How to Fix 0x80040154 Error Code

One of the common causes of Blue Screen of Death or BSOD errors is system driver files due to varying reasons. So if you encounter a Stop error caused by some system driver files such as isapnp.sys, gv3.sys, storahci.sys, or myfault.sys, on your Windows 10 PC, then this post should help you fix the problem. These system driver files are associated with different error codes. The isapnp.sys file is related to the following error codes:

• SYSTEM SERVICE EXCEPTION
• PAGE FAULT IN A NONPAGED AREA
• KERNEL DATA INPAGE
• SYSTEM THREAD EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED
• IRQL NOT LESS EQUAL
• KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED.

While the gv3.sys file is related to the following BSOD error codes:

• IRQL NOT LESS EQUAL
• KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED
• PAGE FAULT IN NONPAGED AREA.

On the other hand, the storahci.sys file is related to these error codes:

• IRQL NOT LESS EQUAL
• KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED
• PAGE FAULT IN NONPAGED AREA.

And the myfault.sys file is associated with this error code: SYSTEM SERVICE EXCEPTION. Although this system driver file causes different kinds of Blue Screen errors, some of their potential fixes are quite the same so you need not carry out tons of troubleshooting steps. But before you troubleshoot the problem, you might want to check out System Restore first, especially if you create a System Restore point from time to time. To perform System Restore, follow these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
• Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
• After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.

If System Restore didn’t help in fixing the Blue Screen error, now’s the time for you to resort to the troubleshooting tips provided below but before you get started, make sure that you create a System Restore point first and boot your computer into Safe Mode.

Option 1 – Use the System Configuration utility

Note that this first fix is only applicable for Blue Screen errors associated with the myfault.sys file.

• In the Cortana Search box, type “MSConfig” and click on the “System Configuration” entry to open it.
• After opening System Configuration, go to the Processes tab.
• Then scroll down and look for the “Digital Line Detection” process and disable it.
• Now restart your computer and check if the Stop error is fixed or not.

Option 2 – Try to update, rollback or disable related device drivers

Incompatible and outdated drivers can also cause computer malfunctioning or crashing as well as Blue Screen errors. To fix that, you can update, roll back or disable the device drivers in your computer.

• 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.
• After opening the Device Manager, from the list of device drivers, look for the “WIN ISA Bus Driver” if you are facing a Stop error related to the isapnp.sys file. While you have to look for the Sony Recovery CDs PCG-Z1RAP Series device drivers if you face a Stop error concerning the gv3.sys file. For the storahci.sys, on the other hand, look for any outdated drivers and update them.
• To update or roll back or disable these drivers, just right-click on each one of them, and depending on your preference, you can either select “Update driver”, “Disable device” or “Uninstall device”.
• After that, restart your PC and see if it helped in fixing the Blue Screen error.

Option 3 – Use System File Checker

One of the built-in tools in Windows that you can use to fix Blue Screen errors is the System File Checker. This built-in command utility can help you restore corrupted or missing files as well as replace bad and corrupted system files. Chances are, any of the aforementioned system driver files might be corrupted so to fix them, use System File Checker.

• First, right-click on the Start button and click on the “Command Prompt (Admin) option.
• Next, type in the sfc /scannow command and hit Enter to execute it.

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.

• Now restart your computer.

Option 4 – Run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

Troubleshooting Blue Screen of Death errors wouldn’t be complete without the Blue Screen troubleshooter. As you know, it is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors. You can find it in Settings, under the Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:

• Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
• Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
• From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options.
• Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.

As you know, Microsoft Office Word is a program that’s widely used all over the web and it’s because it’s the best program there is when it comes to editing and processing words. However, even when it is the best there is, it is not without its faults and so on as it can still encounter some errors every now and then. One of these errors is the Template_fields errors. When you encounter such an error, you will see a pop-up window. This strange error randomly appears on documents but you need not worry as this post will provide you with possible solutions to resolve the problem. But before you proceed with these solutions, you have to create a backup for all your Word documents to Microsoft OneDrive preferably. To fix the problem, you can try to disable the add-ins or try to start Word in Safe Mode or repair Office. For more details, refer to the options given below.

Option 1 – Disable the Add-ins

Although add-ins enhance Microsoft Word, there are times when they can also cause problems that end up breaking Microsoft Word instead of improving it which is why you have to disable them. Refer to the following steps to do so:

• Open Microsoft Word and then click on File.
• After that, select Options from the menu and then click on Add-ins.
• From there, you’ll see Manage: Com Add-ins as well as a button that says Go.
• Now click on the Go button and wait for a couple of seconds for a new window to appear.
• In the newly opened window, uncheck all the Add-ins and click on OK.
• Restart Microsoft Word and check if the “Template_fields” error is now fixed or not.

Option 2 – Try starting Word in Safe Mode

You might also want to try rebooting Microsoft Office in Safe Mode as it is one of your best shots in finding out whether the problem is internal or external. However, if the problem does not appear after you reboot Microsoft Word in Safe Mode, then there is a possibility that the problem is with Microsoft Office itself. On the other hand, if the problem persists, then it could be a deeper issue.

• First, start Microsoft Word in Safe Mode.
• Next, tap and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard and open the Word document.
• After that, you should see a dialog box. Click on Yes and see if Microsoft Word opens in Safe Mode.
• Alternatively, you can open the search box and then type “winword.exe /safe” and hit Enter.

Option 3 – Try repairing Microsoft Office

If the first two options didn’t work, then you might want to try repairing Microsoft Office without getting rid of it. In most cases, this usually works in fixing any problems and returns the program back to its default state. To repair Microsoft Office, follow the steps below.

• Right-click on the Start Menu button and select Apps and Features.
• Next, scroll until you see the Microsoft Office program you want to repair and then select the Modify option.
• After that, follow the options to repair Microsoft Office and then restart your PC and see if the “Template_fields” error is no longer present.

If you receive an error message saying, “File System Error 2147219196” when trying to open a picture, access a file or when moving a folder on your Windows 10 computer then read on as this post will help you resolve this error. According to experts, this error started to appear right after the Windows Update v1803 was released. Users who installed the new Windows version faced the same dilemma. This error might be caused by a corrupted disk or it could be due to some broken Windows components or due to file system encryptions. Before you troubleshoot the problem, make sure that you are logged in as an administrator.

Option 1 – Update Windows

The first thing you can do to Resolve File System Error -2147219196 is to update Windows. Since Microsoft is already aware of this issue, they might have already released a fix for this in one of their new updates so make sure to check for any available updates on your computer and have it installed right away.

• Tap Win + S to open Search then type “update” in the field and from the search results that appear, click on Windows Update.
• After that, it will open Windows Update under Settings and from there click the Check for Updates button and let Windows check for any available updates.
• And if there are any updates available, download and install them on your Windows 10 computer.
• Restart your PC and check if the error is now fixed or not.

Option 2 – Run CHKDSK to check your disk for errors

When it comes to some issues concerning the hard drive or removable devices, there is a utility in Windows that might help which is called “chkdsk”. This error check utility can help with several issues in the system including File System Error -2147219196.

• Tap the Win + S keys to open the Search box.
• Then type “command prompt” in the field and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
• After opening an elevated command prompt, copy and paste the following command and hit Enter:

chkdsk /r /f

• Now if you are prompted to run CHKDSK after your reboot your PC, just tap Y and reboot your PC.
• If CHKDSK is not able to find any errors, tap the Win + E keys and navigate the access window. From there, right-click on the concerned drive and click on Properties.
• After opening Properties, click on the tab Tools and then click on the “Check” button under the Error-checking section.
• Wait until the process is completed and then restart your computer.
• Once your computer has restarted, try accessing the file and check if the error persists.

Option 3 – Disable the File System Encryption

File System Encryption allows you to encrypt drives to protect them from being accessed from another computer. This is the standard practice in various organizations in order to protect their data. However, there are times when the file encryption system caused issues for users in accessing files and throws the File System Error -2147219196 instead which is why you need to temporarily disable it to access your file. To do so, follow the steps below.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “control” in the field to open Control Panel.
• From there, navigate to Security and select the BitLocker Drive Encryption option from the list.
• After that, make sure that all your drives are not encrypted and if any of them are encrypted, turn off encryption by selecting Turn off BitLocker.
• Reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.

Option 4 – Run SFC scan

• Tap Win + R to launch Run.
• Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
• After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
• Restart your computer once the scan is completed.

Code 0x800F0923 – What is it?

The Error Code 0x800F0923 is one that appears only when attempting to update from older versions of Microsoft Windows to Microsoft Windows 10. This error does not occur with every install and is believed to be the result of a driver incompatibility issue. It is unclear which specific drivers are having the compatibility issues, though it is widely believed that DuplexSecure's SPTD drivers are the ones at fault. When operating correctly, without errors, the update process should not take longer than 30 minutes. Common symptoms include:

• Error message window/pop-up during the install process, giving the Error Code 0x800F0923
• Inability to install and update from older versions of Microsoft Windows to version 10

Solution

Error Causes

There are various relevant factors associated with the error code 0x800F0923 incompatibility issue in Windows 10 installation/upgrade. These factors include but are not limited to:

• The Operating System (OS) upgrading does not support older hardware.
• Your computer’s specs did not meet the minimum requirements.
• Not enough hard disk space.
• The new software might lack software drivers for older hardware

Further Information and Manual Repair

Microsoft has recently released its Windows 10 operating system. While there are still a few kinks to be worked out, overall the reviews have been positive. As with any new Microsoft update, compatibility issues can arise. If you are unsure whether your current PC will be able to handle the new Windows 10, here is an easy way to check your system.

Method 1: Check if your computer is compatible

• Locate the “Get Windows 10” application icon in your notification tray (bottom right corner of your screen, white Windows logo).
• Right-click on this icon, then select the “check your upgrade status” option.
• Be prepared for the menu to take a few minutes to open.
• Click on the menu on the upper left-hand corner of this new dialog box. (It looks like three blue horizontal lines)
• Select “check your PC”
• After the system checks for compatibility, it will let you know whether or not your PC has the appropriate drivers, etc. (Keep in mind that this is not a foolproof method for checking compatibility status).

Method 2: Download or upgrade your drivers/software

If you have already attempted to update to Windows 10, and have received the Error Code 0x800F0923, this is the simplest way to solve the issue yourself.

1. Open the “Get Windows 10” application. 2. Open the menu in the upper left corner, looks like three blue lines. 3. Select “Check your PC”. 4. The system will tell you which drivers are incompatible. 5. Go to the Microsoft Support website to install and/or update the drivers that proved to be an issue. 6. Once the driver issue is corrected, retry the Windows 10 update.

Method 3: Create space on your computer

If your computer does not have sufficient space to accept the upgrade, you might want to clear up some space on your computer. Here’s how to do it. If you have not attempted to install Microsoft Windows 10 yet, it is a good idea to check your system's compatibility prior to installing. While it is not absolutely necessary, it will save time and frustration. Microsoft Support suggests contacting them directly if you are unable to solve your driver compatibility issues, or if the above do-it-yourself method is unsuccessful. To resolve this compatibility issue and get your upgrade going use a powerful and user-friendly tool to clean up the problem. Click here to download Restoro. Users should also be aware that those who choose to upgrade to Windows 10 have 30 days in which they may decide that they would rather use their old system. However, reverting back to the older system may not be a smooth process, and some data could be lost.

Error Code 45 – What is it?

Error Code 45 is a common device manager problem that users encounter on any Windows 2000 and later operating system versions.

The error occurs when your Windows system fails to acknowledge the connected device by either stating that the device is not present or that it was previously attached to a computer.

The error pops up and appears on your computer screen with the following message:

“Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer” (Code 45)

Solution

Error Causes

The error is prompted either due to a temporary system file malfunction or a problem in the Windows registry system files. In the latter case, it could be due to a damaged or corrupted Windows registry.

Further Information and Manual Repair

While it may appear that Error Code 45 is a serious threat to your computer, it cannot be farther from the truth. Error Code 45, unlike other error codes, is the easiest one to fix. Here is how you can do it.

Method 1 – Reconnect the device to your computer

Unplugging and plugging the USB cable of the device into the computer is the easiest way to solve the error.

Doing this will help refresh the system and increase the likelihood of the device driver files loading and function properly.

It is often only a case of reconnecting the device back to your computer which helps eliminate the error and does not require any particular resolution other than this.

Method 2 – Install DriverFIX

Although reconnecting the disconnected device is all you need to fix the error code, it is always safer to fix your Windows registry system files by using a program like DriverFIX.

DriverFIX, with its user-friendly approach to help you fix your PC issues, comes with an integrated database that detects which drivers you need to reconfigure within just a few seconds and downloads it automatically.

It further ensures that your drivers are installed in their entirety leaving no room for any corrupted or damaged registry.

It also has the added advantage of being able to backup and restores your files should there be the slightest possibility of system file damage.

Thus, registry damage can be averted by letting the software roll back the system files to an earlier healthy checkpoint. DriverFIX is the answer to fixing your PC error codes accurately and quickly.

Click here to download DriverFIX now!

The DailyProductivityTools Toolbar is packed as a browser extension that claims to increase your productivity with access to free online tools and developed by Mindspark Inc. This extension may seem handy at first, however, while browsing the internet with it active you will experience additional ads, sponsored content, and pop-up ads throughout your browsing sessions and search results.

When installed DailyProductivityTools changed your default new tab page to Search.MyWay.com disguising as a ‘Enhanced Google Search Engine’. This extension monitors your browsing activity, visited websites and links, then uses this information to better target Ads.

DailyProductivityTools has been marked as a Potentially Unwanted Program, and is recommended for removal by many anti-virus applications.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted software, often a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in the browser’s settings. Browser hijacker malware is designed for a variety of reasons. Generally, the idea is to force users visit certain sites that are aiming to increase their site visitor traffic and produce higher ad revenue. Many people believe that the browser hijacker is only a harmless website but that is incorrect. Almost every browser hijacker pose an actual threat to your on-line safety and it is important to classify them under privacy risks. What’s more, hijackers can make the entire infected system vulnerable – other harmful malware and viruses will grab these opportunities to intrude into your computer system very easily.

How one can identify a browser hijack

The following are some symptoms that suggest you have been hijacked: you find unauthorized modifications to your internet browser’s homepage; your internet browser is constantly being redirected to adult sites; the default web browser configurations have been modified and/or your default search engine is altered; you find many toolbars on the web browser; you see lots of pop-ups on your computer screen; your browser has become unstable or starts running slowly; you’re blocked to access those sites of antivirus solution providers.

So how does a PC get infected with a browser hijacker?

A browser hijacker can be installed on your computer if you check out an infected site, click on an email attachment, or download something from a file-sharing site. They could also come from add-on programs, also known as browser helper objects (BHO), browser plug-ins, or toolbars. Browser hijackers sneak into your pc along with free software downloads also that you unwittingly install alongside the original. Examples of popular browser hijackers are Fireball, Ask Toolbar, GoSave, CoolWebSearch, RocketTab and Babylon Toolbar. Browser hijacking can lead to severe privacy problems and even identity theft, disrupt your browsing experience by taking control of outbound traffic, considerably slows down your PC by consuming lots of resources, and lead to system instability also.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

Certain browser hijacking can be easily corrected by finding and removing the corresponding malware program through your control panel. But, many hijackers will be more difficult to locate or remove since it might get itself connected with certain important computer files that enable it to operate as a necessary operating system process. Novice PC users shouldn’t ever attempt for the manual form of removal, as it demands comprehensive system knowledge to do repairs on the system registry and HOSTS file. Professionals always recommend users remove any malicious software including browser hijacker by using an automatic malware removal tool, which is better, safer, and faster than the manual removal method. Among the best tools for repairing browser hijacker malware is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. It can help you eliminate any pre-existing malware on your computer and provides you real-time monitoring and protection against new internet threats. Along with anti-virus software, a system optimizer program, similar to Total System Care, can help you repair Windows registry errors, eliminate unwanted toolbars, secure your internet privacy, and stabilize software programs installed on your computer.

Malware Blocking Access To Safebytes Site And Anti-Malware Downloads - What To Do?

Malware can cause many kinds of damage to computer systems, networks, and data. Some malware types modify internet browser settings by including a proxy server or modify the PC’s DNS settings. In such cases, you’ll be unable to visit certain or all of the websites, and therefore unable to download or install the necessary security software to eliminate the malware. If you are reading this article, chances are you’re stuck with a virus infection that is preventing you to download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your PC. Although this kind of issue will be tougher to get around, there are a few actions you can take.

Install in Safe Mode

In the event the malware is set to run at Windows start-up, then booting in Safe Mode should prevent it. Since only the minimum applications and services start-up in safe mode, there are hardly any reasons for conflicts to take place. The following are the steps you should follow to remove viruses in Safemode. 1) After switching on the computer, hit the F8 key while the Windows splash screen begins to load. This would invoke the “Advanced Boot Options” menu. 2) Select Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and press ENTER. 3) When this mode loads, you should have the internet. Now, utilize your internet browser normally and go to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 4) Immediately after installation, run a full scan and allow the software to get rid of the threats it detects.

Switch over to an alternate internet browser

Certain viruses may target vulnerabilities of a specific browser that block the downloading process. In case you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by a virus or otherwise compromised by online hackers, the best course of action is to switch over to a different web browser like Firefox, Chrome, or Safari to download your favorite security software – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Run anti-malware from your USB drive

Here’s yet another solution which is using a portable USB antivirus software that can scan your system for malicious software without needing installation. Follow these steps to run the anti-malware on the infected computer. 1) On a clean computer, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug in the USB flash drive to a USB slot on the clean computer. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, with an .exe file extension. 4) When asked, choose the location of the USB drive as the place where you would like to store the software files. Follow the instructions on the screen to finish off the installation process. 5) Now, transfer the flash drive to the infected PC. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the pen drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and clean-up up all kinds of malware.

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

Nowadays, anti-malware software can protect your computer from different types of online threats. But how to select the best one amongst many malware protection application that’s available in the market? Perhaps you might be aware, there are many anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. Some of them are good, some are ok types, while some will affect your PC themselves! It is important to choose a company that creates industry-best anti-malware and it has attained a reputation as reliable. On the list of highly recommended software programs is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. SafeBytes carries a superb reputation for quality service, and clients seem to be happy with it. SafeBytes antimalware is a highly effective and user-friendly protection tool which is suitable for users of all levels of computer literacy. Using its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you eradicate several types of malware including computer viruses, PUPs, trojans, worms, adware, ransomware, and browser hijackers.

SafeBytes has got a variety of wonderful features that can help you protect your PC from malware attack and damage. Some of them are listed as below:

Antimalware Protection: This deep-cleaning antimalware software goes much deeper than most antivirus tools to clean your computer system. Its critically acclaimed virus engine finds and disables hard to remove malware that hides deep inside your personal computer. Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes gives round the clock protection for your computer restricting the malware attacks instantly. This software will continuously monitor your PC for suspicious activity and updates itself continuously to keep current with the latest threats. Web Filtering: SafeBytes gives instant safety rating about the pages you’re going to check out, automatically blocking harmful sites and make sure that you’re certain of your online safety while browsing the internet. Low CPU Usage: SafeBytes is well known for its low influence on computer resources and great detection rate of diverse threats. It runs silently and efficiently in the background so you are free to use your computer at full power all the time. 24/7 Customer Support: SafeBytes provides you with 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance and updates for best user experience. SafeBytes has come up with a wonderful anti-malware solution that can help you conquer the latest computer threats and virus attacks. There is no doubt that your computer system will be protected in real-time as soon as you put this software to use. So if you’re searching for the very best malware removal application out there, and if you don’t mind paying out some dollars for it, opt for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you’d like to carry out the removal of DailyProductivityTools manually instead of using an automated tool, you may follow these simple steps: Navigate to the Windows Control Panel, click the “Add/Remove Programs” and there, choose the offending program to uninstall. In case of suspicious versions of web browser plug-ins, you can actually get rid of it through your web browser’s extension manager. You will likely also want to reset your internet browser. If you opt to manually delete the system files and Windows registry entries, utilize the following checklist to make sure you know exactly what files to remove before carrying out any actions. But bear in mind, this can be a difficult task and only computer experts can perform it safely. Furthermore, certain malicious programs have the capability to defend against its removal. It is advisable that you carry out the removal procedure in Safe Mode.

What is PyLocky ransomware? And how does it execute its attack?

PyLocky ransomware is a file-locking malware created in order to lock important files and demand ransom from victims in exchange for data recovery. This new ransomware uses the .lockymap extension in marking the files it encrypts. It starts to execute its attack by dropping the following malicious payload in the system:

Name: facture_4739149_08.26.2018.exe SHA256:8655f8599b0892d55efc13fea404b520858d01812251b1d25dcf0afb4684dce9 Size: 5.3 MB

After dropping its malicious payload, this crypto-malware connects the infected computer to a remote server where it downloads more malicious files and places them on system folders. It then applies a data gathering module used to gather data about the user and the computer. The malicious files that were downloaded earlier along with the data obtained are used for another module called stealth protection. This allows PyLocky ransomware to execute its attack without detection from any security or antivirus programs installed in the system. It also modifies some registry keys and entries in the Windows Registry such as:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop
• HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelDesktop
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
• HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce
• HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce

Once all the modifications are carried out, PyLocky ransomware will begin encrypting its targeted files using a sophisticated encryption cipher. Following the encryption, it adds the .lockymap extension to each one of the encrypted files and releases a ransom note named “LOCKY-README.txt” which contains the following content:

“Please be advised: All your files, pictures document and data has been encrypted with Military Grade Encryption RSA ABS-256. Your information is not lost. But Encrypted. In order for you to restore your files, you have to purchase a Decrypter. Follow these steps to restore your files. 1* Download the Tor Browser. ( Just type in google “Download Tor“ 2‘ Browse to URL: http://4wcgqlckaazungm.onion/index.php 3* Purchase the Decryptor to restore your files. It is very simple. If you don’t believe that we can restore your files, then you can restore 1 file of image format for free. Be aware the time is ticking. Price will be doubled every 96 hours so use it wisely. Your unique ID : CAUTION: Please do not try to modify or delete any encrypted file as it will be hard to restore it. SUPPORT: You can contact support to help decrypt your files for you. Click on support at http://4wcgqlckaazungm.onion/index.php”

How does PyLocky ransomware spread over the web?

PyLocky ransomware spreads using malicious spam email campaigns. Creators of this threat embed an infected attachment to spam emails and send them using a spambot. Crooks may even use deceptive tactics to trick you into opening the malware-laden immediately which is something you must not do. Thus, before opening any emails, make sure that you’ve thoroughly checked them. To successfully obliterate PyLocky ransomware from your computer, refer to the removal guide laid out below.

• Step 1: Launch the Task Manager by simply tapping Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard.
• Step 2: Under the Task Manager, go to the Processes tab and look for the process named facture_4739149_08.26.2018.exe and any suspicious-looking process which takes up most of your CPU’s resources and is most likely related to PyLocky ransomware.
• Step 3: After that, close the Task Manager.
• Step 4: Tap Win + R, type in appwiz.cpl and click OK or tap Enter to open Control Panel’s list of installed programs.
• Step 5: Under the list of installed programs, look for PyLocky ransomware or anything similar, and then uninstall it.
• Step 6: Next, close the Control Panel and tap Win + E keys to launch File Explorer.
• Step 7: Navigate to the following locations below and look for PyLocky ransomware’s malicious components such as facture_4739149_08.26.2018.exe and LOCKY-README.txt as well as other suspicious files, then delete all of them.

%TEMP% %WINDIR%System32Tasks %APPDATA%MicrosoftWindowsTemplates %USERPROFILE%Downloads %USERPROFILE%Desktop

• Step 8: Close the File Explorer.
• Step 9: Tap Win + R to open Run and then type in Regedit in the field and tap enter to pull up Windows Registry.
• Step 10: Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelDesktop HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce

• Step 11: Delete the registry keys and sub-keys created by PyLocky ransomware.
• Step 12: Close the Registry Editor and empty the Recycle Bin.

Try to recover your encrypted files using the Shadow Volume copies Restoring your encrypted files using Windows Previous Versions feature will only be effective if PyLocky ransomware hasn’t deleted the shadow copies of your files. But still, this is one of the best and free methods there is, so it’s definitely worth a shot. To restore the encrypted file, right-click on it and select Properties, a new window will pop up, then proceed to Previous Versions. It will load the file’s previous version before it was modified. After it loads, select any of the previous versions displayed on the list like the one in the illustration below. And then click the Restore button.

Typical use of file explorer will probably not need any kind of elevated privileges, but from time to time you might encounter some tasks that will require administrator rights in order to perform them. If this is the case you will need to run file explorer with these rights but inside Windows 11 that is somewhat hidden and not 1 click away. How this is the case we have decided to put a little tutorial on how to accomplish this very task and run file explorer with administrator privileges.

Open File Explorer via EXE file

1. Open File Explorer typically
2. Navigate to This PC > Windows (C:) > Windows
3. Locate file explorer application
4. Right-click on it and select Run as Administrator
5. Run File Explorer

A new instance of file explorer will pop with elevated administrator privileges.

Run it as an administrator using the Task Manager

1. Open the Task Manager ( CTRL + SHIFT + ESC )
2. Click on More details (at the bottom)
3. After the task manager expands click on the File tab
4. Click on Run New Task
5. Type in explorer.exe and check the box next to it that says Create this task with administrative privileges
6. Click on OK

File Explorer will now run as administrator.

As you know, the USB security keys are a secure medium to validate a lot of components in a computer. They can be used to log in to Windows 10. Now with the advancement of APIs, you can authenticate across the website as well using the same key. However, there are times when it may not work and it could be caused by several factors. It could be due to corrupted or incompatible drivers or it could also be due to compromised integrity of the key, and many more. So if you happen to encounter an issue with the USB security key on your Windows 10 computer, then there are several potential fixes you can try. You can try toggling the Internet Options settings or reinstall the respective USB drivers. You could also try changing the PIN of the security key or disable the antivirus program on your computer or troubleshoot the web browser. Refer to the potential fixes provided below to fix the problem.

Option 1 – Try to toggle the settings of the Internet Options

• In the Windows Search box, search for Internet Options to open it.
• Next, go to the Security tab and drag the security slider to the lowest possible security for all the given zones.
• After that, click on OK to save the changes made and close the Internet Options.

Note that this option is only a temporary measure as it can make your computer vulnerable. Make sure to press the Reset all zones to default level button.

Option 2 – Try to update or reinstall the respective drivers

If updating the drivers of the device did not fix the problem with the USB security key, you can try to update or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller drivers instead of using the Device Manager. Refer to the following steps:

• First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
• Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
• From there, look for the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” option and then right-click on each one of the USB drivers and select the Update Driver from the menu.

Note: If it is a regular USB drive, then it will be listed as a USB Mass Storage Device but if you have a USB 3.0 device, then look for a USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller.

• Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.

Note: If updating the USB Controller drivers didn’t work, you can try to reinstall them instead.

Option 3 – Try to change the PIN of the security key

If the first two options didn’t work, you can try changing the PIN of the security key. There are instances when the PIN for the security key might have been corrupted. Thus, resetting it can help you resolve the problem.

Option 4 – Temporarily disable Firewall and third-party antivirus

Firewall and antivirus programs are known to block the proper functioning of the USB security key. Thus, your antivirus or firewall programs might be the reason why you can’t download anything on your Windows 10 computer. To isolate the issue, you need to temporarily disable both the Firewall and antivirus programs and then check if you can now download anything from the internet. Do not forget to enable them again as disabling them can leave your computer vulnerable to cyber threats.

Option 5 – Try to troubleshoot the web browser

Troubleshooting your web browser can also help you fix the USB security key problem. You can do that by checking if your web browser supports the security key and you can do that by checking on the official website of your browser. You can also try to update your web browser to its latest version but if it didn’t help, you can try to reinstall it or switch to another web browser.

Booting the Windows computer system includes loading it from the various boot devices such as drivers, network as well as USB drives when the computer is turned on. The instant the startup sequence is done loading the operating system the system hardware will be ready to perform some complex operations – in this process, the Boot Log in Windows 10 is a record that maintains the list of success or failure of many pieces of Windows 10 system during the booting process. In other words, the Boot Log is the one that keeps a record of all that has happened while loading from the computer storage system to the memory during the boot process. It is available for several devices like network, hardware devices, and the operating system which assist in detecting issues during the boot process and other issues with regards to troubleshooting. Through Boot Log, you’ll know which drivers were unloaded and loaded from the start of the system during the boot process. You have the option to either disable or enable this feature on your Windows 10 PC. Named as “ntbtlog.txt”, the log file lists all the successfully loaded processes and the unsuccessful ones during the boot process. It is saved to the drive C:Windowsntbtlog.txt. As mentioned, you can enable or disable this feature in two ways – the first one is by using the System Configuration or MSConfig while the second one is using the Command Prompt. In this post, we’ll show you how you can enable or disable Boot Log in Windows 10 either way.

Option 1 – Enable or Disable Boot Log using System Configuration

Enable Boot Log:

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type in “msconfig” and click OK to open System Configuration.
• After that, go to the boot tab and check the checkbox labeled “Boot Log” under the Boot options so that you can enable the Boot Log feature.
• Then click on OK to save the changes made.
• Next, click on the Restart button in the prompt window to get started with the Boot Log process.
• After restarting your PC, go to C:Windowsntbtlog.txt to open the boot log.

Note: As pointed out earlier, the log file contains a list of all the successfully loaded drivers and also the list of drivers that failed to load during the boot process and every time you restart the system, the boot log file will keep on updating and will eventually increase the list of entries. For you to locate the drivers and make your troubleshooting a lot easier, I advised disabling the boot log after troubleshooting. To disable the boot log using System Configuration, refer to the steps below. Disable Boot Log:

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type in “msconfig” and click OK to open System Configuration.
• After that, go to the boot tab and unmark or uncheck the checkbox labeled “Boot Log” under the Boot options so that you can disable the Boot Log feature.
• Then click on OK to save the changes made.

Option 2 – Enable or Disable Boot Log using Command Prompt

Enable Boot Log:

• Go to the Start Menu and then type in “command prompt” in the search bar.
• After that, right-click on the Command Prompt option and select the “Run as administrator” option.
• After opening Command Prompt, type in “bcdedit” and tap Enter.

Note: You have to find the Identifier of the current operating system first to enable the Boot log. You can find it under the Windows Boot Loader section in the “Description” field and in this case, it’s Windows 10. You can also find the operating system identifier under the Windows Boot Loader section next to the field name identifier.

• To check if the boot log entry is disabled or enabled, go check the “Bootlog” field under the Windows Boot Loader. And if it turns out that the “bootlog” entry is enabled, the entry will be “Yes”. Otherwise, the entry will be “No”.
• Next, type in the following command with the operating system identifier to enable the boot log.

bcdedit /set {identifier} bootlog Yes

Note: In the command given above, make sure that you replace the given system identifier with your computer’s system identifier. For instance: In this example, the identifier was replaced with the actual operating system identifier as current.

bcdedit /set {current} bootlog Yes

• Afterward, restart the system to start the Boot log process.
• After the restart, go to C:Windowsntbtlog.txt to open the boot log.

Note: Every time you restart your computer, the boot log file will keep on updating which will increase the size of the log eventually. So if you want seamless and easier troubleshooting, it is advised to disable the Boot log after you troubleshoot. To disable it using the Command Prompt, here’s what you have to do. Disable Boot Log:

• Go to the Start Menu and then type in “command prompt” in the search bar.
• After that, right-click on the Command Prompt option and select the “Run as administrator” option.
• Once the Command Prompt is opened, type in the following command and then tap Enter to disable the boot log feature.

bcdedit/ set {identifier} bootlog No

Note: In the command given above, you need to replace the given system identifier with your computer’s system identifier. For instance: In this example, the {identifier} was replaced with the actual operating system identifier as {current}.

bcdedit /set {current} bootlog No

• Now close the Command Prompt.