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Fix CompareExchange128 error

During Windows 10 installation, you will see all the beautiful user interfaces, however, what’s more, important are the drivers, your processor, and free storage disk in order for the installation to be successfully completed. So if you are getting the CompareExchange128 error during the installation of Windows 10, this means that the CPU lacks a very important instruction known as “CMPXCHG16B”. Thus, if you don’t have CMPXCHG16B, then it will result in the CompareExchange128 error when you install Windows 10. In fact, CMPXCHG16B, PrefetchW as well as LAHF/SAHF is a criterion for you to be able to use Windows 10 64-bit version when upgrading from an earlier version of Windows.

So what exactly is the CMPXCHG16B instruction? The CMPXCHG16B instruction is the one that performs an atomic compare-and-exchange on 16-byte values. This instruction can also be referred to as “CompareExchange128”. The atomic compare-and-exchange means that the CPU compares the contents of a memory location with a given value. So if the values are the same, it modifies the contents of that memory location to a new given value. Note that this kind of issue only happens to the 64-bit Windows 10 version and the only way to resolve it is by getting an update on the hardware level from the OEM. On the other hand, if nothing really works, it’s maybe time for you to get a new CPU but before you resort to that, in the meantime, you can try following the options given below to fix the CompareExchange128 error during the installation of Windows 10.

Option 1 – Try to update the BIOS and Chipset Drivers

One of the best things you can do to fix the CompareExchange128 error is by updating the BIOS and chipset drivers which is why you need to check if your OEM has an update available for your computer’s BIOS as well as the related chipset drivers. But before that, you need to first check the BIOS version. To do so, follow these steps:

  • Type “msinfo32” in the search bar and hit Enter to open the System Information Tools.
  • After opening the System Information Tools, check the BIOS version.
  • Then take note of that BIOS version. You also need to use the BIOS utility that came with your computer and use it for the upgrade. Note that it is different for every computer and if you don’t have it, you can just go to the OEM website and see if there is an option to download it there.

Option 2 – Try to downgrade to the 32-bit Windows 10 version

If option 1 didn’t work as the BIOS update is not available, you can also try downgrading to the 32-bit version of Windows 10. Keep in mind that this will bring restrictions on the amount of RAM installed and other places but that won’t be a problem as you can still switch.

Option 3 – Try buying a new hardware

If none of the first two options didn’t work for some reason then maybe it’s time for you to purchase new hardware especially if your computer is way too old. In such cases, it’s better to buy new hardware or better yet, a new computer that can keep up for the next couple of years.

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How to Fix Error Code 0x80240001 on Your PC

Error Code 0x80240001- What is it?

Error Code 0x80240001 usually occurs in Windows 10 and is specific to the process of updating your system. It is similar to an error code found in previous versions of the software during the update process. There are a number of steps that can be taken to solve this error code, most of which are fairly easy for the average user to undertake.

Common symptoms for this particular error code include:

  • Inability to complete the updating process of your Windows 10 system
  • A notice that the Windows Update Agent is not able to provide appropriate services through the update module.

While it can be frustrating to have this message appear during the update process, users can resolve the error in a number of ways. However, if you are not confident in your ability to follow the steps below or if the methods listed fail to resolve the problem, contact a certified Windows 10 repair technician to assist you in the process.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error Code 0x80240001 occurs when the Windows Update tool is unable to complete its service successfully. This error occurs most often when users attempt to update to Windows 10 from older versions of the software, including Windows 7, 8, or 8.1.

This particular error code can also occur when your system has not been updated in a regular fashion. Stacked updates make it more likely for Error Code 0x80240001 to occur.

In most cases, when Error Code 0x80240001 appears on your screen, the update process will be halted. Sometimes, the screen may display a single color background, removing the appearance of all other windows and applications.

Fortunately, there are several methods that you can use to attempt to circumvent the problem and see the update process through to completion.

Further Information and Manual Repair

While it can be frustrating to deal with an error when you attempt to update your Windows software, there are several ways that you can seek to resolve the issue that causes Error Code 0x80240001. These steps are relatively simple to complete and do not require advanced techniques to be used. However, if you are not confident in your ability to complete the steps listed below, enlist the aid of a qualified Windows technician to help you.

Here are the most common ways that Error Code 0x80240001 can be resolved for Windows 10:

Method One:  Download and Use the Windows Repair Tool

From the Windows website, you can download the Windows Repair tool, if it is not already installed on your computer. While there are other tools available through outside sites that claim that they can resolve this error, in many cases, they can be a carrier for viruses and other kinds of malware, so it is inadvisable to use non-Windows tools to fix this particular error code.

Once you have successfully added the Windows Repair tool to your computer, open it up and look for the option to run “Repair Windows Update.” Using this process, your system can search for and resolve the error, allowing you to successfully run the update tool through to completion.

Method Two:  Uninstall Recently Added Software

In some cases, software that has been recently added to a non-updated computer can cause the update process to experience issues. If you believe that this may have occurred in your case, simply uninstall the software in question, then attempt to run the Windows 10 Update process again.

The best way to prevent this error from reoccurring when you seek to update your Windows 10 system is to apply updates within a short period of time from their release date. It is recommended that users update regularly, which can allow them to avoid a number of issues that are common to the update process.

If you have any difficulty in resolving Error Code 0x80240001 after you have attempted these steps, you may need to enlist the help of a qualified technician who is familiar with the specific errors related to the Windows 10 Update process. This can especially be helpful if you have recently installed a number of new kinds of software and are unsure of whether or not any specific one may be causing your issues. 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.

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How to Fix Windows 10 Error 0x80240016

Error Code 0x80240016 - What is it?

Error Code 0x80240016 is an error that appears when the Windows Update tool is unable to complete its operation. While it most commonly occurs in Windows 10, versions of this error are also present in past Windows systems, as well. The steps to resolve the error are the same for each of these systems. Common symptoms include:
  • Inability to complete the Windows Update process
  • Sluggishness or freezing
  • Crashing of your programs
  • The message that states “IMAP_LOGINFAILURE”
There are a number of different issues that can cause Error Code 0x80240016, so it is important to follow the steps below to address each of them in turn. While basic users can implement several of the methods, some of the methods may require advanced skills or knowledge. If needed, always get in touch with a qualified Windows repair professional to assist you in the process of error resolution.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error Code 0x80240016 happens when the system believes that another installation is already occurring on your device while the Windows Update tool is attempting to run the installation of its own updates. While there may not always be an actual installation going on that prohibits Windows Update from running, several programs can leave traces of background activity that prevent Windows from proceeding as necessary.

Malicious software can also cause your system to believe that files are in use, so several of the methods to fix the error can address this particular set of issues.

Further Information and Manual Repair

There are a number of different background issues that can cause Error Code 0x80240016 to appear on your machine. Follow the steps below to address each aspect of the error code, making sure to restart your computer after each attempt. If you have difficulty in completing these steps, contact a qualified technician to assist you.

Here are the top methods to resolve Error Code 0x80240016:

Method One:  Use the Troubleshooting Tool in Windows Update

The first step to addressing Error Code 0x80240016 is to open up the Windows Update tool and click on the option to run the Troubleshooting Wizard. This can identify many of the issues associated with the error. If this tool makes any changes, make sure to restart your computer after it finishes.

Method Two:  Run the Registry Repair Tool

The registry repair tool can be a great resource for Error Code 0x80240016. Use it to run a scan on all of your registry entries and to repair any that may be extraneous, faulty, or missing. This step may take some time, so be prepared to wait a while for it to finish. Always restart your computer after running the registry repair tool so that any necessary changes can fully take effect and be recognized by your device.

Method Three:  Scan Your Computer for Malicious Software

Use the Microsoft Security Essentials tool to perform a scan of your computer to see if any malicious software has changed or corrupted your system files. Once all the files had been scanned and problems have been addressed, you can restart your computer to see if the error has been successfully resolved. You can also download a powerful automated tool to rectify Windows 10 error code 0x80240016.

Method Four:  Update Your Drivers and Perform Updates for Your Software and Operating System

Another method that can help to address Error Code 0x80240016 is to open up your driver settings from the control panel and scan to see if any updates are needed. If there are updates waiting to be installed, go ahead and perform those updates first, then restart your computer.

Next, check your Windows Update tool to see if there are any program or system updates that need to be performed. Allowing updates to stack up can cause a number of errors on your system, so it is important to keep your updates in check. Restart your computer after you finish this process.

Method Five:  Backup Your Files, Then Reinstall Your Operating System Version

If none of the above methods have completely fixed the problem, you may need to reinstall your operating system. Before doing so, make sure that you have a backup copy of any important programs and files so that you don’t lose anything during the fresh installation.

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No usable free extent could be found
One of the most useful and efficient command-line disk management tools is the DISKPART utility. It can be used to manage, delete or create new hard drive partitions. However, despite its efficiency, there are still times it could face some errors like the “No usable free extent could be found”. You can encounter this error when you create a partition. This error could be due to insufficient disk space which is why it is not able to carry out the operation. It is also possible that the disk is not recognized by the system. And since there are only four recognized primary partitions, when you try creating a fifth one, you will get this error. In addition, this error could also occur if the disk has been partitioned using the MBR disk partitioning format. To fix the “No usable free extent could be found” error, here are some suggestions you can follow.

Option 1 – Free up disk space using Storage Sense

The error could be caused by insufficient disk space in your computer and so you need to free up disk space using Storage Sense to fix the problem.
  • Open Setting > System > Storage from the WinX Menu.
  • From there, you will see a list of all the local and connected storage devices along with the details on the free space. Make sure that Storage Sense is on.
  • Next, find a link that says “Free Up Space” and click it to open.
  • After that, a screen which is the built-in program in Windows 10 will appear and will scan your computer for the following junk files so you can free up disk space:
    • Windows Upgrade Log Files
    • The system created Windows Error Reporting Files
    • Thumbnails
    • Temporary Internet Files
    • Previous Windows Installation Files
    • Delivery Optimisation Files
    • DirectX Shader Cache
  • Choose the files you want to get rid of and then click on the remove files option. Note that you’ll have an idea of the total size as you select any of the junk files listed above.
  • Now go to the “Free Up Space Now” section and click the Clear Now button. This will get rid of all the temporary or junk files in your computer and should hopefully fix Error 1310.
Note: You can also run the Disk Cleanup tool to free up disk space.

Option 2 – Try to run DISKPART in Command Prompt with administrator permissions

The next thing you can do to resolve the error is to run the DISKPART utility with admin privileges.
  • In the Start Search, type “command prompt” and from the search results that appear, look for Command Prompt.
  • Once you found it, right-click on it and select the “Run as administrator” option.
  • After that, try to execute the Diskpart operation once again. Note that you also have to specify different size & offset values for the partitioning and then see if you still encounter the same error.

Option 3 – Try to execute the DISKPART clean command

The next thing you can try is to execute the clean command in DISKPART to fix any issues in the disk.
  • Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • Then execute this command: diskpart
  • The command you entered will initiate the DISKPART utility. Now execute this second command to view all the disk connects or all the partitions on those disks formed: list disk
  • After that, you need to select one command depending on the list command you executed and then execute this third command: select disk #
  • The third command you just executed will select the disk or partition you want to select. Now execute this fourth command: clean
  • The command you entered will remove all the volumes or partitions formatting the disk in focus.
  • Once it’s done, try to carry out the DISKPART operation you were trying to execute.

Option 4 – Try to update the USB drivers

Outdated USB drivers can also be the reason why you’re getting the error. Thus, you must update them from time to time. You can install the latest version of the USB driver for your system. But you need to check the manufacturer’s website or guidelines to update the driver according to your system. If it happens that the drivers might not be compatible with the version of the system your laptop is using which is unlikely, you can run the driver software in Compatibility Mode in that kind of situation. To update your USB drivers, follow these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, look for the USB Serial Bus controllers from the list of device drivers displayed. If you see a red or yellow sign that shows up against the driver, right-click on the driver’s name and select “Update Driver Software”. And if you find any “Unknown device”, you need to update it as well.
  • Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.

Option 5 – Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter or the USB troubleshooter

You can find the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter under the Troubleshooters section of the Windows Settings panel on your Windows 10 PC. You can use this troubleshooter to fix common hardware and external device-related issues without exerting too much effort. If you don’t know where to find it, follow these steps:
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open the Windows Settings.
  • Next, navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • You should see the option for Hardware and Devices on your right-hand side where you can also find the “Rub the troubleshooter” button – click on it to get started.
  • Follow the next on-screen instructions to fix the basic issues of common hardware and external device.
Note: If you want to, you can also use the USB Troubleshooter to fix the problem just go back to the Troubleshoot page where you can find it.
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How to Fix Runtime Error 713
Runtime Error 713 is an error that occurs during the distribution of a Visual Basic application that includes a data report. The error is displayed on the screen when you try to open the data report from your desired application.

Error Causes

The reason why computer users often experience the Runtime Error 713 is that the data report run-time file also referred to as Msdbrptr.dll is not included in your setup package. Though this error does not pose any big threat to your computer, however, it is recommended to fix the error because the Runtime error 713 may hamper your ability to install and access new programs.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Don’t you panic if you see Runtime Error 713 message pop up on your PC? This error is rated easy to repair and can be fixed in a couple of minutes. There are two ways to fix Runtime Error 713. You can choose whichever 2 alternatives suit you best.
  • Method 1
First, open your project and include a reference to the data report file, the Msdbrptr.dll file. Locating this file is not difficult. It is listed as Microsoft Data Report Designer v6.0 in the reference dialog box. Sometimes you may see this file listed more than once. Now when this happens be sure to select the file that is associated with Msdbrptr.dll. After you select it, the reference will be verified. Once verification is complete, you are good to go. Now you can try rebuilding your setup package again.
  • Method 2
The second alternative is to add the Msdbrptr.dll file manually in PDW (the Package and Deployment Wizard). Simply add the file in the Included Files dialog box window and run the PDW. Now you are all set to rebuild your setup package. Whether you follow method 1 or 2 after you rebuild the setup package and the installation is complete, you will see the following files in the indicated folders:
  • <windows system>Msdbrptr.dll
  • <program files>Common Files\Designers\Msderun.dll
  • <windows system>Msstdfmt.dll
The presence of these files indicates successful installation and now you can easily try opening the data report. If you’ve noticed, all you have to do to fix Runtime Error 713 was to include the Msdbrptr.dll file. So, next time if you or your friends experience Runtime Error 713, you know exactly what to do and how to fix it.
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How to Fix Windows 10 Error 0x80070426

Error Code0x80070426 - What is it?

When Windows evolved into Windows 10, the program known as Windows Security Essentials is no longer. It is now the program known as Windows Defender. When a computer is upgraded from a previous version of Windows up to Windows 10, the Windows Defender takes over and will replace the Security Essentials. In a small percentage of Windows 10 upgrades, something will go wrong and the new program will fail to replace Security Essentials. The result will be that the operating system has both of the programs installed. In this case, Windows Defender will not offer any protection and Security Essentials will not be able to defend either. This error code will also present itself when the Windows Mail App in Windows 10 fail to retrieve and sync email from the user's account.

Common symptoms include:

  • There will be an error message that says: “An error has occurred in the program initialization. If this problem does continue, contact your System Admin. Error code 0x80070426.”
  • The computer will be left completely vulnerable to spyware and viruses.
  • The Windows Mail App will not be able to retrieve mail and will not sync with the PC user's mail.
  • The user can be doing anything on their computer and the error code will show up unprompted.
  • The computer will lock up, become slow, crash, or even freeze when dealing with error code 0x80070426.
  • The programs from an older version of Windows do not replace the newer version from Windows 10.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error code 0x80070426 will present itself when a PC user has upgraded their OS from a previous version of Windows to the new Windows 10 version. When this happens, a small portion of users will experience the disconnect between older versions of specific programs, namely the virus protection. When the previous version of the program under a different name is not completely removed and the new virus protection program is installed, the programs will cancel each other out and collectively offer no protection.

This error code may also be found when Windows 10 tries to sync the user's email with the Windows Mail App.

Further Information and Manual Repair

There are a few methods to repair this problem. It should be noted that should anyone feel that the instructions are too complicated, they should contact a Windows repair technician to ensure that the error is fixed properly.

Method One: Uninstall Microsoft Essentials

Hold down the Windows Key and press R. Type in taskmgr into the run dialogue. You should locate the Windows Defender Service (this may show up as Windefend). Right-click on it and then choose Stop.

This will stop the program, but the program will start back up automatically when the computer restarts. While this program is stopped, uninstall Essentials.

To do this: go to Control Panel, Programs, and Features, Uninstall a Program. Alternately, you may hold down the Windows Key and press R, type in appwiz.cpl, click OK, and then locate Microsoft Essentials. Uninstall it, and then restart your computer.

After this is done, go to Settings, Update, and Security. Choose Windows Defender and ensure that Real-time protection is on. Refer back to the Task Manager, Services. Make sure that Defender service is on and running.

Method Two: If the problem occurs in the Windows Mail App

When error code 0x80070426 presents itself in the form of an error with the Mail app, it may be necessary to run an SFC scan.

Right-click on the Start menu or Windows icon, and select Command prompt. The command prompt may be navigated by using shortcut keys Win and X and then select it.

Run the command prompt and then type in sfc /scannow and then press enter. The SFC scan will be run, and be careful not to abort the process before it has finished. This will scan for any files that are lost or corrupt on the PC.

If the scan has found any corrupt files, type in this code and then hit Enter: findstr /c:”[SR]” %windir%LogsCBSCBS.log >”%userprofile%Desktopsfcdetails.txt.

To skip the repair of corrupt or missing files, type in: Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. The details of the scan can be found on the sfcdetails.txt file that will be on the desktop.

Method Three: 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.
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Windows PC advantages over Apple Mac

In the last article, we have covered various advantages of Apple hardware over Windows PC, however, PC has their own strengths and advantages over MACs as well. Join us as we explore why would you choose Windows PC over MAC.

Windows PC

Hardware customization

If you like to customize and build your own hardware and customize your existing computer then MACs are out of the picture, on other hand, computers based on Windows operating system are much more flexible in terms of customization.

While Apple hardware is locked and only allows small changes to it, computers running on Windows are free and open to various upgrades and modifications so if you like to play with hardware Windows is your platform.

Gaming

There are games on MAC true but their numbers can not compare to games available for the Windows platform. On top of that, most latest and best gaming hardware is not even available on Apple platforms so if you plan to game in high resolutions and play the latest games there really is no option other than Windows.

Windows Platforms also has multiple emulators that you can use to play games from other older platforms and Microsoft since it owns Xbox has some great plans for both PC and Xbox gaming.

Software back compatibility

Since the introduction of the new MAC OS X, apple really lost a lot of application back compatibility, and a lot of old legacy software can not be run on modern Apple computers. Windows on the other hand have always tried and succeeded in keeping maximum compatibility with older and legacy software.

Also on the Windows platform, there is a lot of community support for old and legacy software so even if it is not officially supported it is backed up by the community.

Software variability

In terms of where can you find the most different software, you need to look no further than the Windows platform. How Windows itself has great backward compatibility and a lot of developers are using it to create new software thanks to Visual Studio and .NET Windows has cemented itself as a platform with the most available software.

The popularity of Windows as the home operating system and as a gaming platform has made it quite interesting in eyes of various developers and tons of small applications are made daily for it. Windows 11 has also brought native android support to it and that has just expanded its already impressive catalog of applications.

Freedom of choice

Overall Windows PC is most appealing for users that like to be able to choose everything, from hardware components to software they would like to use. No other platform will give you larger freedom of choice and better personalization options.

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Windows Upgrade/Activation error 0xc03f6506
There are a lot of home users that often get a computer that comes installed with the Windows 10 Home. And since Windows 10 Pro offers more features and utilities compared to Windows 10 Home, a lot of users also prefer to upgrade their Windows 10 Home computers to Windows 10 Pro. However, while doing so, a number of users reported that they encountered error 0xc03f6506 and they were not able to proceed with the upgrade. If you are one of these users, when you encounter error 0xc03f6506, you will see the following error message on your screen:
“The last product key you entered can’t be used on this copy of Windows (0xc03f6506).”
This particular error tends to occur when you go on to activate Windows 10 although it can also appear during the upgrade process. In such cases, you will see the following error message:
“Unable to upgrade your edition, We can’t upgrade your edition of Windows. Try upgrading your edition of Windows again. (0xc03f6506).”
To fix the Activation Error Code 0xc03f6506 in Windows 10, use the options provided below as references but before you proceed, make sure that you create a System Restore point first.

Option 1 – Try to use the Registry Editor

If you have already upgraded from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro and you’re having trouble with its Activation, then you might want to apply some registry tweaks to fix the problem. How? Refer to these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R key combination to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “Regedit” in the field and click OK or tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Next, navigate to this registry key: ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersion
  • From there, look for a DWORD named “EditionID” and once you found it, double click on it and change its Value data to Windows 10 Professional.
  • After that, look for another DWORD named “ProductName” and double click on it to change its Value data to Windows 10 Professional.
  • Once you’re done, restart your computer to apply the changes made successfully.

Option 2 – Try to use Command Prompt

If the registry tweaks you applied didn’t fix the Activation error, then you can try using Command Prompt instead. Note that you can use this option in both scenarios pointed out above.
  • First, you have to insert a bootable drive of the Windows10 installer.
  • Next, tap the Win + X keys and select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.
  • After opening Command Prompt as admin, navigate to the root location of the bootable drive inside the Command Prompt command line.
  • Once you’re already there, type the following command and tap Enter:
setup.exe /auto upgrade /pkey <YOUR WINDOWS 10 PRO EDITION PRODUCT KEY>
After entering the command, check if it was able to fix the Windows Upgrade or Activation error 0xc03f6506. If not, refer to the next given option below.

Option 3 – Try to disable the Network Adapter

Just like the second option, you can also use this option for both the given scenarios above.
  • Tap the Win + X keys and select Network Connections from the menu.
  • This will open the settings for your network and on the left side panel, click on the “Change adapter settings” link. This will open Control Panel.
  • From there, click on the network your computer is connected to, and then right-click on the Network Adapter that you are using and select Disable.
  • After disabling the Network Adapter, try to switch to the edition of your copy of Windows 10 again and see if the problem is now fixed and don’t forget to double click on the disabled Network Adapter to get back on the Network.
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VideoDownload Converter removal guide

Video Download Converter is a potentially unwanted toolbar distributed by Mindspark Interactive network. This toolbar offers users the ability to download and convert youtube and other online videos.

While this may seem useful at the start, this toolbar monitors user browsing activity and records visited websites, clicked links, and even personal data, that it later uses to display injected ads through your browsing session. When the toolbar is installed, it will automatically hijack your home page and search engine setting them to MyWay.com. This search engine uses google to display your search results, however, it injects ads into the search results to generate ad revenue. Several anti-virus scanners have detected VideoDownloadManager as a Browser Hijacker, and are therefore not recommended to keep on your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is actually a form of unwanted software, commonly a browser add-on or extension, which then causes modifications in the browser’s settings. There are lots of reasons why you might experience a browser hijack; however commercial, marketing, and advertising are definitely the key purposes for their creation. Usually, it will force users to predetermined sites which are looking to increase their advertising campaign earnings. It may seem naive, but the majority of these sites are not legitimate and can pose a major threat to your online safety. Browser hijackers can also allow other harmful programs without your knowledge to further damage the computer. How to determine if your browser has been hijacked There are many symptoms that indicate the internet browser has been hijacked: the home page of your browser is changed suddenly; you find yourself constantly directed to a different web page than the one you intended; the main web browser settings are modified and unwanted or insecure resources are added to the trusted websites listing; unsolicited new toolbars are added to your web browser; you may find numerous pop-up adverts on your computer screen; your browser has instability issues or exhibits frequent errors; you can’t navigate to certain websites, such as computer security software related websites.

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

Browser hijackers can enter a PC by some means or other, for example via file sharing, downloads, and e-mail too. Many web browser hijackings originate from add-on applications, i.e., toolbars, browser helper objects (BHO), or extensions added to browsers to provide them additional features. Some browser hijackers spread in user’s computers using a deceptive software distribution method called “bundling” (commonly through freeware and shareware). Some of the popular hijackers are VideoDownload Converter, Babylon Toolbar, Conduit Search, OneWebSearch, Sweet Page, and CoolWebSearch. Browser hijackers might record user keystrokes to gather potentially invaluable information leading to privacy concerns, cause instability on computers, drastically disrupt user’s browsing experience, and eventually slow down the PC to a point where it becomes unusable.

The best ways to remove browser hijackers

Certain kinds of browser hijackers can be easily removed from your PC by uninstalling malicious software programs or any other recently added shareware. However, many hijacking codes are not very easy to get rid of manually, since they go deeper into the operating system. Moreover, manual removal demands you to do many time-consuming and complex procedures which are very difficult to carry out for beginner computer users. You can go for automatic browser hijacker removal by simply installing and running reliable anti-malware software. Safebytes Anti-Malware has a cutting-edge anti-malware engine to help you prevent browser hijacker infection in the first place, and clean up any pre-existing issues. Together with anti-malware, a PC optimizer tool, similar to Total System Care, could help you resolve registry errors, remove unwanted toolbars, secure online privacy, and improve overall system performance.

What to Do if Malware Stops You From Downloading Or Installing Anything?

Every malware is detrimental and the magnitude of the damage will vary greatly depending on the type of malware. Some malware sits in between your PC and the internet connection and blocks a few or all internet sites which you want to visit. It would also block you from adding anything to your system, particularly anti-malware software. If you are reading this article, chances are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download and install the Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your computer. There are a few steps you can take to circumvent this problem.

Eliminate viruses in Safe Mode

In the event the malware is set to load at Windows startup, then booting in safe mode should prevent it. Just bare minimum required programs and services are loaded when you boot your computer into Safe Mode. Here are the steps you need to follow to take out viruses in Safemode. 1) After switching on the computer, press the F8 key before the Windows splash screen begins to load. This would invoke the “Advanced Boot Options” menu. 2) Make use of the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Networking and hit ENTER. 3) When you are into this mode, you should have an internet connection once again. Now, utilize your web browser to download and install Safebytes Anti-malware. 4) Right after installation, run a complete scan and let the software remove the threats it detects.

Obtain the security program using a different browser

Some malware mainly targets particular browsers. If this sounds like your situation, employ another web browser as it could circumvent the virus. If you appear to have a trojan attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to a different browser with built-in security features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your favorite anti-malware program – Safebytes.

Install security software on a USB drive

Here’s yet another solution which is utilizing portable USB anti-malware software that can scan your computer for viruses without the need for installation. Adopt these measures to use a USB drive to fix your corrupted computer system. 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or Windows Defender Offline onto a clean PC. 2) Mount the pen drive on the same PC. 3) Double click on the downloaded file to run the installation wizard. 4) Choose a thumb drive as the location when the wizard asks you where you wish to install the application. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. 5) Transfer the pen drive from the uninfected computer to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the EXE file to run the Safebytes program from the thumb drive. 7) Click on the “Scan” button to run a full system scan and remove viruses automatically.

Detect And Remove Viruses With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

If you’re looking to purchase anti-malware for your computer system, there are lots of brands and applications for you to consider. Some of them are good and some are scamware applications that pretend as legit anti-malware programs waiting around to wreak havoc on your personal computer. Make sure you choose a company that builds industry-best anti-malware and it has attained a reputation as reliable. One of the recommended software by industry analysts is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, the most dependable program for Windows computers. SafeBytes anti-malware is really a powerful, highly effective protection tool made to help users of all levels of IT literacy in detecting and removing harmful threats from their PC. Using its cutting-edge technology, this application will assist you to remove several types of malware including computer viruses, trojans, PUPs, worms, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers. SafeBytes has got a plethora of amazing features which can help you protect your computer from malware attack and damage. Here are some of the features you will like in SafeBytes. Active Protection: SafeBytes offers a completely hands-free real-time protection that is set to monitor, block and kill all computer threats at its very first encounter. It will continuously monitor your computer for hacker activity and also provides end-users with sophisticated firewall protection. World-class AntiMalware Protection: This deep-cleaning anti-malware application goes much deeper than most antivirus tools to clean out your computer system. Its critically acclaimed virus engine locates and disables hard-to-remove malware that conceals deep inside your personal computer. Fast Scan: SafeBytes Anti-Malware possesses a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to 5 times faster than any other antivirus software. Web Protection: Through its unique safety ranking, SafeBytes tells you whether a website is safe or not to visit it. This will make sure that you’re always certain of your safety when browsing the web. Light-weight: This software is not “heavy” on the computer’s resources, so you’ll not find any performance troubles when SafeBytes is working in the background. 24/7 Support: You could get high levels of support around the clock if you are using their paid software. To sum it up, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is pretty great for securing your computer against all sorts of malware threats. There is no doubt that your PC will be protected in real-time once you put this software program to use. So if you’re looking for the best anti-malware subscription for your Windows-based PC, we suggest the SafeBytes Anti-Malware software program.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you do not want to use malware removal software and like to remove VideoDownload Converter manually, you may do so by going to the Add/Remove Programs menu in the control panel and deleting the offending software; in cases of web browser extensions, you could uninstall it by going to the browsers Add-on/Extension manager. You may even want to reset your internet browser settings, and also delete temporary files, browsing history, and cookies. Finally, examine your hard disk for all of the following and clean your registry manually to remove leftover application entries following an uninstallation. Please keep in mind that this is for advanced users only and could be difficult, with wrong file removal causing additional PC errors. Furthermore, certain malware is capable of replicating or preventing removal. Doing this malware-removal process in Safe Mode is recommended.
Files: LOCALAPPDATA\VideoDownloadConverterTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll Folders: LOCALAPPDATA\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\ikgjglmlehllifdekcggaapkaplbdpje LOCALAPPDATA\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\ikgjglmlehllifdekcggaapkaplbdpje LOCALAPPDATA\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\ikgjglmlehllifdekcggaapkaplbdpje LOCALAPPDATA\VideoDownloadConverterTooltab Registry: key VideoDownloadConverter at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ key VideoDownloadConverterTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
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Fix UTCSVC high CPU and Disk usage in Windows
There is a lot of high resource utilization by any process that slows down a Windows operating system and one of the services that could cause such a thing is the utcsvc.exe process. This particular process at times can cause high CPU and disk usage. So if you are currently facing this problem, read on as this post will guide you on how you can resolve the problem. UTC which stands for Universal Telemetry Client is a software that runs a service named Diagnostic Tracking Service or DiagTrak. This service is used by Microsoft to collect customer feedback, analyze customer’s problems, and push resolution via updates in order to make the Windows 10 operating system better. This service is an executable file that could be translated to Service Host and even though the process does not usually cause problems, there are actually times when it does especially if it results in high resource utilization. In such cases, you might want to consider disabling it to fix its high CPU and disk usage.

According to Microsoft:

“We collect information about you, your devices, applications and networks, and your use of those devices, applications, and networks. Examples of data we collect include your name, email address, preferences, and interests; browsing, search and file history; phone call and SMS data; device configuration and sensor data; and application usage.”
There are several ways you can disable the utcsvc.exe process. You can disable it using the Service Manager, Registry Editor, and Group Policy Editor. For more details, refer to the instructions laid out below.

Option 1 – Disable the Connected User Experience & Telemetry Service via Service Manager

Note that this option is for standalone systems, so if you’re not using one, refer to the next given options below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “services.msc” in the field and tap Enter or click OK to open the Services Manager.
  • From the given list of services, look for the Connected User Experience service. Once you found it, click on it and you’ll see its description which states:
“The Connected User Experiences and Telemetry service enables features that support in-application and connected user experiences. Additionally, this service manages the event-driven collection and transmission of diagnostic and usage information (used to improve the experience and quality of the Windows Platform) when the diagnostics and usage privacy option settings are enabled under Feedback and Diagnostics.”
  • Next, right-click on it and select Properties.
  • Now, change its Startup Type to Disabled and click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made.

Option 2 – Disable the Connected User Experience & Telemetry Service via Registry Editor

  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility and type “Regedit” in the field and click OK to open the Registry Editor.
  • Next, navigate to this registry path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsDataCollection
  • After that, right-click on the folder named “DataCollection” and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  • Now name the new value “AllowTelemetry” and make sure that its Value data is “0” and then click on OK to save the changes made.
  • Restart your computer.

Option 3 – Disable the Connected User Experience & Telemetry Service via Group Policy Editor

If you have to disable the service related to the Universal Telemetry Client for company-managed systems, then you can do that using the Group Policy Editor.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “gpedit.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
  • Next, navigate to this path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components> Data Collection and Preview Build
  • After that, double-click on Data Collection and Preview Build to open its settings.
  • From there, look for the “Allow Telemetry” item and double click on it to open its Properties.
  • Next, set the radio button to Disabled and then click on the Apply button to save the changes made.
  • Restart your computer.

Option 4 – Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter or the Performance Troubleshooter

Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter:

  • The first thing you need to do is click on Start and then on the gear-like icon to pull up the window for Settings.
  • After opening Settings, look for the Update and Security option and select it.
  • From there, go to the Troubleshoot option located on the left-hand side of the list.
  • Next, select Hardware and Devices from the list and open the Troubleshooter and run it. Once it is doing its job, wait for it to complete the process and then restart the system.
  • After the system restarts, check if the problem’s now fixed. If not, refer to the next option given below.

Performance Troubleshooter:

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type “exe /id PerformanceDiagnostic” in the field and hit Enter to open the Performance troubleshooter.
  • Then click on Next to get started. Wait until the process is completed.
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Enable or disable Fast User Switching
When your computer is slow, you don’t have much choice but to wait until it gets done with a task at its own pace, albeit a slow one. So if you want to switch user accounts on your computer a couple of times daily, then a slow computer can get really irritating. What makes system processes slow is that the accounts have some programs or applications running and resources allocated to them. And besides, if your computer is already low on performance, it will kill the natural fluidic flow of the user. But worry not, for this post will guide you in switching user accounts with the help of some minor tweaks in your Windows 10 computer. To disable or enable Fast User Switching, you have two methods to do that using the Registry Editor and the Group Policy Editor. Either way, refer to the instructions laid out below.

Option 1 – Enable or disable Fast User Switching via Registry Editor

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • After that, type “Regedit” in the field and tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Next, go to this registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem
  • Then right-click on System and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and name this newly created DWORD as “HideFastUserSwitching”.
  • Now double click on it. If you want to enable Fast User Switching, input “0” as the value, and if you want to disable it, input “1” as its value.
  • Restart your PC to successfully apply the changes made.

Option 2 – Enable or disable Fast User Switching via Group Policy Editor

Take note that this option will not work if you are using the Windows 10 Home edition since the Group Policy Editor does not come with Windows 10 Home. Refer to the steps below to enable or disable Fast User Switching using Group Policy Editor.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type in “gpedit.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
  • Next, navigate to this path inside the Group Policy Editor: Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesSystemLogon
  • Now double click on the configuration listing labeled as “Hide entry points for Fast User Switching” to open the configuration page.
Note: On the configuration page, you will see the following description:
“This policy setting allows you to hide the Switch User interface in the Logon UI, the Start menu, and the Task Manager. If you enable this policy setting, the Switch User interface is hidden from the user who is attempting to log on or is logged on to the computer that has this policy applied. The locations that the Switch User interface appears in the Logon UI, the Start menu, and the Task Manager. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, the Switch User interface is accessible to the user in the three locations.”
  • From there, you can choose to enable or disable the Fast User Switching depending on your preferences. After you’ve selected, click OK and exit the Group Policy Editor.
  • Now restart your PC to apply the changes made successfully.
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