Intel Arc A770 GPU

The dxgmms2.sys file is a system driver file in Windows that is associated with the Graphics Rendering capabilities of a computer. However, this file is known to cause various Blue Screen of Death errors. Some of the culprits for these errors include issues with RAM, hard disk issues, corrupted drivers, and incompatible firmware. Despite its many causes, fixing this issue is quite straightforward so it should be easier for you to fix it. Here are some of the Blue Screen errors related to the dxgmms2.sys file:

• SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
• SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION
• KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED
• PAGE FAULT IN A NONPAGED AREA
• IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL

If you have recently created a System Restore point prior to getting the dxgmms2.sys Blue Screen error, then you need to perform System Restore first before you further troubleshoot the problem as it might help in resolving the Blue Screen error. Refer to the steps below to perform System Restore.

• First, press 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.

If System Restore didn’t help in fixing the Blue Screen error, now’s the time for you to resort to the troubleshooting tips provided below but before you get started, make sure that you create a System Restore point first.

Option 1 – Reinstall the Graphics Card drivers

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
• Type in devmgmt.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. From there, look for the Graphics Card drivers listed under Display Adapters.
• Right-click on each one of the Graphics Card drivers and select Uninstall device and then follow the next on-screen instructions given to uninstall the driver.
• Now reboot your computer. During this time, your system will automatically reinstall the Graphics card drivers.

Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturer and check if there’s a new update – if there is, download it. After that, you could also check if there’s a new update of the game you’re getting the issue of the black bar.

Option 2 – Try running the DirectX Diagnostic Tool

Since the dxgmms2.sys Stop error has something to do with the DirectX Graphics APIs, you can run the DirectX Diagnostic tool to resolve the problem.

Option 3 – Try updating or re-installing DirectX

If the DirectX Diagnostic tool didn’t work, you can try to update or reinstall DirectX instead. This can help in fixing the problem because when you reinstall or update DirectX, it will replace the incompatible or corrupted components of DirectX from your computer.

Option 4 – Try to update the BIOS

Updating the BIOS can help you fix the Blue Screen error related to the dxgmms2.sys file 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 – Use some registry tweaks

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility.
• Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• Next, navigate to this registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlGraphicsDrivers
• From there, right-click on the right-side panel and click on New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
• Then set the name of the new DWORD to “TdrDelay”.
• After that, use the next set of instructions and select the one for the Windows version you are using.

32-bit Windows:

• Choose the DWORD (32-bit) value.
• Then type in “TdrDelay” as the name and hit Enter.
• After that, double click on TdrDelay and add “10” as its value and click OK. This will set the response time for your GPU to be 10 seconds.

64-bit Windows:

• Select the QWORD (64-bit) value.
• Next, type in “TdrDelay” as the name and hit Enter.
• Double click on TdrDelay and type in “10” as its value data and click OK.
• Restart your computer to apply the changes made.

Option 6 – Disable the Sleep Functionality

You might also want to disable the Sleep Functionality as it could be the reason why you’re getting the Blue Screen error. There are times when the graphics card’s drivers are being used in the background and if the display goes to sleep and is awakened, it may cause a Blue Screen error. To fix it, you can prevent your computer from going into Sleep mode.

Option 7 – Try to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that might help you fix any Blue Screen errors related to the dxgmms2.sys file. It can be found on 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.

AVFoundationCF.dll is a type of Dynamic Link Library file. This DLL file is associated with AVFoundationCF and is developed by Apple Computer Inc. for Windows PC. This file functions similarly to any other DLL files. It comprises of small programs. This DLL file is typically needed to load and start the Apple iTunes utility. The inability to call this file or the files to load triggers the AVFoundationCF.dll error message on your system. The error message can be displayed in either of the formats on your PC:

“The program can’t start because AVFoundationCF.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.” "This application failed to start because avfoundationcf.dll was not found.” "Cannot find %COMMONFILES%AppleApple Application Supportavfoundationcf.dll." "Cannot start AVFoundationCF. A required component is missing: avfoundationcf.dll.” “Avfoundationcf.dll Access Violation." "Cannot register avfoundationcf.dll."

Solution

Error Causes

AVFoundationCF.dll error can occur due to numerous reasons. However, the most common reasons for this error code include:

• Viral infection
• Corrupt or invalid registry entries
• Apple Computer Inc. hardware failure such as bad hard drive
• Missing or deleted Avfoundationcf.dll file

It is recommended to resolve the error as soon as you experience it virtually because if the error code is related to viral infection on your system, it can expose your PC to privacy errors and data security risk. And if the error is triggered by registry issues, it can lead to serious threats like system crash, failure, and data loss. Therefore, the AVFoundationCF.dll error not only hampers your ability to access and start Apple iTunes program but it also puts your PC at serious risk.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To fix the error AVFoundationCF.dll on your PC, here are some of the best and easy to do solutions that you can try:

Check your Recycle Bin

Since dll files are shared files, there is a possibility that this file accidentally got deleted when you were uninstalling some other program on your system. If you experience missing AVFoundationCF dll file error message after performing any program on your PC, then chances are that it got deleted and maybe in your recycle bin. So, first, check your recycle bin and search for the dll file. If you find it, restore it to fix the error.

Update Device Driver

To resolve the issue, try performing a driver update. This can be done by downloading the latest drivers from the hardware manufacturer’s website. Now open Device Manager from the Control Panel and locate the hardware device that you want to update the driver for. Once you find the hardware you are updating the driver for, right-click on the hardware icon and choose properties. In the properties windows, click the driver tab. Now click the update driver button. To activate changes, restart your PC. To automatically update your computer's drivers when necessary, download and install DriverFIX.

Try Re-installing Apple iTunes Program

To do this, simply go to the control panel, select programs and then uninstall a program and then select iTunes.  Uninstall it and then repeat the same program and install the Apple iTunes program again on your PC by downloading the program from Apple’s official website.

Scan for Viruses

If the error still persists, then it is advisable to scan your PC for viruses. This can be easily done by running a powerful antivirus on your PC. However, please note anti-viruses are notorious for slowing down PC performance. So, may have to compromise on the speed of your system.

Clean and Repair the Registry

If the error is caused by invalid and corrupt registry entries and damaged Avfoundationcf dll file, then the best way to resolve is to download a powerful registry cleaner. We advise you to install Restoro on your PC. This is an advanced and a multi-functional PC Fixer integrated with multiple powerful utilities including a high functional registry cleaner, an antivirus and a system optimizer. The registry cleaning utility scans all the registry issues and removes all errors triggered by the registry immediately. It cleans the registry by wiping out all the unnecessary, obsolete and redundant files including invalid entries and bad registry keys. Furthermore, it also fixes the damaged and corrupt dll files including Avfoundationcf dll file. Thereby resolving the error right away. Furthermore, the antivirus deployed in this software scans for all types of malicious codes like viruses, Trojans, spyware, and malware and removes them. To ensure you don’t compromise on your PC performance, it is deployed with a system optimizer utility that boosts the speed of your computer dramatically. This tool is bug free, has a user-friendly interface and compatible with all Windows versions. Click here to download Restoro and resolve Avfoundationcf.dll error on your PC today!

A lot of Windows 10 users have reported recently that their computers are frequently crashing with a Blue Screen error with an error code “VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR”. This kind of Stop error appears not so often and its bug check value of 0x00000113 is an indication that there is some violation in the Microsoft DirectX graphics kernel subsystem. This error also occurs when there is a corrupted driver that interferes with the GPU’s normal functionality. According to some security experts, this kind of error is reported to only occur in Windows 10 PCs. Users started getting this error right after a large Windows Update. The cause of this error might have something to do with a violation in the DirectX graphics kernel subsystem where there could be a bad DirectX install or some corrupted Dynamic Link Library or DLL. Aside from that, the error might also be caused by the Nvidia driver which might have crashed or it could also be that there is an intermittent power supply. Moreover, an outdated BIOS as well as a third-party security program might be the ones behind this Blue Screen error. Whichever the case may be, you need to fix the VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR BSOD error by following the instructions given below carefully.

Option 1 – Try checking if the NVIDIA graphics card is enabled and update it as well

Although the problem is quite massive, the fix could be as simple as enabling the NVIDIA graphics card if it turns out to be disabled. There might be some strange reason why your graphics card disables itself. Thus, the best and first option you can try is to check if the NVIDIA graphics card is enabled or not. To do so, follow these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
• After opening the Device Manager, look for the Nvidia graphics card option among the list of device drivers. Once you found it, check if it is enabled or not. If it’s not enabled, you should see a gray arrow pointing downwards. Right-click on the card and select Enabled.
• Next, right-click on the graphics card once more and click on the Update Driver Software option and then click on the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.

Option 2 – Update or uninstall third-party security program

As mentioned, the VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR Blue Screen error might be caused by a third-party security program that’s installed on your computer. So you have to either update it or uninstall it to resolve the issue.

Option 3 – Check the power supply for any inconsistency

The Blue Screen error might also be caused by an intermittent power supply. If there is any intermittent changes between the main supply and the battery power, it might lead to bad contact on your supply to the charger and thus, causes the VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR Stop error to appear. So to check if this scenario is applicable to you, you have to monitor your computer for any frequent changes between the power supply and the battery power. If you see that the supply is displaying power On and Off, see if the same goes when the power supply is disconnected. However, if it does not occur, you might have to purchase a new power adapter cable and replace the one that you have right now.

Option 4 – Reinstall the Graphics card drivers

• Tap Win + R to open Run then type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
• From there, look for the Display adapters and uninstall each one of the graphics card drivers by right-clicking on them and selecting the Uninstall device option.
• After uninstalling the graphics card drivers, close the Device Manager and tap Win + R to open Run once again.
• After that, type “appwiz.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to open Programs & Features in the Control Panel.
• Next, look for any program that’s related to your GPU manufacturers like Nvidia, AMD, or Intel. Right-click on any GPU-related entry and click on Uninstall to uninstall them and then follow the next on-screen instructions that appear afterward.
• Now restart your computer.
• Once your computer has restarted, go to the GPU manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver version for your graphics card model and then install it.
• Restart your computer once again. That should fix the problem.

Option 5 – Try checking if there are any BIOS updates available for your PC

Updating the BIOS may help you resolve the BSOD error. You can just go to the OEM’s website as they offer utility software that can download BIOS firmware and update it without any problem. BIOS updates usually offer enhancements and fixes to some issues like this one.

Option 6 – Perform a System Restore

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

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

DiscoverAncestry is a Browser Extension for Google Chrome developed by Mindspark Inc that presents itself as a web tool to discover the origins or meanings of particular family names. When installed this extension changes your default new tab page to search by MyWay, as well as your default search engine to Search.MyWay.com

While active, DiscoverAncestry logs user browsing information, recording clicked links, visited websites and viewed products. This information is later used to better target personal ads. Browsing the internet with this extension active will result in injection of additional ads, sponsored content and even pop-up ads throughout the browsing sessions.

DiscoverAncestry is usually found bundled with other potentially unwanted software, this combined alongside its aggressive ad injection is why DiscoverAncestry has been marked as a Browser Hijacker, and it is recommended to remove it from your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is regarded as the web’s constant risks that target web browsers. It’s a type of malware program that redirects web browser requests to other suspicious websites. Basically, most browser hijackers are made for advertising or marketing purposes. It redirects you to the sponsored websites and inserts adverts on your internet browser which helps its developer generate income. It might seem naive, but the majority of such websites aren’t legitimate and can pose a significant risk to your on-line safety. In a much worst case, your internet browser could be hi-jacked to download malware that will do a lot of damage to your computer.

Browser hijacking signs and symptoms

There are several symptoms that could indicate a browser hijacking: 1. your homepage is reset to some unknown site 2. bookmark and the new tab are also changed 3. default online search engine is modified 4. you’re getting browser toolbars you haven’t witnessed before 5. you will find random pop-ups start showing regularly 6. your internet browser has instability issues or exhibits frequent errors 7. you are blocked to access the websites of antivirus solution providers.

How does a computer get infected with a browser hijacker?

Browser hijackers can get into a computer by some means or other, for instance via file sharing, downloads, and email also. Many web browser hijackings originate from add-on applications, i.e., toolbars, browser helper objects (BHO), or extensions added to web browsers to give them extra features. A browser hijacker may also come bundled-up with some free application that you inadvertently download and install, compromising your PC security. Common examples of browser hijackers include CoolWebSearch, Conduit, Coupon Server, OneWebSearch, RocketTab, Snap.do, Delta Search, and Searchult.com. Browser hijackers may record user keystrokes to gather potentially valuable information leading to privacy issues, cause instability on systems, drastically disrupt user’s browsing experience, and eventually slow down the computer to a stage where it becomes unusable.

Removal

Some browser hijacking can be simply reversed by discovering and eliminating the corresponding malware software through your control panel. However, many hijackers are really tenacious and need specialized applications to remove them. Also, manual removals demand deep system understanding and thus can be quite a difficult task for novices. Professionals always suggest users eliminate any malicious software including browser hijackers by using an automatic malware removal tool, which is easier, safer, and faster than the manual removal procedure. To remove any kind of browser hijacker from your laptop or computer, you should download the following certified malware removal tool – SafeBytes Anti-Malware. Along with anti-virus software, a system optimizer tool, similar to Total System Care, will help you repair Windows registry errors, get rid of unwanted toolbars, secure your online privacy, and stabilize programs installed on your computer.

Learn How to Get rid of Malware that is Blocking Websites or Preventing Downloads

Viruses may cause a lot of damage to your computer. Some malware sits in between your PC and the internet connection and blocks some or all internet sites that you really want to visit. It will also prevent you from adding anything to your PC, particularly antivirus applications. If you’re reading this article, you probably have affected by a virus that prevents you from downloading a security program like Safebytes Antimalware on your PC. There are some actions you can take to circumvent this issue.

Install anti-malware in Safe Mode with Networking

In the event the malware is set to run at Windows start-up, then booting in safe mode should avoid it. Just bare minimum required programs and services are loaded when you boot your PC in Safe Mode. Here are the steps you need to follow to start into the Safe Mode of your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers (check out the Microsoft website for instructions on Windows 8 and 10 computers). 1) At power on, press the F8 key while the Windows splash screen begins to load. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Choose Safe Mode with Networking using arrow keys and hit Enter. 3) Once you get into this mode, you will have an internet connection again. Now, obtain the malware removal program you need by utilizing the web browser. To install the program, follow the directions within the setup wizard. 4) Right after installation, do a complete scan and allow the software eliminate the threats it finds.

Utilize an alternate browser to download antivirus software

Some malware only targets certain browsers. If this sounds like your situation, utilize another internet browser as it can circumvent the malware. The ideal way to avoid this problem is to opt for a internet browser that is known for their security features. Firefox contains built-in Phishing and Malware Protection to keep you safe online. Create a portable USB antivirus for removing viruses Another method is to download and transfer an anti-malware application from a clean PC to run a virus scan on the infected computer. To run antivirus using a USB drive, follow these simple measures: 1) Make use of another virus-free computer system to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the USB drive into the clean computer. 3) Double-click the executable file to open the installation wizard. 4) When asked, choose the location of the USB drive as the place where you want to store the software files. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation. 5) Transfer the flash drive from the clean computer to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the anti-malware software EXE file on the pen drive. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and clean-up up all sorts of malware.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware: Lightweight Malware Protection for Windows Computer

If you are looking to purchase anti-malware for your desktop, there are numerous brands and packages for you to consider. A few are well worth your money, but most aren’t. When looking for an antivirus tool, select one which provides dependable, efficient, and comprehensive protection against all known computer viruses and malware. On the list of highly recommended applications by industry leaders is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, well-known security software for Windows computers. SafeBytes is a powerful, real-time anti-spyware application that is made to assist everyday computer users in safeguarding their computers from malicious threats. Once you’ve got installed this software, SafeBytes advanced protection system will make sure that absolutely no viruses or malicious software can seep through your PC.

There are lots of amazing features you’ll get with this security product. The following are some typical features present in this software program:

Active Protection: Malware programs aiming to get into the system are discovered and stopped as and when detected by the SafeBytes real-time protection shields. This utility will always keep track of your computer for any suspicious activity and updates itself continuously to keep current with the latest threats. World-class AntiMalware Protection: Built upon a highly acclaimed antivirus engine, this malware removal tool can find and get rid of various obstinate malware threats such as browser hijackers, PUPs, and ransomware that other typical anti-virus applications will miss. Fast Multi-threaded Scanning: SafeBytes’s virus scan engine is one of the fastest and most efficient within the industry. It's targeted scanning tremendously increases the catch rate for viruses which is embedded in various computer files. Web Protection: SafeBytes provides instant safety rating about the webpages you’re about to visit, automatically blocking dangerous sites and to make sure that you’re certain of your online safety while browsing the net. Lightweight Utility: This software is lightweight and will work silently in the background, and will not impact your PC efficiency. 24/7 Customer Service: You can obtain totally free 24/7 technical support from their IT experts on any product queries or computer security issues. SafeBytes has created a wonderful anti-malware solution to help you conquer the latest computer threats and virus attacks. Now you may realize that this particular software does more than just scan and eliminate threats from your computer. So if you are searching for the best anti-malware subscription for your Windows-based computer, we strongly recommend SafeBytes Anti-Malware software.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you don’t want to use an automated tool and prefer to eliminate DiscoverAncestry manually, you might do so by going to the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu in the control panel and deleting the offending software; in cases of web browser plug-ins, you can remove it by visiting the browsers Add-on/Extension manager. You might even want to reset your web browser settings, and also delete temporary files, browsing history, and cookies. To ensure complete removal, manually check your hard disk and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please remember that this is for skilled users only and may be challenging, with wrong file removal leading to additional system errors. Furthermore, certain malware keeps replicating which makes it tough to eliminate. You are suggested to do this process in Windows Safe Mode.

Prompted For A Product Key – What Is It?

Some Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 users are having a hard time upgrading to Windows 10 as they are being prompted for a product key. By default, the Windows 10 operating system does not require a product key and users should not be prompted for one, given you upgraded your computer from an activated Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 license or from the Windows 10 Preview build. However, there are some users encountering this problem and there are several reasons for this.

Solution

Error Causes

There are a few reasons why some users are being prompted for a product key when upgrading to Windows 10:

• Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 license is not activated.
• You’re upgrading to Windows 10 final release from a preview build.
• There are broken operating system files.
• Activation servers get overwhelmed due to the high volume of upgrades.
• The Windows 10 copy you downloaded does not correspond with the current Windows system you are upgrading from.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Before you can fix this problem, you need to know why you’re being prompted for a product key. Some things you should know about Windows 10 product key activation are the following:

• You cannot activate Windows 10 using your Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 product key. Windows 10 has a unique product key.
• Error codes such as 0x8007232b, 0XC004E003, 0x8007007B, or 0x8007000D might pop up during system upgrade especially when the activation servers get overwhelmed with the high volume of upgrades.
• You don’t really need to know your Windows 10 product key.

Now, if ever you’re prompted for a product key when you’re upgrading to Windows 10, you can apply the following methods:

Method One: Give It A Few Days

If you’ve been prompted for a product key upon upgrading to Windows 10, you should click on the “Do this later” option. Wait for a few days then Windows 10 will get activated automatically.

Method Two: Download A Copy of Windows 10 Corresponding Your Current System

One of the reasons Windows users are being prompted for a product key when upgrading to Windows 10 is that they have downloaded a wrong edition of Windows 10 and do not correspond with your current system.

• Users of Home Basic, Home Premium, Windows 7 Starter, Windows 8.0 Core, and Windows 8.1 Core should download Windows 10 Home ISO.
• Users of Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 8.0 Pro, and Windows 8.1 Pro should download Windows 10 Pro ISO.

NOTE: Users of Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8.0 Enterprise, and Windows 8.1 Enterprise are not eligible for the free upgrade offer.

Method Three: Ensure Windows Is Activated

If your Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 is not genuine or activated, you will get prompted for a product key. You need to make sure first your current system is activated.

1. Click on Start then right-click Computer. For Windows 8 and up users, you can simply press on Windows key + X then select Choose Properties.
2. When the Properties window appears, check if the Windows you’re running is activated.

Method Three: Reset License Status

1. Press on Windows key + X.
2. Select Command Prompt (Admin).
3. Once the command prompt window appears, type vbs –rearm then press Enter.
4. Exit Command Prompt then restart your PC.
5. Input the product key by following the instructions given.

Method Four: Force Activation

1. Press on Windows key + X
2. Select Command Prompt (Admin).
3. Once the command prompt window appears, type vbs –ato then press Enter.
4. Exit Command Prompt then restart your PC.

Method Five: Run System File Checker

Another thing you can try doing is to run the system file checker utility to scan if there are any broken operating system files. In doing so, you’ll be able to detect problems that might be preventing the product activation of your Windows 10 upgrade.

Method Six: Contact Microsoft Activation Center

If in case you’ve exhausted all your resources and you are still being prompted for a product key when upgrading to Windows 10, you can try contacting the Microsoft Activation Center for further details. Check here for the appropriate telephone numbers to contact.

Method Seven: Download An Automated Tool

If you still experience the error after doing the methods above, you might want to try a powerful and trusted automated tool to fix the job.

Windows has a built-in Backup and Restore system so if the Windows Backup or Restore fails and you receive any of the errors 0x80070001, 0x81000037, 0x80070003, worry not for this post will guide you in fixing the problem. You might not be able to browse to the folders and files that you want to restore in the File Restore Wizard. The cause of the error could vary depending on what error code you receive:

• 0x80070001 – If you got this particular error code when trying to back up a specific library or when you accept the default settings in Windows Backup and Restore.
• 0x81000037 – If you got this kind of error code when you try to read from the shadow copy on one of the volumes being backed up.
• 0x80070003 – If you got this error code when trying to restore the folders or files in a library by using the Windows Backup and Restore.
• On the other hand, you cannot use the Browse for files or the Browse for folders functionality.

Note that the Windows Backup or Restore failed, Errors 0x80070001, 0x81000037, 0x80070003 Error code 0x80070001, 0x81000037 occurs during backup while Error code 0x80070003 and “Browse for Files” issue occurs when you try to restore files. Whichever error codes you got, here are some possible fixes that might help.

Option 1 – Fix Windows Backup error codes 0x80070001, 0x81000037

The reason for the Windows Backup error codes 0x80070001, 0x81000037, as mentioned above, is when there is a volume that uses a FAT file system (0x80070001) and when a volume contains compressed files (0x81000037). To fix these errors, you need to remove the “reparse point” also known as SYMBOLIC LINK, and select the absolute path of this location in the Windows Backup configuration user interface. Refer to these steps to remove the reparse point.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “cmd” in the field and hit Enter to open Command Prompt.
• Next, type the following command and hit Enter:

DIR /AL /S

• After you enter the command, it will display the JUNCTION list.
• Now to delete the mounted volume reparse point, you have to locate the reparse point you found and right-click on the reparse point icon, and click on Properties.
• Confirm that the folder Type is Mounted Volume in the General tab and then delete this folder.

Option 2 – Fix the Windows Restore Error 0x81000037

When you try to restore a deleted backed-up directory, it fails and the Error code 0x81000037 pops up. You can also encounter this error when you select to restore the files to their original subfolders check box in the File Restore Wizard and you try to restore folders or files to an alternative location, then you will encounter error code 0x81000037 which will be displayed in an error message as shown below: To fix this error, you need to re-create the missing directory using the following steps:

• Take note of the path for which the error occurs.
• Then create the corresponding folder.
• Now perform the restore operation again.

And since you might have subfolders in the deleted folder, click to clear the “Restore the files to their original subfolders” checkbox when you run the File Restore Wizard.

Option 3 – Cannot use the Browse for files or the Browse for folders functionality

There is no proper fix for this particular error but if you remember the name of the files, you can just search for them. Click on the Search button when using the File Restore functionality and then type the name of the file and when that file appears, select and click on it to restore it.

If you have multiple keyboards, things can get quite tricky. There are times when the keyboard language changes on its own since the keyboard changes while you are typing. The thing is, the keyboard changes because sometimes we accidentally tap shortcuts like Win key + Space key or Alt + Shift or Ctrl + Shift which changes the keyboard pairs or language. Thus, if your keyboard language changes on its own, there are two ways to resolve it. First, you have to make sure that Windows 10 does not add keyboards without your permission. Second, you have to make sure that the shortcut keys don’t change the keyboard language. This second option is what we’re going to discuss in this post. You need to first set a different input method for each app window. To do that, you have to disable the change in layout. Refer to these steps:

• Go to Settings > Language and input.
• Next, type “switching input methods” to open the Advanced keyboard settings with this option inside.
• After that, select the checkbox labeled as “Let me set a different input method for each app window” and then click the Save button.
• Restart your computer.

Now that you’ve disabled the change in layout, you now have to find the keyboard settings. Just go to Settings > Devices > Typing > Advanced Keyboard settings. From there, you have the option to select which keyboard is going to be used for any app. When you change the keyboard every time you use an app, usually, Windows remember it so that you won’t have to set it up all over again. In addition, the Advanced keyboard settings page also allows you to override the default input method which could be different from the first one in your language list. Aside from that, there is also a Language bar option that comes in handy as you can quickly switch between keyboards. And if you removed it, you have the option to restore the language bar back as well. Now all that’s left for you to do is to change the Language Settings under the Administrative tab. A user from a forum that came up with this solution, reported that the issue occurred when he started typing in some program with non-Unicode characters which caused Windows to use the default system local language to interpret these characters even though the language is unavailable in the Language bar. To change the Language Settings under the Administrative tab, follow these steps:

• Go to Settings > Time and Language > Language > Administrative language settings.
• After that, click on Copy Settings under the Administrative tab.
• Now make sure that all the Display language, Input language, and Format are English (United States) or any language you prefer.
• Then mark the two checkboxes in “Copy your current settings to Welcome screen and system accounts & New user accounts”.
• After that, click OK and then exit.

Note: You also have the option to disable those shortcut combinations which can change your keyboard settings accidentally.

In case you don’t know, Microsoft hooks up every machine that is running Windows 10 with an Advertising ID which helps them in providing Windows 10 users with relevant ads. These ads are delivered to users in the Action Center, Start Menu as well as the ads inside the UWP Applications. What makes these advertisements relevant is that they keep track of your browsing trends, likes and dislikes, with the help of the Advertising ID. However, if you are not fond of advertisements and you do not want this feature of Microsoft to track your usage, worry not for you actually have the option to disable targeted ads on your Windows 10 computer by turning off the Advertising ID. And you can do that during Windows 10 Setup or using the Group Policy Editor. For more details, refer to the instructions provided below for each one of the methods.

Option 1 – Turn off Advertising ID during Windows 10 setup

If you are about to install Windows 10, then during the installation process, your computer boots into the Install and Configure Windows 10 screen with Cortana that assist you during the setup. Once you reach the last page which is “Choose privacy settings for your device”, you will see the Advertising ID of your computer. Under the Advertising ID, you have to disable or toggle off the “Apps can use advertising ID to provide more personalized advertising in accordance with the privacy policy of the app provider” option. After you disable it, click on the Accept button to proceed with the installation. After that, the copy of your Windows 10 you are using will have the Advertising ID disabled by default.

Option 2 – Turn off Advertising ID via Group Policy Editor

• First, tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility.
• Then, type “gpedit.msc” in the field and click OK or tap Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
• Next, navigate to this group policy setting: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > User Profiles
• Now double click on the “Turn off the advertising ID” option and set the radio button to Enabled. Once you do, you will see the following description on your screen:

“This policy setting turns off the advertising ID, preventing apps from using the ID for experiences across apps. If you enable this policy setting, the advertising ID is turned off. Apps can’t use the ID for experiences across apps. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, users can control whether apps can use the advertising ID for experiences across apps.” Note that setting the radio button to Enabled or Not Configured will turn off the data collection of the Advertising ID.

• Finally, exit the Group Policy Editor and then restart your computer to apply the changes made successfully.

Crash Dump is a type of malfunction that can happen when a few portions of the processor's data or RAM memory are erroneously copied to one or more files. It is common among Windows PCs. It used to be most prominent on the Windows 95 edition but subsequent versions have mostly remedied the situation. Even with the remedies over time though, this error still occurs.

Error Causes

A Crash Dump usually points to some serious and critical errors with your Computer. Below are some of the possible causes for this error:-

• Corrupt memory
• Incorrect configurations on hardware
• Programming errors.
• Incompatible drivers
• Faulty Operating system

Despite the listed causes for Crash Dumps. Nobody is ever ready for them. A crash dump is classified as an unexpected error simply because it can happen anytime.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Most PC users get scared and anxious when a crash dump happens. Which need not be the case. You can easily repair a Crash Dump without necessarily requiring a computer technician. Follow these simple steps and the malfunction will soon dissipate:

a) Re-Install the Operating System

Put the setup CD into the computer disk drive. Once you've completed this, reboot the pc.

b) Push F8

Push the F8 function key on your keyboard while the pc is re-booting. This takes you to a menu where you should choose “Advanced Boot Options”

c) Click "Repair My Computer"

As soon as you push the F8 option, and do what's suggested in the last measure above, you must click on "Repair My Computer" and press the "Return/Enter" key.

d) Click on the "Startup Repair"

Search for the start-up repair option, and choose it. Subsequently, move to Next. Using this method, the cause of the Crash dump will undoubtedly be recognized and ended after a thorough scan of your system. Additionally, it is smart to take note of the whole Crash Dump information that appears on your screen. Windows supplies you with detailed error messages. Write down each of the error codes in hexadecimal values as well as capital characters as displayed on the screen.

• Disconnect Hardware  and Un-Install all Drivers

Disconnect and remove any new hardware that is causing your PC to crash dump. Uninstall any drivers you used to install the hardware. If this solves the problem, contact the hardware manufacturer and request the latest and updated device drivers. At length, prior to starting panicking, see the error information that appears on your own display. Browse to see whether it includes info on a certain driver that you ought to search for and install. Bottom line, remain calm when your computer crash dumps and use the mentioned steps to repair it.

Recently, a lot of users experience issues after the Windows 10 v1903 upgrade and one of them is that the Cortana Web Preview is not functioning like it’s supposed to. Even though Microsoft has already replaced the unified search where you no longer have to use Cortana, it is still undeniably useful and is packed with some great features, one of which is the Web view. Each time you type a search query, it will open a web view where you can see the results using Bing. However, some users reported experiencing some issue wherein the web view does not show anything and appears to be broken and users have to click on the Open in Browser link. Thus, if you are one of the users who experience the same problem, then this post is for you – it will guide you on what you can do if the web preview in Cortana is not working on your Windows 10 device. To fix the Web Preview issue in Cortana, you can try to restart Cortana or reset it using the Windows Settings app or change the Search filter level. You could also try to run the Windows Store App troubleshooter or re-register or reinstall Cortana. For more details refer to the options provided below.

Option 1 – Try to restart the process of Cortana

There are times when the running process of Cortana might encounter an error and breaks a particular component of the whole service so the first thing you can do is to restart Cortana’s process in the Task Manager.

• Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
• Next, go to the Processes tab and look for Cortana’s entry.
• Once you find it, right-click on it and select the End task option.
• Afterward, open Cortana again and see if it fixes the web view problem or not.

Option 2 – Try changing the search filter level

The next thing you can do to fix the Web View is to change the search filter level. All you have to do is go to Settings > Search and change filter level and from there, modify the search filter level and then see if it fixes the problem.

Option 3 – Run the Windows Store App troubleshooter

The Windows 10 Store Apps Troubleshooter will help you in fixing the Web Preview problem in Cortana. This is a great built-in tool from Microsoft that helps users fix any app issues. To use the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter, follow the steps below.

• Tap Win + I keys again to open the Windows Settings panel.
• Go to Update & Security and then go to Troubleshoot.
• Under the Troubleshoot section, on your left-hand side, scroll down to find Window Store Apps.
• Then click on the Run the troubleshooter option and follow the on-screen instructions and then see if it fixes the problem.

Option 4 – Try to reset Cortana via Settings

• Launch the Windows 10 Settings app and go to Apps > Apps & Features.
• Next, look for the entry of Cortana on the right-side panel and select it.
• After that, select the Advanced options and then select the Terminate button under the Terminate section.
• Once done, click on the Reset button under the Reset section.
• Restart your PC.
• After your computer boots, launch Cortana again and check.

Option 5 – Try to re-register and reinstall Cortana

If none of the options given above works, you must consider reinstalling Cortana.

• First, right-click on the Start button and click on the Windows Powershell (Admin) option from the list.
• Next, type the following command and hit Enter to execute it:

Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

• After that, execute this second command to reinstall Cortana:

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}

• Restart your computer and check if the Web Preview in Cortana is now working.