Logo

WebShield Malware Removal Tutorial

Web Shield is a free application that allows you to view insightful analyses about the websites that you visit and specifically how they’re tracking you online. Web Shield cannot determine exactly who is tracking your computer usage. Instead, Web Shield allows a user to see which websites have placed tracking code onto their computer.

This software is ad-supported and displays advertisements in the form of injected banner ads, popups, and context hyperlinks in the user’s web browser. It adds Windows Background services, displays unwanted advertisements, and can modify the browser’s home page.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijackers (also called hijackware) are a type of malicious software that modifies web browser settings without the user’s knowledge or permission. These hijacks appear to be increasing at a worrying rate across the world, and it could be really nefarious and sometimes dangerous too. There are lots of reasons why you may experience a browser hijack; but commercial, marketing, and advertising are the main reasons for their creation. The idea is to force users to visit specific sites that are looking to increase their site visitor traffic and generate higher ad income. Nevertheless, it is not that harmless. Your web safety is jeopardized and it is also very irritating. Furthermore, hijackers will make the entire infected system fragile – other destructive malware and viruses would seize these opportunities to intrude into your system very easily.

Browser hijacking signs

Here are some symptoms that indicate you have been hijacked: home-page is modified; you see new unwanted favorites or bookmarks added, typically directed to ad-filled or pornography sites; the default search engine has been changed and the web browser security settings have been cut down without your knowledge; you notice many toolbars on the internet browser; you see lots of pop-up ads on your computer screen; your internet browser has become unstable or starts running slowly; you can’t visit certain websites like home pages of anti-malware software.

How does a PC get infected with a browser hijacker?

Browser hijackers might use drive-by downloads or file-sharing networks or even an email attachment to reach a targeted computer system. They may also originate from any BHO, browser extension, add-on, toolbar, or plug-in with the malicious objectives. Some browser hijackers spread in user’s PC by using a deceptive software distribution strategy called “bundling” (usually through shareware and freeware). A good example of a popular browser hijacker is the most recent Chinese malware named “Fireball”, which has attacked 250 million computers across the world. It acts as a hijacker but could be changed into a fully functioning malware downloader later on.

Browser hijackers will affect the user’s web surfing experience severely, record the websites frequented by users and steal personal information, cause problems in connecting to the net, and eventually create stability issues, causing applications and systems to crash.

Browser hijacker removal

Some browser hijacking could be quite easily reversed by finding and removing the corresponding malware software from your control panel. But, most browser hijackers are difficult to get rid of manually. No matter how much you try to remove it, it can come back over and over. Moreover, manual removal requires you to carry out several time-consuming and intricate actions that are hard to do for novice computer users.

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

Every malware is bad and the effects of the damage can vary based on the specific type of malicious software. Some malware types alter browser settings by including a proxy server or change the computer’s DNS settings. In these cases, you’ll be unable to visit some or all internet sites, and therefore unable to download or install the required security software to get rid of the malware. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download and/or install Safebytes Anti-Malware software on your PC. Even though this type of problem can be tougher to circumvent, there are some steps you can take.

Start your system in Safe Mode

If the malware is set to load at Windows start-up, then booting in Safe Mode should avoid it. Since just the bare minimum programs and services start-up in Safe Mode, there are rarely any reasons for issues to occur. The following are the steps you need to follow to start your computer into the Safe Mode of your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers (go to Microsoft website for directions on Windows 8 and 10 computers).

1) Tap the F8 key continuously as soon as your computer boots, but before the large Windows logo or black screen with white texts appears. This would conjure up the “Advanced Boot Options” menu.
2) Make use of the arrow keys to choose Safe Mode with Networking and press ENTER.
3) Once this mode loads, you should have internet access. Now, get the malware removal program you need by using the browser. To install the program, follow the guidelines within the setup wizard.
4) Right after installation, run a complete scan and allow the program to delete the threats it detects.

Switch over to an alternate browser

Some malware only targets particular browsers. If this is your situation, make use of another internet browser as it might circumvent the malware. If you appear to have a trojan attached to Internet Explorer, then switch to a different 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 your Thumb drive

Here’s yet another solution which is utilizing a portable USB antivirus software that can scan your system for malware without the need for installation. Follow these steps to use a thumb drive to clean your infected computer system.
1) Make use of another virus-free PC to download Safebytes Anti-Malware.
2) Plug in the USB flash drive to a USB port on the uninfected computer.
3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded software, which has a .exe file extension.
4) When asked, choose the location of the pen drive as the place where you want to put the software files. Follow the directions to complete the installation process.
5) Now, transfer the pen drive to the infected PC.
6) Double-click the anti-malware software EXE file on the USB flash drive.
7) Click on “Scan Now” to run a scan on the affected computer for malware.

Review of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Do you want to download the very best anti-malware software program for your desktop? You can find many applications available that come in free and paid versions for Windows systems. A few of them are great, some are ok types, and some will harm your computer themselves! You need to pick one that is reliable, practical, and has a good reputation for its malware protection. When considering the reliable software programs, Safebytes Anti-Malware is undoubtedly the highly recommended one.

SafeBytes anti-malware is a trusted software that not only secures your PC completely but is also quite user-friendly for people of all ability levels. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software protects your computer against infections caused by different types of malware and other threats, including spyware, adware, trojans horses, worms, computer viruses, keyloggers, ransomware, and potentially unwanted program (PUPs).

SafeBytes anti-malware comes with a plethora of enhanced features that sets it apart from all others. Here are a few popular features present in this program:

World-class AntiMalware Protection: This deep-cleaning anti-malware software program goes much deeper than most antivirus tools to clean out your personal computer. Its critically acclaimed virus engine locates and disables hard to remove malware that hides deep within your PC.

Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes offers complete and real-time security for your computer system. It’ll regularly monitor your laptop or computer for hacker activity and also provides users with advanced firewall protection.

Web protection: SafeBytes checks and provides a unique safety rating to every website you visit and block access to web pages considered to be phishing sites, thus protecting you from identity theft, or known to contain malware.

Low CPU Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight and simple-to-use anti-virus and anti-malware solution. Since it uses very little computer resources, this software leaves the computer power exactly where it belongs to: with you actually.

24/7 Guidance: You could get high levels of support 24/7 if you’re using their paid version.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you’d like to manually get rid of WebShield without the use of an automated tool, it may be actually possible to do so by deleting the program from the Microsoft Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of web browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You’ll probably also want to totally reset your browser to its default settings.

If you choose to manually delete the system files and registry entries, make use of the following list to make sure you know precisely what files to remove before undertaking any actions. Please keep in mind that this is for advanced users only and might be challenging, with incorrect file removal leading to additional system errors. In addition to that, certain malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. It is recommended that you do the removal procedure in Safe Mode.

Files:
%ProgramData%webshield
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%Application DataWebShield
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%WebShield

Registry:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallmweshield]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREmweshield]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetservicesmwescontroller]

Do You Need Help with Your Device?

Our Team of Experts May Help
Troubleshoot.Tech Experts are There for You!
Replace damaged files
Restore performance
Free disk space
Remove Malware
Protects WEB browser
Remove Viruses
Stop PC freezing
GET HELP
Troubleshoot.Tech experts work with all versions of Microsoft Windows including Windows 11, with Android, Mac, and more.

Share this article:

You might also like

Enable or disable Console Mode Sign-in
Microsoft has been bringing new lock-screen features with every iterative feature release of Windows 10 in order to improve user experience. However, Windows 10 users have different opinions regarding it. Some users are pleased with it while some users simply do not like it. So if you are one of the users who seem to not approve of this feature, read on as this post will be about enabling or disabling the Console Mode sign-in feature in Windows 10. Before you proceed, take note that you will not be able to use your mouse pointer in this Consol Mode login screen and you can only use your keyboard to navigate around various options. You might also want to create a System Restore point just in case. To enable or disable the Console Mode sign-in in your Windows 10 computer, refer to the given steps below. Step 1: Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Step 2: Then type in “Regedit” in the field and tap Enter to open the Registry Editor. Step 3: Next, navigate to the following registry path:
ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionAuthenticationLogonUITestHooks
Step 4: From there, look for a DWORD named “ConsoleMode”. If you don’t see this DWORD, you can just create a new DWORD and name it as “ConsoleMode” and make sure that its base is set to Hexadecimal. Step 5: After that, double click on ConsoleMode and change its value to “0” to disable it and “1” to enable it. Step 6: Now restart your computer to apply the changes made. Like pointed out, you can only use your keyboard when you’re in the Console Mode login window or screen. You can just use the ESC button to go back to the menu while you can utilize the arrow keys so you can go through the options that are mostly vertically arranged and the Enter key to select an option. In the Console Mode, sign-in using the Passwords and PINs worked efficiently.
Read More
Cortana can’t connect to the Internet
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:
Get-AppXPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.Cortana | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}
  • Restart your computer and check if Cortana is now able to connect.
Read More
Changing the Left & Right mouse buttons
As you know, all computer mouse devices are designed ergonomically for users who are right-handed. Although that’s mostly the case, there are also other mouse devices that are designed specifically for left-handed users or the ones that can be used by either the right or left hand. But before you look for these kinds of mouse devices, there is actually an option you can try so that your mouse device can work with either the left or right hand. All you have to do is configure your mouse device. Aside from setting the device to work on either hand, you can also switch mouse buttons, from left to right, using only a couple of simple steps. As mentioned earlier, most mouse devices are created for right-handed users. Meaning to say, these mouse devices are configured to be right-handed with their primary button on the left and the second one on the right. The primary button is used for certain functions such as selecting and dragging. Now you can configure your mouse to be left-handed by swapping its predefined functionality. How? Refer to each one of the given instructions below.

Option 1 – via Control Panel

  • First, go to the Start Menu and search for “control panel” in the Start search.
  • Once you see it from the search results, click on it to open it and then go to the Hardware and Sound section.
  • From there, click on Mouse under the Device and Printers section. This will open the window for Mouse Properties.
  • Now you have to check the Switch primary and secondary buttons box.
  • Then click on OK to save the changes made. After that, your primary select button on your mouse device is your right button while the secondary button, also known as right-click, is now the left button.

Option 2 – via Windows 10 Settings

This is the second option you can check out to change the configuration of your mouse from being right-handed to being left-handed.
  • First, right-click on the Windows icon and select Search.
  • Next, type “mouse” and from the search results that appear, click on Mouse Settings.
  • After that, select “Right” from the “Select your primary button” drop-down menu. This should set the mouse device from being right-handed to being left-handed.
Read More
Virtual desktop with different wallpapers
Virtual desktopThe feature that was originally planned for now scrapped Windows 10X is included in Windows 11. You will be able to customize your Virtual desktop with different wallpapers for each screen. In order to fully customize your virtual desktops with different wallpapers follow this easy step-by-step guide.
  1. Click on the Task View button in the taskbar
  2. When the Task View opens, select the desktop on which you want to set wallpaper
  3. The view will switch to the selected desktop. Right-click anywhere on the desktop and select personalize
  4. In personalization settings, click on the background
  5. Select wallpaper which you would like to have on the desktop by clicking on browse and navigating to the desired one
  6. Close the settings
  7. Repeat for each virtual desktop you would like to customize
Read More
Where can you get computer viruses & malware
From their infant stages to modern days, computer viruses were always kind of here. From simple ones that were annoying with playing speaker sounds and throwing messages on screen to more malicious ones capable of deleting and encrypting files. In today's modern world it is very important to protect yourself, modern viruses are not a joke anymore and they are aimed to create serious damage to computer systems. Where can you get computer viruses & malwareThey can encrypt files in order to make you pay for a decrypter, they can straight up delete files or even cause some hardware damage. Like mentioned before protecting yourself is important, but protecting does not mean only having antivirus software installed, information, where are common places in which they lurk and could be picked up, is also very important. That is why we are exploring in this article the most common place where you can pick viruses or other malware.

Downloading Programs

Programs that contain the downloadable files are the commonest source of malware such as freeware, worms, and other executable files. Whether you download an image editing software, a music file, or an e-book, it is important to ensure the reliability of the source of the media. Unknown, new, or less popular sources should be avoided.

Pirated or Cracked Software

Are you aware of software cracking? Well, every time you open cracked software, your antivirus software might flag it as malware as the cracks consist of malicious scripts. Always say “No” to cracks as they can inject malicious script into your PC.

Email Attachments

Anyone can send you an email attachment whether you know them or not. Clicking on unknown links or attachments can harm your device. Think twice before clicking anything and make sure that file type is not ‘.exe’.

Internet

One of the easiest ways to get a virus on your device is through the Internet. Make sure to check the URL before accessing any website. For a secured URL always look for ‘HTTPS in it. For example, when you click videos published on social media websites, they may require you to install a particular type of plug-in to watch that video. But in reality, these plug-ins might be malicious software that can steal your sensitive information.

Booting Data from Unknown CDs

Malicious software can get into your device through an unknown CD. A good practice to be safe from malicious infection is to remove CD when your device is not working at all. Your system could reboot the CD if it is not removed before switching off the computer.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth transfers can also infect your system, so it is crucial to know what type of media file is being sent to your computer whenever a transfer takes place. An effective armor would be to allow Bluetooth connectivity with only known devices and activate it only when required.

Unpatched Software

Often overlooked, unpatched software is also a leading source of virus infection. Security holes in software are exploited by attackers and are unknown to software makers until the attackers release them in the form of zero-day attacks. It is therefore recommended to install software updates as soon as they are available on your PC.
Read More
Patch for Windows Error Code 41

Code 41 - What is it?

Poor PC maintenance can lead to error message pop-ups like error code 41. Code 41 is one of the several Device Manager Error codes.

This error indicates 2 things: issues with the device driver for the hardware you wish to use, or the hardware device is not properly attached to your system.

The error code 41 is usually displayed in the following format:

“Windows successfully loaded the device driver for this hardware but cannot find the hardware device.” Code 41

Solution

driverfix boxError Causes

For successful installation of a new hardware piece, it is imperative to follow the installation routine correctly and allow it to complete properly, especially with USB devices.

This is important largely because if installation is not followed and executed properly, code 41 can pop up.

Code 41 is also related to device driver problems. It can occur if your system device drivers are outdated. Also, if the device is a CD/DVD drive, code 41 can occur due to conflicts with 3rd party disc burning software.

Although Device Manager Error code 41 is not detrimental, it is still advisable to repair it as quickly as you can. Code 41 can negatively affect your PC. It can:

  • Lower your PC’s Performance
  • Limit your ability to use your desired piece of hardware device

Further Information and Manual Repair

As compared to the blue screen of death errors, Device Manager Error codes are much easier to resolve.

Here are some of the best, effective and easy-to-resolve methods to help you fix code 41 on your PC, in a few minutes.

To work around these methods, you don’t have to be a technical whiz or a computer programmer. Simply follow these steps to resolve:

Method 1 - Uninstall Faulty Drivers and then Reinstall

To repair code 41 on your system, try uninstalling problematic drivers and then reinstalling new drivers. To do this, follow these instructions:

  • Click the start button
  • Then type Device Manager in the search bar and press enter
  • Once the Device Manager opens, look for problematic devices
  • Click on the device whose driver you wish to uninstall
  • Double click to uninstall
  • Windows will prompt you to confirm the device removal
  • Accept changes and confirm by clicking on OK
  • Now reboot your PC to activate changes
  • The next step is to reinstall the driver properly. To do this, simply follow the same steps. Once you access the Device Manager,
  • Click on the Action tab in the toolbar
  • After that select the option ‘Scan for Hardware Changes’

This will hopefully resolve error code 41 on your system and you will be able to use your desired hardware device without any hassle. Nonetheless, if the error code continues to persist, try other methods illustrated below.

Method 2 - Replace the Hardware or Try Reattaching it to your System

Sometimes the error may pop up due to poorly configured devices. This is common if it is a plug-and-play device. The best way to resolve is to remove the device, reattach it properly, and then try using it again.

However, if the problem is with the hardware, then it is advisable to replace the hardware with a new device compatible with your Windows version.

Method 3 - Update the Drivers Manually

If the underlying cause for error code 41 is outdated or corrupted drivers, then it is advisable to update the drivers.

However, when updating drivers and ensuring that the newly installed drivers work perfectly, make sure you install versions that are compatible with your device and Windows. Incompatible drivers are no good.

You will continue to face Device Manager Errors if you install incompatible drivers.

To update drivers, here’s what you have to do:

  • Identify the problematic drivers
  • Go to the Device Manager and locate all drivers with yellow exclamation marks
  • Now install new and compatible driver versions from the manufacturers’ site

Method 4 - Download Driver Assist to Update Drivers Automatically

Updating drivers manually will take time, so perform this task when you are free and have nothing else on your mind. However, if you wish to resolve the issue immediately and have the time to invest in manual updates, then consider downloading DriverFIX.

DriverFIX is a feature-rich and an innovative software program deployed with an intelligent programming system and intuitive technology.

It is exclusively designed to resolve PC device driver problems. Once installed on your system, it scans your PC and identifies problematic drivers.

After that it matches latest and compatible driver versions and updates them  immediately within a few seconds. DriverFIX updates drivers both automatically and on a regular basis.

Click here to download DriverFIX to update drivers and repair error code 41.

Read More
Fix UNEXPECTED STORE EXCEPTION in Windows 10
Blue Screen of Death or Stop errors are definitely one of the most difficult issues to face in your Windows computer. One of them is the UNEXPECTED STORE EXCEPTION BSOD error. When you encounter this Stop error on your Windows 10 computer, this means that the store component has caught an unexpected exception. There are many potential causes for this error, but we’ve narrowed it down to a few specific causes – for one, this error could be caused by your antivirus program installed on your computer, two, it could also be caused by outdated hardware drivers on your computer, it could also be an error in the file system as well as some issue with the lock screen app, or even output to an unexpected port. Whichever the cause may be, you can use a couple of fixes laid out below. Make sure to carefully follow them.

Option 1 – Try to update your Display driver

  • First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
  • After that, 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. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
  • After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters and select the “Uninstall Device” option from the menu.
  • Now restart your computer.
  • After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.
Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it.

Option 2 – Run both the System File Checker scan and DISM tool

If the problem is caused by corrupted system files, then you can use both the System File Checker and the DISM tool. To use them, follow the instructions below.
  • Tap the Win + X keys or right-click on the Start button and click the “Command Prompt (Admin)” option. Alternatively, you can also search for “cmd” in the Cortana search box and right-click on Command Prompt from the search results, and select the “Run as administrator” option.
  • After that, if a User Account Control prompt pops up, click on Yes to proceed.
  • Once the Command Prompt window is pulled up, type the following command and hit Enter:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  • Wait for the process to be completed. Once it’s done, type the following command and hit Enter:
sfc /scannow
  • The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
  1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
  2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
  3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
  • Restart your PC.
Note: You should see the “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them. Details are included in the CBS.Log %WinDir%LogsCBSCBS.log” message on your screen. On the other hand, if you see the “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. Details are included in the CBS.Log %WinDir%LogsCBSCBS.log” message instead, then you should run the following command in Command Prompt:
findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%LogsCBSCBS.log >"%userprofile%Desktopsfclogs.txt"
The command you entered will open up the logs on your Desktop where you can look for files that are causing the error on your computer manually.

Option 3 – Disable Fast Start-up

If you want your computer to boot faster, then you might have enabled Fast Start-up. This feature is ideal for computers that are using a hard disk drive. However, turning on this feature also means that when the computer boots, it might lag some drivers that are loaded when it initially boots up. Thus, it might be the potential cause of the UNEXPECTED STORE EXCEPTION BSOD error. Thus, you need to disable Fast Start-up. To do that, follow these steps:
  • Boot your PC into Safe Mode.
  • Then tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type in “control” to open Control Panel.
  • After that, select Hardware and Sound and click on Power Options.
  • Select “Choose what the power buttons do” from the left side menu pane and click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  • Afterward, uncheck the “Turn on fast startup (Recommended)” entry and click on Save Changes.
  • Now restart your PC for the changes to take effect and then check if the problem’s fixed afterward.

Option 4 – Try to run the Chkdsk utility

You can also run the Chkdsk utility to resolve the UNEXPECTED STORE EXCEPTION BSOD error. If your hard drive has issues with integrity, the update will really fail as the system will think that it’s not healthy and that’s where the Chkdsk utility comes in. The Chkdsk utility repairs hard drive errors that might be causing the problem.
  • Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /f /r
  • Wait for the process to be completed and then restart your computer.
Read More
Fix Windows Update Error 0x800F0922
A lot of users connect to the internet are using VPN on their Windows 10 computers which means that their regions could be different from the actual region of their Windows 10 computers. Thus, if you are facing some issues in updating your computer in this kind of environment, specifically the Windows Update error 0x800F0922, you need to follow the tips given in this guide to help you resolve the issue. When you encounter this kind of Windows Update error, you might see either of the following error messages on your screen:
“Windows could not search for updates, Code 0x800F0922 Windows Update encountered an unknown error” Or: “Windows failed to install the update with error 0x800F0922”
This issue might be caused by two possible reasons such as:
  1. VPN issues
  2. Not enough space on the System Reserved partition
To resolve the problem, here are some tips that might help:

Option 1 – Try disabling the VPN

As mentioned, if you are using VPN, this could be the reason why you’re getting the Windows Update error 0x800F0922 so the most obvious thing to do is for you to turn off the VPN and try to run the Windows Update once more. 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. Although it’s understandable that you might have to use a VPN connection to connect to the work network, you really have to disable it at least until the Windows Update is no longer stuck in the error 0x800F0922. It would be best if you do this when you are not working.

Option 2 – Try to free up space in the System Reserved partition

The System Reserved partition is a part of the hard disk created when Windows is first installed on it. It is where the Boot Configuration Database, Boot Manager Code, Windows Recovery Environment, and the reserves space for the startup files are stored. And as mentioned early on, the error might be due to some insufficient space in the System Reserved partition so the next thing you can do is to increase the space in this partition. Note that it is a complex process so you need to make sure that you have made backups to all your data on the computer. So if ever something goes out of hand, at least you have copies of your important files in case you aren’t able to boot into the system at all.
Read More
Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard
In the latest news, Microsoft has reached a deal to purchase Activision Blizzard for 67.8 billion. Now franchises like Warcraft, Starcraft, Overwatch, Call of duty, Diablo are now the property of Microsoft and I am sure that some of these games we can expect to be included in the Xbox game pass. microsoft activision blizzardThis is the second large game company acquisition by Microsoft, Acquiring Bethesda first and a big hit to Sony since Xbox will now have more games in its catalog and as exclusives. Of course, the sale has to go through the standard closing conditions and completion of regulatory review and Activision Blizzard’s shareholder approval before it’s finalized. Assuming that all goes well, the deal is slated to be completed during the fiscal year 2023, which is July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
Read More
Easy Remove FreeRideGames PUP Removal Tutorial

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

About Browser Hijackers

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

Browser hijacking signs

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

How it infects your computer

Browser hijackers could use drive-by downloads or file-sharing websites or even an email attachment to reach a targeted computer. They can also come from any BHO, extension, toolbar, add-on, or plug-in with malicious objectives. Also, certain freeware and shareware can put the hijacker in your computer through the “bundling” technique. An example of some notorious browser hijacker includes Conduit, Anyprotect, Babylon, DefaultTab, SweetPage, Delta Search, and RocketTab, but the names are constantly changing. Browser hijacking can lead to serious privacy issues and also identity theft, affect your web browsing experience by taking control of outbound traffic, substantially slows down your personal computer by depleting a lot of resources and lead to system instability as well.

How to remove a browser hijacker

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

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

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

Install the anti-virus in Safe Mode

If the virus is set to load automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, entering Safe Mode could block the attempt. Only minimal required applications and services are loaded when you boot your computer or laptop into Safe Mode. To launch your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 PCs in Safe Mode with Networking, please do as instructed below. 1) At power on, hit the F8 key while the Windows splash screen begins to load. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Select Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and hit ENTER. 3) When you are into this mode, you should have online access once again. Now, get the malware removal application you want by using the browser. To install the software, follow the directions in the setup wizard. 4) Following installation, run a complete scan and let the program delete the threats it discovers.

Download the antivirus program in an alternate browser

Web-based viruses could be environment-specific, aiming for a specific web browser or attacking specific versions of the browser. If you appear to have malware attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to a different web browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your favorite antivirus program – Safebytes. Make a bootable USB antivirus drive Another option is to save and operate an anti-malware software program entirely from a USB drive. To run anti-malware from a USB drive, follow these simple steps: 1) Download the anti-malware program on a virus-free PC. 2) Plug in the pen drive into the clean computer. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, which has a .exe file extension. 4) Select flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you exactly where you wish to install the application. Follow the directions to complete the installation process. 5) Remove the flash drive. Now you can use this portable antivirus on the infected computer. 6) Double-click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the thumb drive to run the software. 7) Click on the “Scan” button to run a full computer scan and remove viruses automatically. How SafeBytes Anti-Malware Keep your Machine Virus Free"]If you are planning to buy anti-malware for your desktop, there are numerous brands and applications for you to consider. Some are very good ones, some are decent, while some are merely bogus anti-malware applications that will damage your computer themselves! You have to look for a tool that has gained a strong reputation and detects not just viruses but other types of malware also. Among few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended program for the security-conscious end user. SafeBytes anti-malware is really a powerful, highly effective protection tool made to assist end-users of all levels of computer literacy in detecting and removing malicious threats from their PC. After you have installed this tool, SafeBytes sophisticated protection system will make sure that no viruses or malicious software can seep through your PC. SafeBytes has excellent features when compared to other anti-malware programs. The following are some typical features found in this software: Active Protection: SafeBytes provides complete and real-time security for your personal machine. It will check your computer system for suspicious activity continuously and its unrivaled firewall protects your PC from unauthorized access by the outside world. Most effective AntiMalware Protection: Using its enhanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware removal tool can detect and eliminate the malware threats hiding in your computer system effectively. Web Protection: SafeBytes checks and gives a unique safety rating to each and every website you visit and block access to webpages considered to be phishing sites, thus safeguarding you from identity theft, or known to contain malicious software. Faster Scanning: Safebytes Anti-Malware, using its advanced scanning engine, provides extremely fast scanning which can quickly target any active online threat. Light-weight: This software is lightweight and will work silently in the background, and that does not have an effect on your computer efficiency. 24/7 Online Tech Support: You can get 24/7 technical support to promptly resolve any concern with your security tool.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove FreeRideGames without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser. To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.

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

Files: C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb C:WINDOWSsystem32msxml3r.dll C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat C:WINDOWSsystem32rsaenh.dll C:Documents and SettingsUSERLocal SettingsTemp_uninsep.bat C:WINDOWSsystem32shdocvw.dll C:WINDOWSsystem32stdole2.tlb c:autoexec.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDMLog.log C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDM_DB_143.xml C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpIKernel.ex_ C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempIEC4.tmp C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32temp.000 C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpSetup.exe C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe -RegServer01235B C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb C:WINDOWSsystem32msxml3r.dll C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb C:WINDOWSsystem32msxml3r.dll C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat C:WINDOWSsystem32rsaenh.dll C:Documents and SettingsUSERLocal SettingsTemp_uninsep.bat C:WINDOWSsystem32shdocvw.dll C:WINDOWSsystem32stdole2.tlb c:autoexec.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDMLog.log C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDM_DB_143.xml C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpIKernel.ex_ C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempIEC4.tmp C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32temp.000 C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpSetup.exe C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe -RegServer01235B C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat C:WINDOWSsystem32rsaenh.dll C:Documents and SettingsUSERLocal SettingsTemp_uninsep.bat C:WINDOWSsystem32shdocvw.dll C:WINDOWSsystem32stdole2.tlb c:autoexec.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb C:WINDOWSsystem32msxml3r.dll C:21984fa691bd80870e3e3f15cc83121a5862cef4abf2989844d858b2c64b0f C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat C:WINDOWSsystem32rsaenh.dll C:Documents and SettingsUSERLocal SettingsTemp_uninsep.bat C:WINDOWSsystem32shdocvw.dll C:WINDOWSsystem32stdole2.tlb c:autoexec.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143%#MANIFEST#%01235B C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDMLog.log C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDM_DB_143.xml C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpIKernel.ex_ C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempIEC4.tmp C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32temp.000 C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpSetup.exe C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe -RegServer01235B C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143cmhelper.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143ExentCtlInstaller.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143resourceDll.dll C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDMLog.log C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143SDM_DB_143.xml C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpIKernel.ex_ C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempIEC4.tmp C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32temp.000 C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143Free Ride Games.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsep.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TempSDM143FreeRideGames.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temp_uninsdm.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temppft3.tmpSetup.exe C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldEngineIntel 32IKernel.exe -RegServer
Read More
1 2 3 171
Logo
Copyright © 2023, ErrorTools. All Rights Reserved
Trademark: Microsoft Windows logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft. Disclaimer: ErrorTools.com is not affiliated with Microsoft, nor claims direct affiliation.
The information on this page is provided for information purposes only.
DMCA.com Protection Status