How to remove Nectar Toolbar from your Windows PC

If you connected headphones to your Windows 10 computer to listen to audio but when you check it in the playback devices, you’re not able to find it, read on as this post will guide you in what you can do to figure out what exactly caused this kind of problem and how you can resolve it. This kind of issue could simply be with the headphone itself or the headphone port or your operating system. So if it turns out that the problem is with the hardware, you might have to replace the components. However, it is recommended that you troubleshoot the problem first before doing that. The most basic thing you can do is to try changing the headphone port, although this can be quite difficult since most computers don’t have any extra port for headphones if your computer has one, then give it a go. If it still didn’t work, follow each one of the options provided below.

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 update the Audio driver

If the error has something to do with software, chances are it might be related to the audio driver – it could be that the newest version of your Windows 10 does not work well with the old version of the driver. This is why you have to update your audio driver to the newest available version.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type in MSC and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
• Expand the section of the Audio inputs and outputs.
• And then 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 the Audio driver didn’t work, you can go to the website of your PC manufacturer 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 3 – Try enabling the headphones from the playback devices

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type the “CPL” command.
• Tap Enter to open the Playback devices.
• Next, right-click on any open space section and check the boxes for the “Show Disconnected Devices” and “Show Disabled Devices” options.
• After that, this should help in displaying the headphones in the section of Playback devices.
• And if they are disabled, you can just right-click them to have them enabled.

A runtime error is commonly an error that's created after the PC is operating software and encounters a problem of some form. For instance, a runtime error like run-time error code 7 reveals an "out of memory" dilemma.

Solution

Error Cause

Run-time errors are normally brought on by clashes with TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) applications or additional operating applications, software problems, storage problems, or pc viruses.

Troubleshooting a Run-time Error

First, enter the run-time error signal into a search engine to see what info you will get about the precise runtime issue you are receiving. Next, end - job all running applications and TSRs to make sure these aren't the origin of the issue. You can certainly do so by obtaining the job manager by striking Control Alt Delete.

In case your issue is regularly occurring with a unique program, go to that system programmer's site and obtain any upgrades and patches. If unavailable, try uninstalling the application involved and reinstalling it.

In the event the issue is occurring with the os, you may consider reinstalling it although it is a huge commitment. A much better idea would be to try a fix for both Windows XP or Windows 2,000. It is possible to fix and scan files by typing : sfc / scannow, heading to the Begin switch, Run, and then pushing enter. Make certain to put an area between sfc and the reduce.

You might have an equipment or storage dilemma if these measures have not resolved your run-time errors. If that is the situation, contact the support of the application under consideration for potential support accompanied by the pc or motherboard manufacturer.

Many run-time problems can be solved by upgrading the application that's creating the problem. This is only because the programmer's frequently releasing patches and improvements for their applications as insects are found and repaired.

Storage problems may frequently be fixed by rebooting the pc. Consider a reboot a short-term repair. Rebooting clears the memory but in case your COMPUTER does not have adequate memory for your applications you're operating, or sufficient hard-drive space you'll immediately run out of memory again. Something less than this sum may cause memory issues since the computer's swap file isn't in a position to expand in dimension as required.

To assess the quantity of free area, available My Computer and right-click on the HDD, generally the D: drive. Select Attributes in the menu and see the disc's ability. Perform the disk clean-up function by following prompts and pressing the Disk Clean-up button, if the room is reduced.

You may be getting run-time errors, in case your storage chip is really failing. Eliminating and changing the awful memory chip will solve the difficulty. If you're encountering other runtime-related errors, like an install runtime issue, try cleaning away the portions of the registry with some software solution. 

PC Optimizer Pro is a PC optimizer utility developed by Xportsoft Technologies. It is classified as a potentially unwanted program, due to its aggressive scan and registration reminders, and that it is often distributed bundled with other programs in a manner that leads many users to not know how it got on their computer. While not inherently malicious, PC Optimizer Pro adds numerous registry keys, startup entries and while running consumes a relatively high amount of system resources, especially during its scans. The software installs from a .exe file that is around 5.20 MB or 5.453.240 Bytes (depending on the version). As of the publication of these videos, the current version of PC Optimizer Pro was detected as malicious or potentially unwanted by at least 21 AntiViruses.

About Potentially Unwanted Applications

If you have ever installed freeware or shareware, chances are high that your computer can get installed with a bunch of unwanted applications. A Potentially Unwanted Program, also called PUP, in short, is actually software that contains adware, installs toolbars, or has other hidden goals. These kinds of programs are almost always bundled up with free software which you download from the net or are also bundled within the custom installers on many download sites. PUPs did not really constitute pure “malware” in the strict sense of the term. Just like malicious software, PUPs cause problems when downloaded and installed on your PC, but what makes a PUP different is that you give consent to download it – although the truth is vastly different – the software installation package actually tricks you into accepting the installation. Irrespective of whether it is regarded as malware or not, PUPs are nearly always harmful to the user as they might bring on adware, spyware, keystroke logging, and also other bad crapware features on your computer.

What do PUPs do on your computer, exactly?

Potentially Unwanted Programs come in many forms and varieties, but in most instances, these are adware programs that show annoying pop-up adverts and advertisements on websites you check out. The PUPs also get installed into your computer in the form of web browser add-ons and toolbars. Not only they needlessly take up space on your computer screen, but toolbars may also manipulate search engine results, watch your web browsing activities, decrease your web browser’s efficiency, and decelerate your internet connection to a crawl. Potentially Unwanted Programs at times act quite similarly to viruses or spyware. Some PUPs include keyloggers, dialers, along with other software to gather your private details that may result in identity theft. These are programs that don’t do anything good for you; in addition to taking over space on your hard drive, they also slow down your computer, often modify settings without your approval, the list of bothersome features goes on.

Ways to avoid PUPs

• Always study the EULA and privacy statement. Don’t agree until you know precisely what you are acknowledging. • Choose the “custom” install whenever installing a software program. In particular, look closely at those small boxes that have been checked as default, where you may ‘agree’ to receive promotions or install software bundlers. • Use good antivirus software, like Safebytes Anti-Malware that offers real-time protection against PUPs. • Avoid adding a freeware program you do not use. Turn off or remove toolbars and web browser extensions you don’t really need. • Always download software from reliable sources like official sites as opposed to untrustworthy sharing space. Avoid file-hosting sites where/when possible.

What you can do if Malware Prevents You From Downloading Or Installing Antivirus?

Practically all malware is bad, but certain types of malware do much more damage to your computer than others. Certain malware goes to great lengths to stop you from downloading or installing anything on your personal computer, particularly antivirus applications. If you are reading this right now, you have probably recognized that a malware infection is the real cause of your blocked web connectivity. So what to do if you need to install an antivirus program like Safebytes? There are a few steps you can take to circumvent this problem.

Install in Safe Mode

The Windows OS has a special mode known as “Safe Mode” in which just the bare minimum required programs and services are loaded. In the event the malware is blocking the internet connection and affecting the computer, running it in Safe Mode will let you download antivirus and run a diagnostic scan while limiting possible damage. To start the computer into Safe Mode, press the “F8” key on your keyboard right before the Windows boot screen comes up; Or right after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, look over “Safe Boot” under Boot tab, and click Apply. After you reboot into Safe Mode with Networking, you can download, install, and update anti-malware software from there. Right after installation, run the malware scanner to remove standard infections.

Switch to an alternate browser

Some malware may target vulnerabilities of a specific browser that block the downloading process. If you seem to have malware attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to an alternate web browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your favorite antivirus program – Safebytes.

Install and run anti-virus from the USB drive

Another solution is to create a portable anti-malware program on your USB stick. Adopt these measures to employ a thumb drive to clean your infected computer system. 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or MS Windows Defender Offline onto a clean PC. 2) Plug the Thumb drive into the clean computer. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded software, with a .exe file format. 4) Choose the flash drive as the location for saving the file. Do as instructed on the screen to complete the installation process. 5) Now, plug the pen drive into the corrupted computer. 6) Double-click the anti-malware software EXE file on the USB flash drive. 7) Press the “Scan” button to run a full system scan and remove viruses automatically.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware: Lightweight Malware Protection for Windows PC

These days, an anti-malware tool can protect your computer from different types of online threats. But how to choose the best one amongst numerous malware protection application that’s available out there? You may be aware, there are numerous anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. A few are well worth your money, but many aren’t. You have to be very careful not to choose the wrong application, especially if you buy a paid application. In terms of commercial anti-malware application options, many people select well-known brands, such as SafeBytes, and are quite happy with it. SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, highly effective protection tool created to help end-users of all levels of IT literacy in detecting and eliminating malicious threats from their computer. Using its cutting-edge technology, this software can assist you to eliminate several types of malware such as computer viruses, trojans, PUPs, worms, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers. SafeBytes has excellent features when compared to other anti-malware programs. Let’s have a look at a few of them below: Robust, Anti-malware Protection: Safebytes is made on the best virus engine within the industry. These engines will find and get rid of threats even during the initial phases of a malware outbreak. Active Protection: Malware programs aiming to enter the system are discovered and stopped as and when detected by the SafeBytes active protection shields. It’ll check your PC for suspicious activity at all times and safeguards your personal computer from unauthorized access. High-Speed Malware Scanning Engine: SafeBytes’s high-speed malware scanning engine minimizes scan times and extends the life of the battery. Simultaneously, it will effectively detect and eliminate infected computer files or any online threat. Website Filtering: SafeBytes checks the hyperlinks present on a webpage for possible threats and informs you whether the site is safe to explore or not, through its unique safety rating system. Lowest CPU/Memory Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight and user-friendly antivirus and antimalware solution. Since it utilizes negligible computer resources, this tool leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs to: with you. Premium Support: You may get high levels of support round the clock if you’re using their paid software.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove PCOptimizerPro 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 PCOptimizerPro

Same 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

Mail and Calendar not working with Cortana? As you know, Cortana was first launched way back in 2014 with an emphasis on its tight integration with both the Windows Mail and Calendar apps. This integration has been one of the highlighting features of this Personal Digital Assistant. However, there are some users who reported that the Calendar and Mail integration with Cortana is not working on their Windows 10 computers. This kind of problem could be due to several factors like the loose integration between the services, incompatible versions of the components, and many more. According to the users who experienced the issue, the features affected are the syncing of calendar appointments, sending emails via Cortana, and so on. To fix this problem, there are several options you can try. You can try to restart Cortana’s processor run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter. You could also try to relink your Microsoft account or reinstall the Mail and Calendar apps, as well as reinstall Cortana.  For more details, follow the suggestions given below.

Option 1 – Restart Cortana’s process in the Task Manager

Restarting Cortana’s process in the Task Manager could also help you resolve the problem. Refer to the steps given below to do so.

• Tap the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys to open the Security options window.
• From there, look for the Task Manager in the given list and open it.
• Next, look for the process of Cortana and right-click on it, and then select the End Task option to end its process.
• After that, the Cortana process will restart by itself and re-initialize.

Option 2 – Run the Windows Store App troubleshooter

The Windows 10 Store Apps Troubleshooter will help you in fixing the Web Preview problem in Cortana. This is a great built-in tool from Microsoft that helps users fix any app issues. To use the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter, follow the steps below.

• Tap Win + I keys again to open the Windows Settings panel.
• Go to Update & Security and then go to Troubleshoot.
• Under the Troubleshoot section, on your left-hand side, scroll down to find Window Store Apps.
• Then click on the Run the troubleshooter option and follow the on-screen instructions and then see if it fixes the problem.

Option 3 – Try to relink your Microsoft Account

You might also want to relink your account in Microsoft using the Windows 10 Settings app.

• Open the Windows 10 Settings app.
• Next, navigate to Accounts > Email & Accounts and from there, go to the section of Accounts used by Email, Calendar, and Contacts.
• After that, select your email account and select Manage.
• Once done, a new panel will come up where you have to click on the “Delete account from this device” link.
• Once you get a confirmation, select Delete and then relink the same account. This should resolve the problem.

Option 4 – Try to reinstall or update the Mail and Calendar apps

• Open Windows PowerShell as admin.
• Next, execute this command: Get-AppxPackage *windowscommunicationsapps* | Remove-AppxPackage
• Once done, restart your computer and go to the Microsoft Store page to get the latest updates for both Windows Mail and Calendar apps.

Option 5 – Try to reset Cortana via Settings

• Launch the Windows 10 Settings app and go to Apps > Apps & Features.
• Next, look for the entry of Cortana on the right-side panel and select it.
• After that, select the Advanced options and then select the Terminate button under the Terminate section.
• Once done, click on the Reset button under the Reset section.
• Restart your PC.
• After your computer boots, launch Cortana again and check.

Option 6 – Try to reinstall Cortana

If none of the options given above works, you must consider reinstalling Cortana.

• First, right-click on the Taskbar and select the Task Manager.
• Next, select File menu > Run new task and type “Powershell” in the field and then select the “Create this task with administrative privileges” option.
• Click on OK to open the PowerShell console.
• After that, type the following command and hit Enter to execute it:

Get-AppXPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.Cortana | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}

• Restart your computer and check if the problem is now fixed.

Error 2738 - What is it?

Error 2738 is associated with the VBScript engine. VBScript is the abbreviation for Visual Basic Scripting. It is an Active Scripting programming language developed by Microsoft and modeled on Visual Basic. It is used with a fast interpreter in a large variety of Microsoft environments. Error 2738 indicates that the VBScript engine is not registered properly on your PC. It occurs when you try to install or uninstall VBScript-supported applications on your system. The error message is displayed in the following format:

"Error 2738. Could not access VBScript run time for custom action."

Solution

Error Causes

There are several reasons for the error 2738 message pop up. These include: Incorrect or corrupt registry entries on your system. These entries interfere with VBScript support in Windows thereby generating such error codes.

• Removal of McAfee Antivirus
• Windows registry values are not updated accurately during the uninstallation of McAfee Software
• The Visual Basic Script is registered in the registry under the local user instead of the local machine

No matter what the cause of the error may be, it is recommended that you resolve the issue immediately without any delay.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Here are some of the easy and proven DIY methods to repair error 2738 on your PC:

Method 1

If the error 2738 occurs because the VBScript is not registered correctly, then follow these steps to resolve.

1. Go to the start menu, open Run, and type RegEdit in the box and then press OK. This will open the Windows Registry Editor.
2. Now type KEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREClassesCLSID{B54F3741-5B07-11cf-A4B0-00AA004A55E8}InprocServer32, if the key does not have a data value of C:\Windows\System32\vbscript.dll then simply add it.
3. Now go to the All programs option and then Accessories.
4. Here right-click on Command Prompt and then ‘Run as Administrator’.
5. Now type egsvr32 vbscript.dll then press enter. After that type regsvr32 jscript.dll and then press enter.
6. Restart your PC to activate changes.

Method 2

Sometimes error 2738 may occur when you uninstall preinstalled MacAfee antivirus software on your system. Un-installation usually leaves some trace components in the registry. These components must be removed completely otherwise error codes like 2738 may keep occurring on your computer screen. In such an event, the best way to resolve it is to download the McAfee Consumer Product Removal utility from McAfee's official website. Save this file on your desktop. Double click the file and follow the steps to remove this software completely and successfully from your PC. Proper removal of the McAfee program will resolve error 2738 right away. But if the error still persists then try other methods illustrated below.

Method 3

Download Restoro to remove incorrect and corrupt registry entries on your system that may be interfering with VBScript support. Restoro is a new and easy-to-use PC Repair Tool deployed with an intuitive interface and a powerful registry cleaner. The registry cleaner removes all entries corrupting the registry, cleans it, and resumes it to its normal state. Click here to download Restoro.

What is Mapi32.dll Outlook Error?

Mapi32.dll is a Windows Messaging Application Programming Interface that enables Windows to perform various email functions and launch messaging programs like Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Office. The inability of the interface to execute email functions properly results in the Mapi32.dll Outlook Error. This error occurs mostly when you are attempting to upgrade the operating system to a new version.

Solution

Error Causes

The common causes of the Mapi32.dll Outlook Error during the OS upgrade are:

• Damaged or Corrupt Outlook user profile
• The software is overwritten by some other program
• Outlook PST file corruption

The Mapi32.dll Outlook Error message is displayed in either of the following forms:

• Mapi32.dll is missing
• Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Mapi32.dll is corrupt or the wrong version.
• Mapi32.dll was not found
• Mail is not installed

Further Information and Manual Repair

So, what if you experience this issue and how do you fix it? Well, first there is no need to panic as Microsoft has recognized this issue and provided adequate solutions to fix this problem in no time. However, to ensure the Mapi32.dll Outlook error is a quick fix, you must first understand the cause of the issue and the message displayed on the screen.

1. Let’s say the errors occur because your Outlook profile is corrupt. In this scenario, the best solution is to create a new Outlook profile. Regardless of whether you have Windows Vista or XP, to create your new Outlook profile, first, you will have to click on the Control Panel, then User Account, and then Mail. Once you click on the Mail tab, the mail set up dialog box will open. In this dialog box there will be a ‘Show Profiles’ tab, click and then click the Add tab that appears next. Now type the name for your new Outlook profile and then click ‘OK’. After that, add an email account to go with the profile.
2. If Mapi32.dll is missing or corrupt, you will have to run ‘Fixmapi.exe’ to resolve the problem. It is located in the System32 folder inside the Windows directory in Windows Explorer.

• Therefore, first start Windows Explorer and then locate the following folder on your computer: C: /Program Files/Common Files/System/Msmapi1033
• Now find Fixmapi.exe and double click it
• After that locate the Mapi32.dll file and rename it to MSmapi32.old and press enter.
• Restart your computer when finished.

A word of advice for computer users is to scan for viruses with an antivirus program or a registry cleaner regularly to prevent the Mapi32.dll Outlook error from occurring in the first place. Viruses often latch onto .dll files and corrupt them. It’s always best to have a forward-looking approach.

As of late, users have been reporting about getting an error saying, SAFE_OS phase error during Replicate_OC operation when they tried to upgrade their Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 computers to Windows 10. Although the error code in this problem could vary, in this situation, it states:

0xC1900101 – 0x20017, The installation failed in the SAFE_OS phase error during Replicate_OC operation

To fix this issue, you need to follow the given options below. But before you do, you need to create a System Restore point first so that if anything goes wrong, you can always undo the changes you’ve made.

Option 1 – Try to change the Windows 10 installation

According to security experts, one of the main causes of this error is the KB3064209Windows Update. This particular update is the one responsible for updating the CPU Microcode for processors made by Intel. Thus, if you don’t use an Intel processor, you can skip this option and proceed to the next one. However, if you use Intel, make sure to follow the instructions in this option carefully. Take note that in this solution, C: partition is referred to as the OS Partition while H: partition is referred to as the USB Pen Drive.

• First, you need to download the Windows 10 ISO from the Windows 10 Media Creation tool and then copy its contents to the Pen Drive H.
• Next, tap the Win + X keys and click on the Command Prompt (Admin0 option. If a User Account Control appears, simply click Yes.
• After opening Command Prompt, type the following command:

dism /Mount-Image /ImageFile:H:sourcesboot.wim /index:1 /MountDir:C:UsersUserDesktopmount

• Now navigate to the following path in the Windows File Explorer:

C:UsersUserDesktopmountWindowsSystem32mcupdate_GenuineIntel.dll

• From there, right-click on the file named “mcupdate_GenuineIntel.dll and click on Properties.
• Next, go to the Security tab and click on Advanced. In the Advanced section, change the Owner to your User Account and click OK.
• And then back to the Security tab, click on the Edit button and check on Full control to make sure that your User Account has all the privileges.
• Now click on Apply and then OK.
• After that, delete the file you saw earlier which is named mcupdate_Genuine.dll.
• Then close all the Windows File Explorer instances and go back to the Command Prompt window and unmounts the image you mounted before by typing the following command:

dism /Unmount-Image /MountDir:C:UsersUserDesktopmount /commit

• Afterward, repeat the steps from mounting up until here for these files:
  • wim /index:2
  • wim /index:1
  • wim /index:2
• Now delete the mount folder and remove the USB Pen Drive and then boot with the installer.

Option 2 – Try to perform a Disk Cleanup

Chances are, some unnecessary files in your computer might be interrupting the installation process which explains why you’re getting SAFE_OS phase error during Replicate_OC operation instead so you need to perform a Disk Cleanup in order to fix the problem.

Option 3 – Try updating all your drivers

Every now and then, drivers get corrupted or outdated so it’s no surprise that they conflict with the operating system and cause errors like the SAFE_OS phase error during the Replicate_OC operation. To fix the problem, you need to update all your drivers. Follow the steps below to update your drivers.

• 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, a list of device drivers will be 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” or “Uninstall”. 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.
• Restart your PC.

Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturer and check if there’s a new update – if there is, download it.

Option 4 – Try to update your system’s BIOS

Aside from outdated drivers, outdated BIOS could also be the reason why you’re getting the SAFE_OS phase error during Replicate_OC operation which is why you need to update your system’s BIOS in order to resolve the issue.

Option 5 – Try checking the Windows Services status

• In the Cortana search box, search for “Services” and then click on the Services icon.
• After that, the Services utility will be opened in a new window.
• Next, look for the following services:
  • BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service)
  • Windows Update Service
  • Cryptographic Service
• Then right-click on each one of the services and click on Properties. From there, select Automatic from the drop-down of the Startup Type menu.
• Now click on OK for each one of them and restart your PC to apply the changes made.

Option 6 – Try to check the RAM modules

There are many times when all the components of the RAM weren’t able to be used by the computer so you need to check the RAM modules.

• You need to first turn off your PC and then take out your RAM physically.
• Next, clean it with a soft cloth and blow some air into the RAM slot in the motherboard.
• After that, put your RAM back in the same slot.
• Then try updating your computer system again.

Due to its hybrid core technology, the Alder Lake line of processors had some DRM issues with some game titles where DRM protection software detected hybrid core design switching via manager as a hack attempt and prevented the game from working properly. Over 50 titles were affected by this issue, now only 3 remain still affected but it is being worked on them so that can be also resolved. Intel says that the remedy to the issue for these games is the scroll lock fix which can be done so by enabling Legacy Game Compatibility mode from the BIOS of your motherboard. When running the said games, you can press scroll lock to park the E-cores on Intel's Alder Lake Desktop CPUs to get rid of DRM issues. Certain motherboard manufacturers such as MSI and Gigabyte have made this even easier through software tools with which you don't have to access the BIOS. All you need to do is select a button in the tool which works on both Windows 11 and Windows 10 operating systems and you will enable compatibility mode.

What is OpenCandy?

OpenCandy is an application that downloads and installs software, including other Internet Browsers to a computer system. Used as a bundle, this application installs additional programs that you may knowingly or unknowingly agree to install. Since most users don’t accept the challenge of reading the EULA in its entirety, they tend to download bundled applications unknowingly.

Assessment of OpenCandy PUP

During the initial assessment of OpenCandy, I was a little skeptical about what to look out for or expect. In fact, I had to install the OpenCandy.exe file twice to discern its behavior. I’m not sure how this application got its name but I do believe it has something to do with the fact that it supposedly helps Internet users open a new world of Internet browsing. That conclusion was arrived at after realizing that OpenCandy.exe installed mostly Internet browsers along with a tune-up tool on the test computer. However, as a result of the system requirements, there was a pop-up message indicating that Internet Explorer 8 was not compatible with the computer system in question. In comparison to the malware I’ve encountered since I started researching malware, OpenCandy is everything but malicious. In fact, this application is only categorized as malware because of its’ subtle covert nature of installing bundled programs unsolicited by the user. Additionally, OpenCandy coerces users into changing their Internet Browsers by installing those unrequested by the user. In fact, it’s no shock that OpenCandy chose to install the Internet Browser ‘Opera’ as a part of this bundle since it’s one of the least used browsers according to the Federal Government. Clearly, this was a smoothly disguised advertisement or promotion to force users into using the Opera Browser, along with Internet Explorer 8.0. While these aforementioned browsers in themselves aren’t malicious and are in no way considered malware, they were installed as a promotional tool and without the request of the user. Despite being mentioned within the EULA, advertisers are capitalizing on this since most users do not bother to read the agreements when installing a program. Furthermore, OpenCandy, like most other bundled applications I’ve dealt with, threw in a tune-up tool as a part of the promotion. I found this tune-up application annoying since I had to hassle my way into getting it to close from the computer screen. I can only imagine the hassle users would go through trying to remove this software. Image 7: Depiction of a scan performed by Tuneup Utilities. The scan detected that several areas on the test PC could be optimized/tuned up. Image 8: After a scan was completed using the Tuneup utility program, I was given an option to buy the full version. Nothing is wrong with this marketing strategy. In fact, most utility tools if not all will scan your computer to detect threats or loopholes, but they won't exactly allow you to fix those problems unless you buy the full version. It's not unfair, it's just business. Programs installed during the installation of OpenCandy include:

• Web Companion: Developed by Lavasoft, Web Companion is said to be an application that serves as a security defense for your Internet browsers by preventing unauthorized changes (see image below)
• Tuneup Utilities: Tuneup Utilities does exactly as it says. It cleans up a computer system, whereby preventing unused programs from slowing it down.
• Opera Stable 30.01.1835.88: Opera is a fast, simple, and effective Internet browser that allows users to get around on the web.

All in all, the intent of installing an application such as OpenCandy is to unleash a world of promotion or advertisements on your computer. They are pretty annoying and in some cases difficult to remove. Furthermore, as a user, you want to control what gets installed on your computer without being dictated to or coerced in some EULA that you probably overlook. To completely remove OpenCandy PUP from your computer, click here to download and install Spyhunter.