How to Resolve Error Code 0xd0000272 in Windows 10

If you notice that your tabs in your Firefox browser keep on crashing recently, then there might be something wrong with your browser. Every time any of your tabs crashes, you might encounter an error message saying, “Gah, Your tab just crashed”. If you encounter this kind of error message then it is most likely that your Firefox Profile is having some issues with the existing installation of Firefox. The “Gah, Your tab just crashed” error rarely happens but when it does, it can get quite annoying as you won’t get to browse the internet peacefully. So to fix it, here are some suggestions you could check out.

Option 1 – Try disabling multi-process tabs in Firefox

Since Mozilla has one process for Firefox itself, while one process handles all the tabs, you have the option to disable these multi-process tabs in Firefox. To do that, follow these steps:

• In the address bar of Firefox, type “about: config” and hit Enter.
• Next, look for the following configurations and set them to false.
  • tabs.remote.autostart = false
  • tabs.remote.autostart.2 = false
• After that, double-click on the toggle switch between true and false.

Option 2 – Try checking your Add-ons

In this option, you need to start Firefox in Safe Mode and then check if the problem is fixed. If it is, you may have to check your Firefox add-ons as well as extensions as one of them might be the one that's causing the “Gah, Your tab just crashed” error.

Option 3 – Downgrade the Firefox version you’re using

It could be that the current version of Firefox you’re using has some issues so you might have to downgrade it, especially if you are already using the latest version. To downgrade your Firefox browser, go to the directory of the other versions and languages and select an older version that worked for you. After that, you have to disable automatic Firefox updates.

• First, click the menu button and select Preferences.
• Next, go to the Firefox Updates section under the General panel.
• Then select the radio button labeled “Check for updates but let you choose to install them”. This will ensure that you will not have the same issue with the new update.

Note that this is only a temporary fix since updating your programs, including browsers.

Option 4 – Try sending Crash Reports

You might want to send crash reports to Mozilla. This way, Mozilla might come up with some fix to resolve the problem. All you have to do is type “about: crashes” in the address bar. This will list all the crash reports. Now send it to Mozilla using the built-in interface. Although this won’t instantly fix the problem, a lot of user finds it useful. And besides, the issue will get fixed in future releases or with minor updates.

There is no doubt that the VLC media player is one of the best kinds of media players available today. However, it is not without any issues and one of the common issues encountered by users is VLC’s inability to be updated. And when you try to update VLC, you only get an error message saying, “An error occurred while checking for updates”. This inability to update VLC can be quite a headache for many users especially the ones who are facing other issues in VLC and has to update it in order to resolve them. So how will you update VLC and fix its issues when you can’t even update it in the first place? Worry not as this post will help you out. Refer to the suggestions laid out below to resolve the issue in updating VLC.

Option 1 – Check if VLC is not being blocked by the Firewall

There are instances when the Firewall like the Windows Defender Firewall blocks VLC for some unknown reason without your knowledge. Thus, you need to allow VLC to get past the Firewall in order for you to fix the issue else you won’t be able to send out a network communication. To do that, follow the steps below.

• Tap the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
• Then click on the Update & Security option.
• After that, click on Windows Security and click the Open Windows Defender Security Center option. This will open the Windows Defender antivirus and antimalware program.
• From there, click on Firewall & network protection.
• Next, click on Allow an app through Firewall. You should see a list of programs. Scroll down until you see VLC and make sure that all the boxes are ticked including the Public and Private ones.
• Once you’re done, restart your PC and then try updating VLC again.
• Just open VLC and select the Help menu and click on Check for Updates.

Option 2 – Try running the VLC media player as an administrator

There are programs designed for Windows 10 that won’t work fully unless some parameters are met. In most cases, starting the program as an admin should resolve the problem, thus, that’s what you have to do to try and fix the “An error occurred while checking for updates” in VLC.

• First, right-click on the VLC Media Player desktop icon and then select the “Run as administrator” option or you could also right-click on the icon and click on Properties.
• After that, click the Compatibility tab and then tick the box labeled “Run this program as an administrator”.
• Next, click the OK button and then open VLC again and try updating it. That should fix the problem.

If you encounter the “Setup has failed to determine supported install choices” error when trying to downgrade or upgrade your Windows 10 computer, this signifies that there are some compatibility issues with the installation process and that Windows was not able to either downgrade or upgrade to another version. Usually, this error occurs when you are using the built-in options in Windows 10 upgrade or downgrade to another version of Windows. This option is mostly used as it keeps the user settings as well as data intact. Thus, you need to keep in mind a lot of parameters before you proceed with the installation because if there is any conflict in the process, you certainly won’t be able to downgrade or upgrade your Windows computer. To resolve the issue, here are some suggestions that might help.

Option 1 – Try running in Compatibility mode

This is the first thing you can try to resolve the issue instead of going right ahead on making a bootable device. So if you are downgrading Windows, you can try to run the installer in the compatibility mode for that specific Windows version.

• Look for the setup file.
• Once you find it, right-click on it and select Properties from the context menu.
• After that, go to the Compatibility tab and mark the checkbox for “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” and from the drop-down list, select either Windows 7 or Windows 8.
• You also have to check the “Run as administrator” option.
• Now click the Apply button and then click OK to save the changes made and check if it has resolved the issue or not.

Option 2 – Option 2 – Try troubleshooting compatibility

This option is almost the same as the first one except it is an alternative way of fixing the “Setup has failed to determine supported install choices” error in case the first one didn’t work. In this option, you will troubleshoot the compatibility issue.

• Look for the setup file.
• Then right-click on it and select the “Troubleshoot compatibility” from the context menu.
• After that, click on the “Try recommended setting” option. Once the process is done, the error message should be gone.

Option 3 – Try to use the setup file instead of an image

If you are running the Windows ISO image for the installation, you can try running the setup file instead. This is because when you try to install Windows from an image file directly, it has to be loaded into a virtual CD drive first, and then from there, further operations are carried out. And so, you can just bypass this mechanism to avoid getting the “Setup has failed to determine supported install choices” error.

• First, you need to extract the disk file to an accessible location.
• After that, go to Sources > Setup.exe.
• Now run the setup file to upgrade or downgrade the Windows version. Just make sure that you do run the setup file as an administrator.

Option 4 – Try to do the upgrade or downgrade in a Clean Boot state

Putting your PC in a Clean Boot state can also help when you want to upgrade or downgrade your version of Windows without any trouble because, 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 issue.

• 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 that, try to install the Windows Updates or upgrade again.

Option 5 – Try to use the Media Creation tool

The Media Creation tool in Windows allows you to use the ISO installation file to make a bootable device that you can use to install Windows on your PC. Note that this is kind of different from the usual installation process as it could erase your computer’s current settings and data on the primary drive. Thus, before you proceed, you need to backup all your data into some removable drive and then use the Media Creation Tool to make a bootable drive.

• After making the bootable drive, you need to plug it into your computer and then reboot.
• Next, tap the F10 or Esc key to open the boot options.
• Now set the boot priority of the removable drive the highest. Once the setup comes forth, follow the next onscreen instructions and install Windows without any problems.

The GeForce Experience on graphics card manufactured by NVIDIA is an advantage for users who loves gaming as it makes enhances users’ gaming experience. However, there are times when it may also encounter some problems. One of the problems users may encounter is the error code 0x0001. This kind of error occurs when users open the NVIDIA GeForce Experience utility. Here’s the full content of the error message:

“Something went wrong, try rebooting your PC and then launch GeForce Experience, ERROR CODE: 0x0001.”

Errors like this one diminish the overall experience of users due to the fact that when this error occurs, the NVIDIA GeForce experience wouldn’t even start which renders its features useless. There are several potential fixes you can check out to resolve this error but before you check them out, you can try to restart your computer first and then open the NVIDIA GeForce Experience once again, if you still encounter the error, then you need to check the NVIDIA Display Driver Services or update your NVIDIA display drivers or switch to the BETA release. You could also try to install and reinstall the NVIDIA display drivers or perform System Restore and see if it helps. For detailed instructions, follow the given options below.

Option 1 – Try to check the NVIDIA Display driver services

• Tap the Win + R keys to open Run and then type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Services Manager.
• From there, look for the following NVIDIA services and make sure that their Startup types are as follows:
  • NVIDIA Display Container LS – Automatic
  • NVIDIA NetworkService Container – Manual
  • NVIDIA LocalSystem Container – Automatic
  • NVIDIA LocalSystem Container – Automatic
  • NVIDIA GeForce Experience Service – Automatic (Delayed Start)
  • NVIDIA Geforce Experience Backend Service – Automatic (Delayed Start)
  • NVIDIA Telemetry Container service – Automatic
• Next, double click on each one of the services and go to Properties. Here, check if the service is running. If it’s not, just click on the Start button. On the other hand, if they’re already running, just click on Stop and then click on Start again.

Option 2 – Try to update the NVIDIA Display drivers

You can also try updating the NVIDIA display drivers as it might help in fixing the error. To update them, follow the steps below.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Next type in “dxdiag” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
• From there, you can see what type of NVIDIA graphics card that your system is on.
• Take note of your graphics card information and then look for the best drivers for your operating system. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the file, restart your PC.

Note: If you want to try out the beta release of the NVIDIA display drivers, click on this link. Beware though that the beta software is unstable and buggy and may cause some different bugs.

Option 3 – Try to roll back the driver to the previous version

If updating the NVIDIA display drivers didn’t work for you, then it’s time to roll back the device drivers. It is most likely that after you updated your Windows computer that your driver also needs a refresh.

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and then type in the “msc” command and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.
• Under the Device Manager, you will see a list of drivers. From there, look for the NVIDIA Drivers and expand it.
• Next, select the driver entries that are labeled appropriately.
• Then select each one of them and double click to open a new mini window.
• After that, make sure that you’re on the Driver tab and if you are not, just navigate to it then click the Roll Back Driver button to switch back to the previous version of the NVIDIA Drivers.
• Now restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.

Option 4 – Try to run System Restore

You could also run System Restore as it might help fix the error code 0x0001 in NVIDIA GeForce Experience.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
• Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
• After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and then check if the error code 0x0001 in GeForce Experience is now fixed.

Option 5 – Do a clean install on the NVIDIA driver

• Before you do a clean install on the NVIDIA driver, you have to download the latest version of the Display Driver first.
• Boot your Windows 10 PC into Safe Mode.
• After that, double click on the executable file of the Display Driver Uninstaller to run and install it.
• After the installation, open the program. Once you do, you should see the following window on your screen:
• In the program window, click on the “Clean and restart” button.
• After your PC has rebooted, download the NVIDIA drivers.
• Then select your Product Type, Product Series, Product, Operating System, and Language appropriate for your hardware specifications as well as personal requirements.
• Next, click on Search to display the latest available driver as per the information you entered.
• And click on Agree and Download to start downloading the latest driver executable file.
• Run the executable file after you finished downloading the latest driver executable file and then select Custom and click on Next.
• Afterward, select “Clean Install” and proceed. Doing so would install the latest driver on your PC.
• Restart your PC and check if the error’s now fixed. If not, you can try installing an older version of the driver instead.

What is Error 1722?

Error 1722 is a type of Windows Installer error. Developed by Microsoft, Windows Installer is a software component used for the installation, maintenance, and removal of software on Windows systems. This is basically an .MSI file that contains explicit instructions about installing and removing specific applications that are supported by this file for example JAVA and ArcGIS. The error 1722 occurs when there is a problem with the Windows Installer package. And because of this the program supported by Windows Installer Package fails to set up and install. This error message is displayed in the following format:

“Error 1722. There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support or package vendor.”

Solution

Error Causes

You may encounter error 1722 due to multiple reasons such as:

• Windows Installer Package corruption
• Improper Windows Installer Package installation
• Windows Script Hosting permission issues
• Viral Infection

It is advisable to fix error 1722 to ensure the application supported by the Windows Installer Package that you are trying to set up on your PC, installs successfully.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve Windows Installer Package error 1722 on your PC, try the methods given below:

Method 1

Sometimes the error 1722 may pop up if the Windows Installer Package is not installed properly. In such an event, it is advisable to uninstall Windows Installer Package and then reinstall it. To do so, click on start, then control panel, program, and features and then choose the Add/Remove Program option to uninstall the Windows Installer Package on your system. Once it is removed, click OK to save changes. Then reboot your PC. Now download the Installer package and reinstall. After the installation is complete, now try installing the application supported by the Installer package you wished to install. However, first, it is suggested that you remove any traces of the failed application first. For example, if you previously received the error while installing Java, then remove all traces of failed Java installation.

Method 2

The alternative method is to change Window Script Hosting settings. To do this, go to the start menu, open Run and then type ‘Regedit’ in the command line and then press OK to continue. Check for either or both of the following registry keys HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindows Script HostSettingsEnabled HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindows Script HostSettingsEnabled If either of these has a DWORD value of ‘0’, then scripting is disabled. Change the values to ‘1’ will enable scripting and resolve the issue.

Method 3

There can be two reasons for Windows Installer Package corruption, viruses or registry overloaded with bad entries and obsolete files. If the error is triggered by viruses, then run an antivirus program to remove viruses and restore your PC. However, if the error is related to registry issues, then download Restoro. This is an easy-to-use PC Fixer with a powerful registry cleaner. The registry cleaner wipes out all the obsolete files cluttering the registry and repairs the damaged and the corrupt important files thereby repairing all errors including error 1722 on your system. Click here to download Restoro.

Hal.dll Error - What is it?

Hal.dll error is a type of dynamic link library error that is common in Windows. Hal.dll is the critical file in all Windows installations and the error occurs when this file cannot be correctly loaded. Hal is the abbreviation for ‘Hardware Abstraction Layer’. Communication between Windows and different PC hardware is facilitated with this file. The error causes inconvenience and hampers your ability to use the hardware. The error message is displayed in either one of the following formats:

• "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: C:Windowssystem32hal.dll. Please re-install a copy of the above file."
• "Cannot find WindowsSystem32hal.dll"
• "C:WindowsSystem32Hal.dll missing or corrupt: Please re-install a copy of the above file."

Solution

Error Causes

Hal.dll error occurs due to multiple reasons. These include:

• BIOS are not configured properly
• Damaged hard drive
• Hal.dll file is missing, damaged, or corrupt
• Viral Infection

Further Information and Manual Repair

To fix and resolve the Hal.dll error code on your system, you don’t always have to hire a professional technician for the job. Though Hal.dll error is critical but easy to resolve, here are some solutions that you can try to fix it right away even if you don’t have any technical expertise.

1) Restart Your PC

Sometimes this can be a temporary error, so try restarting your PC. If the error is resolved then that’s great. However, if it still persists, then try other solutions.

2) Change the Boot Order

The underlying cause for the Hal.dll error is often not properly configured BIOS; if this is the cause, simply change the boot order of the bootable devices like your hard drive. The BIOS setup utility is used to change boot order settings. This can be done by restarting your PC. Once you restart, press F2 to enter the setup. Now go to SATA operation and change RAID AHCI to RAID ATA. Save changes and then exit. By doing so, you will be able to re-configure the BIOS and resolve the error.

3) Use BOOTMGR

Another way to resolve is to update the volume boot code to use BOOTMGR. To do this, access advanced startup options, open the command prompt and type bootsect command and then press Enter. Run the command and then you’ll get the following message: C: (\?Volume{37a450c8-2331-11e0-9019-806e6f6e6963}) Successfully updated NTFS filesystem bootcode. Bootcode was successfully updated on all targeted volumes. After that close the command prompt. This is most likely to resolve the error.

4) Repair Registry With Restoro.

In case the error is still not fixed, then this means that the problem is bigger than you thought. It may be due to hard drive failure, viral infection, or sometimes because of hal.dll file corruption. In the event of these error causes, it is recommended to download Restoro. Restoro is an advanced, next-generation, and multi-functional PC repair tool embedded with numerous utilities like a registry cleaner, an antivirus, and a system optimizer. The registry cleaner utility:

• Scans for all registry issues
• Wipes out the unnecessary files saved in the hard drive like the junk files, cookies, internet history, and temporary files
• Cleans the disk
• Repairs damaged and corrupt files
• Restores the registry

The antivirus utility scans and removes all malicious software from your PC including viruses, Trojans, malware, adware, and spyware. Simultaneously, it also boosts the speed of your system. It is safe and efficient PC repair software. It has simple navigation and a user-friendly interface. Whether you are using Windows 7, 8 or Vista, it is compatible with all. It can also be used on Windows XP. Click here to download Restoro and resolve the Hal.dll error today!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

0x800ccc7d - What is it?

0x800ccc7d is an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) error message code that occurs in applications like Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express. The error message is displayed as: ‘ unknown error 0x800ccc7d- secure sockets layer ’. Many offices use Microsoft Outlook for email communication and sending instant messages within the office. This is a highly functional application that enables users to interact with peers efficiently, manage contacts, journals, and reminders. However, the error 0x800ccc7d may hamper your ability to send and receive emails efficiently. Therefore it is advisable to repair it right away.

Solution

Error Causes

The error 0x800ccc7d is triggered by the following causes:

• Damaged profile in Outlook
• Incorrect email account settings
• The Outlook installation is corrupt and damaged. This usually happens due to issues in hard disk storage.
• The outgoing SMTP server does not support secure connections

Further Information and Manual Repair

If you come across 0800ccc7d error code while using Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express, then don’t you worry! This problem can be easily resolved. In fact, it is so easy to repair that you can do it by yourself even if you are not a technical expert. Here are some ways to fix the 0800ccc7d SSL Outlook error:

Solution 1: Use Scanpst.exe

You may not know this but Microsoft offers an inbuilt Outlook Repair tool. This tool is technically known as Scanpst.exe. This tool is useful when you need to repair Basic header corruption. However, it may not be the best choice if the problem is big and complex.

Solution 2: Reset Your Outlook Settings

Sometimes this error message may occur when the STMP server requires authentication or does not recognize the senders' email addresses. In this scenario, you should check your Outlook settings to make sure that your STMP username and server are correct. For this follow this procedure:

• Go to the Tools menu and then click on Accounts
• Now click on your email account then check its properties
• Click general and make sure that your email address is created in your account’s control panel. If not, then edit and create.
• Next, click servers and see if the box next to the option that says My server requires authentication is checked or not. If not, then check it to resolve the error.

Solution 3: Disable any Anti-Virus

Another alternative to resolve this error is to disable any Anti-virus or Firewall you have installed on your PC. Once you disable it then try sending or receiving the email again. This usually works.

Solution 4: Download 0x800ccc7d Repair Tool

The fourth solution available to resolve this issue is by downloading the 0x800ccc7d repair tool. Though it is similar to Microsoft Outlook built-in scanpst.exe tool, but as compared to it the 0x800ccc7d repair tool is a highly functional tool. There are many 0x800ccc7d repair tools available but we recommend you to Restoro. This tool is a third-party tool that can deal, scan, and fix 0x800cc7d error in no time. What makes this repair tool an excellent choice is that it can repair all broken PST files and emails, recover Outlook items, retrieve deleted files, recover password-protected data, split files to recover oversize PST files, and more. To access and install the 0x800ccc7d repair tool all you need to do is download it here and install it on your PC. Now run it to scan errors. Once the errors are scanned, hit the repair tab to resolve. So, next time when you experience the error 0x800ccc7d, try using these solutions to fix the problem right away!

ConvertDocsOnline is a Browser Extension for Google Chrome developed by Mindspark Inc. This extension offers users a quick and easy way to convert documents without any additional applications installed on their computer, it also has quick access links to popular websites that the average user might find interesting. While all this may look appealing and nice, this extension injects itself into your browser.

While installed, ConvertDocsOnline will monitor your browsing activity and record visited websites, clicked links, downloads, and even viewed products. All this information is later used/sold to Mindsparks Ad network to better serve user-targeted ads.

Browsing the internet with this extension installed will result in ad placement throughout your browsing sessions. These ads might appear as normal links (sponsored content), ad links, or even pop-up ads.

ConvertDocsOnline has been marked as a Browser Hijacker by several Anti-Virus scanners and is therefore recommended for optional removal from your PC.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijackers (sometimes referred to as hijackware) are a type of malware that changes web browser settings without the user’s knowledge or permission. These types of hijacks are increasing at an alarming rate around the globe, and they can be truly nefarious and sometimes dangerous too. There are plenty of reasons why you may have a browser hijack; however commercial, marketing, and advertising are definitely the primary reasons for their creation. In most cases, browser hijacking is used for earning advertising revenue that comes from forced ad mouse clicks and site visits. It might appear naive, but the majority of these sites are not legitimate and may pose a significant threat to your online safety. In a much worst case, your internet browser could be hijacked to download malicious software that can do a lot of damage to your PC.

Symptoms of browser hijacker malware

Symptoms that a web browser is a hi-jacked include: 1. the browser’s homepage is modified 2. your internet browser is constantly being redirected to adult websites 3. the default online search engine and/or the default browser settings are altered 4. you see many toolbars in your internet browser 5. you might find endless pop-up adverts on your computer screen 6. your web browser gets slow, buggy crashes very often 7. you can’t navigate to certain web pages, such as computer security software-related websites.

How they infect computer systems

Browser hijackers can enter a PC in some way or other, for example via downloads, file sharing, and e-mail also. Many browser hijackings come from add-on software, i.e., toolbars, browser helper objects (BHO), or plug-ins added to browsers to give them extra functionality. Browser hijackers sneak to your computer in addition to free software downloads also that you unwittingly install alongside the original. Examples of popular browser hijackers are Fireball, CoolWebSearch. GoSave, Ask Toolbar, RocketTab, and Babylon Toolbar. The existence of any browser hijacker on your computer could drastically diminish the web browsing experience, record your internet activities that lead to critical privacy issues, degrade overall computer efficiency, and result in application instability also.

Removing browser hijackers

Certain hijackers could be removed by simply uninstalling the related freeware or add-ons from the Add or Remove Programs in the Windows control panel. But, many hijacking codes are certainly not very easy to get rid of manually, since they go deeper into your operating system. Beginner PC users should not try for the manual form of removal methods, as it calls for thorough system knowledge to perform fixes on the system registry and HOSTS file. Browser hijackers can be effectively removed by installing and running anti-malware software on the affected PC. To get rid of any browser hijacker from your laptop or computer, you should download this particular certified malware removal application – SafeBytes Anti-Malware. Along with the antivirus tool, a system optimizer, like SafeBytes’s Total System Care, will help you in getting rid of all related files and modifications in the computer registry automatically.

Virus Blocking Access To Safebytes Website And Preventing Anti-Malware Downloads - What You Should Do?

All malware is bad and the level of the damage will vary greatly in accordance with the type of infection. Some malware types modify browser settings by including a proxy server or modify the PC’s DNS configuration settings. In such cases, you’ll be unable to visit some or all of the websites, and thus unable to download or install the necessary security software to remove the malware. If you are reading this now, you may have probably realized that a malware infection is the cause of your blocked net traffic. So how to proceed when you want to install antivirus software such as Safebytes? Do as instructed below to remove malware through alternate ways.

Get rid of viruses in Safe Mode

The Windows operating system includes a special mode known as “Safe Mode” where just the bare minimum required programs and services are loaded. If the malicious software is set to load immediately when PC boots, switching into this particular mode can prevent it from doing so. In order to enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the PC is starting up or run MSConfig and look for the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you are in safe mode, you can try to download and install your antivirus software application without the hindrance of the malware. Now, you can actually run the antivirus scan to eliminate computer viruses and malware without hindrance from another malicious application.

Switch to an alternate internet browser

Some malware only targets certain internet browsers. If this is your situation, make use of another internet browser as it can circumvent the malware. If you’re not able to download the anti-virus program using Internet Explorer, this means the virus could be targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you need to switch to a different internet browser like Firefox or Chrome to download the Safebytes Anti-malware program.

Install antivirus on a USB drive

Another option would be to make a portable anti-malware program on your USB stick. Adopt these measures to run the anti-malware on the infected PC. 1) On a clean PC, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the pen drive into the clean PC. 3) Double click on the downloaded file to open the installation wizard. 4) When asked, choose the location of the pen drive as the place where you would like to store the software files. Follow the instructions on the computer screen to finish up the installation process. 5) Now, transfer the thumb drive to the infected PC. 6) Double-click the anti-malware program EXE file on the pen drive. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and clean-up up all kinds of malware.

Review of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

If you are planning to purchase anti-malware for your desktop, there are plenty of brands and utilities for you to consider. Some are good ones, some are decent, while some are simply just bogus anti-malware applications that can ruin your personal computer themselves! You have to pick a tool that has got a good reputation and detects not only computer viruses but other sorts of malware also. When thinking about trustworthy programs, Safebytes Anti-Malware is certainly the strongly recommended one. Safebytes is one of the well-established PC solutions companies, which provide this all-inclusive anti-malware software. Using its cutting-edge technology, this application will assist you to get rid of multiples types of malware including computer viruses, trojans, PUPs, worms, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers.

SafeBytes anti-malware takes computer protection to a whole new level with its advanced features. These are some of the highlighted features included in the tool.

Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes gives real-time active monitoring and protection against all known viruses and malware. It’ll monitor your PC for suspicious activity continuously and safeguards your PC from illegal access. Robust, Anti-malware Protection: Built upon a highly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal tool has the capacity to find and get rid of several stubborn malware threats such as browser hijackers, PUPs, and ransomware that other typical antivirus applications will miss. Extremely Speed Scanning: SafeBytes Anti-Malware has got a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to 5 times faster than any other anti-malware software. Web Protection: Through its unique safety score, SafeBytes informs you whether a site is safe or not to access it. This will make sure that you’re always certain of your safety when browsing the world wide web. Light-weight: SafeBytes is really a lightweight tool. It uses up an extremely small amount of processing power as it operates in the background so you’re free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want. 24/7 Assistance: Support service is available 24 x 7 x 365 days through chat and email to answer your concerns. SafeBytes can keep your personal computer protected from most advanced malware threats automatically, thus keeping your online experience secure and safe. Malware issues will become a thing of the past once you put this software program to use. You’ll get the best all-around protection for the money you spend on SafeBytes AntiMalware subscription, there is no doubt about it.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To eliminate ConvertDocsOnline manually, go to the Add/Remove programs list in the Control Panel and choose the program you want to get rid of. For internet browser extensions, go to your web browser’s Addon/Extension manager and select the add-on you intend to remove or disable. You might also want to reset your home page and search engine providers, as well as delete browsing history, temporary files, and internet cookies. In order to ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and Windows registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values as needed. But bear in mind, this can be a tricky task and only computer professionals could carry it out safely. Furthermore, certain malicious programs are capable to defend against its removal. It is advised that you carry out the removal process in Safe Mode.

Error Code 0x80070004 on Windows 10 – What Is It?

Some users trying to upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 reported experiencing installation rollback with error code 0x80070004. This error normally appears when the Computer Name is set to names that can’t be used for the computer. It’s also possible this error occurs if users or program files folder were redirected to a different partition.

Solution

Error Causes

The Error code 0x80070004 on Windows 10 is normally caused if any of the following were used as the Computer Name and the user tried to upgrade to Windows 10:

• System (or SYSTEM)
• SELF
• LOCAL
• Network

Failure to fix this error message might result in others, including error code  0xc0000001. 

Further Information and Manual Repair

If you don’t solve this error, you won’t be able to upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 to Windows 10. Note that this error will continuously bring you back to the original OS unless fixed.

Please note that if you’re not confident in doing these steps, you might want to consider seeking the help of an expert or using an automated tool that will help fix this.

Here are a few methods to try.

Method 1: Check and Change the Computer Name

The most common cause of this error is if your computer uses any of the following reserved names:

• LOCAL
• System (or SYSTEM)
• Network
• SELF

These reserved names are not meant to be used as computer names. If this is what your computer uses and you try to upgrade to Windows 10, you will surely get this error. Check your computer name and if you see any of the reserved names, change it right away.

Changing Computer Name in Windows 8.1

If you’re trying to upgrade from Windows 8.1, you can change the name of the computer by following these steps:

• Step 1: Open the Start menu then simply type “rename computer”. After that, choose “Rename this computer”
• Step 2: A dialog box will open. Just click the “Change” button
• Step 3: A new dialog box will open. Type the new name. Click Apply then Ok.

Changing Computer Name in Windows 7

If you’re trying to upgrade from Windows, you can follow the steps below to change the name of your computer.

• Step 1: Go to the Start menu then on the Computer section, right-click the mouse and choose “Properties”.
• Step 2: A new dialog box will appear. Go to “Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings” then click “Change settings”. In case you’re asked for administrative access, make sure to grant it.
• Step 3: Find the “Computer Name” tab then click “Change”
• Step 4: Change the computer name and click Ok.

Method 2: Fix the “Users” directory issue

If the first method doesn't work, it probably means the computer name isn’t the cause of this error. Another reason why users experience Error code 0x80070004 when upgrading to Windows 10 is if the “Users” directory was relocated. So, when you try upgrading to Windows 10, the installer wasn’t able to find the user profiles on the “%systemdrive%”, where the current operating system is installed.

If you changed or moved any of the Users, Program Data, or Program Files folders, this will cause the error. Before you upgrade to Windows 10, you might be required to reset or reinstall your current operating system (Windows 7 or Windows 8.1).

If you haven’t made any changes or haven’t moved any of the mentioned folders, there’s a great chance that your users' profiles are corrupted. You can also reinstall your current operating system. However, you might want to check for the corrupter user profile first. To do this, follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Go to the Start menu and type System
• Step 2: Click System  then go to the Advanced tab
• Step 3: Go to Settings, which you’ll find under User Profiles

On the Users Profiles, make a copy of all the accounts somewhere. Sign out from the current user account then try logging in back using the accounts you’ve copied. For each account, you get an error, delete it. However, make sure that you don’t delete the UpdateUser and Administrator account ever.

After this is done, try upgrading your operating system to windows 10 again.

Method 3: Try a trusted and secured Automated Tool

If the above methods still not useful, you might want to rely on an automated tool. Find a secured and trusted tool. It will help fix this issue.