Could not start Diagnostic Policy Service

It really sucks when you can’t fully enjoy the newest version of your favorite OS.

Windows 11 is still relatively fresh and consequently has some annoying little bugs that really ruin our experience. The good news is that you’re not alone and most of them are easy to fix.

Here are 5 commonly reported Windows 11 issues and what you can do to get rid of them.

1. Windows 11 audio problems

One of the absolute most irritating things in the world is struggling with the sound on your computer. Windows 11 users have reported facing the issue of low or no sound. If you’re currently experiencing the same frustration, you can be relieved. Chances are fixing it will only take a few minutes.

The first thing to check would be whether you accidentally muted your device by pressing the mute button on your keyboard. Yes, we know it sounds a lot like the old “have you tried turning it off and on again?” But it’s important to leave no stone unturned, and the most obvious things are usually the ones we easily overlook.

Moreover, if you have several audio output sources, check whether the right one is selected. You can do this via the Action Center or through Settings. If you want to use the same source every time, we also recommend you set it as the default one.

It’s also important to have a good, up-to-date audio driver. More often than not, this will be the true cause of your audio struggles. Make sure to update your driver, and if that doesn’t work out, you can always un- and reinstall it or install a different one. 

Lastly, if all attempts remain unsuccessful, run the audio troubleshooter to figure out what’s actually going wrong.

2. Unable to find files

Such a powerful new operating system, yet it can’t seem to do the simplest thing imaginable? The File Explorer not responding on Windows 11 is one of the most frustrating and most common problems with Microsoft’s newest iteration of its awesome OS.

However, 9/10 times it can be fixed by simply restarting your PC. You could also try killing the Windows Explorer process in the Task Manager and then rerunning it.

If these don’t help, check whether there are any pending Windows 11 updates. A single missing update can compromise your PC’s functionality, so always make sure to install them all on time. 

Should none of that work, then there are other ways to solve the File Explorer problem. However, then the issue is probably a bit deeper and it’s no longer in the ‘easy fix’ territory.

3. Start menu not working

Just like the File Explorer, the Start menu is a fundamental element of your OS. So, it’s only natural that its malfunction grinds your gears. It may be more customizable than on previous Windows versions, but it doesn’t always work smoothly. 

If you’re facing the so-called Start menu critical error, there are a few things this could be caused by. Usually it means you turned off your system while an important update was still being installed, there is a corrupt file on your PC, or Windows forcefully stopped a program. 

Whatever the reason, the solution should be pretty simple. Try the basic steps: restarting your File Explorer (like we explained above) and signing out and back into your account. If that doesn’t do anything, you may want to try uninstalling third-party start menu apps (if you have any), since they can interfere with your default programs’ functionality.

Now, those are the easy fixes. If you get nowhere with them, you might need to identify the root cause and search for more complex solutions than that.

4. Snipping tool not working

Our beloved screenshot tool was introduced with Windows 10 and Microsoft decided to keep it. However, you were probably just as disappointed as us when you tried to run it and failed. 

Normally, this can be fixed by installing the latest Out-of-band (OOB) update, or even pending updates in general. Even if your system appears to be up-to-date, run the checker just in case.

Another cool thing Windows 11 lets you do is ‘Repair’ and ‘Reset’, which is the easiest way to troubleshoot your Snipping tool. If this fails, you can also try the good old un- and reinstall method. Simply uninstall the tool through the Control Panel and reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.

Furthermore, in the case of an upgrade from Windows 10 to 11, it may be that the old Snipping tool version is interfering with the launch of the new one. If you don’t care that much about the additional options available with the enhanced screenshot tool, you can use the old version instead.

Simply go to your C Drive, find the Windows.old folder, search for the tool and open it from there. Make sure to pin it to your taskbar as well, if you know you’re going to use it often.

5. Can’t install the latest update

The latest Windows 11 version, 22H2, has brought tons of enhancements to our dearest operating system. Unfortunately, a lot of users still haven’t had the opportunity to experience it. A mere update of your OS version should be the one thing that goes smoothly, but sometimes that’s not the case.

Failure to install 22H2 can be caused by a few things. Most commonly, the issue is caused by lack of storage space or corrupted files, but there could be other culprits.

There are a couple of things you could try. For example, it’s crucial that your drivers be up-to-date and some important services be enabled. These are: Windows Modules Installer, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, Cryptographic Service, Windows Update services.

To enable them, search ‘Services’, find the service you need and right-click on it. Open ‘Properties’ and select the startup type ‘Automatic’.

It may also be necessary to unplug all peripherals that aren’t crucial and disable third-party antivirus tools until after the update is finished. 

Ultimately, you can run the Windows Update troubleshooter to detect and fix other possible issues.

Summary

Tiny bugs like these are nothing out of the ordinary. That said, we still all hate when they happen.

Hopefully some of our solutions have helped you to a smoother Windows 11 experience. But if you’re still struggling, feel free to reach out to us. We’d be happy to help!

REevil is one of the most active and successful hacking groups connected to Russia and operating all over the world. The group recently demanded a huge bitcoin ransom for an attack targeting IT firm Kaseya in the USA. Since Tuesday blog and payment site run by REvil group cannot be longer reached without any kind of explanation or why. The reason behind the disappearance is unknown but has sparked speculation that the group may have been targeted deliberately by authorities. US President Joe Biden said he raised the issue with Vladimir Putin during a phone call on Friday, after discussing the subject during a summit with the Russian president in Geneva last month. Mr. Biden told reporters that he had "made it very clear to him...we expect them to act" on information and also hinted the US could take direct digital retaliation on servers used for intrusions. The timing of Tuesday's outage has sparked speculation that either the US or Russian officials may have taken action against REvil - though officials have so far declined to comment and cyber experts say sudden disappearances of groups are not necessarily uncommon. The development comes after a series of high-profile ransomware attacks which have hit major US businesses this year. The FBI accused REvil - also known as Sodinokibi - of being behind a ransomware attack on the world's largest meat processing company JBS last month.

Getting a few errors here and there when updating your Windows 10 computer is not uncommon. Some of these errors won’t allow the Windows Update service to initiate while the other ones will halt the process while it’s running. So in this post, we’ll show you what you can do to fix the Windows Update error 0x80070020. The Windows Update error 0x80070020 is most likely caused by some programs installed in the system which interferes with the Windows Update process. It might be an antivirus program, an incompatible program, a potentially unwanted program, or worse, malware. In addition, corrupted or missing files might also be the culprit. Whichever the cause may be, here are some suggestions you need to check out to resolve the problem.

Option 1 – Try to reset the Windows Update components manually

• To manually reset the Windows Update components, first, you need to stop the Background Intelligent Transfer Service, Windows Update, and the Cryptographic Services. To do so, run the following command in Command Prompt and make sure to press Enter after you enter each one of them:
  • net stop bits
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop cryptsvc
• Next, delete the “qmgr*.dat” file in order to reset the Windows Update components. To do delete this file, run the following command in Command Prompt:
  • Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%Application DataMicrosoftNetworkDownloaderqmgr*.dat
• Now you have to rename both the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders by entering the following command in Command Prompt:
  • Ren %systemroot%SoftwareDistributionSoftwareDistribution.bak
  • Ren %systemroot%system32catroot2catroot2.bak
• Reset BITS and Windows Update service by entering the following commands in Command Prompt:

• • sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
  • sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
• Now enter the following command:

• cd /d %windir%system32

• RE-register BITS and other Windows Update related files by typing each one of the following commands:

• • regsvr32.exe atl.dll
  • regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
  • regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll
  • regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
  • regsvr32.exe browseui.dll
  • regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
  • regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
  • regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
  • regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
  • regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
  • regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
  • regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
  • regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
  • regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
  • regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
  • regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
  • regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
  • regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
  • regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll
  • regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll
  • regsvr32.exe ole32.dll
  • regsvr32.exe shell32.dll
  • regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wups.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
  • regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
  • regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
  • regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll
• Now type each one of those commands below.
  • net start bits
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start cryptsvc

Option 2 – Install the updates in a Clean Boot State

You might want to try putting your computer in a Clean Boot state and then install Windows Updates again without any trouble. During this state, you can start the system with a minimum number of drivers and startup programs that will surely help you in isolating the root cause of the issue.

• Log onto your PC as an administrator.
• Type in msconfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
• From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
• Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
• Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
• Click Disable all.
• Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
• After that, try to install the Windows Updates or upgrade again.

Option 3 – Clear the contents of both the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders

• Open the WinX Menu.
• From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
• Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.

net stop wuauserv net stop bits

• After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service and the Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
• Next, go to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
• Once all the contents in the Software Distribution folder are deleted, restart your PC and then go back to Command Prompt and input the following commands again.

net start wuauserv net start bits

 Since the folder has already been flushed, it will be populated afresh the instant your restart your computer and open Windows Update.

Option 4 – Try to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter could also help you resolve the Windows Update error 0x80070020. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.

Option 5 – Try restarting the Windows Update Services

• Open the Services Manager.

From there, make sure that you set the following services and Startup types:

• Background Intelligent Transfer Service: Manual
• Cryptographic Service: Automatic
• Windows Update Service: Manual (Triggered)

You have the option to choose to configure the Network to Private or Public when you set it on Windows 10 PC. On the other hand, if the option to change the Network from Public to Private goes missing in Windows Settings then this post will surely help. You can find this setting under Settings > Network and Internet > Ethernet and appears when you click on it. If you are not able to see the option to change the network profile, then you either can’t open the settings, or the option to change it has been disabled. To resolve this issue, you can either use the Registry Editor or Windows PowerShell. Refer to the options given below for more details.

Option 1 – Change the Network Profile via Registry Editor

Changing the Network Profile can be done using the Registry Editor. But before you proceed, make sure that you create a System Restore Point first just in case. Refer to the steps below to do so.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• After that, navigate to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionNetworkListProfiles
• Now expand the Profiles key folder located in the left pane to see one or more folders.
• Next, expand each one of these folders and look for the “Description” sub-key which should match the name of your network.
• After you find the Description sub-key, look for another sub-key named “Category” and double click on it to open it.
• Now change its value from “0” to “1” to change the Network Profile from Public to Private.

Option 2 – Change the Network Profile via Windows PowerShell

Aside from the Windows Registry, you can also use Windows PowerShell in changing the Network Profile from Public to Private and so on. Take note that you have to use PowerShell with admin privileges. Just refer to the steps below to do so.

• Tap the Win + X keys and then select the “PowerShell (Admin)” option.
• Next, click on Yes if the User Account Control prompt appears.
• After that, execute the commands listed below. Hit Enter right after you key in each one of them.
  • Get-NetConnectionProfile
  • Set-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceIndex <index number> -NetworkCategory Private

Note: Since every Network Profile has an index number, you can check the label “Name” to identify the network that you want to change.

One of the most popular and most used web browsers commonly used by Windows users is Google Chrome. This well-known web browser has been introducing various features recently in order to stay at the top. However, it makes the web browser a lot more complex and thus prone to errors. Although this may not be a big deal, it can be quite annoying as it can interrupt your web browsing. There are various errors that can come up with this level of complexity of the web browser. One of these errors is the “This site can’t be loaded from the cache, ERR_CACHE_MISS” error message that can suddenly appear while you browse the web using your Google Chrome browser on your Windows 10 PC. Take note that when you encounter this particular error, there really is no direct fault in the Chrome browser as there are also issues with caching the website data locally in the computer. Moreover, this error can also occur when a website is coded in an incorrect manner or if there are some browser extensions or toolbars that are in conflict with the proper functioning of the website. To fix the ERR_CACHE_MISS error in Google Chrome, refer to the possible solutions laid out below.

Option 1 – Try clearing browser data

There are times when some data in the browser is conflicting with the loading of the website and triggers errors like ERR_CACHE_MISS. And so you can try to clear your browser’s data. This might be a very basic solution but oftentimes it works in fixing this kind of error in Google Chrome. Follow the steps below to clear the data in your browser.

• Open your Google Chrome browser.
• After that, tap the Ctrl + H keys. Doing so will open a new panel that allows you to delete the browsing history and other data in your browser.
• Now select every checkbox that you see and click on the Clear browsing data button.
• Then restart your Chrome browser and check if you can now open any website or not.

Option 2 – Try using the Developer Tools

You can also try using the Developer tools in Google Chrome to help you fix the ERR_CACHE_MISS error. Refer to the steps below to do so.

• Open Google Chrome.
• Tap the Ctrl + Shift + I keys on your keyboard and then tap the F1 key to open the Settings tab inside the Chrome Developer Tools.
• Next, select the Disable cache option while DevTools is open and apply those settings.
• After that, refresh your browser and check if the entries you’ve seen previously in the Network tab are gone.
• Now try to load the same webpage again and see if the problem is resolved.

Option 3 – Reset Winsock, TCP/IP & Flush DNS

Resetting Winsock, TCP/IP, and flushing DNS might help you resolve the ERR_CACHE_MISS error. To do so, follow these steps:

• Right-click on the Start button and click on Command Prompt (administrator) so you can pull up an elevated Command Prompt.
• After that, execute each one of the commands listed below. And after you typed in one after the other, you have to hit Enter.

1. netsh winsock reset – type in this command to reset Winsock
2. netsh int ip reset resettcpip.txt – type in this command to reset TCP/IP
3. ipconfig /flushdns – type in this command to flush the DNS cache

• Next, restart your PC and check if the problem’s fixed.

Option 4 – Get rid of any conflicting browser extensions

• Open Chrome and press Alt + F keys.
• Go to More tools and click Extensions to look for any suspicious browser extensions or toolbars.
• Click the Recycle bin and select Remove.
• Restart Chrome and press Alt + F keys again.
• Proceed to On Startup and mark Open a specific page or set of pages.
• To check if the browser hijacker is still active, click Set pages, if it is active, overwrite the URL.

Note: If removing the browser extensions or toolbars didn’t work, you can also try to reset your Google Chrome browser.

• Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
• After that, click on Settings.
• Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
• After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
• Now restart Google Chrome.

Error Code 80004002 - What is it?

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

Solution

Error Causes

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

Further Information and Manual Repair

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

Method 1: Safe Mode

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

Method 2: Update Outdated Drivers

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

Method 3: Reinstall Windows Update Client

To perform this process, follow the steps below:

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

Click for 32-bit Operating System

Click for 64-bit Operating System

5. After installation, search for Windows Update from the Search option.
6. Select the Check for Updates option.
7. Once any updates are found, hit Install Updates.

Method 4: Use An Automated Tool

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

When trying to run Computer Management, or when running mmc.exe or compmgmt.msc from a command prompt you get the error that the application has been blocked for your protection then keep reading in order to solve the issue. This is a permission issue where if a regular user tries to run such system tools will result in saying that it has been blocked. Along with this, you may have a Group Policy issue. This can be fixed, but you will need admin permission to achieve it. It’s because when they are run from the command prompt with elevated privileges, it works.

1. Change Group Policy Settings

   If your account is an admin account, and you are still facing the issue, then change the group policy settings: Open Group Policy Settings by typing gpedit.msc in the run prompt followed by pressing ENTER Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Management Console > Restricted/Permitted snap-ins Locate Computer Management policy, and double click to open it Enable it, exit Group Policy. When Enabled: The snap-in is permitted and can be added into the Microsoft Management Console or run from the command line as a standalone console. When Disabled: The snap-in is prohibited and cannot be added into the Microsoft Management Console or run from the command line as a standalone console. An error message is displayed stating that the policy is prohibiting the use of this snap-in.

2. Temporarily disable UAC

   UAC is the user access control panel, and if you need to run the command right away, you can choose to disable it for some time. Click on the Start button, and then type UAC to find the User Account Control Settings. Click to open, and then slide down the notification setting at the bottom. It will temporarily allow launching the application as there is no check. However, make sure to switch to default once you are done.

If you encounter an error message saying, “The connection was denied because the user account is not authorized for remote login” when you try to establish a remote connection, read on as this post will help you resolve the problem. This kind of error occurs when the targeted host does not allow you to access that system remotely. Based on the error, you are not authorized to log in remotely which means that you need to obtain the correct permission. There are several potential fixes you can try for this error. You can try to check the Remote Desktop Users group or add users to the Security group or check the Remote Desktop Service itself. Refer to the options provided below for more detailed instructions to fix the “The connection was denied because the user account is not authorized for remote login” error.

Option 1 – Try checking the Remote Desktop Users group

You can encounter this error when the Remote Desktop Users group does not have any permission for your user account that you are using to establish a remote connection. Thus, you need to make sure that your user account is a member of the Remote Desktop Users group. How? Refer to these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys on your keyboard and then type “cmd” in the field and tap Enter or click OK to open Command Prompt.
• After opening Command Prompt, type the “lusrmgr.msc” command and tap Enter to execute it.
• Alternatively, you can also search for “lusrmgr.msc” in the Start Search and once you’ve opened it, select Users and then double click on your user name to open its Properties.
• From there, switch from the “General” tab to the “Member Of” tab.
• Next, if you can’t see any Remote Desktop Users group under the Administrator, you have to add it. To do that, just click on the Add button.
• After that, on the newly opened window, click on the Advanced and Find Now buttons, respectively.
• And in the Search results box, double click on Remote Desktop Users.
• Now click on the OK button to save the changes made and check if you can now connect to a remote host or not.

Option 2 – Try to add a user to the Security group

You can actually block or allow a user from logging on through the Remote Desktop Services. However, if you do not have the right setting, you won’t be able to use this functionality. Thus, you need to confirm this setting. To do that, follow the steps below.

• In the Start Search, type “secpol.msc” in the field and tap Enter to open the Local Security Policy panel.
• From there, go to User Rights Assignment.
• Next, look for a policy named “Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services” located on your right-hand side and then double click on it to open its Properties.
• If you were not able to find the Remote Desktop Users under Administrator, then you have to add it by simply clicking on the Add User or Group button.
• After that, enter “Remote Desktop Users” in the blank field and click the OK button to save the changes made.
• Now restart your computer and try connecting again to the remote host.

Option 3 – Try checking the Remote Desktop Users group

There is a service that’s supposed to be running and needs to be set up correctly for you to connect to the remote host. And so you need to ensure that this service is up and running. To do so, follow these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility.
• Then type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter or click OK to open the Services Manager.
• Next, look for the Remote Desktop Services and double click on it to open its Properties.
• After that, go to the “Log On” tab and select the “This account” option and then click on the Browse button.
• On the next screen that appears, look for the Advanced button and click on it and use the Find Now button to search.
• You will see “NETWORK SERVICE”. Double click on it and then save the changes you’ve made to the settings.
• Finally, restart your PC and see if the problem is now fixed.

RelevantKnowledge is a potentially unwanted program. It is typically bundled by 3rd-party installers and download managers that include other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). In most cases, the installer will present the user with an RK survey at the end of the setup in order to relate the user’s future behavior to various questions.

From the published: RelevantKnowledge is an online market research community consisting of over 2 million members worldwide, which provides insight into how its members interact with the Internet. In exchange for an agreement to have their Internet behavior monitored, computer users who join RelevantKnowledge are offered various value propositions, including the ability to download screensavers or other software offerings, entry into sweepstakes, and a host of other benefits.

Multiple anti-virus scanners have detected possible malware in RelevantKnowledge.

About Browser Hijackers

If you’ve ever downloaded software via the internet (shareware, freeware, etc,), it’s quite possible you’ve unintentionally installed unwanted programs on your PC. Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP), also referred to as Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUA), are applications that you never wanted in the first place and often come bundled with freeware. Once installed, the majority of these applications can be tough to get rid of and become much more of an annoyance rather than a necessity. It is clear by its name – unwanted applications – but did not really constitute “malware” in the traditional sense. This is because, the majority of PUPs get into a computer not because they slip through the security holes, for instance, but because the users have got installed them themselves – 100 % unknowingly needless to say. A PUP might not be regarded as malicious or dangerous but nevertheless, it is a common reason for clunky OSs; some PUPs are a lot more aggressive by deliberately slowing down your PC.

The harm unwanted programs could do

PUPs come in various forms. Typically, they could be seen in adware bundlers that are known to use aggressive and misleading advertising. The majority of bundlers install many adware programs from a number of vendors, each of which features its own EULA policy. Safebytes Anti-Malware totally eradicates this threat and safeguards your computer against PUP or adware infection. Additionally, the majority of free programs nowadays come with a few unwanted add-ons; in most cases a web browser toolbar or browser modification such as a homepage hijacker. They can modify browser settings, change the default search engine, replace the default home page with their own websites, slow down internet speed, and also will damage your system as well. PUPs carry a dangerous bite if left unchecked. The most detrimental part of installing a PUP is the spyware, adware, and keystroke loggers that might hide inside. These are programs that don’t really do anything good for you; in addition to taking up space on your hard disk drive, they also slow down your PC, often modify settings without your authorization, the list of frustrating features goes on and on.

Tips on how to avoid getting a PUP

• When installing anything on your personal computer, always study the fine print, including the license agreement. Do not accept terms of use that are for bundled programs. • Use ONLY custom or manual install method – and never thoughtlessly click Next, Next, Next. • Use good antimalware software, such as Safebytes Anti-Malware which offers real-time protection against PUPs. • Think carefully before you download any kind of shareware or freeware. Turn off or get rid of toolbars and browser extensions you don’t actually need. • Always download applications from the original website. The majority of PUPs find their way onto your laptop or computer is via download portals, so steer clear of it entirely.

What To Do If You Cannot Install Safebytes Anti-Malware?

Viruses may cause a lot of damage to your personal computer. Some malware is meant to interfere with or block things that you want to do on your computer system. It may well not allow you to download anything from the net or stop you from accessing some or all websites, particularly the anti-malware sites. If you are reading this article now, you’ve probably realized that virus infection is the real cause of your blocked internet connectivity. So how to proceed if you need to download and install an anti-malware program like Safebytes? Although this kind of problem can be harder to get around, there are a few actions you can take.

Download the application in Safe Mode with Networking

In Safe Mode, you may change Windows settings, un-install or install some applications, and remove hard-to-delete viruses. If the malware is set to load automatically when the computer starts, shifting to this mode can prevent it from doing so. To start the computer into Safe Mode, press the “F8” key on your keyboard just before the Windows boot screen appears; Or right after normal Windows boot up, run MSCONFIG, look over “Safe Boot” under Boot tab, and then click Apply. As soon as you reboot into Safe Mode with Networking, you can download, install, and update anti-malware software from there. Right after installation, run the malware scanner to eliminate standard infections.

Use an alternate web browser to download antivirus software

Web-based viruses could be environment-specific, aiming for a specific internet browser or attacking specific versions of the browser. The most effective solution to overcome this problem is to go with a browser that is well known for its security measures. Firefox has built-in Phishing and Malware Protection to keep you secure online.

Install anti-malware on a USB drive

Another option is to save and operate an antivirus software tool entirely from a Flash drive. Do these simple actions to clean up your infected PC using a portable antivirus. 1) On a virus-free computer, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the USB drive into the clean PC. 3) Double click on the downloaded file to open the installation wizard. 4) Select the drive letter of the flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you exactly where you would like to install the antivirus. Follow the directions to complete the installation process. 5) Transfer the thumb drive from the uninfected computer to the infected PC. 6) Double-click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the pen drive to run the application. 7) Simply click “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the affected computer for malware.

Protect Your Computer & Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Want to download the best anti-malware software program for your laptop? There are lots of applications on the market that comes in free and paid versions for Windows systems. A few are really worth your money, but many aren’t. You need to pick a tool that has got a good reputation and detects not only computer viruses but other types of malware also. Among few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended program for the security-conscious individual. SafeBytes antimalware is a highly effective and user-friendly protection tool that is suitable for end-users of all levels of IT literacy. After you have installed this application, SafeByte's sophisticated protection system will make sure that no viruses or malware can seep through your PC. SafeBytes has excellent features when compared to other anti-malware programs. Here are some popular features present in this tool: World-class AntiMalware Protection: Safebytes is made on the best virus engine within the industry. These engines will detect and remove threats even during the early stages of a malware outbreak. Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes delivers complete and real-time security for your laptop or computer. They’re highly efficient in screening and getting rid of numerous threats because they’re constantly revised with the latest updates and safety measures. Internet Security: Through its unique safety score, SafeBytes informs you whether a site is safe or not to visit it. This will ensure that you’re always certain of your safety when browsing the net. Very Low CPU and Memory Usage: This program is not “heavy” on the computer’s resources, so you will not notice any overall performance difficulties when SafeBytes is operating in the background. 24/7 Online Technical Support: SafeBytes provides 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and upgrades for the best user experience.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove RelevantKnowledge 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 RelevantKnowledge

Each time you open an application inside your Windows 11 operating system, it is opened with standard privileges. Now, please note that your account privileges and application privileges are two different things, you might be the administrator of the system but when you open the app, it still opens with standard privilege. Most of the time running applications with typical settings is fine but from time to time we might have some applications that will require running with administrator privilege in order to work properly. In this case, it is very easy to do it, you just right-click and choose run as administrator. Although a very easy solution, it can be quite annoying if running the app is on a daily basis or even more times per day. If this is the case then right-clicking and choosing to run as administrator can be a daunting task, sometimes you can even forget to run it like this in heat of work and some unforeseen consequences might occur. Luckily there is an easy hack so you can open the chosen application each time as an administrator with a simple double click each time.

Setting application to run as administrator always

1. Locate application executable file
2. Right-click on in and choose properties
3. Click on the Compatibility tab
4. Check the box next to Run this Program as an Administrator
5. Click on Apply
6. Click on OK

From now on each time you open an application normally with a double click, it will be opened as administrator privileges.