How to Fix Htmlayout.dll Error

DuckDuckGo has risen in the public eye as a private search engine offering searches without tracking. A less known fact about DuckDuckGo is that they have their own browser, well they have it for the Android platform and it was stated that it is coming for desktops soon.

People were excited for this new browser for a few reasons, one of them being privacy and another that it is built from scratch, not using existing chromium runtime that assured users that privacy is the main focus. Still, lately, things got a little out of control. Duckduckgo is under fire from users since a security researcher has discovered that there is an exception for Microsoft trackers inside Browser.

The main feature of their browser is that it blocks tracking scripts and most online advertising with the goal of preventing servers from collecting data about your online behavior. Of course, tracking protection is never 100% effective since it requires a lot of manual labor from people to add sites and links to blocklists but it was discovered that DuckDuckGo has a defined exception in the browser for Microsoft owned ad networks and tracking scripts giving them free pass even when they are related to privacy compromisation.

Zach Edwards first pointed out the exception in a series of tweets, after noticing DuckDuckGo on iPhone and Android wasn’t blocking LinkedIn and Bing advertisements on Facebook’s Workplace site.

You can capture data within the DuckDuckGo so-called private browser on a website like Facebook's https://t.co/u8W44qvsqF and you'll see that DDG does NOT stop data flows to Microsoft's Linkedin domains or their Bing advertising domains.

iOS + Android proof:
👀🫥😮‍💨🤡⛈️⚖️💸💸💸 pic.twitter.com/u3Q30KIs7e

— ℨ𝔞𝔠𝔥 𝔈𝔡𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔡𝔰 (@thezedwards) May 23, 2022

DuckDuckGo’s CEO and founder, Gabriel Weinberg, replied with his own series of tweets.

Most of our other protections also apply to MSFT-owned properties as well. This is just about non-DuckDuckGo and non-Microsoft sites, where our search syndication agreement prevents us from stopping Microsoft-owned scripts from loading, though we can still apply protections post-load (like 3rd party cookie blocking). We are also working to change that.

DuckDuckGo says it uses over 400 sources for search engine results, including the company’s own web crawler, but typical link results are sourced most commonly from Bing. According to Weinberg, DuckDuckGo’s ability to use Bing search results depends on a carved-out exception for Microsoft’s ads in the mobile browser. A representative from DuckDuckGo told that third-party cookies from Microsoft services are still blocked.

Of course, the main aim and campaign of DUckDuckGo's rise was private search and private browsing so this kind of news did not go well among long supporters. The latest statement from them is as follows:

We have always been extremely careful to never promise anonymity when browsing, because that frankly isn’t possible given how quickly trackers change how they work to evade protections and the tools we currently offer. When most other browsers on the market talk about tracking protection, they are usually referring to 3rd-party cookie protection and fingerprinting protection, and our browsers for iOS, Android, and our new Mac beta, impose these restrictions on third-party tracking scripts, including those from Microsoft.

What we’re talking about here is an above-and-beyond protection that most browsers don’t even attempt to do — that is, blocking third-party tracking scripts before they load on 3rd party websites. Because we’re doing this where we can, users are still getting significantly more privacy protection with DuckDuckGo than they would using Safari, Firefox and other browsers. This blog post we published gets into the real benefits users enjoy from this approach, like faster load times (46% average decrease) and less data transferred (34% average decrease). Our goal has always been to provide the most privacy we can in one download, by default without any complicated settings.

Google Chrome 94 is here and it has introduced a controversial idle detection API. For those people that do not know what idle detection API is, well basically Chrome can be asked by a website to report when a user of the site has a site open and is idle on the device. The issue that people have with this is that this particular feature can be used to report when the user is not using a computer at all. Good thing is that website or web application will prompt you to allow it to use this feature like when a site/application wants to use your microphone or web camera. Developers are on board with this feature since it can provide them with more telemetric data on how users are interacting with their website/application but there are some that are strongly voicing against this. Tantek Çelik, Mozilla Standards Lead, commented on GitHub, saying:

As it is currently specified, I consider the Idle Detection API too tempting of an opportunity for surveillance capitalism motivated websites to invade an aspect of the user’s physical privacy, keep long-term records of physical user behaviors, discerning daily rhythms (e.g. lunchtime), and using that for proactive psychological manipulation (e.g. hunger, emotion, choice)… Thus I propose labeling this API harmful and encourage further incubation, perhaps reconsidering simpler, less-invasive alternative approaches to solve the motivating use-cases.

Others who have spoken against this feature are people from the WebKit development team inside Apple. Ryosuke Niwa, an Apple software engineer who works on WebKit said:

That doesn’t seem like a strong enough use case for this API. For starters, there is no guarantee that the user won’t immediately come back to the device. Also, who is such a service supposed to know what another device user might be using at any given point? We’re definitely not going to let a website know all the devices a given user might be using at any given point. That’s a very serious breach of the said user’s privacy. It seems to me that such a suppression/distribution mechanism is best left for the underlying operating systems/web browsers to handle.

Of course, technology itself as always can be used for good or for bad and time will tell if this feature has brought good stuff or it has paved another brick in surveillance and privacy manipulation. As said for now option will prompt for agreement and let's hope that it will be used for good causes from this day into the future.

Having any kind of hardware malfunction is not a pleasant place to be. Even a minor malfunction like a broken key on a keyword can introduce certain bad feelings, frustration, and difficulty in working. So, what are your options when the dreaded key on the keyboard breaks? From my point of view, there are three options that could be accomplished in order to continue working.

1. Replace broken keyboard with the new one

   Yes, the best and most expensive solution, just bite the bullet and buy a new working one.

2. Replace key with another key

   So you broke some key, if you can replace it with another key which you do not use, this option will work only tho if the broken key is not Space bar, enter or similar with specific shape and size.

3. Remap key

   use Windows power tools to remap key function to another working key

There you go, three options to continue working with a broken key on the keyboard.

What is the Registry Error Code 19?

Code 19 is a Windows PC error code that indicates a damaged or corrupt registry. This code usually appears when trying to start a connected device, the DVD/ CD ROM drive. Code 19 is a type of Device Manager Error code. When you experience Code 19, the error message is displayed on your Windows screen in either of the following formats:

"Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. To fix this problem you should uninstall and then reinstall the hardware device. (Code 19)"

"Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. To fix this problem you can first try running a Troubleshooting Wizard. If that does not work, you should uninstall and then reinstall the hardware device. (Code 19)"

You might encounter other error messages such as error code 42.

Error Causes

Typically the underlying cause of this error code is problems in the registry. The error should be fixed timely without any delays before the damage sets in. Registry issues are critical PC errors. If not resolved it can lead to system freeze, crash, and failure. You are most likely to lose all your important data.

Further Information and Manual Repair

If you have come across this error on your computer, you don’t need to panic. Though this is a serious issue the good news is that it is easy to resolve. You don’t have to be a computer programmer, technically sound or hire a technician to fix the error on your system. Here are a couple of ways to work your way out of this problem:

1. Uninstall and then Reinstall the  DVD/CD ROM Drive

For this here’s what you need to do: simply click on the start menu, and type Device Manager in the search box, and press enter. When the device manager window opens locate the DVD/CD ROM drives. Click on the + sign to expand it. Now right click on the DVD drive click uninstall. After doing this, restart your PC. On the restart, Windows should automatically detect and reinstall the DVD driver. Once the driver installation is complete now see if the DVD drive works. If the error still appears, then you need to repair the registry by deleting the corrupt registry entries. You can download drivers automatically by using a tool such as Restoro.

2. Trouble Shooting Method to Delete the Corrupt Registry Entries

To remove the corrupt registry entries, go to Start and select Run. Type ‘Regedit and press enter to open the registry editor windows. To continue you may be asked to enter the administrator password, insert it to proceed. Now the registry window will be displayed. Here locate the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, then navigate to the following sub registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlClass{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} Here you will see the upper filters registry entry in the right pane. Right-click on the upper filter and select delete. You will be prompted for the confirmation for deletion. Click on the yes tab to confirm. Exit the editor and restart your computer. If you are not technically sound, this may be a little confusing for you, and besides it does not guarantee to resolve all the registry issues on your PC so chances are that Code 19 error may reappear in a short time. To resolve registry issues for the longest time and ensure that errors like Code 19 don’t pop up every now and then, you need to perform proper and in-depth registry cleaning. For this, it is advisable to download Restoro.

Error Code 32 - What is it?

Code 32, a Device Manager error, pops up when a device driver and other required services related to the driver are disabled.

The error code 32 is usually displayed in the following format:

“A driver (service) for this device has been disabled. An alternate driver may be providing this functionality. Code 32”

When a driver experiences a problem, it is reported to the Device Manager. Though error Code 32 does not cause detrimental damage to your system, it can cause the loss of functionality of the hardware device whose driver is disabled.

Solution

Error Causes

Error 32 may be generated due to several reasons. However, the most common causes include:

• The device driver is outdated
• The device is not configured as the default
• Some other device is providing default functionality
• The device driver is disabled in the registry
• Corruption of registry values in the CD ROM Drive Class registry key

Further Information and Manual Repair

If you come across error code 32 on your PC, then repair it immediately to ensure optimum PC performance. To resolve this error code, try the methods listed below. If you are not a computer programmer, don’t worry!

The listed solutions are easy to perform, require no technical background or expertise and more importantly, these solutions are very effective.

Simply follow the instructions to repair error code 32 on your system in just a few minutes.

Method 1 - Reboot Your PC

Sometimes Device Manager error codes may appear due to temporary issues, which may be resolved simply by rebooting your system. If you are lucky, this might actually work.

By restarting your PC, you might be able to get rid of error code 32. However, if the error still persists, then try other methods given below.

Method 2 - Uninstall and Reinstall the Driver

To resolve error code 32, uninstall and then reinstall the driver. To uninstall the driver, simply follow these steps:

1. Go to the start menu
2. Type Device Manager in the search bar and then press enter
3. Now in the Device Manager, find and then double-click the category of device that you wish to uninstall, for example, click on the Display Adapter to uninstall the graphics card.
4. Once you have located the device and the driver you wish to uninstall, simply right click on it and then click ‘uninstall’
5. Windows will prompt you to confirm device removal changes.
6. Click OK to confirm and proceed.
7. After that, simply restart your system to activate changes
8. To reinstall, go to the control panel and choose Add/Remove Hardware and add a new device.  Follow all prompts to reinstall the device.

Method 3 - Delete Both the Upper Filters and Lower Filters Registry Values

As discussed above, sometimes error code 32 may be triggered due to corruption of registry values.

If this is the underlying cause, then delete both the upper filters and lower filters registry values from the registry. This will take about 5 to 7 minutes. Here’s what you have to do:

1. Go to the start menu
2. Type Regedit in the search box and then press enter
3. Now locate the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder under  ‘My Computer’
4. Click the |> or (+) icon next to the folder name to expand
5. Here you will see a long list of subkeys
6. Locate the correct class GUID for the problematic device
7. Now click the registry subkey that corresponds to the device class GUID
8. Locate the Upper Filters and Lower Filter values and delete
9. Close the registry editor
10. Restart your PC to activate changes

This will hopefully resolve error code 32 on your system if the error was generated due to registry value corruption. However, if the error continues to appear, then resort to method 4.

Method 4 - Update the Problematic Driver

Locate the problematic drivers and update them with the latest versions. This procedure is effective but time-consuming if performed manually.

It takes several minutes to identify problematic drivers and find the latest and compatible versions for each driver on the manufacturers’ website. And besides, you will have to perform updates continuously to ensure the error doesn’t occur again.

Method 5 - Download DriverFIX to Update Drivers Automatically

To avoid the hassle, download DriverFIX.

This is a cutting-edge and user-friendly software program embedded with intelligent system programming and intuitive technology that identifies problematic drivers and updates them with the latest and compatible driver versions in seconds, automatically and on a regular basis.

By installing it on your PC, you can update all the drivers and repair code 32 in no time.

Click here to download DriverFIX to resolve Device Manager error code 32 today!

Can graphic cards wear out over a longer period of time? Recent studies and experience from crypto miners say no but they can die due to different reasons like improper use, low cleaning habits, factory mistakes, etc. Many gamers and people who use GPU intense applications tend to think that some glitches and hiccups in the software are a sign that graphic card is dying out and that it is time to be replaced. Altho this could be true in many cases these kinds of behavior are mostly due to old drivers and software issues. Older cards can produce these kinds of results due to their old age and new software is often more demanding than these cards can handle. So in order to diagnose and be sure that your GPU is indeed dying out lookout for these signs.

The Main Signs of a Dying GPU:

The Computer Crashes and Won’t Reboot

If your computer shutdown while working in the graphic application or while playing the game and the monitor loses signal there is a high chance the graphic card is soon going to be gone. Some motherboards have hardware detection failure and can signal immediate fail. If when turning your computer ON you are greeted with a blue screen with the message that the signal can not be found or you do not have picture at all it is most likely that GPU has failed.

Graphic Glitches While Playing Games

If you are playing the game and all of sudden you get off-color pixels, screen flickering, strange graphic behaviors, random artifacts, or similar and that keeps repeating in multiple games it is likely that GPU days are coming to an end.

Abnormal Fan Noise or Performance

Fans are an essential part of cooling the GPU and over time if they are intensively used they could wear out and need replacing. If however you have not noticed and have not replaced the fans card can sustain overheating damage. Many cards have cooling fans that are designed to spin at a higher RPM only when the GPU is under load. It prevents bearings in the fans from dying prematurely, so don’t worry if one of your fans is inactive while you are browsing the web. However, when you play games that utilize software that your card isn’t built to support, the bearings in the fans wear out faster. Once the fans stop working under load, the graphics card can quickly die.

How to Diagnose a Dying Graphics Card

Presented next are essential steps in order to recognize a dying graphic card.

Check Motherboard Error Codes

Many motherboards today completely shut down a component that is no longer working. If your graphics card has died completely, this may be one of the easiest ways to tell. If your motherboard doesn’t have display codes, you can try testing the card in a new system.

• Open the computer case: Use your screwdriver to remove screws on the side panel and gently slide it back.
• Locate the error code display on your motherboard: If you have a motherboard with error codes, they should appear near an outer corner.
• Try to reboot your computer: Record each error number you see after you boot your computer.
• Consult the motherboard manufacturer manual for error codes: Open the manual and locate the list for your error codes. If the code matches a graphics processing unit error, your video card could have died.

Check Hardware for Damage or Debris

A graphics card that has damage or debris on the physical parts might quickly overheat and kill the card.

• Remove the screws holding the GPU in place: There are typically one or two screws holding the card to a bracket on the case.
• Unhook the power cords from the GPU and pull the release tab: Remove the power cords from your GPU by pushing in their tabs and gently rocking them out. Once you remove each cord, gently push or pull up on the release tab near the motherboard.
• Inspect the GPU for damage/debris: Check the card for any dirt or debris buildup and clean it out with a Q-tip. You can replace broken fan pieces from the manufacturer.

Test Your GPU Under Load

Download GPU stress-testing and heat-monitoring software.

• With the card installed, run a stress test.
• As you are running the stress test, run heat-monitoring software: With the stress test running, check your heat-monitoring software for GPU overheating. Any reading over 80 degrees Celsius is too hot.
• Check device manager for outdated drivers: If your GPU is clean, but still running too hot, your software drivers are not installed correctly. To check, type in “device manager” at the bottom of your desktop and click on Device Manager. Find your display adapter and right-click on it to see if it’s working. If your drivers are not working correctly, it is indicated here usually. However, the driver may appear to be functioning even if it says otherwise in the properties.

Keep your graphic card drivers updated

When you don’t have the right driver installed, graphics cards can quickly burn up, and their cooling components may fail faster. That’s why you should always keep drivers updated for each new game you install or play. Older games may also release new software patches, so your GPU drivers should be updated accordingly.

What is PyLocky ransomware? And how does it execute its attack?

PyLocky ransomware is a file-locking malware created in order to lock important files and demand ransom from victims in exchange for data recovery. This new ransomware uses the .lockymap extension in marking the files it encrypts. It starts to execute its attack by dropping the following malicious payload in the system:

Name: facture_4739149_08.26.2018.exe SHA256:8655f8599b0892d55efc13fea404b520858d01812251b1d25dcf0afb4684dce9 Size: 5.3 MB

After dropping its malicious payload, this crypto-malware connects the infected computer to a remote server where it downloads more malicious files and places them on system folders. It then applies a data gathering module used to gather data about the user and the computer. The malicious files that were downloaded earlier along with the data obtained are used for another module called stealth protection. This allows PyLocky ransomware to execute its attack without detection from any security or antivirus programs installed in the system. It also modifies some registry keys and entries in the Windows Registry such as:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop
• HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelDesktop
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
• HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce
• HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce

Once all the modifications are carried out, PyLocky ransomware will begin encrypting its targeted files using a sophisticated encryption cipher. Following the encryption, it adds the .lockymap extension to each one of the encrypted files and releases a ransom note named “LOCKY-README.txt” which contains the following content:

“Please be advised: All your files, pictures document and data has been encrypted with Military Grade Encryption RSA ABS-256. Your information is not lost. But Encrypted. In order for you to restore your files, you have to purchase a Decrypter. Follow these steps to restore your files. 1* Download the Tor Browser. ( Just type in google “Download Tor“ 2‘ Browse to URL: http://4wcgqlckaazungm.onion/index.php 3* Purchase the Decryptor to restore your files. It is very simple. If you don’t believe that we can restore your files, then you can restore 1 file of image format for free. Be aware the time is ticking. Price will be doubled every 96 hours so use it wisely. Your unique ID : CAUTION: Please do not try to modify or delete any encrypted file as it will be hard to restore it. SUPPORT: You can contact support to help decrypt your files for you. Click on support at http://4wcgqlckaazungm.onion/index.php”

How does PyLocky ransomware spread over the web?

PyLocky ransomware spreads using malicious spam email campaigns. Creators of this threat embed an infected attachment to spam emails and send them using a spambot. Crooks may even use deceptive tactics to trick you into opening the malware-laden immediately which is something you must not do. Thus, before opening any emails, make sure that you’ve thoroughly checked them. To successfully obliterate PyLocky ransomware from your computer, refer to the removal guide laid out below.

• Step 1: Launch the Task Manager by simply tapping Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard.
• Step 2: Under the Task Manager, go to the Processes tab and look for the process named facture_4739149_08.26.2018.exe and any suspicious-looking process which takes up most of your CPU’s resources and is most likely related to PyLocky ransomware.
• Step 3: After that, close the Task Manager.
• Step 4: Tap Win + R, type in appwiz.cpl and click OK or tap Enter to open Control Panel’s list of installed programs.
• Step 5: Under the list of installed programs, look for PyLocky ransomware or anything similar, and then uninstall it.
• Step 6: Next, close the Control Panel and tap Win + E keys to launch File Explorer.
• Step 7: Navigate to the following locations below and look for PyLocky ransomware’s malicious components such as facture_4739149_08.26.2018.exe and LOCKY-README.txt as well as other suspicious files, then delete all of them.

%TEMP% %WINDIR%System32Tasks %APPDATA%MicrosoftWindowsTemplates %USERPROFILE%Downloads %USERPROFILE%Desktop

• Step 8: Close the File Explorer.
• Step 9: Tap Win + R to open Run and then type in Regedit in the field and tap enter to pull up Windows Registry.
• Step 10: Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelDesktop HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce

• Step 11: Delete the registry keys and sub-keys created by PyLocky ransomware.
• Step 12: Close the Registry Editor and empty the Recycle Bin.

Try to recover your encrypted files using the Shadow Volume copies Restoring your encrypted files using Windows Previous Versions feature will only be effective if PyLocky ransomware hasn’t deleted the shadow copies of your files. But still, this is one of the best and free methods there is, so it’s definitely worth a shot. To restore the encrypted file, right-click on it and select Properties, a new window will pop up, then proceed to Previous Versions. It will load the file’s previous version before it was modified. After it loads, select any of the previous versions displayed on the list like the one in the illustration below. And then click the Restore button.

What is 0x80070002 Error Code?

0x80070002 error message triggers Windows update problems. This error code pop prevents you from successfully updating Windows operating system and its installed components. Windows update is necessary to keep the system up to date and efficient. It also helps you close security holes in your system and prevents your system from being infected by viruses or hacked.

Solution

Error Causes for 0x80070002

This error code pops up on the screen and results in an unsuccessful Windows update, when either your system has wrong date/time settings or when Windows update temporary folder is corrupted. The latter cause is the one to be worried about as it usually results from malware, viral infection, and registry corruption and damage. If this error code is not fixed timely it can lead to system crash and failure too.

Further Information and Manual Repair of 0x80070002

The best way to fix the 0x80070002 Windows update error code is to download Restoro on your system. Restoro is a new, powerful, intuitive, and cutting-edge PC fixer that serves as both a registry cleaner and a system optimizer. It is integrated with multiple performance-boosting and highly functional utilities. With this helper, you can resolve the maximum number and types of PC issues in a few seconds. This tool spares you from the hassle of finding and detecting the underlying cause of the error 0x80070002. Its intuitive built-in technology automatically detects and identifies the error and its causes and repairs it right away. Restoro includes utilities like registry cleaner, privacy issue detector, Active X and Class cleaner, and system stability scanner. The registry cleaner feature assists users to clean up registry clutter. This includes clearing junk files, temporary files, and invalid registry entries which take up all the disk space causing the registry to get corrupted and hampering Windows updates. It repairs the corrupt registry in no time allowing you to perform successful Windows updates.

Restoro Privacy Features

Nonetheless, if the error 0x80070002 occurs due to malware, Restoro will scan and repair it too. Its advanced privacy error anti-virus built-in feature scans for all types of malware, spyware, and viruses quickly and removes them from your PC. This ensures that your PC remains safe from malicious malware that can cause unsuccessful Windows updates and error codes like 0x80070002. Restoro is compatible with all Windows versions. It has a sophisticated and easy-to-use layout making it easier for users of all levels to use it without any complexity or hassle. It is safe and efficient.  It also helps boost the speed of your PC thus lowering boot time tremendously. For user safety, Restoro advises users to create backup files. This helps retrieve valuable data and files in the event of data loss during repair which rarely happens; but in case it does, you don’t have to suffer from a big loss.

Get Restoro

To get started, all you have to do is download and install Restoro on your system. After downloading, run it on your PC for a scan. Once the scanning is complete, a comprehensive scan report will be displayed on your screen showing you the errors affecting your system including 0x80070002 errors that you’ve been experiencing when performing Windows updates. To resolve issues on your PC right away, simply click on repair.  This will repair the error 0x80070002 issues on your PC in seconds. After your PC is repaired, you can then perform a Windows update again. It will be executed successfully. Click here to download Restoro today!

Error Code 0x8024002e - What is it?

Windows 10 error code 0x8024002e is related to the Windows update service. When you see the error code displayed on your screen, it means that the Windows update service has been blocked or not working. As a result of this error code, your computer might lag and the system may freeze while performing normal operations. The error may read as follows:

“There were some problems installing 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: (0x8024002e)”.

Common symptoms include:

• Slow computer performance
• System freezes while performing normal operations or freezes while multitasking
• BSOD error is showing
• Some unwanted files get opened automatically
• Updating is not possible

Solution

Error Causes

This error code appears because of the following reasons:

• Incomplete installation of the Windows operating system
• Incorrect registry entry
• Corrupt or damaged system files
• The computer has come under a virus attack
• Miscommunication between the computer and the Windows Automatic Update service

The decline in RAM or outdated Hard Disk Drive

Further Information and Manual Repair

Method 1:

• Remove any external media connected to the computer
• Crash reboot your PC 2 to 3 times.
• Now check if you are still having the problem.

If the problem still persists, try the following methods if you are able to boot to the desktop and check for the problem.

Method 2:

Changing Windows Update property to automatic: You might see this error if your Windows update property is set to manual. Follow the steps below to change it to automatic. Open Task Manager.

1. Click on the Services tab. Find “Open Services” at the bottom of the window.
2. A new window will pop up. Scroll down and find “Windows Update” from the list. Double click on the Windows Update. It will open its properties.
3. Select Automatic for ‘Startup Type.’ Click Apply, Start, and OK.

Now, try the Windows Update and check if you are still getting the error message. If the problem isn’t resolved, reboot your PC for the changes to take effect and then try again.

Method 3:

Disable Antivirus program: If you have any antivirus installed on your PC, you might need to disable it first and see if that helps. Although, most of the antivirus makers have made changes to work smoothly with Windows 10, it is a new Operating System and some antivirus may cause conflict. Disable the antivirus and check for updates to see if it is preventing you from updating your system and displaying the error code 0x8024002e.

Method 4:

Run inbuilt Windows update troubleshooter. Follow the steps given below:

1. Press Windows + W keys on your keyboard to enable the search option.
2. In the Search box type Troubleshooting.
3. Click on View all
4. Click on Windows update and follow the prompts to run the troubleshooter.

If the issue persists, try Method 5

Method 5:

Run the System File Checker tool (sfc.exe):

1. Open Command prompt.
2. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
3. The sfc /scannow will scan all protected system files and replace corrupted files with a cached copy that is located in a compressed folder at %WinDir%System32dllcache. The %WinDir% has the Windows Operating System folder. For example, C:\Windows.

Do not close the Command prompt window until the verification is 100% complete. The command prompt will show the scan results when it is done. After it is done, you may receive one of the following messages:

“Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.” This means you do not have any missing or damaged system files.

OR you may receive a message saying:

“Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation.”

To resolve this problem, run the System File Checker in safe mode and make sure that the PendingDeletes and PendingRenames folders exist under %WinDir%WinSxSTemp.

OR you may also receive a message saying, “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them. Details are included in the CBS.Log%WinDir%LogsCBSCBS.log.” OR you may receive a message saying, “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. Details are included in the CBS.Log%WinDir%LogsCBSCBS.log.”

It is common to run multiple programs and applications at the same time and it’s important to be able to switch between them using their Taskbar icons or using the usual Alt + Tab shortcut. However, there are times when you might suddenly find that neither of the aforementioned methods worked and you will no longer be able to switch between programs in the Windows Taskbar. To fix this issue, refer to the options given in this post. For instance, when you have multiple instances of Microsoft Edge running and every time you press the Alt + Tab combo nothing happens so you are left with no choice but to minimize everything and then hover your mouse on the icon and switch between the instances of Edge. You will also notice that the right-click on the taskbar won’t respond back and will only keep on showing the loading circle icon. Here are a few tips you can follow to fix the issue with the Windows 10 Taskbar.

Option 1 – Try to restart the Windows Explorer

This is one of the basic things you can try as restarting Windows Explorer helps in refreshing the user interface and makes most of the things work in relation to the user interface.

• To get started, tap the Alt + Ctrl + Del keys to pull up the Windows Task Manager.
• After opening Task Manager, look for “explorer.exe” under the list of programs.
• Once you find the explorer.exe, right-click on it and click Restart.

Option 2 – Try changing the Foreground Lock Time

Aside from restarting Windows Explorer, you could also try changing the Foreground Lock Time to fix the issue with the Taskbar.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type in regedit in the field and tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• Next, go to this registry key – HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop
• Next, change the ForegroundLockTimeout value from200000 to 0. After that, it will make sure that no other application will take away the focus from your current program or application. It could be that some other application has taken away the focus and even when you try to actually switch, the focus gets back to the old one. Anyhow, since you already changed the value of ForegroundLockTimeout, it will ensure that the focus is not switched.

Note: If you are running some Full-Screen applications there are some devices especially the gaming ones, disable the Windows key to make sure that you won’t be able to switch. If this is the case, you need to make some modifications to the Full-Screen games.