GoforFiles is a Potentially Unwanted Program that allegedly allows users to easily search for files, movies, apps, and other useful things on the internet. In our testing, this program on further inspection does not work, it only displays an error for every search query. To top this off this program comes bundled up with other programs which could be malicious or unwanted.
This program adds startup links into windows, allowing it and its bundled programs to launch every time Windows is restarted or launched. A task scheduled is also made, that lets the launch of the program at different random times during the day.
Many anti-virus applications have marked this program and its bundled counterparts as Potentially Unwanted Programs, and it is highly recommended to remove these programs from your computer.
About Potentially Unwanted Programs
Exactly what is a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP)?
People have encountered it – you download free software, you then discover some unwanted applications on your computer system, or discover a strange toolbar has been included with your browser. You didn’t have them installed, so how did they appear? These unwanted applications, which are called Potentially Unwanted Programs, or PUP in short, usually tag along as a software bundle when downloading the application and could cause serious problems for computer users.
PUP does not involve malware in the traditional sense. What normally makes a PUP different from malicious software is the fact that when you download one, you’re doing it with your consent – although in most cases unintentionally and reluctantly. But, there is no doubt that PUPs remain bad news for computer users as they can be incredibly damaging to the PC in many ways.
How do unwanted programs affect you?
Unwanted programs come in many forms. More commonly, they will be found in adware bundlers which are known to utilize aggressive and misleading advertising. The majority of bundlers install many adware applications from a number of vendors, each of which features its own EULA policy. Safebytes Anti-malware completely removes this threat and safeguards your PC against PUP or malware infection. PUPS also appear in the form of undesirable toolbars or internet browser plug-ins. Not just they needlessly use up space on your screen, toolbars can also manipulate search results, track your web browsing activities, decrease your internet browser’s performance, and slow down your web connection to a crawl.
They could seem harmless but PUPs are generally spyware. They may include dialers, keyloggers, and also other software built inside them that could monitor you or send out your sensitive information to 3rd parties. Because of this unwanted program, your application may freeze, your security protections can get disabled that could leave your computer susceptible, your system could get ruined, and this list goes on and on.
Tips for preventing PUPs
• Study cautiously prior to agreeing to the license agreement as it could have a clause about PUPs. • Always opt for the custom if you are given an option between Recommended and Custom Installations – never click Next, Next, Next thoughtlessly. • Install an advert blocker/pop-up blocker; Deploy anti-malware products such as Safebytes Anti-malware. These software programs will establish a wall between the computer and online criminals. • Be alert when you download and install freeware, open-source software, or shareware. Avoid downloading and installing browser extensions and applications you are not knowledgeable about. • Always download software from reliable sources like official sites as opposed to untrustworthy sharing space. Avoid torrents and peer-to-peer clients.
Can't Install Safebytes Anti-malware because of a Virus? Try This!
Malware could potentially cause all sorts of damage after they invade your system, from stealing your private details to erasing files on your PC. Some malware sits in between the computer and your internet connection and blocks some or all internet sites that you really want to visit. It might also prevent you from the installation of anything on your machine, especially an anti-virus program. If you’re reading this now, you’ve probably realized that a malware infection is a reason for your blocked internet traffic. So what to do when you want to download and install antivirus software like Safebytes? Do as instructed below to get rid of malware through alternative methods.
Boot your PC in Safe Mode
In Safe Mode, you can actually change Windows settings, un-install or install some applications, and remove hard-to-delete viruses. In the event, the virus is set to load automatically when the computer boots, switching to this mode could prevent it from doing so. To get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the system is starting up or run MSConfig and find the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you are in safe mode, you can attempt to install your antivirus program without the hindrance of the malicious software. Right after installation, run the malware scanner to remove standard infections.
Switch over to an alternative internet browser
Malicious program code might exploit vulnerabilities on a particular browser and block access to all anti-malware software websites. If you appear to have a trojan 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 antivirus program entirely from a USB drive. To run anti-virus using a USB drive, follow these simple measures: 1) Make use of another virus-free PC to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Connect the flash drive to a USB port on the clean computer. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded software, with a .exe file extension. 4) Choose the USB stick as the location for saving the software file. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process. 5) Now, plug the USB drive into the infected system. 6) Double-click the EXE file to run the Safebytes program from the thumb drive. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and get rid of all kinds of malware.
Protect your PC from Malware With SafeBytes Security Suite
To protect your computer or laptop from various internet-based threats, it is very important to install an anti-malware application on your laptop. However, with so many antimalware companies out there, nowadays it is actually tough to decide which one you should obtain for your personal computer. A few of them are excellent, some are decent, and some will destroy your PC themselves! You must be careful not to choose the wrong product, especially if you buy premium software. Among few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended software program for the security-conscious end user.
Safebytes is one of the well-established PC solutions firms, which offer this comprehensive anti-malware application. Using its outstanding protection system, this utility will instantly detect and remove the majority of the security threats, including browser hijackers, viruses, adware, ransomware, trojans, worms, and PUPs.
SafeBytes anti-malware takes computer protection to a whole new level with its advanced features. Let’s look into a few of them below:
Optimum AntiMalware Protection: With a critically acclaimed anti-malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection which is intended to catch and eliminate threats that are hidden deep in your computer’s operating system.
Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes provides round-the-clock protection for your computer limiting malware intrusions in real-time. It will continuously monitor your computer for hacker activity and also gives users advanced firewall protection.
Web Protection: Safebytes allots all sites a unique safety score that helps you to get an idea of whether the webpage you’re about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site.
Faster Scanning: SafeBytes Anti-Malware has got a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to 5x faster than any other antivirus software.
Light-weight: SafeBytes is a lightweight and user-friendly antivirus and antimalware solution. Since it uses minimal computer resources, this software leaves the computer power exactly where it belongs to: with you actually.
24/7 Online Support: Support service is readily available for 24 x 7 x 365 days via email and chats to answer your concerns.
SafeBytes has created an excellent anti-malware solution to help you conquer the latest computer threats and virus attacks. You now may understand that this tool does more than just scan and delete threats on your PC. You’ll get the best all-around protection for the money you spend on SafeBytes AntiMalware subscription, there is no doubt about it.
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you wish to carry out the removal of GoforFiles manually instead of using an automated software tool, you can follow these simple steps: Go to the Windows Control Panel, click on the “Add/Remove Programs” and there, select the offending application to uninstall. In cases of suspicious versions of web browser plug-ins, you can easily get rid of it through your web browser’s extension manager. It is also highly recommended to factory reset your web browser to its default state to fix corrupt settings.
In order to ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard disk and registry for all of the following and eliminate or reset the values as needed. But bear in mind, this can be a complicated task and only computer experts can perform it safely. Also, certain malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing deletion. You’re urged to do this process in Windows Safe Mode.
Microsoft office has set itself as one of the most used and best suites for business use and MS Word as the most widely used word processor. But how even best are not immune to some small bugs and unexpected behaviors so is not Word. Word has stopped working is probably know to a wide audience of its users, I think I could safely say that each Word user has experienced this error at least once, luckily the error is not anything to worry about since it is an easily fixable issue.
Try automated solutions
There are some fully automated solutions that could fix any PC issues, some are available in free versions. If you prefer to do things manually however keep on reading and follow the instructions below.
Manual FIXES:
Update MS Word
Make sure that you are running the latest build of Word in order to eliminate all bugs and to have a smooth running experience. Go to File > Account > Product Information > Update Options and click Enable Update and then select Update Now.
Check the file
Corrupted files can cause this crash and this error, try opening another text file inside the Word to eliminate file corruption.
Run Word in safe mode and disable add-ins
Did you know that MS Word has a safe mode like Windows? In this safe mode, Word will boot up just the application without any add-ins installed and in this environment, you can start one add-in by one to see which one is causing the issue.
Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
Inside run dialog type in winword /safe followed by ENTER to run Word in safe mode
If MS Word works fine in Safe mode, disable all COM Add-ins (while being in safe mode) and restart Word. Re-enable the add-ins one at a time to identify the problematic one.
Click on File and then on Options
Click on Add-Ins from the options list
Select COM Add-ins from the drop-down menu and click on Go
Uncheck all the add-ins and click OK to confirm
Close the Dialog Box and MS Word. Now try running MS Word normally and see if it works
Repeat steps to enable the add-ins, one at a time, and check which add-in is causing this error
Repair Word installation
Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
In run dialog type in control panel and press ENTER
Inside Control Panel click on Programs and Features
Locate and click on Microsoft Office to select it
Once selected click on change located on top of the application list
Once Office Windows loads click on Repair
Wait for the process to finish
Reinstall MS office
If all the previous solutions failed next step would be to completely uninstall MS Office and install it again once the old one has been completely removed from the system.
Go to the control panel as explained in the previous step and select Office
Instead of Change this time click on uninstall and follow on-screen instructions
Once uninstall is finished, install a new copy of MS Office.
Buying a product and then finding out that is not working is one of the most annoying and disappointing things that a consumer can experience. It is no secret that Adobe software and services online can malfunction or detect somewhat false information and behave accordingly placing buyers in an awkward position.
Adobe no matter how huge and great can also still sometimes has software that can misbehave in this way and sometimes downloading their suite and buying it after can not be 100% registered and even after the money is transferred and purchase has been completed you can still have a trial status for your adobe cloud applications.
In this guide, we will address this issue and see how we can fix it so you can get back to your creative work in no time.
Follow this guide as it is presented step by step.
Wait an hour
No, seriously, wait an hour. Sometimes transaction and registration of transaction along with activation can take up to one hour of time. If you just made a purchase and you are still under trial in the launcher, give it a little time to detect the purchase and adjust accordingly.
Check to see if your subscription is active
Sign in to https://account.adobe.com/plans. If you have more than one account, make sure you sign in with the proper one.
Under My plans, select Manage plan.
In the Plan Information section, check to make sure that your subscription is active. If it’s expired, it's likely why you’re seeing messaging that indicates you are in trial mode or that your trial has expired.
If your subscription is showing as active, then an out-of-date payment method may be the issue.
To see if your payment information is current, in the Plan information section, select Manage payment.
If your payment method isn’t current, update your credit card information in the pop-up window and select Save.
Your new payment method will take effect in the next billing cycle.
Sing out and then sign back in
Open the Creative Cloud desktop app. (Select the icon in your Windows taskbar or the macOS menu bar.)
Select the Account icon in the upper right, and then select Sign out.
In the confirmation dialog box, select Sign Out. The Creative Cloud apps and services associated with your account are deactivated on the computer.
Sign in again to your Adobe account.
Launch any Creative Cloud app included in your membership, such as Photoshop or Illustrator. If prompted, sign-in on the next screen.
Update creative cloud applications
Open the Creative Cloud desktop app. (Select the icon in your Windows taskbar or the macOS menu bar.)
Depending on your version of the Creative Cloud desktop app, do one of the following:
On the Help menu, select Check for updates.
or
Select the three vertical dots icon in the upper-right corner of the app.
Choose Check for App Updates from the menu.
If you aren’t using the latest version of your Creative Cloud app, an update prompt appears next to it on the apps list. Select Update.
Remove entries in the HOSTS file
If the previous solutions do not work, your computer could have trouble connecting to Adobe's activation servers. This could be because of an incorrectly configured Operating System hosts file (Operating system hosts files map host names to IP addresses).
To solve this issue, try removing Adobe-related entries from the hosts file. You can remove the Adobe-related entries from the hosts file in two ways:
Automatically repair the hosts file using the Limited Access Repair tool: Repair the hosts file using the Limited Access Repair tool. With this method, you do not have to manually edit the hosts file -- the tool automatically repairs the file.
Reset the hosts file manually: If the issue is not fixed even after you run the Limited Access Repair tool, reset the hosts file manually:
To reset the hosts file on Windows, do the following:
Navigate to C:\WINDOWS\System32\drivers\etc.
Open the hosts file with a text editor such as Notepad.
Check for any Adobe-related entries in the hosts file.
If there are Adobe-related entries in the hosts file, move the file to the desktop, for example by dragging.
Delete the Adobe-related entries from the hosts file. Make sure that you do not delete any other entries.
Save the hosts file that you edited in the previous step. The updated hosts file should not have any Adobe-related entries.
Move the file from desktop to the original location: C:\WINDOWS\System32\drivers\etc. When moving the file, select the Replace option.
To reset the hosts file on macOS, do the following:
To find the hosts file, open Finder and then choose to Go > Go to Folder. In the box, type the following location and then press Return:/private/etc/hosts
If you are unable to locate the file, it means that the hosts file is hidden. Type the following command in terminal to unhide the file, and then repeat Step 1. chflags nohidden /etc/hosts
Open the hosts file using a text editor such as Text Edit.
Check for any Adobe-related entries in the hosts file.
If there are Adobe-related entries in the hosts file, move the file to the desktop, for example by dragging.
Delete the Adobe-related entries from the hosts file. Make sure that you do not delete any other entries.
Save the hosts file that you edited in the previous step.
Move the file from the desktop to the original location: /private/etc/hosts. When moving the file, select the Replace option.
New malware with extensive spyware capabilities steals data from infected Android devices and is designed to automatically trigger whenever new info is read to be exfiltrated. The spyware can only be installed as a 'System Update' app available via third-party Android app stores as it was never available on Google's Play Store. This drastically limits the number of devices it can infect, given that most experienced users will most likely avoid installing it in the first place. The malware also lacks a method to infect other Android devices on its own, adding to its limited spreading capabilities.
However, when it comes to stealing your data, this remote access trojan (RAT) can collect and exfiltrate an extensive array of information to its command-and-control server. Zimperium researchers who spotted it observed it while "stealing data, messages, images and taking control of Android phones."
What happens when malicious software is installed
"Once in control, hackers can record audio and phone calls, take photos, review browser history, access WhatsApp messages, and more," they added. Zimperium said its extensive range of data theft capabilities includes:
Stealing instant messenger messages;
Stealing instant messenger database files (if the root is available);
Inspecting the default browser's bookmarks and searches;
Inspecting the bookmark and search history from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Samsung Internet Browser;
Searching for files with specific extensions (including .pdf, .doc, .docx, and .xls, .xlsx);
Inspecting the clipboard data;
Inspecting the content of the notifications;
Recording audio;
Recording phone calls;
Periodically take pictures (either through the front or back cameras);
Listing of the installed applications;
Stealing images and videos;
Monitoring the GPS location;
Stealing SMS messages;
Stealing phone contacts;
Stealing call logs;
Exfiltrating device information (e.g., installed applications, device name, storage stats).
How does it work?
Once installed on an Android device, the malware will send several pieces of info to its Firebase command-and-control (C2) server, including storage stats, the internet connection type, and the presence of various apps such as WhatsApp. The spyware harvests data directly if it has root access or will use Accessibility Services after tricking the victims into enabling the feature on the compromised device. It will also scan the external storage for any stored or cached data, harvest it, and deliver it to the C2 servers when the user connects to a Wi-Fi network. Unlike other malware designed to steal data, this one will get triggered using Android's contentObserver and Broadcast receivers only when some conditions are met, like the addition of a new contact, new text messages, or new apps being installed.
"Commands received through the Firebase messaging service initiate actions such as recording of audio from the microphone and exfiltration of data such as SMS messages," Zimperium said.
"The Firebase communication is only used to issue the commands, and a dedicated C&C server is used to collect the stolen data by using a POST request."
Camouflage
The malware will also display fake "Searching for the update.." system update notifications when it receives new commands from its masters to camouflage its malicious activity. The spyware also conceals its presence on infected Android devices by hiding the icon from the drawer/menu. To further evade detection, it will only steal thumbnails of videos and images it finds, thus reducing the victims' bandwidth consumption to avoid drawing their attention to the background data exfiltration activity. Unlike other malware that harvests data in bulk, this one will also make sure that it exfiltrates only the most recent data, collecting location data created and photos taken within the last few minutes.
If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
Disk partitioning is a concept that’s been around for so long, but is still only familiar to few. If done right, it can help get your computer in perfect order.
Today we bring you a simple definition of disk partitioning, its pros and cons, and a quick tip on how to do it properly to reap its full benefit!
Definition and purpose
The simplest way to define disk partitioning would be: it’s exactly what it sounds like. It means taking a hard disk drive and separating it into different segments. These segments are called partitions. You can visualize it as cutting a cake into smaller pieces - not necessarily of the same size, though.
So what is the purpose of these pieces?
Well, when you first get a hard drive, it’s basically just a bunch of unallocated storage space. Until there’s at least one partition, this space is unusable to your operating system. Once you create a partition, your OS will recognize it as usable storage space.
You can choose to create a single partition and use it for all your files, from program files to personal data. A lot of off-the-shelf computers come with one primary partition like this and a small secondary one reserved for recovery purposes.
Whether or not you want to split your disk into more than one segment is up to you. We would generally recommend it, though. The whole point of partitioning is for each segment to have its own purpose.
So treating all your storage space as a single unit containing different file types would be like constructing an office building with only one massive room for everything - day-to-day work, conferences, interviews, etc. And all of this for different departments of the company. You can see how this might get a little messy.
Creating multiple partitions eliminates the task of running several different types of files from the same place. This takes a heavy load off the entire process of accessing data.
Disk partitioning also brings a ton of other benefits to the table. An important disclaimer, though: there are disadvantages too. We will walk you through both sides to help you get an objective idea and make an informed decision.
What are the benefits of disk partitioning?
1. Better file organization
This is the most obvious and perhaps the biggest advantage of partitioning your hard drive.
As we already mentioned, partitioning allows you to create separate segments for different file and data types. You wouldn’t want to use the same partition for your system files and for games, would you?
If organization and time management are important to you, then multiple partitions are the right solution. Searching for specific files will be much easier overall. Say you have one hard drive, but three partitions: C for the system files alone, D for multimedia files and documents, and E for games and apps. Your computer loads the system from C without interference from the other two, and you know exactly where to look when searching for a file.
2. Easy reinstallation
File management isn’t the only thing made faster and simpler thanks to partitioning. If you opt for creating multiple segments on your drive, reinstalling Windows will be easy peasy.
That’s because all you need to do is format the partition your system is on. Then you reinstall the OS on it, and there you go. Now you have a clean installation, with all your files saved on other partitions intact. You can even make a copy of your system partition, so you can revisit the exact same installation in the future if you want. And the whole time your pictures, music, documents stay exactly where you left them.
3. Possibility of using multiple file systems
By now you’ve understood that partitions function completely separately. This means that, if for some reason you need multiple file system capabilities, partitioning will allow that.
One segment could be used for, say, an NTFS file system, while another could run ext or APFS.
4. Running different OSes
You’re an avid Windows user but need to use Linux on the side? No problem. You don’t need to buy a separate computer or anything. The possibility of running different file systems also means you can use partitioning to run multiple operating systems.
Doesn’t that sound enticing? One machine for multiple totally different uses!
5. Backup and recovery made simple
Data loss can happen on any disk, partitioned or not. However, it’s much easier to get it back on a partitioned one. You know where you stored what, and each partition can be backed up exactly as it is. It’s also a lot faster to back up single partitions than entire hard drives.
Ultimately this also means a faster path to recovery. If you lose or accidentally delete important files and data, you might want to use a recovery tool like Recuva to scan for them and get them back. Recuva is even powerful enough to recover data from damaged hard drives. But no matter how powerful, scanning a whole drive is strenuous for any recovery tool. Scanning independent partitions is a lot more convenient than that, and will get you to your goal more efficiently.
6. Optimized performance
Now, let’s keep in mind that computer performance is influenced by a number of factors. Partitioning alone isn’t what makes it better or worse. However, it can contribute to optimization. It’s easier for your computer to scan, say, a 40 GB partition to fetch the system file it needs than scanning the entire capacity of your drive.
7. Improved security (possibly*)
Separate partitions can help make your system more secure. Firstly, they minimize file corruption. If one partition gets corrupted, the others should remain unaffected. And keeping in mind the previous point about backup and recovery, ‘fixing’ the damaged partition would be much easier than fixing the entire hard drive.
Partitioning also improves security in terms of malware protection. A malicious attack on one partition is easier to deal with than malware on the whole drive. If your system partition gets infected, you can simply reinstall your OS and that should do the trick.
*Do keep in mind that partitioning can’t defend you against more advanced attacks. So make sure not to give in to a false sense of security.
What are the disadvantages of partitioning?
1. Data is still vulnerable
Yes, it’s easier to back up and recover data from independent partitions. And yes, partitioning may help protect separated files and data to a higher degree. But remember: everything is still on a single physical drive. So while digital errors and issues may be easier to deal with on partitioned drives, physical damage obviously won’t be.
If your hard drive is destroyed in some way, all data on it will be gone. That’s why, if you have crucial files on your PC, it’s important to give them the proper backup treatment before it’s too late.
2. Disbalance of space
Allocating storage space on separate partitions may be a little more tricky than you think. You may fill up one partition a lot faster than another. So on one side you’re struggling with space, and on another you have too much of it to spare. Imagine nearly filling up your system partition and then it turns out you need a lot more space for its updates than you thought.
That’s why you really have to be sure you actually have enough files of different types that you need help managing efficiently. Otherwise you’ll just create a struggle and disbalance in terms of storage.
3. Increased risk of error
If done incorrectly, partitioning can lead to more harm than good. Aside from space disbalance, there is an increased risk of incorrect partition sizes and formatting. Plus, human error is also a factor: in a moment of distraction, you may erase one partition when you meant another. Undoing such mistakes will definitely be tedious and time-consuming.
4. SSDs eliminate the need of partitioning
SSDs (solid-state drives) don’t function in the same way that HDDs do. They have faster read times and can organize files on their own. This quite literally eliminates the need for organization on your part.
Partitioning: yes or no?
The bottom line is that multiple partitions might not be necessary for the average user. But if you’re planning on storing many file types or different file and operating systems on the same PC, then you should give it a shot. It’s also an excellent solution for businesses, of course.
And if our pros and cons list isn’t enough to help you decide, you can always send us a message and we’ll help you make the right choice.
Decided to partition your hard drive?
If you’ve decided to give it a go, you definitely should make sure to do it right.
The two most effective and reliable ways to partition are using the built-in options on Windows or investing in a dedicated partitioning tool, like the EaseUS Partition Master. Which one you'll opt for depends on your specific needs.
Option 1 may be more suitable for users with at least some level of experience. In this case, you’d have to know exactly which steps to take without making errors. This is done in Disk Management on Windows 10/11. From there, you can select the partitions you’d like to split into different volumes of selected sizes.
If this is your first time partitioning, we highly suggest you either consult professionals for this or move on to option 2. The EaseUS partitioning software is specifically designed for beginners, with an intuitive interface helping you succeed in the process. All you need to do is pick the Partition Master package tailored to your needs and follow their guide.
Each package offers technical support as well, and even free upgrades (to varying degrees based on your subscription). Plus, all of this is valid for not one, but two PCs.
It’s the perfect solution for a smooth and error-free partitioning process. If you want to organize your hard drives efficiently and make the most of all your space without doing irreparable damage, it’s definitely worth the investment.
As you know, Windows has a built-in Automatic Maintenance feature that takes care of important tasks such as security scanning and updating, Windows software updates, Disk Defragmentation, System Diagnostics, Disk Volume Errors, and many more. So if you receive an error message saying, “Windows is unable to run automatic maintenance, The maintenance schedule is unavailable”, then this post will guide you in what you can do to resolve this issue.
Here are some suggestions you can try if the Automatic Maintenance in your Windows 10 PC is not able to run.
Option 1 – Enable Automatic Maintenance
It is possible that Automatic Maintenance has been disabled so you can try enabling Automatic Maintenance on your Windows 10 PC. To do so, follow these steps:
Go to Control Panel.
From there, select System and Security > Security and Maintenance > Automatic Maintenance.
After that, set the time you want to run the Automatic Maintenance and then check the checkbox saying, “Allow scheduled maintenance to wake up my computer at the scheduled time”.
Click OK to save the changes.
On the other hand, you can also enable Automatic Maintenance via the Registry Editor. But before you proceed, you need to create a System Restore Point first.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
After that, type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Next, look for the “MaintenanceDisabled” key and then double click on it to open it and then set its value to “0”.
Click OK and exit the Registry Editor.
Restart your computer.
Option 2 – Check the Task Scheduler Services status
Majority of the tasks in Windows 10 run via services. So it is most likely that either the Service has been stopped or is set to the manual which is why Windows is unable to run Automatic Maintenance. Thus, you need to change it to automatic mode.
Tap the Win + R keys to open Run.
Type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open Services.
Next, look for the Task Scheduler service and tap the T key on your keyboard which should take you to the services that start with T.
Double click on the Task Scheduler service and select the Automatic option under the Startup Type.
If it is not started yet, click on the Start button.
Then click Apply and OK to save the changes.
Option 3 – Check the Status in Task Scheduler
You can also try checking the status in the Task Scheduler. Just open the Task Scheduler > Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > TaskScheduler. From there, make sure that Idle Maintenance, Maintenance Configurator, and Regular Maintenance are enabled.
Option 4 – Run the System File Checker
The SFC or System File Checker scan could detect and automatically repair damaged system files that could be causing the Automatic Maintenance issue. SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files with good system files. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.
Tap Win + R to launch Run.
Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
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:
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
Option 5 – Run the DISM tool
The DISM tool is another command-line tool in the Windows operating system that could help users fix various corrupted system files. To use it, follow these steps:
Open the Command Prompt as admin.
Then type in this command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
The DISM command you entered will repair the corrupted system image. Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.
If a program tried and failed to use the Graphics rendering capabilities of a computer, Windows 10 will most likely throw a Blue Screen error that says, “ THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER ”. 0x000000EA is the Stop code for this particular Blue Screen error and could be caused by a bad display driver or bad video card. Whatever the cause is, here are some suggestions you need to check out to resolve this Blue Screen error.
Option 1 – Try to rollback, update, or disable the Graphics card drivers
Since the THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER Blue Screen error has something to do with Graphics card drivers, you can either roll back, update or disable them depending on your preference in order to resolve the error.
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 – Try removing hardware or drivers that you’ve installed recently
If you have recently installed some hardware or drivers, you might want to disable or remove them since external devices are proven to be one of the factors that trigger Blue Screen errors like THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER. All you have to do is physically disconnect any external devices that are connected to your computer and then check if it fixes the BSOD error or not.
Option 3 – Run System File Checker at boot time
Once you get to the Welcome Screen part, click on Next.
Afterward, click on the Repair your computer option located on the bottom-left part of the window.
Then click on Troubleshoot.
Next, select the Advanced Options and then Command Prompt.
After opening Command Prompt, type the “sfc /scannow” command and hit Enter to run the System File Checker scan.
Wait until the process is completed and type “exit” to close Command Prompt and then restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.
Option 4 – Try to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter
As you know, the Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like the THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER error. It can be found in the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
After that, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.
Option 5 – Try to manually check the Graphics Card hardware
You might also want to check the physical status of your Graphics card and you can do this by disconnecting the Graphics card or any other external device connected to your computer. Once you’ve removed the external device, check it for any damages. If there’s none, connect it back to your computer and check if the THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER Blue Screen error is fixed or not.
Option 6 – Uninstall any faulty drivers
You can also uninstall any faulty drivers via Device Manager. How? Refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run dialog box.
Then type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and tap Enter to open the Device Manager.
From there, look for any faulty drivers. You can identify them easily as they will be marked with a yellow exclamation point. And then check which entries would not affect the normal functioning of your PC.
Now click on the entries of every faulty driver and click on the Uninstall option.
Once you’ve uninstalled them, restart your computer to allow your computer to reinstall the faulty drivers you’ve just removed.
Windows PowerShell is a powerful tool inside the Windows environment often overlooked by typical users which is a great mistake since it can offer a large array of functionality and usability and if used well can offer a unique working experience.
Today we will be using PowerShell to turn the WEB camera off so it can not be accessed, completely disabling it for use. You might want to do this for security reasons or just want to learn few new things. Whatever your reason might be, I am welcoming you to this tutorial and please do keep reading.
Finding device ID
In order to disable the WEB camera first thing we need to do is to find a matching device ID. We will find this value inside the device manager, so press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the secret menu.
In the menu choose device manager and click on it.
When the device manager opens, expand the Imaging devices or Cameras section.
Right-click Integrated Camera or the primary webcam, and click Properties.
Go to the Details tab.
Under the Property section, click to select Matching device ID from the drop-down.
Right-click the value and select Copy
The next step is to download and install Windows Driver Kit (WDK)
PowerShell script
Create and run a PowerShell script with the following parameters/values to disable the camera. Substitute the <FOLDER> placeholder with the actual name of the folder where your copy of Devcon is residing
$id = (Get-CimInstance Win32_PnPEntity |
where caption -match '<PRIMARY CAMERA>').pnpDeviceID
$ppid = "{0}{1}" -f '@',$id
Set-Location c:\<FOLDER>
Devcon status $ppid
Devcon disable $ppid
Devcon status $ppid
To enable the camera device, run the command below in PowerShell:
It really sucks when you can’t fully enjoy the newest version of your favorite OS.
Windows 11 is still relatively fresh and consequently has some annoying little bugs that really ruin our experience. The good news is that you’re not alone and most of them are easy to fix.
Here are 5 commonly reported Windows 11 issues and what you can do to get rid of them.
1. Windows 11 audio problems
One of the absolute most irritating things in the world is struggling with the sound on your computer. Windows 11 users have reported facing the issue of low or no sound. If you’re currently experiencing the same frustration, you can be relieved. Chances are fixing it will only take a few minutes.
The first thing to check would be whether you accidentally muted your device by pressing the mute button on your keyboard. Yes, we know it sounds a lot like the old “have you tried turning it off and on again?” But it’s important to leave no stone unturned, and the most obvious things are usually the ones we easily overlook.
Moreover, if you have several audio output sources, check whether the right one is selected. You can do this via the Action Center or through Settings. If you want to use the same source every time, we also recommend you set it as the default one.
It’s also important to have a good, up-to-date audio driver. More often than not, this will be the true cause of your audio struggles. Make sure to update your driver, and if that doesn’t work out, you can always un- and reinstall it or install a different one.
Lastly, if all attempts remain unsuccessful, run the audio troubleshooter to figure out what’s actually going wrong.
2. Unable to find files
Such a powerful new operating system, yet it can’t seem to do the simplest thing imaginable? The File Explorer not responding on Windows 11 is one of the most frustrating and most common problems with Microsoft’s newest iteration of its awesome OS.
However, 9/10 times it can be fixed by simply restarting your PC. You could also try killing the Windows Explorer process in the Task Manager and then rerunning it.
If these don’t help, check whether there are any pending Windows 11 updates. A single missing update can compromise your PC’s functionality, so always make sure to install them all on time.
Should none of that work, then there are other ways to solve the File Explorer problem. However, then the issue is probably a bit deeper and it’s no longer in the ‘easy fix’ territory.
3. Start menu not working
Just like the File Explorer, the Start menu is a fundamental element of your OS. So, it’s only natural that its malfunction grinds your gears. It may be more customizable than on previous Windows versions, but it doesn’t always work smoothly.
If you’re facing the so-called Start menu critical error, there are a few things this could be caused by. Usually it means you turned off your system while an important update was still being installed, there is a corrupt file on your PC, or Windows forcefully stopped a program.
Whatever the reason, the solution should be pretty simple. Try the basic steps: restarting your File Explorer (like we explained above) and signing out and back into your account. If that doesn’t do anything, you may want to try uninstalling third-party start menu apps (if you have any), since they can interfere with your default programs’ functionality.
Now, those are the easy fixes. If you get nowhere with them, you might need to identify the root cause and search for more complex solutions than that.
4. Snipping tool not working
Our beloved screenshot tool was introduced with Windows 10 and Microsoft decided to keep it. However, you were probably just as disappointed as us when you tried to run it and failed.
Normally, this can be fixed by installing the latest Out-of-band (OOB) update, or even pending updates in general. Even if your system appears to be up-to-date, run the checker just in case.
Another cool thing Windows 11 lets you do is ‘Repair’ and ‘Reset’, which is the easiest way to troubleshoot your Snipping tool. If this fails, you can also try the good old un- and reinstall method. Simply uninstall the tool through the Control Panel and reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.
Furthermore, in the case of an upgrade from Windows 10 to 11, it may be that the old Snipping tool version is interfering with the launch of the new one. If you don’t care that much about the additional options available with the enhanced screenshot tool, you can use the old version instead.
Simply go to your C Drive, find the Windows.old folder, search for the tool and open it from there. Make sure to pin it to your taskbar as well, if you know you’re going to use it often.
5. Can’t install the latest update
The latest Windows 11 version, 22H2, has brought tons of enhancements to our dearest operating system. Unfortunately, a lot of users still haven’t had the opportunity to experience it. A mere update of your OS version should be the one thing that goes smoothly, but sometimes that’s not the case.
Failure to install 22H2 can be caused by a few things. Most commonly, the issue is caused by lack of storage space or corrupted files, but there could be other culprits.
There are a couple of things you could try. For example, it’s crucial that your drivers be up-to-date and some important services be enabled. These are: Windows Modules Installer, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, Cryptographic Service, Windows Update services.
To enable them, search ‘Services’, find the service you need and right-click on it. Open ‘Properties’ and select the startup type ‘Automatic’.
It may also be necessary to unplug all peripherals that aren’t crucial and disable third-party antivirus tools until after the update is finished.
Ultimately, you can run the Windows Update troubleshooter to detect and fix other possible issues.
Summary
Tiny bugs like these are nothing out of the ordinary. That said, we still all hate when they happen.
Hopefully some of our solutions have helped you to a smoother Windows 11 experience. But if you’re still struggling, feel free to reach out to us. We’d be happy to help!
The Internet has come a long way from its infant stages and has become so large and huge that it has gained the status of basic human rights. There are very useful information and a lot of great content on it and among them, there are social media websites and other types of websites where you have, most likely placed some personal pictures or other information.
One day you might want to cancel some of the services or you would like to take a break from it all. In this guide we will show you how to do exactly that, to delete and remove your data from the internet.
How to Delete Your Google Account
Google is arguably one of the most visited places on the Web. It stores a huge amount of data for delivering personalized content. It saves personal information, web searches, watched videos, location data, etc. You can view a summary of the data saved by different Google services by visiting your Google Dashboard.
To delete personal data from Google, go to myactivity.google.com. Select the Delete activity by from the left menu to start deleting activities.
Select All time to delete all of your activities from different Google services. You can also delete files saved to Google services, such as Google Photos, Google Drive, and Keep. Just visit the site, select the files, and delete them.
Note that Google retains some information even after you delete all data. They do this to meet business needs and legal requirements. These will be deleted when you delete your Google account altogether.
How to Delete Your Facebook Account
Facebook stores a huge amount of data for each user. Some of the personal information stored in Facebook’s databases includes name and email, check-ins, location, images, videos, events, etc. You can view and download all of your personal data using Facebook’s information download tool. However, you will need to delete your account altogether for removing your personal data from Facebook.
Follow the below steps to delete your Facebook account.
Log in to your Facebook account and go to Settings & privacy > Setttings.
Select Your Facebook Information.
Select Deactivation and Deletion.
Select Delete Account.
Select Continue to Account Deletion.
Select Delete Account.
Enter your password and click Continue.
It can take up to 90 days for Facebook to delete your personal data from the Internet. You will not be able to access any of the data once the deletion starts. However, you can cancel this within the first 30 days.
How to Delete Your Twitter Account
Twitter has also followed in the footsteps of Facebook when it comes to harvesting your personal data. It utilizes this information for delivering personalized ads and tweets. You can download an archive of all of your personal data from Twitter. It makes it easy to monitor what information is available to the platform.
Click the More button from the left menu and head over to Settings and privacy. Follow the below steps to download your personal information.
Select Download an archive of your data from the Your Account section.
Select Request archive from under the Twitter data section. Enter your password when prompted.
It will take some time for Twitter to make the data available to you. You’ll receive an email once the data is ready to be downloaded.
It would be best if you also restrict data sharing and off-site activities. Head over to Privacy and safety and inspect the options under the Data sharing and off-Twitter activity section.
Look in the Interests and Your advertiser list sections from the Ads preferences tab. You can disable Twitter from tracking you in the Off-Twitter activity tab. Uncheck the options from the Data sharing with business partners and Location information tabs.
Finally, you need to deactivate your account for deleting all personal information from Twitter. You’ll have 30 days to reactivate the account. After that, Twitter will begin erasing your information from its systems. Note that they can still retain some information subjected to platform regulations.
How to Delete Your Instagram Account
Instagram has risen to prominence in the last couple of years. The company collects a huge amount of personal information from its users, including media, name, email, and much more. You’ll need to deactivate your account altogether if you want to delete everything Instagram knows about you.
Head over to the Delete your account page and select the reason you want to delete it. Enter your Instagram password to verify your identity, then click on the Delete button. Instagram will hide your account details for the next 30 days and delete all personal data after the given period.
How to Delete Your TikTok Account
TikTok is another emerging platform that has become quite popular among millennials. Users share a lot of personal information through personalized music videos. You need to delete your TikTok account permanently to remove all personal data from TikTok.
To do this, head over to Me, then tap on the … icon in the top-right corner of the window. Select Delete account from under the Manage Account section. Follow the instructions provided there to continue deactivating your account. Like Instagram, TikTok also offers a 30-day time period to allow users to change their minds. It will delete your personal data from the Internet after this period.
You’ll be taken to the Delete Account page directly.
Retype your password once more.
Click on the yellow Continue button.
Do keep in mind that Snapchat will hold on to your data for another 30 days, just in case you change your mind and decide to return. If you do decide to come back, all you need to do is visit the Accounts Portal again and log in to your account. This will reactivate your account. While your account is in this deactivated phase, your friends will not be able to contact you or interact with you in any manner on Snapchat. After the 30-day period has elapsed, your account will be permanently deleted.
EasyDocMerge Toolbar is a Browser Hijacker for Google Chrome. Usually, such browser extensions are installed without your knowledge. These types of Browser Hijackers are often the cause of many problems while surfing the Internet. The most common problems are unwanted pop-ups, underlined words, additional ads, sponsored links, to generate web traffic and earn revenue of the advertising networks by gathering the users browsing data and sending it back to the Mindspark ads network.
When installed this extension will hijack your home page setting it to MyWay.com, it will also change your new tab page to EasyDocMerge (Powered by MyWay.com Search).
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking is a form of an unwanted program, commonly a web browser add-on or extension, which then causes modifications in the browser’s settings. Browser hijacker malware is developed for a variety of reasons. It redirects you to the sponsored internet sites and inserts adverts on your browser that assist its creator to generate earnings. A lot of people think that the browser hijacker is only a harmless website but that is not the case. Nearly every browser hijacker poses an existent threat to your online safety and it’s important to classify them under privacy dangers. They don’t just mess up your browsers, but browser hijackers can even modify the computer registry, leaving your computer susceptible to various other types of attacks.
Key symptoms that your web browser has been hijacked
There are various signs of web browser hijacking: the home page of the web browser is changed unexpectedly; new bookmarks pointing to porn websites are added to your favorite pages; the essential web browser settings are modified and unwanted or insecure resources are added to the trusted sites list; you’ll see many toolbars on your web browser; you see a lot of pop-up ads on your computer screen; your web browser has become unstable or starts running sluggishly; Inability to navigate to particular sites, particularly anti-malware and other computer security software sites.
How they infect computers
Browser hijackers infect computer systems by numerous means, including via a file-share, a drive-by download, or an infected e-mail attachment. They can also originate from any BHO, extension, add-on, toolbar, or plug-in with malicious intent. A browser hijacker may also come bundled up with some free software that you unintentionally download to your computer, compromising your internet security. Typical examples of browser hijackers include CoolWebSearch, Conduit, Coupon Server, OneWebSearch, RocketTab, Searchult.com, Snap.do, and Delta Search.
Browser hijackers may record user keystrokes to gather potentially important information that leads to privacy issues, cause instability on computers, drastically disrupt user’s browsing experience, and finally slow down the system to a point where it will become unusable.
Removal
Certain browser hijacking could be simply reversed by discovering and eliminating the corresponding malware software from your control panel. In some cases, it can be a difficult job to identify and eliminate the malicious component because the associated file might be running as part of the operating system process. You should consider carrying out manual fixes only if you are a tech-savvy person, as potential risks are associated with tinkering with the system registry and HOSTS file.
Installing and running antivirus programs on the affected computer could automatically erase browser hijackers and other malicious applications. Safebytes Anti-Malware contains a state-of-the-art anti-malware engine to help you prevent browser hijacking in the first place, and clean up any pre-existing issues
What you can do if Virus Prevents You From Downloading Or Installing Anything?
Practically all malware is bad, but certain kinds of malware do a lot more damage to your computer than others. Some malware sits in between your computer and the internet connection and blocks a few or all internet sites that you would like to visit. It will also prevent you from adding anything to your PC, especially antivirus software. If you’re reading this now, you might have probably recognized that a malware infection is the real cause of your blocked web connectivity. So how to proceed if you need to install an antivirus application such as Safebytes? Although this kind of problem can be difficult to get around, there are a few steps you can take.
Eliminate viruses in Safe Mode
If any virus is set to run automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, stepping into Safe Mode could block this attempt. Only minimal required programs and services are loaded when you boot your laptop or computer in Safe Mode. You will need to do the following to eliminate malware in Safe mode.
1) At power on/start-up, hit the F8 key in 1-second intervals. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu.2) Select Safe Mode with Networking using arrow keys and press ENTER.3) When this mode loads, you should have the internet. Now, utilize your browser normally and navigate to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware.4) Once the software is installed, allow the diagnostic scan to run to eliminate viruses and other threats automatically.
Obtain the security program using an alternate web browser
Some malware might target vulnerabilities of a specific web browser that obstruct the downloading process. The best way to avoid this problem is to pick a web browser that is renowned for its security features. Firefox has built-in Phishing and Malware Protection to help keep you secure online.
Run anti-malware from your USB drive
To effectively get rid of the malware, you need to approach the problem of running antivirus software on the infected computer from a different angle. Abide by these steps to run the anti-virus on the affected computer.
1) On a virus-free PC, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware.2) Plug the Flash drive into the clean computer.3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus program to run the Installation Wizard.4) Choose the flash drive as the destination for saving the file. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process.5) Remove the pen drive. You can now utilize this portable anti-virus on the infected computer system.6) Double-click the antivirus program EXE file on the USB flash drive.7) Simply click “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the affected computer for viruses.
Protect Your Computer Against Viruses and Malware With SafeBytes Security Suite
Today an anti-malware program can protect your laptop or computer from different types of internet threats. But how to select the best one amongst countless malware protection software that is available out there? As you might be aware, there are several anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. A few are really worth your money, but many aren’t. You need to choose one that is dependable, practical, and has a strong reputation for its malware source protection. Among few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the strongly recommended software program for the security-conscious user.
SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, highly effective protection application made to help end-users of all levels of computer literacy in detecting and removing harmful threats from their computer. After you have installed this software, SafeByte's sophisticated protection system will ensure that no viruses or malicious software can seep through your personal computer.
SafeBytes has fantastic features when compared to various other anti-malware programs. Listed below are some of the great features included in the software.
Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes gives you round-the-clock protection for your personal computer limiting malware intrusions instantly. It will examine your PC for suspicious activity at all times and safeguards your PC from illegal access.
Antimalware Protection: Safebytes is made on the best virus engine in the industry. These engines can identify and get rid of threats even during the initial phases of a malware outbreak.
“Fast Scan” Features: SafeBytes’s high-speed malware scanning engine minimizes scanning times and extends the life of the battery. Simultaneously, it will effectively find and get rid of infected files or any internet threat.
Web Protection: SafeBytes checks and gives a unique safety rating to every website you visit and block access to webpages known to be phishing sites, thus protecting you against identity theft, or known to contain malicious software.
Low CPU Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight application. It consumes an extremely small amount of processing power as it runs in the background so you are free to use your Windows-based computer the way you want.
24/7 Premium Support: Professional technicians are at your disposal 24/7! They will immediately fix any technical issues you may be encountering with your security software.
Simply put, SafeBytes has formulated a meaningful anti-malware solution that is aimed to protect your computer against various malware. Malware trouble will become a thing of the past once you put this software to use. For top protection and the best value for money, you can’t get better than SafeBytes Anti-Malware.
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you want to manually remove EasyDocMerge without using an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the application from the Microsoft Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser plug-ins, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You’ll likely also want to totally reset your browser to its default configuration settings.
To be certain of complete removal, find the following registry entries on your computer and remove them or reset the values appropriately. However, this is a tricky task and only computer experts can perform it safely. Moreover, some malicious programs are capable to defend against its removal. It is highly recommended that you do the removal process in Windows Safe Mode.