Remove recommended icons from the start menu

If you are trying to install or reinstall a program on your Windows 10 computer but encountered an error instead that says, “Fatal error, Installation fails, Installation ended prematurely because of an error”, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you how you can fix it. This kind of error is most likely caused by some files that may have been left behind by the previous installation of the program. Each time a program is uninstalled, it leaves behind its files and if the uninstallation process wasn’t completed properly, then it would result in errors like the

“Fatal error, Installation fails, Installation ended prematurely because of an error”.

Moreover, this kind of error is a generic one that can also occur with any software reinstallation or installation. And to fix this error, there are several suggestions you must check out. You can try to install or reinstall the program in a Clean Boot State or restart the Windows Installer Service. You could also try to re-register the Windows Installer Service or re-register the VBScript.dll file.

Option 1 – Install or reinstall the program in a Clean Boot State

It is possible that there are some third-party applications in your computer that are preventing the program from getting installed and to isolate this possibility, you need to boot your computer in a Clean Boot State and then try installing the program again. Putting your computer in this state can help you identify which program is the culprit and thus isolates the problem. In a Clean Boot state, your computer will start using only the pre-selected minimal set of drivers and startup programs. Note that you have to disable and enable one process at a time.

• 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 you’ve set your computer into a Clean Boot State, make sure that you’re signed in as administrator and then try to install the program again.

Option 2 – Try to restart the Windows Installer Service

The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to restart the Windows Installer Service. To do this, follow these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility and type “services.msc” in the field and then hit Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
• Next, look for the Windows Installer service among the list of services shown.
• Once you found it, right-click on it and open its Properties.
• From there, click on the Stop button and then click on the Start button.
• But if it isn’t running, then just click on the Start button.

Option 3 – Try to unregister and re-register the Windows Installer Module

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type the “msiexec /unregister” command and hit Enter to unregister the Windows Installer Module.
• Next, type the “msiexec /regserver” command and hit Enter to re-register the Windows Installer Module.
• Now restart your computer and see if unregistering and re-registering the Windows Installer Module fixed the problem or not.

Option 4 – Try to re-register the vbscript.dll file

You may have to re-register the vbscript.dll file using the regsvr32.exe before you can successfully install the program and fix the error. The Regsvr32 tool is a command-line utility that can be used to register and un-register the OLE controls like DLL and ActiveX (OCX) control in the Windows operating system. Follow the steps below to use it.

• Open Command Prompt as admin from the WinX menu.
• Next, type regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll in the elevated Command Prompt and hit Enter to execute the command. This will re-register the affected DLL file using the Windows operating system tool, regsvr32.exe.
• You should see a message saying, “DllRegisterServer in vbscript.dll succeeded” if the Regsvr32 tool was able to run successfully. After that, try to install the program again and see if it now works.

As you know, all the web browsers come with the support of auto-updates which include both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. However, with these updates, the browser comes with the support of a new web APIs and better rendering. Although there could be a lot of problems that may arise due to these updates. These problems consist of depreciation of features, incompatibility with some websites, to name a few. It includes incompatibility with some websites, depreciation of features, and more. This might push someone to stop the auto-updates of these web browsers. So, in this guide, we will be checking out how to stop auto-update in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox on Windows 10. Thus, if you want to be rid of these issues, then you can disable the Chrome & Firefox auto-update and you can do that by either using the Windows Services Manager and the System Configuration utility.

Option 1 – Disable Chrome & Firefox auto-update via Windows Services Manager

The first thing you can do to disable the Chrome auto-update is through the Windows Services Manager. To do so, follow these steps:

• First, tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Next, type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
• After that, you will see a list of services and from there, look for the Google Update Services (gupdate) and Google Update Service (gupdatem).
• Once you find these services, right-click on each one of them and select Properties and then make sure that the Service Status is set to be Stopped.
• You should also select the Startup Type to Disabled and click on the Apply and OK buttons.
• Now restart your computer. This should stop the automatic update of the Chrome browser.

Option 2 – Disable Chrome & Firefox auto-update via System Configuration utility or MSConfig

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “msconfig” in the field and tap Enter to open the System Configuration.
• After that, go to the Services tab and uncheck the two entries, namely Google Update Service (gupdate) and Google Update Service (gupdatem).
• Next, click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made.
• Restart your computer.

Note: Now that you’ve stopped the auto-update in Firefox, it’s time for you to stop the auto-update in Mozilla Firefox. To get started, follow the steps below.

• Open the Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the hamburger menu located on the top-right portion of the screen.
• After that, select Options and under the General panel and then go to the Firefox Updates section.
• Next, click on the radio button for updates but select the option to let you install them.
• You also have to uncheck the options named “Use a background service to install updates” and “Automatically update search engines”.
• Once done, restart the Firefox browser. This should stop the automatic update.

What is Error 1723?

Error Code 1723 is a peculiar error type common in Windows PC. It is related to the Windows Installer package. This error is displayed in the following format:

"Error 1723- There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A DLL required for this install could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor...”

You are most likely to come across the error code 1723 if the Java installation is not completed successfully. In other words, the error indicates that the installation process has failed.

Solution

Error Causes

The 1723 error may occur due to several reasons, the most common being:

• Corrupted installers
• Files are not extracted successfully
• Registry problems
• Missing DLL files

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve this issue on your PC, you don’t always have to hire a professional technician and pay hundreds of dollars to get it fixed. The error code 1723 may not be a common Windows PC error but it is easy to fix. Here we have listed some of the best and easiest DIY ways to resolve this error on your system. These solutions are so easy to perform that even if you are not a computer programmer or technically adept, you can work through them and resolve the error in just a few simple clicks. So, let’s get started:

Solution 1: Install the latest Java Version

If the Java version previously installed on your system is not working properly and showing 1723 error messages then it is advisable to install the latest Java version. However, to do this first you will have to uninstall the old version and then download the latest Java version on your PC from a trusted website to ensure it does not contain malicious viruses and malware.

Solution 2: Ensure the Required Files are extracted in the ‘Temp’ Folder for Installers

Another method to resolve the 1723 error code is to check whether the required files are extracted in the temp folder for installers or not. The error may occur if the location is incorrect and the account is not permitted to extract files in the temp folder. In this scenario, the best way to resolve the issue is to change the permissions of the temp folder. This can be done by logging in to your account and opening file explorer or ‘My Computer’. Now copy and paste this link address in the address bar: DL:UsersUSERNAMEAppDataLocal. Please note, here DL is the drive letter of the Windows drive, and in the username insert the username of the account that you are using. Now right-click the ‘temp’ folder. Select properties and click on the Security tab. After that click edit below the list and press add. Again type the username here and click OK. The next step is to select the added account from the list and tick ‘FULL CONTROL’ box under ‘Permissions for Username’. Click OK and then close the properties. Once this process is complete, now try running the installer again. This will most likely resolve the issue. Nonetheless, if the error still persists, then this means the underlying cause of the error is deeper than you think. The error may be related to registry issues. In such situations, try solution 3 to fix the error 1723 on your system.

Solution 3: Download Restoro.

When the error code 1723 is triggered due to registry issues, then it is advisable to scan your PC with Restoro. Registry issues should be resolved immediately because they pose serious threats to your system. It can lead to system failure, crash and valuable data loss. Registry basically saves practically all the information and activities performed on your PC including the unnecessary and obsolete files like junk files, cookies, temporary files, and invalid entries. If these files are not removed they can corrupt the registry, damage dll files and installers thereby generating error codes like 1723 on your system. The easiest way to repair and clean the registry in seconds is to run Restoro on your PC. It is a smart, intuitive, advanced, and multi-functional PC repair tool. It is embedded with multiple powerful utilities and is a one-stop solution for all PC related issues. This software is compatible with all Windows versions. It is deployed with a highly functional registry cleaner that scans and detects all registry issues on your PC and removes them right away. It wipes out the unwanted files, repairs the damaged dll files and restores the registry. Other powerful utilities that are embedded in this software include an antivirus, a system optimizer and Active X controls and class modules. To resolve 1723 error code on your PC today, click here to download Restoro.

TotalRecipeSearch is a browser extension for Google Chrome developed by Mindspark. This extension allows access to popular cooking websites. From the Author: Discover 1000s of tasty recipes – for FREE! Find creative, new meal ideas all in one convenient place!

When installed, this extension changes your default search engine and home page to MyWebSearch.com. While active it will monitor user activity, recording browsing data, visited websites and clicked links. This data is later used to display targeted ads throughout your browsing sessions.

While browsing the internet you will see additional unwanted ads, sponsored links, and even pop-up ads injected into your search results and websites. This extension has been marked as a Browser Hijacker by several anti-virus programs and it is targeted for removal.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking means a malicious code has taken power over and modified the settings of your web browser, without your consent. Practically most browser hijackers are made for advertising or marketing purposes. Typically, it will drive users to particular sites which are aiming to boost their ad income. Though it might appear naive, all browser hijackers are damaging and thus always classified as security risks. They not only mess up your web browsers, but browser hijackers could also modify the computer registry, making your computer susceptible to other malicious programs.

How to determine if your browser is hijacked

The typical signs that indicate having this malware on your computer are: 1. you see unauthorized changes to your web browser’s homepage 2. when you key in a URL, you find yourself regularly directed to some other web page than the one you meant 3. the default web browser settings have been changed and/or your default web engine is altered 4. you are finding browser toolbars you have never witnessed before 5. your web browser will display constant pop-up ads 6. websites load slowly and at times incomplete 7. you are blocked to access those sites of security solution providers.

How does a browser hijacker infect a computer?

Browser hijackers can enter a computer in some way or other, for example via downloads, file sharing, and email as well. They also come from add-on applications, also called browser helper objects (BHO), web browser plug-ins, or toolbars. Browser hijackers sneak into your computer in addition to free software downloads also that you unwittingly install alongside the original. Popular examples of browser hijackers include CoolWebSearch, Conduit, RocketTab, OneWebSearch, Coupon Server, Snap.do, Delta Search, and Searchult.com. The existence of any browser hijacker malware on your system might significantly diminish the browsing experience, monitor your internet activities that lead to critical privacy concerns, develop system stability problems and ultimately cause your PC to slow down or to an almost unusable condition.

How you can fix a browser hijack

Certain hijackers could be removed by simply uninstalling the corresponding free software or add-ons from the Add or Remove Programs in the Windows Control Panel. But, the majority of hijackers are very tenacious and need specialized tools to remove them. Novice PC users should not try for the manual form of removal, as it calls for comprehensive computer knowledge to carry out repairs on the computer registry and HOSTS file. Professionals always recommend users to get rid of any malware including browser hijacker by using an automatic removal tool, which is better, safer, and quicker than the manual removal technique. SafeBytes Anti-Malware discovers all types of hijackers – including TotalRecipeSearch – and eliminates every trace quickly and efficiently. Along with the anti-malware tool, a system optimizer, like SafeBytes’s Total System Care, will help you in deleting all linked files and modifications in the computer registry automatically.

Help! Malware Preventing Anti-Malware Installation And Access To The Internet

Malware could potentially cause plenty of damage to your PC. Certain malware variants alter browser settings by adding a proxy server or modify the PC’s DNS settings. In these instances, you will be unable to visit some or all of the internet sites, and thus unable to download or install the necessary security software to clear out the computer virus. So what you should do if malware prevents you from downloading or installing Safebytes Anti-Malware? Refer to the instructions below to get rid of malware through alternate methods.

Download the application in Safe Mode with Networking

In the event the malware is set to load at Windows start-up, then booting in Safe Mode should prevent it. Only minimal required applications and services are loaded when you start your PC into Safe Mode. To launch your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 PCs in Safe Mode with Networking, please do as instructed below. 1) At power-on/startup, hit the F8 key in 1-second intervals. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Use the arrow keys to choose Safe Mode with Networking and hit ENTER. 3) Once you get into this mode, you should have an internet connection again. Now, use your web browser normally and navigate to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 4) Following installation, do a full scan and allow the software program to remove the threats it detects.

Obtain the antivirus software in a different web browser

Web-based viruses could be environment-specific, targeting a particular browser or attacking particular versions of the web browser. The best way to overcome this problem is to choose a browser that is well known for its security features. Firefox comprises built-in Malware and Phishing Protection to keep you safe online.

Install and run anti-malware from your flash drive

To effectively get rid of the malware, you need to approach the issue of installing anti-virus software on the infected computer system from a different angle. Adopt these measures to employ a flash drive to fix your corrupted PC. 1) Use another virus-free computer system to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the clean computer. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, with a .exe file format. 4) Select the flash drive as the location for saving the software file. Follow the directions to finish the installation process. 5) Transfer the thumb drive from the clean PC to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes software from the pen drive. 7) Click on “Scan Now” to run a scan on the affected computer for viruses.

Features and Benefits of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

If you are looking to download anti-malware software for your computer, there are various tools in the market to consider however, you cannot trust blindly anyone, regardless of whether it is a paid or free software. A few are good ones, some are decent, while some are simply just fake anti-malware programs that can damage your personal computer themselves! You need to be careful not to pick the wrong application, especially if you buy a paid software. When thinking about the highly regarded applications, Safebytes AntiMalware is certainly the highly recommended one. SafeBytes can be described as a highly effective, real-time anti-spyware application that is designed to assist everyday computer users in protecting their computers from malicious threats. This program can easily identify, remove, and protect your PC from the most advanced malware threats such as adware, spyware, trojan horses, ransomware, parasites, worms, PUPs, and other possibly damaging software programs.

SafeBytes anti-malware comes with a myriad of advanced features that sets it apart from all others. Listed below are some of the features you might like in SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes provides an entirely hands-free real-time protection and is set to check, prevent and destroy all computer threats at its very first encounter. They’re highly effective in screening and getting rid of different threats since they’re regularly improved with the latest updates and alerts. Anti-Malware Protection: Built on a highly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal application can detect and get rid of many stubborn malware threats like browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, and ransomware that other typical anti-virus software will miss. Fast Scan: This software program has one of the fastest and most effective virus scanning engines in the industry. The scans are highly accurate and take a little time to complete. Internet Security: SafeBytes inspects the hyperlinks present on a web page for possible threats and notifies you whether the site is safe to browse or not, through its unique safety rating system. Very Low CPU and RAM Usage: SafeBytes provides complete protection from online threats at a fraction of the CPU load because of its advanced detection engine and algorithms. Fantastic Technical Support: Skilled technicians are at your disposal 24/7! They will immediately fix any technical issues you may be experiencing with your security software. Put simply, SafeBytes has formulated a meaningful anti-malware solution that is aimed to protect your computer against various malware. Now you may realize that this software does more than just scan and eliminate threats from your computer. So when you want sophisticated forms of protection features & threat detections, buying SafeBytes Anti-Malware could be worth the dollars!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To remove TotalRecipeSearch manually, navigate to the Add or Remove programs list in the Control Panel and choose the offending program you want to get rid of. For web browser plug-ins, go to your web browser’s Addon/Extension manager and choose the plug-in you want to remove or disable. It’s also advised to factory reset your web browser to its default condition to fix corrupt settings. If you opt to manually delete the system files and Windows registry entries, utilize the following checklist to ensure that you know exactly what files to remove before carrying out any actions. Please keep in mind that only experienced computer users should try to manually edit the system files simply because removing any single critical registry entry results in a major problem or even a system crash. Also, certain malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing deletion. Doing this malware-removal process in Safe Mode is suggested.

What Is 0x80004001 Error Code?

0x80004001 is an error code that Windows users encounter quite commonly.

This error usually occurs when users try to update an old Windows application or attempt to run a certain application. When this error appears on the screen, the system automatically restarts to stop further processing. The error results in a blue screen after the system boots.

This blue screen is known as the Blue Screen of Death.

Error Causes

There are different files in the Windows operating system responsible for its smooth functioning. Sometimes problems like viruses or incorrect register entries corrupt or damage these files. This is when this 0x80004001 error appears.

Simply put, some of the most common causes that trigger 0x80004001 error are listed below as follows.

• Corrupt or damaged EXE, VXD, DLL files of Windows
• Incorrect entry of registry files
• Presence of viruses or malware in the system
• Corrupt or damaged system files
• Unfinished application installation

Irrespective of what causes this error, it is of utmost importance to troubleshoot it as soon as possible.

Further Information and Manual Repair

While there are several ways of troubleshooting this error, the two most useful approaches have been listed below as follows.

• This solution is for advanced users. Start your system and log on to it as the administrator. Click on the Start button. Now select All Programs->Accessories->System Tools. Finally, click on System Restore. In a new window, select the option “Restore My Computer to an Earlier Time”. Now click on Next. A list of restore points will be displayed. Choose the most recent restore point from this list and click “Next”. Now click next on the confirmation Window again. Once the restoration is finished, the computer will restart itself and you will observe that the error no longer appears.
• This solution is for beginner or novice users. Download a 0x80004001 error repair utility available online. Install this program on your computer and use it to scan for the error in your system. When the scan completes, find if any feature allows you to fix errors. If yes, click on it. Now restart your computer again. You will notice that the virus has disappeared. It is a good idea to use error repair utilities because they scan the system, diagnose the error and then perform the repair.

Use any of the methods listed above to get rid of the 0x80004001 error once and for all.

If you have multiple keyboards, things can get quite tricky. There are times when the keyboard language changes on its own since the keyboard changes while you are typing. The thing is, the keyboard changes because sometimes we accidentally tap shortcuts like Win key + Space key or Alt + Shift or Ctrl + Shift which changes the keyboard pairs or language. Thus, if your keyboard language changes on its own, there are two ways to resolve it. First, you have to make sure that Windows 10 does not add keyboards without your permission. Second, you have to make sure that the shortcut keys don’t change the keyboard language. This second option is what we’re going to discuss in this post. You need to first set a different input method for each app window. To do that, you have to disable the change in layout. Refer to these steps:

• Go to Settings > Language and input.
• Next, type “switching input methods” to open the Advanced keyboard settings with this option inside.
• After that, select the checkbox labeled as “Let me set a different input method for each app window” and then click the Save button.
• Restart your computer.

Now that you’ve disabled the change in layout, you now have to find the keyboard settings. Just go to Settings > Devices > Typing > Advanced Keyboard settings. From there, you have the option to select which keyboard is going to be used for any app. When you change the keyboard every time you use an app, usually, Windows remember it so that you won’t have to set it up all over again. In addition, the Advanced keyboard settings page also allows you to override the default input method which could be different from the first one in your language list. Aside from that, there is also a Language bar option that comes in handy as you can quickly switch between keyboards. And if you removed it, you have the option to restore the language bar back as well. Now all that’s left for you to do is to change the Language Settings under the Administrative tab. A user from a forum that came up with this solution, reported that the issue occurred when he started typing in some program with non-Unicode characters which caused Windows to use the default system local language to interpret these characters even though the language is unavailable in the Language bar. To change the Language Settings under the Administrative tab, follow these steps:

• Go to Settings > Time and Language > Language > Administrative language settings.
• After that, click on Copy Settings under the Administrative tab.
• Now make sure that all the Display language, Input language, and Format are English (United States) or any language you prefer.
• Then mark the two checkboxes in “Copy your current settings to Welcome screen and system accounts & New user accounts”.
• After that, click OK and then exit.

Note: You also have the option to disable those shortcut combinations which can change your keyboard settings accidentally.

Disk partitioning is a concept that’s been around for so long, but is still only familiar to few. If done right, it can help get your computer in perfect order. 

Today we bring you a simple definition of disk partitioning, its pros and cons, and a quick tip on how to do it properly to reap its full benefit!

Definition and purpose

The simplest way to define disk partitioning would be: it’s exactly what it sounds like. It means taking a hard disk drive and separating it into different segments. These segments are called partitions. You can visualize it as cutting a cake into smaller pieces - not necessarily of the same size, though. 

So what is the purpose of these pieces?

Well, when you first get a hard drive, it’s basically just a bunch of unallocated storage space. Until there’s at least one partition, this space is unusable to your operating system. Once you create a partition, your OS will recognize it as usable storage space. 

You can choose to create a single partition and use it for all your files, from program files to personal data. A lot of off-the-shelf computers come with one primary partition like this and a small secondary one reserved for recovery purposes. 

Whether or not you want to split your disk into more than one segment is up to you. We would generally recommend it, though. The whole point of partitioning is for each segment to have its own purpose.

So treating all your storage space as a single unit containing different file types would be like constructing an office building with only one massive room for everything - day-to-day work, conferences, interviews, etc. And all of this for different departments of the company. You can see how this might get a little messy.

Creating multiple partitions eliminates the task of running several different types of files from the same place. This takes a heavy load off the entire process of accessing data.

Disk partitioning also brings a ton of other benefits to the table. An important disclaimer, though: there are disadvantages too. We will walk you through both sides to help you get an objective idea and make an informed decision.

What are the benefits of disk partitioning?

1. Better file organization

This is the most obvious and perhaps the biggest advantage of partitioning your hard drive. 

As we already mentioned, partitioning allows you to create separate segments for different file and data types. You wouldn’t want to use the same partition for your system files and for games, would you? 

If organization and time management are important to you, then multiple partitions are the right solution. Searching for specific files will be much easier overall. Say you have one hard drive, but three partitions: C for the system files alone, D for multimedia files and documents, and E for games and apps. Your computer loads the system from C without interference from the other two, and you know exactly where to look when searching for a file.

2. Easy reinstallation

File management isn’t the only thing made faster and simpler thanks to partitioning. If you opt for creating multiple segments on your drive, reinstalling Windows will be easy peasy. 

That’s because all you need to do is format the partition your system is on. Then you reinstall the OS on it, and there you go. Now you have a clean installation, with all your files saved on other partitions intact. You can even make a copy of your system partition, so you can revisit the exact same installation in the future if you want. And the whole time your pictures, music, documents stay exactly where you left them. 

3. Possibility of using multiple file systems

By now you’ve understood that partitions function completely separately. This means that, if for some reason you need multiple file system capabilities, partitioning will allow that.

One segment could be used for, say, an NTFS file system, while another could run ext or APFS.

4. Running different OSes

You’re an avid Windows user but need to use Linux on the side? No problem. You don’t need to buy a separate computer or anything. The possibility of running different file systems also means you can use partitioning to run multiple operating systems.

Doesn’t that sound enticing? One machine for multiple totally different uses!

5. Backup and recovery made simple

Data loss can happen on any disk, partitioned or not. However, it’s much easier to get it back on a partitioned one. You know where you stored what, and each partition can be backed up exactly as it is. It’s also a lot faster to back up single partitions than entire hard drives.

Ultimately this also means a faster path to recovery. If you lose or accidentally delete important files and data, you might want to use a recovery tool like Recuva to scan for them and get them back. Recuva is even powerful enough to recover data from damaged hard drives. But no matter how powerful, scanning a whole drive is strenuous for any recovery tool. Scanning independent partitions is a lot more convenient than that, and will get you to your goal more efficiently.

6. Optimized performance

Now, let’s keep in mind that computer performance is influenced by a number of factors. Partitioning alone isn’t what makes it better or worse. However, it can contribute to optimization. It’s easier for your computer to scan, say, a 40 GB partition to fetch the system file it needs than scanning the entire capacity of your drive.

7. Improved security (possibly*)

Separate partitions can help make your system more secure. Firstly, they minimize file corruption. If one partition gets corrupted, the others should remain unaffected. And keeping in mind the previous point about backup and recovery, ‘fixing’ the damaged partition would be much easier than fixing the entire hard drive. 

Partitioning also improves security in terms of malware protection. A malicious attack on one partition is easier to deal with than malware on the whole drive. If your system partition gets infected, you can simply reinstall your OS and that should do the trick.

*Do keep in mind that partitioning can’t defend you against more advanced attacks. So make sure not to give in to a false sense of security.

What are the disadvantages of partitioning?

1. Data is still vulnerable

Yes, it’s easier to back up and recover data from independent partitions. And yes, partitioning may help protect separated files and data to a higher degree. But remember: everything is still on a single physical drive. So while digital errors and issues may be easier to deal with on partitioned drives, physical damage obviously won’t be.

If your hard drive is destroyed in some way, all data on it will be gone. That’s why, if you have crucial files on your PC, it’s important to give them the proper backup treatment before it’s too late.

2. Disbalance of space

Allocating storage space on separate partitions may be a little more tricky than you think. You may fill up one partition a lot faster than another. So on one side you’re struggling with space, and on another you have too much of it to spare. Imagine nearly filling up your system partition and then it turns out you need a lot more space for its updates than you thought.

That’s why you really have to be sure you actually have enough files of different types that you need help managing efficiently. Otherwise you’ll just create a struggle and disbalance in terms of storage.

3. Increased risk of error

If done incorrectly, partitioning can lead to more harm than good. Aside from space disbalance, there is an increased risk of incorrect partition sizes and formatting. Plus, human error is also a factor: in a moment of distraction, you may erase one partition when you meant another. Undoing such mistakes will definitely be tedious and time-consuming.

4. SSDs eliminate the need of partitioning

SSDs (solid-state drives) don’t function in the same way that HDDs do. They have faster read times and can organize files on their own. This quite literally eliminates the need for organization on your part.

Partitioning: yes or no?

The bottom line is that multiple partitions might not be necessary for the average user. But if you’re planning on storing many file types or different file and operating systems on the same PC, then you should give it a shot. It’s also an excellent solution for businesses, of course.

And if our pros and cons list isn’t enough to help you decide, you can always send us a message and we’ll help you make the right choice.

Decided to partition your hard drive?

If you’ve decided to give it a go, you definitely should make sure to do it right. 

The two most effective and reliable ways to partition are using the built-in options on Windows or investing in a dedicated partitioning tool, like the EaseUS Partition Master. Which one you'll opt for depends on your specific needs. 

Option 1 may be more suitable for users with at least some level of experience. In this case, you’d have to know exactly which steps to take without making errors. This is done in Disk Management on Windows 10/11. From there, you can select the partitions you’d like to split into different volumes of selected sizes.

If this is your first time partitioning, we highly suggest you either consult professionals for this or move on to option 2. The EaseUS partitioning software is specifically designed for beginners, with an intuitive interface helping you succeed in the process. All you need to do is pick the Partition Master package tailored to your needs and follow their guide. 

Each package offers technical support as well, and even free upgrades (to varying degrees based on your subscription). Plus, all of this is valid for not one, but two PCs.

It’s the perfect solution for a smooth and error-free partitioning process. If you want to organize your hard drives efficiently and make the most of all your space without doing irreparable damage, it’s definitely worth the investment.

California's Department of Fair Employment & Housing has widened its anti-discrimination lawsuit against Activision Blizzard and claims the publisher has been shredding vital documents relevant to the ongoing investigation. A recent report from Kotaku described the department as offering poorly paid, highly insecure positions, with a culture of hostility towards LGBTQ+ testers. The DFEH's rewording of "employees" to "workers" now hopes to take these contractors' experiences into account. "As a contract employee, I feel there's a lot of pressure to excel, impress, and move through the ranks as fast as you can before your contract ends and you're forced to go 3 months without income or find another job," Axios reports one worker saying. "I take pride in what I do, but it feels like it's never enough." Activision's contentious hiring of union-busting third-party law firm WilmerHale "directly interferes" with its own investigation, it says. By going to WilmerHale, Activision appears to be claiming that all work related to the investigation is privileged and can't be shared with DFEH. The suit also claims that Activision HR shredded documents related to "investigations and complaints", against its legal obligation to retain them during the investigation. The relevant parts of the updated lawsuit were shared by Axios reporters Stephen Totilo and Megan Farokhmanesh, the former also noting that the DFEH "fixed their misspelling of Bill Cosby's name". "DFEH is also informed and aware that documents and records have not been maintained as required by law or by the DFEH's Document Retention Notice," the complaint reads, "including but not limited to documents related to investigations and complaints were shredded by human resource personnel and emails are deleted thirty days after an employees separation."

Speculation and answer from Activision Blizzard

Blizzard employee Jessica Gonzalez suspects that the costs of fines associated with destroying these documents may have been an easier blow for Blizzard to take than any penalties drawn from their existence in helping the lawsuit go through. In an email to Kotaku, Activision denied the shredding allegations and issued a statement outlining steps it had taken to improve company culture—including the ousting of high-level executives like Blizzard president J. Allen Brack. The full statement reads: "Throughout our engagement with the DFEH, we have complied with every proper request in support of its review even as we had been implementing reforms to ensure our workplaces are welcoming and safe for every employee. Those changes continue today, and include:

•     Several high-level personnel changes
•     Revamped hiring and recruiting practices requiring diverse interview panels
•     Greater transparency on pay equity
•     Expanded and improved training and investigative capabilities for human resource and compliance staff
•     Created investigation teams outside of business units to support greater independence
•     Restructured divisions to support greater accountability
•     Enhanced review processes to include evaluation of managers by employees
•     Clear boundaries on workplace behavior with a zero-tolerance approach to harassment and other actions that diminish or marginalize.

"We strive to be a company that recognizes and celebrates the diverse talents and perspectives that lead to the creation of great, globally appealing entertainment. We have provided the DFEH with clear evidence that we do not have gender pay or promotion disparities. Our senior leadership is increasingly diverse, with a growing number of women in key leadership roles across the company. "We share DFEH’s goal of a safe, inclusive workplace that rewards employees equitably and is committed to setting an example that others can follow."

California and RIOT

Beyond Activision Blizzard, California's DFEH has also probed into League of Legends creator Riot Games, accusing the studio of dragging its heels over sexual harassment allegations dating back to 2019. Riot denied the allegations, telling us that it "will never retaliate against anyone for talking to any government agency".

You left your computer to go to the bathroom or to fetch something to eat, maybe you have to answer the phone or open door to a friend and after some time you get back to your computer see the black screen, you move the mouse and it starts to come from sleep slowly. I am the kind of person who gets annoyed by this kind of behavior, I like my PC to be ON all time when I want it to be ON and my power plan on best performance so naturally, I have turned this sleep feature OFF. If you are interested to see how you to can turn off your screen sleeping follow this easy guide.

1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS to open the start menu and click on the settings
2. On settings, screen click on system
3. When the system dialog opens go to Power & Sleep and on the right side change all values to never.

Please note that after each update Windows tend to reset these settings so you will sadly have to return to this after each major update.

If you are trying to update your Windows 10 computer using Windows Update but encounter an error code 0x80242006, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you in fixing this particular Windows Update error. This kind of error might be due to mishandling by the operating system. It could also be caused by the antivirus program or security software installed in your computer. When you encounter this error, you will see the following error message on your screen as you try to run Windows Update:

“0x80242006, WU_E_UH_INVALIDMETADATA. A handler operation could not be completed because the update contains invalid metadata.”

Here are some troubleshooting tips you can try to fix Windows Update Error 0x80242006.

Option 1 – Try to reset the Windows Update components

If by any chance that the second option didn’t work, resetting the Windows Update components could also help you resolve the problem. How? Refer to the following steps:

• Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
• After that, type each one of the following command and hit Enter after you key in one after the other.
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop cryptsvc
  • net stop bits
  • net stop msiserver

Note: The commands you entered will stop the Windows Update components such as Windows Update service, Cryptographic services, BITS and MSI Installer.

• After disabling WU components, you need to rename both the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders. To do that, type each one of the following commands below and don’t forget to hit Enter after you type one command after the other.
  • ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
  • ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
• Next, restart the services you’ve stopped by entering another series of commands. Don’t forget to hit Enter after you key in one command after the other.
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start cryptsvc
  • net start bits
  • net start msiserver
• Close Command Prompt and reboot your PC.

Option 2 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

If resetting the Windows Update components 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 this one. 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 3 – Try to disable your antivirus program

Disabling the antivirus program or any security software installed in your computer is always a good idea you can try when the Windows Update process does not go smoothly. So before you try updating your computer again, make sure to disable the antivirus or security program and once the Windows Update is done, don’t forget to enable the antivirus program back again.

Option 4 – Check the Background Intelligent Service and the Cryptographic Service

• 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:
  • Background Intelligent Transfer Service – Manual
  • Cryptographic Service ­– Automatic
• After that, check if the Service status of the listed services above are 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 5 – Run the System File Checker Scan

System File Checker or SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files to good system files. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.

• Tap Win + R to launch Run.
• Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
• After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow

The command will start a system scan which will take a few while before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:

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

• Restart your computer.

Option 6 – Try running the DISM tool

You can try running the Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management or DISM tool to fix the Windows Update error 0x80242006. 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
• After that, wait until the process is finished and do not close the window as the process will probably take a couple of minutes.
• Once it’s done, restart your computer.