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New Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts

New Windows brings new keyboard shortcuts, most of them are tied to new features and we are presenting you some new ones that are worth remembering.

keyboad shortcuts⊞ WINDOWS + N - notification panel

⊞ WINDOWS + W - News and Interests feed

With the News and Interests feed, Windows 11 offers users the ability to check the latest news, the weather, and more without opening a browser window.

⊞ WINDOWS + Z - Snap Layout

Instead of the usual two windows snapping capability, Windows 11 allow users to snap their windows in a three-column layout. Users can access this by pressing Windows Key and Z to access the Snap layout.

⊞ WINDOWS + PRT SCN - taking screenshots

This one isn’t exactly new, but pressing the Windows Key and Print Screen will automatically capture the entire screen and save a copy of the image on your PC. Once the screen flashes, you will know that the screenshot has been taken, after which you can find the file saved under your Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshot.

⊞ WINDOWS + C - Microsoft Teams chat

Microsoft Teams app, the service allows anyone with a Microsoft account to quickly start a chat using the Windows + C shortcut.

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Option 1 – Enable or Disable Status Bar via Folder Options

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Program inside task manager

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Removing a program from startup

Locating the source of the issue

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program in task manager with details

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Removing the key from registry

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regirsty editor

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How to Fix Error Code 0xC004C003 When Installing Windows 10

What is Error Code 0xC004C003?

Error code 0xC004C003 has to do with activating Windows 10 after a clean install. This problem has been a frequent nuisance to users trying to update from Windows 7 or 8.1 following the invite path they got from Microsoft.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

There are several problems that may have caused error code 0xC004C003. The most common of them are:
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Further Information and Manual Repair

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Step 2: Set the Graphics Properties to default.

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Step 3: Try using Nvidia Color Settings for Desktop

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Plugin.dll Error - What is it?

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Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Plugin.dll errors may occur due to multiple reasons such as:
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Plugin.dll errors may appear on a Windows-based computer as the following:
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All the causes of the plugin.dll error code are associated with the registry. It is advisable to repair this error before it causes serious damages to your system.

Further Information and Manual Repair

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Option 1 – Check if the Volume Shadow Copy service is running and restart it

The first thing you need to do is check if the Volume Shadow Copy service. To do that, refer to the following steps:
  • Click on Start and type “cmd” and right-click on Command Prompt from the search results.
  • Then select the “Run as administrator” option to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • After that, type “net stop sdrsvc” and hit Enter to execute the command in stopping the Volume Shadow Copy service.
  • Next, type the “net start sdrsvc” command and hit Enter to start the service again.
Note: You can also restart the service using the Windows Services Manager.
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  • From there, look for the Volume Shadow Service (sdrsv) from the list of services. Its Startup type should be set to Manual by default.
  • Restart the service and if you don’t encounter any error while you turn it on, re-run the backup service and see if the backup process runs successfully.

Option 2 – Try to run the Volume Shadow Copy Service in a Clean Boot State

If the first option didn’t work and the service still keeps on failing even though the service is running, you can try putting your computer in a Clean Boot State and then try to run Windows Backup again.
  • Log onto your PC as an administrator.
  • Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
  • From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
  • Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
  • Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
  • Click Disable all.
  • Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
  • Now try to run the Volume Shadow Copy service again and see if the process goes smoothly.
Note: You might also want to delete all the files in the backup solution if you want to start fresh with the backup solution. Just go to C:/System/Volume/Information/Windows Backup and take ownership of the folder. After that, make sure to stop the Volume Shadow Copy service and then delete all the files inside it.
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There are cases when your Windows 10 PC can encounter an issue where it gets stuck and will display a message that says, “Preparing Security Options”. If this is happening to your Windows 10 PC, you won’t be able to use your keyboard or even mouse and your screen will only be stuck on the screen as mentioned above. As your computer is still stuck, you will be left with no choice but to shut it down and restart it. Tap the F11 key as soon as your PC powers on. This will take you to the Advanced Startup options where you can carry out some steps. If it still didn’t work, you have to boot your Windows 10 PC into Safe Mode and then try out the troubleshooting options below.

Option 1 – Try using System Restore

You can do this option either by booting into Safe Mode or in System Restore. If you are already in the Advanced Startup Options, just directly select System Restore and proceed with the next steps. And if you have just booted your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
  • Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
  • After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.

Option 2 – Uninstall the Windows Updates you’ve installed recently

The issue could be caused by Windows Updates so you need to check if it’s indeed the case. The best way you can do so is via Safe Mode.
  • Boot your PC into Safe Mode and then tap the Win + I keys to open Settings.
  • After that, click on Update and Security and then select Windows Update from the left side menu column.
  • Next, select the “View installed update history” option on the right-side column and click on Uninstall Updates which will open a window that will show the list of all the installed updates on your PC.
  • From there, select the update you want to uninstall and click the Uninstall button located in the lower right corner of the window.

Option 3 – Try disabling the Fast Startup

  • Boot your PC into Safe Mode.
  • Then tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type in “control” to open Control Panel.
  • After that, select Hardware and Sound and click on Power Options.
  • Select “Choose what the power buttons do” from the left side menu pane and click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  • Afterward, uncheck the “Turn on fast startup (Recommended)” entry and click on Save Changes.
  • Now restart your PC and check if the problem’s fixed.

Option 4 – Try running both the SFC scan and CHKDSK utility

You can do both SFC and CHKDSK using Safe Mode and Advanced Startup options. For Advanced Startup options, click on the Command Prompt option and proceed with the steps. And if you have booted your computer into Safe Mode, follow these steps:
  • Tap the Win + X keys or right-click on the Start button and click Command Prompt (admin).
  • After that, type in this command and tap Enter to run the System File Checker or SFC – “Sfc /scannow”.
  • Alternatively, you can use this command instead if the previous command didn’t work – “sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c: /offwindir=c:windows”.
  • Wait until the SFC scan is done with the process and then restart your PC.
  • Next, run the CHKDSK utility and once it’s done checking your disk for errors and then reboot your PC to save the changes made.

Option 5 – Try resetting Windows 10

You can reset your Windows 10 PC using either the Advanced Startup Options or by booting into Safe Mode.
  • Tap the Win + I keys and go to Update and Security > Recovery.
  • Then click on Get Started under the Reset this PC section.
  • After that, follow the on-screen instructions with how you want to reset your PC and what files and settings you want to revert.
  • Then it will reset your PC by reinstalling it

Option 6 – Try to rename the SoftwareDistribution folder

In this option, the Command Prompt is supposed to be like the one in option 4. You can use both ways there to open the Command Prompt.
  • Open an elevated Command Prompt as admin and type in the commands below and tap Enter right after you typed in each one of them
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop bits
  • rename c:windowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start bits
Note: You can also rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to “SoftwareDistribution.bak” or “SoftwareDistribution.old” after you boot your PC into Safe Mode.

Option 7 – Try rebuilding BCD

Rebuilding the BCD can help you in fixing the stuck Windows 10.
  • You can start by booting into the installation environment for Windows 10 from an installation media.
  • After that, click on Repair your computer and on the blue screen, select Troubleshoot and then select the Advanced options menu.
  • Next, select Command Prompt and type in the commands below one by one, and tap Enter right after you do so.
  • exe /FixMbr
  • exe /FixBoot
    • exe /RebuildBcd

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How to Fix Windows 10 Error Code 0x80072F8F

Error Code 0x80072F8F - What is it?

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.

Error Causes

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.

  • This error code will not give any information on how to correct it.
  • Windows Error 0x80072F8F is displayed on the screen.
  • The error code appears when typing the Windows serial key and proceeding.

Further Information and Manual Repair

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.

  • Method One

Check the time and date settings.

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Select Settings, then Time and Language, then Date and Time.
  3. Check and make sure that the PC is operating at the correct time and date.
  • Method Two

Ensure that the computer is connected to the internet.

  1. Enter “network troubleshooter” into the search box located on the taskbar.
  2. Select “Identify and Repair Network Problems”.
  3. Follow the instructions that are given on-screen. This will fix any problems that the network is experiencing.
  • Method Three

Review the timezone.

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Select Settings, then Time and Language, then Date and Time.
  3. Check to make sure that the correct timezone is selected from the drop-down menu.
  • Method Four

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.

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