How to deal with Windows random freezes

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.

Rtl70.bpl Error - What is it?

To understand Rt170.bpl error code, it is important to have a good understanding of .bpl files first. BPL is the abbreviation of Borland Package Library. BPL is a developer file format used by Borland. It contains dynamic link libraries which are used for constructing Borland programs. BPL files are most commonly used for Borland Delphi programs. Delphi competes with Visual Basic as an offering for an object-oriented visual programming approach to application development. There are many programs/applications on your system that use rtl70.bpl file format to run successfully on Windows PC. The rtl70.bpl error occurs when this file gets damaged or corrupted. It fails to execute the command and run the application on your system. When your computer experiences this problem with this file, the following error messages are likely to appear:

• rtl70.bpl is not responding
• Runtime error: rtl70.bpl
• Symantec User Session has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Application Name: rtl70.bpl

This error code exposes you to system freeze, crash, abrupt system shutdowns, blue screen of death errors, and it also reduces your PC performance.

Solution

Error Causes

The potential causes of rtl70.bpl error code includes:

• DLL file was damaged due to viral infection or spyware
• DLL file was overwritten by an incompatible version
• Poor program installation
• Too many invalid and obsolete registry entries stored in the RAM
• Related Registry entries are corrupt

Further Information and Manual Repair

Here are some of the best yet simple solutions for you to resolve rtl70.bpl error on your PC:

1. Reboot Your PC

Sometimes this error can be resolved by simply restarting your system. Try rebooting your system and running .bpl supported program. If the program runs after you reboot your PC, then that’s great! But you should keep in mind that this is a temporary solution. The error may reappear anytime soon. So, it is advisable to consider a long-term solution for repairing the error code for the longest time.

2. Uninstall and then Reinstall the Program Causing the Error

If the error occurred after a certain program installed on your system,  it is advisable to uninstall it and then reinstall the program. Simply go to the control panel, select Add/Remove program option and uninstall the program that you recently installed that could be triggering the rtl70.bpl error code. Now reinstall and run it on your system. If the error is resolved, then this means the poor installation was the cause. If not, then this means the cause of the error is related to the registry.

3. Registry Restore to Fix rt170.bpl error

There are two ways to go about it. The first one is to click on the start menu, type registry editor, and press run. This will open the registry editor. Now click on the computer option then click file and import. This helps restore the registry but it is possible that the problem might persist. The error code may pop up again. Also, if the registry is damaged due to viral infection, then this solution may not work and you may still experience the error on your system. Then you will also have to download an antivirus which may further reduce the speed of your PC. However, the best way to restore the registry and to get rid of the error code for the longest time is to download Restoro. This is a new, user-friendly, high and multi-functional repair tool that functions as a registry cleaner and a system optimizer. It cleans the registry by scanning and removing all the unnecessary and obsolete files saved in RAM such as junk files, internet history, invalid registry entries, and more. It also repairs the damaged dll files and restores the registry thereby resolving the rtl70.bpl error. Restoro is easy to use, safe, efficient, and compatible on all Windows versions. To get started and resolve the rtl70.bpl error code in just a few seconds on your system click here and download Restoro.

Windows 11 provides several different ways to make your cursor stand out and be easier to spot inside it. You can make the mouse pointer larger, invert it, or change its color.

1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open settings
2. Click on Accessibility in the sidebar
3. Select Mouse Pointer and Touch
4. Adjust mouse cursor size with size slider by clicking on circle and dragging it left or right
5. Under Mouse Pointer Style pick desired style from White, Black, Inverted, and Custom
   1. White: The cursor is white with a black outline (standard setting)
   2. Black: Cursor is black with a white outline
   3. Inverted: Cursor automatically changes color to an inverted version of the color it is currently hovering over
   4. Custom: You can pick the color for the cursor that you want.

And that is all about it, once you are done with pointer customization just close settings, all changes are saved automatically.

DailyLocalGuide is a Browser Extension developed by Mindspark for Google Chrome. This extension hijacks your default search engine, the home page, and new tab, setting them to MyWebSearch.com.

From the Author:

The Software and Services are sponsored by third-party advertisements and commercial offers and may also contain links to third parties websites, advertisements, products, offers, applications, and more. By downloading and using the Software you give your consent to display to you such Third Party Content (by using display ads, pops, coupons, price comparison, in-line text, and content recommendations) through Our or Our business partners’ technology.

While installed, this extension gathers user browsing activity and sends it back to ad servers. This information is later used to better target ads. When browsing the internet with DailyLocalGuide installed you will see additional injected ads and sponsored content throughout your browsing sessions.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is actually a type of unwanted software program, commonly a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in web browser’s settings. They are made to interfere with browser functions for a variety of purposes. It redirects you to the sponsored websites and inserts ads on the browser that helps its creator generate revenue. Nonetheless, it isn’t that innocent. Your online safety is compromised and it is also very irritating. When the malware attacks your computer, it starts to mess things up a whole lot that slows your system down to a crawl. In the worse case, you may be forced to tackle serious malware threats too.

Symptoms of browser hijacker malware

Symptoms that your web browser is hijacked include: your home page is reset to some unfamiliar website; you see new unwanted favorites or bookmarks added, typically directed to advertisement-filled or pornography websites; the essential web browser settings are modified and unwanted or unsafe sites are added to the trusted sites list; you find unsolicited new toolbars added; your internet browser will display endless pop-up ads; your web browser starts running slowly or presents frequent glitches; you have prohibited entry to particular webpages, for example, the website of an antivirus software manufacturer like SafeBytes.

Exactly how they get into the computer

Browser hijackers infect computer systems in numerous ways, including through a file-share, a drive-by download, or an infected e-mail. They can also be deployed through the installation of an internet browser toolbar, add-on, or extension. Some internet browser hijackers spread in user’s computers using a deceptive software distribution method called “bundling” (often through freeware and shareware). Popular examples of browser hijackers include Conduit, CoolWebSearch, Coupon Server, OneWebSearch, RocketTab, Searchult.com, Snap.do, and Delta Search.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

Some browser hijacking could be simply stopped by discovering and removing the corresponding malware program from your control panel. However, most browser hijackers are hard to eliminate manually. Irrespective of how much you attempt to get rid of it, it can keep returning over and over. Apart from that, manual removal expects you to do many time-consuming and complicated actions that are hard to accomplish for novice computer users. An anti-malware program is extremely effective with regards to finding out and eliminating browser hijackers that normal anti-virus software has missed. SafeBytes Anti-Malware detects all types of hijackers – such as DailyLocalGuide – and eliminates every trace quickly and efficiently.

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

Malware can cause many different types of damage to PCs, networks, and data. Certain malware types modify internet browser settings by including a proxy server or modify the PC’s DNS configuration settings. When this happens, you’ll be unable to visit certain or all websites, and therefore unable to download or install the required security software to eliminate the computer virus. If you’re reading this, you probably have affected by malware that prevents you from installing a computer security application such as Safebytes Antimalware on your PC. There are some solutions you can try to get around with this particular problem.

Remove malware in Safe Mode

The Windows OS has a special mode referred to as “Safe Mode” where just the minimum required programs and services are loaded. In case the malware is set to load immediately when the computer starts, switching into this mode may well prevent it from doing so. To start the computer into Safe Mode, hit the “F8” key on your keyboard right before the Windows boot screen shows up; Or right after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, check Safe Boot under Boot tab, and then click Apply. Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can attempt to install your antivirus program without the hindrance of the malicious software. Right after installation, run the malware scanner to remove most standard infections.

Obtain the security software in an alternate internet browser

Some viruses might target vulnerabilities of a particular browser that obstruct the downloading process. If you appear to have malware attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to a different internet browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your favorite antivirus program – Safebytes.

Create a portable antivirus for eliminating viruses

Here’s another solution which is utilizing a portable USB anti-virus software that can check your system for malicious software without the need for installation. Adopt these measures to employ a USB drive to fix your corrupted computer. 1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free computer. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Choose a USB flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you where you intend to install the application. Follow the directions to finish the installation process. 5) Transfer the USB drive from the clean computer to the infected PC. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the flash drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and clean-up up all types of malware.

Highlights of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Do you wish to install the best anti-malware program for your laptop? There are numerous applications available that come in free and paid versions for Windows systems. A few of them are excellent, some are decent, while some will destroy your computer themselves! You have to look for a product that has got a good reputation and detects not just computer viruses but other sorts of malware also. With regards to commercial antimalware tool options, many people go with well-known brands, like SafeBytes, and they are very happy with it. SafeBytes anti-malware is a trustworthy tool that not only secures your computer permanently but is also very user-friendly for people of all ability levels. With its outstanding protection system, this software will automatically detect and remove most of the security threats, which include browser hijackers, viruses, adware, ransomware, PUPs, and trojans.

SafeBytes anti-malware offers an array of advanced features which sets it apart from all others. These are some of the highlighted features included in the product.

World-class AntiMalware Protection: Safebytes is based on the very best virus engine within the industry. These engines will detect and remove threats even during the initial phases of a malware outbreak. Real-Time Protection: SafeBytes gives round-the-clock protection for your personal computer restricting malware attacks in real-time. This tool will continuously monitor your computer for suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the constantly changing threat scenarios. Internet Security: SafeBytes provides an instant safety rating about the web pages you’re going to check out, automatically blocking harmful sites and making sure that you are certain of your safety while browsing the world wide web. Fast Scan: SafeBytes Anti-Malware possesses a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to 5x faster than any other protection software. Lightweight: SafeBytes is really a lightweight application. It uses up a very small amount of processing power as it operates in the background so you’re free to use your Windows-based computer the way you want. Premium Support: You can get high levels of support around the clock if you are using their paid version. Overall, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program as it has loads of features and can detect and eliminate any potential threats. Once you’ve downloaded and installed this software, you will no longer have to bother about malware or other security worries. If you need advanced forms of protection features & threat detections, buying SafeBytes Anti-Malware could be well worth the money!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to perform the removal of DailyLocalGuide manually rather than employing an automated software tool, you can follow these measures: Navigate to the Windows Control Panel, click the “Add or Remove Programs” and there, select the offending program to uninstall. In cases of suspicious versions of browser plugins, you can actually remove it via your web browser’s extension manager. You will likely also want to reset your internet browser to its default configuration settings. If you decide to manually remove the system files and Windows registry entries, utilize the following checklist to ensure that you know exactly what files to remove before carrying out any actions. But bear in mind, this is often a tricky task and only computer professionals could accomplish it safely. Furthermore, some malware keeps replicating which makes it tough to remove. Carrying out this malware-removal process in Safe Mode is suggested.

Connapi.dll Error Code - What is it?

Connapi.dll is a type of dynamic link library file. This file contains small programs like any other DLL file and is called to load certain programs on your PC. The Connapi.dll error message occurs either when using or installing programs. This error message is displayed in either of the following messages:

“Connapi.dll Not Found" "This application failed to start because connapi.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem." "The file connapi.dll is missing." "Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: connapi.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again." "Cannot find [PATH]connapi.dll"

Solution

Error Causes

Connapi.dll error may occur due to numerous reasons on your PC. The most common causes include:

• Missing Connapi.dll file
• Corruption of the Connapi.dll file
• Driver Issues
• Viral Infection
• Registry Issues such as bad and invalid entries

This error may hamper your ability to access your desired programs causing you a great deal of inconvenience. And if the underlying cause of the error is related to the registry, then your computer can be at serious risks like system failure and crash.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve Connapi.dll error code on your PC, here is a list of solutions. These are easy, very simple to perform, deliver the best results, and more importantly require no technical expertise.

Solution 1: Check your Recycle Bin - You May Have Deleted the File Accidentally

As dll files are shared files, it is possible that you accidentally deleted the Connapi.dll file while uninstalling a program from your system. In such a situation, go to the recycle bin and look for the file. If you find the missing Connapi.dll file, simply restore it and then try running your desired program again. If the program runs, then the error is resolved. However, if it still persists, then try other solutions given below.

Solution 2: Update the Drivers

Try updating drivers for hardware devices on the system. To do this, go to the start menu and then Control Panel. Double click on Add or Remove programs icon. Now select incompatible drivers and remove them. After that, restart your PC to activate changes. Now go to the manufacturers’ website to download new drivers and install them on your PC.

Solution3: Scan for Viruses

Another solution is to scan for viruses and malware. Sometimes these can also damage and corrupt dll files on your system. To perform a scan, simply download a powerful antivirus program and run it.

Solution 4: Clean and Restore the Registry

If the error code is still there, then this means the problem is triggered by the registry issues. To resolve it you must clean the registry and remove all the unnecessary and obsolete files like junk files, internet history, temporary files, and cookies. The best way to clean these files instantly is to install Restoro. This is an advanced, cutting-edge, and multi-functional PC Fixer. It has a user-friendly interface and is integrated with powerful utilities like a registry cleaner, anti-virus, and a system optimizer. It is compatible with all Windows versions. The registry cleaning feature scans your entire PC in seconds and detects all the registry issues. It removes all the bad registry entries and unnecessary files. Simultaneously, it also fixes the system files and dll files like Connapi.dll. The anti-virus utility removes all types of malicious software on your system while the system optimizer utility ensures your system performs at its optimum speed. To resolve Connapi.dll error, click here to download Restoro.

In case you don’t know, there is a built-in tool in Windows 10, known as Reliability Monitor that provides a day-to-day snapshot of the health of your system. It warns users of any looming issues or disasters before your computer breaks down finally. So obviously, Reliability Monitor is useful, however, there are times when it could behave incorrectly. For instance, it might fail to show you any updates even when they are installed. Thus, if you experience any malfunctions with the Reliability Monitor tool in Windows 10, read on as this post will guide you in updating or working in Windows 10. To fix the problem with the Reliability Monitor, there are several fixes you can check out. You can try to enable the data collection for Reliability Monitor or reset it, as well as put your computer in a Clean Boot State. For more information, refer to each one of the options given below.

Option 1 – Try to enable the Data Collection for Reliability Monitor

The Reliability Monitor tool uses data provided by the RAC Agent scheduled task and it will start to display a Stability Index rating and specific event information 24 hours after the system installation. The RACAgent scheduled task, by default, runs after the operating system is installed. And if it is disabled, it must be manually enabled from the Task Scheduler snap-in for MMC or Microsoft Management Console. Thus, you need to enable the Data Collection for Reliability Monitor to fix the problem.

Option 2 – Try to reset the Reliability Monitor

The next thing you can do to fix the issue with the Reliability Monitor might want to reset it to resolve the problem. If the Reliability Monitor is already open, you have to close it and open it again. After the reset is done, it may take up to 24 hours for the Reliability Monitor to display results again. This should fix the problem.

Option 3 – Troubleshot the problem in a Clean Boot State

There are some instances that some conflicting programs installed in your computer might be the one that’s causing the Black border issue. To identify which program is causing the problem, you need to put your computer in a Clean Boot State. To do so, follow the steps below.

• 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.)
• From there, start to isolate the problem by checking which one of the programs you installed recently is the root cause of the problem.

Error 0x8000ffff prevents you from using the Microsoft store. Altho it is not a critical error that will break Windows, it is annoying enough that will require fixing so we can use the store once again and install apps when we want to. Interesting thing is that this error was present inside Windows 10 as well causing some annoyance, you think Microsoft would learn, and then you see reality. Anyway, we have not come here to bash Microsoft, we came to solve errors. So there are several problems that can cause this error like issues with accessing the Microsoft servers, corrupt system files, settings being misconfigured, malware infections, or conflicting applications. We will cover all solutions for each scenario taking approaches from most simple solutions to more complex ones. Follow the guide and let's fix this annoyance.

Wait for Microsoft's servers to become accessible

Yes, just wait. If the problem is tied to Microsoft servers having heavy load or being temporarily down there is not much you can do except for their tech team to resolve the issue. Go to Twitter or Facebook and check the Microsoft page to see if anyone else has this issue, if several people are reporting the same error then it is due to server problems. In this case, the only thing you can do is to wait.

Run troubleshooter

If servers are working fine then the issue is within your system so let's get down to fixing. Most simple and easiest solution is to let Windows try and resolve the problem by itself. We will use troubleshooter for this, Windows's integrated fixing solution: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open the settings app Click on System in the left panel, then on Troubleshoot on the right Click on Other troubleshooters In most Frequent section find Windows Update and click on the Run button Wait for the troubleshooter to finish and follow on-screen instructions

Clear Store cache

If the troubleshooter has not found the issue or was unable to repair it, the next step is cleaning the Microsoft store cache in order to eliminate corrupted or partial cache files. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog In run dialog type in: wsreset and press OK or press ENTER A black screen will appear and it will not give any kind of feedback about progress, so it might seem like Windows has frozen, but do not panic nor try to do anything, this kind of behavior is normal, just wait for the process to finish and once it is done Microsoft store will launch with the cleared cache.

Disable Proxy

Proxy setting can interfere with establishing a connection to the store servers and if previous solutions have not worked we will check proxy next. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog Inside run dialog type: inetcpl.cpl and hit ENTER or press OK button Inside Internet Properties click on the Connections tab and then on LAN settings Uncheck the box next to Use a proxy server for your LAN and click on OK

Turn off antivirus

If nothing worked so far, turn off your anti-virus software, there is a slight possibility that your antivirus is misconfigured or preventing the system from accessing the store. Turn off antivirus and firewall to make sure that this is not an issue.

Delete the software distribution folder

So, we have tried a lot of things, and the error still persists? Let's then go to the next step and delete the software distribution folder in order to be remade new so we can eliminate corruption in the folder itself. To do this follow the guide: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + S to open the search menu Inside search type in Windows terminal, right-click on the terminal and click on Run as administrator. Confirm with YES on UAC prompt pop up Inside terminal press CTRL + SHIFT + 2 to open command prompt inside command prompt type in: net stop wuauserv and press ENTER Then type in: net stop bits followed with ENTER Next press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog Inside run dialog type in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and press the OK button or ENTER File Explorer will open and you will find yourself inside SoftwareDistribution folder. Press CTRL + A to select all files inside Press on the delete icon or press DEL, confirm with YES Once all files are deleted, the system will redownload new ones.

Enable Cryptographic service

Windows 11 has come with a cryptographic service that aims to make your computer more secure but if the service is turned off it can be the cause of 0x8000ffff error. In order to turn this service back ON, follow the guide: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog In run dialog type in services.msc and press ENTER or click on the OK button In the list find Cryptographic Services and double click on it Inside properties click on Startup type dropdown menu and select Automatic from the list Click on the Start button to run service and then on the OK button to save the changes

Run SFC scan

SFC is an internal Windows tool for fixing corrupt system files, application will scan all system files and repair ones that are corrupted. To run an SFC scan do the following: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + S to open the search menu Inside search type in Windows terminal, right-click on the terminal and click on Run as administrator. Confirm with YES on UAC prompt pop up Inside terminal press CTRL + SHIFT + 2 to open command prompt inside command prompt type in: SFC /scannow and press ENTER Wait for the whole process to finish and reboot your system

Run DISM scan

Similar to SFC, DISM scan will scan your system Windows image and if required it will repair it. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + S to open the search menu Inside search type in Windows terminal, right-click on the terminal and click on Run as administrator. Confirm with YES on UAC prompt pop up Inside terminal press CTRL + SHIFT + 2 to open command prompt inside command prompt type in: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press ENTER Wait for the whole process to finish and restart your computer

If your IP address expires, you will most likely experience interruptions when browsing the web. In such cases, you have to release and renew the IP address by executing the following commands:

• ipconfig /release
• ipconfig /renew

So if you are trying to renew the IP address of your Windows 10 computer using the commands given above but you encounter an error message instead that says, “Unable to contact your DHCP Server”, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you in fixing this error. This kind of error indicates that the NIC can’t communicate with the DHCP server which is why it’s not able to release new IP addresses. It could be due to many reasons. To fix this error, you can try to roll back, update or reinstall the Network Adapter drivers. You could also run the built-in Network Adapter troubleshooter, as well as start or restart the DHCP client service.

Option 1 – Try to rollback your Network driver

If you have updated the driver software as of late and you suddenly got this error, you might have to roll back the device driver – in other words, switch back to the previous working version. To do that, follow these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and then type in the “devmgmt.msc” command and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.
• Under the Device Manager, you will see a list of drivers. From there, look for the Network Adapters and expand it.
• Next, select the driver entries that are labeled appropriately other than anything in the context of the WAN Miniport.
• Then select each one of them and double click to open a new mini window.
• After that, make sure that you’re on the Driver tab and if you are not, just navigate to it then click the Roll Back Driver button to switch back to the previous version of your Network adapters.
• Now restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.

Option 2 – Try to update the Network drivers

If rolling back to the previous version of the Network adapter drivers didn’t help, then you need to update them instead. To do so, here’s what you have to do:

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and then type in the “devmgmt.msc” command and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.
• Under the Device Manager, you will see a list of drivers. From there, look for the Network Adapters and expand them.
• Then right-click on each one of the Network drivers and update them all.
• Restart your PC and see if it helped in fixing the BSOD error.

Note: If updating the network drivers didn’t help in fixing the problem, you can also try to uninstall the very same drivers and restart your Windows 10 PC. After that, the system itself will reinstall the drivers you just uninstalled. Alternatively, you can also download and install the drivers from the manufacturer’s website directly.

Option 3 – Run the Network Adapter troubleshooter

Running the built-in Network Adapter troubleshooter can also help in fixing the “Unable to contact your DHCP Server” error. To run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter, refer to these steps:

• Open the Search bar on your computer and type in “troubleshoot” to open the Troubleshoot settings.
• Next, scroll down and select the “Network Adapter” option from the right pane.
• Then click on the Run Troubleshooter” button.
• After that, your computer will check for any possible errors and will pinpoint the root cause of the problem if possible.
• Restart your computer.

Option 4 – Try disabling the IPv6 in the Network Center

• Tap the Win + X key combination and click on Network Connections.
• This will open the Settings app on a specific page. Now on the right-side panel, click on the Network and Sharing Center link.
• After that, it will open the Control Panel and from there, click on the network that your computer is connected to and then click on Properties.
• Next, uncheck the entry that says, “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)” in the list that populates.
• Now click on OK and close all other windows.
• Restart your computer and see if the error is now fixed.

Option 5 – Start or restart the DHCP client service

If the DHCP client service is either inactive or stopped, you can try to start or restart it to resolve the error. You can do this via the Services Manager.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility.
• Then type “services.msc” in the field and tap Enter or click OK to open the Services Manager.
• After that, look for the DHCP client service from the list of services displayed.
• Once you found it, right-click on it and select the Start or Restart option.

The third time is charm saying goes but not when we are talking about Microsoft. Print spooler is again in focus, in a bad way. This is the third print spooler vulnerability to emerge in just five weeks. While a critical flaw was originally identified and patched in June, a similar flaw came to light shortly after and was subsequently patched (with mixed success). Microsoft is once again advising its customers to disable Windows print spooler after a new vulnerability that allows hackers to execute malicious code on machines has emerged. While a patch fixing the flaw will be released in due course, the most effective workaround currently on the table is to stop and disable the print spooler service entirely.

"An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Print Spooler service improperly performs privileged file operations. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights."

Stop this service right away or you are risking a potential attack.

1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden menu
2. Click on Power Shell (admin)
3. In Power Shell type in the following command to check if spool service is running: Get-Service -Name Spooler followed by ENTER
4. If spooler service is running type in the next command to stop it: Stop-Service -Name Spooler –Force and press ENTER
5. Then follow with this command to disable it at startup: Set-Service -Name Spooler -StartupType Disabled followed with ENTER

That’s it, we hope a patch will come soon for all the people that are using network printing and indeed need this service running in order to do work.

As you know, each one of the Windows 10 versions is priced differently and one of the considered more expensive compared to the Windows 10 Home version is the Windows10 Pro. The good thing is, Microsoft allows its users to upgrade from the Windows 10 Home version to the Windows 10 Pro version at a reasonable cost instead of buying the entire license again. However, upgrading your Windows 10 computer is not always that easy and you might encounter some errors along the way. One of the reported errors you could encounter is an error message that says, “Something happened, and we couldn’t start the upgrade”. This kind of problem is due to the problems with the Microsoft Store or the key authorization and to fix it, there are several options you can check out. You can try to run the built-in troubleshooters such as the Windows Update troubleshooter, Windows Store Apps troubleshooter, or Microsoft Accounts troubleshooter. You could also try to reset the Windows Store cache or re-register the Windows Store app. For more details, refer to each one of the given options below.

Option 1 – Try to run the Microsoft Accounts troubleshooter

Since the Microsoft Accounts troubleshooter is not built-in into the Windows operating system, you can download this troubleshooter by clicking on this link.

Option 2 – Try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter could also help you resolve the “Something happened, and we couldn’t start the upgrade” error. 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 3 – Run the Windows Store App troubleshooter

The Windows 10 Store Apps Troubleshooter will help you in fixing the problem in Microsoft Store. This is a great built-in tool from Microsoft that helps users fix any app issues. To use the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter, follow the steps below.

• Tap Win + I keys again to open the Windows Settings panel.
• Go to Update & Security and then go to Troubleshoot.
• Under the Troubleshoot section, on your left-hand side, scroll down to find Window Store Apps.
• Then click on the Run the troubleshooter option and follow the on-screen instructions and then see if it fixes the problem.

Option 4 – Try to reset the Microsoft Store cache

As you know, like any other apps, Microsoft Store also caches as you view apps and games so it is most likely that the cache is no longer valid and must be removed. To do so, follow the steps below.

• Right-click on the start button and click on Command Prompt (administrator).
• Next, type in the command, “wsreset.exe” and tap Enter. Once you do, the command will clear the cache for the Windows Store app.
• Now restart your PC and afterward, try opening Microsoft Store again and then try to install your app or update your computer again.

Option 5 – Try to re-register the Microsoft Store app via Windows PowerShell

• Tap the Win + X key combination or right-click on the Start button and click on the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option.
• If a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, just click on Yes to proceed and open the Windows PowerShell window.
• Next, type in or copy-paste the following command to re-register the Microsoft Store app and tap Enter:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $Env:SystemRootWinStoreAppxManifest.xml

• Wait for the process to be completed and then restart your computer.

Option 6 – Try contacting Microsoft

If none of the options worked, you might also want to contact Microsoft for further assistance in fixing the error.