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Fix The backup application could not start

Windows comes with a built-in backup solution. However, if it failed because of an internal error, you will encounter an error message saying, “The backup application could not start due to an internal error, Server execution failed (0x80080005)”. When you get this kind of error, it means that it did not start and the process failed with a Server execution error. If you got this kind of error worries not for this post will guide you in fixing the problem in your Windows 10 computer.

The Windows Backup service is an excellent feature in Windows that only works on the NTFS file system and if you want to use this make sure that you have formatted your files system to NTFS. It is performed by the Volume Shadow Copy, all you have to do is right-click on any folder and if you see the “Previous versions” option, this means that a backup process runs from time to time and can bring back old files when needed.

To resolve the “The backup application could not start due to an internal error”, here are two suggestions you can check out.

Option 1 – Check if the Volume Shadow Copy service is running and restart it

The first thing you need to do is check if the Volume Shadow Copy service. To do that, refer to the following steps:

  • Click on Start and type “cmd” and right-click on Command Prompt from the search results.
  • Then select the “Run as administrator” option to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • After that, type “net stop sdrsvc” and hit Enter to execute the command in stopping the Volume Shadow Copy service.
  • Next, type the “net start sdrsvc” command and hit Enter to start the service again.

Note: You can also restart the service using the Windows Services Manager.

  • In the Cortana search box, type “services” and click on the Services icon to open the Services Manager. Alternatively, you can also tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run prompt and then type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Services Manager.
  • From there, look for the Volume Shadow Service (sdrsv) from the list of services. Its Startup type should be set to Manual by default.
  • Restart the service and if you don’t encounter any error while you turn it on, re-run the backup service and see if the backup process runs successfully.

Option 2 – Try to run the Volume Shadow Copy Service in a Clean Boot State

If the first option didn’t work and the service still keeps on failing even though the service is running, you can try putting your computer in a Clean Boot State and then try to run Windows Backup again.

  • 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 run the Volume Shadow Copy service again and see if the process goes smoothly.

Note: You might also want to delete all the files in the backup solution if you want to start fresh with the backup solution. Just go to C:/System/Volume/Information/Windows Backup and take ownership of the folder. After that, make sure to stop the Volume Shadow Copy service and then delete all the files inside it.

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Stop showing browser tabs when alt+tab, Win11
windows browser tabs removed alt tabAs in previous Windows 10, inside Windows 11 also when you press the ALT + TAB key combination you will get a preview of all running applications along with all Browser tabs so you can go through them and pick the one you want to switch to. Alto, I personally am a big fan of alt-tabbing, I must admit that I am not a big fan of having multiple browsers tabs on screen when I do press key combo. Luckily there is a very easy way to turn this feature off. Turning browsers tabs thumbnails off
  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open settings
  2. Click on System in the sidebar
  3. Scroll down and select Multitasking
  4. Find Alt + Tab section and click on the drop-down menu
  5. Pick Open Windows Only
  6. Close settings
Now when you press the ALT + TAB key combination you will still see your browser but only an active tab in it instead of all tabs as different preview thumbnails.
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How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x800f0900
If you are trying to update or upgrade your Windows 10 computer using the Windows Update and suddenly an “Error 0x800f0900” appears, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will help you resolve this Windows Update issue. When you encounter this error, you will see the following error message on your screen:
There were problems installing some updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and you want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: 2018-03 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1709 for x64-based Systems (KB4088776) – Error 0X800F0900”
This kind of Windows Update error is most likely caused by some corrupted files in the system. It is also possible that the Windows Database might have become corrupted as well. So if you are currently experiencing this problem, refer to the options given below and see which one of them works best for you.

Option 1 – Try running the DISM Tool

Running the DISM Tool 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”.
  • Open the Command Prompt as admin.
  • Then type in this command: 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.
After you run this tool, a log file is created at C:WindowsLogsCBSCBS.log. On the other hand, if the Windows Update client is already broken, you will be prompted to use a running Windows installation as the repair source or use a Windows side-by-side folder from a network share, as the source of the files. Although the chances of this happening are less, if it turns out to be the case, you need to run an advanced command in the DISM tool to repair a broken Windows Update. Just repeat the process above but use the following command instead:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:RepairSourceWindows /LimitAccess

Option 2 – Try running the System File Checker or SFC scan

The SFC scan or System File Checker is a built-in command utility in Windows that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files that cause several issues in the computer like the Windows Update Error 0x800f0900. It replaces bad and corrupted system files with good system files. 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.

Option 3 – Try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter could also help you resolve the Windows Update error 0x80073712. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.

Option 4 – Perform a System Restore

You can also try to perform a System Restore as it can also help you fix the Windows Update Error 0x800f0900. You can do this option either by booting into Safe Mode or in System Restore. If you are already in the Advanced Startup Options, just directly select System Restore and proceed with the next steps. And if you have just booted your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
  • Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
  • After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.

Option 5 – Reset both the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders

You have to stop a couple of services such as BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update Services. And to do that, you need to flush the contents in the SoftwareDistribution folder. The Software Distribution folder in the Windows operating system is a folder that can be found in the Windows directory and is used to store files temporarily which might be required to install the Windows Update on your PC. Thus, it is required by the Windows Update and maintained by WUAgent. Aside from that, it also contains all the Windows Update History files and once you delete them, you will most likely lose the Update history. As a result, the next time you run the Windows Update, it may result in a longer detection time.
  • Open the WinX Menu.
  • From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
  • Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
  • After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Cryptographic, and the MSI Installer
  • Next, go to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
After resetting the SoftwareDistribution folder, you need to reset the Catroot2 folder to restart the services you just stopped. To do that, follow these steps:
  • Type each one of the following commands.
net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
  • After that, exit Command Prompt and restart your computer, and then try to run Windows Update once more.
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A Quick Guide to Fixing Error Code 7

Error Code 7 - What is it?

This is a typical system error that occurs during Windows setup. To be precise, this error may pop on your computer screen during the text mode portion of Windows setup. The setup hangs and stops responding and the error message is displayed in either one of the following formats:
‘The file I386Ntkrnlmp.exe could not be loaded. The error code is 7.’ or ‘The file I386L_intl.nlf could not be loaded. The error code is 7.’

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error 7 may be triggered due to several reasons but the 2 most common causes for this error code are:
  • Incorrect settings of the BIOS
  • Faulty RAM modules
  • Registry corruption

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve this error on your system, here are some easy and effective DIY methods that you can try.

Method 1 - Change Back the BIOS to its Default Settings

If the underlying cause of error code 7 is related to incorrect BIOS settings, then it is recommended to restore default settings to resolve. You can reset your computer’s BIOS (basic input and output system) settings to factory defaults by selecting the restore defaults option within BIOS or by removing CMOS ( Complementary Metal Oxide Semi-Conductor) battery from your unplugged computer for about five minutes. The battery removal method requires opening the computer case, so only attempt it if you are unable to access BIOS. To reset BIOS follow these steps, reboot your PC and then press the key assigned to loading BIOS during your computer boot splash screen. The key assigned to load and access BIOS varies from manufacturer to manufacturer but usually, it's F1, F2, or F12. Once you enter the BIOS, select the ‘Restore Defaults’ option listed in the menu.  I t may be a keyboard shortcut or be under the Advanced settings menu. Confirm settings and then exit BIOS. Hopefully, this will resolve Error 7.

Method 2 - Remove the Faulty RAM

When error code 7 is triggered by faulty RAM modules, then to resolve it simply remove the memory modules that are installed in the computer. If the error code is displayed again after you remove the memory module, remove a different memory module. This procedure requires you to reboot your PC several times to identify the specific memory module that is not working properly.

Method 3 - Repair the Corrupted Registry

Error code 7 is sometimes also linked with registry issues. If the reason for the error occurrence is a damaged or corrupted registry, then simply download Restoro. This is a powerful PC Fixer embedded with a registry cleaner. It is easy to operate and user-friendly. The registry cleaner detects and removes all errors in seconds. It cleans the registry and repairs the damages in no time. Click here to download Restoro.
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Dynamic Wallpapers introduced with Mojave Update in macOS are pretty cool. Dynamic Desktop is a feature introduced in macOS Mojave (10.14), in which the desktop background changes according to the time of Mac's current location. If Location Services are turned off the Privacy pane of the System Preferences, then the time zone specified in the Date & Time preferences will be used. To apply macOS Dynamic Wallpaper on Windows 10 we need to download & use WinDynamicDesktop, a free application that lets you apply macOS Dynamic Wallpaper. After the installation, you will be asked to Configure the Schedule. While doing that you need to make sure that you enter your location correctly. You can even set specific sunrise and sunset timing by selecting “Use specific sunrise and sunset times” and changing the Sunrise and Sunset times manually. Now, you will be greeted with some of the coolest dynamic wallpapers in the market. Select a theme of your choice, click on the Download button (file size can range between 20-200 MB), and click Apply to enjoy macOS Dynamic Wallpaper on Windows 10. If for some reason you want to go back to the default Windows theme but not necessarily delete the application then right-click on the WinDynamicWallpaper icon from the taskbar, click Select Theme, select None (from the theme section) and click Apply.
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Computer gets stuck on Preparing to configure
If you suddenly find your Windows 10 computer stuck on the “Preparing to configure” screen for quite a long time now after you run Windows Update, read on as you will be guided on how you can fix that issue in this post. During an update process, there’s a lot of things that go on in the background which is why Windows Updates take quite a while before it finishes. It can be at 25%, 50%, or even 100% but the only message you’re going to see on your screen is the “Preparing to configure Windows, Don’t turn off your computer”. However, if you notice that the Windows Update is taking a longer time than it’s supposed to, the first option is to wait some more but if it’s still the same, then there’s definitely something wrong. This kind of issue occurs when Windows Update fails to configure in short correctly download and install the update. When this happens, it will revert all the changes which are why you were advised to wait for a couple of hours. There are two possibilities why your computer is stuck on the “Preparing to configure Windows, Don’t turn off your computer” screen. The first one is that the Windows 10 operating system is installing any updates. The second one is when the user profile takes time to load or encounters an error. There are several options you can try to fix the problem. You can try running System Restore or boot your computer in Safe Mode or repair the corrupted profile via Registry Editor. You might also want to try using installation media to boot and repair your computer if the other options didn’t work.

Option 1 – Perform System Restore

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
  • Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
  • After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.
Note: If you can’t boot into the desktop of your computer, you can run System Restore in the Advanced Startup Options by following these steps:
  • Boot your computer into the Advanced Startup Options screen.
  • From there, you will see some options to troubleshoot when you can’t log in to Windows in the usual way.
  • Now select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
  • After that, type “rstrui” and hit Enter to execute the command which will start the System Restore process.
  • Once it’s done, restart your computer.

Option 2 – Boot your computer in Safe Mode

You can try to tap the F8 key if you have it enabled in your Windows 10 computer, as you start your system to boot into Safe Mode. Once your computer is in Safe Mode, you can access the Start Menu and the Mouse and Keyboard. Aside from that, you can also access your files and other built-in tools in Windows such as Command Prompt, PowerShell, Computer Manager, Device Manager, Event Log Viewer, and many more. On the other hand, if you haven’t enabled the F8 key, you can just go to the Advanced Startup options to boot your computer into Safe Mode. Once you’re there, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart > Tap the number 4 key. After that, your computer will restart in Safe Mode. If you want to reboot into Safe Mode with Networking instead, you can tap the number 5 key and for Safe Mode with Command Prompt, tap the number 6 key. Once your computer is in Safe Mode, you can use any of the built-in tools to restore your computer or troubleshoot the problem that’s causing your computer to get stuck at the “Preparing to configure” screen.

Option 3 – Try to repair your corrupted profile via Registry

In this third option, you can try to repair the corrupted profile using the Registry but before you proceed, take note that you can only try this if you can boot into your desktop and if you can, make sure to create a System Restore Point and then follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter or click OK to open the Registry Editor.
  • Next, go to this registry key: ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionProfileList
  • Once you’ve opened the registry key, you should see a list of all the user profiles on your computer. Now click on each S-1-5 folder and look for the “ProfileImagePath” entry and double click on it to check which user account it is related to. You will see a path like “CUsersACK” where “ACK” is the username.
  • You should know which of the user account is corrupted. Just look for a key named “RefCount” and change its Value data to “0” and click OK. And if it isn’t available, simply right-click on the right pane and create it.
  • After that, double click on the key named “State” and make sure that the Value data is “0” and click OK.
  • Exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes made.

Option 4 – Try to use installation media to boot and repair your computer

Another thing you can try to resolve the issue is to use the Windows installation bootable media so you can boot and repair the operating system. To use it, follow these steps:
  • You need to first create an installation media which has the dame version of the operating system installed in your computer.
  • After that, once you reach the Install Windows screen, click on the “Repair your computer” link.
  • Wait until the repair is completed and then shut down your computer
  • Now once your computer has restarted, check if it can now boot properly.
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How to Get Rid of Email Access Online

Email Access Online is a browser extension published by Polarity Technologies Ltd. That offers users quick and easy access to emails and weather reports. While this might sound interesting and useful, there is nothing this extension offers that cannot be solved with a few simple bookmarks.

While installed Email Access Online monitors the user's browser activity and records visited websites, clicked links, and bought products, this data is later used to serve partner ads if the user looks for the covered categories, additionally, it will hijack your new tab page, changing your search engine to Yahoo to allow easier ad placement.

Browsing the internet with this extension enabled will result in additional ad placement, pop-up ads, and sponsored links throughout your browsing sessions.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that this extension is a repack of MyEmailXP, which was a repack of Fast Email Checker. Due to its suspicious delivery methods and information gathering, several anti-virus scanners have marked this extension as a browser hijacker and it is recommended to remove it from your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking means that a malicious code has taken control over and modified the settings of your web browser, without your consent. Browser hijacker malware is designed for many different reasons. The idea is to force users to visit specific websites which are aiming to increase their visitor traffic and generate higher advertisement income. It may appear naive, but the majority of such websites are not legitimate and can present a significant risk to your online safety. In a worst-case scenario, your internet browser could be hi-jacked to download malicious software that can do a lot of damage to your PC.

Major signs that your internet browser has been highjacked

There are many signs that could indicate a browser hijacking: 1. the home page of the web browser is changed suddenly 2. you observe new unwanted bookmarks or favorites added, usually directed to ad-filled or porn websites 3. the default search engine is changed and the web browser security settings have been brought down without your knowledge 4. you see unwanted new toolbars added 5. your internet browser will display constant pop-up windows 6. your web browser starts running sluggishly or presents frequent errors 7. Inability to navigate to particular sites, especially anti-malware and other computer security software websites.

So how does a computer get infected with a browser hijacker

There are a number of ways your computer can get infected by a browser hijacker. They usually arrive through spam e-mail, via file sharing websites, or by a drive-by-download. They could also come from add-on software, also referred to as browser helper objects (BHO), web browser extensions, or toolbars. Browser hijackers sneak to your computer in addition to free software application downloads that you unintentionally install along with the original. The presence of any browser hijacker on your system could substantially diminish the web browsing experience, monitor your internet activities that lead to critical privacy concerns, create system stability problems and finally cause your PC to slow down or to a practically unusable condition.

How to repair a browser hijack

Certain kinds of browser hijackers can be effortlessly removed from your PC by deleting malicious software programs or any other recently installed shareware. However, most hijacking codes are certainly not very easy to remove manually, as they go deeper into your operating system. And there’s no denying the very fact that manual repairs and removal methods can certainly be a difficult job for an inexperienced PC user. Besides, there are several risks connected with fiddling around with the system registry files. Anti-malware program is incredibly effective when it comes to discovering and removing browser hijackers that regular anti-virus application has missed. To get rid of any kind of browser hijacker from your computer, you can download the following certified malware removal application – SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

What you can do if Virus Stops You From Downloading Antivirus?

Practically all malware is bad, but certain kinds of malicious software do much more damage to your PC than others. Some malware goes to great lengths to stop you from downloading or installing anything on your personal computer, especially anti-malware software. If you are reading this right now, you’ve probably realized that virus infection is the reason behind your blocked net traffic. So what to do when you want to install an anti-malware application such as Safebytes? There are a few actions you can take to circumvent this issue.

Make use of Safe Mode to fix the issue

If the malware is set to run automatically when Windows starts, getting into safe mode may block this attempt. Since only the bare minimum programs and services start-up in “Safe Mode”, there are rarely any reasons for conflicts to happen. You will need to do the following to remove malware in Safe mode. 1) At power on/start-up, tap the F8 key in one-second intervals. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Use the arrow keys to choose Safe Mode with Networking and press ENTER. 3) When you are into this mode, you will have access to the internet again. Now, use your internet browser normally and navigate to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 4) Once the software is installed, let the diagnostic scan run to remove viruses and other threats automatically.

Obtain the antivirus software in an alternate browser

Certain viruses may target vulnerabilities of a particular web browser that obstruct the downloading process. If you seem to have a virus attached to Internet Explorer, then switch to an alternate browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your favorite antivirus program – Safebytes.

Run anti-virus from a pen drive

Here’s yet another solution which is using a portable USB anti-malware software package that can scan your computer for viruses without needing installation. Follow these steps to run the anti-malware on the infected PC. 1) Make use of another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click on the downloaded file to run the installation wizard. 4) Choose the drive letter of the USB drive as the location when the wizard asks you exactly where you want to install the anti-virus. Follow activation instructions. 5) Now, insert the USB drive into the infected system. 6) Double click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the thumb drive to run the software. 7) Click on “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the infected computer for malware.

Let's Talk About SafeBytes Anti-Malware!

Nowadays, anti-malware software can protect your PC from different forms of internet threats. But wait, how to select the right one among plenty of malware protection application that is available on the market? As you may be aware, there are numerous anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. Some of them are good, some are ok types, while some will affect your computer themselves! When looking for an antivirus program, select one which gives solid, efficient, and full protection against all known computer viruses and malware. On the list of the recommended tool by industry experts is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, well-known security software for Microsoft Windows. SafeBytes anti-malware is really a powerful, highly effective protection software intended to help end-users of all levels of IT literacy in identifying and removing malicious threats from their computers. Once you have installed this tool, SafeBytes advanced protection system will ensure that absolutely no viruses or malware can seep through your personal computer.

SafeBytes possesses a plethora of amazing features that can help you protect your computer from malware attacks and damage. The following are some of the great features included in the application.

Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes offers a totally hands-free active protection and is set to observe, prevent and wipe out all threats at its first encounter. It’ll constantly monitor your pc for hacker activity and also gives users superior firewall protection. Anti-Malware Protection: Using its advanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware removal tool can detect and remove the malware threats hiding in your PC effectively. High-Speed Malware Scanning Engine: This computer software has got one of the fastest and most efficient virus scanning engines in the industry. The scans are extremely accurate and take a short amount of time to complete. Web Security: SafeBytes gives an instant safety rating on the pages you are about to check out, automatically blocking risky sites and making sure that you’re certain of your online safety while browsing the web. Lowest Memory/CPU Usage: SafeBytes gives you complete protection from online threats at a fraction of the CPU load due to its enhanced detection engine and algorithms. Fantastic Tech Support Team: For any technical inquiries or product guidance, you could get 24/7 expert assistance through chat and email. SafeBytes will keep your personal computer protected from most advanced malware threats automatically, thus keeping your online experience safe and secure. You now may know that this particular software does more than just scan and delete threats on your computer. If you want advanced forms of protection features and threat detections, buying SafeBytes Anti-Malware could be well worth the dollars!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To remove Email Access Online manually, navigate to the Add/Remove programs list in the Windows Control Panel and choose the program you want to remove. For browser plug-ins, go to your browser’s Addon/Extension manager and choose the plug-in you want to remove or disable. You will probably also want to reset your internet browser. To make sure of complete removal, find the following Windows registry entries on your system and eliminate it or reset the values accordingly. However, this is a difficult task and only computer professionals can perform it safely. Additionally, certain malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing deletion. You’re suggested to do this process in Windows Safe Mode.
Registry: HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\675942D5-E956-4670-9ADE-6982CF23558F
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Fix Windows 11 Black Screen Error
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.

Black screenRestart 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.
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A Quick Guide to Resolving IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL - What is it?

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error is a type of blue screen of death (BSoD) error. It is a typical Windows PC error that occurs even in the latest Windows versions. The IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error occurs on the computer screen when a memory address triggers unauthorized access. This leads to the suspension of your login session. The computer screen turns blue.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error occurs due to several reasons. However, the most common causes for this error code include:
  • Incompatible device drivers
  • The poor device driver installation
  • Faulty hardware
  • Disk fragmentation
  • Registry issues
  • Viruses and malware attack
Blue screen of death error codes like IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL is critical. If not resolved timely, this error code can pose serious threats to your PC. It can lead to system crash and failure, due to which you can also lose your valuable data stored in your system. How to Fix IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Code?

Further Information and Manual Repair

Here are some of the best and easy DIY methods to resolve this error code on your PC:

1. Roll Back Drivers

If the underlying cause of IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error is poor driver installation, then try this method to resolve the issue. This can be done by simply clicking the start menu. Once you click on it, go to the control panel, then double click the system icon and locate the System Properties window. After that, click the hardware tab and then the device manager button. Now locate the device you recently installed. Double click on the recently installed device driver, click the driver tab, and then the rollback driver button. This will take a while, so wait for the process to finish.  After that, reboot the system.

2. Run Hardware Diagnostic

The IRQL error may also be triggered by faulty hardware. To identify which hardware is causing the error to pop up, you will have to run a hardware diagnostic.
  • For this, go to the start menu, type Memory Diagnostic in the search bar.
  • Now access this tool and click on Diagnose your memory problems. As you click it, it will ask you to perform the check by either restarting the PC immediately or on the next restart.
  • Select the immediate one to get going. The system will carry a scan on the memory and show you the list of problematic errors detected during the scan. To resolve this error then all you have to do is replace the piece of faulty hardware.
Nonetheless, if no faulty hardware is detected, this means the error is related to memory. If so, try method 3 to resolve.

3. Disable Memory Caching

To fix the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error, try disabling the memory caching option. This is called BIOS memory caching. This can be done by restarting your PC and pressing the BIOS setup keys to enter the settings screen. Mostly it is an F2 key, however, it may be different in some computers as the motherboards of different makes have their own respective keys. Once you enter the BIOS settings look for options stating memory settings. Access these options and disable the memory caching feature.

4. Scan your PC for Malware

As mentioned above this error message can also result due to the intrusion of malicious software like malware, viruses, and spyware. To detect and remove them from your PC, download an antivirus and perform a system scan. Remove the detected viruses and malware to resolve. Please note, antivirus installation may lower the speed of your PC.

5.  Repair Registry and Fragmented Disk

Due to poor PC maintenance, you may experience registry issues. The registry stores all the activities performed on the PC including the unnecessary pieces of information like junk files, internet history, temporary files, cookies, and other flies. Such files take up a lot of disk space. When there is not much space on the storage device, the new data is saved in fragments. This is called disk fragmentation. When this file becomes fragmented it takes time to rearrange the data and reunite it to run the fragmented file on your PC. If not resolved, this leads to registry issues and thereby generating various PC error codes including IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL errors. The best way to clean the registry and repair the fragmented disk is to download Restoro. This is an advanced and multi-functional PC Fixer. It is embedded with multiple system repair utilities including a powerful registry cleaner that detects all registry issues in seconds, removes and wipes out unnecessary files cluttering the registry, cleans and repairs the registry and the damaged files. Other utilities include an antivirus that detects privacy errors and all types of malicious software infecting your system. It also functions as a system optimizer which means by running this software on your PC you won’t be compromising on your system’s performance. The system optimizer utility boosts the speed of your PC. This tool is safe and efficient. It has a user-friendly interface and is compatible with all Windows versions. Click here to download Restoro and resolve the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error code right away.
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Step By Step Guide to Fixing Regsvr32.exe Error On Windows

What is Regsvr32.exe Error?

Regsvr32 (Microsoft Register Server) is a command-line utility in Microsoft Windows Operating System. This is used for registering and unregistering OLE controls such as ActiveX controls and DLLs in the Windows Registry. This is executed as Regsvr32.exe.  The filename extension .exe is the abbreviation for executable.   It is installed in the %systemroot%System32 folder in Windows XP and new Windows versions. The Regsvr32.exe is an error that occurs when you attempt to run Regsvr32.exe to register a 32 bit DLL (Dynamic Link Library) on a 64-bit version of Windows. The error message is displayed as the following:
  • Filename.dll is not an executable file and no registration helper is registered for this file type.
  • Unrecognized flag: /invalid_flag
  • No DLL name specified
  • Dll_Name is not an executable file and no registration helper is registered for this file type.
  • The module "%1" failed to load.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

There are multiple causes for the Regsvr32.exe error code. These include:
  • Invalid entry (command) path
  • Active X control errors
  • Missing or Damaged .dll files
  • Viral infection (Trojans) (.exe can easily get infected by viruses)
  • Registry issues
If you come across the Regsvr32.exe error code, it is advisable to repair it immediately before the damage sets in. Since this may occur due to viral infection, it can pose privacy and data security risks to your PC.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Here are solutions that you can implement to resolve the Regsvr32.exe error code on your system:
  1. If an invalid entry point is the cause of the error, then simply open an elevated command prompt. If the 32-bit DLL is in the %systemroot%System32 folder, then move it to the %systemroot%SysWoW64 folder. After that run the following command: %systemroot%SysWoW64regsvr32 <full path of the DLL>. This will help resolve the Regsvr32.exe error.
  2. If the cause of the error is a viral infection, then you will need to run a powerful antivirus to detect and remove viruses from your system to resolve the Regsvr32.exe error on your system.
  3. Nonetheless, if the causes for Regsvr32.exe are either Active X controls or registry corruption, then you will need to scan your computer with different tools to resolve each issue separately.
This can be time-consuming and too many program installations at one time can also slow down your system’s performance. This means you’ll also have to compromise on your PC’s speed.

Repair Regsvr32.exe Error With Restoro

To avoid all this hassle yet repair the Regsvr32.exe error, download Restoro. This is a multi-functional and innovative PC repair tool deployed with multiple utilities in one program including features like a registry cleaner and an Active X controls error fixer. It also functions as a system optimizer. It is a one-stop solution for all your PC-related errors including the Regsvr32.dll error. It is safe, efficient, and user-friendly. It is compatible with all Windows versions. When the RAM overloads it leads to damaged dlls and registry corruption. The registry cleaner utility repairs the damaged dll files and the corrupt registry. It wipes out all the unnecessary files cluttering the RAM including the junk files, invalid registry entries, and temporary files. Restoro also has an Active X controls scanning utility. This utility can be of great use if the Regsvr32.exe error is triggered by Active X control-related issues. Click here to download Restoro and resolve Regsvr32.exe on your computer right away.
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Open Source Software Alternatives
Open Source Software is developed, tested, or improved through public collaboration and distributed with the idea that the must be shared with others, ensuring an open future collaboration. In other words, it is free software developed and maintained by public contribution. Many open-source projects have reached performance and usability like their paid alternatives, some have even surpassed them. Here we will explore open source alternatives to paid applications, you will find alternatives to paid ones that aim to do the same task.
  1. LINUX - alternative to Windows or macOS

    When it comes to the operating system, Windows and macOS mostly dominate the home market, but if you go a little deeper into the OS world you will hear this talk about LINUX and its distributions. LINUX is an open-source operating system, it has many various distributions aimed at different types of users and they are also open source as well. Its security and account privileges, as well as complete control over it, make it one of the best-operating systems in the world, many servers that run websites today use LINUX as their choice of operating system mostly due to its superior security features. If LINUX is good enough for big web companies, I am sure it will be at least satisfactory to you as well. Get your LINUX distribution here. open source os linux
  2. Thunderbird - alternative to outlook

    A great alternative to any mail client actually, connect all of your emails into thunderbird and use it as the centralized email client for all of your email needs. Thunderbird does not lack any features that its paid counterparts have and overall it is a great application worth installing. Grab it from here. open source email client thunderbird
  3. VLC media player - media player able to play almost anything

    Are you looking for a great media player alternative to Windows media player or iTunes? Look no further, VLC is a lightweight media player that can play almost any file type, it is customizable and packed with features even its paid counterparts would envy. Its playback features are unmatched by other applications and once you try it, I am sure you will hardly go back from it. Give it a go and grab it from here. open source media player vlc
  4. KeePass - password manager

    Keepass is a simple, user-friendly lightweight password generator and manager, it uses industry-standard AES encryption and two-factor authentication to keep the details of your accounts safe and secure. you can store him and the database on a USB stick for safekeeping making it a great one to use on a go, wherever you need it. Get it from this link. open source password manager keypass
  5. FileZilla - FTP client

    A lightweight and future-rich FTP solution. It supports remote file editing and resuming of lost transfers, overall great application which anyone who needs this type of software should not overlook. Download it from its official website. open source FTP client FileZilla
  6. Audacity - alternative to Audition, Fl, apple logic pro,...

    Digital audio editor and recording computer software with some great features like recording audio from multiple sources, post-processing of all types of audio, including podcasts by adding effects such as normalization, trimming, and fading in and out. Audacity has a great following and it is well documented, easy to learn and use. Grab it from here. open source sound editor audacity
  7. Shortcut - alternative to adobe premiere, avid media composer, DaVinci resolve

    The shortcut is a video editor application that demonstrates how long an open-source project can go if enough dedication and work are put into it, started as not so great and not so feature-packed in beginning, today it can easily contend with its paid counterparts with its non-destructive editing, color gradation, keyframing, etc. It is running and using FFmpeg, an open-source video framework that lets it open and works with virtually any video or audio format. Download it from here. open source video editor shotcut
  8. Gimp - alternative to adobe photoshop

    This one has been around since 1996 and it is one of the best maintained open source applications. With its features like built-in support for layers, filters, and automatic photo enhancement. It also makes it easy to create new graphic design elements and you can really take things to the next level by downloading plug-ins created by the broader GIMP open source community. Gimp is the best pixel manipulation-free tool on the market and with the right skills, it can go side by side with adobe's flagship product. Check it out here. open source photo editor gimp
  9. Inkscape - alternative to adobe illustrator, Corel draw

    What is Gimp for photoshop that is Inkscape for illustrator. This free open-source vector graphic tool does not fall behind with its tools in comparison to its paid counterparts and I would highly recommend it for anyone. Features like alpha blending, cloning on-point path manipulations can assure that you can create anything you want inside it. get your copy from here. open source vector tool inkscape
  10. Libre office - alternative to MS office

    Libre office is one of the most quality office suite there, it has spreadsheets, word processor, presentation app, calculation applications, database application, and diagrams. All these applications create and make one great suite that can open Microsoft Office files and even work with them naturally. Completely free and active in development there is no reason, not t use it in your daily routine. Go to its official website and download it for a test run. open source office suite libre office
  11. Amarok - alternative to iTunes

    Amarok is an audio player with a broad range of features like integration with multiple Web audio services, dynamic playlists, bookmarks, scripting, context view, and more. get it from here. open source music player amarok
  12. PDF Creator - alternative to adobe acrobat

    As its paid counterpart PDF Creator lets you make PDF files from any application that could print. It works the same way as adobe acrobat and supports encryption and digital signature, it lacks in PDF forms a little but if that is not something that you need, it is a great alternative to acrobat and completely free. Download it from here. open source PDF maker PDFCreator
  13. Blender - Alternative to Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3dmax, foundry Modo, cinema4d,...

    3D modeling and animation software is very expensive. From the point of home user long it has been lost dream to have industry quality 3D modeling, animation, and rendering application for an affordable price. Blender has made that dream a possibility, completely free and open-source this package offers everything that its paid counterparts offer, some could even argue that since its open-source nature and availability of full code it offers even more. Why you are still here? Go get it here. open source 3d application blender
  14. Bluefish - alternative to Adobe Dreamweaver

    When it comes to web editing and code editing applications, notepad ++ seems like a person go-to application, but if you prefer a more professional suited IDE for web development check out Bluefish, auto-filling, code syntax, and constant development make sure that this application will not go away soon and it is worth investing your time in it. Get it from here. open source wed editor bluefish
  15. ClamWin - alternative to Kaspersky, BItdefender, Norton

    This antivirus has over 600000 users and active database updates also feature a full email scanner, scanning scheduler, and File Explorer integration. It is far better than other freeware alternatives and if you are looking for a free antivirus option look no further, ClamWin is here to stay. Grab it from here. open source anti virus ClamWin
  16. Natron - alternative to adobe aftereffects, foundry nuke

    Full-featured node-based composition and effects suite. Natron is a powerful Digital Compositor that can handle all of your 2D/2.5D needs. Its robust OIIO file formats and OpenFX architecture is what makes Natron the most flexible open-source compositor for the visual effects community. Its interface and functionally are the same across all platforms such as macOS, Linux, and Windows. Natron has a powerful keying, roto/roto paint, 2D tracking tools that are staple for all current film production project that requires visual effects. Get natron from here. open source composition and effect application natron
  17. Clonezilla - alternative to Norton Ghost

    When it comes to cloning hard drives usually there is only one application, Norton ghost. Clonezilla tends to change that by offering the same usability as the ghost. Grab your copy from here. open source HD clone clonezilla
  18. FreeCAD - alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD

    Autodesk AutoCAD has years of development and dedication of its team behind it to keep it as the best CAD application on the market and it shows. However, if you are not really a hardcore professional who needs all of AutoCAD features and can live without some automation inside it FreeCAD is one of the best free open source options, it will certainly get the job done and with its dynamic simulation and analysis, it is guaranteed that you can achieve same results as in AutoCAD with little more time investment. Get if here. open source CAD freecad
  19. Octave - alternative to MATLAB

    Octave is the best open-source educational tool used for numerical computation with an interactive environment. The tool features powerful mathematics-oriented syntax with built-in plotting and visualization tools and also Octave syntax is largely compatible with Matlab. Get your copy from here. open source math tool octave
  20. Godot - alternative to Unity3D, Unreal

    Godot is a lightweight feature-packed node-based game development engine, completely open-source and free to use for commercial projects. The engine has reached 3.2 version and it is more and more adopted by various independent game makers across the globe, recently there are to of video tutorials and documentation to get you up and running and its open-source nature lets you modify the engine itself in any way that suits and benefits you. Also, any project made with Godot is completely yours, there are no hidden fees or anything similar. Download it from here. open source game engine godot

Conclusion

That's it, my pick for 20 open source alternatives which I believe you should at least try and if you end up with at least one, you have saved some hard-earned money. And always remember:
  1. Open-source programs give you complete freedom without any shady terms and conditions.
  2. Open-source software code is readily available for anyone who wants it, so anyone can use it, share it, modify it for their own needs, and study it.
  3. No spying eyes, no tracking, and no telemetry
  4. In some cases, open-source tools offer features or performance benefits that surpass their commercial counterparts.
  5. No hidden charges, completely free.
If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
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