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A increasingly popular technique for rootkits is to install malicious drivers that start very early in the boot process. Malware launching in this manner makes it very hard to detect or remove infections without using specialized tools and techniques. To combat this, Microsoft has added a new feature to Windows 8 called Early Launch Anti-Malware Protection. This feature allows certified antivirus programs that support early launch to load their own driver before almost all Windows boot drivers. This antivirus driver will then scan each and every boot driver that attempts to load and depending on how early launch is configured and whether the driver was detected as malware, will block it from loading. If these malware boot-start drivers are unable to load, then the rest of the malware infection does not become activated and it is much easier for your antivirus software to remove the infection.
If a driver is classified as malware by Early Launch Anti-Malware Protection because it is malicious or because of a false positive, the driver may not be allowed to load. If this is a necessary driver for Windows to start properly, then we could have a problem where Windows is unable to boot up properly. To protect Windows from a situation like this, Microsoft added a method for you to disable Early Launch Anti-Malware Protection during a boot so that you can resolve your issues by either updating your virus detections or removing the problematic malware driver. Then the next time you reboot your computer, Early Launch Anti-Malware Protection will automatically start again and continue protecting your computer.
This tutorial will walk you through disabling the Early Launch Anti-Malware Protection so that you can resolve any issues that may be causing Windows to not start properly. To do this please follow these steps to access the Startup Settings screen.
Please type Advanced on the Windows 8 Start Screen. When the search results appear click on the Settings category as shown in the image below.

Advanced start screen search

Now click on the option labeled Advanced startup options and you will be brought to the General PC Settings screen. Scroll down to the bottom until you see an option labeled Advanced startup. Click on the Restart now button and Windows 8 will restart your computer and go directly into the Advanced Startup options menu.

Advanced startup options menu

Now click on the Troubleshoot button and then the Advanced options button. You will now be at the Advanced options screen where you should click on the Startup settings option.

Startup settings option

At the Startup Settings screen, click on the Restart button. Your computer will be restarted and brought into the Startup Settings menu as shown below.

Startup Setting options

Now press the number 8 on your keyboard. This will launch Windows, but with the early launch anti-malware protection disabled. You can now login to Windows and update your virus definitions or perform further scans for malicious programs that may be causing Windows to not start properly. The next time you reboot, Early Launch Anti-Malware Protection will be enabled again automatically.
If you have any questions regarding this process, please feel free to ask us in the Windows 8 Forum.

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No matter how tech savvy you are, there are certain things every one of us has to deal with when using a computer—and we don’t always deal with them in the most efficient ways. Here are 10 things that everyone can (and should) learn to keep their computer fast, safe, and easy to use.

Here at Lifehacker, we take a lot of the simpler stuff for granted: how to avoid viruses, use keyboard shortcuts, or even keep your data backed up. Even if you’ve mastered all of these tricks (and there’s a good chance you haven’t), you may want to send this along to some of your less computer-savvy friends. After all, the more they know how to do, the less they’ll call you for help. If you’re looking for some more advanced tricks, we’ve got them for you

10. Set Up a Simple Backup System



We all know we should back up our computers, but it’s always one of those things that you’ll set up “one day”. Setting up a backup only takes minutes, though, so you can do it right now and forget about it until you need it—and when you do need it, you’ll be glad you set it up. If you’re just backing up to an external drive, you can just use the simple tools built in to your computer, like Windows Backup or Apple’s Time Machine. However, that’ll only keep you safe if your computer fails. If you lose your home in a fire, get all your gear stolen, or experience any other kind of disaster (God forbid), you’ll have lost all those important documents, family photos, and other files forever. So, we recommend using a service like CrashPlan to back up your computer online. That way, it can back up no matter where you are, and that data will be safe no matter what happens to your hardware.


9. Do Everything Faster with Shortcuts


The great thing about computers is that they can do a lot of things much faster than a human. Say you’re looking for a specific word on a web page. Instead of scanning it yourself, all you need to do is press Ctrl+F and type the word you’re looking for. There are mountains of shortcut like this, from pressing Ctrl+S to instantly save the file you’re working on, Ctrl+P to print it out, or Ctrl+T to open a new tab in your web browser. It may seem like more trouble than its worth at first, but after you use a shortcut one or two times, you’ll wonder why you ever did anything with the mouse. Check out our list of six shortcuts everyone should know, as well as our shortcut of the day series for even more tricks.
8. Protect Yourself From Viruses


Windows users have long known the pain of viruses and other malware, but the good news is it’s pretty easy to avoid. First, we recommend learning the difference between viruses, trojans, and other kinds of attacks, as well as the myths surrounding them. Then, install some good, free antivirus software to protect yourself (Avast is our current favorite, but Bitdefender is a slightly less nerdy, equally secure option). You can even get antivirus for your Android phone, if you so choose. But in the end, the best way to avoid viruses is to use common sense: don’t open links that look suspicious, don’t install programs from untrusted sources, and if a window pops up saying your computer’s infected, make sure it’s actually your antivirus software saying that and not a fake web page.


7. Set Up Your Network (and Fix Wi-Fi Problems)


Understanding routers, modems, and the other things that make up your network can seem daunting, but there are a few basics that can fix most problems that come your way. Does your router constantly need resetting?Make sure it isn’t overheating or clogged with traffic. Is your Wi-Fi speed and range less than ideal? Use one of these tricks to give it a boost. If you experience more serious problems, you can probably fix them yourself too. Check out our complete guide to knowing your network for more info—it’s got everything you need to know, from buying a router to setting up your network and more.


6. Keep Your PC Free of Crap


Ever wonder how that Yahoo toolbar got on your system, or why there’s so much junk installed on your brand new machine? Crapware is a huge problem in the world of Windows, but that doesn’t mean you have to take it lying down. With the right tools and a little know-how, you can avoid that crapware forevermore: just uninstall the stuff that came with your system, and learn the ways companies trick you into installing stuff you don’t want. You’ll keep that system nice and clean, and beat the scammers at their own game.


5. Access Your Home Computer From Anywhere


Ever go out with your laptop and realize you left something important on your computer at home? One way to solve this problem is to use a service likeDropbox, so your files are with you everywhere you go. However, it’s also handy to know how to use your home computer from anywhere. With a simple app like TeamViewer, you can log into your home computer from another machine and use it as if you were sitting right at your desk—whether you just need to grab a quick file or access a program you don’t have elsewhere.


4. Keep Your Computer in Tip-Top Shape with Regular Maintenance


Computer maintenance has gotten really confusing over the years. Betweendefragging, cleaning up temporary files, and other tasks, it’s almost like trying to maintain a car. Luckily, it’s gotten a lot easier in recent years: you only really need to do one or two things to keep your computer running fast and smooth. Check out our guides to Windows maintenance and Mac maintenancefor more info and keep your PC running like new. And if your phone’s feeling a little sluggish, we have guides for iOS and Android, too.


3. Instantly Share a File Between Two Computers


So you’ve got some files you want to give to your friend sitting next to you, but your flash drive has mysteriously gone missing. Well guess what? You don’t need it! It’s very easy to transfer a file between two computers over your wireless (or wired) network, whether it’s between you and a friend or between multiple computers you own. Here are our favorite ways to share files with a nearby computer, but if you want to share them between multiple computers in your house, Windows’ Homegroup feature is a great option. Of course, this is where the aforementioned Dropbox app can come in handy, too.


2. Easily Find Your Lost or Stolen Gadgets

You never know when you might misplace your phone, laptop, or other tech, so set up some safeguards now. iPhone users can enable Find My iPhone, and Android users should enable the Android Device Manager, which allows you to track your phone if you lose it. Of course, you can always get a more feature-rich app like Prey, which can track nearly any laptop or smartphone that’s gone missing, and even get a photo of who might be using it. If you’re missing a camera, the CameraTrace service can help you find it, too. Of course, the best solution is making sure it doesn’t get stolen in the first place, and making sure all your personal data is locked down. Which brings us to our last tip...

1. Keep Your Personal Information Safe and Secure


Unfortunately, the internet isn’t always a safe place, which means everyone needs to make sure they’re keeping their personal information safe. Make sure you use strong passwords, remove personal information from photos and other files, and never use open public Wi-Fi networks without protection. Keeping your personal information safe is easier than it sounds, and if you aren’t sure what to do, check out our checklist for staying safe online. You’d be surprised how unsafe you were being before.
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With its simple design and optimizations for social connections, it is not surprise that Instagram is the world's most popular photo-sharing app, with as many as 400 million users. It's easy to figure out the basics like cropping a photo or choosing a filter to make it look better.

But while Instagram's interface is simple to use, there are hidden features that can enhance the overall experience. Let's take a look at the 7 Instagram features that you probably don't about...

You can hide photo filters if you don't use them



Photo filters are what made Instagram famous but as camera quality has improved users have become more and more adverse to sticking "X-PRO II" over a photo and calling it a day.

Luckily, Instagram has added the ability to hide filters. Simply open a photo ready to edit, scroll all the way to the right in the filters tab and tap "Manage." From here, filters can easily be ticked or unticked depending on whether you want to see them.

Hide the bad photos of you that others are tagging



Anyone who keeps a relatively polished Instagram account knows the pain of being tagged in a bad photo that then haunts your account whenever anyone clicks through to the "Photos of You" tab.

To hide a tagged photo, go to the "Photos of You" tab, select the photo, reveal the tags (by tapping once on the image), tap your name and select "Hide from My Profile" and then click "Finished."See what your friends are liking

Have you ever wondered what kind of photos the people you follow are liking? Instagram has a built-in feature, located in the "Activity" tab, that allows a clear view of what people are liking and when.

Simply go to "Activity" and scroll left to the "Following" tab.

See all the photos you've liked in the past




Desperately searching for a photo is a pain, especially when you just know that it can't be far down the feed because you liked it earlier.

Instagram feels this pain and has built in a "Photos You've Liked" feature that is tucked away in Settings, accessed via the cog in the top-right corner of the Profile page.Get notifications when your favourite accounts post a new photo

We all have our own Instagram obsessions, accounts that we just can't stop checking because the photos are just that good. However, obsessively checking an account can feel weird. Thankfully, Instagram includes a feature that sends you a notification whenever they post.

Head to the profile in question, tap the three dots in the top left corner and select "Turn on Post Notifications." That's it.


Get notifications when your favourite accounts post a new photo




We all have our own Instagram obsessions, accounts that we just can't stop checking because the photos are just that good. However, obsessively checking an account can feel weird. Thankfully, Instagram includes a feature that sends you a notification whenever they post.

Head to the profile in question, tap the three dots in the top left corner and select "Turn on Post Notifications." That's it.

See what your friends are liking


Have you ever wondered what kind of photos the people you follow are liking? Instagram has a built-in feature, located in the "Activity" tab, that allows a clear view of what people are liking and when.

Simply go to "Activity" and scroll left to the "Following" tab.
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