Lately, Microsoft has trying to fix Print Nightmare with various methods and patches. The last patch has seemingly fixed Print Nightmare but it has broken the Alt-tab key combination.
It has been reported that the latest patch has broken famous key combinations for quickly switching from window to window. It seems that combination is not working or it is switching to desktop, even going to blank screen if switching from the full-screen game.
Fixing the issue
Luckily this issue is easily fixable.
The first and easier fix for this issue is surprising to turn off the news and info widget, right-click on it and choose News and interests and then click on turn off.
The second solution would be to uninstall the update. Go to Settings, then to Update & Security, and from there view Update History and remove the update.
Error Code 0x80070422 can be found on many versions of the Windows operating system including Windows 7, Windows 8, and 8.1, and Windows 10. The reason for its occurrence may vary, however, depending on the version of the operating system that you use.
In the case of error code 0x80070422 in Windows 8, it often occurs when users attempt to update their firewall or download apps from the Windows store. When this error occurs the user is unable to complete the updates and will need to apply different solutions to correct the issue.
Solution
Error Causes
Whenever error code 0x80070422 is encountered on Windows 8 or 8.1, it might be a result of various factors. These error codes include:
Registry errors – This occurs when new programs are installed over old ones
Malicious software such as adware, spyware, and or viruses
Further Information and Manual Repair
You do not need to be a Windows expert to attempt to solve errors like the 0x80070422 Windows 8 error code. Simply try the solutions below. If however, you feel you need a professional’s help, contact a certified Windows technician.
Check for any viruses or malicious software
Viruses and other malicious software are often the cause of various issues within the PC. For this reason, be sure to check your machine for a possible virus infestation. If you are unable to use your anti-virus software or if none is present you might need to download an automated tool that offers overall repair and other solutions.
Disable third-party security apps
Another step you can take is to disable third-party security apps. When these apps are downloaded onto your device, it can lead to the disabling of your Firewall and the inability of your device to download other apps. If this is the source of the 0x80070422 error code on your machine, the issue will be resolved after you disable the third-party apps and reboot your computer.
Disable Firewall
If error code 0x80070422 in Windows 8 or 8.1 occurred while you attempted to update Windows firewall, one of the best solutions you can try is to disable the firewall. Note however that disabling your firewall should be temporary as it protects your computer from worms as well as hackers that might infect or compromise your PC. Access the firewall by swiping right on the screen then searching for “firewall”. Click “Windows firewall” then select “Turn off Windows firewall”.
Performs a clean boot
Another option is for you to perform a clean boot. This simply refers to a reboot in Windows where only a minimum set of drivers and programs are used. A clean boot can help resolve issues related to software conflict which can occur when Windows users install programs or updates or simply run a program. Note that you must log on to the computer as an administrator. Otherwise, you will not be able to perform the clean boot.
Clean registry
The source of many errors related to Windows can lie within the registry. This is because the registry is involved in every aspect of a Windows computer’s operation. If there is an issue in the files of the registry or if it has been hacked, your computer will not function. For this reason, begin by cleaning the registry regularly. To clean our registry, use a powerful tool that is both reputable and user-friendly. Research your option before you make a selection as choosing the wrong tool could lead to even more errors or computer malfunctions.
Set Windows Update to Automatic
Another important method to solve issues related to error code 0x80070422 in Windows 8 or 8.1 is your Windows Update service. Though you may have never noticed this feature before now, the Windows Update services allow PC owners to access updates to their operating system automatically. This leads to a properly functioning PC as your machine will always have the latest features and tools available. However, if the setting is not correct, your computer may end up experiencing error code 0x80070422. Check if this is the source of your problems by verifying if your Windows Update settings are automatic. Once the settings are on automatic, reboot your machine to ensure your computer responds to the changes.
Download an Automate Tool
Always be prepared for the possibility of other errors. You can do this by downloading powerful software. This enables users to regularly check for issues that may cause errors on their Windows device.
Rstrui.exe is a service assigned to controlling system restore, it is considered an essential part of the Windows system and without it working you will not be able to perform a system restore operation.
Without system restore working you will not be able to "rewind" Windows into a working state if needed which can create in itself many new complications. Luckily we have working solutions for this specific problem, so get ready, and let's start.
SFC scan
Sfc scan is a built-in Windows tool that scans and repairs system corrupted and missing files. To run it open up the command prompt in administrator mode and type in it:
SFC /SCANNOW
then, let the whole process finish, do not interrupt it, and reboot after it is done.
DISM scan
Similar to SFC scan, DISM is also a built-in tool for fixing files linked to Windows essential working. Start a command prompt in administrator mode and type in:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Again let the process completely finish and then reboot your system.
Scan for viruses and other malware
Viruses and other malware can seriously damage the system and with it rstrui.exe along with it. Scan your system with Windows defender or even better with some other dedicated security suite to eliminate malicious threats if they exist.
Update Windows
Keeping Windows updated can bring you more good than harm, it is very advisable to keep it up to date all the time so all security leaks and bugs are repaired and that you have your OS in top-notch working order. Updating can also fix corrupted system files or replace them with newer versions so if your Windows is not updated go to update central and do it.
Congratulations, you have just Fixed the Rstrui.exe error in Windows 10 all by yourself. If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
Your Rstrui.exe error in Windows 10 should have been fixed now.
If you recently upgraded your computer or if you’ve just switched to a new Windows 10 PC, the most common errors you might encounter are the Windows Activation errors. This issue boils down to the Windows Activation server which has either failed to validate or recognize the license tied to the digital account. In this post, you will be guided on how to fix an activation error in an organization with an error code 0x8007007B. It contains this exact error message:
“We can’t activate Windows on this device as we can’t connect to your organization’s activation server. Make sure that you’re connected to your organization’s network and try again. If you continue having problems with activation, contact your organization’s support person. Error code 0x8007007B.”
Various computers are activated via the KMS licensing (Key Management Server) in organizations. Computers that are activated using this process do not get a permanent activation and have to stay connected to the organization instead of for at least 7 months or 180 days. It is common in Pro and Enterprise versions that are deployed in bulk for at least hundreds or thousands of computers. So imagine a user with a personal computer in the office who decided to leave the organization but will still have an activated Windows key. And so to prevent that from happening, organizations use the KMS licensing. Another possible cause of the error is in case some user used an organization key and later on, the PC just got upgraded or downgraded to a version that is not compatible with that copy of Windows.
To fix this Windows Activation error, here are some suggestions that might help.
Option 1 – You can try connecting to the organization’s network and activate the computer. But before that, you need to first check if the computer actually belongs to an organization or not.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Type “cmd” and hit Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
After that type the vbs /dlv command and hit Enter to execute it.
Next, check if the Product Key Channel says “GVLK”. If it does, then it means that your computer was activated using volume licensing.
Option 2 – Change Licence Key
If you’ve recently left an organization then it’s best if you buy another copy of Windows 10 and then change the license key. This time, make sure that the license key is for the same version of Windows. However, if it’s different, you need to format your computer.
Option 3 – You can try activating Windows 10 using a mobile phone
Activating Windows 10 can also be done using your phone. Just note that you have to call Microsoft to do so.
In the Start Search box, type in “Slui 4” and tap Enter.
Next, select your country and click on Next.
Keep the window open and call the toll-free number of the country you’re from.
Afterward, a confirmation ID should be given by the automated system which you must take a note of.
Finally, in the box on the window, type in the confirmation ID and click on the Activate button. That should do it.
Option 4 – If you think that the issue is caused by some hardware changes, you can try using the Activation Troubleshooter.
There are times when users already have the license keys and were able to activate Windows. However, it doesn’t last long and only works for a while and it’s suddenly throwing up an activation error like this one. To use the Windows Activation Troubleshooter, just go to Settings and to Activation and then run the troubleshooter from there.
If you've made some modifications to your hardware, you have to click the “I changed hardware on this device recently” option for further suggestions.
In case you don’t know, Driver Verifier is a built-in utility in the Windows 10 operating system. It is the one that ensures the integrity of all the drivers in the system. It can detect any suspicious behaviors of the drivers and if it finds the driver signature of some suspicious activity during runtime, it stops the suspected action by triggering a BSOD or Blue Screen of Death error and one of these Stop errors is the DRIVER_VERIFIER_DMA_VIOLATION error. When you encounter such an error, you will see the following message on your screen:
“Your PC ran into a problem that it couldn’t handle, and now it needs to restart.If you’d like to know more, you can search online later for this error: DRIVER_VERIFIER_DMA_VIOLATION”
There are several ways you can fix this error. You can try to disable the Driver Verifier or run the Hardware troubleshooter. You could also try to update, roll back or uninstall the drivers on your computer. For more details, refer to each one of the options provided below.
Option 1 – Try to disable the Driver Verifier Manager
The Driver Verifier Manager is another tool in Windows that could help you fix driver-related issues.
Type in the keyword “Verifier” in the Cortana search box to search for Verifier in Windows 10.
After that, select the option “Create custom settings”.
Make sure that you have checked everything except the options “DDI compliance checking” and “Randomized low resources simulation”.
Next, select the option “Select driver names from a list” option.
Afterward, you have to select all the drivers from any unofficial or third-party provider. To simply put it, you have to select all the drivers that are not supplied by Microsoft.
Then click on the Finish button.
Open Command Prompt as administrator and execute this command – verifier /querysettings
The command you just executed will display the Driver Verifier settings so if you see any of the flags enabled boot your Windows 10 PC into Safe Mode.
Open the Command Prompt as admin again and run this command – verifier /reset
The command will reset the Driver Verifier. Once the process is done, restart your PC and check.
Option 2 – Try to reinstall or update device drivers of recently installed hardware
If the first few options didn’t work for you, then it’s time to either update or roll back the device drivers. It is most likely that after you updated your Windows computer that your driver also needs a refresh. On the other hand, if you have just updated your device drivers then you need to roll back the drivers to their previous versions. Whichever applies to you, refer to the steps below.
Open the Devices Manager from the Win X Menu.
Then locate the device drivers and right-click on them to open the Properties.
After that, switch to the Driver tab and click on the Uninstall Device button.
Follow the screen option to completely uninstall it.
Finally, restart your computer. It will just reinstall the device drivers automatically.
Note: You can install a dedicated driver on your computer in case you have it or you could also look for it directly from the website of the manufacturer.
Option 3 – Try running the Blue Screen Troubleshooter
The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like DRIVER_VERIFIER_DMA_VIOLATION. It can be found in the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.
Note: You could also run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing the DRIVER_VERIFIER_DMA_VIOLATION error.
Option 4 – Try running Microsoft’s online Blue Screen Troubleshooter
If running the built-in Blue Screen Troubleshooter didn’t work, you can also try running Microsoft’s online Blue Screen Troubleshooter. All you have to do is go to Microsoft’s website and from there, you will see a simple wizard that will walk you through the troubleshooting process.
PC Optimizer Pro is a PC optimizer utility developed by Xportsoft Technologies. It is classified as a potentially unwanted program, due to its aggressive scan and registration reminders, and that it is often distributed bundled with other programs in a manner that leads many users to not know how it got on their computer. While not inherently malicious, PC Optimizer Pro adds numerous registry keys, startup entries and while running consumes a relatively high amount of system resources, especially during its scans. The software installs from a .exe file that is around 5.20 MB or 5.453.240 Bytes (depending on the version). As of the publication of these videos, the current version of PC Optimizer Pro was detected as malicious or potentially unwanted by at least 21 AntiViruses.
About Potentially Unwanted Applications
If you have ever installed freeware or shareware, chances are high that your computer can get installed with a bunch of unwanted applications. A Potentially Unwanted Program, also called PUP, in short, is actually software that contains adware, installs toolbars, or has other hidden goals. These kinds of programs are almost always bundled up with free software which you download from the net or are also bundled within the custom installers on many download sites.
PUPs did not really constitute pure “malware” in the strict sense of the term. Just like malicious software, PUPs cause problems when downloaded and installed on your PC, but what makes a PUP different is that you give consent to download it – although the truth is vastly different – the software installation package actually tricks you into accepting the installation. Irrespective of whether it is regarded as malware or not, PUPs are nearly always harmful to the user as they might bring on adware, spyware, keystroke logging, and also other bad crapware features on your computer.
What do PUPs do on your computer, exactly?
Potentially Unwanted Programs come in many forms and varieties, but in most instances, these are adware programs that show annoying pop-up adverts and advertisements on websites you check out. The PUPs also get installed into your computer in the form of web browser add-ons and toolbars. Not only they needlessly take up space on your computer screen, but toolbars may also manipulate search engine results, watch your web browsing activities, decrease your web browser’s efficiency, and decelerate your internet connection to a crawl.
Potentially Unwanted Programs at times act quite similarly to viruses or spyware. Some PUPs include keyloggers, dialers, along with other software to gather your private details that may result in identity theft. These are programs that don’t do anything good for you; in addition to taking over space on your hard drive, they also slow down your computer, often modify settings without your approval, the list of bothersome features goes on.
Ways to avoid PUPs
• Always study the EULA and privacy statement. Don’t agree until you know precisely what you are acknowledging.• Choose the “custom” install whenever installing a software program. In particular, look closely at those small boxes that have been checked as default, where you may ‘agree’ to receive promotions or install software bundlers.• Use good antivirus software, like Safebytes Anti-Malware that offers real-time protection against PUPs.• Avoid adding a freeware program you do not use. Turn off or remove toolbars and web browser extensions you don’t really need.• Always download software from reliable sources like official sites as opposed to untrustworthy sharing space. Avoid file-hosting sites where/when possible.
What you can do if Malware Prevents You From Downloading Or Installing Antivirus?
Practically all malware is bad, but certain types of malware do much more damage to your computer than others. Certain malware goes to great lengths to stop you from downloading or installing anything on your personal computer, particularly antivirus applications. If you are reading this right now, you have probably recognized that a malware infection is the real cause of your blocked web connectivity. So what to do if you need to install an antivirus program like Safebytes? There are a few steps you can take to circumvent this problem.
Install in Safe Mode
The Windows OS has a special mode known as “Safe Mode” in which just the bare minimum required programs and services are loaded. In the event the malware is blocking the internet connection and affecting the computer, running it in Safe Mode will let you download antivirus and run a diagnostic scan while limiting possible damage. To start the computer into Safe Mode, press the “F8” key on your keyboard right before the Windows boot screen comes up; Or right after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, look over “Safe Boot” under Boot tab, and click Apply. After you reboot into Safe Mode with Networking, you can download, install, and update anti-malware software from there. Right after installation, run the malware scanner to remove standard infections.
Switch to an alternate browser
Some malware may target vulnerabilities of a specific browser that block the downloading process. If you seem to have malware attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to an alternate web browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your favorite antivirus program – Safebytes.
Install and run anti-virus from the USB drive
Another solution is to create a portable anti-malware program on your USB stick. Adopt these measures to employ a thumb drive to clean your infected computer system.
1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or MS Windows Defender Offline onto a clean PC.2) Plug the Thumb drive into the clean computer.3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded software, with a .exe file format.4) Choose the flash drive as the location for saving the file. Do as instructed on the screen to complete the installation process.5) Now, plug the pen drive into the corrupted computer.6) Double-click the anti-malware software EXE file on the USB flash drive.7) Press the “Scan” button to run a full system scan and remove viruses automatically.
SafeBytes Anti-Malware: Lightweight Malware Protection for Windows PC
These days, an anti-malware tool can protect your computer from different types of online threats. But how to choose the best one amongst numerous malware protection application that’s available out there? You may be aware, there are numerous anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. A few are well worth your money, but many aren’t. You have to be very careful not to choose the wrong application, especially if you buy a paid application. In terms of commercial anti-malware application options, many people select well-known brands, such as SafeBytes, and are quite happy with it.
SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, highly effective protection tool created to help end-users of all levels of IT literacy in detecting and eliminating malicious threats from their computer. Using its cutting-edge technology, this software can assist you to eliminate several types of malware such as computer viruses, trojans, PUPs, worms, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers.
SafeBytes has excellent features when compared to other anti-malware programs. Let’s have a look at a few of them below:
Robust, Anti-malware Protection: Safebytes is made on the best virus engine within the industry. These engines will find and get rid of threats even during the initial phases of a malware outbreak.
Active Protection: Malware programs aiming to enter the system are discovered and stopped as and when detected by the SafeBytes active protection shields. It’ll check your PC for suspicious activity at all times and safeguards your personal computer from unauthorized access.
High-Speed Malware Scanning Engine: SafeBytes’s high-speed malware scanning engine minimizes scan times and extends the life of the battery. Simultaneously, it will effectively detect and eliminate infected computer files or any online threat.
Website Filtering: SafeBytes checks the hyperlinks present on a webpage for possible threats and informs you whether the site is safe to explore or not, through its unique safety rating system.
Lowest CPU/Memory Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight and user-friendly antivirus and antimalware solution. Since it utilizes negligible computer resources, this tool leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs to: with you.
Premium Support: You may get high levels of support round the clock if you’re using their paid software.
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you wish to manually remove PCOptimizerPro without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser.
To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.
The following files, folders, and registry entries are created or modified by PCOptimizerPro
Files:
DesktopPC Optimizer Pro.lnk.
%Programs%PC Optimizer ProLive Support.url.
%Programs%PC Optimizer ProPC Optimizer Pro.lnk.
%Programs%PC Optimizer ProUninstallation Guide.url.
%Programs%PC Optimizer ProVisit Website.url.
%ProgramFiles%PC Optimizer ProPCOptimizerPro.exe.
%ProgramFiles%PC Optimizer ProPCOptProCtxMenu.dll.
%ProgramFiles%PC Optimizer ProPCOptProTrays.exe.
%ProgramFiles%PC Optimizer ProStartApps.exe.
%ProgramFiles%PC Optimizer Prouninst.exe.
%QuickLaunch%PC Optimizer Pro.lnk.
WindowsTasksPC Optimizer Pro Idle.job.
WindowsTasksPC Optimizer Pro Scan.job.
WindowsTasksPC Optimizer Pro startups.job.
WindowsTasksPC Optimizer Pro Updates.job.
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempoptprosetup.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32netmsg.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempoptprosetup.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempis-SJGJ9.tmpoptprosetup.tmp
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempis-NTRVH.tmp_isetup_shfoldr.dll
C:WINDOWSsystem32shfolder.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempis-NTRVH.tmpOptProHelper.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempis-NTRVH.tmpitdownload.dll
C:1e4e2d65e12311cac2c0eeb8c5c1d7bd1ddc865b367b98b56bc2330bf18436
C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempoptprosetup.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32shfolder.dll
C:1e4e2d65e12311cac2c0eeb8c5c1d7bd1ddc865b367b98b56bc2330bf18436
C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb
C:WINDOWSsystem32shell32.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempis-SJGJ9.tmpoptprosetup.tmp
C:Program FilesOptimizer Pro 3.99OptimizerPro.exe
C:Program FilesOptimizer Pro 3.99unins000.exe
C:Program FilesOptimizer Pro 3.99OptProStart.exe
c:autoexec.bat
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempoptprosetup.exe
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempis-SJGJ9.tmpoptprosetup.tmp
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempis-NTRVH.tmp_isetup_shfoldr.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempis-NTRVH.tmpOptProHelper.dll
C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempis-NTRVH.tmpitdownload.dll
C:Program FilesOptimizer Pro 3.99is-BDCDJ.tmp
C:Program FilesOptimizer Pro 3.99is-DB4S5.tmp
C:Program FilesOptimizer Pro 3.99is-C16E7.tmp
C:Program FilesOptimizer Pro 3.99is-QE691.tmp
C:Program FilesOptimizer Pro 3.99is-GQ78C.tmp
Registry:
Key 003B9C22-6FE0-4BCA-A73F-9AA99B9BBDAA at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib.
Key 12AB121E-44C6-488B-8773-B0AE25E662E1 at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface.
Key 203ABD21-41F1-4F1B-BAE3-D6A89A90D239 at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID.
Key PC Optimizer Pro at HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware.
Key PC Optimizer Pro at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE.
Key PC Optimizer Pro at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall.
Key PCOptimizerPro.exe at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionApp Paths.
Key PCProCtxMenu at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*shellexContextMenuHandlers.
Key PCProCtxMenu at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTlnkfileshellexContextMenuHandlers.
What software are you using to keep your information and all your files and memories safe?
None? Yikes. Let’s hope no damage has been done to your data yet then. Because with how the digital world has evolved, your data might be getting leaked and you have no idea.
Why do you need to invest in security software?
There’s really no good excuse not to purchase a quality platform for PC protection. Especially since top security solutions are available at such affordable prices nowadays, your wallet would barely even notice it.
At this point, only people who barely use their PCs and have zero sensitive information on them can get away with simply using the built-in Windows 10/11 security software. But we guarantee that those people are extremely hard to find and that you’re not one of them, and here’s why.
Even if you don’t use your computer for things that are very obviously sensitive, such as internet banking, you still have some personal data at risk of being stolen. How so? Well, think about the data you enter into your social media profiles, for example. How devastating would it be if somebody got a hold of any of it? Yep, that’s what we thought.
Credit: FLY:D on Unsplash
In the hands of a skilled cybercriminal, your phone number alone could put you at risk of scams, ransomware, identity theft and more. Also think about the stuff you share in texts and social media chats. Think about the websites you visit and how many times you may have accidentally clicked on an ad, which could very well contain malicious software. Those all seem harmless until someone’s actually used them against you.
Now imagine the dangers involved when you actually store truly confidential data on your PC and browsers. Sends shivers down your spine, doesn’t it?
In the case of a successful cyberattack of whatever type (virus, phishing, worms, etc.), there’s so much that is at stake. Businesses/legal persons will suffer from financial loss and damaged reputation, at the very least. Natural persons may be threatened or exploited, get their banking or medical information and even their identity stolen, etc. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
These are our biggest reasons for investing in Windows PC protection software:
Cyberthreats are constantly evolving to the point where built-in or free software won’t cut it anymore.
Those working remotely can have peace of mind knowing both personal and business data is completely secure.
Businesses using top security solutions ensure their customers trust them.
Data breaches are a pain in the you-know-what to handle. Fighting a cyberattack and going back to normal is a demanding process, and not to mention the stress it’ll cause. We’d rather prevent all that by using trustworthy security products!
It helps parents worry a little less about their children’s safety in the online world.
Added bonus: with most products, you get an ad-free browsing experience!
Obviously, there are a lot more reasons to get your PC secured. But we think you get it. So let’s cut to the chase and take a look at our 6 favorite protection solutions and the wonders they can do for you.
*Note that in this article we’re looking at products primarily suited for households and home offices, some for small businesses. No enterprise solutions will make the list today, but stay tuned for a future article on those.
Top 6 best PC protection solutions
1. Bitdefender Total & Internet Security\
One of the biggest security product vendors out there, Bitdefender offers several awesome solutions. We want to introduce two of our favorites, Bitdefender Total Security and Bitdefender Internet Security.
Bitdefender Total Security is great for both households and smaller offices. You can choose to protect 5 or 10 devices, and not necessarily just Windows devices. It also works for macOS, Android and iOS. It offers a range of powerful features, such as:
Real-time data protection
Webcam and microphone protection
Device optimization options
Anti-phishing/-fraud/-spam technology
Ransomware protection
Anti-loss and anti-theft tools
VPN and privacy firewall
Anti-tracking technology
Parental controls
24/7 support
Bitdefender Internet Security shares almost all of these features, but there are a few important differences to note. Unlike Total Security, Internet Security has more options in terms of the number of protected devices: 1, 3, 5 or 10. However it’s only compatible with the Windows platform and it doesn’t offer device optimization tools or anti-theft options. Whether or not this is a deal-breaker depends on your needs alone - we still find it a great security tool.
Credit: Firmbee.com on Unsplash
2. ESET Internet Security
An award-winning Windows security product, ESET Internet Security is essential on this list. It has an outstanding protection rate of 99.9% and a range of amazing options you’ll definitely want to make use of. It can be installed on up to 10 devices, making it an awesome tool for your household, home office or a small business. It’s also compatible with macOS and Android.
These are ESET Internet Security’s best features:
Protection against ransomware and spyware
Protection against malware specifically designed to avoid detection
In-depth scans when the computer is not in use
Firewall to prevent unauthorized access to your PC
Anti-spam tool
Anti-phishing and botnet protection technologies
Tool to scan your router and smart devices for vulnerabilities
Special browser for secure internet banking
Parental controls
Prevention of unauthorized webcam access
If you ask us, ESET has it all!
Credit: rupixen.com on Unsplash
3. Kaspersky Total & Internet Security
Having a deja vu? Didn’t you just read Total Security and Internet Security somewhere? Oh, that’s right - the first entry on our list! But here we’re talking about Kaspersky, a vendor you’ve also definitely heard about before.
Just like Bitdefender, Kaspersky is another one of those renowned names in the cybersecurity world that always make it to every ‘best of’ list. And for good reason - its products really fulfill their purpose. So let’s take a closer look at the two we chose.
These are the features both Kaspersky Total Security and Kaspersky Internet Security have in common:
Real-time virus and spyware blocking
Webcam protection
Wi-Fi security notifications
Advanced identity theft protection
Free technical support on several channels
Remote security management
Multiple devices (up to 10)
The main difference between Kaspersky Total Security and Internet Security is that the former offers more capabilities. These are the features KTS offers that KIS does not:
System cleanup
File shredding
Password management
Data backup and encryption
Both are excellent security tools, though we do prefer KTS a little more because of these additional options.
4. Norton 360 Deluxe
Of course one of the industry-leading solutions makes the list. Norton 360 Deluxe can protect up to 5 devices, be it Windows, iOS, macOS or Android. It’s worth noting that its features are best developed for Windows. Here’s what you get with Norton 360 Deluxe:
Protection against viruses, hackers, malware
100% virus protection promise
VPN included for all devices
Unlimited VPN on Windows
Password manager
Parental controls
So is there anything aside from these standard protection features that makes it such a favorite among us techies? Let us tell you! Norton added a little bit of spice here with two really powerful capabilities. The Deluxe product offers 50GB of cloud backup and dark web monitoring. The latter means the software notifies you if any of your personal information is found on the dark web, which helps protect you against identity theft.
Credit: Luke Peters on Unsplash
5. McAfee Antivirus
Don’t be misled by the name of this product. Antivirus software may have started as protection against viruses only, but it’s developed quite a lot. The name simply stuck. All that to say that McAfee Antivirus - another award-winning security solution - protects you against several different threats.
The basic and essential plan allow 1 and 5 devices respectively, while McAfee+ Premium and Advanced work on an unlimited number of devices. The latter two also offer more capabilities, as you can imagine. Here’s what you can expect from all of them:
Secure unlimited VPN
File shredder to delete sensitive files completely
Ultimate safety while browsing
Protection against hackers
100% virus protection promise
Advanced firewall to block dangerous traffic
Online support from specialists
Protection score (shows how safe you are and detects vulnerabilities)
Identity monitoring (notifies you if any of your information is on the dark web)
Password management
Unlike the previous products, McAfee Antivirus does not offer parental controls. Otherwise it’s a pretty strong and comprehensive protection tool and might just be the right choice for you!
6. Trend Micro Maximum Security
Last but definitely not least, we’ve got Maximum Security by Trend Micro. And yes, you guessed it, Trend Micro is also an award winner in terms of cybersecurity. Its products have been recognized as industry-leading security solutions by AV-Test since 2003. Among all its fantastic solutions, our favorite for households or small offices is Maximum Security.
You can use Trend Micro Maximum Security to protect 3-5 devices for a year or two years before needing to renew your license. Aside from Windows, it’s compatible with iOS, Android, Mac and Chromebook devices. Here’s what you can expect from this protection software:
Powerful malware protection
Phishing detection and prevention (email)
Password management and protection
Maximum security for online banking and shopping
System optimization
Social media privacy protection
Parental controls
24/7 technical support
No notifications during gaming
It’s truly one of the most effective platforms out there dedicated to protecting your digital life. Using this product, ransomware, identity thieves and malicious websites don’t stand a chance.
The bottom line
If you’ve made it all the way here, congratulations, you’ve made the right choice: to invest in securing your valuable data! Now the question is: which one of these 6 awesome antivirus/antimalware products to select?
The paradox of choice is a very real thing - we feel you. As mentioned, it comes down to what your specific needs are. So before you go ahead and purchase your security software, make sure to explore all options.
And if you really can’t handle the decision-making anxiety, feel free to reach out. We’ll happily assist you in finding the right product to keep your digital life secure!
We tend to move and copy tons of files on our PCs and mostly, the process of copying or moving files, especially if the file has the size of 1GB or up, tends to take quite long. This may be caused by some issues which is why you face slow copy or move speed. So if you are experiencing this issue on your Windows 10 computer, then read on as this post will give you a couple of solutions you can try to increase the speed in copying or moving files. Follow the given instructions below.
Option 1 – Try to change the USB port
You might want to change the USB port since modern computers have a variety of USB ports. So if your USB drive supports USB 3.0 or 3.1, make sure that you plug it inside a USB 3.0 or 3.1 ports. If you’re not sure which port, just keep in mind that the USB 3 port is usually blue or you can also use your computer’s documentation or manual as a reference to locate it. It may sound nothing but changing the USB port can actually improve the copying or moving speeds drastically so this should be the first thing you can try to speed up the process of copying or moving files.
Option 2 – Update the USB Controller Drivers
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.
Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
You also have the option to update the motherboard and the USB driver from the manufacturer’s official website.
Option 3 – Check for any hard disk errors
On your desktop, right-click on the “This PC” or computer icon and then select Manage to open the Disk Management. Here you get to check your drive’s health.
Next, click on Disk Management on the left side panel.
From there, check the state of your drives. If it shows that all your partitions are healthy then it means all is good and that the problem may have something to do with some physical issues with your hard drive.
You might also want to run the CHKDSK utility to help you fix any issues with your hard disk. If your hard drive has issues with integrity, the update will really fail as the system will think that it’s not healthy and that’s where the CHKDSK utility comes in. The CHKDSK utility repairs hard drive errors that might be causing the problem.
Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /f /r
Wait for the process to be completed and then restart your computer.
Option 4 – Try to disable Windows Auto Tuning
Disabling Windows Auto-Tuning can also help in increasing the copying or moving of files in your computer. It is said that this feature improves the performance of programs that receive TCP data over a network by adjusting the receive buffer size dynamically throughput and latency of the link. Thus, if you are trying to copy some data over the network, then the Auto Tuning feature is playing a role here. And in some cases, disabling this feature completely resulted in a lot faster copy speeds over the network.
Option 5 – Try changing the USB Removal Policy
First, plug your USB drive or external device into your PC and then open This PC.
Next, right-click on your device and select Properties.
After that, go to the hardware tab and select the storage media that you want to enhance and then click on the Properties button.
From there, you can select the Better performance option if you wish for your device to have a better performance. Once you select this option, it will enable write caching in your Windows 10 computer but you need to use the “Safely Remove Hardware” option from the notification area to safely disconnect the device otherwise it may result in data corruption.
Option 6 – Format your drive
To get started formatting your drive, tap the Win + E keys and then go to the access page of the drive.
Next, right-click on the drive and select Format.
After that, uncheck the “Quick Format” option and then format your drive properly.
Now once the formatting process is finished, unplug the drive and plug it back in afterward.
Check if the error is already fixed. If the drive is not initialized, tap the Win + R keys and hit Enter.
After opening the Run dialog box, type “diskmgmt.msc” and hit Enter to open Disk Management.
From there, right-click on the drive volume and select initialize disk.
Next, select the correct partition type and proceed.
Error 0x800CCC90 is a typical Outlook error. This error indicates that Outlook has failed to connect to the mail server that handles and manages the incoming and outgoing emails. The error message is displayed in the following format:
“There was a problem logging onto your mail server. Your User Name was rejected.”
This error limits your ability to send and receive emails on Outlook. If you largely communicate at the workplace using your Outlook account, this error may slow down your work productivity and performance dramatically. Therefore it is advisable to fix it immediately.
Solution
Error Causes
The error 0x800CCC90 is triggered several reasons including but not limited to:
Authentication issues
Failure of POP 3 Server
PST File Corruption
Registry issues- Invalid Entries
Viral infection
Further Information and Manual Repair
To resolve error 0x800CCC90, try the methods given below:
Method 1 - Adjust the Authentication Settings
To resolve the error 0x800CCC90, adjust the authentication settings. Here’s what you need to do:
First, go to the ‘Tools’ tab and select the ‘Accounts’ option.
Once you select the account option, an internet accounts box will appear on the computer screen.
Simply double click on the account property box after that go to the server tab and click on it.
Check the box that says ‘My Server Requires Authentication’.
Click on apply to accept changes tab to save changes and close the window.
To activate changes made, restart Outlook and then try sending emails again.
Method 2 - Download a PST Repair Tool
If the error is triggered by PST file corruption, then the best way to resolve it is to download the PST repair tool. Download the PST repair tool from a trusted website. Run it on your system to fix PST file issues and resolve error 0x800CCC90.
Method 3 - Scan for Viruses
Another way to resolve this error is to scan for viruses. Viruses usually enter computer systems through phishing emails or while downloading attachments.
You may not know this but viruses may be affecting your PC. Due to viruses, errors like error 0x800CCC90 can also be triggered. Therefore install an antivirus to scan and remove errors on your PC.
Method 4 - Clean the Registry and Remove Invalid Entries
Due to poor PC maintenance, misconfigured and invalid registry entries may be stored in the registry. Such entries may lead to Outlook errors too. Thus to resolve you must clean the registry and remove these entries right away. Download a registry cleaner to fix the error.
Whether the error is triggered by viral infection or registry issues, it is recommended you download only Restoro. This is the one-stop solution to resolve all PC related errors. This software is deployed with 6 scanners including a registry cleaner, an antivirus, and a system optimizer.
It is user-friendly and has simple navigation. It is compatible with all Windows versions. In just a few clicks this software resolves practically all types of PC-related errors including error 0x800CCC90.
Click here to download Restoro today!
There are times when it is really inevitable to delete your hard drive partitions especially if you are already running low on disk space in your Windows 10 computer. Users typically delete the volume which is not being used in such cases in order to free up some space for the volume that’s running low on disk space.
To resolve the problem, users tend to use the Disk Management utility to delete hard drive partitions. However, some users reported that the “Delete volume” option is not available as it is grayed out. Thus, users aren’t able to delete hard drive partitions and aren’t able to free up disk space.
This kind of problem usually occurs when there is a Page file on the volume that you are trying to delete and so on. Oftentimes, this issue is mistaken for the problem where you are unable to delete an EFI-protected partition. However, in this case, not only you are unable to delete EFI-protected partition but also NTFS file systems. This is really hard to deal with but worries not for there are some potential fixes you can check out to resolve this problem.
Option 1 – Try to manage the Page file in the Partition
As mentioned earlier, if a Page file exists in a partition, you won’t be able to delete it. The page file is what stores your data when the system’s random access memory fills up. To resolve this, follow these steps:
Go to the Start menu and type “View advanced system settings” in the field and open it from the search results.
Next, click on Settings in the Advanced tab.
On the new window that pops up, go to the Advanced tab and select Change.
Next, uncheck the checkbox of “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” and highlight the drive you want to delete.
Then select “No paging file” and click on Set.
Now click on the Apply and OK buttons on all the windows and restart your computer.
Option 2 – Delete storage partition via Command Prompt
Tap the Win + X keys or right-click on the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) or you could also type in “cmd” in the Cortana search box and right-click on the Command Prompt icon and then select the “Run as Administrator” option from the context menu.
Once you have Command Prompt pulled up as admin, type in and enter this command – diskpart
After entering this command, the Diskpart Utility will start. Diskpart Utility is a command-line-based utility just like Command Prompt but it will get a UAC Prompt after you invoke it so you have to click Yes for the UAC Prompt.
After that, type in list volume and tap Enter to see the list of all the partitions created on your PC. This includes both types of partitions that are visible to the normal users in the File Explorer as well as the ones that are created by Windows 10 by default which helps it in storing the boot files and other essential system files.
You should see a list of all the partitions made on your computer. Select the partition you want to delete by its Unique Identification number as Volume X where X denotes the Unique Identification Number.
Next, type in the select volume number command and hit Enter to select the desired volume.
Then delete the volume you’ve selected and type in the delete volume command and hit Enter to delete the volume you just selected and convert it into unallocated space.
Option 3 – Delete storage partition via Windows PowerShell
Start by tapping the Win + X keys or simply right click on the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or you could also type in “Windows PowerShell” in the Cortana search box and right-click on the Windows PowerShell icon and select the “Run as administrator” option.
Once you’ve opened the Windows PowerShell, type in the Get-Volume command and hit Enter to get a list of all the partitions on your PC.
Next, select the drive letter you want to delete and then type in the Remove-Partition –DriveLetter command and hit Enter to delete the selected partition. Note that you need to replace the drive letter with the letter of the partition you want to get rid of.
After that, it will ask you for confirmation. Just hit the Y key for Yes or hit the A key to say Yes to All. This will delete all the partition you’ve selected and will move them in as unallocated space.
Sharing is caring, an old saying says. I completely agree and that is reason enough for this article filled with sharing goodness. Holidays are coming and I hope that the holiday spirit is strong with you, that you will spend them in peace and with loved ones. All that being said wouldn’t it be great if you can spend some joy with close ones and share some of your games on their account so they can enjoy them as well?
Well, you can and it is not complicated as well. Follow this easy guide to see how can you get someone’s account up and running with some of your games.
The steam Family sharing feature
The family Sharing feature inside Steam will let you share your games to another account so owners of that account can play games that you have purchased without the need to buy themselves. You can allow up to 5 accounts and 10 devices to play your library games, and owners of these accounts will have their own achievements.
Be aware that enabling this option will place your entire library on the share, you will not be able to choose which games you would like to share and therefore any kind of parental controls are not applying here. Also know that once the game is running on one device, others will have to wait for one playing to finish before they can get a spin on it.
Only the owner of the game can play whenever he wants as a priority but others will have to wait for the game to be not run by someone else.
How to Share Your Game Library
In order to share your game library have a person, you wish to share games with at his device on ready to go and enable steam guard on your account.
To enable steam guard login into your account and on the top left corner click on Steam and then on Settings. Inside settings click on the Manage Steam Guard Account Security button. Choose the way of authentication either by mail or steam guard mobile app. Check Get Steam guard codes by email radio button and re-login into account.
Sharing Games on another Steam account
Now that Steam Guard is enabled on the primary account let’s share some games!!!
Inside client again, in the top left click on Steam and again on settings. In the left panel choose and click on Family. Inside Family section check box beside Authorize Library Sharing on This Computer. Log out of your account and login into the client user account credentials you wish to share your library with (this is your friend or cousin account, they need to log in to Steam client on your computer but with their credentials). After they have successfully logged in, log them out and re-log with your account again.
Now go again into Steam > Family and now you should see an account in the box at the bottom with the user name or your friend or relative. Confirm that this is an account that you wish to share the library with by clicking on the checkbox next to the name. Now let users login into the desired device with their credentials and they will have access to your entire library. Happy gaming!