0x80040150SystemHigh

Error 0x80040150 — Read Registry Database (REGDB_E_READREGDB) | Windows System Error Fix

Windows 11Windows 10Windows Server 2022

What Does 0x80040150 Mean?

There was an error reading from the registration database. The COM registration entries in the registry are corrupted or inaccessible.

Real-World Causes

  1. 1Registry corruption in the HKCR or HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes hive
  2. 2Permission issues preventing access to COM registry keys
  3. 3Disk error affecting the registry hive files
  4. 4Incomplete or interrupted application installation

Symptoms

  • COM components fail to load across multiple applications
  • Shell extensions stop working
  • Application features dependent on COM fail
  • Registry access errors in Event Viewer

DIY Fix

Beginner-friendly steps you can try at home

  1. 1Run 'sfc /scannow' to repair registry-related system files
  2. 2Run 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth'
  3. 3Restart the computer to reload registry hives
  4. 4Reinstall the affected application

Advanced Fix

For experienced users and IT professionals

  1. 1Check registry permissions on HKCR and HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes
  2. 2Run 'chkdsk C: /f' to repair disk errors that may affect registry hive files
  3. 3If severely corrupted, perform an in-place upgrade to rebuild the registry

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fix a corrupted registry?
Yes, in most cases. Start with 'sfc /scannow' and DISM. If those do not help, an in-place upgrade (repair install) rebuilds the registry while preserving your files and most applications. Avoid third-party registry cleaners as they can cause more damage.

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About the Author

Windows Troubleshooting Team

Verified against official Microsoft documentation and real-world diagnostic data. Error behavior confirmed across Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server.