How to remove ListenToTheRadioNow from your PC

If you encounter an error message saying, “ERR SSL VERSION OR CIPHER MISMATCH” while visiting a website, then it is not primarily your fault as an end-user. In fact, it can happen on any website like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and even Internet Explorer. Getting this error means that the website you are visiting is using an SSL certificate which your browser seems to be rejected because there is some issue with the certificate. It is also possible that the certificate that’s downloaded on your computer is corrupted or that your computer configuration for TSL/SSL is misconfigured. Here are the complete details of the error message:

“A secure connection cannot be established because this site uses an unsupported protocol, Error code ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH”

To resolve the ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH error, refer to the options given below and see which one works for you.

Option 1 – Try to access the website with the only HTTP

The first thing you can do is to try accessing the website using HTTP instead of HTTPS. If you can open the website using HTTP then it means that the problem is in the website itself. And if you are the website owner, you can check the following:

• Check if your website’s SSL certificate name is mismatched. Here you need to ensure that the name and alias of the websites match with the actual website URL where the certificate is installed.
• Second, check if your server is using the RC4 Cipher. If it is, then you need to fix that.

On the other hand, you may also check if your CDN also supports SSL since most of the CDN nowadays supports SSL. All you have to do is configure it correctly and it should be good to go.

Option 2 – Try enabling SSL 3 / TLS and disable QUIC Protocol

If you were using Google Chrome when you got the ERR SSL VERSION OR CIPHER MISMATCH error, then you need to follow the protocol fixes for SSL3/TLS and QUIC which are usually some of the reasons that cause the SSL version / Cipher Mismatch. It also has a few fixes for Windows 10 computer where you can clear the certificates and make sure that your computer date and time is in sync with your time zone and so on. If you were using Edge or Internet Explorer when you got the error, then you have to follow the steps below.

• Type “Internet” in the search box of your browser. After that, you should see the Internet Options from the search results.
• Next, open the Internet Properties window and switch to the Advanced tab and then scroll down to the Security section.
• From there, check the “Use TLS 1.1” checkbox as well as the “Use TLS 1.2” checkbox and then click OK to save the changes made.
• Restart the browser.

On the other hand, if you were using Firefox when you go the error, here’s what you have to do.

• Open Firefox and in the address bar, type “about:config” and hit Enter.
• If a warning appears, just click on the “I accept the risk!” button to proceed.
• Next, type in “TLS” in the search field and hit Enter.
• Then look for “security.tls.version.min” and double click on it and set its integer value to 3 to force the protocol of TLS 1.3.
• Now click OK and restart Firefox and do the same thing with SSL.

Universal PnP or plug-and-play monitors use a generic PnP Windows driver. Whenever a user plugs a USB device or monitor into a PC the system will automatically identify the device and it will install the proper driver for smooth running. Generic PnP Monitor in Windows 10 means that Windows 10 installed a monitor driver as the PNP did not recognize the device. This generic PnP monitor driver may not work perfectly like the manufacturer’s one. It can lead to issues like unable to set the best monitor resolution and the screen refresh rate. Therefore, it is important to fix this issue. All of that being said let us fix your PnP display driver issue.

1. Reconnect monitor

   Always try this first, just by unplugging the monitor and then plugging it back may resolve the issue, if the monitor was not detected properly the first time, there are very high chances that this method will resolve the issue.

2. Check if the Device Manager is reporting an error and update the driver

   If the hardware is functioning properly then the issue might be in Windows not detecting device or driver malfunction. In any case, the Device Manager will be the one who will report this problem. In order to check to see if the driver is properly working press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden start menu. Once it opens, click on Device Manager to open it, If you have a driver device error inside Windows, you should see it immediately when entering the Device Manager, it will have a yellow exclamation mark beside it. Right-click on it and choose update driver.

3. Reinstall driver

   If driver update failed or you already have the latest drivers, reinstalling them could fix the issue since drivers might have corrupted during installation of some update or application. Follow steps from point 3 to get to the driver in Device Manager, then right-click on it but instead of update choose to uninstall. Reboot Windows once the driver is uninstalled and Windows will install a new one automatically. If you do not want to update drivers automatically install the latest driver for your device, then reboot.

4. Check Windows update

   Check to see if the latest Windows update is installed, update your Windows if needed

5. Fix driver issue with DRIVERFIX

   If everything else fails, get DRIVERFIX, a premium solution for your PC issues, and fix driver errors.

One of the most common and bothersome issues with a printer is when it refuses to get configured or set up on your computer. Thus when your printer has some configuration issues, you will most likely encounter the error 0x00000709. This occurs if there is already a default printer set and configured or Windows does not want to configure the new printer at all. The operation could not be completed (error 0x00000709), Double check the printer name and make sure that the printer is connected to the network. Today, we will try two fixes that may help you get rid of this error.

Option 1 – Run the Printer Troubleshooter

One of the first basic troubleshooting you can perform to resolve the printer issue is running the Printer Troubleshooter. This built-in troubleshooter can detect and automatically fix the problem for you. To use it, follow these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Next, type “exe /id PrinterDiagnostic” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the Printer Troubleshooter.
• Then click the Next button and follow the next on-screen instructions to fix the issue with the printer.

Option 2 – Try to use some Registry tweaks to add the Printer

You might want to use some tweaks to add the Printer but before you proceed, make sure to create a System Restore Point so that if anything goes out of hand, you can always undo the changes you’ve made.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Next, type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• When a UAC or User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes.
• Once you’ve opened the Registry Editor, go to the following key location:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWindows

• From there, double click on the file named “Device on the right side pane under the Windows folder.
• Now add the name of your printer in the Value Data field as you can see below and then click the OK button.

Note: As you can see on the image above, you must not change the “.winspool.Ne02:” part and only the first one which is the name of your printer.

• After that, you will get a message that says, “Cannot edit Device: Error writing the value’s new contents, simply click on OK again. You have to take note of the existing permissions before you proceed to the next step. Once you’ve added the Printer, make sure to reverse the changes you’ve made to the Permissions.
• Now right click on the Windows folder located on the left pane and click on Permission.
• Select Restricted under the Group or user names section.
• Then check the checkboxes for “Full Control”, “Read” and “Special Permissions” under the Permissions for RESTRICTED section.
• After that click the Apply button and then OK to save the changes made.
• Next, right-click on the file named “UserSelectdDefault” and select Rename to rename it to your printer’s name.
• Now restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.
• After the printer is added, don’t forget to reverse the Permission changes you’ve made early on.

Option 3 – Try updating the Printer drivers

You might also want to try updating your printer drivers. All you have to do is locate the USB Composite Device. For complete details, follow the steps below.

• First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
• Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
• From there, look for the USB Composite Device option and right-click on it, and select the Update Driver from the options.
• Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.

Note: You also have the option to download the latest version of your Printer from the manufacturer’s website.

Error Code 0x80060100

Error Code 0x80060100 is an error that relates to the Windows Update process. It most commonly occurs when the Update process runs and cannot be completed, as the system appears to have necessary files corrupted or absent.

Common symptoms include:

• Inability to begin the Windows Update process
• Inability to complete the Windows Update process

While it can be frustrating when users are not able to complete their necessary updates for Windows 10, there are several solutions that are available to fix the problem at hand. Some of the methods that can be used are simple and accessible, even for beginners, while advanced methods of resolution are also available for users who are more confident in their abilities.

Error Code 0x80060100 appears on Windows 10 and earlier versions of the Windows operating systems. In most cases, the steps to resolve the problem remain the same, regardless of the system on which the error appears. This error code is also related to Error Code 0x800b0100, which appears in similar circumstances.

If the solutions below are not successful in resolving Error Code 0x80060100 on your machine, you may need to get in touch with a qualified repair technician who can assist you in the resolution of the issue at hand. Any repair technician used should be familiar with the needs of the Windows 10 update process.

Solution

Error Causes

The primary cause for the appearance of Error Code 0x80060100 on a Windows machine is that the Update files have had damage to them or are found to have elements missing that are necessary for the completion of the Update process.

Further Information and Manual Repair

If Error Code 0x80060100 has appeared on your Windows operating system as you are attempting to download, install, or run Windows Update, there are several steps that you can take to attempt to resolve the error. Some of these methods require advanced knowledge or skills, so if you are not confident in your ability to undertake the steps below, contact a qualified Windows repair technician to assist you in the process.

Here are the best ways to resolve Error Code 0x80060100:

Method One: Run the Troubleshooter for Windows Update

As you attempt to run the Windows Update process and experience difficulty, there is a tool that will usually appear on the screen called the Windows Update Troubleshooter. This process can scan the files being used for the update process and attempt to fix the errors on its own, retrieving or repairing any damaged files as it comes across them.

In most cases, this step on its own will resolve Error Code 0x80060100 on a computer. However, if you are still unable to run Windows Update after using the Troubleshooter, you may need to run a disk repair tool before proceeding.

Method Two: Restart Your Computer

In some cases, Error Code 0x80060100 can be resolved simply by restarting the computer that is affected by the error. Even if this step is not successful on its own, restarting after each of the other methods can allow necessary changes to take place and refresh the progress of the Windows Update process.

Method Three: Use the DISM Tool

This method requires some skill and knowledge of your operating system. To use this tool, follow the steps below:

• Step One: From the right side of the screen, use your mouse to swipe inward and select the “Search” option.
• Step Two: When the search box appears, enter in the words “command prompt".
• Step Three: From the results that appear, right-click on the “Command Prompt” option, then choose the option to “Run as Administrator.” An administrator password may be required at this point.
• Step Four: In the window that comes up, enter in the following words, hitting the “Enter” key after each:
  • Dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
  • Dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
• Step Five: Type in “exit” to close the prompt window and hit the Enter key.
• Step Six: Attempt to run the Windows 10 Update process again, restarting your computer as needed beforehand.

If the methods above are not successful in the resolution of Error Code 0x80060100, a qualified Windows repair technician may be able to assist you.

If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 10 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.

As you know, Windows 10 comes with a pre-packed feature that allows you to rotate the screen at different angles, and to facilitate this feature, there are keyboard shortcuts you can use as well. However, from time to time, no matter how useful this feature is, users still experience a handful of issues. One of which is that they suddenly find their screen rotated or Upside Down even when they didn’t do a thing or adjust the setting. You may have pressed the shortcut on the keyboard by accident or some other program changed the setting on your computer without your permission – whichever the case is, this post will show you what you can do to fix the upside-down screen on your Windows 10 PC using the options laid out below.

Option 1 – Try using hotkeys

As mentioned earlier, Windows have hotkeys in the UI that changes the orientation of the display. So the first thing you need to do is to make sure that these hotkeys are enabled and if they are, you can use the keyboard shortcut to adjust the orientation of your screen.

• Right-click on an empty part of your Desktop and then select the Graphic options.
• Next, select “Hot Keys” > “Enable”. After verifying that the hotkeys are enabled, you can tap the Ctrl + Alt + Up arrow keys to change your computer screen’s orientation.
• Alternatively, you can also tap the Ctrl + Alt + Right or Left or Down arrow keys to change the direction the other way.

Option 2 – Try using the Graphics Properties

You will probably see the “Graphics Properties” option if you use the Intel HD Graphics every time you click on your Desktop. Note that this option has all the graphics driver properties and helps you in changing the configurations as well as control several options like refresh rate, resolution, color-depth and many more. You have to navigate to these options to see if the orientation is changed in these properties. To do so, follow the steps below.

• Right-click on any empty space on your Desktop and then select Graphics Properties or Intel Graphics Settings.
• After that, select Display from the list of sub-options that appears.
• From there, you will see the rotation of the screen under the “Display settings” option where you have to make sure that the slider is set to “0”.
• Click the Apply button to save the changes made and then click on Exit. The orientation of your screen should automatically change.

Option 3 – Try using the Windows Display Settings

Since the Windows Settings have a section where you can manage the display settings of your computer, you can use them to help control the resolution of your PC’s display without any trouble. There is a possibility that the settings are changed there so that’s probably why your screen is turned upside down all of a sudden.

• Tap the Win + S keys to open search and then type in “settings” in the field and then hit Enter to open Settings.
• After opening Settings, click on System and then on Display using the left navigation bar and then scroll to the end and select the Advanced display settings.
• Next, click on the Display adapter properties and click on Intel HD Graphics control panel.
• Now change the rotation to 0 Degrees. Afterward, the display should revert back to its original form automatically.

Option 4 – Check your monitor’s physical controls

There are monitors that have buttons in them that allows users to shift the rotation of the screen to 90 degrees. It could be that your monitor has these buttons without you knowing and you suddenly pressed them by mistake which caused your screen to rotate. Thus, you have to check your monitor for any physical buttons on the side and if you see a menu, navigate to its options and check if there are screen rotation options. To make it easier for you, you can simply search your monitor’s model online and see if these buttons exist. You could also go over your monitor’s manual if you still have it as it contains details with regards to screen rotation.

Option 5 – Update your Graphics drivers

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type in devmgmt.msc and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
• Expand the section for the outdated device drivers.
• And then select the outdated driver(s) and right-click on it/them.
• From the drop-down menu, select the Update Driver option if you wish to update the driver or select the Uninstall device if you want to uninstall the driver and then follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version of the driver.
• Restart your PC after the installation to allow the system to reinstall the driver.

RSAT or Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 10 is a collection of programs for IT experts. It helps in managing Servers from a Windows 10 PC and starting with the Windows 10 v1809 or the October 2018 update, users have to install the Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 10 as Features on Demand or as Optional Features. The program includes the Microsoft Management Console or MMC snap-ins, Server Manager, consoles, Windows PowerShell cmdlets, and providers as well as command-line tools for managing roles and features that run on the Windows Server. So if you have updated your Windows 10 pc to v1809 or later then the RSAT tool has to be installed as a set of Features on Demand right from Windows 10. You can install RSAT Tools on Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Professional and once you install it, make sure that you do not install RSAT tools from the Microsoft Download page directly. Step 1: Open Settings and then go to Apps > Apps & Features. Step 2: Next, click on Manage Optional Features. Step 3: After that, click on Add a Feature which will load all the optional features one can install. Step 4: Now scroll to find the listing of all 18 RSAT tools and depending on what you need, click and install them. Step 5: Then go back to where you should see the progress of the installation. Click on the Manage Optional Features page to check the status. Note: If you are well-versed with the command line or automation, you can also install Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 10 via DISM /add-capability. And when you install anything via Features on Demand, they stay across Windows 10 version upgrades. On the other hand, if you feel that you don’t need a particular RSAT feature, you have the option to uninstall it using the Manage Option Features. However, bear in mind that some tools depend on one another which means that if you uninstall anything that has a dependency, it will only fail that’s why you need to be careful.

To uninstall an RSAT feature, here’s what you have to do:

Step 1: Go to Settings > Apps > Manage Optional Features. Step 2: After that, look for the list of installed feature that appears before this. Step 3: Now select the feature you want to uninstall and go back. If you have some system-related issues that need to get fixed, there is a one-click solution known as [product-name] you could check out to resolve them. This program is a useful and efficient tool that could repair corrupted registries and optimize your PC’s overall performance. Aside from that, it also cleans out your computer for any junk or corrupted files that help you eliminate any unwanted files from your system. This is basically a solution that’s within your grasp with just a click. It’s easy to use as it is user-friendly. For the complete set of instructions in downloading and using it, refer to the steps below.

If you are following the latest gaming trends and spend a lot of time on social media, watching streams, etc. you might be under impression that gaming as a hobby is very expensive. If you plan to play the latest games on a very large screen in their highest setting that might be true but if you do not care about that you can still play games and spend much less money on them.

That being said we are here to share with you some tips and tactics on how to play good games with minimum money spent.

Do not buy games the moment when they are released

Buying a game on its launch date is maybe the worst and most expensive thing you can do. Games have their highest price on launch day but sadly with the current state of the industry, they are in their worst state as well. Games eventually became better over time after patches are released but so does their price drops after the hype has calmed down. So if you really must have some specific game on its launch day, go for it but know that by doing so you are getting the worst version of the game for its higher price.

Wishlist games and wait for the sale

All services today have a wishlist, very good and money-saving tactic is to wishlist interesting titles and wait for them to be on the sale. Services will usually have the option of sending you an email once your wishlist titles are on sale so you will be notified once they do. A good tactic as well is to wait for large sales like for example summer, winter, easter sales, or many other seasonal ones.

Get free games

Some online stores are offering free games from time to time and some are always offering some titles as gifts in order to get customers to their platform. EPIC has become famous for gifting some great titles over the past years completely for free and there are a lot of free-to-play games on each platform that you can play.

Get second-hand PC

Having a new computer is great but if your budget is tight you might consider getting your PC as a second hand instead of the new one. Hardcore games will switch components more frequently than your typical users and usually the components will be sold cheaper and be more affordable.

Play games on some older devices in general

Many games today are available on many platforms not only just on your typical PC. Same titles are available on your mobile phones, tablets, and even on your Android TV. Many titles will not even require the latest technology or monster of a computer in order to run them. You can also lower game settings and play many games on lower hardware if you do not mind not having top graphics settings.

Play over the cloud streaming

If you are very tight on budget but want to enjoy new games in their full glory there is always the option to play games via a cloud streaming service, it is not exactly a mega cheap option since it has a monthly fee but it is cheaper than some high-end gaming computer. If you combine this with the game pass you can enjoy the latest games with high-quality settings and pay it on a monthly basis.

If you are trying to install a Feature Update in Windows 10 but you got the error code 0x80190001, then it means that there is something wrong with the installation files. The installation files are either corrupted or some of them failed to be downloaded. On the other hand, the issue might also have something to do with a driver issue. When you encounter error 0x80190001, you will see the either of following error message on your screen:

“Something went wrong Couldn’t download Windows 10, please check your network settings and try again. You can contact Microsoft support for help with this error. Here’s the error code 0x80190001”. Or: “An unexpected error was encountered while attempting to download files required for the upgrade”.

Here are some fixes that could help you resolve the error 0x80190001. Follow them carefully.

Option 1 – Run the Network Troubleshooter

As mentioned in the error message the issue might have something to do with the network settings of your computer so you can try to run the Network Troubleshooter and then try updating or installing Windows 10 again.

Option 2 – Update Network drivers

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
• Type in msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
• After that, look for Network Adapters from the list of device drivers displayed. Once you find it, expand it to see the Network drivers.
• Right-click on it and select the option “Uninstall device” – do the same thing for the other Network drivers.
• Restart your PC so Windows can detect and reinstall the drivers you just uninstalled.

Option 3 – Use Storage Sense to clean up temporary and junk files

• Open Setting > System > Storage from the WinX Menu.
• From there, you will see a list of all the local and connected storage devices along with the details on the free space.
• Now make sure that the Storage Sense feature is turned On then go find a link that says “Free Up Space” and click it to open.
• After that, a screen which is the built-in program in Windows 10 will appear and will scan your computer for the following junk files so you can free up disk space:
• Windows Upgrade Log Files
• The system created Windows Error Reporting Files
• Thumbnails
• Temporary Internet Files
• Previous Windows Installation Files
• Delivery Optimisation Files
• DirectX Shader Cache

Note: Once you’re done freeing up space on your drive, try to run the setup file again.

Option 4 – Delete the contents in the SoftwareDistribution folder

The Software Distribution folder in the Windows operating system is a folder that can be found in the Windows directory and is used to store files temporarily which might be required to install the Windows Update on your PC. Thus, it is required by the Windows Update and maintained by WUAgent. A lot of users tried deleting the files in this folder to fix the problem and so far it has worked. Like them, you can try clearing the Windows Update cache by simply deleting the contents of the folder named “SoftwareDistribution” since Windows apparently can’t clear and re-download the update contents once they are corrupted. Thus, deleting the contents of this folder will make Windows download the contents again which will fix the problem. To do that, follow the steps below.

• Open the WinX Menu.
• From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
• Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.

net stop wuauserv net stop bits

• After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service and the Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
• Next, go to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
• Once all the contents in the Software Distribution folder are deleted, restart your PC and then go back to Command Prompt and input the following commands again.

net start wuauserv net start bits

 Since the folder has already been flushed, it will be populated afresh the instant your restart your computer and open Windows Update.

Option 5 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

You might also want to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it is also known to help users resolve Windows Update errors like error 0x80190001.

Option 6 – Try to disable your antivirus program

Disabling the antivirus program or any security software installed in your computer is always a good idea you can try when the Windows Update process does not go smoothly. So before you try updating your computer again, make sure to disable the antivirus or security program and once the Windows Update is done, don’t forget to enable the antivirus program back again.

Option 7 – Try to use the Media Creation tool

The Media Creation tool in Windows allows you to use the ISO installation file to make a bootable device that you can use to install Windows on your PC. Note that this is kind of different from the usual installation process as it could erase your computer’s current settings and data on the primary drive. Thus, before you proceed, you need to backup all your data into some removable drive and then use the Media Creation Tool to make a bootable drive.

• After making the bootable drive, you need to plug it into your computer and then reboot.
• Next, tap the F10 or Esc key to open the boot options.
• Now set the boot priority of the removable drive the highest. Once the setup comes forth, follow the next onscreen instructions and install Windows without any problems.

A lot of Windows 10 users prefer the black theme on their computers and when you see anything but black it can get quite annoying. Such as is the case of the Taskbar which, as you know, is usually dark, however, when you take a look at the Cortana search bar, instead of seeing black, you’ll see that it has turned white. To fix this issue, read on as we will provide you some options you can try to set the Cortana search bar back to black. Before you proceed, take note that the options provided below will change all white search boxes to black and that one of these options needs administrative privileges.

Option 1 – Try changing the default App mode

As you know, Windows 10 has two modes, namely the Light and the Dark. Thus, you can switch to the Dark mode so that your Cortana search bar will be black as well. However, remember that it will completely change everything into dark mode so there will be no more Light mode elsewhere.

• First, you need to click on the Start button and then click on the cog icon to open the Windows 10 Settings.
• Next, from the Settings Menu, select Personalization and then select Colours from the left pane.
• Then scroll down until you see the “Choose your default app mode” option and select “Dark”.

After you apply the changes, it will change the Cortana search bar into black instantly. Aside from that, you will also see the User Interface changing into dark mode.

Option 2 – Try changing the Registry value

If you are well-versed in editing registry keys, then you need to try this option. But before you go over the steps below, make sure that you create a System Restore point first so that if anything goes wrong, you can always go back to how it was before the changes were applied.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run prompt.
• Then in the field, type in “regedit” and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor. If a User Account Control prompt appears, just click Yes.
• Now that you’ve opened the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionSearchFlightingWhiteSearchBox

• After that, double-click on the “Value” key located on the right pane and set the value to “0” instead of “1” and then click Ok to save the changes made. You should now see a black or grey text box color instead of white.

Option 3 – Try changing the Region

In some forums, a lot of users stated that changing the Region also worked out for them in changing the white Cortana search bar to white. Thus, you need to change the region settings of your computer temporarily. To do so, follow the steps below.

• Type in “Regional Settings” in the box and then click it as soon as it appears from the search results.
• Next, make sure to select a region where Cortana is not available.
• Then select apply to that region. After that, it will change the Cortana search bar color to black.
• Now sign out and sign back in and revert to the original settings. But the changes you made earlier in Cortana will still remain.

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.