Easy Remove PCPerformer From Windows

PC Performer is a registry cleaner made by PerformerSoft. The purpose of this program is to remove redundant items from the Windows registry. Registry cleaners remove broken links, missing references within the Windows registry. PC performer is designed to automatically optimize your registry and clean it up.

PC Performer adds registry entries for the current user that allow it to run automatically each time the system is rebooted. It adds a scheduled task to Windows Task Scheduler in order to run at various times. The software connects to the internet, therefore it creates a Windows Firewall exception that allows it to connect without interference. Multiple anti-virus programs detected this software as Malware, it typically comes bundled with other software or is distributed through a pay-per-install bundle.

About Potentially Unwanted Applications

People have encountered it – you download and install a piece of free software application, you then see some unwanted applications on your computer or discover a strange toolbar has been added to your browser. You didn’t install them, so how did they turn up? These unwanted programs, technically known as Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs), often come bundled along with other software and install themselves on user’s PC without their knowledge. They perhaps might not look like viruses to some individuals, but they can produce major annoyances and bring about serious trouble for users.

The idea of PUP was coined to define this downloadable crapware as something other than malicious software. Much like malware, PUPs create problems when downloaded and placed on your computer, but what makes a PUP different is that you provide consent to download it – the fact is vastly different – the software installation bundle actually tricks you into agreeing to the installation. Still, there isn’t any doubt that PUPs are still bad news for computer users as they can be incredibly damaging to your computer in lots of ways.

What do PUPs look like?

The unwanted software programs after installation display loads of annoying pop-up adverts, create fake alerts, and quite often it even pushes the user to buy the software. Likewise, the majority of free software applications these days come with quite a few unwanted add-ons; in most cases a web browser toolbar or browser modification such as a homepage hijacker. Not only they needlessly use up space on your screen, but toolbars can also manipulate search engine results, watch your browsing activities, decrease your web browser’s performance, and decelerate your net connection to a crawl.

PUPs employ aggressive distribution techniques to get in your computer. Some might include information gathering program code that could collect and send your private information back to third parties. Due to this unwanted program, your application may freeze, your security protections may get disabled that might leave the computer susceptible, your system may get ruined, and the list goes on and on.

Tips on how to prevent ‘crapware’

• Read cautiously before agreeing to the license agreement as it may have a clause about PUPs.
• Usually, when setting up a program you will get two options, ‘Standard Installation (recommended)’ and ‘Custom Installation’. Don’t select ‘Standard’ as PUPs could be installed that way!
• Use good anti-malware software. Try Safebytes Anti-Malware which will find PUPs and handle them as malware by flagging them for removal.
• Be alert when you install freeware, open-source software, or shareware. Avoid downloading browser extensions and programs you are not familiar with.
• Only download applications from the original providers’ sites. Avoid download portals as they use their own download manager to pack additional programs with the initial download.

What you can do if Virus Stops You From Downloading Or Installing Anything?

Malware could potentially cause several kinds of damage to computer systems, networks, and data. Certain malware goes to great lengths to stop you from installing anything on your PC, especially antivirus applications. If you’re reading this right now, you have perhaps recognized that a malware infection is a reason for your blocked web traffic. So what to do if you need to install an antivirus program like Safebytes? There are a few actions you can take to get around this problem.

Eliminate malware in Safe Mode

If the virus is set to load automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, getting into Safe Mode could very well block the attempt. Since just the bare minimum programs and services start-up in safe mode, there are hardly any reasons for issues to happen. The following are the steps you should follow to remove malware in Safemode.

1) At power on/start-up, hit the F8 key in 1-second intervals. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu.
2) Select Safe Mode with Networking using arrow keys and hit ENTER.
3) Once you get into this mode, you should have an internet connection again. Now, obtain the malware removal application you need by using the browser. To install the software, follow the directions in the installation wizard.
4) After installation, do a complete scan and let the software delete the threats it detects.

Switch to an alternate browser

Web-based viruses can be environment-specific, targeting a particular web browser or attacking particular versions of the browser. The best solution to overcome this issue is to opt for a browser that is well known for its security features. Firefox contains built-in Phishing and Malware Protection to keep you safe online.

Install and run anti-virus from a USB drive

To successfully eliminate the malware, you will need to approach the issue of installing an anti-virus program on the infected PC from a different angle. Adopt these measures to employ a USB flash drive to fix your corrupted computer.
1) Use another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware.
2) Insert the pen drive into the clean computer.
3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus program to run the Installation Wizard.
4) When asked, choose the location of the pen drive as the place where you would like to put the software files. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
5) Now, insert the pen drive into the infected computer.
6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes program right from the flash drive.
7) Click “Scan Now” to run a scan on the infected computer for malware.

Highlights of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Do you want to install the best anti-malware software program for your computer system? There are various applications in the market that comes in paid and free versions for Microsoft Windows systems. A few of them are great and some are scamware applications that pretend as legit anti-malware software waiting around to wreak havoc on your computer. While looking for anti-malware software, select one which gives dependable, efficient, and full protection against all known computer viruses and malware. On the list of recommended software is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. SafeBytes carries a really good track record of top-quality service, and clients are happy with it.

SafeBytes anti-malware is a highly effective and easy-to-use protection tool that is suitable for users of all levels of computer literacy. With its cutting-edge technology, this application will let you remove multiples types of malware which include viruses, worms, PUPs, trojans, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers.

SafeBytes anti-malware provides an array of advanced features which sets it apart from all others. Listed here are a few of the great ones:

Anti-Malware Protection: Built on a highly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal tool is able to detect and remove many obstinate malware threats such as browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, and ransomware that other typical anti-virus programs will miss.

Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes offers an entirely hands-free real-time protection that is set to check, prevent and remove all threats at its first encounter. It’ll check your PC for suspicious activity continuously and shields your PC from unauthorized access.

Faster Scan: SafeBytes’s virus scan engine is one of the quickest and most efficient in the industry. Its targeted scanning seriously increases the catch rate for malware that is embedded in various computer files.

Safe Browsing: Safebytes assigns all sites a unique safety ranking that helps you to have an idea of whether the webpage you’re going to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site.

Low CPU Usage: SafeBytes is renowned for its minimal influence on processing power and great detection rate of countless threats. It runs silently and efficiently in the background so you’re free to use your computer at full power all the time.

24/7 Customer Support: SafeBytes provides 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and software upgrades for the best user experience.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove PCPerformer 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 PCPerformer

Files:
File at LOCALAPPDATAPCPerformerSetupPCPerformerSetup.exe.
File at PROGRAMFILESPC PerformerPCPerformer.exe.
File at PROGRAMFILESPC PerformerPSCheckUp.exe.
File at PROGRAMFILESPC PerformerRegistryDefrag.exe.
File at WINDIRTasksPC Performer Daily Check.job.
File at WINDIRTasksPC Performer Scheduled Scan.job.

Registry:
Key PC Performer at HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePerformerSoft.
Key PC Performer at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPerformerSoft.
Key PCPerformer_is1 at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall.

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How to Fix Windows 10 Error Code 0x80072F8F

Error Code 0x80072F8F - What is it?

Error Code 0x80072F8F manifests in one main way. It is known to appear as early as Windows 7, and mainly deals with an error that occurs in the update process, or when the computer is trying to connect to the online activation service. It can appear when the activation fails to verify the product key. The error code will present itself when the system realizes that the PC's date and time are incorrect. Error Code 0x80072F8F will also appear if the computer has determined that the time zone settings on the computer are not accurate.

When Windows is going through the installation process and is verifying all of the information associated with the computer, Error Code 0x80072F8F will arise, indicating that the information in the computer's settings is not valid. Correct times and dates are necessary when using serial validation keys to install Windows. When these settings are outside of the tolerated window, the problem will arise.

Error Causes

There is only one main symptom to look out for, and it will manifest during a Windows installation. In the midst of the installation, the computer will not be able to proceed with the installation if Error Code 0x80072F8F has popped up. Because the information cannot be verified, Windows will not be able to continue the installation process when the time settings are not accurate. This interrupts the process, causing the need to edit the settings, restart the computer, and try again. It is imperative to be sure that the date and time on the computer are inside of the tolerated window for the serial key.

  • This error code will not give any information on how to correct it.
  • Windows Error 0x80072F8F is displayed on the screen.
  • The error code appears when typing the Windows serial key and proceeding.

Further Information and Manual Repair

When experiencing Error Code 0x80072F8F, the date and time need to be corrected in the computer settings menu, and then verify the correct time zone settings.  There are a few different ways to edit the time and date settings, and one may need to even edit the time zone settings. After this, restarting the computer may be needed. When booting into Windows, the validation code should be activated within 30 days of obtaining the serial number.

  • Method One

Check the time and date settings.

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Select Settings, then Time and Language, then Date and Time.
  3. Check and make sure that the PC is operating at the correct time and date.
  • Method Two

Ensure that the computer is connected to the internet.

  1. Enter “network troubleshooter” into the search box located on the taskbar.
  2. Select “Identify and Repair Network Problems”.
  3. Follow the instructions that are given on-screen. This will fix any problems that the network is experiencing.
  • Method Three

Review the timezone.

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Select Settings, then Time and Language, then Date and Time.
  3. Check to make sure that the correct timezone is selected from the drop-down menu.
  • Method Four

Reboot the PC and check if that fixes the problem. This may help in the event that the network troubleshooter does not detect a problem.

After completing these steps to edit the time, date, and time zone settings, it may be necessary to restart the computer. This is to ensure that the computer will save and recognize the new settings. After restarting, continue the process as intended and enter the product key. The computer will now be able to verify the product key since the time and date will be recognizable. The Windows installation should proceed as normal and complete successfully when the time, date, and time zone are inside of the parameters for the Windows product key.

In short, if it is not, the computer will not be able to recognize the product key, thus will not be able to install the Windows product. Generally, the fix is quite simple and does not take much time at all, but it is very important.

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Managing the Local Users and Groups
As you know, Windows PowerShell is a useful command-line utility in Windows 10 that can be used to manage the Local Users and Groups which affirms the multiuser operating system principle of Windows 10. Although there are other GUI-based utilities used to manage the Local Users and Groups, there are some system administrators that would still like to use the command-line utility to manage these Local Users and Groups. So in this post, you will be guided on how exactly you can manage the Local Users and Groups using PowerShell on your Windows 10 computer. To get started, refer to the options provided below to manage both the Local Users and Groups using Windows PowerShell.

Option 1 – Manage the Local Users via Windows PowerShell

  • You need to first open Windows PowerShell as an admin. To do that, just tap the Win + X keys and select the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option.
  • After opening PowerShell, you need to execute the “Get-LocalUser” cmdlet so that you can find all the details about all the local user accounts in your computer which would include the Account Name, Enabled status, as well as description.
Note: On the other hand, you can also get the customized data about several objects that are related to your account. For instance, if you want to check when was the last time the Local account’s password was set, then you need to execute the “Get-LocalUser -Name root | Select-Object PasswordLastSet” cmdlet. Thus, the structure for this cmdlet is “Get-LocalUser -Name root | Select-Object *”. Here are the objects you can use to get different sorts of data:
  • AccountExpires
  • Description
  • Enabled : True
  • FullName
  • PasswordChangeableDate
  • PasswordExpires
  • UserMayChangePassword
  • PasswordRequired
  • PasswordLastSet
  • LastLogon
  • Name
  • SID
  • PrincipalSource
  • ObjectClass

Option 2 – Manage the Local User Groups using Windows PowerShell

  • Like what you did earlier, open Windows PowerShell as admin and then execute the “Get-LocalGroup” cmdlet so you can get all the information about all the groups of all the local user accounts.
  • Now if you want to create a new Local User Group, just execute the “New-LocalGroup -Name <NAME OF THE GROUP> -Description '<ENTER THE DESCRIPTION OF THE GROUP HERE>'” cmdlet.
  • And if you want to add Local User Accounts to a specific group, just execute the “Add-LocalGroupMember -Group '<NAME OF THE GROUP' -Member ('NAME 1','NAME 2','<ROLE>') -Verbose” cmdlet. You could also use the “Get-Localuser -Name john | Add-LocalGroupMember -Group '<NAME OF THE GROUP>'” cmdlet for the same purpose.
  • If you want to display all the User Accounts of a specific group, just use the “Get-LocalGroupMember –Group ‘ ’” cmdlet.
  • Now if you want to remove a local user account from a group, all you have to do is use the “Remove-LocalGroupMember -Group '<NAME OF THE GROUP>' –Member <NAME OF THE LOCAL USER ACCOUNT>” cmdlet.
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What to do if Windows 10 PC turns on by itself
A PC that turns on by itself every so often can get quite annoying. Many users have faced this problem countless times. There are lots of possible reasons why your Windows 10 PC turns on by itself, wakes up from sleep, standby, or even when it’s shut down. To find out what exactly woke your computer, simply open Command Prompt as admin and type the following command:
powercfg –lastwake
Once you enter the command given above, it will show you the last device that woke your PC up. After that, you need to type in the next command:
powercfg –devicequery wake_armed
After entering the command, it will show you a list of all the devices that could wake your PC up. The goal in running these commands is to understand the reason what’s really causing your PC to turn on and see the reason is on the hardware level or not. Here are a couple of options you can try if your Windows 10 PC turns on by itself.

Option 1 – Try disabling Fast Startup

As you know, Windows 10 comes with a mode called Fast Startup which does not turn off the computer in the usual manner. This mode keeps your computer in a mixed state so that when you turn it on again, it will be a lot faster. However, as useful as this feature appear to be, some security experts find this an issue, for numerous reasons – for one, it can turn on your Windows 10 PC by itself. Thus, you need to disable this feature to fix the problem.

Option 2 – You need to stop the Task Scheduler from waking up your computer

There are times when the issue has something more to do with the software than hardware. It could be that you are using a Scheduled Task to get some work done on your computer at a particular time of the day or many times a day. That’s why if you really are using Task Scheduler, you need to change the Power settings of Windows to make sure that it ignores those tasks rather than deleting them instead when your computer is either on Hybrid or Standby mode.
  • Open the Power Options and then click on “Change Plan Settings”.
  • After that, make sure to choose the correct power plan and then select the “Change advanced power settings” option.
  • Next, look for the Sleep tree and expand it to view the “Allow Wake Timers” option and then disable it. Disabling this option will make sure that none of the program that could wake your PC up when it’s either on shutdown or sleep mode. However, this only applies to laptops.

Option 3 – Try to disable Automatic Restart

There are instances when the computer crashes and the system restarts itself. This is actually by design – when your computer has been left on standby, the computer will restart and if the program repeats, it will keep on waking your PC up.
  • In the Search bar, type in “system”.
  • Once it appears from the search results, click on it.
  • Next, select Advanced system settings on the left side and then go to the Advanced tab.
  • From there, click on Settings under Startup and Recovery.
  • Then unmark “Automatically Restart” and click on OK.

Option 4 – Adjust the Power Management option of both the Keyboard and Mouse

As you know, two of the culprits in waking your PC up are the keyboard and the mouse. If they’re slightly moved or hit, your PC turns on. To prevent these two from waking your computer up, you need to make some adjustments to their power management option since they have one. You can disable this option to ensure that they won’t wake your PC up unless you really want it to.
  • Tap the Win + X keys and then tap M to open the Device Manager and list all the hardware on your computer. From there, select your keyboard or mouse.
  • Next, right-click and then go to Properties and go to the Power Management tab.
  • In this tab, uncheck the “Allow this device to wake the computer” box.
Note: Aside from the keyboard and mouse, if you are also using any gaming rig to play games on your computer, then you might have to disable their power options as well as they could also wake your computer. Just make sure that either the keyboard or the mouse has the ability to wake your computer up at the very least as it can be quite inconvenient to tap the Power button every time you want to turn on your computer.

Option 5 – Modify Wake On Lan

The Wake On Lan feature can bring back your computer online if it is connected to a network. This feature is useful especially when a computer wants to communicate or to send data or files to a network computer which should come online only when it’s requested. Wake On Lan is built into the hardware, i.e. network adapter so it is one of the possible reasons why your PC turns on by itself.
  • Tap the Win + x keys then hit M to open the Device Manager and then under the Network adapters, look for the one that was listed above. Take note that you must not change anything with the ones that are listed as Miniport.
  • Next, right-click and select Properties and then go to Power management and from there, uncheck the “Allow this device to wake up the computer” option. This will ensure that no PC on the network can ever wake your computer up.

Option 6 – Prevent any scheduled Windows Update and Automatic maintenance

It is also possible that the Windows Update has restarted your PC to complete the update. This depends on your active hours or a predefined schedule. AS you know Windows has a built-in Automatic Maintenance mode which wakes the computer up at the scheduled time and performs the system update. This could be one of the possible reasons why your computer turns on by itself. so to prevent any scheduled updates and maintenance, you can simply change the time for Automatic maintenance. How? Follow these steps:
  • Open Settings then go to Windows Update and Security >Windows Update and select Active Hours.
  • After that, type in “Automatic maintenance” in the search bar to change the time for Automatic maintenance.
  • From there, you can adjust the timing or just uncheck the “Allow scheduled maintenance to wake up my computer at the scheduled time” box.
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DirectX encountered an unrecoverable error
DirectX encountered unrecoverable error usually face gamers when they try to star certain game. In this guide, we will help you to get over it and solve the issue. Follow steps in this guide one after another since they go from most simple ones to complex ones so following is advised in order not to waste a ton of time and resources doing wrong tasks.
  1. Check your game page and your DirectX

    The first and most common thing that can cause this type of error is when your installed DirectX is not the same version that the game requires. Check the game store page to see system requirements and write down which DirectX version it requires in order to run. Then press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to bring run dialog and type in it DXDIAG and press ENTER DX diagnostic window will pop up and at the bottom, you can find which DirectX version is installed on your system. If versions are different, install the required DirectX version and run the game.
  2. Update or reinstall GPU drivers

    DirectX can get corrupted via bad driver update, in order to fix this, reinstall or update your Graphic drivers to the latest version from the official manufacturers' website.
  3. Set custom scaling to 100

    Go into Windows settings and set custom Display scaling to a value of 100, sign out, and then sign back in.
  4. Delete registry key

    Note that you should do this as the last option and be very careful since you can crash whole Windows in this way. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog and type RegEdit in it to open the registry editor. Find this key: ComputerHKEY_CLASSES_ROOTPROTOCOLSFiltertext/XML and delete it from the registry, you might want to do a backup of the registry first, just in case.
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How to Repair BSOD Stop Error code 0xc000021a in Windows 10

Error code 0xc000021a - What is it?

Error code 0xc000021a occurs when the system is unable to start or there’s a failure in critical system processes. Normally, it would take about several seconds for the system to boot and while on the startup process, error code 0xc000021a may take place to block the system to boot up. Users will get a blue screen of death (BOSD) when this error occurs. When upgrading to Windows 10, be careful; you might encounter other error messages such as error code 8007002c

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

There are several reasons why error code 0xc000021a occurs. It is important to have a full understanding of what caused the blue screen of death before attempting to fix the error by yourself. See below for a few common causes:

Computer malware has infiltrated your device.

• Important files such as Winlogon.exe and Csrss.exe are damaged. Winlogon.exe file is responsible for handling the login and logout processes while Csrss.exe is a vital part of Microsoft Client or Server ‘Runtime Server Subsystem’. Once one of these files is damaged or deleted, a stop error will occur.

• When there are mismatched system files installed or system upgrading process failed or still incomplete.

• Premature unloading of Wbemprox.dll

• Newly installed third-party software is not compatible with the operating system.

• There are corrupted, outdated, or incorrectly configured device drivers.

• There’s insufficient space in the system partition. Once the system partition is full, certain errors such as error code 0xc000021a will manifest.

• Windows registry is corrupted or damaged due to a software or system change. This means there are registry entries that are not cleared after uninstalling an application.

Further Information and Manual Repair

In fixing error code 0xc000021a, you might want to try and manually do so. Manual repair methods can give users effective and efficient solutions, addressing the root problems in relation to Windows error codes. Once the manual repair method is correctly implemented, users will be able to resolve issues immediately. However, there might be instances when a Windows professional is needed. In such cases, seek help from a certified Windows expert or you might want to consider using an automated tool whenever necessary.

Method One: Convert the Drive or Partition from NTFS to GPT

In order to fix Error code 0xc000021a in Windows 10, you might need to convert the partition or drive from NTFS to GPT. See below for the procedure: 1. Shut down your device then put in the Windows installation USB key or DVD. 2. Boot your device to the USB key or DVD in UEFI mode. 3. Inside the Windows Setup, open a Command Prompt window by pressing Shift + F10. 4. Type diskpart in the Command Prompt window to open the diskpart tool. 5. Type list disk to identify which drive to reformat. 6. Select which drive to reformat by typing select disk in the command prompt. Afterward, type clean then hit Enter. Once done, type convert gpt to be able to convert the drive from NTFS to GPT. Finally, type exit and press Enter. You can now close the Command Prompt window. 7. Once the partition or drive is converted from NTFS to GPT, the user can now continue the Windows Setup installation. NOTE: Select Custom in choosing which installation type to use. The drive will then appear as a single area of unallocated space. Choose that unallocated space then select Next. At this point, Windows will now begin the installation.

Method Two: Fix System File Errors

There are times when system files get corrupted or damaged which will result in system failure. If this is the case, you can use a Windows free tool to repair corrupted or damaged system files. 1. Right-click on the Start button then selects Command Prompt (Admin) from the list to open a Command Prompt window. 2. Once the Command Prompt appears, type sfc /scannow then hit Enter. Wait until the process completes. If the process is completed and it doesn’t report any error or issues that remain unsolved, you might want to employ the next method.

Method Three: Reset Windows 10

Resetting Windows will delete all software and user accounts installed in the operating system and will reinstall a fresh Windows. 1. Boot your device using a Windows installation USB key or DVD. Select Repair your computer to locate the Troubleshoot option. Afterward, choose Reset this PC. NOTE: If the device is able to boot the system, you can reset Windows without using a Windows installation USB key or DVD. You just have to boot the device then navigate to Settings in the Start button. Choose Update & Recovery then select Recovery found on the left pane. Choose Reset this PC option then select Go back to an earlier build and Advanced startup. Select Get Started button found in the Reset this PC tab. 2. Depending on your device’s condition, you can either select Keep my files or Remove everything. Both options will remove all applications installed in the device and will revert to default settings. 3. Choose either Just remove my files or Remove files and clean the drive depending on the situation. If you choose the Remove files and clean the drive option, the procedure will take longer as it will erase all the files permanently. In this case, deleted files cannot be recovered. However, if you don’t want to remove files permanently, select Just remove my files. 4. Once you’ve decided how to reset your system, click on Next once the Warning screen appears. Afterward, choose Reset once prompted. When the process completed, click on Continue.

Method Four: Download an Automated Tool

Can’t seem to put up with the long and technical manual repair process? You can still fix this error by downloading and installing a powerful automated tool that will surely get the job done in a jiffy!
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Fix Setup has failed Error in Windows
If you encounter the “Setup has failed to determine supported install choices” error when trying to downgrade or upgrade your Windows 10 computer, this signifies that there are some compatibility issues with the installation process and that Windows was not able to either downgrade or upgrade to another version. Usually, this error occurs when you are using the built-in options in Windows 10 upgrade or downgrade to another version of Windows. This option is mostly used as it keeps the user settings as well as data intact. Thus, you need to keep in mind a lot of parameters before you proceed with the installation because if there is any conflict in the process, you certainly won’t be able to downgrade or upgrade your Windows computer. To resolve the issue, here are some suggestions that might help.

Option 1 – Try running in Compatibility mode

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

Option 2 – Option 2 – Try troubleshooting compatibility

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

Option 3 – Try to use the setup file instead of an image

If you are running the Windows ISO image for the installation, you can try running the setup file instead. This is because when you try to install Windows from an image file directly, it has to be loaded into a virtual CD drive first, and then from there, further operations are carried out. And so, you can just bypass this mechanism to avoid getting the “Setup has failed to determine supported install choices” error.
  • First, you need to extract the disk file to an accessible location.
  • After that, go to Sources > Setup.exe.
  • Now run the setup file to upgrade or downgrade the Windows version. Just make sure that you do run the setup file as an administrator.

Option 4 – Try to do the upgrade or downgrade in a Clean Boot state

Putting your PC in a Clean Boot state can also help when you want to upgrade or downgrade your version of Windows without any trouble because, during this state, you can start the system with a minimum number of drivers and startup programs that will surely help you in isolating the root cause of the issue.
  • Log onto your PC as an administrator.
  • Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
  • From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
  • Clear the “Load Startup items” checkbox and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
  • Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” checkbox.
  • Click Disable all.
  • Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
  • After that, try to install the Windows Updates or upgrade again.

Option 5 – Try to use the Media Creation tool

The Media Creation tool in Windows allows you to use the ISO installation file to make a bootable device that you can use to install Windows on your PC. Note that this is kind of different from the usual installation process as it could erase your computer’s current settings and data on the primary drive. Thus, before you proceed, you need to backup all your data into some removable drive and then use the Media Creation Tool to make a bootable drive.
  • After making the bootable drive, you need to plug it into your computer and then reboot.
  • Next, tap the F10 or Esc key to open the boot options.
  • Now set the boot priority of the removable drive the highest. Once the setup comes forth, follow the next onscreen instructions and install Windows without any problems.
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Fix 0xc000014C Boot Configuration Data error
If you receive the error code 0xc000014C while you boot up your computer, then this post might be of help. This kind of error usually points to the Registry of your computer that might be corrupted. As a result, the operating system was not able to read the BCD file and throws the 0xc000014C error. The error code 0xc000014C is triggered when your computer encounters an error in the first booting sector. You might receive any of these error messages:
“Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data.” with File: as “BootBCD” “File: Windowssystem32configsystem Info: Windows failed to load because the system registry file is missing or is corrupt” “Info: The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains errors.”
To fix the error code 0xc000014C when booting your computer, you can check out the suggestions provided below.

Option 1 – Try running System Restore in Advanced Startup Options

Since you probably can’t boot into your Windows 10 computer, you can try to run System Restore again in the Advanced Startup Options.
  • Boot your computer into the Advanced Startup Options screen.
  • From there, you will see some options to troubleshoot when you can’t log in to Windows in the usual way.
  • Now select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
  • After that, type “rstrui” and hit Enter to execute the command which will start the System Restore process.

Option 2 – Try to rebuild the BCD files

You can also try rebuilding the BCD files to resolve error 0xc000014C for corrupted Boot Configuration Data
  • You can start by booting into the installation environment for Windows 10 from an installation media.
  • After that, click on Repair your computer and on the blue screen, select Troubleshoot and then select the Advanced options menu.
  • From there, select Command Prompt and once you open it, enter each one of the commands given below by sequence.
    • bootrec /FixMbr
    • bootrec /FixBoot
    • bootrec /ScanOS
    • bootrec /RebuildBcd
  • Once you’re done executing the commands given above, type “exit” to close the Command Prompt window and then restart your computer and see if it fixed error code 0xc000014c.

Option 3 – Try restoring the default and uncorrupt Registry Values

This option is a bit tricky as you have to be sure about what you are doing here. However, if you are not sure, you might want to seek out a technician to fix the problem for you. But if you can handle it, then carefully follow the steps below.
  • You have to first physically remove the hard drive of the computer that’s not booting up. You can refer to it as Hard drive 1 and Computer 1, respectively.
  • After that, you need to have another computer which you can refer to as Computer 2, and refer to its hard drive as Hard drive 2. Make sure that this second computer is working properly.
  • Next, you have to attach Hard drive 1 to Computer 2 with the Hard drive 2 attached as well.
  • After that, boot Computer 2 from Hard drive 2 where Hard drive 1 will act as the second storage unit.
  • Then navigate to the following location in the System Partition of the Hard drive 2.
C:/Windows/System32/config/RegBack
  • From there, you have to replace all the files. Once you’re done, shut down your computer and then take out the Hard drive 1 from Computer 2 and put it back to Computer 1 as the only hard drive.
  • Now boot your computer normally and check if the problem is fixed.
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Easy Remove SpeedItUp Tutorial

SpeedItUp is a potentially unwanted application made by MicroSmarts LLC. The program claims to optimize RAM, clean the registry, and boost internet connection speed. It is designed to speed up your computer by removing some background processes. While not malicious itself, SpeedItUp Free and its variations are often installed via third-party installer bundles, causing many users to unwittingly install the program. Aliases of the program include CheckMeUp, SpeedCheck, SpeedChecker, SpeedItUp Free, Speeditup-Checkup, and Speeditup-Nova. While intended to speed up the performance, its background processes and startup tasks may actually slow PCs down in some cases. Some versions of SpeedItUp also include a browser extension.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted software program, usually a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in the browser’s settings. Browser hijacker malware is designed for a number of reasons. Typically, browser hijacking is used for earning advertising revenue that comes from forced advert mouse clicks and website visits. Though it might seem naive, these tools are designed by vicious individuals who always attempt to take full advantage of you, so that hackers can make money from your naive and distraction. On top of that, hijackers can make the whole infected system vulnerable – other destructive malware and viruses would grab these opportunities to get into your computer effortlessly.

Symptoms of browser hijack

There are many symptoms that could indicate a browser hijacking: your web browser’s homepage is suddenly different; your web browser is constantly being redirected to adult sites; the default online search engine has been changed and your browser security settings have been brought down without your knowledge; discover new toolbars which you did not add; your internet browser displays endless pop-up windows; your internet browser has become unstable or starts running slowly; Inability to navigate to certain websites, particularly anti-malware as well as other security software sites.

How they infect computer systems

A browser hijacker can be installed on your computer or laptop if you check out an infected site, click an email attachment, or download something from a file-sharing site. They may also originate from any BHO, browser extension, add-on, toolbar, or plug-in with the malicious objective. A browser hijacker can also come bundled up with some freeware that you inadvertently download to your PC, compromising your internet security. An example of some notorious browser hijacker includes Babylon, Anyprotect, Conduit, DefaultTab, SweetPage, Delta Search, and RocketTab, but the names are regularly changing.

The best ways to remove a browser hijacker

Certain kinds of browser hijackers can be removed from the computer by deleting malicious applications or any other recently added shareware. Often, it can be a challenging task to discover and get rid of the malicious piece because the associated file could be running as part of the operating system process. Moreover, manual removals demand deep system knowledge and thus can be quite a difficult job for novice computer users. Experts always recommend users remove any malware including browser hijackers by using an automatic malware removal tool, which is better, safer, and quicker than the manual removal method. One of the greatest tools for repairing browser hijacker malware is Safebytes Anti-Malware. It will help you remove any pre-existing malicious software in your system and provides you real-time monitoring and protection from the latest threats. Together with the anti-virus tool, a PC optimizer will help you in deleting all associated files and modifications in the computer registry automatically.

Virus Blocking Internet And All Antivirus Software? Do This!

Every malware is detrimental and the effects of the damage will vary based on the specific type of malicious software. Some malware goes to great lengths to stop you from installing anything on your computer, particularly anti-virus software programs. If you are reading this article, you probably have got affected by a virus that prevents you from installing a computer security program such as Safebytes Anti-Malware. Refer to the instructions below to remove malware through alternative ways.

Install antivirus in Safe Mode with Networking

If the virus is set to load immediately when Microsoft Windows starts, getting into safe mode could block this attempt. Since only the minimum applications and services launch in Safe Mode, there are seldom any reasons for conflicts to occur. Listed here are the steps you have to follow to start into the Safe Mode of your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers (go to Microsoft site for instructions on Windows 8 and 10 computers). 1) At power on/start-up, tap the F8 key in 1-second intervals. This would conjure up the “Advanced Boot Options” menu. 2) Use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Networking and hit ENTER. 3) As soon as this mode loads, you should have an internet connection. Now, make use of your internet browser normally and navigate to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 4) After the software is installed, allow the diagnostic scan run to remove trojans and other malware automatically.

Obtain the anti-malware software in a different internet browser

Some malware mainly targets particular web browsers. If this is your situation, utilize another internet browser as it could circumvent the virus. When you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a trojan or otherwise compromised by cybercriminals, the most effective plan of action would be to switch to a different web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to download your favorite computer security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Run antivirus from a pen drive

To successfully eliminate the malware, you might want to approach the issue of running an antivirus software program on the affected computer from a different angle. Adopt these measures to employ a flash drive to clean your corrupted computer. 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or MS Windows Defender Offline onto a clean PC. 2) Insert the USB drive onto the same system. 3) Double click on the exe file to open the installation wizard. 4) Select the USB stick as the destination for saving the software file. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. 5) Unplug the pen drive. You may now use this portable antivirus on the infected computer system. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the USB drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Press the “Scan” button to run a full computer scan and remove viruses automatically.

Protect Your PC & Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Do you want to install the very best anti-malware application for your computer system? There are several applications available that come in paid and free versions for Microsoft Windows computers. Some of them do a good job in eliminating malware threats while many will damage your computer themselves. You must opt for a company that builds industry-best anti-malware and has gained a reputation as reliable. When considering the reliable software programs, Safebytes Anti-Malware is certainly the highly recommended one. SafeBytes can be described as a powerful, real-time antivirus application that is designed to assist everyday computer users in protecting their computer from malicious threats. With its outstanding protection system, this tool will automatically detect and get rid of most of the security threats, which include viruses, adware, browser hijackers, ransomware, PUPs, and trojans. SafeBytes anti-malware takes PC protection to a whole new level with its advanced features. Let’s have a look at some of them below: Active Protection: SafeBytes provides 100 % hands-free real-time protection which is set to monitor, prevent and get rid of all computer threats at its very first encounter. They are very effective in screening and getting rid of numerous threats because they are continuously revised with the latest updates and alerts. Antimalware Protection: This deep-cleaning anti-malware software goes much deeper than most anti-virus tools to clean out your PC. Its critically acclaimed virus engine locates and disables hard to remove malware that hides deep inside your PC. SuperSpeed Scanning: SafeBytes’s very fast malware scanning engine lessens scanning times and extends battery life. At the same time, it will effectively identify and eliminate infected files or any online threat. Web Security: SafeBytes provides an instant safety rating about the web pages you are about to visit, automatically blocking dangerous sites and make sure that you’re certain of your online safety while browsing the net. Lightweight Utility: This program is not “heavy” on the computer’s resources, so you’ll not notice any performance difficulties when SafeBytes is operating in the background. Premium Support: Support service is readily available for 24 x 7 x 365 days through chat and email to answer your questions.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove SpeedItUp 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 SpeedItUp

Files: C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempinproc.temp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp1.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp2.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp3.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp4.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp5.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp6.tmp c:autoexec.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp1.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp2.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp4.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TemptmpA.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TemptmpE.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TemptmpF.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempsearchprotect_w_prechecker.exe C:WINDOWSsystem32rsaenh.dll C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempinproc.temp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp1.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp2.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp3.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp4.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp5.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp6.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp7.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempsearchprotect_w_prechecker.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempwajam_validate.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp1.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp2.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp3.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp4.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp5.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp6.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp7.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TemptmpA.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempsearchprotect_w_prechecker.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempwajam_validate.exe File %COMMONDESKTOPSpeedItup Free.lnk. File %COMMONPROGRAMSSpeedItup Free.lnk. File %COMMONPROGRAMSSpeedItup FreeSpeedItup Free.lnk. File %COMMONPROGRAMSSpeedItup FreeUninstall SpeedItup Free.lnk. File %COMMONSTARTMENUSpeedItup Free.lnk. File %LOCALSETTINGSTempspuad0.exe. File %LOCALSETTINGSTempspuad1.exe. File %PROGRAMFILESDisplay Offerdelayexec.exe. File %PROGRAMFILESDisplay Offerwait.exe. File %PROGRAMFILESSpeedItup Freedelayexec.exe. File %PROGRAMFILESSpeedItup Freespdfrmon.exe. File %PROGRAMFILESSpeedItup Freespeeditupfree.exe. File %SYSDRIVEProgram Files (x86)SpeedItup Freeupgradepath.ini. File %WINDIRSpeedItup Freeuninstall.exe. Directory %COMMONPROGRAMSSpeedItup Free. Directory %PROGRAMFILESDisplay Offer. Directory %PROGRAMFILESSpeedItup Free. Directory %SYSDRIVEProgram Files (x86)SpeedItup Free. Directory %WINDIRSpeedItup Free. Registry: Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT named spdfrmon.Gate.1, plus associated values. Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT named spdfrmon.Gate, plus associated values. Key 0142D788-C4FC-4ED8-2222-D654E27AF7F8 at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key A1011E88-B997-11CF-2222-0080C7B2D6BB at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib. Key A1843388-EFC2-49C9-2222-FC0C403B0EBB at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key A19F8F88-F91E-4E49-2222-BD21AB39D1BB at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppID. Key A19F8F88-F91E-4E49-2222-BD21AB39D1BB at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID. Key A1D87888-DEAA-4971-2222-5D5046F2B3BB at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key A245B088-41FA-478E-8DEA-86177F1394BB at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppID. Key spdfrmon.exe at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppID. Key spdfrmon at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet001Services. Key spdfrmon at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet002Services. Key spdfrmon at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet003Services. Key SpeeditupFree at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall.
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How to run old applications in Windows 10
Having the latest applications is often preferred for most users but sometimes we have some old applications which have not been updated or simply we just want to run oldie on our computer because it does everything we need and we do not want to upgrade in order to save some money. The issue is presented sometimes when we try to run an old application in Windows 10 and some components are missing in Windows itself or the application is simply coded in a way to work on older Windows versions. If by any chance you have this issue then this guide is for you since we are going to show you how to run old applications in Windows 10. This guide is made in a way to takes into account that the application itself is completely installed on your Windows 10 machine if you can not even install the application you will need to search solution for that particular application since that can not really be generalized and pinpointed issue, every application is different.

Running old applications using the compatibility option

All of that being said, let's start that old app you have. First thing is to locate an executable file or shortcut of the desired application. Once it is located, right-click on it to bring up the menu, and all the way to the bottom you will find properties. Left-click on properties. file properties drop down menuThe application settings screen will open, in upper tabs locate Compatibility and left-click on it. file properties compatibility tab markedAfter the click, you will find yourself in application compatibility settings. File properties compatibility optionsIn this window, you will face different options to run the chosen application in various modes in order to make it run. How settings are self-explanatory and different applications will need different settings sadly we can not cover them all but your safest bet is to run them in an environment where they have worked. For example, if the application was working fine in Windows XP and required administrator privileges, check Run this program as an administrator and Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows XP.
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Fix Black border or bar on Monitor
If you suddenly see a black border in your computer’s display then you might be wondering how come this happened but worry not for this post will give you a couple of suggestions that could help you resolve the problem. The black bar could appear at the bottom or just the sides of the screen. Whichever it may be, there are options you can check out. Refer to the options givens below and make sure to follow them carefully.

Option 1 – Try checking the screen resolution

You might want to try checking the resolution of your screen.
  • Open the Windows 10 Settings and go to Display.
  • Next, go for the “100% (Recommended)” option under Scale and layout for the size of the text, apps, and other items.
  • After that, select the Recommended setting again under Resolution.
Now check to see if the black bars are still there. They should be gone at this point, but if for some strange reason nothing has changed, then attempt the steps below.

Option 2 – Try updating Graphics & Monitor drivers

You might want to try updating your graphics and monitor drivers if you haven’t updated them for some time now. To do that, refer to these steps:
  • 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 Graphics drivers or the Monitor drivers and then click each one of them.
  • After that, right-click on each entry 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 can also try to roll back the graphics and monitor drivers back to their previous versions if updating them didn’t work. You can also try visiting the manufacturer’s website and download the graphics or monitor driver setup for your operating system.

Option 3 – Try to run the DISM tool

You can also run the DISM Tool as it might also help in getting rid of the black border or bar on your Windows 10 computer. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth” which could help you resolve the problem.
  • Open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • Then type in the following commands and make sure to hit Enter right after you type each one of them:
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    • exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  • Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.

Option 4 – Troubleshot the problem in a Clean Boot State

There are some instances that some conflicting programs installed in your computer might be the one that’s causing the Black border issue. To identify which program is causing the problem, you need to put your computer in a Clean Boot State. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • Log onto your PC as an administrator.
  • Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
  • From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
  • Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
  • Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
  • Click Disable all.
  • Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
  • From there, start to isolate the problem by checking which one of the programs you installed recently is the root cause of the problem.
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