EU Common Charge Rules

There are several kinds of errors you could encounter when you are running Windows 10 on a virtual machine. The Windows OS knows the difference between booting up in a standalone computer or in a virtual machine. This is why some specific drivers and system capabilities are used while emulating the Windows OS on software and during this phase, there are times when the System Preparation may throw up an error that says, “A fatal error occurred while trying to sysprep the machine”. This kind of error arises due to a race condition wherein the Sysprep command tries to stop the Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator or MSDTC service and the VMware tool tries to start the MSDTC service. You may also see the following messages logged in the Setuperr.log file:

• [0x0f0082] SYSPRP LaunchDll:Failure occurred while executing ‘C:Windowssystem32msdtcprx.dll,SysPrepDtcCleanup’, returned error code -2146434815[gle=0x000000b7]
• [0x0f0070] SYSPRP RunExternalDlls:An error occurred while running registry sysprep DLLs, halting sysprep execution. dwRet = -2146434815[gle=0x000000b7]
• [0x0f00a8] SYSPRP WinMain:Hit failure while processing sysprep cleanup providers; hr = 0x80100101[gle=0x000000b7]

To fix the 0x0f0082, 0x0f0070, 0x0f00a8 Sysprep errors, you can check out two potential fixes. First, you have to check the status of the MSDTC service and the second one is to check the settings in the Windows Registry. Note that these fixes are proven to be effective on many users and apply to several versions of Windows, including Windows 10.

Option 1 – Check the status of the MSDTC service via Command Prompt

As mentioned, the error could be caused by the malfunctioning of the MSDTC service or it. Thus, you have to uninstall and reinstall the MSDTC service to resolve the problem and you can do that using Command Prompt. Follow the steps below.

• In the Start Search, type “command prompt” and from the results, right-click on Command Prompt and then select the “Run as administrator” option to open it with admin privileges.
• If a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, just click on Yes to proceed.
• Once you’ve opened Command Prompt, execute this command: msdtc –uninstall
• The command you just entered will uninstall the MSDTC service. After that, you need to execute this second command to reinstall the service: msdtc –install
• Now exit Command Prompt and check if the error is now fixed.

Option 2 – Check the Registry settings

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “Regedit” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• After opening the Registry Editor, navigate to this registry path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionSoftwareProtectionPlatform
• From there, look for a DWORD value that’s named “SkipRearm” and double click on it.
• Then change its value data to “1”.
• Restart your computer to apply successfully apply the changes made and check if it was able to fix the error.

One of the most popular and most used web browsers commonly used by Windows users is Google Chrome. This well-known web browser has been introducing various features recently in order to stay at the top. However, it makes the web browser a lot more complex and thus prone to errors. Although this may not be a big deal, it can be quite annoying as it can interrupt your web browsing. There are various errors that can come up with this level of complexity of the web browser. One of these errors is the “This site can’t be loaded from the cache, ERR_CACHE_MISS” error message that can suddenly appear while you browse the web using your Google Chrome browser on your Windows 10 PC. Take note that when you encounter this particular error, there really is no direct fault in the Chrome browser as there are also issues with caching the website data locally in the computer. Moreover, this error can also occur when a website is coded in an incorrect manner or if there are some browser extensions or toolbars that are in conflict with the proper functioning of the website. To fix the ERR_CACHE_MISS error in Google Chrome, refer to the possible solutions laid out below.

Option 1 – Try clearing browser data

There are times when some data in the browser is conflicting with the loading of the website and triggers errors like ERR_CACHE_MISS. And so you can try to clear your browser’s data. This might be a very basic solution but oftentimes it works in fixing this kind of error in Google Chrome. Follow the steps below to clear the data in your browser.

• Open your Google Chrome browser.
• After that, tap the Ctrl + H keys. Doing so will open a new panel that allows you to delete the browsing history and other data in your browser.
• Now select every checkbox that you see and click on the Clear browsing data button.
• Then restart your Chrome browser and check if you can now open any website or not.

Option 2 – Try using the Developer Tools

You can also try using the Developer tools in Google Chrome to help you fix the ERR_CACHE_MISS error. Refer to the steps below to do so.

• Open Google Chrome.
• Tap the Ctrl + Shift + I keys on your keyboard and then tap the F1 key to open the Settings tab inside the Chrome Developer Tools.
• Next, select the Disable cache option while DevTools is open and apply those settings.
• After that, refresh your browser and check if the entries you’ve seen previously in the Network tab are gone.
• Now try to load the same webpage again and see if the problem is resolved.

Option 3 – Reset Winsock, TCP/IP & Flush DNS

Resetting Winsock, TCP/IP, and flushing DNS might help you resolve the ERR_CACHE_MISS error. To do so, follow these steps:

• Right-click on the Start button and click on Command Prompt (administrator) so you can pull up an elevated Command Prompt.
• After that, execute each one of the commands listed below. And after you typed in one after the other, you have to hit Enter.

1. netsh winsock reset – type in this command to reset Winsock
2. netsh int ip reset resettcpip.txt – type in this command to reset TCP/IP
3. ipconfig /flushdns – type in this command to flush the DNS cache

• Next, restart your PC and check if the problem’s fixed.

Option 4 – 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.

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

Error 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!

What is Runtime Error 216?

Runtime Error 216 is not a common error message like Runtime Error 339. However, it may sometimes occur when starting up the computer if you are using a Windows-based application or using Internet Explorer.

Solution

Download Available to Completely Repair Runtime Error 216

Error Causes

The runtime error 216 error occurs when your computer gets infected with one or more viruses. The most common virus, in this case, is the SubSeven Trojan virus. Once your computer gets infected with a virus(es) it creates a backdoor on your Windows system. This might give hackers access to monitor your PC remotely. This poses a great risk to confidential information and personal data stored on your PC. The hackers can easily monitor your PC, access your private information and misuse it.

Further Information and Manual Repair

If you experience this error message, it is advisable to repair it immediately without any delays; Runtime Error 216 can make your system vulnerable. Here’s what you must do:

• First things first, disconnect the internet connection so that the hacker can’t access your PC.
• Now perform a boot scan through a powerful antivirus.  The antivirus will scan your system for viruses. After the scan is complete, all the disinfected files will appear in the scan report results. You are advised to delete them and click repair to fix the error.
• Remember the antivirus will not scan infected Windows Registry entries, therefore to remove SubSeven.exe Windows Registry entries go to the start menu and type REGEDIT in the search box.
• Click on REGEDIT and select Run as Administrator. Now type the following registry path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftware. This will help locate SubSeven.exe infected files. Once located, delete all of them and close Windows Registry Editor.

To ensure your computer is completely free from SubSeven Trojan Virus and other possible viruses, it is advisable to remove all the recently installed programs and downloaded applications. This is recommended because sometimes while downloading programs, we tend to download corrupted programs which include viruses. It’s, therefore, best to delete all the programs you’ve installed recently. Secondly, to prevent virus and hacker attacks, you must frequently update your security program by installing a powerful antivirus program. Following the repair guide steps will protect your system from malware. It will also help fix runtime error 216 and ensure your PC is protected from similar threats.

Counter strike has evolved from half-life mod into the full-featured game and has kept in popularity for years, even today game is wildly popular and has a huge player base. Sadly game can crash in Windows 10. Here in this article, we will address how to fix csgo crashing in Windows 10 so you can play it smoothly and crash-free as it was meant to be played.

1. Update your display drivers

   Often in the gaming world having the latest display drivers can mean a world of difference. Counterstrike GO is no different, make sure that your drivers are updated to the latest version, if they are not, go to your manufacturer's website and download the latest version.

2. Update Windows

   Just how much important is it to have the latest display drivers so it is to have the latest Windows update. Often problematic things are addressed in the update itself.

3. Turn off compatibility mode

   Compatibility mode is most often the cause of crashes. Go to the game installation folder and search for csgo.exe. Once you locate it right-click on it and choose properties. Under properties, find the compatibility tab and turn off compatibility mode if it is ON. Uncheck run as administrator also

4. Delete CSGO.EXE and add cl_disablehtmlmotd 1

   If disabling compatibility mode has not solved the issue do next: Pull up the installation directory folder, find csgo.exe, and delete it Pull up the Steam Library and locate Counter-Strike Global Offensive Right-click on it to select properties Find the local tab and click on verify integrity of game files When that is complete, go back into the Counter-Strike Global Offensive installation folder and search for cgo.exe Turn compatibility OFF like in the previous step Return to the Steam Library, right-click on Counter-Strike Global Offensive and click on properties again Go under the launch options settings In the new window, type in cl_disablehtmlmotd 1 Save the changes and restart the game

5. Lower game settings

   If previous steps did not help and the game still crashes, try lowering game graphic settings. Crashes can happen if a game is heavy on the current system resources.

Recently, some users reported not being able to boot up their Windows 10 computers. And during the startup phase, at some time, the bootup sequence is halted with a Recovery error along with an error message saying, “Your PC/Device needs to be repaired” with an error code of 0x0000605. This kind of error message indicates that Windows was not able to verify the digital signature for the file as the signing certificate or it could be that it has expired. To resolve this error, you can follow the potential fixes given below and see if you stumble upon a fix that might work out for you.

Option 1 – Change the Date & Time settings in the BIOS

Some users reported that they were able to fix the error by changing the Date & Time settings in the BIOS. Upon checking, they saw that in their BIOS settings, the date was off several years. As a result, the incorrect date and time settings end up ticking the system into believing that the Windows build has expired long before the actual expiration date. You can check if the error pops up due to the same reasons by accessing the BIOS settings. To do so, you have to tap the Boot key that’s associated with your motherboard manufacturer during the initial startup phase. After that, you can search for a particular boot key online or you can also tap keys like F2, F4, F8, F10, F12, and the Delete key. Once you’re able to access the BIOS settings, locate the Date & time or anything similar, and then check if the date is correct or not. If not, you need to change the date to the actual date and then save the changes made and restart your computer and then check if the issue is now fixed or not. Just remember that if the actual date is past the expiration date of the build you have, you need to change it to an older date. If your Windows 10 PC is able to boot back up, you have to update it to a stable Windows build and then go back to the BIOS settings and change the date to the current one else you will definitely encounter Windows update errors in the future as well as security alerts.

Option 2 – Perform a clean install of a stable Windows 10 build

If every system boot fails accompanied by a BSOD error with error code 0x0000605 “A component of the operating system has expired” and you’ve already followed every instruction on option 1, then it’s most likely that your current Windows build has already expired. Remember that almost all the Windows 10 Insider Preview builds (98xx) are created along with an expiration date and when your computer reaches the expiration date, you won’t be able to boot your computer up. Note that the exact expiration date varies based on the build number. And prior to the expiration date, the operating system will start to display some error warnings telling you that the build will expire and urge you to update the most recent build available. And so once the computer reaches its expiration date, it will begin to reboot every three hours until it no longer boots up which is about 2 weeks approximately after the license has expired. Once the expiration date is up and your computer no longer boots up, you need to perform a clean install and then install the latest Windows 10 build to resolve the issue once and for all.

Mac OS

A solid reason to switch to Mac from Windows PC is Mac OS. Based on Linux, offers more stability and better security than Windows but you will not be able to find a vast array of applications on it.

Even when Mac OS X (the first big one) was first introduced, it looked and felt like ages beyond Windows (Microsoft just recently made a slick and modern design with Windows 11). Under the hood, it turned out that the operating system itself is stable and incredibly fast & responsive. If you value stability and easiness of use, Mac OS is the Operating system for you.

Apple ecosystem

This one is easy, if you are already invested in apple devices like iPhone and iPad, having an apple computer is one step forward into the apple ecosystem and one more step into easy sharing of documents and data between devices.

Calendars, emails, photos, videos, documents, and many more can easily be shared and synched between devices with a single apple ID making workflows much easier than on other operating systems.

Development

Developers all around the world say that developing on Mac is much better and smoother than on PC, this has probably to do something with OS being based on Linux but whatever the case is, it is much smoother and it just feels better. Apple laptops are often the go-to choice of developers for a reason.

Also if you are in the development business for applications and services aimed at iPhone or iPod then there is no really another way than to be into the apple ecosystem and own apple hardware.

Professional software

A lot of professional-grade software exists for both the Windows platform and Mac OS but there is some software that exists exclusively for Apple hardware like Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro. Both applications are used by professionals and are industry-standard software.

Logic pro is used by industrial audio specialists all around the world and is used in professional studios. Final Cut Pro is also used worldwide by video editors and if you are specializing in any of these two fields Mac seems like a very reasonable platform since the software can not be found on Windows. These two are examples, there are other similar applications that are only available on Mac OS

Longevity

Apple hardware is made of high-quality materials and components and it is proven over time that it lasts longer than usual. There are iPhones out there that have 13 years and they are still working, G3 and G4 Macs that are still functional.

When buying Apple products they will outlive other ones if treated properly so in the end you could be saving money by purchasing them.

Ever gotten an e-mail offer that seemed just a little bit too good to be true? Might’ve been a phishing attempt! These are everywhere and can come in many different forms. 

So what’s phishing exactly, how can you detect it and how can you keep safe?

What is phishing?

Phishing (pronounced like fishing) is a type of cyberattack that tricks the user into trusting the source and revealing sensitive information. Fishing being the perfect analogy, the bait is a legitimate-looking site, e-mail or file and when you take a bite, your identity, banking information and much more can be revealed and stolen.

Some phishing attempts are incredibly obvious, others are super elaborate. Like with most types of malware, cybercriminals have become extremely well-versed in phishing and anyone can fall for it. To help you recognize and avoid it, we’ll take you through a couple of phishing types and give you tips on what to do if faced with them.

Phishing techniques

E-mail phishing

This is actually the most common type of phishing. A cybercriminal creates an e-mail containing stuff like attractive offers, legitimate-looking attachments or links and makes it appear as though it’s coming from a trusted source.

For example, it looks like it’s coming from your bank or your favorite retailer. The logo looks legit and the structure of the e-mail seems familiar, so you might get tricked into clicking on whatever clickable content is in it.

Unfortunately this exposes your device to malware that hands your data off to the hacker, who can decide what to do with it further.

SMS and social media phishing

Like the above example, you could be approached with lucrative offers or links via text messages or social media messages. Typically, the messages seem relevant to the user as they will be made to look like they’re related to apps or services you’re using.

Voice phishing

Voice phishing attacks are schemes that appear as though they’re coming from a credible number. Normally, you’ll get a call about something related to credit cards or taxes to get you into a state of worry, leading you to disclose personal information on the phone.

Spear phishing, whaling and BEC

Spear phishing normally targets specific individuals within a company who are likely to have access to sensitive data. Spear phishers spend time collecting information they can use to reach out to the individual looking as trustworthy as possible. They’ll typically lead with something relevant, for example mentioning an upcoming company event, and make a seemingly legitimate request.

Whaling is a more elaborate form of spear phishing, which targets people in even stronger positions such as executives or high-value individuals. The ultimate goal is to get them to transfer financial or other sensitive information that can be used to compromise the entire business.

BEC, or Business e-mail compromise, is a specific spear phishing technique carried out via e-mail. While there are many ways this is done, most commonly you’ll see instances where the phisher poses as a CEO or similar executive, or as a lower-level employee in specific positions (e.g. sales managers or financial controllers).

In the first situation, the impersonator reaches out to employees requesting them to transfer certain files or pay invoices. In the second situation, the phisher takes control of the employee’s e-mail account and sends false instructions to other employees in order to obtain data and information from them.

What can you do?

There are many ways you can be aware and spot a phishing attempt. Here are some tips:

• Always check the sender’s address in your e-mails, even when they seem to come from a familiar source.
• In any instance where payment information is requested, be very, very careful.
• If you are receiving attachments you never asked for and definitely didn’t expect, better not click on them. 
• Beware of content that transmits a sense of urgency (sales deals, urgent updates to login credentials, etc.).
• Bad spelling and grammar are usually a telltale sign of phishing.
• Links that look shortened (e.g. Bit.ly) or just suspicious in general - if you have a bad feeling, do not click on them.
• If you are receiving threats, you probably shouldn’t be clicking on anything in that message.
• Always examine first-time senders in detail.
• Block suspicious e-mail addresses, numbers and social media accounts.
• If you are receiving a coupon for free stuff… You aren’t.
• If you’re being asked to update your payment details by a service you use, such as Netflix, chances are it’s an impersonator.

Those are some of the ways to identify and prevent phishing attacks. However, sometimes phishers disguise themselves a little too well or a misclick happens and there you go - you’ve been exposed to malware.

This won’t happen if you invest in powerful protection software from the get-go, though. A good antivirus program like Bitdefender will keep you safe from becoming a victim of phishing scams. In fact, it will protect you from malicious attacks overall.

Be it your household or your business you’re concerned about, there are a bunch of different packages and options available, providing different kinds of cybersecurity services. That’s the only way you can ever really be sure you aren’t at risk of a digital attack.

Summary

Have you ever been targeted by phishers and didn’t know that’s what it was until you read this article? Many can relate. Protect yourself before it’s too late!

If you have or are currently getting a troublesome error saying, “The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible” when you boot your computer, then continue reading as this post will give you some suggestions that may help you resolve the error. This pesky error pops up during the booting process of your computer and prevents you from booting to your Windows 10 PC and displays the error message on a black screen instead. To fix this problem, here are some suggestions you need to check out.

Option 1 – Try checking the boot order in BIOS

• Turn on your PC and repeatedly tap the Setup key right away about once every second until you see the Computer Setup Utility or the BIOS settings.
• Then use the right arrow key to select the Security menu and then use the down arrow key to select the Secure Boot Configuration option and then tap Enter.
• Just a heads up, before you can use Secure Boot Configuration, a warning will pop up. Simply tap F10 to continue to the menu. After opening it, use the down arrow key to select Secure Boot and then the right arrow key to set the setting to Disable.
• Next, select the Legacy Support option using the down arrow key and then the right key to set the setting to Enable.
• Now tap F10 to confirm the changes and then use the arrow key to select File menu and then the down arrow key to select Save Changes and then Exit and tap Enter to select Yes. From there, your computer should restart and once it does, use the power button to switch it off.

If you are now able to boot from your hard drive, you need to know which option to choose once the boot menu pulls up. Refer to the steps below to easily boot from your hard drive.

• Tap the power button to boot your PC. Once your PC starts, a message will appear indicating that the boot mode has now changed.
• Next, you’ll see a security screen displaying a four-digit code. Type in this four-digit code and tap Enter.
• After that, tap the power button to turn the computer off and wait for a couple of seconds and then turn your PC on and tap the ESC key right away repeatedly until you see the Startup menu.
• Now tap F9 to open the Boot Menu and use the down arrow key to select the hard disk and make sure to select it by tapping Enter on your keyboard.
• Restart your PC and check.

Option 2 – Try running the DSKCHK Check from the Recovery Media.

The DSKCHK utility scans your hard drive for any errors, bad files, or corrupt sectors so this should help in fixing the problem.

• The first thing you need to do is to download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft and then open it after the download. The file should be “MediaCreationTool.exe”.
• Then tap Accept to agree to the terms and conditions and then from the initial screen, select the “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC” option. Keep in mind that the language, architecture, and edition of the bootable drive will be selected based on your PC’s settings but you have to uncheck the Use the recommended options for this PC in order to choose the correct settings for your own computer that’s getting the error.
• Now click Next and then click the USB drive or DVD option once prompted to select between USB or DVD depending on what device you are using to store this image on. Then click Next and select the required drivers from the list of storage devices currently connected to the computer.
• Click Next. After that, the Media Creation Tool will proceed to download the files needed to install and create the installation device.
• The next thing you have to do is to insert the installation drive.
• After that, you will see the “Choose your keyboard layout” window so select the one you prefer and then the Choose an option screen will pop up.
• Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt. After opening Command Prompt, input the following command and hit Enter.

CHKDSK /R /X C:

• Now boot your PC without the recovery drive and check if the problem’s fixed or not.

Option 3 – Try resetting the BIOS

• Open the computer case and then look for the battery in the motherboard. If you can’t find it, you can seek out the motherboard or computer documentation of your PC as well as browse the web or contact the manufacturer for further assistance.
• Removing the battery should be easy especially if your computer uses a coin cell battery. Just use your fingers to grab on the edge of the battery then pull it up and out of the socket that’s holding it in place.
• Keep the battery removed for about 10 minutes and then insert it back and try booting into the BIOS.

Option 4 – Try using the Startup Repair

• Inject the installation drive you created earlier and boot your PC.
• Select the keyboard layout from the Choose your keyboard layout window.
• From there, the Choose an option screen pops up. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.

Compare Exchange128 error – What is it

Some Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users reported experiencing a Compare Exchange128 error when trying to upgrade to Windows 10. The error reads, “You can’t install Windows 10 because your processor doesn’t support CompareExchange128”. In order to upgrade to Windows 10 (64-bit), the CMPXCHG16B instruction must be present. If you receive this error, this mostly means that your CPU doesn’t have the CMPXCHG16B instruction.

Solution

Error Causes

The CompareExchange128 error normally occurs due to two possible reasons:

• CPU lacks CMPXCHG16b Instruction
• Old & Outdated BIOS – Even if your CPU has the CMPXCHG16b instruction, the CompareExchange128 issue can still occur if you have an older BIOS.

Further Information and Manual Repair

One main requirement to upgrade to Windows 10 is for your CPU to have the CMPXCHG16b instruction. You also need the right BIOS version to guarantee a smooth installation. See below on how to manually fix this issue.

NOTE: If you don’t feel confident using the manual methods listed below, it’s highly advisable to get help from an expert technician. If you don’t know someone, you can also use an automated tool to fix this.

Before performing any fixes, try to determine first if the cause of the error is due to your CPU lacking the CMPXCHG16b instruction. You can use a CPU Info tool that provides complete details about your processor, memory, and motherboard. If you’re looking for more in-depth information, you might also try command-line utilities. But, the safest and easiest way to check this is by simply searching online. Try using the search query: <CPU Model> CMPXCHG16b

Method 1 – Update your BIOS

This method will download the latest BIOS from your motherboard’s manufacturer. This makes sure your CPU has the CMPXCHG16b instruction needed to complete the Windows 10 64-bit installation. To update your computer’s BIOS, complete the following steps:

1. Determine first the current BIOS you have on your computer. Open System Information Windows app and type msinfo32 in the search bar. The BIOS version will appear under the processor speed. Record it somewhere.

2. Go to the support page of your motherboard’s manufacturer. Find if there’s any update on the BIOS that you’re currently using. If you find one, download the BIOS update file available. Make sure that you’re looking into the right model and you download all the necessary documentation. Otherwise, the BIOS update might not work.

3. Update your BIOS. Most BIOS update steps are straightforward. Just make sure to follow the steps provided.

Method 2 – Install Windows 10 32-bit version

If updating the BIOS doesn’t work, what you can do is install a 32-bit version of Windows 10 instead of the 64-bit version. Here’s how to do this:

1. Download and install the 32-bit version of Windows you currently have. If you have a Windows 7 64-bit version, get the 32-bit version of Windows 7. The same goes for Windows 8.1. When you do this, you might want to back up your files first. Remember that installing the 32-bit version works like other installations, and could delete some of your files.

2. After installing the 32-bit version, go to Updates and install all the necessary updates. This includes upgrading to Windows 10 if you’re asked to.

3. When you installed the Windows 10 upgrade, you’ll now have the Windows 10, 32-bit version installed. This will be the version activated on Microsoft servers. Despite this, the activated version stored is only applicable to your computer’s hardware, not the version of Windows 10.

4. Download Windows 10, 64-bit version.

5. Prepare an empty DVD or USB flash drive. Use Creation Media software then click the Create Installation Media for Another PC option.

6. Install the 64-bit Windows 10 version you downloaded from Step 4. Make sure not to put anything when you’re asked to input the serial number.

7. Once the installation is complete, you’ll have the 64-bit version of Windows 10.

Method 3 – Buy a new processor/motherboard

If the above two methods don’t work, there’s a great chance that this error occurs because of an outdated processor/motherboard. Your next possible solution is to buy an updated model that’s fully compatible with 64-bit Windows 10.

Method 4 – Download an automated tool

If all else fails, you might want to consider using this powerful automated tool to quickly fix the problem and any other computer-related issues.