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Facebook messengers alternatives

People are becoming more and more concerned with their privacy and Facebook's flagship messaging application is caught between it all. While still widely popular it has becoming to lose its ground due to many unanswered questions about privacy encryption.

Lucky for all of us there are alternatives for more secure messaging.

SIGNAL

Arguably the most secure of all well-regarded messaging apps, Signal is the favorite of the European Commission, as well as newsrooms around the world. While Signal doesn’t disclose how many daily or monthly users the app has, Google’s Play Store says it has been installed more than 50 million times. While using Signal, each voice or video call connected through the app includes full end-to-end encryption.

Signal takes an extra step by hiding message metadata so that the location of the original message is missing. While it asks for your mobile number, that number isn’t used with your profile. Instead, it acts as a numeric username. Once registered, you will find 1-1 chat, audio, and video calls, disappearing or “secret” chats, and a privacy lock so nobody can access the app even if they have your phone. Best of all, it’s completely free to use.

TELEGRAM

One of the biggest competitors to Facebook Messenger (and WhatsApp), Telegram is a very strong alternative. With more than 400 million users, it offers an interface that should feel right at home for anyone coming from Messenger. Telegram offers some huge benefits over Messenger, including features like groups that can hold up to 200,000 members for a chat. There is no limit on your media or chat size, and you can share all types of files between users and in groups.

From a privacy standpoint, Telegram has robust security, but it is worth noting that only “secret” messages are end-to-end encrypted and can self-destruct. Non-secret messages can be stored on Telegram’s servers so you can pick them up between your devices quickly. That’s a consideration worth knowing prior to making Telegram your default Messenger replacement. Telegram is free across all platforms.

THREEMA

Rising in popularity, Threema is another privacy-focused alternative that has quickly become a competitor to Facebook Messenger. This paid service ($2.99 on both App Store and Play Store) is a pay-once, use forever option. Once you pay the small fee, you gain all of Threema’s touted privacy options, like open-source end-to-end encryption for both messages and calls.

Like Signal, Threema won’t require you to link any phone numbers or emails to your account. All chats are handled anonymously, and the service generates a random user ID when you first open and register for the app. No data is collected from any of your chats and no ads are shown.

The Swiss-made app does have its own servers hosted in Switzerland, which do not store any chat messages. Another privacy benefit of Threema is the notion that all of your contact lists, groups, and user profiles are hosted on your device, not on the Swiss servers. Because of that, Threema can once again state that none of your personal info is stored anywhere they have access.

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Fix wdf01000.sys BSOD Error on Windows
If you encounter a Blue Screen error that points to the Wdf01000.sys file, then this post might be of help. Wdf01000.sys is a file related to the Windows Driver Framework which is the one that manages the system drivers. So if this file ends up being corrupted, the drivers would start to cause trouble in the system which would lead to a Blue Screen of Death error eventually. There are lots of error descriptions that are associated with the Wdf01000.sys file such as:
  • DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
  • System_Thread_Exception_Not_Handled
  • Page_Fault_In_Nonpaged_Area
  • System_Service_Exception
  • Kmode_Exception_Not_Handled
  • DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION
Although the troubleshooting steps you must take depends on the kind of BSOD error you are getting, there are a couple of options you can try to resolve the Blue Screen errors related to the Wdf01000.sys file. Refer to the options given below.

Option 1 – Try running the DISM tool

You can try running the Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management or DISM tool to fix the Wdf01000.sys Blue Screen error. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth”.
  • Open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • Then type in the following commands and make sure to hit Enter right after you type each one of them:
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    • exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  • Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.

Option 2 – Try to update or rollback your device drivers

If the first option 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 – Use the Driver Verifier Manager

The Driver Verifier Manager is another tool in Windows that could help you fix driver-related issues. And so if you want to fix the Wdf01000.sys Blue Screen error, you need to use the Driver Verifier Manager:
  • 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 4 – Run the System File Checker Scan

System File Checker or SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files to good system files. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.
  • Tap Win + R to launch Run.
  • Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
  • After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
  1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
  2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
  3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
  • Reboot your computer.

Option 5 – Run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like Wdf01000.sys. It can be found on the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
  • Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • 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.
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CHKDSK cannot continue in read-only mode
As you know, the CHKDSK utility is proven to be one of the useful tools to fix any issues that concerns file system, storage, and disk. However, as useful as it may be, it is still not immune to issues as you could encounter errors when running it. One of these errors is the “One such error is the CHKDSK cannot continue in read-only mode” error. If you receive such an error message while running CHKDSK, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will help you sort the problem out. It is possible that the drive is read-only or that the Write Protection is enabled. It could also be that the drive is already being used and scanned by a different program or utility. To get rid of this error, there are a couple of suggestions you need to check out. You can try to run the CHKDSK utility from Recovery or run it on Boot. You could also try to disable Write Protection. For more detailed steps, follow the given instructions below.

Option 1 – Try to run the CHKDSK utility from Recovery

The first thing you can do to resolve the error in CHKDSK is to run the CHKDSK utility from Recovery. How? Follow these steps:
  • First, boot into the installation environment for Windows 10 from a Windows installation media.
  • Next, click on the “Repair your computer” option.
  • After that, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
  • After opening Command Prompt, type this command and tap Enter: chkdsk <Partition Letter>: /r /f
  • Wait until the disk error checking process is completed.
  • Once it’s done, exit the Command Prompt window and restart your computer and then see if the error is fixed.

Option 2 – Try running the CHKDSK utility on Boot

On the other hand, you can also try to run the CHKDSK utility on Boot so you can fix the error and recover any damaged segments of the drive.
  • Open an elevated Command Prompt and enter this command: chkdsk /r
  • After that, you will a message that says, “Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)”
  • Type Y and tap Enter to schedule a CHKDSK scan once your computer reboots next time.

Option 3 – Try to remove the Write Protection from the drive

As mentioned, removing the Write-Protection on the concerned drive could also help you fix the problem and there are two ways to get rid of the write protection – you can either use the Diskpart utility or the Registry Editor. How? Refer to the following steps.

Via Diskpart utility:

  • Open Command Prompt with admin privileges and then type the “diskpart” command and tap Enter to execute it.
  • Next, type “list disk” and tap Enter to get the list of all the Disk connects or all the partitions that are formed on those disks.
  • After that, you need to choose one command depending on the list of commands you entered. Type “select disk #” and tap Enter to select the disk or partition you want to select.
  • Then type “attribute disk clear readonly” and tap Enter to Disable the Write Protection on the selected disk or partition.

Via Registry Editor:

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “Regedit” in the field and then tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Next, navigate to the following registry key:
ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlStorageDevicePolicies
  • After that, look for the DWORD named “WriteProtect” and double click on it, and then set its Value Data to “0”.
  • Now restart your computer and see if the problem is now fixed or not.
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nslookup works but ping fails in Windows
nslookup is a command-line tool that helps in finding the DNS records of a website. It sends a name server query to the DNS and obtains the corresponding IP address. Aside from that, it can also perform some complex functionality such as finding details about FTP server, Mail server and many more but most of them are used by administrators. The best thing about nslookup is that it queries the DNS server directly and it does not rely on the cache. On the other hand, there is another tool called PING that is used to verify connectivity. PING sends a packet of information to the IP address or Domain and gets back a response in the form of packets. So if everything goes well, all packets are received but if not, it will help you find out where the delay in the network exactly is. However, the ping command does not always attempt a DNS lookup which means that it might be using the DNS cache and use the IP address available in that table. Although both nslookup and PING help you in identifying the host or IP address, however, they don’t always work and sometimes fail. So if your nslookup works but ping fails on your Windows 10 PC when querying the IP address of a website then it could be caused by many reasons. It could be that the nslookup queries work for you but when you try to use PING, it fails. For instance, if you open the abc.com website, here’s how it will look like:
nslookup xyz.com Server: dns.company.com Address: 192.168.1.38 C:> ping xyz.com Ping request could not find host xyz.com. Please check the name and try again.
The domain is converted into an IP address and then data is sent to that IP address when you use PING. So when a reply comes back it means that the data is going back and forth to that domain without any problem. However, if the DNS fails to resolve the IP address of the website or if your PC does not attempt a DNS lookup, you will receive a similar error message that says, “Could not find host” and so on. To resolve this issue, here are some options that might help.

Option 1 – Reset Winsock, TCP/IP & Flush DNS

Resetting Winsock, TCP/IP, and flushing DNS might help you resolve the issue with nslookup and PING. To do so, follow these steps:
  • Right-click on the Start button and click on Command Prompt (administrator) so you can pull up an elevated Command Prompt.
  • After that, execute each one of the commands listed below. And after you typed in one after the other, you have to hit Enter.
  1. netsh winsock reset – type in this command to reset Winsock
  2. netsh int ip reset resettcpip.txt – type in this command to reset TCP/IP
  3. ipconfig /flushdns – type in this command to flush the DNS cache
  • Next, restart your PC and check if the problem’s fixed.

Option 2 – Force Windows to do a DNS lookup using FQDN

  • Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Change adapter options.
  • From there, right-click on the network and select Properties.
  • Next, in case you’re using IPv6, from the list of connections available in the list, select Internet Protocol Version 4.
  • Then click on Properties and click Advanced.
  • After that, switch to the DNS tab and select “Append these DNS suffixes (in order)” and click on the Add button and then add “.” as a suffix so that each time you query using PING and another tool, it will add a “.” at the end and will force the lookup.

Option 3 – Make sure that there is only one default gateway

If your computer has more than one NIC connected and there are multiple default gateways, then it will most likely create confusion which is why you need to remove the default gateway from the configuration of all NICs and make sure that there is only one default gateway.

Option 4 – Use the Google Public DNS

You might want to change your DNS to Google Public DNS as it could also help you in fixing the nslookup and PING issues. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • The first thing you have to do is right-click on the network icon in the Taskbar and select Network and Sharing Center.
  • Next, click on the “Change Adapter Settings” option.
  • After that, search for the network connection that you are using to connect to the internet. Note that the option might be “Wireless Connection” or “Local Area Connection”.
  • Right-click on your network connection and click on Properties.
  • Then select the new window to choose the “Internet Protocol 4 (TCP/IPv4)” option.
  • After that, click on the Properties button and click the checkbox in the new window for the option “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
  • Type in “8.8.8.8” and “8.8.4.4” and click OK and exit.

Option 5 – Check the Windows Host file

You can also try to cross-check the Windows Hosts file to find out if the website you are trying to open has been blocked, because if it is, then it’s no wonder why PING fails even when nslookup works. There are instances when some third-party application modifies the file and adds some websites to the blocklists. So if the website is indeed blocked, you need to remove it from the list.

Option 6 – Delete the WLAN Profiles

Deleting the WLAN Profiles might be a good idea if you are not able to connect to the internet on your computer and if you’re using Wi-Fi. It could be that the networks that were connected previously have gone rogue which is why it is not connecting properly. And so deleting the WLAN profiles might help you in fixing the issue with nslookup and PING.

Option 7 – Reinstall the Network Adapter Drivers

  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and then type in the “msc” command and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.
  • Under the Device Manager, you will see a list of drivers. From there, look for the Network Adapters and expand it.
  • Then right-click on each one of the Network drivers and select “Uninstall device”.
  • Restart your PC.
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Completely Remove MySearchDial Tutorial

MySearchDial is a browser hijacker that typically comes bundled with free software on the internet. This web platform designed for searching the internet and offers the installation of its software. This software injects itself into browsers and gains access to your settings, browsing data & user information. This data is distributed to the ad providers without limitation. While covered by their EULA, most users will be unaware of what they agree to with checkboxes selected by default. The software also adds a huge amount of registry keys and links throughout the operating system. Since the software injects itself into many personal files, removing the software results in a total reset of your browser settings. For these reasons MySearchDial is classified as potentially unwanted and is flagged for removal by a number of internet security utilities.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a common type of online fraud where your internet browser configuration settings are altered to allow it to carry out things you do not intend. Practically the majority of browser hijackers are created for marketing or advertising purposes. Usually, hijackers are designed for the benefit of online hackers usually through income generation that comes from forced ad clicks and website visits. Even though it may seem naive, these tools are designed by vicious individuals who always look to take full advantage of you, so that hackers can make money from your naive and distraction. Some browser hijackers are designed to make certain modifications beyond the browsers, like altering entries on the computer registry and letting other types of malware further damage your computer.

How you can know if your internet browser is hijacked

There are several symptoms that point to browser hijacking: 1. your browser’s home page has been reset to some unfamiliar website 2. your web browser is constantly being redirected to pornography websites 3. default online search engine is changed 4. discover new toolbars that you simply didn’t add 5. you observe lots of pop-ups on your computer screen 6. your internet browser has become unstable or starts running slowly 7. you’re blocked to access the websites of security solution providers.

So how exactly does a browser hijacker infect a PC

Browser hijackers can enter a computer in some way or other, including via file sharing, downloads, and e-mail also. They could also come from add-on applications, also called browser helper objects (BHO), web browser extensions, or toolbars. Other times you may have inadvertently accepted a browser hijacker as part of an application package (generally freeware or shareware). Examples of popular browser hijackers are Fireball, Ask Toolbar, GoSave, CoolWebSearch, Babylon Toolbar, and RocketTab. The existence of any browser hijacker malware on your system might significantly diminish the web browsing experience, track your internet activities that lead to severe privacy concerns, degrade overall system efficiency, and lead to software instability as well.

Getting rid of browser hijackers

Some hijackers could be removed by deleting the free software they were included with or by removing any add-ons you have recently added to your computer system. But, most hijackers are hard to remove manually. Regardless of how much you attempt to get rid of it, it can return over and over again. On top of that, manual removal needs you to execute many time-consuming and complicated actions which are very difficult to carry out for rookie computer users.

Can't Install Safebytes Anti-malware because of a Virus? Do This!

All malware is bad and the effects of the damage could differ based on the specific type of malicious software. Certain malware types alter web browser settings by adding a proxy server or change the PC’s DNS configurations. When this happens, you’ll be unable to visit certain or all sites, and therefore not able to download or install the required security software to remove the malware. If you’re reading this now, you may have probably recognized that virus infection is the reason for your blocked web traffic. So what do if you need to download and install an antivirus application like Safebytes? Although this kind of problem can be difficult to circumvent, there are a few actions you can take.

Install the anti-virus in Safe Mode

If the malware is set to run at Windows startup, then booting in Safe Mode should prevent it. Only minimal required programs and services are loaded when you start your computer or laptop in Safe Mode. To launch your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 PCs in Safe Mode with Networking, do as instructed below. 1) Press the F8 key repeatedly as soon as your computer boots, but before the big Windows logo or black screen with white texts shows up. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Use the arrow keys to choose Safe Mode with Networking and press ENTER. 3) Once you get into this mode, you should have access to the internet once again. Now, get the virus removal application you need by using the internet browser. To install the application, follow the guidelines in the installation wizard. 4) As soon as the application is installed, let the scan run to remove viruses and other malware automatically.

Utilize an alternate web browser to download an anti-malware program

Malicious program code might exploit vulnerabilities on a specific internet browser and block access to all anti-virus software websites. If you appear to have a virus attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to an alternate browser with built-in security features, such as Chrome or Firefox, to download your favorite anti-malware program – Safebytes.

Run antivirus from a pen drive

Another approach is to download and transfer antivirus software from a clean computer to run a virus scan on the affected system. Abide by these steps to run the anti-virus on the affected computer system. 1) Make use of another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the clean computer. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded software, with a .exe file extension. 4) When asked, select the location of the USB drive as the place where you would like to store the software files. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation. 5) Transfer the USB drive from the clean computer to the infected computer. 6) Double click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the thumb drive to run the application. 7) Click on the “Scan Now” button to start the virus scan.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware Features

In order to protect your computer or laptop from many different internet-based threats, it is very important to install an anti-malware application on your PC. However, with countless numbers anti-malware companies in the market, nowadays it is actually difficult to decide which one you should purchase for your PC. Some of them do a good job in getting rid of threats while some will damage your PC themselves. You have to choose a product that has got a good reputation and detects not just computer viruses but other sorts of malware too. When considering commercial antimalware software options, most people choose well-known brands, such as SafeBytes, and are very happy with it. SafeBytes antimalware is a highly effective and easy-to-use protection tool that is ideal for end-users of all levels of IT literacy. Using its outstanding protection system, this tool will instantly detect and remove most of the security threats, including viruses, adware, browser hijackers, PUPs, trojans, worms, and ransomware. SafeBytes carries a plethora of amazing features which can help you protect your laptop or computer from malware attack and damage. The following are some popular features found in this software program: Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes gives complete and real-time security for your personal machine. They’re highly effective in screening and getting rid of various threats because they’re constantly revised with the latest updates and safety measures. Most Reliable AntiMalware Protection: Safebytes is made on the very best virus engine in the industry. These engines will identify and remove threats even during the early stages of a malware outbreak. Internet Security: SafeBytes gives an instant safety rating on the pages you’re going to visit, automatically blocking risky sites and making sure that you’re certain of your safety while browsing the net. Lightweight: SafeBytes provides total protection from internet threats at a fraction of the CPU load because of its advanced detection engine and algorithms. 24/7 Online Tech Support: Support service is readily available for 24 x 7 x 365 days through email and chats to answer your queries.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove MySearchDial 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 MySearchDial

Files: %PROGRAMFILES%Mysearchdialbhmysearchdial.dll. %PROGRAMFILES%MysearchdialescortShld.dll. %PROGRAMFILES%MysearchdialmysearchdialApp.dll. %PROGRAMFILES%MysearchdialmysearchdialEng.dll. %PROGRAMFILES%Mysearchdialmysearchdialsrv.exe. %PROGRAMFILES%MysearchdialmysearchdialTlbr.dll. %PROGRAMFILES%MysearchdialSqlite3.dll. %APPDATA%MozillaFirefoxProfilesENV(mysearchdial_path)[email protected]. %APPDATA%mysearchdialmysearchdial. %APPDATA%mysearchdial. %PROGRAMFILES%Mysearchdialbh. %PROGRAMFILES%Mysearchdial. Registry: Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT named esrv.mysearchdialESrvc.1 Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT named esrv.mysearchdialESrvc Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT named mysearchdial.mysearchdialappCore.1 Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT named mysearchdial.mysearchdialappCore Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT named mysearchdial.mysearchdialdskBnd.1 Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT named mysearchdial.mysearchdialdskBnd Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT named mysearchdial.mysearchdialHlpr.1 Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT named mysearchdial.mysearchdialHlpr Key 0400EBCA-042C-4000-AA89-9713FBEDB671 at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key 0BD19251-4B4B-4B94-AB16-617106245BB7 at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key 219046AE-358F-4CF1-B1FD-2B4DE83642A8 at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerLow RightsElevationPolicy. Key 3004627E-F8E9-4E8B-909D-316753CBA923 at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID. Key 3281114F-BCAB-45E3-80D9-A6CD64D4E636 at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key 44533FCB-F9FB-436A-8B6B-CF637B2D465A at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key 44B29DDD-CF7A-454A-A275-A322A398D93F at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key 4ED063C9-4A0B-4B44-A9DC-23AFF424A0D3 at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID. Key 82E74373-58AB-47EB-B0F0-A1D82BB8EB5C at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID. Key A4DE94DB-DF03-45A3-8A5D-D1B7464B242D at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key AA0F50A8-2618-4AE4-A779-9F7378555A8F at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key B2DB115C-8278-4947-9A07-57B53D1C4215 at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key B97FC455-DB33-431D-84DB-6F1514110BD5 at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key C67281E0-78F5-4E49-9FAE-4B1B2ADAF17B at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key D40753C7-8A59-4C1F-BE88-C300F4624D5B at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID. Key E72E9312-0367-4216-BFC7-21485FA8390B at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key EF5625A3-37AB-4BDB-9875-2A3D91CD0DFD at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID. Key EF5625A3-37AB-4BDB-9875-2A3D91CD0DFD at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects. Key F6CCB6C9-127E-44AE-8552-B94356F39FFE at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key FBC322D5-407E-4854-8C0B-555B951FD8E3 at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib. Key FFD25630-2734-4AE9-88E6-21BF6525F3FE at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key mysearchdial at HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware. Key mysearchdial at HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareInstallCore. Key mysearchdial at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE. Key mysearchdial at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREInstallCore. Value 3004627E-F8E9-4E8B-909D-316753CBA923 at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar.
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Disabling the Blur on Login Screen in Windows
You will notice the blurred background on the login screen right away when you start your Windows 10 computer that’s running the v1903 and up. This kind of blurred background is known as “Acrylic Blur Effect on Sign-in Screen”. This new feature delivers a beautiful experience to users by adding more focus to the login screen. However, no matter how nice this feature is and even if it only stays for less than a minute, not all users like it and if you’re one of these users, read on as this post will guide you in disabling the blurred background login screen in your Windows 10 computer. Disabling the blurred background in the login screen can be done in two methods. The first one is via the Registry Editor and the second one is via the Group Policy Editor. Before you proceed, make sure that you are using an admin account and you must create a System Restore point first. Once you have that covered, follow the options provided below.

Option 1 – Disable the Blurred background in the login screen via Registry Editor

  • First, tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “Regedit” in the field, and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • After that, navigate to this registry path: KEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsSystem
  • Next, right-click on any empty space in the right pane and create a new DWORD (32 bit) and name it as “DisableAcrylicBackgroundOnLogon”.
  • Once you’ve created the DWORD, double click on it and set its value to 1 to disable it and 0 to enable it.
  • After you make the necessary changes, restart your computer. You won’t now see the blurred background on the login screen.
Note: No matter what option you select to change the background, it will stay blurred when you click on the login button. At the time of writing, there is no way to disable this feature in the Personalization section so the Registry Editor will have to suffice for now.

Option 2 – Disable the Blurred background in the login screen via Group Policy Editor

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “gpedit.msc” in the field and tap Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
  • After that, navigate to this policy setting: Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesSystemLogon
  • From there, double click on the “Show clear logon background settings” and since its default value is “Not configured”, set it to “Disabled”. You will see the following description under this setting:
    • “This policy setting disables the acrylic blur effect on the logon background image.”
    • “If you enable this policy, the logon background image shows without blur.”
  • Now click on OK and then check the login screen.
Note: If you don’t configure or if you disable this policy, the logon background image adopts the acrylic blur effect. However, if it didn’t work, you have to restart your computer and then check.
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Fix Windows Update Error 0x80004005
As you know, Microsoft is consistent in pushing updates to its supported versions of the Windows operating systems in order to make it better and defend it from different kinds of vulnerabilities. And pushing billions of active Windows computers every now and then is really not an easy thing to do since it calls for a complex Windows Update delivery module. These complexities often give rise to various errors like the Windows Update error code 0x80004005. When you encounter this kind of Windows Update error, you will see the following error message on your screen:
“There were problems installing some updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help 0x80004005.”
This kind of Windows Update error occurs due to an issue while either installing or downloading an update. There are several ways you can fix the problem. You can try to replace the dpcdll.dll file, reset the Windows Update-related services, run the Windows Update troubleshooter or manually install the Windows Updates. For more details, check out the options given below.

Option 1 – Try to replace the DLL file with a trusted source

The first thing you can do is to replace the dpcdll.dll file with a trusted source.
  • First, you need to get the new dpcdll.dll file from another computer with preferably the same file version number as your computer.
  • After that, you need to boot your PC into Safe Mode and navigate to the paths listed below and then replace the file using a USB drive or other external storage devices.
    • For x86: This PC > C:/Windows/System32
    • For x64: This PC > C:/Windows/SysWOW64
  • Next, type “cmd” in the Cortana search box and right-click on Command Prompt, and select “Run as administrator” to open it with administrator privileges.
  • Now type the “regsvr32 dpcdll.dll” command and hit Enter.
  • Restart your PC and check if the error is now fixed.

Option 2 – Try to reset the Windows Update components

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

Option 3 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

You might also want to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing Windows Update error 0x80004005. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.

Option 4 – Try downloading and installing the Windows Updates manually

Windows Update Error 0x80004005 might be due to a Windows Update that has failed. So if it is not a feature update and only a cumulative update, you can download the Windows Update and install it manually. But first, you need to find out which update has failed, and to do so, refer to the following steps:
  • Go to Settings and from there go to Update and Security > View Update History.
  • Next, check which particular update has failed. Note that Updates that have failed to install will be displayed under the Status column which has a label of “Failed”.
  • After that, go to the Microsoft Download Center and look for that update using its KB number and once you find it, download and then install it manually.
Note: You can also use the Microsoft Update Catalog, a service from Microsoft that provides a list of software updates that can be distributed over a corporate network. With the help of this service, it can be easier for you to find Microsoft software updates, drivers as well as fixes.
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How to Fix Windows 10 Update Error Code 80004002

Error Code 80004002 - What is it?

Error code 80004002 will be encountered when there are absent registry keys. These missing registry keys will hinder an update process when initiated. However, this error code can be averted once the user makes a reinstall of the Windows Update Client. The steps will be highlighted throughout the article.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error code 80004002 might occur for various valid reasons. In cases of installing programs, a user might mistakenly install a new program over another, that was not properly (completely) uninstalled. This could cause a stack-up of registry keys and error messages. Additionally, error code 80004002 might be a consequence of malware, viruses, and adware.

Further Information and Manual Repair

If left unchecked, error code 80004002 could amount to system freezes and crashes, slow computer performance, error codes upon installation, and even blue screen errors. To fix this error code, you might want to attempt one or all the methods below. This is due to the fact that the problem might stem from various reasons.

Method 1: Safe Mode

Ensure to boot your computer in safe mode. This is to ensure that you are properly able to troubleshoot Windows update error code 80004002. To load your computer in safe mode, turn on the computer, press F8 before it fully loads to the ‘sign in’ screen.

Method 2: Update Outdated Drivers

One of the many reasons why you’ll encounter error code 80004002 is in light of the fact that your drivers might have been outdated. To check if your driver is outdated, Right click on the Start menu, select the Device Manager option. From there, you’ll be able to tell which device(s) is corrupted and needs updating.

Method 3: Reinstall Windows Update Client

To perform this process, follow the steps below:
  1. Locate “My Computer” or “This PC” on your device.
  2. Select the “Properties” option.
  3. Under the System option, determine whether your System type is 64-bit or 32-bit version of Windows.
  4. Use the links below to install the Windows Update client:

Click for 32-bit Operating System

Click for 64-bit Operating System

  1. After installation, search for Windows Update from the Search option.
  2. Select the Check for Updates option.
  3. Once any updates are found, hit Install Updates.

Method 4: Use An Automated Tool

If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 10 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.
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"Stop Running This Script" Error - How to Fix It

Stop Running This Script Error - What is it?

"Stop Running This Script" Error is a Windows Internet Explorer error message that is displayed in the following format with a yes and a no button:
Stop running this script?
A Script on this page is causing your web browser to run slowly.  If it continues to run, your computer might become unresponsive. This occurs when some scripts take an excessive amount of time to run. To be precise, there are some websites that use JavaScript, JQuery, and Active X scripts to run. These scripts are notorious for taking too much time to run. So, if you use the Internet Explorer as your web browser, then by default if the website takes a long time to load, the ‘Stop running this script error will be triggered. Other than this, if you are scripting an Active X control on the web page to transfer a very heavy file or run a huge database query, this may cause delays and lead to the error display. However, if you use Firefox, then the ‘Stop running this script error code will be promoted as ‘Unresponsive Script’ error.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

The ‘Stop running this script error code’ is triggered due to multiple reasons. These include:
  • Webpage programming errors
  • Running a pop-up killer
  • Spyware and viral infection
  • Active X control errors

Further Information and Manual Repair

Here are some of the best methods that you can try to resolve Internet Explorer’s ‘stop running this script error’ on your PC:

1. Change the Internet Explorer Settings

This can be done by opening Internet Explorer and in the top menu, click on Tools, and then go to Internet Options. Now click on the Advanced Tab option. Locate where it says ‘Disable Script Debugging’. Once you find it uncheck the box beside it. Now close the browser and restart your PC. Access the same website on your IE web browser and see if the website opens. If it does, then the error is resolved. However, if it doesn’t, then you the underlying causes for the stop running this script error message could either be spyware or ActiveX control error.

2. Download Restoro

Whether the error occurs due to spyware invasion of Active X control error, it is advisable to download Restoro on your PC. This is a next-generation, innovative, and multi-functional PC repair tool that has several powerful utilities deployed together in one program. Plus you don’t have to get into the technicalities of resolving Active X control issues. Restoro is safe, bug-free, and efficient. It has a user-friendly interface and simple navigation which makes it quite easy for all levels of users to operate. It is compatible with all Windows versions including Windows 7, 8, XP, Vista, 8.1, and 10. This PC repair tool is a one-stop solution for all your script error repair needs. It includes the following utilities: a registry cleaner, a system stability detector, and an ActiveX control error scanner. It simultaneously scans for ActiveX control errors too. So, if the IE script error is triggered by ActiveX control issues, it resolves them too. To fix the ‘stop running this script’ error code on your PC, click here to download Restoro
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HDMI Port not working properly in a Windows PC
HDMI which stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface is an audio/video interface that can be used to interconnect various multimedia devices. One of the common use for HDMI is when a CPU is connected to a monitor and a projector. Aside from that, it can also be used in connecting Blu-ray players and laptops to televisions as well as monitors. One of the main advantages of using HDMI is that it can transmit both audio and video at high qualities such as 4K using only a single connection. However, you may also experience some issues in using it every now and then and one of them is when you find that after connecting the devices using the HDMI port, the screen appears to be black and there is no audio output. In such cases, there are a variety of hardware malfunctions that could be causing the problem with the HDMI connectivity. Although there a lot of potential causes, there are also potential fixes you can try to fix the problem. Before you troubleshoot the HDMI Port problem, you might want to perform System Restore first as it might help you in fixing the problem. It could be that you’ve made some changes in some of the settings in your computer that triggered the problem. Thus, you can try run System Restore to undo them, refer to these steps:
  • First, press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
  • Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
  • After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the Stop error is fixed or not.
If the problem still persists after System Restore, then follow the given options below to further troubleshoot the problem.

Option 1 – Try to physically check the hardware of your computer

The first thing you can do is to check the physical status of the hardware in your computer. You can clean the dust off the hardware components like the Network Card or Graphics Card of the computer. You might want to use a small blower or you could also use a soft cloth and run the components gently. Make sure that you don’t damage any parts with moisture or cause harm to any circuits while you carry out this task.

Option 2 – Run the Video Playback troubleshooter

You might also want to run the Video Playback troubleshooter. To do so, refer to these steps:
  • First, open the Windows settings app.
  • Then navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • From there, scroll down until you see the Video Playback section and click on it.
  • After that, you’ll see the Run the troubleshooter button, click on it to run the Video Playback troubleshooter, and follow the next on-screen instructions.
On other hand, you can also run the Hardware and Device troubleshooter if the Video Playback troubleshooter wasn’t able to fix the problem. You can run it from the same page that you run the Video Playback troubleshooter.

Option 3 – Try to rollback, update, or disable the Graphics card drivers

To fix the problem with the HDMI port, you can either roll back, update or disable them depending on your preference in order to resolve the problem.
  • First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
  • After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
  • After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters. Note that the rollback option is only available if the update was recent. So if it isn’t there, just click on the Update Driver option.
  • From there, Windows will automatically check for problems and update the Graphics card drivers.
  • Now restart your computer.
  • After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.
Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it.

Option 4 – Try to reset the Monitor

You could also try resetting the monitor or television using its hardware keys and see if it can resolve the problem. You can just refer to your TV or monitor’s guide for more information on how to reset them.

Option 5 – Try some miscellaneous fixes

Apart from the four given options above, you can also check out some miscellaneous fixes to fix the HDMI connectivity issue and here they are:
  • You can try to plug out the HDMI cord/cable from both source and destination and then plug it back in after a couple of minutes.
  • You can also check if the HDMI cable you are using is still in working condition.
  • You can also try to change the source and the destination of the video and see if either one of them is in a non-workable state.
  • Try checking if your settings are how they should be as intended in the “Project my screen” option by tapping the Win + P key combination on your keyboard.
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How to Resolve Error Code 0x80070422 on Windows 10

Error Code 0x80070422

Error code 0x80070422 is a Windows-based error code occurring in various versions of Windows including Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. It usually occurs when users attempt to update Windows. A message box will appear stating that the error code has occurred.  Users will notice the following common symptoms:

  • Inability to complete Windows updates
  • Error message occurring during use of Windows Update service

The error code, if left unresolved, can cause serious problems for PC users as they will be unable to access the latest updates to the Windows operating system. Such a situation can expose their system to vulnerabilities. Thus, fixing Windows 10 error code is of utmost importance.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Among the many reasons Error code 0x80070422  is encountered includes:

  • Corrupted or missing registry and DLL files
  • Badly or poorly installed software. The software could also be infected by a virus or Trojan
  • Outdated or poorly installed drivers

Further Information and Manual Repair

Fixing Windows-based error codes can be a simple process. However, in some cases, it requires specialized skills. In the case of Windows 10 error code 0x80070422 consider the two (2) main solutions available through manual repair. You may also need to consider help from a certified Windows repair technician or the use of an automated tool if you are not confident you have the skills to perform the solutions below.

Method 1: Check if Windows Update is Running Properly

One of the main reasons for error code 0x80070422 is a Windows Update service that is not running on the right settings. To verify if an issue with your Windows Update service is the source of the problem applies the following steps:

  1. Type “Windows Update” in the search bar near the Windows home button.
  2. Select “Windows Update settings” when this option appears. (You may also click the home button, then “Settings” followed by “Update and Security”.)
  3. Select “Advanced Options”
  4. (You will be given an option to choose how updates are installed.) Select Automatic.
  5. Save settings and restart the computer.

Once these settings are in place Windows will be able to download updates automatically. This enables your machine to run more smoothly. However, if after applying the steps above, Windows 10 error code 0x80070422 is not resolved, you may proceed to solution two (2).

Method 2: Disable Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)

IPv6 is the latest or most current version of Internet Protocol (IP). This provides your machine with an IP address, a crucial aspect of all communications related to the Internet. By disabling this IP some users have been able to successfully resolve Windows 10 error code 0x80070422.

Like many tasks involving Windows, there are more than one ways in which you can attempt to disable IPv6. These require different types of skills and must be approached with care, as mistakes can lead to serious issues with your machine. Methods include using Command Prompt, Registry Editor, or Control Panel.

If your experience with Windows 10 is quite limited and you are not certain of your skills choose the simplest approach as listed below.

  1. Select Control Panel.
  2. Choose “Network and Internet”, then “Network and Sharing Center”.
  3. Right-click your Internet Connection. The name of your connection will be listed underneath the heading – “View your basic network connection and set up connections”.
  4. Select “Properties” then uncheck Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)
  5. Save settings by clicking OK.
  6. Restart the computer and check if the 0x80070422 error code has been corrected.

Method 3: Using An Automated Tool

If the issue persists despite following the solutions above, the best step to take is to use an automated tool. This may not be your preferred course of action, especially since it can be difficult to ascertain the safety of certain tools found online. For this reason, choose a reputable source offering automated tools which are designed to specifically fix Windows 10 error code including error code 0x80070422.

Download and install a powerful automated tool to access the best Windows 10 error code solutions. The process is simple and includes clear instructions which enable even average Windows users to completely resolve complicated errors on their machine.

How to Stop Future Error Codes from Occurring

Though it is hard to predict when an error code will occur, each Windows 10 user can take precautionary steps to prevent other errors from occurring. This includes the following:

  • Ensure you download software from reputable sources to avoid viruses and other forms of malware.
  • Clean your registry often. The registry stores settings across all applications. Regular cleaning will your machine function more efficiently as it reduces the likelihood of issues such as crashes or system errors.
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