Fix Wi-Fi doesn't have a valid IP configuration

TranslationBuddy is a browser extension developed by MindSpark Inc. for Google Chrome. This extension allegedly offers users the ability to translate any text to any language. From the Author: Now enjoy immediate access to the FREE web, email, and text translations, Multilanguage Virtual Keyboards, words of the day, and more! This extension configures your New Tab page to TranslationBuddy™ to provide these features.

Get FREE translations instantly. An easy way to translate web pages, texts, and emails.

Unfortunately, this extension hijacks your browser's new tab page, and default search engine, changing it to MyWay. While installed, it monitors browser activity such as visited websites, clicked links, downloaded information, and sometimes even personal information that it later uses to display additional unwanted ads in your browser.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted program, usually a web browser add-on or extension, which then causes modifications in the web browser’s settings. Browser hijackers are capable of doing a number of things on your PC. Generally, browser hijacking is used for earning advertising revenue from forced advert clicks and site visits. Though it might appear harmless, these tools are made by vicious people who always try to take advantage of you, so that hackers can earn money from your naivety and distraction. Some browser hijackers are designed to make particular modifications beyond the browsers, like altering entries in the system registry and letting other malware further damage your machine.

Indications of browser hijack

There are several symptoms that point to a browser hijacking: you see unauthorized modifications to your Internet browser’s home page; bookmark and the new tab are likewise modified; The default search page of browser is modified; unwanted new toolbars are added to your web browser; unstoppable flurries of popup advertisements appear on your computer screen; your web browser gets sluggish, buggy, crashes very often; you’re blocked to access the websites of computer security solution providers.

Exactly how they invade computer systems

Browser hijackers can enter a PC by some means or other, for example via file sharing, downloads, and email also. They may also come from any BHO, browser extension, toolbar, add-on or plug-in with malicious intent. Some internet browser hijackers spread in user’s computers using a deceptive software distribution strategy called “bundling” (commonly through shareware and freeware). Browser hijacking may lead to severe privacy problems and even identity theft, affect your web browsing experience by taking control over outbound traffic, substantially slows down your computer or laptop by deleting lots of resources, and cause system instability at the same time.

Removing browser hijackers

Some hijackers could be removed by deleting the free software they came with or by deleting any add-ons you’ve recently added to your computer system. Having said that, many hijackers are extremely tenacious and require specialized applications to remove them. Inexperienced PC users shouldn’t ever attempt the manual form of removal, as it demands thorough system knowledge to perform fixes on the system registry and HOSTS file. You might opt for automatic browser hijacker removal methods by simply installing and running an efficient anti-malware program. One of the recommended tools for fixing browser hijacker infections is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. It will help you remove any pre-existing malicious software in your system and provides you real-time monitoring and protection from the latest internet threats. Together with the anti-malware tool, a system optimizer could help you in deleting all associated files and modifications in the registry automatically.

How To Get Remove Virus That Is Preventing Anti-Malware Downloads?

Malware can cause all kinds of damage when they invade your system, from stealing sensitive details to deleting data files on your PC. Certain malware variants modify browser settings by adding a proxy server or modify the computer’s DNS configurations. In these cases, you’ll be unable to visit certain or all websites, and thus unable to download or install the required security software to eliminate the malware. If you are reading this article now, you might have perhaps realized that virus infection is the reason behind your blocked net connectivity. So how to proceed if you want to download and install an antivirus program such as Safebytes? Refer to the instructions below to remove malware through alternative ways.

Install the antivirus in Safe Mode

In Safe Mode, you are able to modify Windows settings, uninstall or install some programs, and eliminate hard-to-delete viruses. In the event, the malicious software is set to load automatically when the PC starts, switching to this mode may prevent it from doing so. In order to get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the system is booting up or run MSConfig and look for the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you’re in safe mode, you can try to install your anti-malware software application without the hindrance of the malware. After installation, run the malware scanner to eliminate most standard infections.

Switch to an alternate internet browser

Malicious code may exploit vulnerabilities on a particular internet browser and block access to all antivirus software sites. If you seem to have a virus attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to an alternate browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your preferred anti-malware program – Safebytes.

Make a bootable USB anti-virus drive

Another approach is to download and transfer an anti-malware application from a clean PC to run a scan on the infected computer. Adopt these measures to run the antivirus on the affected computer system. 1) On a virus-free PC, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the clean computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Select the USB flash drive as the location for saving the file. Follow the directions to complete the installation process. 5) Disconnect the pen drive. Now you can use this portable anti-malware on the infected computer system. 6) Double-click the EXE file to run the Safebytes tool from the pen drive. 7) Hit the “Scan” button to run a full system scan and remove malware automatically.

Let's Talk About SafeBytes Security Suite!

Today an anti-malware program can protect your computer from various kinds of internet threats. But wait, how to choose the right one amongst the many malware protection software that’s available out there? As you might be aware, there are numerous anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. A few of them do a good job in getting rid of malware threats while some will damage your PC themselves. You need to be careful not to choose the wrong product, especially if you purchase a premium program. Among few good programs, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended software program for the security-conscious individual. SafeBytes anti-malware is really a powerful, very effective protection application made to assist users of all levels of computer literacy in finding and removing malicious threats out of their PC. Using its cutting-edge technology, this application can assist you to eliminate several types of malware which include viruses, worms, PUPs, trojans, adware, ransomware, and browser hijackers. SafeBytes anti-malware takes computer protection to a totally new level with its enhanced features. Below are some typical features found in this software: Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes provides complete and real-time security for your laptop or computer. This utility will constantly monitor your computer for any suspicious activity and updates itself continuously to keep abreast of the newest threats. Anti-Malware Protection: This deep-cleaning anti-malware program goes much deeper than most antivirus tools to clean out your personal computer. Its critically acclaimed virus engine finds and disables hard to remove malware that hides deep inside your computer. “Fast Scan” Features: SafeBytes Anti-Malware has a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to 5 times faster than any other protection software. Web Protection: Safebytes allots all websites a unique safety ranking that helps you to have an idea of whether the website you are about to visit is safe to browse or known to be a phishing site. Light-weight: SafeBytes provides total protection from online threats at a fraction of the CPU load because of its enhanced detection engine and algorithms. 24/7 Online Support: You could get high levels of support around the clock if you’re using their paid software. To sum it up, SafeBytes Anti-Malware offers great protection combined with very low system resource usage with both great malware prevention and detection. Now you may know that this tool does more than just scan and remove threats from your PC. So if you are looking for the best anti-malware subscription for your Windows-based PC, we suggest SafeBytes Anti-Malware software.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to carry out the removal of TranslationBuddy manually rather than using an automated software tool, you may follow these steps: Proceed to the Windows Control Panel, click on the “Add/Remove Programs” and there, select the offending application to uninstall. In case of suspicious versions of web browser plugins, you can easily get rid of them via your web browser’s extension manager. Additionally, it is recommended to factory reset your browser to its default condition to fix corrupt settings. To ensure the complete removal, manually examine your hard drive and registry for all of the following and eliminate or reset the values accordingly. But bear in mind, this is often a challenging task and only computer professionals could carry it out safely. Furthermore, certain malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. It is recommended that you carry out the removal process in Windows Safe Mode.

If you suddenly encountered an error saying, “The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000005)” when you are using an application on your Windows 10 computer, read on as this post will provide you some potential fixes that could help you fix the error. You can encounter the “The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000005)” error on many applications such as VLC, Chrome, Word, and any other executable files and even the operating system files. When you get this kind of error, you will see the following error message:

“The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000005). Click on OK to close the application.”

This kind of application error can occur due to several reasons which include damaged installation of the application or system files may have gotten corrupted or damaged. It could also be caused by a malware infection. There are a couple of suggestions provided in this post to help you resolve the error. You can try to run both a System File Checker scan and the DISM tool or reinstall the problematic application or repair-install Windows 10 as well as run a malware scan. Note that the options provided below do not have to be followed in sequence.

Option 1 – Try to run a System File Checker scan

As mentioned, the error could be due to corrupted or damaged system files and one of the ways you can fix that is by running a System File Checker or SFC scan on your computer. To do so, follow these steps:

• In the Windows Start Search, type “command prompt” and right-click on Command Prompt from the search results, and then select the “Run as administrator” option.
• After opening Command Prompt with admin privileges, type the “sfc /scannow” and tap Enter to execute it.
• Once the scan is finished, restart your computer and see if the “The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000005)” error is fixed or not.

Option 2 – Run the DISM tool

You can try running the Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management or DISM tool to fix the application 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 3 – Try reinstalling the application

You might also want to uninstall the application and download its latest working version and then install it back again. Note that when you do this, you will lose all your app data.

Option 4 – Try to repair install Windows 10

• First, you have to 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 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”.

Option 5 – Try scanning your computer using Windows Defender

It is possible that your computer is infected with malware which could be why you’re getting the “The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000005)” error. Thus, you need to scan your computer using Windows Defender.

• Tap the Win + I keys to open Update & Security.
• Then click on the Windows Security option and open Windows Defender Security Center.
• Next, click on Virus & threat protection > Run a new advanced scan.
• Now make sure that Full Scan is selected from the menu and then click the Scan Now button to get started.

One of the smoother things that Microsoft did with the Windows 10 operating system is to separate Cortana from Search. This means that Cortana is strictly now a voice assistant and many users have seen it coming since not everyone uses Cortana. In addition, it also paved the way for other virtual assistants like Alexa to get on board with Windows 10. And now in the newly released Windows 10 v1903, Windows has brought the Voice Activation under Privacy. In this post, you will be guided on how to perform the Voice Activation troubleshooting on your Windows 10 computer. To use Voice Activation in Windows 10, follow, in the Start Search, type “voice activation” and click on “Voice activation privacy settings” listed in the search results. And from there, you can choose to allow apps to use Microphone, like listen in the background as well as select which app can access it. Each time enabled voice assistants continue to listen via microphone for the voice keyword, the app will activate itself for the keyword and will react depending on what you ask it. So if you are using a voice assistant and it didn’t respond when you speak the keyword, just go to Settings > Privacy > Voice Activation and follow these steps:

Option 1: Check the App permission to use the voice activation feature.

You have to make sure that the toggle button for the Voice activation feature is turned on globally. It can be found under the “Allow apps to use voice activation” section. You also have to ensure that the microphone is available for apps that use this feature.

Option 2: Voice activation is not working under the lock screen.

If you tend to use the voice assistant even when your computer is locked, Microsoft has a specific setting that you have to turn on. You need to make sure that the toggle button for the “Allow apps to use voice activation when this device is locked” option is turned on. However, keep in mind that the voice assistants are not locked to only recognize your voice as they also answer to anyone who will use the voice keyword.

Option 3: Check the individual permissions of apps.

If the voice assistant is not working, you have to check each one of the apps’ permissions for voice keyword, and the option to work under locked condition works.

Option 4: Run the Microphone troubleshooter.

If you’ve verified that the settings are in place, then you have to run the Microphone troubleshooter by simply going to Settings > Privacy > Microphone. From there, make sure that the toggle button for the following options is turned on:

• Allow apps to access your microphone
• Enable microphone access for the voice assistant

And if it’s a desktop app, you have to enable the toggle on at the end.

It is officially confirmed, Windows 11 release date is October 5^th. Windows 11 will be released as a free upgrade to all registered Windows 10 users that have supported hardware for it. The rest of the users will be able to install it via ISO file as a clean installation if their computer supports Windows 10 hardware requirements. The official price for the license for Windows 11 has not yet been set but I assume after release it will be set. Priority for W11 will have users who are upgrading from W10 as stated by Microsoft. Also, it was officially confirmed that Android apps will not be running natively in this first release of Windows 11, that feature will come in a future update, official statement below:

"We look forward to continuing our journey to bring Android apps to Windows 11 and the Microsoft Store through our collaboration with Amazon and Intel; this will start with a preview for Windows Insiders over the coming months,"

The rest of the features will be all included inside Windows 11 on launch.

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

If you are using a couple of graphics-intensive applications like video rendering software or some games, then something in the background of the system could get messed up and you might encounter the “LoadLibrary failed with error 1114, A dynamic link library (DLL) initialization routine failed” error message. This kind of error can usually get fixed by twerking some graphic settings, fixing and updating the drivers, and allowing your PC to work by leveraging the maximum use of the resources it’s got. Thus, in this post, you will be guided on some measures you can apply to resolve this kind of error message as soon as possible. Before you go over the options given below, if you have made any changes to any software component in your computer or installed new software recently, then you might want to undo them and then check if it fixes the “LoadLibrary failed with error 1114 “ error. Once you have that covered but you’re still getting the error, use the options given below as a reference to fix the error.

Option 1 – Try to modify the Dynamic Graphics Settings

You might want to modify the Dynamic Graphics Settings in order to fix the error. To do so, follow the steps below.

• Open Control Panel and then Power Options.
• From there, click on the Change plan settings option for your chosen power plan.
• After that, click on Change advanced power settings.
• Then look for the Switchable Dynamic Graphics option and then click on it to expand it.
• Afterward, expand the Global Settings option and then select Maximize Performance for both the “On battery” and “Plugged in” options.
• Now click on the Apply button and then OK to save the changes made.

Note: If the Switchable Dynamic Graphics option is not available on your computer, you can try the next given option below.

Option 2 – Try switching the Graphics card to High-Performance mode

Note that this second option varies from computer to computer since most computers use the Graphics card made by NVIDIA, while some by AMD and others use Intel HD Graphics. Thus, depending on which graphics card your computer uses, pick one of the three fixes below.

NVIDIA Graphics Drivers:

If your computer uses a graphics card made by NVIDIA and has the drivers are properly installed and updated, then follow the steps below.

• Right-click on any empty space on your desktop and then click on the NVIDIA Control Panel.
• After that, expand the 3D Settings on the left-hand side tree-structured list and then click on Manage 3D Settings.
• Next, select your preferred GPU on the right-side panel and then set it to the High-Performance NVIDIA Card from the drop-down menu.
• As an alternative, you can also go to the Program Settings tab,
• From there, select the program that you are trying to run from the drop-down menu and click on Add.
• Now set the graphics processor to a High-performing processor and then restart your computer to apply the changes made.

AMD Graphics card:

If your computer uses a graphics card made by AMD and has the drivers are properly installed and updated, then follow the steps below.

• Right-click on any empty space on your desktop.
• Click on AMD Control or Configure Switchable Graphics.
• Next, click on Browse and select the program where you encounter the error.
• Finally, click on High Performance for the selected program and then restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.

Intel HD graphics:

If your computer uses the Intel HD graphics and then its drivers are properly installed and updated, then follow these steps:

• Right-click on any empty space on your desktop and then click on the Intel Graphics Settings.
• Next, click on the Power menu.
• After that, select a Graphics Power Plan for both the “On battery” and “Plugged in” options to High-Performance Power Plan.
• Then click on the Apply button and restart your computer.

Prompted For A Product Key – What Is It?

Some Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 users are having a hard time upgrading to Windows 10 as they are being prompted for a product key. By default, the Windows 10 operating system does not require a product key and users should not be prompted for one, given you upgraded your computer from an activated Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 license or from the Windows 10 Preview build. However, there are some users encountering this problem and there are several reasons for this.

Solution

Error Causes

There are a few reasons why some users are being prompted for a product key when upgrading to Windows 10:

• Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 license is not activated.
• You’re upgrading to Windows 10 final release from a preview build.
• There are broken operating system files.
• Activation servers get overwhelmed due to the high volume of upgrades.
• The Windows 10 copy you downloaded does not correspond with the current Windows system you are upgrading from.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Before you can fix this problem, you need to know why you’re being prompted for a product key. Some things you should know about Windows 10 product key activation are the following:

• You cannot activate Windows 10 using your Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 product key. Windows 10 has a unique product key.
• Error codes such as 0x8007232b, 0XC004E003, 0x8007007B, or 0x8007000D might pop up during system upgrade especially when the activation servers get overwhelmed with the high volume of upgrades.
• You don’t really need to know your Windows 10 product key.

Now, if ever you’re prompted for a product key when you’re upgrading to Windows 10, you can apply the following methods:

Method One: Give It A Few Days

If you’ve been prompted for a product key upon upgrading to Windows 10, you should click on the “Do this later” option. Wait for a few days then Windows 10 will get activated automatically.

Method Two: Download A Copy of Windows 10 Corresponding Your Current System

One of the reasons Windows users are being prompted for a product key when upgrading to Windows 10 is that they have downloaded a wrong edition of Windows 10 and do not correspond with your current system.

• Users of Home Basic, Home Premium, Windows 7 Starter, Windows 8.0 Core, and Windows 8.1 Core should download Windows 10 Home ISO.
• Users of Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 8.0 Pro, and Windows 8.1 Pro should download Windows 10 Pro ISO.

NOTE: Users of Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8.0 Enterprise, and Windows 8.1 Enterprise are not eligible for the free upgrade offer.

Method Three: Ensure Windows Is Activated

If your Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 is not genuine or activated, you will get prompted for a product key. You need to make sure first your current system is activated.

1. Click on Start then right-click Computer. For Windows 8 and up users, you can simply press on Windows key + X then select Choose Properties.
2. When the Properties window appears, check if the Windows you’re running is activated.

Method Three: Reset License Status

1. Press on Windows key + X.
2. Select Command Prompt (Admin).
3. Once the command prompt window appears, type vbs –rearm then press Enter.
4. Exit Command Prompt then restart your PC.
5. Input the product key by following the instructions given.

Method Four: Force Activation

1. Press on Windows key + X
2. Select Command Prompt (Admin).
3. Once the command prompt window appears, type vbs –ato then press Enter.
4. Exit Command Prompt then restart your PC.

Method Five: Run System File Checker

Another thing you can try doing is to run the system file checker utility to scan if there are any broken operating system files. In doing so, you’ll be able to detect problems that might be preventing the product activation of your Windows 10 upgrade.

Method Six: Contact Microsoft Activation Center

If in case you’ve exhausted all your resources and you are still being prompted for a product key when upgrading to Windows 10, you can try contacting the Microsoft Activation Center for further details. Check here for the appropriate telephone numbers to contact.

Method Seven: Download An Automated Tool

If you still experience the error after doing the methods above, you might want to try a powerful and trusted automated tool to fix the job.

Microsoft is trying to make Windows into a personalized OS, more and more features and parts can be customized to user liking. From larger things to smaller ones nowadays you can almost personalize every detail of Windows itself. In this article, we will tackle how to bring back the names of running applications on the taskbar. Placing names beside icons on the taskbar is a pretty simple and straightforward task easily done. First, right-click the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings. In Taskbar settings, click the menu labeled Combine taskbar buttons. Select Never. That's it, now all of your running applications have a name beside them. If you change your mind, you can always undo it by selecting Always hide labels in the Combine taskbar buttons menu.

Windows 11 release date is closing in, some people have tried it via insider build, some have decided not to. It has come to our attention that there is a little website made by BlueEdge that offers a virtual Windows 11 desktop. Opening the Website will put you right inside Windows 11 desktop, now take note that this is not Windows 11, it is a simulation of Microsoft’s newest OS and therefore many things will not work like File Explorer, etc. One thing you can make sure it is working is UI itself, you can see how you do like the new Taskbar, start menu, widgets, and some other things. You can just pop up on the site and check how you do like the overall new look and feel of Windows 11 UI before installing it or trying it. We are sure that many more options will come in time but even now you can get a feel of the newest OS. Windows 11 BlueEdge site: https://win11.blueedge.me/

A not long time ago we had an article about the deep WEB and dark WEB here on errortools.com explaining its origins and its purpose. The article can be found here if you are interested: https://errortools.com/windows/what-is-deep-and-dark-web/ Now at this point in time, we want to present you with 15 great Deep WEB sites that could offer you some information not found anywhere else, that could offer you some privacy, or simply to have some fun and safely explore how it is like to be part of deep WEB. Take notice that for successful visiting of given sites you will need to have installed TOR browser. More about Tor browser itself can be found here: https://errortools.com/blog/software-review-series-tor-browser/ and its official website for download here: https://www.torproject.org/download/ Make sure that you copy the onion link and paste it into your TOR browser in order to access the site. That being said, let’s begin.

Mail2Tor

http://mail2tor2zyjdctd.onion/ If you want secure and private ways of sending your emails then look no further. Mail2Tor uses a webmail client and encrypts each email received or sent, combine that for not storing IP addresses and you have a private and safe environment for your emails.

The Hidden Wiki

http://zqktlwiuavvvqqt4ybvgvi7tyo4hjl5xgfuvpdf6otjiycgwqbym2qad.onion/wiki/index.php/Main_Page The Hidden Wiki is the go-to site if you want to explore more of deep WEB since it is the site of collected .onion sites. Think of it as a registry of onion sites that want to be accessed publicly but offer anonymity.

TorLinks

http://torlinksd6pdnihy.onion/ TorLinks is another site focusing on .onion site listings. Site themselves are divided into categories and are easy to find. Take note that .onion sites come and go so make sure to visit frequently both The Hidden Wiki and TorLinks in order to be updated.

Torch Search Engine

ttp://xmh57jrzrnw6insl.onion/ Torch is the oldest and most well-known search engine for dark web links, with its database of over a million .onion websites there is a chance that you will find what you are looking for on it.

DuckDuckGo

http://3g2upl4pq6kufc4m.onion/ Integrated into TOR itself as a default search engine DucDuckGo has proven itself to be a great competitor and challenger to Google. But unlike Google, DuckDuckGo will not track you nor store your search activities making it a great general private search engine.

Facebook

https://www.facebookwkhpilnemxj7asaniu7vnjjbiltxjqhye3mhbshg7kx5tfyd.onion/ Yup, Facebook has its own .onion version of its popular platform. Now since Facebook itself is a social media platform anonymity is out of the question but with .onion routing, you can have and maintain a Facebook account from locations where you normally could not like in some countries where Facebook.com is banned.

Galaxy3

http://galaxy3bhpzxecbywoa2j4tg43muepnhfalars4cce3fcx46qlc6t3id.onion/ Galaxy3 is also a social platform, the site is mostly populated with code experts and other individuals posting all kinds of stuff.

The Dark Lair

http://vrimutd6so6a565x.onion/index.php/Board Dark Lair was the first image exchange website that evolved into a social network. One difference from the other two mentioned is that you can engage in the website without registration as an anonymous user.

Pro Publica

https://www.propub3r6espa33w.onion/ The aim of the five-time Pulitzer Prize winner ProPublica is “To expose abuses of power and betrayals of the public trust by government, business, and other institutions, using the moral force of investigative journalism to spur reform through the sustained spotlighting of wrongdoing.” It’s the first major online publication to have a .onion address. The non-profit newsroom is funded by organizations such as the Sandler Foundation and has made countless contributions to the fight for free speech and privacy.

Soylent News

http://7rmath4ro2of2a42.onion/ Soylent news is an onion site that well brings news. The difference from other sites of the same content is that Soylent news is community moderated without any big names involved so it is authentic in its content.

CIA

ttp://ciadotgov4sjwlzihbbgxnqg3xiyrg7so2r2o3lt5wz5ypk4sxyjstad.onion/ Tor’s history is an unlikely tale. It was created by the U.S Navy with the purpose of helping informants in foreign nations to communicate safely over the Internet. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), in that spirit, released a .onion site so that people from across the globe can browse their resources securely and anonymously.

Secure drop

https://secrdrop5wyphb5x.onion/ Secure drop is a platform for changing leaked information and for journalists to communicate with their leads in private. It is used by Washington Post, Pro Publica, and The Guardian.

Hidden Answers

http://answerszuvs3gg2l64e6hmnryudl5zgrmwm3vh65hzszdghblddvfiqd.onion/ Hidden Answers is Reddit or Quora of the dark web but as in the spirit of the dark web, all discussed topics and stories are in total anonymity.

SCI-HUB

http://scihub22266oqcxt.onion/ With over 50 million research papers in the domain of science shared freely, Sci-Hub eliminates all barriers of free knowledge and offers a unique approach to education and scientific information.

Smartmixer.IO

http://smrtmxdxognxhv64.onion/ Smartmixer is a bitcoin mixer. The service scrambles your bitcoin with other users making your purchases completely anonymous. And that's it. 15 dark WEB onion sites you need to visit. I hope that you enjoyed the list and found something useful in it. Also, note that onion links can change overnight so if any of provided links do not work just go to DuckDuckGo and search for the site with the onion at the end.