ERROR_KEY_DELETED 0x800703FA

Error code 1018 · HRESULT 0x800703FA

WINDOWS

Illegal operation attempted on a registry key that has been marked for deletion.

Windows troubleshooting diagram: Device Manager warning and a system file scan
Windows errors: check drivers, system files and Event Viewer, in that order.

What it means

ERROR_KEY_DELETED is a Windows error code (system error 1018, returned as HRESULT 0x800703FA) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “Illegal operation attempted on a registry key that has been marked for deletion.”

How to fix ERROR_KEY_DELETED

  1. Reboot once — many one-off system codes disappear with a clean restart
  2. Repair system files: 'sfc /scannow' then 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth'
  3. Find the source in Event Viewer → System: filter for this exact code and open its provider link

Related errors

ERROR_KEY_HAS_CHILDRENERROR_NOT_REGISTRY_FILEERROR_NO_LOG_SPACEERROR_REGISTRY_IO_FAILEDSTATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_HASHERROR_INVALID_FUNCTIONERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUNDERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

Last updated: