During the Microsoft Windows 10 upgrade, certain users have experienced an issue with error code 8024001F. Users should note that this error is also known as Windows Update 8024001F and 0x8024001F. This error code is relatively common and is usually caused by a faulty internet connection. Thanks to this common reasoning, the error is generally fixed easily, and users are able to restart their Microsoft Windows 10 upgrade.
Common symptoms include:
A dialog box appears with the Error Code 8024001F when attempting to upgrade to Microsoft Windows 10.
Your current version of Windows is unable to recognize the need for an update to Microsoft Windows 10.
Solution
Error Causes
With only three issues causing error code 8024001F, it is relatively easy to determine your particular issue and then follow the steps below to rectify the situation.
Your computer is not connected to the internet.
The Windows firewall is interfering with the Microsoft Windows 10 update.
Your third-party antivirus and firewall software is interfering with the Microsoft Windows 10 update.
Your system is infected with the Conficker worm, which is preventing the Microsoft Windows 10 update from processing correctly.
Microsoft Support asks that you contact them directly for further assistance if you are able to rule out these three reasons for error code 8024001F.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Error code 8024001F is easily corrected using one of the following methods. Each of these methods should be convenient and comfortable for a basic computer user at home. If at any time you are unsure or feel you need more assistance, Microsoft Support asks that you contact them directly for more guided support.
Windows will then run the Troubleshooter, attempting to detect any known issues with your system.
Depending upon the results you should be able to follow the on-screen prompts which will alleviate the update issue.
Method 2- Correct your internet connections
Closeout of the error code 8024001F dialog box.
Close the Microsoft Windows 10 updater.
Attempt to access the internet through your normal browser.
** If you can successfully access the internet, then an internet connection is not the cause for this error code.
If you are unable to access the internet verify that you are plugged into your network, both at the router/wall and at your computer jack.
If you use a router, verify that all of the lights are on and active (showing an active internet connection).
Establish an internet connection if possible. If you are unable to establish an internet connection, you may need to contact your internet provider.
If you are able to reestablish an internet connection, then you should have no problem running your Microsoft Windows 10 update.
Method 3- Adjust the Windows Update settings
Log into your current version of Windows as the Administrator (enter a password if prompted).
Click the START button on your keyboard or screen.
Search for the term “admin”, press ENTER
Click the “administrative tools” option
Select the “services” file, re-enter your password.
Open the Windows Update file by right-clicking on the name.
Choose the “properties” option
Under the GENERAL tab, make sure that the “startup type:” is set to AUTOMATIC (DELAYED START)
Under the “Service Status” header, click the START button.
Click OK
Restart the Microsoft Windows 10 update.
Method 4- Scan for the Conficker Worm
Access the web address to be directed to the Microsoft Safety Scanner.
Run this free scanner provided by Microsoft to verify if the Conficker Worm is your issue.
If this worm is causing your error, Microsoft will walk you through the steps necessary to remove the worm.
Method 5- Firewall and Anti-Virus software
If you are using the Windows firewall or a third-party anti-virus and firewall software, disable these programs.
Run the Microsoft Windows 10 upgrade.
After the upgrade is complete, turn your antivirus and firewall software back on.
Users should not have a problem employing the above methods. Start with the simplest solutions first, and then work your way to the more intricate methods. In some cases, depending on why this particular error code was caused, you may have to use a powerful automated tool to have it resolved.
Error 1706 is a Windows PC error. It occurs when you insert a Microsoft CD-ROM either to repair an Office or to install a feature set to Installed on First Use. The error message is displayed in the following format:
Error 1706. Setup cannot find the required files. Check your connection to the network, or CD-ROM drive. For other potential solutions to this problem, see C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office101033\Setup.hlp.
Solution
Error Causes
Error 1706 may occur due to several reasons. These include:
You originally installed MS Office from a network administrative installation
You are trying to use Office CD-ROM when the error is prompted by the Windows Installer for an Office source location
Viral Infection
Further Information and Manual Repair
The good news is that this error code is not fatal. However, to avoid inconvenience, it is recommended to resolve the error right away. To fix the problem you don’t have to be a computer programmer or hire one. In fact, this error code can be resolved quite easily.
Here are some of the best and easiest do it yourself methods to resolve error 1706 on your PC:
Method 1
To resolve this issue find a different administrative installation for the Office source file location.
To do this, go to the start menu and then click run. In the open box, simply type this command line new network pathSetup.exe /fvm package name.msi and press OK to continue and update changes. Once the update is complete and finished press OK to save and proceed.
Please note after you follow these steps, the Windows Installer uses this new server location whenever it needs to reinstall, repair, or add a feature to your Office Installation.
Method 2
Another alternative method to resolve this method is to use CD-ROM for the Office Source Location. To do this you will have to remove Office and then re-install Office from the CD-ROM.
Here are the steps to remove the Office program. First, quit all Office programs.
Go to the Control Panel then click on the Program and Features option.
Now double click the Add/Remove programs and remove the entry for the Microsoft Office 2003 or Microsoft Office XP product installed on your PC.
After that, click on the Maintenance Mode Options dialog box, select Uninstall Office, and then click Next to proceed.
Click Yes to confirm changes.
Now insert Office 2003 or Office XP CD-ROM and follow the setup dialog boxes to reinstall the program on your system from CD-ROM.
Download Restoro to Correct Registry Errors
However, to ensure the installation is successful this time around, it is advisable to clean the registry and ensure the uninstalled program is not located in the registry.
To do this, download Restoro and run it on your computer. This is a powerful PC Fixer integrated with a registry cleaner.
The registry cleaner wipes out all the unnecessary files and uninstalled program files saved in the registry. Once the registry is cleaned, try reinstalling MS Office again. This will resolve the error 1706.
Click here to download Restoro and repair error 1706.
The element of system restore is vital in the Windows operating system, and on occasions, it might be a genuine lifesaver. If for some reason you discover that the System Restore is not correctly functioning in Win7 or Windows 8 operating system:
The points of system restore are not be being produced by hand or mechanically,
You are unable to create by hand the restore points
The system restore fails, and you're incapable of restoring your personal computer,
The subsequent are a few tricks that could allow you to solve this issue.
Solution
Error Causes
There are lots of variables that will trigger this malfunction in your Personal Computer. The remedy to the issue will depend on its cause. You ought to attempt the next actions in no sequence.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Physically, strive to make Program Restore points. Subsequently, pay attention to the Error Messages(s) you receive. If none, check to see whether a restore point has been created.
Eliminate the protection applications or anti-virus and then try creating a restore point.
Startup the Computer in Safe-Mode. Oftentimes, non-Ms drivers or providers may restrict the smooth working for System Restore. The other viable choice, try a clean boot and see whether system restore is back to normal.
Run file checker. Quite simply, operate the sfc /scannow from the superuser command line. When the program record test is complete, restart your computer and assess whether system restore is operational.
Run disk check as the administrator. Type chkdsk /f /r and subsequently push Enter. Allow this procedure to finish before attempting a system restore.
Ensure the System Restore function is allowed in the drivers where you need this function allowed. For System Restore point to be saved, you must have free space of around 300 MB on each one of the devices which have the Program Safety perform turned-on.
Ensure that there's adequate space on the drivers where System Restore performs is allowed.
In the search box inside the Start Button, type "Services.msc" (with no quotes) and then push Enter. Ensure that at this time around Process Scheduler Service and the " Volume Shadow Copy " are correctly working, and are set on Automated mode. Make certain you start the System Restore service if it's not set place to automatic mode. Remember that you'll have to restart the computer in this process. Do this and subsequently try again, in case the system needs a reboot.
In the search box, type eventvwr.msc /s subsequently push enter to open the Event Viewer. Double-click on the applications and Services Logs, then assess if you can determine the cause of the error.
Could your network administrator have turned off the System Restore? Contact them. Ask them to re-activate system restore for your computer if they have switched it off.
These days, Google Chrome is definitely one of the most used browsers in the browser. Google has almost created a nearly perfect product that rarely experiences problems. However, a lot of users have reported an issue where some files they’re downloading or their downloads in their Google Chrome browsers are stuck at 100%. So if you are one of these users, read on as this post will guide you on what you can do to resolve the problem.
This kind of problem could be caused by several factors. It is possible that the file download process could be blocked by a third-party antivirus or it could be that the content-length header could be missing from the server. Aside from that, a Google Chrome extension could also be the culprit or it could be that the current installation of the browser could be corrupted. This kind of problem can get really annoying as the download process has already utilized system resources as well as take up your time. Thus, you need to fix the problem using several suggestions. You can try to clear the browser cache, disable the Chrome virus scan, whitelist the file on the third-party antivirus program, put your browser in Incognito mode and download the file again. On the other hand, you could also try to reset or reinstall the browser. For more details, follow the options provided below.
Option 1 – Try to clear browser cache and try downloading again
There are times when some data in the browser is conflicting with the loading of the website and triggers some problems like download getting stuck at 100%. And so you can try to clear your browser’s data. This might be a very basic solution but oftentimes it works in fixing this kind of error in Google Chrome. Follow the steps below to clear the data in your browser.
Open your Google Chrome browser.
After that, tap the Ctrl + H keys. Doing so will open a new panel that allows you to delete the browsing history and other data in your browser.
Now select every checkbox that you see and click on the Clear data button.
Then restart your Chrome browser and check if you can now complete the download again.
Option 2 – Try disabling Chrome virus scan
The next thing you can do to resolve the problem is to disable the Chrome virus scan. It is possible that the virus scan is the one that’s preventing the download to be completed, thus, try to disable it and see if it works.
Option 3 – Whitelist the file you’re downloading in your antivirus program
The download getting stuck might also be caused by your antivirus program which could be interfering it from running. To fix this, you have to whitelist dism.exe. How? Refer to these steps:
Open the Windows Defender Security Center from the system tray area.
Next, click the “Virus & threat protection” option and then open the “Virus and threat protection settings”.
After that, scroll down until you find the “Exclusions” and click on the “Add or remove exclusions” option.
Then click the plus button and select the type of exclusion you want to add and from the drop-down list, select Folder.
Next, navigate to this path and select the WinSxS folder: C:/Windows/WinSxS
When a User Account Control or UAC prompt, just click on Yes to proceed.
Option 4 – Try downloading the file in Incognito mode
There are certain browser extensions, especially those security programs, that prevent any suspicious files from being downloaded. So the easy way to fix the problem is to launch the Chrome browser in Incognito mode and then try to download the file again. Additionally, you might want to consider disabling the problematic extension.
Option 5 – Reset Chrome
Resetting Chrome can also help you fix the problem. This means that you will be restoring its default settings, disabling all the extensions, add-ons, and themes. Aside from that, the content settings will be reset as well and the cookies, cache, and site data will also be deleted. To reset Chrome, here’s what you have to do:
Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
After that, click on Settings.
Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
Now restart Google Chrome.
Option 6 – Try to clean reinstall Chrome
There are instances when programs leave files behind after you’ve uninstalled them and the same thing can happen to Chrome so before you reinstall Chrome, you have to make sure that you have deleted the User Data folder. To do so, refer to the following steps:
Hit the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “%LOCALAPPDATA%GoogleChromeUser Data” in the field and hit Enter to open the User Data folder.
From there, rename the default folder and name it something else, e.g. “Default.old”.
After that, install Google Chrome again and check if the issue is now fixed.
Microsoft office has two major packages, an online one, and an offline version. The online version of the course is Office 365 that requires a monthly subscription and it is always regularly updated and maintained. Another version is more of a typical old school application, install it and use it, no constant internet connection is required and no monthly subscription is required, buy once and use it.
The last version of buying it once and use it was Office 2019 and after two years we are going to receive a new version soon. Microsoft has set its release date for October 5th of this year and as always it will feature the current latest version of office applications and one-time purchase.
The new office will support dark mode and other improvements tied to the new Windows 11 and some specific features tied to Office itself.
We are all waiting for the release of Intel’s Alder Lake series of processors and real-world results on its performance. Sadly lately it came to our attention that some games might have issues with the processor.
Now before you go on the bandwagon on bashing Intel itself take note that it is not Intel’s fault at all. The issue that arises is mostly due to DRM software and how it works. As you might know or not, Alder Lake has two sets of cores, standard performance cores, and power cores, and with Intel’s Thread Director on-chip right cores will be used for the right tasks, and here lies the issue.
DRM software might detect Thread Director as something suspicious and malicious, and then cut access to the game because of this. Intel, of course, has reached DRM manufacturers and places documentation about how software should be developed with this hybrid technology in mind.
Of course, newer games will be updated if needed and everything will work fine, also games on GOG will work fine because of GOG’s policy of no DRM store but some older ones might be left in limbo. They could work fine but DRM might be triggered and prevent them from loading, usually, game developer itself removes DRM protection after some time but that is not really always the case and there is a chance that some games might simply just not work on Alder Lake CPU only because of DRM protection.
Conclusion
I will admit that I have not been a great fan of DRM in general, I understand that game developer want to protect themselves from piracy but how it looks they were not really successful with it. Even today single-player games get pirated on the day they are released and legally bought ones always make trouble for people that actually paid for them.
I remember times when DRM was awful and you could install a game a limited number of times, luckily this was removed but it seems that many old habits still remain sadly and DRM is present even today in various forms. GOG is proof that people will buy DRM-free games and that they will support this kind of model. Maybe it is time to forget about fighting against piracy, you will not make it go away and people who do not want to buy games will not buy them, on other hand many users that do buy games, if they cannot use them they will rest to pirated version since that one will work.
It is sad to see that pirated software can work better than a legal one and offer a more pleasant experience.
If you were trying to run Windows Update or activate Windows Firewall or download from the Windows Store but encounter the Windows Update Error 0x80070422 instead, read on as this post will show you how you can resolve the problem.
This kind of Windows Update error occurs when the Windows Update or WUAUSERVE is not started or when the Background Intelligent Transfer Service or BITS can’t be started. It could be that they are disabled or because they have no enabled devices associated with them. Whichever the case is, you can check out the options given below to fix the Windows Update Error 0x80070422 and make sure that you create a System Restore point first before you start.
Option 1 – Check the status of some Windows Update Services
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter or click OK to open Services.
From the list of Services, look for the following services and make sure that their Startup type is as follows:
Windows Update – Manual (Triggered)
Background Intelligent Transfer Service – Manual
After that, check if the Service status of the listed services above is set to Running. If they’re not, click on the Start button to start these services and then check if you can now enable the Windows Update service or not.
Option 2 – Try to disable IPv6 in the Network Center
You might also want to disable IPv6 in the Network Center in order to fix the Windows Update Error 0x80070422. How? Follow these steps:
Tap the Win + X key combination on your keyboard and click on Network Connections.
This will open the Network Connections section under the Setting app. From there, click on the Network and Sharing Center link located at the right side of the panel which will open a Win32 version of the Windows settings known as Control Panel.
In the Control Panel, click on the network your computer is connected to.
A mini window will appear and in that window click on Properties which will open another mini window that will provide a list.
From this list, uncheck the option that says, “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)”.
Now click on OK and close all the other windows and see if it fixes the Windows Update error.
Option 3– Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
If disabling IPv6 didn’t work, you could also try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing any issues related to Windows Update including the Windows Update Error 0x80070422. 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 – Try running the DISM tool
You can also try to run the Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management or DISM tool to fix the Windows Upgrade error. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth”.
Open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.
Then type in the following commands and make sure to hit Enter right after you type each one of them:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.
Option 5 – Run Microsoft’s online troubleshooter
Running Microsoft’s online troubleshooter might also help you fix the Windows Update Error 0x80070422. This online troubleshooter is known to help in fixing Windows Update errors, it scans your computer for issues that might be causing the problem and then fixes them automatically.
If you are trying to run a Windows Service like the Diagnostic Policy Service and encounter an error instead that says, “Windows could not start the Diagnostic Policy Service”, worry not for this post will guide you on what you can do of the Diagnostic Policy Service is not running in your Windows 10 computer.
As you know, the Diagnostic Policy Service enables problem detection, troubleshooting, and resolution for Windows components on your Windows operating system. When you encounter this kind of problem, you will also see the “Access is denied” error message. This occurs when the “MpsSvc” process does not have the permissions needed for the Registry keys. This kind of problem happens when the TrustedInstaller account is missing the permissions for a Registry key and so to fix this issue, you need to take full control and ownership of the Registry keys.
You need to create a System Restore point first before you get started. This way, you can always undo the changes you’re about to make in case anything goes wrong. Once you’re done creating a System Restore point, refer to the following instructions to fix the “Windows could not start the Diagnostic Policy Service” error.
Step 1: Tap the Win + R key combination to open the Run utility.
Step 2: Type in “Regedit” in the field and tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Step 3: After opening the Registry Editor, navigate to this registry path:
Step 4: After that, look for the “Parameters” registry key and select Permissions.
Step 5: Now select your account under Group or user names.
Step 6: Next, make sure that the “Full Control” and “Read” boxes are both checked, and then click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes.
Step 7: Afterwards, navigate to this registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlWDIConfig
Step 8: From there, look for the Config key and right-click on it and select Permissions and then click on Add and type “NT Service/DPS in the box and click OK.
Step 9: Now select “DPS” and check the Full control box, click OK and exit the Registry Editor.
Step 10: Reboot your computer and check if the error is now fixed.
There are cases when your Windows 10 PC can encounter an issue where it gets stuck and will display a message that says, “Preparing Security Options”. If this is happening to your Windows 10 PC, you won’t be able to use your keyboard or even mouse and your screen will only be stuck on the screen as mentioned above.
As your computer is still stuck, you will be left with no choice but to shut it down and restart it. Tap the F11 key as soon as your PC powers on. This will take you to the Advanced Startup options where you can carry out some steps. If it still didn’t work, you have to boot your Windows 10 PC into Safe Mode and then try out the troubleshooting options below.
Option 1 – Try using System Restore
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 2 – Uninstall the Windows Updates you’ve installed recently
The issue could be caused by Windows Updates so you need to check if it’s indeed the case. The best way you can do so is via Safe Mode.
Boot your PC into Safe Mode and then tap the Win + I keys to open Settings.
After that, click on Update and Security and then select Windows Update from the left side menu column.
Next, select the “View installed update history” option on the right-side column and click on Uninstall Updates which will open a window that will show the list of all the installed updates on your PC.
From there, select the update you want to uninstall and click the Uninstall button located in the lower right corner of the window.
Option 3 – Try disabling the Fast Startup
Boot your PC into Safe Mode.
Then tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type in “control” to open Control Panel.
After that, select Hardware and Sound and click on Power Options.
Select “Choose what the power buttons do” from the left side menu pane and click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Afterward, uncheck the “Turn on fast startup (Recommended)” entry and click on Save Changes.
Now restart your PC and check if the problem’s fixed.
Option 4 – Try running both the SFC scan and CHKDSK utility
You can do both SFC and CHKDSK using Safe Mode and Advanced Startup options. For Advanced Startup options, click on the Command Prompt option and proceed with the steps. And if you have booted your computer into Safe Mode, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + X keys or right-click on the Start button and click Command Prompt (admin).
After that, type in this command and tap Enter to run the System File Checker or SFC – “Sfc /scannow”.
Alternatively, you can use this command instead if the previous command didn’t work – “sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c: /offwindir=c:windows”.
Wait until the SFC scan is done with the process and then restart your PC.
Next, run the CHKDSK utility and once it’s done checking your disk for errors and then reboot your PC to save the changes made.
Option 5 – Try resetting Windows 10
You can reset your Windows 10 PC using either the Advanced Startup Options or by booting into Safe Mode.
Tap the Win + I keys and go to Update and Security > Recovery.
Then click on Get Started under the Reset this PC section.
After that, follow the on-screen instructions with how you want to reset your PC and what files and settings you want to revert.
Then it will reset your PC by reinstalling it
Option 6 – Try to rename the SoftwareDistribution folder
In this option, the Command Prompt is supposed to be like the one in option 4. You can use both ways there to open the Command Prompt.
Open an elevated Command Prompt as admin and type in the commands below and tap Enter right after you typed in each one of them
Note: You can also rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to “SoftwareDistribution.bak” or “SoftwareDistribution.old” after you boot your PC into Safe Mode.
Option 7 – Try rebuilding BCD
Rebuilding the BCD can help you in fixing the stuck Windows 10.
You can start by booting into the installation environment for Windows 10 from an installation media.
After that, click on Repair your computer and on the blue screen, select Troubleshoot and then select the Advanced options menu.
Next, select Command Prompt and type in the commands below one by one, and tap Enter right after you do so.
What software are you using to keep your information and all your files and memories safe?
None? Yikes. Let’s hope no damage has been done to your data yet then. Because with how the digital world has evolved, your data might be getting leaked and you have no idea.
Why do you need to invest in security software?
There’s really no good excuse not to purchase a quality platform for PC protection. Especially since top security solutions are available at such affordable prices nowadays, your wallet would barely even notice it.
At this point, only people who barely use their PCs and have zero sensitive information on them can get away with simply using the built-in Windows 10/11 security software. But we guarantee that those people are extremely hard to find and that you’re not one of them, and here’s why.
Even if you don’t use your computer for things that are very obviously sensitive, such as internet banking, you still have some personal data at risk of being stolen. How so? Well, think about the data you enter into your social media profiles, for example. How devastating would it be if somebody got a hold of any of it? Yep, that’s what we thought.
Credit: FLY:D on Unsplash
In the hands of a skilled cybercriminal, your phone number alone could put you at risk of scams, ransomware, identity theft and more. Also think about the stuff you share in texts and social media chats. Think about the websites you visit and how many times you may have accidentally clicked on an ad, which could very well contain malicious software. Those all seem harmless until someone’s actually used them against you.
Now imagine the dangers involved when you actually store truly confidential data on your PC and browsers. Sends shivers down your spine, doesn’t it?
In the case of a successful cyberattack of whatever type (virus, phishing, worms, etc.), there’s so much that is at stake. Businesses/legal persons will suffer from financial loss and damaged reputation, at the very least. Natural persons may be threatened or exploited, get their banking or medical information and even their identity stolen, etc. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
These are our biggest reasons for investing in Windows PC protection software:
Cyberthreats are constantly evolving to the point where built-in or free software won’t cut it anymore.
Those working remotely can have peace of mind knowing both personal and business data is completely secure.
Businesses using top security solutions ensure their customers trust them.
Data breaches are a pain in the you-know-what to handle. Fighting a cyberattack and going back to normal is a demanding process, and not to mention the stress it’ll cause. We’d rather prevent all that by using trustworthy security products!
It helps parents worry a little less about their children’s safety in the online world.
Added bonus: with most products, you get an ad-free browsing experience!
Obviously, there are a lot more reasons to get your PC secured. But we think you get it. So let’s cut to the chase and take a look at our 6 favorite protection solutions and the wonders they can do for you.
*Note that in this article we’re looking at products primarily suited for households and home offices, some for small businesses. No enterprise solutions will make the list today, but stay tuned for a future article on those.
Top 6 best PC protection solutions
1. Bitdefender Total & Internet Security\
One of the biggest security product vendors out there, Bitdefender offers several awesome solutions. We want to introduce two of our favorites, Bitdefender Total Security and Bitdefender Internet Security.
Bitdefender Total Security is great for both households and smaller offices. You can choose to protect 5 or 10 devices, and not necessarily just Windows devices. It also works for macOS, Android and iOS. It offers a range of powerful features, such as:
Real-time data protection
Webcam and microphone protection
Device optimization options
Anti-phishing/-fraud/-spam technology
Ransomware protection
Anti-loss and anti-theft tools
VPN and privacy firewall
Anti-tracking technology
Parental controls
24/7 support
Bitdefender Internet Security shares almost all of these features, but there are a few important differences to note. Unlike Total Security, Internet Security has more options in terms of the number of protected devices: 1, 3, 5 or 10. However it’s only compatible with the Windows platform and it doesn’t offer device optimization tools or anti-theft options. Whether or not this is a deal-breaker depends on your needs alone - we still find it a great security tool.
Credit: Firmbee.com on Unsplash
2. ESET Internet Security
An award-winning Windows security product, ESET Internet Security is essential on this list. It has an outstanding protection rate of 99.9% and a range of amazing options you’ll definitely want to make use of. It can be installed on up to 10 devices, making it an awesome tool for your household, home office or a small business. It’s also compatible with macOS and Android.
These are ESET Internet Security’s best features:
Protection against ransomware and spyware
Protection against malware specifically designed to avoid detection
In-depth scans when the computer is not in use
Firewall to prevent unauthorized access to your PC
Anti-spam tool
Anti-phishing and botnet protection technologies
Tool to scan your router and smart devices for vulnerabilities
Special browser for secure internet banking
Parental controls
Prevention of unauthorized webcam access
If you ask us, ESET has it all!
Credit: rupixen.com on Unsplash
3. Kaspersky Total & Internet Security
Having a deja vu? Didn’t you just read Total Security and Internet Security somewhere? Oh, that’s right - the first entry on our list! But here we’re talking about Kaspersky, a vendor you’ve also definitely heard about before.
Just like Bitdefender, Kaspersky is another one of those renowned names in the cybersecurity world that always make it to every ‘best of’ list. And for good reason - its products really fulfill their purpose. So let’s take a closer look at the two we chose.
These are the features both Kaspersky Total Security and Kaspersky Internet Security have in common:
Real-time virus and spyware blocking
Webcam protection
Wi-Fi security notifications
Advanced identity theft protection
Free technical support on several channels
Remote security management
Multiple devices (up to 10)
The main difference between Kaspersky Total Security and Internet Security is that the former offers more capabilities. These are the features KTS offers that KIS does not:
System cleanup
File shredding
Password management
Data backup and encryption
Both are excellent security tools, though we do prefer KTS a little more because of these additional options.
4. Norton 360 Deluxe
Of course one of the industry-leading solutions makes the list. Norton 360 Deluxe can protect up to 5 devices, be it Windows, iOS, macOS or Android. It’s worth noting that its features are best developed for Windows. Here’s what you get with Norton 360 Deluxe:
Protection against viruses, hackers, malware
100% virus protection promise
VPN included for all devices
Unlimited VPN on Windows
Password manager
Parental controls
So is there anything aside from these standard protection features that makes it such a favorite among us techies? Let us tell you! Norton added a little bit of spice here with two really powerful capabilities. The Deluxe product offers 50GB of cloud backup and dark web monitoring. The latter means the software notifies you if any of your personal information is found on the dark web, which helps protect you against identity theft.
Credit: Luke Peters on Unsplash
5. McAfee Antivirus
Don’t be misled by the name of this product. Antivirus software may have started as protection against viruses only, but it’s developed quite a lot. The name simply stuck. All that to say that McAfee Antivirus - another award-winning security solution - protects you against several different threats.
The basic and essential plan allow 1 and 5 devices respectively, while McAfee+ Premium and Advanced work on an unlimited number of devices. The latter two also offer more capabilities, as you can imagine. Here’s what you can expect from all of them:
Secure unlimited VPN
File shredder to delete sensitive files completely
Ultimate safety while browsing
Protection against hackers
100% virus protection promise
Advanced firewall to block dangerous traffic
Online support from specialists
Protection score (shows how safe you are and detects vulnerabilities)
Identity monitoring (notifies you if any of your information is on the dark web)
Password management
Unlike the previous products, McAfee Antivirus does not offer parental controls. Otherwise it’s a pretty strong and comprehensive protection tool and might just be the right choice for you!
6. Trend Micro Maximum Security
Last but definitely not least, we’ve got Maximum Security by Trend Micro. And yes, you guessed it, Trend Micro is also an award winner in terms of cybersecurity. Its products have been recognized as industry-leading security solutions by AV-Test since 2003. Among all its fantastic solutions, our favorite for households or small offices is Maximum Security.
You can use Trend Micro Maximum Security to protect 3-5 devices for a year or two years before needing to renew your license. Aside from Windows, it’s compatible with iOS, Android, Mac and Chromebook devices. Here’s what you can expect from this protection software:
Powerful malware protection
Phishing detection and prevention (email)
Password management and protection
Maximum security for online banking and shopping
System optimization
Social media privacy protection
Parental controls
24/7 technical support
No notifications during gaming
It’s truly one of the most effective platforms out there dedicated to protecting your digital life. Using this product, ransomware, identity thieves and malicious websites don’t stand a chance.
The bottom line
If you’ve made it all the way here, congratulations, you’ve made the right choice: to invest in securing your valuable data! Now the question is: which one of these 6 awesome antivirus/antimalware products to select?
The paradox of choice is a very real thing - we feel you. As mentioned, it comes down to what your specific needs are. So before you go ahead and purchase your security software, make sure to explore all options.
And if you really can’t handle the decision-making anxiety, feel free to reach out. We’ll happily assist you in finding the right product to keep your digital life secure!
This post will guide you through fixing the INTERNAL_POWER_ERROR Blue Screen Error on your Windows 10 computer. If you encounter this kind of Blue Screen of Death error, this means that the policy manager experienced a fatal error which in turn means that it can happen because of Drivers or Software or even due to external hardware. And so to resolve the issue, here are some suggestions that might be of help.
Option 1 – Update the Device drivers
As mentioned, the INTERNAL_POWER_ERROR BSOD error might have something to do with the drivers. It could be that the drivers are outdated so you need to update them in order to resolve the issue.
Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. If you see a red or yellow sign that shows up against the driver, right-click on the driver’s name and select “Update Driver Software” or “Uninstall”. And if you find any drivers with a label saying, “Unknown device”, you need to update them as well.
Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.
Restart your PC.
Option 2 – Check the Device performance and health
You can also try checking the device's performance and health in the Windows Defender Security Center.
Open the Windows Defender Security Center.
From there, check if there is a yellow exclamation icon in the Device performance and health section.
After that, click on the View report option and you might see Health Report that points towards Storage Capacity, Device Drivers, or Apps and Software which should give you an idea of what the root cause of the problem really is.
Option 3 – Try to run the Chkdsk utility
Running the CHKDSK utility might also help you resolve the INTERNAL_POWER_ERROR Blue Screen error. If your hard drive has issues with integrity, the update will really fail as the system will think that it’s not healthy and that’s where the CHKDSK utility comes in. The CHKDSK utility repairs hard drive errors that might be causing the problem.
Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /f /r
Wait for the process to be completed and then restart your computer.
Option 4 – Try increasing the size of the Hibernation file
In the Cortana search box, type “command prompt” in the field, and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
Next, type in the following command and hit Enter to execute it:
powercfg /hibernate /size 100
Note that the default size of the Hibernation file is 75% and after executing the command, it should increase to 100%. Now exit Command Prompt and check if the problem’s now fixed or not.
Option 5 – Try to run the troubleshooters
Blue Screen Troubleshooter:
Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.
Performance Troubleshooter:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Type “msdt.exe /id PerformanceDiagnostic” in the field and hit Enter to open the Performance troubleshooter.
Then click on Next to get started. Wait until the process is completed.
System Maintenance Troubleshooter:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Type “msdt.exe /id MaintenanceDiagnostic” in the field and hit Enter to open the System Maintenance Troubleshooter.
After that, click on Next to start troubleshooting the problem and wait until it’s done then check if it fixes the problem or not.
Option 6 – Uninstall the programs you installed recently
Chances are, some programs that you just installed might be the one that’s causing the BSOD error. Thus, you need to uninstall the program to resolve the problem.
In the search box, type in “control” and then click on Control Panel (desktop app) among the search results.
After that, select Programs and Features from the list which will give you a list of all the programs installed on your computer.
From there, look for the concerned program and select it and then uninstall it.
Note: If you have downloaded the app from the Windows Store, you can simply right-click on it from the application list and then uninstall it.
Option 7 – Run Windows Defender offline
You also have the option to run Windows Defender offline and scan your computer to see if any malware has infected the computer and the one that’s causing the INTERNAL_POWER_ERROR Blue Screen Error.