to run multiple operating systems.
Doesn’t that sound enticing? One machine for multiple totally different uses!
5. Backup and recovery made simple
Data loss can happen on any disk, partitioned or not. However, it’s much easier to get it back on a partitioned one. You know where you stored what, and each partition can be backed up exactly as it is. It’s also a lot faster to back up single partitions than entire hard drives.
Ultimately this also means a faster path to recovery. If you lose or accidentally delete important files and data, you might want to use a recovery tool like Recuva to scan for them and get them back. Recuva is even powerful enough to recover data from damaged hard drives. But no matter how powerful, scanning a whole drive is strenuous for any recovery tool. Scanning independent partitions is a lot more convenient than that, and will get you to your goal more efficiently.
6. Optimized performance
Now, let’s keep in mind that computer performance is influenced by a number of factors. Partitioning alone isn’t what makes it better or worse. However, it can contribute to optimization. It’s easier for your computer to scan, say, a 40 GB partition to fetch the system file it needs than scanning the entire capacity of your drive.
7. Improved security (possibly*)
Separate partitions can help make your system more secure. Firstly, they minimize file corruption. If one partition gets corrupted, the others should remain unaffected. And keeping in mind the previous point about backup and recovery, ‘fixing’ the damaged partition would be much easier than fixing the entire hard drive.
Partitioning also improves security in terms of malware protection. A malicious attack on one partition is easier to deal with than malware on the whole drive. If your system partition gets infected, you can simply reinstall your OS and that should do the trick.
*Do keep in mind that partitioning can’t defend you against more advanced attacks. So make sure not to give in to a false sense of security.
What are the disadvantages of partitioning?
1. Data is still vulnerable
Yes, it’s easier to back up and recover data from independent partitions. And yes, partitioning may help protect separated files and data to a higher degree. But remember: everything is still on a single physical drive. So while digital errors and issues may be easier to deal with on partitioned drives, physical damage obviously won’t be.
If your hard drive is destroyed in some way, all data on it will be gone. That’s why, if you have crucial files on your PC, it’s important to give them the proper backup treatment before it’s too late.
2. Disbalance of space
Allocating storage space on separate partitions may be a little more tricky than you think. You may fill up one partition a lot faster than another. So on one side you’re struggling with space, and on another you have too much of it to spare. Imagine nearly filling up your system partition and then it turns out you need a lot more space for its updates than you thought.
That’s why you really have to be sure you actually have enough files of different types that you need help managing efficiently. Otherwise you’ll just create a struggle and disbalance in terms of storage.
3. Increased risk of error
If done incorrectly, partitioning can lead to more harm than good. Aside from space disbalance, there is an increased risk of incorrect partition sizes and formatting. Plus, human error is also a factor: in a moment of distraction, you may erase one partition when you meant another. Undoing such mistakes will definitely be tedious and time-consuming.
4. SSDs eliminate the need of partitioning
SSDs (solid-state drives) don’t function in the same way that HDDs do. They have faster read times and can organize files on their own. This quite literally eliminates the need for organization on your part.
Partitioning: yes or no?
The bottom line is that multiple partitions might not be necessary for the average user. But if you’re planning on storing many file types or different file and operating systems on the same PC, then you should give it a shot. It’s also an excellent solution for businesses, of course.
And if our pros and cons list isn’t enough to help you decide, you can always send us a message and we’ll help you make the right choice.
Decided to partition your hard drive?
If you’ve decided to give it a go, you definitely should make sure to do it right.
The two most effective and reliable ways to partition are using the built-in options on Windows or investing in a dedicated partitioning tool, like the EaseUS Partition Master. Which one you'll opt for depends on your specific needs.
Option 1 may be more suitable for users with at least some level of experience. In this case, you’d have to know exactly which steps to take without making errors. This is done in Disk Management on Windows 10/11. From there, you can select the partitions you’d like to split into different volumes of selected sizes.
If this is your first time partitioning, we highly suggest you either consult professionals for this or move on to option 2. The EaseUS partitioning software is specifically designed for beginners, with an intuitive interface helping you succeed in the process. All you need to do is pick the Partition Master package tailored to your needs and follow their guide.
Each package offers technical support as well, and even free upgrades (to varying degrees based on your subscription). Plus, all of this is valid for not one, but two PCs.
It’s the perfect solution for a smooth and error-free partitioning process. If you want to organize your hard drives efficiently and make the most of all your space without doing irreparable damage, it’s definitely worth the investment.
There are instances when you have to connect to another Windows 10 PC via remote connection from another Windows 10 PC. However, when you encountered an error saying, “Your password may have expired or the remote pc might not accept blank passwords” while doing so then read on as this post will walk you through how you can fix it.
Here is the full content of the error message:
“Your password may have expired, or the remote PC might not accept blank passwords. Try connecting again. If this keeps happening, ask your admin or tech support for help.”
It is unknown what the exact cause of the error message is as it could involve several factors. Even so, there are still various potential fixes you can try to fix this kind of error. You can try to check if your password has expired or troubleshoot any issues with the network. You could also use a remote desktop application or configure the settings of firewall or restart the remote desktop service. For more details, refer to each one of the given options below. But before you proceed, make sure that you have someone to help assist you on the other side to help you troubleshoot the issue.
Option 1 – Try to check if the password has expired
The first thing you can do to fix the problem is to check if the password has expired as it could be the reason why you’re experiencing this problem. You have to make sure that you are using a user account that is on the remote computer and then check if the user account password has not expired yet. And if your PC is not within your access, then you can just ask someone to verify the password for you.
Option 2 – Try to troubleshoot network issues
To troubleshoot network-related issues that might be the one that triggers the error, you need to run the Network Troubleshooter. To get started, refer to these steps:
Open the Search bar on your computer and type in “troubleshoot” to open the Troubleshoot settings.
Next, scroll down and select the “Network Adapter” option from the right pane.
Then click on the Run Troubleshooter” button.
After that, your computer will check for any possible errors and will pinpoint the root cause of the problem if possible.
Restart your computer.
Option 3 – Try to use a remote desktop software
A number of users reported that the issue occurred when they used the universal app for Remote Desktop and they were able to fix it by switching to the Remote Desktop application. Thus, you can try to switch to the remote desktop software and see if it fixes the problem or not.
Option 4 – Try to configure Firewall settings
You might also want to configure the settings of the Firewall as it could also help in fixing the problem. It is possible that the firewall is blocking the incoming connection on the remote computer. To check if whether the firewall is the culprit or not, follow the steps below.
Go to Windows Security and then go to Firewall and network application.
Next, click on the Advanced Settings link. This will open the classic Windows Defender Firewall and Advanced Security application.
From there, look for the rule named “Remote Desktop – User Mode (TCP-In)” under inbound rules and check if it has been disabled or not.
If the rule is disabled, you have to enable it.
Once done, check if the error is now fixed or not.
Option 5 – Try to restart the Remote Desktop service
If none of the four given options given above worked, you might want to restart the Remote Desktop service as it can help you in fixing the problem. To do so, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box 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 Remote Desktop Service and right-click on it, and then click on the Restart option.
Once done, check it was able to fix the “Your password may have expired or the remote pc might not accept blank passwords” error or not.
As you know, Windows 10 is equipped with a Mobile Hotspot feature that allows users to share the existing internet connections to other devices over Wi-Fi. However, one of the downsides to this feature is that it does not stay on if there are no devices connected to it for over five minutes. In other words, if there are no devices connected to the mobile hotspot for five minutes, it will turn off automatically. Thus, if you want the mobile hotspot to stay turned on, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will walk you through how to stop the Mobile Hotspot from turning off in Windows 10.
There are two scenarios tackled in this post wherein the Mobile Hotspot feature turns off automatically and where the hotspot disables when there is no internet connection. To remedy these scenarios, you can try turning off the power saving feature or use a PowerShell command to change the “PeerlessTimeoutEnabled” settings or increase the Mobile Hotspot idle timeout settings. You could also increase the timeout period when a cellular connection is not available or disable the Wi-Fi and network adapter power management options. For detailed instructions, refer to each one of the given options below.
Option 1 – Try turning off the power saving feature
The first solution you can check out is to turn off the power-saving feature. To do so, follow these steps:
Open the Settings app and go to Network & Internet and from there, click on the Mobile Hotspot option.
Next, toggle the “Share my Internet connection with other devices” option.
After that, toggle the “When no devices are connected, automatically turn off mobile hotspot” option.
Option 2 – Execute a command in PowerShell
The next option you can try to keep the mobile hotspot turned on is through a command in PowerShell. To get started, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + X keys and select the “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” option.
Next, execute the following command to make sure that the Mobile Hotspot stays on even when no devices are connected to it:
After the command is executed, here is what the script is doing in the background:
It stops the Mobile Hotspot service (icssvc).
It navigates to this registry path (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesicssvcSettings) and creates a DWORD key named “PeerlessTimeoutEnabled” which has a value of 0.
It then restarts the Mobile Hotspot Service (icssvc).
Option 3 – Try increasing the Mobile Hotspot idle timeout settings
Another option you can try is to increase the idle timeout settings of the mobile hotspot. In case you don’t know, the default timeout when there’s no active connection is about five minutes. So if you don’t want to keep it on always but want to keep it on longer than five minutes, then this option is for you. All you have to do is change the same key (PeerlessTimeout) as mentioned above, at a different location. In fact, you can change it to a maximum of 120 minutes. To give this a try, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “Regedit” in the field and then tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Next, navigate to this registry path: HKLMSystemControlSet001ServicesICSSVCSettingsPeerlessTimeout
From there, change its value to anywhere between 1 up to 120.
Once done, exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
Option 4 – Try increasing the timeout period when a cellular connection is not available
There are many times when you want to connect devices so it becomes part of the network. And as pointed out, the Mobile Hotspot turns off automatically when there is no internet or mobile data but when you use a registry setting, you can change any value between 1 and 60 inclusive.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “Regedit” in the field and then tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Next, navigate to this registry path: HKLMSystemControlSet001ServicesICSSVCSettingsPublicConnectionTimeout
From there, set the value of the “Timeout” key between 1 and 60.
After that, close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.
Option 5 – Try to disable the Wi-Fi and Network adapter in Power Management options
As you know, the Wi-Fi adapter and the network devices have properties that will turn off when on battery and when it’s not used for a long time so you can try to disable these options.
Tap the Win + X + M keys to open the Device Manager.
Next, expand the list of Network devices and select the Wi-Fi adapter.
After that, go to the Power Management tab and make sure that anything related to power saving should be turned off. This will ensure that none of the network devices will turn off the Mobile Hotspot or trigger anything that will do that.
When you get the “HTTP Error 304 Not modified” error in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge, there can be lots of reasons why you’re getting this error. The HTTP Error code 304 means redirection, technically. It could be that the DNS has some issues or the cache is already reusing the existing information to look for a website or it could also be that your browser might be infected.
In this post, we will show you what you can do to fix the “HTTP Error 304 Not modified” error when you are not able to open a website on your browser. Here are the exact details of the error message:
“This status code is returned if the client has already downloaded resources since the last visit and is displayed to notify the client browser that the requested resources is already stored in the browser cache which hasn’t been modified.”
Follow each one of the given fixes below to resolve the issue.
Option 1 – Clear the browsing data on your browsers
The first thing you can try is clearing the browsing data on your browsers.
Microsoft Edge:
Open Microsoft Edge.
Then click on the three horizontal dots to open the menu.
From there, click on Settings. And under Settings, click the “Choose what to clear” button under the Clear browsing data section.
Next, check all the checkboxes and then click the Clear button to clear the browsing data in the Edge browser.
Restart Edge.
Google Chrome:
Open Chrome and then click on the three vertical dots located at the top of the window.
Then click on Settings.
After that, click on Advanced. And from the Privacy and Security section, click on the “Clear browsing data” option.
Now click on the CLEAR DATA button.
Restart Chrome.
Mozilla Firefox:
Open Firefox and then click on the three horizontal lines to open the menu.
From there, click on Options.
Next, select Privacy & Security.
After that, click on the Clear Now button under the Cached Web Content section and then click the Clear All Data button under the Site Data section.
Restart Firefox.
Option 2 – Flush DNS and reset the TCP/IP
There are some websites that don’t resolve since the DNS in your computer still remembers that old IP address. And so you need to flush the DNS as well as reset the TCP/IP on your computer.
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
After you key in the commands listed above, the DNS cache will be flushed and the TCP/IP will reset.
Option 3 – Try using the Google Public DNS
Changing your DNS to Google Public DNS might also help you in fixing the “HTTP Error 304 Not modified” error. To do so, follow the steps below.
The first thing you have to do is right-click on the network icon in the Taskbar and select Network and Sharing Center.
Next, click on the “Change Adapter Settings” option.
After that, search for the network connection that you are using to connect to the internet. Note that the option might be “Wireless Connection” or “Local Area Connection”.
Right-click on your network connection and click on Properties.
Then select the new window to choose the “Internet Protocol 4 (TCP/IPv4)” option.
After that, click on the Properties button and click the checkbox in the new window for the option “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
Type in “8.8.8.8” and “8.8.4.4” and click OK and exit.
Option 4 – Run Cleanup Tool and disable Extensions
You might also want to run the Cleanup Tool in Chrome if you are using this browser as well as disable all the extensions as some of them, if not all, might be the reason why you’re getting the “HTTP Error 304 Not modified” error.
Error code 0xc004f034 occurs when Windows 10 users fail to activate their operating system. This activation error code affects not only Windows 10 but those using other versions of the Windows operating system including Windows 8.1. Users experiencing this problem will notice the following common symptoms which occur:
Inability to activate Windows 10 operating system
Message box with error code 0xc004f034
Solution
Error Causes
Error code 0xc004f034 usually results from issues related to activation servers. In such cases when servers are busy, users will not be able to complete the activation process which would result in access to their Windows 10 edition of choice. The error code may also result from issues related to your product key. For this reason, be sure to use the correct product key when you attempt to activate Windows 10.
Further Information and Manual Repair
The completion of manual repair methods can be an effective way to correct issues like error codes in Windows 10. To begin, however, ensure you follow the instructions as given as making even a slight mistake will result in unfavorable results. If, for whatever reason, you have trouble completing the steps suggested below, feel free to contact a Windows repair technician. This type of IT professional is usually equipped with knowledge and expertise to access your particular situation. Otherwise, see the manual repair methods listed below and complete at least one method to fix error code 0xc004f034.
Method One: Ensure You Enter a Valid Product Key
If there is a problem with your product key, you will need to ensure you fix it before you can resolve error code 0xc004f034. Follow the instructions below after ensuring you have a valid product key.
Step one: Click the Start button then select Settings
Step two: Select Update & security then Activation
Step three: Click the Change product key
Step four: Type in your valid product key with its 25 characters in the correct order
Your system will activate Windows 10 if the issue was related to the use of an invalid product key. However, attempt manual method two if error code 0xc004f034 reappears and you are unable to complete the activation process.
Method Two: Reattempt Windows 10 Activation Until Process Completes
In many cases, error code 0xc004f034 occurs simply due to a busy server. This was the case in 2015 in particular when Windows users first received access to editions of Windows 10 like Windows 10 Pro. To complete this process, you will need to follow the instructions below, repeating the last step until the activation occurs.
Step one: Click the Start button then select Settings
Step two: After selecting Settings, click Update & Security
Step three: Select Windows Update then the Check for updates tab
Step four: Click Activate Windows 10 update
If this method is successful, you will finally be able to update your system to the Windows 10 edition of your choice. This process may take just a few minutes – and several attempts – before you resolve the issue. Remember to be patient. However, contact a Windows repair technician to evaluate your system if the issue persists for more than a few days.
Method Three: Use an Automated Tool
If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 8 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.
Reddit is one of the most popular websites in the world and how Microsoft is opening doors to everyone in its new store Reddit took a logical step and made a Progressive web application and placed it in it.
Being a Progressive web app makes it more familiar and feels like a home experience using it for a lot of Reddit users.
Reddit itself has a large community and active topics discussions all the time about anything. Bringing it to Windows as an application is, in my opinion, a great move since as an application it is independent, more light-weighted, and offering some other advantages specifically tied to being a standalone windows application.
Everyone familiar with and using the Reddit website will feel right at home in this app and you can start using it right away.
When you upgrade your Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 system to Windows 10, you’ll undergo a phase called Out of Box Experience, or simply OOBE. This phase is intended to allow users to customize their Windows 10 experience, which includes defining personal settings, creating user accounts, and more. Some users reported having issues when creating their user account during the Out of Box Experience (OOBE) on Windows 10 upgrade. Some also reported issues about non-responsive behavior (Welcome Back) page.
Solution
Error Causes
Unfortunately, there’s no known cause for this error. However, some users reported that this occurs when:
Your Windows 10 upgrade will not be successful if you’re not able to create a user account or finish the Out of the Box (OOBE) phase of the installation. Here are some methods that will help you fix this manually.
Method 1 – Wait and retry
Some users reported that waiting for about an hour and retrying the process again will solve this problem. It’s also recommended that you keep your computer in a ventilated place while you wait to retry the process.
Method 2 – Load default user manually
This method has 2 requirements in order to work.
You need to be upgrading from a previous Windows version, and
Your Windows was originally configured to automatically boot to desktop
If you meet these two requirements, you can solve the error by following the steps below:
Hold CTRL+ESC keys. Windows should load the default user after doing this step.
Press the Windows key + X. Then, click the Computer Management icon
Choose “Local Users and Groups”
Double click on Users
Right-click on the right pane, and then choose “New User”
Create a new user account and password
Method 3 – Power down your laptop
This method only applies if you’re a laptop user.
Power down your laptop
Remove the battery of your laptop
Wait for about 10 minutes
Connect your laptop using direct current
Turn on your laptop again
Create a new user account and log in
Method 4 – Create a local account if you’re trying to set up a Microsoft account
Instead of connecting to a Microsoft Account after the set-up, you might want to try creating a local account. To do this, follow the steps below:
Power down your computer if you are to set up a Local Account.
Disconnect your computer from the Internet, either Wired or Wireless
Unplug your computer, and wait for about 10 minutes.
Reconnect your computer and start Windows. Do NOT connect to the Internet and make sure you’re disconnected to any devices you don’t need.
Try creating a user account again
If the steps above don’t work, you might want to try Startup repair.
Method 5 – Boot your computer from Windows 10 media
In order to do this step, you need to have official Windows 10 ISO files.
Go to the “Install Now” screen
Choose Repair your computer
Click Advanced Options
Click Safe Mode
After doing the steps above, there’s a chance you get an error message that says “installation cannot be completed in safe mode”. When you see this, just press Shift+F10. This will execute and open the command prompt of your computer.
From the command prompt, you can try and create a new user account.
For example, net user Username Password /add
The username here should be replaced with the account name you want to add, and the Password here should be replaced with the password you want to use for the account.
After replacing the username and password on the text, press the Enter button on your keyboard. You’ll know if the command is successful once you see the message, “The command completed successfully.”
You can now close the command prompt. Restart your computer and try to log in using the account you just created.
Method 6 – Use a powerful automated software
If all the above methods still don’t work, it might be best to try automated software to help you fix this problem.
If you see the following error message in the File History tab of the File Recovery utility of the Windows Backup module in your Windows 10 computer, read on as this post will guide you in fixing it with the help of two potential fixes.
“An internal error has occurred: The specified resource name cannot be found in the image file. (0x90070716).”
You can also encounter this error when you run the System Image Backup function. As mentioned, you can resolve this error using two potential fixes namely checking the status of the Windows Backup Service and checking the settings in the Windows Registry. For more details, refer to the instructions provided below but before you proceed, it would be better if you create a System Restore point first.
Option 1 – Try checking the status of the Windows Backup Service
First, you need to tap the Win + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “services.msc” in the field and click OK or tap Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
After that, you will see a list of services and from there, look for the Windows Backup Service and double click on it to open its Properties.
Then check if its Startup type is set to Disabled. If it is, then change it to “Manual”. Note that this service is essential as it provides backup and restores capabilities.
Now click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made and then restart your computer. Check if the error is now gone.
Option 2 – Try checking the Registry setting of Windows Backup
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “Regedit” in the field and tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
After opening the Registry Editor, navigate to this registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionWindowsBackup
From there, look for DWORDs named “ValidConfig” and “ValidSystemImageBackup” located in the right-side panel.
Once you found them, delete them or set both of their values to “0” and make sure that the base is Hexadecimal and click OK.
Now exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes made.
FindWide is a browser add-on for Internet Explorer. This addon Hijacks your home page and internet search provider changing it to search.findwide.com. Alternate versions change the homepage to search.us.com.
This addon monitors your user activity while you are surfing the web. It collects user and browsing data, that it uses to better display targeted ads. While browsing with this addon enabled you will see additional ads, sponsored links, and even sometimes pop-up ads displaying throughout your browsing sessions.
Several anti-virus programs have marked this addon as a Browser Hijacker and is therefore not recommended to keep on your computer.
From the Author: Each search engine has its own method of searching and each will return different results. Findwide.com looks at all of them, decides which are most relevant to your search, eliminates duplicates, and reveals them to you. In the end, you get a list of results more complete than using any one search engine alone.
Help! Malware Blocking Antivirus Installation And Access To The Internet
Viruses could cause plenty of damage to your computer. Some malware is meant to restrict or block things that you wish to do on your personal computer. It may well not permit you to download anything from the net or it will stop you from accessing some or all websites, especially the anti-malware websites. If you’re reading this, you probably have got infected by a virus that prevents you from installing a computer security program like Safebytes Antimalware on your PC. Even though this kind of problem can be tougher to get around, there are some steps you can take.
Download the application in Safe Mode with Networking
If any virus is set to run automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, entering Safe Mode could block the attempt. Since only the bare minimum applications and services launch in safe mode, there are seldom any reasons for conflicts to take place. To launch your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 PCs in Safe Mode with Networking, follow the instructions below.
1) Press the F8 key continuously as soon as your computer boots, but before the big Windows logo comes up. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu.2) Choose Safe Mode with Networking using arrow keys and press ENTER.3) When you are into this mode, you will have online access again. Now, utilize your browser to download and install Safebytes.4) Following installation, do a full scan and let the software get rid of the threats it discovers.
Switch over to an alternate web browser
Certain malware might target vulnerabilities of a specific web browser that obstruct the downloading process. In the event you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by malware or otherwise compromised by hackers, the best course of action is to switch over to an alternate internet browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to download your chosen computer security application – Safebytes Anti-Malware.
Install antivirus on a USB drive
Here’s another solution which is using portable USB anti-malware software that can scan your computer for malicious software without needing installation. Follow these steps to run the anti-malware on the affected computer system.
1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or MS Windows Defender Offline onto a clean computer.2) Plug the Flash drive into the uninfected computer.3) Double-click the exe file to open the installation wizard.4) When asked, select the location of the pen drive as the place in which you want to put the software files. Follow the directions to complete the installation process.5) Transfer the USB drive from the clean PC to the infected PC.6) Double-click the anti-malware software EXE file on the thumb drive.7) Press the “Scan” button to run a full computer scan and remove malware automatically.
Protect Your PC & Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware
To help protect your computer or laptop from various internet-based threats, it is very important to install anti-malware software on your computer system. However, with countless numbers of antimalware companies in the marketplace, nowadays it is actually challenging to decide which one you should obtain for your laptop. A few are good ones, some are decent, while some are simply just fake anti-malware software that will harm your PC themselves! You must be careful not to choose the wrong product, especially if you buy a premium program. Among few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended program for security-conscious people.
SafeBytes anti-malware is a trustworthy tool that not only protects your PC completely but is also very easy to use for people of all skill levels. With its cutting-edge technology, this application can help you eliminate multiples types of malware like computer viruses, trojans, PUPs, worms, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers.
SafeBytes anti-malware offers an array of advanced features which sets it apart from all others. The following are some typical features present in this computer software:
Real-time Threat Response: Malware programs attempting to enter the system are discovered and stopped as and when detected by the SafeBytes active protection shields. This tool will always monitor your PC for any suspicious activity and updates itself continuously to keep current with the latest threats.
Robust Anti-malware Protection: By using a critically acclaimed anti-malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection that is made to catch and eliminate threats that are concealed deep inside your computer.
Web Filtering: Through its unique safety score, SafeBytes alerts you whether a website is safe or not to visit it. This will assure that you’re always certain of your safety when browsing the net.
Lowest CPU/Memory Usage: SafeBytes is well-known for its low effect on computer resources and great detection rate of countless threats. It runs quietly and efficiently in the background so you are free to use your computer at full power all the time.
Fantastic Technical Support: Support service is accessible 24 x 7 x 365 days via chat and email to answer your queries.
To conclude, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is really great for securing your computer against all sorts of malware threats. Once you’ve installed SafeBytes Anti-Malware, you will no longer have to bother about malware or other security concerns. If you’re searching for a comprehensive antivirus program that’s still easy to use, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is just what you need!
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you do not wish to use an automated tool and like to eliminate FindWide manually, you could possibly do so by going to the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu in the Control Panel and deleting the offending program; in cases of browser plug-ins, you can uninstall it by visiting the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. You might also want to reset your home page and search engine providers and also clear your browser cache and cookies.
Finally, examine your hard disk for all of the following and clean your Windows registry manually to remove leftover application entries following uninstalls. But bear in mind, this is often a complicated task and only computer professionals could perform it safely. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing removal. Carrying out this malware-removal process in Safe Mode is suggested.
Files:
C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Local Settings\Application Data\TNT2.0.0.1599\Autorun.inf
C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Local Settings\Application Data\TNT2.0.0.1599\crx.tar
C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Local Settings\Application Data\TNT2.0.0.1599\ffassist.1.dll
C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Local Settings\Application Data\TNT2.0.0.1599\GLOBALUNINSTALL.TNT
C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Local Settings\Application Data\TNT2.0.0.1599\hmac.1.dll
C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Local Settings\Application Data\TNT2.0.0.1599\iehpr.1.dll
C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Local Settings\Application Data\TNT2.0.0.1599\iestage2.1.dll
C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Local Settings\Application Data\TNT2.0.0.1599\IEToolbar.dll
C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Local Settings\Application Data\TNT2.0.0.1599\IEToolbar64.dll
C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Local Settings\Application Data\TNT2.0.0.1599\INSTALL.TNT
A lot of users rely on keyboard shortcuts to carry out tasks on their PCs. One of the most common keyboard shortcuts used is the Ctrl + Shift + Esc which opens the Task Manager. As you can see, the Shift key is not just used to capitalize a text as it can also be used for other functions and plays an essential role in operating a computer. However, if you suddenly find it not working, read on as this post will help you fix the problem.
If your Shift key is not working, there are several potential fixes you can check out to fix it.
These are the different ways to get rid of the Shift key not working issue on Windows 10:
Physically clean the key and keyboard
Disable Sticky Keys.
Update, Reinstall, or Rollback Keyboard driver.
Test the keyboard on another system.
Check your connections
Run the Hardware troubleshooter
Troubleshoot in Clean Boot State.
Option 1 – Clean the keyboard keys physically
Your keyboard might not be working properly due to some dirt or other corrosion. Thus, you need to clean your keyboard, especially the Shift key. First, you need to shut down your computer and then unplug the keyboard if you are using a desktop computer and then prepare it for cleaning. After that, use a small cotton ear cleaning tool to get between the creases and clean them. You can dip it slightly in alcohol to make it more efficient in cleaning dust and dirt. And if you can, you have the option to pull apart the keyboard completely and then wipe away all the corrosion from the inside. Once you’re done, put the keyboard back together and then plug it back into your PC. Now turn your PC on and check if the Shift key is now working.
Option 2 – Try to disable the Sticky keys
Another thing you can try is to disable the Stick keys. How? Refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings app.
After that, navigate to the Ease of Access section, and here, select Keyboard.
Next, make sure that the option for Press one key at a time under the Sticky Keys is toggled off.
Option 3 – Reinstall, update or rollback your keyboard driver
Once you’ve determined that the problem is in the software part of the keyboard, it is now time to try to reinstall, update or roll back your keyboard drivers. To reinstall the driver for your keyboard, refer to these steps:
From the WinX Menu, open the Device Manager.
In the Device Manager, you should find your laptop’s keyboard under the “Keyboards” option. Right-click on it and select the “Uninstall” option.
Note: If you’re not quite certain about your laptop’s keyboard, you can uninstall all the keyboards if there’s more than one.
After that, restart your PC and see if the keyboard driver is installing automatically. If not, open the Device Manager again and right-click on Keyboards, and select the option “Scan for hardware changes” to install it.
Once the keyboard driver is installed again, check if your keyboard is now working properly or not.
Option 4 – Try connecting the keyboard to a different USB port or another computer
The problem might have something to do with the USB port that’s currently in use by your keyboard. It could be that it’s not working so it makes sense to unplug it and attach it to another USB port. You can also clean the USB port on both ends to ensure that they are not affected by corrosion. In addition, you can also try connecting the keyboard to a different computer and see if the Shift key works there or not.
Option 5 – Try to check your connections
You can also try checking if the connection mode you are using for your keyboard is functioning properly. For instance, if you are using a Surface 2-in-device, you can clean the connection pins and see if it resolves the problem.
Option 6 – Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooters
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.
Option 7 – Put your PC in a Clean Boot State
You might also want to put your computer in a Clean Boot State to fix the problem with the Shift key. It could be that there is a third-party program that’s preventing the Shift key from functioning. To isolate this possibility, you need to put your computer in a Clean Boot State.
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.)
Now try to connect the external devices and check if the error is now gone.
intel's first gaming card that will hit the market soon has been shown in its innovation event, the Intel Arc A770. In its core ticks ACM-G10, coming with 32 Xe-cores and all the way up to 16GB of GDDR6 memory (the basic entry-level version will have 8GB of GDDR6). The card will support ray tracing and supersampling with Intel's XeSS.
This is Intel's first gaming desktop GPU and after testing with some YouTube channels it turned out that the card itself sits somewhere between nVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti and an RTX 3070 so it will still be low in performance compared with the new RTX 4090 or AMD's new RDNA3 upcoming lineup. But as stated this is Intel's first gaming graphics card and having this kind of performance is no small feat for the first-time product.
One thing that is really great tho and that is going for Arc A770 GPU is its price! The Limited Edition card will cost $329 which is at this moment most cheapest GPU currently on the market in that performance range. nVIDIA is between $500 and $700 for comparison and if Intel can hold on to its performance with almost half the price card could be a great hit among gamers. GPU itself will launch on October 12th.