How to Fix Media disconnected error message on Windows 10

mixGames is an Extension for Google Chrome that adds “Games:” functions to Google Chrome. In our testing, this function did not work and only redirects you back to the extension page. There are two variations of mixGames: mixGames Search, which changes the Chrome homepage to one managed by their own advertising-driven search; and mixGames Start, which changes the homepage in Chrome. These extensions utilize Searchalo to change search engine functions from the default or user-set preferences to Yahoo, injecting additional advertising. Due to the browser function modifications, mixGames is classified as potentially unwanted and is flagged for detection and optional removal by some Antivirus programs.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a common type of online fraud where your web browser configuration settings are altered to allow it to do things you do not intend. They are created to disrupt web browser programs for a variety of reasons. These are typically used to force hits to predetermined sites, manipulating web traffic to generate ad revenue. Nevertheless, it isn’t that innocent. Your internet safety is jeopardized and it is also extremely annoying. What’s more, hijackers can make the entire infected system fragile – other dangerous malware and viruses would use these opportunities to get into your system very easily.

Indications of browser hijack

There are various symptoms that could indicate a browser hijacking: 1. the browser’s home page is modified 2. new bookmarks pointing to pornographic websites are added to your favorite pages 3. the main web browser settings are modified and unwanted or unsafe resources are added to the trusted websites listing 4. you’re getting new toolbars you have never noticed before 5. your browser will display constant pop-up windows 6. your internet browser starts running sluggishly or exhibits frequent errors 7. you cannot go to certain sites like home pages of antivirus software.

Exactly how browser hijacker finds its way onto your computer

Browser hijackers infect computers by numerous means, including through a file-share, a drive-by download, or an infected e-mail attachment. Many internet browser hijackings come from add-on programs, i.e., browser helper objects (BHO), toolbars, or plug-ins added to web browsers to give them extra capabilities. A browser hijacker can be installed as a part of freeware, demoware, shareware, and fake programs. A good example of a well-known browser hijacker is the latest Chinese malicious software known as “Fireball”, which has infected 250 million computer systems globally. It works as a hijacker but can be turned into a full-functioning malware downloader later on. Browser hijacking can cause severe privacy problems and even identity theft, disrupt your web browsing experience by taking command over outbound traffic, substantially slows down your personal computer by depleting a lot of resources, and result in system instability at the same time.

How you can fix a browser hijack

Some hijackers can be easily removed by uninstalling the free software they were included with or by eliminating any extension you’ve recently added to your browser. But, the majority of hijacking codes aren’t easy to remove manually, since they go deeper into your operating system. Besides, browser hijackers can modify the Windows registry therefore it can be quite hard to restore all of the values manually, especially if you’re not a very tech-savvy individual.

How To Install Safebytes Anti-Malware On An Infected PC

All malware is bad and the consequences of the damage will vary according to the specific kind of malware. Certain malware types modify web browser settings by including a proxy server or change the computer’s DNS settings. In such cases, you will be unable to visit certain or all internet sites, and therefore unable to download or install the required security software to remove the infection. If you are reading this, you may have affected by a virus that stops you from downloading a computer security application like Safebytes Anti-Malware. Do as instructed below to remove malware by alternate methods.

Get rid of viruses in Safe Mode

In Safe Mode, you could modify Windows settings, uninstall or install some applications, and remove hard-to-delete viruses. In the event the malware is blocking internet access and affecting your computer, running it in Safe Mode allows you to download anti-malware and run a diagnostic scan while limiting possible damage. To get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the PC is starting up or run MSConfig and find the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can try to download and install your antivirus software program without the hindrance of the malware. Following installation, run the malware scanner to get rid of standard infections.

Switch over to an alternative browser

Some malware only targets specific internet browsers. If this sounds like your situation, make use of another internet browser as it could circumvent the computer virus. The ideal way to avoid this issue is to pick a web browser that is well known for its security features. Firefox contains built-in Malware and Phishing Protection to keep you secure online.

Create a portable USB antivirus for removing malware

Another option would be to make a portable antivirus program on your USB flash drive. Do these simple steps to clean up your affected computer using a portable antivirus. 1) On a clean computer, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the USB drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click the executable file to open the installation wizard. 4) Choose the drive letter of the pen drive as the location when the wizard asks you where you want to install the antivirus. Follow activation instructions. 5) Transfer the flash drive from the clean PC to the infected PC. 6) Double-click the EXE file to run the Safebytes program from the pen drive. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and get rid of all types of malware.

Protect Your Computer & Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

These days, an anti-malware tool can protect your computer from different kinds of online threats. But how do choose the best one among several malware protection software that’s available on the market? You may be aware, there are lots of anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. Some are well worth your money, but most aren’t. You have to be very careful not to choose the wrong application, especially if you purchase a paid software. Among few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended program for the security-conscious user. SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, very effective protection software intended to assist users of all levels of IT literacy in identifying and removing harmful threats out of their personal computers. Using its outstanding protection system, this software will quickly detect and remove the majority of the security threats, which include browser hijackers, viruses, adware, ransomware, PUPs, and trojans. SafeBytes anti-malware takes PC protection to a whole new level with its enhanced features. The following are some of the best ones: World-class AntiMalware Protection: Using its enhanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware removal tool can identify and eliminate the malware threats hiding in your computer effectively. Active Protection: SafeBytes delivers complete and real-time security for your PC. It’ll constantly monitor your pc for hacker activity and also provides users with superior firewall protection. Website Filtering: Through its unique safety rating, SafeBytes alerts you whether a site is safe or not to visit it. This will assure that you’re always certain of your online safety when browsing the web. Faster Scan: This tool has one of the fastest and most efficient virus scanning engines in the industry. The scans are very accurate and take a short amount of time to complete. Low Memory/CPU Usage: SafeBytes is really lightweight software. It consumes an extremely small amount of processing power as it works in the background therefore you will not see any computer performance problems. 24/7 Assistance: You can get totally free 24/7 technical support from their computer experts on any product queries or computer security issues.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you do not wish to use malware removal software and like to remove mixGames manually, you may accomplish this by going to the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu in the control panel and removing the offending program; in cases of browser extensions, you could uninstall it by going to the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. It is also suggested to factory reset your browser settings to their default state. Lastly, examine your hard disk for all of the following and clean your Windows registry manually to remove leftover application entries following an uninstallation. But bear in mind, this is a complicated task and only computer experts can perform it safely. In addition, certain malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Completing this task in Safe Mode is recommended.

What is DownloadAdmin/ Updateadmin?

As a digital creation of Blueis, the DownloadAdmin application peruses your computer system for programs/applications that are outdated. This program then makes the necessary updates/installation on your computer, as if it were the Administrator. While most people might consider this application harmful, scrutinizing the Digital Publisher/Creator of the application should be reason enough to remove DownloadAdmin (and any other associated program) from your computer. Why? Blueis is infamous for producing/distributing “adware type software”, according to herdProtect Anti-Malware. Is that not a plausible reason for you to remove applications associated with that publisher? Additionally, DownloadAdmin not only updates your outdated applications, but it installs additional programs - usually utility tools and search toolbars. This is a sly way to promote third-party software and to get ads loaded onto your computer system. Technical details about DownloadAdmin include:

Digital Publisher: Blueis Product Version: 4.0.0.1 Original File Name: DownloadAdmin Entry Point:  0x0000234A

Assessment of DownloadAdmin

For this assessment, the DownloadAdmin file was obtained and installed on a test computer. After the DownloadAdmin/Updateadmin application was installed, it made several modifications to the computer system. These modifications may class the newly installed file as a PUP (potentially unwanted program). Outlined below is what took place after the file was installed.

• Updated an outdated application installed on the computer

Subsequent to the update made by Updateadmin, I thought the PUP had run its course. However, it was not quite finished. It was after scanning the contents/programs of my Local Drive, I stumbled on an additional program, one that I did not download or install, at least not intentionally. As predicted, the DownloadAdmin application scanned through the computer system (in the blink of an eye), during installation and made adjustments to an application already installed. This program was the Mozilla Firefox. Since Mozilla Firefox was rarely used on the PC in question, the DownloadAdmin application thought it quite appropriate to revive the Mozilla Firefox browser, by replacing it with the latest or more contemporary version.

• Installed a search toolbar

While DownloadAdmin did request permission to install an updated version of my Browser, it provided no warning about installing a search toolbar. This is quite shady and deceptive. In addition to updating the Internet Browser, DownloadAmin also installed the SearchProtect toolbar (Conduit). This toolbar is no stranger to the market as I’ve encountered it on several occasions during my assessment of malware.

Should you remove DownloadAmin?

That decision is totally yours to make. However, here are some reasons why most people would consider that program unwanted

• It updates your outdated programs

In most cases, at least those I’ve seen, if a user has a program installed, they don’t necessarily want a new version of that program. In fact, this PUP could spell trouble since some programs, especially paid, require a license to use the software. When that program is updated/ upgraded, you might have to acquire a new license to get it to work.

• Unnecessary program

If you’re totally lackadaisical and loathe the idea of doing work yourself, this program might come in handy. Many users will update their computers manually by using Microsoft’s preinstalled/pre-programmed updater in their computer’s Control Panel. This option searches for and installs all the necessary programs to keep your computer safe and secure. The DownloadAdmin program only occupies needed space and resources on your computer. However, what’s good about this program is that it doesn’t operate at the start time so it doesn’t necessarily cause unnecessary lags on your computer.

• Modifies your search experience

By installing a search toolbar called SearchProtect, Updateadmin modifies or changes the browsing experience you’re accustomed to. SearchProtect hijacks your browser and changes your homepage to their choice while removing yours. This is often hard to reverse since the publisher created this software to remain once installed. To completely remove DownloadAdmin from your computer, click here to download and install Spyhunter

SearchApp by Blpsearch is a Browser Hijacker that is presently targeting Google Chrome browsers. It is offered as a tool gives user enhanced online search experience. Search App also has other amazing tools that let you quickly search the web from a new tab window.

This extension changed your home page and new tab search to blpsearch. While installing you will see additional ads and sponsored links displaying throughout your browsing sessions. It collects user browsing information and uses it to better serve sponsored content.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking means a malicious code has control over and altered the settings of your web browser, without your approval. There are numerous reasons why you might experience an internet browser hijack; however commercial, marketing, and advertising are the key reasons for their creation. Generally, hijackers will force hits to websites of their preference either to increase web traffic generating higher ad earnings, or to obtain a commission for every user visiting there. Nonetheless, it is not that naive. Your internet safety is jeopardized and it is also very annoying. In a much worst case, your browser could be hi-jacked to download malicious software that will do a lot of damage to your computer or laptop.

Find out how to identify a browser hijack

Symptoms that your internet browser is hijacked include: your web browser’s homepage is suddenly different; bookmark and the new tab are also modified; the default browser configurations have been changed and/or your default web engine is altered; unsolicited new toolbars are added to your web browser; you observe numerous ads appear on your web browsers or display screen; your browser has instability issues or displays frequent errors; Inability to navigate to certain sites, especially anti-malware and other computer security software sites.

How it infects your personal computer

Browser hijackers can enter a PC by some means or other, for example via file sharing, downloads, and email too. Many internet browser hijackings come from add-on applications, i.e., toolbars, browser helper objects (BHO), or extensions added to web browsers to provide them extra capabilities. Some browser hijackers spread in user’s computers by using a deceptive software distribution strategy known as “bundling” (generally through shareware and freeware). Examples of popular browser hijackers are Fireball, GoSave, Ask Toolbar, CoolWebSearch, RocketTab, and Babylon Toolbar. Browser hijackers may record user keystrokes to gather potentially important information leading to privacy issues, cause instability on systems, drastically disrupt the user experience, and ultimately slow down the system to a stage where it becomes unusable.

How to repair a browser hijack

The one thing you could try to remove a browser hijacker is to discover the malicious software within the “Add or Remove Programs” list of the Windows Control Panel. It might or might not be there. When it is, uninstall it. Yet, some hijackers will be more difficult to locate or remove since they might get themselves associated with certain important computer files that enable it to operate as a necessary operating-system process. You should think about carrying out manual fixes only if you’re a tech-savvy individual because there are negative consequences associated with messing around with the system registry and HOSTS file. Installing and running antivirus software on the affected computer could automatically erase browser hijackers and other malicious programs. Safebytes Anti-Malware features a cutting-edge anti-malware engine to help you prevent browser hijacker infection in the first place, and clean up any existing issues. Together with the anti-malware tool, a PC optimizer, can help you in getting rid of all linked files and modifications in the computer registry automatically.

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

Malware can cause plenty of damage to your personal computer. Some malware goes to great lengths to stop you from downloading or installing anything on your computer, particularly anti-virus software programs. If you are reading this now, you’ve perhaps realized that a malware infection is a reason behind your blocked net traffic. So how to proceed if you need to download and install an antivirus application such as Safebytes? There are a few steps you can take to circumvent this problem.

Install anti-virus in Safe Mode with Networking

In Safe Mode, you can actually change Windows settings, uninstall or install some program, and eradicate hard-to-delete malware. In the event the malware is obstructing the internet connection and affecting your computer, running it in Safe Mode allows you to download antivirus and run a scan whilst limiting potential damage. To boot into Safe Mode, hit the “F8” key on the keyboard right before the Windows boot screen shows up; Or right after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, check Safe Boot under Boot tab, and click Apply. Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can attempt to install your antivirus software program without the hindrance of the malware. Following installation, run the malware scanner to eliminate most standard infections.

Use an alternate browser to download security software

Some malware only targets particular web browsers. If this is your situation, use another web browser as it could circumvent the virus. In the event you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a virus or otherwise compromised by cybercriminals, the most effective thing to do is to switch to an alternate web browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari to download your chosen security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Install antivirus on a flash drive

Here’s yet another solution which is utilizing a portable USB anti-virus software that can scan your system for malware without needing installation. Do these simple steps to clear up your affected computer using a portable antivirus. 1) On a clean PC, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Connect the flash drive to a USB port on the clean computer. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, which has a .exe file extension. 4) Select thumb drive as the place when the wizard asks you where you want to install the application. Follow the directions to finish the installation process. 5) Transfer the USB drive from the clean computer to the infected computer. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the pen drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Click “Scan Now” to run a scan on the affected computer for viruses.

Protect your Computer against Malware With SafeBytes Security Suite

If you’re looking to download the anti-malware program for your PC, there are various tools in the market to consider but you just cannot trust blindly anyone, irrespective of whether it is paid or free program. Some of them are excellent, some are ok types, and some will ruin your computer themselves! When searching for anti-malware software, pick one that offers reliable, efficient, and complete protection against all known computer viruses and malware. In terms of commercial tool options, most people go with well-known brands, like SafeBytes, and are quite happy with it. SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, highly effective protection tool created to help users of all levels of computer literacy in identifying and eliminating harmful threats out of their computer. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software protects your personal computer against infections brought on by different types of malware and other threats, including spyware, adware, computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, keyloggers, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), and ransomware. SafeBytes anti-malware offers a myriad of enhanced features that sets it apart from all others. Listed below are some of the features you might like in SafeBytes. World-class AntiMalware Protection: Using its enhanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware elimination tool can identify and eliminate the malware threats hiding in your PC effectively. Active Protection: SafeBytes gives round-the-clock protection for your computer restricting malware attacks in real-time. This software will always keep track of your PC for suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the latest threats. Website Filtering: SafeBytes checks and gives a unique safety rating to every single website you visit and block access to web pages considered to be phishing sites, thus safeguarding you against identity theft, or known to contain malware. Light-weight: SafeBytes is a lightweight and user-friendly antivirus and anti-malware solution. As it utilizes minimal computer resources, this program leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs to: with you. Fantastic Tech Support: You can get high levels of support round the clock if you’re using their paid software. To sum it up all, SafeBytes Anti-Malware gives you outstanding protection combined with very low system resource usage with both great malware detection and prevention. Once you’ve installed SafeBytes Anti-Malware, you no longer need to worry about malware or any other security concerns. So when you need advanced forms of protection features and threat detections, purchasing SafeBytes Anti-Malware could be worth the dollars!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you don’t wish to use an automated tool and prefer to remove SearchApp manually, you could possibly do so by going to the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu in the control panel and deleting the offending program; in cases of browser extensions, you can uninstall it by going to the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. You’ll probably also want to totally reset your internet browser to its default configuration settings. In order to ensure the complete removal, manually examine your hard drive and registry for all the following and eliminate or reset the values as needed. But bear in mind, this is often a difficult task and only computer professionals can perform it safely. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. It is advisable that you carry out the removal procedure in Safe Mode.

Having a PC is a great thing, more often we are enjoying it than we have issues, but as time passes it seems that our computer is slowing more and more as new applications and games are coming which demand more powerful computers. Before you decide to throw away your computer and buy a new one because you feel it is a bit slow, read through this guide where we will guide you to common tips & trick to make your PC run faster:

1. Keep your PC clean and tidy

   Slowdowns and many other issues, even hardware failures can come from dirty PC. Make sure your PC is clean and tidy for maximum performance.

2. Optimize airflow through PC casing

   Airflow is very important so your GPU and CPU and overall all hardware components can be kept in optimal working temperatures. If any device inside the casing is working in abnormal temperatures you will experience slowdowns and freezing on daily basis. Make sure that all fans are working and that your temperatures are in the optimal range to prevent overheating and make sure to have maximum performance.

3. Check PC for malware

   Viruses, worms, and overall all malware can drastically reduce system performance. Make sure that your protection software is up to date with the latest definitions and that you have the latest Windows updates installed.

4. Create a Hi-Performance power plan

   Windows power plans can be a very useful feature, especially if you are working on laptop but in order to boost performance and drain maximum, you will need to switch to a hi-performance power plan.

5. Free space on the system drive

   Having little to no space on your Windows system drive can lead to extreme slowdowns, make sure that your hard drive is not on red when viewed from File explorer or you will experience even 50% poorer performance.

6. Choose startup applications

   If you have many applications starting up with your Windows and many of them running in the background you will experience performance issues. Each application that runs in the background is taking RAM and CPU time for themselves which could be free and used for the program that you need.

7. Do not open too many tabs in Browser

   Having too many tabs in Browser while working on a computer can also cause slowdowns, each tab is taking RAM for itself and even can cause Browser poor performance if a tab is LIVE and refreshing with new content all the time.

8. Remove browser extensions

   Speaking of browser, having too many installed extensions which are active as soon as the browser is up and running can also lead to poor performances. Remove all which you really do not need and your computer will gain in speed.

9. Make hardware upgrade

   Sometimes your system is just a little outdated, upgrading more RAM or switching to a new SSD with the greater speed can cause a world of difference in PC performance. Check to see how RAM is standard and upgrade accordingly, you can also upgrade the CPU and other bottlenecks in your system this way instead of completely buying a new PC.

10. Format and reinstall system

    Drives, application traces, registry entries, etc. are piling up in your system over time, and if enough time is given it will clog your computer. From time to time it is a good idea to backup files and do a completely clean full format of HD and install a new and fresh copy of Windows with new and clean copies of applications and drivers.

That's it, 10 tips on how to make your Windows and PC perform better and speed it up. I hope that you found the read informative and helpful and I hope that I will see you soon.

So you have just got home from that new computer store with your fancy and all-new mouse, screen, keyboard, etc. You plugged in your new component, Windows detected it, installed drivers for it and it is working like a charm. A few months later down the road and the computer starts little by little to slow down. Plug and play is a great concept, and automatic detection is even greater but how time passes old unused stuff piles in your hard drive and in Windows itself thus slowing down your computer and taxing it more and more as new components and software are added. Old drivers from old components sadly are not removed from Windows itself and over some larger period of time they can pile up and slow down your daily operations on the computer or even cause some problems in it. This guide will teach you how to manually remove old unused device drivers from your Windows so it is fresh and like new again.

Making old devices visible

In order for us to remove old drivers, the first thing we must do is make them visible in our device manager, old drivers are hidden and will not show up, we must make this happen. We do this by pressing WINDOWS + X keys on your keyboard to bring up a hidden menu in Windows. Once the menu appears, click on Command Prompt (admin) Once the command prompt with administrator privileges comes on-screen type in it following string: The device manager will open, go to view > snow hidden devices in order to show unused devices.

Removing old device

Open any category and if there is a device that was once used and still has its drivers in the system it will be shown as faded out. Right-click on the device and click on uninstall device to remove it completely from your system. Please always be careful when removing devices so you do not remove the device which is being used by mistake and always double-check that you are removing something that you used to have on your system. This method will show all hidden devices even ones that are hidden but crucial to the system working properly.

New malware with extensive spyware capabilities steals data from infected Android devices and is designed to automatically trigger whenever new info is read to be exfiltrated. The spyware can only be installed as a 'System Update' app available via third-party Android app stores as it was never available on Google's Play Store. This drastically limits the number of devices it can infect, given that most experienced users will most likely avoid installing it in the first place. The malware also lacks a method to infect other Android devices on its own, adding to its limited spreading capabilities. However, when it comes to stealing your data, this remote access trojan (RAT) can collect and exfiltrate an extensive array of information to its command-and-control server. Zimperium researchers who spotted it observed it while "stealing data, messages, images and taking control of Android phones."

What happens when malicious software is installed

"Once in control, hackers can record audio and phone calls, take photos, review browser history, access WhatsApp messages, and more," they added. Zimperium said its extensive range of data theft capabilities includes:

• Stealing instant messenger messages;
• Stealing instant messenger database files (if the root is available);
• Inspecting the default browser's bookmarks and searches;
• Inspecting the bookmark and search history from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Samsung Internet Browser;
• Searching for files with specific extensions (including .pdf, .doc, .docx, and .xls, .xlsx);
• Inspecting the clipboard data;
• Inspecting the content of the notifications;
• Recording audio;
• Recording phone calls;
• Periodically take pictures (either through the front or back cameras);
• Listing of the installed applications;
• Stealing images and videos;
• Monitoring the GPS location;
• Stealing SMS messages;
• Stealing phone contacts;
• Stealing call logs;
• Exfiltrating device information (e.g., installed applications, device name, storage stats).

How does it work?

Once installed on an Android device, the malware will send several pieces of info to its Firebase command-and-control (C2) server, including storage stats, the internet connection type, and the presence of various apps such as WhatsApp. The spyware harvests data directly if it has root access or will use Accessibility Services after tricking the victims into enabling the feature on the compromised device. It will also scan the external storage for any stored or cached data, harvest it, and deliver it to the C2 servers when the user connects to a Wi-Fi network. Unlike other malware designed to steal data, this one will get triggered using Android's contentObserver and Broadcast receivers only when some conditions are met, like the addition of a new contact, new text messages, or new apps being installed. "Commands received through the Firebase messaging service initiate actions such as recording of audio from the microphone and exfiltration of data such as SMS messages," Zimperium said. "The Firebase communication is only used to issue the commands, and a dedicated C&C server is used to collect the stolen data by using a POST request."

Camouflage

The malware will also display fake "Searching for the update.." system update notifications when it receives new commands from its masters to camouflage its malicious activity. The spyware also conceals its presence on infected Android devices by hiding the icon from the drawer/menu. To further evade detection, it will only steal thumbnails of videos and images it finds, thus reducing the victims' bandwidth consumption to avoid drawing their attention to the background data exfiltration activity. Unlike other malware that harvests data in bulk, this one will also make sure that it exfiltrates only the most recent data, collecting location data created and photos taken within the last few minutes. If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.

A black screen error inside Windows 11 is a typical screen turning to solid black without any error message. This can be very annoying since it can randomly appear out of nowhere and it will appear while you are using the computer. Worry not, this is not a serious error and we have several solutions for it, so please keep reading and try them as presented in order.

Restart graphic driver

This is the first thing to check if the issue is due to software or driver malfunctioning, there is a shortcut for rebooting graphic driver inside Windows 11. Press WINDOWS + CTRL + SHIFT + B to reboot the graphic driver and see if this fixes the issue. A beep sound should be heard during this process and the screen should turn back to normal.

Check connections

Sometimes the screen can go black due to a faulty connection or cable. If you have it at your hand try a different cable or slightly and gently nudge the existing one to see will screen flicker. If you are on a laptop try gently moving the lid from back to front and pay attention to the screen. If screen flickers or picture returns with this method, cable or connector needs to be replaced.

Clean your computer

The black screen can be because the computer is overheating. If this is the case either fan inside is not working properly or there is a lot of dirt and dust that needs to be removed so airflow can be established again for proper cooling. We have an article on errortools.com on how to properly clean your PC but if you are not technical enough maybe the best solution would be to call someone who is or to take the PC to service for cleaning.

Change The Projection Settings

Press WINDOWS + P to open projection settings, check to see if PC is set to PC screen only. If any other option is selected change it to PC screen only since this can cause random black screen issues.

Uninstall latest updates

If this problem has started to manifest itself during the latest update, go to setting and roll back from the latest update to fix this issue.

Scan system for malware

The black screen can also be caused by various viruses and malware. IF you have anti-virus software, run a full system scan to check it for malware. If you do not have one, download a free one and run a system scan, we recommend Bitdefender.

Outlook PST Errors

Problems occur when your PST file becomes corrupted or hits the size limit. Outlook will start to display error messages. These errors include like 0x80040119, 0x80040600, and 0x8004060c.

Error Causes

You might think Outlook problems are just a minor inconvenience. You can’t access your emails and contact information, but that doesn’t actually affect computer security, right? Wrong! Outlook problems can indicate serious corruption issues within your system.

In many cases, your PST file can even be targeted specifically by a virus.

Today, many viruses are specially designed to steal personal information and then sell that information on the online black market. Since so much personal data is stored within Outlook’s PST file, this is often the first place that viruses look.

If you don’t want some hacker in a foreign country to read your emails, steal your contact information, or do all sorts of other dangerous tasks, then we advise you to fix your PST problem as soon as possible.

Other causes include hitting the 2GB memory limit on older versions of Outlook, erroneous SMTP settings, etc,.

Further Information and Manual Repair

PST errors are an incredibly annoying problem. However, thanks to powerful software like Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair, it has never been easier to fix Outlook and recover all of the data inside your PST file. That means that you won’t lose contact information, calendar entries, emails, or any other information stored in Outlook.

ScanPST.exe rarely fixes problems with the PST file. Since the application is only a few megabytes in size, its effectiveness is very limited. Although Microsoft designed ScanPST.exe to be an effective solution to any PST files, it fails miserably.

Better Alternatives to Microsoft's ScanPST.Exe

Ultimately, after downloading ScanPST.exe and running it, your Microsoft Outlook will still be unable to send or receive emails. And, to make matters worse, you might also be unable to access contact data or read your old emails.

Unlike other PST repair solutions, ScanPST.exe will not recover deleted emails or other lost Outlook data. In fact, using ScanPST.exe can sometimes cause your personal data to become even more difficult to recover.

If you do want to try out ScanPST.exe, then go ahead. While it probably won’t make your PST errors worse, it won’t even come close to fixing them. If you’re ready for a more serious solution to PST problems, then keep reading.

Why are Outlook problems dangerous?

You might think Outlook problems are just a minor inconvenience. You can’t access your emails and contact information, but that doesn’t actually affect computer security, right? Wrong!

Outlook problems can indicate serious corruption issues within your system. In many cases, your PST file can even be targeted specifically by a virus.

Today, many viruses are specially designed to steal personal information and then sell that information on the online black market. Since so much personal data is stored within Outlook’s PST file, this is often the first place that viruses look.

If you don’t want some hacker in a foreign country to read your emails, steal your contact information, or do all sorts of other dangerous tasks, then we advise you to fix your PST problem as soon as possible.

How do I actually fix Microsoft Outlook PST errors?

Microsoft’s ScanPST.exe application clearly doesn’t work. So what’s the next best option? Well, a program called Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair has been helping PC users solve Outlook problems for several years. As the world’s leading Outlook solution, Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair will quickly and effectively repair any PST problems you encounter.

So how does Stellar Phoenix Outlook Repair work? Well, it starts by finding your PST file. Once the PST file has been found, Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair determines if the file is corrupt or full. It will then repair your PST file either by removing the size limit or by fixing the corrupt files.

How Does Stellar Phoenix Outlook Repair Work?

Once Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair determines that your calendar appointments, contact data, and emails have all been successfully recovered, it permanently restores access to your PST file.

In fact, Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair can even restore Outlook data that you deleted a long time ago. So, instead of just being a PST error recovery tool, Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair is also a powerful data recovery program.

After letting Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair go to work, open up Outlook and try it out. You’ll have full access to all of your Outlook files and folders, and all of those ScanPST.exe problems will be a thing of the past.

Advantages of Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair Software

Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair comes with many advantages. Here are just a few reasons why it’s such a popular program:

• Easy-to-use: Don’t worry if you’re not a computer genius. Stellar Phoenix Outlook Repair is incredibly easy to use. Even if you barely know how to send an email over your computer, the program has a straightforward interface that anybody can understand. If you can click the left mouse button, then Stellar Phoenix will be easy to use.
• Goes to work instantly: It takes only seconds to download and install Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair. Once you’re ready to perform a scan, the program goes to work instantly. It identifies your PST file in an incredibly short amount of time, and before long, you’ll be able to access Outlook once more.
• Effective: Unlike the infamously useless ScanPST.exe application, Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair actually works like it’s supposed to. It allows users to safely recover all of their most important data. While ScanPST.exe can actually damage your PST file, Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair simply goes to work quickly and effectively.
• Multiple support packages: Stellar Phoenix Outlook Repair comes with three different pricing plans. One is designed for people who only need to install the program on a single computer. Another is designed for businesses or households that want to install the program on multiple PCs.And with the third option, the technician package, users can install Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair on an unlimited number of computers. One of the biggest advantages of these packages is that you can spread out the cost of the program among multiple users. If several different people at your workplace are having PST error problems, for example, then you can buy a multiple-license package and share the cost.
• Data recovery: Along with fixing corrupt PST files and removing the size limits from the PST file, Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair can actually recover any Outlook data on your computer. This is useful if you uninstalled Outlook a few months ago but still need to recover that data. In fact, Stellar Phoenix can recover Outlook data even if Outlook is not currently installed on your computer. In that sense, Stellar Phoenix Repair is more than just an Outlook repair program; it’s also a full-service data recovery solution.

Stellar Phoenix PST Repair is superior to ScanPST.exe in every way. But Stellar Phoenix’s most important advantage is that it actually works. If you’re ready to quickly fix your Outlook PST errors, then Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair can help. Download it here today to experience the magic of PST repair for yourself.

Did you know you can use emoji in file names inside Windows 10? It is no secret that emojis are basically everywhere and Microsoft has seen this and integrated them into Windows itself, so you can name files using emojis or combine them with text. Placing emojis in file names or in the text is extremely easy, all you have to do is press ⊞ WINDOWS + . and the emoji dialog will open from where you can find which emoji you would like to use. And that's it, you just used emoji for the file naming.

!!!NOTE!!!

In theory, some applications may not like these emojis if they don’t support Unicode characters. However, modern applications are designed to work with a broad set of languages that should properly support emojis. For example, the classic Windows Command Prompt can’t see emoji characters in file names properly, but both PowerShell and Microsoft’s new Windows Terminal can display them properly. If you do run into a problem, you can always open File Explorer and rename the affected files and folders to remove the emoji characters. You can then use those files in applications that don’t properly support emoji file names.

If you are trying to install or update Microsoft Edge on your Windows 10 computer but ended up getting HTTP Error 500 or Error 0x8004xxxx or 0x8007xxxx, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will help you sort this problem out. The aforementioned errors when either installing or updating the Edge browser occur due to a Network issue. There is actually a range of error codes that are associated with the network connection issue. These error codes include Error 500 or 0x80010108, 0x80040801, 0x80042193, 0x80042194, 0x800421F4, 0x800421F6, 0x800421F7, 0x800421F8, 0x80072742, 0x80072EE2, 0x80072EE7, 0x80072EFD, and 0x80072EFE. To fix them, there are several options you can try. You can try to run the Network Adapter troubleshooter or update or reset the Network Adapter as well as check and the proxy configuration.

Option 1- Try updating the Network Adapter Driver

Follow the steps below to update your Network Adapter Driver:

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and then type in the “MSC” command and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.
• From there, expand the list of all the network drives and update each one of them.

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

Option 2 – Run the Network Adapter troubleshooter

To run the Network Troubleshooter, refer to these steps:

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

Option 3 – Try to reset the Network Adapter

You can also try to perform a Network Reset to resolve the problem. This will reset the entire network configuration including your IP address. To perform Network Reset, follow these steps:

• Tap the Win + I keys to open Settings.
• From there, go to the Network and Internet section.
• Next, scroll down and look for “Network Reset” under the status pane.
• After that, click on Network Reset and then on Reset now to start resetting the network configuration. Once done, check if it is able to fix the error or not.

Option 4 – Try to fix the Proxy Settings

• In the Cortana search box, search for Internet Explorer and then click on the related search result.
• After that, tap the Win + T keys on your keyboard and click on Internet Options.
• Next, navigate to the Connections tab and click on LAN Settings.
• Then click on the Advanced button and delete all the entries in the list generated in the Exceptions section. And if the Advanced button is disabled because the “Use a proxy server for your LAN (These settings will not apply to dial-up or VPN connections)” option is disabled then you are good to go. Now proceed to the next step.
• Tap the Win + X keys or right-click on the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) or you could also search for “cmd” in the Cortana search box and right-click on Command Prompt from the search results and select the “Run as administrator” option.
• If a User Account Control appears, click on Yes to proceed. After that, type each one of the commands listed below, and don’t forget to hit Enter after you type each one of them.
  • netsh winhttp reset proxy
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net start wuauserv

• Now restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not by installing or updating Microsoft Edge again.