Fix The update isn’t applicable in Windows

If you suddenly see a system icon or an application icon that has a blue and yellow shield or icon overlay at the corner, this indicates that the application has to run with admin privileges and each time you run these kinds of applications, a UAC or User Account Control prompt will appear to confirm if you really want to run the application. Although this kind of behavior is for security reasons, it can get quite annoying especially if you use the application on a daily basis. To make it convenient for you, this post will walk you through how you can remove the blue and yellow shield icon from an application on your Windows 10 computer. The User Account Control or UAC setting is the one that ensures no program can run with administrative privileges unless it is allowed by the user. This stops any program that could be potentially harmful to the computer from making any changes which are why keeping this setting to its default state is for the best and making any changes in its setting is not recommended unless it is really needed. So if you really have to remove the icon overlay in an application, there are several ways you can do that. You can try reinstalling the program and set Compatibility or change the UAC level. For more information, refer to every option given below.

Option 1 – Try to reinstall the application and set Compatibility

As you know, the application icons where you can see the shields are shortcuts mostly and they signify that the User Account Control will appear each time you launch the app. Thus, if you have an app that you use regularly and you’re certain that the app can be trusted, you can try to reinstall the app and set its compatibility by following these steps:

• You need to uninstall the app first and then install its latest version. You must not run or open the app after you reinstall it, not until you’ve completed the steps.
• Next, you have to right-click on the shortcut icon of the app, and from the menu, select Properties.
• Afterward, go to the Compatibility tab and look for the checkbox labeled “Run this program as an administrator” and uncheck it.
• Now click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made. This should remove the shield icon from the app.

Option 2 – Try changing the UAC level

• Tap the Win + Q to open the search bar and type UAC to see the User Account Control setting.
• From the UAC setting, lower the UAC level by selecting the settings that say, “Notify only when apps try to make changes to my computer”.
• After selecting that option, you shouldn’t be getting any warning now when you run the app with the shield icon. But keep in mind that this is not a temporary setting which can be risky especially if the app can’t be trusted.

What is Runtime Error 216?

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

Solution

Download Available to Completely Repair Runtime Error 216

Error Causes

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

Further Information and Manual Repair

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

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

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

If your printer has been working just fine and you suddenly get an error message saying, Printer not activated, error code 30”, then something is definitely wrong and it’s not good especially if you have lots of things to do. Worry not, as this post will help you resolve the printer issue. Simply follow each one of the given options below carefully.

Option 1 – Try running the Printer Troubleshooter

The first thing you can 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 “msdt.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 – Check if the concerned printer is set as the default one

It could be that the printer you are trying to use is not set as the default printer. This is mostly the case so to fix the issue, you need to set the concerned printer as default. To do that, follow the steps below.

• Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings app.
• After opening Settings, select Devices from the menu and then click the Printers and scanners option.
• From there, look for the printer you are using among the list of options. After you find it, click on it and select the Manage option.
• Now click on the “Set as Default” option to set the printer as default.

Option 3 – Try updating the driver for USB Composite Device

The problem with your printer might also be caused by the USB Composite Device. It could be that the USB Composite Device is acting up. Thus, you need to remove and reinstall it. How? 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.
• Now uninstall and remove the printer driver software and reinstall it then refresh.

Option 4 – Try updating all the drivers for your Printer

• 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. Look for Print queues from the list of drivers displayed and click on it to see all the Printer drivers.
• Next, right-click on each one of the drivers and select “Update driver” to update the driver. Do it for all the Printer drivers
• After that, select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.
• Restart your PC and try printing a document again and see if the “Printer not activated, error code -30” no longer pops up.

Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your printer manufacturer and check if there’s a new update – if there is, download it.

Are you trying to update your Windows 11 OS and are receiving a 0x800f0905 error? Do not sweat and do not worry we have a couple of solutions that you can try in order to fix this issue. How this error is tied to various things like misconfigured settings, corrupt system files, and more there is no way to present one simple solution that will solve everything in one click.

Therefore we are presenting a couple of solutions that will fix your issue, it is advisable to follow them as presented since they will go from the most common to the more complex one.

Run the troubleshooter

The most common fix and one that will actually repair things most of the time is simply running the Windows Update troubleshooter.

1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open the Settings app
2. Click on System on the left
3. Click on Troubleshoot in the right part
4. Click on Other Troubleshooters
5. Find the Windows Update section and click on Run
6. Let troubleshooter finish

Reset Windows update components

If the previous solution did not work we will need to do things manually. Follow the steps as presented in order to reset Windows update components.

1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + S to open search
2. Type in Terminal
3. Select Run as administrator
4. Click on Yes on the User account control (UAC) pop up
5. Press CTRL + SHIFT + 2 to open Command prompt
6. Inside command prompt type each line of a command followed by ENTER after each line:
   net stop bits
   net stop wuauserv
   Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%Application DataMicrosoftNetworkDownloaderqmgr*.dat”
   Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore DataStore.bak
   Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download Download.bak
   Ren %Systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
   exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
   sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
   cd /d %windir%\system32
   regsvr32.exe atl.dll
   regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
   regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll
   regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
   regsvr32.exe browseui.dll
   regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
   regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
   regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
   regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
   regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
   regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
   regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
   regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
   regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
   regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
   regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
   regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
   regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
   regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
   regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll
   regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll
   regsvr32.exe ole32.dll
   regsvr32.exe shell32.dll
   regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
   regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
   regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
   regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
   regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
   regsvr32.exe wups.dll
   regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
   regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
   regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
   regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
   regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
   regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
   regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll
   netsh winsock reset
   net start bits
   net start wuauserv

Well, that was a lot of typing or copy and pasting line by line followed by ENTER after each one but hopefully, your issue is solved. These provided solutions fixed most users' issues with this error but if for some reason this is not the case for you, move to the next step.

Run the SFC scan

If you are still having 0x800f0905 error after previous attempts do the following:

1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + S to open search
2. Type in Terminal
3. Select Run as administrator
4. Click on Yes on the User account control (UAC) pop up
5. Press CTRL + SHIFT + 2 to open Command prompt
6. Type in sfc /scannow and press ENTER
7. Wait for the scan to finish
8. Reboot the computer

Perform a system restore

If for any reason previous solutions have not provided you with the solution we will try to fix the issue by performing system restore.

1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + S to open search
2. In the text box type in Create a restore point
3. Click on the closest match in search results, should be Create a restore point
4. Click on System Restore or on Next if there are no points created
5. Choose to restore a point from the list and click on next
6. Review settings and click on Finish
7. Wait for the process to finish and for the computer to restart

Manually install update

If for any reason Windows still cannot install the update, try installing it manually.

1. Go to Windows 11 update history and find the Knowledge base (KB) number for the latest version
2. Go to the official Microsoft Update Catalog
3. Paste the KB number in the search box and press ENTER
4. Click on DOWNLOAD
5. Double click on the downloaded file to launch the installer
6. Follow on-screen instructions and install the update

Perform Windows 11 reset

If nothing worked, reset your Windows 11 to its factory settings to fully repair and reset the whole operating system.

If you are trying to install a Windows 10 upgrade but was interrupted with an error saying, “0x80070003 – 0x2000D, The installation failed in the SAFE_OS phase with an error during MIGRATE_DATA operation”, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will help you sort this problem out. When you get this kind of error while trying to upgrade your computer, although there could be various reasons for this, the primary one is that when you upgrade from one update to another, something stopped the upgrade process to migrate the user data. To fix this error, you can try to run both the DISM tool and the System File Checker to automatically repair any corrupted system files. You could also try checking the free storage space of your primary drive and if you have any file lock apps like BitLocker, consider disabling them for they could also be the reason why you’re getting the error.

Option 1 – Run the DISM tool

Running the DISM Tool helps in repairing the Windows System Image as well as the Windows Component Store in Windows 10 which might be the reason behind the Windows Upgrade error 0x80070003 – 0x2000D. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth”.

• Open the Command Prompt as admin.
• Then type in this command: exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
• Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.
• Once it’s done, restart your computer and then check if the issue is resolved or not on the next startup.

Option 2 – Run the SFC scan

The SFC or System File Checker scan could detect and automatically repair damaged system files that could be causing the Windows Upgrade error to appear. 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 to good system files. 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 and hit Enter.

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.

• Reboot your PC.

Option 3 – Try checking the free storage space on your primary drive

The next option you can try to resolve the error is to see if you have enough free storage space on the primary drive because if you don’t then it’s probably the reason why you’re getting this error. To fix it, you need to free up some storage space by following these steps:

• 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
• 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 – Try disabling BitLocker and other file lock apps

If you are using BitLocker or other file lock apps, then it could be the reason why you’re getting the error. Usually, file lock apps don’t cause any kind of issue, however, if you have something that works on file level like BitLocker, you can try to disable it. Once you’ve disabled it, try to install the Windows 10 Upgrade again and after you do, enable BitLocker again. This should fix the problem.

As you know, the Windows Update process takes compatibility seriously. The Windows Updates need to be compatible with the hardware as well as all the installed applications in the computer else the Windows Updates will only get stuck in the process. Two of the Windows 10 errors that shows up during this case is the error 0xC1900208, 0x4000C. These error codes are caused by incompatible applications which means that there might be an incompatible app installed in your computer that’s blocking the upgrade process and prevents it from finishing. That’s why you need to make sure that all the applications on your computer are updated to their latest versions and then check the compatibility. So if there are any incompatible apps, be sure to uninstall them and then try doing the upgrade once again. Take note that these error codes are just among many compatibility issues that the Windows Update throws up. Since the error is caused by a compatibility issue, you have three options – first, you can update the incompatible application to the latest version, second, uninstall the application or trick Windows and make it seem like it’s compatible.

Option 1 – Try updating the application or software

As mentioned, you can try updating the concerned application or software to its latest version to resolve the compatibility issue and in turn, fix the errors 0xC1900208 – 0x4000C. Note that depending on where you had installed the application, your steps will change. So if you have it installed directly from the website, refer to these steps:

• Look for the built-in option to check the updates since the most application has this option.
• You also have the option to go to the website of the application and check if there is a new version available. If there is, download and update the app.

On the other hand, if you have downloaded the app from the Microsoft Store, here’s what you have to do:

• Open the Store and click on the three dots located at the top-right of the window.
• Next, click the Download and Updates option.
• From there, check if there is an update available for the store. If there is, update it.

Option 2 – Try to uninstall the application or software

If updating the app or software to its latest version didn’t help and you’re still getting the error 0xC1900208 – 0x4000C every time you attempt to install the Windows Updates, you may have to uninstall it. You will need to use the usual Program and Features to uninstall it if you have downloaded it from the website.

• In the search box, type in “control” and then click on Control Panel (desktop app) among the search results.
• After that, select Programs and Features from the list which will give you a list of all the programs installed on your computer.
• From there, look for the concerned program and select it and then uninstall it.

Note: If you have downloaded the app from the Windows Store, you can simply right-click on it from the application list and then uninstall it.

Option 3 – Try bypassing the Upgrade Advisor

There are times when a software developer fails to pass the compatibility test for their apps. It could be that they work on Windows 10 upgraded version but just didn’t pass the compatibility check. So if you are pretty certain that the app really works on Windows 10, you can just bypass the Upgrade Advisor.

Error Code 0xC004C770 – What is it?

If the Error Code 0xC004C770 popped up on your computer during your activation of the Windows 10 software, don’t worry. This is a fairly common error, especially for people who own more than one computer upon which Windows 10 is installed and activated. The gist of this error code is that the product key that you have entered has already been claimed or used on a different computer. Because there are limitations on the number of computers that can use any given license activation code or product key, this error code can arise when you have exceeded that limit. If you have a single-use license and have already entered the particular product key onto another machine, you may see this error come up during activation.

Both Error Code 0xC004C770 and Error Code 0x803FA071 arise from the same problem and the same steps can be used to resolve both error codes.

Solution

Error Causes

Error Code 0xC004C770 is likely to appear on your screen during activation of Windows 10 if you or anyone else in your organization have already entered in the product key used on another computer. If you have a multiple-use license, the product key that you are entering may already have been used for the maximum number of computers allowed under that license.

Further Information and Manual Repair

There are two basic methods for addressing the issues associated with Error Code 0xC004C770. These methods can easily be implemented by anyone who is comfortable interacting with the Windows Store from their computer, which makes the resolution of this particular error code fairly simple and straightforward.

If you are unable to complete the steps below or Error Code 0xC004C770 has not been resolved after following the guides below, contact a Windows technician who is familiar with the Windows 10 activation process to assist you in the process. You can also get in touch with the Windows technical support team to assist you in the process if needed.

Method One: Purchase A New Product Key from Windows

If you have already used the product key on another computer or have used it on the maximum number of allowed devices, you may need to purchase an additional product key for the computer with Error Code 0xC004C770. Product keys can be purchased physically from a retailer that sells Windows 10 software licenses or purchased directly from the Windows store.

To purchase a new product key directly from the Windows Store, follow the steps below:

• Step One: Select the Windows start button at the bottom of your toolbar. Click on “Settings,” then select the option for “Update and Security.”
• Step Two: Click on the “Activation” option.
• Step Three: In the menu that appears, choose the option to “Go to Store” and follow any on-screen instructions to finalize a purchase of the Windows 10 software and product key.
• Step Four: Use the new product key to complete the installation and activation of the Windows 10 software on your computer.

If you are unable to see the “Go to Store” option when you reach the “Activation” page, you may not be set as an administrator of your machine. In this case, get in touch with the support personnel from your company to complete the purchase, installation, and activation process on your computer.

Method Two: Attempt to Finish Activation via Phone

For users who have changed out parts of their computer’s hardware, like putting in a new motherboard or activating a new hard drive, you may have more success if you attempt activation through a phone.

In order to activate your copy of Windows 10 from your phone, follow the steps below:

• Step One: On your mobile device, open up the search box from the taskbar.
• Step Two: In the search box, enter the phrase “SLUI 04.”
• Step Three: Select the “SLUI 04” option that appears.
• Step Four: Follow the directions given on the screen to complete the activation process for your copy of Windows 10.

As with any error code resolution, if the methods above are not successful or if you are not comfortable with your ability to successfully complete the steps above, get in contact with a qualified professional who is trained in the Windows 10 activation process to assist you or download a powerful automated tool to get the job done.

What is 0x0000001A Error Code?

The 0x0000001A is a severe memory management blue screen of death error code. This is Windows error is also called a Stop code The system is automatically forced to reboot state which means any unsaved work is likely to be lost. This error code pop-up locks you out of the program running on the screen and prevents you from working on it.

Solution

Error Causes

Experiencing error codes on your PC is an unusual activity that triggers that there is definitely something wrong with your system which should be repaired before it becomes a serious threat. The underlying causes of each error code are different. When you come across a 0x0000001A error message this triggers several issues on your PC but largely it’s related to defective or mismatched RAM (Random Access Memory). This could be due to disk De-fragmentation, cluttered registry, and overheating of PC hardware, or perhaps the power supply units that have been used to overcapacity which prompts your PC to show a 0x0000001A error message on your screen. In addition to this, another reason could be a fault in the BIOS motherboard that could be outdated. No matter what the underlying cause of the 0x000001A may be, it is imperative to get it resolved as it seriously damages your computer and leads to system failure.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Restoro is the best way to resolve almost all types of error codes including 0x0000001A in just a few clicks. It is a multi-functional PC registry cleaner that serves as a one-stop solution for all PC issues. This tool can be used to resolve the blue screen of death errors like 0x0000001A in seconds and help you resume and get access to the program that you were working on before you experienced the error code. With this helper, you don’t need to have the technical expertise or sound knowledge about the underlying cause of 0x0000001A. This is an intuitive and advanced tool with built-in cutting edge technology that scans and identifies the cause of 0x00000001A and fixes it right away. It has a neat design layout and a user-friendly interface that is easy to use for even novice users. Restoro registry cleaner cleans up registry disk space, occupied by unnecessary files including junk files, invalid registry entries, temporary internet files, and entries of uninstalled programs that are still present in the registry. It cleans and clears up disk space and wipes out clutter stored in the registry of your system which is likely to trigger RAM and memory mismanagement issues triggering an error code 0x0000001A pop-up message. Restoro is feature-filled which makes it multi-functional.  It is safe, secure and efficient. For optimum data security during repair, it creates backup files. This helps recover data in the event of data loss during repair, which is quite rare. So what are you waiting for? Download Restoro Registry Cleaner today and resolve the error pop-up 0x0000001A now!

As you know, Windows programs depend on several operations to get executed and at the same time, there are also numerous parameters that have to be fulfilled for a program to get executed. However, based on some reports, there was an error when some users tried to run a program. This error says, “The application was unable to start correctly (0xc00007b)”. There could be various reasons why this error occurs but the main one is most likely due to an x86 application that is not compatible with the x64-based operating system. To fix this problem, you can run the Check Disk utility or reinstall the application or the Microsoft .NET Framework. You can also try reinstalling DirectX or replace the corrupted DLL file(s). For more details, refer to the given options below.

Option 1 – Try running the Check Disk utility

• In the Windows Search box, type “command prompt” and from the search results, right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
• After opening Command Prompt, type this command and tap Enter: chkdsk <Partition Letter>: /f
• The command you entered will start to check for errors and fix them automatically. Else, it will throw an error message saying, “Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like the schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)”.
• Tap the Y key to schedule Disk Check the next time your computer restarts.

Option 2 – Re-enable the Microsoft .NET Framework

You could also try to disable the Microsoft .NET Framework then enable the latest version of the .NET Framework on your PC and check if the error is fixed

Option 3 – Try to reinstall the program

There are times when some supporting module for your application under the hood could have messed up the application where you get the error. To fix this, you have to uninstall the program and then download its latest version from its official site and then install it again. Once you’re done, run the application and see if the error is fixed.

Option 4 – Run System File Checker scan

If reinstalling the program didn’t work, you can also try running the System File Checker or SFC scan to fix the error. System File Checker is a command utility built into your computer that helps restore corrupted files and missing files. Refer to the following steps to run it:

• Hit the Win + R keys 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.

• Reboot your computer.

Option 5 – Try running the DirectX Diagnostic Tool

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

Option 6 – 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.

So you have just got home from that new computer store with your fancy and all-new mouse, screen, keyboard, etc. You plugged in your new component, Windows detected it, installed drivers for it and it is working like a charm. A few months later down the road and the computer starts little by little to slow down. Plug and play is a great concept, and automatic detection is even greater but how time passes old unused stuff piles in your hard drive and in Windows itself thus slowing down your computer and taxing it more and more as new components and software are added. Old drivers from old components sadly are not removed from Windows itself and over some larger period of time they can pile up and slow down your daily operations on the computer or even cause some problems in it. This guide will teach you how to manually remove old unused device drivers from your Windows so it is fresh and like new again.

Making old devices visible

In order for us to remove old drivers, the first thing we must do is make them visible in our device manager, old drivers are hidden and will not show up, we must make this happen. We do this by pressing WINDOWS + X keys on your keyboard to bring up a hidden menu in Windows. Once the menu appears, click on Command Prompt (admin) Once the command prompt with administrator privileges comes on-screen type in it following string: The device manager will open, go to view > snow hidden devices in order to show unused devices.

Removing old device

Open any category and if there is a device that was once used and still has its drivers in the system it will be shown as faded out. Right-click on the device and click on uninstall device to remove it completely from your system. Please always be careful when removing devices so you do not remove the device which is being used by mistake and always double-check that you are removing something that you used to have on your system. This method will show all hidden devices even ones that are hidden but crucial to the system working properly.