How to access the Registry

Thank you very much for this.

I've carried out instructions 1 to 8, then I did a Windows backup (it took 12 hours). When it finished, I rebooted and I was offered the option to upgrade to Windows 10 immediately or to start downloading but upgrade later. When I do do the upgrade, my inclination would to choose the second option. Should I disable or uninstall Kaspersky beforehand? If so, should I activate Windows Firewall?

Let's see if getting rid of any/all Norton and/or McAfee "leftovers" makes any difference. Roll up your sleeves & cross your fingers...

ACTIONS

[You will want to print these instructions for offline reference. IMPORTANT => DON'T SKIP ANY STEP & perform all Steps in one, uninterrupted session!  If a Step says to reboot,reboot!]

1a. Right-click on the following link, select SAVE TARGET AS... & download the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool, saving it to your desktop: http://us.mcafee.com/apps/supporttools/mcpr/mcpr.asp

1b. Right-click on the following link, select SAVE TARGET AS... & download the Norton Removal Tool, saving it to your desktop: ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english\_us\_canada/removal\_tools/Norton\_Removal\_Tool.exe

2. Close all open applications (i.e., anything with an icon on the taskbar).

3a. Right-click on the file you saved in Step #1a above and select Run as Administrator to run the McAfee utility. Don't TOUCH your keyboard until the run completes, then reboot.

3b. Right-click on the file you saved in Step #1b above and select Run as Administrator to run the Norton utility. Don't TOUCH your keyboard until the run completes, then reboot again.

4a. Right-click on the following link & save the download to your desktop: **ie8-rereg.all.zip** [1]

4b. Right-click on the file you saved in #4a & select EXTRACT ALL. This will create a new desktop folder also named ie8-rereg.all. The folder will contain both of the scripts below (plus a third one that you will NOT use).

      Note => The scripts are good for IE9, IE10 & IE11, too.

5a. Close all open applications (i.e., anything with an icon on the taskbar), open the folder created in Step #4b above & double-click on the file named ie8-rereg.32on64.cmd to run the script.

5b. Repeat for the file named ie8-rereg.64on64.cmd then reboot.

6. Re-assert Internet Explorer as the default Browser in the CUSTOM (<=important!) section of Set Program Access and Computer Defaults. [2]
7. Reset Internet Explorer per the instructions on this page => http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/reset-ie-settings

    Note=> For optimal results, check the Delete personal settings option.

8a. Open Internet Explorer (only!) to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/windows-update-error-8000ffff [ignore the title & references to Vista].

8b. Ignoring any "Not recommended" or similar warnings, run Fix It (#50202) in DEFAULT and then AGGRESSIVE modes. [3]

9. Reboot one last time then test by running a manual check for updates and seeing if the upgrade to Win10 succeeds now.

   • HOW TO run a manual check for updates

     https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3067639

10. Reply to this post with a status report.

Good luck!

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[1] Trusted Source: my colleague IE MVP Kai Schätzl's page http://iefaq.info/index.php?action=artikel&cat=42&id=133&artlang=en

[2] After we've finished this thread, feel free to reassert Firefox as your default, if you wish.

[3] Full Disclosure: Running the Fix It in AGGRESSIVE mode will delete your Update History but not the list of Installed Updates.

1. Yes.
2. I can't be absolutely certain but very much doubt that I went for a Norton or McAfee free trial because I'd had bad experiences with both these firms previously.
3. The answer I already gave you: 06/01/2016, two days ago.
4. Done.
5. Firefox, Chrome, Opera, all installed 3 to 5 years ago, badly out of date, now up-to-date.
6. I don't know how to answer this question. Using several programs, I recall reading that the changes were reversible. I don't recall doing specific backups. I did do general computer backups. The last was around 2011 because I then started to rely on the Restore points. (Another stupidity.) I DID become aware (somewhere along the line) that it was better to leave registries be. So I'll live by that rule from now on.

Q: Was the upgrade offered via Windows Update or did you attempt to upgrade manually using the Media Creation Tool & ISO?

A: On both occasions I chose the Windows-offered upgrade, the one installed from the Microsoft website...

Answer-by-number:

1. Does "install from the Microsoft website" above mean that the Win10 upgrade was offered via Windows Update (i.e., you did NOT use the Media Creation Tool & ISO)?
2. Chances are the HP computer came with a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trialpreinstalled. Have you ever run the Norton Removal Tool and/or the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool?

• Fact: Norton and McAfee applications are notorious for not uninstalling (or upgrading) cleanly. The "leftovers" may be playing a major role here.

3. When (exact date) was Security Update for Microsoft Windows (KB3104002) installed according to Installed Updates (not Update History)?
4. Can you successfully upgrade to Flash Player version 20.0.0.270 (or higher) by opening Internet Explorer (ONLY!) to this page? => http://www.adobe.com/go/getflash

• BEWARE any pre-checked options to "drive-by" install unwanted, third-party software (e.g., Google Toolbar; Google Chrome)!

5. Is Firefox (version 43.0.3 or higher), Google Chrome (version 47.0.2526.110 or higher), or any other alternate browser installed?
6. Do you have backups of ALL the changes registry cleaners have EVER made to the computer?

• Injudicious use of registry cleaners may be playing a role here, too. TIP: If you ever again think your Registry needs to be cleaned, repaired, boosted, tuned-up, cured, tweaked, fixed, maximized, "swept" or optimised (it doesn't), read this article and **this older**  (but still valid) **one** (and related links cited therein) then draw your own conclusions. Also related => http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2563254

Sorry, Robear. I didn't see this post until just now. In answer to your questions:

1a. I bought the computer about 5 years ago.

1b. I tried to upgrade twice, the first about a month ago and the second about 2 weeks ago. I stupidly did not make a full backup of my computer before the first. (Yes, I know. I feel like I'm a six-year-old.) The first attempt was immediately unstable as soon as I clicked on Mail. I suspect my Kaspersky anti-virus program had something to do with the failure. I chose the Return to Previous Build option, but the damage was done.

I tried a second attempt in the hope that such features such as Backup and Restore (which now wasn't working) would be repaired. As a precaution I switched off Kaspersky for 5 hours, then upgraded. The installation appeared to be stable. (I'm sorry. I can't remember now whether I tried the Backup and Restore option or not.) I closed the lid of my computer (an HP Pavilion Entertainment PC) and went to bed. The following morning, when I opened my computer, the 5 hours were up, and the setup was immediately unstable. I tried a number of options (noticing that Windows 10 often restarted itself immediately after a window offering a Kaspersky update appeared). Finally I admitted defeat and went for the Previous Rebuild solution again.

1c. On both occasions I chose the Windows-offered upgrade, the one installed from the Microsoft website (although I wasn't happy about being online for so long with so many defences switched off).

2. My Kaspersky installation is simply called Kaspersky Internet Security. There isn't a year in the name. My current licence still has three months or so to run. (Actually a new version of the app is available which I'll probably install over the next few days, unless you advise otherwise.)
3. I have used both Norton and McAfee apps in the past (especially Norton) but, as far as I can recall, I haven't used them on this machine. At the time of my first upgrade attempt, my backup program was Acronis True Image 2011 (that's the one I forgot to use beforehand). Then I upgraded to the 2016 version.
4. I don't believe so but I can't be absolutely sure. I've looked through the list of programs and there's no mention of either Norton or McAfee. Is there a way to make sure?

5a. All of them. 5b. All of them.

6. Version 8 update 66.
7. No. It's out of date (18.0.0.209). Should I update now, or wait to be sure everything's ok?

8a and 8b. This question caused me some confusion. According to About Internet Explorer, the version is 11.0.9600.18124, update version 11.0.26, and the update has the number KB3104002. In the Installed Updates tab, there is no mention of IE but that KB number was installed on 06/01/2016, two days ago. I have no recollection of consciously installing this update.

9. Yes, I have used some of these in the past - very gingerly and reluctantly, and not recently. I have also used Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and a few days ago I noticed that a feature of this program was listed in Services with an automatic launch. I then made it a Manual launch.

Thank you for your interest.