Get the fix to the 0x80070005 boot error message affecting Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.

Contents

About the “0x80070005” error

The following information on this error has been compiled by NeoSmart Technologies, based on the information gathered and reported by our global network of engineers, developers, and technicians or partner organizations.

Description and Symptoms

The error messages, alerts, warnings, and symptoms below are tied to this error.

Symptom 1: 0x80070005 error screen

The 0x80070005 error usually appears during Windows Update or by specific applications because of DLL files permission being denied, but it can also be caused by any of the following:

  • Malware or virus infections
  • Settings to Windows Update not being configured correctly
  • Issues with Administrative rights
  • Firewall software

Causes of this Error

This error has been known to occur as a result of one or more of the following:

Cause 1: Windows access rights are not configured correctly

The most common cause of this error is a Windows application that attempts to read or write a key file, but the access denied by Windows ACL(Access control list).

Fixing “0x80070005” on Windows

Fix #1: Allow user full control

If the 0x80070005 error is caused by a specific application, the issue may be from its folder permissions.

The following steps are for Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 users:

  1. Open Run
  2. Type:
    C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData

    Replace C: with the letter of the drive where Windows is installed. Also replace USERNAME with the username of the account you’re logged in.

  3. Click OK
  4. Right-click on the Local folder
  5. Click Properties
  6. Go to the Security tab
  7. Click “Edit -> Add”
  8. Type “Everyone”
  9. Click “Check names -> Ok -> Full control”
  10. Click OK to save the changes
  11. Restart your computer
Folder security settings screen

Folder security settings screen

After verifying that this fix works, you should attempt to narrow down which folders this should be applied to, as it is never a good idea to leave the ACL settings wide-open in this manner.

Fix #2: Configure Windows Update Settings

One of the easiest fix for the 0x80070005 error is to configure Windows Update settings to allow automatic updates.

Make sure you’re logged in as an Administrator

Follow these steps:

  1. Click Start
  2. Type update in search box
  3. Select Windows Update from the search results list
  4. Click Change Settings
  5. Select Install updates automatically (recommended) at the Important Updates section
  6. Set a schedule when the updates are going to be installed
  7. Click OK
Windows Update settings screen

Windows Update settings screen

If your Windows Firewall settings are too strict, the 0x80070005 error might appear even if your Windows Update settings are set to automatically install updates.

To fix this, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start
  2. Type firewall in the search box
  3. Select Windows Firewall from the search results list
  4. Choose Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall from the left side
  5. Click Allow another program
  6. Click Browse
  7. Look for the svchost.exe file
  8. Click Open
  9. Click Add
  10. A new program called Host Process for Windows Services should be in your list.
  11. Click OK

Adding svchost to Windows Firewall

Fix #3: Scan for viruses

A virus or malware infection can be the cause for the 0x80070005 error. Run an antivirus scan of your computer to make sure your PC is not infected.

If you don’t have an antivirus software program, use Easy Recovery Essentials’ built-in Antivirus Scanner.

The Professional Edition of Easy Recovery Essentials for Windows features a powerful antivirus and rootkit scanner that can normally resolve this and similar errors caused by viruses, rootkits, trojans, or spyware. EasyRE is currently available for Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8 and can be downloaded and created on any PC.

  1. Download Easy Recovery Essentials. Make sure to note your Windows version (XP, Vista, 7 or 8) before you download EasyRE. This guide can help you identify what version of Windows you have installed. For the purposes of this guide, you will need to obtain the Professional Edition of EasyRE.
  2. Burn the image. Follow these instructions on how to burn the bootable ISO image very carefully, as making a bootable CD can be tricky! Alternatively, these instructions explain how to create a bootable EasyRE recovery USB stick/drive.
  3. Boot up your PC from the Easy Recovery Essentials CD or USB you created.
  4. Once EasyRE is running, choose the “Virus Scanner” option and click Continue.
    EasyRE Home

    Choose “Virus Scanner” in Easy Recovery Essentials

  5. After EasyRE scans your computer’s drives, identify and select the drive letter for your Windows installation from the list, and then click on the Scan button to begin.
    EasyRE listing available drives for antivirus scan

    Choose the drive associated with the Windows installation you’re trying to repair.

  6. EasyRE will begin scanning the drive for viruses, rootkits, trojans, spyware, and other unwanted malware on your machine. No intervention is required, and EasyRE will repair viruses as it finds them, reporting its progress as it goes along:
    EasyRE: Automated Repair

    Easy Recovery Essentials searches for viruses and cleans infections on the selected Windows installation.

  7. Once the process is complete, EasyRE will report its findings. Click on the Restart button to reboot your PC and test the changes.

You can download Easy Recovery Essentials from here.

Fix #4: Use SubInACL

If the 0x80070005 error is trigger by incorrect file permissions or registry permissions, the SubInACL command-line tool can be used to reset the permissions.

  1. Download SubInACL from Microsoft
  2. Install it
  3. Open Command Prompt
  4. Type:
    notepad reset.cmd
  5. Press Enter
  6. Copy the following information to the reset.cmd file.
    @echo off subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CURRENT_USER /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f subinacl /subdirectories %windir% /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f @Echo - @Echo Done. @Echo - @pause
  7. In Command Prompt, type reset.cmd to run the file
  8. Press Enter
  9. Restart your computer

More Information

Support Links

Applicable Systems

This Windows-related knowledgebase article applies to the following operating systems:

  • Windows Vista (all editions)
  • Windows 7 (all editions)
  • Windows 8 (all editions)
  • Windows 8.1 (all editions)
  • Windows 10 (all editions)

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