Computer gets stuck on Preparing to configure

Change Network from Public to Private error

You have the option to choose to configure the Network to Private or Public when you set it on Windows 10 PC. On the other hand, if the option to change the Network from Public to Private goes missing in Windows Settings then this post will surely help. You can find this setting under Settings > Network and Internet > Ethernet and appears when you click on it. If you are not able to see the option to change the network profile, then you either can’t open the settings, or the option to change it has been disabled. To resolve this issue, you can either use the Registry Editor or Windows PowerShell. Refer to the options given below for more details.

Option 1 – Change the Network Profile via Registry Editor

Changing the Network Profile can be done using the Registry Editor. But before you proceed, make sure that you create a System Restore Point first just in case. Refer to the steps below to do so.

Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
After that, navigate to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionNetworkListProfiles
Now expand the Profiles key folder located in the left pane to see one or more folders.
Next, expand each one of these folders and look for the “Description” sub-key which should match the name of your network.
After you find the Description sub-key, look for another sub-key named “Category” and double click on it to open it.
Now change its value from “0” to “1” to change the Network Profile from Public to Private.

Option 2 – Change the Network Profile via Windows PowerShell

Aside from the Windows Registry, you can also use Windows PowerShell in changing the Network Profile from Public to Private and so on. Take note that you have to use PowerShell with admin privileges. Just refer to the steps below to do so.

Tap the Win + X keys and then select the “PowerShell (Admin)” option.
Next, click on Yes if the User Account Control prompt appears.
After that, execute the commands listed below. Hit Enter right after you key in each one of them.
- Get-NetConnectionProfile
- Set-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceIndex <index number> -NetworkCategory Private

Note: Since every Network Profile has an index number, you can check the label “Name” to identify the network that you want to change.

Automatically Adjust Active Hours in Windows

In case you didn’t know, the new Windows 10 v1903 has brought tons of new features around Windows 10 Updates. One of these features is the ability to automatically adjust the Active Hours based on your computer activity. This feature is really useful as it tells the operating system when to install the Windows Updates. A lot of users use the Active Hours feature to ensure that the Windows Update won’t force them to restart their PCs to install the update. So if your computer is turned on, it won’t apply the update during the active hours you’ve specified. In addition, the active hours change for many users and they are not that strict. For instance, if you set the active hours between 10 am to 5 pm, Windows Update won’t be forcing you to restart your computer to install the updates at those times. Note that Windows Update allows enabling an option using where it can monitor the active hours in your computer and change it. To configure this setting, here’s what you have to do:

Frist, go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update.
Next, take note of your current active hours and click on the “Change active hours” link.
Then toggle the option that says, “Automatically adjust active hours for this device based on activity”. This will change the active hours and if you match it with the previous one, it should be different.

As you can see on the image given above, the earlier active hours were between 8:00 to 17:00 and were changed to 11:00 to 19:00. If you have been using this feature for a while you’ll find how useful and handy it is especially when you’re using your computer and don’t want any notifications like the prompts for Windows Updates to bother you while working.

Fix Error 0x8000704ec in Windows 10

Universal Windows Platform (UWP) applications are the modern application in the windows store that can be used in all the Window devices like Xbox, Hololens, Tablet, PC or Phone. Basically, UWP provides a common platform for every device that runs Windows 10. When attempting to login into these applications and receive this error:

Can’t sign in with a Microsoft account This program is blocked by group policy. For more information, contact your system administrator. 0x8000704ec

Then this post is for you. We will guide you on how to easily resolve issues, please follow the steps provided.

Local group policy editor solution
- Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the Run dialog.
- In the Run dialog box type gpedit.msc and press ENTER to open Group Policy Editor.
- Inside the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the path below:
Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Polices > Security Options
- On the right pane, double-click on Accounts: Block Microsoft accounts to edit its properties.
- Under Local Security Setting tab, click on the drop-down and select This policy is disabled.
- Click Apply > OK to save the changes.
- Exit Group Policy Editor.
Registry editor solution
As always, it is highly recommended to make a backup of the registry editor just in case that something goes wrong.
- Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the Run dialog.
- In the Run dialog box, type regedit and hit ENTER to open Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the registry key path below:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- At the location, on the right pane, identify the NoConnectedUser key. The key value might be set to either 1 or 3.
- Now, double-click the NoConnectedUser entry to edit its properties.
- Input 0 in the Value data field and hit Enter to save the change.

Best gifts for Gamers and PC enthusiasts

The holiday season is almost upon us and buying gifts for loved ones can sometimes present some headaches, especially if that loved one is a Gamer or PC enthusiast. We have all been there and how almost every household today has a console or PC struggles are infecting more and more people. But do not despair, we have made a nice list of potential gifts for you. gifts

The list contains some nice essential and good things but we gave our best not to break the bank so you will not find any large screens or 300$ keyboards here. Of course, you can always get expensive gifts and if you have money for it do it, it is just we want to have affordable stuff here.

A Steam gift card

For gamers, a good game is a great gift but most of the time when we are buying a game we can miss what the person wants. That is why a Steam gift card is a great gift for gamers. He can use it and buy whatever he or she wants for its value.

Xbox Game pass

This is another for those Gamers type. Xbox game pass is a great gift even if you do not own Xbox since all games will work on PC as well. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes the PC version, which will unlock somewhere between 300 and 350 games automatically. It’s a subscription service, so your PC gamer will have to keep up with it. The monthly price is worth it, though.

Pack of cable ties

Almost every PC user has tons of cables lying around, and most of the time they are not really tidy. Cable ties come to the rescue!!! Let us be honest, no one likes cables that are scattered all over the place, even the computer users so if they do not have this essential piece of equipment, we are sure they will like it.

Compressed air duster

Dust is enemy no.1 for computer users, it gets into the keyboard, into small spaces, etc. It is very difficult to get it out so an air duster for compressed air is a great cleaning gift for any kind of computer enthusiast. You can get it with a can of compressed air as well so everything is ready for cleaning.

New Headset

A headset is always a great gift. Over time earbuds can deteriorate and get damaged simply just by using them and when enough time passes even cables can start losing contact and overall sound quality may drop. Usually, computer users change headsets like keyboards so if your loved one has some old headsets showing their age, a new one is a perfect present.

New SSD drive

More hard disk space is always a welcome sight for any PC user and new SSD drives fueled with new technology are faster than ones of the same size in past years making them a perfect gift.

Large mouse pad

A good mouse pad can mean a lot to a gamer. Over time mouse pad deteriorates simply with its use so a new and fancy large pad is a great gift for any user. If you want a great gift, make it with RGB light.

How to get rid of Iminent Emoticons (Iminent.com)

Iminent Emoticons is a browser plugin developed by IMinent. This extension offers users a whole new way to chat by adding new emojis, memes, and other interesting features to social media chats. However, upon further investigation, we did not manage to get this extension work or show up in any chat.

While installing this extension may display additional ads throughout your browsing sessions depending if it has an affiliate link for the desired search terms. It may also change your default search engine and home page to search.iminent.com (depending on the extension version).

Malware has been detected in this extension by several anti-virus programs and is therefore not recommended to keep on your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking means a malicious code has power over and modified the settings of your internet browser, without your consent. Nearly all browser hijackers are created for advertising or marketing purposes. Generally, hijackers are programmed for the benefit of internet hackers usually through revenue generation that comes from forced advert mouse clicks and website visits. Most people think that these websites are legitimate and harmless but that is not the case. Nearly every browser hijacker poses an actual threat to your online safety and it’s necessary to categorize them under privacy risks. Some browser hijackers are programmed to make certain modifications beyond the browsers, like changing entries in the computer registry and letting other types of malware further damage your PC.

Browser hijacking signs and symptoms

There are various symptoms that indicate the internet browser is hijacked: the browser’s home-page is modified; you get re-directed to internet sites you never meant to visit; The default search page of your web browser is altered; unwanted new toolbars are added to your browser; your browser displays constant pop-up ads; websites load very slowly and sometimes incomplete; you have prohibited entry to specific web pages, including the website of an anti-malware software manufacturer like SafeBytes.

Exactly how browser hijacker infects PCs

Browser hijackers can get into a computer by some means or other, for instance via downloads, file sharing, and e-mail too. They can also be deployed through the installation of a web browser toolbar, add-on, or extension. A browser hijacker may also come bundled up with some freeware which you unintentionally download and install, compromising your PC security. Some of the well-known hijackers are Iminent Emoticons, Babylon Toolbar, Conduit Search, OneWebSearch, Sweet Page, and CoolWebSearch. The existence of any browser hijacker on your computer might drastically diminish the browsing experience, track your online activities that result in serious privacy concerns, diminish overall system performance and cause application instability also.

The best ways to get rid of a browser hijacker

Certain browser hijacking can be easily reversed by discovering and eliminating the corresponding malware application through your control panel. But, most browser hijackers are hard to get rid of manually. Irrespective of how much you try to remove it, it may keep coming back again and again. Rookie computer users shouldn’t ever attempt the manual form of removal methods, as it needs in-depth system knowledge to carry out fixes on the computer registry and HOSTS file. Installing and running antivirus applications on the affected computer could automatically delete browser hijackers and also other malicious applications. One of the greatest tools for fixing browser hijacker malware is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. It will help you get rid of any pre-existing malware in your system and gives you real-time monitoring and protection from new threats. Employ a system optimiser along with your anti-malware software to fix various registry problems, eliminate computer vulnerabilities, and enhance your computer's overall performance.

Learn How to Eliminate Malware that is Blocking Websites or Preventing Downloads

Malware could cause all sorts of damage if they invade your computer, ranging from stealing your personal information to erasing files on your PC. Certain malware variants alter internet browser settings by including a proxy server or change the PC’s DNS settings. In these cases, you’ll be unable to visit some or all internet sites, and thus not able to download or install the necessary security software to clear out the infection. So what should you do if malicious software prevents you from downloading or installing Anti-Malware? There are some solutions you can attempt to get around with this particular obstacle.

Boot your computer in Safe Mode

The Windows OS comes with a special mode known as “Safe Mode” in which just the minimum required applications and services are loaded. In the event, the virus is set to load automatically when PC boots, shifting into this mode may prevent it from doing so. To start the computer into Safe Mode, hit the “F8” key on the keyboard right before the Windows boot screen appears; Or right after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, look over “Safe Boot” under Boot tab, and click Apply. As soon as you restart into Safe Mode with Networking, you can download, install, and update the anti-malware program from there. Now, you can actually run the antivirus scan to get rid of computer viruses and malware without interference from another application.

Switch to an alternate browser

Certain viruses might target vulnerabilities of a specific web browser that obstruct the downloading process. The most effective solution to avoid this issue is to choose an internet browser that is known for its security features. Firefox contains built-in Malware and Phishing Protection to help keep you safe online.

Run antivirus from a pen drive

Here’s yet another solution which is using a portable USB anti-virus software package that can check your system for malicious software without needing installation. Adopt these measures to employ a USB flash drive to clean your infected computer system. 1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free PC. 2) Plug in the USB drive to a USB port on the clean computer. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, with a .exe file format. 4) Select the drive letter of the USB drive as the place when the wizard asks you where you want to install the anti-virus. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation. 5) Now, transfer the pen drive to the infected PC. 6) Double-click the EXE file to run the Safebytes tool right from the pen drive. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and get rid of all sorts of malware.

Highlights of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

To help protect your computer or laptop from many different internet-based threats, it’s important to install an anti-malware application on your personal computer. However, with so many anti-malware companies in the market, nowadays it is difficult to decide which one you should buy for your computer. A few are worth your money, but many aren’t. You should pick a company that creates industry-best antimalware and has gained a reputation as reliable. Among few good programs, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended software for the security-conscious user. SafeBytes anti-malware is a highly effective and easy-to-use protection tool that is designed for users of all levels of computer literacy. With its outstanding protection system, this tool will instantly detect and get rid of most of the security threats, including browser hijackers, viruses, adware, ransomware, PUPs, and trojans.

SafeBytes has excellent features when compared with various other anti-malware programs. Here are some of the best ones:

Robust, Anti-malware Protection: This deep-cleaning anti-malware software program goes much deeper than most anti-virus tools to clean your PC. Its critically acclaimed virus engine locates and disables hard to remove malware that hides deep within your PC. Active Protection: SafeBytes provides complete and real-time security for your PC. They’re extremely effective in screening and getting rid of different threats since they’re constantly improved with new updates and safety measures. Web Security: SafeBytes provides an instant safety rating to the web pages you are about to visit, automatically blocking unsafe sites and ensuring that you are certain of your online safety while browsing the web. Faster Scanning: SafeBytes Anti-Malware has a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to five times faster than any other protection software. Minimal CPU and RAM Usage: This application is not “heavy” on the computer’s resources, so you’ll not see any performance issues when SafeBytes is working in the background. 24/7 Online Tech Support: For any technical problems or product support, you can get 24/7 expert assistance via chat and e-mail. SafeBytes will keep your computer protected from the latest malware threats automatically, thereby keeping your web experience safe and secure. You now may realize that this particular tool does more than just scan and eliminate threats from your PC. So if you’re trying to find a comprehensive antivirus program that’s still easy to use, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is exactly what you will need!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you don’t wish to use malware removal software and like to eliminate Imminent Emoticons manually, you could do so by going to the Add/Remove Programs menu in the Control Panel and deleting the offending program; in cases of web browser plug-ins, you could remove it by visiting the browsers Add-on/Extension manager. You may also want to reset your home page and search engine providers, and also delete temporary files, browsing history, and internet cookies. If you choose to manually remove the system files and Windows registry entries, utilize the following checklist to make sure you know exactly what files to remove before executing any actions. Please keep in mind that only experienced computer users should try to manually edit the system files because deleting any single vital registry entry results in a major problem or even a PC crash. In addition to that, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. You are urged to do this procedure in Safe Mode.

Files: %PROGRAMFILES%\IMinent Toolbar\TbHelper2.exe %PROGRAMFILES%\IMinent Toolbar\tbhelper.dll %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\IMinent Toolbar\uninstall.exe %COMMONPROGRAMFILES%\IMGUpdater\IMGUpdater.exe %TEMP%\RarSFX0\Binaries\IMinentToolbarInstallerCHR.exe %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\X7WAGUH3\IminentSetup.exe %PROGRAMFILES%\IminentToolbar.8.21.26\bh\iminent.dll %PROGRAMFILES%\IminentToolbar.8.25.0\iminentsrv.exe %TEMP%\Setup.exe1b7d2cac9747d1a847e0a25b76eaa0\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\IminentSetup.exe %COMMONPROGRAMFILES%\Umbrella\Umbrella.exe %COMMONPROGRAMFILES%\Hydrup\hydrup.exe %TEMP%\Iminent\iminenttoolbar.exe %TEMP%\Iminent\IMinentToolbarFF.exe %TEMP%\Iminent\IminentToolbarChrome.exe C:\Program Files\iminent toolbar\access connections.resources.dll C:\Program Files\iminent toolbar\acwizres.dll C:\Program Files\iminent toolbar\diagres.dll C:\Program Files\iminent toolbar\f5res.dll C:\Program Files\iminent toolbar\guihlprres.dll C:\Program Files\iminent toolbar\iconres.dll C:\Program Files\iminent toolbar\iminent_toolbar.dll C:\Program Files\iminent toolbar\mainguires.dll C:\Program Files\iminent toolbar\p2pres.dll C:\Program Files\iminent toolbar\svchlprres.dll C:\Program Files\iminent toolbar\tbcommonutils.dll C:\Program Files\iminent toolbar\tbcore3.dll C:\Program Files\iminent toolbar\trayres.dll C:\Program Files\iminent toolbar\update.exe Registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Iminent HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\iminent HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Iminent HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Loader, value: Iminent HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\AppID\Iminent.WebBooster.InternetExplorer.DLL HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\IminentWebBooster.ActiveContentHandler HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\IminentWebBooster.ActiveContentHandle.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\IminentWebBooster.BrowserHelperObject HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\IminentWebBooster.BrowserHelperObject.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\IminentWebBooster.ScriptExtender HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\IminentWebBooster.TinyUrlHandler.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\68B81CCD-A80C-4060-8947-5AE69ED01199 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\68B81CCD-A80C-4060-8947-5AE69ED01199 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\E6B969FB-6D33-48d2-9061-8BBD4899EB08 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\E6B969FB-6D33-48d2-9061-8BBD4899EB08 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\A09AB6EB-31B5-454C-97EC-9B294D92EE2A HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\A09AB6EB-31B5-454C-97EC-9B294D92EE2A HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\BFFED5CA-8BDF-47CC-AED0-23F4E6D77732 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\iminent.iminentappCore HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\iminent.iminentappCore.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\iminent.iminentHlpr.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\esrv.iminentESrvc HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\esrv.iminentESrvc.1 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Iminent.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\SIEN SA\iminent\iestrg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\112BA211-334C-4A90-90EC-2AD1CDAB287C HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar, value: 1FAFD711-ABF9-4F6A-8130-5166C7371427 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Ext\CLSID, value: 58124A0B-DC32-4180-9BFF-E0E21AE34026 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Ext\CLSID, value: 977AE9CC-AF83-45E8-9E03-E2798216E2D5 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Ext\CLSID, value: A09AB6EB-31B5-454C-97EC-9B294D92EE2A HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Ext\CLSID, value: 58124A0B-DC32-4180-9BFF-E0E21AE34026 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Ext\CLSID, value: 977AE9CC-AF83-45E8-9E03-E2798216E2D5 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Ext\CLSID, value: A09AB6EB-31B5-454C-97EC-9B294D92EE2A HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Google\Chrome\Extensions\pkhojieggfgllhllcegoffdcnmdeojgb HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Google\Chrome\Extensions\pkhojieggfgllhllcegoffdcnmdeojgb HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\SIEN SA\iminent HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UpgradeCodes\F1057DD419AED0B468AD8888429E139A HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Installer\ProductsDA786FCDC08E1345AF052DDF8C9693C HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Installer\FeaturesDA786FCDC08E1345AF052DDF8C9693C HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\SIEN SA\iminent HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\IminentToolbar HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\IminentToolbar HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\112BA211-334C-4A90-90EC-2AD1CDAB287C HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\1FAFD711-ABF9-4F6A-8130-5166C7371427 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\1FAFD711-ABF9-4F6A-8130-5166C7371427 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\A09AB6EB-31B5-454C-97EC-9B294D92EE2A HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\0C3DD791-1026-4B03-8085-34EFB8CE1BBF HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\A76AA284-E52D-47E6-9E4F-B85DBF8E35C3 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\iminent.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions, value: 112BA211-334C-4A90-90EC-2AD1CDAB287C HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions, value: 1FAFD711-ABF9-4F6A-8130-5166C7371427 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\FinishInstall igdhbblpcellaljokkpfhcjlagemhgjl HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Installer\Products\E396BA1A8EBEBBB43A064AB3ED340563 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Installer\Features\E396BA1A8EBEBBB43A064AB3ED340563 SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules, value: CC8D0DB8-9F7A-4ADA-8076-7B117B2ED858 SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules, value: F59D208C-5E1B-4F8C-9A78-8223FBD4063A SYSTEM\ControlSet002\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules, value: CC8D0DB8-9F7A-4ADA-8076-7B117B2ED858 SYSTEM\ControlSet002\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules, value: F59D208C-5E1B-4F8C-9A78-8223FBD4063A SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules, value: F59D208C-5E1B-4F8C-9A78-8223FBD4063A SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules, value: CC8D0DB8-9F7A-4ADA-8076-7B117B2ED858 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Google\Chrome\Extensions\igdhbblpcellaljokkpfhcjlagemhgjl HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Google\Chrome\Extensions\igdhbblpcellaljokkpfhcjlagemhgjl HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\BFFED5CA-8BDF-47CC-AED0-23F4E6D77732 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Installer\Features449B1EE14291541B3C4CDDE93B252A HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Installer\Products586FB55F67A9248BBFDC2D8B1D2398 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Installer\Products449B1EE14291541B3C4CDDE93B252A HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Installer\UpgradeCodesEAE1F36DDB49FE49B1371401AAC7E1B HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Installer\UpgradeCodes\FAD0B0799202FD24D9B96C24C2BD169E HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UpgradeCodesEAE1F36DDB49FE49B1371401AAC7E1B HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UpgradeCodes\FAD0B0799202FD24D9B96C24C2BD169E HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions, value: 0F417468-BE40-472B-8CB9-A2CDA9A071D6 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions, value: A6E9BAAF-53CD-4575-967B-2AF710A7D21F HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\0F417468-BE40-472B-8CB9-A2CDA9A071D6 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\84FF7BD6-B47F-46F8-9130-01B2696B36CB HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\A6E9BAAF-53CD-4575-967B-2AF710A7D21F HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\0F417468-BE40-472B-8CB9-A2CDA9A071D6 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\84FF7BD6-B47F-46F8-9130-01B2696B36CB HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\A6E9BAAF-53CD-4575-967B-2AF710A7D21F HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\A6E9BAAF-53CD-4575-967B-2AF710A7D21F HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\America Online\AIM\Plugins\696E3174-4F6C-4777-7834-654C4A705677 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\A6E9BAAF-53CD-4575-967B-2AF710A7D21F HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\c6137682-faae-4ea5-a6ab-88acb29d3667 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, value: Iminent.Notifier HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\America 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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Installer\Products86028EAE6ABEC44BE58148A174F21E HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Google\Chrome\Extensions\ehhlaekjfiiojlddgndcnefflngfmhen HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Google\Chrome\Extensions\nbljechdpodpbchbmjcoamidppmpnmlc HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Google\Chrome\Extensions\ehhlaekjfiiojlddgndcnefflngfmhen HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Google\Chrome\Extensions\nbljechdpodpbchbmjcoamidppmpnmlc HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\start.iminent.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\adserver.iminent.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Google\Chrome\Extensions\adpeheiliennogfclcgmchdfdmafjegc HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Google\Chrome\Extensions\adpeheiliennogfclcgmchdfdmafjegc HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Google\chrome\Extensions\olghjjajidfdflkafeekiojnfmiolccp HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Google\chrome\Extensions\olghjjajidfdflkafeekiojnfmiolccp HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\LowRegistry\DOMStorage\setup3.iminent.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\LowRegistry\DOMStorage\setup2.iminent.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\setup3.iminent.com

Windows Defender error code 0x80073afc

If you receive an error code of “0x80073afc” in Windows Defender after you boot your Windows 10 computer or when you try to manually run Windows Defender, then it could be that the Windows Defender files are corrupted. In such cases, this error could also occur if there is third-party security software that interferes with the smooth functioning of this Microsoft Security Client. If you are one of the users who are currently facing this issue, then here are some suggestions you can check out to resolve the Windows Defender error code 0x80073afc.

Option 1 – Try to check the status of all the Windows Defender-related services

In the Cortana search box, type “services” and click on the Services icon to open the Services Manager. Alternatively, you can also tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run prompt and then type “msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Services Manager
After opening the Services Manager, look for the following services and make sure that their Startup type is set to their default values:
- Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection Service – Manual
- Windows Defender Antivirus Network Inspection Service – Manual
- Windows Defender Antivirus Service – Manual
- Windows Defender Firewall Service – Automatic

You can right-click on each one of the listed services and then select Start to start them.
And if some of the services don’t have their default values, just double-click on the Services to change the Startup types and select the correct option from the drop-down menu of the Startup type under the Properties box.
Next, set up the Startup type of these services to Automatic and then click on the Start button if the services are not running yet.
Now click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made and then see if it fixed the problem or not.

Option 2 – Try to re-register the concerned DLL files

You could also try to re-register some Dynamic Link Library or DLL files on your computer as this could also help in fixing the Windows Defender error.

In the Start search, type “cmd” and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as administrator” option from the context menu.
After opening Command Prompt as admin, type the following commands one after the other:
- regsvr32 dll
- regsvr32 dll
- regsvr32 dll
- regsvr32 dll
Once you’ve entered the commands given above, it will re-register the concerned DLL files in your system.
Now restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Option 3 – Try to use the Registry Editor

Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box,
Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Afterward, navigate to this registry path: ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionImage File Execution Options
Next, look for the DWORDs named “MSASCui.exe”, “MpCmdRun.exe”, “MpUXSrv.exe” and “msconfig.exe”.
If you can’t find these DWORDs, refer to the next given option below.
Restart your computer.

Option 4 – Check the Environmental Values

Type “View advanced system settings” in the Windows search box and select the appropriate result.
This will open a new mini window. From there, go to the Advanced tab and click on the “Environment Variables…” button located at the bottom part of the window.
Next, look for the “%ProgramData%” variable name and make sure that its value is set to C:/ProgramData.
Then click OK to save the changes made.

Option 5 – Run the System File Checker Scan

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

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

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

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

Restart your computer.

Option 6 – Perform a System Restore

Performing a System Restore on your computer can also help you fix the Windows Defender error. You can do this option either by booting into Safe Mode or in System Restore. If you are already in the Advanced Startup Options, just directly select System Restore and proceed with the next steps. And if you have just booted your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the steps below.

Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.

Repair Windows 10 Error 0xC1900101, 0x4000D

Error Code 0xC1900101, 0x4000D - What Is It?

Error Code 0xC1900101, 0x4000D is not very common among the many error codes emerging when updating to Windows 10. It is specific to Windows 7 users who try to upgrade to Windows 10 system.

This error hinders Windows 7 users to install the Windows 10 update. Once the update is launched, the process will go smoothly until a certain percentage (normally upon hitting 70% or more) and then it gets stuck. The user will then see a notification stating: “The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during MIGRATE_DATA operation.”

You’ll be able to get past the error after a while. The error message will disappear and continue with the configuration process. But, not for long as it will reoccur at around 90% of installation with another error message saying: “The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during PRE_OOBE operation.”

Solution

Error Causes

You’re most likely to encounter Error Code 0xC1900101 – 0x4000D when you upgrade to Windows 10 using a USB drive. There are several reasons why this update-related error happens such as wrong update, incompatibility with an antivirus program, or incompatibilities with some software.

Further Information and Manual Repair

In attempting to fix error code-related problems, it is best to do manual repair methods. Employing repair methods manually can help users pinpoint the root causes of the issues they are encountering and apply permanent solutions to fix the problem.

While every Windows user can do most manual repair methods, there are certain cases where help from a Windows expert is needed. If you’re not confident in employing the manual repair methods yourself, you can always consider seeking help from a professional Windows technician who is equipped with enough knowledge to address any issues you are facing or you can just simply use a powerful automated tool.

In fixing Error Code 0xC1900101 – 0x4000D, you can try doing any of the following manual repair methods:

Method One: Disable Background Applications

Error Code 0xC1900101-0x4000D probably occurs when there are programs running in the background of the system as you are in the process of updating. On that note, you must ensure that any programs running in the background must be disabled through Task Manager.

Press Ctrl+Alt+Del then choose Task Manager.
Right-click on all background applications then chooses End Task to close the apps.

NOTE: If there are any processes you are unfamiliar with, you can always right-click that process then “search online.” Be careful not to end “Windows process” tasks under the “Type” column as it might cause further problems.

Restart your device then proceed to Windows 10 system upgrading.

Method Two: Uninstall Anti-Malware Tools

Anti-malware tools normally trigger problems since they consist of files that are possibly incompatible with some software. If Error Code 0xc1900101-0x4000d is caused by incompatibility with an antivirus program, follow the following steps:

Open the Control Panel then choose System and Security.
Select Windows Solution Center.
Click Security to locate your antivirus.
Once you’ve located your antivirus, click on it then choose
Restart your device then check if it eliminates the problem.

Method Three: Install System Updates

Click on the Start menu then select System and Security – Windows Updates.
Choose Check for updates.
If there are any required updates detected by the system, select them all then choose Install Updates.
Restart your device.

Method Four: Check System For Any Incompatibilities

In doing this method, you need to use the System Readiness tool.

Download System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB947821).
Once the download is finished, open Windows 6.1-KB947821-v34-x64.msu
Run the program to check for any incompatibilities in your system.

NOTE: The process might take a while depending on the speed of your device.

If there are no results found, you can now try updating again to Windows 10. However, if there are any issues found, you need to have them fixed first.

Method Five: Download A Powerful Automated Tool

Can’t seem to put up with the long and technical manual repair process? You can still fix this error by downloading and installing a powerful automated tool that will surely get the job done in a jiffy!

Headphone jack is not working on a laptop

In some cases, a couple of Windows 10 laptops, especially the newer ones that run the NVIDIA RTX series GPUs have been experiencing some problems, particularly with their headphone jacks which seem to be malfunctioning even though the internal speakers works just fine. And despite having all the drivers updated to their latest versions, the problem still occurs. According to security experts, this kind of problem occurs on laptop computers that are manufactured by MSI and since there is still no workaround or reliable fix released by the company, in this post you will be guided on how you can resolve the problem with the headphone jack. So if you are using a laptop made by MSI and are experiencing the same issue, then you’ve come to the right place. There are several potential fixes you can check out to resolve the problem, you can try to force reboot your computer or clean your headphone jack and then plug it back in properly. In addition, you could also try to update your Audio drivers or set your headphone as default. For more information, follow each one of the given options below.

Option 1 – Try to force reboot your computer

The first thing you can do is to force reboot your computer as this simple fix could help in fixing the problem. This option is quite simple, just make sure that before you do it, you have to save all your work.

First, turn on your computer and press and hold the power button for at least 30 seconds. You might notice the screen flashing or making any changes, just ignore it.
After that, plug out and plug in your computer and automatically turn it on.
Once done, check if the headphone jack is now working fine.

Option 2 – Try to clean the headphone jack and plug it properly

The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to clean your headphone jack and plug it back in properly. Make sure that you use a cotton swab in cleaning the headphone jack as there are instances where some dust might have settled in the port which results in issues like your headphone jack no working.

Option 3 – Try to update, rollback or reinstall the Audio driver

If the glitch in your audio has something to do with software, chances are it might be related to the audio driver – it could be that the newest version of your Windows 10 does not work well with the old version of the driver. This is why you have to update your audio driver to the newest available version.

Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type in MSC and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
Expand the section for the outdated device drivers.
And then select the outdated driver(s) and right-click on it/them.
From the drop-down menu, select the Update Driver option and follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version of the driver.
Then also click on the option, “Search automatically for updated driver software.
Restart your PC after the installation.

Note: If updating or reinstalling the Audio driver didn’t work, you can go to the website of MSI and look for the support section where you can download the drivers for your computer. You just need to take note of your PC’s correct model and model number so you can find the appropriate driver.

Option 4 – Try to set the headphone as the default device manually

There are times when you plug a headphone, it does not toggle the default audio device. Thus, to fix this issue, you have to set the default audio device to the headphones manually. To do that, follow these steps:

First, right-click on the volume icon located on the system tray.
Next, select the Open sound settings option to open the Sound section in the Windows 10 Settings app.
From there, select the Control Panel for Sound on the rightmost column. This will open a new mini window.
After that, select your headphone under the Playback tab and click on the Set default button.
Once done, click on Apply and then OK buttons to save the changes made.

Option 5 – Try to run the Playing Audio Troubleshooter

Since the Windows 10 operating system has the Playing Audio Troubleshooter, you can use this troubleshooter to try and fix the problem with the headphones. You can access this tool in the Control Panel or in the Taskbar Search and even on the Troubleshooters page of Windows 10.

How to enable God mode inside Windows 11

Like in Windows 10, Windows 11 will also support God mode to be enabled and used. For those readers that do know what God mode is, let me explain it in simple terms. God mode is the icon on the desktop that once clicked will open and let you adjust every option in the control panel and some hidden features for Windows inside one application. There are a lot of advantages to having this one-click fast access to features, especially if you are a power user. Luckily creating such an awesome icon and enabling God mode is very easy to accomplish, all you have to do is:

Create a new folder where you want to have the God mode icon
Rename folder exactly: {ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
Enjoy God mode

As you can see creating and accessing all settings at your fingertips is much easier than most people think. Enjoy your ultimate access to Windows 11 features and if you wish you can drag and drop sections from it into the desktop or anywhere for easy access to that specific topic.

Error Code 0xc00000e9

If Error Code 0xc00000e9 appears on your screen, there is no cause to panic yet as there are different ways to fix this. Here, I will list down different methods to get your computer back on track:

Check peripheral connections
Check your SATA cables
Check your hard drive
Check your BIOS settings

Quick Fix 1. Check Peripheral Connections

Turn off your computer.
After the computer has been shut down, take off all the peripherals or the USB cables that are connected to your USB ports. This includes even the keyboard and the mouse. We just need to have only the monitor plugged in for this one.
Turn on your computer and see if it starts as it normally does.
If it does, try connecting back your external devices or peripherals one by one until you find the one that causes the error.
Once you trace the device that’s causing the error, you will have to change its USB cable and update its driver to support your operating system.

Quick Fix 2. Check your SATA cables

It is possible that what causes a barrier between your operating system and your hard drive from communicating is the SATA cable used. For example, if you’re using an older SATA with a SATA III port, there might not be adequate support for the transfer of data from one another. Or, the problem might be a loose SATA cable which would still require you to buy a new one to replace your loose or damaged cable. To check if your SATA cables are causing the error, simply follow these steps:

Turn off your computer.
Carefully open its case.
Check the hard drive and the SATA port where it’s connected.
Try to use a newer cable and connect it to your SATA port. (If you used a SATA II cable, you can see if a SATA III cable is more compatible.)
Replace your SATA cable with a newer one if Step 4 proves to be successful.

Quick Fix 3. Check your hard drive.

Try to use a different hard drive and see if error code 0xc00000e9 still appears.
If it works out just fine, then the problem might be physical damage to your hard drive and would need to be repaired depending on the case. Just simply take it to a technician and let him know about the issue.

Quick Fix 4. Check your BIOS settings

Restart your computer.
Once your computer starts, press and hold the ESC, F2, F12, or DEL key to go to BIOS settings.
You will then be redirected to the BIOS Setup Utility screen. From here, go to Boot options.
In the Boot Options, see if your first boot device is your hard drive. If it isn’t, press the arrow key to select the hard drive and move it to the top of the boot device list.
Save the settings.
Reboot your computer.

Note: If all the methods above do not work, the problem might be on your drivers and you might need to update them. You can update your driver in two ways: Manual driver update and Automatic driver update. You can find procedures online in updating your drivers.

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