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Easy Remove FreeRideGames PUP Removal Tutorial

Free Ride Games is a desktop casual game program and potentially unwanted application. It sets its player to run in startup boot with Windows and installs additional files outside of its designated installation folders. The software reads PC information to display targeted advertising and runs a background process that cannot be shut down even by exiting the FreeRide Player. The player runs in full screen with no visible window controls to exit or minimize, and contains unskippable advertising in its function. While not malicious, the FreeRide Player possesses many traits that as of publication time have caused some AntiVirus programs to designate it as potentially unwanted adware. It has also been associated with adware distribution toolbars such as GameVance.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking means a malicious code has power over and modified the settings of your browser, without your consent. Browser hijacker malware is created for a variety of reasons. Typically, hijackers will force hits to websites of their preference either to increase web traffic generating higher ad earnings, or to gain a commission for each and every user visiting there. Many people think that such websites are legitimate and harmless but that is incorrect. Nearly every browser hijacker poses an actual threat to your online safety and it is vital to categorize them under privacy risks. When the malware attacks your computer or laptop, it begins to mess things up a whole that slows your system down to a crawl. In the worse case, you will be pushed to deal with serious malware threats as well.

Browser hijacking signs

There are numerous signs that could indicate a browser hijacking:
1. you find unauthorized modifications to your Internet browser’s home-page
2. when you enter a URL, you find yourself regularly directed to some other website than the one you actually intended
3. the default web engine and the default browser settings are modified
4. discover new toolbars that you didn’t add
5. you might find numerous pop-up adverts on your computer screen
6. your internet browser has become unstable or starts running sluggishly
7. you are blocked to access those sites of security solution providers.

How it infects your computer

Browser hijackers could use drive-by downloads or file-sharing websites or even an email attachment to reach a targeted computer. They can also come from any BHO, extension, toolbar, add-on, or plug-in with malicious objectives. Also, certain freeware and shareware can put the hijacker in your computer through the “bundling” technique. An example of some notorious browser hijacker includes Conduit, Anyprotect, Babylon, DefaultTab, SweetPage, Delta Search, and RocketTab, but the names are constantly changing.

Browser hijacking can lead to serious privacy issues and also identity theft, affect your web browsing experience by taking control of outbound traffic, substantially slows down your personal computer by depleting a lot of resources and lead to system instability as well.

How to remove a browser hijacker

Some hijackers could be removed by just uninstalling the related freeware or add-ons through the Add or Remove Programs in the Windows Control Panel. However, most hijackers are difficult to eliminate manually. Regardless of how much you attempt to get rid of it, it might keep returning again and again. Furthermore, manual removals demand in-depth system knowledge and therefore can be an extremely difficult task for beginner computer users.

Can't Install Safebytes Anti-malware due to the presence of Malware? Try This!

Malware can cause all kinds of damage when they invade your system, from stealing your personal details to erasing files on your computer system. Some malware sits in between the computer and your net connection and blocks a few or all internet sites that you really want to check out. It might also prevent you from adding anything on your PC, particularly anti-malware applications. If you are reading this, chances are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download and/or install the Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your system. Even though this sort of problem can be harder to get around, there are a few actions you can take.

Install the anti-virus in Safe Mode

If the virus is set to load automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, entering Safe Mode could block the attempt. Only minimal required applications and services are loaded when you boot your computer or laptop into Safe Mode. To launch your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 PCs in Safe Mode with Networking, please do as instructed below.

1) At power on, hit the F8 key while the Windows splash screen begins to load. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu.
2) Select Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and hit ENTER.
3) When you are into this mode, you should have online access once again. Now, get the malware removal application you want by using the browser. To install the software, follow the directions in the setup wizard.
4) Following installation, run a complete scan and let the program delete the threats it discovers.

Download the antivirus program in an alternate browser

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

Make a bootable USB antivirus drive
Another option is to save and operate an anti-malware software program entirely from a USB drive. To run anti-malware from a USB drive, follow these simple steps:
1) Download the anti-malware program on a virus-free PC.
2) Plug in the pen drive into the clean computer.
3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, which has a .exe file extension.
4) Select flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you exactly where you wish to install the application. Follow the directions to complete the installation process.
5) Remove the flash drive. Now you can use this portable antivirus on the infected computer.
6) Double-click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the thumb drive to run the software.
7) Click on the “Scan” button to run a full computer scan and remove viruses automatically.

How SafeBytes Anti-Malware Keep your Machine Virus Free"]If you are planning to buy anti-malware for your desktop, there are numerous brands and applications for you to consider. Some are very good ones, some are decent, while some are merely bogus anti-malware applications that will damage your computer themselves! You have to look for a tool that has gained a strong reputation and detects not just viruses but other types of malware also. Among few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended program for the security-conscious end user.

SafeBytes anti-malware is really a powerful, highly effective protection tool made to assist end-users of all levels of computer literacy in detecting and removing malicious threats from their PC. After you have installed this tool, SafeBytes sophisticated protection system will make sure that no viruses or malicious software can seep through your PC.

SafeBytes has excellent features when compared to other anti-malware programs. The following are some typical features found in this software:

Active Protection: SafeBytes provides complete and real-time security for your personal machine. It will check your computer system for suspicious activity continuously and its unrivaled firewall protects your PC from unauthorized access by the outside world.

Most effective AntiMalware Protection: Using its enhanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware removal tool can detect and eliminate the malware threats hiding in your computer system effectively.

Web Protection: SafeBytes checks and gives a unique safety rating to each and every website you visit and block access to webpages considered to be phishing sites, thus safeguarding you from identity theft, or known to contain malicious software.

Faster Scanning: Safebytes Anti-Malware, using its advanced scanning engine, provides extremely fast scanning which can quickly target any active online threat.

Light-weight: This software is lightweight and will work silently in the background, and that does not have an effect on your computer efficiency.

24/7 Online Tech Support: You can get 24/7 technical support to promptly resolve any concern with your security tool.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove FreeRideGames without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser.

To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.

The following files, folders, and registry entries are created or modified by FreeRideGames.

Files:
C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll
C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb
C:WINDOWSsystem32msxml3r.dll
C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B
C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat
C:WINDOWSsystem32rsaenh.dll
C:Documents and SettingsUSERLocal SettingsTemp_uninsep.bat
C:WINDOWSsystem32shdocvw.dll
C:WINDOWSsystem32stdole2.tlb
c:autoexec.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDMLog.log
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDM_DB_143.xml
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpIKernel.ex_
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempIEC4.tmp
C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32temp.000
C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpSetup.exe
C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe -RegServer01235B
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll
C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb
C:WINDOWSsystem32msxml3r.dll
C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll
C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb
C:WINDOWSsystem32msxml3r.dll
C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B
C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat
C:WINDOWSsystem32rsaenh.dll
C:Documents and SettingsUSERLocal SettingsTemp_uninsep.bat
C:WINDOWSsystem32shdocvw.dll
C:WINDOWSsystem32stdole2.tlb
c:autoexec.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDMLog.log
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDM_DB_143.xml
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpIKernel.ex_
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempIEC4.tmp
C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32temp.000
C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpSetup.exe
C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe -RegServer01235B
C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat
C:WINDOWSsystem32rsaenh.dll
C:Documents and SettingsUSERLocal SettingsTemp_uninsep.bat
C:WINDOWSsystem32shdocvw.dll
C:WINDOWSsystem32stdole2.tlb
c:autoexec.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll
C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb
C:WINDOWSsystem32msxml3r.dll
C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B
C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat
C:WINDOWSsystem32rsaenh.dll
C:Documents and SettingsUSERLocal SettingsTemp_uninsep.bat
C:WINDOWSsystem32shdocvw.dll
C:WINDOWSsystem32stdole2.tlb
c:autoexec.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDMLog.log
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDM_DB_143.xml
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpIKernel.ex_
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempIEC4.tmp
C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32temp.000
C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpSetup.exe
C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe -RegServer01235B
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDMLog.log
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDM_DB_143.xml
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpIKernel.ex_
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempIEC4.tmp
C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32temp.000
C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpSetup.exe
C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe -RegServer

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Guide to Patching Error Code 34

Code 34 - What is it?

Code 34 is one of the several Device Manager error codes. This error code indicates that a hardware device on your PC is not properly configured.

This usually occurs when the device installed on your system is a non-plug and play. Non-plug and play devices don’t configure automatically and require manual configuration from the users end.

Error code 34 is usually displayed in the following format:

“Windows cannot determine the settings for this device. Code 34”

Solution

driverfix boxError Causes

Error code 34 may be triggered due to several reasons like:

  • Improper device configuration
  • Missing or outdated drivers

Device Manager error codes like code 34 are easy to fix. These error codes don’t indicate any serious PC problem, nor are they fatal like blue screen of death error codes.

Nonetheless fixing it immediately is advisable to ensure the proper functioning of the plugged-in hardware device. If you don’t resolve it, you may not be able to use the device.

Further Information and Manual Repair

When PC users experience error codes like code 34, they instantly think of hiring a professional for repair especially if they lack technical understanding.

If you are not a technical whiz and you are also thinking of hiring a professional for the repair job, then don’t! Here’s why, to begin with, Device Manager error codes can be resolved easily, better yet you can fix it by yourself without spending a dime even if you are not technically sound.

To help you, below is a list of easy and effective repair solutions for error code 34. Try them to resolve the issue.

Method 1 - Configure the Device by Using Device Manager

This is one of the best ways to resolve error code 34 on your system. The procedure will take 5 to 7 minutes. Simply follow the steps illustrated below to configure the problematic device on your PC.

  1. First off, go to the start menu
  2. Now type Device Manager in the search bar and press enter to continue
  3. Now in the Device Manager locate the problematic device and click on it
  4. Click on the resources tab to change the resource settings
  5. Now click on the Use Automatic Settings check box
  6. After that click on the Settings based on the tab and then click on the hardware configuration of the device you want to change
  7. Press resource type in the resource settings box to make further changes
  8. Once that is done, click change settings and type a new value for the resource type

Method 2 - Consult the Hardware Manufacturer for Resource Settings

You may not be able to configure resource settings for some devices in such an event it is advisable to consult your hardware manufacturer. Your hardware manufacturer can provide you with specific resource settings. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to repair error code 34.

If the error continues to persist even after device configuration, then the problem may be linked to driver corruption. In that case, try method 3.

Method 3 - Download DriverFIX to Update Drivers Automatically

Whether code 34 is caused by outdated or corrupted drivers, simply download DriverFIX to resolve. DriverFIX is an advanced and user-friendly software program deployed with an intelligent programming system.

The software scans your PC to detect all problematic drivers. It finds and matches the latest and compatible versions and then updates the drivers accordingly that too automatically and on a regular basis.

Click here to download DriverFIX to repair Device Manager error code 34 on your PC automatically.

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Changing the Ownership of a File or Folder
There are many times when you have to change the ownership of a folder or a file so that other users can use them as well or if you want to transfer files to them, or an old account has been removed and all the files need to be assigned to a new user. Windows 10 keeps all these files locked under the account by default which created a folder or file. So unless a user is an admin or if the file belongs to that particular user, other users won’t be able to access or edit the file. So if you want to change the ownership of a folder or a file, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on how exactly you can do that.

To get started, make sure to follow the instructions provided below carefully.

Step 1: First, you need to open File Explorer by tapping the Win + E keys. Once you’ve opened it, navigate to the folder or file that you want to change the ownership. Step 2: Right-click on the folder or file and click on Properties and then go to the Security tab. Step 3: From there, click on the Advanced button located at the bottom right part of the window to open the Advanced Security Settings of the folder or file. Step 4: As you can see, the current owner will be listed with the Change link available next to the “Owner” label. Now click on this link to open the Select User or Group window. Step 5: After that, click on the Advanced button once again and click on the “Find Now” button to see the list of all the users as well as groups that are available in the computer. Step 6: Then select the user you want to give ownership to and click on the OK button and then click the OK button once more to save the changes made. Step 7: This will take you back to the Advanced Security Settings window but this time, the owner will be changed to whoever user you’ve selected. But you’re not done yet as you still have to check two additional options to help you completely transfer the ownership of the sub-folders as well as the files. You have to check the checkbox of the following options:
  • Replace owner on sub-containers and objects
  • Replace all child permission entries with inheritable permission entries from the object.
Step 8: After that, you need to click the Apply and OK buttons to confirm and save the changes made. This will completely transfer the ownership of the file. However, there is still one last thing you have to do – you have to go back to the Advanced Security Settings window to remove the access of any other user on the folder or file. Once you’re there, remove the existing user to make sure that the only assigned user has the access to the folder or file.
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Computer gets stuck on Preparing to configure
If you suddenly find your Windows 10 computer stuck on the “Preparing to configure” screen for quite a long time now after you run Windows Update, read on as you will be guided on how you can fix that issue in this post. During an update process, there’s a lot of things that go on in the background which is why Windows Updates take quite a while before it finishes. It can be at 25%, 50%, or even 100% but the only message you’re going to see on your screen is the “Preparing to configure Windows, Don’t turn off your computer”. However, if you notice that the Windows Update is taking a longer time than it’s supposed to, the first option is to wait some more but if it’s still the same, then there’s definitely something wrong. This kind of issue occurs when Windows Update fails to configure in short correctly download and install the update. When this happens, it will revert all the changes which are why you were advised to wait for a couple of hours. There are two possibilities why your computer is stuck on the “Preparing to configure Windows, Don’t turn off your computer” screen. The first one is that the Windows 10 operating system is installing any updates. The second one is when the user profile takes time to load or encounters an error. There are several options you can try to fix the problem. You can try running System Restore or boot your computer in Safe Mode or repair the corrupted profile via Registry Editor. You might also want to try using installation media to boot and repair your computer if the other options didn’t work.

Option 1 – Perform System Restore

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
  • Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
  • After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.
Note: If you can’t boot into the desktop of your computer, you can run System Restore in the Advanced Startup Options by following these steps:
  • Boot your computer into the Advanced Startup Options screen.
  • From there, you will see some options to troubleshoot when you can’t log in to Windows in the usual way.
  • Now select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
  • After that, type “rstrui” and hit Enter to execute the command which will start the System Restore process.
  • Once it’s done, restart your computer.

Option 2 – Boot your computer in Safe Mode

You can try to tap the F8 key if you have it enabled in your Windows 10 computer, as you start your system to boot into Safe Mode. Once your computer is in Safe Mode, you can access the Start Menu and the Mouse and Keyboard. Aside from that, you can also access your files and other built-in tools in Windows such as Command Prompt, PowerShell, Computer Manager, Device Manager, Event Log Viewer, and many more. On the other hand, if you haven’t enabled the F8 key, you can just go to the Advanced Startup options to boot your computer into Safe Mode. Once you’re there, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart > Tap the number 4 key. After that, your computer will restart in Safe Mode. If you want to reboot into Safe Mode with Networking instead, you can tap the number 5 key and for Safe Mode with Command Prompt, tap the number 6 key. Once your computer is in Safe Mode, you can use any of the built-in tools to restore your computer or troubleshoot the problem that’s causing your computer to get stuck at the “Preparing to configure” screen.

Option 3 – Try to repair your corrupted profile via Registry

In this third option, you can try to repair the corrupted profile using the Registry but before you proceed, take note that you can only try this if you can boot into your desktop and if you can, make sure to create a System Restore Point and then follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter or click OK to open the Registry Editor.
  • Next, go to this registry key: ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionProfileList
  • Once you’ve opened the registry key, you should see a list of all the user profiles on your computer. Now click on each S-1-5 folder and look for the “ProfileImagePath” entry and double click on it to check which user account it is related to. You will see a path like “CUsersACK” where “ACK” is the username.
  • You should know which of the user account is corrupted. Just look for a key named “RefCount” and change its Value data to “0” and click OK. And if it isn’t available, simply right-click on the right pane and create it.
  • After that, double click on the key named “State” and make sure that the Value data is “0” and click OK.
  • Exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes made.

Option 4 – Try to use installation media to boot and repair your computer

Another thing you can try to resolve the issue is to use the Windows installation bootable media so you can boot and repair the operating system. To use it, follow these steps:
  • You need to first create an installation media which has the dame version of the operating system installed in your computer.
  • After that, once you reach the Install Windows screen, click on the “Repair your computer” link.
  • Wait until the repair is completed and then shut down your computer
  • Now once your computer has restarted, check if it can now boot properly.
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Fix Libmysql.dll is Missing Error in Windows
Libmysql.dll is missing or not found error appears in Windows when the user is trying to open and run the application. In this guide, we will offer you solutions on how to fix and remove this annoying error.
  1. Check recycle bin

    Some applications or purely by accident itself libmysql.dll gets deleted. If you have not turned recycle bin off go to it and check to see if the file is by any chance there. If you find it, right-click on it, choose restore, the error will be gone.
  2. Update drivers

    Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the Windows menu and click on Device manager In device manager locate device which has alert mark next to it Right-click on it and choose update driver Reboot your computer
  3. Run SFC scan

    Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X and choose command prompt (admin) In command prompt type in sfc /scannow and press ENTER wait for the operation to complete and Reboot your system
  4. Reinstall application

    if you are getting an error only on one application or an error has started to appear after the installation of a particular application go to Windows applications, uninstall it and then install it again. There is a chance that the file has been corrupted during the installation process.
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Setup has failed to determine install choices
Running the Windows Setup does not always go smoothly as you could encounter some errors along the way. One of these errors is the “Something happened, Setup has failed to determine supported install choices” error. The only given option in such cases is to click the Close button and exit the setup. This kind of error in Windows setup can occur when you try to downgrade to the previous version of Windows using the built-in mechanism. This error could be caused by a corrupted image or it is also possible that the set of files are incomplete. Aside from that, it could also be due to compatibility issues or that the module used to downgrade the Windows operating system is not configured properly. To fix this error, you have to run the Windows Setup program in compatibility mode so that you can downgrade Windows. You could also use the image for the lower version of Windows that’s available on the official site of Microsoft. But before you do any of these, make sure that you’re logged in as an administrator. To fix the “Something happened, Setup has failed to determine supported install choices” error, follow the given options below sequentially.

Option 1 – Try to run the Installer of the downgraded version in Compatibility Mode

This is the first thing you can try to resolve the issue instead of going right ahead on making a bootable device. So if you are downgrading Windows, you can try to run the installer in the compatibility mode for that specific Windows version.
  • Look for the setup file.
  • Once you find it, right-click on it and select Properties from the context menu.
  • After that, go to the Compatibility tab and mark the checkbox for “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” and from the drop-down list, select either Windows 7 or Windows 8.
  • You also have to check the “Run as administrator” option.
  • Now click the Apply button and then click OK to save the changes made and check if it has resolved the issue or not.

Option 2 – Try to troubleshoot compatibility

This option is almost the same as the first one except it is an alternative way of fixing the “Setup has failed to determine supported install choices” error in case the first one didn’t work. In this option, you will troubleshoot the compatibility issue.
  • Look for the setup file.
  • Then right-click on it and select the “Troubleshoot compatibility” from the context menu.
  • After that, click on the “Try recommended setting” option. Once the process is done, the error message should be gone.

Option 3 – Run the DISM tool

You can run the DISM tool as well to help fix the error code 0x80244022 during Windows Update. 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.

Option 4 – Try using the image from the official site of Microsoft

If none of the options given above worked, you can try to use the image from Microsoft’s official site. This would help, especially if the error is caused by a corrupted image or image folder with incomplete files.
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There is a system repair pending
If you are running a System File Checker scan but got an error message instead that says, “There is a system repair pending which requires reboot to complete, Restart Windows and run SFC again”, worry not for this post will walk you through how you can fix the problem. This kind of error can be addressed and fixed with several potential fixes which will be provided in this post. You can try to restart your computer and run a System File Checker scan again or delete the pending .xml file or use the “revertpendingactions” parameter for the DISM tool. For more information, refer to each one of the options given below.

Option 1 – Try restarting your computer and run the SFC again

The first thing you can do to fix the problem is to restart your computer and let the pending process be completed. After your computer restarted, try to run System File Checker again and see if the error is now fixed or not. If not, refer to the other options below.

Option 2 – Try deleting the pending .xml file

The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to delete the pending .xml file. How? All you have to do is navigate to this location at CWindowsWinSxS and from there, look for a pending .xml file and rename it or delete it. This will get rid of any pending tasks and will build a fresh new check.

Option 3 – Try to use the “revertpendingactions” parameter for the DISM tool

If the two options given above didn’t work, you can try using the revertpendingactions parameter for the DISM tool. If you’re not able to boot into Windows, then run Command Prompt from the Recovery Console and execute the given command below.
dism.exe /image:C: /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions
After you execute the command, restart your computer and try to run System File Checker again and see if it has fixed the problem or not.
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TPM 2.0 and Windows 11, all you need to know
TPM or Trusted Platform Module version 2.0 is a must-have if you plan on upgrading your system to Windows 11. So what exactly is TPM and do you have it?

TPM checkerWhat exactly is TPM?

TPM is a tamper-resistant hardware technology tasked with generating and storing encryption keys inside it for better PC security. It can be remotely used to authenticate hardware and software by utilizing a unique endorsement key placed into the hardware itself. This technology can be used for example in BitLocker inside Windows in order to have data on a hard drive encrypted so if the mentioned drive is connected to another computer it would not be able to be accessed since the encryption key is stored in the TPM module. Microsoft is pushing its agenda that Windows 11 must be and must feel like safety first OS which will protect user data and user information and requiring TPM means that each Windows 11 will be secure so no additional software patches will be required for an extra layer of security. Windows 11 will assume that each user has TPM encryption enabled and will be built upon that.

Do you have TPM on your computer?

If your computer or hardware has been purchased in 2016 or later there are very high chances that you already have the required technology to run Windows 11. Unfortunately, many gaming motherboards have not been placing TPM in their boards and you might not have it. Also, there is the option of you having it but it is turned off in motherboard settings making Windows unable to detect it. As you can clearly see there are a lot of scenarios around required tech and honestly it is a complete mess. But lucky for you there are ways to find out do you possess the needed module in order to make an upgrade. On your current computer on which you would like to make an upgrade in your current Windows OS press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog. Inside run dialog type in TPM.msc and press ENTER to open Trusted Platform Module Management on Local Computer. You will immediately receive information do you have the required module. If everything is fine, you are good to go, however, if it says that compatible TPM cannot be found there is a chance that either you do not have needed hardware or it might be turned off inside motherboard settings.

Check motherboard UEFI

If you have a newer motherboard but Windows utility cannot detect TPM there is a chance that it might be turned off directly on your board. In order to check this, you will have to boot up your PC into UEFI either by pressing the corresponding key when it is turned ON or from Windows reboot options. Once you are inside UEFI you need to find security options and see if there is an option to turn ON or enable TPM. Since every motherboard is different and has different UEFI software we cannot cover all of the permutations and the best we can do is hope that provided information is enough. You can also visit your motherboard manufacturer to see instructions for your specific case.

Conclusion

TPM itself is generally an OK idea and I can surely see good sides of it but there is this lurking feeling that generally, Microsoft is not really concerned about the security of our data and that the real requirement for this is trying to battle software piracy. I simply cannot trust company which introduced tons of telemetry tracking through ages and which has done everything in their power to battle non-legal use of their software. I do not promote piracy but I support free choice and besides, who can tell me what will happen if TPM malfunctions, will I lose all of my data forever? It is not so uncommon that TPM has malfunctioned in the past and it is only logical to presume it can do it again in the future but this time we will not have the choice not to use it, we will be forced into it.
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Fix This device is currently in use, USB Error
USB storage devices, peripherals, and other devices are almost used on a daily basis. And as you know, when removing the USB storage devices, it is recommended to always use the “Safely remove the USB storage device” option in order to prevent data corruption in the USB storage device. However, there are times when you may see the following error message after you use the “Safely remove the USB storage device” option:
“Problem ejecting USB Mass Storage – This device is currently in use, close any programs or windows that might be using this device, and then try again.”
This kind of error message occurs when the device is still interacting with the operating system in the background. There are several ways you can fix this error but before you check them out below, you need to close all the open windows and programs that may be using the USB storage device and then wait for a couple of seconds and then try safely removing it again. However, if you are still getting the same error message, then here are some tips you should try:

Option 1 – Try to use the Task Manager

  • Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
  • After that, look for the running processes and programs hogging on your USB Storage device. The error could be due to a program or process that’s using the USB device. This program or process will hog onto some Disk or CPU while transferring data and interacting with the device.
  • Once you find the culprits, right-click on each one of them and select End Process or End Task. You could also try to restart the process for “Explorer.exe” and see if it fixes the problem.

Option 2 – Try using DISKPART

The next thing you can try to resolve the issue is to use DISKPART. Refer to the given steps below to do so.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run and then type “cmd” in the field and tap Enter or click OK to open an elevated Command Prompt.
  • Next, type and enter this command to execute it: diskpart
  • The command you entered will initiate the DISKPART utility. After that, type and enter this second command: list disk
  • Next, type and enter this third command: list volume
  • The commands you just executed will help you in either listing all the Disk connects or all the partitions on those disks formed and from there, you need to select one command depending on the “list” command you entered. You can execute either of the two following commands:
    • select disk #
    • select volume #
  • After that, it will select the Disk or Partition you want to select.
  • Now type either one of the following commands:
    • offline disk #offline volume #
  • The command you entered will mark the selected disk is Offline. Afterward, try to safely remove your USB Storage device. Just remember that when you plug it back in again, you have to carry out the same method except for the last given command as this time you will have to enter either of these commands in order to get your USB storage device back online:
    • online disk #
    • online volume #

Option 3– Try using the Disk Management utility

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open Run.
  • Then type “diskmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Disk Management utility.
  • Next, look for the entry for your USB Storage device and once you’ve found it, right-click on it and select Offline.
  • After that, try to safely remove your USB Storage device again and see if the error is fixed. Note that you need to go over the same steps again if you want to plug your USB Storage device back in but make sure to select the Online option instead of Offline to get your device back online.
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5 Common Windows 11 Issues You Can Solve Super Quickly

It really sucks when you can’t fully enjoy the newest version of your favorite OS.

Windows 11 is still relatively fresh and consequently has some annoying little bugs that really ruin our experience. The good news is that you’re not alone and most of them are easy to fix.

Here are 5 commonly reported Windows 11 issues and what you can do to get rid of them.

1. Windows 11 audio problems

One of the absolute most irritating things in the world is struggling with the sound on your computer. Windows 11 users have reported facing the issue of low or no sound. If you’re currently experiencing the same frustration, you can be relieved. Chances are fixing it will only take a few minutes.

The first thing to check would be whether you accidentally muted your device by pressing the mute button on your keyboard. Yes, we know it sounds a lot like the old “have you tried turning it off and on again?” But it’s important to leave no stone unturned, and the most obvious things are usually the ones we easily overlook.

Moreover, if you have several audio output sources, check whether the right one is selected. You can do this via the Action Center or through Settings. If you want to use the same source every time, we also recommend you set it as the default one.

It’s also important to have a good, up-to-date audio driver. More often than not, this will be the true cause of your audio struggles. Make sure to update your driver, and if that doesn’t work out, you can always un- and reinstall it or install a different one. 

Lastly, if all attempts remain unsuccessful, run the audio troubleshooter to figure out what’s actually going wrong.

2. Unable to find files

Such a powerful new operating system, yet it can’t seem to do the simplest thing imaginable? The File Explorer not responding on Windows 11 is one of the most frustrating and most common problems with Microsoft’s newest iteration of its awesome OS.

However, 9/10 times it can be fixed by simply restarting your PC. You could also try killing the Windows Explorer process in the Task Manager and then rerunning it.

If these don’t help, check whether there are any pending Windows 11 updates. A single missing update can compromise your PC’s functionality, so always make sure to install them all on time. 

Should none of that work, then there are other ways to solve the File Explorer problem. However, then the issue is probably a bit deeper and it’s no longer in the ‘easy fix’ territory.

3. Start menu not working

Just like the File Explorer, the Start menu is a fundamental element of your OS. So, it’s only natural that its malfunction grinds your gears. It may be more customizable than on previous Windows versions, but it doesn’t always work smoothly. 

If you’re facing the so-called Start menu critical error, there are a few things this could be caused by. Usually it means you turned off your system while an important update was still being installed, there is a corrupt file on your PC, or Windows forcefully stopped a program. 

Whatever the reason, the solution should be pretty simple. Try the basic steps: restarting your File Explorer (like we explained above) and signing out and back into your account. If that doesn’t do anything, you may want to try uninstalling third-party start menu apps (if you have any), since they can interfere with your default programs’ functionality.

Now, those are the easy fixes. If you get nowhere with them, you might need to identify the root cause and search for more complex solutions than that.

4. Snipping tool not working

Our beloved screenshot tool was introduced with Windows 10 and Microsoft decided to keep it. However, you were probably just as disappointed as us when you tried to run it and failed. 

Normally, this can be fixed by installing the latest Out-of-band (OOB) update, or even pending updates in general. Even if your system appears to be up-to-date, run the checker just in case.

Another cool thing Windows 11 lets you do is ‘Repair’ and ‘Reset’, which is the easiest way to troubleshoot your Snipping tool. If this fails, you can also try the good old un- and reinstall method. Simply uninstall the tool through the Control Panel and reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.

Furthermore, in the case of an upgrade from Windows 10 to 11, it may be that the old Snipping tool version is interfering with the launch of the new one. If you don’t care that much about the additional options available with the enhanced screenshot tool, you can use the old version instead.

Simply go to your C Drive, find the Windows.old folder, search for the tool and open it from there. Make sure to pin it to your taskbar as well, if you know you’re going to use it often.

5. Can’t install the latest update

The latest Windows 11 version, 22H2, has brought tons of enhancements to our dearest operating system. Unfortunately, a lot of users still haven’t had the opportunity to experience it. A mere update of your OS version should be the one thing that goes smoothly, but sometimes that’s not the case.

Failure to install 22H2 can be caused by a few things. Most commonly, the issue is caused by lack of storage space or corrupted files, but there could be other culprits.

There are a couple of things you could try. For example, it’s crucial that your drivers be up-to-date and some important services be enabled. These are: Windows Modules Installer, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, Cryptographic Service, Windows Update services.

To enable them, search ‘Services’, find the service you need and right-click on it. Open ‘Properties’ and select the startup type ‘Automatic’.

It may also be necessary to unplug all peripherals that aren’t crucial and disable third-party antivirus tools until after the update is finished. 

Ultimately, you can run the Windows Update troubleshooter to detect and fix other possible issues.

Summary

Tiny bugs like these are nothing out of the ordinary. That said, we still all hate when they happen.

Hopefully some of our solutions have helped you to a smoother Windows 11 experience. But if you’re still struggling, feel free to reach out to us. We’d be happy to help!

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Disable Touchscreen in Windows 11
The touchscreen feature inside Windows 11 is a pretty good thing but sometimes can be very impractical. The screen can easily and constantly get dirty due to fingers touching it all the time and there are users that do not wish or want to have this feature at all. touchscreen windows 11If you are one of the mentioned users and for any reason, you do not wish to have a touchscreen-enabled then sit back and relax, we have you covered in this tutorial on how to fully disable touchscreen inside Windows 11.

Turn off touchscreen via device manager

  1. Click on the Windows Search icon in the taskbar
  2. Type Device Manager
  3. Click on Device Manager from the list of results
  4. Inside locate Human Interface Devices and click on the right arrow
  5. In the list, find HID-Compliant Touch Screen and select Disable Device
  6. Click on Yes to confirm

Disable it via Windows Terminal

  1. Right-click on the Windows icon in the taskbar
  2. Click on Windows Terminal (admin)
  3. Inside run this command: Get-PnpDevice | Where-Object {$_.FriendlyName -like '*touch screen*'} | Disable-PnpDevice -Confirm:$false

Conclusion

No matter which method you prefer, both of them will disable the touch screen inside Windows 11. Thank you for reading trough article and I hope to see you again. Take care.
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