Fix NTOSKRNL.exe high CPU, Memory & Disk usage

This post will guide you in fixing high CPU, Memory, and Disk usage problems caused by NTOSKRNL.exe. NTOSKRNL stands for “NT Operating System Kernel. This file is a kernel image that is responsible for a lot of systems-based processes such as Hardware Virtualization, Process, and Memory. Aside from that, it is also the one that compresses the old pages of memory that reduces the overall amount of memory being used. If you notice that your computer is running slowly and you find that the NTOSKRNL.exe file is hogging your resources such as disk usage, CPU usage as well as memory usage, then read on as this post will guide you in fixing the problem caused by NTOSKRNL.exe.

Make use of the options given below to resolve the issues caused by NTOSKRNL.exe.

1] Scan your computer for potential malware

There might be a good chance that your computer might be infected with malware. And this malware might be associated with the NTOSKRNL.exe file and hence making it consume a lot of system resources. So, I would really recommend you to make sure that your Antivirus is up to date and then scan your computer with it specifically the C:/Windows/System32 folder because this is the location where the NTOSKRNL.exe file is located.

Option 1 – Put your computer in a Clean Boot State

The first thing you have to do is to put your computer in a Clean Boot State as this can help you in finding any incompatible programs that are causing the problem.

  • Log onto your PC as an administrator.
  • Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
  • From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
  • Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
  • Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
  • Click Disable all.
  • Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
  • From there, start to isolate the problem by checking which one of the programs you installed recently is the root cause of the problem.

Once you’ve found any incompatible programs, you need to uninstall them. Refer to the steps below to do so.

  • In the search box, type in “control” and then click on Control Panel (desktop app) among the search results.
  • After that, select Programs and Features from the list which will give you a list of all the programs installed on your computer.
  • From there, look for the concerned program and select it and then uninstall it.

Note: If you have downloaded the app from the Windows Store, you can simply right-click on it from the application list and then uninstall it.

Option 2 – Update or rollback drivers

If the first option didn’t work for you, then it’s time to either update or roll back the device drivers. It is most likely that after you updated your Windows computer that your driver also needs a refresh. On the other hand, if you have just updated your device drivers then you need to roll back the drivers to their previous versions. Whichever applies to you, refer to the steps below.

  • Open the Devices Manager from the Win X Menu.
  • Then locate the device drivers and right-click on them to open the Properties.
  • After that, switch to the Driver tab and click on the Uninstall Device button.
  • Follow the screen option to completely uninstall it.
  • Finally, restart your computer. It will just reinstall the device drivers automatically.

Note: You can install a dedicated driver on your computer in case you have it or you could also look for it directly from the website of the manufacturer.

Option 3 – Try to run the DISM tool

If the first two options didn’t work, then running the Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management might. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth”.

  • Open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • Then type in the following commands and make sure to hit Enter right after you type each one of them:
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    • exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  • Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.

Option 4 – Try to stop the Runtime Broker process

The RuntimeBroker.exe or the Runtime Broker process is the one that monitors access to Windows APIs to make sure that the apps do not violate the core security of Windows. This process usually leaves a very small footprint. However, there are times when it consumes more resources than it’s supposed to and does not release memory after the work is done that results in a memory leak. As a result, it affects NTOSKRNL.exe which is why you have to stop the Runtime Broker process. To do so, refer to these steps:

  • Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  • After opening Task Manager, go to the Processes tab and look for the Runtime Broker process.
  • Once you find it, check if it is using more than 15% of your memory. If it is, then you most likely have an issue with an app installed on your computer.
  • Select the Runtime Broker process and right-click on it and then click on the End Task option to end its process.

Option 5 – Try to run the Performance Troubleshooter

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type “msdt.exe /id PerformanceDiagnostic” in the field and hit Enter to open the Performance troubleshooter.
  • Then click on Next to get started. Wait until the process is completed.

Option 6 – Try using the Windows Performance Toolkit

You can also use the Windows Performance Toolkit in finding the root cause of the problem. Just refer to the following steps to use this toolkit.

  • Search for “cmd” in the Cortana Search box and click on Command Prompt from the search results to open it.
  • Next, type in the command given below or copy and paste it and then hit Enter:

xperf -on latency -stackwalk profile -buffersize 1024 -MaxFile 256 -FileMode Circular && timeout -1 && xperf -d cpuusage.etl

  • After executing the command, wait for at least 60 seconds and then check the logs of the Windows Performance toolkit which is stored in a file named cpuusage.etl in the folder located at C:/Windows/System32. From there, you should see a list of all the causes of the System Resources being hogged.
If you like to learn and find out more about various Windows errors, and how to repair them go to our vast archive or use search to find articles that will explain and help you in solving your issue.
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An Easy Guide to Fixing Error Code 14

Easy Guide to Fix Error Code 14

Error Code 14 - What is it?

Generated due to temporary device and Window system conflicts, Error code 14 is a typical Device Manager error.  This error code can pop up anytime and usually displayed in the following format:

“This device cannot work properly until you restart your computer. (Code 14)”

Though it is not a fatal error code like the infamous Blue Screen of Death and runtime error codes, nonetheless it is still advisable to repair it immediately before any delay to avoid inconvenience.

It can lower your PC’s performance and hamper you from using certain hardware devices as a result of driver problems.

Solution

driverfix boxError Causes

Error 14 is triggered when your system is unable to correctly read the files and settings which is important for running a certain piece of your PC hardware. Now this conflict may occur due to reasons like outdated, corrupted, or poorly installed drivers. Other causes may include corrupted registry entries.

Simply put, Error code 14 is a good reminder that PC users should pay attention to updating device drivers to ensure healthy systems and optimum PC performance.

Further Information and Manual Repair

The good news is that error code 14 is quite easy to resolve. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to hire a professional programmer to get it fixed. To repair, simply follow the DIY methods listed below.

We have compiled some of the best, proven, and easy to perform solutions for PC users to resolve Device Manager error codes like error code 14. Follow the instructions here to resume the functionality of your PC.

Let’s get started:

Method 1 - Reboot Your System

Sometimes, an action as simple as rebooting your PC can also resolve technical problems like error code 14. So, before you try any other method, try giving this a shot.

The moment the error code pops on your screen, simply close all the programs running on your system and restart your PC. This refreshes your system settings, processes and services allowing it to run smoothly.

However, if the error still persists, then try other methods given below.

Method 2 - Delete the Corrupted Registry Entries

Corrupted registry entry can also trigger error code 14. To resolve delete the corrupted registry entries. For this, go to the start menu and type Regedit. A dialog box will open. Now navigate through the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key. Expand further to locate HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlClass. Once located, now in the right pane click upper filters and then click delete on the edit menu. Click yes when prompted to confirm the deletion.

Now in the right pane, click lower filters. Repeat the same steps as performed to delete upper filters. Confirm deletion and then exit the registry editor. To activate changes, restart your PC. This will hopefully resolve the issue. If the error code pops up on your computer screen, then try method 3.

Method 3 - Update Corrupted/Outdated Drivers

Drivers are basically software applications that communicate and provide instructions to your system to operate hardware devices.

When these become corrupt or outdated, you start experiencing problems like error code 14. To resolve, locate corrupted drivers and update them. You can do it both manually and automatically. We’ll discuss both ways.

For a manual driver update, go to the start menu, control panel, and then Device Manager. Now go through all devices listed to locate problematic drivers. To identify problematic drivers, look for yellow exclamation marks next to each device. Devices with yellow exclamation marks indicate that driver issues. To repair, right-click on each hardware device and select update driver.

Method 4 - Install DriverFIX - Alternative to Manual Driver Update

Updating each driver separately and manually is a stressful and frustrating task. This can take a lot of your time. Sometimes, you may also have to download new driver versions from the internet to install perform updates. To avoid the hassle and save time, it is advisable to install a program like DriverFIX.

This user-friendly and intuitive software is based on sophisticated technology featuring an intelligent programming system that automatically detects all your PC drivers in seconds.

Once you install this software on your system, it instantly identifies problematic drivers and matches them to the latest versions. It updates PC drivers immediately thereby resolving the error code 14 problem in a few seconds. It enables accurate installations and ensures that your PC runs at its optimum level.

More importantly, with this software installed on your PC, you don’t have to worry about keeping track of your driver updates anymore. The software updates drivers on a regular basis with new and compatible versions ensuring that your PC functions properly and you don’t experience any type of Device Manager error code. It is easy to use and install. It is compatible with all Windows versions.

Click here to download DriverFIX to resolve error code 14 on your system right away.

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How To Fix the I/O System Error

Repair I/O System Error

What's an I/O System Error?

The failure of MS Vista or XP to execute an Input or Output Signal activity is that which we refer to as an  I/O device error. This malfunction takes place when MS Vista is not able to execute activities for example reading and duplication different kinds of information from the disk or drive.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

  • A piece of destroyed hardware equipment: You are getting messages informing you about the I/O device Malfunction when your Computer features an equipment apparatus that Windows is not able to utilize.
  • Broken/Faulty hardware Apparatus: If for whatever reason the equipment hardware is broken at all, or includes a flaw, you will also get such messages suggesting the existence of an I/O device error.
  • Incompatible/Broken Hardware Drivers: Such malfunctions are frequently the result of incompatible or broken equipment drivers.
  • Cable Link Problems: Technicians have determined the existence of link trouble, for instance, a cable that's in a bad situation, as another variable that can also cause these error messages.
  • Terrible/Dusty CD or DVD Disc: Yet another variable that's frequently accountable for the I/O device error is a broken CD or DVD disc. If it has not been cleaned by you, and in case the disc is dirty, prepare yourself to receive such messages often.

Further Information and Manual Repair

You should not stress yourself ill over the I/O Device Malfunction when it occurs on your own Computer. You can really fix it. First, before you spend lots of cash on the problem and sprint off to find a technician, reboot the pc. Subsequently, strive to obtain the push or disc, that you were not able to formerly. Second, clean the disc. Locate a great cleansing agent, and execute this. Utilize another pc to access the disc which you're incapable of using on the present pc. If it opens on another pc, then the disk is functional and should work on your computer as well. Let's assume that you lack another pc, search for a distinct disc, and strive to start it with your current pc. If the problem is not with the computer, the fresh disk should open and you can access the contents. If you fail completely, you're totally within your rights to move searching for a tech to repair the situation, if you attempt every one of the preceding choices. You could also do these aI/O device sections to view if you would repair the problem yourself. a) Network Cable Connections: Clearly, this is really something you can do without requiring a tech. Always check to see whether the networking and computer cables are well-connected. If you believe it's broken in case utilizing an exterior push, you could change the cable with yet another one. For inner cabling, unless you've high-level pc abilities, you shouldn't make an effort to change them. b) Attempt a Clean Boot of the PC: You can do this by yourself. Likely, the driver or software is incompatible together with the drive available on the PC. Clean boot up the pc is similar to configuring MS Windows. If the error is fixed following the preceding action, then it indicates your pc features a driver or software which is incompatible with the rest. c) Recognize the IDE Channel Attributes, and Adjust the Transfer Mode: It's feasible that you, or somebody otherwise, changed the Transfer Mode, which makes it challenging/impossible for the transport of information in the disk of your PC. If you understand the I/O Device right transfer mode, and if this occurred, just change it. Don't attempt a change or alter the Main IDE Channel. d) Check the Condition of Device: Confirming the working nature of the hardware device, which you may do under Device Manager, may inform you if it's operating right or not. e) Search the Manufacturing Company: When the rest fails, and you've likely employed a tech that can't solve the problem, you need to contact the producer, or check out their site, and see when there is an upgrade. It's possible to obtain to resolve the I/O Device Error, once for all through a simple upgrade.
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USB Keeps Connecting and Disconnecting
External hard drives have become essential these days as they tend to be very useful to many users. They are usually used for storing system images like system backups, Windows installation media, or for personal use. However, if you are not able to utilize your external drivers for some reason then that could be a huge problem. One of the common issues with hard drives is when your USB device or external hard drive just keeps connecting and disconnecting. This kind of issue could be caused by a faulty USB port, some issues with the USB drivers, your computer’s Power Options, corrupted or damaged system files, and many other factors. The connecting and disconnecting issue with USB devices and external hard drives isn’t really new and has been experienced by many users for years now. Although this issue has somewhat decreased in Windows 10, there are still some users who encounter it every now and then. Worry not though for there are fixes that you can try to resolve the problem. Refer to the following straightforward solutions to resolve the issue with your USB device or external hard drive.

Option 1 – Plug your external device on a different port

If your USB device keeps on connecting and disconnecting then the first thing you can do is to try connecting it to a different port. This will help you isolate the problem. In some cases, the port where the USB is connected can be malfunctioning or obsolete so you need to check that possibility by plugging your USB device into a different USB port.

Option 2 – Update or reinstall your USB drivers

As mentioned earlier, the problem could be due to some issues with the USB drivers. It could be that it has to be updated or you need to reinstall it. To do that, follow these steps:
  • First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
  • Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
  • From there, look for the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” option and then right-click on each one of the USB drivers and select the Update Driver from the menu.
  • Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
You also have the option to update the motherboard and the USB driver from the manufacturer’s official website.

Option 3 – Try turning on the USB External drive

There are times when your system turns off some drives in order to conserve your computer’s power, etc. as a result, the driver that’s required to run your external hard drive properly ends up getting disabled. To fix this, you can prevent your system from turning off your external USB drive by following these steps:
  • You need to make sure that the external drive is connected to your system first.
  • Next, go to the Start Menu and type “device manager” in the field, and click on the appropriate result to open the Device Manager.
  • After opening the Device Manager, expand the category of the Universal Serial Bus controllers.
  • Then double click on your USB Mass Storage device and take note that the name might be different on your system.
  • Now go to the Power Management tab and uncheck the checkbox for the “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” option and click OK to save the changes made.

Option 4 – Turn off USB Selective Suspend

Another thing you can try is to turn off USB Selective Suspend especially when the issue has something to do with the Power Options. There are certain systems that are configured to disable USB devices after some time which could be the root cause of the problem. Thus, you need to turn off USB Selective Suspend. Here’s how you can do it:
  • In the Start Menu, search for “control panel” and open the related search result.
  • Then go to Power Options and click on the “Change plan settings” option.
  • Next, select “Change advanced power settings” and look for the USB settings and then expand it.
  • From there, you will see the USB Selective Suspend setting. Disable it and click OK.
  • Now restart your computer and check if it resolves the problem or not.

Option 5 – Format your drive

  • To get started formatting your drive, tap the Win + E keys and then go to the access page of the drive.
  • Next, right-click on the drive and select Format.
  • After that, uncheck the “Quick Format” option and then format your drive properly.
  • Now once the formatting process is finished, unplug the drive and plug it back in afterward.
  • Check if the error is already fixed. If the drive is not initialized, tap the Win + R keys and hit Enter.
  • After opening the Run dialog box, type “diskmgmt.msc” and hit Enter to open Disk Management.
  • From there, right-click on the drive volume and select initialize disk.
  • Next, select the correct partition type and proceed.
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Windows is stuck on signing out screen
As you know, each time you log out of your Windows 10 computer, it will take you to the login screen where you can switch users or log back in. But there are instances where Windows 10 remains stuck on the signing out screen, along with a blue spinning circle and all you can see is the process of your computer signing out, however, it does not progress and only gets stuck there. Thus, in this post, you will be guided on how you can resolve such an issue on your Windows 10 computer. So if you are one of the users who experience the same problem, there are several fixes you can check out if your computer is stuck on the signing out screen with a blue spinning circle. You can try to force shutdown your computer or troubleshoot the problem in a Clean Boot State. You could also try to check the status of the User Profile Service or repair User Profile, as well as run System Restore. For more details, refer to each one of the suggestions provided below. But before you troubleshoot the problem, make sure that you are logged in to your computer as an administrator.

Option 1 – Try to force shutdown 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 issue is now fixed or not.

Option 2 – Put your computer in a Clean Boot State

It is possible that some third-party application is causing your computer to get stuck in the signing out screen. So you can try putting your computer in a Clean Boot State and see if it fixes the problem.
  • Log onto your PC as an administrator.
  • Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
  • From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
  • Clear the “Load Startup items” checkbox and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
  • Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” checkbox.
  • Click Disable all.
  • Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
  • Once your computer is in a Clean Boot State, you should now be able to sign out or sign in without any problem.

Option 3 – Try checking the status of the User Profile Service

If forcing your computer to shut down or putting your computer in a Clean Boot State didn’t fix the problem, you can try to check the status of the User Profile Service since it is the one responsible for loading and unloading user profiles. Thus, if this service is disabled or stopped, you will no longer be able to sign out or sign in successfully.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility and type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Services Manager.
  • From there, look for the User Profile Service and make sure that its Startup Type is set to Automatic and that its status is “Started”.
  • Once done, exit the Services Manager and see if the issue is resolved.

Option 4 – Try to repair your corrupted profile via Registry

In this second option, you can try to repair the corrupted profile using the Registry but before you proceed, make sure to create a System Restore Point and then follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “regedit” in the field and hit Enter or click OK to open the Registry Editor.
  • Next, go to this registry key: ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionProfileList
  • Once you’ve opened the registry key, you should see a list of all the user profiles on your computer. Now click on each S-1-5 folder and look for the “ProfileImagePath” entry and double click on it to check which user account it is related to. You will see a path like “CUsersACK” where “ACK” is the username.
  • You should know which of the user account is corrupted. Just look for a key named “RefCount” and change its Value data to “0” and click OK. And if it isn’t available, simply right-click on the right pane and create it.
  • After that, double click on the key named “State” and make sure that the Value data is “0” and click OK.
  • Exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes made and then check if it fixed the problem or not.

Option 5 – Run System Restore

  • 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.
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Scroll bar in Chrome is missing in Windows
If you find that the scroll bar in your Google Chrome browser is missing all of a sudden, and it becomes difficult for you to scroll down the web page and see its content, worry not for this post will guide you on what you can do to resolve this problem. Usually, when the mouse cursor stays hidden in the corner and only appears when you point it to the edge of the screen. However, there are instances when it won’t appear which makes navigating the web page you are visiting quite impossible. So if you encounter this kind of strange behavior on your Google Chrome browser, there are several suggestions you can check out to resolve it. In most cases, updating the browser resolves the problem, but if it does not, you can try restoring the browser’s settings to their default state by resetting Chrome or you could also disable hardware acceleration or disable the overlay scrollbars flag. For more information, follow each one of the options provided below.

Option 1 – Reset Google Chrome

Before you proceed, make sure that the Chrome browser is not running anywhere in the background via Task Manager. Once you’ve made sure that it’s no longer running, refer to these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “%USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalGoogleChromeUser Data” in the field and tap Enter to open this location.
  • From there, look for the Default folder and then tap the Shift + Delete button and if a confirmation prompt appears, click on Yes.
  • After deleting the Default folder, open Google Chrome and click on the three vertical dots icon located in the top-right corner to open the menu.
  • Next, click on Settings and scroll down and then click on Advanced to open the Advanced Settings.
  • Then scroll down until you see the “Reset and clean up” section and click the “Restore Settings to their original defaults” option.
  • After that, you will see a confirmation box and from there, click on the Reset settings button to reset your Google Chrome browser.

Option 2 – Try to disable the Hardware Acceleration

For better performance, Google Chrome uses the Hardware Acceleration by default. Unfortunately, there are just some cases when your hardware, GPU to be specific, might not be able to cope with the requirements, resulting in the black screen issue. And if this is your case, you should try to disable the hardware acceleration from your Google Chrome browser settings panel. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • Open the Google Chrome settings page.
  • Click on the Advanced button to get more options.
  • Look for the option called “Use hardware acceleration when available” and then disable it by toggling the button to the left.
  • After that, check if the screen flickering issue in Chrome is fixed.

Option 3 – Try to disable “Smooth Scrolling” in Chrome

Disabling “Smooth Scrolling” in Chrome might also help you fix the issue. To do so, follow these steps:
  • Open Chrome and type “chrome://flags” and hit Enter.
  • Next, look for a flag named “Smooth Scrolling”. You can scroll down until you find it or search it in the Search Flag bar. Note that Smooth Scrolling is enabled by default in the newer versions of Chrome.
  • After that, select the drop-down menu and select Disabled.
  • Then click on the “Relaunch Now” button.
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Fix Chrome Error ERR_ICANN_NAME_COLLISION
If you are browsing the internet using the Google Chrome browser in your Windows 10 computer but you suddenly encounter an error message that states, “ERR_ICAN_NAME_COLLISION”, read on as this post will walk you through in fixing the problem. Here’s the full content of the error message:
“The site can’t be reached, This site on the company, organization, or school intranet has the same URL as an external website. Try contacting your system administrator. ERR ICAN NAME COLLISION.”
This kind of error is caused by an error in a private namespace or a random redirection to an incorrect proxy server. There are several ways to fix this error. You can try to check the integrity of the Hosts file or check the proxy. You could also try to use the Registry Editor and apply some tweaks or remove any conflicting browser extensions or flush the DNS cache, as well as run a malware scan.

Option 1 – Try to check the integrity of the Hosts file

To check the integrity of the Hosts file, refer to the following steps:
  • You have to navigate to this path inside File Explorer: C:/Windows/System32/driversetc
  • After that, look for a file named “Hosts” and right-click on it, and open it with the Notepad app.
  • Next, make sure that you write the block URLs in your computer in the list and then save the file.
Note: There are times when you are logged in with administrator credentials and you may receive an error message. In such case, type “notepad” in the Start Search and right-click on Notepad from the search results, and then select the “Run as administrator” option. After that, open the Hosts file and make the necessary changes and save it.

Option 2 – Try to check the Proxy server

There are some users who reported that they’ve fixed the problem after they’ve disabled the use of a proxy server using the built-in way. Follow the steps below to disable the proxy server.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “inetcpl.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to pull up the Internet Properties.
  • After that, go to the Connections tab and select the LAN settings.
  • From there. Uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server” option for your LAN and then make sure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked.
  • Now click the OK and the Apply buttons.
  • Restart your PC.
Note: If you are using a third-party proxy service, you have to disable it.

Option 3 – Try to use the Registry Editor

Before you apply some registry tweaks, make sure that you create a System Restore point. Once you have that covered, follow these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “Regedit” in the field and tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • After that, navigate to this registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesTcpipParametersDataBasePath
  • Look for the default key and double click on it and make sure that its Value data is set as “C:/Windows/System32/driversetc”.
  • Now exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes made

Option 4 – Flush the DNS cache

You could also try to flush the DNS cache to fix the “ERR_ICAN_NAME_COLLISION” error. All you have to do is open Command Prompt as an administrator and then execute each one of the following commands sequentially to flush the DNS cache:
  • ipconfig/release
  • ipconfig/renew
  • ipconfig/flushdns

Option 5 – Get rid of any conflicting browser extensions

  • Open Chrome and press Alt + F keys.
  • Go to More tools and click Extensions to look for any suspicious browser extensions or toolbars.
  • Click the Recycle bin and select Remove.
  • Restart Chrome and press Alt + F keys again.
  • Proceed to On Startup and mark Open a specific page or set of pages.
  • To check if the browser hijacker is still active, click Set pages, if it is active, overwrite the URL.
Note: If removing the browser extensions or toolbars didn’t work, you can also try to reset your Google Chrome browser.
  • Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
  • After that, click on Settings.
  • Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
  • After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
  • Now restart Google Chrome.

Option 6 – Run a malware scan using Windows Defender

It is possible that your computer is infected with malware which could be why you’re getting the “ERR_ICAN_NAME_COLLISION” error. Thus, you need to scan your computer using Windows Defender.
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open Update & Security.
  • Then click on the Windows Security option and open Windows Defender Security Center.
  • Next, click on Virus & threat protection > Run a new advanced scan.
  • Now make sure that Full Scan is selected from the menu and then click the Scan Now button to get started.
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How to Fix the Error Code 3

Repair Error Code 3

Error Code 3 - What is it?

Error code 3 is a type of PC windows error that can occur on any Windows version including Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, or 8. This error code means that the system cannot find the path specified. The error 3 messages are displayed in the following format: “Error_ Path_Not_Found” or it may sometimes be displayed with the value 3 in this format:  (0x80070003: Error_Path_Not_Found)

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

The error code 3 indicates poor PC maintenance. It is a critical sign of an unstable system. The causes of this error code are:
  • Missing or broken system files
  • Registry issues
This error code poses serious system threats and should be resolved immediately before the damage is done. If you don’t address this error timely, your PC may be exposed to risks like system failure and crash. And this may lead to valuable data loss.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve this error on your system, you don’t have to hire a technician or be technically sound yourself. What you simply need to do is clean the registry. Here are 2 ways to clean the registry:

1. Manually by Launching Registry Editor

First, launch the Windows registry editor by clicking the start button and selecting run. In the text box type, 'Regedit' and press enter and click OK. Before you make changes to the registry, make sure you create a backup of your existing registry. This is advisable because if you accidentally lose important data during the cleaning process you can also recover the lost data. Once you create a backup, now get started with the cleaning process. Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER" key, then click on the software key and look for applications that you think could have corrupted the registry. Now delete them. After that, remove the unwanted start-up items, by accessing this link:  My Computer HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows Current Version. Now click on the run tab and delete invalid entries/ values. This process may be time-consuming and for some, it may be slightly technical to identify unwanted start-up items.

2. Download Restoro Registry Cleaner

Another way to clean and repair the registry is to download Restoro. This is an innovative and a highly-functional registry cleaner. It is embedded with an intuitive algorithm that detects all the registry issues instantly and removes them right away in just a few simple clicks. It removes all the unnecessary and obsolete files, repairs the registry, and fixes the damaged dll and system files. It has a user-friendly interface and simple navigation which makes it easy for all levels of users to work around it. This software is compatible with all Windows versions. Besides functioning as a registry cleaner, Restoro also functions as an antivirus and a system optimizer. It scans and removes all kinds of malicious software and simultaneously boosts the speed of your PC. Click here to download Restoro and resolve error 3 “Entry_Path_Not_Found” on your PC now!
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Location services are greyed out in Windows
Location services is a built-in tool in Windows 10 is a useful tool that offers users location information even when your laptop or desktop computer does not have a GPS since it uses Wi-Fi positioning as well as your device’s IP address. However, there are instances when you might encounter some problems when using this service. One instance is when you suddenly find the toggle button for Location service greyed out. This kind of program could be due to some glitch in the system or some third-party application on your computer. Because of this problem, you won’t be able to toggle the Location service on or off and you won’t be able to make any changes in its settings. Worry not, for this post will guide you on what you can do to fix the greyed-out toggle button of Location services in Windows 10. Before you perform some troubleshooting steps, you might want to restart your computer and see if it fixes the problem. If it didn’t, then this problem is not just some minor glitch. Thus, you have to follow the potential fixes provided below to fix the problem but before you do that, make sure that you create a System Restore point first. After that, follow each one of the following options.

Option 1 – Put your PC in a Clean Boot State

The first thing you can do to resolve the problem is to put your computer in a Clean Boot State. It could be that there is a third-party program that’s preventing the toggle button from functioning. To isolate this possibility, you need to put your computer in a Clean Boot State.
  • Log onto your PC as an administrator.
  • Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
  • From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
  • Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
  • Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
  • Click Disable all.
  • Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
  • Now check if you can now use the toggle button of the Location service or not.

Option 2 – Try to use the Registry Editor

If putting your computer in a Clean Boot state didn’t fix the problem, you might want to make some adjustments in the Windows Registry via Registry Editor.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “regedit” in the field and then tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • After that, navigate to this registry path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServiceslfsvcTriggerInfo
  • From there, select the Key (folder) named as “3” and right-click on it, and then delete it.
  • Once done, exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Option 3 – Try to use the Windows Services Manager

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Services Manager.
  • Next, look for the “Geolocation Service” entry from the list of services.
  • Once you find it, right-click on it and select Properties. This will open a new mini window.
  • From there, make sure that it is “Running” and its Startup Type is set to “Automatic”.
  • After that, close the Services Manager and check if the problem is now resolved.

Option 4 – Try to use the Group Policy Editor

  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run and type “gpedit.msc” in the field and click OK to open the Group Policy Editor.
  • After that, navigate to this path: Administrative TemplatesWindows ComponentsLocation and Sensors
  • Next, double click on each one of the following settings and select the “Not configured” or “Disabled” option.
    • Turn off location scripting
    • Turn off location
    • Turn off sensors
  • Once done, navigate to this path: Administrative TemplatesWindows ComponentsLocation and SensorsWindows Location Provider
  • From there, double click on the “Turn off Windows Location Provider” policy setting and set its configuration to either “Disabled” or “Not configured”. You should see the following description of the policy setting in the window:
“This policy setting turns off the Windows Location Provider feature for this computer. If you enable this policy setting, the Windows Location Provider feature will be turned off, and all programs on this computer will not be able to use the Windows Location Provider feature. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, all programs on this computer can use the Windows Location Provider feature.”
  • Now restart your computer.
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Preventing installation of Removable Devices
In case you don’t know, Windows 10 supports installation and use of a number of removable devices which includes plug and plays mouse, keyboard, and other USB-based devices. But this could actually pose a threat to the integrity of a computer system and thus, some organizations pose a restriction in using these kinds of devices. the restriction on these devices is also useful especially if you keep on leaving your computer idle and someone tries to mess it up by plugging in a removable device. In such situations, the restriction will defend the user against data theft. Thus, in this post, you will be guided on how you can prevent the installation of removable devices on your Windows 10 computer. There are two options that can help you in preventing the installation of any removable devices on your computer – you can either try to use the Registry Editor or use the Group Policy Editor instead. Follow whichever option you want to use the instructions given below but before you start, don’t forget to create a System Restore Point first.

Option 1 – Prevent installation of Removable Devices via Registry Editor

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Next, navigate to this registry path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsDeviceInstallRestrictions
  • From there, look for a DWORD named “DenyRemovableDevices” and set its value to “0”. On the other hand, if you can’t find this DWORD, just simply create it and set its value to 0.
  • Once done, exit the Registry Editor and reboot your PC to apply the changes made.

Option 2 – Prevent installation of Removable Devices via Group Policy Editor

Keep in mind that the Group Policy Editor is not available in the Home Edition of the Windows operating systems. Thus, if you are using one, just stick to the first option, otherwise, proceed to the following steps.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “gpedit.msc” and click OK or tap Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
  • After that, go to this policy setting: Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesSystemDevice InstallationDevice Installation Restrictions
  • Next, look for the “Prevent installation of removable devices” entry and once you find it, set it as “Enabled”. From this window, you should see the following description of this policy setting:
“This policy setting allows you to prevent Windows from installing removable devices. A device is considered removable when the driver for the device to which it is connected indicates that the device is removable. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device is reported to be removable by the drivers for the USB hub to which the device is connected. This policy setting takes precedence over any other policy setting that allows Windows to install a device. If you enable this policy setting, Windows is prevented from installing removable devices and existing removable devices cannot have their drivers updated. If you enable this policy setting on a remote desktop server, the policy setting affects redirection of removable devices from a remote desktop client to the remote desktop server. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Windows can install and update device drivers for removable devices as allowed or prevented by other policy settings.”
  • Then click the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made.
  • Now restart your computer to save the changes made. This should prevent the installation of any removable devices in your Windows 10 computer.
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There is a system repair pending
If you are running a System File Checker scan but got an error message instead that says, “There is a system repair pending which requires reboot to complete, Restart Windows and run SFC again”, worry not for this post will walk you through how you can fix the problem. This kind of error can be addressed and fixed with several potential fixes which will be provided in this post. You can try to restart your computer and run a System File Checker scan again or delete the pending .xml file or use the “revertpendingactions” parameter for the DISM tool. For more information, refer to each one of the options given below.

Option 1 – Try restarting your computer and run the SFC again

The first thing you can do to fix the problem is to restart your computer and let the pending process be completed. After your computer restarted, try to run System File Checker again and see if the error is now fixed or not. If not, refer to the other options below.

Option 2 – Try deleting the pending .xml file

The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to delete the pending .xml file. How? All you have to do is navigate to this location at CWindowsWinSxS and from there, look for a pending .xml file and rename it or delete it. This will get rid of any pending tasks and will build a fresh new check.

Option 3 – Try to use the “revertpendingactions” parameter for the DISM tool

If the two options given above didn’t work, you can try using the revertpendingactions parameter for the DISM tool. If you’re not able to boot into Windows, then run Command Prompt from the Recovery Console and execute the given command below.
dism.exe /image:C: /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions
After you execute the command, restart your computer and try to run System File Checker again and see if it has fixed the problem or not.
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