Avira AntiVir Personal is a free version of Avira anti-virus product which provides basic anti-virus and anti-spyware protection against dangerous viruses, worms, Trojans, malware, spyware and costly dialers. Avira AntiVir Personal is good and free, except that it always pops up and displays annoying nag advertisement screen which persuades users to upgrade to paid premium edition of Avira product.

The notification message, or rather the pop-up ads, of free edition of Avira Anti-Virus product displayed whenever auto-updater runs to update the anti-virus signature database, which is a daily routine. Thus, the upgrade to Avira AntiVir Premium or Avira Premium Security Suite pop-up notifier window is shown everyday from notification area (system tray).

The Avira upgrade pop-up notifier “almost full screen” nag screen is the job responsibility by avnotify.exe. It’s possible to disable and remove the annoying Avira popup nag screen by using one of the following methods. However, do note that the hack below is violating free Avira AntiVir EULA or license terms.

Method 1: Disable or Restrict avnotify.exe From Running or Executing with Local Security Policy Editor

Hint: Local Security Policy settings are among the security settings contained in the Local Group Policy Editor GPO. Thus, it works only Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Business, Enterprise and Ultimate Edition and Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate Edition, which has Local Group Policy Editor support.

1. Run secpol.msc, or alternatively, go to Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Local Security Policy.
2. Try to expand the Software Restriction Policies tree branch. Skip this step if both “Security Levels” and “Additional Rules” sub-branches are already created below Software Restriction Policies already.

Else, right click on Software Restriction Policies and select New Software Restriction Policies.
3. Right Click on Additional Rules and select New Path Rule.
4. Enter the full path to avnotify.exe in the Path: text box. It’s possible to click on Browse button to locate the avnotify.exe exectable.

Typically, avnotify.exe is located in %SystemDrive%\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe or %SystemDrive%\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe. In 64-bit OS, Program Files folder should be Program Files (x86) instead.
5. Set the Security level drop-down menu as Disallowed.

6. Click OK when done.

Method 2: Disallow or Disable avnotify.exe From Running or Executing with Local Group Policy Editor

Hint: Similar to Local Security
Policy Editor, Local Group Policy Editor is only included in some Windows versions. Thus, it works only Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Business, Enterprise and Ultimate Edition and Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate Edition.

* Run GPEdit.msc.
* Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System.
* Double click on Don’t run specified Windows applications setting.
* Click on Enabled radio button if it’s not yet enabled.
* Click on Show button.
* Type in avnotify.exe in the Value column.

* Click OK when done.

Method 3: Remove Execute Permissions on avnotify.exe

Hint: Works in most editions and versions of Windows. Some system may requires user to login to Safe Mode (restart computer and press F8 to select Safe Mode) to perform operation below.

1. Sign in to Windows desktop using the Administrator account.
2. Open Windows Explorer.
3. Navigate to the folder location for avnotify.exe.

For Avira version 9, it’s likely to be C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe and C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe for earlier version. Note that 64-bit operating system should navigate to Program Files (x86) folder instead.
4. Right click on avnotify.exe and select Properties.
5. Go to Security tab.
6. Click on Advanced button.
7. Under Permissions tab, click on Change Permissions button (only if applicable), and then select and highlight SYSTEM user, and click on Edit button.
8. Tick the Deny check box for Traverse folder / execute file rights.

9. Click OK when done.

Tip: In 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 or Vista, it’s possible to directly deny Read & execute permission in Security tab. However, some users reported that doing so may cause Avira to request for system reboot after each update.

Method 4: Suppress Avira Notifier Popup Nag Screen with Registry Registration Files

Hint: Works for all editions and versions of Windows.

Copy and paste the following code into a text file, and save it as with a file name with .reg extension. Then run the file to merge the value to system registry. Note that user may need to change the code below to reflect the actual path to avnotify.exe located on local system.

For Windows 7:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\safer\codeidentifiers\0\Paths\{60973e1d-3660-4012-856a-97a92f467003}]
"LastModified"=hex(b):b7,94,f1,01,52,26,ca,01
"Description"="Disable Avira PopUp"
"SaferFlags"=dword:00000000
"ItemData"="C:\\Program Files\\Avira\\AntiVir Desktop\\avnotify.exe"

For Windows XP und Windows Vista:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\safer\codeidentifiers\0\Paths\{f2425885-ad5b-4f27-bdff-9b0a7aba5940}]
"Description"=""
"SaferFlags"=dword:00000000
"ItemData"="C:\\Program Files\\Avira\\AntiVir Desktop\\avnotify.exe"

Method 5: Change Update Job Frequency to Daily At A Particular Time

Some users reported that changing the the Avira update job with frequency set to Daily at a particular time can eliminate Avira notifier pop up window. It’s also possible to edit the existing update to this mode.

Most people who purchased games online or in store normally does not keep track of the serial number, registration code or CD key on DVD/CD case which used to install, activate or unlock the games, until when it’s about time to reformat or reinstall Windows. For people who misplaced, lost or forgotten the serial keys or registration information of the installed purchased PC games, Game Key Revealer can help to retrieve or recover the license information.

Game Key Revealer is a software utility that retrieves the CD-key and serials for installed games on computer. Essentially, Game Key Revealer is pretty much the same application with many software application which reveals, retrieves, or recovers application’s serial code or product key, such as Keyfinder Thing, Recover Keys and License Crawler, but its main focus is on games.


Features of Game Key Revealer:

• Scan and display serial keys of more than 1000 games.
• Save to Text or Word (Word XP and above).
• Print.
• Portable app.
• No installation required and can be ran directly.

The games (and its developer or publisher) that are supported by Game Key Revealer, are including the following, as an example:

10tacle Studios
- GT Legends
- GTR 2

Activision/id
- Call of Duty
- Call of Duty: United Offensive
- Call of Duty 2
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
- Call of Duty: World at War
- Doom 3 (key location)
- Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil (key location)
- Quake III Arena (key location)
- Quake 4
- Return to Castle Wolfenstein (key location)
- Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix (key location)
- Star Trek: Elite Force II
- Star Trek: Starfleet Command III
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4
- Tony Hawk’s Underground 2

ATARI
- Act of War: Direct Action
- Act of War: High Treason
- Terminator 3: War of the Machines
- And some other games

AxySoft
- Some games

Crytek
- Crysis
- Crysis Warhead
- FarCry

Electronic Arts
- Battlefield 1942
- Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWII
- Battlefield 1942: The Road to Rome
- Battlefield 2
- Battlefield 2: Special Forces
- Battlefield 2142
- Battlefield Heroes
- Battlefield Vietnam
- Black and White
- Black and White: Creature Isle
- Black & White 2
- Black & White 2: Battle of the Gods
- Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box
- Command and Conquer: Generals
- Command and Conquer: Generals Zero Hour
- Command and Conquer: Red Alert
- Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2
- Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2: Yuri’s Revenge
- Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3
- Command and Conquer: Renegade
- Command and Conquer: The First Decade
- Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun
- Command and Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath
- Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
- Cricket 2002,2004,2005,07
- Crysis
- Crysis Warhead
- Dead Space
- F1 2000,2001,2002,Challenge 99-02,Championship 2000
- FIFA 2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,06,07,08,09
- FIFA Manager 06,07,08,09
- FIFA World Cup 2002,2006
- Freedom Fighters
- Global Operations
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
- Harry Potter Creator
- Harry Potter Quidditch World Cup
- Madden NFL 2002,2003,2004,2005,06,07,08,09
- Mass Effect
- Medal of Honor: Airborne
- Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
- Medal of Honor: Breakthrough
- Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault
- Medal of Honor: Spearhead
- Mirror’s Edge
- MVP Baseball 2003,2004,2005
- MySims
- Nascar Racing 2002,2003
- NASCAR SimRacing
- NASCAR Thunder 2003,2004
- NBA Live 2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,06,07,08
- Need for Speed Carbon
- Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2
- Need for Speed Most Wanted
- Need for Speed ProStreet
- Need for Speed Undercover
- Need for Speed Underground
- Need for Speed Underground 2
- NFL Head Coach
- NHL 2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,06,07,08,09
- Rail Simulator
- Rugby 2004,2005,06,08
- Shogun: Total War
- Shogun: Total War: Mongol Invasion
- Shogun: Total War: Warlord Edition
- SimCity 3000 Unlimited
- SimCity 4
- SimCity 4: Deluxe
- SimCity 4: Rush Hour
- SimCity Societies
- SimCity Societies: Destinations
- Spore
- Spore Creature Creator
- Spore Creepy & Cute Parts Pack
- The Lord of the Rings: Conquest
- The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth I,II
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
- The Lord of the Rings: The Rise of the Witch King
- The Sims (almost all series)
- The Sims 2 (almost all series)
- Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,06,07,08,09
- Total Club Manager 2002,2003,2004,2005
- UEFA Champions League 2004-2005,2006-2007
- UEFA Euro 2004,2008
- And some other games

Epic Games
- Unreal Tournament 2003-2004

Eugen Systems
- Act of War: Direct Action
- Act of War: High Treason
- The Gladiators

Funatics Development
- The Settlers II: 10th Anniversary
- Zanzarah

GameHouse
- Some games

Iron Lore
- Titan Quest
- Titan Quest: Immortal Throne

JoWooD
- Industry Giant 2
- The Nations
- And some other games

KONAMI
- Pro Evolution Soccer 4,5,6,2007,2008,2009
- Winning Eleven (almost all series)

Lionhead Studios
- The Movies
- And some other games

LucasArts
- Star Wars Battlefront 1,2
- Star Wars Empire at War
- Star Wars Empire at War: Forces of Corruption
- Star Wars Republic Commando

Microsoft
- Age of Empires II (PID key)
- Age of Empires III
- Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs
- Age of Mythology
- Dungeon Siege 2
- Halo
- Rise of Nations

Oberon Media
- Some games

PopCap Games
- Some games

Reflexive Arcade
- Some games

SEGA
- Medieval II: Total War

Sierra/Valve
- Caesar IV
- Contract J.A.C.K.
- Counter-Strike
- Empire Earth III
- Gunman Chronicles
- Half-Life
- No One Lives Forever 2
- TimeShift
- World In Conflict
- And some other games

Techland
- Call of Juarez
- Chrome
- GTI Racing
- Xpand Rally
- Xpand Rally Xtreme

THQ
- Company of Heroes
- Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts
- Dawn of War
- Dawn of War: Dark Crusade
- Dawn of War: Soulstorm
- Forged Alliance
- Frontlines: Fuel of War
- MotoGP 2007
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
- Supreme Commander
- Zanzarah

Ubisoft
- FarCry
- Peter Jackson’s King Kong
- Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones
- Rainbow Six III RavenShield
- Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
- Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
- The Settlers II: 10th Anniversary
- And some other games

Once user clicks on “Find Games” button, Game Key Revealer will scan and crawl the computer for all game keys or serials. Game Key Reveals supports almost all versions of Windows, including Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008.

Download Game Key Revealer: GameKeyRevealer.zip

Vue is a 3D software package for the creation, animation, and rendering of natural 3D environments. Vue is available in six versions: xStream, Infinite, Complete, Pro Studio, Esprit, and Pioneer, Vue Pioneer been the edition with fewest feature sets. Although at the low end range of Vue series of product, Vue Pioneer is a great way to learn 3D, and fully functional to compose and create 3D landscapes with ability to select the best point of view and render hyper-realistic images of landscapes in moody atmospheres.


Features and Usage of Vue 8 Pioneer:

• Create amazingly detailed 3D Worlds in any style – photo-realistic, illustration, fantasy, abstract with no drawing skills required.
• Produce images in superb photo-realistic quality and vibrant colors for print and web.
• Bring to life stories, comics and cartoons, poems or games.
• Create still and animated backgrounds.
• Illustrate presentations and documents.
• Simulate geologically realistic environments, from archeologically accurate worlds to a possible evolution of the Earth.
• Easily create professional 3D titling effects for own videos and DVDs.
• Invent original wallpapers and screensavers, posters, postcards, calendars, stickers.
• Represent yourself, your friends and family in the most exotic and fantasy worlds or funny situations – travel to deep and savage mangroves or desert islands lost in the ocean.
• Design original websites.
• Create dazzling animations – animate user entire world, from the smallest plant to the biggest cloud and walk, drive and fly through them.
• Wide selection of presets.
• Unrivaled natural 3D creation power.
• Renders at Full HD resolution.
• Direct access to Cornucopia3D content.
• One click to create a terrain, one click to grow a new plant, one click to add 3D text, etc without worry about perspective, lighting or shadows.

Vue 8 Pioneer is developed by e-on software for Cornucopia3D, and is now available as freeware. Vue 8 Pioneer is derived from the research e-on software makes for the high-end products it sells to large special effects studios. Vue 8 Pioneer is full version product which different from PLE (Personal Learning Edition), which is a trial version with watermarks on the renders (although there is logo imprinted). Vue 8 Pioneer, which can be used forever, also can be upgraded to higher end versions of Vue, and user can exchange scenes with other Vue users.

Vue 8 Pioneer Limitations:

• Pictures carry a logo.
• Cannot import 3D models.
• Vue 8 Pioneer is for home use only.
• Vue 8 Pioneer is provided “as is”, without any technical support.

Vue 8 Pioneer can be downloaded from cornucopia3d.com. Vue 8 Pioneer setup installer is available for 32 and 64-bit Windows versions and Universal Mac builds. User will have to create a Cornucopia3D account (if you don’t already have one) to use the product.

Direct Download Links for Vue 8 Pioneer: Vue8Pioneer.zip

If you are a Gmail user and would like to have more customization on how its interface looks like, here is a simple Mozilla Firefox extension that can simplify the steps. Named as Minimalist Gmail, it allows users to remove any labels and customize Inbox view so that you can stay more focus on email contents without being distracted by unnecessary advertisements, action buttons and etc.

In order to enable this feature, just download the plug-in and once you have installed it, restart the Firefox web browser and you will notice a tiny menu ‘Minimalist Gmail’ appears at the upper right corner. Click on it will prompt up a menu that allows you to control the Inbox View as well as the overall interface of your mailbox. By ticking/un-ticking on the box besides each item, users can customize it including header, footer, buttons, labels removal, sidebar and even hiding advertisement for a much streamlined interface depending on own preference. Besides, there is a way to toggle the header to be on or off by clicking on the grey arrow at the upper left corner directly.

This could be quite useful especially when you are browsing on a tiny screen nettop and would like to give every inch of your display to useful contents by hiding those unrelated one. Do get a free download here at no cost for immediate use.

IOBit will give away its Advanced SystemCare PRO for 24 hours randomly starting from a random time between 20 November and 27 November as a ThanksGiving gift/present. Advanced SystemCare PRO (formerly known as Advanced WindowsCare Professional) is a Windows system utility which provides an always-on, automated, all-in-one PC Healthcare Service with anti-spyware, privacy protection, performance tune-ups, and system cleaning capabilities.


This powerful utility has been designed to fix stubborn errors, cleans out clutter, optimizes internet and download speeds, ensure personal security and maintains maximum computer performance automatically.

Key features of the Advanced SystemCare PRO version 3:

• Designed for the latest Windows system environment, speeds up PC and improves reliability.
• Powerful hard drive defrag and optimization.
• Next-generation registry deep clean and optimization.
• Automated working in the background.
• Defends PC security with extra protection.
• Quick and extensive clean-up for hard drives.
• Keeps PC running at peak performance.
• Fixes multiple system errors.
• 100% free 24×7 Technical Support and community support.

To grab the free Advanced SystemCare PRO v3 1 year license serial code which normally cost $29.95 (aff) to purchase, just head to the following URL “frequently” between 20 November to 27 November, 2009.

http://db.iobit.com/license-free/asc-free-license.php

Or check back this page or subscribe to My Digital Life comments feed or follow My Digital Life comments tweet so that when somebody posts about the availability of the free giveaway, you are in the know.

a-squared Anti-Malware provides Comprehensive PC protection against trojans, viruses, spyware, adware, worms, bots, backdoors, keyloggers, rootkits, tracking cookies, and dialers. a-squared Anti-Malware is one of the best anti-virus and anti-spyware product solution in the market, which despite its name, can scan, detect and clean both viruses and malware (malware is termed as malicious software).



Features of a-squared Anti-Malware 4.5:

• 2 cleaning scanners in 1: the a-squared Anti-Spyware, and the Ikarus Anti-Virus engine.
• Performance improvement with the integration of the two engines on the lowest level.
• 2 guards against new infections: signature scan + behavior analysis.
• Typical ways of infection are disabled in advance such as websites that try to plant Trojans or Spyware or that offer deceptive contents are blocked by the surfing protection.
• Signature updates at least 5 times per day.
• 2 ways of removing Malware are better than one: automatic and manual cleaning.
• Malware-IDS and Background Guard protection technology stops malware before it has a chance to becoming active and harmful on PC.
• Application rules to protect specific programs from third-party manipulation.
• Ability to decide what programs are allowed to start and what actions may be performed.
• Extended program help.
• Community based help with decisions to provide a recommendation based on the decisions of other users when an alert is raised.
• Explorer integration – right click scan.
• File guard that checks programs while startup.
• Includes a-squared HiJackFree and a-squared Commandline Scanner.

A one year subscription license of a-squared Anti-Malware typically costs $40. However, the developer is going to start an exclusive promotional offer which will giveaway one year (12 months) free license for a-squared Anti-Malware 4.5, the latest version of the popular security tool. Actually, the promo works in such a way that a discount code worth $40 can be used to offset any a-squared Anti-Malware order. The $40 discount effectively makes the 12 months subscription license free, and other packages of a-squared Anti-Malware license cheaper by $40.

The free 1 year a-squared AntiMalware 4.5 offer is only valid for 24 hours, starting from 11:11 (CET) on Wednesday, 11th November 2009. In order to get the license, user will need to register an account with emsisoft.com, which will later be used to unlock and activate the full version a-squared Anti-Malware for 1 year. More details at http://www.emsisoft.com/en/order/24h/.

Download the a-squared Anti-Malware 4.5 full setup installer: a2AntiMalwareSetup.exe

This offer is valid for 24 hours only commencing at 11:11 (CET) on Wednesday 11th November, 2009.

a-squared Anti-Malware runs on Windows XP, Vista, 7 as well as on 2003/2008 Servers in all 32 bit editions. On x64-systems the scanner and OnExecution guard work very well, but the behavior blocking module (Malware-IDS) does not run currently.

The global leading maker of high-end precision gaming and lifestyle peripherals, Razer has released its new optical gaming mouse, named as Razer Abyssus, which is equipped with ultra-responsive buttons tuned for maximum tactile feedback, featuring a state-of-the-art 3500dpi Razer Precision 3.5G infrared sensor engineered with No Drift Control, aiming for absolute freedom of movement.



“Less is more. We’ve taken our ambidextrous three-button mouse design and loaded it with our industry-leading technology without the added cost of too many bells and whistles,” said Robert “Razerguy” Krakoff, president of Razer. “Our goal with the Razer Abyssus is to give competitive gamers access to gaming grade hardware without breaking the bank.”

Main Features And Technical Specifications Of Razer Abyssus:

• Uncompromising 3500dpi Razer Precision 3.5G infrared sensor ensures true freedom of movement
• 3 buttons tuned for ultra-responsive feedback
• 1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response time
• Easily accessible mechanical dpi (450/1800/3500) /polling rate (125/1000Hz) switches
• On-The-Fly Sensitivity adjustment
• Always-On mode
• 16-bit ultra-wide data path
• 60-120 inches per second and 15g of acceleration
• Scroll wheel with 24 individual click positions
• 3 independently programmable Hyperesponse buttons
• Zero-acoustic Ultraslick Teflon feet

The new high-precision Razer Abyssus gaming mouse which measures 115(L) x 63(W) x 40(H) mm is available for around $50.

AT&T might be suing Verizon for misrepresenting its network in ads, but that doesn't seem to have dissuaded Beg Red from using that same map image in this new spot, which casts the iPhone away to the Island of Misfit Toys. Hard to argue with the premise, but here's the real question: why not just sack up use a real iPhone, instead of this KIRF piece? Check the ad after the break.

Update: Two more ads after the break -- "Blue Christmas" and "Elves." In case you were wondering, it's a sunny 70 degrees in early November in New York and Chicago, which is just about perfect for Christmas ads.

Computer performance can easily get degraded with growing of junk files in your system over time. There are some utilities available in the market that can help you clean it up but in case you are not truly satisfied with any of them, why not give this utility a trial? Named as DiskMax, it is a free utility that can be used to maximize hard disk utilization efficiency by removing unwanted files from your Windows system.


Designed in user-friendly interface and is easy to be used, it is bundled with 3 types of scan profiles namely Quick, Standard and Detailed. Scan profile is a collection of scan sections and so with different profiles cover different type of scan sections, you can choose any one of the profiles based on your personal preference. Once after launched, you will be asked to choose respective scan profile and it will start the scan process accordingly. During the scan process, ‘user prompts’ will be popped up when DiskMax is unsure of your preference, just choose Yes or No and it will continue with the decision you provided. However, if you don’t want the ‘user prompts’ to be popped up in the future whenever DiskMax is executed, make sure ‘Remember my answer’ is selected so that the answer will be kept for future reference. A quick report is displayed each and every time the scanning process is completed. The report will summarizes number of files have been deleted, space has been recovered, number of files to be deleted when Windows is restarted, space that will be recovered when system is restarted, total space has been recovered and total time taken to complete the scanning process. Besides, DiskMax will generate a log file which contains a detailed report such as what are those files that have been deleted, and you can easily get the log file under the name of DiskMax Log.txt at user profile directory. For instance, C:\Users\MyDigitalLife\DiskMax Log.txt for Windows Vista and C:\Documents and Settings\MyDigitalLife for Windows XP. The contents of the log file will be erased during the next run of DiskMax.

Below are the summarize features of DiskMax:
• Empty recycle bin, delete installation leftover and debugging information.
• Clear user’s History, Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, error reporting logs and etc.
• Clean up Windows cache, internet logs, repair information, DLL caches, Logs, temporary files and windows update roll-back files.
• Cleans up after Vista SP1/SP2 install.
• Delete registry entries for multiple Most Recently Used lists.
• Remove all files type such as log, old, prv, chk, swp, bak, gid, wbk, tmp and dmp. Howerver, this action is optional and you can choose to not remove them if you would like to keep them for troubleshooting.
• Defragment Hard Disk space.

DiskMax 4.15 is absolutely free for download and is compatible to run in Windows XP/2003/Vista and even Windows 7. Download it at here to ensure your PC is always in optimum performance for much more effective work in daily life.

Microsoft distributes a stability and reliability update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, KB974431, which intends to improve the stability and reliability of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2 in various scenarios, such as missing characters in Microsoft Office-created PDF file, blank screen is displayed on computer with secondary monitor or does not have Physical Address Extension (PAE) enabled when resuming from hibernation, Windows Media Player playback issue and end entity certificate installation failure in IE.


However, when Windows Update installing KB974431 update, the following error message may be displayed when Windows is configuring the updates after system reboot, and the installation of the update fails, with error code
of C004F050.

The error happens because the Windows operating system cannot pass genuine Windows validation (WGA). KB974431 incorporates a built-in mechanism which check for genuineness and authenticity of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 OS installed on the PC, before it allows itself to be installed. If the validation fails, or return invalid or not genuine status, installation of KB974431 will fail.

Here’s how to fix KB974431 installation failure due to 0xC004F050 error:

1. Run command prompt
window as administrator.
2. Run the following command to reset all system files to default and clean the system from hack or crack:

sfc /scannow
3. If activation grace period has expired (e.g. black background desktop), run the following command to rearm Windows to extend activation grace period for another 30 days (i.e. genuine for another 30 days):

slmgr /rearm
4. Restart the computer.
5. Run Windows Update to install KB974431 update again.
6. If Windows loses activated status, perform activation again.

If the above resolution does not work, try to uninstall any previous Windows 7 activation crack or loader or hack to bypass Windows 7 activation that has been installed previously manually. Worst scenario, user will probably need to in-place upgrade Windows 7 again by select Upgrade installation to have a new, clean, legit Windows 7 installed with all applications and data migrated automatically.