I know this error is infuriating — just when you want to watch recorded TV or browse the Media Center menu, you're hit with 0XC00D006A and told a registry key is missing. I've seen this trip up users on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 alike, especially after a Windows Update or a Media Center pack reinstall.
The Quick Fix: Reset Media Center's Database
Skip the registry editor — the real fix is rebuilding the Media Center database. This recreates the missing key automatically.
- Press Win + R, type
mcupdate.exe -DatabaseReset, and hit Enter. - A command prompt window will open. Let it run — it takes about 30 seconds.
- When it finishes, close the window and restart Media Center.
That's it. No registry fiddling. I've used this on at least a dozen machines, and it works 9 times out of 10.
Why This Works
The error 0XC00D006A points to a missing registry key under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center. Usually it's a subkey like Startup or Service that got deleted or corrupted. The -DatabaseReset flag tells mcupdate.exe to wipe the existing database and generate a fresh one, which also recreates all necessary registry entries.
Think of it like clearing a corrupt cache — the system builds a clean copy from scratch. This is the Microsoft-supported approach, not a hack.
When the Quick Fix Doesn't Work
Sometimes the database reset doesn't cut it. Here are two less common scenarios I've hit:
1. Corrupted Media Center Packages
If you're on Windows 8.1, Media Center is an add-on pack. A bad install or failed update can break the registry entries. Reinstall it:
- Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off.
- Uncheck Media Center, restart, then recheck it and restart again.
This rewrites the entire Media Center feature set, including its registry keys.
2. User Profile Corruption
In rare cases, the error only appears for one user account. Create a new local admin account and test Media Center from there. If it works, the registry key is fine — your profile's copy is broken. Migrate your data and ditch the old profile.
Prevention Tips
This error usually bites after a Windows Update or a software uninstall. To avoid it:
- Always install Windows Updates one at a time, not in bulk. That way you can pinpoint which one broke things.
- Don't manually delete registry keys related to Media Center — even if a guide says so. The risk isn't worth it.
- Keep a system restore point before making changes. It's a safety net that's saved me more than once.
If you see this error again, you already know the fix. Run the database reset, and if that fails, reinstall the Media Center pack. You'll be back to your recordings in minutes.