The Windows 10 system allows users to change the default location of the User folders to another drive. This is probably to make sure that the files stay safe in case the system suddenly crashes. However, in some cases, while changing the path to another drive, for instance, the D drive or any folder, the Windows system recognized it as a hard drive as well so even though the files will be saved on that folder, it will appear as a hard drive in the Windows Explorer or look merged with another folder. It could also be that you had dragged and dropped a user folder to another user folder by accident. So if you’re wondering how you can unmerge the User folders, read on as this post will guide you on how exactly you can do that.
Take note that even if you try to use the File History to restore the User folders, it still won’t work and you won’t be able to move them back to their previous locations nor restore the folders back to their previous versions and it would only state that they are not available. In the instructions given below, we are using the Downloads folder as an example.
Step 1: Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Next, type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Step 3: After opening the Registry Editor, navigate to the following registry key:
Step 4: Then double-click on the multi-string value {374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B} located in the right hand pane. And in the Value Data, copy and paste the following value:
%USERPROFILE%Downloads
Step 5: Now click OK and close the Registry Editor.
Note: Look close enough and you’ll see that the multi-string values belong to each one of the folders. From there, you have a Desktop, Favorites, Skydrive, Music, Pictures, and many more.
Step 6: Restart your computer. After that, the operating system will pick up the new folder location during the startup. Here are the values for the other folders:
Step 7: Now all you have to do is to change the location correctly. Start by tapping the Win + E keys to open the Windows File Explorer.
Step 8: After that, right-click on the Downloads folder located in the right-hand pane.
Step 9: Then click on Properties and go to the Location tab then type “D:\Downloads” in the location box.
Step 10: Click the Apply button and then the OK button to save the changes made. Doing so would ensure that not only the Downloads folder is restored but also that it does not stay merged to another folder or appear as a drive.
If you are trying to install a Feature Update in Windows 10 but you got the error code 0x80190001, then it means that there is something wrong with the installation files. The installation files are either corrupted or some of them failed to be downloaded. On the other hand, the issue might also have something to do with a driver issue.
When you encounter error 0x80190001, you will see the either of following error message on your screen:
“Something went wrongCouldn’t download Windows 10, please check your network settings and try again. You can contact Microsoft support for help with this error. Here’s the error code 0x80190001”.
Or:
“An unexpected error was encountered while attempting to download files required for the upgrade”.
Here are some fixes that could help you resolve the error 0x80190001. Follow them carefully.
Option 1 – Run the Network Troubleshooter
As mentioned in the error message the issue might have something to do with the network settings of your computer so you can try to run the Network Troubleshooter and then try updating or installing Windows 10 again.
Option 2 – Update Network drivers
Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
Type in msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
After that, look for Network Adapters from the list of device drivers displayed. Once you find it, expand it to see the Network drivers.
Right-click on it and select the option “Uninstall device” – do the same thing for the other Network drivers.
Restart your PC so Windows can detect and reinstall the drivers you just uninstalled.
Option 3 – Use Storage Sense to clean up temporary and junk files
Open Setting > System > Storage from the WinX Menu.
From there, you will see a list of all the local and connected storage devices along with the details on the free space.
Now make sure that the Storage Sense feature is turned On then go find a link that says “Free Up Space” and click it to open.
After that, a screen which is the built-in program in Windows 10 will appear and will scan your computer for the following junk files so you can free up disk space:
Windows Upgrade Log Files
The system created Windows Error Reporting Files
Thumbnails
Temporary Internet Files
Previous Windows Installation Files
Delivery Optimisation Files
DirectX Shader Cache
Note: Once you’re done freeing up space on your drive, try to run the setup file again.
Option 4 – Delete the contents in the SoftwareDistribution folder
The Software Distribution folder in the Windows operating system is a folder that can be found in the Windows directory and is used to store files temporarily which might be required to install the Windows Update on your PC. Thus, it is required by the Windows Update and maintained by WUAgent. A lot of users tried deleting the files in this folder to fix the problem and so far it has worked. Like them, you can try clearing the Windows Update cache by simply deleting the contents of the folder named “SoftwareDistribution” since Windows apparently can’t clear and re-download the update contents once they are corrupted. Thus, deleting the contents of this folder will make Windows download the contents again which will fix the problem. To do that, follow the steps below.
Open the WinX Menu.
From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauservnet stop bits
After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service and the Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
Next, go to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
Once all the contents in the Software Distribution folder are deleted, restart your PC and then go back to Command Prompt and input the following commands again.
net start wuauservnet start bits
Since the folder has already been flushed, it will be populated afresh the instant your restart your computer and open Windows Update.
Option 5 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
You might also want to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it is also known to help users resolve Windows Update errors like error 0x80190001.
Option 6 – Try to disable your antivirus program
Disabling the antivirus program or any security software installed in your computer is always a good idea you can try when the Windows Update process does not go smoothly. So before you try updating your computer again, make sure to disable the antivirus or security program and once the Windows Update is done, don’t forget to enable the antivirus program back again.
Option 7 – Try to use the Media Creation tool
The Media Creation tool in Windows allows you to use the ISO installation file to make a bootable device that you can use to install Windows on your PC. Note that this is kind of different from the usual installation process as it could erase your computer’s current settings and data on the primary drive. Thus, before you proceed, you need to backup all your data into some removable drive and then use the Media Creation Tool to make a bootable drive.
After making the bootable drive, you need to plug it into your computer and then reboot.
Next, tap the F10 or Esc key to open the boot options.
Now set the boot priority of the removable drive the highest. Once the setup comes forth, follow the next onscreen instructions and install Windows without any problems.
The 0x8007045D error code is an I/O (input and output) error that is associated with the registry. It indicates that the Windows operating system has become overloaded with invalid system references in the registry.
This may prevent you from executing reading and writing to and from devices successfully.
Error Causes
Registry is the main database of your PC. This portion of your computer saves all the activities that you perform on your PC including the junk files, temporary internet files, invalid entries, bad registry keys, and more.
This clutters the hard disk. If the unnecessary files are not removed from the registry, it may lead to I/O errors like 0x8007045D.
On the hard drive, some parts of the drive may fail to function. If this is not fixed on the time it may lead to serious disk damage and registry corruption eventually resulting in system failure. System failure can make you lose all the valuable data saved on your system for good.
How to Fix the Error Code 0x8007045D?
Error codes on your PC are like warnings. These codes indicate that your PC has some issue. Therefore ignoring it is not wise. To spare yourself from such serious PC damages, it is advisable to take correct measures timely instead of prolonging and making the situation go from bad to worse.
If you suddenly encountered the PDC WATCHDOG TIMEOUT BSOD Blue Screen stop error with a bug check value of 0x0000014F, then it’s probably due to a system component that has failed to respond with the allocated period which prevents the system from exiting connected standby.
This kind of Blue Screen error could be caused by both hardware and software components. To fix this Stop error, here are some possible fixes you can try that might help but before you proceed, make sure that you create a System Restore point first and boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking.
Option 1 – Try to rollback, update or disable drivers
The next thing you can do to fix the PDC_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT Stop error is to roll back, or update, or disable 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.
After opening the Device Manager, look for the device driver named “IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers” and expand it.
Then look for the SATA AHCI Controller entry and right-click on it. If you haven’t updated this driver in a while, select the “Update Driver” option. On the other hand, if you’ve just updated this driver, then select the Uninstall Device option.
Next, follow the screen option to update or uninstall it.
Finally, restart your computer. It will just reinstall the device drivers automatically if you have chosen to uninstall them.
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 2 – Try to disconnect or disable newly installed hardware
In this option, you will have to disable or remove the hardware you’ve just installed recently since external devices could be the one that’s causing the Blue Screen of Death error to appear. To do that, just disconnect any external device that’s connected to your computer physically and then check if it fixes the PDC_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT Blue Screen error.
Option 3 – Try running the Memory Diagnostic Tool
The Memory Diagnostic tool in windows can help resolve the PDC_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT Blue Screen error by checking and automatically fixing any memory-based issues. To run it, refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open Run and type mdsched.exe and hit Enter to open the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.
After that, it will give two options such as:
Restart now and check for problems (Recommended)
Check for problems the next time I start my computer
Once your computer has restarted, perform a basic scan or you could also go for the “Advanced” options such as “Test mix” or “Pass count”. Simply tap the F10 key to start the test.
Option 4 – Try to update the BIOS
Updating the BIOS can help you fix the PDC_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT BSOD error but as you know, BIOS is a sensitive part of a computer. Even though it is a software component, the functioning of the hardware depends on it largely. Thus, you must be careful when modifying something in the BIOS. So if you don’t know much about it, it’s best if you skip on this option and try the other ones instead. However, if you are well-versed in navigating the BIOS, then follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “msinfo32” in the field and press Enter to open System Information.
From there, you should find a search field on the bottom where you have to search for the BIOS version and then press Enter.
After that, you should see the developer and version of the BIOS installed on your PC.
Go to your manufacturer’s website and then download the latest version of BIOS on your computer.
If you are using a laptop, make sure that you keep it plugged in until you have updated the BIOS.
Now double click on the downloaded file and install the new BIOS version on your computer.
Now restart your computer to apply the changes made.
Option 5 – Try running the Blue Screen Troubleshooter
The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like PDC_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT. It can be found in the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.
Finally upgraded to Microsoft’s newest OS, but the performance is a bit sluggish? Here are a few useful tips you may not have thought about that could significantly transform your experience!
How to speed up Windows 11?
1. Disable startup programs
There are many programs that launch right on startup that really aren’t essential. This, in turn, causes your PC to launch and run more slowly.
To check which programs are enabled on startup, go into the Task Manager and select the Startup tab. Find every program that doesn’t need to launch immediately, right-click on it and press ‘Disable’.
This will not shut down the program in that instant. It’ll just prevent it from running automatically as you turn on your PC. You can always launch it manually when you need it.
2. Expand your memory and storage
If you want your PC to run super smoothly, you need to have enough memory to support that. This is especially significant for those of you who love to multitask. Upgrading your RAM gives your PC more space to store the temporary data it needs to complete processing tasks. In other words, processing takes a lot less time.
Your long-term storage is equally important. Hopefully at this point you’re already using SSD over HDD, since this type of storage offers a faster boot time.
Credit: Marc Pezin on Unsplash
In any case, we recommend expanding your storage capacity. The more files and data you store, the more there is to load, significantly influencing your PC’s speed. Larger storage capacity means new data and essential updates can be stored comfortably, preventing any strain on your PC’s performance.
3. Clean up disk space
If you aren’t willing to upgrade your storage just yet, the least you can do is clean up your storage right now.
Aside from manually deleting stuff you no longer need, you can also get rid of temporary files that clutter up your storage and eat up performance for no reason. To get to them, click Windows + X and select ‘Run’ (or just type it in the search bar).
A small window will pop up, where you need to type %temp%. This will take you to a whole folder full of all the temporary files you can remove without thinking twice.
For those who upgraded from Windows 10, there’s a neat trick to get rid of potential leftover files you don’t need on your brand new iteration. Only do this if you’re 100% sticking with Windows 11, though. Go to System > Storage > Temporary files. Make sure to only leave ‘Previous Windows Installation’ and ‘Windows Update Clean-up’ checked and click on ‘Remove files’.
Lastly, make use of Windows 11’s fantastic Storage Sense feature. Turning it on will enable your PC to constantly watch out for junk or unused files to optimize your PC’s performance to the maximum.
4. Install pending updates
This one should go without saying, but pending updates can be detrimental to your Windows 11 performance. The longer you leave them untouched, the more bugs the outdated programs and patches can cause. So, make sure to regularly check for updates and install them as soon as they’re available.
5. Disable visual effects
As cool as visual effects, animations, shadows and transparency are, they can also put quite a toll on your computer’s speed. On a newer setup this generally shouldn’t be a problem, but if you do notice a drop in performance, definitely consider turning off some of these settings.
To do this you can go to the Control Panel, System Properties and click the ‘Advanced’ tab. In the Performance section, choose Settings. If you’d like a quicker way to get to the dialog (Performance Options) with Visual Effects, you can also type sysdm.cpl in the search bar.
Once there, you can either have your PC choose what’s best, choose the best appearance or the best performance. The other option is to manually toggle the effects off and on. The biggest obstacles to speed are taskbar animations, window shadows, control/element animations and animations upon minimizing/maximizing.
Credit: Windows on Unsplash
In the same vein, you should go to Settings > Personalization > Colors and disable Transparency, to prevent your computer from doing overtime just to hit the aesthetic appeal.
6. Get rid of bloatware
Bloatware is one of the biggest culprits of slow computer speed.
Pre-installed software that’s pretty much useless but takes up valuable system resources has been around since day one. No matter which device or platform you’re talking about. Luckily, a lot of it is removable, making it easy to lighten the load on your device.
To boost your Windows 11 computer, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.You’ll probably see a bunch of apps you don’t want or need. Click on the three dots next to each one you want to remove and press ‘Uninstall’.
Aside from helping optimize performance, removing bloatware has another great benefit. Unfortunately, often this pre-installed software is quite vulnerable, exposing you to great risk of cyberattacks. So, removing it definitely improves your device’s security and gives you at least some peace of mind.
Summary
These are a few of our fastest tips for boosting performance. There are other, more complex and time-consuming ways, of course. If you’ve tried these quick ones and still need advice on how to improve your PC’s speed, feel free to reach out!
Socket Error 10060 is a typical Outlook Express error. This error often occurs when the connection to the server fails. It specifically refers to a timeout while communicating with the email providers servers.
The vast majority of all emails use SMTP for outgoing mail. Socket error 10060 in most instances is related to the SMTP settings for the user’s email.
The error message is sometimes displayed in the following format:
Outlook Express Socket Error10060 - The connection to the server failed Account:’ your account’
Another thing you must know about this error is that it only stops the user from sending emails. This means that you can only receive emails, not send them.
Solution
Error Causes
The cause of this error code is hard to narrow down typically because there are many causes that can trigger the socket error code 10060. Some of the most common causes of this error code are:
Issues in email settings
Authentication settings
Firewall settings
Malware
Though this is not a critical error code it is advisable to fix it immediately without any delays.
This error can hamper your communication via email and slow down your work productivity especially if you use Outlook for communication across the organization.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Here are some of the many methods to fix and resolve this error code. To help you resolve this issue, we have selected and listed down the best, quick, and easy do-it-yourself methods. Try them and repair Socket error code 10060 all by yourself without any professional assistance.
Method 1 - Check the Names of POP3 and SMTP Servers
To begin with, first check the names of the POP3 and SMTP servers to ensure that they are correct. Then check the outgoing SMTP port. Contact your email provider to determine the correct settings.
Sometimes email providers change this value more than any other in their individual settings. Get it verified. Change the settings if needed.
Method 2 - Outgoing SMTP Server Requires Authentication
Sometimes the error code may occur due to authentication issues. If this is the reason then, don’t worry it is easy to fix. Simply go to the settings options and check the box ‘My server requires authentication’.
Once you check the box, try sending the email again. This is most likely to resolve the socket error 10060 on your PC.
Method 3 - Disable Firewall
Your Firewall security may sometimes be the reason for socket error 10060 too. Therefore if after trying method 1 and 2, the error still persists, then it is advisable to disable firewall.
Once you disable it, try sending an email using your Outlook account. If it works, the error is resolved.
Method 4 - Scan for Malware
There is a possibility that the Socket error 10060 is popping on your PC due to malware infection. If so, then it is advisable to download Restoro.
This is a highly functional and a user-friendly PC fixer deployed with a powerful antivirus and several other scanners. Run it on your PC to scan for malware. It detects and removes all types of malware including Trojans, viruses, adware, spyware, and more in seconds.
Click here to download Restoro to resolve socket error 10060 on your system today.
Have you been feeling anxious in the digital space? Feeling like you have a million eyes on you each time you visit a website? It can definitely make you uneasy. Luckily there’s an easy fix, and it’s called a VPN.
In this article we’ll take you through the basics of what a VPN does and some of the biggest benefits you can reap from buying one.
VPN: definition and how it works
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, so its name already says a lot about what it does.
A VPN is specialized software that keeps your browsing private and secure. Essentially it hides your identity, preventing possible cyberattacks and data theft. This is especially important in cases of public network use, where you’re highly exposed to potential threats.
To be more specific, this software encrypts your Internet Protocol (IP) address by filtering it through a server hosted by the VPN provider first. That way, it prevents your Internet service provider, third parties and lurking online thieves from tracking the actual you.
Credit: FLY:D on Unsplash
Some providers, such as Surfshark VPN with its IP Rotator feature, even make it a habit to frequently change your IP address to further protect your identity. With most VPN providers, you can also appear to be in a completely different country, adding to your disguise.
There are tons of advantages you can look forward to if you decide to use a VPN. Take a look at some of the crucial ones.
Benefits of using a VPN
When choosing a VPN, you can find both free and paid options. We recommend you go with the paid ones, since they have stronger security, encryption and data protection, as well as more advanced features. Free VPNs come with limitations and risk of malicious attacks on the software itself.
You can choose to buy a singular VPN service or opt for antivirus software that has a VPN built in, for example Bitdefender’s Ultimate Security plan. That depends on what you use your computer for and how much.
When you pick one, here’s what it can do for you.
1. Access region-specific content
When we said you could change your location, we meant it. Say you’re using a streaming service and a show you desperately want to watch isn’t available in your country. You can use your VPN to make it look like you’re browsing from a country where it’s unlocked.
This option is also convenient for gamers who want to access maps, skins and other in-game items unavailable in their location.
In addition, you can use this powerful feature when you’re traveling to a region where some of your favorite content may not be accessible.
Do keep in mind that you need to read the Terms and Conditions (yeah, we know - who does that?) of your games and services before doing this, since you could end up getting a penalty. It’s also important to remember that there are entire countries that have strict regulations or even bans on VPNs, for example Belarus, Russia and China. So make sure to be very cautious with your VPN use, friends.
2. Browse like no one’s watching
VPNs shield your browsing habits from prying eyes on the web. Those can be malicious hackers or just third-party cookies tracking your every move to later bombard you with targeted ads. For example, Surfshark VPN features a Cookie blocker that blocks all cookie-related pop-ups and lets you browse in peace (and secret). It works even when the VPN is turned off, which is also pretty neat.
In addition, their CleanWeb 2.0 technology makes sure ads and especially malware don’t stand a chance at all, since they’re blocked before they can even load.
The inability of sites to track your browsing means they can’t collect and analyze any of your data. So, your personal information - or your company’s information in case that’s what you’re using your computer for - is entirely hidden and secure.
3. Save money
It’s well-known that the prices of certain items and services vary based on your location, browsing time, age and many other factors. This most commonly goes for airline tickets and hotel stays.
You can use your VPN to avoid high prices and surcharges. Clear all cookies, turn on your VPN and visit an online shopping site to check out their prices. Then compare your findings with the offers you see when your VPN is off, when you spend a long time on the site or have an active account with the company.
Sometimes this can really help you find the best deals and avoid breaking the bank. But again, check the Terms and Conditions before you purchase something using a VPN.
4. Secure your smart home
The more smart devices you have connected to your network, the more exposed you are to potential cyberattacks. Phones and computers are generally designed to be decently secure even without a VPN or antivirus, but smart home devices leave a lot to be desired in that regard.
Protecting your home network with a VPN software means all devices connected to it are secure, be it an air purifier or Alexa.
Credit: Bence Boros on Unsplash
5. Prevent connection slowdown
Your ISP can intentionally slow down your internet speed based on how much data you’ve consumed (data throttling) or your activities online (bandwidth throttling).
But with a VPN, what kind of data you send and receive and how much is entirely hidden. Therefore, if your ISP can’t see you, they can’t control you and they can’t throttle down your speed.
The bottom line
You can never be too safe online. So definitely think about getting yourself a solid VPN to pump up your privacy and security as much as you can. And if you have any questions or need help choosing the perfect software for you, feel free to reach out to us.
If you recently upgraded your computer or if you’ve just switched to a new Windows 10 PC, the most common errors you might encounter are the Windows Activation errors. This issue boils down to the Windows Activation server which has either failed to validate or recognize the license tied to the digital account. In this post, you will be guided on how to fix an activation error in an organization with an error code 0x8007007B. It contains this exact error message:
“We can’t activate Windows on this device as we can’t connect to your organization’s activation server. Make sure that you’re connected to your organization’s network and try again. If you continue having problems with activation, contact your organization’s support person. Error code 0x8007007B.”
Various computers are activated via the KMS licensing (Key Management Server) in organizations. Computers that are activated using this process do not get a permanent activation and have to stay connected to the organization instead of for at least 7 months or 180 days. It is common in Pro and Enterprise versions that are deployed in bulk for at least hundreds or thousands of computers. So imagine a user with a personal computer in the office who decided to leave the organization but will still have an activated Windows key. And so to prevent that from happening, organizations use the KMS licensing. Another possible cause of the error is in case some user used an organization key and later on, the PC just got upgraded or downgraded to a version that is not compatible with that copy of Windows.
To fix this Windows Activation error, here are some suggestions that might help.
Option 1 – You can try connecting to the organization’s network and activate the computer. But before that, you need to first check if the computer actually belongs to an organization or not.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Type “cmd” and hit Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
After that type the vbs /dlv command and hit Enter to execute it.
Next, check if the Product Key Channel says “GVLK”. If it does, then it means that your computer was activated using volume licensing.
Option 2 – Change Licence Key
If you’ve recently left an organization then it’s best if you buy another copy of Windows 10 and then change the license key. This time, make sure that the license key is for the same version of Windows. However, if it’s different, you need to format your computer.
Option 3 – You can try activating Windows 10 using a mobile phone
Activating Windows 10 can also be done using your phone. Just note that you have to call Microsoft to do so.
In the Start Search box, type in “Slui 4” and tap Enter.
Next, select your country and click on Next.
Keep the window open and call the toll-free number of the country you’re from.
Afterward, a confirmation ID should be given by the automated system which you must take a note of.
Finally, in the box on the window, type in the confirmation ID and click on the Activate button. That should do it.
Option 4 – If you think that the issue is caused by some hardware changes, you can try using the Activation Troubleshooter.
There are times when users already have the license keys and were able to activate Windows. However, it doesn’t last long and only works for a while and it’s suddenly throwing up an activation error like this one. To use the Windows Activation Troubleshooter, just go to Settings and to Activation and then run the troubleshooter from there.
If you've made some modifications to your hardware, you have to click the “I changed hardware on this device recently” option for further suggestions.
This post will guide you in fixing the error 0x80070103 when installing Windows Update. According to users who encountered this problem, Windows Update (WU) fails to install several different updates. This kind of Windows Update error is can mostly be seen in the Windows Update screen inside the update reports although it is also known to occur when a user attempts to install a peripheral driver – only if the Windows Update offers to update the driver through a prompt and when you click Yes.
There are several possible causes for this error, it could be that Windows Update is trying to install a particular driver for the second time already which happens when it gets confused by an additional piece of identical hardware like the graphics adapter. Aside from that, the Windows Update might have already installed the driver which is known to occur with unsuitable versions of the already installed driver. In addition, the error could also be due to a third-party program interference like a security program or a utility program that is using the same driver and conflicts with the Windows Update.
Here are some suggestions that might help in fixing the Windows Update error 0x80070103.
Option 1 – Install the updates in a Clean Boot State
You might want to try putting your computer in a Clean Boot state and then install Windows Updates again without any trouble. During this state, you can start the system with a minimum number of drivers and startup programs that will surely help you in isolating the root cause of the issue.
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.)
After that, try to install the Windows Updates or upgrade again.
Option 2 – Try installing the failing driver without using Windows Update
If installing the updates in a clean boot state didn’t help, you can try a manual approach to yield much better results using the Device Manager or by downloading the driver from the manufacturer’s website manually.
Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
Type in msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. Look for the device driver you and then select either “Update driver” or “Uninstall device”. And if you find any “Unknown device”, you need to update it as well.
Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.
If you have chosen to uninstall the driver, follow the screen options to complete the process and then restart your PC.
Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your device driver manufacturer and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it.
Option 3 – Try to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
You might also want to run the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter in Windows that could help you in resolving the Windows Update error 0x80070103. All you have to do is go to Settings > Update& security > Troubleshoot > Windows Update. From there, click on the Run the troubleshooter button and follow the next one-screen instructions that appear. After that, restart your computer and check if the error is now fixed or not by trying to install the update once again.
Msvcr80.dll is a runtime dynamic link library file. This file is typically required to run programs written with Visual Studio.
Msvcr80.dll error messages might appear when using or installing certain programs on your PC, that are dependent on the Msvcr80.dll file to run and load.
This error message may appear on your computer screen in either of the following formats:
"Msvcr80.dll Not Found"
"This application failed to start because msvcr80.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem."
"The file msvcr80.dll is missing."
"Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: msvcr80.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again.
"APSDaemon.exe - System Error - MSVCR80.dll is missing from your computer."
"Cannot find [PATH]msvcr80.dll"
Solution
Error Causes
Msvcr80.dll error is a common Windows PC error. This error code may occur due to multiple reasons. These include:
Removal and corruption of Msvcr80.dll file
Registry issues
Viral infection
Hardware failure
Improper software installation
It is advisable to resolve this error code to avoid inconvenience. This error may hamper your ability to access and run your desired program.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Here are some of the best and easiest DIY solutions to fix the Msvcr80.dll error on your PC right away:
1. Check your Recycle Bin for the Missing Msvcr80.dll file or Download the Msvcr80.dll file from a Trusted Website
If you receive the error message ‘missing Msvcr80.dll file’ then first check the recycle bin. It is possible that you may have unknowingly deleted the Msvcr80.dll file while uninstalling a program from the PC.
Remember dll files are shared files. These files are used by a number of programs on your PC to run and load. There is a possibility that the program you uninstalled shared the same file to run on your PC. So, when removing that program from your PC it could have also deleted the Msvcr80.dll file.
Therefore, check your recycle bin to restore the missing file. Nonetheless, if in case you are unable to locate the missing Msvcr80.dll file, then try downloading it on your PC. However, when doing so, make sure you download the file from a reliable dll download website.
2. Uninstall and Reinstall Apple iTunes Program
This error commonly pops up when running Apple iTunes on your PC.
To resolve this issue, and ensure smooth access to Apple iTunes, here’s what you need to do: uninstall from Windows the following programs in this order: Apple iTunes, Software update, Apple Mobile device support, Bonjour, application support, iCloud and mobile me.
Skip over software that you haven’t installed already on your system. When uninstalling the programs, if you have two entries of the same software, then uninstall the older version first and then the newer one.
To do so, go to Applet in the Control Panel. It is called programs and features in Windows 7, 8, and Vista and add/remove programs in Windows XP. Once all Apple software is uninstalled, the next step is to download the latest version of iTunes from Apple. After the software is downloaded on your system successfully, run it. This is most likely to resolve the issue.
3. Scan for Viruses
If the issue still persists, then the underlying cause could be related to malware invasion. Therefore in such circumstances, it is advisable to scan for viruses and malware with a powerful antivirus on your PC and remove them right away.
Please note, using an antivirus may slow down your PC performance.
4. Perform Registry Scan and Repair
When the registry is overloaded with unnecessary and redundant files like junk files, cookies, invalid entries, and bad keys, it gets corrupted easily thereby generating errors like Msvcr80.dll errors. To resolve this issue, you must perform a registry scan and repair it with a powerful registry cleaner.
Whether the cause of the issue is a viral infection or the cause is related to registry problems, the best way to resolve the issue without compromising the speed of your system is to download Restoro.
This is an advanced, cutting-edge, and multi-functional PC repair tool. It is compatible with all Windows versions.
This software is embedded with multiple PC repair and performance-boosting utilities such as a registry cleaner, an antivirus, and a system optimizer. It has a high functional intuitive algorithm and a user-friendly interface.
The registry cleaning feature detects all registry issues, wipes unnecessary files, cleans and repairs the corrupt registry and damaged dll files.
The antivirus utility scans for all types of malware, viruses, Trojans, and spyware and removes them immediately. While the system optimizer module helps boost your computer’s performance to its optimal level. In just a few simple clicks, the Msvcr80.dll error is resolved.
To get started, click here to download Restoro on your PC today!
Every computer has to have a graphic card, it is one of the essential components in order for the computer to work. If you have a second-hand computer, got one as a gift, or similar, there is a high chance that you do not really know which components are inside. Luckily finding out which graphic card you have inside is quite easy.
Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager
Click the Performance tab at the top of the window, if you don’t see the tabs, click “More Info.” Select “GPU 0” in the sidebar. The GPU’s manufacturer and model names are displayed at the top right corner of the window.
You’ll also see other information, such as the amount of dedicated memory on your GPU, in this window. Windows 10’s Task Manager displays your GPU usage here, and you can also view GPU usage by application.
If your system has multiple GPUs, you’ll also see “GPU 1” and so on here. Each represents a different physical GPU.