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Windows Clock is missing, invisible or black

Although the Windows Updates do bring in new features and improvements, there are times when they also introduce issues as well. The main cause for these arising bugs is the incompatibility between the old and new software components. One of the issues brought in by such bugs is Clock is missing, invisible or black

This problem was experienced by users after they recently installed a feature update. This particular bug can make the Windows clock in the taskbar appear to be black or invisible which makes it hard for users to read the time on their computers. According to experts, this bug has something to do with the Windows Themes and Aero styling. To fix this issue, here are some suggestions that could help but before you get started, you have to restart Explorer first and see if it can help in resolving the problem – if it didn’t, follow the options given below carefully.

Option 1 – Try to disable Custom Theme

It could be that the reason behind the black or invisible Windows Clock can be an old or an incompatible theme. You might have a custom theme in place and it became incompatible after an update. Thus, you can try switching to one of the default themes and then recreate your custom theme afterward. To do so, follow the steps below.

  • Right-click on your desktop and select Personalize.
  • Next, select Themes from the left menu and then select Windows 10 as your theme.
  • After that, you can delete all the other custom themes and create them again from scratch. This should fix the black or invisible Windows 10 Clock.

Option 2 – Try to edit your existing themes

If you don’t want to get rid of your existing themes, there is an alternative solution you can try to fix the missing Windows 10 Clock albeit it’s a bit of a complex one. Follow the given steps below to modify the existing themes and fix the missing or black Windows Clock.

  • First, you need to save your existing theme. Just simply right-click on your desktop and select Personalize and select Themes from the left menu.
  • Next, click on the Save Theme button below your custom theme to save it. You can name the theme anything.
  • After that, you can now modify the saved theme by going to C:/Users/UserName/AppData/Local/MicrosoftWindowsThemes.
  • From there, look for the file with the theme name you just saved, and then right-click on the file and open it with notepad or any other text editing app.
  • Now you have to look for the line that says, “Path=%SystemRoot%resourcesthemesAeroAeroLite.msstyles” and change it to “Path=%SystemRoot%resourcesthemesAeroAero.msstyles” and then save the file and rename it with some other name.
  • Afterward, go back to themes and select the new theme you’ve created. This should resolve the Windows Clock issue as well as other Themes and Taskbar issues.

Option 3 – Try disabling the small icons in Taskbar

This option should help you fix any Windows Clock cases. So if your Windows Clock is nowhere to be found, you can try to disable small taskbar icons on your Windows 10 PC.

  • Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
  • From there turn off the toggle button for the “Use small taskbar buttons” option. Note that this solution is only a temporary one and it may or may not work in some cases.

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How to Fix the EhRecvr.exe Error on Your PC

EhRecvr.exe Error Code - What is it?

EhRecvr.exe is an executable file located in a subfolder of C:\Windows (usually C:\WINDOWS). An executable file is denoted by the filename extension .exe. You should only run executable files from the publisher you trust because .exe files are prone to errors. Executable files can potentially change your computer settings and harm your computer.  These files can easily get corrupted. Similarly, when the EhRecvr.exe fails to run on the computer and gets corrupt, you experience an EhRecvr.exe error on your system. This error code may pop up while playing games on the PC or using any other program. EhRecvr.exe error may be displayed in any one of the following formats:
  • “ehRecvr.exe cannot be found."
  • “There was a problem starting [path]ehRecvr.exe. The specified module could not be found."
  • "Runtime Error. ehRecvr.exe pure virtual function call."
  • "This program can't start because ehRecvr.exe is missing from your computer."
  • "Unable to launch the software located at path: [path]ehRecvr.exe"
  • "This application requires the file ehRecvr.exe, which was not found on this system."
  • "ehRecvr.exe is missing."
  • "Access Violation File [path]ehRecvr.exe"

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

There are plenty of reasons why this error may occur these include:
  • EhRecvr.exe file is mistakenly deleted
  • EhRecvr.exe file is corrupted and damaged
  • Viral/Malware infection
  • Bad registry entries
  • Outdated drivers
Though this error code is not fatal but nonetheless it is advisable to fix it immediately because EhRecvr.exe error not just hampers your ability to run and access different programs on your system but it also triggers issues like viral infection and registry problems which if not resolved can put your big at greater risk like system failure, freeze, and crash.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve the EhRecvr.exe error on your system, you don’t have to hire a professional and spend hundreds of dollars in repair. Here are the best and easy DIY methods that you can try to fix this error. To work around these methods you don’t need to be a technical whiz. Let’s get started:

Method 1 - Restore EhRecvr.exe from Recycle Bin

In the case of EhRecvr.exe file deletion, it is advisable to check the recycle bin. Search through the bin for the file. If you find it, then simply restore it, if not then if you have access to the internet, then download it from a trusted website.

Method 2 - Reinstall the Associated Software That Uses EhRecvr.exe File

If you receive this error when you want to use certain software on your PC, then try reinstalling that software again on your PC. This will be very helpful to obtain the EhRecvr.exe file that is not provided by Microsoft. To re-install, first, uninstall the program. Go to Add/Program in the control panel and find the program and then uninstall it. Once uninstalled, simply follow the same steps but this time round install the software. This will hopefully help resolve the EhRecvr.exe error code.

Method 3 - Update Drivers for Hardware Devices

Sometimes the error may pop up due to outdated drivers. If this is the cause then the best way to resolve the issue would be to update the driver. Use the wizard within the Device Manager to update the outdated drivers.

Method 4 - Scan for Viruses

Viruses and malware can disguise as executable files. These usually enter your PC through downloads from unreliable websites and phishing emails. In such an event, it is recommended to install a powerful antivirus. Scan your entire PC and remove all viruses to repair the issue.

Method  5 - Clean and Repair the Registry

Another method is to clean and repair the registry. If you don’t clean the registry regularly it may get accumulated with obsolete files and get corrupt. This may generate EhRecvr.exe error codes. To resolve, simply download Restoro. This is a user-friendly PC Fixer with a powerful registry cleaner. It scans for all registry errors, wipes out all the invalid entries and obsolete files and repairs corrupted DLL and .exe files in minutes. Click here to download Restoro and resolve the EhRecvr.exe error now!
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How to Fix Error Code 43

Code 43 - What is it?

Code 43, Device Manager Error, is reported when Windows doesn’t recognize a hardware device such as the video card, USB, printer, or any other piece of external hardware attached to your PC.

The Device Manager stops the hardware if it reports some kind of unspecified problem. It is mostly displayed in the following format:

“Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. Code 43”

Solution

driverfix boxError Causes

Code 43 can be triggered due to several reasons. However, 95% of the times it is related to the device driver problems such as:

  • Missing Drivers
  • Corrupted Drivers
  • Outdated Drivers

Driver problems pop up when either new driver versions are available or drivers become damaged due to some underlying reasons like viral infections.

Other than driver problems, code 43 can also pop up when you install and remove the software. This can cause hardware conflict in the registry, altering driver communication.

Code 43 can hamper your ability to use your desired device smoothly.  Although Code 43 is not a fatal error code like Runtime and BSoD errors, it is still advisable to resolve it immediately to avoid inconvenience.

You can sometimes bypass error code 43 temporarily by a simple PC reboot but this will not fix the problem permanently. For a permanent fix, try the methods given below.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To help you repair code 43 permanently from your PC, below are some of the best, easy perform, and effective solutions. Simply follow the steps to get rid of code 43 from your PC.

Method 1 - Launch and Run the Troubleshoot Wizard

This is one way to find the exact nature of the problem that spurred error code 43 to pop up. To launch and run the Troubleshoot Wizard, here’s what you need to do:

  • Go to the start menu
  • Type Device Manager in the search bar and then press enter
  • Click on Device Manager to run it on your system
  • Now click on the ‘General Tab’
  • After that press Trouble Shoot to launch the Troubleshooting Wizard

The Wizard will diagnose the problem and provide you a solution to resolve it, all you have to do from there is to follow the Wizard’s instructions

Method 2 - Check the Hardware Documentation

If for some reason Method 1 doesn’t work,  another solution would be to check the hardware documentation for more information about diagnosing the problem.

Method 3 - Uninstall Faulty Drivers

If the underlying reason for code 43 is related to driver problems, then the best way to resolve it is to uninstall faulty drivers and then reinstall new drivers. One of the many ways to uninstall drivers is:

  • Click on the start button
  • Type ‘sysdm.cpl’ in the search box and then press enter to continue
  • In the System Properties dialog box open the Hardware tab
  • Click Device Manager and then double click Device Type
  • Now click on the problematic hardware device reporting code 43
  • After that go to the Driver tab and click Uninstall to uninstall that driver completely
  • Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the new driver version
  • Install it on your system by extracting the .ZIP file

Method 4 - Update Drivers Automatically

Identifying and updating new driver versions manually can be both frustrating and time-consuming especially if you are in a rush and no computer whiz.

Also, after you update the drivers, you need to keep checking them time and again to ensure they don’t become outdated. You need to update them every time new versions are available which can be stressful.

To avoid this hassle by repairing code 43 permanently, download DriverFIX. This is an innovative and user-friendly device driver software program exclusively designed to resolve all kinds of driver problems.

Whether code 43 occurs on your PC due to missing or outdated drivers, DriverFIX can resolve the problem easily.

The intelligent programming system embedded in this software enables it to detect problematic and outdated drivers in seconds.

It matches new and compatible versions and updates the drivers immediately, automatically, and on a regular basis in just a few clicks. This resolves code 43 and also ensures that all your drivers remain up to date.

DriverFIX is compatible with all Windows versions.

Click here to download DriverFIX to repair and resolve code 43 right away.

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Fix This device is currently in use, USB Error
USB storage devices, peripherals, and other devices are almost used on a daily basis. And as you know, when removing the USB storage devices, it is recommended to always use the “Safely remove the USB storage device” option in order to prevent data corruption in the USB storage device. However, there are times when you may see the following error message after you use the “Safely remove the USB storage device” option:
“Problem ejecting USB Mass Storage – This device is currently in use, close any programs or windows that might be using this device, and then try again.”
This kind of error message occurs when the device is still interacting with the operating system in the background. There are several ways you can fix this error but before you check them out below, you need to close all the open windows and programs that may be using the USB storage device and then wait for a couple of seconds and then try safely removing it again. However, if you are still getting the same error message, then here are some tips you should try:

Option 1 – Try to use the Task Manager

  • Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
  • After that, look for the running processes and programs hogging on your USB Storage device. The error could be due to a program or process that’s using the USB device. This program or process will hog onto some Disk or CPU while transferring data and interacting with the device.
  • Once you find the culprits, right-click on each one of them and select End Process or End Task. You could also try to restart the process for “Explorer.exe” and see if it fixes the problem.

Option 2 – Try using DISKPART

The next thing you can try to resolve the issue is to use DISKPART. Refer to the given steps below to do so.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run and then type “cmd” in the field and tap Enter or click OK to open an elevated Command Prompt.
  • Next, type and enter this command to execute it: diskpart
  • The command you entered will initiate the DISKPART utility. After that, type and enter this second command: list disk
  • Next, type and enter this third command: list volume
  • The commands you just executed will help you in either listing all the Disk connects or all the partitions on those disks formed and from there, you need to select one command depending on the “list” command you entered. You can execute either of the two following commands:
    • select disk #
    • select volume #
  • After that, it will select the Disk or Partition you want to select.
  • Now type either one of the following commands:
    • offline disk #offline volume #
  • The command you entered will mark the selected disk is Offline. Afterward, try to safely remove your USB Storage device. Just remember that when you plug it back in again, you have to carry out the same method except for the last given command as this time you will have to enter either of these commands in order to get your USB storage device back online:
    • online disk #
    • online volume #

Option 3– Try using the Disk Management utility

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open Run.
  • Then type “diskmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Disk Management utility.
  • Next, look for the entry for your USB Storage device and once you’ve found it, right-click on it and select Offline.
  • After that, try to safely remove your USB Storage device again and see if the error is fixed. Note that you need to go over the same steps again if you want to plug your USB Storage device back in but make sure to select the Online option instead of Offline to get your device back online.
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Basic IT skills everybody should know
In today’s world and age, there are some essential IT skills that basically everyone should know. No matter in what field you are working some skills are just needed in order to function properly in the work. So, without further ado let's dive into what are these essential IT skills everyone, even your grandmother should know.

Basic IT skills5 Essential IT skills everybody should know

  1. Word processing

    No matter are you creating or editing business documents or just trying to help a friend or relative, word processing skill is an essential asset and requirement in today’s age. Writing anything on a bunch of paper is time-consuming, papers can get lost, and searching for a particular item inside a bunch of papers is not a really enjoyable experience. A much easier solution is to write, format, and keep everything on the computer and almost all employers are asking for this skill.
  2. Send and using emails

    Today we live in the digital age and most communication is done in real-time via messaging apps and file sharing is done via file-sharing services. Despite mentioned technology, many files are shared and sent through emails. When a message is too long or complex when it needs to have some attachment or to be kept in archive emails are the way to go and therefore using email is a must-have essential skill.
  3. Using search engines

    When talking about using search engines we really do not think about firing up your favorite browser, going into the search engine,s and typing cat pictures. What we think is that a person should know how to use a search engine properly, tweak its search options, and phrase words and sentences to find everything he or she needs.
  4. Doing data work

    Data entry and data calculations have been made easier than ever thanks to today's technology. Microsoft excel, libre office calc, google sheets, etc. are all capable of performing a great variety of calculations and keeping track of plenty of required data. This skill is often asked by employers as an essential one.
  5. Cyber security

    Each employee or person, in general, should be quite aware of various scams and best practices to keep itself safe in this digital world. We have several articles on this topic and there are a great variety of articles on the internet as well.

Conclusion

No matter are you young or old, employed or looking for a job, these skills are a must-have in today’s world.  There are a lot of great tutorials online on these various topics and I am sure that your knowledgeable friend or cousin would be happy to help and show you how to do all of these things.
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Windows 11 Home edition account requirements
Windows 11 has been officially presented during Microsoft’s virtual event on June 24th. Since presentation internet has been pretty live and busy with a discussion about it, some discussions are positive, some not so much but that is expected and it happens always when a new product is presented. One of information that we have about Windows 11 is tied to the home edition of this OS, Windows 11 home edition will require an internet connection at setup, and a Microsoft account in order to be installed and used. Previous versions of Windows could be installed and used with local accounts but it seems Microsoft has abandoned that idea for its new OS. OS will be delivered mostly as updates or via internet download so internet and online requirement make sense but why it cannot use the local account and must have a Microsoft one is beyond me.
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The Extended Attributes Are Inconsistent Error
One of the most critical errors inside your Windows operating system is The Extended Attributes Are Inconsistent error. This error means that your operating system has been corrupted and it may produce many annoying issues like for example time lags, random crashes, and even freezing of the system when running multiple applications. There are a lot of reasons for this error, from the registry to faulty application installations to sometimes even hardware issues like bad RAM memory or bad hard drive. Mostly issue is due to corrupted files inside Windows and most often people only think that resetting the PC or complete reinstallation is the only way to fix this problem. Although reinstalling the system or resetting the PC will solve this error for sure there are other less time-consuming ways to fix this error. The Extended Attributes Are Inconsistent ErrorIn this guide, we will show you common ways in fixing Extended Attributes are inconsistent errors inside your Windows that are easy to do and less time-consuming than complete reinstallation of the system.

Fixing Extended Attributes Are Inconsistent error

Run SFC scan

  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden menu
  2. Click on command prompt (admin)
  3. In command prompt type in SFC /scannow and press ENTER
  4. Wait for the operation to complete
  5. Reboot your PC

Use System Image Repair Tool

  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden menu
  2. Click on command prompt (admin)
  3. In command prompt type in Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press ENTER
  4. Wait for the operation to complete
  5. Reboot your PC

Change all user accounts to the administrator

  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
  2. Type in netplwiz and press ENTER
  3. Select a first user account and click on Properties
  4. Click on the Group Membership tab
  5. Choose Others from the options
  6. Select administrator (if all accounts are already administrators change all to users)
  7. Repeat process for all other accounts
  8. Click OK to save settings

Change Windows Sound scheme to default

  1. Right-click on the sound icon in the taskbar
  2. Click on Sound options
  3. Go to the Sounds tab
  4. In Sound Scheme click and choose Windows Default
  5. Under Program Events choose Windows User Account Control
  6. Click on the drop-down menu and choose None
  7. Click on Apply
  8. Click on OK

Downgrade the Sound driver

  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden menu
  2. Click on Device Manager
  3. Find your Audio driver and right-click on it
  4. Click on uninstall and then on OK
  5. Reboot your system

Do System Restore

If none of the provided solutions have worked, perform a system restore to the last point where everything was working fine.

Reset PC

If even system restore has not solved the issue or you do not have valid point in system restore time, perform Reset this PC and hopefully, the error will be finally fixed.

Conclusion

If all of the provided methods have not managed to repair this error that checks your hardware, your computer might have some faulty components if after complete PC reset error persists.
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How to Fix Windows 10 Error Code 0x80070008

Error Code 0x80070008 - What is it

Error Code 0x80070008 generally appears on machines running Windows 10, although it may sometimes also appear on earlier versions of the software, going all the way back to Windows 7, when the error was first introduced.

Common symptoms include:

  • Inability to complete the Windows 10 Update process fully
  • Machine running slowly
  • Messages about a lack of memory on the device in question

If Error Code 0x80070008 has appeared on your computer, there are several things that you can do in order to fix the error and be able to install updates as necessary. Most of these methods are simple enough to use, even for the most inexperienced users, but at least one of the methods may require advanced knowledge or comfort in changing your settings on a deeper level.

If you don’t feel comfortable in your ability to use the steps below to resolve Error Code 0x80070008, get in touch with a qualified technician who is experienced in memory issues and Windows 10 error code resolution to assist you.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

There are three basic causes for Error Code 0x80070008. The first is that your machine may not have enough memory to finish the installation of an update. The second possible cause is that another program may be interfering with your machine’s ability to finish the update installation. Lastly, Error Code 0x80070008 can occur when a user has a lot of language packs, which may interfere with the ability to complete updates.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Because there are three different causes for Error Code 0x80070008, there are also three different methods to attempt to resolve the error. If you believe that the error may be caused by the number of language packs installed on your device, you should attempt method three first. Otherwise, use methods one and two first.

If you are not confident that you can do the steps below on your own to resolve Error Code 0x80070008, get in touch with a certified computer repair technician that is familiar with Windows 10 issues in order to fix the issue.

Here are the top three methods to resolve Error Code 0x80070008 on a machine running Windows 10:

Method One:  Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

When Error Code 0x80070008 first appears on your computer, one of the first steps that you can take to resolve the issue is to open up the Windows Update module and click on the “Troubleshoot” tool. This will run a scan on the Windows Update tool to attempt to identify the root cause of the problem and to resolve it automatically for you.

If the troubleshooter finds a problem, simply follow the steps on the screen to resolve the error. In some cases, you may want to restart your computer after this process is complete before you attempt to run the Windows Update tool again.

Method Two:  Close All Programs Until Updates are Done

In some cases, a lack of memory on the machine can mean that running other programs while you are attempting to run Windows Update will cause the update process to fail. Closeout all of the programs that are running on the device, including any antivirus software or firewalls, before you run the update process. If this allows the Update process to run through to completion, you can then reactivate all of the programs that were running prior to the update.

Method Three:  Remove Unwanted Language Packs

This method generally applies to users who have an abundance of language packs installed on their machine, usually more than 20 in total, which may interfere with the update process. To remove unwanted language packs, follow these steps:

  • Step One: Open the Start Panel and select “Control Panel.”
  • Step Two: Find the setting for “Clock, Language, and Region” and choose “Region and Language.”
  • Step Three: Select the option for “Keyboards and Languages,” then under the settings for “Display language,” choose “install/uninstall languages” and select “uninstall display languages.”
  • Step Four: For any languages that you do not wish to keep, deselect them and choose “Next.” It may require several minutes for the process to complete.
  • Step Five: After the unwanted language packs have been removed from your computer, you can attempt to run Windows Update again. You may want to restart your computer first for maximum efficiency.

Method Four: Use An Automated Tool

If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 10 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.

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A Quick Guide to Resolving Error Code 0x800ccc92 on Your PC

0x800ccc92 - What is it?

Do you come across this error message “Receiving’ reported error (0x800ccc92): “Your e-mail server rejected your login”? Verify your user name and password in your account properties. The server responded: - ERR invalid user names and password” when you try to send or open emails using your Outlook account? If yes, then this article is a must-read for you as we explain why this error occurs and how you can resolve it. To begin with, 0x800ccc92 is a common Microsoft Outlook error. This error restricts your ability to send and receive emails on your Outlook email address. In other words, it locks you out and hampers your ability to use your account successfully causing a great deal of inconvenience especially if you use your Outlook account for communication in and across your office.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

The 0x800ccc92 error message may occur due to numerous reasons so narrowing it down to one particular reason for occurrence is not easy. However, here we have listed down some of the most common causes of this error code:
  • Incorrect Outlook configuration settings
  • Invalid password or username
  • PST file crosses its fixed file size limit
  • Failure of POP3 and Protocol STMP in database server connection
  • Improper synchronization between Outlook and the server
  • Virus Infection
  • Invalid registry entries

Further Information and Manual Repair?

To fix the error code 0x800ccc92 on your system, here are some quick, effective, and easy DIY solutions that you can try:

Solution 1:

Sometimes the error code may occur due to an invalid password and usernames entry. Therefore, first, cross-check user ID and password. If you’ve entered the wrong password, try inserting the correct password to access your account.

Solution 2:

If the error still persists, then try installing the latest available Server Service Pack for Exchange. This solution works best if compatibility is the issue and the underlying reason for the error is improper synchronization between Outlook and the server.

Solution 3:

The presence of malware and viruses can also lead to such errors. Therefore, it is advisable to scan your entire PC for malware and viruses using a powerful antivirus.

Solution 4:

If the issue occurs due to bad and invalid registry entries, then it is important that you remove them right away. Due to such entries, you may experience the 0x800ccc92 error on your PC. To remove them, you need to download a registry cleaner. Downloading two programs an antivirus and a registry cleaner separately may slow down the speed of your PC. Therefore, to ensure this does not happen it is recommended you install Restoro Restoro is an advanced and multi-functional PC Fixer. This software is deployed with an intuitive algorithm and multiple powerful PC repair utilities including a registry cleaner, anti-virus, and a system optimizer. It is a one-stop solution for all PC-related issues. Using this tool, you can scan your entire PC and remove all types of malicious software including malware, viruses, spyware, and Trojans corrupting your PC in seconds. Simultaneously, it also removes all bad registry keys and entries and files the damaged system file, thereby restoring the registry back to normal. The system optimizer utility ensures your PC speed is not compromised due to the repair process. This software is safe, bug-free, efficient, and user-friendly. It is compatible with all Windows versions. Click here to download Restoro on your PC to instantly remove viruses and invalid registry entries to resolve the 0x800ccc92 error message on your system now!
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Windows 10 isn’t activated after upgrading for free

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

Restoro box imageError 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.

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Fix NETWORK_FAILED error in Chrome
Although the Google Chrome browser is one of the most used browsers, a lot of things could still go wrong when browsing the web using it. One of the errors you might encounter is the “ NETWORK_FAILED ” error. This kind of error in Chrome indicates that Chrome wasn’t able to send your request through the network connection. It could be that your computer has trouble connecting to a stable internet connection or there is some plugin in your Chrome browser that is causing the issue. The worst-case would be malware. But worry not for this post will guide you on what you can do when you encounter the NETWORK_FAILED error in Google Chrome. Make sure to follow each one of the options given below and see which one of them worked best for you.

Option 1 – Disable or remove any unwanted extensions in Chrome

As you know, browser extensions help in enhancing the browsing experience but there are also times when it does exactly the opposite, and such is the case with the NETWORK_FAILED error in Chrome. It could be that one of the extensions in your browser is the one that’s causing the trouble. To disable or remove these unwanted extensions, here’s what you have to do:
  • Launch Google Chrome, press Alt + F, move to More tools, and click Extensions.
  • Look for Search.tb.ask.com or any other unwanted add-ons, click the Recycle Bin button, and choose Remove.
  • Restart Google Chrome, then tap Alt + F, and select Settings.
  • Navigate to the On Startup section at the bottom.
  • Select “Open a specific page or set of pages”.
  • Click the More actions button next to the hijacker and click Remove.

Option 2 – Run the Malware Scanner and Cleanup tool in Chrome

If removing or disabling the unwanted extension didn’t help in fixing the error, you can try using the built-in malware scanner and cleanup tool in Google Chrome. These tools help you get rid of any unwanted pop-ups, ads, unusual Startup pages, toolbars, and even malware.

Option 2 – Run the Malware Scanner and Cleanup tool in Chrome

  • Launch Google Chrome and then tap the Alt + F keys.
  • After that, click on Settings.
  • Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
  • After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up the option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
  • Now restart Google Chrome.

Option 3 – Try to disable the Proxy

If you are using a proxy, you might want to consider disabling it as it could have something to do with the NETWORK_FAILED error.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “cpl” and hit Enter or click OK to open the Internet Properties.
  • After that, go to the Connections tab where you should see the LAN settings. Click on it.
  • Next, uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server for your LAN” and ensure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked as well.
  • Then click Ok and then Apply to save the changes made.
  • Restart your PC.

Option 4 – Flush DNS and reset TCP/IP

  • Click the Start button and type in “command prompt” in the field.
  • From the search results that appear, right click on Command Prompt and select the “Run as administrator” option.
  • After opening Command Prompt, you have to type each one of the commands listed below. Just make sure that after you type each command, you hit Enter
    • ipconfig /release
    • ipconfig /all
    • ipconfig /flushdns
    • ipconfig /renew
    • netsh int ip set dns
    • netsh winsock reset
After you key in the commands listed above, the DNS cache will be flushed and the Winsock, as well as the TCP/IP, will reset.
  • Now restart your computer and open Google Chrome then try opening the website you were trying to open earlier.

Option 5 – Delete the WLAN Profiles

Deleting the WLAN Profiles might be a good idea if you are not able to connect to the internet on your computer and if you’re using Wi-Fi. It could be that the networks that were connected previously have gone rogue which is why it is not connecting properly. And so deleting the WLAN profiles would be for the best. That should do it.
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