Author: shantanu

This post will help you troubleshoot / fix a problem with your Windows 8 PC where you are unable to start Windows 8 properly. This problem might occur after a sudden restart. You might also face this issue after a normal shutdown or hibernation. More information on this error can be gathered at : Microsoft KB article

You can use the following methods to resolve this issue:

Method 1 : Windows 8 Recovery Options

• Boot from the Windows 8 DVD / USB or use the Windows Recovery CD/DVD /USB , if you created one
• Select Repair if booting from Windows 8 Installation media ( Follow the next step if you are using Recovery Media )
• Click on Troubleshoot
• Now Click on Advanced Options
• Now, you can use System Restore to restore your computer to an earlier time
• OR
• You can select Startup Repair

If that does not help :

Method 2 : Microsoft Hotfix

• A hotfix has been released by Microsoft : You can download the hotfix from here .

Method 3 : General Instructions if you face this issue on a regular basis ( Reinstalling Windows )

• If you have made up your mind that you will re-install windows. Just follow the instructions below to make sure that you do not face this issue again
• Boot into your BIOS by pressing DEL , F2 or F10 key ( refer Documentation that came with your computer or onscreen instructions )
• Go to boot options or locate an options called UEFI boot ( refer screenshot )

• Either select Both or Legacy Only
• Save and Exit
• Reinstall Windows & activate
• Remember to run Windows Update & update your installation.

This post will help your troubleshoot a problem with Windows 8, where you cannot turn on Windows Firewall. There can be a few reasons for this to happen. Reasons & possible solutions are mentioned herein.

Reason 1 & solution

• If you have a third-party antivirus / Total security software installed in your PC, make sure that the software’s own firewall is turned off. Else you will not be able to turn on Windows Firewall.
• In this scenario, it is recommended that you use only one firewall, either Windows Firewall or your Security software’s firewall.

Reason 2 & Solution

• I am assuming that you are using a antivirus software that does not have it’s own firewall and Windows Firewall is not starting.
• In this scenario, try this:

• Press Windows Logo Key + X
• Click on Command Prompt (admin)
• On the Command Prompt type : services.msc

• Within the services locate Windows Firewall service and double click it ( refer screenshot below)

• Make sure the Windows Firewall services is running, else click on start and set the start up to Automatic.

Some More Solutions

System File Checker

• Press Windows Logo Key + X
• Click on Command Prompt ( admin )
• type SFC /SCANNOW
• Let the process Finish

Uninstalling any Antivirus software

• The Very first thing should be to locate your antivirus license key / serial no. or activation information.
• After saving the above said information for installing & activating: Uninstall your Antivirus software
• Now, Restart your computer and check if Windows Firewall is running. If not, check the service startup method as mentioned above.
• Now, Go to your antivirus software manufacturer’s website, download and install the latest version ( made for windows 8 ) from the website.
• Activate with your license information.

Restoring your computer

• Follow this guide for using system restore : Click here

This post contains the steps to fix the Master Boot Record ( MBR ) of your Windows 8 PC. Master Boot Record or MBR is a essential Windows operation. If the MBR gets corrupted or gets deleted somehow you computer will not boot. To fix your MBR easily, follow the steps mentioned herein:

Using Recovery Mode with bootrec.exe

• Press Windows Logo Key + I
• On the Bottom right corner click on Change PC settings

• Now, Click On General & scroll down
• Under, Advanced Startup Click Restart Now

• After the computer restarts into Repair Mode
• Click on Troubleshoot

• Now, Click on advanced options

• From the list, select command prompt
• Now, in the command prompt type :

• bootrec.exe /fixmbr
• after the process finishes restart your computer
• That’s it !

This article will help you fix an issue with windows 8, where you cannot change the Lock screen picture. Your Windows 8 PC might show on the settings panel that the picture has been changed and the settings were saved, but the Lock screen picture does not change. In some other cases when you click on browse button, nothing happens.

To fix this, follow the methods mentioned below:

Method 1 : Using Group Policy Editor

• Make sure you are logged on as administrator
• Go to run by pressing Windows Logo Key + R
• type gpedit.msc and press Enter
• Navigate to:

• Computer Configuration
• Administrative Templates
• Control Panel
• Personalization

• Now, Double click the second entry “Prevent changing lock screen image”
• Select Disabled
• Press OK
• Now, Double click the very first entry “ Force specific default lock screen image”
• Select Disabled
• Press OK

If this method does not work :

Method 2 : Using Registry Editor

• Press Windows Logo key + X
• Click on Command Prompt (admin)
• Press Yes or provide administrator password ( if required)
• type regedit
• navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Desktop/NameSpace
• Locate the key : {B4FB3F98-C1EA-428d-A78A-D1F5659CBA93}
• Double Click the Default value in the right pane and set the value to Other Users
• Follow the screen shot below:

• If for some reason the entry “ {B4FB3F98-C1EA-428d-A78A-D1F5659CBA93} is not present in NameSpace
• Right Click on NameSpace
• Click on Create
• Click Key
• Name the Key {B4FB3F98-C1EA-428d-A78A-D1F5659CBA93}
• Now, follow the steps mentioned above to make sure the Value for Default is Other Users

If this also does not solve your problem:

Method 3 : System File Checker

• Press Windows Logo Key + X
• Click on Command Prompt (admin)
• Type SFC /SCANNOW

After reading this article you will be able to use recovery options in windows 8. Recovery options are embedded into Windows 8 to enable the user to quickly fix / troubleshoot problems with the PC. You can use these recovery options to use system restore, Refresh your PC, use command prompt, restore your computer using a backup etc.

To quickly access Recovery mode in Windows 8:

• Locate the power button ( either within Windows or at login screen)
• Press & Hold the Shift key
• Click on Restart
• You will boot into recovery console
• Use the tool you wish from the listed options

Using Recovery Options if you cannot start Windows

• Either Boot from the Windows 8 DVD or USB drive
• OR
• Press F8 at the time of system start up
• Select Recovery
• Choose the required option from the recovery console to continue

If you have any questions / suggestions about this article, please use the comment form below to reach me,

This post produces some possible solutions to a problem with your windows 8 PC, where you cannot log in to your windows 8 PC with your Microsoft Account. There can be a few possible reasons why this problem might occur.

Reason / Resolution 1

Antivirus Software

If you have upgraded to Windows 8 & you had an antivirus installed in your PC prior to the update ( which you did not disable or uninstall ), it might be a reason for this error. Some incompatible or unsuited version of your antivirus software might delete some of the important Windows 8 core operating registry entries. An example is Webroot Software .

• Log in with a local account
• Uninstall your Antivirus software
• Retain your license key or activation information for your Antivirus / Security software for future installation
• Restart your computer again in local account
• press Windows logo key + X
• Click on Command Prompt (admin)
• type SFC /SCANNOW
• Let the process finish
• Restart your computer
• Try to login with your Microsoft Account
• Download and Install the latest version ( Windows 8 Compatible ) from the Software Manufacturer’s website
• Activate using the license information your saved before.

If this does not solve your problem

Reason / Resolution 2

Sometimes for some reason application access is revoked by the server.

• Just use any other computer to open http://account.live.com
• Login with your Microsoft Account
• Click on Edit Security Info
• Check if your PC is listed here
• If not, Login with a local account in Windows 8
• Open the same website mentioned above
• Go to Edit security info
• Click on Add Trusted PC
• Click on Save

If this does not work

Reason / Resolution 3

• Check your language options to make sure you are entering your password in the correct language

If nothing works you can:

• Using Recovery Options in Windows 8

After reading this post you will be able to fix an issue where your windows 8 computer might restart or shutdown automatically if left IDLE for sometime. Though Windows 8 power options lets you decide whether you wish you put your computer to sleep , shut it down or do nothing, in case your computer is left IDLE for a set time ( in minutes ).

But due to some reason even if this setting is set to Do Nothing or sleep, your computer shuts down or restarts itself.

Troubleshoot this problem by following the Methods herein :

Method 1:

Check Power Options

• Go to the start screen
• Start typing Power Options
• Select Power options from the displayed results

• Now, within power options,
• Click on Change what the power buttons do

• Now, Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable
• Uncheck the Checkbox that reads Turn On Fast Startup

If this does not solve your problem,

Method 2

Follow the steps mentioned above till you reach power options

• Check which plan is selected and click on Change plan settings of that particular power plan

• Click on Change Advanced settings

• Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable
• Set Turn off hard disk after  to Never
• Click on Apply, OK

Method 3

• Boot into your BIOS Setup ( press DEL or F2 or F10 ) (depending on your computer ) (refer documentation)
• Check the Power Options to make sure ACPI Version is set to the maximum available settings ( example : ACPI ver 3 )
• If unsure, just load setup defaults and refer your motherboard / computer user manual to set the correct options
• In the end, check your SMPS ( DESKTOP COMPUTERS ONLY) , is not faulty.

The Video tip in this post contains steps for using Refresh Your PC feature in Windows 8. Refresh Your PC is a feature that in a way resets your Windows Computer to factory defaults or you can say that it restores your Windows Installation to a fresh state. This enables the user to solve a lot problems that might occur with your Windows PC over a long time of usage. This feature can also be highly useful if your PC gets infected with a malicious software or in a similar situation where some program might be making your Windows Computer unstable.Watch the Video Tip below to learn more :