Windows is, more often than not, quite a stable operating system. So while there may not be a lot of issues to deal with when using it, when they do come up, the cryptic error codes that it gives us can be a hassle to deal with, considering the sheer number of error codes that are out there.
In this article, we’re looking at how to fix the error code 0x80004005.
What causes error code 0x80004005?
The error is mainly caused when accessing shared folders or drives, when using a specific program or when there’s an issue with Windows updates. The most common causes also include.
- Moving or renaming files and folders.
- Windows notification issues.
- Issues when extracting compressed files.
Also read: File is open in another program: 7 Fixes
How to fix error code 0x80004005?
Here are a few solutions you can try to fix error code 0x80004005.
Update the OS
In such situations, the first thing to do is to make sure your OS is up to date. Developers usually diagnose these issues based on insider reports or feedback from customers and issue fixes or patches in the form of updates. Check to ensure you’ve got the latest update installed on your system.
You can check out our detailed guide on how to update Windows here
Restart your PC
Restarting your PC is by far one of the most simple and effective solutions to just about any problem you run into while using Windows. Graphics issues, network problems, update glitches, rebooting got you covered.
It’s also not a bad idea to check your internet connection real quick. At times a dead or inactive internet connection can be the root cause of a lot of problems.
Disable antivirus and any third-party firewalls
Another thing that should be on your diagnostics list is to temporarily disable your antivirus and check if you can share files through your network. If you’re using any third-party firewalls, they can also cause conflict with network communications under the pretext of keeping you safe.
Also read: How to fix System Service Exception in Windows 10?
Perform a Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is an integral feature of Windows. It can help iron out many issues that may otherwise impact your system’s performance, including repairing any processes using too much CPU.
You can refer to this article for more information on Disk Cleanup
Use a different unzip program
The error also often pops up when extracting compressed files like zip or rar. Try to use a different extraction tool, or even the default Windows unzip tool to see if that works.
Run the Windows update troubleshooter
Windows 10 offers a slew of inbuilt troubleshooters that can resolve just about any issue on your PC, including Windows Update.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + I to open Windows settings and click on Update & Security.
Step 2; Head over to the Troubleshooting tab.
Step 3: Click on Additional troubleshooters.
Step 4: Click the Windows Update troubleshooter to run it and let the troubleshooter do its thing.
Now let the troubleshooter do its thing and try again.
Run an SFC scan
Corrupt files are the number one reason your PC might behave weirdly. Here’s how you can get rid of them and potentially resolve your issue.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + S to bring up the Cortana/Search box and search for Powershell. Open Windows Powershell from the search results.
Step 2: Type sfc /scannow to scan your system for issues.
Step 3: If the SFC scan finds any problem, use the following command to resolve them.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart your PC, and error code 0x80004005 should be gone.
Also read: Anaconda vs Miniconda: Which one to use and why?
Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder
This method will change the name of your SoftwareDistribution folder to SoftwareDistribution.old. Windows will then have to redownload any files it needs to run the updates.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + X to open the Quick Access menu and click on Command Prompt (Admin).
Step 2: Type the following command in the prompt and press Enter.
ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution softwaredistribution.old
Windows will automatically regenerate these files when you restart the PC, hopefully fixing the error code 0x80004005.
Re-register dlls
Re-registering a few DLL files can also help you get around the error.
Step 1: Press Windows key + X to open the Quick Access menu and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin) if you’re using Windows 11.
Step 2: Type the following commands one after the other pressing enter after each command.
regsvr32 jscript.dll
regsvr32 vbscript.dll
Add keys to the Windows registry
Adding these keys to the Windows registry has also been known to resolve this error.
Step 1: Press Windows key + R to open the Run prompt. Type regedit and hit enter.
Step 2: Navigate to the following directory.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
Step 3: Create a new registry entry as follows.
- If you’re on a 32-bit system, create a DWORD named LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy and set the value to 1.
- If you’re on a 64-bit system, create a QWORD named LocalAccountTokenPolicy and set the value to 1.
Restart your PC, and error code 0x80004005 should be resolved.
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