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PDF text disappears when editing or saving

If you are trying to save a file in a PDF format on your Windows 10 computer but then the PDF text content in an Adobe file suddenly disappears, then read on. This post will give you more insight into this issue. This kind of issue is rare and mostly occurs in forms that you can fill upon. In such a case, the text you enter in the form vanishes right after you click the Save button.

One of the benefits of working with PDF files is that it has the ability to compress high-quality files to relatively small file sizes. This is really useful especially when you are saving hard drive space and you’re working with limited storage resources. However, these files can contain layered content if they are created from layered documents using applications like Adobe InDesign. Consequently, a single page of the PDF file can contain different layers with different content. So if you try to save or print a PDF file that contains layered content, the elements will disappear from the PDF. To resolve this issue, you can try to merge or flatten the file since it will help keep the changes in the PDF file. On the other hand, you can no longer make any alterations or form data once you flatten the file. Another thing to keep in mind is that merging or flattening the file can’t be undone so you might want to save another copy of the file before you proceed.

Option 1 – Print to PDF

  • First, you have to open the desired PDF file and tap the Ctrl + P keys to open the Print dialog box.
  • After that, select the “Microsoft Print to PDF” option as the printer.
  • Once the action is confirmed, it will regenerate another version of the PDF file with the default settings and merge all the existing layers into a single layer.
  • On the other hand, you can also click on the “File” menu of the PDF file and select Print.
  • From there, click on the Print button and select “PostScript (*.ps)” as the “Save as” type to save a PostScript copy of the original PDF file.
  • Once you’re done, double click on the .ps file to open the file in the Adobe Distiller which will flatten the file automatically and convert it to a PDF file with only one visible layer.

Option 2 – Save the PDF file as an Optimized PDF file

If you are using the Acrobat Reader Pro version such as the Acrobat Pro, Foxit, and so on, you can try to flatten the layers by saving the PDF file as an Optimized PDF file. Refer to these steps to do so:

  • Select File > Save as > Optimized PDF.
  • Next, select the Transparency checkbox from the Settings window that opens.
  • Then click on the Save button to apply and save the changes made. After that, the PDF text content should not disappear when you try to save a file on your Windows 10 computer.

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SafeSearch is an ad-supported, cross web browser plugin for Internet Explorer and Firefox/Chrome. The browser extension will modify the default or custom settings of the browser including the home page, search settings, and in some cases will modify Internet Explorer’s load time threshold, place a lock file within Firefox to prevent changing settings as well as disable the browser’s Content Security Policy in order to allow for cross-site scripting of the plugin. For these reasons, it has been classified as a browser hijacker.

From the publisher: SafeSearch created by AVSoftware is the unique search engine that filters malicious sites or sites with bad reputations. Every website is weighted on several critical factors – vendor reliability, child safety, privacy issues, user opinions, and ratings.

SafeSearch has been found to be bundled with 3rd party software and malware and therefore is not recommended to keep on your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is amongst the internet’s constant problems that target browsers. It’s a kind of malware program that directs web browser requests to some other malicious sites. They’re created to disrupt browser functions for several purposes. Typically, the idea is to force users to visit certain websites that are trying to improve their visitor traffic and produce higher ad revenue. Even though it might seem naive, all browser hijackers are damaging and therefore always regarded as security risks. Furthermore, hijackers can make the entire infected system vulnerable – other dangerous malware and viruses will take hold of these opportunities to intrude into your PC effortlessly. Browser hijacking symptoms There are several signs of web browser hijacking: home-page is changed; you see new unwanted bookmarks or favorites added, usually directed to advertisement-filled or pornography websites; the main web browser settings are altered and undesirable or insecure sites are added to the trusted websites list; you notice many toolbars on your internet browser; unstoppable flurries of pop-up advertisements show up on your PC screen; web pages load very slowly and at times incomplete; you cannot visit specific sites like homepages of security software.

So how does a PC get infected with a browser hijacker?

Browser hijackers infect computers in numerous ways, including via a drive-by download, a file-share, or an infected e-mail. They could be included with toolbars, add-ons, BHO, plugins, or browser extensions. Also, some shareware and freeware can put the hijacker within your computer through “bundling”. An example of some notorious browser hijacker includes Conduit, Anyprotect, Babylon, SweetPage, DefaultTab, Delta Search, and RocketTab, but the names are continually changing.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

Certain hijackers could be removed simply by uninstalling the related freeware or add-ons through the Add or Remove Programs in the Microsoft Windows control panel. However, the majority of hijacking codes are certainly not simple to remove manually, as they go much deeper into the operating system. Moreover, manual removal expects you to perform several time-consuming and intricate procedures that are tough to conduct for novice computer users.

What you can do if Virus Stops You From Downloading Anything?

Malware can cause all kinds of damage once they invade your PC, from stealing your personal information to erasing data files on your PC. Certain malware variants alter internet browser settings by adding a proxy server or modify the computer’s DNS settings. In these instances, you will be unable to visit certain or all of the websites, and thus not able to download or install the necessary security software to eliminate the malware. If you are reading this, you may have got infected by malware that stops you from downloading a computer security program like Safebytes Anti-Malware. Even though this type of issue will be tougher to get around, there are a few actions you can take.

Install antivirus in Safe Mode with Networking

Safe Mode is actually a unique, basic version of Windows where only minimal services are loaded to counteract malware and other troublesome applications from loading. In case the malware is set to load automatically when PC boots, switching into this particular mode may well prevent it from doing so. In order to get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the system is booting up or run MSCONFIG and locate the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you reboot into Safe Mode with Networking, you can download, install, as well as update anti-malware software from there. At this point, you could run the antivirus scan to remove computer viruses and malware without hindrance from another application.

Switch over to an alternate browser

Malicious program code might exploit vulnerabilities in a particular browser and block access to all anti-malware software websites. If you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by a computer virus or otherwise compromised by hackers, the most effective approach is to switch over to an alternate web browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari to download your favorite security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

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Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

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If when trying to start Autodesk applications you receive a Network license not available error then please keep on reading, this guide is for you:

Causes of the error:

  • The license on the License Server is invalid.
  • The port for Autodesk Network License Manager is blocked.
  • The client computer is configured with incorrect license server information.
  • The license request is timing out on the client's computer before the license is obtained.

Solutions for the error:


Verify that the Autodesk License Server is setup with the correct license file.

To set up a license server for Windows, perform the following:

  1. Download and install the Network License Manager for Windows:
  2. Open LMTools and access the System Settings tab. Make a note of the "hostname" and "ethernet address" of the license server.
  3. Generate a Network License File in Autodesk Account.
  4. On the Service/License tab, select Configuration Using Services and LMTOOLS ignores license file path environment variables.
  5. On the Config Services tab, enter a name for the new service in the Service Name field.
  6. Fill the following fields, using the Browse buttons:
    • Path to the lmgrd.exe - Navigate to this file: C:\Autodesk\Network License Manager.
    • Path to the License file - Navigate to the new Autodesk.lic file, typically placed in: C:\Autodesk\Network License Manager\Licenses.
    • Path to the Debug Log file: C:\Autodesk\Network License Manager.
    • If no file is present, create a TXT file in Notepad and rename it “Debug.log.”
  7. Make sure the "Start Server at Power Up" and the "Use Services" boxes are checked. Then click Save Services.
  8. On the Start/Stop/Reread tab, click Start Server.
  9. On the Server Status tab, click Perform Status Enquiry.
  10. Licenses should display as active.

How to set up the Autodesk Network License Manager on a Mac.

Note: The Autodesk License Server Manager (version 11.16.2.0) is supported only on the following Mac operating systems:
  • Apple macOS High Sierra 10.13
  • Apple macOS Sierra 10.12
  • Apple Mac OS X El Capitan 10.11
  1. Download Autodesk Network License Manager version 11.16.2.0 for Mac
    • ​​Download the nlm11.16.2.0_ipv4_ipv6_mac_universal.tar.gz file to the Desktop.
  2. To install the Autodesk Network License Manager:
    • Double click on nlm11.16.2.0_ipv4_ipv6_mac_universal.tar.gz to unpack the installer package.
    • After unpacking nlm11.16.2.0_ipv4_ipv6_mac_universal.pkg, will be /Downloads/adlm/FLEXnet folder.
    • Double click on nlm11.16.2.0_ipv4_ipv6_mac_universal.pkg to start installation and follow the installation wizard.
    • The license server will be installed in /usr/local/flexnetserver/ directory.
  3. Change permissions for /usr/local/flexnetserver/ directory to 777
  • Open Terminal (located in /Applications/Utilities/Terminal) and enter the following command:
sudo chmod -R 777 /usr/local/flexnetserver
  • Note: Administrator password may be asked. While typing no characters are shown, just type out the password and hit return key.
  • Note: To start the license server only with elevated permissions (using sudo command), change permissions to 755 instead of 777.
  1. Create /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses directory for network license file location
sudo mkdir /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses
  1. Find the license server Host Name and Host ID.
  2. Generate the Network License File in the Autodesk Account
    • Once the license file is generated, make sure it has a .lic extension (e.g. adsk_license.lic) and is in a plain text format and place it in /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses directory
Note: In this article we will refer to  adsk_license.lic as network license file name. Feel free to change the actual name of the license file, but make sure to reflect the new name when using the commands below.
  1. Create a debug.log file in the /usr/local/flexnetserver/ directory using the following command:
touch debug.log
  1. To start the Network License Server use the following command:
/usr/local/flexnetserver/lmgrd -c /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses/adsk_license.lic -l /usr/local/flexnetserver/debug.log
Note: If folder permissions for  /usr/local/flexnetserver/ are set to  775, then use sudo command to start the server. For example:
sudo /usr/local/flexnetserver/lmgrd -c /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses/adsk_license.lic -l /usr/local/flexnetserver/debug.log
  1. To obtain license server status enquiry:
/usr/local/flexnetserver/lmutil lmstat -a -c /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses/adsk_license.lic
  1. To stop the license server:
/usr/local/flexnetserver/lmutil lmdown -q -force
  • A​​lternatively, run ps command to obtain process ids for lmgrd and adskflex and then kill those processes:
ps -ax | grep lmgrd
ps -ax | grep adskflex
kill -9
  • (provide process ids obtained by previous commands individually)

How to set up the Autodesk Network License Manager on Linux.

Note: The Autodesk License Manager (11.16.2.0) is supported only on the following Linux distros:
  • Red Hat® Enterprise Linux® 7
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise 12
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise 11
To configure the license manager use the following steps:
  1. Download Autodesk Network License Manager v. 11.16.2 for Linux from this link
    • ​​Download the nlm11.16.2.0_ipv4_ipv6_linux64.tar.gz file to your desktop.
  2. To install the Autodesk Network License Manager run following command as root.
    • tar –zxvf nlm11.16.2.0_ipv4_ipv6_linux64.tar.gz
    • rpm -vhi nlm11.16.2.0_ipv4_ipv6_linux64.rpm
    • The license server will be installed in /opt/flexnetserver/ directory.
  3. Find the license server Host Name and Host ID
  • To obtain the license server system hostid run the following command
/opt/flexnetserver/lmutil lmhostid From the command output note the hostid in quotes, if the system has two active NIC cards, select the first MAC address. lmutil - Copyright (c) 1989-2018 Flexera. All Rights Reserved. The FlexNet host ID of this machine is "000c297949e0"
  • To obtain the license server system hostname run the following command
/opt/flexnetserver/lmutil lmhostid hostname From the command output note the hostname of the license server. mutil - Copyright (c) 1989-2018 Flexera. All Rights Reserved. The FlexNet host ID of this machine is "HOSTNAME=Centos7.localdomain"
  1. Generate your Network License File in Autodesk Account
    • Once the license file is generated, make sure it has .lic extension (e.g. adsk_license.lic) and place it in /opt/flexnetserver/licenses directory.  If the directory doesn't exits, create it with this command: sudo mkdir /opt/flexnetserver/licenses
Note: in this article we will refer by adsk_license.lic your network license file name.
  1. To start the Network License Server
    • /opt/flexnetserver/lmgrd -c /opt/flexnetserver/licenses/adsk_license.lic -l /opt/flexnetserver/server_log.log
  2. To obtain license server status enquiry
    • /opt/flexnetserver/lmutil lmstat -a -c /opt/flexnetserver/licenses/adsk_license.lic
  3. To stop your license server service
    • /opt/flexnetserver/lmutil lmdown -q -force
    • alternatively you can also run ps command to obtain process ids for lmgrd and adskflex and then kill those processes
      • ps -aw | grep lmgrd
      • ps -aw | grep adskflex
      • kill -9 (provide process ids obtained by previous commands individually)
  4. To start the license server automatically after the system reboot
    • Open /etc/rc.d/rc.local script as root and enter license server start up command in it.
touch /var/lock/subsys/local /opt/flexnetserver/lmgrd -c /opt/flexnetserver/licenses/adsk_license.lic -l /opt/flexnetserver/server_log.logNote: To ensure that the script will be executed during boot, run following command as root. chmod +x /etc/rc.d/rc.local
  1. Make sure that all necessary ports are open:
  • lmgrd.exe needs ports 27000 to 27009.
  • adskflex.exe needs port 2080.
Note: Errors may occur if the network license file is corrupt or in the case of a combined network license it has incorrectly combined licenses. To learn more about combining licenses, see Combining License Files for Multiple Autodesk Products. Use the License File Parser to verify that the license contains the appropriate products and FLEXnet feature codes and does not display an error

Verify that TCP ports (2080, 27000-27009) used by Autodesk Network License Manager are not blocked by Firewall.

The FLEXlm® based version uses the following incoming ports:
  • TCP ports 2080 (for the adskflex vendor daemon)
  • TCP ports 27000 to 27009 (for the lmgrd master daemon, which uses the first open port in the range)
Note: If these port addresses are restricted by a router or firewall software, users on the remote side of the router will not have access to licenses controlled by the Network License Manager.

Verify that the client computer is configured with the correct license server name or IP.

Windows:

Clear license server information from the system registry.

  1. Type regedit in the Windows Search box and hit Enter key.
  2. Select the following registry key
  • [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\FLEXlm License Manager]
  1. As the key is selected, in right panel ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE will be visible.
  2. Right click on the key and delete it.

Specify the license server in ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE system variable 

  1. Go to Start > Control Panel > System and Security > System.
  2. Select Advanced system settings.
  3. On the System Properties dialog, click Environment Variables.
  4. Under System Variables, click New.
  5. Enter ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE for the variable name and 2080@SERVER_NAME _OR _IP for the variable value.
Note: the license server information most often is recorded in LICPATH.lic file and can be verified there too.  ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE system variable supersedes LICPATH.lic.  Thus, setting the system variable is preferable when this error is seen.

If the license server is on a VPN or a remote network set the FLEXLM_TIMEOUT environment variable:

  1. Go to Start > Control Panel > System and Security > System.
  2. Select Advanced system settings.
  3. On the System Properties dialog, click Environment Variables.
  4. Under System Variables, click New.
  5. Enter FLEXLM_TIMEOUT for the variable name and 5000000 for the variable value.
  6. Click OK to save the setting.
Note: if needed the variable value can be increased to 10000000.

Mac/Linux:

Specify the Autodesk Network License server information in $HOME/.flexlmrc file.

Use a text editor to create a flexlmrc.txt file and save it in Plain text format (In TextEdit on Mac: Format - Make Plain Text) on desktop. The file content should look like this, except with the name or IP address of the license server.
  • ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE=@SERVER_NAME _OR _IP
If the license server is on the same machine as the Autodesk software, use localhost as the license server name.  Thus, the content of flexlmrc file could look like this:
  • ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE=@localhost
Note: On firewall restricted network or when accessing the license server via VPN, need to include TCP port/s (usually 27000 or 2080) into Autodesk License Server service as follows: ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE=2080@SERVER_NAME _OR _IP

Once flexlmrc file is created move it to user's $HOME folder as follows:

  1. Open a Terminal window
  2. Type open ~ (Mac) or nautilus ~ (Linux) to open $HOME folder
  3. Drag and drop flexlmrc.txt file from Desktop to the home folder.
  4. To make the file a configuration file, rename it to .flexlmrc (please note . [DOT] in front of the file name) by running the following command:
  • mv flexlmrc.txt .flexlmrc (Mac)
  • mv flexlmrc .flexlmrc (Linux)

Verify that the license server information registered with the product is correct (versions 2020 and later only)

In versions 2020 and later, the license server information is registered with the AdskLicensing service running locally on the workstation. When changing to a new license server, the old server information may still be registered with AdskLicensing and result in the error above, if this is not appropriately updated. See the below steps to solve this:
  1. Click the Start menu and type cmd.
  2. Right-click on the Command prompt and choose "Run As Administrator."
  3. In the Command prompt, run the following command, followed by ENTER:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\AdskLicensing\Current\helper\AdskLicensingInstHelper.exe" change -pk PRODKEY -pv VER.0.0.F -lm "" -ls "" -lt""

Note:

  • Replace PRODKEY with the product key correspondent to your product(s). See Look Up Product Keys for the full list.
  • Replace VER with the version you are using. E.g. 2020 for AutoCAD 2020.
  • Repeat this step for each software you need to reset.
  1. Open Registry Editor (Start > type regedit > ENTER).
  2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FLEXlm License Manager.
  3. On the right-side, verify of the ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE key exists. If yes, remove it (right-click > Delete).
  4. Run the software again.
  5. Select Multi-user in the Let's Get Started screen.
  6. Follow the steps to connect to your license server.
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Keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys are not working
This post will guide you on what to do if your keyboard shortcuts or hotkeys are not working on your Windows 10 computer. A lot of users use hotkeys as they make things easier for them as they use their computer. However, there are instances when these hotkeys suddenly stop working. It’s actually one of the most common problems with keyboards. And so to resolve this problem, you can try out some suggestions prepared on this post.

Option 1 – Clean the keyboard keys physically

Your keyboard might not be working properly due to some dirt or other corrosion. First, you need to shut down your computer and then unplug the keyboard if you are using a desktop computer and then prepare it for cleaning. After that, use a small cotton ear cleaning tool to get between the creases and clean them. You can dip it slightly in alcohol to make it more efficient in cleaning dust and dirt. And if you can, you have the option to pull apart the keyboard completely and then wipe away all the corrosion from the inside. Once you’re done, put the keyboard back together and then plug it back into your PC. Now turn your PC on and check if the hotkeys are now working.

Option 2 – Try running the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

The first thing you can do to fix the problem is by running the Hardware Troubleshooter. Although it won’t make much of a difference, there’s still a possibility that it could automatically fix the problem with these function keys. To use it, refer to these steps:
  • The first thing you need to do is click on Start and then on the gear-like icon to pull up the window for Settings.
  • After opening Settings, look for the Update and Security option and select it.
  • From there, go to the Troubleshoot option located on the left-hand side of the list.
  • Next, select Hardware and Devices from the list and open the Troubleshooter and run it. Once it is doing its job, wait for it to complete the process and then restart the system.
  • After the system restarts, check if the problem’s now fixed. If not, refer to the next option given below.

Option 3 – Try connecting the keyboard to a different USB port

The problem might have something to do with the USB port that’s currently in use by your keyboard. It could be that it’s not working so it makes sense to unplug it and attach it to another USB port. You can also clean the USB port on both ends to ensure that they are not affected by corrosion.

Option 4 – Uninstall previously installed keyboard software

If you have been previously using another keyboard, it might be better if you make sure that the software for the old device has been removed since there are instances when multiple software can cause problems due to similarities in actions.

Option 5 – Update the keyboard driver

You can also update the keyboard driver to fix the problem. There are cases when an outdated or corrupted driver can fix the problem. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
  • From there, look for the keyboard driver and click on it.
  • Next, right-click on the keyboard driver and select the Update driver option.
  • After that, click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option to proceed.

Option 6 – Reinstall the keyboard driver

If updating the keyboard driver didn’t help, then you might want to reinstall it. How? Follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in 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 keyboard driver, right-click on it and then select “Uninstall device”.
  • After that, unplug the device and restart your PC.
  • Then plug your device back in. Assuming your device is connected to your PC, open the Device Manager again.
  • Next, click on the Action button and click the Scan for hardware changes button. That should fix the problem.
Note: You could also completely uninstall the driver and go directly to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your hardware and then install it.

Option 7 – Enable Human Interface Device (HID) Service

Another thing to consider is the Human Interface Device Service. If this service is disabled, then no wonder why your hotkeys are not working. Thus, you need to enable this service. Refer to the following steps to do that:
  • Tap the Win + R key to launch the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open Services.
  • After opening Services, scroll down until you see the Human Interface Device service.
  • Double click on HID and make sure that its Startup Type is set to “Automatic” and then click OK.
  • Restart your PC and check if the hotkeys are now working or not.

Option 8 – Try resetting the keyboard

You might also want to try resetting the keyboard as it can also help in fixing the problem. Setting it back to its default state will surely help.
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Nearby Sharing is not working in Windows
Windows 10 has a lot of several useful features and one of them is the Nearby Sharing feature. You can access this feature by going to Start > Settings > System > Shared experiences. From there, switch on the Nearby Sharing option and select the folder where you want to download the files to. This feature is really useful as it allows you to share files. However, there were reports from a number of users recently stating that Nearby Sharing is not working on their Windows 10 computers. If you are one of the users facing this problem, you might want to try checking if the Windows 10 v1803 Update is installed on your computer or not. You could also try to check if Bluetooth supports low energy mode or you could also try bringing the device closer or check if the adapter has Bluetooth version 4.0 or later. For more information, refer to each one of the given options below.

Option 1 – Try checking if Windows 10 v1803 Update is installed

To check if the Windows 10 v1803 Update is installed on your computer, go to Start > Settings > System > About. From there, scroll down to the Windows specifications and check the Version. If it is 1803 or above, then the Nearby Sharing feature should be active on your computer. However, if you find that Windows 10 v1803 Update is not installed yet, then you need to update your computer to its latest version and then see if it fixes the problem or not.

Option 2 – Verify if Bluetooth supports low energy mode

Although low energy mode is not really necessary in using Nearby Sharing, there are some Bluetooth terminals that support low energy mode which makes a lot of difference. Thus, you need to check if Bluetooth in your computer supports low energy mode by following these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and tap Enter to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, expand the list of Bluetooth adapters, and then right-click on your adapter and select Properties.
  • Go to the Details tab and select Bluetooth radio supports Low Energy Central Role from the drop-down menu and if its value says “<true>”, it means that your Bluetooth supports low energy mode, otherwise, it doesn’t.
  • If your Bluetooth does not support low energy mode, then you might want to consider purchasing an external one.

Option 3 – Try bringing the devices closer

Nearby Sharing might not work if your devices are not close enough. Thus, you need to bring your devices closer together and see if it fixes the problem. And when you do, make sure that Network Sharing is switched on for all the concerned devices.

Option 4 – Make sure that you’re using Bluetooth version 4.0 or later

For you to use the Nearby Sharing feature, you have to make sure that the adapter for all the concerned devices is using Bluetooth version 4.0 or later. So if one of the devices or if all the devices are not using this version or later versions, then you must buy an external Bluetooth adapter for you to enjoy the Nearby Sharing feature.
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Fix Windows Update Error 0x80071a91
Windows Update Error 0x80071a91, what it is? As you know, Windows Updates are very essential to the operating system since they push with them the important security updates that are crucial to the system. And if a Windows Update is delayed, it can the system vulnerable to potential threats. Thus, this kind of issue must be resolved right away. One of the errors that you can encounter while updating your computer is the Windows Update Error 0x80071a91. The error code 0x80071a91 occurs when the “Transaction support within the specified file system resource manager is not started or was shut down due to an error”. This happens when a service called “File System Resource Manager” or FSRM does not function due to some reason. To fix the Windows Update Error 0x80071a91, here are some suggestions that could help.

Option 1 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter could also help you resolve the Windows Update Error 0x80071a91. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.

Option 2 – Disable the antivirus program temporarily

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

Option 3 – Try resetting the File System Resource Manager

As pointed out earlier, the error 0x80071a91 pops up when the FSRM service suddenly stops working and so resetting this service via Command Prompt might resolve the problem. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • In the Windows Search box, type “command prompt” and hit Enter.
  • Then right-click on Command Prompt from the related search results and click the “Run as administrator” option.
  • After opening Command Prompt as admin, type the following command and hit Enter:
resource setautoreset true C:
  • After that, exit Command Prompt and restart your computer and then check if the problem’s fixed by running Windows Update again.

Option 4 – Flush the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder

You have to stop a couple of services such as BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update Services. And to do that, you need to flush the contents in the SoftwareDistribution folder. The Software Distribution folder in the Windows operating system is a folder that can be found in the Windows directory and is used to store files temporarily which might be required to install the Windows Update on your PC. Thus, it is required by the Windows Update and maintained by WUAgent. Aside from that, it also contains all the Windows Update History files and once you delete them, you will most likely lose the Update history. As a result, the next time you run the Windows Update, it may result in a longer detection time.
  • Open the WinX Menu.
  • From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
  • Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
  • After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Cryptographic, and the MSI Installer
  • Next, go to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
  • Once all the contents in the Software Distribution folder are deleted, restart your PC and then go back to Command Prompt and input the following commands again.
net start wuauserv net start bits

Option 5 – Delete the Common Log File System transaction logs

You might also want to delete the Common Log File System or CLFS transaction logs to fix the Windows Update Error 0x80071a91.
  • Open an elevated Command Prompt.
  • Then type each of the commands listed below and press Enter after you type each one of them.
    • cd /d %SystemRoot%System32SMIStoreMachine
    • attrib -s -h *
    • del *.blf
    • del *.regtrans-ms
  • After you’ve executed the commands given above, restart your computer and try to update Windows 10 again.
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How to Fix Windows 10 Error Code 0xc004fc03

Error Code 0xc004fc03 – What is it?

Error code 0xc004fc03 occurs when Windows users fail to activate their Windows operating system due to a networking problem. The error code’s common symptoms include the following:

  • Inability to activate Windows 10 operating system
  • Message box with error code 0xc004fc03

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error code 0xc004fc03 in Windows 10 usually occurs due to issues related to a Windows user’s network. Your computer may be having problems connecting to the Internet or your firewall may be blocking or interrupting your device’s ability to activate Windows 10. In some cases, users may simply need to wait a day or two to reattempt to activate their system using a valid product key, as there may be an issue with the Windows activation servers.  Failure to promptly fix this error code might result in other Windows 10 error messages, such as error code 0xc004f034.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To rectify the error code, Windows 10 users will need to perform manual repair procedures that fix the underlying problems causing error code 0xc004fc03. These procedures may include reconnecting to one’s network, checking your firewall settings, or activating your Windows operating system via phone. The manual repair methods are simple and do not require technical knowledge of the Windows operating system. If your attempts at manually repairing this error code fail, however, you may need to try a few other procedures.

Method One: Verify Internet Connection

To check your Internet connection, you’ll need to access the Network & Internet tab in Windows 10. Follow the instructions below to access this tab and fix Internet connectivity issues if they are preventing you from activating Windows on your machine.

  • 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

If your status shows that you are not connected to a network, you will need to fix your connection. Simply use the Network Troubleshooter to troubleshoot your connection. You will be able to activate your copy of Windows once your connectivity issues are resolved.

If, however, the problem persists and error code 0xc004fc03 occurs during the activation process, this simply means that the existence of the error code is not due to connectivity or networking problems. In such a case, move to the next manual repair method listed below and follow the exact instructions given.

Method Two: Check Firewall Settings

Windows Firewall protects your PC from hackers, worms, and other malicious programs. However, in some cases, it may result in error codes like error code 0xc004fc03. If your firewall is interfering with the Windows 10 activation, you’ll be able to rectify the problem by simply adjusting your settings. Follow the steps below to check – and adjust if necessary – your Windows Firewall settings.

  • Step one: Click search bar and type firewall
  • Step two: Select Windows Firewall
  • Step three: Select Turn Windows Firewall on or off

In some cases, Windows users may not be able to adjust settings within the Windows Firewall tab, as your firewall settings may be controlled by a third party antivirus software. If this is the case, open the antivirus software and turn off the firewall if the software does not prevent you from making such changes to its settings.

Note, however, that you will need to readjust the settings as soon as you activate your version of Windows 10. This is due to the fact that turning off your firewall settings permanently may lead to exposure to worms and other malicious programs.

Method Three: Activate Windows by Phone

Activation of Windows via phone is another option for individuals experiencing error code 0xc004fc03. The activate by phone option in the Update & Security tab will be available once you fail to activate Windows 10. To complete this manual repair method, follow the steps below.

  • Step one: Select Settings
  • Step two: Click Update & security
  • Step three: Select Activate by phone
  • Step four: Follow the instructions provided thereafter.

This is one of the most effective ways to fix error code 0xc004fc03. If the issue persists, however, you can proceed to the last resort.

Method Four: Download 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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Assigning Multiple IP Addresses to Adapter
There are times when an IT admin has to set up multiple IP addresses to the same network adapter. Setting up multiple IP addresses in scenarios like hosting various SSL sites, speed up traffic exchanges can help in avoiding being blacklisted in the SPAM filters, and so on. So in this post, you will be guided on how exactly you can assign multiple IP addresses to the network adapter in your Windows 10 computer. There are several ways to assign multiple IP addresses in a network adapter. You can do it using the Network Adapter settings or using the Netsh utility, as well as the Windows PowerShell utility. To get started, refer to each one of the options provided below.

Option 1 – Assign multiple IP addresses via Network Adapter settings

  • Go to Settings first and from there, select Network & Internet, and then click on the Change adapter options. This will show you a list of both the physical and virtual network adapters in your computer.
  • Next, double click on the Ethernet adapter where you want to assign the multiple IP addresses and then click on the Properties button.
  • After that, you should see the Ethernet properties where you have to select the “TCP/IPv4” or “TCP/IPv6”.
  • Once done, click on the Properties button and then select the “Use the following IP address” option under the General tab.
  • Now you have to add an IP address, subnet, and default gateway to the network adapter and then click on the Advanced button.
  • This will open the Advanced TCP/IP settings where you have to click on the Add button so you can add an IP address. From here, you can keep adding multiple IP addresses to the network adapter. You also have the option to add multiple gateways or DNS IP addresses.
  • Once done, if you execute the “ipconfig” command, you should see all the secondary IP addresses listed.

Option 2 – Assign multiple IP addresses using the Netsh command

Another way to assign multiple IP addresses to your network adapter is via the Netsh command.
  • In the Start Search, type “command prompt” and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and then select the “Run as administrator” to open it with admin privileges.
  • If a User Account Control or UAC prompt pops up, just click on Yes.
  • After that, run this command: Netsh int ipv4 add address name="Local Area Connection" 192.168.100.100 255.255.255.0 SkipAsSource=True
Note: You have the option to set “SkepAsSource” since it depends on your needs using the Netsh command. When it is configured as true, the IP address won’t be used by the OS for outbound connections.

Option 3 – Assign multiple IP addresses via Windows PowerShell

  • Tap the Win + X key combination and click on the “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” option.
  • After opening Windows PowerShell as admin, use the NetIPAddress command so you can add more IP addresses. Execute this command: Get-NetIPAddress | ft IPAddress, InterfaceAlias, SkipAsSource
  • Next, assign an IP address to a network adapter by executing this command: New-NetIPAddress –IPAddress 192.168.100.100 –PrefixLength 24 –InterfaceAlias “vEthernet” –SkipAsSource $True
  • Now to modify the “SkipAsSource” parameter, use this command: Get-NetIPAddress 192.168.100.100 | Set-NetIPAddress -SkipAsSource $False
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March 2021: List of data breaches & attacks
March 2021 – 21 million records breached full list of incidents:

Cyber attacks March 2021

Ransomware March 2021

Data breaches March 2021

Financial information

Malicious insiders and miscellaneous incidents

If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
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How to Unmerge the User folder in Windows 10
The Windows 10 system allows users to change the default location of the User folders to another drive. This is probably to make sure that the files stay safe in case the system suddenly crashes. However, in some cases, while changing the path to another drive, for instance, the D drive or any folder, the Windows system recognized it as a hard drive as well so even though the files will be saved on that folder, it will appear as a hard drive in the Windows Explorer or look merged with another folder. It could also be that you had dragged and dropped a user folder to another user folder by accident. So if you’re wondering how you can unmerge the User folders, read on as this post will guide you on how exactly you can do that. Take note that even if you try to use the File History to restore the User folders, it still won’t work and you won’t be able to move them back to their previous locations nor restore the folders back to their previous versions and it would only state that they are not available. In the instructions given below, we are using the Downloads folder as an example.
  • Step 1: Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Step 2: Next, type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Step 3: After opening the Registry Editor, navigate to the following registry key:
ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerUser Shell Folders
  • Step 4: Then double-click on the multi-string value {374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B} located in the right hand pane. And in the Value Data, copy and paste the following value:
%USERPROFILE%Downloads
  • Step 5: Now click OK and close the Registry Editor.
Note: Look close enough and you’ll see that the multi-string values belong to each one of the folders. From there, you have a Desktop, Favorites, Skydrive, Music, Pictures, and many more.
  • Step 6: Restart your computer. After that, the operating system will pick up the new folder location during the startup. Here are the values for the other folders:
Music – {1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE} Pictures – {3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA} Videos – {A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C} Documents – {A8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0} Desktop – {B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}
  • Step 7: Now all you have to do is to change the location correctly. Start by tapping the Win + E keys to open the Windows File Explorer.
  • Step 8: After that, right-click on the Downloads folder located in the right-hand pane.
  • Step 9: Then click on Properties and go to the Location tab then type “D:\Downloads” in the location box.
  • Step 10: Click the Apply button and then the OK button to save the changes made. Doing so would ensure that not only the Downloads folder is restored but also that it does not stay merged to another folder or appear as a drive.
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