PrivacyAssistant is a browser extension developed by SearchAssistant.net. These extensions allegedly offer users a safer way to browse the internet and some other tools to customize the home page with background wallpapers and one-click links that can be added. While all this may sound appealing, PrivacyAssistant also monitors your browser activity, search quarries, clicks, visits, and possibly personal information.
This extension changes your default home page to SearchAssistant.com and rerouting all searches through its search portal, displaying sponsored links instead of your typical search results. While active you may see unwanted ads and even pop-up ads appearing while browsing the internet.
Several anti-virus programs have classified this extension as a Browser Hijacker, and are, therefore, for security reasons, not recommended to keep on your computer.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking is amongst the web’s constant risks that target internet browsers. It’s a kind of malicious software that alters your internet browser’s configuration settings and redirects you to websites or pages that you had no intention of checking out. They are created to disrupt browser functions for many different reasons. Usually, hijackers will force hits to internet sites of their choice either to increase traffic producing higher advertisement earnings, or to gain a commission for each and every user visiting there. Most people believe that these kinds of websites are legitimate and harmless but that is not the case. Almost every browser hijacker poses an existent threat to your online safety and it’s important to categorize them under privacy dangers. When the program attacks your PC, it starts to mess things up a whole that slows your computer down to a crawl. In the worst-case scenario, you might be forced to deal with serious malware threats as well.
How one can recognize a browser hijack
There are numerous symptoms that point to a browser hijacking: your browser’s home page is suddenly different; you get re-directed to sites you never meant to visit; the default web engine has been changed and your web browser security settings have been lowered without your knowledge; find new toolbars that you simply did not add; you might find many pop-up ads on your computer screen; your web browser starts running slowly or displays frequent errors; you have prohibited entry to certain web pages, for example, the website of an antivirus software developer like SafeBytes.
So how exactly does a browser hijacker infect a PC
Browser hijackers may use drive-by downloads or file-sharing websites or perhaps an email attachment in order to reach a targeted computer system. They can also originate from any BHO, extension, toolbar, add-on, or plug-in with malicious intent. Other times you might have unintentionally accepted a browser hijacker as part of a software program bundle (generally freeware or shareware). A good example of some popular browser hijackers includes Conduit, Anyprotect, Babylon, DefaultTab, SweetPage, Delta Search, and RocketTab, however, the names are constantly changing.
Browser hijacking can lead to serious privacy problems and even identity theft, disrupt your browsing experience by taking control over outgoing traffic, considerably slows down your personal computer by consuming lots of system resources, and result in system instability at the same time.
How to repair a browser hijack
Some hijackers can be removed by uninstalling the free software they were included with or by deleting any extension you’ve recently added to your browser. But, the majority of hijackers are extremely tenacious and require specialized applications to eradicate them. Furthermore, manual removal requires you to execute many time-consuming and tricky procedures which are hard to carry out for inexperienced computer users.
How To Get Rid Of Virus That Is Preventing Antivirus Installation?
Viruses can cause a great deal of damage to your computer system. Some malware sits in between the computer and your net connection and blocks some or all sites that you really want to visit. It will also prevent you from installing anything on your computer, especially anti-malware software. So what to do if malicious software keeps you from downloading or installing Safebytes Anti-Malware? Although this sort of problem can be difficult to circumvent, there are some actions you can take.
Make use of Safe Mode to resolve the problem
In Safe Mode, you can actually change Windows settings, un-install or install some software, and eliminate hard-to-delete malware. In case the malware is set to load immediately when PC boots, switching into this mode may well prevent it from doing so. To enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the system is starting up or run MSCONFIG and look for the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. Once you’re in safe mode, you can try to install your anti-malware program without the hindrance of the malicious software. Following installation, run the malware scanner to remove most standard infections.
Switch over to some other web browser
Some malware mainly targets specific browsers. If this is your situation, use another internet browser as it can circumvent the malware. In the event you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by a computer virus or otherwise compromised by cybercriminals, the best approach is to switch over to a different internet browser like Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Apple Safari to download your favorite computer security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.
Run anti-virus from a USB drive
Another solution is to create a portable anti-malware program on your USB thumb drive. Try these simple actions to clean up your affected PC using a portable antivirus. 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or Microsoft Windows Defender Offline onto a clean computer system. 2) Plug the pen drive into the uninfected PC. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, which has a .exe file format. 4) Choose the flash drive as the location for saving the file. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. 5) Transfer the pen drive from the uninfected computer to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes tool from the pen drive. 7) Click “Scan Now” to run a scan on the infected computer for viruses.
A Look at the Best AntiMalware Program
If you are looking to download an anti-malware application for your computer, there are several tools out there to consider nonetheless, you cannot trust blindly anyone, no matter whether it is paid or free software. Some are really worth your money, but many aren’t. While looking for an anti-malware program, choose one that offers solid, efficient, and complete protection against all known computer viruses and malware. One of the highly recommended software is SafeBytes AntiMalware. SafeBytes carries a very good track record of quality service, and customers appear to be happy with it.
SafeBytes anti-malware is really a powerful, very effective protection tool created to assist users of all levels of IT literacy in finding and eliminating malicious threats out of their PC. Once you’ve got installed this software, SafeByte's state-of-the-art protection system will make sure that no viruses or malicious software can seep through your PC.
SafeBytes anti-malware comes with a plethora of enhanced features which sets it aside from all others. Listed below are some of the highlighted features included in the tool.
Robust Anti-malware Protection: This deep-cleaning anti-malware software goes much deeper than most anti-virus tools to clean your computer. Its critically acclaimed virus engine finds and disables hard to remove malware that conceals deep inside your personal computer.
Active Protection: SafeBytes gives round-the-clock protection for your PC limiting malware attacks in real-time. They’re extremely effective in screening and removing various threats since they’re constantly improved with the latest updates and alerts.
Web protection: SafeBytes checks the links present on a web page for possible threats and alerts you whether the website is safe to explore or not, through its unique safety ranking system.
Light-weight: The program is lightweight and will work quietly in the background, and that does not impact your computer efficiency.
24/7 Premium Support: Support service is readily available for 24 x 7 x 365 days through email and chats to answer your queries.
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you wish to manually remove PrivacyAssistant 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 PrivacyAssistant
SearchAnonymo is a Google Chrome browser extension. This extension allegedly allows you to browse the internet anonymously without your data being tracked.
From the Author: Search Anonymo – Search the Web Privately
Switch your default search to Search Anonymo and become safer on the web. Search through our Search Anonymo extension instead of search engines that track your personal profile and your search history. Search Anonymo provides you with an easy and safe search tool.
-Advanced Security
-No User Profiling
-No Tracking
-No Search Leakage
This extension replaces your Default Search to Search Anonymo.
This extension reroutes your search algorithms through a few websites before finally forwarding it to Yahoo Search. It changes your default search engine to Yahoo, which keeps track of any search information you make. It will change your homepage, search provider, and in our testing added considerable delay to the speed of search. This browser hijacker is considered a low-risk threat but is detected for optional removal for previous reasons.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking means that a malicious program code has power over and altered the settings of your internet browser, without your permission. Nearly all browser hijackers are created for marketing or advertising purposes. In most cases, it will force users to predetermined websites that are trying to increase their advertising campaign revenue. Nonetheless, it isn’t that harmless. Your web safety is compromised and it is also really irritating. Browser hijackers can also let other malicious programs without your knowledge further damage your PC.
How one can know whether the web browser is hijacked?
There are many symptoms that could indicate a browser hijacking: the browser’s home-page is changed; you see new unwanted favorites or bookmarks added, typically directed to ad-filled or porn sites; the default browser configurations have been changed and/or your default search engine is altered; you’re getting browser toolbars you have never found before; never-ending pop-up ads appear and/or your web browser popup blocker is disabled; web pages load very slowly and at times incomplete; you can’t visit specific sites like homepages of security software.
How they get into your computer or laptop
There are a number of ways your PC can get infected by a browser hijacker. They usually arrive by way of spam e-mail, via file-sharing networks, or by a drive-by download. They can be included with toolbars, BHO, add-ons, plugins, or browser extensions. Also, certain freeware and shareware can put the hijacker in your PC through “bundling”. Examples of well-known browser hijackers are Fireball, GoSave, Ask Toolbar, CoolWebSearch, Babylon Toolbar, and RocketTab.
The presence of any browser hijacker on your computer can considerably diminish the browsing experience, record your internet activities that lead to major privacy issues, develop system stability problems, and eventually cause your computer to slow down or to a practically unusable condition.
Getting rid of browser hijackers
Certain hijackers could be removed by just uninstalling the related freeware or add-ons through the Add or Remove Programs in the Windows control panel. Having said that, the majority of hijackers are very tenacious and need specialized tools to get rid of them. And there’s no denying the very fact that the manual fixes and removal methods can be a complicated job for a novice computer user. Additionally, there are plenty of risks connected with tinkering around with the system registry files.
You can opt for automatic browser hijacker removal methods by simply installing and running an efficient anti-malware application. To eradicate any browser hijacker from your PC, you can download this particular certified malware removal application – SafeBytes Anti-Malware. In addition to anti-malware, a system optimizer software can help you correct registry errors, get rid of unwanted toolbars, secure internet privacy, and stabilize software programs installed on your computer.
What you can do if Virus Stops You From Downloading Or Installing Anti-malware?
All malware is inherently harmful, but certain kinds of malicious software do a lot more damage to your PC than others. Some malware is designed to hinder or prevent things that you want to do on your computer system. It may not allow you to download anything from the web or stop you from accessing some or all websites, especially the anti-virus sites. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download or install Safebytes Anti-Malware software on your system. Do as instructed below to get rid of the malware by alternate methods.
Use Safe Mode to fix the problem
In Safe Mode, you could change Windows settings, un-install or install some software, and get rid of hard-to-delete viruses. In the event the malware is blocking internet connection and affecting your computer, starting it in Safe Mode enables you to download antivirus and run a scan while limiting possible damage. In order to get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the PC is starting up or run MSConfig and locate the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. As soon as you restart the PC into Safe Mode with Networking, you could download, install, as well as update anti-malware software from there. After installation, run the malware scanner to remove standard infections.
Switch to an alternate web browser
Some malware mainly targets particular internet browsers. If this sounds like your case, make use of another web browser as it might circumvent the virus. When you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a trojan or otherwise compromised by online hackers, the best thing to do is to switch over to an alternate browser such as Firefox, Chrome, or Safari to download your chosen security software – Safebytes Anti-Malware.
Run anti-malware from your USB drive
Another technique is to download and transfer anti-malware software from a clean PC to run a scan on the infected system. Do these simple actions to clean up your infected computer by using a portable antivirus.
1) On a virus-free computer, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware.2) Plug in the pen drive into the clean computer.3) Double-click the executable file to run the installation wizard.4) Select the USB flash drive as the location for saving the software file. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish the installation process.5) Now, transfer the USB drive to the infected PC.6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the USB drive by double-clicking the icon.7) Run Full System Scan to identify and get rid of all kinds of malware.
Overview of SafeBytes Anti-Malware
Do you want to install the very best anti-malware software program for your PC? There are numerous applications in the market that comes in paid and free versions for Windows systems. A few of them are great and some are scamware applications that pretend as legitimate anti-malware programs waiting to wreak havoc on your personal computer. When searching for anti-malware software, choose one that gives dependable, efficient, and comprehensive protection against all known viruses and malware. Amongst few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the strongly recommended tool for the security-conscious individual.
SafeBytes can be described as a powerful, real-time anti-malware application that is created to assist the everyday computer end user in protecting their PC from malicious threats. With its cutting-edge technology, this application will help you get rid of multiples types of malware such as computer viruses, worms, PUPs, trojans, adware, ransomware, and browser hijackers.
SafeBytes anti-malware offers an array of enhanced features that sets it apart from all others. Listed below are some of the features you may like in SafeBytes.
Most effective AntiMalware Protection: Built on a highly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal tool can find and remove numerous obstinate malware threats like browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, and ransomware that other common anti-virus applications will miss.
Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes offers a completely hands-free real-time protection that is set to monitor, block and destroy all threats at its first encounter. It will regularly monitor your pc for hacker activity and also gives end-users superior firewall protection.
Web protection: SafeBytes checks the hyperlinks present on a webpage for possible threats and tells you whether the site is safe to visit or not, through its unique safety rating system.
Lightweight: SafeBytes is renowned for its low effect on computer resources and great detection rate of countless threats. It runs quietly and efficiently in the background so you’re free to utilize your computer or laptop at full power all the time.
24/7 Guidance: You will get 24/7 technical assistance to immediately resolve any issue with your security application.
To sum it up, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is pretty great for securing your computer against all sorts of malware threats. Malware problems can become a thing of the past once you put this tool to use. If you want advanced forms of protection features & threat detections, purchasing SafeBytes Anti-Malware will be well worth the dollars!
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you wish to manually remove SearchAnonymo without using 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 web browser plug-ins, going to the browser’s AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. Additionally, it is suggested to reset your browser to its default state to fix corrupt settings.
In order to ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and computer registry for all the following and eliminate or reset the values as needed. But bear in mind, this is often a complicated task and only computer professionals could accomplish it safely. Furthermore, certain malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing deletion. Carrying out this in Safe Mode is recommended.
If you are trying to connect to the internet using the Microsoft Edge browser but encountered an error message instead that says, “Can’t connect to the proxy server”, read on as this post will show you how you can fix this error. This kind of error in Microsoft Edge could be caused by incorrect proxy settings or worse, malware.
To fix this error, here are some suggestions you need to check out:
Option 1 – Try to check your internet connection
The first thing you can do to resolve the “Can’t connect to the proxy server” error in Microsoft Edge is to check your internet connection. There are times when your internet connection or Wi-Fi router can cause such problems. In such cases, you have to ensure that you have a valid internet source and if you are using a Wi-Fi router, you can try to use another connection and then see if the error is gone or not.
Option 2 – Try to disable the manual proxy set up from the Settings
In case you miss it, there is actually an option in the Settings panel that you can use to set up proxy in your Windows 10 computer. So if you encounter the “Can’t connect to the proxy server” error, you should disable manual proxy for the meantime and check if it fixed the error or not.
Tap the Win + I keys to open the Windows Settings.
Then go to Network & Internet > Proxy.
And on your right-hand side, ensure that the Automatically detect settings are enabled and that the Use a proxy server option under the Manual proxy setup is disabled.
Now try to open any website again and see if the problem’s fixed.
Option 3 – Try disabling the VPN
Like pointed out earlier, if you are using VPN, this could be the reason why you’re getting the “Can’t connect to the proxy server” error so the most obvious thing to do is for you to turn off the VPN and try to load a website in Edge again. And if you use a VPN software that works using their software, you can just completely exit or log-off from its account. On the other hand, if you are using a built-in Windows 10 VPN, you can simply turn it off or delete all the settings you have created there.
Option 4 – Disable the proxy server for your LAN
If your PC was just attacked by some adware or malware as of late, it is possible that it has changed the network settings in the system and might display spam advertisements. Thus, you have to disable the proxy server for your LAN. To do that, refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “inetcpl.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to pull up the Internet Properties.
After that, go to the Connections tab and select the LAN settings.
From there. Uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server” option for your LAN and then make sure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked.
Now click the OK and the Apply buttons.
Restart your PC.
Note: If you are using a third-party proxy service, you have to disable it.
Option 5 – Temporarily disable Firewall and third-party antivirus
Firewall and antivirus programs are known to block files the instant it detects a threat to the system. However, there are some cases when it can also block a file even when it’s a safe one. Thus, your antivirus or firewall programs might be the reason why you can’t download anything on your Windows 10 computer. To isolate the issue, you need to temporarily disable both the Firewall and antivirus programs and then check if you can now download anything from the internet. Do not forget to enable them again as disabling them can leave your computer vulnerable to cyber threats.
Option 6 – Clear the browsing data of Microsoft Edge
Open Microsoft Edge.
Then click on the three horizontal dots to open the menu.
From there, click on Settings. And under Settings, click the “Choose what to clear” button under the Clear browsing data section.
Next, check all the checkboxes and then click the Clear button to clear the browsing data in the Edge browser.
Restart Edge.
Option 7 – Try to reset, repair or reinstall Edge via Settings
You can reset, repair or reinstall the Edge browser through Settings.
If none of it helped, you can try the following:
Open File Explorer and then go to this path – C:/Users/YourUsername/AppData/Local/Packages
Note: Before you type in the path in the Address bar, make sure that you put your user account name in place with the “YourUsername”.
Tap Enter to proceed.
Next, look for the folder named “MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe” then right-click on it.
Click on Properties and uncheck the option “Read-only” under the General tab in the Properties window.
Click on Apply and then OK to save the changes made.
After that, look for the MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe folder again and delete it. And if a prompt stating “Folder Access Denied” appears on your screen, just click on the Continue button to proceed – doing so will delete most of the content inside the folder except for the folder named “AC”.
Restart your PC.
Now all you have to do is to re-register Microsoft Edge using PowerShell. In the Start Menu, search “Windows PowerShell”.
Right-click on Windows PowerShell from the search results and select the “Run as administrator” option.
Type in this command in the PowerShell windows and tap Enter – Cd C:/Users/YourUsername
Note: Once again, make sure that you key in your user account name in place of “YourUsername.
After that, type in this command and tap Enter – Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml" -Verbose}
Restart your PC.
Option 8 – Scan your computer for malware using Windows Defender
Your computer could be infected with malware which might have triggered the “Can’t connect to the proxy server” error. To fix this, you need to scan your computer using a reliable program like Windows Defender.
Tap the Win + I keys to open Update & Security.
Then click on the Windows Security option and open Windows Defender Security Center.
Next, click on Virus & threat protection > Run a new advanced scan.
Now make sure that Full Scan is selected from the menu and then click the Scan Now button to get started.
The standard icon place in the Taskbar inside Windows 11 is in the center. Some users welcomed this change, some not so much. If you are part of the user base that is not so much thrilled with this Microsoft’s idea of innovation, do not worry, there is an easy way to move all icons and start button on the left inside Taskbar.
Moving icons in Taskbar
Open Windows settings by using ⊞ WINDOWS + I key combination
Click on Personalization
Select Taskbar
Click on Taskbar Behaviors
Click on the drop-down menu beside Taskbar Alignment
Select your desired option of icon alignment
Close settings
Your options will be active right away and you will see icons switching to the position of your choosing.
One of the most sophisticated Artificial Intelligence or AI assistants there is in the market is Cortana. However, no matter how sophisticated this AI assistant may be, there are still times when you encounter issues with it. So if your Cortana is not connecting to the internet, worry not for this post will guide you in fixing the problem.
This connection issue in Cortana might have something to do with the settings, network connectivity, or your Microsoft account. In addition, it could also be that the Firewall or antivirus program interferes with its connection. Whichever the case is, here are some possible solutions that could help you resolve the problem.
Option 1 – Try to power cycle the modem, router, and computer
Connect the modem, router, and the PC hard-wired and then switch all of these three devices off.
Turn on the modem and wait for 30 seconds.
Turn on the router and wait for 30 seconds as well.
Finally, turn on the computer and check if you can now successfully connect to the internet.
Option 2 – Check if your router or ISP is properly working
Since the basis for this issue is that Cortana is not connecting to the internet even though you are able to access websites using your browser, you might want to check your router or ISP (Internet Service Provider) and see if they’re functioning properly.
Option 3 – Try changing your internet connection
You can also try changing your internet connection and see if it fixes the problem. If you are using Ethernet, you can try connecting to a Wi-Fi connection and see if Cortana is able to connect or not.
Option 4 – Try to run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter
You might also want to run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter in Windows 10 as it checks whether the settings for Cortana are in place and automatically corrects any issues if the update or software installation has changed the settings. To run it just click on the Start button and select Settings > Updates and Security > Troubleshoot. From there, select the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter.
Note: You can also run the Network Troubleshooter as it can also help in resolving the issue especially if the problem is in the network.
Option 5 – Try to remove Proxy
Removing the Proxy might also help you in fixing the connection issue in Cortana. Here’s how you can do it:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “inetcpl.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to pull up the Internet Properties.
After that, go to the Connections tab and select the LAN settings.
From there. Uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server” option for your LAN and then make sure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked.
Now click the OK and the Apply buttons.
Restart your PC.
Note: If you are using a third-party proxy service, you have to disable it.
Option 6 – Verify your Microsoft account
In some cases, Cortana might not be able to connect to the internet because your Microsoft account is no longer verified. This usually happens when you use a two-step authentication system with your Microsoft account. To verify it, just open Settings and click on Accounts. After that, check if you have a Verify hyperlink under your Microsoft account or not then click on Verify. Afterward, follow the next on-screen prompts to verify your Microsoft account. Once your account is verified, restart your computer.
Option 7 – Try resetting Cortana
Open Cortana and go to the Settings section where you’ll see the “Turning off Cortana clears what Cortana knows on this device, but won’t delete anything from the Notebook. After Cortana is off, you can decide what you’d like to do with anything still stored in the cloud” option. Turn this option off.
Restart your PC.
After your computer boots, launch Cortana again and check.
Option 8 – Try to reinstall Cortana
If none of the options given above works, you must consider reinstalling Cortana.
First, right-click on the Start button and click on the Windows Powershell (Admin) option from the list.
Next, type the following command and hit Enter to execute it:
It really sucks when you can’t fully enjoy the newest version of your favorite OS.
Windows 11 is still relatively fresh and consequently has some annoying little bugs that really ruin our experience. The good news is that you’re not alone and most of them are easy to fix.
Here are 5 commonly reported Windows 11 issues and what you can do to get rid of them.
1. Windows 11 audio problems
One of the absolute most irritating things in the world is struggling with the sound on your computer. Windows 11 users have reported facing the issue of low or no sound. If you’re currently experiencing the same frustration, you can be relieved. Chances are fixing it will only take a few minutes.
The first thing to check would be whether you accidentally muted your device by pressing the mute button on your keyboard. Yes, we know it sounds a lot like the old “have you tried turning it off and on again?” But it’s important to leave no stone unturned, and the most obvious things are usually the ones we easily overlook.
Moreover, if you have several audio output sources, check whether the right one is selected. You can do this via the Action Center or through Settings. If you want to use the same source every time, we also recommend you set it as the default one.
It’s also important to have a good, up-to-date audio driver. More often than not, this will be the true cause of your audio struggles. Make sure to update your driver, and if that doesn’t work out, you can always un- and reinstall it or install a different one.
Lastly, if all attempts remain unsuccessful, run the audio troubleshooter to figure out what’s actually going wrong.
2. Unable to find files
Such a powerful new operating system, yet it can’t seem to do the simplest thing imaginable? The File Explorer not responding on Windows 11 is one of the most frustrating and most common problems with Microsoft’s newest iteration of its awesome OS.
However, 9/10 times it can be fixed by simply restarting your PC. You could also try killing the Windows Explorer process in the Task Manager and then rerunning it.
If these don’t help, check whether there are any pending Windows 11 updates. A single missing update can compromise your PC’s functionality, so always make sure to install them all on time.
Should none of that work, then there are other ways to solve the File Explorer problem. However, then the issue is probably a bit deeper and it’s no longer in the ‘easy fix’ territory.
3. Start menu not working
Just like the File Explorer, the Start menu is a fundamental element of your OS. So, it’s only natural that its malfunction grinds your gears. It may be more customizable than on previous Windows versions, but it doesn’t always work smoothly.
If you’re facing the so-called Start menu critical error, there are a few things this could be caused by. Usually it means you turned off your system while an important update was still being installed, there is a corrupt file on your PC, or Windows forcefully stopped a program.
Whatever the reason, the solution should be pretty simple. Try the basic steps: restarting your File Explorer (like we explained above) and signing out and back into your account. If that doesn’t do anything, you may want to try uninstalling third-party start menu apps (if you have any), since they can interfere with your default programs’ functionality.
Now, those are the easy fixes. If you get nowhere with them, you might need to identify the root cause and search for more complex solutions than that.
4. Snipping tool not working
Our beloved screenshot tool was introduced with Windows 10 and Microsoft decided to keep it. However, you were probably just as disappointed as us when you tried to run it and failed.
Normally, this can be fixed by installing the latest Out-of-band (OOB) update, or even pending updates in general. Even if your system appears to be up-to-date, run the checker just in case.
Another cool thing Windows 11 lets you do is ‘Repair’ and ‘Reset’, which is the easiest way to troubleshoot your Snipping tool. If this fails, you can also try the good old un- and reinstall method. Simply uninstall the tool through the Control Panel and reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.
Furthermore, in the case of an upgrade from Windows 10 to 11, it may be that the old Snipping tool version is interfering with the launch of the new one. If you don’t care that much about the additional options available with the enhanced screenshot tool, you can use the old version instead.
Simply go to your C Drive, find the Windows.old folder, search for the tool and open it from there. Make sure to pin it to your taskbar as well, if you know you’re going to use it often.
5. Can’t install the latest update
The latest Windows 11 version, 22H2, has brought tons of enhancements to our dearest operating system. Unfortunately, a lot of users still haven’t had the opportunity to experience it. A mere update of your OS version should be the one thing that goes smoothly, but sometimes that’s not the case.
Failure to install 22H2 can be caused by a few things. Most commonly, the issue is caused by lack of storage space or corrupted files, but there could be other culprits.
There are a couple of things you could try. For example, it’s crucial that your drivers be up-to-date and some important services be enabled. These are: Windows Modules Installer, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, Cryptographic Service, Windows Update services.
To enable them, search ‘Services’, find the service you need and right-click on it. Open ‘Properties’ and select the startup type ‘Automatic’.
It may also be necessary to unplug all peripherals that aren’t crucial and disable third-party antivirus tools until after the update is finished.
Ultimately, you can run the Windows Update troubleshooter to detect and fix other possible issues.
Summary
Tiny bugs like these are nothing out of the ordinary. That said, we still all hate when they happen.
Hopefully some of our solutions have helped you to a smoother Windows 11 experience. But if you’re still struggling, feel free to reach out to us. We’d be happy to help!
If you get an Error Code 15 or Error Code 16 while you are browsing the web and you notice that your access is blocked to a particular website, then read on as this post will guide you in resolving this problem. Both Error Code 15 and Error Code 16 have the same message that states, “Access Denied: This request was blocked by the security rules”.
Note that the error depends on what kind of browser you are using, as well as the operating system and network that you are using. On the other hand, the fixes for this error are the same and there is a handful of them that you can check out just make sure to follow each one of them carefully.
Option 1 – Sync Date and Time
The first thing you can try is to sync the Date and Time of your computer as the wrong Date and Time settings are one of the most common causes of connection problems like Error code 15 or Error code 16. This is because of the incompatibility between the SSL Certificate validation date and the System Clock. Thus, you have to sync your System Clock. Refer to the steps below to do so.
Right-click on the Taskbar and click on the Adjust Date and Time option.
Next, click on the Sync Now button to synchronize the Date and Time with the Microsoft Servers.
Now make sure that the Time Zone that’s set on the same page is correct.
Option 2 – Try to reset the affected browser
Resetting the affected browser might help in fixing Error Code 15 or Error Code 16.
Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the icon that looks like three stacked lines located at the top-right section of the browser.
Next, select the question mark icon from the drop-down menu.
Then select “Troubleshooting information” from the slide-out menu.
After that, click on the “Reset Firefox” button located at the top-right section of the newly opened web page.
Now select “Reset Firefox” in the confirmation pop-up window that appears.
Google Chrome
Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
After that, click on Settings.
Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
Now restart Google Chrome.
Internet Explorer
Launch Internet Explorer.
Next, click the wrench icon for Settings.
Then click Internet Options.
After that, go to the Advanced tab.
From there, click the Reset button. This will reset Internet Explorer’s settings to their default condition.
Now click OK to save the changes made.
Option 3 – Temporarily disable Firewall and third-party antivirus
Firewall and antivirus programs are known to block files the instant it detects a threat to the system. However, there are some cases when it can also block a file even when it’s a safe one. Thus, your antivirus or firewall programs might be the reason why you can’t download anything on your Windows 10 computer. To isolate the issue, you need to temporarily disable both the Firewall and antivirus programs and then check if you can now download anything from the internet. Do not forget to enable them again as disabling them can leave your computer vulnerable to cyber threats.
Option 4 – Disable the Proxy server
You can also try to disable the Proxy server for your LAN to fix Error code 15 or Error code 16 especially if your computer was attacked by some malware or adware recently. In such cases, there is a chance that the malware or adware has changed your network settings in order to generate intrusive advertisements. Thus, you have to disable the proxy server and you can do that by following these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “inetcpl.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to pull up the Internet Properties.
After that, go to the Connections tab and select the LAN settings.
From there. Uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server” option for your LAN and then make sure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked.
Now click the OK and the Apply buttons.
Restart your PC.
Note: If you are using a third-party proxy service, you have to disable it.
Option 5 – Check your VPN
If you are using a VPN application, there are times when it causes some issues like this error. If that’s the case, you can try to disable your VPN temporarily and see if the error is resolved or not and if turns out that your VPN is the culprit, you have to uninstall it and install a new one or its latest version. To uninstall it, follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box
Then type “appwiz.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to open the Programs and Features in Control Panel.
From there, look for the VPN service you are using, select it and then click on Uninstall to remove it.
After that, restart your computer and try to install the latest version of the program again. It should work now. If not, proceed to the next available option below.
The previous Windows versions all came with Microsoft's browser Internet Explorer. A lot of users love it because not only that it is easy to use. It is also very fast. Users didn’t have to worry about compatibility because it is almost always compatible with its Windows Version.
When they introduced Windows 10, they changed the name of the browser from Internet Explorer to Microsoft Edge. It is faster and more user-friendly compared to its predecessors. But after the Creator Update, some experienced receiving the inet_e_resource_not_found error code.
In contrary to what everyone expects, you actually don’t have to uninstall and reinstall the Microsoft Edge App. What you can do is reset the browser in your Apps & Features Settings in your Microsoft Settings.
To reset the browser you can follow the steps below:
Click on the Windows icon and go to settings.
Click on Apps and this will bring you to the Apps & Features page. Look for Microsoft Edge from the list of Apps and click on it.
Choose Advance Option
Scroll down then Under Reset, click on repair or reset. When you repair it will fix the existing problem but the data that caused the problem may still be present and can still cause problems. If you click on reset, it will delete all the cache and cookies that are installed in your browser but it will save your Favorites as well as your bookmarks.
Another way to resolve this is by disabling the feature TCP Fast Open on Microsoft Edge. To disable this, go ahead and follow the steps below:
Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
Type in about: flags on the Address (URL) bar.
Under Networking, uncheck the Enable TCP Fast Open.
Close your Microsoft Edge browser and open a new one.
Flushing the DNS also worked for other Users. Sometimes, the error code the inet_e_resource_not_found is caused by a corrupted DNS cache. There are 2 ways to flush your DNS. The first option is to use the command prompt to run the command.
To access the Command prompt or CMD, you can search for it on Cortana or you can click on the Windows icon to access the Programs, scroll down to the Windows System folder and click on it.
A dropdown menu will show up, click on Command Prompt which is the first on the list.
Type in the code ipconfig /flushdns and press enter.
There will be a message that will show that says Windows IP configuration successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache
Exit the CMD by typing exit and press enter.
The easiest way to do this is to Press the keys Window + R on your keyboard. Type in ipconfig /flushdns in the search box and hit enter or click on OK.
These are only some of the ways to resolve the inet_e_resource_not_found. There are other ways to further troubleshoot this issue such as reinstalling your Wifi Adapter Driver or adjusting the DNS Server Address. But most of the time, users are able to resolve the issue with the steps provided above.
When you try to open your Google Chrome browser and it starts to connect to the internet but suddenly, your Windows 10 computer crashes along with a Blue Screen error that says, “MEMORY_MANAGEMENT”, then read on as this post will guide you in fixing the problem.
This kind of BSOD error occurs when Google Chrome requests more memory or when it tries to access the network and demand is raised for more memory, the memory management program fails. To fix the problem, here are some possible solutions you might want to try. Follow them thoroughly.
Option 1 – Use the Driver Verifier Manager
The Driver Verifier Manager is another tool in Windows that could help you fix driver-related issues. And since the MEMORY_MANAGEMENT Blue Screen error concerns Google Chrome and an internet connection, the root cause of the problem might have something to do with the Network driver and to verify that, you can use the Driver Verifier Manager:
Type in the keyword “Verifier” in the Cortana search box to search for Verifier in Windows 10.
After that, select the option “Create custom settings”.
Make sure that you have checked everything except the options “DDI compliance checking” and “Randomized low resources simulation”.
Next, select the option “Select driver names from a list” option.
Afterward, you have to select all the drivers from any unofficial or third-party provider. To simply put it, you have to select all the drivers that are not supplied by Microsoft.
Then click on the Finish button.
Open Command Prompt as administrator and execute this command – verifier /querysettings
The command you just executed will display the Driver Verifier settings so if you see any of the flags enabled boot your Windows 10 PC into Safe Mode.
Open the Command Prompt as admin again and run this command – verifier /reset
The command will reset the Driver Verifier. Once the process is done, restart your PC and check.
Option 2 – Try updating the Network drivers
Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and then type in the “devmgmt.msc” command and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.
Under the Device Manager, you will see a list of drivers. From there, look for the Network Adapters and expand it.
Then right-click on each one of the Network drivers and update them all.
Restart your PC and see if it helped in fixing the MEMORY_MANAGEMENT BSOD error.
Option 3 – Try disabling Hardware Acceleration
You might want to disable Hardware Acceleration system-wide or for a particular program like Google Chrome and see if it resolves the MEMORY_MANAGEMENT error
Option 4 – Run the Memory Diagnostic Tool to check for Memory leaks
Tap the Win + R keys to open Run and type exe and hit Enter to open the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.
After that, it will give two options such as:
Restart now and check for problems (Recommended)
Check for problems the next time I start my computer
Once your computer has restarted, perform a basic scan or you could also go for the “Advanced” options such as “Test mix” or “Pass count”. Simply tap the F10 key to start the test.
Note: After you select the option, your PC will restart and check for memory-based issues. If it finds any issues, it will automatically fix them and if there’s no issue found, then it’s most likely not a memory-based issue so you should try the other options given below.
Option 5 – Perform a System Restore
Performing System Restore might help you in fixing the SYNTP.SYS Blue Screen error. You can do this option either by booting into Safe Mode or in System Restore. If you are already in the Advanced Startup Options, just directly select System Restore and proceed with the next steps. And if you have just booted your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.
Option 6 – Run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter
The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like MEMORY_MANAGEMENT. It can be found in the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.
Microsoft wants to escalate the situation from Australia to the EU, what a surprise.
Hello all and welcome to another news article, this time we are focusing on Microsoft pushing the EU to accept law proposition from Australia.
For all of you who are not familiar with the given situation let me quickly explain. The feud began when the Australian government proposed a new law that targeted Facebook and Google specifically. The government said that it believed that both of the tech giants were using content from news outlets without paying.
Have you ever seen the little news snippets that Google or Facebook sometimes show its users to keep them up to date? These are lifted directly from news websites, and the Australian government claimed that this practice meant that people didn't bother visiting the news website. This then staved news websites of revenue.
As such, the government put forward a new law that would mean Google and Facebook would have to pay the source website for every time they displayed a news snippet. Facebook responded by removing its Australian news coverage in light of the law.
Google, however, put up a fight. It argued that its snippets encouraged people to click on it to read more, thus driving more traffic to the news website. It also said that such a law would be too expensive to maintain in the long run.
As such, Google threatened to remove itself from Australia if the law passed. This was likely a scare tactic, as 95 percent of Australian web users use Google; however, it actually opened the door for its rival, Microsoft.
Microsoft saw how it could push its own search engine BING to replace google. It of course went and reached the Australian government to assure them that BING is more than capable to fulfill its needs and fully abide by the proposed law.
Now Microsoft knows that if this law passes it could see a similar situation happening in Europe and it is pushing it. US News reported on how Microsoft plans to encourage EU countries to adopt this new law too. The company has teamed up with the European Publishers Council and News Media Europe to make the following statement:
Publishers might not have the economic strength to negotiate fair and balanced agreements with these gatekeeper tech companies, who might otherwise threaten to walk away from negotiations or exit markets entirely
EliteUnzip is a program developed by Mindspark Interactive. This program lets you compress and extract all the popular archive types.
From the Author:
Elite Unzip is a program for creating and extracting archive files;it has support for over 20 file formats.This application downloads onto your computer in two parts: one for your desktop, and one for your browser.They both work together to make packing and unpacking archive files easy.
While EliteUnzip itself is not a threat, it comes bundled with other software that might cause a problem to your computer.
Due to its bundled nature, several anti-virus scanners have marked EliteUznip as a Potentially Unwanted Program and is therefore not recommended to keep on y our computer, especially because there are other free programs that do the same functions without the additional bundled software.
About Potentially Unwanted Applications
Precisely what is a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP)?
Have you ever found out an unwanted program running on your computer and wondered how the heck it got there? These unwanted programs, which are known as Potentially Unwanted Programs, or PUPs in short, often tag along as a software bundle when downloading the program and can result in major problems for computer users.
It’s clear by the name – unwanted programs – but did not really constitute “malware” in the traditional sense. The reason for this is that the majority of PUPs enter into users’ computers not because they exploit security weaknesses, for instance, but mainly because the users give consent to download it – unknowingly in many instances. No matter whether it is regarded as malware or otherwise, PUPs are almost always bad for a computer owner as they might bring on adware, spyware, keystroke logging, and other nasty “crapware” features on your PC.
What do PUPs do on your computer, precisely?
Most Potentially Unwanted Programs comes in the form of adware, which generally aims to exhibit lots of annoying pop-up ads, banners, coupons, and deals on websites you explore. PUPs that come in the form of browser add-ons and toolbars are widely identifiable. They may track your online activities, redirect your search results to risky sites where adware and spyware can be downloaded, hijack your home page, and slow your browser down to a crawl.
PUPs carry a dangerous bite if left behind unchecked. The worst part of setting up a PUP is the spyware, adware, and keystroke loggers that could hide inside. These are programs that don’t do anything good for you; in addition to taking over space on the hard disk, they will also slow down your PC, often change settings without your permission, and the list of bothersome features goes on and on.
Protect yourself from unwanted programs
• When installing anything on your desktop, always read the fine print, like the license agreement. Don’t accept terms of use that are for bundled applications.• Normally, when installing a software program you get two options, ‘Standard Installation’ and ‘Custom Installation’. Don’t opt for ‘Standard’ as unwanted programs might automatically be installed that way!• Use good anti-malware software. Try Safebytes Anti-malware which can spot PUPs and treat them as malware by flagging them for deletion.• Be alert when you download and install freeware, open-source programs, or shareware. Nowadays ‘freeware’ isn’t actually freeware – but crapware bundling nonsense.• Only use official product sites for downloading applications. Steer clear of download websites altogether since most websites compel users to download the program with their own download manager, which is often bundled up with some kind of PUPs.
Virus Blocking Access To Safebytes Site And Preventing Anti-Malware Downloads – What You Should Do?
All malware is inherently unsafe, but certain kinds of malicious software do a lot more damage to your computer or laptop than others. Some malware variants alter browser settings by adding a proxy server or change the computer’s DNS configuration settings. When this happens, you will be unable to visit some or all of the sites, and therefore unable to download or install the necessary security software to eliminate the malware. If you are reading this, chances are you’re stuck with a virus infection that is preventing you to download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware software on your computer. There are some actions you can take to circumvent this issue.
Install in Safe Mode
In the event the malware is set to run at Windows start-up, then booting in safe mode should avoid it. Since only the minimal applications and services start-up in safe mode, there are hardly any reasons for conflicts to happen. The following are the steps you should follow to start your computer into the Safe Mode of your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers (go to Microsoft site for directions on Windows 8 and 10 computers).
1) Tap the F8 key continuously as soon as your computer boots, however, before the large windows logo comes up. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu.2) Make use of the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Networking and press ENTER.3) Once you get into this mode, you should have internet access once again. Now, obtain the malware removal software you need by using the web browser. To install the program, follow the guidelines in the setup wizard.4) Following installation, run a full scan and let the program eliminate the threats it finds.
Download the antivirus software in a different internet browser
Some malware mainly targets particular browsers. If this sounds like your case, make use of another internet browser as it may circumvent the virus. If you appear to have malware attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to a different browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your favorite anti-malware program – Safebytes.
Install antivirus on a thumb drive
Here’s yet another solution which is utilizing a portable USB anti-malware software package that can check your system for malware without needing installation. Adopt these measures to use a flash drive to clean your infected system.
1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free computer.2) Plug the pen drive into the uninfected computer.3) Double click on the exe file to open the installation wizard.4) When asked, select the location of the pen drive as the place where you want to store the software files. Follow the directions to complete the installation process.5) Transfer the thumb drive from the uninfected computer to the infected PC.6) Double-click the anti-malware software EXE file on the thumb drive.7) Click on “Scan Now” to run a scan on the affected computer for viruses.
Benefits and Features of SafeBytes Anti-Malware
If you are looking to purchase anti-malware for your PC, there are various brands and applications for you to consider. A few of them are great and some are scamware applications that pretend as authentic anti-malware software waiting to wreak havoc on your computer. You need to pick a tool that has gained a good reputation and detects not only computer viruses but other types of malware as well. When considering commercial application options, many people opt for popular brands, such as SafeBytes, and are very happy with them.
SafeBytes anti-malware is really a powerful, highly effective protection application intended to help users of all levels of IT literacy in finding and removing harmful threats out of their computer. This application could easily identify, remove, and protect your computer from the most advanced malware intrusions such as adware, spyware, trojan horses, ransomware, worms, PUPs, as well as other possibly damaging software applications.
There are lots of great features you’ll get with this security product. Below are a few of the best ones:
Real-Time Protection: SafeBytes provides real-time active monitoring service and protection against all known computer viruses and malware. It will monitor your personal computer for suspicious activity regularly and shields your personal computer from unauthorized access.
Best AntiMalware Protection: Safebytes is built on the very best virus engine in the industry. These engines will find and remove threats even during the early phases of a malware outbreak.
Fast Multi-threaded Scanning: SafeBytes’s virus scan engine is one of the quickest and most efficient in the industry. It's targeted scanning substantially increases the catch rate for viruses that are embedded in various PC files.
Web Protection: SafeBytes inspects the links present on a webpage for possible threats and tells you whether the website is safe to view or not, through its unique safety rating system.
Light-weight: SafeBytes is well known for its minimal impact on computer resources and great detection rate of numerous threats. It operates quietly and efficiently in the background so you’re free to make use of your PC at full power all of the time.
Premium Support: SafeBytes gives you 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and upgrades for the best user experience.
SafeBytes has created a wonderful anti-malware solution to help you conquer the latest malware threats and virus attacks. Once you have downloaded and installed SafeBytes Anti-Malware, you will no longer have to bother about malware or other security concerns. So if you want sophisticated forms of protection features & threat detections, purchasing SafeBytes Anti-Malware will be worth the money!
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
To remove EliteUnzip manually, go to the Add/Remove programs list in the Control Panel and choose the program you want to get rid of. For internet browser plug-ins, go to your browser’s Addon/Extension manager and select the plug-in you want to remove or disable. You will additionally also want to totally reset your internet browser to its default settings.
To make sure of complete removal, find the following Windows registry entries on your system and remove it or reset the values appropriately. However, this is often a tricky task and only computer professionals could perform it safely. Also, certain malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing its deletion. Carrying out this malware-removal process in Safe Mode is suggested.