If you got an Activation Error 0xC004F211 after having installed or upgraded your Windows 10 PC, then this indicates that some hardware in your computer has changed which’s causing the error to pop up. Windows might not be able to determine if the key is used on a new computer or if it’s still the same one if you have just removed or upgraded old hardware. But worry not for this post will guide you in fixing the Windows Activation Error 0xC004F211 on your Windows 10 computer.
When you encounter this error, you will see the following error message on your screen:
“Cannot activate Windows 10. Try activating again later. If that doesn’t work, contact support. Error code: 0xC004F211.”
Note that although hardware changes cause this error, the minor ones don’t really cause any issues with activation, however, if you have made any significant hardware change such as replacing your motherboard, it will most likely cause the activation error. In such cases, the Windows Activation system will treat this as new hardware and you will need a new license for that.
Even if your Windows 10 computer has a genuine key, it might still fail to get activated which results in the Windows Activation Error 0xC004F211. Thus, before you do other troubleshooting steps, you need to run the Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter first. To do so, follow these steps:
Go to Settings and then select Activation.
After that, click on the Windows Activation and then troubleshoot. This will help you address most of the commonly found activation issues in Windows devices.
In addition, there is an exception offered by Microsoft – if you are connected to a Microsoft account prior to the hardware change, then you can most certainly use the same license key to reactivate Windows 10 again. Microsoft calls this an “Exception path” which should be fixed easily by the Windows Activation Troubleshooter as pointed out earlier. However, if the Windows Activation Troubleshooter isn’t able to resolve the error you can try purchasing a new license. In such rate case, even if you do have a Microsoft account available on your Windows 10 computer, and if Windows was never activated, this solution will not work. And if you haven’t connected your Microsoft account with your Windows 10 computer prior to the major hardware change, then your only option left is to purchase a new license. For you to do that here are some steps you can follow.
To purchase a new Windows license, the first thing you have to do is click on the Start button > Settings > Update & Security.
From there, go to Activation and select the “Go to Microsoft Store” option.
After receiving your new license, you need to go back to Update & Security then go to Activation and select the “Change product key” option.
Now update your Windows 10 computer using the new key and it should automatically activate your computer.
Next, you have to create a Microsoft account or connect your existing local account to your online account.
Once the system links the key and the account, you need not buy a new license in case something like this happens again.
Note: If you are an IT administrator, you need to keep in mind that there is a limit to the number of times you can reactivate Windows on your computer. Moreover, if you don’t see any option to reactivate the license, and it is a work computer, you need to contact your organization’s tech support.
If you are frequently experiencing slow loading of folders in your Windows 10 computer, Downloads folder for instance, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will help you resolve such issue. Slow loading of folders is a common problem faced by many users even when they are using the latest hardware like SSDs. So if you experience the same thing, be it with the Downloads folder or other folders on your computer, there is a way to resolve that issue and make the folder load faster.
Slow-loading means when you attempt to open the folder, it takes a couple of seconds before it displays its contents. In such cases, you’ll see a green loading address bar that says “Working on it” which can get quite annoying especially if you are in a hurry. And if you notice that this only happens in the Downloads folder, there certainly is something wrong. This kind of problem can occur on SSDs and normal hard drives. The main reason behind the occurrence of this problem is that the folder may have been optimized for viewing photos or other media formats which is why it takes quite longer than usual to load all the files and their thumbnails. However, since the Downloads folder usually contains all kinds of files like documents, zip files, audio/video files, etc. there is no need to optimize this folder for media files only because doing so is only going to make the Windows File Explorer slow in loading the folder’s contents and thumbnails which does not exist for many files.
Option 1 – Configure the Downloads folder
Right-click on the Downloads folder or the folder you’re having trouble opening.
Then click on Properties and go to the Customize tab.
After that, click on the “Optimize this folder for” option in the drop-down menu.
Next, select General items from the drop-down which might have been set by default to Pictures or Video.
You also have the option to apply this template to all the subfolders, that is if your folder has any subfolders.
Now apply the settings and restart Windows Explorer.
Note: Once you’ve completed the steps above, it should now make the folder content display a lot faster than before. Now try to open the Downloads folder which would not take much time as you will see the changes right away.
Option 2 – Run CHKDSK to check your disk for errors
When it comes to some issues concerning the hard drive or removable devices, there is a utility in Windows that might help which is called “chkdsk”. This error check utility can help with several issues in the system including File System Error -2147219196.
Tap the Win + S keys to open the Search box.
Then type “command prompt” in the field and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
After opening an elevated command prompt, copy and paste the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /r /f
Now if you are prompted to run CHKDSK after your reboot your PC, just tap Y and reboot your PC.
If CHKDSK is not able to find any errors, tap the Win + E keys and navigate the access window. From there, right-click on the concerned drive and click on Properties.
After opening Properties, click on the tab Tools and then click on the “Check” button under the Error-checking section.
Wait until the process is completed and then restart your computer.
Once your computer has restarted, try accessing the file and check if the error persists.
Error 115 is a type of GameGuard redundant execution error. If you have GameGuard installed on your PC, then you will most likely experience this error code.
GameGuard is basically an anti-cheating robot toolkit developed by INCA Internet.
It is installed to block possibly malicious applications and common methods of cheating on multiplayer online role-playing games. But at the same time, this software is infamous for error pop-ups.
Error 115 is displayed on the Windows screen when a game has been executed multiple times or you have left the game running without logging out. Error 115 is displayed in the following format:
GameGuard Execute Error: 115‘There are multiple events of game execution or GameGuard is already running. Close the game then try again.’
Solution
Error Causes
The error 115 may appear on your Windows screen due to multiple reasons. These include:
Multiple executions of the game
Antivirus Conflict
Firewall Conflict
Registry Overloaded with Bad and Invalid Entries
This error may cause a great deal of inconvenience to you if you love to play multi-player role-playing games over the web like Blood Feud, 9Dragons, Phantasy Star Universe, and Alliance of Valiant Arms.
To avoid such inconvenience, it is advisable to fix this error immediately.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Here are some easy do-it-yourself methods to resolve the error 115 on your PC. These methods require no technical expertise.
Method 1 - Terminate the Game Already Running on Your System
To resolve the issue, hit ‘Ctrl+Shift+Esc’ to launch Task Manager. Here you will find a list of applications running on your system, terminate the gaming application to resolve error 115. If this doesn’t work, then restart your PC.
Method 2 - Disable Antivirus Programs or Firewall Temporarily
Sometimes this error may appear on your computer screen because of antivirus or Firewall security conflict.
These programs often block gaming applications and software like GameGuard and because of that, you are unable to play online games on your system. To fix the issue, try disabling these programs on your PC temporarily.
Method 3 - Clean and Repair the Registry
The error 115 may also occur because of the registry issue with Symantec. Follow these steps to enable the game to run:
Go to your start menu then find Run then write Regedit.
Find HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. To proceed, go to SYSTEM then CurrentControlSet, and then Services.
Look in the list for SysPlant and click it. Then look for the word 'Start', right-click on Start, and select rename.
Rename 'start' to 'DWORD: 00000004’ then close Regedit and reboot your PC to activate changes.
Method 4 - Download and Run Total System Care.
This process can be slightly tricky and a bit time-consuming. Therefore it is advisable to download Restoro.
This is a cutting-edge, easy-to-use PC Fixer deployed with a powerful registry cleaner. It removes all the unnecessary files cluttering the registry like bad and invalid registry entries.
It fixes the damaged registry and enables it to resume back to its normal functioning.
Click here to download Restoro.
As we near the end of 2022 we look at the current best antivirus software for popular platforms, why they are the best, and why you should get them.
Avira, a great free Antivirus
Avira has been around a long time with its free antivirus version of the larger protection suite. It had its ups and downs but the latest versions are really great. With high-speed scans and low system impact, Avira antivirus is really one of the best free antivirus software currently on the market.
The software itself has also received UI & UX updates making it straightforward and easy to use. The virus scanning engine is the same as in paid version that ranks among the top engines in the world for this type of work. The package also gives you some great browser protection and a good firewall as well, there is really no excuse to skip on this if you want a free solution.
The only thing that we would say is not so great in Avira is reporting some false positives, sometimes even for MS updates, it is rare but it can happen.
Malwarebytes, a powerful Windows antivirus
Malwarebytes Premium is easy to use, simple antivirus solution that shies away from complicated UI, and simply put, it just works. Its scanning engine is well-known and places among the top and best in the world often finding some malware that other can miss.
Another great thing is its integration with Windows itself, it is one of the rare applications that can and will work incredibly well beside your typical Windows protection tools so you can have both of them running at the same time.
Installation and running are really simple and every typical PC user will find it as easy as walking in the park. On the other hand, sadly system impact is a little high and it will have issues running on lower-end systems due to its memory requirements.
Intego MAC Internet Security X9, the best Mac antivirus
Gone are the days when MAC had no virus issues, since MAC rose in popularity among the users, also rose the number of viruses and malware. The system itself has some great protection built it inside but for more security and better control of it, you will need a third-party dedicated solution.
Intego was made by Mac antivirus experts who have been building this kind of software last 25 years. The interface is easy to use and premade presets are really helpful, but the security suite can also be customized to fit your needs and desires.
Since this is only available as a security suite, you are getting a firewall and some other security tools along with your antivirus that will run as a part of it.
The bad side is that scans can sometimes run slow, most of the time they are OK in terms of speed but occasionally they can switch to slower speeds and impact scanning time to some annoying times. Also, there is no webcam protection nor VPN service included where others on this list have them.
Bitdefender mobile security: best Android protection
While protection is not only needed for your gaming or workstation, software suites that are dealing with mobile and tablet security exist. The best of them is the Bitdefender antivirus mobile suite. Low on system resources and low on performance impact with the really great virus detection rate Bitdefender is at the top of suites for your phone.
Consistent high virus detection packed with low battery impact is great but the suite comes with tons of other tools as well like browser security tools, email protection, and real-time link and notification protection.
The application will always scan each file and newly installed application in the background and alert and cut off any found threat. App itself is easy to install and use and most of the time it will do everything in the background for you but offer you customization if you need it.
The package also includes VPN and application lock that will let you protect the critical applications from being accessed as well as an online account scanner. Anti-theft and anti-loss tools, which allow you to find, remotely lock or wipe a stolen or lost device, add yet another layer of protection.
One thing that is missing from this great package is fraudulent call protection. Newer Android phones have this feature inside but it would be nice if Bitdefender had it as well.
Bitdefender, the best antivirus software
Now that we have covered specific cases of each platform, there is one player that has all of them covered and with a quality product, that player is BitDefender and it is great. Personally, this is my protection suite of choice and as I type this it is running in the background.
Bitdefender has it all, low system impact, as a matter of fact, it is one, if not, the lowest performance impact engine on the market currently and that is packed with a great and highly consistent virus & malware detection suite. Along with real-time malware protection, browser security, and anti-spam tools, you also get anti-phishing defenses, ransomware protection, and a strong firewall.
Bitdefender scores are very high in both the zero-day threat and real-world protection tests at AV-Test, an established organization that tests antivirus software. Despite being tested against tens of thousands of well-known and widespread malware threats, the software consistently achieves a 100% blocking rate.
The suite also comes with a restricted free VPN and with parental controls as well. Webcam and microphone protection are also included in the suite and on top of all, it has great pricing plans and constant discounts.
BitDefender is really a great package and it might sound too good, but after years and years of personally using it I have not had single malware or virus issue, the only thing that I would put as a negative is that system is severely slowed down when system scans are performed so be sure to run or schedule them when you are not using your computer. This, of course, can put some people off and I will admit it is a serious drawback but for me, the security of my workstation is more important than leaving the computer for 20 or so minutes in order to perform a full scan of the system.
Error code 0xd0000272 is an activation error code that occurs when Windows users are unable to activate their Windows operating system. This error code features common symptoms which include the following:
Inability to activate Windows 10 operating system
Message box with error code 0xd0000272
Solution
Error Causes
When error code 0xd0000272 occurs in Windows 10, it is usually due to issues related to the Windows activation servers. In such a case where the error code occurs due to an activation server that is temporarily unavailable, users may need to wait for a few hours until the activation server is available. Their copy of Windows will then be automatically activated. Once the activation process is not done accordingly, you might encounter other Windows 10 errors such as error code 0xc004f034.
Further Information and Manual Repair
As is the case with many activation error codes, Windows 10 users can perform several manual repair methods to determine the cause as well as fix the error code affecting their device. Instead of passively waiting to see if your activation error code will be fixed on its own, resolve error code 0xd0000272 through the manual repair methods available. Below are simple instructions that when followed can lead to your success.
Method One: Verify Internet Connection
Check Settings to verify if your machine is connected to the Internet. This is one of the causes of various error codes which affect Windows 10. Also, this manual method is a simple process that can help Windows users recognize or eliminate factors that may or may not be affecting their system. To check your Internet connection, follow the simple instructions below.
Step one: Click the Start button and select Settings
Step two: Select Network & Internet
Step three: Click the Status section of the Network & Internet tab
Once you’ve been able to verify an Internet connection or troubleshoot any issues related to your network, go to Update & security. Make an attempt to activate your system. If you are successful, you will be able to access all the features and benefits offered via your copy of Windows. However, move to the next manual method below if error code 0xd0000272 reoccurs.
Method Two: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
Your inability to activate Windows 10 may be related to an issue with Windows Update. To verify whether or not Windows Update is functioning properly, run Windows Update Troubleshooter.
You’ll need to visit the Microsoft website to access their Windows Update Troubleshoot tool. Once you’ve downloaded the troubleshooter, run the tool. After running the tool, check if you are able to access Windows Update services as well as activate Windows 10. If the problem with error code 0xd0000272 persists, however, follow the instructions provided for manual repair method three detailed below.
Method Three: Disable Proxy Settings
Another option available to individuals experiencing error code 0xd0000272 in Windows 10 is to manually disable their machine’s proxy settings. After disabling the proxy settings, remember to open the Windows Update tab to complete the activation process. See the instructions provided below to disable proxy settings.
Step one: Press Windows key + R
Step two: Type control then click OK
Step three: Select Settings then go to Network & Internet
Step four: View connection settings
Step five: Click on the Network tab
Step six: Click Proxy -- turn off proxy
Once you have successfully disabled your proxy settings, open Windows Update. Select the activation option to access your copy of Windows 10. If you are unable to complete the activation process, however, contact a Windows repair technician.
Method Four: Use an Automated Tool
Error codes in Windows often occur due to poor maintenance of one’s PC. To improve your system and reduce your machine’s risk of experiencing error codes, download a powerful automated tool. This tool is both powerful and user-friendly, making its benefits accessible to even the most non-technical Windows users.
If your Windows PC encounters an error, it will display a Blue Screen of Death or BSOD error which usually comes up for a fraction of second and creates some logs or Dumps Files as what other user prefers to call it and then boots your PC suddenly. This process usually takes place quickly that most users find it hard to get the error code and won’t probably be able to check what really went wrong with their PCs. This is where the dump files come in. They are stored internally in your computer and can only be accessed by an administrator. They are classified into 4 main types and in Windows 10 they are either:
Complete Memory Dump
Kernel Memory Dump
Small Memory Dump (256 KB)
Active Memory Dumps
Dump Files are useful as they could help you in resolving the problem and so you need to configure your Windows 10 PC to create them but first, you need to make a system restore point. This is essential as you are about to modify some system files as well as critical Windows 10 settings. There are two ways you can create Dump files – first is by modifying the settings in the Startup and Recovery and lastly is via the WMIC command line. Refer to the instructions prepared below to be guided on how you can create Dump files after any BSOD error using these options.
Option 1 – via Startup and Recovery
Type in “control panel” in the Cortana Search box and then click on Control Panel from the search results to open it.
After opening Control Panel, you need to make sure that you view the contents by their Category then click on the header link which is labeled “System and Security” or you could also right-click on the This PC icon and then click on Properties.
Next, select the Advanced system settings from the left panel. Once you do, a new and small window will pop up.
Under the newly opened window, look for the section called Startup and Recovery and then click on the Settings button.
And from the System Failure section, you can choose any option from the drop-down for Write debugging information such as:
None – this means that there is no dump file created by Windows
Small Memory Dump – this means that Windows will create a Minidump file on BSOD
Complete Memory Dump – this means that Windows will create a Complete Memory Dump file on BSOD
Automatic Memory Dump – this means that Windows will create an Automatic Memory Dump file on BSOD
Active Memory Dump – this means that Windows will create an Active Memory Dump file on BSOD
Note: The complete dump needs a page file that is allowed to be the size of the physical memory installed in your PC with a dedicated 1 MB of space for just the page header.
Now once you have selected the most suitable option for you, just click on OK/Apply and then exit.
Restart your PC to successfully apply the changes made.
Option 2 – via the WMIC command line
The first thing you need to do to create Dump files via the WMIC command line is to tap the Win + X keys combination or simply right-click on the Start button and then select the Command Prompt (Admin) option. You could also type in “cmd” in the Cortana search box and then right-click on Command Prompt from the results and select Run as administrator.
After that, type in any of the commands given below depending on your preferences so that your Windows 10 PC will be configured to create Dump Files:
No dump file: wmic RECOVEROS set DebugInfoType = 0
Small Memory Dump: wmic RECOVEROS set DebugInfoType = 3
Kernel Memory Dump: wmic RECOVEROS set DebugInfoType = 2
Complete Memory Dump: wmic RECOVEROS set DebugInfoType = 1
Automatic Memory Dump: wmic RECOVEROS set DebugInfoType = 7
Active Memory Dump: wmic RECOVEROS set DebugInfoType = 1
Note: A complete dump has to have a Page file which is allowed to be the size of the physical memory installed on your PC accompanied by a 1 MB space for just the page header.
Now type in “exit” in the Command Prompt to exit it.
Restart your PC to apply the changes made successfully.
Error Code “Windows 10 isn’t activated after upgrading for free” – What is it?
Windows 10 isn’t activated error occurs when Windows users attempt to upgrade to Windows 10 for free and end up in a non-activated state. It is a Windows 10 activation error affecting PC owners who attempt to upgrade their Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 operating systems. A message box will appear with the following message: “Windows 10 isn’t activated after upgrading for free from Windows 7 SPI or Windows 8.1 update.”
Common symptoms of this error code include the following:
Inability to upgrade for free to Windows 10
The appearance of activation error code in the message box
Solution
Error Causes
To understand the cause of this activation error, users will need to understand activation within Windows. Activation is a process that allows Windows to verify that you are upgrading your operating system based on the Microsoft Software Licensing Terms. These terms specify, for instance, the number of devices upon which you can use Windows.
Once you have a genuine copy of Windows and you are following the terms mentioned earlier, you should be able to activate and complete the upgrade to Windows 10. However, the activation fails when these conditions are not met. Note also that the error may occur if users fail to upgrade to Windows 10 before reinstalling, requiring them to repeat the installation process by first going back to the previous version of Windows present on their system. Once the upgrade process is not done as should, you might encounter other Windows 10 errors such as error code 0xc0000142
If you see this error code, “Windows 10 isn’t activated after upgrading for free” proceed to rectify it using manual repair methods below.
Further Information and Manual Repair
To fix this activation error code in Windows 10, users will need to employ at least one manual repair procedure. This process can successfully be completed by non-technical Windows users. However, you may also consider getting assistance from a Windows repair technician if you are not certain you have the requisite skills needed to complete the manual repair tasks below.
The main methods to resolve the error code “Windows 10 isn’t activated after upgrading for free from Windows 7 SPI or Windows 8.1 update” is as follows:
Method One: Manually Activate Windows
If you attempted upgrading for free to Windows 10 and ended up with the activation error you will need to first perform a manual activation. Follow the steps below to complete the process.
Step one: Tap or click the Start button
Step two: Select Settings then Update & security
Step three: Select Activation
Step four: Once activation status is Connect to the Internet to activate Windows, click or tap Activate
The steps above enable users to successfully activate Windows 10 if the issue involves a connection problem. However, if Windows is not activated, it may mean your copy of Windows is not genuine. This may require you purchase a copy of Windows to rectify the issue. However, if you have a genuine copy of Windows proceed by applying the steps found in method two.
Method Two: Use Product Key to Verify Copy of Windows
A valid product key is one way you can verify your copy of Windows is genuine. This will enable you to complete activation and allow you to access the free upgrade to Windows 10. Follow the steps below.
Step one: Click or tap the Start button
Step two: Select Settings then Update & security
Step three: Click Activation
Step four: Select Change Product Key then type in the product key. (Ensure you type the 25 characters in the correct order.)
Method Three: Use an Automated Tool
Error codes in Windows often occur due to poor maintenance of one’s PC. To improve your system and reduce your machine’s risk of experiencing error codes, download a powerful automated tool. This tool is both powerful and user-friendly, making its benefits accessible to even the most non-technical Windows users.
Strangely enough, Windows 11 does not feature any typical icon on its desktop when installed. No My PC, no Recycle Bin, nothing, just plain and clean wallpaper. Personally, I like this clean look and feel but of course, there are a lot of users that are used to have some system-related icons on their desktop for easy access.
Do not sweat, we will turn them back on with ease. The best part is that you can choose which one would you like. So let’s dive right into it and get the icons back for the old Windows feel and look.
Showing selected Icons desktop
Right-click on Desktop and select Personalize
Select Themes from the list of personalization items
Inside themes scroll down and click on Desktop Icon Settings
Desktop Icon Settings will open and inside it, place checkmarks beside icons that you would like to appear on the desktop and click OK
Close settings
As always settings and choices will be automatically applied and icons will appear right away on the desktop.
Error code 0x803f7001 results when users fail to update their Windows operating system. This often occurs when they seek to update from Windows 8 or 8.1 to Windows 10. Users will be able to identify error code 0x803f7001 because of the following common symptoms which occur:
Inability to upgrade your Windows operating system to Windows 10
Message box with error code 0x803f7001
Solution
Error Causes
The causes for error code 0x803f7001 are usually associated with the use of an unlicensed version of Windows 8 when upgrading to Windows 10. In such cases, the error code occurs when there is no valid Windows license or product key on your device.
Further Information and Manual Repair
To fix error code 0x803f7001, users may not necessarily need technical knowledge or the help of a Windows repair technician. Usually, the process is simple and can be resolved with the use of a valid product key. However, if users have trouble implementing the instructions found in the manual repair methods listed below, contact a Windows repair specialist for help or use an automated tool that provides the best solutions for problems like error code 0x803f7001.
Method One: Use a Valid Product Key
A product key is a 25-character code that enables users to activate their Windows operating system. To successfully activate your operating system and resolve error code 0x803f7001, enter the product key in the correct order. Once you have a valid product key in your possession, begin to resolve the error code by following the instructions below:
Step one: Click the Start button then select Settings
Step two: Select Update & security then Activation
Step three: Click the Change product key
Step four: Type in your valid product key. (Ensure you include the 25 characters of your product key in the correct order.)
Once you type in the valid product key, you should be able to successfully upgrade to the latest version of Windows. However, this method is only effective if the error code 0x803f7001 on your device is caused by issues related to the product key.
If the error code reappears after attempting manual repair method one, move to the next manual method suggested below.
Method Two: Reinstall Genuine Version of Windows 8
This method is crucial for you to perform if method one was not successful. Begin the reinstallation process by ensuring you have a genuine version of Windows 8. After reinstalling this version of your Windows operating system, attempt to upgrade to Windows 10 by following the instructions below:
Step one: Type Settings in the search box near the Start button or click the Start button and select Settings
Step two: After clicking Settings, select Update & Security
Step three: Select Windows Update then the Check for updates tab
Step four: Activate Windows 10 update
If this method is successful, you will no longer see error code 0x803f7001 pop up in a message box. You will also be able to access Windows 10, and all the benefits it provides users, on your device.
Method Three: Install an Automated Tool
Automated tools help PC users eliminate common issues such as Windows error codes. To address or rectify error codes like error code 0x803f7001 download a powerful automated tool on your machine. This tool enables users to access quick solutions. It also scans for and corrects issues that may result in error codes or poor PC performance.
In this post, you will be guided on how you can fix error 0x80070013 while executing various operations in your Windows 10 computer like System Restore, Windows Backup, or Windows Updates. When you encounter error 0x80070013, you will see the following error messages.
For System Restore, it states:
“System Restore did not complete successfully. Your computer’s system files and settings were not changed.Details: System Restore failed while scanning the file system on the drive <Partition Letter>The drive might be corrupt. You might want to retry System Restore after running chkdsk /R on this disk.An unspecified error occurred during System Restore. (0x80070013)You can try System Restore again and choose a different restore point. If you continue to see this error, you can try an advanced recovery method.”
Whereas in Windows Backup, it states:
“Check your backup, Windows Backup failed while trying to read from this shadow copy on one of the volumes being backed up. Please check in the event logs for any relevant errors.The backup failed, The media is write protected (0x80070013).”
On the other hand, you will see the following error message in Windows Update:
“There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact the support for information, this may help: (0x80070013).”
There are several suggestions you can check out to fix the error depending on where you encountered it. If you encountered it while running Windows Updates, then you can try to reset the Windows Update components or run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. And if you got the error when running System Restore, you can try to run a System File Checker scan or the DISM tool as well as the CHKDSK utility. Lastly, if you got this error when running the Windows Backup service, you can try to check its status in the Services Manager.
Error 0x80070013 in Windows Updates:
Option 1 – Try to reset the Windows Update components
Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
After that, type each one of the following commands and hit Enter after you key in one after the other.
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptsvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
Note: The commands you entered will stop the Windows Update components such as Windows Update service, Cryptographic services, BITS, and MSI Installer.
After disabling WU components, you need to rename both the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders. To do that, type each one of the following commands below, and don’t forget to hit Enter after you type one command after the other.
Next, restart the services you’ve stopped by entering another series of commands. Don’t forget to hit Enter after you key in one command after the other.
net start wuauserv
net start cryptsvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
Close Command Prompt and reboot your PC.
Option 2 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
You might also want to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing error 0x80070013. 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.
Error 0x80070013 in System Restore:
Option 3 – Try to run both Systems File Checker scan and DISM tool
Running the System File Checker scan as well as the DISM tool can help you resolve error 0x80070013 while performing System Restore. Refer to these steps to do so.
Open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.
After opening Command Prompt, execute this command to run a System File Checker scan: sfc /scannow
Once the scan is completed, restart your computer and then see if the error is now fixed. If not, you can run the DISM tool.
Open Command Prompt with admin privileges again.
Then type in the following commands and make sure to hit Enter right after you type each one of them in order to properly run the DISM tool:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /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.
Option 4 – Run the CHKDSK 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 /r /x /b
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.
Error 0x80070013 in Windows Backup:
Option 5 – Try checking the status of the Windows Backup Service
First, you need to tap the Win + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “services.msc” in the field and click OK or tap Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
After that, you will see a list of services and from there, look for the Windows Backup Service and double click on it to open its Properties.
Then check if its Startup type is set to Disabled. If it is, then change it to “Manual”. Note that this service is essential as it provides backup and restores capabilities.
Now click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made and then restart your computer. Check if the error is now gone.
MyFunCards Toolbar is a browser hijacking extension for Google Chrome made by Mindspark Interactive. This extension installs a toolbar for your browser, changes your default search engine, and lowers the general performance of your browser. This extension has access to your personal information, injects your search results with potentially dangerous ads, and possibly breaks some of the browser functions. Since this extension injects its code into too many files and has access to all your browser details, upon removing it you will lose all your browser settings, themes, and login information. MyFunCards is considered a potentially unwanted application, and as a result, is flagged for optional removal by many anti-malware programs.
About Browser Hijackers
Browser hijacking is amongst the web’s constant problems that target internet browsers. It is a type of malware program that alters your web browser’s settings so that you are redirected to internet sites or pages that you had no intention of checking out. There are many reasons why you may have a browser hijack; however commercial, marketing, and advertising are the main reasons for their creation. It redirects you to the sponsored sites and injects advertisements on the browser that assists its developer to generate revenue. Even though it may seem naive, these tools were created by vicious people who always look to take advantage of you, so that they can easily earn money from your naivety and distraction. They not only mess up your browsers, but browser hijackers can also modify the computer registry to make your PC susceptible to various other types of attacks.
Key symptoms that an internet browser has been hijacked
When your web browser is hijacked, the following might happen:
1. the home page of the browser is changed all of a sudden2. your internet browser is constantly being redirected to adult sites3. the default search engine has been changed and the web browser security settings have been cut down without your knowledge4. unwanted new toolbars are added to your browser5. your browser will display endless pop-up ads6. your internet browser has become unstable or starts running slowly7. You cannot access certain websites, in particular anti-malware sites.
How browser hijacker finds its way onto your computer system
A browser hijacker could be installed on your PC if you visit an infected site, click an e-mail attachment, or download something from a file-sharing website. They could also be deployed via the installation of a web browser toolbar, add-on, or extension. A browser hijacker can be installed as a part of freeware, demoware, shareware, and fake programs. Common examples of browser hijackers include Conduit, CoolWebSearch, Coupon Server, OneWebSearch, RocketTab, Snap.do, Delta Search, and Searchult.com.
Browser hijacking can cause severe privacy issues and even identity theft, disrupt your web browsing experience by taking control of outgoing traffic, significantly slows down your personal computer by depleting lots of resources and result in system instability as well.
Browser hijacker removal methods
Certain hijackers can be removed by just uninstalling the corresponding freeware or add-ons through the Add or Remove Programs in the Windows control panel. Having said that, the majority of hijackers are quite tenacious and require specialized applications to eradicate them. Moreover, browser hijackers can modify the Computer registry therefore it can be quite hard to repair manually, especially when you’re not a tech-savvy individual.
Malware Blocking Internet And All Antivirus Software? Do This!
All malware is inherently dangerous, but certain kinds of malicious software do more damage to your computer than others. Some malware goes to great lengths to prevent you from installing anything on your computer system, especially anti-virus software programs. If you’re reading this article, you may have got affected by malware that prevents you from downloading a security program such as Safebytes Antimalware on your PC. There are a few options you can try to get around with this particular obstacle.
Install the anti-virus in Safe Mode
If any malware is set to load immediately when Windows starts, stepping into Safe Mode could block the attempt. Just bare minimum required applications and services are loaded when you start your personal computer in Safe Mode. You will have to do the following to eliminate malware in Safe mode.
1) After switching on the computer, press the F8 key before the Windows splash screen begins to load. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu.2) Use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Networking and hit ENTER.3) As soon as this mode loads, you will have an internet connection. Now, make use of your browser normally and go to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware.4) As soon as the software is installed, allow the scan run to eliminate viruses and other threats automatically.
Use an alternate web browser to download security application
Malicious program code might exploit vulnerabilities on a specific web browser and block access to all antivirus software websites. If you are not able to download the anti-malware application using Internet Explorer, it means malware could be targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you need to switch over to a different web browser like Firefox or Chrome to download Safebytes software.
Make a bootable USB antivirus drive
Another option is to create a portable antivirus program on your USB stick. Adopt these measures to employ a USB flash drive to clean your corrupted computer system.
1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or MS Windows Defender Offline onto a clean computer system.2) Plug the Flash drive into the clean computer.3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded software, with an .exe file format.4) Select the USB flash drive as the location for saving the software file. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.5) Now, plug the USB drive into the corrupted system.6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the thumb drive by double-clicking the icon.7) Run Full System Scan to detect and get rid of all kinds of malware.
SafeBytes Anti-Malware: Lightweight Malware Protection for Windows Computer
Nowadays, anti-malware software can protect your computer from various forms of online threats. But exactly how to select the best one among numerous malware protection application that is available in the market? You may be aware, there are lots of anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. Some of them are great and some are scamware applications that pretend as authentic anti-malware software waiting around to wreak havoc on your computer. While looking for an anti-malware program, pick one which gives dependable, efficient, and total protection against all known computer viruses and malware. One of the strongly recommended software is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. SafeBytes has a really good history of excellent service, and customers are happy with it.
SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, very effective protection application created to assist users of all levels of IT literacy in finding and removing harmful threats from their PC. Using its outstanding protection system, this utility will easily detect and remove most of the security threats, which include viruses, adware, browser hijackers, PUPs, trojans, worms, and ransomware.
SafeBytes has great features when compared with various other anti-malware programs. Below are a few of the best ones:
Active Protection: SafeBytes provides a completely hands-free live protection that is set to monitor, prevent and destroy all computer threats at its very first encounter. They are very effective in screening and eliminating different threats because they’re continuously revised with new updates and alerts.
Anti-Malware Protection: With its enhanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware removal tool can identify and eliminate the malware threats hiding in your PC effectively.
SuperSpeed Scanning: This application has one of the fastest and most effective virus scanning engines in the industry. The scans are extremely accurate and take a short amount of time to complete.
Safe Web Browsing: Safebytes allots all websites with a unique safety ranking that helps you to have an idea of whether the website you’re about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site.
Lightweight: SafeBytes gives you total protection from internet threats at a fraction of the CPU load because of its advanced detection engine and algorithms.
24/7 Premium Support: Skilled technicians are at your disposal 24/7! They will quickly resolve any technical issues you might be encountering with your security software.
Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)
If you wish to manually remove MyFunCardsToolbar without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser.
To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.
The following files, folders, and registry entries are created or modified by MyFunCardsToolbar
Do not sweat, we will turn them back on with ease. The best part is that you can choose which one would you like. So let’s dive right into it and get the icons back for the old Windows feel and look.
