If you are trying to upgrade your computer but encounter the Windows Update Error 0x800F081F – 0x20003 instead, then read on as this post will guide you in fixing this Windows Update error. This kind of error is commonly encountered when upgrading your copy of Windows 10 and is caused by errors with various developer-related settings that are being enabled in the system.
When you encounter Windows Update Error 0x800F081F – 0x20003, you will see either of these error messages:
“We couldn’t install Windows 10. The installation failed in the SAFE_OS phase with an error during INSTALL_UPDATES operation: Error 0x800F081F”
“The installation failed in the Safe_OS phase with an error during apply_image operation: Error: 0x800f081f – 0x20003”
To fix this kind of Windows Update error, you need not use external programs but you can try to disable the Developer Mode, run the Windows Update troubleshooter or restart all the Windows Update-related services and components. For more details, refer to the options provided below.
You might have to disable Developer Mode to fix the Windows Update Error 0x800F081F – 0x20003. How? Refer to these steps:
You should also try to run the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter as it could help you resolve the Windows Update Error 0x800F081F – 0x20003. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.
What software are you using to keep your information and all your files and memories safe?
None? Yikes. Let’s hope no damage has been done to your data yet then. Because with how the digital world has evolved, your data might be getting leaked and you have no idea.
There’s really no good excuse not to purchase a quality platform for PC protection. Especially since top security solutions are available at such affordable prices nowadays, your wallet would barely even notice it.
At this point, only people who barely use their PCs and have zero sensitive information on them can get away with simply using the built-in Windows 10/11 security software. But we guarantee that those people are extremely hard to find and that you’re not one of them, and here’s why.
Even if you don’t use your computer for things that are very obviously sensitive, such as internet banking, you still have some personal data at risk of being stolen. How so? Well, think about the data you enter into your social media profiles, for example. How devastating would it be if somebody got a hold of any of it? Yep, that’s what we thought.
In the hands of a skilled cybercriminal, your phone number alone could put you at risk of scams, ransomware, identity theft and more. Also think about the stuff you share in texts and social media chats. Think about the websites you visit and how many times you may have accidentally clicked on an ad, which could very well contain malicious software. Those all seem harmless until someone’s actually used them against you.
Now imagine the dangers involved when you actually store truly confidential data on your PC and browsers. Sends shivers down your spine, doesn’t it?
In the case of a successful cyberattack of whatever type (virus, phishing, worms, etc.), there’s so much that is at stake. Businesses/legal persons will suffer from financial loss and damaged reputation, at the very least. Natural persons may be threatened or exploited, get their banking or medical information and even their identity stolen, etc. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
These are our biggest reasons for investing in Windows PC protection software:
Obviously, there are a lot more reasons to get your PC secured. But we think you get it. So let’s cut to the chase and take a look at our 6 favorite protection solutions and the wonders they can do for you.
*Note that in this article we’re looking at products primarily suited for households and home offices, some for small businesses. No enterprise solutions will make the list today, but stay tuned for a future article on those.
One of the biggest security product vendors out there, Bitdefender offers several awesome solutions. We want to introduce two of our favorites, Bitdefender Total Security and Bitdefender Internet Security.
Bitdefender Total Security is great for both households and smaller offices. You can choose to protect 5 or 10 devices, and not necessarily just Windows devices. It also works for macOS, Android and iOS. It offers a range of powerful features, such as:
Bitdefender Internet Security shares almost all of these features, but there are a few important differences to note. Unlike Total Security, Internet Security has more options in terms of the number of protected devices: 1, 3, 5 or 10. However it’s only compatible with the Windows platform and it doesn’t offer device optimization tools or anti-theft options. Whether or not this is a deal-breaker depends on your needs alone - we still find it a great security tool.
An award-winning Windows security product, ESET Internet Security is essential on this list. It has an outstanding protection rate of 99.9% and a range of amazing options you’ll definitely want to make use of. It can be installed on up to 10 devices, making it an awesome tool for your household, home office or a small business. It’s also compatible with macOS and Android.
These are ESET Internet Security’s best features:
If you ask us, ESET has it all!
Having a deja vu? Didn’t you just read Total Security and Internet Security somewhere? Oh, that’s right - the first entry on our list! But here we’re talking about Kaspersky, a vendor you’ve also definitely heard about before.
Just like Bitdefender, Kaspersky is another one of those renowned names in the cybersecurity world that always make it to every ‘best of’ list. And for good reason - its products really fulfill their purpose. So let’s take a closer look at the two we chose.
These are the features both Kaspersky Total Security and Kaspersky Internet Security have in common:
The main difference between Kaspersky Total Security and Internet Security is that the former offers more capabilities. These are the features KTS offers that KIS does not:
Both are excellent security tools, though we do prefer KTS a little more because of these additional options.
Of course one of the industry-leading solutions makes the list. Norton 360 Deluxe can protect up to 5 devices, be it Windows, iOS, macOS or Android. It’s worth noting that its features are best developed for Windows. Here’s what you get with Norton 360 Deluxe:
So is there anything aside from these standard protection features that makes it such a favorite among us techies? Let us tell you! Norton added a little bit of spice here with two really powerful capabilities. The Deluxe product offers 50GB of cloud backup and dark web monitoring. The latter means the software notifies you if any of your personal information is found on the dark web, which helps protect you against identity theft.
Don’t be misled by the name of this product. Antivirus software may have started as protection against viruses only, but it’s developed quite a lot. The name simply stuck. All that to say that McAfee Antivirus - another award-winning security solution - protects you against several different threats.
The basic and essential plan allow 1 and 5 devices respectively, while McAfee+ Premium and Advanced work on an unlimited number of devices. The latter two also offer more capabilities, as you can imagine. Here’s what you can expect from all of them:
Unlike the previous products, McAfee Antivirus does not offer parental controls. Otherwise it’s a pretty strong and comprehensive protection tool and might just be the right choice for you!
Last but definitely not least, we’ve got Maximum Security by Trend Micro. And yes, you guessed it, Trend Micro is also an award winner in terms of cybersecurity. Its products have been recognized as industry-leading security solutions by AV-Test since 2003. Among all its fantastic solutions, our favorite for households or small offices is Maximum Security.
You can use Trend Micro Maximum Security to protect 3-5 devices for a year or two years before needing to renew your license. Aside from Windows, it’s compatible with iOS, Android, Mac and Chromebook devices. Here’s what you can expect from this protection software:
It’s truly one of the most effective platforms out there dedicated to protecting your digital life. Using this product, ransomware, identity thieves and malicious websites don’t stand a chance.
If you’ve made it all the way here, congratulations, you’ve made the right choice: to invest in securing your valuable data! Now the question is: which one of these 6 awesome antivirus/antimalware products to select?
The paradox of choice is a very real thing - we feel you. As mentioned, it comes down to what your specific needs are. So before you go ahead and purchase your security software, make sure to explore all options.
And if you really can’t handle the decision-making anxiety, feel free to reach out. We’ll happily assist you in finding the right product to keep your digital life secure!
Error Code 0x80072F8F manifests in one main way. It is known to appear as early as Windows 7, and mainly deals with an error that occurs in the update process, or when the computer is trying to connect to the online activation service. It can appear when the activation fails to verify the product key. The error code will present itself when the system realizes that the PC's date and time are incorrect. Error Code 0x80072F8F will also appear if the computer has determined that the time zone settings on the computer are not accurate.
When Windows is going through the installation process and is verifying all of the information associated with the computer, Error Code 0x80072F8F will arise, indicating that the information in the computer's settings is not valid. Correct times and dates are necessary when using serial validation keys to install Windows. When these settings are outside of the tolerated window, the problem will arise.
There is only one main symptom to look out for, and it will manifest during a Windows installation. In the midst of the installation, the computer will not be able to proceed with the installation if Error Code 0x80072F8F has popped up. Because the information cannot be verified, Windows will not be able to continue the installation process when the time settings are not accurate. This interrupts the process, causing the need to edit the settings, restart the computer, and try again. It is imperative to be sure that the date and time on the computer are inside of the tolerated window for the serial key.
When experiencing Error Code 0x80072F8F, the date and time need to be corrected in the computer settings menu, and then verify the correct time zone settings. There are a few different ways to edit the time and date settings, and one may need to even edit the time zone settings. After this, restarting the computer may be needed. When booting into Windows, the validation code should be activated within 30 days of obtaining the serial number.
Check the time and date settings.
Ensure that the computer is connected to the internet.
Review the timezone.
Reboot the PC and check if that fixes the problem. This may help in the event that the network troubleshooter does not detect a problem.
After completing these steps to edit the time, date, and time zone settings, it may be necessary to restart the computer. This is to ensure that the computer will save and recognize the new settings. After restarting, continue the process as intended and enter the product key. The computer will now be able to verify the product key since the time and date will be recognizable. The Windows installation should proceed as normal and complete successfully when the time, date, and time zone are inside of the parameters for the Windows product key.
In short, if it is not, the computer will not be able to recognize the product key, thus will not be able to install the Windows product. Generally, the fix is quite simple and does not take much time at all, but it is very important.
Error code 0xC004E003 almost always appears when there are damaged files in the Windows operating system. These files could be corrupt for a number of reasons and are usually a serious danger to the life of the computer system. These file errors may be caused by a number of things. Incomplete installation setup, incorrect deletion of hardware or utilities, or an unfinished file erasure. The trigger might also be in the event that the computer system is contaminated with a virus or adware or spyware, or even by the improper shut down of the computer. Any of these scenarios have the possibility to result in the removal or corruption of data of the Windows system data files.
The data system files that are damaged will give linked data and archives that are missing or wrongly linked. These are needed for the proper functioning of the software. This can also happen when or after installing third-party software that might have changed the system files. If it is suspected that a program installation will need to be stopped, it is best to let it run through the setup and then delete it later. While it installs, it is altering program files, and likely rearranging them. Stopping this in the middle can scramble files associated with the program and files vital to the usage of the computer.
This error will pop up after installing third-party software that has changed the system files. These system files are necessary to finish the activation process. A restore point will be necessary if it is ultimately determined that a system restore is necessary, to bring the computer back to the state it was in previous to the failed installation.
There are several steps that can be taken when the error code 0xC004E003 appears. It is helpful to know that this can occur from trying to install third party software. Going forward, do not attempt to install third-party software that is not trusted, and does not attempt to abruptly stop the third-party software from installing. This may cause the program to corrupt the files or delete important files. Recovering from this error can be easy if there is a recent restore point already backed up in the recovery portion of the system's files.
Run an error scan. The problem should be resolved after rebooting the computer once these steps have been completed.
Best when utilized by an expert.
Another option for restoring. This method can be used by a novice.
NOTE: If there are no restore points available, the system recovery may not be turned on. To check this, go to Control Panel, and select Recovery. Configure System Restore, Configure. Then, select Turn on system protection. Having a current restore point for a computer ensures the ease of recovery if any problems with the computer arise.
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Error Code 0xC1900101, 0x4000D is not very common among the many error codes emerging when updating to Windows 10. It is specific to Windows 7 users who try to upgrade to Windows 10 system.
This error hinders Windows 7 users to install the Windows 10 update. Once the update is launched, the process will go smoothly until a certain percentage (normally upon hitting 70% or more) and then it gets stuck. The user will then see a notification stating: “The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during MIGRATE_DATA operation.”
You’ll be able to get past the error after a while. The error message will disappear and continue with the configuration process. But, not for long as it will reoccur at around 90% of installation with another error message saying: “The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during PRE_OOBE operation.”
You’re most likely to encounter Error Code 0xC1900101 – 0x4000D when you upgrade to Windows 10 using a USB drive. There are several reasons why this update-related error happens such as wrong update, incompatibility with an antivirus program, or incompatibilities with some software.
In attempting to fix error code-related problems, it is best to do manual repair methods. Employing repair methods manually can help users pinpoint the root causes of the issues they are encountering and apply permanent solutions to fix the problem.
While every Windows user can do most manual repair methods, there are certain cases where help from a Windows expert is needed. If you’re not confident in employing the manual repair methods yourself, you can always consider seeking help from a professional Windows technician who is equipped with enough knowledge to address any issues you are facing or you can just simply use a powerful automated tool.
In fixing Error Code 0xC1900101 – 0x4000D, you can try doing any of the following manual repair methods:
Error Code 0xC1900101-0x4000D probably occurs when there are programs running in the background of the system as you are in the process of updating. On that note, you must ensure that any programs running in the background must be disabled through Task Manager.
NOTE: If there are any processes you are unfamiliar with, you can always right-click that process then “search online.” Be careful not to end “Windows process” tasks under the “Type” column as it might cause further problems.
Anti-malware tools normally trigger problems since they consist of files that are possibly incompatible with some software. If Error Code 0xc1900101-0x4000d is caused by incompatibility with an antivirus program, follow the following steps:
In doing this method, you need to use the System Readiness tool.
NOTE: The process might take a while depending on the speed of your device.
Can’t seem to put up with the long and technical manual repair process? You can still fix this error by downloading and installing a powerful automated tool that will surely get the job done in a jiffy!