Windows 11 has arrived and it is being adopted all around the globe as we are writing this article. People are adapting it daily and today we will take a look at some advanced security features of the new Windows and do you really need an antivirus in it.
It is not a secret that Windows 11 is the most secure Windows ever created, well at least up until now. It is packed with advanced security features like S-mode, Secure Boot, and Trusted Platform Module (TMP 2.0). All these new security features that Microsoft has advertised made people question are enough for security or do you still need third-party Antivirus software.
In order to get an answer to this question, let us first take a detailed look at what each one of them does, and then we will give you our opinion on a given subject.
Windows S mode
For everyday home use, Windows 11 S mode is the most secure feature to have on your PC. This is a safety protocol where only apps from Microsoft Store are allowed to be installed. This eliminates the risk of installing third-party apps that may contain viruses or malware. Furthermore, S-mode protects your web browsing activity through the Microsoft Edge browser. S-mode does not allow you to use other browsers for security reasons. If you are using Windows 11 in S-mode, your PC and data will be secure in most parts. You need not buy antivirus when using Windows 11 in S-mode.
Windows Defender
The inbuilt security suite, Windows Defender was launched for the first time in 2006. Earlier to that it had existed and was known as Microsoft AntiSpyWare. Windows Defender has undergone significant improvements over the years. In its latest version available with Windows 11, Windows Defender offers a comprehensive range of security features. It is available under the Windows Security system. Some key security features include real-time virus and threat protection, account protection, firewall & network protection, app and browser control, parental controls, and device (hardware) security. This is comparable to security features offered by third-party antivirus programs.
Microsoft Account
In Windows 11, it is necessary to use a Microsoft account that will be linked to your device. This ensures the security of your data in case your device is lost or stolen. You just need to make sure that you have set a strong password for your device. Windows 11 also has Bitlocker that keeps your data in encrypted form.
Ransomware protection
In view of rising cases of ransomware, Microsoft has introduced dedicated ransomware protection in Windows 11. It works by stopping apps from carrying out unauthorized changes to files and folders. Users can choose their important files and folders that they want to be protected from ransomware.
Conclusion
As we went through Windows 11 security features, we can clearly see that it is packed heavily with many security features that aim to protect your data and your identity. Looking at them, one can clearly come to the conclusion that you do not really need any third-party software and that Windows itself can catch and protect most of the issues, and they would be right.
If you use Windows 11 carefully, meaning that you go only to trusted websites, do not open suspicious emails, and click on suspicious links, if you do not use extensively external USB devices or mass media you really do not need any kind of third party protection, Windows built-in tools will do well and keep you protected.
However, if you do come in contact with other people's USB devices if you surf over the net, and overall if you really want to be at peace of mind that you are protected you will still need a well-established third-party software protection solution.
Windows 11 has great security features, best so far in any Windows but it is still far from being a solution that does not require dedicated protection solution. So do yourself a favor and grab one.
We recently had a top antivirus software review, find the article here and pick one that is best for you.
This is a typical Windows Media Player error code. Developed by Microsoft, Window Media Player is a media player and media library application that is used for playing audios and videos on the computer.
Error C00D1199 appears when Windows Media Player is unable to play the file requested by you. The error code is displayed in the following format:
C00D1199: Cannot play the file
Solution
Error Causes
You might encounter an error C00D1199 message on your PC for one of the following reasons:
The file type you requested is not supported by the Windows Media Player
The file type was not compressed by using a codec that is not supported by the Player
Your sound card or controller is not configured properly or outdated
Registry corruption
The good news is that error C00D1199 is not fatal. But if this error code is generated due to registry problems, then it can lead to serious issues.
Therefore it is advisable to fix it immediately.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Here are some of the best and easy do-it-yourself methods to resolve the error C00D1199 right away.
Method 1 - Ensure File Type is Supported by Windows Media Player.
If it is supported then make sure the codec used to compress the file is installed on your system.
There are hundreds of audio and video Codecs in use today but the most popular Codecs used on Windows Media Player are Windows Media Audio, Windows Media Video, and MP3.
If these Codecs are not installed on your PC, then it is advisable to download them from the web. But make sure you download these codecs from a reliable and a trusted website.
Method 2 - Check Sound Card Settings
Another method to resolve error C00D1199 is to check Sound card settings. Make sure it is configured properly. Improper configuration can also trigger the error.
Nonetheless, if it is configured the right way but the error still persists then it is advisable to change update the driver. To do this, go to the Device Manager. Here use the Driver update wizard to make updates.
Method 3 - Check the Windows Registry
The registry is an important part of the PC. It stores all the activities performed on the PC and all files including both junk and important files.
If unnecessary files like junk files, cookies, and bad registry entries are not removed frequently from the registry, it can corrupt and damage it and generate error codes like C00D1199.
To clean the registry and resolve the error it is advisable to download Restoro. This is a user-friendly PC Fixer embedded with a registry cleaner. The registry cleaner wipes away all the clutter from the registry and cleans it instantly. It also repairs the damaged files and restores the registry.
Click here to download Restoro and resolve error C00D1199 on your PC.
SearchApp by Blpsearch is a Browser Hijacker that is presently targeting Google Chrome browsers. It is offered as a tool gives user enhanced online search experience. Search App also has other amazing tools that let you quickly search the web from a new tab window.
This extension changed your home page and new tab search to blpsearch. While installing you will see additional ads and sponsored links displaying throughout your browsing sessions. It collects user browsing information and uses it to better serve sponsored content.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking means a malicious code has control over and altered the settings of your web browser, without your approval. There are numerous reasons why you might experience an internet browser hijack; however commercial, marketing, and advertising are the key reasons for their creation. Generally, hijackers will force hits to websites of their preference either to increase web traffic generating higher ad earnings, or to obtain a commission for every user visiting there. Nonetheless, it is not that naive. Your internet safety is jeopardized and it is also very annoying. In a much worst case, your browser could be hi-jacked to download malicious software that will do a lot of damage to your computer or laptop.
Find out how to identify a browser hijack
Symptoms that your internet browser is hijacked include: your web browser’s homepage is suddenly different; bookmark and the new tab are also modified; the default browser configurations have been changed and/or your default web engine is altered; unsolicited new toolbars are added to your web browser; you observe numerous ads appear on your web browsers or display screen; your browser has instability issues or displays frequent errors; Inability to navigate to certain sites, especially anti-malware and other computer security software sites.
How it infects your personal computer
Browser hijackers can enter a PC by some means or other, for example via file sharing, downloads, and email too. Many internet browser hijackings come from add-on applications, i.e., toolbars, browser helper objects (BHO), or extensions added to web browsers to provide them extra capabilities. Some browser hijackers spread in user’s computers by using a deceptive software distribution strategy known as “bundling” (generally through shareware and freeware). Examples of popular browser hijackers are Fireball, GoSave, Ask Toolbar, CoolWebSearch, RocketTab, and Babylon Toolbar.
Browser hijackers may record user keystrokes to gather potentially important information leading to privacy issues, cause instability on systems, drastically disrupt the user experience, and ultimately slow down the system to a stage where it becomes unusable.
How to repair a browser hijack
The one thing you could try to remove a browser hijacker is to discover the malicious software within the “Add or Remove Programs” list of the Windows Control Panel. It might or might not be there. When it is, uninstall it. Yet, some hijackers will be more difficult to locate or remove since they might get themselves associated with certain important computer files that enable it to operate as a necessary operating-system process. You should think about carrying out manual fixes only if you’re a tech-savvy individual because there are negative consequences associated with messing around with the system registry and HOSTS file.
Installing and running antivirus software on the affected computer could automatically erase browser hijackers and other malicious programs. Safebytes Anti-Malware features a cutting-edge anti-malware engine to help you prevent browser hijacker infection in the first place, and clean up any existing issues. Together with the anti-malware tool, a PC optimizer, can help you in getting rid of all linked files and modifications in the computer registry automatically.
What To Do If You Cannot Install Any Anti-Malware?
Malware can cause plenty of damage to your personal computer. Some malware goes to great lengths to stop you from downloading or installing anything on your computer, particularly anti-virus software programs. If you are reading this now, you’ve perhaps realized that a malware infection is a reason behind your blocked net traffic. So how to proceed if you need to download and install an antivirus application such as Safebytes? There are a few steps you can take to circumvent this problem.
Install anti-virus in Safe Mode with Networking
In Safe Mode, you can actually change Windows settings, uninstall or install some program, and eradicate hard-to-delete malware. In the event the malware is obstructing the internet connection and affecting your computer, running it in Safe Mode allows you to download antivirus and run a scan whilst limiting potential damage. To boot into Safe Mode, hit the “F8” key on the keyboard right before the Windows boot screen shows up; Or right after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, check Safe Boot under Boot tab, and click Apply. Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can attempt to install your antivirus software program without the hindrance of the malware. Following installation, run the malware scanner to eliminate most standard infections.
Use an alternate browser to download security software
Some malware only targets particular web browsers. If this is your situation, use another web browser as it could circumvent the virus. In the event you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a virus or otherwise compromised by cybercriminals, the most effective thing to do is to switch to an alternate web browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari to download your chosen security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.
Install antivirus on a flash drive
Here’s yet another solution which is utilizing a portable USB anti-virus software that can scan your system for malware without needing installation. Do these simple steps to clear up your affected computer using a portable antivirus.
1) On a clean PC, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware.2) Connect the flash drive to a USB port on the clean computer.3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, which has a .exe file extension.4) Select thumb drive as the place when the wizard asks you where you want to install the application. Follow the directions to finish the installation process.5) Transfer the USB drive from the clean computer to the infected computer.6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the pen drive by double-clicking the icon.7) Click “Scan Now” to run a scan on the affected computer for viruses.
Protect your Computer against Malware With SafeBytes Security Suite
If you’re looking to download the anti-malware program for your PC, there are various tools in the market to consider but you just cannot trust blindly anyone, irrespective of whether it is paid or free program. Some of them are excellent, some are ok types, and some will ruin your computer themselves! When searching for anti-malware software, pick one that offers reliable, efficient, and complete protection against all known computer viruses and malware. In terms of commercial tool options, most people go with well-known brands, like SafeBytes, and are quite happy with it.
SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, highly effective protection tool created to help users of all levels of computer literacy in identifying and eliminating harmful threats out of their computer. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software protects your personal computer against infections brought on by different types of malware and other threats, including spyware, adware, computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, keyloggers, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), and ransomware.
SafeBytes anti-malware offers a myriad of enhanced features that sets it apart from all others. Listed below are some of the features you might like in SafeBytes.
World-class AntiMalware Protection: Using its enhanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware elimination tool can identify and eliminate the malware threats hiding in your PC effectively.
Active Protection: SafeBytes gives round-the-clock protection for your computer restricting malware attacks in real-time. This software will always keep track of your PC for suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the latest threats.
Website Filtering: SafeBytes checks and gives a unique safety rating to every single website you visit and block access to web pages considered to be phishing sites, thus safeguarding you against identity theft, or known to contain malware.
Light-weight: SafeBytes is a lightweight and user-friendly antivirus and anti-malware solution. As it utilizes minimal computer resources, this program leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs to: with you.
Fantastic Tech Support: You can get high levels of support round the clock if you’re using their paid software.
To sum it up all, SafeBytes Anti-Malware gives you outstanding protection combined with very low system resource usage with both great malware detection and prevention. Once you’ve installed SafeBytes Anti-Malware, you no longer need to worry about malware or any other security concerns. So when you need advanced forms of protection features and threat detections, purchasing SafeBytes Anti-Malware could be worth the dollars!
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you don’t wish to use an automated tool and prefer to remove SearchApp manually, you could possibly do so by going to the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu in the control panel and deleting the offending program; in cases of browser extensions, you can uninstall it by going to the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. You’ll probably also want to totally reset your internet browser to its default configuration settings.
In order to ensure the complete removal, manually examine your hard drive and registry for all the following and eliminate or reset the values as needed. But bear in mind, this is often a difficult task and only computer professionals can perform it safely. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. It is advisable that you carry out the removal procedure in Safe Mode.
New Windows brings new keyboard shortcuts, most of them are tied to new features and we are presenting you some new ones that are worth remembering.
⊞ WINDOWS + N - notification panel
⊞ WINDOWS + W - News and Interests feed
With the News and Interests feed, Windows 11 offers users the ability to check the latest news, the weather, and more without opening a browser window.
⊞ WINDOWS + Z - Snap Layout
Instead of the usual two windows snapping capability, Windows 11 allow users to snap their windows in a three-column layout. Users can access this by pressing Windows Key and Z to access the Snap layout.
⊞ WINDOWS + PRT SCN - taking screenshots
This one isn’t exactly new, but pressing the Windows Key and Print Screen will automatically capture the entire screen and save a copy of the image on your PC. Once the screen flashes, you will know that the screenshot has been taken, after which you can find the file saved under your Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshot.
⊞ WINDOWS + C - Microsoft Teams chat
Microsoft Teams app, the service allows anyone with a Microsoft account to quickly start a chat using the Windows + C shortcut.
Taking information from the internet or from other sources usually involves selecting the text, copying it into the clipboard, and then pasting it into your file. In today's modern applications pasting text will most of the time take its formating with it.
By formatting what I am talking about are parameters like font size, line breaks, hyperlinks, font styles, etc. and sometimes you do not want any of these in your file, you would like and prefer to have just plain text so you can format it as you wish.
In order to paste just plain text instead of using the CTRL + V keyboard shortcut, press CTRL + SHIFT + V instead. This shortcut will paste the only text into your file.
Shortcut and Microsoft Word
Leave it to Microsoft to make its shortcut not work in their application. In Microsoft Word, you can only use the standard CTRL + V shortcut, if you press CTRL + SHIFT + V nothing will happen. So in order to paste the only text into a word document, choose to paste special > text only
Other applications
I have tried CTRL + SHIFT + V in various applications like photoshop, illustrator, InDesign, visual studio code, slack, discord, WordPress installations, etc and only one that has not worked for me was Word and office in general so you are safe to use this trick and have desired results.
HomeworkSimplified is a Browser Hijacking extension for Google Chrome developed by Mindspark. This extension will set your home page and new tab to MyWay.com.
From the Terms of Use: As part of the download process for the Toolbar, you may be given the option to reset your Internet browser’s homepage to an Ask homepage product and/or reset your new tab page to an Ask new tab product. If you do not wish to reset your homepage and/or new tab page to the Ask homepage and/or Ask new tab product(s), you can decline/opt-out of these features by checking or unchecking the appropriate box(es) during the download process for the Toolbar.
While installing this extension monitors user browsing activity and sends it back to Mindspark servers, where they are later used/sold to better target and inject unwanted ads and sponsored content into your browsing sessions.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking is regarded as the web’s constant danger that targets web browsers. It is a kind of malware program that redirects the web browser requests to some other suspicious websites. Browser hijacker malware is developed for numerous reasons. Typically, browser hijacking is used for earning advertising revenue that comes from forced ad clicks and website visits. It may appear harmless, but the majority of such websites are not legitimate and will pose a major threat to your online safety. Additionally, hijackers will make the whole infected system vulnerable – other harmful malware and viruses will take hold of these opportunities to get into your computer effortlessly.
Indications of browser hijack
The typical signs that signify having this malicious software on your computer are:
1. your homepage is reset to some mysterious website2. you observe new unwanted bookmarks or favorites added, usually directed to advertisement-filled or pornography sites3. the default search engine is changed and the web browser security settings have been brought down without your knowledge4. you’re getting new toolbars you have never seen before5. you may notice numerous pop-up adverts on your computer screen6. your browser has instability problems or exhibits frequent errors7. you’ve prohibited entry to certain web pages, including the website of an anti-malware software developer like SafeBytes.
How they get into your computer or laptop
There are several ways your computer can become infected by a browser hijacker. They usually arrive through spam e-mail, via file-sharing networks, or by a drive-by download. They are generally included with toolbars, add-ons, BHO, plug-ins, or browser extensions. Browser hijackers sneak into your pc along with free software application downloads also that you unwittingly install alongside the original. Typical examples of browser hijackers include CoolWebSearch, Conduit, OneWebSearch, Coupon Server, RocketTab, Snap.do, Delta Search, and Searchult.com.
Browser hijacking may lead to serious privacy issues and also identity theft, disrupt your browsing experience by taking control of outbound traffic, considerably slows down your computer or laptop by depleting a lot of system resources and result in system instability as well.
How you can get rid of a browser hijacker
Some kinds of browser hijackers can be removed from the computer by uninstalling malicious software programs or any other recently added shareware. But, certain hijackers are very hard to identify or remove since they might get themselves connected with certain crucial system files which allow it to operate as a necessary operating system process. You should think about undertaking manual repairs only if you happen to be a tech-savvy individual, as potential risks are associated with tinkering with the system registry and HOSTS file.
You might opt for automatic browser hijacker removal by just installing and running an efficient anti-malware application. To eradicate any browser hijacker from your computer, you should download this certified malware removal application – SafeBytes Anti-Malware. Employ a system optimizer (like Total System Care) together with your anti-malware software to correct various computer registry issues, eliminate system vulnerabilities, and boost your computer overall performance
How To Get Eliminate Virus That Is Preventing Anti-Malware Downloads?
All malware is inherently harmful, but certain kinds of malware do a lot more damage to your computer than others. Some malware variants modify web browser settings by adding a proxy server or change the PC’s DNS configurations. In these instances, you will be unable to visit some or all of the websites, and thus not able to download or install the necessary security software to remove the malware. If you’re reading this article, you may have got affected by malware that prevents you from downloading a security application like Safebytes Antimalware on your PC. Do as instructed below to eliminate malware in alternate ways.
Get rid of viruses in Safe Mode
The Windows-based PC includes a special mode known as “Safe Mode” where only the bare minimum required applications and services are loaded. In the event the malware is blocking access to the internet and affecting your PC, launching it in Safe Mode enables you to download anti-virus and run a diagnostic scan whilst limiting possible damage. In order to get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the system is booting up or run MSCONFIG and locate the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can attempt to install your antivirus application without the hindrance of the malware. At this point, you can run the antivirus scan to remove viruses and malware without any hindrance from another application.
Switch over to an alternative browser
Certain viruses might target vulnerabilities of a particular web browser that obstruct the downloading process. If you are not able to download the security application using Internet Explorer, this means the virus may be targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you must switch over to another browser such as Chrome or Firefox to download the Safebytes Anti-malware program.
Install anti-malware on a USB drive
Another option is to store and run an anti-malware software program entirely from a Pen drive. Adopt these measures to use a USB drive to fix your infected computer system.
1) Make use of another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware.2) Mount the pen drive on the same computer.3) Double click on the exe file to run the installation wizard.4) Select the flash drive as the destination for saving the file. Follow the activation instructions.5) Now, transfer the pen drive to the infected computer.6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes tool right from the thumb drive.7) Click on the “Scan” button to run a full system scan and remove malware automatically.
SafeBytes Anti-Malware - More Protection For You Personally
If you’re looking to install anti-malware software for your PC, there are plenty of tools on the market to consider but you cannot trust blindly anyone, regardless of whether it is free or paid software. A few of them are good, some are ok types, while some will harm your computer themselves! You need to be careful not to select the wrong product, particularly if you purchase a premium application. While considering the dependable programs, Safebytes AntiMalware is certainly the strongly recommended one.
SafeBytes anti-malware is a highly effective and user-friendly protection tool that is made for end-users of all levels of computer literacy. With its outstanding protection system, this software will easily detect and remove most of the security threats, including adware, viruses, browser hijackers, ransomware, PUPs, and trojans.
SafeBytes possesses a plethora of wonderful features that can help you protect your PC from malware attack and damage. Listed below are some of the best ones:
Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes provides an entirely hands-free live protection and is set to check, prevent and remove all computer threats at its first encounter. It’ll regularly monitor your computer for hacker activity and also provides users with superior firewall protection.
Anti-Malware Protection: This deep-cleaning antimalware application goes much deeper than most anti-virus tools to clean out your PC. Its critically acclaimed virus engine detects and disables hard-to-remove malware that conceals deep inside your PC.
Website Filtering: SafeBytes gives an instant safety rating to the web pages you are going to visit, automatically blocking harmful sites and ensuring that you’re certain of your safety while browsing the world wide web.
Light-weight: SafeBytes is a lightweight and easy-to-use antivirus and antimalware solution. Since it utilizes low computer resources, this application leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs to: with you actually.
Premium Support: You will get 24/7 technical support to quickly resolve any issue with your security application.
On the whole, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program since it has lots of features and can identify and eliminate any potential threats. You can be sure that your PC will be protected in real-time once you put this tool to use. For the best protection and the best value for your money, you can’t get better than SafeBytes Anti-Malware.
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you’d like to manually get rid of Homework Simplified without using an automated tool, it might be possible to do so by removing the application from the Microsoft Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of web browser extensions, going to the browser’s AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You’ll likely also want to reset your web browser.
To ensure the complete removal, find the following Windows registry entries on your computer and eliminate them or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for experienced users only and could be difficult, with wrong file removal causing additional PC errors. Furthermore, some malware keeps replicating which makes it tough to eliminate. Carrying out this malware-removal process in Safe Mode is suggested.
One of the most critical processes in the Windows 10 operating system is the Explorer.exe. And there are times when you might encounter an error that says, “System call failed”. You can encounter this error when you try to launch File Explorer, and in such case when the File Explorer does not work, it could cause issues in accessing folders and files on your computer.
This kind of error pops up when the explorer.exe system file has become corrupted or if there is some process that interferes with its smooth functioning. To fix this error, you can try to restart the explorer.exe process, run both the System File Checker scan and DISM tool. You could also put your computer in a Clean Boot State or uninstall any programs you’ve installed recently. For more details, follow each one of the given suggestions below.
Option 1 – Try to restart the Explorer.exe process
The first thing you can do is try to restart the Explorer.exe process. To do so, refer to these steps:
First, right-click on the Taskbar and select the Task Manager.
Next, expand the Task Manager window to see all the active processes.
From there, look for the Windows Explorer process, right-click on it and select Restart.
After that, check if the error is now fixed.
Option 2 – Run System File Checker scan
If restarting the explorer.exe process didn’t work, you can also try running the System File Checker or SFC scan to fix the error. System File Checker is a command utility built into your computer that helps restore corrupted files and missing files. Refer to the following steps to run it:
Hit the Win + R keys to launch Run.
Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
After opening Command Prompt, type in this command: sfc /SCANFILE=c:windowsexplorer.exe
Note: If you are using a 64-bit Windows operating system, enter the “sfc /SCANFILE=C:WindowsSysWow64explorer.exe” command instead.
Wait until the process is completed and then restart your computer.
Option 3 – Run the DISM tool
You might also want to run the DISM tool. This tool is known to repair potentially corrupted files in your system as having them could also system issues like the “System call failed” error. To repair these corrupted system files, you can run the DISM commands:
Tap the Win + X keys and click on the “Command Prompt (Admin)” option.
After that, input each one of the commands listed below sequentially to execute them:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Once you’ve executed the commands given above, restart your computer and check if the problem is now fixed.
Option 4 – Try running the Check Disk utility
In the Windows Search box, type “command prompt” and from the search results, right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
After opening Command Prompt, type this command and tap Enter: chkdsk c: /f /r
The command you entered will start to check for errors and fix them automatically. Else, it will throw an error message saying, “Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like the schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)”.
Tap the Y key to schedule Disk Check the next time your computer restarts.
Option 5 – Put your computer in a Clean Boot State
As pointed out, there are some instances that some conflicting programs installed in your computer might be the one that triggers the “System call failed” error to appear when you try to open File Explorer. To identify which program is causing the problem, you need to put your computer in a Clean Boot State. To do so, follow the steps below.
Log onto your PC as an administrator.
Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
Click Disable all.
Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
Once your computer has restarted in a Clean Boot State, perform your scan again and see if it now works, and then start to isolate the problem by checking which one of the programs you installed recently is the root cause of the problem.
Option 6 – Try to uninstall the programs you’ve installed recently
In case you don’t know, freeware software packages aren’t always free as some of them could contain malicious software that can cause serious damage to your computer. Thus, if you have installed a program recently prior to getting the “System call failed” error, then you have to uninstall that program.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “appwiz.cpl” in the field and tap Enter to open the Programs and Features in Control Panel.
Next, arrange the list of installed programs in the order of the installation date.
After that, look for the problematic program and right-click on it, and then select Uninstall.
Once the process is done, restart your computer and see if the error is fixed.
One of the important functions in the Windows operating system is the Task Scheduler. It can automatically run various tasks at a certain time where you’ll have to add a task that needs to be executed and then choose the time it has to run at. So when that time comes, the Task Scheduler will run the task automatically. However, some users reported getting an Error 0x80070057 where the Task Scheduler fails to start.
This kind of error may be due to a disabled service that prevents the service from running. It is also possible that the antivirus program interfered with the task – it could be that the Task Scheduler is somewhat in the block list since the antivirus adds it to the list automatically when it’s installed. On the other hand, it could be that you lack administrator-level privilege which is why the Task Scheduler was not able to carry out the task. To fix this issue, here are some suggestions you can try.
Option 1 – Try to restart the Task Scheduler service
As mentioned, it is possible that the Task Scheduler service could be disabled. You could have disabled it when trying to enhance your computer’s performance and whatnot. Thus, you need to verify if it’s running or not and then restart it.
First, you need to tap the Win + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “services.msc” in the field and click OK or tap Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
You will see a list of Services and from there, look for the Task Scheduler service and double click on it.
After that, go to the General tab and click on the Startup Type options and then select “Automatically” from the given list.
Click on the “RUN” option and select the “Restart the Service” option.
And click on the “After Second Failure” option and then select the “Restart-Service” option again.
Now click on the “After Subsequent Failures” tab and select the “Restart the Service” option.
Finally, click on the Apply and OK buttons and then run the Task Scheduler and see if the issue is now fixed.
Option 2 – Try to temporarily disable the anti-virus program
As mentioned, the error could be due to the antivirus program or the Windows Defender Firewall installed in your computer. Thus, disabling them or any security software installed on your computer is always a good idea you can try when you’re not able to access the shared drive on your computer. There are times when you encounter problems like the Task Scheduler Error 0x80070057 due to interference of antivirus or security programs. Thus, you have to disable both your antivirus program for the meantime and check if it fixes the error or not.
Option 3 – Run the Task Scheduler with an administrator account
Like pointed out, the Task Scheduler Error 0x80070057 may be due to the lack of admin privileges. Thus, you have to log in to an administrator account and try running the Task Scheduler again. It is also recommended that the administrator account you’re going to use as a password when logging in.
Option 4 – Repair the Task Scheduler by deleting corrupted tasks
Note that a single corrupted file can cause big problems so this option is quite important. And for you to delete a corrupted task or any task from the Task Scheduler, you have to use the Registry Editor if you are not able to use the Task Scheduler interface. To do so, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the dialog box for Run.
Next, type in Regedit and click on OK or tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Then navigate to this path: ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionScheduleTaskCacheTree
Note: In this path, you can see all the tasks that are currently set in the Task Scheduler. And since it would be hard to tell which one of them is corrupted, you have to delete the latest one in Task Scheduler last. But before you do so, make sure that you take note of the ID of the tasks. And for you to get the ID, you have to select the task you wish to delete and double click on the ID string located on your right-hand side, and then copy it in the Notepad.
Right-click on the task name and then delete it.
After that, delete the very same GUID which you have copied earlier from these folders:
RealOnlineRadio is a Browser Extension for Google Chrome. This extension offers users the ability to listen to radio stations across the web.
From the Author: Real Online Radio is different, as it is a simple radio aggregator. This means Real Online Radio puts together thousands of independent radio stations from all parts of the world in a browser extension that is free and easy to use. It is made for people, who want to have control over their radio streaming. With our simple radio widget, you can get an overview of thousands of radio stations both from your hometown and from the rest of the world. With Real Online Radio, you can listen to your favorite radio station or get an impression of all styles and sorts of music – without being guided in a specific direction by anybody – or anything (such as those radio bots). Real Online Radio returns the control to you, to discover exactly the kind of music that you love.
While this may look useful, this extension changed your default search engine and hijacks your home page. While this extension is active, all your searches are redirected through fileupsticks.com, where a database of your search queries is kept to better server ads that are later delivered through the Yahoo search engine.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijackers (also known as hijackware) are a type of malware that changes internet browser configurations without the user’s knowledge or approval. These kinds of hijacks happen to be rising at an astonishing rate across the world, and they can be truly nefarious and sometimes harmful too. Nearly all browser hijackers are created for marketing or advertising purposes. These are generally used to force visitors to a specific website, manipulating web traffic to generate ad revenue. Even though it might appear naive, these tools are designed by vicious individuals who always attempt to take full advantage of you, so that they could make money from your naive and distraction. Browser hijackers can also allow other vicious programs without your knowledge to further damage your PC.
Signs of browser hijacker malware
Below are some signs and symptoms that indicate your internet browser has been hijacked: your browser’s home page has been reset to some mysterious site; you find redirected to websites you never intended to visit; the default web browser settings are changed and/or your default search engine is altered; you find multiple toolbars on the browser; you’ll find random pop-ups start showing regularly; your internet browser starts running sluggishly or displays frequent glitches; you can’t visit certain sites such as homepages of antivirus software.
How it infects the computer
Browser hijackers can get into a computer by some means or other, including via file sharing, downloads, and e-mail as well. They may also be deployed via the installation of an internet browser toolbar, add-on, or extension. A browser hijacker could also be installed as a part of freeware, shareware, demoware, and fake programs. An example of some infamous browser hijackers includes Babylon, Anyprotect, Conduit, SweetPage, DefaultTab, Delta Search, and RocketTab, however, the names are continually changing.
The presence of any browser hijacker malware on your system can substantially diminish the web browsing experience, record your online activities that lead to serious privacy concerns, develop system stability issues and finally cause your PC to slow down or to a nearly unusable condition.
Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal
The one thing you could try to eliminate a browser hijacker is to locate the malicious software in the “Add or Remove Programs” list in the Microsoft Windows Control Panel. It might or might not be there. If it is, try and uninstall it. However, the majority of hijacking codes are certainly not very easy to get rid of manually, as they go deeper into the operating system. Also, browser hijackers can modify the Computer registry so it could be very tough to restore all the values manually, particularly if you are not a tech-savvy person.
You can go for automatic browser hijacker removal by just installing and running a reliable anti-malware application. SafeBytes Anti-Malware will counter persistent browser hijackers and provide you real-time PC protection against all types of malware.
Can't Install Safebytes Anti-malware due to the presence of Malware? Try This!
Practically all malware is detrimental and the level of the damage will differ greatly in accordance with the type of infection. Certain malware goes to great lengths to stop you from installing anything on your computer, especially anti-virus software programs. If you’re reading this, odds are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download and/or install the Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your computer system. There are some actions you can take to get around this problem.
Install anti-malware in Safe Mode with Networking
If the virus is set to load automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, stepping into safe mode could very well block the attempt. Only the bare minimum required applications and services are loaded when you start your personal computer into Safe Mode. You need to do the following to get rid of malware in Safe mode.
1) After switching on the computer, hit the F8 key before the Windows splash screen begins to load. This will conjure up the “Advanced Boot Options” menu.2) Choose Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and press Enter.3) As soon as this mode loads, you will have the internet. Now, obtain the malware removal software you need by utilizing the web browser. To install the application, follow the directions in the installation wizard.4) Immediately after installation, run a complete scan and allow the software to delete the threats it detects.
Download the security program using an alternate web browser
Certain viruses may target vulnerabilities of a specific browser that block the downloading process. If you’re not able to download the security application using Internet Explorer, this means the virus is targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you should switch to an alternate web browser like Chrome or Firefox to download Safebytes Anti-malware software.
Install and run anti-malware from the Thumb drive
To successfully get rid of the malware, you have to approach the issue of installing an anti-virus software program on the infected computer system from a different perspective. Adopt these measures to run the antivirus on the affected computer system.
1) Download the anti-malware software on a virus-free computer.2) Put the USB drive into the clean computer.3) Double-click the executable file to open the installation wizard.4) When asked, select the location of the USB drive as the place where you would like to put the software files. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.5) Transfer the flash drive from the clean PC to the infected computer.6) Double click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the USB drive to run the software.7) Hit the “Scan Now” button to start the virus scan.
Overview of SafeBytes Anti-Malware
These days, anti-malware software can protect your laptop or computer from various kinds of internet threats. But exactly how to choose the right one amongst countless malware protection application that’s available out there? As you may be aware, there are several anti-malware companies and products for you to consider. Some are really worth your money, but most aren’t. When searching for an anti-malware program, choose one that gives dependable, efficient, and total protection against all known computer viruses and malware. One of the recommended software programs is SafeBytes AntiMalware. SafeBytes carries a good track record of excellent service, and customers seem to be happy with it.
SafeBytes anti-malware is a trustworthy tool that not only protects your computer completely but is also extremely user-friendly for people of all ability levels. With its outstanding protection system, this tool will instantly detect and remove the majority of the security threats, which include browser hijackers, viruses, adware, PUPs, trojans, worms, and ransomware.
There are many great features you’ll get with this security product. Listed here are some of the great ones:
Real-time Active Protection: Malware programs trying to enter the system are discovered and stopped as and when detected by the SafeBytes real-time protection shields. This tool will always keep track of your computer for any suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the constantly changing threat situation.
Best AntiMalware Protection: Using a critically acclaimed malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection that is made to find and remove threats that are concealed deep in your computer’s operating system.
Safe Web Browsing:Safebytes assigns all websites a unique safety rating that helps you to have an idea of whether the webpage you are about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site.
Low CPU/Memory Usage: This software is lightweight and will work quietly in the background, and will not have an effect on your computer efficiency.
Fantastic Tech Support: You will get 24/7 technical assistance to quickly resolve any concern with your security application.
SafeBytes has put together a wonderful anti-malware solution that can help you conquer the latest malware threats and virus attacks. Malware issues will become a thing of the past when you put this tool to use. If you want sophisticated forms of protection features and threat detections, purchasing SafeBytes Anti-Malware could be worth the dollars!
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you would like to carry out the removal of RealOnlineRadio manually instead of utilizing an automated software tool, you may follow these steps: Navigate to the Windows Control Panel, click the “Add or Remove Programs” and there, select the offending program to remove. In cases of suspicious versions of browser plugins, you can actually get rid of it via your browser’s extension manager. You will probably also want to reset your internet browser.
Finally, check your hard drive for all of the following and clean your registry manually to remove leftover application entries following uninstalls. However, this is often a tricky task and only computer professionals could perform it safely. In addition, some malicious programs have the capability to defend against its removal. Doing this in Safe Mode is recommended.
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!
Windows 11 has come a long way from its infant stage. Today it is incredibly good and stable operating system that also looks good and modern. Unfortunately, fancy animations and good graphics come with a price, in this case, slower performance on some little older and weaker computers.
Animations itself which include also fading effects can sometimes feel slugging and laggy and have a general overall feeling of delay. For a more old-school instant experience, you can turn off animations.
In order to turn animations inside Windows 11 follow this simple guide:
First thing is to open Settings by pressing Windows + i key combination or you could open Start and in the search box type in Settings and then click on its icon.
Once inside settings on the left side find Accessibility and click on it to select it. Once it is selected on the right side choose Visual effects. Inside the visual effects section click on the switch next to Animation effects to OFF. You can also turn off transparency effects in this section if you wish if you have an older GPU in order to speed it up a little.
That is all you need to do, settings will be automatically saved and all animations will be turned off for a quicker and more responsive feeling when working inside W11