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5 Common Windows 11 Issues You Can Solve Super Quickly

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!

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Fix PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA 0x00000050
If you suddenly encounter the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Blue Screen error then it means that your computer is under a heavy load. And if you look closely, you’ll see that it has a bug check value of 0x00000050. This kind of Blue Screen error also indicates that invalid system memory has been referenced. It could be that the memory address is wrong, or that it is pointing at freed memory. The PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Blue Screen error occurs when the requested data is not found in the memory. As a result, the system generates a fault which normally indicates that the system is looking for data in the paging file. However, in this case, the missing data is identified as being located within an area of memory that cannot be paged out to the disk. This Stop error might be caused by a buggy system service, antivirus program, a corrupted NTFS volume, or faulty hardware. So if you’ve recently added hardware, you can try removing it and then check. If the problem still persists, refer to the suggestions given below to fix the problem.

Option 1 – Run Memory Check to test your memory

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open Run and type exe and hit Enter to open the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.
  • After that, it will give two options such as:
    • Restart now and check for problems (Recommended)
    • Check for problems the next time I start my computer
  • Select the option you prefer and afterward, check if the Blue Screen error is now fixed.

Option 2 – Run a System File Checker scan

You can also try to run a System File Checker or SFC scan in order to scan your computer for corrupted files that might be the cause behind the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Blue Screen error. Once it finds any corrupted system files, it will automatically fix them. To run System File Checker, here’s what you have to do:
  • Tap Win + R to launch Run.
  • Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
  • After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
  1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
  2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
  3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
  • Restart your computer after the scan is completed.

Option 3 – Disable Automatic Paging File Size Management

  • Right-click on This PC located on your desktop.
  • Next, click on Properties and then click on the Advanced System Settings.
  • Go to the Advanced tab and then click on the Settings button under the Performance section.
  • Afterward, a new mini window will appear and from there, go to the Advanced tab.
  • Then click the Change button under the Virtual Memory section. Once you do, another mini window will appear.
  • Now uncheck the “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” option.
  • After that, you have to increase the Page File size by doubling the amount of memory allocated by default in the text field. For instance, the paging size given is a minimum of 16MB and so you have to change it to 32MB. And since the recommended value is 1907MB, you can make its maximum size around 4000MB. By doing so, it will allocate more space for paging into individual drivers.
  • Now click OK, close all the open windows and then restart your PC.

Option 4 – Update the Device Drivers

Updating the Device drivers can also help you fix the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Blue Screen error. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. If you see a red or yellow sign that shows up against the driver, right-click on the driver and select “Update Driver Software”.
  • Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.
  • Restart your PC and then check if the Blue Screen error is now fixed or not.

Option 5 – Perform a System Restore

Performing System Restore might help you in fixing the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error. You can do this option either by booting into Safe Mode or in System Restore. If you are already in the Advanced Startup Options, just directly select System Restore and proceed with the next steps. And if you have just booted your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
  • Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
  • After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.

Option 6 – Try disabling your antivirus programs

There are instances when antivirus programs trigger Stop errors like PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA. Thus, you can try disabling your antivirus programs like Windows Defender or other third-party programs if you’re using one.

Option 7 – Use the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error. It can be found on the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
  • Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.

Option 8 – Disable Memory caching in the BIOS

You can also disable memory caching in the BIOS to fix the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error.
  • Open the BIOS Setup screen.
  • Next, go to Advanced > Cache Memory and then disable it.
  • Tap the F10 key to save the changes made and restart your computer.
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How to Fix Error Code 0x80070005 in Windows 10

Error Code 0x80070005 – What is it?

Error code 0x80070005 is also known as the “Access Denied” error code because it prevents Windows users from accessing updates on their machines. This error code exists due to a lack of permissions on one’s system files or registry, permissions which are necessary for the updates via Windows Update to complete successfully. Error code 0x80070005 affects multiple versions of the Windows operating system including Windows 8, 8.1, and Windows 10.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

The lack of files or registry permissions which result in the presence of error code 0x80070005 on your device may occur based on several reasons. The most common of these relates to the existence of malware programs on your machine. Malware can disrupt and change system files which are required for the update process to occur. Thus, this error code requires a systematic approach to first find missing or corrupt files, as well as cleaning up malware programs that could be preventing your machine from accessing updates.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Windows 10 users can repair error code 0x80070005 by implementing manual repair procedures. These procedures include the installation of tools like SubInACL.exe which enable users to access information about registry keys and files, thus detecting issues that may be preventing them from completing the update process in Windows Update.

These manual repair methods are listed below with clear instructions that even average Windows users can understand and follow. However, if you attempt the procedures and experience any issues that prevent you from successfully fixing error code 0x80070005, contact a Windows repair technician. Also, consider downloading an automated tool since these tools often help users fix PC performance issues that cause error codes to occur within various versions of the Windows operating system.

Method One: Log on as Administrator to Install Updates

By logging on as an administrator, Windows users may be able to access updates via Windows Update and thereby fix error code 0x80070005 in Windows 10. Follow the steps below to complete this manual repair method.

  • Step one: Click the Search bar near the Start button
  • Step two: Type User Accounts in Search
  • Step three: Select User Accounts
  • Step four: Click Manage User Accounts, then type in password if prompted to do so

Once you are logged on as an administrator, go to Settings to access Windows Update. You will be given the option to install the latest updates. Select this option and wait for the process to be completed. If error code 0x80070005 reoccurs, however, you will need to proceed to manual repair method two which requires that you scan for malware.

Method Two: Scan for Malware

This method is very simple. As you scan for malware on your machine, you will be able to detect any malicious programs that may be preventing you from installing updates on your device. This will in turn enable Windows users to clean up their system, fix the error code, and prevent others from occurring.

First, be sure you have a viable antimalware program on your machine. Scan for viruses and other harmful programs using this third-party software. Another option is to run Windows Defender on your machine.

Once you’ve completed the scan and error Code 0x80070005 moved any malware that may be present, attempt to install updates via Windows Update. If the problem causing error code 0x80070005 in Windows 10 is resolved, you will be able to install the updates. However, proceed to the next manual repair method if the error code remains on your device after you have scanned and removed malware programs.

Method Three: Install SubInACL Tool

The SubInACL tool enables Windows users to access security details and other information regarding files and registry permissions. Use this tool to fix files and registry permissions by following the instructions below.

  • Step one: Download the SubInACL tool via Microsoft’s official website
  • Step two: Run program as administrator
  • Step three: Restart machine
  • Step four: Go to Settings, Update & security, then Windows Update
  • Step five: Reattempt installation of updates

Once you’ve been able to run the SubInACL tool and fix files or registry permissions, your machine should be able to access updates. If error code 0x80070005 reoccurs, however, you may need to contact a Windows repair technician to verify if issues unrelated to permissions are causing the error code to occur.

Method Four: Download an Automated Tool

If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 8 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.
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Fix Power surge on the USB port
USB ports, just like any other ports, also comes with a power rating. The default power output of a standard USB port is 0.5 amperes and if you notice, mobile phones charge slowly on USB ports which explains why. There are times when Windows may throw an error or warning that says, “Power surge on the USB port”. This kind of error occurs when a connected device tried to draw more power and the error comes as a part of that notification so when you select it, it will say,
“A USB device has malfunctioned and exceeded the power limits of its hub port. You should disconnect the device”.
To easily fix the problem, you can try to disconnect the device and click on Reset and if you click on Close, the port will not work until you unplug it and then restart your computer. On the other hand, if disconnecting the device did not resolve the problem, you can try running the Hardware & USB troubleshooter or use a USB hub. You can also try to reinstall, uninstall or roll back the USB drivers or run the OEM diagnostics. For more information, refer to each one of the potential fixes provided below.

Option 1 – Try to run the Hardware & USB troubleshooter

  • The first thing you need to do is click on Start and then on the gear-like icon to pull up the window for Settings.
  • After opening Settings, look for the Update and Security option and select it.
  • From there, go to the Troubleshoot option located on the left-hand side of the list.
  • Next, select Hardware and Devices from the list and open the Troubleshooter and run it. Once it is doing its job, wait for it to complete the process and then restart the system.
  • After the system restarts, check if the problem’s now fixed. If not, refer to the next option given below.
Note: You could also try to run the USB troubleshooter as it could also resolve the problem.

Option 2 – Try to use a USB hub

If you’ve encountered the error on a specific device, then it is possible that the device requires more voltage. To fix this error, you can try to use the same device on another computer and if you still got the same error, you might want to use a USB hub that comes with its power source. USB hubs come with high-speed charging ports that should be able to supply the power needed for the device.

Option 3 – Update, rollback or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller driver

If updating the drivers of the device did not fix the “The device is not ready” error, you can try to update, rollback, or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller drivers instead of using the Device Manager. Refer to the following steps:
  • First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
  • Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
  • From there, look for the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” option and then right-click on each one of the USB drivers and select the Update Driver from the menu.
Note: If it is a regular USB drive, then it will be listed as a USB Mass Storage Device but if you have a USB 3.0 device, then look for a USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller.
  • Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
Note: If updating the USB Controller drivers didn’t work, you can try to reinstall them instead.

Option 4 – Try running OEM Diagnostics if you have any

If the laptop or desktop computer you are using is a branded one, OEMs usually include software to diagnose issues in the computer like the USB port error. So if you have this software, try to run it for diagnosis and use any given suggestions to fix the error.
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Fix BlueTooth issues in Windows 10
Bluetooth troubleshooting, I believe firmly that each one of us who has Bluetooth sooner or later had some issues with it, after all, it seems that it is in nature of radio transmitters to from time to time due to nature of signal and nature of Windows loose communication between them and can cause device which seems to work properly but can not establish the connection. Most of the time Bluetooth issues are like that, the signal gets lost, the connection is broken, and establishing it again can be sometimes real pain, luckily for you, we have experience in this field and are here to help you and provide you with tips how to solve Bluetooth connection issues based on our own struggles.
  1. Check if BlueTooth is ON

    Yes, this seems stupid and sounds a lot like is it plugged in but here me out. Due to lost connections and different power plans setting inside your Windows, your Bluetooth receiver might be actually turned OFF thus preventing your other device to find your computer. Checking to see if Bluetooth has been by some accident turned OFF and switching it back ON should be the first thing to do and this could be a simple solution for your problem.
  2. Restart the BlueTooth device.

    Yup, another of these have you tried turning it OFF and turn it back ON advice which seems like tech cliche but in the case of Bluetooth, this can actually solve your problem. Radio signals and radio connections are not the same kinds of beasts like cable ones and sometimes Bluetooth device remembers certain information and can cause conflict. Turning it OFF and then back ON will clear its memory and cache and you will be ready for a new start hopefully solving your issue along the way.
  3. Check power supply

    If your Bluetooth device does not have a battery indicator, it would be wise to check on the battery status of the device. Sometimes we forget to charge batteries, sometimes someones have drained them. Checking the battery or just checking if the power supply is working properly should not be overlooked and it definitely should be on your to-do list of quick solutions.
  4. Restart PC

    Sometimes most simple solutions work and if restarting your Bluetooth device did not work, maybe restarting your PC will. When you restart the PC, you clear the cache and many other things that could potentially be the reason for connection issues.
  5. Checks BlueTooth device distance from computer or interference from obstacles

    The Bluetooth device operates via radio waves, and like wi-fi, if the distance from the computer is too large or you have some thick walls in between signal will degrade and be almost useless. Be aware that your PC might catch device waves and detect them but the signal itself could be too weak for the connection to work properly. Take the device and move it closer to the PC to see if the problem will go away, if it does issue was in distance or walls.
  6. Reinstall or update device drivers.

    Sometimes the issue could be in Windows update and old drivers, make sure that all of your drivers are updated with the latest version and that Windows itself has the most recent update in it. Trying to reinstall device cold also solve some the issue.
  7. Remove and Pair deice again

    if you tried all previous steps, try removing the device from Windows and then pairing it again. This could solve the issue since Windows itself could have mistakenly saved it like something else and can not recognize it.
  8. Use Windows troubleshooter

    If everything else failed, right-click and go to troubleshoot. Windows troubleshooter will try to find the issue and direct you to a solution.
If sadly none of these things do work, you should contact the device manufacturer since it is a very good chance that the problem is one of a hardware nature.
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Fixing Folder Size Issue in Windows 10
Recently, several Windows 10 users have reported an issue with the Windows folder sizes in their PCs. If you are one of these affected users, read on as this post will walk you through fixing this issue. For instance, if you have a folder with 100 GB worth of data and when checking its size using its properties, you see the wrong size instead of 100GB. The size displayed will most likely be a random number which can either be bigger or smaller than the real size of the folder. This incorrect folder size issue does not happen to any specific drive or certain kinds of folders as any folder can be affected by this incorrect folder size issue. When you try to rename the affected folder, the size will change but its size still remains to be incorrect. The root cause of this particular issue is in Windows 10 itself. It is a known bug that came along with one of the latest Windows Updates which prevents the File Explorer to accurately read the metadata of a certain folder or file and leads to displaying incorrect and unexpected file sizes and the reason why you might also notice that your drive is also not correct. Since this is brought upon by one of the recent or latest Windows Updates the good thing is that Microsoft will most likely release a fix on its next upcoming updates but until then, you will be left with no choice but to deal with an incorrect folder or file size. To remedy that, here are some suggestions you can try that might fix the problem.

Option 1 – Try using the System File Checker

The System File Checker or 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 to good system files that might be causing the incorrect folder or file size in Windows 10. 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
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
  1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
  2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
  3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.

Option 2 – Try resetting Windows 10

To fix the folder and file size issue, you can try resetting Windows 10. Doing so won’t get rid of any file in your system – instead of erasing all your media files and documents, this reset option resets all the system settings and files. That way, you won’t have to deal with inaccurate folders or file sizes as you browse and use your files.

Option 3 – Wait for the Windows Update

As mentioned, this is already a known issue and a lot of Windows 10 users have already complained about it to Microsoft so a bug fix will be soon released in the latest Windows Updates.
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Why You Need Antivirus Software & How to Select the Right One

Anxiety from all these digital threats lurking everywhere? An antivirus program can help put your mind at ease.

What can a virus do to your device?

A virus is malicious software that can affect pretty much any device and does so in a variety of ways. Be it your computer, your phone or your smart lightbulb - as long as there’s access to the internet, malware can get to it.

How exactly does this kind of attack manifest itself? Well, there’s a wide variety of effects ranging from mild to severe. Among other things, they depend on which type of malware attacks your device - a virus, spyware, ransomware, adware or something else.

These are some of the things you can expect to happen:

  • Slow performance
  • System crashes
  • Theft of data and sensitive information
  • Connectivity issues
  • Constant browser redirects
  • Strange messages sent to your contacts 
  • Interference with files

It really can be the stuff of nightmares. So, if you want to sleep peacefully knowing that your devices are completely safe, you should definitely consider getting an antivirus.

P.S. don’t let its name fool you - an antivirus does indeed protect your devices against more than just viruses.

What is antivirus software exactly?

Antivirus software is designed to help you battle and ward off malware. Basically, it scans your device to detect any suspicious activity and offers tools to get rid of the culprit. 

At first, antiviruses were developed to fight against viruses only, but nowadays they cover a lot more ground. Here are some of the biggest benefits of getting yourself a powerful defender.

Advantages of antivirus software

1. It fights those pesky ads

Look, constant ads that pop up everywhere aren’t the absolute worst thing that can happen on your computer. If anything, they are annoying, like when you’re trying to sleep but that one fly in your room just won’t stop buzzing.

Now, there’s a free, well-established solution for that - installing an ad blocker. And we’re about a hundred and ten percent sure you’ve already done that on each and every browser you use.

However, “if I can’t see it, it doesn’t exist” isn’t the most ideal approach for your online safety. Ad blockers can’t block everything and they won’t protect you from potential adware. An antivirus on the other hand offers that layer of protection against malware snuck into pop-ups and spammy websites.

2. It protects you from hackers

Hackers don’t target government institutions only. They’ll target regular people too if they have something to gain.

Antivirus can protect you from hackers
Credit: Clint Patteron (Unsplash)

There are different types of hacking, such as phishing e-mails, transmission of malicious programs, credential reuse, denial of service and more. In any case, they take control of your device and hijack your data.

The good thing is that, as threats evolve, antiviruses evolve too and there are tons of quality programs on the market that can keep you secure for an affordable price.

3. It keeps your files and data safe

When malware enters your device, it can target pretty much any file and get access to any and all data.

Installing an antivirus program will make sure that every single file, new or old, is monitored at all times, warning you against threats immediately. That way, you can make sure to react before your other files become infected and data is lost or stolen.

Another great thing for data protection is that the best antivirus software normally comes with a password manager, so no one can use malware to steal your passwords.

4. It blocks all kinds of malware

As we already stated, malicious attacks can be performed in many ways and malware comes in in different shapes an sizes, such as:

  • Trojan horse
  • Spyware
  • Ransomware
  • Adware
  • Rootkit
  • RAT (remote access Trojan)
  • Keyloggers
  • Worms
  • Botnets
Illustration of a computer worm
Credit: Growtika (Unsplash)

Nowadays, antivirus software is designed to fight against all of these types. That’s why more often than not we hear the term 'antivirus' used interchangeably with 'anti-malware,' like in this article.

5. It keeps your children protected

You can’t keep your eyes on your kid every second of the day and you can’t protect them from everything. But at least you can limit their exposure to the threats they can encounter at every corner of the digital world.

An antivirus program will block harmful or suspicious websites and ads, which is great both for you and your children. To take it a step further, though, many such programs come with special parental controls and offer monitoring as well. It’s a great solution for keeping your kids safe online without sounding like the irritating, overbearing, controlling parent who “just doesn’t get it!”

How to pick one

There are definitely lots of different antivirus programs out there, both free and paid. We recommend you look for a paid option, since free ones are unfortunately a lot more susceptible to being compromised through malicious attacks.

Now, there are a few factors to consider when choosing the right software. If you use your PC for basic things then a basic antivirus will suffice. However, the more complex your use and the more sensitive the data you deal with, the stronger it needs to be.

It’s also crucial that you take into account the features it includes. As we already mentioned, some programs have additional security options. For example, depending on the package you select, Bitdefender provides:

  • Webcam and mic monitoring
  • Parental control
  • Firewall
  • VPN
  • Password management
  • Identity theft protection

Some are included in plans and some are separate products, so make sure to check out all the offers.

And don’t worry if you have multiple PCs or you’re looking for protection for your smartphone or tablet as well; Bitdefender has suitable solutions for your needs. Of course, you can also just pick their classic antivirus software if you’re not in need of advanced protection.

Another important point is how regularly the software is updated and enhanced. The more frequent the updates the better, as bugs can make the program more vulnerable. Other things we advise you consider are user-friendliness, impact on performance, reputation (user reviews especially) and, of course, price.

The bottom line

Fact is: anyone can be a malware victim. Don’t let it be you.

You can’t put a price on peace and security, so don’t be reluctant to pay for yours - especially since a lot of options out there are extremely affordable. Is $159.00 a year really too much to pay for cross-platform protection for up to 10 devices? We don’t think so.

Explore your options and protect your files and data before it’s too late.

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Fix Windows Cannot Find a System Image
If you have encountered the “Windows Cannot Find a System Image on This Computer” error while you are trying to restore a system image, then read on as this post will guide you in resolving this problem. A system image is basically a backup of your whole data in the system. For instance, it can be the backup data of your hard disk or the whole hard disk itself, or one of the volumes. This is really useful in some cases like when you are not able to get back into your system for some reason or when your system has been corrupted. In such cases, you can utilize this feature and get going safe and sound. However, not all things go the way as expected like when you make a system image of a drive for instance, or use that backup to restore data and you suddenly encounter the “Windows Cannot Find a System Image on This Computer” error. This kind of error occurs due to a number of reasons but worry not for your data is safe and you can fix this error easily. This error is most likely triggered by changing the name of the “WindowsImageBackup” folder. Renaming this folder will certainly be an issue since it is the one that stores all your data. Aside from renaming the WindowsImageBackup folder, renaming the sub-folders can also cause this error which means that renaming the sub-folders of the WindowsImageBackup folder can trigger the error. To fix this error, here are some suggestions that might help:

Option 1 – Try putting the WindowsImageBackup folder in the Root directory

Windows will have issues finding the WindowsImageBackup folder if it isn’t in the root directory of the drive so if it is not there, the “Windows Cannot Find a System Image on This Computer” error will pop up. When a folder is in a root directory, it means that it shouldn’t be stored within a folder but in the main directory instead.  Thus, you need to put the WindowsImageBackup folder in the root directory to fix the error.

Option 2 – Don’t add any sub-folders in the WindowsImageBackup folder

Another cause of the error is when you add sub-folders in the WindowsImage Backup folder. Adding any sub-folders in this folder will only trigger the error so you should leave the folder as it is and you must not make any modifications to it. So if you have added sub-folders in it, make sure to remove them right away.

Option 3 – Make sure that there is one system image per USB drive

The error can also appear if you’ve stored multiple images inside a single USB drive as it could confuse Windows and will trigger the “Windows Cannot Find a System Image on This Computer” error. Note that storing system images of different volumes of your hard disk in a single USB will prevent you from restoring your data.

Option 4 – Try renaming the System Image folder

If you’ve just changed the name of the System Image folder after you store it on a USB stick or other external device, then it’s no wonder why you’re getting the “Windows Cannot Find a System Image on This Computer” error. Windows search for the default name, “WindowsImage Backup” folder when restoring your data so if it is not able to find it, it throws up this error instead. To fix the error, you need to change the folder back to its default name which is “WindowsImageBackup”.

Option 5 – Check the WindowsImageBackup sub-folders

As mentioned earlier, renaming sub-folders in the WindowsImageBackup folder can trigger the error so if you have renamed sub-folders in this folder, you need to change them back to their default names so that you can restore your data peacefully.
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Turn off transparency inside your Windows 11
windows 11 transparency offWindows 11 comes with glass and transparency effects by default once it is installed. The transparency effect looks really good but if in any case, you do not like them, you can easily turn them off very easily
  1. Open settings inside Windows 11
  2. Inside settings click on Accessibility in the sidebar
  3. Click on Visual Effects on far-right
  4. Inside Visual effects, settings click on the switch beside Transparency effects to OFF
Windows will automatically save settings and apply changes right away. Just close your settings application and continue with work. You can always turn it back ON if you change your mind.
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Fix Windows Update Error 0x80242006
If you are trying to update your Windows 10 computer using Windows Update but encounter an error code 0x80242006, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you in fixing this particular Windows Update error. This kind of error might be due to mishandling by the operating system. It could also be caused by the antivirus program or security software installed in your computer. When you encounter this error, you will see the following error message on your screen as you try to run Windows Update:
“0x80242006, WU_E_UH_INVALIDMETADATA. A handler operation could not be completed because the update contains invalid metadata.”
Here are some troubleshooting tips you can try to fix Windows Update Error 0x80242006.

Option 1 – Try to reset the Windows Update components

If by any chance that the second option didn’t work, resetting the Windows Update components could also help you resolve the problem. How? Refer to the following steps:
  • Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • After that, type each one of the following command and hit Enter after you key in one after the other.
    • net stop wuauserv
    • net stop cryptsvc
    • net stop bits
    • net stop msiserver
Note: The commands you entered will stop the Windows Update components such as Windows Update service, Cryptographic services, BITS and MSI Installer.
  • After disabling WU components, you need to rename both the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders. To do that, type each one of the following commands below and don’t forget to hit Enter after you type one command after the other.
    • ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
    • ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
  • Next, restart the services you’ve stopped by entering another series of commands. Don’t forget to hit Enter after you key in one command after the other.
    • net start wuauserv
    • net start cryptsvc
    • net start bits
    • net start msiserver
  • Close Command Prompt and reboot your PC.

Option 2 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

If resetting the Windows Update components didn’t work, you could also try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing any issues related to Windows Update including this one. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.

Option 3 – Try to disable your antivirus program

Disabling the antivirus program or any security software installed in your computer is always a good idea you can try when the Windows Update process does not go smoothly. So before you try updating your computer again, make sure to disable the antivirus or security program and once the Windows Update is done, don’t forget to enable the antivirus program back again.

Option 4 – Check the Background Intelligent Service and the Cryptographic Service

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter or click OK to open Services.
  • From the list of Services, look for the following services and make sure that their Startup type is as follows:
    • Background Intelligent Transfer Service – Manual
    • Cryptographic Service ­– Automatic
  • After that, check if the Service status of the listed services above are set to Running. If they’re not, click on the Start button to start these services and then check if you can now enable the Windows Update service or not.

Option 5 – Run the System File Checker Scan

System File Checker or 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 to 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
The command will start a system scan which will take a few while before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
  1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
  2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
  3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
  • Restart your computer.

Option 6 – Try running the DISM tool

You can try running the Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management or DISM tool to fix the Windows Update error 0x80242006. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth”.
  • 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
  • After that, wait until the process is finished and do not close the window as the process will probably take a couple of minutes.
  • Once it’s done, restart your computer.
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Fix Windows Upgrade Error 0x800701E3
There are various components that take part during a Windows Upgrade process such as the CPU, Disk, Network, and many more. This is why the process of upgrading your Windows 10 computer can be quite complex and due to its complexity, there are times when you might encounter some errors like the Windows Upgrade error 0x800701E3. If you encounter this kind of error then it has something to do with the “disk” part of the whole upgrade process which could be due to a conflict with the storage of your Windows 10 computer. When you receive this error, you will see the following error message on your screen:
“Windows cannot install required files. Make sure all files required for installation are available and restart the installation. Error code: 0x800701e3.”
To fix this Windows Upgrade error, here are some suggestions that might help.

Option 1 – Delete Files from Software Distribution Folder & Catroot2 folders

The downloaded Windows Updates are placed in a folder called “SoftwareDistribution”. The files downloaded in this folder are automatically deleted once the installation is completed. However, if the files are not clean up or if the installation is still pending, you can delete all the files in this folder after you pause the Windows Update service. For complete instructions, refer to the steps below.
  • Open the WinX Menu.
  • From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
  • Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
  • After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Cryptographic, and the MSI Installer
  • Next, go to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
After resetting the SoftwareDistribution folder, you need to reset the Catroot2 folder to restart the services you just stopped. To do that, follow these steps:
  • Type each one of the following commands.
net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
  • After that, exit Command Prompt and restart your computer, and then try to run Windows Update once more.

Option 2 – Try running the DISM tool

You can try running the Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management or DISM tool to fix the Windows Upgrade problem. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth”.
  • 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 3 – Run the System File Checker Scan

System File Checker or 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
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
  1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
  2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
  3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
  • Restart your computer.

Option 4 – Try running the ChkDsk utility

You can also run the ChkDsk utility to fix the Windows Upgrade error 0x800701E3.
  • First, open This PC and right-click on your operating system partition for Windows.
  • Next, click on Properties and navigate to the Tools tab.
  • Then click on Check under the Error Checking section.
  • After that, a new mini window will be opened and from there click on Scan drive and let it scan your disk drive partition for any errors and then restart your computer.

Option 5 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter is one of the things you can first check out as it is known to automatically resolve any Windows Update or upgrade errors like error code 0x800701E3. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.

Option 6 – Run Microsoft’s online troubleshooter

Running Microsoft’s online troubleshooter might also help you fix the Windows Upgrade error code 0x800701E3. This online troubleshooter is known to help in fixing Windows Update errors, it scans your computer for issues that might be causing the problem and then fixes them automatically.
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