Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070BC9

Finding files via File Explorer can be a really slow and tedious process and if you are searching often it can accumulate a lot of time loss. I am a person which often has assets for projects in several different folders and altho I am trying my best to be tidy and organized sometimes I can not remember where I have placed certain assets that I need, in this case in order for me to find a required asset I usually search it via command prompt because it is lightning fast and gives results in second not minutes compared to File Explorer. If you are in a similar position and you need fast results please read on as we dive deeper into the command prompt and its usage. To quickly open the command prompt press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to bring Windows secret menu and choose the command prompt, you can also choose the admin version but for sake of this specific task, there is no difference. in the command prompt you need to type the next command:

dir \search term* /s

where search term* is well, what are you searching for. Now if you are looking for a specific file this command is straightforward, you just change search term* with file_name.extension and there you go, but know that this command can be used to be more powerful, for example, you can find all JPG files in your drive by typing dir \*.jpg /s or all files named work by typing dir \work.* /s " * " is a so-called joker sign, it replaces several characters with any in a given string, meaning that dr*s will give you all results with the first 2 letters dr and last one s. Use this to specify better search results and you will get your files in no time.

TPM or Trusted Platform Module version 2.0 is a must-have if you plan on upgrading your system to Windows 11. So what exactly is TPM and do you have it?

What exactly is TPM?

TPM is a tamper-resistant hardware technology tasked with generating and storing encryption keys inside it for better PC security. It can be remotely used to authenticate hardware and software by utilizing a unique endorsement key placed into the hardware itself. This technology can be used for example in BitLocker inside Windows in order to have data on a hard drive encrypted so if the mentioned drive is connected to another computer it would not be able to be accessed since the encryption key is stored in the TPM module. Microsoft is pushing its agenda that Windows 11 must be and must feel like safety first OS which will protect user data and user information and requiring TPM means that each Windows 11 will be secure so no additional software patches will be required for an extra layer of security. Windows 11 will assume that each user has TPM encryption enabled and will be built upon that.

Do you have TPM on your computer?

If your computer or hardware has been purchased in 2016 or later there are very high chances that you already have the required technology to run Windows 11. Unfortunately, many gaming motherboards have not been placing TPM in their boards and you might not have it. Also, there is the option of you having it but it is turned off in motherboard settings making Windows unable to detect it. As you can clearly see there are a lot of scenarios around required tech and honestly it is a complete mess. But lucky for you there are ways to find out do you possess the needed module in order to make an upgrade. On your current computer on which you would like to make an upgrade in your current Windows OS press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog. Inside run dialog type in TPM.msc and press ENTER to open Trusted Platform Module Management on Local Computer. You will immediately receive information do you have the required module. If everything is fine, you are good to go, however, if it says that compatible TPM cannot be found there is a chance that either you do not have needed hardware or it might be turned off inside motherboard settings.

Check motherboard UEFI

If you have a newer motherboard but Windows utility cannot detect TPM there is a chance that it might be turned off directly on your board. In order to check this, you will have to boot up your PC into UEFI either by pressing the corresponding key when it is turned ON or from Windows reboot options. Once you are inside UEFI you need to find security options and see if there is an option to turn ON or enable TPM. Since every motherboard is different and has different UEFI software we cannot cover all of the permutations and the best we can do is hope that provided information is enough. You can also visit your motherboard manufacturer to see instructions for your specific case.

Conclusion

TPM itself is generally an OK idea and I can surely see good sides of it but there is this lurking feeling that generally, Microsoft is not really concerned about the security of our data and that the real requirement for this is trying to battle software piracy. I simply cannot trust company which introduced tons of telemetry tracking through ages and which has done everything in their power to battle non-legal use of their software. I do not promote piracy but I support free choice and besides, who can tell me what will happen if TPM malfunctions, will I lose all of my data forever? It is not so uncommon that TPM has malfunctioned in the past and it is only logical to presume it can do it again in the future but this time we will not have the choice not to use it, we will be forced into it.

File Transfer Protocol Server, also known as FTP Server, is a private or public service that can host files that can be accessed both locally and globally. It is a quick, flexible and seamless service that allows you to store any kind of files depending on the total size of the server. If you’ve always found an FTP server useful, then the good thing is you can now create your FTP server since Windows 10 now allows it. You can host this server locally and later on make it globally available via the internet. So if you are planning to set up an FTP server on your Windows 10 computer, read on as this post will guide you on how to do so.

To set up the FTP server, you need to configure it first and then configure the Windows Firewall for the connections to go through. For more details, refer to the following steps:

Step 1: You need to configure the FTP server on Windows 10.

• In the Search box, type in “Turn Windows Features On or Off” to search for it.
• Then click on the appropriate result which will open a mini window.
• From this mini window, scroll down to the list and expand “Internet Information Services where you have to expand the FTP Server section.
• Next, select all the checkboxes to enable all the entries under FTP Server and then click the OK button to apply the changes made.
• And now, since your computer is now allowed to host an FTP server, you need to configure it. To do so, type “Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager” in the Search box and click on the appropriate entry.
• Next, right-click on Sites under the navigation bar of Connections and select Add FTP Site. This will open a new window where you have to input some information about your FTP hosting.
• Now enter the details and click on Next.
• Upon clicking Next, you will be prompted to give some authentication details. Enter the following details in the screenshot below.
• Now click on Finish. After that, you will get an FTP Server being hosted on your Windows 10 PC.

And now that you’ve successfully configured the FTP Server, the next thing you have to do is to allow connections from and to the FTP server. Refer to the next step below. Step 2: Configure the Windows Firewall for FTP connections to pass-through

• In the Start Search, type “Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall” and click on the related search result which will open a window with all the settings.
• From there, click on the Change Settings button. This will display a list where you have to mark all the checkboxes for the FTP server to enable them in both the Private and Public configurations.
• After that, click OK. This will allow you access to the FTP server on your local network.

Error 0x800CCC90 - What is it?

Error 0x800CCC90 is a typical Outlook error. This error indicates that Outlook has failed to connect to the mail server that handles and manages the incoming and outgoing emails. The error message is displayed in the following format:

“There was a problem logging onto your mail server. Your User Name was rejected.”

This error limits your ability to send and receive emails on Outlook. If you largely communicate at the workplace using your Outlook account, this error may slow down your work productivity and performance dramatically. Therefore it is advisable to fix it immediately.

Solution

Error Causes

The error 0x800CCC90 is triggered several reasons including but not limited to:

• Authentication issues
• Failure of POP 3 Server
• PST File Corruption
• Registry issues- Invalid Entries
• Viral infection

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve error 0x800CCC90, try the methods given below:

Method 1 - Adjust the Authentication Settings

To resolve the error 0x800CCC90, adjust the authentication settings. Here’s what you need to do:

• First, go to the ‘Tools’ tab and select the ‘Accounts’ option.
• Once you select the account option, an internet accounts box will appear on the computer screen.
• Simply double click on the account property box after that go to the server tab and click on it.
• Check the box that says ‘My Server Requires Authentication’.
• Click on apply to accept changes tab to save changes and close the window.
• To activate changes made, restart Outlook and then try sending emails again.

Method 2 - Download a PST Repair Tool

If the error is triggered by PST file corruption, then the best way to resolve it is to download the PST repair tool. Download the PST repair tool from a trusted website. Run it on your system to fix PST file issues and resolve error 0x800CCC90.

Method 3 - Scan for Viruses

Another way to resolve this error is to scan for viruses. Viruses usually enter computer systems through phishing emails or while downloading attachments. You may not know this but viruses may be affecting your PC. Due to viruses, errors like error 0x800CCC90 can also be triggered. Therefore install an antivirus to scan and remove errors on your PC.

Method 4 - Clean the Registry and Remove Invalid Entries

Due to poor PC maintenance, misconfigured and invalid registry entries may be stored in the registry. Such entries may lead to Outlook errors too. Thus to resolve you must clean the registry and remove these entries right away. Download a registry cleaner to fix the error. Whether the error is triggered by viral infection or registry issues, it is recommended you download only Restoro. This is the one-stop solution to resolve all PC related errors. This software is deployed with 6 scanners including a registry cleaner, an antivirus, and a system optimizer. It is user-friendly and has simple navigation. It is compatible with all Windows versions. In just a few clicks this software resolves practically all types of PC-related errors including error 0x800CCC90. Click here to download Restoro today!

External hard drives have become essential these days as they tend to be very useful to many users. They are usually used for storing system images like system backups, Windows installation media, or for personal use. However, if you are not able to utilize your external drivers for some reason then that could be a huge problem. One of the common issues with hard drives is when your USB device or external hard drive just keeps connecting and disconnecting. This kind of issue could be caused by a faulty USB port, some issues with the USB drivers, your computer’s Power Options, corrupted or damaged system files, and many other factors. The connecting and disconnecting issue with USB devices and external hard drives isn’t really new and has been experienced by many users for years now. Although this issue has somewhat decreased in Windows 10, there are still some users who encounter it every now and then. Worry not though for there are fixes that you can try to resolve the problem. Refer to the following straightforward solutions to resolve the issue with your USB device or external hard drive.

Option 1 – Plug your external device on a different port

If your USB device keeps on connecting and disconnecting then the first thing you can do is to try connecting it to a different port. This will help you isolate the problem. In some cases, the port where the USB is connected can be malfunctioning or obsolete so you need to check that possibility by plugging your USB device into a different USB port.

Option 2 – Update or reinstall your USB drivers

As mentioned earlier, the problem could be due to some issues with the USB drivers. It could be that it has to be updated or you need to reinstall it. To do that, follow these steps:

• 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 “Universal Serial Bus controllers” option and then right-click on each one of the USB drivers and select the Update Driver from the menu.
• Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.

You also have the option to update the motherboard and the USB driver from the manufacturer’s official website.

Option 3 – Try turning on the USB External drive

There are times when your system turns off some drives in order to conserve your computer’s power, etc. as a result, the driver that’s required to run your external hard drive properly ends up getting disabled. To fix this, you can prevent your system from turning off your external USB drive by following these steps:

• You need to make sure that the external drive is connected to your system first.
• Next, go to the Start Menu and type “device manager” in the field, and click on the appropriate result to open the Device Manager.
• After opening the Device Manager, expand the category of the Universal Serial Bus controllers.
• Then double click on your USB Mass Storage device and take note that the name might be different on your system.
• Now go to the Power Management tab and uncheck the checkbox for the “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” option and click OK to save the changes made.

Option 4 – Turn off USB Selective Suspend

Another thing you can try is to turn off USB Selective Suspend especially when the issue has something to do with the Power Options. There are certain systems that are configured to disable USB devices after some time which could be the root cause of the problem. Thus, you need to turn off USB Selective Suspend. Here’s how you can do it:

• In the Start Menu, search for “control panel” and open the related search result.
• Then go to Power Options and click on the “Change plan settings” option.
• Next, select “Change advanced power settings” and look for the USB settings and then expand it.
• From there, you will see the USB Selective Suspend setting. Disable it and click OK.
• Now restart your computer and check if it resolves the problem or not.

Option 5 – Format your drive

• To get started formatting your drive, tap the Win + E keys and then go to the access page of the drive.
• Next, right-click on the drive and select Format.
• After that, uncheck the “Quick Format” option and then format your drive properly.
• Now once the formatting process is finished, unplug the drive and plug it back in afterward.
• Check if the error is already fixed. If the drive is not initialized, tap the Win + R keys and hit Enter.
• After opening the Run dialog box, type “diskmgmt.msc” and hit Enter to open Disk Management.
• From there, right-click on the drive volume and select initialize disk.
• Next, select the correct partition type and proceed.

Windows 11 provides several different ways to make your cursor stand out and be easier to spot inside it. You can make the mouse pointer larger, invert it, or change its color.

1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open settings
2. Click on Accessibility in the sidebar
3. Select Mouse Pointer and Touch
4. Adjust mouse cursor size with size slider by clicking on circle and dragging it left or right
5. Under Mouse Pointer Style pick desired style from White, Black, Inverted, and Custom
   1. White: The cursor is white with a black outline (standard setting)
   2. Black: Cursor is black with a white outline
   3. Inverted: Cursor automatically changes color to an inverted version of the color it is currently hovering over
   4. Custom: You can pick the color for the cursor that you want.

And that is all about it, once you are done with pointer customization just close settings, all changes are saved automatically.

If you encounter the NMI_HARDWARE_FAILURE Blue Screen error while using your Windows 10 computer, then read on as this post will guide you in resolving this kind of Blue Screen of Death error. NMI HARDWARE FAILURE or “Non-Maskable Interrupt” Blue Screen error occurs when there is some hardware malfunction in your computer. When you encounter this Blue Screen error, you may get a stop code of 0x00000080 which can randomly occur while you use your computer. However, a lot of users reported encountering this error while they were trying to update or install their Graphics Card drivers. The stop code that you may get for this BSOD error is 0x00000080. The error can occur randomly during your usage of the computer – but a large number of users have reported this error while they are updating or installing their Graphics Card drivers. In this post, we will be covering all the possible fixes for this error. NMI_HARDWARE_FAILURE error on Windows The NMI_HARDWARE_FAILURE bug check has a value of 0x00000080. This bug check indicates that a hardware malfunction has occurred. There are various hardware malfunctions that can cause this kind of Blue Screen error. However, pinpointing the exact cause is quite difficult. Worry no more for the following fixes provided below can help you resolve the NMI_HARDWARE_FAILURE Blue Screen error no matter what the cause of the problem is.

Option 1 – Try removing hardware or drivers that you’ve installed recently

If you have recently installed some hardware or drivers, you might want to disable or remove them since external devices are proven to be one of the factors that trigger Blue Screen errors like NMI_HARDWARE_FAILURE. All you have to do is physically disconnect any external devices that are connected to your computer and then check if it fixes the BSOD error or not.

Option 2 – Try to rollback, update, or disable the Graphics card drivers

Since the NMI_HARDWARE_FAILURE Blue Screen error has something to do with Graphics card drivers, you can either roll back, update or disable them depending on your preference in order to resolve the error.

• First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
• After that, 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. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
• After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters and select the “Uninstall Device” option from the menu.
• Now restart your computer.
• After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.

Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it.

Option 3 – Make sure that all memory modules have the same type

This third option is quite technical and tricky. If you often use multiple physical RAMS on your Windows 10 computer, then you have to check first if they are of the same frequency. After that, the first thing you should verify is if the chip is properly compatible or not. And if the sockets are attached using some kind of adapter or non-recommended device, it could cause some issues while giving a performance hit to your computer.  If you were able to find such a setup, you have to undo it or install the proper and recommended as well as compatible hardware.

Option 4 – Try to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

As you know, the Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like the NMI_HARDWARE_FAILURE error. It can be found on the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:

• Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
• Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
• From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.

Error 0X800F080C is tied to corrupted system files and .NET framework issues. In this article, we will focus on how to fix it starting first with .NET fixes and then moving to system-related ones. Follow the guide step by step so you can fix this error fast and easily.

.NET issues

As previously stated 0X800F080C error can occur due to issues with .NET framework, 3.5 framework to be more precise and there are two ways we can fix this error. Follow the guide below as presented:

1. Install .NET 3.5 framework from Windows features

   First thing is to try and install the framework from Window features itself. Sometimes installation and activation of .NET 3.5 in other ways can result in this error. To install it do the following: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog Inside run type in appwiz.cpl and press ENTER to open up the Programs and Features menu Inside the Programs and Features menu click on Turn Windows features on or off. Check the box associated with .NET Framework 3.5 (this package includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) Press OK Click on YES and wait for the package to be installed then reboot your PC

2. Run the .NET Repair Tool

   If the previous step was not successful or you already had .NET 3.5 installed then run the troubleshooter in order to fix issues. Go to the official Microsoft .NET framework repair tool website here and download it. Once downloaded install the tool and follow onscreen instructions.

Corrupted system files

If the previous solution has not provided you with results then you have system file corruption that needs to be fixed. Move from one solution to another as presented below:

1. Run SFC scan

   SFC scan is a built-in Windows tool for solving corrupted system files issues, it is fully automated and does not require from the user any kind of knowledge or information. To run it and scan the system do the following: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the secret menu Left-click on the command prompt (admin) In command prompt type SFC /SCANNOW and press ENTER Wait for the process to finish, do not interrupt it and once it is done, restart your computer

2. Run DISM scan

   DISM scan is similar to SFC scan but it tackles different types of system file corruption and it is recommended to run it also after SFC has been completed. Please note that for DISM scan to be successful you will need a stable internet connection since DISM will replace corrupted files with new ones downloaded from Microsoft. To run it do the following: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the secret menu Left-click on the command prompt (admin) inside command prompt type: exe /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth followed by ENTER, then type: Dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth also followed with ENTER. Leave scan to finish and reboot your PC

What is OpenCandy?

OpenCandy is an application that downloads and installs software, including other Internet Browsers to a computer system. Used as a bundle, this application installs additional programs that you may knowingly or unknowingly agree to install. Since most users don’t accept the challenge of reading the EULA in its entirety, they tend to download bundled applications unknowingly.

Assessment of OpenCandy PUP

During the initial assessment of OpenCandy, I was a little skeptical about what to look out for or expect. In fact, I had to install the OpenCandy.exe file twice to discern its behavior. I’m not sure how this application got its name but I do believe it has something to do with the fact that it supposedly helps Internet users open a new world of Internet browsing. That conclusion was arrived at after realizing that OpenCandy.exe installed mostly Internet browsers along with a tune-up tool on the test computer. However, as a result of the system requirements, there was a pop-up message indicating that Internet Explorer 8 was not compatible with the computer system in question. In comparison to the malware I’ve encountered since I started researching malware, OpenCandy is everything but malicious. In fact, this application is only categorized as malware because of its’ subtle covert nature of installing bundled programs unsolicited by the user. Additionally, OpenCandy coerces users into changing their Internet Browsers by installing those unrequested by the user. In fact, it’s no shock that OpenCandy chose to install the Internet Browser ‘Opera’ as a part of this bundle since it’s one of the least used browsers according to the Federal Government. Clearly, this was a smoothly disguised advertisement or promotion to force users into using the Opera Browser, along with Internet Explorer 8.0. While these aforementioned browsers in themselves aren’t malicious and are in no way considered malware, they were installed as a promotional tool and without the request of the user. Despite being mentioned within the EULA, advertisers are capitalizing on this since most users do not bother to read the agreements when installing a program. Furthermore, OpenCandy, like most other bundled applications I’ve dealt with, threw in a tune-up tool as a part of the promotion. I found this tune-up application annoying since I had to hassle my way into getting it to close from the computer screen. I can only imagine the hassle users would go through trying to remove this software. Image 7: Depiction of a scan performed by Tuneup Utilities. The scan detected that several areas on the test PC could be optimized/tuned up. Image 8: After a scan was completed using the Tuneup utility program, I was given an option to buy the full version. Nothing is wrong with this marketing strategy. In fact, most utility tools if not all will scan your computer to detect threats or loopholes, but they won't exactly allow you to fix those problems unless you buy the full version. It's not unfair, it's just business. Programs installed during the installation of OpenCandy include:

• Web Companion: Developed by Lavasoft, Web Companion is said to be an application that serves as a security defense for your Internet browsers by preventing unauthorized changes (see image below)
• Tuneup Utilities: Tuneup Utilities does exactly as it says. It cleans up a computer system, whereby preventing unused programs from slowing it down.
• Opera Stable 30.01.1835.88: Opera is a fast, simple, and effective Internet browser that allows users to get around on the web.

All in all, the intent of installing an application such as OpenCandy is to unleash a world of promotion or advertisements on your computer. They are pretty annoying and in some cases difficult to remove. Furthermore, as a user, you want to control what gets installed on your computer without being dictated to or coerced in some EULA that you probably overlook. To completely remove OpenCandy PUP from your computer, click here to download and install Spyhunter.

The NVIDIA Control Panel is a useful tool for users who have NVIDIA graphics on their PCs as this tool allows users to how the graphics card is used on the computer using several controls that come with the graphics card from NVIDIA. Thus, it can be quite inconvenient when it suddenly crashes all of a sudden for some reason. This kind of problem could be due to the toggling of Output Dynamic Range is limited, or there could be some issue with the integrity of the Power Supply for the graphics card, and many more. So if you are using NVIDIA on your computer and its Control Panel keeps on crashing on your Windows 10 computer, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you in sorting the problem out. For more details, refer to the guidelines laid out below.

Option 1 – Try to toggle the Output Dynamic Range

The first thing you can do to fix the problem is to toggle the Output Dynamic Range by following these steps:

• Navigate to this path: Display > Change resolution.
• Next, scroll a bit on the right-side panel until you see the Output Dynamic Range drop-down.
• After that, select “Full” from the drop-down menu.
• Apply the changes you’ve made and see if it is able to fix the problem with the NVIDIA Control Panel.

Option 2 – Try changing the Power Management and Vertical Sync settings

The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to change the Power Management, as well as the Vertical Sync settings.

• Open the NVIDIA Control Panel and go to this path: 3D Settings > Manage 3D Settings.
• Next, set the Power Management to be “Prefer Maximum Performance” for your processor located on the right-side panel.
• After that, set the Vertical sync setting off and then click on the Apply button located at the bottom-right portion of the window and check if it is able to fix the problem or not.

Option 3 – Try updating the drivers from the official site of NVIDIA

If both the first and second given options didn’t work, you can also try updating the drivers from the official NVIDIA website. And in case you don’t know the type of Nvidia graphics card that your computer is on, follow the steps below:

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Next type in “dxdiag” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
• From there, you can see what type of Nvidia graphics card that your system is on.
• Take note of your graphics card information and then look for the best drivers for your operating system. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the file, restart your PC.

Option 4 – Try to roll back the driver to the previous version

If updating the NVIDIA display drivers didn’t work for you, then it’s time to roll back the device drivers. It is most likely that after you updated your Windows computer that your driver also needs a refresh.

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and then type in the “MSC” command and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.
• Under the Device Manager, you will see a list of drivers. From there, look for the NVIDIA Drivers and expand it.
• Next, select the driver entries that are labeled appropriately.
• Then select each one of them and double click to open a new mini window.
• After that, make sure that you’re on the Driver tab and if you are not, just navigate to it then click the Roll Back Driver button to switch back to the previous version of the NVIDIA Drivers.
• Now restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.