How to Fix Error the 0X80004005 Error Code

What is This Error Code?

Error Code 0X80004005 is an unspecified Windows error code that usually is stated as:

  • Error Code 0X80004005. Unspecified error. 

This error may show up on its own or with another error or errors. In some cases, there will be additional text that comes up with the error notification that can help narrow down the source of problems. 

Something to take note of is that the instructions to solve this error apply to Windows, 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.

What Causes Error Code 0X80004005?

This error code usually occurs when you try to access shared folders or drives, when you are using specific programs, or when there is a problem installing Windows updates. Along with this, these are the most common causes for the error to occur:

  • A Windows notification issue. 
  • Moving or renaming files and folders.
  • Problems extracting and opening compressed files and folders. 
  • Problems with the Windows Update.

A useful tip is that if you are noticing that the error occurs whenever you use a specific program, the error is possibly software related.

How do you to Fix Error Code 0X80004005?

  1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter. This error can be caused when an automatic Windows Update fails, or else when the files downloaded by Windows Update are corrupted. The easiest way to fix the problems with Windows updates is to run the built-in troubleshooter. This is only if you are running Windows 7 or later. 
  2. Erase everything that you have in the Windows Update download folder. Open Windows File Explorer and use the navigation:

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

Then delete everything in the folder. This is only if the automatic troubleshooter does not fix the problem.

  1. Run the Windows Update. You may have to finish installing and downloading updates, if your problem is related to Windows Update. Once you have finished running the troubleshooter and manually deleting the files in your Windows Update folder, you should try running the Windows Update again. 
  2. Deleting your temporary files. Some common cases occur where a corrupt temporary file can cause this error. Simply, use the Windows Disk Cleanup tool or type %temp% in the Windows search bar to find your ‘Temp’ folder and delete everything inside. You will need to disable your Outlook mail notifications. Microsoft Outlook trying to notify you about new messages can cause the error to occur. If this problem is fixed by disabling this feature, you will need to choose between leaving the feature switched off, and possibly switching to a new email program. There are plenty of free email programs to choose from if you wish to go through with this option. 
  3. Another option is to disable Windows Defender. Anti-virus software can, in some cases, detect a false positive in line with the Microsoft Outlook app. If disabling notifications does not get rid of the error code while you are using Microsoft Outlook, turning off your anti-virus software may do the trick. Make sure that you disable any third-party anti-virus programs you use, such as Norton Anti-Virus. Important to note: In leaving your anti-virus program off, you are making your system vulnerable to malware. In saying this, you can try different free programs until you find one that works with your system and doesn’t cause the error to re-occur. 
  4. Using a different unzip program is another option to eliminate the error. Use a different extraction code, if you see the error code when trying to extract or open compressed files. These are files such as .zip or .rar files.
  5. Re-registering jdscript.dll and vbscript.dll can solve this error code problem. However, if you are still seeing error code 0X80004005 after trying to unzip files with other extraction tools, then you could possibly try re-registering two dynamic link libraries. This has a chance of fixing the problem. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and copy the following command. After this, press Enter:

   regsvr32 jscript.dll

After that, copy the following command in and press Enter:

   regsvr32 vbscript.dll

  1. Finally, add a key to the Windows Registry. Open the Windows Registry Editor and navigate to:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

 If you suspect you are seeing this error in connection with copying or moving files. 

  • If you have a 32-bit system, create a new DWORD registry value called ‘LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy’.
  • If you have a 64-bit system, create a QWORD registry value called ‘LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy’

Set the value to numeric 1(on), and then select OK. This is the step to be applied in both cases. After this, you should restart your PC to see if the problem is fixed. One very useful tip is that you should not delete or change anything within the Windows registry unless you know exactly what you are doing to the registry.

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