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How to fix random Computer crashes

Computer crashes are one of the most annoying things that can happen to users. It often loses your data and work, you must spend extra time if you were in the middle of something and can even break Windows itself.

Computer without crashes working fineBefore we move to the article I just want to say that technically there are no random crashes, there is always a reason why the system hangs up, why you received blue screen, annoying restarts out of nowhere and many more PC crashes. In this article, we will explore many possible reasons why something may occur and offer you straight forward solution on how to escape the situation and prevent it from happening again.

Without further delay, let's begin:

  1. Check switch connectors and power outlets

    Yes, sometimes the most basic approach provides the best results, check to see if your power outlet is stable and providing you with constant voltage, if not, maybe you want to invest in a UPS system so you do not face random shutdowns and restarts during work, also while you are at it, check to see if that reset and power switch are connected properly and that they are not dirty or loose.

  2. Clean your PC and check connectors

    Dirt can cause many issues with computers, from overheating to shutdowns to blue screens and memory dumps, check to see if your computer is clean enough and that all connectors are connected tight into their respective sockets.

  3. Check the temperature of your CPU

    CPU overheating can cause so-called random freezes and blue screens, the computer might shut down or restart also without any visible reason. Check to see if your fan on the CPU is working properly and change the thermal paste if needed.

  4. Check the health of your hard drive

    If your hard drive is beginning to go down the path of dying out, many issues can come from this condition. There are many tools on the internet and in Windows itself to check if your hard drive is working properly.

  5. Run antivirus and firewall

    Random lock-ups or similar issues can also occur if by any chance you have some malware on your system, run protection software, and keep it updated to make sure the issue does not come from the computer being infected with malicious applications.

  6. Keep system clean

    Have a habit to clean regularly system files and registries, keep removing unnecessary files from your computer and regularly update your Windows and applications along with drivers.

  7. Run memory test

    Bad RAM bank can cause many issues during the work, check it out to be sure the problem is not RAM itself.

  8. Do not run applications that are too demanding for your system

    Some applications require stronger hardware, and some require the latest hardware, if your computer is a little outdated, running a demanding application can cause issues like freezing, restarts, etc.

  9. Remove applications you do not use

    This does not seem like anything important but if you are not using a specific application just remove it from the system, why? Sometimes an application has some ties to certain services and if it is outdated can cause issues for newer ones.

  10. Stop installing everything you find on the internet

    Yes, that extension for chrome looks cool, yes, that fancy new player seems sick but if it is from an unverified source and from the unknown publisher without any reviews maybe you are better off with it. You can never tell what you might be placing into your system from the internet.

And that's it, 10 reasons and solutions on what to do on random computer freezes, crashes, etc.

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Enable or disable Full-screen optimizations
In case you don’t know, there is a feature in Windows 10 computers that allows them to function a lot better. This feature is called Full-Screen optimization and it is enabled by default for several applications such as games and video players. If enabled, the Full-Screen optimization feature enhances the video playback and gaming by simply putting the CPU and GPU process as a priority. However, there are times when it can also result to a drop in the frame rate or FPS while in full-screen mode. And of course, the obvious solution to this dilemma is by disabling the Full-Screen optimization feature which is why Microsoft took action and removed this feature themselves in the recent Windows 10 Update releases. However, there is another way for you to enable it back or disable it yourself if you haven’t installed the recent updates yet and there are plenty of ways you can do both. All you have to do is follow the options given below carefully.

Option 1 – Try using Windows 10 Settings

If you haven’t installed the recent updates yet and all you have are the earlier releases, then this method would suit you.
  • Open the Windows 10 Settings app.
  • Next, navigate to System > Display > Graphics Settings or Advanced graphics settings.
  • From there, uncheck the “Enable Fullscreen optimization” option if you want to disable the feature, else just keep it checked.

Option 2 – Try using the Registry Editor

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Afterward, if a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, click on Yes.
  • Once the Registry Editor is pulled up, navigate to this registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSystemGameConfigStore
  • Next, right-click on Explorer and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and then name it to “GameDVR_DSEBehavior and tap Enter to save it.
  • Now double click on the newly created GameDVR_DSEBehavior DWORD and set its value to “2” if you want to disable it, or “0” if you want to enable it.
  • Once you entered the value, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.

Option 3 – Try running the application in Compatibility Mode

If the first two options didn’t work, the next thing you can do is to run the application in a Compatibility Mode. Follow the steps below to do so:
  • Go to the location of the application or game on which you need to disable or enable the Full-Screen optimization feature.
  • After that, right-click on it and select Properties.
  • Next, switch to the Compatibility tab where you can see the “Disable fullscreen optimization” option to disable the feature and vice versa.
  • Now click on the Apply and OK buttons to apply the changes made in the application’s settings.
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Fix Windows Error Code 0x80070017
If you suddenly encountered a Windows Error Code 0x80070017 during an Update, Installation or System Restore then it’s probably due to some missing or corrupted system files. This kind of error code can occur during an update, installation, or system restore and the only way out of it is to download the file once again and re-run the installation from the top. Before you start to troubleshoot the problem, you need to create a System Restore Point first. After you create a System Restore point, you can follow the troubleshooting options laid out below to fix the Windows Error Code 0x80070017. You just have to follow the troubleshooting option that applies to your situation and whether you got the error during an update, installation, or during System Restore. Whether you got the error 0x80070017 while updating Windows 10 or installing it or during a system restore, the first thing you must do is run the System File Checker. As pointed out early on, the Windows Error Code 0x80070017 might be caused by corrupted or missing system files so the first thing you can try is to run the System File Checker scan.
  • Tap Win + R to launch Run.
  • Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
  • After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
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.
If you have encountered Windows Error Code 0x80070017 during an Update, then here are some options you need to try:

Option 1 – Delete the files/contents in the SoftwareDistribution Folder

The Software Distribution folder in the Windows operating system is a folder that can be found in the Windows directory and is used to store files temporarily which might be required to install the Windows Update on your PC. Thus, it is required by the Windows Update and maintained by WUAgent. A lot of users tried deleting the files in this folder to fix the problem and so far it has worked. Like them, you can try clearing the Windows Update cache by simply deleting the contents of the folder named “SoftwareDistribution” since Windows apparently can’t clear and re-download the update contents once they are corrupted. Thus, deleting the contents of this folder will make Windows download the contents again which will fix the problem. To do that, follow the steps below.
  • Open the WinX Menu.
  • From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
  • Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauserv net stop bits
  • After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service and the Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
  • Next, go to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
  • Once all the contents in the Software Distribution folder are deleted, restart your PC and then go back to Command Prompt and input the following commands again.
net start wuauserv net start bits
Since the folder has already been flushed, it will be populated afresh the instant your restart your computer and open Windows Update.

Option 2 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter could also help you resolve the Windows Update Error Code 0x80070017. 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. On the other hand, if you got the error code 0x80070017 during a Windows 10 installation, then it’s because of bad media or corruption in ISO. Here are some troubleshooting steps for this kind of situation:

Option a – Try to create Windows 10 ISO media again

In this option, you will have to create a Windows 10 bootable media and use it to install the latest Windows 10 version. Most users reported that this option works and the reason why it does have something to do with the Windows Update client since the Windows Updates downloaded from the regular Windows Update client seem to create issues such as the error 0x80070017. However, issues like this one don’t occur when the very same Windows Updates are downloaded and installed via an ISO file. Take note that when using a Windows ISO file, you will be asked to choose what you want to do with the previous settings and apps. A lot of users opted for the “Not to keep the old Windows settings” option which has resolved the issue. So if you want to keep the previous settings then you must try to update Windows first while keeping the old settings. However, if it doesn’t work, you have to try installing the latest version of Windows without keeping the previous settings.
  • Click this link and then click the Download Tool Now button.
  • Next, click the “Use the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)…” option and follow the next given instructions on the screen.
  • Now select the ISO file option in step 5.
  • After that, you should now have an ISO file.
  • Next, go to the location where you’ve downloaded the ISO file.
  • Then right-click on the Windows 10 ISO file and select the Open with the option and then select File Explorer.
  • Now click on “setup.exe” and follow the next instructions that appear on the screen. When asked, you have to select either Nothing (clean install) or Keep personal files only option. Take note that you must not select the “Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings since it doesn’t really work.

Option b – Run Microsoft’s online troubleshooter

Running Microsoft’s online troubleshooter might also help you fix the Windows update error 0x80070017. This online troubleshooter is known to help in fixing Windows Update errors, it scans your computer for issues that might be causing the problem and then fixes them automatically. If you got the error during System Restore then this means that the files that are being copied from the disk are not making it to the hard drive. To resolve it, here’s what you can do:

Option 1 – Run System Restore in Safe Mode

You might want to run System Restore in Safe Mode and see if it works. Just reboot your PC into Safe Mode and then run System Restore.

Option 2 – Reset Repository

  • Boot your PC into Safe Mode.
  • Then open Command Prompt as admin.
  • Next, type the “net stop winmgmt” command and hit Enter to stop the Windows Management Instrumentation Service.
  • After that, go to C:/Windows/System32/wbem. From there, rename the repository folder to “repository-old”.
  • Restart your computer.
  • After your computer has restarted, open Command Prompt as admin again and then type the “net stop winmgmt” command and hit Enter.
  • Next, type the “winmgmt /resetRepository” and hit Enter to reset Repository.
  • Restart PC and check if System Restore now works.

Option 3 – Try resetting Windows 10

To fix the error 0x80070017, you can try resetting Windows 10. Doing so won’t get rid of any file in your system – instead of erasing all your media files and documents, it only resets all the system settings and files. Simply go to Settings > Recovery. From there click the Get started button under the Reset This PC section.
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100sOfRecepies is a Browser Extension developed by MindSpark Inc. that provides users with hundreds of recopies for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. This extension may appear very handy at the start, however, it may monitor your browser activity, and send it back to the developer to better serve ads. This extension injects itself into the System Registry allowing it to run each time your computer is restarted.

While browsing the internet with this extension installed you may see additional ads, sponsored links, and pop-up ads displayed in your browser. Many anti-virus scanners have detected this extension as a Browser Hijacker and are therefore not recommended to keep on your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is actually a form of an unwanted program, often a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in browser settings. They are made to disrupt web browser programs for various reasons. Usually, it’ll force users to predetermined sites which are aiming to increase their advertisement income. Nevertheless, it’s not that harmless. Your internet safety is compromised and it is also very annoying. In a much worst case, your browser could be hi-jacked to download malware that may do a great deal of damage to your laptop or computer.

Major symptoms that your web browser has been highjacked

The typical symptoms that indicate having this malware on your computer are: 1. the browser’s home page is changed 2. bookmark and the new tab are also modified 3. the default search engine is changed and the browser security settings have been lowered without your knowledge 4. find new toolbars which you did not add 5. unstoppable flurries of pop-up ads show up on your personal computer screen 6. your web browser gets slow, buggy crashes often 7. Inability to navigate to certain websites, particularly anti-malware and also other security software webpages.

How does a browser hijacker infect a computer?

There are several ways your computer can become infected with a browser hijacker. They generally arrive by way of spam e-mail, via file sharing websites, or by a drive-by-download. They could also come from add-on software, also known as browser helper objects (BHO), web browser plug-ins, or toolbars. Some browser hijackers spread in user’s computer systems using a deceptive software distribution technique known as “bundling” (generally through freeware and shareware). An example of some well-known browser hijacker includes Babylon, Anyprotect, Conduit, DefaultTab, SweetPage, RocketTab, and Delta Search, but the names are continually changing. Browser hijackers could record user keystrokes to gather potentially valuable information that leads to privacy issues, cause instability on computers, drastically disrupt the user experience, and eventually slow down the PC to a point where it will become unusable.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

Some browser hijacking could be quite easily stopped by discovering and eliminating the corresponding malware program from your control panel. But, most hijackers are hard to get rid of manually. No matter how much you try to remove it, it can come back over and over. Moreover, browser hijackers could modify the Computer registry so that it could be very tough to restore all of the values manually, particularly when you are not a very tech-savvy person.

Can't Install Safebytes Anti-malware due to the presence of Malware? Try This!

All malware is bad, but certain kinds of malicious software do a lot more damage to your PC than others. Some malware sits in between your computer and the internet connection and blocks some or all sites which you want to check out. It would also block you from adding anything to your machine, especially anti-virus programs. So what to do when malicious software keeps you from downloading or installing Anti-Malware? Do as instructed below to eliminate malware through alternate ways.

Eliminate malware in Safe Mode

In the event the malware is set to load at Windows start-up, then booting in safe mode should avoid it. Just the minimum required applications and services are loaded when you boot your computer in Safe Mode. Listed below are the steps you need to follow to start your computer into the Safe Mode of your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers (go to Microsoft website for instructions on Windows 8 and 10 computers). 1) At power-on/startup, press the F8 key in 1-second intervals. This will invoke the “Advanced Boot Options” menu. 2) Choose Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and hit Enter. 3) When this mode loads, you should have an internet connection. Now, use your internet browser to download and install Safebytes. 4) As soon as the software program is installed, allow the scan run to remove viruses and other threats automatically.

Switch over to an alternate web browser

Malicious program code could exploit vulnerabilities on a particular web browser and block access to all anti-virus software sites. The best way to overcome this problem is to choose a browser that is known for its security measures. Firefox contains built-in Malware and Phishing Protection to keep you secure online.

Install and run anti-malware from the Thumb drive

To effectively get rid of the malware, you might want to approach the issue of running an anti-virus program on the affected PC from a different perspective. Do these simple measures to clear up your infected computer by using a portable antivirus. 1) On a virus-free PC, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the pen drive on the same PC. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded software, with a .exe file format. 4) When asked, select the location of the USB drive as the place where you want to put the software files. Follow the instructions on the screen to finish off the installation process. 5) Now, transfer the USB drive to the infected computer system. 6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes program right from the thumb drive. 7) Simply click “Scan Now” to run a scan on the affected computer for viruses.

Protect Your Computer and Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

To help protect your computer or laptop from a variety of internet-based threats, it’s important to install an anti-malware application on your personal computer. However, with countless numbers of antimalware companies in the marketplace, nowadays it’s tough to decide which one you should buy for your laptop. Some of them are excellent, some are ok types, while some will affect your PC themselves! You need to be careful not to pick the wrong product, particularly if you purchase a premium application. Amongst few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the strongly recommended software for security-conscious people. Safebytes is one of the well-established computer solutions firms, which provide this complete anti-malware software program. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software protects your personal computer against infections caused by different types of malware and similar internet threats, including adware, spyware, trojans horses, worms, computer viruses, keyloggers, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), and ransomware. SafeBytes carries a plethora of wonderful features which can help you protect your computer from malware attack and damage. Here are some of the good ones: Robust Anti-malware Protection: By using a critically acclaimed anti-malware engine, SafeBytes provides multi-layered protection which is made to catch and remove threats that are concealed deep in your PC. Active Protection: SafeBytes offers complete and real-time security for your PC. It’ll check your PC for suspicious activity at all times and shields your PC from unauthorized access. Website Filtering: Through its unique safety rating, SafeBytes informs you whether a website is safe or not to visit it. This will assure that you’re always certain of your safety when browsing the online world. Lightweight Utility: SafeBytes is really a lightweight application. It consumes an extremely small amount of processing power as it runs in the background therefore you will not observe any computer performance issues. 24/7 Premium Support: Skilled technicians are at your disposal 24/7! They will immediately fix any technical issues you may be experiencing with your security software.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you’d like to carry out the removal of 100sOfRecepies manually rather than using an automated software tool, you may follow these simple steps: Navigate to the Windows Control Panel, click on the “Add or Remove Programs” and there, select the offending program to uninstall. In cases of suspicious versions of web browser extensions, you can easily remove them through your browser’s extension manager. You may also want to reset your web browser settings, as well as delete browsing history, temporary files, and internet cookies. To ensure the complete removal, find the following Windows registry entries on your system and delete them or reset the values appropriately. Please keep in mind that only advanced users should try to manually edit the registry because incorrect file removal leads to a major problem or even a PC crash. In addition, certain malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing deletion. It is recommended that you carry out the removal procedure in Safe Mode.
Files: %Documents and Settings%\All Users\Application Data0sOfRecipes Toolbar virus %program files %\internet explorer\ 100sOfRecipes Toolbar\[random].mof %program files (x86)%0sOfRecipes Toolbar \ %programData%\suspicious folders\ %windows%\system32\driver0sOfRecipes Toolbar %app data%\ 100sOfRecipes Toolbar virus\ Registry: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MATS\WindowsInstaller\EAF386F0-7205-40F2-8DA6-1BABEEFCBE8914.07.30.07.52.18]ProductName=100sOfRecipes Toolbar [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\Muvic_RASAPI32] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\Muvic_RASMANCS] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\EAF386F0-7205-40F2-8DA6-1BABEEFCBE89] DisplayName=100sOfRecipes Toolbar [HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-3825580999-3780825030-779906692-1001\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\50f25211-852e-4d10-b6f5-50b1338a9271] DisplayName=100sOfRecipes Toolbar
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INET_E_RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND
The previous Windows versions all came with Microsoft's browser Internet Explorer. A lot of users love it because not only that it is easy to use. It is also very fast. Users didn’t have to worry about compatibility because it is almost always compatible with its Windows Version. When they introduced Windows 10, they changed the name of the browser from Internet Explorer to Microsoft Edge. It is faster and more user-friendly compared to its predecessors. But after the Creator Update, some experienced receiving the inet_e_resource_not_found error code. In contrary to what everyone expects, you actually don’t have to uninstall and reinstall the Microsoft Edge App. What you can do is reset the browser in your Apps & Features Settings in your Microsoft Settings.

To reset the browser you can follow the steps below:

  1. Click on the Windows icon and go to settings.
  2. Click on Apps and this will bring you to the Apps & Features page. Look for Microsoft Edge from the list of Apps and click on it.
  3. Choose Advance Option
  4. Scroll down then Under Reset, click on repair or reset. When you repair it will fix the existing problem but the data that caused the problem may still be present and can still cause problems. If you click on reset, it will delete all the cache and cookies that are installed in your browser but it will save your Favorites as well as your bookmarks.

Another way to resolve this is by disabling the feature TCP Fast Open on Microsoft Edge. To disable this, go ahead and follow the steps below:

  1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
  2. Type in about: flags on the Address (URL) bar.
  3. Under Networking, uncheck the Enable TCP Fast Open.
  4. Close your Microsoft Edge browser and open a new one.
Flushing the DNS also worked for other Users. Sometimes, the error code the inet_e_resource_not_found is caused by a corrupted DNS cache. There are 2 ways to flush your DNS. The first option is to use the command prompt to run the command.
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  2. A dropdown menu will show up, click on Command Prompt which is the first on the list.
  3. Type in the code ipconfig /flushdns and press enter.
  4. There will be a message that will show that says Windows IP configuration successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache
  5. Exit the CMD by typing exit and press enter.
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Page Fault in Non-Paged Area is a blue screen error usually happening with faulty drivers but it can come from different issues like faulty RAM. In this short article, we will cover usual ways on how to approach and solve this error.

Solving Page fault in Non-Paged Area

Page Fault in Non-Paged AreaRollback using system restore

Simple and easy solution, roll back to the previous system restore point where Windows was stable and working.

Fix Page Fault in Non-Paged Area using device manager

  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden menu
  2. Click on device manager
  3. Find a device with a question mark and right-click on it
  4. Click on the rollback driver button

Fix via command prompt

  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden menu
  2. Click on command prompt (admin)
  3. Inside command prompt type in SFC / scannow and press ENTER
  4. Wait for the process to be finished and then reboot the PC

Fix via DISM tool

  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden menu
  2. Click on command prompt (admin)
  3. Inside command prompt type in DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and press ENTER
  4. Wait for the process to be finished and then reboot the PC

Page fault in Non-Paged Area via a dedicated tool

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How to get rid of YourTemplateFinder from PC

YourTemplateFinder is a browser extension developed by Mindspark for Google Chrome. This extension allows users to browse and download various templates that can be used for all kinds of occasions.

When installed, it changes your default search engine and home page to MyWay.com. During your browsing sessions, YourTemplateFinder will monitor user activity, recording website visits, user information, product purchases, etc. This data is later used to target better ads to users.

While browsing the internet with this extension active you will see additional ads displayed throughout your browsing sessions. Sponsored content such as links, banners, and pop-up ads will appear on websites sometimes even covering the website content.

This extension has been marked for removal by several anti-virus applications and has been classified as a Browser Hijacker due to its aggressive behavior and ad injections. It is flagged for optional removal.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a common type of online fraud where your web browser settings are altered to make it carry out things you never intend. There are various reasons why you might experience a browser hijack; however commercial, advertising, and marketing are the main reasons for their creation. It redirects you to the sponsored websites and inserts adverts on your web browser that helps its creator generate revenue. However, it is not that innocent. Your online safety is jeopardized and it is also extremely irritating. As soon as the program attacks your PC, it begins to mess things up a whole that slows your system down to a crawl. In the worse case, you may be forced to deal with serious malware threats too.

How to know whether the browser is hijacked?

Symptoms that your internet browser is hi-jacked include: 1. the home page of your browser is changed unexpectedly 2. you observe new unwanted favorites or bookmarks added, typically directed to advertisement-filled or porn sites 3. the default browser settings are changed and/or your default web engine is altered 4. you see unsolicited new toolbars added 5. you’ll find random pop-ups start occurring frequently 6. webpages load slowly and sometimes incomplete 7. you can’t navigate to specific websites, like security software-related sites.

How they infect computer systems

There are a number of ways your computer or laptop could become infected by a browser hijacker. They generally arrive by way of spam e-mail, via file-sharing networks, or by a drive-by-download. They can also come from any BHO, extension, toolbar, add-on, or plug-in with malicious intent. A browser hijacker can also be installed as a part of freeware, demoware, shareware, and fake programs. Well-known examples of browser hijackers include CoolWebSearch, Conduit, RocketTab, OneWebSearch, Coupon Server, Delta Search, Searchult.com, and Snap.do. Browser hijackers can affect the user’s browsing experience greatly, track the websites visited by users and steal personal information, cause problems in connecting to the internet, and eventually create stability problems, causing applications and computers to freeze.

How you can get rid of a browser hijacker

Certain hijackers can be removed by simply uninstalling the corresponding freeware or add-ons through the Add or Remove Programs in the Microsoft Windows Control Panel. However, most browser hijackers are hard to remove manually. Irrespective of how much you try to get rid of it, it could come back over and over. Furthermore, manual removals demand deep system understanding and thus can be a very difficult job for novices. Installing and running anti-malware software on the affected system could automatically erase browser hijackers and also other malicious applications. If you’d like to eliminate persistent hijackers effectively, install the award-winning Anti-Malware program Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Can't Install Safebytes Anti-malware due to the presence of a Virus? Try This!

All malware is bad and the level of the damage will differ greatly depending on the type of infection. Some malware variants modify browser settings by including a proxy server or change the PC’s DNS settings. In such cases, you will be unable to visit some or all sites, and therefore not able to download or install the necessary security software to get rid of the infection. If you’re reading this right now, you have probably realized that virus infection is the reason for your blocked internet traffic. So what to do if you need to download and install an antivirus program such as Safebytes? There are a few solutions you can attempt to get around with this particular obstacle.

Install in Safe Mode with Networking

Safe Mode is actually a special, basic version of Microsoft Windows in which only the bare minimum services are loaded to prevent viruses and also other troublesome applications from loading. In the event the malware is obstructing the internet connection and affecting your computer, running it in Safe Mode will let you download antivirus and run a diagnostic scan while limiting potential damage. To enter 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 in the “Boot” tab. Once you are in safe mode, you can attempt to download and install your antivirus software program without the hindrance of the virus. Now, you are able to run the antivirus scan to get rid of viruses and malware without interference from another application.

Switch to some other web browser

Malicious code can exploit vulnerabilities in a specific web browser and block access to all anti-virus software sites. In case you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by malware or otherwise compromised by cybercriminals, the ideal approach would be to switch to an alternate internet browser like Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Apple Safari to download your chosen security software – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Create a portable USB antivirus for eliminating malware

Here’s another solution which is using portable USB anti-virus software that can scan your computer for viruses without the need for installation. Try these simple steps to clean up your infected computer by using a portable antivirus. 1) Make use of another virus-free computer system to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the USB drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the anti-malware program to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Select the USB stick as the destination for saving the file. Follow activation instructions. 5) Now, plug the USB drive into the infected computer. 6) Double-click the antivirus program EXE file on the thumb drive. 7) Simply click “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the infected computer for malware.

SafeBytes AntiMalware Overview

These days, an anti-malware program can protect the computer from different forms of internet threats. But wait, how to choose the right one among various malware protection software that’s available out there? Perhaps you might be aware, there are lots of anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. Some are good ones, some are ok types, while some are simply just fake anti-malware programs that could harm your personal computer themselves! You must select one that is efficient, practical, and has a good reputation for its malware source protection. Among few good programs, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended software for the security-conscious individual. SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, very effective protection software made to help end-users of all levels of computer literacy in identifying and eliminating malicious threats out of their PC. With its outstanding protection system, this software will quickly detect and remove the majority of the security threats, including adware, viruses, browser hijackers, ransomware, trojans, worms, and PUPs.

SafeBytes anti-malware takes computer protection to a totally new level with its enhanced features. Let us discuss a few of the great ones:

World-class AntiMalware Protection: Safebytes is built on the best virus engine within the industry. These engines can identify and remove threats even during the initial phases of a malware outbreak. Real-time Protection: SafeBytes offers real-time active monitoring and protection against all known computer viruses and malware. It will inspect your computer system for suspicious activity at all times and shields your personal computer from illegal access. Web Security: SafeBytes checks the links present on a webpage for possible threats and informs you if the website is safe to look at or not, through its unique safety rating system. Low CPU and Memory Usage: The program is lightweight and will run silently in the background, and that does not impact your PC efficiency. 24/7 Customer Service: Support service is available 24 x 7 x 365 days via email and chats to answer your queries. SafeBytes has created an amazing anti-malware solution that can help you conquer the latest malware threats and virus attacks. You can rest assured that your PC will be protected in real-time once you put this software program to use. So if you are looking for the best anti-malware subscription for your Windows-based PC, we recommend the SafeBytes Anti-Malware application.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To remove YourTemplateFinder manually, go to the Add or Remove programs list in the Windows Control Panel and select the program you want to remove. For internet browser extensions, go to your web browser’s Addon/Extension manager and select the add-on you intend to remove or disable. You will probably also want to reset your web browser. Finally, examine your hard disk for all of the following and clean your computer registry manually to remove leftover application entries following uninstalls. Please note that only advanced computer users should try to manually edit the registry because removing any single critical system file results in a serious problem or even a system crash. Also, some malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing its removal. You are encouraged to do this process in Windows Safe Mode.
Files: %LOCALAPPDATA%\YourTemplateFinder_br %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\YourTemplateFinder_br %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jadhamcfimejpbemfkgoeijaimpciehj %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jadhamcfimejpbemfkgoeijaimpciehj %PROGRAMFILES%\YourTemplateFinder_br %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\YourTemplateFinder_br Registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\42f6cdef-be6a-48e4-b6ef-bc987c64fed9 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\42f6cdef-be6a-48e4-b6ef-bc987c64fed9 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\free.yourtemplatefinder.com HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions, value: F724FE0B-8C05-4498-B99E-9192CF2AECF4 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions, value: 4D283A70-2D2F-4CBB-81DA-C75B8DF410CC HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions, value: 3C417C00-968B-48B7-822E-407A82A47AE1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\yourtemplatefinder.dl.tb.ask.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\yourtemplatefinder.com
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Use the Installation Media to Repair or Boot
If you are not able to access the Windows 10 Advanced troubleshooting options within Windows then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on how you can repair or boot the Windows 10 installation without losing data using the bootable installation USB or DVD media. To repair or boot Windows 10 using the installation media, you have to download the Windows ISO, create a bootable USB or DVD drive, boot from the media and select “Repair your computer” and then select Startup Repair under Advanced troubleshooting. To get started, follow the given steps below carefully. Step 1: Frist, download the Windows ISO. Although this is not necessarily needed, it’s still better if you download the Windows ISO first so make sure that you download the same ISO version as installed on your computer. Step 2: Next, create a bootable USB or DVD drive.
  • Insert your USB drive into your PC.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type in “cmd” and tap Enter to open the Command Prompt. Alternatively, you can also search for “cmd” in the Cortana search box to open Command Prompt.
  • Once you’ve opened CMD, type in this command to open the DISPART utility – diskpart
  • After that, you should see a new black and white window that would say, “DISKPART>”.
  • Next, type in “list disk” in the command line and tap Enter to see the list of all the Storage devices as well as your hard disk connected to your PC. Here, you have to identify your disk’s number.
  • Type in this command where “X” is the disk number you have identified and then tap Enter – disk X
  • Type in this command and hit Enter to clear the table records and all the visible data on the drive – clean
  • Now you have to recreate a new primary partition of the drive so you’ll have to type in this command and tap Enter right after – create part pri
  • A new primary partition has been created so you have to select it by typing this command and tapping Enter – select part 1
  • Now you have to format it to make it visible to normal users by typing – format fs=ntfs quick
Note: If your platform supports the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface or UEFI, replace the “NTFS” with “FAT32” in the command on Step 10.
  • After that, type in this command and tap Enter after – active
  • Finally, type this command and hit Enter to exit the utility – exit
  • After you prepare the image for the operating system, save it to the root of your USB Storage device.
Step 3: After creating a bootable drive, boot from the media and select the “Repair your computer” option. Once you boot from the USB drive, it will start the Windows 10 installation right away. So you must not keep on clicking Next as you will end up installing Windows. You need to look for the “Repair your computer” link on the first installation screen and click on it and then boot your computer into Advanced Recovery. Step 4: Select Startup Repair under the Advanced options screen
  • Once you’re at the Advanced Recovery screen, select Advanced Options and select Troubleshoot.
  • After that, look for the Startup Repair and click on it and then follow the next on-screen instructions. This solution will help you fix issues that do not allow you to boot into your computer.
  • On the next screen, you will see the admin account with its name. Click on it and verify using the account password associated with the email.
  • After verification, it will start to diagnose your computer and automatically resolve any detected issues related to boot.
  • After the issue is fixed, your computer should reboot normally and you should now be able to use it. Note that your personal files are still intact since the process didn’t delete or wipe them out.
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Fixing the Port in use, please wait
Recently, a number of Windows 10 users reported an issue wherein they try to print from their PCs but were unable to and got an error message instead that states, “Port in use, please wait”. However, no matter how long they waited, nothing changed and they were still unable to print from their computers. On the other hand, when some of the users attempted to print wirelessly from their mobile devices, the printing continues which indicates that there is some issue between the computer and the printer. So if you are one of the users who are currently facing this problem, then this post should help. To fix this issue with your Printer, here are some possible fixes you can try that might work.

Option 1 – Run the Printer Troubleshooter

The first thing you can do to fix the “Port in use, please wait” error is to run the Printer Troubleshooter. This built-in troubleshooter in Windows 10 can help you fix most print issues. It checks if you have the latest printer drivers and then tries to fix and update them automatically. Aside from that, it also checks if you have connectivity issues or if the Print Spooler and the required Services are running fine. To run it, follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “msdt.exe /id PrinterDiagnostic” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the Printer Troubleshooter.
  • Then click the Next button and follow the next on-screen instructions to fix the issue with the printer.

Option 2 – Try updating the Printer drivers

You might also want to try updating your printer drivers. All you have to do is locate the USB Composite Device. For complete details, follow the steps below.
  • First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
  • Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
  • From there, look for the USB Composite Device option and right-click on it, and select the Update Driver from the options.
  • Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
Note: You also have the option to download the latest version of your Printer from the manufacturer’s website.

Option 3 – Try selecting the correct port for your Printer

If the first two options given above didn’t work, then maybe it’s time to select a correct port for your printer since the wrong port has been selected which is why you’re getting the “Port in use, please wait” error.
  • Open “Devices and Printers” from the Start search.
  • Next, look for your printer from the list of devices and right-click on it, and then select Printer Properties.
  • Now go to the Ports tab under the newly opened Properties window and make sure that the port type matches the connection on the list of ports currently in use.
Note: If your printer is using a USB connection then the port should have a USB or DOT 4 in its description but if your printer is using a network connection then it should have the following description:
  • WSD
  • Network
  • IP
And if you notice that there are several listings for the same type of port, you have to change the selection to a different one and then click the OK button to save the changes made.
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Stopping automatic redirects in Browsers
As you know, the internet has changed the world immensely. Nowadays, JavaScript is pushing the modern web ahead. One of the things that make these experiences with the internet seamless and with less clutter is redirection. It is often used on web pages and there are times when a user is prompted about them and most of the time, we barely notice them. However, there are also instances when things can go wrong with redirects as they could become a loop that could mess things up. And since the browser takes a lot of system resources, redirection can result in a poor user experience. That’s why in this post, you will be guided on how you can stop these automatic redirects on browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, on your Windows 10 computer. To get started, refer to each one of the options provided below to stop automatic redirects in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.

Option 1 – Configure the browsers to stop pop-ups and deceptive contents

There are a lot of browsers with built-in settings that allow users to stop pop-ups and deceptive content. To configure these settings, refer to these steps:
  • Microsoft Edge:

    • Click on the three horizontal dots icon or the menu button.
    • Next, click on Settings and select Privacy & Security from the left side navigation.
    • After that, scroll down on the right-side panel and look for Block pop-ups and Windows Defender SmartScreen and then turn their toggle buttons to On.
  • Google Chrome:

    • Open Google Chrome and click on the three vertical dots icon for the menu located in the top right corner of the browser.
    • Next, click on Settings and scroll down until you see the Advanced option. Click on it to open the Advanced Settings.
    • Now scroll down until you reach the Privacy and Security section and look for the Safe browsing option and turn its toggle button to On.
  • Mozilla Firefox

    • Open Mozilla and click on the three horizontal lines icon for the menu button located in the top right corner of the browser and click on Options.
    • Next, go to the Settings section and click the Privacy & Security tab and scroll down and then click on Permissions.
    • From there, make sure that the Block pop-up windows checkbox is checked.
    • Finally, scroll down until you reach the Security section and make sure that the checkbox for the Block dangerous and deceptive content is checked.

Option 2 – Try to reset Winsock, TCP/IP & Flush DNS

To stop redirects, you can also reset Winsock and the TCP/IP as well as flush the DNS cache. 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 3 – Edit your Hosts File

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open then type in %WinDir% and then click OK.
  • Go to System32/drivers/etc.
  • Open the host file using Notepad.
  • Delete all the suspicious entries.
  • After that, save the changes you’ve made and close the file.
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