How to get rid of DailyProductivityTools

The DailyProductivityTools Toolbar is packed as a browser extension that claims to increase your productivity with access to free online tools and developed by Mindspark Inc. This extension may seem handy at first, however, while browsing the internet with it active you will experience additional ads, sponsored content, and pop-up ads throughout your browsing sessions and search results.

When installed DailyProductivityTools changed your default new tab page to Search.MyWay.com disguising as a ‘Enhanced Google Search Engine’. This extension monitors your browsing activity, visited websites and links, then uses this information to better target Ads.

DailyProductivityTools has been marked as a Potentially Unwanted Program, and is recommended for removal by many anti-virus applications.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted software, often a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in the browser’s settings. Browser hijacker malware is designed for a variety of reasons. Generally, the idea is to force users visit certain sites that are aiming to increase their site visitor traffic and produce higher ad revenue. Many people believe that the browser hijacker is only a harmless website but that is incorrect. Almost every browser hijacker pose an actual threat to your on-line safety and it is important to classify them under privacy risks. What’s more, hijackers can make the entire infected system vulnerable – other harmful malware and viruses will grab these opportunities to intrude into your computer system very easily.

How one can identify a browser hijack

The following are some symptoms that suggest you have been hijacked: you find unauthorized modifications to your internet browser’s homepage; your internet browser is constantly being redirected to adult sites; the default web browser configurations have been modified and/or your default search engine is altered; you find many toolbars on the web browser; you see lots of pop-ups on your computer screen; your browser has become unstable or starts running slowly; you’re blocked to access those sites of antivirus solution providers.

So how does a PC get infected with a browser hijacker?

A browser hijacker can be installed on your computer if you check out an infected site, click on an email attachment, or download something from a file-sharing site. They could also come from add-on programs, also known as browser helper objects (BHO), browser plug-ins, or toolbars. Browser hijackers sneak into your pc along with free software downloads also that you unwittingly install alongside the original. Examples of popular browser hijackers are Fireball, Ask Toolbar, GoSave, CoolWebSearch, RocketTab and Babylon Toolbar.

Browser hijacking can lead to severe privacy problems and even identity theft, disrupt your browsing experience by taking control of outbound traffic, considerably slows down your PC by consuming lots of resources, and lead to system instability also.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

Certain browser hijacking can be easily corrected by finding and removing the corresponding malware program through your control panel. But, many hijackers will be more difficult to locate or remove since it might get itself connected with certain important computer files that enable it to operate as a necessary operating system process. Novice PC users shouldn’t ever attempt for the manual form of removal, as it demands comprehensive system knowledge to do repairs on the system registry and HOSTS file.

Professionals always recommend users remove any malicious software including browser hijacker by using an automatic malware removal tool, which is better, safer, and faster than the manual removal method. Among the best tools for repairing browser hijacker malware is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. It can help you eliminate any pre-existing malware on your computer and provides you real-time monitoring and protection against new internet threats. Along with anti-virus software, a system optimizer program, similar to Total System Care, can help you repair Windows registry errors, eliminate unwanted toolbars, secure your internet privacy, and stabilize software programs installed on your computer.

Malware Blocking Access To Safebytes Site And Anti-Malware Downloads - What To Do?

Malware can cause many kinds of damage to computer systems, networks, and data. Some malware types modify internet browser settings by including a proxy server or modify the PC’s DNS settings. In such cases, you’ll be unable to visit certain or all of the websites, and therefore unable to download or install the necessary security software to eliminate the malware. If you are reading this article, chances are you’re stuck with a virus infection that is preventing you to download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your PC. Although this kind of issue will be tougher to get around, there are a few actions you can take.

Install in Safe Mode

In the event the malware is set to run at Windows start-up, then booting in Safe Mode should prevent it. Since only the minimum applications and services start-up in safe mode, there are hardly any reasons for conflicts to take place. The following are the steps you should follow to remove viruses in Safemode.

1) After switching on the computer, hit the F8 key while the Windows splash screen begins to load. This would invoke the “Advanced Boot Options” menu.
2) Select Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and press ENTER.
3) When this mode loads, you should have the internet. Now, utilize your internet browser normally and go to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download Safebytes Anti-Malware.
4) Immediately after installation, run a full scan and allow the software to get rid of the threats it detects.

Switch over to an alternate internet browser

Certain viruses may target vulnerabilities of a specific browser that block the downloading process. In case you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by a virus or otherwise compromised by online hackers, the best course of action is to switch over to a different web browser like Firefox, Chrome, or Safari to download your favorite security software – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Run anti-malware from your USB drive

Here’s yet another solution which is using a portable USB antivirus software that can scan your system for malicious software without needing installation. Follow these steps to run the anti-malware on the infected computer.
1) On a clean computer, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware.
2) Plug in the USB flash drive to a USB slot on the clean computer.
3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, with an .exe file extension.
4) When asked, choose the location of the USB drive as the place where you would like to store the software files. Follow the instructions on the screen to finish off the installation process.
5) Now, transfer the flash drive to the infected PC.
6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the pen drive by double-clicking the icon.
7) Run Full System Scan to detect and clean-up up all kinds of malware.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware: Light-weight Malware Protection for Windows Computer

Nowadays, anti-malware software can protect your computer from different types of online threats. But how to select the best one amongst many malware protection application that’s available in the market? Perhaps you might be aware, there are many anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. Some of them are good, some are ok types, while some will affect your PC themselves! It is important to choose a company that creates industry-best anti-malware and it has attained a reputation as reliable. On the list of highly recommended software programs is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. SafeBytes carries a superb reputation for quality service, and clients seem to be happy with it.

SafeBytes antimalware is a highly effective and user-friendly protection tool which is suitable for users of all levels of computer literacy. Using its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you eradicate several types of malware including computer viruses, PUPs, trojans, worms, adware, ransomware, and browser hijackers.

SafeBytes has got a variety of wonderful features that can help you protect your PC from malware attack and damage. Some of them are listed as below:

Antimalware Protection: This deep-cleaning antimalware software goes much deeper than most antivirus tools to clean your computer system. Its critically acclaimed virus engine finds and disables hard to remove malware that hides deep inside your personal computer.

Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes gives round the clock protection for your computer restricting the malware attacks instantly. This software will continuously monitor your PC for suspicious activity and updates itself continuously to keep current with the latest threats.

Web Filtering: SafeBytes gives instant safety rating about the pages you’re going to check out, automatically blocking harmful sites and make sure that you’re certain of your online safety while browsing the internet.

Low CPU Usage: SafeBytes is well known for its low influence on computer resources and great detection rate of diverse threats. It runs silently and efficiently in the background so you are free to use your computer at full power all the time.

24/7 Customer Support: SafeBytes provides you with 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance and updates for best user experience.

SafeBytes has come up with a wonderful anti-malware solution that can help you conquer the latest computer threats and virus attacks. There is no doubt that your computer system will be protected in real-time as soon as you put this software to use. So if you’re searching for the very best malware removal application out there, and if you don’t mind paying out some dollars for it, opt for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you’d like to carry out the removal of DailyProductivityTools manually instead of using an automated tool, you may follow these simple steps: Navigate to the Windows Control Panel, click the “Add/Remove Programs” and there, choose the offending program to uninstall. In case of suspicious versions of web browser plug-ins, you can actually get rid of it through your web browser’s extension manager. You will likely also want to reset your internet browser.

If you opt to manually delete the system files and Windows registry entries, utilize the following checklist to make sure you know exactly what files to remove before carrying out any actions. But bear in mind, this can be a difficult task and only computer experts can perform it safely. Furthermore, certain malicious programs have the capability to defend against its removal. It is advisable that you carry out the removal procedure in Safe Mode.

Files:
%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\DailyProductivityToolsTooltab
%LOCALAPPDATA%\DailyProductivityToolsTooltab
%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\difcnlhbpohkmlhkpkimihocbagbijii
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\difcnlhbpohkmlhkpkimihocbagbijii
%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\difcnlhbpohkmlhkpkimihocbagbijii
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\difcnlhbpohkmlhkpkimihocbagbijii

Registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftware\Wow6432Node\DailyProductivityTools
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftware\DailyProductivityTools
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftware\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\dailyproductivitytools.dl.myway.com
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\[APPLICATION]\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall..Uninstaller
DailyProductivityToolsTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer

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No usable free extent could be found
One of the most useful and efficient command-line disk management tools is the DISKPART utility. It can be used to manage, delete or create new hard drive partitions. However, despite its efficiency, there are still times it could face some errors like the “No usable free extent could be found”. You can encounter this error when you create a partition. This error could be due to insufficient disk space which is why it is not able to carry out the operation. It is also possible that the disk is not recognized by the system. And since there are only four recognized primary partitions, when you try creating a fifth one, you will get this error. In addition, this error could also occur if the disk has been partitioned using the MBR disk partitioning format. To fix the “No usable free extent could be found” error, here are some suggestions you can follow.

Option 1 – Free up disk space using Storage Sense

The error could be caused by insufficient disk space in your computer and so you need to free up disk space using Storage Sense to fix the problem.
  • Open Setting > System > Storage from the WinX Menu.
  • From there, you will see a list of all the local and connected storage devices along with the details on the free space. Make sure that Storage Sense is on.
  • Next, find a link that says “Free Up Space” and click it to open.
  • After that, a screen which is the built-in program in Windows 10 will appear and will scan your computer for the following junk files so you can free up disk space:
    • Windows Upgrade Log Files
    • The system created Windows Error Reporting Files
    • Thumbnails
    • Temporary Internet Files
    • Previous Windows Installation Files
    • Delivery Optimisation Files
    • DirectX Shader Cache
  • Choose the files you want to get rid of and then click on the remove files option. Note that you’ll have an idea of the total size as you select any of the junk files listed above.
  • Now go to the “Free Up Space Now” section and click the Clear Now button. This will get rid of all the temporary or junk files in your computer and should hopefully fix Error 1310.
Note: You can also run the Disk Cleanup tool to free up disk space.

Option 2 – Try to run DISKPART in Command Prompt with administrator permissions

The next thing you can do to resolve the error is to run the DISKPART utility with admin privileges.
  • In the Start Search, type “command prompt” and from the search results that appear, look for Command Prompt.
  • Once you found it, right-click on it and select the “Run as administrator” option.
  • After that, try to execute the Diskpart operation once again. Note that you also have to specify different size & offset values for the partitioning and then see if you still encounter the same error.

Option 3 – Try to execute the DISKPART clean command

The next thing you can try is to execute the clean command in DISKPART to fix any issues in the disk.
  • Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • Then execute this command: diskpart
  • The command you entered will initiate the DISKPART utility. Now execute this second command to view all the disk connects or all the partitions on those disks formed: list disk
  • After that, you need to select one command depending on the list command you executed and then execute this third command: select disk #
  • The third command you just executed will select the disk or partition you want to select. Now execute this fourth command: clean
  • The command you entered will remove all the volumes or partitions formatting the disk in focus.
  • Once it’s done, try to carry out the DISKPART operation you were trying to execute.

Option 4 – Try to update the USB drivers

Outdated USB drivers can also be the reason why you’re getting the error. Thus, you must update them from time to time. You can install the latest version of the USB driver for your system. But you need to check the manufacturer’s website or guidelines to update the driver according to your system. If it happens that the drivers might not be compatible with the version of the system your laptop is using which is unlikely, you can run the driver software in Compatibility Mode in that kind of situation. To update your USB drivers, follow these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, look for the USB Serial Bus controllers from the list of device drivers displayed. If you see a red or yellow sign that shows up against the driver, right-click on the driver’s name and select “Update Driver Software”. And if you find any “Unknown device”, you need to update it as well.
  • Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.

Option 5 – Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter or the USB troubleshooter

You can find the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter under the Troubleshooters section of the Windows Settings panel on your Windows 10 PC. You can use this troubleshooter to fix common hardware and external device-related issues without exerting too much effort. If you don’t know where to find it, follow these steps:
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open the Windows Settings.
  • Next, navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • You should see the option for Hardware and Devices on your right-hand side where you can also find the “Rub the troubleshooter” button – click on it to get started.
  • Follow the next on-screen instructions to fix the basic issues of common hardware and external device.
Note: If you want to, you can also use the USB Troubleshooter to fix the problem just go back to the Troubleshoot page where you can find it.
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Prevent your laptop from overheating

Long working hours on a laptop can have some issues with laptop heating and thus slowing down. Today we will take a look at how can you prevent it from heating and keep it in a normal temperature range so it lasts longer and works better.

laptop on fire

Close unnecessary programs or browser tabs

Usually, the main reason for high laptop temperature is the heavy and constant workload. Of course, the solution is very simple, turn off unnecessary browser tabs or applications running in the background, and less power will be needed for operation thus directly reducing workload and temperature.

Place it on a hard flat surface

Laptops generally have vents on the side and even under them, these vents, of course, are made so hot air is disposed of through them but if they are covered that will create issues. Placing computers on textiles, pillows, and legs can obstruct their venting holes and increase heat also since they are materials that are not taking heat away.

Your best practice should be placing the laptop onto a hard flat surface so air can flow freely and if you need to keep it in your lap there are lap desks made for this purpose.

Clean the laptop

With some good cleaning, the laptop can stop overheating, and generally, it will be cooler. Vents that has for ventilation can get clogged over large periods of time due to dust which is always present. Compressed air can be a quick easy solution to open the vents and redust it. Other methods include a compressor, vacuum, or brush in order to quickly remove any dust clogs. Taking it into service for complete redusting and paste change is also a great option.

Place it on the dedicated pad

There is some disagreement about using dedicated cooling pads for laptops, some say they are not effective at all, and some swear by them but from my experience good paired laptop and pad can indeed help with cooling it down. Usually, cooling pads will come with fans that will take away heat from the laptop itself reducing its overall heat.

Change your Windows power plan

If your laptop is constantly hot but you are not doing much with him check Windows power settings. There is a good chance it is set to run on a high-performance plan and if this is the case switch it back to a balanced power setting. Power plan like high performance will drain more power and more power will mean more heating. Of course, this will affect performance as well but for regular work that excludes some power gaming, video, and picture manipulations and other demanding tasks this power plan will work just fine.

Take control of the fans inside your laptop

Internal cooling is important and sometimes fans are not running to their full capacity so increasing their speed or changing their plan of work can cool down the computer nicely. Some laptops have fans controlling application already on them, especially gaming laptops but most of them do not. If your laptop does not have it, go to your laptop brand website and see if such an application exists for your model, if it does, download and install it but if there is no such application try general free ones like SpeedFan or Argus Monitor.

Reduce voltage of CPU and GPU

How more power means more heat, reducing the power that CPU and/or GPU take can be reduced inside BIOS by lowering voltage of these 2 components. First, go to BIOS and write down the voltage that is currently assigned to your CPU and/or GPU so you can bring it back if ever needed, also take note that reducing voltage and thus power will not affect negatively your components but increasing it thus overclocking can and will so be careful when bringing voltage back not to overdo it. You can always also reset your BIOS settings to bring them back to factory settings.

Do not use the laptop when charging it

When the laptop is placed on the charger in order to be charged and used at the same time, more power is drawn to it, and since the battery is taking electric charge instead of providing it more heat will be generated now since two different sources will be generating it, the battery itself and computer. When you really can not wait for the laptop to be charged, use it, but turn it off and wait to be fully charged if you can.

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Fix Failed to play test tone Error in Windows
If you are testing your headphone or your speaker but all of a sudden encountered an error that says, “Failed to play test tone” in your Windows 10 computer, worry not for this post will walk you through how you can fix this problem. The test tone is used to check the right-left balance of the headphones and speakers in your computer, however, if you are not able to use it, there are several options you can check out. You can try to run the Playing Audio troubleshooter or restart the services that are related to Windows Audio. Aside from these, you could also disable Audio Enhancements or you could also change the default test tone rate and bit depth.

Option 1 – Try to run the Playing Audio Troubleshooter

Since the Windows 10 operating system has the Playing Audio Troubleshooter, you can use this troubleshooter to try and fix the problem with the “No Audio Output Device is installed” error. You can access this tool in the Control Panel or in the Taskbar Search and even on the Troubleshooters page of Windows 10. Run this troubleshooter and see if it can fix the issue or not.

Option 2 – Try to restart the Windows Audio-related services

The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to restart the services related to Windows Audio. Although the audio services start automatically on every system boot, there are times when they might fail to start. Thus, you can start these services manually by following these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility and type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Services Manager.
  • Then look for the services named “Windows Audio” and “Windows Audio Endpoint Builder”.
  • Double click on each one of these services and check if their Service Status is set to Running or not and also check if the Startup Type is set to Automatic.
  • If none of the services are running, just click on the Start button and select the Automatic option from the drop-down menu.
  • Now click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made and then check if the error is fixed.

Option 3 – Try to update the Audio driver

You might also want to consider updating or the Audio driver as it could help in fixing the error.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type in devmgmt.msc and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • Expand the section for the outdated device drivers.
  • And then select the outdated driver(s) and right-click on it/them.
  • From the drop-down menu, select the Update Driver option and follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version of the driver.
  • Then also click on the option, “Search automatically for updated driver software.
  • Restart your PC after the installation.
Note: If updating or reinstalling the Audio driver didn’t work, you can go to the manufacturer’s website and look for the support section where you can download the drivers for your computer. You just need to take note of your PC’s correct model and model number so you can find the appropriate driver.

Option 4 – Try changing the default test tone rate and bit depth

Windows selects a default test tone rate and bit depth depending on your headphone or speaker. This allows you to look for the best sound quality from your audio output device. So if your headphone or speaker has some problems with the default settings, then it’s no wonder why you’re getting the “Failed to play test tone” error. To fix this, you can try to change the default test tone rate and bit depth by following the steps below.
  • First, you need to open the Windows Settings panel and then go to System > Sound.
  • Next, look for the Device properties option located on your right-hand side and click on it.
  • After that, select the Additional device properties option and go to the Advanced tab.
  • From there, select a different test tone rate and bit depth and then click on the Test button.
  • Once done, check if it was able to fix the problem or not.

Option 5 – Try disabling the Sound or Audio enhancements

To make your operating system’s specific hardware sound nothing but perfect, both Microsoft and third-party vendors have shipped audio enhancement packages which are usually referred to as “Audio Enhancements” in Windows 10. However, there are instances when instead of improving the sound or audio quality of your computer, it can cause problems so to fix the problem you need to turn off these audio enhancements. How? Simply follow the steps below.
  • Type in “Sound” in the taskbar search and then from the list of results, select “Sound Control Panel”.
  • After clicking Sound, the Sound properties box will pop up. From there, go to the Playback tab and right-click on the default device i.e. Speakers or Headphones then select Properties.
  • After that, the Speakers properties box will appear. From there, go to the Enhancements tab and select the checkbox for the “Disable all enhancements” option.
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Fix Windows errors 80240020, 8007002C, 80246007, 80070004
Upgrading your Windows 10 computer does not always go smoothly and you often encounter not just one but various errors so, in this post, we are going to cover several Windows 10 upgrade errors such as 80240020, 8007002C, 80246007, 80070004. All these upgrade errors are related to the Windows Update folder. Thus, you need to clear the Software Distribution folder, repair the System Image and fix System Health in order to resolve all these Windows 10 Upgrade errors. Before you get started on the steps to resolve these tons of errors, you have to disable your security program for the meantime, disconnect your peripherals, remove USBs connected to your PC and then make sure that your PC is connected to the main power supply. Once you have everything covered, carefully follow the options given below.

Option 1 – Delete Windows 10 Update Files in the SoftwareDistribution folder

The Software Distribution folder in the Windows operating system is a folder that can be found in the Windows directory and is used to store files temporarily which might be required to install the Windows Update on your PC. Thus, it is required by the Windows Update and maintained by WUAgent. A lot of users tried deleting the files in this folder to fix the problem and so far it has worked. Like them, you can try clearing the Windows Update cache by simply deleting the contents of the folder named “SoftwareDistribution” since Windows apparently can’t clear and re-download the update contents once they are corrupted. Thus, deleting the contents of this folder will make Windows download the contents again which will fix the problem. To do that, follow the steps below.
  • Open the WinX Menu.
  • From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
  • Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauserv net stop bits
  • After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service and the Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
  • Next, go to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
  • Once all the contents in the Software Distribution folder are deleted, restart your PC and then go back to Command Prompt and input the following commands again.
net start wuauserv net start bits
Since the folder has already been flushed, it will be populated afresh the instant your restart your computer and open Windows Update.
  • Now Open Settings and check for Windows Updates. Windows 10 should begin the download right away.

Option 2 – Try using the DISM tool

Running the DISM Tool helps in repairing the Windows System Image as well as the Windows Component Store in Windows 10. 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.
Note: If it happens that the Windows Update client is broken, you need to run the following command to repair it then restart your PC and click on Update once again.
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:RepairSourceWindows /LimitAccess
Note: The Windows Upgrade error, with error code 80240020 is an expected error message that happens when the upgrade requires customer user action. Thus, you need to do the following steps to resolve this particular Windows Upgrade error.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • After that, navigate to this registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionWindowsUpdate
  • Now right click on WindowsUpdate located in the left pane and then create a new key and name it as “OSUpgrade
  • Next, right-click in an empty space in the left pane and create a new DWORD and name it “AllowOSUpgrade” and enter “1” as its value.

Option 3 – Try running the Windows Update in a Clean Boot State.

Putting your PC in a Clean Boot state can also help you install Windows Updates or Upgrades without any trouble because, during this state, you can start the system with a minimum number of drivers and startup programs that will surely help you in isolating the root cause of the issue.
  • 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” checkbox 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” checkbox.
  • Click Disable all.
  • Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
  • After that, try to install the Windows Updates or upgrade again.
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Fix 0x8000ffff error in Windows 11
Error 0x8000ffff prevents you from using the Microsoft store. Altho it is not a critical error that will break Windows, it is annoying enough that will require fixing so we can use the store once again and install apps when we want to. Interesting thing is that this error was present inside Windows 10 as well causing some annoyance, you think Microsoft would learn, and then you see reality. Anyway, we have not come here to bash Microsoft, we came to solve errors. 0x8000ffff errorSo there are several problems that can cause this error like issues with accessing the Microsoft servers, corrupt system files, settings being misconfigured, malware infections, or conflicting applications. We will cover all solutions for each scenario taking approaches from most simple solutions to more complex ones. Follow the guide and let's fix this annoyance.

Wait for Microsoft's servers to become accessible

Yes, just wait. If the problem is tied to Microsoft servers having heavy load or being temporarily down there is not much you can do except for their tech team to resolve the issue. Go to Twitter or Facebook and check the Microsoft page to see if anyone else has this issue, if several people are reporting the same error then it is due to server problems. In this case, the only thing you can do is to wait.

Run troubleshooter

If servers are working fine then the issue is within your system so let's get down to fixing. Most simple and easiest solution is to let Windows try and resolve the problem by itself. We will use troubleshooter for this, Windows's integrated fixing solution: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open the settings app Click on System in the left panel, then on Troubleshoot on the right Click on Other troubleshooters In most Frequent section find Windows Update and click on the Run button Wait for the troubleshooter to finish and follow on-screen instructions

Clear Store cache

If the troubleshooter has not found the issue or was unable to repair it, the next step is cleaning the Microsoft store cache in order to eliminate corrupted or partial cache files. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog In run dialog type in: wsreset and press OK or press ENTER A black screen will appear and it will not give any kind of feedback about progress, so it might seem like Windows has frozen, but do not panic nor try to do anything, this kind of behavior is normal, just wait for the process to finish and once it is done Microsoft store will launch with the cleared cache.

Disable Proxy

Proxy setting can interfere with establishing a connection to the store servers and if previous solutions have not worked we will check proxy next. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog Inside run dialog type: inetcpl.cpl and hit ENTER or press OK button Inside Internet Properties click on the Connections tab and then on LAN settings Uncheck the box next to Use a proxy server for your LAN and click on OK

Turn off antivirus

If nothing worked so far, turn off your anti-virus software, there is a slight possibility that your antivirus is misconfigured or preventing the system from accessing the store. Turn off antivirus and firewall to make sure that this is not an issue.

Delete the software distribution folder

So, we have tried a lot of things, and the error still persists? Let's then go to the next step and delete the software distribution folder in order to be remade new so we can eliminate corruption in the folder itself. To do this follow the guide: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + S to open the search menu Inside search type in Windows terminal, right-click on the terminal and click on Run as administrator. Confirm with YES on UAC prompt pop up Inside terminal press CTRL + SHIFT + 2 to open command prompt inside command prompt type in: net stop wuauserv and press ENTER Then type in: net stop bits followed with ENTER Next press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog Inside run dialog type in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and press the OK button or ENTER File Explorer will open and you will find yourself inside SoftwareDistribution folder. Press CTRL + A to select all files inside Press on the delete icon or press DEL, confirm with YES Once all files are deleted, the system will redownload new ones.

Enable Cryptographic service

Windows 11 has come with a cryptographic service that aims to make your computer more secure but if the service is turned off it can be the cause of 0x8000ffff error. In order to turn this service back ON, follow the guide: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog In run dialog type in services.msc and press ENTER or click on the OK button In the list find Cryptographic Services and double click on it Inside properties click on Startup type dropdown menu and select Automatic from the list Click on the Start button to run service and then on the OK button to save the changes

Run SFC scan

SFC is an internal Windows tool for fixing corrupt system files, application will scan all system files and repair ones that are corrupted. To run an SFC scan do the following: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + S to open the search menu Inside search type in Windows terminal, right-click on the terminal and click on Run as administrator. Confirm with YES on UAC prompt pop up Inside terminal press CTRL + SHIFT + 2 to open command prompt inside command prompt type in: SFC /scannow and press ENTER Wait for the whole process to finish and reboot your system

Run DISM scan

Similar to SFC, DISM scan will scan your system Windows image and if required it will repair it. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + S to open the search menu Inside search type in Windows terminal, right-click on the terminal and click on Run as administrator. Confirm with YES on UAC prompt pop up Inside terminal press CTRL + SHIFT + 2 to open command prompt inside command prompt type in: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press ENTER Wait for the whole process to finish and restart your computer
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Guide for Removing SMSFromBrowser Malware

What is SMSFromBrowser

SMSFromBrowser is a Browser Extension developed by MindSpark. This extension usually comes bundled up with other software or via online advertising. Allegedly this extension allows you to send SMS messages from your computer, however, all it does is point you to other websites that offer this service. While active this extension monitors your browsing behavior, it records your website visits, clicks, links, and sometimes even private information, in order to use this data to better serve additional ads. During your browsing sessions, you may encounter additional unwanted ads, sponsored links, and sometimes even pop-up ads. Several anti-virus scanners have detected this extension as a potentially unwanted extension / Browser Hijacker, and due to its privacy mining behavior, it is not recommended to keep it on your computer.

Browser hijackers (sometimes referred to as hijackware) are a kind of malicious software that modifies web browser settings without the computer owner’s knowledge or permission. These hijacks appear to be increasing at an astonishing rate around the world, and they could be actually nefarious and sometimes harmful too. Browser hijackers are capable of doing more than just modifying homepages. These are typically used to force hits to a specific site, manipulating web traffic to generate ad revenue. Though it might seem naive, these tools are made by vicious people who always try to take advantage of you, so that they can easily make money from your naive and distraction. As soon as the program attacks your laptop or computer, it starts to mess things up a whole lot that slows your system down to a crawl. In the worst-case scenario, you will be forced to deal with serious malware threats as well.

Indications of browser hijack

There are many signs of web browser hijacking: 1. home page is changed 2. your browser is constantly being redirected to porn sites 3. the default online search engine and the default browser settings are altered 4. discover new toolbars that you simply didn’t add 5. you notice numerous ads pop up on the browsers or computer screen 6. your browser gets sluggish, buggy crashes very often 7. you can’t go to specific sites such as homepages of anti-malware software.

How it infects your personal computer

A browser hijacker can be installed on your computer or laptop when you visit an infected site, click on an e-mail attachment, or download something from a file-sharing website. They can be included with toolbars, BHO, add-ons, plug-ins, or browser extensions. Some internet browser hijackers spread in user’s PC by using a deceptive software distribution technique known as “bundling” (often through freeware and shareware). A good example of a notorious browser hijacker is the most recent Chinese malware known as “Fireball”, which has attacked 250 million PCs worldwide. It acts as a hijacker but could be turned into a fully functioning malware downloader afterward. Browser hijackers could interrupt the user’s web surfing experience greatly, keep track of the websites visited by users and steal financial information, cause difficulty in connecting to the web, and eventually create stability problems, making applications and computers freeze.

Removal

Some types of browser hijackers can be effortlessly removed from your PC by deleting malicious applications or any other recently added freeware. Many times, it could be a tough job to discover and get rid of the malicious program because the associated file will be running as part of the operating system process. And there’s no denying the very fact that manual repairs and removal methods can be a difficult job for an amateur computer user. Also, there are several risks associated with fiddling around with the pc registry files. Browser hijackers could be effectively removed by installing and running an anti-malware application on the affected computer. To remove any browser hijacker from your PC, you can download the following professional malware removal program – Safebytes Anti-Malware. And utilize a system optimizer, such as Safebytes Anti-Malware, to erase all associated files in the registry and repair browser problems. All malware is detrimental and the degree of the damage may vary greatly according to the type of infection. Certain malware types alter web browser settings by adding a proxy server or modify the computer’s DNS configuration settings. In such cases, you will be unable to visit some or all internet sites, and thus unable to download or install the required security software to eliminate the infection. If you’re reading this article, odds are you’re stuck with a virus infection that is preventing you to download or install the Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your system. Follow the instructions below to get rid of the malware by alternative methods.

Install the anti-virus in Safe Mode

If the malware is set to run automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, entering Safe Mode could very well block the attempt. Just bare minimum required programs and services are loaded whenever you boot your PC into Safe Mode. To start your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 PCs in Safe Mode with Networking, follow the instructions below. 1) Tap the F8 key continuously as soon as your PC boots, however, before the large Windows logo shows up. This would invoke the “Advanced Boot Options” menu. 2) Use the arrow keys to choose Safe Mode with Networking and press ENTER. 3) Once this mode loads, you should have an internet connection. Now, get the malware removal application you need by using the web browser. To install the program, follow the guidelines in the installation wizard. 4) Right after the software is installed, let the diagnostic scan run to eliminate trojans and other malware automatically. Use an alternate internet browser to download an antivirus application Some malware only targets specific web browsers. If this sounds like your situation, employ another browser as it might circumvent the virus. The best way to avoid this problem is to opt for an internet browser that is known for its security measures. Firefox has built-in Phishing and Malware Protection to help keep you secure online.

Create a bootable USB anti-virus drive

Another option is to store and run an antivirus software program completely from a Flash drive. To run anti-malware from a flash drive, follow these simple steps: 1) On a virus-free PC, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the pen drive on the same PC. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded software, which has a .exe file extension. 4) Choose the USB flash drive as the destination for saving the software file. Follow the directions to complete the installation process. 5) Now, transfer the thumb drive to the infected computer system. 6) Double click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the pen drive to run the application. 7) Press the “Scan” button to run a full computer scan and remove malware automatically.

Benefits and Features of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

These days, an anti-malware tool can protect your computer or laptop from various types of internet threats. But wait, how to select the best one amongst plenty of malware protection applications that are available on the market? You may be aware, there are several anti-malware companies and products for you to consider. Some of them are good, some are ok types, and some will ruin your PC themselves! You need to be very careful not to select the wrong application, particularly if you purchase a premium application. When it comes to commercial antimalware tool options, many people opt for well-known brands, like SafeBytes, and they are quite happy with it. SafeBytes can be described as a powerful, real-time anti-malware application that is created to assist the average computer end user in safeguarding their computer from malicious internet threats. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you protect your PC against infections caused by various kinds of malware and other threats, including spyware, adware, computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, keyloggers, ransomware, and potentially unwanted program (PUPs).

SafeBytes has excellent features when compared to various other anti-malware programs. A few of them are given as below:

Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes gives you round-the-clock protection for your personal computer limiting malware attacks instantly. They are extremely effective in screening and removing various threats because they’re continuously revised with new updates and alerts. Robust, Anti-malware Protection: Safebytes is made on the best virus engine within the industry. These engines will detect and get rid of threats even during the early stages of a malware outbreak. Internet Security: SafeBytes inspects the hyperlinks present on a webpage for possible threats and informs you if the website is safe to visit or not, through its unique safety rating system. Low CPU Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight and user-friendly anti-virus and anti-malware solution. Since it uses minimum computer resources, this application leaves the computer power exactly where it belongs to: with you actually. 24/7 Online Tech Support: You may get absolutely free 24/7 technical support from their computer experts on any product queries or computer security concerns. SafeBytes will keep your personal computer safe from the latest malware threats automatically with almost no input needed from you again. Once you have downloaded and installed this software, you will no longer have to bother about malware or any other security concerns. You will get the best all-around protection for the money you pay on SafeBytes anti-malware subscription, there isn’t any doubt about it.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove SMSFromBrowser 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 SMSFromBrowser
Files: %ALLUSERSPROFILE%MicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsSMSfromBrowser %ALLUSERSPROFILE%Start MenuProgramsSMSfromBrowser %LOCALAPPDATA%SMSfromBrowserTooltab %UserProfile%Local SettingsApplication DataSMSfromBrowserTooltab Registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareWow6432NodeMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionexplorerBrowser Helper ObjectsFFE35078-94B2-4FC0-990D-BF8289BC25E4 HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionexplorerBrowser Helper ObjectsFFE35078-94B2-4FC0-990D-BF8289BC25E4 HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareWow6432NodeMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionexplorerBrowser Helper Objects3188EEFD-9259-445D-8CCD-B99D6296AD1A HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExtStats3188EEFD-9259-445D-8CCD-B99D6296AD1A HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExtSettingsFFE35078-94B2-4FC0-990D-BF8289BC25E4 HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExtSettingsB1D7EA4A-79CA-454E-897F-F5A052E467F6 HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExtSettings3188EEFD-9259-445D-8CCD-B99D6296AD1A HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerApproved Extensions, value: 3188EEFD-9259-445D-8CCD-B99D6296AD1A HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerApproved Extensions, value: B1D7EA4A-79CA-454E-897F-F5A052E467F6 HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerApproved Extensions, value: FFE35078-94B2-4FC0-990D-BF8289BC25E4 HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar, value: B1D7EA4A-79CA-454E-897F-F5A052E467F6 HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareWow6432NodeMicrosoftTracingSMSfromBrowser_RASMANCS HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftTracingSMSfromBrowser_RASMANCS HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareWow6432NodeMicrosoftTracingSMSfromBrowser_RASAPI32 HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftTracingSMSfromBrowser_RASAPI32 HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareAppDataLowHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareSMSfromBrowser_f7 HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerDOMStoragesmsfrombrowser.dl.myway.com HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareSMSfromBrowser HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware[APPLICATION]MicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall..Uninstaller
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A Guide to Fixing Error 0x80004005

Error 0x80004005 - What is it?

Error 0x80004005 is a typical Outlook error. This error code occurs either when sending emails or receiving them. The error message may be displayed in either of the following formats:
‘Sending and receiving reported error "0x80004005": The operation failed.’ ‘This message could not be sent. Try sending the message again or contact your network administrator. The client operation failed. Error is [OX80004005- 0X0004B9-OXOO501].’

Error Causes

There are several causes for the error 0x80004005 such as:
  • The Script Blocking Feature Enabled While Using Norton Antivirus
  • Spyware
  • Viruses
  • Registry problems-Missing or corrupt registry keys
It is advisable to repair and resolve error 0x80004005 immediately as it may cause a great deal of inconvenience to you. This error may hamper your ability to receive and send emails from your Outlook account and lower your productivity too as you may be unable to communicate with your peers.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To fix error 0x80004005, you don’t have to wait for the network personnel or be a technical expert yourself. This may be a critical error but the good news is that it is easy to resolve. Here are some effective methods and quick fixes to resolve the error 0x80004005 instantly.

Method 1: Disable Script Blocking Feature in Norton Antivirus

After installing Norton Antivirus on your PC, if you start experiencing the Outlook error 0x80004005, then the best way to resolve it is to simply disable the script blocking feature. However, the downside of this is that by disabling this feature your PC will become vulnerable to viruses and malware.

Method 2: Disable the New-Mail Notification Feature in MS Outlook

If you don’t have Norton Antivirus downloaded on your PC, then try method 2. This method involves disabling the new-mail notification feature in MS Outlook. The error code 0x80004005 is often resolved by switching off this feature. Try it to see if it works. To disable the new-mail feature all you have to do is open your Outlook account and then go to the Tools menu, then go to Options and then select the ‘Preferences’ tab. After that click on the ‘Emails Options’ tab and then simply uncheck the check-box against ‘Display a notification message when new mail arrives’. To confirm changes press OK.

Method 3: Scan for Viruses

The error 0x80004005 may also be triggered due to viral infection or spyware. Such malicious software enters your PC through phishing emails and while downloading files and attachments. You may not be aware of this but your PC may be infected by viruses. It is important you remove them immediately as they can expose you to serious risks including privacy issues, identity thefts, data breaches, and more.
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Capture screen with Windows 10
if you were following our articles you are aware that Windows 10 has a build-in-game mode that you can summon by pressing ⊞ WINDOWS + G. But did you know that you can use this to capture and record your screen? Hello and welcome to another great tutorial about how to get the maximum out of your Windows 10, today our topic will be recording your screen using Windows 10 game mode.
  • In order to start recording first, we need to bring game mode by pressing ⊞ WINDOWS + G
  • In the Game Bar overlay screen, look for the “Capture” window.
  • If you don’t see it, click the Widget menu icon on the left. It looks like several lines with bullet points to their left.
  • A drop-down list will appear; click “Capture.” The “Capture” shortcut may also be in the Game Bar toolbar.
  • Look for the “Capture” widget window in the overlay. There are four buttons on the Capture widget (from left to right):
    • Screenshot: Takes a screenshot of the active window.
    • Record last 30 seconds: Creates a recording of the previous 30 seconds.
    • Start recording: Starts recording your active window.
    • Turn on the mic while recording: If this option is enabled, Windows 10 will capture audio from your computer’s microphone and include it in the recording.
  • You’ll notice text underneath the buttons. This is how you’ll know what the active window is, aka what will be recorded. For example, if you’re browsing the web, it will show the title of the open tab.
  • To start recording your screen, you must first decide whether you want to use your mic, which is useful if you’re trying to explain something on the screen.
  • Next, simply click the Start Recording button.
  • The screen recording will begin, and you’ll see a little toolbar appear in the corner of the screen. It will show the running time of the recording, and it also has buttons to stop recording and toggle the microphone.
  • When you’re finished, click the Stop icon to end the recording.
  • From the Capture widget, click “Show All Captures” to see your recording.
  • Your recording will be at the top of the list. Click the folder icon to see all recordings and screenshots in File Explorer.
  • These recordings are stored under your Windows user folder at C:\Users\NAME\Videos\Captures by default.
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Change date and time inside Windows 11
date and time windows 11Same as Windows 10, Windows 11 also keeps track of date and time using an internet time server. But in a case that you need to change the date or time for any kind of reason here is a guide for that process:
  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open settings
  2. Click on Time & Language in Taskbar
  3. Inside Time & Language click on Date & Time
  4. Turn off Set Time Automatically by clicking on the switch next to it
  5. Below find Set the date and time manually and click on Change
  6. Inside, Change Date and Time window use the drop-down menu to set desired date and time
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How to Fix Error Code 0xc004f210 in Windows 8

Error Code 0xc004f210 – What is it?

Error code 0xc004f210 occurs when Windows 8 users fail to activate their Windows operating system. Users will be able to identify error code 0xc004f210 because of the following common symptoms which occur:

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

If you enter an invalid product key or do not have a digital entitlement for the edition of Windows you are attempting to activate, you may experience error code 0xc004f210. Since this error usually occurs due to these main reasons, you will most likely find success resolving this issue by ensuring you use a valid product key or activate an appropriate edition of Windows based on the edition of your digital entitlement.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Error codes can be resolved through manual repair procedures that seek to fix the underlying issues causing the error. In the case of error code 0xc004f210, you should be able to resolve this error by using the methods below. You may also consider contacting a Windows repair technician if you have difficulty resolving the error code.

Method One: Enter Valid Product Key

To successfully activate your operating system and resolve error code 0xc004f210, you will need to enter a valid product key in the Update & security section of Windows. Follow the instructions below to enter the 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: Enter a valid product key

If the issue causing error code 0xc004f210 is related to the use of an invalid product key, you should be able to successfully activate your Windows operating system. Should the problem persist, however, you will need to attempt the next manual repair method explained below? Note: Failure to fix this error code might result in other Windows 10 error messages.

Method Two: Ensure Edition of Windows Matches Your Digital Entitlement

Digital entitlement allows Windows users to access activation without using a product key. This digital entitlement only affects Windows 8 users who are attempting to activate versions of Windows 10 that include Windows 10 Pro. Once you are using a genuine copy of Windows 8.1 and your edition of Windows matches your entitlement, you may proceed with the instructions below.

  • 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

You should be able to activate your Windows update once you follow the instructions above. Remember error code 0xc004f210 is an activation code related to product keys or your digital entitlement so once these issues are rectified, you should have no problem activating your operating system of choice and enjoying the benefits it offers. If, however, the problem remains unresolved after you have attempted both manual repair methods, there may be unusual issues affecting your system. Contact Microsoft to rectify the issue or get help from a Windows repair technician.

Method Three: Download 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.

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