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Fix Error 0x80246019 in Microsoft Store

Microsoft has started building a unified store with Windows 8 and later with Windows 10 in order to make it easier for users to get safer and more modern applications for their Windows 10 devices. This unified store is called the Microsoft Store which is tied up with the Windows Update. The delivery for them both are quite similar which is why they also have some common errors as well as fixes for them. So in this post, you will be guided on how you can fix error 0x80246019 for both Microsoft Store and Windows Update in your Windows 10 computer.

The error 0x80246019 might be caused by corrupted system files or missing ones or be due to some glitch in the component services and other possible causes but whatever the cause is, you can fix it with the help of the following fixes, make sure to follow each one of them carefully.

Option 1 – Reset Windows Update components

  • Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • After that, type each one of the following commands and hit Enter after you key in one after the other.
    • net stop wuauserv
    • net stop cryptsvc
    • net stop bits
    • net stop msiserver

Note: The commands you entered will stop the Windows Update components such as Windows Update service, Cryptographic services, BITS, and MSI Installer.

  • After disabling WU components, you need to rename both the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders. To do that, type each one of the following commands below, and don’t forget to hit Enter after you type one command after the other.
    • ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
    • ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
  • Next, restart the services you’ve stopped by entering another series of commands. Don’t forget to hit Enter after you key in one command after the other.
    • net start wuauserv
    • net start cryptsvc
    • net start bits
    • net start msiserver
  • Close Command Prompt and reboot your PC.

Option 2 – Toggle the Windows Insider Program settings

This option is only applicable to you if you are a part of the Windows Insider Program. If you are, then follow the steps below.

  • First, you have to open Settings and go to the Update & Security section.
  • From there select the Windows Insider Program.
  • After that, select the “Stop Insider Preview builds” option and then restart your computer.
  • Now open the Windows Insider Program again and check if it fixes error 0x80246019 or not.

Option 3 – Run the System File Checker Scan

System File Checker or SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files with good system files that might be the cause why you’re getting error 0x80246019. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.

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

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

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

 Reboot your computer.

Option 4 – Run the DISM tool

You can also run the DISM Tool as it helps in repairing the Windows System Image as well as the Windows Component Store in Windows 10. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth” which could help in fixing error 0x80246019.

  • Open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • Then type in the following commands and make sure to hit Enter right after you type each one of them:
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    • exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  • Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.

Option 5 – Try to reset the Microsoft Store cache

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

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

Option 6 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

You might also want to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing error 0x80246019. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.

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A Quick Guide to Resolving Uncdms.dll Error Code

Uncdms.dll Error Code - What is it?

Uncdms.dll is a Dynamic Link Library file and a crucial part of the Windows Desktop Search Software. It is used to search emails, documents, photos, videos, and folders instantly. However, the Uncdms.dll error pops on the screen, when the Windows Desktop Search Software fails to start. The error message is displayed in one of the following formats:
  • “Uncdms.dll cannot be found.”
  • “Windowssearch.exe – cannot find the component. This application has failed to start because uncdms.dll was not found. Reinstalling the application may fix the problem.”
  • “The file uncdms.dll is missing.”

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Uncdms.dll error code may pop on your screen due to multiple reasons. These usually include but are not limited to:
  • Viral infection
  • Issues with Windows Desktop Search
  • Registry corruption
  • Uncdms.dll accidentally deleted during program un-installation

Further Information and Manual Repair

If you experience an Uncdms.dll error code on your system, fix it right away. This error is easy to resolve. You don’t have to be technically sound to resolve the uncdms.dll error code. Try the methods listed below to resolve without any hassle:

Method 1 - Check Your Recycle Bin and Restore the Deleted Uncdms.dll File

Since DLL files are shared files, there is a possibility that you accidentally deleted them while uninstalling some other program. To fix the issue, simply go to the recycle bin and look for the file. If you locate it, reinstall it. If you can’t, then it is advisable to download the Uncdms.dll file from a trusted DLL file website.

Method 2 - Uninstall and Then Re-install Windows Desktop Search

If the error code is related to issues with the Window Desktop Search application, then simply uninstall this software and re-install to resolve. To do this, click the start button, go to the control panel and then add/ remove programs. Now choose Windows Desktop Search from the list of programs and click Remove. After that, reboot your PC to activate changes. Now download the software and follow the same process and reinstall the Windows Desktop Search program on your PC. To activate changes, reboot. This will hopefully resolve the issue.

Method 3 - Update Windows

As this file is included in the service pack, try updating the Windows Utility to resolve the Uncdms.dll error code. To get started, click start and then go to the control panel, now choose Windows update. Follow the instructions to install Active X and then click install to update Windows Utility. Restart your system to bring the changes into effect.

Method 4 - Scan for Viruses and Repair the Registry

Whether the underlying cause of the Uncdms.dll error code is viral infection or registry corruption, it is advisable to download Restoro. It is an advanced and multi-functional PC Repair Tool integrated with 6 powerful utilities including antivirus and a registry cleaner. It scans and removes all types of viruses. The registry cleaning utility works simultaneously and removes all the unnecessary files corrupting the registry including cookies, temporary files, internet history, and junk files, and repairs it in seconds, thereby resolving the Uncdms.dll error immediately. Click here to download Restoro - PC Fixer
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Repair Windows 10 Error Code C19000101 - 2000B

Error Code C19000101 - 2000B on Windows 10– What is it?

Error Code C19000101 - 2000B is a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error encountered by Windows users in an attempt to upgrade their operating system from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 to Windows 10. The system upgrade does not successfully finish and when the installation is resurrected, it fails then reverts back to the original operating system. More and more Windows users come across this error that may have been triggered by a few reasons to be discussed in this article.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Microsoft users can experience the BSOD error C19000101-2000B due to the following reasons:

  • There’s an incompatibility with the drivers
  • Antivirus software

Further Information and Manual Repair

In fixing error code C19000101-2000B, you can try doing it manually. Manual repair methods can offer users solutions effectively and efficiently, having to address the root causes and issues in relation to a number of Windows error codes. If properly implemented, these manual repair methods can help Windows users resolve problems at hand immediately. However, there are cases where the help of a Windows professional is necessary. In such instances, it would be best to consult a certified Windows expert or you can also try using a powerful automated tool whenever needed.

To be able to fix error code C19000101-2000B, implement the first method used in resolving error code 0xc000021a, then you can proceed with this first method:

Method One: Perform Clean-Boot

  1. Prior to performing an upgrade, you need to disable your antivirus. Or, better yet, uninstall it.
  2. Ensure that your PC name is simple without hyphens, periods, or dashes.
  3. Restart your device several times, then try again.
  4. Disable all USB devices such as a smart card reader.
  5. If you are using a SCSI hard disk, be sure to have the drivers ready and available for a storage device like a thumb drive to be connected. While on the Windows 10 setup, select the Custom Advanced Option then use the Load Driver command to load the right driver for the SCSI drive. If the setup still fails, try switching to an IDE-based hard disk.
  6. Launch a clean boot, restart your device, then try again.
  7. If you are upgrading to Windows 10 using the .ISO file, make sure to disconnect from your internet connection during setup. If your device is connected by Wi-Fi or through LAN, you need to disable both before attempting to run a  system upgrade again.
  8. Switch to a local account if you are connected to a domain.
  9. Ensure that all external devices such as USB keys, external hard drives, gaming controllers, or printers are not attached to your device.

If you are upgrading to Windows 10 using Windows Update, you can perform a manual repair using the next method.

Method Two: Upgrading Via Windows Update

  1. Make sure to disconnect from the Wi-Fi or LAN once the download reaches 100% before you proceed with the system upgrade.
  2. Press Windows + X to open the command prompt window as an administrator.
  3. Stop the Windows Update service, BITS, MSI Installer, and Cryptographic by inputting the following commands one by one, hitting Enter after every command:

Net stop wuauserv

Net stop bits Net stop msiserver Net stop cryptSvc
  1. Restart both Software Distribution and Catroot2 folders. You can do this by typing Ren C: WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old and Ren C: WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old in the command prompt to change the names of both Software Distribution and Catroot2 files.
  2. Restart the Windows Update service, BITS, MSI Installer, and Cryptographic by inputting the following commands one by one, hitting Enter after every command:

Net start wuauserv

Net start bits Net start msiserver Net start cryptSvc
  1. Exit the command prompt then restart your device. You can now try to proceed with the system upgrade again.

Method Three: Disable or Uninstall Antivirus

  1. If you opt to just disable your antivirus, you just have to right-click on the antivirus’ icon from your toolbar then choose Disable.
  2. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to open the Task Manager.
  3. Check if all the files or services linking to your antivirus are turned off.
  4. If you choose to uninstall your antivirus (which is recommended), open Control Panel.
  5. Once the Control Panel window is open, select Programs then Uninstall a Program.
  6. Look for your antivirus on the list, right-click it then choose Uninstall.
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Device attached to system is not functioning
If you are trying to connect your mobile or external device to your Windows 10 computer but suddenly encountered an error saying, “A device attached to the system is not functioning”, read on as this post will guide you on how you can resolve this error using a couple of potential fixes. In this case, it is possible that the connected device is not working for some reason and this error pops up when you connect your device or when you try to move or copy files from your computer to your external device and vice versa. As you can see, the error message is pretty straightforward, and it mostly occurs when you connect plug and play devices such as USB drives, printers, external storage devices, and many more. And when you open the Device Manager to check the device, you will most likely see a yellow exclamation mark on the device which indicates that the device is currently having problems. To fix this problem, there are several options you can check out. You need to check the status of the device or check the compatibility between the external device and the drive types. You also have to make sure that the device is connected properly or check if the device has been formatted properly. For more details, follow the given suggestions below.

Option 1 – Try to check the status of the device

The first thing you can do to get rid of the error is to check the status of the external device, especially if it’s a plug-and-play device. So when your computer boots, check if it is able to detect the device or not.

Option 2 – Try to check the compatibility between the external devices and drivers

As you know, when you connect an external device to your computer, Windows installs drivers to communicate with the device, the same way as any hardware you connect to the motherboard and if the driver ends up getting corrupted or is incompatible, then you need to update the device driver. To do that, follow the steps below.
  • 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 driver the external device related to and then right-click on each one of the Device drivers and select the Update Driver from the menu.
  • Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
Note: If updating the device drivers didn’t work, you can try to reinstall them instead.

Option 3 – Try checking the hardware connections

The first thing you have to do before you further troubleshoot the problem is to check the hardware connections of your computer and see if there are damaged ones, just like with USB ports, it would also affect the overall connectivity of the device with the computer. So if you notice some irregularities in the connecting cable physically, you might have to buy another one and replace it and then see if it fixes the problem or not.

Option 4 – Check if the device is formatted properly

You might also want to check if the external device is properly formatted especially if you’ve recently formatted it. If a device wasn’t formatted properly, then it’s no wonder why you’re getting the “A device attached to the system is not functioning” error. To fix this, you need to use Disk Management. From there, you can find the devices connected but are not visible. If you are using an admin account, then to fix this error, you have the option to format the drive or create new partitions using the interface. Once you do this, it should resolve the problem.

Option 5 – Try to run System File Checker or 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 and hit Enter.
  • Once done, restart your computer.

Option 6 – Restart your computer in a Clean Boot State

If a third party program like antivirus is the one that’s causing the problem, you can try to put your computer in a Clean Boot State to isolate the issue by following these steps:
  • Log onto your PC as an administrator.
  • Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
  • From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
  • Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
  • Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
  • Click Disable all.
  • Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
  • Now try to connect your device or copy the files to your external device again and check if the error is now gone.
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5 Common Windows 11 Issues You Can Solve Super Quickly

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

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

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

1. Windows 11 audio problems

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

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

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

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

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

2. Unable to find files

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

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

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

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

3. Start menu not working

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

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

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

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

4. Snipping tool not working

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

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

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

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

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

5. Can’t install the latest update

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

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

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

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

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

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

Summary

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

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

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Fixing the Java Error Code 1603 in Windows 10
You might have experienced a situation where you’re trying to install or update your Java application on your Windows 10 computer but were not able to do so for some reason. One of the problems you can encounter while updating or installing Java is Error Code 1603. There are two ways you can install Java – you have the option to choose where to get Java either from the online download or offline download. There are times when before you can install Java, you might have to disable the firewall first as it may interrupt the Java online installation. And while doing so, if you are getting the “Java Update or Install did not complete – Error Code 1603” error message, read on as this post will show you what you can do to fix it. At the time of writing, the exact cause of this error is still unknown. On the other hand, you must still check if you have fulfilled all the system requirements needed to install Java. You have to make sure that your Windows 10 PC has sufficient disk space available for the Java installation or update. In addition, you also have to make sure that you meet all the hardware requirements and you are using a popular web browser for the installation, and that you have administrative privileges for download and installation. To fix the “Java Update or Install did not complete – Error Code 1603” error, here are some suggestions you can try.

Option 1 – Restart your computer before you install the new Java package

You might have to restart your computer if you got the error code 1603 while installing Java through an offline download.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Next, download and install the offline installer of the Java package from the official site of Java and not some third-party source.
  • In the prompt box that appears while downloading the Java package, select the option Save in and save the package in your preferred folder.
  • After that, navigate to the saved, downloaded package on your computer and then double click on the file to begin the installation process.
After that, if it didn’t fix the problem and you’re still getting the error code 1603, follow the next given option below.

Option 2 – Uninstall the old versions of Java before you install the new package

  • Open the Control Panel.
  • After that, click on Programs and features.
  • Then select the old Java package and click on Uninstall.
  • Restart your computer and then try installing the new Java package again from its official site.

Option 3 – Disable the Java content in the browser you’re using via Java Control Panel and reinstall Java

  • Open the Control Panel again.
  • And then click on the Java icon to open the Java Control Panel.
  • Next, navigate to the Security tab and then uncheck the “Enable Java content in the browser” option.
  • Then click on Apply and then Ok to save the changes made.
  • Now install the new Java package again after you download it from its official website.
  • Once the installation is completed, re-enable the “Enable Java content in the browser” option in the Java Control Panel as it is essential especially if you are running Java content in your browser.
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Fix Windows Setup Error code 0x80070006
Windows 10 setup is a bit complicated which is why it’s uncommon to encounter errors along the way. One of these errors you can encounter when running Windows Setup is the error code 0x80070006. If you are trying to fix this error, you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on how to do so. When you get the error code 0x80070006, you will see the following error message:
“Windows cannot install required files. Network problems may be preventing Windows from accessing the file. Make sure the computer is connected to the network and restart the installation. Error code: 0x80070006.”
As stated in the error message, this kind of error in Windows Setup is due to an unstable or unreliable network connection. Such problems can also be triggered by network hardware which includes the network adapters and the network routers. To fix this error, you need to check your internet connection and router or run the built-in network troubleshooter. You could also try using a different USB port or recreate a bootable USB drive as well as get a new Windows image file.

Option 1 – Try checking your internet connection and router

As mentioned, this Windows 10 setup error could be due to an unstable internet connection. To fix it, the first thing you have to do is to check the status of your internet connection and see if it is stable and has enough speed to run the setup. If it’s slow, then it’s no wonder that the setup process failed. To fix that, you can try to reboot your router from its admin panel or you can just turn it off manually and then turn it back on after a couple of seconds. In addition, you also have to check if it’s plugged in properly.

Option 2 – Try to run the Network Adapter troubleshooter

The next thing you can do is to run the Network Adapter troubleshooter. This built-in troubleshooter can help resolve any network issues. It can reset the adapters, remove cached settings, and many more. To run it, follow these steps:
  • Go to Settings > Update & security and from there select Troubleshoot.
  • Next, scroll down and select the “Network Adapter” option from the right pane.
  • Then click on the Run Troubleshooter” button.
  • After that, your computer will check for any possible errors and will pinpoint the root cause of the problem if possible.

Option 3 – Try to use a different USB port

You might want to check the integrity of the USB port where connected the device if you are using a bootable USB storage device to run the setup for Windows 10. All you have to do is switch the USB port or try to use another bootable USB device and see if it fixes the problem.

Option 4 – Try recreating the Windows 10 installation USB

Recreating the Windows 10 installation USB might help in fixing the problem. You can use a USB drive to do so but make sure that it has a great read-write speed. Follow the steps below to recreate Windows 10 installation USB”
  • Click this link and then click the Download Tool Now button.
  • Next, click the “Use the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)…” option and follow the next given instructions on the screen.
  • Now select the ISO file option in step 5.
  • After that, you should now have an ISO file.
  • Next, go to the location where you’ve downloaded the ISO file.
  • Then right-click on the Windows 10 ISO file and select the Open with option and then select File Explorer.
  • Now click on “setup.exe” and follow the next instructions that appear on the screen. When asked, you have to select either Nothing (clean install) or Keep personal files only option. Take note that you must not select the “Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings since it doesn’t really work.

Option 5 – Try getting a new Windows image file

If none of the four given options above worked, you might want to get a newer installation image using the Windows Media Creation tool. After that, create the bootable USB drive and once completed and then try to run the Windows 10 setup again.
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How to remove FindYourMaps from Windows

FindYourMaps is a Google Chrome Browser Extension developed by Mindspark. This extension hijacks your home page and new tab page changing them to MyWebSearch.com in order to display ads more efficiently.

While using this extension you will see additional pop-up ads, sponsored content, and unwanted ads (that are sometimes not ever relative to your search query) displayed throughout your browsing sessions, cluttering up the pages and sometimes even going over page parts, making some pages unreadable.

Several anti-virus applications have marked this Extension as a Browser Hijacker due to its data mining behaviors and ad injections and were marked for removal by most of them.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a very common type of internet fraud where your web browser configurations are modified to allow it to do things you never intend. Practically most browser hijackers are made for advertising or marketing purposes. These are typically used to force visitors to a specific website, manipulating web traffic to generate ad revenue. However, it is not that innocent. Your web safety is jeopardized and it is extremely annoying. What’s more, hijackers will make the whole infected system fragile – other harmful malware and viruses would use these opportunities to get into your system very easily.

Indications of browser hijack

There are many symptoms that indicate the browser is highjacked: your home page is reset to some unknown site; you observe new unwanted favorites or bookmarks added, typically directed to ad-filled or porn websites; The default search page of your web browser is modified; you see many toolbars on the browser; you observe numerous ads show up on the browsers or display screen; your browser has instability issues or displays frequent errors; you cannot go to specific sites such as home pages of security software.

How it infects your computer

A browser hijacker could be installed on your PC when you check out an infected website, click an e-mail attachment, or download something from a file-sharing website. They also come from add-on programs, also known as browser helper objects (BHO), web browser plug-ins, or toolbars. A browser hijacker could also come bundled up with some free application which you inadvertently download and install the browser hijack, compromising your PC security. Browser hijackers can record user keystrokes to gather potentially invaluable information leading to privacy concerns, cause instability on computers, drastically disrupt user’s browsing experience, and ultimately slow down the system to a point where it will become unusable.

How to fix a browser hijack

The one thing you can try to remove a browser hijacker is to locate the malware inside the “Add or Remove Programs” list of the Windows Control Panel. It may or may not be there. When it is, uninstall it. But, many hijacking codes aren’t very easy to remove manually, as they go much deeper into your operating system. On top of that, manual removal demands you to carry out several time-consuming and tricky procedures that are very hard to carry out for novice computer users. Anti-malware application is incredibly efficient when it comes to picking up and eliminating browser hijackers that standard anti-virus software has overlooked. Safebytes Anti-Malware features a state-of-the-art anti-malware engine to help you avoid browser hijacking in the first place, and clean up any pre-existing problems. Along with the anti-virus tool, a system optimizer, like SafeBytes’s Total System Care, could help you in deleting all associated files and modifications in the computer registry automatically.

What you can do if Virus Stops You From Downloading Or Installing Anything?

Viruses may cause a great deal of damage to your computer. Certain malware goes to great lengths to stop you from downloading or installing anything on your computer system, particularly antivirus programs. If you’re reading this now, you have probably realized that a malware infection is a reason behind your blocked net connectivity. So how to proceed when you want to download and install an anti-virus application such as Safebytes? Do as instructed below to get rid of the malware by alternate methods.

Start Windows in Safe Mode

If any virus is set to load automatically when Windows starts, stepping into Safe Mode could very well block this attempt. Since only the minimum applications and services start-up in Safe Mode, there are seldom any reasons for conflicts to occur. Below are the steps you have to follow to remove malware in Safemode. 1) At power-on/startup, press the F8 key in one-second intervals. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Use the arrow keys to choose Safe Mode with Networking and hit ENTER. 3) When this mode loads, you should have an internet connection. Now, utilize your browser to download and install Safebytes. 4) As soon as the application is installed, allow the scan run to remove trojans and other threats automatically.

Obtain the anti-malware program in an alternate internet browser

Some malware might target vulnerabilities of a specific browser that obstruct the downloading process. If you are not able to download the security program using Internet Explorer, this means malware is targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you must switch to another internet browser like Chrome or Firefox to download the Safebytes application.

Run anti-virus from your pen drive

Another option would be to create a portable antivirus program onto your USB stick. Adopt these measures to employ a flash drive to fix your infected computer system. 1) Download the anti-malware program on a virus-free computer. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the anti-malware software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Choose the USB flash drive as the location for saving the file. Follow the directions to finish the installation process. 5) Now, plug the thumb drive into the infected computer. 6) Double-click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the pen drive to run the program. 7) Click on “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the affected computer for viruses.

Highlights of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

These days, an anti-malware program can protect your laptop or computer from different forms of online threats. But how do choose the right one amongst several malware protection software that’s available out there? Perhaps you might be aware, there are numerous anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. A few of them are great and some are scamware applications that pretend as legitimate anti-malware programs waiting around to wreak havoc on your personal computer. You have to be careful not to pick the wrong application, particularly if you purchase a paid software. One of the highly recommended software by industry experts is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, well-known security software for Windows computers. Safebytes is among the well-established PC solutions firms, which offer this comprehensive anti-malware program. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you protect your computer against infections caused by different types of malware and similar internet threats, including spyware, adware, trojans, worms, computer viruses, keyloggers, potentially unwanted program (PUPs), and ransomware.

SafeBytes has great features when compared with various other anti-malware programs. These are some of the great features included in the tool.

Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes delivers complete and real-time security for your PC. They are extremely efficient in screening and getting rid of different threats because they are continuously revised with the latest updates and safety measures. World-class AntiMalware Protection: By using a critically acclaimed anti-malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection which is made to find and eliminate viruses and malware which are hidden deep in your computer’s operating system. Web Filtering: Safebytes allots all websites a unique safety rating that helps you to have an idea of whether the webpage you’re about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site. Very Low CPU and RAM Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight tool. It consumes a very small amount of processing power as it runs in the background so you are free to use your Windows-based computer the way you want. 24/7 Assistance: SafeBytes provides 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and upgrades for the best user experience. To sum it up, SafeBytes Anti-Malware offers outstanding protection combined with very low system resource usage with great malware prevention and detection. You can rest assured that your PC will be protected in real-time once you put this software program to use. You will get the very best all-around protection for the money you pay on SafeBytes anti-malware subscription, there is no doubt about it.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you don’t wish to use an automated tool and prefer to eliminate FindYourMaps manually, you could do so by going to the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu in the control panel and deleting the offending software; in cases of web browser add-ons, you can remove it by visiting the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. It’s also advised to factory reset your web browser settings to their default state. To ensure the complete removal, manually examine your hard drive and Windows registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values as needed. Please be aware that this is for experienced users only and might be challenging, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. Furthermore, some malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing deletion. Completing this task in Safe Mode is recommended.
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Quick Tips and Tricks for Supreme Windows 11 Performance

Finally upgraded to Microsoft’s newest OS, but the performance is a bit sluggish? Here are a few useful tips you may not have thought about that could significantly transform your experience!

How to speed up Windows 11?

1. Disable startup programs

There are many programs that launch right on startup that really aren’t essential. This, in turn, causes your PC to launch and run more slowly.

To check which programs are enabled on startup, go into the Task Manager and select the Startup tab. Find every program that doesn’t need to launch immediately, right-click on it and press ‘Disable’.

This will not shut down the program in that instant. It’ll just prevent it from running automatically as you turn on your PC. You can always launch it manually when you need it.

2. Expand your memory and storage

If you want your PC to run super smoothly, you need to have enough memory to support that. This is especially significant for those of you who love to multitask. Upgrading your RAM gives your PC more space to store the temporary data it needs to complete processing tasks. In other words, processing takes a lot less time.

Your long-term storage is equally important. Hopefully at this point you’re already using SSD over HDD, since this type of storage offers a faster boot time.

Motherboard with memory cards
Credit: Marc Pezin on Unsplash

In any case, we recommend expanding your storage capacity. The more files and data you store, the more there is to load, significantly influencing your PC’s speed. Larger storage capacity means new data and essential updates can be stored comfortably, preventing any strain on your PC’s performance.

3. Clean up disk space

If you aren’t willing to upgrade your storage just yet, the least you can do is clean up your storage right now. 

Aside from manually deleting stuff you no longer need, you can also get rid of temporary files that clutter up your storage and eat up performance for no reason. To get to them, click Windows + X and select ‘Run’ (or just type it in the search bar).

A small window will pop up, where you need to type %temp%. This will take you to a whole folder full of all the temporary files you can remove without thinking twice. 

For those who upgraded from Windows 10, there’s a neat trick to get rid of potential leftover files you don’t need on your brand new iteration. Only do this if you’re 100% sticking with Windows 11, though. Go to System > Storage > Temporary files. Make sure to only leave ‘Previous Windows Installation’ and ‘Windows Update Clean-up’ checked and click on ‘Remove files’.

Lastly, make use of Windows 11’s fantastic Storage Sense feature. Turning it on will enable your PC to constantly watch out for junk or unused files to optimize your PC’s performance to the maximum.

4. Install pending updates

This one should go without saying, but pending updates can be detrimental to your Windows 11 performance. The longer you leave them untouched, the more bugs the outdated programs and patches can cause. So, make sure to regularly check for updates and install them as soon as they’re available.

5. Disable visual effects

As cool as visual effects, animations, shadows and transparency are, they can also put quite a toll on your computer’s speed. On a newer setup this generally shouldn’t be a problem, but if you do notice a drop in performance, definitely consider turning off some of these settings.

To do this you can go to the Control Panel, System Properties and click the ‘Advanced’ tab. In the Performance section, choose Settings. If you’d like a quicker way to get to the dialog (Performance Options) with Visual Effects, you can also type sysdm.cpl in the search bar.

Once there, you can either have your PC choose what’s best, choose the best appearance or the best performance. The other option is to manually toggle the effects off and on. The biggest obstacles to speed are taskbar animations, window shadows, control/element animations and animations upon minimizing/maximizing.

Windows 11 on a laptop
Credit: Windows on Unsplash

In the same vein, you should go to Settings > Personalization > Colors and disable Transparency, to prevent your computer from doing overtime just to hit the aesthetic appeal.

6. Get rid of bloatware

Bloatware is one of the biggest culprits of slow computer speed. 

Pre-installed software that’s pretty much useless but takes up valuable system resources has been around since day one. No matter which device or platform you’re talking about. Luckily, a lot of it is removable, making it easy to lighten the load on your device.

To boost your Windows 11 computer, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. You’ll probably see a bunch of apps you don’t want or need. Click on the three dots next to each one you want to remove and press ‘Uninstall’. 

Aside from helping optimize performance, removing bloatware has another great benefit. Unfortunately, often this pre-installed software is quite vulnerable, exposing you to great risk of cyberattacks. So, removing it definitely improves your device’s security and gives you at least some peace of mind.

Summary

These are a few of our fastest tips for boosting performance. There are other, more complex and time-consuming ways, of course. If you’ve tried these quick ones and still need advice on how to improve your PC’s speed, feel free to reach out!

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Creating a new Windows 10 user account
When we purchase a computer, usually it is meant to be used by one person. Sometimes we would like to share our computer with other people, with friends and family members but we would also like to keep some privacy for ourselves in the process. Lucky for us Windows 10 will let us create multiple user accounts which then can be used by other persons with their own settings, documents, etc. The only requirement is to already have one user account which is automatically created when Windows is installed. This guide will lead you step by step in the creation of a new user account within Windows 10, so grab your favorite drink, and let's begin.

Creating new account

First thing is to click on the windows icon on the bottom left and open start menu, from start menu click once on settings. Windows 10 Star menu with marked settings iconWhen the settings window opens, choose ACCOUNTS on it. Windows settings accounts section selectedWindows will then go to the accounts settings page. Within that page, click on the Family & other users to open the setting for the chosen section on right. On the right settings, screen navigate to the lower section and click once with the left button on add someone else to this PC When add someone else to this PC is clicked, pop up window will appear which will ask you to provide the persons email address and later on the password of his/her Microsoft account, after the required information is provided you are done, a new user has been added and he can use his Microsoft credentials on the login screen to use this computer.

Setting up a user without Microsoft ID

However, if you do not wish to add a new user via his Microsoft login credentials or the person does not have them, on the pop-up window click on I don't have this person's sign-in information. User account no informationThis will open yet another pop-up giving you the option to create a Microsoft account for this person, to use a phone number instead of a Microsoft account, or to create a new email address for the user. Any of these options will create a new user for this computer with provided credentials but there is the last option at bottom of the pop-up which will allow you to create a local user only without a Microsoft account. This user will be able to use this computer, will not be able to transfer his document through various devices like he/she would if using a valid Microsoft account but it could use the computer and personalize it fully to his/her liking. user account new account without ms idOnce the link is clicked, you will be presented with a floating window requiring you to input needed information in order for the account to be created. You will need to provide username, password, and answers to 3 security questions. user account create an accountOnce all information has been provided, click on next and your new non-Microsoft local user has been created. Now when you click on Family & other users you will see that Windows has added a new user with the provided name to this computer. If you wish, you can add another user in the same manner, following the previous steps. Microsoft Windows does not have a limit for how many users can be on one computer so feel free to create as many as you like.

User account options

Now, clicking on the existing created user will open user options. From there you will have options to remove the user, therefore removing him/her from this computer, note that removing the local user will remove permanently his/her settings and they would not be able to be restored, or you can change the user account type. User account new accountClick on Change account type. User account account typeUnder account type, you will have the option to promote this user to an administrator if you wish or you can leave it as a standard user.
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Hide application and features in control panel
Program and features are Control panel section where once accessed contains all programs installed on the operating system. From these windows, any logged-in user can modify applications, uninstall them, etc. If for whatever reason you want to limit this access to users and remove this group from the control panel please do keep reading as we show you how you can achieve this desired result using two methods: via policy editor or registry editor. Feel free to use any provided method as both works (except on Windows 10 Home edition) and achieve the same thing, it all comes down to preferred preference on how you wish to do things.

Local group policy editor method

This method is more straightforward and easier perhaps than its counterpart but it has one significant drawback, it will not work on Windows 10 Home edition which does not have in itself a policy editor included. If you are using Windows 10 Home edition then feel free to skip this method and do it via registry editor. That being said let's start:
  • Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
  • Inside run dialog type in gpedit.msc followed by ENTER to open Group policy editor
  • Go to User Configuration\ Administrative Templates\ Control Panel\ Programs\
  • Double-click on the setting named Hide Programs and Features page
  • Change the toggle option from Not Configured to Enabled
  • Click on the Apply button and then the Ok button to save the changes
  • at this point, everything is supposed to be applied and your changes should take effect immediately. However, it has come to our attention that sometimes this is not the case. If you are one of these users which for whatever reason have not experienced applying to set momentarily do not despair and follow this quick guide on how to refresh settings and apply them right away.
  • Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden menu
  • Click on command prompt (admin)
  • In command prompt type in gpupdate /force and press ENTER in order to force update and set setting right away

Registry editor method

The registry editor method is a more complex one but it will be your only way of doing it if as mentioned you are running Windows 10 Home edition. As always it is highly recommended to make a backup of the Windows registry before tempering with it.
  • Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
  • Inside run dialog type in regedit and press ENTER to open the registry editor
  • If you would like to make a backup of the Windows registry go to File > Export and save the backup on a secure location naming it as you wish
  • Locate the following key inside the registry editor HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Programs
  • Right-click on the right pane of the Programs key and choose the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option
  • Name the value as NoProgramsAndFeatures
  • Double-click on the NoProgramsAndFeatures value to open it
  • Change the value data to 1
  • Save the changes
  • Reboot the computer in order for changes to take effect.
note: you can always change values back in order to show again panel by changing the value to 0 in registry editor or choosing Not Configured or Disabled in the local group policy editor
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