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Swap between headphones and speakers in 1 sec

Hello and welcome to errortools another tutorial which aims to make your computer life easier and more relaxed. This time we will be talking about how to switch sound output devices in Windows 10 in a matter of seconds between Headphones and external speakers, Between 2 different speakers, or any other audio output device in general.

Windows 10 with its updates has really gone from OK to one of the greats, little hacks and shortcuts which every update has introduced have really made life easier.

Now, your typical switching from one audio output device to another can be accomplished with your standard go to settings, go to devices, choose audio, pick one which you prefer and click on OK. This way altho nothing wrong with it is a little slow and if you need to switch your output devices several times in a single day often it can be time-consuming as well. Lucky for you we have a quick solution for you.

Switching guide

All right, now in order to be able to actually switch between your audio output devices make sure that all of them are working and that they are plugged in. For example, make sure that both of your headphones and speakers are turned ON and plugged in. Once you have confirmed that everything is in working order:

  1. Click with a left mouse button on a speaker icon located on the right part of your taskbar next to the clock
  2. Click on the small up arrow on the right next to your current audio output device.
  3. The list will open, choose, and left click with the mouse button on your choice.

And that's it, you have changed your default audio output device in a matter of seconds.

The good thing about this method is that Windows will remember output audio levels for each device.

Potential issue

If by any chance when switching your audio devices this way freezes volume control just go to the task manager and restart Windows Explorer.

To restart Windows explorer:

  1. Press CTRL + ESC to open task manager
  2. Right-click on Windows Explorer
  3. Left-click on restart

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Software review series: HWiNFO
HWiNFO (Hardware Information) is a professional hardware information and diagnostic tool supporting the latest components, industry technologies, and standards. It's targeted to recognize and extract the most possible amount of information about computer hardware which makes it suitable for users searching for driver updates, computer manufactures, system integrators, and technical experts too. Retrieved information is presented in a logical and easily understandable form and can be exported into various types of reports. System health monitoring and basic benchmarking available too. If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
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If you continuously encountered the “VirtualBox FATAL: No bootable medium found, System halted” error when you try to install Windows 10 in VirtualBox, read on as this post will give you some potential fixes to resolve the problem – you will be guided on how to choose the ISO image to fix this error in VirtualBox. This kind of error is a very common one especially if you have a corrupted ISO file or if you have not selected an ISO file for your virtual machine. Like pointed out, this error pops up when you have a corrupted ISO file or if the ISO file is not attached to the virtual machine. You have to select the ISO file while you create the virtual hard disk, else, you will most likely face this problem, and to fix it, you need to download fresh Windows ISO, create a new IDE Controller, assign Windows ISO to the IDE Controller and then boot your virtual machine. For detailed steps, follow the instructions below but before you start, make sure that you have a valid and uncorrupted Windows ISO. Step 1: First, you need to open the VirtualBox program on your computer and select the virtual machine. Step 2: Next, click on the Settings button or you can also right-click on the virtual machine and select Settings from the context menu. Step 3: Once you’re in the Settings panel, go to the Storage section and from there, create a Controller: IDE. Step 4: To create a Controller: IDE, click the Add new storage controller icon and select the “Add IDE Controller” option. Step 5: After that, click the Add optical drive icon and click on the Choose disk button. You will then see all the attached and non-attached ISO files. However, you have to add the new ISO file that you just downloaded. Step 6: To add the new ISO file, click the Add button and select the ISO file and then select the .iso file from the Non Attached section. Step 7: Now click the Choose button and afterward, make a checkmark in the Live CD/DVD checkbox and then select the IDE Primary Master from the drop-down menu of the Optical Drive. Step 8: Once you’re done, save the changes made and try booting into your virtual machine again.
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DailyLocalGuide Removal Guide

DailyLocalGuide is a Browser Extension developed by Mindspark for Google Chrome. This extension hijacks your default search engine, the home page, and new tab, setting them to MyWebSearch.com.

From the Author:

The Software and Services are sponsored by third-party advertisements and commercial offers and may also contain links to third parties websites, advertisements, products, offers, applications, and more. By downloading and using the Software you give your consent to display to you such Third Party Content (by using display ads, pops, coupons, price comparison, in-line text, and content recommendations) through Our or Our business partners’ technology.

While installed, this extension gathers user browsing activity and sends it back to ad servers. This information is later used to better target ads. When browsing the internet with DailyLocalGuide installed you will see additional injected ads and sponsored content throughout your browsing sessions.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is actually a type of unwanted software program, commonly a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in web browser’s settings. They are made to interfere with browser functions for a variety of purposes. It redirects you to the sponsored websites and inserts ads on the browser that helps its creator generate revenue. Nonetheless, it isn’t that innocent. Your online safety is compromised and it is also very irritating. When the malware attacks your computer, it starts to mess things up a whole lot that slows your system down to a crawl. In the worse case, you may be forced to tackle serious malware threats too.

Symptoms of browser hijacker malware

Symptoms that your web browser is hijacked include: your home page is reset to some unfamiliar website; you see new unwanted favorites or bookmarks added, typically directed to advertisement-filled or pornography websites; the essential web browser settings are modified and unwanted or unsafe sites are added to the trusted sites list; you find unsolicited new toolbars added; your internet browser will display endless pop-up ads; your web browser starts running slowly or presents frequent glitches; you have prohibited entry to particular webpages, for example, the website of an antivirus software manufacturer like SafeBytes.

Exactly how they get into the computer

Browser hijackers infect computer systems in numerous ways, including through a file-share, a drive-by download, or an infected e-mail. They can also be deployed through the installation of an internet browser toolbar, add-on, or extension. Some internet browser hijackers spread in user’s computers using a deceptive software distribution method called “bundling” (often through freeware and shareware). Popular examples of browser hijackers include Conduit, CoolWebSearch, Coupon Server, OneWebSearch, RocketTab, Searchult.com, Snap.do, and Delta Search.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

Some browser hijacking could be simply stopped by discovering and removing the corresponding malware program from your control panel. However, most browser hijackers are hard to eliminate manually. Irrespective of how much you attempt to get rid of it, it can keep returning over and over. Apart from that, manual removal expects you to do many time-consuming and complicated actions that are hard to accomplish for novice computer users. An anti-malware program is extremely effective with regards to finding out and eliminating browser hijackers that normal anti-virus software has missed. SafeBytes Anti-Malware detects all types of hijackers – such as DailyLocalGuide – and eliminates every trace quickly and efficiently.

What To Do If You Cannot Install Safebytes Anti-Malware?

Malware can cause many different types of damage to PCs, networks, and data. Certain malware types modify internet browser settings by including a proxy server or modify the PC’s DNS configuration settings. When this happens, you’ll be unable to visit certain or all websites, and therefore unable to download or install the required security software to eliminate the computer virus. If you’re reading this, you probably have affected by malware that prevents you from installing a computer security application such as Safebytes Antimalware on your PC. There are some solutions you can try to get around with this particular problem.

Remove malware in Safe Mode

The Windows OS has a special mode referred to as “Safe Mode” where just the minimum required programs and services are loaded. In case the malware is set to load immediately when the computer starts, switching into this mode may well prevent it from doing so. To start the computer into Safe Mode, hit the “F8” key on your keyboard right before the Windows boot screen shows up; Or right after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, check Safe Boot under Boot tab, and then click Apply. Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can attempt to install your antivirus program without the hindrance of the malicious software. Right after installation, run the malware scanner to remove most standard infections.

Obtain the security software in an alternate internet browser

Some viruses might target vulnerabilities of a particular browser that obstruct the downloading process. If you appear to have malware attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to a different internet browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your favorite antivirus program – Safebytes.

Create a portable antivirus for eliminating viruses

Here’s another solution which is utilizing a portable USB anti-virus software that can check your system for malicious software without the need for installation. Adopt these measures to employ a USB drive to fix your corrupted computer. 1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free computer. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Choose a USB flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you where you intend to install the application. Follow the directions to finish the installation process. 5) Transfer the USB drive from the clean computer to the infected PC. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the flash drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and clean-up up all types of malware.

Highlights of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Do you wish to install the best anti-malware program for your laptop? There are numerous applications available that come in free and paid versions for Windows systems. A few of them are excellent, some are decent, while some will destroy your computer themselves! You have to look for a product that has got a good reputation and detects not just computer viruses but other sorts of malware also. With regards to commercial antimalware tool options, many people go with well-known brands, like SafeBytes, and they are very happy with it. SafeBytes anti-malware is a trustworthy tool that not only secures your computer permanently but is also very user-friendly for people of all ability levels. With its outstanding protection system, this software will automatically detect and remove most of the security threats, which include browser hijackers, viruses, adware, ransomware, PUPs, and trojans.

SafeBytes anti-malware offers an array of advanced features which sets it apart from all others. These are some of the highlighted features included in the product.

World-class AntiMalware Protection: Safebytes is based on the very best virus engine within the industry. These engines will detect and remove threats even during the initial phases of a malware outbreak. Real-Time Protection: SafeBytes gives round-the-clock protection for your personal computer restricting malware attacks in real-time. This tool will continuously monitor your computer for suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the constantly changing threat scenarios. Internet Security: SafeBytes provides an instant safety rating about the web pages you’re going to check out, automatically blocking harmful sites and making sure that you are certain of your safety while browsing the world wide web. Fast Scan: SafeBytes Anti-Malware possesses a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to 5x faster than any other protection software. Lightweight: SafeBytes is really a lightweight application. It uses up a very small amount of processing power as it operates in the background so you’re free to use your Windows-based computer the way you want. Premium Support: You can get high levels of support around the clock if you are using their paid version. Overall, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program as it has loads of features and can detect and eliminate any potential threats. Once you’ve downloaded and installed this software, you will no longer have to bother about malware or other security worries. If you need advanced forms of protection features & threat detections, buying SafeBytes Anti-Malware could be well worth the money!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to perform the removal of DailyLocalGuide manually rather than employing an automated software tool, you can follow these measures: Navigate to the Windows Control Panel, click the “Add or Remove Programs” and there, select the offending program to uninstall. In cases of suspicious versions of browser plugins, you can actually remove it via your web browser’s extension manager. You will likely also want to reset your internet browser to its default configuration settings. If you decide to manually remove 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. But bear in mind, this is often a tricky task and only computer professionals could accomplish it safely. Furthermore, some malware keeps replicating which makes it tough to remove. Carrying out this malware-removal process in Safe Mode is suggested.
Files: Directory %LOCALAPPDATA%\DailyLocalGuideTooltab. Directory %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkeaafmlcginkhibjjdijabnpfobeibe Directory %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\hkeaafmlcginkhibjjdijabnpfobeibe Directory %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\hkeaafmlcginkhibjjdijabnpfobeibe Registry: key DailyLocalGuide at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ key DailyLocalGuideTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
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Automatically Turn Off Hotspot when idle
One of the useful features that came with Windows 10 is the Mobile Hotspot although there’s a downside to it – it drains your battery faster especially if your Windows 10 device is running on battery. Another one of its flaws in the implementation of this feature is that it stays activated even when the connection is idle. In other words, it is still activated even if no devices are connected to it. As a result, it consumes battery life and affects it. There are also instances when it affects the performance of the network connection. At the time of writing, Microsoft hasn’t done anything about this dilemma yet so in the meantime, you can continue reading this post to resolve this issue on your Windows 10 device. You can remedy this Mobile Hotspot issue by running a command in Windows PowerShell. To get started, follow the given instructions below.

Turn off Mobile Hotspot Automatically:

Step 1: The first thing you have to do is to copy the following command:
powershell -windowstyle hidden -command "Start-Process cmd -ArgumentList '/s,/c,net stop "icssvc" & REG ADD "HKLMSYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesicssvcSettings" /V PeerlessTimeoutEnabled /T REG_DWORD /D 1 /F & net start "icssvc"' -Verb runAs"
Step 2: After copying the command given above, open the Notepad app and paste the command you copied there and save it. And when saving it, select the “Save as” option and its File type as “All files”. Step 3: After that, put “TurnOnTimer.bat” as the file’s name and save it on your Desktop. Step 4: Once done, run the file you just created, and when a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, just click on Yes. Step 5: After you run the file, it will run a series of scripts in a command line which will turn off the Mobile Hotspot automatically when idle. And that’s how you automatically turn off the Mobile Hotspot when your Windows 10 device is idle. On the other hand, if you want to undo the changes made, you can always do so using the steps provided below.

Turn on Mobile Hotspot:

Step 1: Copy and paste the following command in the Notepad app:
powershell -windowstyle hidden -command "Start-Process cmd -ArgumentList '/s,/c,net stop "icssvc" & REG ADD "HKLMSYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesicssvcSettings" /V PeerlessTimeoutEnabled /T REG_DWORD /D 0 /F & net start "icssvc"' -Verb runAs"
Step 2: After copying and pasting the command, save it as “TurnOffTimer.bat” on the Desktop. Step 3: Once done, run the file like what you did earlier and select Yes when a UAC prompt pops up. This will run a series of scripts on a command line which will revert the changes back to their default state.
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Easy Remove FoxTab From Windows

FoxTab Toolbar is a browser hijacking toolbar add-on for IE, Firefox, Chrome, and Opera browsers that claims that it allows you to access your favorite sites faster, and improving your overall search and browsing experience. 1-click access to search results, most popular websites, and web services directly from our Foxtab browser toolbar.

Fox tab will integrate itself into your browser, modifying the search engine, welcome page, and new tab. This toolbar may change some browser settings, display unwanted ads, and sometimes displays additional ads from its ad sponsor. Some of the settings that this toolbar changes can lower the security of your browser.

Upon installation the toolbar ads scheduled tasks in Windows, allowing it to run with your browser every time, and to automatically update itself. Several anti-virus programs have flagged this software as Malware and therefore it is classified as a browser hijacker and recommended for optional removal.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijackers (sometimes called hijackware) are a type of malicious software that modifies internet browser settings without the user’s knowledge or approval. These types of hijacks are rising at an astonishing rate across the world, and they can be actually nefarious and sometimes dangerous too. They are created to interfere with web browser programs for many different reasons. Often, hijackers will force hits to internet sites of their choice either to increase targeted traffic generating higher ad revenue, or to gain a commission for every user visiting there. Although it might appear harmless, these tools are made by malicious people who always try to take full advantage of you, so that hackers can earn money from your naivety and distraction. What’s more, hijackers can make the whole infected system fragile – other destructive malware and viruses will take hold of these opportunities to get into your computer system effortlessly.

How to know whether the browser is hijacked?

Symptoms that your internet browser is hijacked include: 1. your home page has been reset to some unknown webpage 2. bookmark and the new tab are also changed 3. default web engine is changed 4. you see unwanted new toolbars added 5. you’ll notice random pop-ups start showing regularly 6. your web browser starts running sluggishly or exhibits frequent glitches 7. Inability to navigate to particular sites, particularly anti-malware as well as other computer security software webpages.

How it infects your PC

Browser hijackers infect PCs in numerous ways, including via a file-share, a drive-by download, or an infected email. They can also be deployed via the installation of an internet browser toolbar, extension, or add-on. Also, certain shareware and freeware can put the hijacker in your PC through “bundling”. Browser hijackers can record user keystrokes to collect potentially invaluable information that leads to privacy issues, cause instability on systems, drastically disrupt the user experience, and ultimately slow down the PC to a point where it becomes unusable.

Tips on how to get rid of browser hijackers

Certain kinds of browser hijackers can be removed from your computer by deleting malicious applications or any other recently added freeware. Often, it can be a tough task to find and eliminate the malicious component because the associated file might be running as part of the operating system process. Also, manual removals require in-depth system understanding and thus can be a very difficult task for beginner computer users. Professionals always suggest users remove any malicious software including browser hijacker by using an automatic removal tool, which is easier, safer, and quicker than the manual removal process. Safebytes Anti-Malware detects all kinds of hijackers – including FoxTab – and eliminates every trace efficiently and quickly. Employ a pc optimizer along with your antivirus software to solve various computer registry problems, eliminate system vulnerabilities, and boost your computer performance.

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

Malware may cause many different types of damage to computer systems, networks, and data. Some malware is meant to interfere with or prevent things that you wish to do on your PC. It may well not permit you to download anything from the internet or prevent you from accessing some or all of the sites, particularly the anti-malware sites. If you’re reading this, you may have affected by a virus that stops you from downloading a computer security program like Safebytes Anti-Malware. There are a few steps you can take to get around this problem.

Download the software in Safe Mode with Networking

If any virus is set to load automatically when Microsoft Windows starts, getting into Safe Mode could very well block the attempt. Just the minimum required programs and services are loaded when you start your PC in Safe Mode. To start your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers in Safe Mode with Networking, please do as instructed below. 1) Tap the F8 key repeatedly as soon as your system boots, but before the large windows logo comes up. This would conjure up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Choose Safe Mode with Networking using arrow keys and hit ENTER. 3) When this mode loads, you will have the internet. Now, get the virus removal software you want by utilizing the internet browser. To install the software, follow the guidelines within the setup wizard. 4) Immediately after installation, do a complete scan and let the program remove the threats it finds.

Download the antivirus program in a different web browser

Some malware mainly targets particular browsers. If this is your situation, employ another web browser as it could circumvent the computer virus. In the event you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by malware or otherwise compromised by online hackers, the ideal course of action would be to switch over to a different browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to download your favorite computer security application – Safebytes Anti-Malware. Create a bootable USB anti-virus drive Another option is to make a portable anti-malware program onto your USB flash drive. Try these simple measures to clean up your infected PC using a portable antivirus. 1) Make use of another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the pen drive into the clean PC. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) When asked, choose the location of the USB drive as the place in which you would like to store the software files. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation. 5) Disconnect the USB drive. You may now utilize this portable anti-virus on the affected computer system. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the thumb drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Hit the “Scan Now” button to start the malware scan.

Protect Your PC and Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Do you want to install the best anti-malware software for your computer? There are plenty of applications on the market that comes in free and paid versions for Windows computers. Some are very good ones, some are decent, and some are simply just bogus anti-malware software that will damage your PC themselves! You need to be very careful not to pick the wrong product, particularly if you buy a paid application. On the list of recommended software programs is SafeBytes AntiMalware. SafeBytes has a very good reputation for excellent service, and clients seem to be happy with it. SafeBytes anti-malware is a trusted tool that not only protects your computer system permanently but is also quite easy to use for people of all skill levels. After you have installed this application, SafeBytes' superior protection system will make sure that absolutely no viruses or malware can seep through your computer. SafeBytes has great features when compared with other anti-malware programs. Below are some of the great features included in the application. Active Protection: SafeBytes offers real-time active monitoring service and protection against all known viruses and malware. It’ll monitor your computer system for suspicious activity regularly and its unparalleled firewall guards your PC against illegal access by the outside world. World-class AntiMalware Protection: Built on a highly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal tool is able to detect and remove numerous obstinate malware threats such as browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, and ransomware that other common antivirus software will miss. Safe Browsing: SafeBytes checks and provides a unique safety rating to every single site you visit and block access to web pages known to be phishing sites, thus protecting you from identity theft, or known to contain malicious software. Low Memory/CPU Usage: This software is lightweight and will run quietly in the background, and that does not have an effect on your PC efficiency. 24/7 Online Technical Support: SafeBytes provides you with 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and updates for the best user experience. Overall, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program since it has plenty of features and can detect and remove any potential threats. There is no doubt that your computer will be protected in real-time as soon as you put this software program to use. If you’re looking for the absolute best malware removal tool out there, and if you don’t mind shelling out some money for it, go for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove FoxTab without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser. To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.

The following files, folders, and registry entries are created or modified by FoxTab

Registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunrandom.exe HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallFoxTab HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallFoxTabDisplayIcon %AppData%[RANDOM CHARACTERS][RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallFoxTabDisplayName Trojan horse name HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce[RANDOM CHARACTERS] %AppData%RANDOM CHARACTERS[RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe
[/section][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][/vc_section]
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Windows 11 Home edition account requirements
Windows 11 has been officially presented during Microsoft’s virtual event on June 24th. Since presentation internet has been pretty live and busy with a discussion about it, some discussions are positive, some not so much but that is expected and it happens always when a new product is presented. One of information that we have about Windows 11 is tied to the home edition of this OS, Windows 11 home edition will require an internet connection at setup, and a Microsoft account in order to be installed and used. Previous versions of Windows could be installed and used with local accounts but it seems Microsoft has abandoned that idea for its new OS. OS will be delivered mostly as updates or via internet download so internet and online requirement make sense but why it cannot use the local account and must have a Microsoft one is beyond me.
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Printer not activated, error code 30
If your printer has been working just fine and you suddenly get an error message saying, Printer not activated, error code 30”, then something is definitely wrong and it’s not good especially if you have lots of things to do. Worry not, as this post will help you resolve the printer issue. Simply follow each one of the given options below carefully.

Option 1 – Try running the Printer Troubleshooter

The first thing you can to resolve the printer issue is running the Printer Troubleshooter. This built-in troubleshooter can detect and automatically fix the problem for you. To use it, follow these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “msdt.exe /id PrinterDiagnostic” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the Printer Troubleshooter.
  • Then click the Next button and follow the next on-screen instructions to fix the issue with the printer.

Option 2 – Check if the concerned printer is set as the default one

It could be that the printer you are trying to use is not set as the default printer. This is mostly the case so to fix the issue, you need to set the concerned printer as default. To do that, follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings app.
  • After opening Settings, select Devices from the menu and then click the Printers and scanners option.
  • From there, look for the printer you are using among the list of options. After you find it, click on it and select the Manage option.
  • Now click on the “Set as Default” option to set the printer as default.

Option 3 – Try updating the driver for USB Composite Device

The problem with your printer might also be caused by the USB Composite Device. It could be that the USB Composite Device is acting up. Thus, you need to remove and reinstall it. How? Follow the steps below.
  • First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
  • Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
  • From there, look for the USB Composite Device option and right-click on it, and select the Update Driver from the options.
  • Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
  • Now uninstall and remove the printer driver software and reinstall it then refresh.

Option 4 – Try updating all the drivers for your Printer

  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. Look for Print queues from the list of drivers displayed and click on it to see all the Printer drivers.
  • Next, right-click on each one of the drivers and select “Update driver” to update the driver. Do it for all the Printer drivers
  • After that, select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.
  • Restart your PC and try printing a document again and see if the “Printer not activated, error code -30” no longer pops up.
Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your printer manufacturer and check if there’s a new update – if there is, download it.
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Disabling the Blur on Login Screen in Windows
You will notice the blurred background on the login screen right away when you start your Windows 10 computer that’s running the v1903 and up. This kind of blurred background is known as “Acrylic Blur Effect on Sign-in Screen”. This new feature delivers a beautiful experience to users by adding more focus to the login screen. However, no matter how nice this feature is and even if it only stays for less than a minute, not all users like it and if you’re one of these users, read on as this post will guide you in disabling the blurred background login screen in your Windows 10 computer. Disabling the blurred background in the login screen can be done in two methods. The first one is via the Registry Editor and the second one is via the Group Policy Editor. Before you proceed, make sure that you are using an admin account and you must create a System Restore point first. Once you have that covered, follow the options provided below.

Option 1 – Disable the Blurred background in the login screen via Registry Editor

  • First, tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “Regedit” in the field, and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • After that, navigate to this registry path: KEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsSystem
  • Next, right-click on any empty space in the right pane and create a new DWORD (32 bit) and name it as “DisableAcrylicBackgroundOnLogon”.
  • Once you’ve created the DWORD, double click on it and set its value to 1 to disable it and 0 to enable it.
  • After you make the necessary changes, restart your computer. You won’t now see the blurred background on the login screen.
Note: No matter what option you select to change the background, it will stay blurred when you click on the login button. At the time of writing, there is no way to disable this feature in the Personalization section so the Registry Editor will have to suffice for now.

Option 2 – Disable the Blurred background in the login screen via Group Policy Editor

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “gpedit.msc” in the field and tap Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
  • After that, navigate to this policy setting: Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesSystemLogon
  • From there, double click on the “Show clear logon background settings” and since its default value is “Not configured”, set it to “Disabled”. You will see the following description under this setting:
    • “This policy setting disables the acrylic blur effect on the logon background image.”
    • “If you enable this policy, the logon background image shows without blur.”
  • Now click on OK and then check the login screen.
Note: If you don’t configure or if you disable this policy, the logon background image adopts the acrylic blur effect. However, if it didn’t work, you have to restart your computer and then check.
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Fix Some apps need to be uninstalled
When you update or upgrade your computer to Windows 10, the setup will look for the compatibility of both the hardware and software. And in this process, if suddenly got an error message saying, “Some apps need to be uninstalled” or “You need to uninstall a program in order to continue”, you have to look for the program(s) that might be causing the compatibility issues. But worry not as this post will help you resolve the issue. Simply follow the given suggestions below.

Option 1 – Look for the incompatible programs

There are times when Windows 10 will point out the programs that are incompatible with Windows 10. In this situation, just click on the Uninstall and continue button and then wait for the process to be completed. For more information, you can check out the official site Ready for Windows by Microsoft. This site can help you determine which software versions are compatible with Windows 10 and which ones are not. All you have to do is select the Windows 10 version and type your App name, after that, you will see the results about its compatibility. Thus, it’s now easier for you to figure out which software is causing an issue and if there is a new updated version available that you can install instead.

Option 2 – Try to install the Windows Update in a Clean Boot State

Putting your PC in a Clean Boot state can also help you install Windows Updates or Upgrades 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” check box.
  • 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 3 – Try creating a new user account

Creating a new user account can resolve the “Some apps need to be uninstalled” error when upgrading or updating your Windows 10 PC. All you have to do is create a new admin account and initiate the setup. And this is a new user account, there will be no third-party applications installed on your computer. Thus, the installation should go through without any trouble. And in case you’ve already installed programs for that user, you just have to uninstall them all and then re-run the setup.

Option 4 – Perform a clean install

If none of the options worked, you can try to clean install Windows 10. Just make sure that you have the ISO from the official Microsoft Website and then a bootable USB drive to install Windows 10 again. Take note that this will delete all the data from your drive where Windows 10 was installed previously.
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Change Legacy to UEFI without reinstalling
There are some new generation motherboards for laptops and PCs that bring in support for both the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface or UEFI as well as the Basic Input Output System or BIOS. The main advantage of UEFI over the traditional BIOS is the fact that UEFI supports a hard drive that has a capacity of more than 2 terabytes. However, the disadvantage of UEFI is that it only supports the x64 Windows operating system versions and that the hard drive is supposed to use the GPT structure. So if your PC is compatible with and supports UEFI and you want to change from Legacy to UEFI, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on how you can exactly do that without having to reinstall it. There are two ways to change Legacy to UEFI. You can convert MBR to GPT using either the built-in utilities in Windows or using the Recovery Environment. Before you proceed, make sure that your computer fulfills the following prerequisites:
  • Your PC’s motherboard should support both Legacy and UEFI.
  • Your PC should be running at least the 1703 Windows 10 version or newer on an MBR partition.
Once you’ve made sure that your computer covers the aforementioned prerequisites, refer to the given options below.

Option 1 – Convert MBR to GPT via Windows built-in utilities

  • In the Windows Search box, type “command prompt” and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as administrator” option.
  • After that, execute this command: exe /convert /allowfullOS
  • Now, wait until the process is completed since you can track its process on your screen.
  • Once it’s done, go to Settings > Update & Security > Advanced Startup options and from there, click on Restart Now. This will restart your computer and give you advanced options.
  • Next, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options where you will see further options including System Restore, Startup Repair, Go back to the previous version, Command Prompt, System Image Recovery, and UEFI Firmware Settings.
  • Now select the UEFI Firmware Settings. This will take you to the BIOS. Boot Mode is typically available under Boot > Boot Configuration. Once you’re there, set it to UEFI and then save the changes you’ve made. After that, your computer will restart.

Option 2 – Convert MBR to GPT via the Recovery Environment

  • When the message appears on your screen while running Windows Setup, you need to tap the Shift + F10 keys to open Command Prompt.
  • Make sure to run Command Prompt as admin and then execute this command: exe /convert
  • After that, wait until the process is completed. When it’s done, you have to go to the BIOS just like in the first given option above.
  • As mentioned, you can usually find the Boot Mode under Boot > Boot Configuration. Once you’re there, set it to UEFI.
  • Now save the changes made and exit as your computer will restart.
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