Fixing DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Stop Error on Windows 10

Anxiety from all these digital threats lurking everywhere? An antivirus program can help put your mind at ease.

What can a virus do to your device?

A virus is malicious software that can affect pretty much any device and does so in a variety of ways. Be it your computer, your phone or your smart lightbulb - as long as there’s access to the internet, malware can get to it.

How exactly does this kind of attack manifest itself? Well, there’s a wide variety of effects ranging from mild to severe. Among other things, they depend on which type of malware attacks your device - a virus, spyware, ransomware, adware or something else.

These are some of the things you can expect to happen:

• Slow performance
• System crashes
• Theft of data and sensitive information
• Connectivity issues
• Constant browser redirects
• Strange messages sent to your contacts 
• Interference with files

It really can be the stuff of nightmares. So, if you want to sleep peacefully knowing that your devices are completely safe, you should definitely consider getting an antivirus.

P.S. don’t let its name fool you - an antivirus does indeed protect your devices against more than just viruses.

What is antivirus software exactly?

Antivirus software is designed to help you battle and ward off malware. Basically, it scans your device to detect any suspicious activity and offers tools to get rid of the culprit. 

At first, antiviruses were developed to fight against viruses only, but nowadays they cover a lot more ground. Here are some of the biggest benefits of getting yourself a powerful defender.

Advantages of antivirus software

1. It fights those pesky ads

Look, constant ads that pop up everywhere aren’t the absolute worst thing that can happen on your computer. If anything, they are annoying, like when you’re trying to sleep but that one fly in your room just won’t stop buzzing.

Now, there’s a free, well-established solution for that - installing an ad blocker. And we’re about a hundred and ten percent sure you’ve already done that on each and every browser you use.

However, “if I can’t see it, it doesn’t exist” isn’t the most ideal approach for your online safety. Ad blockers can’t block everything and they won’t protect you from potential adware. An antivirus on the other hand offers that layer of protection against malware snuck into pop-ups and spammy websites.

2. It protects you from hackers

Hackers don’t target government institutions only. They’ll target regular people too if they have something to gain.

There are different types of hacking, such as phishing e-mails, transmission of malicious programs, credential reuse, denial of service and more. In any case, they take control of your device and hijack your data.

The good thing is that, as threats evolve, antiviruses evolve too and there are tons of quality programs on the market that can keep you secure for an affordable price.

3. It keeps your files and data safe

When malware enters your device, it can target pretty much any file and get access to any and all data.

Installing an antivirus program will make sure that every single file, new or old, is monitored at all times, warning you against threats immediately. That way, you can make sure to react before your other files become infected and data is lost or stolen.

Another great thing for data protection is that the best antivirus software normally comes with a password manager, so no one can use malware to steal your passwords.

4. It blocks all kinds of malware

As we already stated, malicious attacks can be performed in many ways and malware comes in in different shapes an sizes, such as:

• Trojan horse
• Spyware
• Ransomware
• Adware
• Rootkit
• RAT (remote access Trojan)
• Keyloggers
• Worms
• Botnets

Nowadays, antivirus software is designed to fight against all of these types. That’s why more often than not we hear the term 'antivirus' used interchangeably with 'anti-malware,' like in this article.

5. It keeps your children protected

You can’t keep your eyes on your kid every second of the day and you can’t protect them from everything. But at least you can limit their exposure to the threats they can encounter at every corner of the digital world.

An antivirus program will block harmful or suspicious websites and ads, which is great both for you and your children. To take it a step further, though, many such programs come with special parental controls and offer monitoring as well. It’s a great solution for keeping your kids safe online without sounding like the irritating, overbearing, controlling parent who “just doesn’t get it!”

How to pick one

There are definitely lots of different antivirus programs out there, both free and paid. We recommend you look for a paid option, since free ones are unfortunately a lot more susceptible to being compromised through malicious attacks.

Now, there are a few factors to consider when choosing the right software. If you use your PC for basic things then a basic antivirus will suffice. However, the more complex your use and the more sensitive the data you deal with, the stronger it needs to be.

It’s also crucial that you take into account the features it includes. As we already mentioned, some programs have additional security options. For example, depending on the package you select, Bitdefender provides:

• Webcam and mic monitoring
• Parental control
• Firewall
• VPN
• Password management
• Identity theft protection

Some are included in plans and some are separate products, so make sure to check out all the offers.

And don’t worry if you have multiple PCs or you’re looking for protection for your smartphone or tablet as well; Bitdefender has suitable solutions for your needs. Of course, you can also just pick their classic antivirus software if you’re not in need of advanced protection.

Another important point is how regularly the software is updated and enhanced. The more frequent the updates the better, as bugs can make the program more vulnerable. Other things we advise you consider are user-friendliness, impact on performance, reputation (user reviews especially) and, of course, price.

The bottom line

Fact is: anyone can be a malware victim. Don’t let it be you.

You can’t put a price on peace and security, so don’t be reluctant to pay for yours - especially since a lot of options out there are extremely affordable. Is $159.00 a year really too much to pay for cross-platform protection for up to 10 devices? We don’t think so.

Explore your options and protect your files and data before it’s too late.

SysPlayer is a potentially unwanted ad-supported media application from Goobzo.com. It can display targeted ads, hijack browser search results, and can display pop-up ads. This player gathers information about your visited websites, the number of clicks on each website, and cookie information containing sensitive data, that it occasionally sends back to the server.

Multiple Anti-virus programs detect SysPlayer as malicious or potentially unwanted as of the time of publication of this video. It has been associated in bundles with iWebar, which is also flagged by many AVs.

From the publisher:

SysPlayer is an extremely lightweight free Media Player with built-in codecs, which supports the most popular video and audio formats, as well as DVD, audio CD, Webcams, and other devices. It lets you play your video files, and watch images.

About Potentially Unwanted Applications

People have experienced it – you download and install a piece of free software, next you see some unwanted programs on your computer system, find a strange toolbar on your web browser, or find your default search engine has been changed. You did not set them up, so how did they appear? A Potentially Unwanted Program, also known as PUP, in short, is actually software that contains adware, installs toolbars, or has other hidden goals. These types of programs are almost always bundled up with free software which you download via the internet or may also be bundled inside the custom installers of many download sites. Despite being considered very destructive, PUPs aren’t necessarily computer viruses or malware The main reason for this is the fact that the majority of PUPs get into users’ PC’s not because they exploit security weaknesses, for example, but because the users give consent to download and install it – unknowingly in general. On the other hand, there is no doubt that PUPs are still bad news for PC users as they can be incredibly dangerous to the computer in many ways.

What do PUPs do on your computer, really?

Unwanted programs can be found in many forms. More often, they can be found in adware bundlers which are known to use aggressive and misleading advertising. The majority of bundlers install many adware applications from several companies, each of which possesses its own EULA policy. Total System Care entirely eliminates this threat and protects your computer against unwanted programs or malware infection. PUPs that come as browser add-ons and toolbars are readily recognizable. They’ll modify web browser settings, change default search provider, substitute the default home page with their very own websites, decelerate internet speed, and can ruin your system also. They may look innocent but PUPs are usually spyware. They could include things like information gathering code which could gather and send your private information to organizations. Even if the PUPs really aren’t inherently malicious, these programs still do practically nothing good on your computer – they’ll take valuable system resources, slow down your computer, weaken your computer security, and make your system more vulnerable to trojans.

Protect yourself from PUPs

• Read the terms and conditions so that the end-user license agreement (EULA) you’re accepting is only for the program you actually intend to download. • Pick the “custom” install whenever installing a software program. Particularly, pay attention to those tiny boxes that have been checked by default, where you might ‘agree’ to receive advertising or install software bundlers. • Have a top-notch anti-virus program like Total System Care which will protect your personal machine from PUPs. Once you install this software, protection from viruses and PUPs is already switched on. • Avoid installing a freeware program you will not use. Prior to adding a toolbar or browser extension, think of whether it is really needed. • Always download programs from the original website. The majority of PUPs find their way to your computer system is through download portals, so stay away from it entirely.

What To Do If You Cannot Install Any Anti-virus?

Practically all malware is bad, but certain kinds of malicious software do a lot more damage to your computer or laptop than others. Some malware variants modify web browser settings by including a proxy server or modify the PC’s DNS configuration settings. In these instances, you’ll be unable to visit certain or all of the sites, and therefore not able to download or install the necessary security software to eliminate the malware. If you are reading this article, you probably have got affected by malware that stops you from installing security software such as Safebytes Anti-Malware. Even though this sort of issue will be harder to get around, there are some steps you can take.

Eliminate viruses in Safe Mode

The Windows operating system includes a special mode known as “Safe Mode” in which just the bare minimum required applications and services are loaded. If the malware is obstructing access to the internet and affecting your computer, launching it in Safe Mode allows you to download anti-virus and run a diagnostic scan while limiting possible damage. In order to enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the computer is starting up or run MSCONFIG and look for the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. Once you restart into Safe Mode with Networking, you could download, install, and update the anti-malware program from there. At this point, you are able to run the antivirus scan to get rid of computer viruses and malware without hindrance from another application.

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

Some malware only targets certain internet browsers. If this is your case, employ another web browser as it can circumvent the computer virus. If you’re not able to download the anti-virus application using Internet Explorer, this means the virus may be targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you should switch over to a different internet browser like Firefox or Chrome to download the Safebytes Anti-malware program.

Create a portable USB antivirus for removing malware

Another option would be to make a portable antivirus program on your USB thumb drive. Follow these steps to employ a USB drive to clean your corrupted system. 1) On a virus-free PC, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the USB drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click on the downloaded file to open the installation wizard. 4) Pick thumb drive as the location when the wizard asks you exactly where you would like to install the software. Follow the activation instructions. 5) Transfer the USB drive from the uninfected PC to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the EXE file to run the Safebytes tool right from the thumb drive. 7) Click the “Scan” button to run a full computer scan and remove malware automatically.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware: Light-weight Malware Protection for Windows Computer

If you’re looking to buy anti-malware for your computer system, there are many brands and applications for you to consider. A few of them do a good job in eliminating threats while many will harm your computer themselves. It is important to opt for a company that creates industry-best antimalware and has achieved a reputation as reliable. When considering trustworthy applications, Safebytes AntiMalware is certainly the highly recommended one. SafeBytes can be described as a powerful, real-time antivirus application that is created to assist the everyday computer end user in safeguarding their PC from malicious threats. Once you have installed this software program, SafeBytes superior protection system will make sure that absolutely no viruses or malicious software can seep through your PC. SafeBytes anti-malware takes computer protection to a whole new level with its advanced features. The following are some of the great features included in the product. World-class AntiMalware Protection: This deep-cleaning antimalware program goes much deeper than most anti-virus tools to clean out your personal computer. Its critically acclaimed virus engine finds and disables hard-to-remove malware that hides deep within your computer. Active Protection: SafeBytes gives real-time active supervision and protection from all of known viruses and malware. They’re extremely effective in screening and getting rid of numerous threats because they’re regularly improved with new updates and alerts. Quick Multi-threaded Scanning: Safebytes Anti-Malware, with its advanced scanning engine, provides extremely fast scanning which will quickly target any active online threat. Web Protection: SafeBytes checks and provides a unique safety ranking to every single site you visit and block access to web pages known to be phishing sites, thus safeguarding you from identity theft, or known to contain malware. Light-weight Utility: SafeBytes provides complete protection from online threats at a fraction of the CPU load due to its enhanced detection engine and algorithms. 24/7 Premium Support: Support service is accessible 24 x 7 x 365 days through chat and email to answer your concerns.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove SysPlayer 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 SysPlayer

AVFoundationCF.dll is a type of Dynamic Link Library file. This DLL file is associated with AVFoundationCF and is developed by Apple Computer Inc. for Windows PC. This file functions similarly to any other DLL files. It comprises of small programs. This DLL file is typically needed to load and start the Apple iTunes utility. The inability to call this file or the files to load triggers the AVFoundationCF.dll error message on your system. The error message can be displayed in either of the formats on your PC:

“The program can’t start because AVFoundationCF.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.” "This application failed to start because avfoundationcf.dll was not found.” "Cannot find %COMMONFILES%AppleApple Application Supportavfoundationcf.dll." "Cannot start AVFoundationCF. A required component is missing: avfoundationcf.dll.” “Avfoundationcf.dll Access Violation." "Cannot register avfoundationcf.dll."

Solution

Error Causes

AVFoundationCF.dll error can occur due to numerous reasons. However, the most common reasons for this error code include:

• Viral infection
• Corrupt or invalid registry entries
• Apple Computer Inc. hardware failure such as bad hard drive
• Missing or deleted Avfoundationcf.dll file

It is recommended to resolve the error as soon as you experience it virtually because if the error code is related to viral infection on your system, it can expose your PC to privacy errors and data security risk. And if the error is triggered by registry issues, it can lead to serious threats like system crash, failure, and data loss. Therefore, the AVFoundationCF.dll error not only hampers your ability to access and start Apple iTunes program but it also puts your PC at serious risk.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To fix the error AVFoundationCF.dll on your PC, here are some of the best and easy to do solutions that you can try:

Check your Recycle Bin

Since dll files are shared files, there is a possibility that this file accidentally got deleted when you were uninstalling some other program on your system. If you experience missing AVFoundationCF dll file error message after performing any program on your PC, then chances are that it got deleted and maybe in your recycle bin. So, first, check your recycle bin and search for the dll file. If you find it, restore it to fix the error.

Update Device Driver

To resolve the issue, try performing a driver update. This can be done by downloading the latest drivers from the hardware manufacturer’s website. Now open Device Manager from the Control Panel and locate the hardware device that you want to update the driver for. Once you find the hardware you are updating the driver for, right-click on the hardware icon and choose properties. In the properties windows, click the driver tab. Now click the update driver button. To activate changes, restart your PC. To automatically update your computer's drivers when necessary, download and install DriverFIX.

Try Re-installing Apple iTunes Program

To do this, simply go to the control panel, select programs and then uninstall a program and then select iTunes.  Uninstall it and then repeat the same program and install the Apple iTunes program again on your PC by downloading the program from Apple’s official website.

Scan for Viruses

If the error still persists, then it is advisable to scan your PC for viruses. This can be easily done by running a powerful antivirus on your PC. However, please note anti-viruses are notorious for slowing down PC performance. So, may have to compromise on the speed of your system.

Clean and Repair the Registry

If the error is caused by invalid and corrupt registry entries and damaged Avfoundationcf dll file, then the best way to resolve is to download a powerful registry cleaner. We advise you to install Restoro on your PC. This is an advanced and a multi-functional PC Fixer integrated with multiple powerful utilities including a high functional registry cleaner, an antivirus and a system optimizer. The registry cleaning utility scans all the registry issues and removes all errors triggered by the registry immediately. It cleans the registry by wiping out all the unnecessary, obsolete and redundant files including invalid entries and bad registry keys. Furthermore, it also fixes the damaged and corrupt dll files including Avfoundationcf dll file. Thereby resolving the error right away. Furthermore, the antivirus deployed in this software scans for all types of malicious codes like viruses, Trojans, spyware, and malware and removes them. To ensure you don’t compromise on your PC performance, it is deployed with a system optimizer utility that boosts the speed of your computer dramatically. This tool is bug free, has a user-friendly interface and compatible with all Windows versions. Click here to download Restoro and resolve Avfoundationcf.dll error on your PC today!

Many users would probably agree that the Windows Media Player, in most cases, is a lot better than the Groove. Although it is understandable why the Groove Music app was created, it may be time for Microsoft to bring its focus back on Windows Media Player. Even more, so that some users are experiencing an issue where they were not able to play their playlist in the Windows Media Player on their Windows 10 PCs. One particular user claimed that when he removed his music from the C drive and transferred them to the C drive for some reason he didn’t state. Right after he did that, any attempts to play songs in the Windows Media Player just don’t seem to work. Transferring music to a different location shouldn’t cause any issue but for some unknown reason, it did. According to security experts, the reason why the Windows Media Player didn’t play the playlist is that it still believes that the songs are still located in the C drive when they’re really not. So the question here is, how can you get the Windows Media Player to recognize the exact and correct location of the songs? Worry not, for this post will show you how exactly you can do that. Carefully follow each one of the instructions given below to fix the Windows Media Player issue.

Option 1 – Try running the WMP Troubleshooters

In case there are any issues with the Windows Media Player, you can always count on the WMP Troubleshooters to fix the problem for you. These built-in troubleshooters, namely, Windows Media Player Library and Windows Media Player DVD Troubleshooters can help you fix the problem, so run them both and see if you can now play those songs or not.

Option 2 – Try rebuilding the Windows Media Player Database

If the first option didn’t work for you, you might have to rebuild the Windows Media Player database. You can do this by following the steps below.

• Tap the Win + R keys at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
• After that, copy and paste this command in the field: %userprofile%Local SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftMedia Player
• Once you’ve pasted the command, hit Enter then you will see a new File Explorer which is the folder for the Media Player. You will have to delete every item in this folder, except for the folders. Meaning to say, you must only delete the individual contents inside but not the folders.
• Now launch the Windows Media Player again and watch as it rebuilds the music library automatically.

Wallpapers by MyWay is a browser hijacker, also known as Wallpaper Homepage adware. It was developed by Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc and it is widely promoted on the Internet as a genuine search engine powered by Google with an ability to customize homepage background and add some quick access links. This hijacker can be found in the most popular web browsers including Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and IE. Generally Wallpaper by MyWay hijacker appears on the user’s computer without the user being fully aware of its modification.

While installed users will experience additional ads showing up in their search results, as well as sponsored content and pop-up ads. This extension has been flagged by several anti-virus scanners and it is recommended to remove it from your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijack is a very common type of online fraud where your web browser settings are altered to allow it to do things you never intend. Browser hijacker malware is designed for many different reasons. These are generally used to force visitors to predetermined sites, manipulating web traffic to generate ad revenue. Nevertheless, it’s not that harmless. Your internet safety is jeopardized and it is also really irritating. Additionally, hijackers can make the entire infected system fragile – other harmful malware and viruses would take hold of these opportunities to get into your system very easily.

Signs of browser hijacker infection

Symptoms that your browser is hi-jacked include: 1. you see unauthorized modifications to your web browser’s home-page 2. you find yourself regularly directed to a different site than the one you meant 3. the default web engine and the default browser settings is modified 4. find new toolbars which you did not add 5. you notice lots of pop-up ads on your computer screen 6. your internet browser has instability issues or displays frequent errors 7. you’re blocked to access those sites of anti-malware solution providers.

Exactly how browser hijacker finds its way onto your computer

Browser hijackers can enter a computer by some means or other, for instance via file sharing, downloads, and e-mail also. Many internet browser hijackings come from add-on programs, i.e., browser helper objects (BHO), toolbars, or plug-ins added to web browsers to provide them additional functionality. A browser hijacker can be installed as a part of freeware, shareware, demoware and fake programs. An example of some popular browser hijackers includes Babylon, Anyprotect, Conduit, DefaultTab, SweetPage, RocketTab, and Delta Search, however, the names are often changing. Browser hijackers could record user keystrokes to collect potentially valuable information that leads to privacy issues, cause instability on systems, significantly disrupt user’s browsing experience, and finally slow down the system to a point where it will become unusable.

Browser hijacker removal methods

Certain types of browser hijackers can be quickly removed from your computer by deleting malicious programs or any other recently installed shareware. However, the majority of hijacking codes are certainly not easy to get rid of manually, as they go deeper into the operating system. Furthermore, manual removals require in-depth system knowledge and therefore can be a very difficult job for novices. Installing and running anti-malware programs on the affected computer can automatically delete browser hijackers and other malicious programs. One of the top tools for repairing browser hijacker infections is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. It helps you get rid of any pre-existing malicious software on your computer and gives you real-time monitoring and protection against new threats. Use a system optimizer (such as Total System Care) along with your anti-malware to fix various registry issues, remove computer vulnerabilities, and improve your computer overall performance.

How To Get Remove Malware That Is Preventing Antivirus Installation?

All malware is detrimental and the consequences of the damage will vary according to the specific type of malicious software. Some malware goes to great lengths to stop you from downloading or installing anything on your computer, especially anti-virus software programs. If you are reading this article, you may have infected by a virus that stops you from downloading a security software such as Safebytes Antimalware on your PC. Refer to the instructions below to remove malware in alternative ways.

Use Safe Mode to fix the issue

If the malware is set to run at Windows start-up, then booting in safe mode should avoid it. Only the minimum required applications and services are loaded when you boot your laptop or computer into Safe Mode. To launch your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers in Safe Mode with Networking, follow the instructions below. 1) After switching on the computer, press the F8 key before the Windows splash screen starts to load. This would conjure up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Select Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and hit ENTER. 3) When this mode loads, you should have an internet connection. Now, make use of your web browser normally and navigate to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 4) After installation, do a complete scan and allow the program to remove the threats it discovers.

Switch to some other internet browser

Malicious code might exploit vulnerabilities in a specific internet browser and block access to all anti-malware software websites. When you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a trojan or otherwise compromised by online hackers, the most effective course of action would be to switch over to a different internet browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari to download your chosen computer security software – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Install anti-malware on a flash drive

Here’s another solution which is creating a portable USB anti-malware software package that can scan your computer for malware without needing installation. Adopt these measures to employ a flash drive to fix your corrupted PC. 1) On a clean PC, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug in the pen drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded software, with a .exe file format. 4) Choose the flash drive as the destination for saving the software file. Follow the activation instructions. 5) Now, transfer the thumb drive to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the antivirus software EXE file on the thumb drive. 7) Click on the “Scan Now” button to start the malware scan.

How SafeBytes Anti-Malware Keep your Machine Virus Free

If you are looking to download an anti-malware application for your computer, there are plenty of tools on the market to consider but you just cannot trust blindly anyone, no matter whether it is a free or paid program. A few of them do a good job in eliminating threats while many will ruin your computer themselves. You must select one that is dependable, practical, and has a good reputation for its malware source protection. When considering commercial anti-malware application options, many people select well-known brands, like SafeBytes, and they are quite happy with it. SafeBytes is a powerful, real-time antivirus application that is designed to assist everyday computer user in safeguarding their PC from malicious threats. With its most advanced virus detection and repair technology, this software will help you protect your personal computer against infections caused by different types of malware and other internet threats, including adware, spyware, viruses, worms, trojans, keyloggers, ransomware, and potentially unwanted program (PUPs).

There are lots of wonderful features you’ll get with this security product. Some of them are listed as below:

Robust Anti-malware Protection: Using its advanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware elimination tool can detect and remove the malware threats hiding within your computer system effectively. Active Protection: SafeBytes gives you round-the-clock protection for your PC limiting malware attacks in real-time. It will check your personal computer for suspicious activity at all times and safeguards your PC from unauthorized access. Fast Scan: This computer software has one of the fastest and most efficient virus scanning engines in the industry. The scans are very accurate and take a short amount of time to complete. Web Protection: Safebytes allots all sites a unique safety score that helps you to have an idea of whether the website you’re about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site. Light-weight: SafeBytes gives complete protection from online threats at a fraction of the CPU load due to its enhanced detection engine and algorithms. 24/7 Customer Service: Expert technicians are at your disposal 24/7! They will quickly resolve any technical issues you may be experiencing with your security software. To conclude, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is really great for securing your PC against all kinds of malware threats. Malware problems will become a thing of the past once you put this software program to use. So if you’re looking for the best anti-malware subscription for your Windows-based PC, we highly recommend SafeBytes Anti-Malware software

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you’d like to manually remove Wallpapers by MyWay without using an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the application from the Microsoft Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of web browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will probably also want to reset your internet browser to its default configuration settings. If you opt to manually delete the system files and registry entries, use the following checklist to make sure you know exactly what files to remove before performing any actions. Please keep in mind that this is for professional users only and might be difficult, with wrong file removal leading to additional system errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Carrying out this malware-removal process in Safe Mode is recommended.

If you are typing inside the Search bar, Cortana, Taskbar, Windows 10 apps, etc., and then everything seems invisible then read on as this post will guide you in fixing this issue. At first, you might think that something is wrong with your keyboard but it really has nothing to do with it. The problem actually lies with the apps from Microsoft Store. Thus, if you can’t type anything in any of the apps from Microsoft Store in Windows 10, refer to the options given below to fix them.

Option 1 – Ensure that ctfmon.exe is running

Ctfmon.exe is a Microsoft process in Windows 10 that controls the Alternative User Input as well as the Office Language bar. In other words, it enables end-users to control the computer using on-screen keyboard inputs, speech, and even pen for various languages. It would be better if you launch the program once by going to the C:/Windows/system32 folder. Doing so will ensure that whatever API is needed for the keyboard typing to work properly again. You also have to make sure that its startup status is not disabled. In addition, you can also try the following steps, alternatively.

• Open the Task Scheduler.
• Then go to Microsoft > Windows > TextServicesFramework.
• And on the MsCtfMonitor, right-click and enable the task.
• Now restart your computer.

This will ensure that all the text boxes will start to work again. And if the task MsCtfMonitor is missing from the list of tasks, you can import it with the XML file from basics.net. Then download and create a task to run it each time you log in to your PC.

Option 2 – Use the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

You might also try running the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter as it can help in resolving issues with the Windows Store apps. This built-in tool can resolve most of the app-related problems. To use it, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshooting > Windows Store Apps and from there, click the start the troubleshooter button. The Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter will scan the computer for any issues with the Windows store apps and will automatically fix them if it finds any.

Option 3 – Re-register all the Windows 10 UWP apps using PowerShell

• First, make sure to close all the running applications on your computer.
• Next, in the Start search, type in PowerShell and right click on the result, and select the “Run as administrator” option.
• After that, type the following commands to re-register the Windows 10 apps. Make sure to hit Enter on each line:
  • reg delete "HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionTileDataModelMigrationTileStore" /va /f
  • get-appxpackage -packageType bundle |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + "appxmetadataappxbundlemanifest.xml")}
  • $bundlefamilies = (get-appxpackage -packagetype Bundle).packagefamilyname
  • get-appxpackage -packagetype main |? {-not ($bundlefamilies -contains $_.packagefamilyname)} |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + "appxmanifest.xml")}

Option 4 – Try to run the DISM tool

You can also run the DISM Tool as it helps in repairing the Windows System Image as well as the Windows Component Store in Windows 10. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth” which could help in fixing the problem.

• 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 5 – Run the System File Checker Scan

System File Checker or SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files to good system files. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.

• Tap Win + R to launch Run.
• Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
• After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow

The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:

1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.

• Restart your PC.

If VirtualBox suddenly displays a black screen without any text or mouse cursor when you are trying to boot a guest operating system, then read on as this post will guide you in fixing such an issue. This black screen occurs when Windows 10 failed to provide a specific setting that VirtualBox requires. Consequently, you will not be able to install or use any guest operating system in VirtualBox even if your PC has virtualization support, the best thing you can do now is to fix this black screen issue. There are two ways you can fix this black screen in VirtualBox, you can either try to disable Hyber-V or disable 3D Acceleration. For more details, refer to each one of the given options below.

Option 1 – Try to disable Hyper-V

Hyper-V is a built-in virtualization tool available in Windows that helps users in creating a virtual machine as well as install a guest operating system without using any third-party tool like VMware, VirtualBox, and many more. However, the problem with this virtualization tool is that some systems cannot run it and VirtualBox simultaneously which is most likely why the screen abruptly turns into black. Thus, you have to disable Hyper-V to resolve the problem. How? Refer to these steps:

• In the Start Search, type “Turn Windows features on or off” and then click on it from the results.
• Once you’ve opened the Windows Features window, remove the checkmark from the Hyper-V box.
• Click the OK button and then restart your computer.
• Now try to use VirtualBox again and see if the problem is fixed.

Option 2 – Try to disable 3D Acceleration

The guest operating system will use the host computer’s GPU to render 3D graphics if you enable the 3D Acceleration for the virtual machine. To simply put it, it will enhance the graphics of the virtual machine and will let you use 3D graphics. Although it may seem nice, it can actually cause the black screen to appear as well so you might have to disable it to isolate the problem. In fact, a lot of operating systems have failed to use the 3D Acceleration for the guest operating system because of this black screen issue. To disable it, follow these steps:

• Open VirtualBox on your computer and select the virtual machine.
• Next, click on the Settings button and go to the Display section.
• After that, look for a checkbox named “Enable 3D Acceleration” located on your right-hand side and then uncheck it.
• Save the changes you’ve made and reboot your PC and see if you can now run the virtual machine without any problem.

Recently on errortools.com, we were talking about Cooler Master’s Orb X gaming chair that is an absolute beast and an amazing product. One downside of Orb X is its price. IW product line is somewhat competing with Orb X with a much more affordable price aiming to probably take customer base with lower income but offering them a great experience as well. The first thing you will notice is a different design and somewhat feeling of cheaper quality if you compare it to Orb X but that is quite reasonable considering the chair itself is around 3.5 times cheaper than Orb X which really puts it in range of everyone can get it. But does a much cheaper price means low quality? Let’s explore.

IW Unicorn

The 2021 CLUVENS BRAND newly issued model UNICORN has fully electrical tilting capabilities to 160 degrees, Reading light-two LED & RGB illumination lighting, manual open/close keyboard tray, and armrests. This model is suitable for home and office, and also gaming computer work environments. It offers functions that enable the user to experience unprecedented comfort and quasi total immersion through strategically positioned 1-3 monitors, audio systems, and accessories. The result is a complete computer office, ergonomically optimized, with a minimal footprint that improves overall performance and productivity and health and comfort. Sitting on a chair can help a lot for relieving health problems like lower back pain, herniated discs, sciatica, and neck pain and also enhance performance and viewing effects.

More Luxury and More comfortable:

Equipped with Luxury feeling reclining Gaming chair made with high-density Mold Shaping Foam and superior quality PU leather with very comfortable texture, electrical recline to 128 degrees, and more to 160 degrees for the flat position for the user.

More High-End Setting and more High-tech:

Manual push for open / close of big sized (87x34cm) Self-Balancing Keyboard tray, adjustable with 20cm distance range with Electrical control for the height of roof arm & monitors. Electrical control for reclining Zero Gravity position or even flat position, Manual adjusted Feet pedal for a more comfortable position for feet. Using a High-Quality PU leather Gaming chair that has Heat/Massage functions with it! The IW-Unicorn monitor mounts allow the use of a single monitor up to Ultra-wide 49” or 43” in size or triple monitor setups up to 3 x 29” other monitors configurations are available upon request. (VESA standard)

IW Scorpion

Scorpion is basically a premium version of Unicorn with being able to hold more weight, having cup holders on the armrest, etc. The look is also similar with Scorpion being more sinister-looking but overall Steel frame and chair are the same.

Conclusion

Sadly I have not personally experienced neither of these products including Orb X but from all information I have found and looked over, I would say these products are not trying to compete with each other. Although Products are similar in nature, Orb X is aimed at hi end-users focusing on privacy and robustness while IW is filling the gap of users that would like an advanced chair but are not willing or ready to shell hi amount of money for it offering advanced chairs with advanced features in somewhat affordable price.

Hello and welcome to errortools another tutorial which aims to make your computer life easier and more relaxed. This time we will be talking about how to switch sound output devices in Windows 10 in a matter of seconds between Headphones and external speakers, Between 2 different speakers, or any other audio output device in general. Windows 10 with its updates has really gone from OK to one of the greats, little hacks and shortcuts which every update has introduced have really made life easier. Now, your typical switching from one audio output device to another can be accomplished with your standard go to settings, go to devices, choose audio, pick one which you prefer and click on OK. This way altho nothing wrong with it is a little slow and if you need to switch your output devices several times in a single day often it can be time-consuming as well. Lucky for you we have a quick solution for you.

Switching guide

All right, now in order to be able to actually switch between your audio output devices make sure that all of them are working and that they are plugged in. For example, make sure that both of your headphones and speakers are turned ON and plugged in. Once you have confirmed that everything is in working order:

1. Click with a left mouse button on a speaker icon located on the right part of your taskbar next to the clock
2. Click on the small up arrow on the right next to your current audio output device.
3. The list will open, choose, and left click with the mouse button on your choice.

And that's it, you have changed your default audio output device in a matter of seconds. The good thing about this method is that Windows will remember output audio levels for each device.

Potential issue

If by any chance when switching your audio devices this way freezes volume control just go to the task manager and restart Windows Explorer. To restart Windows explorer:

1. Press CTRL + ESC to open task manager
2. Right-click on Windows Explorer
3. Left-click on restart

Error Code 80070103 –What is it?

Error code 80070103 affects Windows users who attempt to access the latest updates for hardware drivers using Windows Update. Windows 10 users who are affected by this error code will be unable to complete the upgrade process. This error code usually occurs due to the Windows Update attempts to download an incompatible version of a driver or a driver that is already downloaded on one’s device.

Solution

Error Causes

The cause of error code 80070103 in Windows 10 is usually easy to determine. This is due to the fact that the error code only affects users who attempt to access updates related to hardware drivers. In such cases, the error code will only occur if the Windows Update website or tool on your machine attempts to install a driver that is already present on one’s machine or the version of the driver is unsuitable for one’s machine due to lower compatibility.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Manual repair methods are very effective in helping Windows users fix problems related to error code 80070103 as well as other errors. These repair methods can usually be implemented by users with very limited technical skills. In some cases, however, you may need to contact a Windows repair technician, i.e. if you have problems following the manual repair method instructions provided or if the repair methods prove unsuccessful.

In the case of error code 80070103, the problem can be rectified by either hiding the update or reinstalling the hardware driver. Windows users can hide an update on the Windows Update website or via Windows Update within their machine’s Settings. However, users will need to contact their device manufacturer to reinstall hardware drivers in most instances. See below for further details regarding these manual repair methods.

Method One: Hide the Update

In the case where you are informed via an error message box that a driver, for instance, your graphics driver, is incompatible you may need to consider hiding the update to prevent error code 80070103 from reoccurring on your machine.

The incompatible issues will come about when the Windows Update website attempts to download a driver that is already on the device or one with a lower compatibility. When you hide the update, it is in essence, preventing Windows Update from offering this driver in the future. To complete this manual repair method, follow the steps below:

• Step one: Visit the Microsoft Update site 
• Step two: Select Custom on the Welcome page after completing the scan for the updates process
• Step three: Select Hardware, Optional.
• Step four: Open the second update for the graphics card, then select Don't show this update again check box.
• Step five: Review and install updates.

You may also complete this process by opening Windows Update within your computer’s settings, then selecting the Optional update or available link. Once you’ve done this, you may then select the updates you would like to install and hide the update that has resulted in the occurrence of error code 80070103.

Method Two: Reinstall Hardware Driver

In the case where you need to install a hardware driver, you will need to contact the manufacturer of your device. Once you’ve contacted the manufacturer or visit the manufacturer’s official website, you can then install the latest device drivers manually. Read the instructions for the installation of the latest drivers carefully. This will ensure you avoid any problems and improve your chances of successfully fixing error code 80070103.

After you’ve contacted your device manufacturer and completed the process of reinstalling the hardware driver, check Windows Update to see whether or not error code 80070103 has been rectified. If the problem was related to your hardware driver and you successfully reinstalled the driver, the error code will not reoccur when you attempt to download the latest updates for your hardware drivers.

However, you may need to take another approach if this manual repair method fails to fix error code 80070103. For instance, consider getting help from a Windows repair technician who is equipped with the skills and expertise necessary to offer a detailed inspection of your machine. Though the error code is related to one’s drivers, the fact that a Windows error code occurred may mean that your system needs a thorough evaluation as other issues may be present.

Method Three: Download an Automated Tool

If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 10 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.