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We have often talked about the security of your computer, we have been giving you tips and tried to explain how to best protect your computer from various attacks and malicious software. Today we will be talking about antivirus applications. Antivirus software has become the kind of a must-have in every computer in this day and age. When you think about it, our systems are connected to the internet most of the time if not always, and therefore kind placed in from the line of various cyber-attacks. Here antivirus software comes into focus, especially because it has evolved long from just a simple virus removal tool to full security suites. We will be going through the best of these applications in order to present both their good and bad sides and hope that we will help you in picking the right one for you. Remember, picking either one of the presented solutions is way better than not having one at all. The list is made from best down in our opinion so number one is highly recommended.

List of Best antivirus applications of 2021

1. BitDefender

   In our opinion the best overall security protection suite for this age and time. Bitdefender has cemented itself as number one a few years back and it holds that status even today. It has top-of-the-game virus protection, an incredible amount of features, safepay banking online protection and it is amazingly cheap. Its downside we could say is that it can be annoying sometimes, especially if you set it to maximum protection and paranoid mode. In this case, it will often ask what to do and how to behave leading to minor annoyances.

2. Norton antivirus

   Norton antivirus is well known to older computer users, this package has been around a long time and it is our pick for closest one to challenge top place because of its packed features. The number of features it has are really stunning and it comes also with great and maybe best-browsing protection of all candidates. It also has a backup tool bundled with it but the reason why it is in the second place is that it is taxing to the system and can have a real impact on computer performance. Great protection is important, but so it is working on it without slowdowns.

3. Kaspersky

   Another one of the old antivirus software on the list. Kaspersky Lab was once top tier antivirus software but it dropped down due to its high prices, later they have changed their pricing to be more in trend with other rival companies but many have switched to something else. Today it still packs one of the best antivirus engines with fast and configurable scans. It also has very impressive anti-ransomware features but sadly most of the things it just simply does for you leaving you to fully trust it since you cannot really configure much. It is not in step with new technologies and it is lacking some features like support for the Chrome browser that places it lower in our ranking.

4. Trend Micro antivirus

   The biggest sell point for this antivirus application is probably its ease of use and user-friendliness. It also packs a great antivirus engine and impressive anti-ransomware performance but sadly it comes with very limited configurability and somewhat lack of features comparing it with the top three entries. Never the less a very user-friendly application that you can configure without knowing any kind of tech talk, everything is laid out in simple English.

5. Avira

   Perhaps best known for its free version, Avira has a premium one that is well better worth than the free version. Strong suites of this software are mostly aimed at the internet with its great anti-phishing and web protection along with a low price for all of its features. Sadly in the domain of virus protection, there are some reports from independent websites that its antivirus engine is not so great, it will offer you moderate protection but not the best.

6. Webroot Secure Anywhere

   If you are on the lookout for software that has a great virus database and plenty of features but is also incredibly light weighted and fast then look no further, Webroot Secure Anywhere is an application for you, incredibly fast and incredibly small is a great solution for older machines. It keeps all of its databases up in the cloud and this feature among its great advantages is also its greatest disadvantage since if you are out of the internet you will not be able to have the latest virus definitions available to you making this tool very situational.

7. Avast

   Avast has many great protection features and it is very highly configurable. The firewall comes also in its premium edition and it offers great virus protection including a file shredder and awesome WI-FI inspector for an extra layer of security. This package would be higher on the list if it was not for its lack of WEB protection and its tool on the system resources.

8. Sophos home antivirus

   Lack of features and somewhat strange user interface are downsides of this software but on its positive side it has good antivirus engine and its user interface is very friendly. Where it shines though is in its price, for one affordable price you get protection for 10 devices making this option a great choice for anyone wanting to protect more devices or just use a single license for the whole family.

9. ESET antivirus

   Greatly configurable antivirus software with tons of options and very light on system resources makes ESET one of the best out there. Virus engine and database is also top tier but some testing labs have reported that protection offering is not really what it is advertised and if we talk about its strong suite of a great many options and configurations it is at the same moment its downside since it is not very friendly to novice and beginner users.

10. McAfee antivirus

    McAfee antivirus comes in its package with unlimited VPN service and if we take look at the top tier pricing plan it is a great investment. Sadly for its entry-level price, it covers only a single device and it was reported that it packs little outdated virus engine if we compare it with its rivals. Nevertheless, it still offers good virus protection and if you take into account the VPN that comes with it, it can find its users.

Conclusion

No matter which antivirus you choose you will not go wrong, after all any protection is way better than none.

Error Code 22 - What is it?

Code 22 is a type of Device Manager Error code. Device manager errors are reported by the drivers causing the problem. It indicates that the devices are disabled in the Device Manager. This error code is displayed in the following format:

This device is disabled. (Code 22)

It looks like a very simple matter to enable a device from the Device Manager interface but if the device fails to load then there are likely greater underlying problems with the drivers. Drivers allow hardware devices to communicate with other hardware devices and the operating system. Drivers contain instructions and operating procedures for devices. Without a driver, a hardware device will not function and may not even appear in the Device Manager.

Solution

Error Causes

Common causes of error code 22 are:

• Device is disabled
• Driver is outdated
• The driver is missing or corrupt
• The previous attempt to update the driver failed
• Device is damaged
• The device is not configured as the default device

This means that though the error code 22 typically indicates that the device reporting the error is disabled but other causes can also be associated with the error occurrence.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Here are some of the best and easy do-it-yourself methods to resolve error 22 on your PC. Try these methods to repair the issue.

Method 1

If the error code 22 is triggered due to a disabled device, then all you need to do to resolve the issue is enable the device. To enable the disabled device, follow these steps. Simply go to the start menu and type Device Manager in the search bar. Now click on the Device Manager and then click Actions. After you Click Actions, double click Enable Device. The Enable Device Wizard will pop up. Follow all the prompts from the Enable Device Wizard. This will hopefully resolve the issue.

Method 2

If method 1 doesn’t work then this means the problem is deeper than you think.  The problem can be triggered by the missing, corrupted, or outdated driver for the device reporting the error. In such a situation it is advisable to reinstall the driver for the device. To do this first uninstall the driver for the device reporting error code 22 then reinstall the driver.

• For this simply click the Start menu, go to the control panel and then click Performance and Maintenance, and then System.
• In the new window, you will then see a tab called Hardware and the Device Manager.
• Double click on the device whose driver you need to uninstall.
• Click on the properties window with a tab marked driver. Then click on the driver you want to uninstall.

To activate changes reboot your PC. Now reinstall the latest and updated version of the driver uninstalled using the Plug and Play feature.

Method 3

Sometimes devices can also get damaged due to registry issues. In such an event, install Restoro. It is a PC Fixer deployed with a registry cleaner. The registry cleaner wipes out all the unnecessary and obsolete files damaging the registry and repairs them in a few minutes. Click here to download Restoro.

Error Code 0x80073afc - What is it?

Error code 0x80073afc deals with an antivirus program first built into Windows 8/8.1 This error occurs when Windows Defender, the built-in anti-virus software in Windows 8/8.1 and higher, does not start automatically and users attempt to manually start the program. During the initialization period of the program start-up, something goes wrong and users get a 0x80073afc Error message. The error message states there was a problem with the initialization of the program. Windows Defender provides protection of your computer and it is advised by the Microsoft Corporation that you ensure it starts up automatically on every start-up.

Solution

Further Information and Manual Repair

Users have found several manual repairs that have fixed the problem without needing to contact technicians for extra help. While the methods below should solve your problem easily, if this is the first time you have encountered the issue you may want to do a simple restart. This has fixed the problem for some users and is the easiest first troubleshooting move. If it doesn’t work move on to the methods listed below, which are easily completed without extra help.

Before trying any of these methods, please make sure that you are logged into a profile that is listed as the administrator of the computer of his administrative powers enabled. If this is not the case you will not be able to complete the following methods. Please log out and log back in on the administrator profile.

Method 1:

First, check to see if you have a third-party anti-virus program installed on your computer. Some users believe that the built-in Windows Defender program is not powerful enough to handle the safety of their computer so they usually download a third-party program. However, that program may have caused a conflict with Windows Defender and may not allow it to open. If you do have a third-party program installed, try uninstalling it then manually starting Windows Defender.

Method 2:

If method one does not work, you may be infected by malware or a virus that has tampered with the settings on your computer and will not allow Windows Defender to start automatically or manually.

First, open Run by holding the “Win” key and pressing the “R” key. Then type “Regedit”. The program will ask for permission to follow through with this action. Click on “Yes” and the Open Registry Editor will open.

Find the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionImage File Execution Option and check to see if there are any files similar to MSASCui.exe or MpCmdRun.exe. If there are any file entries that resemble that, you will want to right-click on them before selecting the “Delete” option. If you do not see any entries that match, this is not the issue with your Windows Defender and you will want to try another method.

The Registry on your computer is very important. It helps tell your computer what programs are safe to run, what programs should be run, and what programs should not be run. If it is tampered with by a virus or Malware, multiple system operations can be affected.

However, if you did find similar file names, and you deleted them, try to start Windows Defender manually. If it does not work again, move on to the next method. 

Method 3:

If the first two methods do not work for your issue, and you are still receiving error code 0x80073afc when attempting to start Windows Defender, this step should solve the problem if you have Restore Point installed on your computer, which you most likely do.

For this method, we will be restoring your computer to a previous Restore Point. First, just like in method two, hold the “Win” key and press the “R” key. This will open run. Next type “Rstrui.exe” and click “ok”. After some time, you will see System Restore Windows. Click “Next” and select the restore point that you would like to go back to. After your computer has restored to the point you selected, check to ensure that Windows Defender has started correctly.

If the above methods aren't able to rectify the issue, you might have to download and install a powerful automated tool to get the job done.

Each year Steam makes a couple of large sales, and each year there are speculations and leaks on the date when the sale is going to happen and when it is starting. It seemed that Steam has become aware that these leaks will not stop and that store really cannot hide that kind of important date from the public so in the latest news Steam Purley has just given the date of this year's big winter sale. Probably tired of even trying to hide it, Steam has released that this year's big Steam Winter sale is officially starting on December 22nd, 2021, and closing on January 5th, 2022. So if you have someone to buy a gift or just want to drop a few great games in your library at a low price this is the time when you should do it.

One of the most sophisticated Artificial Intelligence or AI assistants there is in the market is Cortana. However, no matter how sophisticated this AI assistant may be, there are still times when you encounter issues with it. So if your Cortana is not connecting to the internet, worry not for this post will guide you in fixing the problem. This connection issue in Cortana might have something to do with the settings, network connectivity, or your Microsoft account. In addition, it could also be that the Firewall or antivirus program interferes with its connection. Whichever the case is, here are some possible solutions that could help you resolve the problem.

Option 1 – Try to power cycle the modem, router, and computer

• Connect the modem, router, and the PC hard-wired and then switch all of these three devices off.
• Turn on the modem and wait for 30 seconds.
• Turn on the router and wait for 30 seconds as well.
• Finally, turn on the computer and check if you can now successfully connect to the internet.

Option 2 – Check if your router or ISP is properly working

Since the basis for this issue is that Cortana is not connecting to the internet even though you are able to access websites using your browser, you might want to check your router or ISP (Internet Service Provider) and see if they’re functioning properly.

Option 3 – Try changing your internet connection

You can also try changing your internet connection and see if it fixes the problem. If you are using Ethernet, you can try connecting to a Wi-Fi connection and see if Cortana is able to connect or not.

Option 4 – Try to run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter

You might also want to run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter in Windows 10 as it checks whether the settings for Cortana are in place and automatically corrects any issues if the update or software installation has changed the settings. To run it just click on the Start button and select Settings > Updates and Security > Troubleshoot. From there, select the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter. Note: You can also run the Network Troubleshooter as it can also help in resolving the issue especially if the problem is in the network.

Option 5 – Try to remove Proxy

Removing the Proxy might also help you in fixing the connection issue in Cortana. Here’s how you can do it:

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “inetcpl.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to pull up the Internet Properties.
• After that, go to the Connections tab and select the LAN settings.
• From there. Uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server” option for your LAN and then make sure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked.
• Now click the OK and the Apply buttons.
• Restart your PC.

Note: If you are using a third-party proxy service, you have to disable it.

Option 6 – Verify your Microsoft account

In some cases, Cortana might not be able to connect to the internet because your Microsoft account is no longer verified. This usually happens when you use a two-step authentication system with your Microsoft account. To verify it, just open Settings and click on Accounts. After that, check if you have a Verify hyperlink under your Microsoft account or not then click on Verify. Afterward, follow the next on-screen prompts to verify your Microsoft account. Once your account is verified, restart your computer.

Option 7 – Try resetting Cortana

• Open Cortana and go to the Settings section where you’ll see the “Turning off Cortana clears what Cortana knows on this device, but won’t delete anything from the Notebook. After Cortana is off, you can decide what you’d like to do with anything still stored in the cloud” option. Turn this option off.
• Restart your PC.
• After your computer boots, launch Cortana again and check.

Option 8 – Try to 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:

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

• Restart your computer and check if Cortana is now able to connect.

Steam Autumn sale is still raging and other storefronts like EPIC and GOG have also had their go, and as the year slowly closes we reflect on the best games released this year.

The games presented are not in any particular order and as sales are still raging pick one for you for a good time.

F1 Manager 22

If you are into formula racing this new manager is something we will wholeheartedly recommend. How it has been a very long time since a good F1 manager has been released this one is breath of fresh air. Masterfully done and fun to play, also licensed with real teams and cars get it here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1708520/F1_Manager_2022/

Stray

I like cats, but this game is on another level from its competitors. Unique approach, great storyline, and of course orange cat as the main character! Set in a cyberpunk environment following the story of some unfortunate androids you can do most cat things like playing in boxes, etc but essentially the game is a puzzle platformer which in my opinion is a great thing. Meow your things and get the game while it is discounted: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1332010/Stray/

Neon White

Mirror's Edge was the very unique game when it was released introducing parkour into the gaming world, and Neon white brings it one level up. With competitive parkour FPS gameplay this game is great for killing some time and competing with your friends but most of all it is fun to play experience. Get it here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1533420/Neon_White/

Teenage mutant ninja turtles: Shredder's revenge

Shredder's revenge is a love letter to classic beat-them-up games found in old dusty arcades back in old times. Fast frenzy action, pixel art graphics, and tons of fun!!! Get it now and start partying like it was 1980: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1361510/Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles_Shredders_Revenge/

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

This game needs to be experienced in order to fully grasp its magnitude and quirkiness. From the creators of borderlands comes a new IP fusion of fantasy, guns, and crazy ideas all wrapped into an action RPG looter shooter with a recognizable borderlands style of graphics. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1286680/Tiny_Tinas_Wonderlands/

Norco

Winner of multiple awards, Norco is a classic point-and-click adventure game with a great sci-fi story with a lot of environmental focus. Story and atmosphere are the main selling points for the game and if you enjoy good stories with interesting characters give this one a go: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1221250/NORCO/

Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker

Expansion for Massive multiplayer online roleplaying game brings so much to the table that we just could not oversee it and place it aside. Technically not full standing game since it is the expansion it still delivers on many fronts and since it is supposedly the last expansion now is the best time to pick it up and give a final fantasy 14 a go: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1592500/FINAL_FANTASY_XIV_Endwalker/

Elden Ring

Of course, the list would not be complete if we did not include Elden ring, a great example of how a difficult but well-executed game can go over and beyond. With a story on par with great epics and compact as in dark souls, this title will provide you with many hours of gameplay and content. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1245620/ELDEN_RING/

If you are browsing the internet using the Google Chrome browser in your Windows 10 computer but you suddenly encounter an error message that states, “ERR_ICAN_NAME_COLLISION”, read on as this post will walk you through in fixing the problem. Here’s the full content of the error message:

“The site can’t be reached, This site on the company, organization, or school intranet has the same URL as an external website. Try contacting your system administrator. ERR ICAN NAME COLLISION.”

This kind of error is caused by an error in a private namespace or a random redirection to an incorrect proxy server. There are several ways to fix this error. You can try to check the integrity of the Hosts file or check the proxy. You could also try to use the Registry Editor and apply some tweaks or remove any conflicting browser extensions or flush the DNS cache, as well as run a malware scan.

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

To check the integrity of the Hosts file, refer to the following steps:

• You have to navigate to this path inside File Explorer: C:/Windows/System32/driversetc
• After that, look for a file named “Hosts” and right-click on it, and open it with the Notepad app.
• Next, make sure that you write the block URLs in your computer in the list and then save the file.

Note: There are times when you are logged in with administrator credentials and you may receive an error message. In such case, type “notepad” in the Start Search and right-click on Notepad from the search results, and then select the “Run as administrator” option. After that, open the Hosts file and make the necessary changes and save it.

Option 2 – Try to check the Proxy server

There are some users who reported that they’ve fixed the problem after they’ve disabled the use of a proxy server using the built-in way. Follow the steps below to disable the proxy server.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “inetcpl.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to pull up the Internet Properties.
• After that, go to the Connections tab and select the LAN settings.
• From there. Uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server” option for your LAN and then make sure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked.
• Now click the OK and the Apply buttons.
• Restart your PC.

Note: If you are using a third-party proxy service, you have to disable it.

Option 3 – Try to use the Registry Editor

Before you apply some registry tweaks, make sure that you create a System Restore point. Once you have that covered, follow these steps:

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

Option 4 – Flush the DNS cache

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

• ipconfig/release
• ipconfig/renew
• ipconfig/flushdns

Option 5 – Get rid of any conflicting browser extensions

• Open Chrome and press Alt + F keys.
• Go to More tools and click Extensions to look for any suspicious browser extensions or toolbars.
• Click the Recycle bin and select Remove.
• Restart Chrome and press Alt + F keys again.
• Proceed to On Startup and mark Open a specific page or set of pages.
• To check if the browser hijacker is still active, click Set pages, if it is active, overwrite the URL.

Note: If removing the browser extensions or toolbars didn’t work, you can also try to reset your Google Chrome browser.

• Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
• After that, click on Settings.
• Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
• After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
• Now restart Google Chrome.

Option 6 – Run a malware scan using Windows Defender

It is possible that your computer is infected with malware which could be why you’re getting the “ERR_ICAN_NAME_COLLISION” error. Thus, you need to scan your computer using Windows Defender.

• Tap the Win + I keys to open Update & Security.
• Then click on the Windows Security option and open Windows Defender Security Center.
• Next, click on Virus & threat protection > Run a new advanced scan.
• Now make sure that Full Scan is selected from the menu and then click the Scan Now button to get started.

The Blue Screen of Death error or BSOD is definitely not an issue to face on your computer. Many users, if not all, have already experienced this headache at least once. One of these BSOD errors is the ATTEMPTED EXECUTE OF NOEXECUTE MEMORY error. The bug check error code for this is 0x000000FC and is usually caused by outdated or faulty drivers. In some cases, it could also be caused by an error in the Random Access Memory or RAM. This kind of error in the RAM might be physical, based on drivers, or even some kind of unwanted malware. So basically there are lots of possibilities why this particular BSOD error pops up. If you are currently facing this BSOD error, read on and carefully follow the suggestions given below but before you do that, make sure to create a System Restore point just in case something goes wrong. This way, you can always undo those changes using the System Restore point. Once you have that covered, proceed to the options given below to fix the ATTEMPTED EXECUTE OF NOEXECUTE MEMORY error.

Option 1 – Try updating Windows 10 with all the security patches and updates

You might be able to fix the ATTEMPTED EXECUTE OF NOEXECUTE MEMORY error by simply updating your Windows 10 computer with all the security patches and updates. To do so, go to Settings then proceed to the Windows Update section > Update & Security > Windows Update, and then click on the Check for Updates option. After you do that, it will automatically find and install all the latest security patches and feature updates from Microsoft.

Option 2 – Try updating all your drivers

From time to time, drivers get corrupted or outdated so it’s no surprise that they conflict with the operating system and cause errors like the ATTEMPTED EXECUTE OF NOEXECUTE MEMORY BSOD error. To fix the problem, you need to update all your drivers. Follow the steps below to update your 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. If you see a red or yellow sign that shows up against the driver, right-click on the driver’s name and select “Update Driver Software” or “Uninstall”. 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.
• Restart your PC.

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.

Option 3 – Try running a Memory Check using Windows Memory Diagnostic

As mentioned, this error might be caused by some issues in the memory. To resolve it, you need to run the Memory Check on your Windows 10 PC. Refer to these steps to do so.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “mdsched.exe” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Memory Diagnostic.
• After that, the Windows Memory Diagnostic will give out two options such as:

1. Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
2. Check for problems the next time I start my computer

• Select any of the given options. After that, your computer will restart and check for memory-based issues upon the restart. If there are any issues, it will automatically them.

Option 4 – Try using the System File Checker via Command Prompt

System File Checker or SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files with good system files that might be causing the ATTEMPTED EXECUTE OF NOEXECUTE MEMORY BSOD error. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.

• Tap Win + R to launch Run.
• Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
• After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow

The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:

1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.

Windows uses 2 types of keys for its activation, KMS or MAK. These keys should work without any issues since they are elevated with higher permissions but in some cases, they are by accident run without their proper permission, and then we have access denied error or error 0x80070005 To resolve this issue please first check if not by any chance your antivirus or firewall is preventing slmgr.bs file to access the right permissions, that being said if the previous solution is not working note that you have to be an administrator of the system or have administrator privileges. As an administrator, you will have to use Software Licencing Management Tool or short SLMGR.VBS, a VBS file in Windows used for its activation purposes. As an administrator, open Command prompt with admin permissions and then run slmgr.vbs This will make sure that activation goes through, make sure to use proper options like:

/ipk <ProductKey> or /ato [<Activation ID>]

As of late, users have been reporting about getting an error saying, SAFE_OS phase error during Replicate_OC operation when they tried to upgrade their Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 computers to Windows 10. Although the error code in this problem could vary, in this situation, it states:

0xC1900101 – 0x20017, The installation failed in the SAFE_OS phase error during Replicate_OC operation

To fix this issue, you need to follow the given options below. But before you do, you need to create a System Restore point first so that if anything goes wrong, you can always undo the changes you’ve made.

Option 1 – Try to change the Windows 10 installation

According to security experts, one of the main causes of this error is the KB3064209Windows Update. This particular update is the one responsible for updating the CPU Microcode for processors made by Intel. Thus, if you don’t use an Intel processor, you can skip this option and proceed to the next one. However, if you use Intel, make sure to follow the instructions in this option carefully. Take note that in this solution, C: partition is referred to as the OS Partition while H: partition is referred to as the USB Pen Drive.

• First, you need to download the Windows 10 ISO from the Windows 10 Media Creation tool and then copy its contents to the Pen Drive H.
• Next, tap the Win + X keys and click on the Command Prompt (Admin0 option. If a User Account Control appears, simply click Yes.
• After opening Command Prompt, type the following command:

dism /Mount-Image /ImageFile:H:sourcesboot.wim /index:1 /MountDir:C:UsersUserDesktopmount

• Now navigate to the following path in the Windows File Explorer:

C:UsersUserDesktopmountWindowsSystem32mcupdate_GenuineIntel.dll

• From there, right-click on the file named “mcupdate_GenuineIntel.dll and click on Properties.
• Next, go to the Security tab and click on Advanced. In the Advanced section, change the Owner to your User Account and click OK.
• And then back to the Security tab, click on the Edit button and check on Full control to make sure that your User Account has all the privileges.
• Now click on Apply and then OK.
• After that, delete the file you saw earlier which is named mcupdate_Genuine.dll.
• Then close all the Windows File Explorer instances and go back to the Command Prompt window and unmounts the image you mounted before by typing the following command:

dism /Unmount-Image /MountDir:C:UsersUserDesktopmount /commit

• Afterward, repeat the steps from mounting up until here for these files:
  • wim /index:2
  • wim /index:1
  • wim /index:2
• Now delete the mount folder and remove the USB Pen Drive and then boot with the installer.

Option 2 – Try to perform a Disk Cleanup

Chances are, some unnecessary files in your computer might be interrupting the installation process which explains why you’re getting SAFE_OS phase error during Replicate_OC operation instead so you need to perform a Disk Cleanup in order to fix the problem.

Option 3 – Try updating all your drivers

Every now and then, drivers get corrupted or outdated so it’s no surprise that they conflict with the operating system and cause errors like the SAFE_OS phase error during the Replicate_OC operation. To fix the problem, you need to update all your drivers. Follow the steps below to update your 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. If you see a red or yellow sign that shows up against the driver, right-click on the driver’s name and select “Update Driver Software” or “Uninstall”. 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.
• Restart your PC.

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.

Option 4 – Try to update your system’s BIOS

Aside from outdated drivers, outdated BIOS could also be the reason why you’re getting the SAFE_OS phase error during Replicate_OC operation which is why you need to update your system’s BIOS in order to resolve the issue.

Option 5 – Try checking the Windows Services status

• In the Cortana search box, search for “Services” and then click on the Services icon.
• After that, the Services utility will be opened in a new window.
• Next, look for the following services:
  • BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service)
  • Windows Update Service
  • Cryptographic Service
• Then right-click on each one of the services and click on Properties. From there, select Automatic from the drop-down of the Startup Type menu.
• Now click on OK for each one of them and restart your PC to apply the changes made.

Option 6 – Try to check the RAM modules

There are many times when all the components of the RAM weren’t able to be used by the computer so you need to check the RAM modules.

• You need to first turn off your PC and then take out your RAM physically.
• Next, clean it with a soft cloth and blow some air into the RAM slot in the motherboard.
• After that, put your RAM back in the same slot.
• Then try updating your computer system again.