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Cortana Web Preview is not working in Windows

Recently, a lot of users experience issues after the Windows 10 v1903 upgrade and one of them is that the Cortana Web Preview is not functioning like it’s supposed to. Even though Microsoft has already replaced the unified search where you no longer have to use Cortana, it is still undeniably useful and is packed with some great features, one of which is the Web view.

Each time you type a search query, it will open a web view where you can see the results using Bing. However, some users reported experiencing some issue wherein the web view does not show anything and appears to be broken and users have to click on the Open in Browser link. Thus, if you are one of the users who experience the same problem, then this post is for you – it will guide you on what you can do if the web preview in Cortana is not working on your Windows 10 device.

To fix the Web Preview issue in Cortana, you can try to restart Cortana or reset it using the Windows Settings app or change the Search filter level. You could also try to run the Windows Store App troubleshooter or re-register or reinstall Cortana. For more details refer to the options provided below.

Option 1 – Try to restart the process of Cortana

There are times when the running process of Cortana might encounter an error and breaks a particular component of the whole service so the first thing you can do is to restart Cortana’s process in the Task Manager.

  • Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
  • Next, go to the Processes tab and look for Cortana’s entry.
  • Once you find it, right-click on it and select the End task option.
  • Afterward, open Cortana again and see if it fixes the web view problem or not.

Option 2 – Try changing the search filter level

The next thing you can do to fix the Web View is to change the search filter level. All you have to do is go to Settings > Search and change filter level and from there, modify the search filter level and then see if it fixes the problem.

Option 3 – Run the Windows Store App troubleshooter

The Windows 10 Store Apps Troubleshooter will help you in fixing the Web Preview problem in Cortana. This is a great built-in tool from Microsoft that helps users fix any app issues. To use the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter, follow the steps below.

  • Tap Win + I keys again to open the Windows Settings panel.
  • Go to Update & Security and then go to Troubleshoot.
  • Under the Troubleshoot section, on your left-hand side, scroll down to find Window Store Apps.
  • Then click on the Run the troubleshooter option and follow the on-screen instructions and then see if it fixes the problem.

Option 4 – Try to reset Cortana via Settings

  • Launch the Windows 10 Settings app and go to Apps > Apps & Features.
  • Next, look for the entry of Cortana on the right-side panel and select it.
  • After that, select the Advanced options and then select the Terminate button under the Terminate section.
  • Once done, click on the Reset button under the Reset section.
  • Restart your PC.
  • After your computer boots, launch Cortana again and check.

Option 5 – Try to re-register and reinstall Cortana

If none of the options given above works, you must consider reinstalling Cortana.

  • First, right-click on the Start button and click on the Windows Powershell (Admin) option from the list.
  • Next, type the following command and hit Enter to execute it:

Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

  • After that, execute this second command to reinstall Cortana:

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}

  • Restart your computer and check if the Web Preview in Cortana is now working.

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How to Resolve Dsound.dll Error Code

Dsound.dll Error Code - What is it?

Dsound.dll is a type of Dynamic Link Library. This is one of the many files that are associated with DirectX software. And DirectX software is used by most Windows-based games. Dsound.dll contains small programs that help run and load Windows-based games on your system. The Dsound.dll error pops when Windows-based games are unable to load and run on the computer. The error code appears on the screen in one of the following formats:
  • "The file dsound.dll is missing"
  • "File dsound.dll not found"
  • "Dsound.dll not found. Reinstalling might help fix this."
  • "Dsound.DLL Not Found"

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Dsound.dll error is generated due to multiple reasons. These include:
  • Corrupt, damaged, or missing Dsound.dll file
  • Malware infection
  • Outdated drivers
To play the games on your computer, it is important to fix the Dsound.dll error immediately.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve Dsound.dll error at home on your own without hiring a professional and spending hundreds of dollars in repair, here are some methods you can try:

Method 1 - Restart Your PC to Resolve

Sometimes the error may be a fluke and can be resolved by simply restarting your PC. So, before you try other methods, it is recommended that you restart your system first. If it resolves the issue, then that’s great. If it doesn’t, then try other methods given below!

Method 2 - Reinstall the Deleted Dsound.dll File

Since DLL files are shared files, there is a possibility that while uninstalling a game on your PC, you might have accidentally deleted this file too. If so, check your recycle bin and search for the deleted file. If you locate it, simply restore it. But if you can’t, then download the Dsound.dll file from a reliable DLL website. Make sure that the site is authentic because the last thing you want is to download malware instead of a DLL file.

Method 3 - Update Driver for Your Video Card

If Dsound.dll error occurs because of outdated drivers, then update them to resolve. You can do this by using a driver update wizard from within Device Manager. The wizard will guide you through the process, making updates simple.

Method 4 - Remove Malware

Download a powerful antivirus to scan and remove malware from your system. A malware infection can trigger a Dsound.dll error too.

Method 5 - Uninstall the Game and then reinstall it again

Try uninstalling the game during which you experienced this error. Sometimes the error may pop because of improper game installation. Uninstall it and then reinstall it. Once you’ve reinstalled it, try accessing it again. If it is accessible, the error is resolved.

Method 6 - Repair the Registry

DLL errors are also related to the registry. These files can get damaged if the registry gets loaded with junk files and cookies. In such as situation clean and repair the registry. You can do this manually but it can be time-consuming and tricky if you are not technically sound. Therefore download Restoro. It is a powerful and user-friendly PC Fixer embedded with a registry cleaner. The registry cleaner scans and removes all junk files clean the registry and repairs damaged DLL files immediately. Click here to download Restoro and resolve error Dsound.dll today!
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What to do if JPEG files won’t open in Windows 10
As you know, “JPEG” is one of the commonly used formats for image files which is a compression of digital images. It is one of the topmost used file formats by mobile phones and digital cameras and usually achieves a 10:1 compression with little visible loss in the quality of the image. There are tons of cases as of late, most particularly after the latest Windows 10 update where users were not able to open JPEG files on their PCs. Every time they try to open any JPEG file, they either get an error or nothing happens at all. This issue could be due to the default handler application for JPEG applications not being set or there could be some third-party image viewer not working properly. To fix this issue with JPEG files, refer to the troubleshooting options below.

Option 1 – Try to change the file type association

You need to check if the file type association of the JPEG files are correctly set or not since there are tons of third party programs that change the file type association automatically to themselves without your permission the instant they are installed and so if any of these third-party programs are broken, then naturally, your JPEG files won’t really open. That’s why you can try changing the setting to the default photo viewer instead of the third-party one. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type in “control panel” in the field and hit Enter to open the Control Panel.
  • After opening Control Panel, click on the Programs category and select the “Default Programs” option from the menu.
  • Next, select the second option “Associate a file type or protocol with a program” and then select the “Choose default apps by file type” option.
  • After that, click on the .jpg file extension and choose the option from the pop-up.
  • Now restart your PC to refresh all your programs and then see if it has fixed the problem or not.

Option 2 – Try to update your computer

Microsoft frequently releases updates to target bugs and improve users’ experience. And this particular error where JPEG files won’t open is already acknowledged by Microsoft so you need to make sure that your Windows 10 PC is updated to the latest released update and that there are no pending updates.
  • Tap the Win + S keys to open Search and then type in “update” in the field and open the system setting from the search results.
  • After that, check for updates and then download and install them if needed.
  • Now restart your PC once the update is done and check if you can now open JPEG files.

Option 3 – Try to reset the Photos app via Settings

Resetting the Photos app could also help you in fixing the problem. Note that this option will reset all the configurations and your data associated with your Photos and makes the application go into a state when you first started using it and that this option will fix any discrepancies that your application might be experiencing right now.
  • Tap the Win + S keys to open the search bar.
  • Then type in “settings” in the field to open the Settings application.
  • After opening Settings, click the “Apps” category.
  • From there, a list of applications installed on your computer will appear.
  • Navigate through these applications until you find the Photos app and then click on the Advanced options.
  • Afterward, click the Reset button that appears on the next screen. Then a new pop-up comes up and will warn you that all the preferences, as well as sign-in information, will be lost. Click on “Reset” anyway to proceed in resetting the Photos app.
  • Restart your PC once the reset is done.

Option 4 – Try to reinstall the Photos app

Before you start using other third-party image viewers just yet, you can try to reinstall the Photos app first. Thus, if there is something wrong with it, it will instantly get fixed right after it reinstalls. Just take note that this option requires administrative privileges so you need to be logged in as an administrator.
  • The first thing you have to do is tap the Windows + S keys and type in “PowerShell”.
  • Next, right-click on the file and click on the “Run as administrator” option from the context menu.
  • Once PowerShell is opened, execute this command: get-appxpackage *Microsoft.Windows.Photos* | remove-appxpackage
  • The command you just entered will remove the Photos app. After the process is done, go to the Microsoft Store and look for Microsoft Photos then download and install it again.
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How to Resolve Error Code 0xd0000272 in Windows 10

Error Code 0xd0000272 – What is it?

Error code 0xd0000272 is an activation error code that occurs when Windows users are unable to activate their Windows operating system. This error code features common symptoms which include the following:

  • Inability to activate Windows 10 operating system
  • Message box with error code 0xd0000272

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

When error code 0xd0000272 occurs in Windows 10, it is usually due to issues related to the Windows activation servers. In such a case where the error code occurs due to an activation server that is temporarily unavailable, users may need to wait for a few hours until the activation server is available. Their copy of Windows will then be automatically activated. Once the activation process is not done accordingly, you might encounter other Windows 10 errors such as error code 0xc004f034

Further Information and Manual Repair

As is the case with many activation error codes, Windows 10 users can perform several manual repair methods to determine the cause as well as fix the error code affecting their device. Instead of passively waiting to see if your activation error code will be fixed on its own, resolve error code 0xd0000272 through the manual repair methods available. Below are simple instructions that when followed can lead to your success.

Method One: Verify Internet Connection

Check Settings to verify if your machine is connected to the Internet. This is one of the causes of various error codes which affect Windows 10. Also, this manual method is a simple process that can help Windows users recognize or eliminate factors that may or may not be affecting their system. To check your Internet connection, follow the simple instructions below.

  • Step one: Click the Start button and select Settings
  • Step two: Select Network & Internet
  • Step three: Click the Status section of the Network & Internet tab

Once you’ve been able to verify an Internet connection or troubleshoot any issues related to your network, go to Update & security. Make an attempt to activate your system. If you are successful, you will be able to access all the features and benefits offered via your copy of Windows. However, move to the next manual method below if error code 0xd0000272 reoccurs.

Method Two: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Your inability to activate Windows 10 may be related to an issue with Windows Update. To verify whether or not Windows Update is functioning properly, run Windows Update Troubleshooter.

You’ll need to visit the Microsoft website to access their Windows Update Troubleshoot tool. Once you’ve downloaded the troubleshooter, run the tool. After running the tool, check if you are able to access Windows Update services as well as activate Windows 10.  If the problem with error code 0xd0000272 persists, however, follow the instructions provided for manual repair method three detailed below.

Method Three: Disable Proxy Settings

Another option available to individuals experiencing error code 0xd0000272 in Windows 10 is to manually disable their machine’s proxy settings. After disabling the proxy settings, remember to open the Windows Update tab to complete the activation process. See the instructions provided below to disable proxy settings.

  • Step one: Press Windows key + R
  • Step two: Type control then click OK
  • Step three: Select Settings then go to Network & Internet
  • Step four: View connection settings
  • Step five: Click on the Network tab
  • Step six: Click Proxy -- turn off proxy

Once you have successfully disabled your proxy settings, open Windows Update. Select the activation option to access your copy of Windows 10. If you are unable to complete the activation process, however, contact a Windows repair technician.

Method Four: Use an Automated Tool

Error codes in Windows often occur due to poor maintenance of one’s PC. To improve your system and reduce your machine’s risk of experiencing error codes, download a powerful automated tool. This tool is both powerful and user-friendly, making its benefits accessible to even the most non-technical Windows users.
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How to remove Sadooma from your PC

Sadooma is a Browser Extension for Google Chrome. This extension offers users the ability to search for any trending news on the web.

This extension changes your default search engine to Yahoo, and while active it changes the displayed ads on your browser, allowing it to make revenue on every ad you click. While this is not inherently malicious, the extension redirects your search to its servers first before forwarding it to yahoo and displaying search results. The information that is sent back to the servers contains your browsing data & visited web pages. As this represents a security and privacy risk, Sadooma is classified as a browser hijacker for its potentially unwanted functions and poor user experience. From the Author:
We’ve got what you need! If you are like us, addicted to interesting viral content, you’ve reached the best place for this. Sadooma will help you to find what is trending right now on the internet in an easy and immediate way. Privacy – We don’t share your information with others. Trending Content – New viral content every day Up to Date – We update sources to keep things fresh. Made with Love – Our content is safe and suitable for all ages.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted software, commonly a browser add-on or extension, which then causes modifications in the web browser’s settings. Browser hijackers can do more than simply modifying home pages. It redirects you to the sponsored sites and inserts advertisements on the internet browser that helps its creator generate earnings. A lot of people think that these types of sites are legitimate and harmless but that is not true. Nearly all browser hijackers pose an existent threat to your online safety and it is vital to classify them under privacy dangers. In a much worst case, your web browser could be hijacked to download malicious software that will do a lot of damage to your computer.

Indications of browser hijack

There are many symptoms that point to a browser hijacking: you see unauthorized modifications to your web browser’s homepage; you get re-directed to sites you never intended to visit; default web engine is modified; you’re getting browser toolbars you haven’t noticed before; your internet browser will display constant pop-up windows; your web browser starts running slowly or presents frequent errors; You can’t access certain websites, particularly anti-virus websites.

How they get into your computer or laptop

Browser hijackers infect computers via malicious email attachments, downloaded infected computer files, or by visiting infected sites. Many web browser hijackings originate from add-on software, i.e., browser helper objects (BHO), toolbars, or extensions added to web browsers to give them extra features. Browser hijackers sneak to your computer along with free software application downloads that you unknowingly install alongside the original. An example of some well-known browser hijacker includes Conduit, Anyprotect, Babylon, SweetPage, DefaultTab, RocketTab, and Delta Search, but the names are regularly changing.

Removal

Certain browser hijacking could be quite easily stopped by finding and removing the corresponding malware application from your control panel. But, the majority of hijackers are really tenacious and require specialized applications to remove them. You should think about undertaking manual repairs only if you’re a tech-savvy individual, as potential risks are associated with fiddling with the system registry and HOSTS file. You might opt for automatic browser hijacker removal methods by simply installing and running a reliable anti-malware application. One of the top tools for correcting browser hijacker malware is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. It can help you remove any pre-existing malware in your computer and gives you real-time monitoring and protection from the latest internet threats. Together with the anti-malware tool, a system optimizer will help you in removing all linked files and modifications in the computer registry automatically.

What To Do When You Cannot Install Any Antivirus?

All malware is inherently dangerous, but certain kinds of malware do a lot more damage to your computer than others. Some malware variants modify internet browser settings by including a proxy server or change the computer’s DNS configurations. In such cases, you’ll be unable to visit some or all websites, and thus unable to download or install the required security software to clear out the computer virus. If you are reading this, you may have infected by a virus that prevents you from downloading computer security software like Safebytes Anti-Malware. Although this sort of issue will be difficult to circumvent, there are some steps you can take.

Make use of Safe Mode to resolve the problem

In Safe Mode, you could adjust Windows settings, un-install or install some programs, and eliminate hard-to-delete malware. If the malicious software is set to load immediately when the computer starts, switching into this mode may well prevent it from doing so. In order to enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the computer is starting up or run MSCONFIG and locate the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you are in safe mode, you can try to download and install your anti-malware software program without the hindrance of malicious software. After installation, run the malware scanner to eliminate most standard infections.

Switch to some other browser

Malicious code may exploit vulnerabilities on a specific internet browser and block access to all anti-virus software websites. When you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a computer virus or otherwise compromised by hackers, the best plan of action is to switch to a different internet browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari to download your chosen security application – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Install and run anti-virus from your Thumb drive

Another solution is to save and run an antivirus program entirely from a USB drive. Try these simple actions to clear up your infected PC using a portable antivirus. 1) Make use of another virus-free PC to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the clean computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Select the drive letter of the flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you where you would like to install the anti-virus. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process. 5) Remove the pen drive. You may now use this portable anti-malware on the infected computer. 6) Double click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the flash drive to run the program. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and get rid of all kinds of malware.

Let's Talk About SafeBytes Anti-Malware!

If you are looking to download the anti-malware program for your computer, there are several tools in the market to consider however, you cannot trust blindly anyone, no matter whether it is paid or free program. Some of them do a great job in getting rid of malware threats while some will affect your PC themselves. You have to purchase a tool that has got a good reputation and detects not just viruses but other sorts of malware as well. One of the recommended tools by industry analysts is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, the safest program for Microsoft Windows. SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, very effective protection software made to assist users of all levels of IT literacy in finding and removing malicious threats out of their personal computers. Using its cutting-edge technology, this application will help you get rid of several types of malware including computer viruses, PUPs, trojans, worms, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers. There are many great features you’ll get with this security product. Below are some of the highlighted features included in the tool. Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes provides round-the-clock protection for your PC restricting malware intrusions instantly. It will regularly monitor your laptop or computer for hacker activity and also provides users with advanced firewall protection. World-class AntiMalware Protection: Safebytes is made on the best virus engine in the industry. These engines will find and get rid of threats even during the early phases of a malware outbreak. Faster Scanning: This software has got one of the quickest and most effective virus scanning engines in the industry. The scans are very accurate and take a short amount of time to complete. Safe Web Browsing: SafeBytes provides an instant safety rating on the web pages you are about to check out, automatically blocking unsafe sites and make sure that you’re certain of your online safety while browsing the net. Lightweight Tool: SafeBytes is a lightweight and user-friendly anti-virus and antimalware solution. Since it uses minimal computer resources, this application leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs to: with you actually. 24/7 Online Technical Support: You could get high levels of support round the clock if you’re using their paid software. To sum it up, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is pretty great for securing your laptop or computer against all sorts of malware threats. There is no doubt that your computer will be protected in real-time as soon as you put this software to use. So if you’re trying to find a comprehensive antivirus program that’s still simple enough to use, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is exactly what you will need!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you don’t want to use malware removal software and prefer to eliminate Sadooma manually, you could do so by going to the Add/Remove Programs menu in the Control Panel and removing the offending software; in cases of browser add-ons, you may uninstall it by visiting the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. You might even want to reset your browser settings, as well as clear your web browser cache and cookies. In order to ensure the complete removal, manually examine your hard disk and registry for all the following and eliminate or reset the values as needed. However, editing the Windows registry is actually a complicated job that only advanced users and professionals should try to fix it. In addition, certain malicious programs have the capability to defend against its deletion. You are encouraged to do this procedure in Safe Mode.
Files: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\ Registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
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How to Fix Low FPS in Apex Legends
  • In your Graphics Settings, select r5apex.exe and change the Graphics performance preference to Classic App, set it to High Performance, and then launch the game as an administrator when you want to play.
  • Inside the Nvidia Control Panel, click “Manage 3D Settings”, and select Apex Legends and change it to “Prefer Maximum Power”
  • You can also change “pre-rendered frames” to 1, but it will make you lag just a tiny, tiny bit.
  • Turning the shader cache on can help improve FPS, but on some systems, it may cause additional negative performance changes.
  • If you have the ability to use G-Sync, use that as well (Only available on some monitors and graphics cards)
  • From the task manager, change the priority of r5apex.exe to “High” and close out of other applications.
  • Update your graphics drivers.
  • Ensure your PC complies with the games minimum system requirements:
    • OS: 64-bit Windows 10
    • CPU: Intel Core i3-6300 3.8GHz / AMD FX-4350 4.2 GHz Quad-Core Processor
    • RAM: 6GB
    • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GT 640 / Radeon HD 7700
    • GPU RAM: 1 GB
    • HARD DRIVE: Minimum 30 GB of free space
  • Check to see if your system has the game’s recommended hardware requirements:
    • OS: 64-bit Windows 10
    • CPU: Intel i5 3570K or equivalent
    • RAM: 8GB
    • GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 / AMD Radeon R9 290
    • GPU RAM: 8GB
    • HARD DRIVE: Minimum 30 GB of free space
  • Within the game, try to set the settings to:
    • Full Screen
    • Disable V-Sync
    • Anti-Aliasing to Disabled/TSAA (slight performance difference)
    • Use Native Resolution
    • Keep Field of View at around 80-100
    • Texture Streaming Budget to High
    • Texture filtering as low as possible while still being playable
    • Ambient occlusion as low as possible
    • Shadow all to Low / Lowest
    • Model detail low
    • Effects detail low
    • Volumetric lighting / Dynamic spot shadows Disabled
    • Ragdolls low
    • Impact marks the lowest
  • Make sure other applications are not placing overlays (Discord, GeForce, Xbox Gaming)
  • Clean your temporary files and uninstall other games to give your PC room to have the game run.
  • Don’t use products like CCleaner as they may remove necessary files from your computer.
  • Closeout of Chrome when you’re playing the game or follow our guide on Optimizing Chrome Performance
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10 Worst Computer Viruses in history
Computers viruses, worms, ransomware, etc. are kinds of malicious software that no user should take lightly. On several occasions, we have touched upon security steps that each user should take in order to protect its identity and data. Sadly sometimes even when all precautions are taken some malware can still slip through and wreak havoc. Today we are looking at some of the worst or the best, depending on your view that has indeed wreaked plenty of havoc.

viruses10 worst computer viruses in history

In the list of the 10 most famous computer viruses below, we show the costs, dates, reach, and other key facts. First a note about terms: we use the words “virus” and “worm” interchangeably because most readers search for them that way. But there’s a subtle difference that we explain after the list.

1. Mydoom – $38 billion

The worst computer virus outbreak in history, Mydoom caused estimated damage of $38 billion in 2004, but its inflation-adjusted cost is actually $52.2 billion. Also known as Novarg, this malware is technically a “worm,” spread by mass emailing. At one point, the Mydoom virus was responsible for 25% of all emails sent. Mydoom scraped addresses from infected machines, then sent copies of itself to those addresses. It also roped those infected machines into a web of computers called a botnet that performed distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks were intended to shut down a target website or server. Mydoom is still around today, generating 1% of all phishing emails. That’s no small feat considering the 3.4 billion phishing emails sent each day. By that figure, Mydoom has taken on a life of its own, infecting enough poorly-protected machines to send 1.2 billion copies of itself per year, 16 years after its creation. Though a $250,000 reward was offered, the developer of this dangerous computer worm was never caught. Wondering what makes the world’s most secure computers so safe? See the Tech@Work guide: Upgrade to the World's Most Secure and Manageable PC

2. Sobig – $30 billion

The 2003 Sobig computer virus is actually another worm. It is second only to the Mydoom virus in its scope. The $30 billion figure is a worldwide total, including Canada, the U.K., the U.S., mainland Europe, and Asia. Several versions of the worm were released in quick succession, named Sobig.A through Sobig.F, with Sobig.F being the most damaging. This cybercriminal program masqueraded as legitimate computer software attached to emails. It disrupted ticketing at Air Canada and interfered with countless other businesses. Despite its widespread damage, the creator of the successful bug was never caught.

3. Klez – $19.8 billion

Klez is a close third on the list of the worst computer viruses ever created. With nearly $20 billion in estimated damages, it infected about 7.2% of all computers in 2001, or 7 million PCs. The Klez worm sent fake emails, spoofed recognized senders and, among other things, attempted to deactivate other viruses. As with other viruses and worms, Klez was released in several variants. It infected files, copied itself, and spread throughout each victim’s network. It hung around for years, with each version more destructive than the last. Windows has come a long way since most of the computer viruses on this list hit the web. Thankfully, built-in protection with Microsoft Defender is always on the watch.

4. ILOVEYOU – $15 billion

The year 2000’s ILOVEYOU virus worked by sending a bogus “love letter” that looked like a harmless text file. Like Mydoom, this attacker sent copies of itself to every email address in the infected machine’s contact list. Shortly after its May 4 release, it had spread to more than 10 million PCs. The virus was created by a college student in the Philippines named Onel de Guzman. Lacking funds, he wrote the virus to steal passwords so he could log into online services he wanted to use for free. He reportedly had no idea how far his creation would spread. This virus is also known as Loveletter. Need to up your remote work security game before there’s another entry on the list of most deadly computer viruses? See our guide: How to Work Remotely and Securely

5. WannaCry – $4 billion

The 2017 WannaCry computer virus is ransomware, a virus that takes over your computer (or cloud files) and holds them hostage. The WannaCry ransomware ripped through computers in 150 countries, causing massive productivity losses as businesses, hospitals, and government organizations that didn’t pay were forced to rebuild systems from scratch. The malware raged like wildfire through 200,000 computers worldwide. It stopped when a 22-year-old security researcher in the U.K. found a way to turn it off. Computers with out-of-date operating systems were hit especially hard. That’s why security experts always recommend updating your systems frequently.

Ransomware strikes again

In September 2020, one of the potentially largest computer virus attacks in medical history hit Universal Health Services. The U.S. hospital chain, which has more than 400 locations, was reportedly struck by damaging ransomware. The attack forced the cancellation of surgeries and made healthcare workers switch to paper records.

6. Zeus – $3 billion

The Zeus computer virus is an online theft tool that hit the web in 2007. A whitepaper by Unisys three years later estimated that it was behind 44% of all banking malware attacks. By then, it had breached 88% of all Fortune 500 companies, 2,500 organizations total, and 76,000 computers in 196 countries. The Zeus botnet was a group of programs that worked together to take over machines for a remote “bot master.” It originated in Eastern Europe and was used to transfer money to secret bank accounts. More than 100 members of the crime ring behind the virus, mostly in the U.S., were arrested in 2010. It’s not as prominent today, but some of the virus’ source code lives on in newer botnet viruses and worms. Zeus caused documented damage of $100 million. But the real cost in terms of lost productivity, removal, and undocumented theft is undoubtedly much higher. A $3 billion estimate, adjusted for inflation, puts this virus at a cost of $3.7 billion in today’s dollars.

7. Code Red – $2.4 billion

First observed in 2001, the Code Red computer virus was yet another worm that penetrated 975,000 hosts. It displayed the words “Hacked by Chinese!” across infected web pages, and it ran entirely in each machine’s memory. In most cases it left no trace in hard drives or other storage. Financial costs are pegged at $2.4 billion. The virus attacked websites of infected computers and delivered a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack on the U.S. White House’s website, www.whitehouse.gov. In fact, the White House had to change its IP address to defend against Cod Red. Can your printer get a virus? See our cool infographic: The State of Printer Security

8. Slammer – $1.2 billion

The SQL Slammer worm cost an estimated $750 million across 200,000 computer users in 2003. This computer virus randomly selected IP addresses, exploiting vulnerabilities and sending itself on to other machines. It used these victim machines to launch a DDoS attack on several internet hosts, significantly slowing internet traffic. The Slammer worm hit banks in the U.S. and Canada especially hard, taking ATMs offline in many locations. Customers of Toronto’s Imperial Bank of Commerce found themselves unable to access funds. The attack reared its ugly head again in 2016, launching from IP addresses in Ukraine, China, and Mexico.

9. CryptoLocker – $665 million

Thankfully, ransomware attacks like the 2013 CryptoLocker virus have dipped since their 2017 peak. This malware attacked upwards of 250,000 machines by encrypting their files. It displayed a red ransom note informing users that “your important files encryption produced on this computer.” A payment window accompanied the note. The virus’ creators used a worm called the Gameover Zeus botnet to make and send copies of the CryptoLocker virus. According to a report by security firm Sophos, the average ransomware attack costs a business $133,000. If we estimate that CryptoLocker hit 5,000 companies, that would put its total cost at $665 million. Where will cybersecurity go next? See our guide: The Future of Cybersecurity

10. Sasser – $500 million

The Sasser worm was written by a 17-year-old German computer science student named Sven Jaschan. He was arrested at the age of 18 in 2004 after a $250,000 bounty was posted for the computer virus’ creator. A friend of Jaschan’s tipped authorities that the youth had penned not only the Sasser worm but also the damaging Netsky.AC attack. Jaschan was given a suspended sentence after it was found he was a minor when he wrote the malware. The Sasser worm crashed millions of PCs, and though some reports put damages at $18 billion, the relatively low infection rate suggests a more likely cost of $500 million. Other notable viruses The top 10 worst computer viruses above are just the ugly tip of a gargantuan digital iceberg. With a million new malware programs popping up every 3 years, we may miss the forest for a few outstanding trees. Here are just a few more viruses that have wreaked havoc over the years: Mimail: This worm tried to harvest data from infected machines to launch a string of DDoS attacks, but was relatively easy to remove. Yaha: Yet another worm with several variants, thought to be the result of a cyber-war between Pakistan and India. Swen: Written in C++, the Swen computer worm disguised itself to look like a 2003 OS update. Its financial cost has been pegged at $10.4 billion, but not reliably. Storm Worm: This worm showed up in 2007 and attacked millions of computers with an email about approaching bad weather. Tanatos/Bugbear: A 2002 keylogger virus that targeted financial institutions and spread to 150 countries. Sircam: A computer worm from 2001 that used counterfeit emails with the subject line, “I send you this file in order to have your advice.” Explorezip: This worm used fake emails to spread to every machine on thousands of local networks. Melissa: The most dangerous computer virus in 1999, Melissa sent copies of itself that looked like NSFW pics. The U.S. FBI estimated cleanup and repair costs at $80 million. Flashback: A Mac-only virus, Flashback infected over 600,000 Macs in 2012 and even infected Apple’s home base in Cupertino, Calif. In 2020, there’s now more malware on Macs than on PCs. Conficker: This 2009 virus still infects many legacy systems and could do significant damage if it ever activates. Stuxnet: This worm is reported to have destroyed Iranian nuclear centrifuges by sending damaging instructions.
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Fix error code 16 in Windows 10
Access denied error code 16 is tied to websites, it is an error which you will encounter when trying to visit some specific website or if you are unlucky on all of the websites. Lucky for us this error is fixable and in order for us to do this, follow this guide for possible solutions.
  1. Check Date and Time, Incorrect date and time can often interfere with services in your Windows, browsers are not different and this can cause some websites not to be shown. Check your date and time and set it correctly if needed.
  2. Try to access the website from another device. If you manage to open a website on another PC or some other device then keep reading in order to find the solution, if you can not, then the problem is on the website itself.
  3. Turn off Firewall or antivirus. New antivirus and firewall applications can sometimes mark certain websites as malicious and will cut contact with them rendering them unable to be accessed or opened. Try turning the firewall and antivirus temporarily off and then try to access the website.
  4. Try opening web site in another browser. To eliminate browser-specific issues and their configuration, try opening the website in another browser.
  5. Disable PROXI server. Some applications, especially malicious ones can change your proxi setting in LAN. go to your LAN settings and turn off proxi if it is enabled.
  6. Reset your Browser. If this issue is caused by bad data in your browser or by its settings and preferences, resetting the complete browser will solve the issue.
  7. Use VPN. Sometimes the reason for you was not able to access some website might be because the site is not available for your region, to bypass this issue use VPN and reroute your location.
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How to Fix Remote Computer requires network level authentication Error in Windows 10
A couple of Windows 10 users have reported an error on domain-connected systems when they tried accessing their computer systems remotely. This occurs when the network level authentication or NLA is enabled on the computer. If you are one of these users, you better keep reading as this post will guide you on how you can fix this error. To resolve this issue, there are several workarounds you can try. You can either disable this option directly via properties or you can also modify some registry entries or sub-keys and restart the system. When you encounter this problem, an error message pops up that states:
“The remote computer that you are trying to connect to requires network level authentication (NLA), but your windows domain controller cannot be contacted to perform NLA. If you are an administrator on the remote computer, you can disable NLA by using the options on the Remote tab of the System Properties dialog box.”
Or you could also see this error message instead:
“The remote computer requires Network Level Authentication, which your computer does not support. For assistance, contact your system administrator or technical support.”
Before you proceed in troubleshooting the problem using the options provided below, you need to create a backup for your data or system restore point as well as make a copy of any registry entries you are going to modify.

Option 1 – Disable Network Level Authentication via Properties

The NLA is a useful tool that provides your computer with extra security and helps network administrators in controlling who can log into the system with just a click of a single box. However, there are times when it can become a disadvantage and could prevent you from accessing your system remotely. Thus, you need to disable it using Properties.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” and tap Enter to open System Properties.
  • Next, go to the remote tab and uncheck the checkbox for the “Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (recommended)” option.
  • Now click the Apply button to save the changes made and exit System Properties and then try logging into the remote computer again and see if the problem is fixed or not.

Option 2 – Disable NLA via Registry Editor

Note that you can only use this option if the first one didn’t work for you. Take note that this option will require you to restart your PC completely which could mean some downtime if your computer is running a production server. So make sure to save all your work.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type in “Regedit” in the field and tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • From there, click on File > Connect Network Registry and input the details of the remote computer and then try to connect.
  • Navigate to the path below after you’re connected:
HKLM >SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control >Terminal Server > WinStations > RDP-Tcp
  • After that, change the values given below to “0”
    • SecurityLayer
    • UserAuthentication
  • The navigate to PowerShell and execute this command – restart-computer

Option 3 – Disable NLA via PowerShell

PowerShell allows you to tap into the remote computer and once you’ve targeted the machine, you can execute the commands given below to disable NLA.
  • Tap the Win + S to open Search and then type in “PowerShell” in the field. Right-click on the related result and select the “Run as administrator” option.
  • After opening PowerShell, execute the command below:
  1. Once in the PowerShell, execute the following command:
$TargetMachine = “Target-Machine-Name” (Get-WmiObject -class “Win32_TSGeneralSetting” -Namespace rootcimv2terminalservices -ComputerName $TargetMachine -Filter “TerminalName=’RDP-tcp'”).SetUserAuthenticationRequired(0) Note: In the command given, the “Target-Machine-Name” is the name of the machine you are targeting.

Option 4 – Use the Group Policy Editor to disable NLA

Another option you can use to disable NLA is via the Group Policy Editor. This is ideal for you if you are blanket disabling. Just take note that the Group Policy Editor is a powerful tool and that if you make some mistakes by changing values you have no clue about, you can render your computer useless so make sure that you create a backup for all the values before you proceed.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type in “gpedit.msc” and tap Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
  • From there, go to this path – Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Security
  • After that, search for “Require user authentication for remote connections by using Network Level Authentication” and set it to disabled.
  • Now check if the error is fixed or not.
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How to remove MyWebFace

MyWebFace is a browser extension developed by Mindspark. This extension claims to allow users to easily access websites that allow them to make a cartoon portrait of themselves. While this may seem interesting in the beginning, all this extension does is to add links to already popular websites that are easy to find.

When installed MyWebFace changes your default search engine and your home page to MyWay.com.

While the extension is running it gathers user browsing information, allowing it to mine data and better server unwanted ads throughout your browsing sessions. MyWebFace has been marked as a Browser Hijacker by many anti-virus programs, and while not considered malware, it is not recommended to keep it on your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijackers (sometimes referred to as hijackware) are a type of malicious software that alters web-browser configurations without the user’s knowledge or consent. These hijacks happen to be rising at a worrying rate worldwide, and it could be really nefarious and sometimes harmful too. Browser hijackers are capable of doing a variety of things on your PC. In general, hijackers are made for the benefit of online hackers often through revenue generation that comes from forced ad clicks and website visits. Although it may seem naive, all browser hijackers are harmful and thus always classified as security risks. Browser hijackers could also let other destructive programs without your knowledge further damage the computer.

Indications of browser hijack

There are numerous signs that indicate the browser is highjacked: 1. the browser’s home page is changed 2. if you enter a URL, you find yourself constantly directed to a different web page than the one you intended 3. the default web engine has been changed and your web browser security settings have been lowered without your knowledge 4. unsolicited new toolbars are added to your web browser 5. you observe numerous ads pop up on the web browsers or computer screen 6. your browser gets sluggish, buggy crashes often 7. you can’t go to certain websites like home pages of anti-malware software.

How does a browser hijacker infect a PC

Browser hijackers can get into a PC in some way or other, for instance via downloads, file sharing, and e-mail also. They also come from add-on applications, also known as browser helper objects (BHO), web browser extensions, or toolbars. Also, some shareware and freeware can put the hijacker within your computer through “bundling”. Typical examples of browser hijackers include Conduit, CoolWebSearch, OneWebSearch, Coupon Server, RocketTab, Snap.do, Delta Search, and Searchult.com. Browser hijacking can cause severe privacy problems and even identity theft, disrupt your browsing experience by taking control over outgoing traffic, substantially slows down your PC by deleting lots of system resources, and lead to system instability at the same time.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

Certain hijackers can be removed simply by uninstalling the corresponding freeware or add-ons from the Add or Remove Programs in the Windows control panel. In some cases, it can be a difficult task to discover and get rid of the malicious piece because the associated file will be running as part of the operating system process. Moreover, manual removal requires you to execute several time-consuming and complex procedures that are tough to conduct for inexperienced computer users. Browser hijackers could be effectively removed by installing the anti-malware application on the affected system. To get rid of any type of browser hijacker from your computer, you could download this particular top-notch malware removal program – SafeBytes Anti-Malware. And use a system optimizer, such as Total System Care, to eliminate all related files from the registry and repair browser issues.

Tips on How to Eliminate a Virus that is Blocking Websites or Preventing Downloads

Malware may cause several different types of damage to PCs, networks, and data. Some malware is meant to restrict or block things that you wish to do on your personal computer. It may well not permit you to download anything from the internet or stop you from accessing some or all sites, in particular the anti-virus sites. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download or install the Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your system. Even though this type of problem can be tougher to get around, there are a few actions you can take.

Start Windows in Safe Mode

The Windows OS includes a special mode known as “Safe Mode” where just the bare minimum required programs and services are loaded. In case the virus is set to load immediately when the PC starts, switching to this mode may prevent it from doing so. To start the computer into Safe Mode, press the “F8” key on the keyboard right before the Windows boot screen appears; Or after normal Windows boot up, run MSCONFIG, look over “Safe Boot” under the Boot tab, and click Apply. Once you’re in safe mode, you can attempt to install your antivirus software application without the hindrance of the malicious software. Following installation, run the malware scanner to eliminate standard infections.

Switch over to an alternate internet browser

Some malware only targets certain internet browsers. If this is your case, utilize another web browser as it might circumvent the computer virus. If you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by malware or otherwise compromised by hackers, the best course of action is to switch to an alternate browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to download your favorite computer security software – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Install and run anti-virus from a USB drive

To effectively get rid of the malware, you should approach the problem of running an anti-malware software program on the affected computer from a different angle. To run anti-virus using a USB flash drive, follow these simple steps: 1) Use another virus-free computer system to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the USB drive into the uninfected PC. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the anti-malware software package to run the Installation Wizard. 4) When asked, select the location of the USB drive as the place in which you would like to store the software files. Do as instructed on the screen to complete the installation process. 5) Transfer the thumb drive from the clean computer to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the anti-malware software EXE file on the USB flash drive. 7) Click the “Scan Now” button to start the virus scan.

Highlights of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

If you are looking to install an anti-malware program for your PC, there are numerous tools on the market to consider nonetheless, you just cannot trust blindly anyone, irrespective of whether it is a free or paid program. A few of them do a good job in removing threats while some will harm your computer by themselves. You should choose one that is efficient, practical, and has a strong reputation for its malware source protection. On the list of strongly recommended software is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. SafeBytes has a superb history of top-quality service, and customers appear to be very happy with it. SafeBytes anti-malware is a reliable tool that not only secures your PC permanently but is also quite easy to use for people of all ability levels. With its outstanding protection system, this utility will quickly detect and remove the majority of the security threats, including browser hijackers, viruses, adware, ransomware, trojans, worms, and PUPs.

There are many amazing features you will get with this particular security product. Listed below are a few of the great ones:

Antimalware Protection: Using its enhanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware elimination tool can identify and remove the malware threats hiding in your PC effectively. Real-time Threat Response: Malware programs looking to enter the computer are discovered and stopped as and when detected by the SafeBytes real-time protection shields. This tool will continuously monitor your PC for any suspicious activity and updates itself continuously to keep abreast of the constantly changing threat scenarios. Faster Scanning: This software has one of the fastest and most powerful virus scanning engines in the industry. The scans are extremely accurate and take a little time to complete. Safe Web Browsing: Through its unique safety ranking, SafeBytes notifies you whether a site is safe or not to visit it. This will assure that you’re always certain of your online safety when browsing the net. Minimal CPU Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight and user-friendly anti-virus and anti-malware solution. As it uses very low computer resources, this program leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs: with you actually. 24/7 Guidance: You can obtain absolutely free 24/7 technical assistance from their computer experts on any product queries or PC security issues. To conclude, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is really great for securing your computer against all kinds of malware threats. You now may understand that this particular software does more than just scan and eliminate threats in your PC. You will get the best all-around protection for the money you spend on SafeBytes Anti-Malware subscription, there isn’t any doubt about it.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove MyWebFace without the use of an automated tool, it might be actually possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser plug-ins, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser. Lastly, check your hard disk for all of the following and clean your computer registry manually to remove leftover application entries after uninstallation. However, editing the registry can be a difficult job that only advanced users and professionals should try to fix it. Moreover, certain malicious programs are capable to defend against its deletion. You’re advised to do this process in Safe Mode.
Files: %PROGRAMFILES%\MyWebFace_5aEI\Installr.binaEZSETP.dll %PROGRAMFILES%\MyWebFace_5aEI\Installr.bin\NP5aEISb.dll Search and Delete: 5aauxstb.dll 5abar.dll 5abarsvc.exe 5abrmon.exe 5abrstub.dll 5adatact.dll 5adlghk.dll 5adyn.dll 5afeedmg.dll 5ahighin.exe 5ahkstub.dll 5ahtmlmu.dll 5ahttpct.dll 5aidle.dll 5aieovr.dll 5aimpipe.exe 5amedint.exe 5amlbtn.dll 5amsg.dll 5aPlugin.dll 5aradio.dll 5aregfft.dll 5areghk.dll 5aregiet.dll 5ascript.dll 5askin.dll 5asknlcr.dll 5askplay.exe 5aSrcAs.dll 5aSrchMn.exe 5atpinst.dll 5auabtn.dll CREXT.DLL CrExtP5a.exe NP5aStub.dll T8EXTEX.DLL T8EXTPEX.DLL T8HTML.DLL T8RES.DLL T8TICKER.DLL Folders: C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\gb5e8gtn.default\extensionsaffxtbr@MyWebFace_5a.com C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\MyWebFace_5a C:\Program Files\MyWebFace_5a Registry: Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\MyWebFace_5a Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@MyWebFace_5a.com/Plugin Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\MyWebFace_5abar Uninstall Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\b1df253a-9e7a-480d-b6a5-7a435b520dbb Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\14d02517-c8be-4735-a344-3c8366c77aa0 Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyWebFace_5a.ThirdPartyInstaller Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyWebFace_5a.SkinLauncherSettings Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyWebFace_5a.SkinLauncher Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyWebFace_5a.ScriptButton Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyWebFace_5a.SettingsPlugin Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyWebFace_5a.RadioSettings Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyWebFace_5a.Radio Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyWebFace_5a.PseudoTransparentPlugin Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyWebFace_5a.MultipleButton Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyWebFace_5a.HTMLPanel Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyWebFace_5a.HTMLMenu Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyWebFace_5a.FeedManager Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MyWebFace_5a.DynamicBarButton Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\ Value: MyWebFace_5a Browser Plugin Loader Data: 5aPlugin.dll Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\ Value: MyWebFace Search Scope Monitor Data: 5abrmon.exe Key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\ Value: MyWebFace Data: MyWebFace.dll
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How to Fix Windows 8 Error Code 0xc004f034

Error Code 0xc004f034 – What is it?

Error code 0xc004f034 occurs when Windows users are unable to activate their operating system. It affects Windows 8 and Windows 10 users and features common symptoms which include the following:
  • Inability to activate Windows
  • Message box with error code 0xc004f034

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error code 0xc004f034 often occurs due to an issue with the Windows product key. This may occur when users enter an invalid product key or use one that is appropriate for use on a different version of Windows. To correct the issue, users will need to use the correct product key for their system or contact an IT professional if their device is connected to a Key Management Service (KMS).  Windows users affected by this error code may also need to check their system for viruses or missing system files since these issues can result in error codes on Windows devices.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Manual repair methods enable users to fix problems related to error codes. Though some manual repair methods require the use of Command Prompt and utility tools like the System File Checker, even non-technical Windows users can find success simply by following the instructions provided below.

However, note that some issues can be complex, thus requiring the use of an automated tool or help from a Windows repair technician. Consider these options if the manual repair methods below do not resolve error code 0xc004f034 on your Windows 8 device.

Method One: Enter Valid Windows Product Key

Microsoft currently offers several ways for customers to activate their Windows operating system, the most common of which is the product key. This 25-character code verifies that users have access to an authorized version of Windows.

You may get a valid product key from an authorized dealer, a new PC with Windows, or access a digital copy from a Windows website when you purchase your Windows operating system online. Once you have a valid product key, use it to activate Windows and resolve error code 0xc004f034 in Windows 8. Follow the steps below to access the Product Activation Wizard.

  • Step one: Click or tab Start button then select Settings
  • Step two: Tap or click PC Settings, then select Activate Windows
  • Step three: Type invalid product key

Once a valid product key is used, the Product Activation Wizard should complete the activation process. If you are unable to complete the process, however, and error code 0xc004f034 remains unresolved, click the link or instructions the Product Activation Wizard provides regarding activation via phone or customer support.

Method Two: Run System File Checker

Another option available to Windows 8 users is System File Checker (SFC). This tool enables Windows users to scan and repair corrupted or missing system files. Follow the steps below to access SFC.

  • Step one: Go to Start and type Command Prompt or CMD.
  • Step two: Run as Administrator
  • Step three: Type sfc /scannow ensuring a space is between “sfc” and “/scannow”.

System File Checker will repair any corruptions found on system files within your machine once you successfully follow the instructions provided. The tool will also replace missing files which will lead to better performance on your PC.

When the process is complete, restart your device then check if you are able to activate Windows. If error code 0xc004f034 is still present, you will need to find another solution via repair method three.

Method Three: Scan for Viruses and other Malware

Viruses and other forms of malware are one of the main issues resulting in poor PC performance and Windows error codes. To fix this issue on your PC, scan your machine for signs of these malicious programs. If you do not have anti-malware software and would like to download one from the Internet, ensure the software you choose is effective before attempting to download it.

Once you have powerful antimalware software on your PC, begin a scan for viruses, Trojan horses, and other forms of malware. If the Windows error code occurred due to issues related to malicious programs, you will be able to resolve the issue. If, however, this manual repair method proves ineffective in resolving error code 0xc004f034, download a powerful automated tool or contact a Windows repair technician to assist you.

Method Four: Use an Automated Tool

If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 8 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.
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