USB storage devices are used to store small and even big files, depending on their sizes. Usually, the sizes of the USB vary from 2GB up to 16GB. And as time passes, they have advanced quite a bit and now it’s common to find USB sticks with a capacity of 32GB, 64GB, or even 128GB. And since they now have large capacities, USB storage devices are often used for storing backups of system data as well as creating an image. However, there are times when you might encounter an error message while trying to create a backup or image on your USB device. The error message states:
“The drive is not a valid backup location.”
One of the causes of this problem is that Windows was not able to recognize the USB drives as a valid backup location since USB storage devices weren’t previously large enough to store system images. To fix this error, here are some possible solutions that might help.
Option 1 – Try creating a sub-folder in the USB drive and backup all the images there
The first thing you can try to do is to create a sub-folder on your USB device. This is one good way you can bypass the USB drive limitation. How? Refer to the steps below.
First, right-click on the USB storage device and select Format.
Next, select NTFS as the File System and check the box next to Quick Format.
After that, click on Start to initiate the formatting process.
Once the formatting process is completed, open the USB drive and right-click anywhere inside its main drive window, and then select New > Folder.
Then name the folder to be created as “Image (or anything you please)”.
Afterward, right-click on the folder and select Properties.
From there, go to the Sharing tab and click on Share.
Now check if the Permission level on the System owner which should be your username is labeled as “Owner”.
Then try to back up your files again using your USB drive while keeping the sub-folder as the backup location.
Option 2 – Update the USB Controller Drivers
First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
From there, look for the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” option and then right-click on each one of the USB drivers and select the Update Driver from the menu.
Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
You also have the option to update the motherboard and the USB driver from the manufacturer’s official website.
Option 3 – Run CHKDSK utility to check the drive for errors
When it comes to some issues concerning the hard drive or removable devices, there is a utility in Windows that might help which is called “chkdsk”. To use it, follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + S keys to open the Search box.
Then type “command prompt” in the field and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
After opening an elevated command prompt, copy and paste the following command and hit Enter:
Note: In the command given above, “[/F]” will try to fix the system errors while “[/R]” will be the one to fix the bad sectors.
Now if you are prompted to run CHKDSK after your reboot your PC, just tap Y and reboot your PC.
If CHKDSK is not able to find any errors, tap the Win + E keys and navigate the access window. From there, right-click on the concerned drive and click on Properties.
After opening Properties, click on the tab Tools and then click on the “Check” button under the Error-checking section.
Wait until the process is completed and then restart your computer.
AVFoundationCF.dll is a type of Dynamic Link Library file.
This DLL file is associated with AVFoundationCF and is developed by Apple Computer Inc. for Windows PC. This file functions similarly to any other DLL files. It comprises of small programs. This DLL file is typically needed to load and start the Apple iTunes utility.
The inability to call this file or the files to load triggers the AVFoundationCF.dll error message on your system.
The error message can be displayed in either of the formats on your PC:
“The program can’t start because AVFoundationCF.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.”"This application failed to start because avfoundationcf.dll was not found.”"Cannot find %COMMONFILES%AppleApple Application Supportavfoundationcf.dll.""Cannot start AVFoundationCF. A required component is missing: avfoundationcf.dll.”“Avfoundationcf.dll Access Violation." "Cannot register avfoundationcf.dll."
Solution
Error Causes
AVFoundationCF.dll error can occur due to numerous reasons. However, the most common reasons for this error code include:
Viral infection
Corrupt or invalid registry entries
Apple Computer Inc. hardware failure such as bad hard drive
Missing or deleted Avfoundationcf.dll file
It is recommended to resolve the error as soon as you experience it virtually because if the error code is related to viral infection on your system, it can expose your PC to privacy errors and data security risk.
And if the error is triggered by registry issues, it can lead to serious threats like system crash, failure, and data loss.
Therefore, the AVFoundationCF.dll error not only hampers your ability to access and start Apple iTunes program but it also puts your PC at serious risk.
Further Information and Manual Repair
To fix the error AVFoundationCF.dll on your PC, here are some of the best and easy to do solutions that you can try:
Check your Recycle Bin
Since dll files are shared files, there is a possibility that this file accidentally got deleted when you were uninstalling some other program on your system. If you experience missing AVFoundationCF dll file error message after performing any program on your PC, then chances are that it got deleted and maybe in your recycle bin.
So, first, check your recycle bin and search for the dll file. If you find it, restore it to fix the error.
Update Device Driver
To resolve the issue, try performing a driver update.
This can be done by downloading the latest drivers from the hardware manufacturer’s website. Now open Device Manager from the Control Panel and locate the hardware device that you want to update the driver for.
Once you find the hardware you are updating the driver for, right-click on the hardware icon and choose properties. In the properties windows, click the driver tab. Now click the update driver button. To activate changes, restart your PC.
To automatically update your computer's drivers when necessary, download and install DriverFIX.
Try Re-installing Apple iTunes Program
To do this, simply go to the control panel, select programs and then uninstall a program and then select iTunes. Uninstall it and then repeat the same program and install the Apple iTunes program again on your PC by downloading the program from Apple’s official website.
Scan for Viruses
If the error still persists, then it is advisable to scan your PC for viruses. This can be easily done by running a powerful antivirus on your PC. However, please note anti-viruses are notorious for slowing down PC performance. So, may have to compromise on the speed of your system.
Clean and Repair the Registry
If the error is caused by invalid and corrupt registry entries and damaged Avfoundationcf dll file, then the best way to resolve is to download a powerful registry cleaner.
We advise you to install Restoro on your PC. This is an advanced and a multi-functional PC Fixer integrated with multiple powerful utilities including a high functional registry cleaner, an antivirus and a system optimizer.
The registry cleaning utility scans all the registry issues and removes all errors triggered by the registry immediately.
It cleans the registry by wiping out all the unnecessary, obsolete and redundant files including invalid entries and bad registry keys. Furthermore, it also fixes the damaged and corrupt dll files including Avfoundationcf dll file. Thereby resolving the error right away.
Furthermore, the antivirus deployed in this software scans for all types of malicious codes like viruses, Trojans, spyware, and malware and removes them. To ensure you don’t compromise on your PC performance, it is deployed with a system optimizer utility that boosts the speed of your computer dramatically.
This tool is bug free, has a user-friendly interface and compatible with all Windows versions.
Click here to download Restoro and resolve Avfoundationcf.dll error on your PC today!
The error code 28 is a driver error. This is one of the many device manager error codes. When this error occurs on your computer, the following message is displayed:
“The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)”
Another driver device error message you might encounter is error code 41.
Error Causes
Error 28 occurs because of unsuccessful device driver installation. This usually happens when you try to update new drive versions on your system. It is advisable to repair this error right away as it can hamper your ability to use certain hardware.
For example, if error 28 occurs due to the unsuccessful installation of the USB driver, then it if not fixed and resolved it may prevent you from using hardware devices.
Unsuccessful driver installation means you either didn’t install it properly or your computer has registry issues. If it’s the registry then you must fix it without any delay because it can expose your PC to serious threats like system crash and failure.
To avoid such inconvenience, repair it.
Further Information and Manual Repair
When it comes to repairing the error code 28, here’s what you can do:
Simply go to the control panel and click on the Device Manager option:
In the details pane with the list of devices, locate the device for which you want to reinstall the driver software.
Double click on it to open the properties dialog box.
Now click on the driver tab and then click update driver.
After updating, try using that device again if it doesn’t work and shows the error code 28 on your computer screen then this means the underlying cause is the registry.
A copy of Windows gets into a grace period when it is installed on a computer which means that you can use your Windows computer without any constraints on its feature. However, if you suddenly encounter an error code 0xC004F009 then this means that the grace period has already expired. In such cases, you will see the following error message on your screen:
“Error Code 0xC004F009, The Software Licensing Service reported that the grace period expired.”
One of the possible causes of this error is that it could be that the grace period has already expired way before the system was activated which is a result of which the system is in the Notifications state at this moment.
The error code 0xC004F009 has something to do with MAK-enabled computers in an enterprise when it comes to Volume Licensing. One of the reasons that this error pops up is due to the possibility that the computer was not activated yet even when it was already connected to the Enterprise. Another most likely cause of the error is when the system was never connected with the Enterprise at all and the given grace period has expired before your computer system is activated. Whatever the real cause of this error, this post will guide you in fixing it. Just refer to the instructions given below to fix it.
Option 1 – Try activating Windows using the command-line tool
First, you need to obtain your MAK key from the IT administrator.
Once you have it, tap the Win + R keys on your keyboard and then type “cmd” in the field and hit Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
After that, type this command and hit Enter to install the product key or replace the existing one: Slmgr.vbs –ipk <your mak key>
Next, type another command and hit Enter: slmgr.vbs –ato
Once you’ve executed the given commands, Windows should be activated after it connects to Microsoft servers and then gives it some time and try to check if error code 0xC004F009 is now fixed or not.
Option 2 – Try activating Windows using your mobile phone
Activating Windows 10 can also be done using your phone. Just note that you have to call Microsoft to do so.
In the Start Search box, type in “Slui 4” and tap Enter.
Next, select your country and click on Next.
Keep the window open and call the toll-free number of the country you’re from.
Afterward, a confirmation ID should be given by the automated system which you must take a note of.
Finally, in the box on the window, type in the confirmation ID and click on the Activate button. That should do it.
Option 3 – Try to prolong the grace period
On the other hand, it is also possible for you to prolong the grace period but you might have to get another genuine Windows key for that. Before you proceed, you need to create a System Restore point first afterwards, refer to the steps given below to increase the grace period of the Software Licensing Service on your Windows 10 computer.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “Regedit” in the field then hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
After that, navigate to this registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionSetupOOBEmediabootinstall
Next, change the value of the “mediabootinstall” key to “0”.
Now open Command Prompt with admin privileges and then type this command and hit Enter: slmgr –rearm
The command you just entered will add another grace period to your system activation. After that, you have to obtain a new key and then activate Windows.
Option 4 – Try running the Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter
You can also try to run the Windows 10 Activation troubleshooter to help resolve the error code 0xC004F009.
Go to Settings and then select Activation.
After that, click on the Windows Activation and then troubleshoot. This will help you address most of the commonly found activation issues in Windows devices.
The latest Windows 11 update has brought with it not so popular widget from Windows 10, the weather widget that will reside into the taskbar and constantly show stuff like temperature, weather conditions, etc. The weather widget is not a bad thing but most users found it a little annoying and turned it off in Windows 10. If you wonder how can you do the same but this time inside Windows 11 please keep reading.
The first step is to right-click anywhere on the taskbar (in empty space) and choose Taskbar settings
Once the taskbar settings are opened, find Widgets and click on the switch on the far right to turn it off, immediately no more information will be shown on the taskbar and it will be free again. And that is all there is to it.
The GeForce Experience on graphics card manufactured by NVIDIA is an advantage for users who loves gaming as it makes enhances users’ gaming experience. However, there are times when it may also encounter some problems. One of the problems users may encounter is the error code 0x0001. This kind of error occurs when users open the NVIDIA GeForce Experience utility. Here’s the full content of the error message:
“Something went wrong, try rebooting your PC and then launch GeForce Experience, ERROR CODE: 0x0001.”
Errors like this one diminish the overall experience of users due to the fact that when this error occurs, the NVIDIA GeForce experience wouldn’t even start which renders its features useless. There are several potential fixes you can check out to resolve this error but before you check them out, you can try to restart your computer first and then open the NVIDIA GeForce Experience once again, if you still encounter the error, then you need to check the NVIDIA Display Driver Services or update your NVIDIA display drivers or switch to the BETA release. You could also try to install and reinstall the NVIDIA display drivers or perform System Restore and see if it helps. For detailed instructions, follow the given options below.
Option 1 – Try to check the NVIDIA Display driver services
Tap the Win + R keys to open Run and then type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Services Manager.
From there, look for the following NVIDIA services and make sure that their Startup types are as follows:
NVIDIA Display Container LS – Automatic
NVIDIA NetworkService Container – Manual
NVIDIA LocalSystem Container – Automatic
NVIDIA LocalSystem Container – Automatic
NVIDIA GeForce Experience Service – Automatic (Delayed Start)
NVIDIA Geforce Experience Backend Service – Automatic (Delayed Start)
NVIDIA Telemetry Container service – Automatic
Next, double click on each one of the services and go to Properties. Here, check if the service is running. If it’s not, just click on the Start button. On the other hand, if they’re already running, just click on Stop and then click on Start again.
Option 2 – Try to update the NVIDIA Display drivers
You can also try updating the NVIDIA display drivers as it might help in fixing the error. To update them, follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Next type in “dxdiag” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
From there, you can see what type of NVIDIA graphics card that your system is on.
Take note of your graphics card information and then look for the best drivers for your operating system. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the file, restart your PC.
Note: If you want to try out the beta release of the NVIDIA display drivers, click on this link. Beware though that the beta software is unstable and buggy and may cause some different bugs.
Option 3 – Try to roll back the driver to the previous version
If updating the NVIDIA display drivers didn’t work for you, then it’s time to roll back the device drivers. It is most likely that after you updated your Windows computer that your driver also needs a refresh.
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.
Under the Device Manager, you will see a list of drivers. From there, look for the NVIDIA Drivers and expand it.
Next, select the driver entries that are labeled appropriately.
Then select each one of them and double click to open a new mini window.
After that, make sure that you’re on the Driver tab and if you are not, just navigate to it then click the Roll Back Driver button to switch back to the previous version of the NVIDIA Drivers.
Now restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.
Option 4 – Try to run System Restore
You could also run System Restore as it might help fix the error code 0x0001 in NVIDIA GeForce Experience.
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 then check if the error code 0x0001 in GeForce Experience is now fixed.
Option 5 – Do a clean install on the NVIDIA driver
Before you do a clean install on the NVIDIA driver, you have to download the latest version of the Display Driver first.
Boot your Windows 10 PC into Safe Mode.
After that, double click on the executable file of the Display Driver Uninstaller to run and install it.
After the installation, open the program. Once you do, you should see the following window on your screen:
In the program window, click on the “Clean and restart” button.
After your PC has rebooted, download the NVIDIA drivers.
Then select your Product Type, Product Series, Product, Operating System, and Language appropriate for your hardware specifications as well as personal requirements.
Next, click on Search to display the latest available driver as per the information you entered.
And click on Agree and Download to start downloading the latest driver executable file.
Run the executable file after you finished downloading the latest driver executable file and then select Custom and click on Next.
Afterward, select “Clean Install” and proceed. Doing so would install the latest driver on your PC.
Restart your PC and check if the error’s now fixed. If not, you can try installing an older version of the driver instead.
As you know, one of the most highlighted features of Windows 10 is Windows Updates. It was offered to the customers as a service rather than a product with the release of Windows 10 under the scenario of Software as a Service which led to Windows Updates being set by default on Windows 10 and without an option for any users to disable it. Although not all users are happy with what Microsoft did, this is an ultimate step towards the greater good of all its customers since Windows Updates helps users in keeping their computers secured against all kinds of threats as well as provide them with the greatest and latest updates from Microsoft. So if you are one of those users who approved of the Windows Updates service, then read on as this post will guide you in running Windows Updates from Command Line either via Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell. For the complete set of instructions, refer to the options given below.
Option 1 – Run Windows Update via Command Prompt
Command Prompt in the Windows operating system exists for a very long time now compared to the comparatively new Windows PowerShell. That’s why it has similar capabilities to run Windows Updates. However, the highlighting point here is that you don’t have to download any module for Windows Updates. To get started running Windows Updates using Command Prompt, refer to the steps below.
First, type “cmd” in the Cortana search box, and from the search results, right-click on Command Prompt and select the Run as Administrator option to open it with Administrator privileges.
If a User Account or UAC prompt appears, just click on Yes to proceed.
Next, type in the commands listed below, and don’t forget to tap Enter right after you type each one of them.
UsoClient StartScan – use this command to start checking for updates.
UsoClient StartDownload – use this command to start downloading updates.
UsoClient StartInstall – use this command to start installing the downloaded updates.
UsoClient RestartDevice – use this command to restart your computer after you install.
UsoClient ScanInstallWait – use this command to check, download and install updates.
Note: Keep in mind that the commands in Command Prompt listed above are only meant for Windows 10. On the other hand, if you are using an older Windows version, you can try using the following commands instead:
wuauclt /detectnow – use this command to start checking for updates.
wuauclt /updatenow – use this command to start installing the updates detected.
wuauclt /detectnow /updatenow – use this command to check, download and install updates.
Option 2 – Run Windows Updates via Windows PowerShell
If you run Windows Updates in the Windows PowerShell, it will require you to install the Windows Update module manually. Hence, you have to get the Windows Updates downloaded and install Windows Updates.
Search for PowerShell in the Cortana search box and then run it with administrator privileges.
Once you’ve opened the Windows PowerShell, type the following command and hit Enter.
Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate – use this command to install the Windows Update module for Windows PowerShell.
Get-WindowsUpdate – use this command to connect to the servers of Windows Update and download the updates if found.
Install-WindowsUpdate – use this command to install the Windows Updates you’ve downloaded to your computer.
Socket Error 10060 is a typical Outlook Express error. This error often occurs when the connection to the server fails. It specifically refers to a timeout while communicating with the email providers servers.
The vast majority of all emails use SMTP for outgoing mail. Socket error 10060 in most instances is related to the SMTP settings for the user’s email.
The error message is sometimes displayed in the following format:
Outlook Express Socket Error10060 - The connection to the server failed Account:’ your account’
Another thing you must know about this error is that it only stops the user from sending emails. This means that you can only receive emails, not send them.
Solution
Error Causes
The cause of this error code is hard to narrow down typically because there are many causes that can trigger the socket error code 10060. Some of the most common causes of this error code are:
Issues in email settings
Authentication settings
Firewall settings
Malware
Though this is not a critical error code it is advisable to fix it immediately without any delays.
This error can hamper your communication via email and slow down your work productivity especially if you use Outlook for communication across the organization.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Here are some of the many methods to fix and resolve this error code. To help you resolve this issue, we have selected and listed down the best, quick, and easy do-it-yourself methods. Try them and repair Socket error code 10060 all by yourself without any professional assistance.
Method 1 - Check the Names of POP3 and SMTP Servers
To begin with, first check the names of the POP3 and SMTP servers to ensure that they are correct. Then check the outgoing SMTP port. Contact your email provider to determine the correct settings.
Sometimes email providers change this value more than any other in their individual settings. Get it verified. Change the settings if needed.
Method 2 - Outgoing SMTP Server Requires Authentication
Sometimes the error code may occur due to authentication issues. If this is the reason then, don’t worry it is easy to fix. Simply go to the settings options and check the box ‘My server requires authentication’.
Once you check the box, try sending the email again. This is most likely to resolve the socket error 10060 on your PC.
Method 3 - Disable Firewall
Your Firewall security may sometimes be the reason for socket error 10060 too. Therefore if after trying method 1 and 2, the error still persists, then it is advisable to disable firewall.
Once you disable it, try sending an email using your Outlook account. If it works, the error is resolved.
Method 4 - Scan for Malware
There is a possibility that the Socket error 10060 is popping on your PC due to malware infection. If so, then it is advisable to download Restoro.
This is a highly functional and a user-friendly PC fixer deployed with a powerful antivirus and several other scanners. Run it on your PC to scan for malware. It detects and removes all types of malware including Trojans, viruses, adware, spyware, and more in seconds.
Click here to download Restoro to resolve socket error 10060 on your system today.
The CoreFoundation dll error is a common error associated with Apple Software products. Most of the Apple Software products rely on this dll file to load and run. This dll file is Apple’s proprietary.
The error message is prompted in the following format:
“CoreFoundation.dll was not found”
or
“Apple Application Support is missing’.
Solution
Error Causes
The CoreFoundation.dll error message is triggered because of several reasons. These include:
Deleted CoreFoundation dll file
The CoreFoundation dll file has been overwritten
Poor installation of the Apple software
Corrupt software due to viral infection
Registry problems
Further Information and Manual Repair
It is advisable to fix CoreFoundation dll error code right away to avoid inconvenience. This error may stop you from accessing and running your desired Apple application.
Here are some of the best ways to resolve this error on your system:
1. Restore the Deleted CoreFoundation dll File
Since Dynamic Link Library is a shared program, if you happen to delete an Apple program on your PC, chances are you might have deleted that file too in the process.
Therefore, the easiest way to recover and restore the CoreFoundation dll file and resolve the error is to look for the file in the recycle bin. If you can’t locate it, then another way to restore the missing CoreFoundation dll file is to download the files from the internet.
2. Reinstall Apple Software
If the error still persists then it is advisable to re-install Apple software via iTunes or any other Apple Software that you have on your PC.
For example, if you have iTunes, then to reinstall it first go to the start menu and then the control panel. Now click on Add/Remove programs and locate iTunes software. Click the Uninstall button next to iTunes. Wait for a while until the program is completely uninstalled.
After the installation is complete, restart your PC and then download the latest version on iTunes and install it. Now try running the software again. Hopefully, this will resolve the issue.
3. Scan for Viruses
Another way to resolve CoreFoundation dll error on your system is to scan for viruses. Run an antivirus to detect viruses and remove them from your PC.
4. Clean Your Registry
Remember DLL file errors also indicate a corrupt registry. When you don’t clean the registry it overloads with unnecessary and obsolete files like junk files, cookies, temporary internet history, and bad /invalid registry entries.
When these files accumulate, they damage the registry, dll, and system files too. It also causes disk fragmentation. To repair the registry and fix dll files again, download a registry cleaner.
Whether you want to scan for viruses or clean the registry, it is advisable to download Restoro.
This is a multi-functional and advanced PC Fixer deployed with an intuitive algorithm and multiple powerful utilities. These include an antivirus, a registry cleaner, Active X controls, and class scanner, and a system optimizer.
The registry cleaner detects all registry issues and resolves them instantly. It wipes out the unnecessary files cluttering and damaging the registry. It fixes and restores the damaged dll files including CoreFoundation dll file thereby resolving the error. It takes a few clicks to resolve this error.
The antivirus feature scans your entire PC and removes all kinds of malicious software including spyware, malware, viruses, and Trojans.
To ensure the antivirus does not slow down the speed of your PC, Restoro also features a system optimizer that boosts the performance of your computer significantly.
It is powerful and bug-free software with a user-friendly interface that makes it quite easy to operate. You can download it on any Windows version as it is compatible with all.
Click here to download Restoro and resolve CoreFoundation dll error now!
RadioRage is a potentially unwanted application developed by Mindspark Inc. This browser add-on is compatible with Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Google Chrome and claims to enhance the Internet browsing experience by allowing users to listen to their favorite music via the installed toolbar.
RadioRage Toolbar is categorized as adware since it infiltrates computers and after successful installation, this browser extension redirects browsers to home.tb.ask.com. And changes your default search engine to myway.com.
While active on your computer RadioRage collects user information such as browsing data, website clicks, and sometimes even sensitive user information, that it later sells / forwards to its ad distributors.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking is regarded as the internet’s constant risk that targets web browsers. It’s a type of malicious software that modifies your internet browser’s settings so that you are redirected to websites or pages that you had no intention of checking out. They are made to interfere with browser programs for many different reasons. These are typically used to force visitors to a specific website, manipulating web traffic to generate ad revenue. Most people assume that the browser hijacker is just a harmless website but that is not the case. Nearly all browser hijackers pose an actual threat to your online safety and it is necessary to classify them under privacy dangers. In a much worst case, your browser can be hijacked to download malicious software that will do a great deal of damage to your PC.
Key signs that your web browser has been hijacked
The typical signs that signify having this malicious software on your computer are:
1. your web browser’s home page is suddenly different2. you get re-directed to internet sites you never intended to visit3. The default search page of the browser is modified4. you see multiple toolbars on the web browser5. you might notice many pop-up ads on your screen6. web pages load slowly and sometimes incomplete7. you cannot go to specific sites such as home pages of security software.
So how does a browser hijacker infect a PC
There are many ways your computer could become infected with a browser hijacker. They typically arrive by way of spam email, via file-sharing websites, or by a drive-by download. They may also be deployed through the installation of a web browser toolbar, add-on, or extension. Some internet browser hijackers spread in user’s computers by using a deceptive software distribution method known as “bundling” (often through freeware and shareware). Well-known examples of browser hijackers include Conduit, CoolWebSearch, Coupon Server, OneWebSearch, RocketTab, Searchult.com, Snap.do, and Delta Search.
Browser hijackers might record user keystrokes to collect potentially valuable information leading to privacy concerns, cause instability on systems, drastically disrupt the user experience, and finally slow down the computer to a point where it becomes unusable.
Browser hijacker removal methods
One thing you can try to eliminate a browser hijacker is to locate the malware within the “Add or Remove Programs” list of the Windows Control Panel. It might or might not be there. When it is, try to uninstall it. But, the majority of hijackers are really tenacious and require specialized tools to get rid of them. Inexperienced PC users should never attempt the manual form of removal, as it demands detailed system knowledge to carry out repairs on the computer registry and HOSTS file.
What To Do If You Cannot Install Any Anti-virus?
Every malware is detrimental and the effects of the damage will vary based on the specific kind of malware. Some malware is meant to restrict or prevent things that you wish to do on your computer system. It may well not permit you to download anything from the internet or it will prevent you from accessing a few or all websites, especially the anti-virus sites. So what should you do if malware keeps you from downloading or installing Anti-Malware? Refer to the instructions below to eliminate malware through alternate methods.
Use Safe Mode to resolve the issue
If the malware is set to run at Windows start-up, then booting in Safe Mode should avoid it. Only the bare minimum required applications and services are loaded when you boot your computer or laptop into Safe Mode. Listed below are the steps you need to follow to eliminate viruses in Safemode.
1) At power on, hit the F8 key before the Windows splash screen begins to load. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu.2) Select Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and press ENTER.3) As soon as this mode loads, you will have an internet connection. Now, get the malware removal software you want by utilizing the browser. To install the application, follow the guidelines in the installation wizard.4) As soon as the software is installed, allow the scan run to eliminate viruses and other threats automatically.
Switch over to some other web browser
Certain viruses might target vulnerabilities of a particular browser that block the downloading process. When you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by malware or otherwise compromised by online hackers, the ideal plan of action is to switch over to a different web browser such as Firefox, Chrome, or Safari to download your favorite computer security application – Safebytes Anti-Malware.
Run anti-malware from a pen drive
Another approach is to download and transfer an antivirus program from a clean PC to run a virus scan on the infected system. Follow these steps to employ a flash drive to fix your infected system.
1) Make use of another virus-free computer system to download Safebytes Anti-Malware.2) Insert the pen drive onto the same computer.3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded software, with a .exe file format.4) Select the USB flash drive as the destination for saving the file. Follow activation instructions.5) Now, transfer the flash drive to the infected computer.6) Double click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the pen drive to run the software.7) Hit the “Scan” button to run a full computer scan and remove viruses automatically.
Let's Talk About SafeBytes Security Suite!
These days, anti-malware software can protect your laptop or computer from various forms of online threats. But wait, how to select the right one amongst several malware protection software that’s available in the market? Perhaps you might be aware, there are many anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. Some are really worth your money, but many aren’t. When looking for anti-malware software, purchase one which gives solid, efficient, and complete protection against all known computer viruses and malware. One of the recommended software programs is SafeBytes AntiMalware. SafeBytes carries a really good reputation for top-quality service, and clients seem to be very happy with it.
SafeBytes anti-malware is a highly effective and user-friendly protection tool that is designed for end-users of all levels of computer literacy. This application could easily detect, remove, and protect your personal computer from the most advanced malware attacks including spyware, adware, trojan horses, ransomware, PUPs, worms, parasites as well as other possibly damaging software programs.
There are numerous amazing features you’ll get with this particular security product. Listed below are a few of the great ones:
Real-time Protection: SafeBytes gives you round-the-clock protection for your computer limiting malware intrusions in real-time. It’ll continuously monitor your laptop or computer for hacker activity and also gives end-users sophisticated firewall protection.
Antimalware Protection: Built upon a greatly acclaimed antivirus engine, this malware removal application is able to find and remove several obstinate malware threats such as browser hijackers, PUPs, and ransomware that other common anti-virus applications will miss.
Web protection: SafeBytes checks and gives a unique safety ranking to every site you visit and block access to webpages considered to be phishing sites, thus protecting you from identity theft, or known to contain malicious software.
Light-weight: This application is not “heavy” on the computer’s resources, so you’ll not find any performance problems when SafeBytes is working in the background.
24/7 On-line Tech Support: Support service is accessible 24 x 7 x 365 days via email and chats to answer your questions.
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you wish to manually remove RadioRage without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser.
To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.
The following files, folders, and registry entries are created or modified by RadioRage
It really sucks when you can’t fully enjoy the newest version of your favorite OS.
Windows 11 is still relatively fresh and consequently has some annoying little bugs that really ruin our experience. The good news is that you’re not alone and most of them are easy to fix.
Here are 5 commonly reported Windows 11 issues and what you can do to get rid of them.
1. Windows 11 audio problems
One of the absolute most irritating things in the world is struggling with the sound on your computer. Windows 11 users have reported facing the issue of low or no sound. If you’re currently experiencing the same frustration, you can be relieved. Chances are fixing it will only take a few minutes.
The first thing to check would be whether you accidentally muted your device by pressing the mute button on your keyboard. Yes, we know it sounds a lot like the old “have you tried turning it off and on again?” But it’s important to leave no stone unturned, and the most obvious things are usually the ones we easily overlook.
Moreover, if you have several audio output sources, check whether the right one is selected. You can do this via the Action Center or through Settings. If you want to use the same source every time, we also recommend you set it as the default one.
It’s also important to have a good, up-to-date audio driver. More often than not, this will be the true cause of your audio struggles. Make sure to update your driver, and if that doesn’t work out, you can always un- and reinstall it or install a different one.
Lastly, if all attempts remain unsuccessful, run the audio troubleshooter to figure out what’s actually going wrong.
2. Unable to find files
Such a powerful new operating system, yet it can’t seem to do the simplest thing imaginable? The File Explorer not responding on Windows 11 is one of the most frustrating and most common problems with Microsoft’s newest iteration of its awesome OS.
However, 9/10 times it can be fixed by simply restarting your PC. You could also try killing the Windows Explorer process in the Task Manager and then rerunning it.
If these don’t help, check whether there are any pending Windows 11 updates. A single missing update can compromise your PC’s functionality, so always make sure to install them all on time.
Should none of that work, then there are other ways to solve the File Explorer problem. However, then the issue is probably a bit deeper and it’s no longer in the ‘easy fix’ territory.
3. Start menu not working
Just like the File Explorer, the Start menu is a fundamental element of your OS. So, it’s only natural that its malfunction grinds your gears. It may be more customizable than on previous Windows versions, but it doesn’t always work smoothly.
If you’re facing the so-called Start menu critical error, there are a few things this could be caused by. Usually it means you turned off your system while an important update was still being installed, there is a corrupt file on your PC, or Windows forcefully stopped a program.
Whatever the reason, the solution should be pretty simple. Try the basic steps: restarting your File Explorer (like we explained above) and signing out and back into your account. If that doesn’t do anything, you may want to try uninstalling third-party start menu apps (if you have any), since they can interfere with your default programs’ functionality.
Now, those are the easy fixes. If you get nowhere with them, you might need to identify the root cause and search for more complex solutions than that.
4. Snipping tool not working
Our beloved screenshot tool was introduced with Windows 10 and Microsoft decided to keep it. However, you were probably just as disappointed as us when you tried to run it and failed.
Normally, this can be fixed by installing the latest Out-of-band (OOB) update, or even pending updates in general. Even if your system appears to be up-to-date, run the checker just in case.
Another cool thing Windows 11 lets you do is ‘Repair’ and ‘Reset’, which is the easiest way to troubleshoot your Snipping tool. If this fails, you can also try the good old un- and reinstall method. Simply uninstall the tool through the Control Panel and reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.
Furthermore, in the case of an upgrade from Windows 10 to 11, it may be that the old Snipping tool version is interfering with the launch of the new one. If you don’t care that much about the additional options available with the enhanced screenshot tool, you can use the old version instead.
Simply go to your C Drive, find the Windows.old folder, search for the tool and open it from there. Make sure to pin it to your taskbar as well, if you know you’re going to use it often.
5. Can’t install the latest update
The latest Windows 11 version, 22H2, has brought tons of enhancements to our dearest operating system. Unfortunately, a lot of users still haven’t had the opportunity to experience it. A mere update of your OS version should be the one thing that goes smoothly, but sometimes that’s not the case.
Failure to install 22H2 can be caused by a few things. Most commonly, the issue is caused by lack of storage space or corrupted files, but there could be other culprits.
There are a couple of things you could try. For example, it’s crucial that your drivers be up-to-date and some important services be enabled. These are: Windows Modules Installer, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, Cryptographic Service, Windows Update services.
To enable them, search ‘Services’, find the service you need and right-click on it. Open ‘Properties’ and select the startup type ‘Automatic’.
It may also be necessary to unplug all peripherals that aren’t crucial and disable third-party antivirus tools until after the update is finished.
Ultimately, you can run the Windows Update troubleshooter to detect and fix other possible issues.
Summary
Tiny bugs like these are nothing out of the ordinary. That said, we still all hate when they happen.
Hopefully some of our solutions have helped you to a smoother Windows 11 experience. But if you’re still struggling, feel free to reach out to us. We’d be happy to help!