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How to Fix Unknown Hard Error in Windows 10

The “Unknown Hard” error that keeps on appearing in Windows 10 can put users in an unpleasant situation. This kind of error leads to the freezing of the taskbar, blackening of the screen, and sudden disappearance of the icons on the Desktop. And each time you try to open Windows, the system will only give you an error message saying that it’s a critical error and some applications like Start and Cortana won’t work. Upon analysis, it seems that the “sihost.exe” is not responding and that it is the one that’s causing the c000021a Unknown Hard error to pop up. Sihost.exe files represent the Shell Infrastructure Host which is an essential component in the Windows operating system. The Windows Shell Infrastructure Host is primarily responsible for handling some graphical elements of the operating system interface such as the Start menu and the taskbar transparency. And so if the Shell Infrastructure or Sihost.exe has stopped, has been removed, or corrupted, you will most likely have issues with the overall functionality of the Windows operating system and you’ll get the Unknown Hard error In addition, the ctfmom.exe Unknown Hard error may also occur due to incompatible drivers installed on your PC. Ctfmom is a process that identifies inputs such as handwriting, languages, and many more. It’s the one that controls the functions of background behavior. To resolve this issue, you need to first try to identify which application is the one that’s running the sihost.exe file. And if needed, you need to either update or reinstall or completely uninstall the problematic application.

Option 1 – Try to run the System File Checker

The SFC Scan or System File Checker, us a built-in utility in Microsoft Windows that can be found in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. This tool allows users to scan and restore any corrupted system files in Windows that might be causing the Unknown Hard error to appear. Before you use this tool, make sure to find out whether the sihost.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you have to remove or if it’s a file that belongs to a trusted Windows application. Once you have that sorted out, follow the steps 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:

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

Option 2 – Try to use System Restore

You can also try using System Restore. This is one of the ways you can use it to back up your PC. Since restore points are created automatically each week by System Restore, you can use System Restore to restore your computer back to an earlier good point in time.

Option 3 – Try to troubleshoot the error in a Clean Boot State

Putting your PC in a Clean Boot state can help you diagnose and troubleshoot the issues in your system. During this state, you can start the system with a minimum number of drivers and startup programs that will surely help you in isolating the root cause of the Unknown Hard Error.

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” checkbox 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” checkbox.
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.)

After putting your PC in a Clean Boot State, try creating a system restore point and see if the problem still occurs. Clean Boot troubleshooting is designed to help you isolate the problem. For you to execute a clean boot troubleshooting, you must do a couple of actions (the steps are given above) and then restart your PC after every action. You might have to disable one third-party app after the other to really isolate the issue. And once you’ve narrowed down the problem, you can either disable the third-party app that’s causing the problem or remove it. Note that you must switch your PC back into the Normal Startup mode after you’re done troubleshooting the problem. Here’s how you can do it:

From the “Start” menu, go to System Configuration.
After that, switch to the General tab and click the option for “Normal Startup”.
Next, go to the Services tab and clear the checkbox for “Hide all Microsoft services”.
Then find and click “Enable all” and if prompted, you have to confirm.
Afterward, go to the Task Manager and enable all the Startup programs and confirm the action.
Restart your PC when prompted.

New Snipping tool redesigned in Windows 11

The latest update from Panos Panay on Twitter is including New and redesigned Snipping tool inside Windows 11. From the shared video, we can see that it includes modern Windows 11 UI redesign and it looks and feels like a part of Windows 11. More things that can be seen from the shared video is that it looks like the new snipping tool is a merged version of the old with snip & sketch. It is good to see that it is still possible to capture screen with easier way natively inside Windows 11 but some more functionality would be more welcome I guess. Users were asking for added functions for a long time like adding simple text for example but from shared video, no new features were presented so for some users 3^rd party solutions will still be the way to go. The new and redesigned Snipping tool will roll out with the next update and we will see then about all new features inside it firsthand. Until then, take care.

Fix oobesettings error inside Windows 11

Oobesttings error is the blue screen of death error caused by some faulty settings inside the Windows registry. The good news is that this is not a hard error to fix and if by any chance you are one of the unfortunate people getting this dreaded annoying error, please do keep reading because we have several things that you can do in order to eliminate this issue from your computer.

Reboot your system

This is the easiest and straightforward solution and can work sometimes since if the system has not been properly rebooted in a while memory could be filled with various processes and it can trigger oobesettings error. A simple restart of the system can solve the issue by decluttering files and emptying memory.

Scan and repair with SFC

If rebooting the system was not helpful and sadly you still receive an error then let's scan and repair system files by using Windows built-in tool SFC. In order to use this, we will have to run the command prompt in elevated administrator mode. Follow instructions closely. First click on the search icon on the taskbar and type in CMD The command prompt will show as a search result, on the right side click on Run as administrator. Once it opens type in following command: sfc /scannow and press ENTER Wait for the process to finish completely and restart your device after.

Repair the system registry

If the SFC scan has not repaired the issue then we will move to the next solution that involves repairing the system registry itself. Please note that you need to follow step-by-step for provided instructions since playing with the system registry can cause some serious issues if not done properly and can even render the system unstable. That being said, let's begin: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open Windows run dialog Type inside regedit and press ENTER Inside registry editor locate the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/ Memory Management. and click on it to see properties Inside the properties right-click on CommitLimit value and choose delete. Confirm with yes. Close registry editor and reboot your computer.

Reset Windows 11

If even clearing key inside the registry editor has not helped next step would be to reset the system itself. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open Windows settings and click on System on the left. Inside on the right part click on Recovery In recovery click on the button next to Reset this PC that says Reset PC Choose between keep my files and remove everything (a better option is remove everything, but be sure that you have all your files on a separate drive backed up) Choose between Cloud Download or Local reinstall. Click on next to confirm choices and after that on Reset to start the reset process. Follow onscreen instructions until it is fully done.

Fix Print Spooler Service Error 1068

There is one service in the Windows operating system that is responsible for managing all the print jobs as well as handles the interaction with the printer. This service is known as the Print Spooler service. However, if it stops running, then you won’t be able to print anything on your computer. In such a case, you can try to restart the Print Spooler service, and to do that, you have to open the Windows Services Manager and look for the Print Spooler Service. Once you found it, right-click on it and select Restart. If it isn’t running, select Start and if the Service starts working again, then good but if not and you got an error message instead that says, “Windows could not start the Print Spooler service on Local Computer, Error 1068, The dependency service or group failed to start”, then read on as this post will give you a couple of suggestions you can try to resolve the issue. The reason why you could not start the service is most likely because the Print Spooler service is dependent on other services which might not be properly running. If the following services are not running then it’s no wonder why you’re getting the error.

HTTP Service
Remote Procedure Control (RPC) Service

You might not see the RPC service which means that the Print Spooler Service does not recognize its dependency on the RPC service. In such a case, you have to manually configure the dependency by following the options given below.

Option 1 – Try configuring the dependency via CMD

The first thing you have to do is to configure the dependency using CMD. Refer to the steps below to do so:

Open an elevated Command Prompt.
Then type in “sc config spooler depend= RPCSS” and hit Enter.
After the command has been executed, restart your computer and then check if it fixed the problem. If not, proceed to the next given option below.

Option 2 – Fix dependency via the Registry Editor

You can also resolve dependency using the Registry Editor. How? Refer to these steps:

Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
After that, navigate to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesSpooler
Next, right-click on the “DependOnService” entry located on the right pane and select Modify.
Now change its value data to “RPCSS” and click OK to save the changes made and then exit the Registry Editor.
Reboot your computer and see if the issue is resolved.

Option 3 – Try running the Printer Troubleshooter

Another option you can check out is the Printer Troubleshooter. This built-in troubleshooter in Windows 10 can help you fix most print issues. It checks if you have the latest printer drivers and then tries to fix and update them automatically. Aside from that, it also checks if you have connectivity issues or if the Print Spooler and the required Services are running fine. To run it, follow the steps below.

Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “exe /id PrinterDiagnostic” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the Printer Troubleshooter.
Then click the Next button and follow the next on-screen instructions to fix the issue with the printer.

"Stop Running This Script" Error - How to Fix It

Stop Running This Script Error - What is it?

"Stop Running This Script" Error is a Windows Internet Explorer error message that is displayed in the following format with a yes and a no button:

Stop running this script?

A Script on this page is causing your web browser to run slowly. If it continues to run, your computer might become unresponsive. This occurs when some scripts take an excessive amount of time to run. To be precise, there are some websites that use JavaScript, JQuery, and Active X scripts to run. These scripts are notorious for taking too much time to run. So, if you use the Internet Explorer as your web browser, then by default if the website takes a long time to load, the ‘Stop running this script error will be triggered. Other than this, if you are scripting an Active X control on the web page to transfer a very heavy file or run a huge database query, this may cause delays and lead to the error display. However, if you use Firefox, then the ‘Stop running this script error code will be promoted as ‘Unresponsive Script’ error.

Solution

Error Causes

The ‘Stop running this script error code’ is triggered due to multiple reasons. These include:

Webpage programming errors
Running a pop-up killer
Spyware and viral infection
Active X control errors

Further Information and Manual Repair

Here are some of the best methods that you can try to resolve Internet Explorer’s ‘stop running this script error’ on your PC:

1. Change the Internet Explorer Settings

This can be done by opening Internet Explorer and in the top menu, click on Tools, and then go to Internet Options. Now click on the Advanced Tab option. Locate where it says ‘Disable Script Debugging’. Once you find it uncheck the box beside it. Now close the browser and restart your PC. Access the same website on your IE web browser and see if the website opens. If it does, then the error is resolved. However, if it doesn’t, then you the underlying causes for the stop running this script error message could either be spyware or ActiveX control error.

2. Download Restoro

Whether the error occurs due to spyware invasion of Active X control error, it is advisable to download Restoro on your PC. This is a next-generation, innovative, and multi-functional PC repair tool that has several powerful utilities deployed together in one program. Plus you don’t have to get into the technicalities of resolving Active X control issues. Restoro is safe, bug-free, and efficient. It has a user-friendly interface and simple navigation which makes it quite easy for all levels of users to operate. It is compatible with all Windows versions including Windows 7, 8, XP, Vista, 8.1, and 10. This PC repair tool is a one-stop solution for all your script error repair needs. It includes the following utilities: a registry cleaner, a system stability detector, and an ActiveX control error scanner. It simultaneously scans for ActiveX control errors too. So, if the IE script error is triggered by ActiveX control issues, it resolves them too. To fix the ‘stop running this script’ error code on your PC, click here to download Restoro

MyImageConverter Removal Guide for Windows

This toolbar/web browser extension is ad/search-supported that is typically installed as an optional offer, users generally have this bundled with 3rd party software. During setup, this toolbar will modify the home page and new tab pages to the affiliate search portal MyWay.com using a primary search engine to collect shared search revenue. It will also modify the default search provider as well. While this extension is installed users will experience a display of additional ads and sponsored content throughout their browsing sessions, as well as the possibility of pop-up ads. 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 altered the settings of your internet browser, without your consent. They are designed to interfere with browser programs for a variety of purposes. Usually, it’ll drive users to predetermined websites that are looking to increase their advertising campaign income. Though it may seem naive, all browser hijackers are damaging and thus always regarded as security risks. In a worst-case scenario, your internet browser can be hijacked to download malicious software that can do a great deal of damage to your laptop or computer.

How to know if your internet browser has been hijacked

The common symptoms that indicate having this malicious software on your PC are: 1. home page is modified 2. bookmark and the new tab are likewise modified 3. default online search engine is changed 4. you’re getting new toolbars you have never found before 5. your internet browser displays endless pop-up ads 6. your web browser has become unstable or starts running slowly 7. you can’t visit certain websites like homepages of anti-malware software.

Exactly how browser hijacker finds its way onto your computer system

Browser hijackers can enter a computer by some means or other, including via downloads, file sharing, and e-mail also. They may also come from any BHO, extension, add-on, toolbar, or plug-in with malicious intent. Browser hijackers sneak into your pc in addition to free software application downloads that you unintentionally install alongside the original. Some of the most popular hijackers are MyImageConverter, Conduit Search, Babylon Toolbar, Sweet Page, OneWebSearch, and CoolWebSearch.

Learn how to get rid of browser hijackers

Certain hijackers could be removed by just uninstalling the related freeware or add-ons through the Add or Remove Programs in the Windows control panel. In some cases, it could be a difficult job to find and remove the malicious piece because the associated file could be running as part of the operating system process. Besides, browser hijackers can modify the Windows registry so it can be quite tough to restore all the values manually, especially when you are not a very tech-savvy person. You can choose automatic browser hijacker removal by just installing and running an efficient anti-malware program. SafeBytes Anti-Malware detects all types of hijackers – including MyImageConverter – and eliminates every trace quickly and efficiently. In addition to anti-virus software, a PC optimizer program, like Total System Care, can help you fix Windows registry errors, remove unwanted toolbars, secure your internet privacy, and boost overall computer performance.

What to Do if Virus Stops You From Downloading Or Installing Antivirus?

Practically all malware is bad, but certain types of malware do much more damage to your PC than others. Some malware variants alter web browser settings by adding a proxy server or change the PC’s DNS configuration settings. In such cases, you’ll be unable to visit some or all of the websites, and therefore not able to download or install the required security software to clear out the computer virus. If you are reading this now, you might have perhaps realized that virus infection is a reason behind your blocked net connectivity. So how to proceed if you need to install an anti-virus software like Safebytes? Follow the instructions below to remove malware by alternate methods.

Download the software in Safe Mode with Networking

The Windows operating system comes with a special mode referred to as “Safe Mode” in which only the minimum required programs and services are loaded. In the event the malware is blocking internet connection and affecting your computer, running it in Safe Mode enables you to download anti-virus and run a diagnostic scan whilst limiting potential damage. To get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the system is booting up or run MSCONFIG and locate the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. Once you are in safe mode, you can try to install your anti-malware application without the hindrance of the malware. Now, you can run the antivirus scan to get rid of viruses and malware without hindrance from another malicious application.

Download the security software using an alternate internet browser

Some malware only targets particular web browsers. If this sounds like your situation, utilize another web browser as it might circumvent the virus. If you seem to have a trojan attached to Internet Explorer, then switch to an alternate web browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your preferred anti-malware program – Safebytes.

Install anti-malware on a USB drive

Another option would be to make a portable antivirus program on your USB flash drive. To run anti-malware from a USB pen drive, follow these simple measures: 1) On a virus-free computer, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the USB drive into the clean computer. 3) Double-click on the downloaded file to open the installation wizard. 4) Select the drive letter of the flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you exactly where you want to install the antivirus. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process. 5) Transfer the flash drive from the uninfected computer to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the USB drive to run the software. 7) Hit the “Scan” button to run a full computer scan and remove viruses automatically.

Protect Your PC and Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Are you looking to install the best anti-malware software program for your PC? You can find many applications on the market which come in free and paid versions for Windows systems. A few of them do a great job in eradicating malware threats while some will affect your PC themselves. You should look for a product that has obtained a good reputation and detects not only viruses but other types of malware as well. While considering the highly regarded applications, Safebytes AntiMalware is certainly the highly recommended one. SafeBytes anti-malware is trustworthy software that not only secures your PC completely but is also quite user-friendly for people of all ability levels. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you protect your computer against infections caused by various kinds of malware and similar internet threats, including adware, spyware, viruses, worms, trojans, keyloggers, ransomware, and potentially unwanted program (PUPs).

SafeBytes anti-malware offers an array of advanced features which sets it aside from all others. Let’s take a look at a few of them below:

Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes provides real-time active supervision and protection from all known computer viruses and malware. It’ll inspect your personal computer for suspicious activity regularly and its unrivaled firewall protects your computer from illegal access by the outside world. World-class AntiMalware Protection: Using a critically acclaimed anti-malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection which is designed to catch and get rid of viruses and malware that are hidden deep inside your computer’s operating system. Web protection: SafeBytes inspects the hyperlinks present on a webpage for possible threats and notifies you if the site is safe to visit or not, through its unique safety ranking system. Light-weight: This application is not “heavy” on the computer’s resources, so you’ll not see any performance troubles when SafeBytes is working in the background. 24/7 Customer Support: Support service is readily available 24 x 7 x 365 days through email and chats to answer your concerns. SafeBytes has developed a great anti-malware solution to help you conquer the latest malware threats and virus attacks. You can be sure that your computer will be protected in real-time once you put this tool to use. So if you’re looking for the absolute best malware removal application out there, and if you don’t mind paying out a few bucks for it, opt for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To get rid of MyImageConverter manually, navigate to the Add or Remove programs list in the Control Panel and choose the program you want to get rid of. For web browser extensions, go to your browser’s Addon/Extension manager and choose the plug-in you intend to disable or remove. You may also want to reset your home page and search engine providers, and also delete temporary files, browsing history, and cookies. If you opt to manually delete the system files and Windows registry entries, utilize the following checklist to make sure you know precisely what files to remove before performing any actions. But bear in mind, editing the Windows registry is usually a difficult task that only advanced users and professionals should attempt to fix the problem. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing removal. It is highly recommended that you carry out the removal procedure in Windows Safe Mode.

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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\97cef41c-5055-474a-855a-892d4fe3e596 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\d375ee64-f893-498a-a0e9-0e9829c88c3d HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\MyImageConverterCrxSetup_RASAPI32 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\MyImageConverterCrxSetup_RASMANCS HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\1f6f39c1-00a8-4752-a94c-d0ea92d978b6 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\38122a36-83b2-46b8-b39a-ec72a4614a07 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\5354d921-3f52-47c5-938d-77a2fb6defe7 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\71144427-1368-4D18-8DC9-2AE3CC4C4F83 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Microsoft Surface Dial fails to pair with PC

One of the most interesting innovations that were released by Microsoft is the Surface Dial. This only goes to show that Microsoft is very competent not just in hardware but in overall innovation. Although it’s quite a piece of technology and as far as the consensus is concerned, it works pretty well, there are still some issues encountered by users. One of the particular issues experienced by users is that the Surface Dial fails to pair with every Windows 10 PC. At a time of writing, it is still not clear what the cause of the problem really is. However, their possible solutions are provided in this post that might help you resolve the problem. Before you get started troubleshooting the problem, make sure that there are two AAA batteries fitted inside properly.

Option 1 – Check if your PC supports Bluetooth 4.0 LE

In case you don’t know, the Surface Dial only works with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update and later PCs that support Bluetooth 4.0 LE. Thus, you have to check if this is supported or not before you troubleshoot further.

Tap the Win + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
From there, click on Bluetooth and select “Microsoft Bluetooth LE Enumerator” from the drop-down menu. However, if it is not there, then it simply means that your computer does not support this standard which is most likely why you were unable to pair with other Windows 10 PCs. On the other hand, if you were able to see it, then proceed to the next troubleshooting steps below.

Option 2 – Check if Bluetooth is on

The next thing you have to do is to check if Bluetooth is turned on. As you know, the Surface Dial connects to your computer using Bluetooth and so you need to check if it’s really on or not. Aside from that, you also have to verify pairing.

Tap the Win + I keys to open Windows Settings.
Next, select Devices from the menu and click on Bluetooth.
After that, make sure that the toggle switch for Bluetooth is turned on.
Now all you have to do is to verify pairing by pressing and holding the pairing button located beside the batteries and then wait for a few seconds until the Bluetooth light begins to flash.
Then go back to the Bluetooth section and click on Bluetooth or other devices.
From there, click on Add Bluetooth and select Surface Dial.
Follow the next instructions on the screen and click on Done once everything is completed. That should fix the problem.

Option 3 – Check if Surface Dial is connected to another PC

If you think that connecting a Bluetooth device to two different PCs at the same time is wise, then think again as it does not really bode well for the overall user experience. Thus, you need to disconnect the Surface Dial from the system that you are currently using. On the other hand, if everything fails, then it’s most likely that the Bluetooth adapter is the one at fault. So you may have to get a third-party device that connects to your system via USB and then see if it works or not.

Fix The selected disk is not a fixed MBR disk

Both the DISKPART utility and the Disk Management are useful tools in Windows 10 that manage the disk space allocation, and so on. But these tools are not without errors as you could also encounter some when you run them. Recently, some users reported getting an error that says, “The selected disk is not a fixed MBR disk when trying to use the DISKPART utility”. Here’s the exact message of the error:

“The selected disk is not a fixed MBR disk. The ACTIVE command can only be used on fixed MBR disks.”

This kind of error only occurs when you try to activate a disk partition on a UEFI system partition. However, the command works only if your computer is based on BIOS/MBR. The UEFI method has no concept of the active partition and since you have a UEFI system, the disk type is GPT instead of MBR. To simply put it, your BIOS needs the MBR disk type while the UEFI needs the GPT disk type. To fix the “The selected disk is not a fixed MBR disk when trying to use the DISKPART utility” error, there are various potential fixes you can try. You might have to disable Secure Boot, convert the disk to MBR or fix the Boot Manager. For more instructions, follow the options provided below.

Option 1 – Disable the Secure Boot in the BIOS

Disabling the Secure Boot in the BIOS settings is definitely recommended to resolve the issue. To disable Secure Boot, here’s what you have to do:

First, boot your computer into Windows 10.
Next, go to Settings > Windows Update. From there, check if there is anything that you have to download and install if you see any available updates. Usually, OEMs send and update the list of trusted hardware, drivers, and operating systems for your computer.
After that, go to the BIOS of your computer.
Then go to Settings > Update & Security > Advanced Startup options. If you click on Restart Now, it will restart your computer and give you all the advanced options.
Next, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options. As you can see, this screen offers you further options including System restore, Startup repair, Go back to the previous version, Command Prompt, System Image Recovery, and UEFI Firmware Settings.
Select the UEFI Firmware Settings which will take you to the BIOS.
From there, go to the Security > Boot > Authentication tab where you should see Secure Boot. Note that every OEM has its own way of implementing the options so it varies.
Next, set Secure Boot to Disabled and set Legacy Support to On or Enabled.
Save the changes made and exit. Afterward, your computer will reboot.

Option 2 – Try converting the disk to MBR

You can try to change the File System of the drive from GPT to MBR but before you do so, make sure that you create a backup copy of your data to an external drive. Once you have that covered, follow the steps below.

Create a bootable Windows 10 media and boot your computer from it.
Next, click on the “Repair your computer” option on the first Windows 10 installation setup window.
Afterward, select the operating system partition from the given options and click on Next.
Now select Command Prompt within the System Recovery options box and execute this command to initiate the Diskpart utility: diskpart
Then type either one of these commands to view the list of all the Disk connects or the partitions on those disks formed: list disk or list volume
After that, execute another one of these commands depending on the command you previously entered to select the disk or partition you want to select: select disk # or select volume #
Now execute this command to clean your drive: clean
Finally, execute this last command to convert the selected disk or partition as MBR: Convert MBR
Restart your computer and check if the error is fixed.

Option 3 – Try to fix the Boot Manager

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.
From there, select Command Prompt and once you open it, enter each one of the commands given below by sequence.
- bootrec /FixMbr
- bootrec /FixBoot
- bootrec /RebuildBcd
Once you’re done executing the commands given above, type “exit” to close the Command Prompt window and then restart your computer and see if it fixed error code 0xc000014c.

Where can you get computer viruses & malware

From their infant stages to modern days, computer viruses were always kind of here. From simple ones that were annoying with playing speaker sounds and throwing messages on screen to more malicious ones capable of deleting and encrypting files. In today's modern world it is very important to protect yourself, modern viruses are not a joke anymore and they are aimed to create serious damage to computer systems. Where can you get computer viruses & malware

They can encrypt files in order to make you pay for a decrypter, they can straight up delete files or even cause some hardware damage. Like mentioned before protecting yourself is important, but protecting does not mean only having antivirus software installed, information, where are common places in which they lurk and could be picked up, is also very important. That is why we are exploring in this article the most common place where you can pick viruses or other malware.

Downloading Programs

Programs that contain the downloadable files are the commonest source of malware such as freeware, worms, and other executable files. Whether you download an image editing software, a music file, or an e-book, it is important to ensure the reliability of the source of the media. Unknown, new, or less popular sources should be avoided.

Pirated or Cracked Software

Are you aware of software cracking? Well, every time you open cracked software, your antivirus software might flag it as malware as the cracks consist of malicious scripts. Always say “No” to cracks as they can inject malicious script into your PC.

Email Attachments

Anyone can send you an email attachment whether you know them or not. Clicking on unknown links or attachments can harm your device. Think twice before clicking anything and make sure that file type is not ‘.exe’.

Internet

One of the easiest ways to get a virus on your device is through the Internet. Make sure to check the URL before accessing any website. For a secured URL always look for ‘HTTPS in it. For example, when you click videos published on social media websites, they may require you to install a particular type of plug-in to watch that video. But in reality, these plug-ins might be malicious software that can steal your sensitive information.

Booting Data from Unknown CDs

Malicious software can get into your device through an unknown CD. A good practice to be safe from malicious infection is to remove CD when your device is not working at all. Your system could reboot the CD if it is not removed before switching off the computer.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth transfers can also infect your system, so it is crucial to know what type of media file is being sent to your computer whenever a transfer takes place. An effective armor would be to allow Bluetooth connectivity with only known devices and activate it only when required.

Unpatched Software

Often overlooked, unpatched software is also a leading source of virus infection. Security holes in software are exploited by attackers and are unknown to software makers until the attackers release them in the form of zero-day attacks. It is therefore recommended to install software updates as soon as they are available on your PC.

What Is a VPN and What Can It Do For You?

Have you been feeling anxious in the digital space? Feeling like you have a million eyes on you each time you visit a website? It can definitely make you uneasy. Luckily there’s an easy fix, and it’s called a VPN.

In this article we’ll take you through the basics of what a VPN does and some of the biggest benefits you can reap from buying one.

VPN: definition and how it works

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, so its name already says a lot about what it does.

A VPN is specialized software that keeps your browsing private and secure. Essentially it hides your identity, preventing possible cyberattacks and data theft. This is especially important in cases of public network use, where you’re highly exposed to potential threats.

To be more specific, this software encrypts your Internet Protocol (IP) address by filtering it through a server hosted by the VPN provider first. That way, it prevents your Internet service provider, third parties and lurking online thieves from tracking the actual you.

Credit: FLY:D on Unsplash

Some providers, such as Surfshark VPN with its IP Rotator feature, even make it a habit to frequently change your IP address to further protect your identity. With most VPN providers, you can also appear to be in a completely different country, adding to your disguise.

There are tons of advantages you can look forward to if you decide to use a VPN. Take a look at some of the crucial ones.

Benefits of using a VPN

When choosing a VPN, you can find both free and paid options. We recommend you go with the paid ones, since they have stronger security, encryption and data protection, as well as more advanced features. Free VPNs come with limitations and risk of malicious attacks on the software itself.

You can choose to buy a singular VPN service or opt for antivirus software that has a VPN built in, for example Bitdefender’s Ultimate Security plan. That depends on what you use your computer for and how much.

When you pick one, here’s what it can do for you.

1. Access region-specific content

When we said you could change your location, we meant it. Say you’re using a streaming service and a show you desperately want to watch isn’t available in your country. You can use your VPN to make it look like you’re browsing from a country where it’s unlocked.

This option is also convenient for gamers who want to access maps, skins and other in-game items unavailable in their location.

Surfshark VPN (Credit: Dan Nelson on Unsplash)

In addition, you can use this powerful feature when you’re traveling to a region where some of your favorite content may not be accessible.

Do keep in mind that you need to read the Terms and Conditions (yeah, we know - who does that?) of your games and services before doing this, since you could end up getting a penalty. It’s also important to remember that there are entire countries that have strict regulations or even bans on VPNs, for example Belarus, Russia and China. So make sure to be very cautious with your VPN use, friends.

2. Browse like no one’s watching

VPNs shield your browsing habits from prying eyes on the web. Those can be malicious hackers or just third-party cookies tracking your every move to later bombard you with targeted ads. For example, Surfshark VPN features a Cookie blocker that blocks all cookie-related pop-ups and lets you browse in peace (and secret). It works even when the VPN is turned off, which is also pretty neat.

In addition, their CleanWeb 2.0 technology makes sure ads and especially malware don’t stand a chance at all, since they’re blocked before they can even load.

The inability of sites to track your browsing means they can’t collect and analyze any of your data. So, your personal information - or your company’s information in case that’s what you’re using your computer for - is entirely hidden and secure.

3. Save money

It’s well-known that the prices of certain items and services vary based on your location, browsing time, age and many other factors. This most commonly goes for airline tickets and hotel stays.

You can use your VPN to avoid high prices and surcharges. Clear all cookies, turn on your VPN and visit an online shopping site to check out their prices. Then compare your findings with the offers you see when your VPN is off, when you spend a long time on the site or have an active account with the company.

Sometimes this can really help you find the best deals and avoid breaking the bank. But again, check the Terms and Conditions before you purchase something using a VPN.

4. Secure your smart home

The more smart devices you have connected to your network, the more exposed you are to potential cyberattacks. Phones and computers are generally designed to be decently secure even without a VPN or antivirus, but smart home devices leave a lot to be desired in that regard.

Protecting your home network with a VPN software means all devices connected to it are secure, be it an air purifier or Alexa.

5. Prevent connection slowdown

Your ISP can intentionally slow down your internet speed based on how much data you’ve consumed (data throttling) or your activities online (bandwidth throttling).

But with a VPN, what kind of data you send and receive and how much is entirely hidden. Therefore, if your ISP can’t see you, they can’t control you and they can’t throttle down your speed.

The bottom line

You can never be too safe online. So definitely think about getting yourself a solid VPN to pump up your privacy and security as much as you can. And if you have any questions or need help choosing the perfect software for you, feel free to reach out to us.

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