What is Error 0xc0000142?
Error 0xc0000142 can occur in any of the Windows versions and usually occurs when an application fails to properly initialize.
This error can be critical for a computer as it signifies that the system is unstable. Error 0xc0000142 can cause slow performance in a PC, system freeze, startup and shutdown issues, blue screen and errors in installation.
Solution
Error Causes
Windows/Application Error 0xc0000142 can occur because of a number of reasons.
When a computer is an overload with data, or when system files get broken or missing, this error can occur and will result in startup and shutdown issues as well as the blue screen. Another reason, and one which is quite common, is improper computer maintenance.
This will cause a PC to perform slow, system freezes, and installation errors. This error displays ‘failed to initialize’ on either a Windows error box or the blue screen of death.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Error 0xc0000142 can occur at any time, but there are many ways to resolve it. For instance:
1) Clean the Registry
A corrupted registry is one of the major reasons why this error occurs. The registry is used by Windows to store information and settings on the computer, which is why it has a large database.
This database contains emails, wallpapers, saved passwords and much more in ‘file path references’. These allow Windows to run the common files in your system. A registry cleaner can fix any errors in the registry database.
2) Malware Scan
Viruses can cause certain applications to not function properly. Hence, download a strong antivirus and run a deep scan on your system and remove any potential infections and spyware.
3) Reinstall Applications
Non-critical applications in a computer are those that are installed by the user. If error 0xc0000142 displays in any of your installed programs, then you should reinstall these programs. Often applications have damaged or corrupted files which can slow them down. To resolve this, follow these steps:
- From Start, click on Control Panel
- Go to Add/Remove Programs and uninstall the programs
- Restart your PC and reinstall the program
The third step is not recommended in case the error is caused by cmd.exe
4) Repair Windows
If the error is still on display despite following the previous steps, then you can repair Windows. This process allows Windows to retain all your data and information by simply replacing the program files and settings with fresh ones. This can stop error 0xc0000142 by allowing the programs access to use necessary files smoothly and effectively.
If you cannot resolve the error in any of these steps, then there is another way to do so if you have a computer that runs the Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000. Follow these steps in order to resolve it:
- Make sure that in Program Files and Microsoft ISA Server, a Clients folder exists. The ISA Server service will run on this folder
- Confirm that Administrators and SYSTEM have Full Control assigned in the Program Files/Microsoft ISA Server/Clients folder
- Confirm that Msplat.txt file is in the Clients folder. You can copy this file from other ISA Server computers if it is missing
- If the Clients folder is damaged or is missing, or if you can’t copy the Msplat.tct file from another ISA Server computer, then reinstall the ISA Server 2000

In the dialog, type in netplwiz and press ENTER.
You will find yourself in the User Accounts window, inside deselect Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer. Press OK
Sign in the window will pop up where you will have to type in your password and confirm it in order to start the feature.
After typing in your password and confirming it, press OK. That's it, next time you wake your computer from hibernation or turn it ON, you will automatically be greeted with a desktop instead of a Windows login screen.
Microsoft starting as of today will block its Office 365 users if they are using Internet Explorer or early versions of Edge browsers.
So if you are using older non Chromium Edge versions of Microsoft browsers you can no longer access Office services until you switch. Now normally I would fully support this kind of decision since Internet explorer is a slow and vulnerable browser and the edge is similar in that regard.
The new edge browser is great and it should be used but the issue I have is that Office 365 is not free, it is a premium feature and I am wondering how Microsoft plans to deal with people that have already paid for service but suddenly cannot access it anymore. 