What Is ehprivjob.exe?

Ehprivjob.exe is the main executable of the Digital TV tuner device registration app. This is a part of Windows itself. This app is a scheduled task that runs as part of Windows Media Center. Windows 10 no longer has Windows Media Center as a default part of Windows and there is no official way of installing it again, although it is still possible.

As such, you’re most likely to see this program running on a Windows 7 or 8 computer, although it’s not impossible for it to be on a modern Windows 10 computer. Please note that all instructions and screenshots in this article are from Windows 7.

The application exists as part of Windows’ solution to watching and recording digital cable television signals, assuming that the correct hardware is present for that to be possible. Of course, these days people are more likely to watch videos as an internet-based stream or download. So over time, ehprivjob.exe has become less relevant.

Is ehprivjob.exe Safe?

There’s no need to be concerned if you see ehprivjob.exe in your list of running processes in Task Manager. It’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to. In addition, it’s not a resource-heavy application, so it shouldn’t make any difference in terms of RAM usage or CPU load. There’s no real reason to mess with it, unless it’s causing errors or other issues.

Finding ehprivjob.exe’s Location

This program is a system file and is set to hidden, so you won’t be able to see it unless you change Windows’ settings to show hidden files. Usually you’ll find this file under C:\Windows\ehome\.

We don’t recommend that you delete this or any other Windows system component directly. Instead you should use the correct method below.

Checking ehprivjob.exe’s Legitimacy

While the real ehprivjob.exe should be found in your Windows folder as described above, there are other ways to check if it’s suspicious.

If you check the file’s properties, it should have Microsoft Corporation as its listed developer. The file should be about 221KB in size as well. 

Simply right-click on the file and select Properties. Then switch to the Details tab and it should look like this.

If the file calling itself ehprivjob.exe doesn’t match what’s expected, scan it with an antivirus package to make sure there’s no malicious code.

Removing ehprivjob.exe

Since this program is part of Windows Media Center, the only way to safely remove it is by disabling Windows Media Center. Luckily it’s easy to do:

1. Select Start and type Programs and Features, then select the listing.

2. Select Turn Windows Features on or off.

3. Expand Media Features.

4. Uncheck Windows Media Center.

5. Read the warning and select Yes if you agree.
6. Select OK.

After waiting for the changes to complete, ehprivjob.exe will now be gone from your computer’s running processes. However, any functionality specific to Windows Media Center will also be gone.

Fixing ehprivjob.exe Errors

Most of the time, users are unaware that ehprivjob.exe is running. It usually only comes to your attention when it’s name is mentioned in an error like the examples below:

• Ehprivjob.exe Application Error.
• Ehprivjob.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
• Error starting program: ehprivjob.exe.
• Ehprivjob.exe is not running.
• Cannot find ehprivjob.exe.

There are many reasons why these errors might pop up, but there are two general fixes for two main classes of issue.

In the case of crashes and application errors, your best bet is to check the integrity of your Windows system files. This is an automated process and simple to execute. Check out Use These Command Prompt Commands to Fix or Repair Corrupt Files for specific instructions.

Errors that tell you ehprivjob.exe isn’t running or can’t be found are usually from other software that depends on it to work properly. If you’re running Windows 10, then chances are you don’t have ehprivjob.exe on your computer, since Windows Media Center is defunct. 

While you can install it again on a Windows 10 system, we don’t recommend it. We also don’t recommend using any software that specifically requires Windows Media Center, since that software is almost certainly out of date as well.

Upgrading to Windows 10

If you’re having issues with ehprivjob.exe and are still running Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 you should strongly consider upgrading to Windows 10. Windows 7 users in particular should upgrade as soon as possible. Windows 7 is no longer supported by Microsoft and doesn’t receive security updates. 

It may seem like a drastic step to upgrade your entire operating system just to get rid of ehprivjob.exe problems, but it’s only symptomatic of a larger issue. Since only those on older versions of Windows have ehprivjob.exe in the first place, this is essentially a small public service announcement that the time is long past to upgrade.

The good news is that Windows 10 is constantly updated and most of the issues that made users delay upgrading have been resolved. Just make sure your computer meets the Windows 10 requirements. If you’re worried about having to pay for your Windows 10 licence, since the free upgrade period offer has officially ended, there’s some more good news as well.

Users who download the Windows 10 Media Creation tool and choose the “Upgrade” option for Windows 10 using it, report that they have a digitally licensed version of Windows 10 when all is said and done. No money involved.

The F8 key is still available on your keyboard, but it works with other key combinations to perform certain functions, especially when your touchpad or mouse isn’t working and you need to use keyboard shortcuts instead.

In this guide, we’re going to show you what to do when you find F8 not working in Windows 10, but first, let’s look at why this happens.

Why Is F8 Not Working In Windows 10?

Safe Mode is a native Windows feature in all versions of the operating system, which is used to troubleshoot various problems such as driver installation issues, problems booting into Windows, and malware or virus-related issues among others.

The F8 boot menu was removed in order to improve system boot time. This is because Windows 10 boots much faster than previous versions, so you won’t have enough time to press the F8 key and enter Safe Mode during startup. Plus, it can’t recognize the key press during the boot process, which prevents access to the boot options screen from where you can select the Safe Mode option.

Instead, Microsoft provided a new Advanced Boot Options menu feature that lets you access troubleshooting options such as Safe Mode and others.

You can still access the Safe Mode feature by pressing the F8 key, but you have to re-enable it manually using a few simple steps, and there are other methods that can also get you into Safe Mode, but they’re not as straightforward.

Fix F8 Not Working In Windows 10

1. Manually Re-enable F8 Key

• Type CMD in the search bar and click Run as Administrator.

• Type this command in the Command Prompt: bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy and press Enter..

Note: BCD or Boot Configuration Data Edit command is a native tool in Windows that controls how the operating system starts. It also helps you easily re-activate the F8 boot menu.

• Restart your PC, and press the F8 key repeatedly on the keyboard while it starts up and you’ll see the Advanced Boot Options menu, from where you can select Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, or Safe Mode with Command Prompt.  

To disable the F8 key again, open the elevated Command Prompt and type this command: bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy standard

2. Enter Safe Mode From Start Menu

• Click Start and select Settings.

• Next, click Update & Security in the Settings menu.

• On the left pane, click Recovery and then click Restart now.

• Windows will restart automatically and display the Choose an Option screen. Click Troubleshoot.

• Click Advanced Options.

• Next, click Startup Settings.

• A screen will appear showing different startup options.

• On your keyboard, press the F4 key or number 4 key to enter Safe Mode, or the corresponding key to enter Safe Mode with Networking or with Command Prompt depending on what you want to do.

Note: You can also click Start, right-click the Power button, and hold down the Shift key when you click Restart. This automatically restarts Windows and brings up the Choose an Option screen, after which you can continue with the steps to access Safe Mode.

3. Start Safe Mode By System Configuration

System Configuration also known as msconfig, is a system utility used when troubleshooting the Windows startup process. It can disable or re-enable device drivers and programs that run during the boot process to figure out why the problem you’re experiencing occurred. It saves time compared to other methods that require you to repeat several steps just to enter Safe Mode.

• Press the Windows logo key+R to open the Run dialog box and type msconfig. Then press Enter or click OK.

• Click Boot and mark the checkbox next to Safe Boot. Select Minimal and click OK. There are other options available such as Alternate Shell (Safe Mode with Command Prompt), Active Directory Repair, and Network (Safe Mode with Networking support), so you can pick the one you need.

• Click Apply > OK for the changes to take effect and Windows will restart in Safe Mode.

To exit Safe Mode from System Configuration, open the Boot options window again, uncheck the box next to Safe Boot, and click OK. Click Restart to apply the changes, and restart your computer normally.

4. Enter Safe Mode When Windows Can’t Boot Normally

Safe Mode loads with a minimum set of programs and drivers. If Windows can’t start normally, you won’t have a problem entering Safe Mode, because you can restart the PC twice and go to the Automatic Repair screen from where you can enter Safe Mode.

• Make sure your PC is off and then press and hold down the Power button until the computer goes off. Repeat this about two or three times (to trigger the boot recovery mechanism) until the Preparing Automatic Repair screen appears.

• If you see the Preparing Automatic Repair screen when you power on the computer the first time, skip to the next step, and the Diagnosing Your PC screen will appear. This will be followed by the Attempting repairs message.

• Windows will show the Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC message and give you the Shut down and Advanced options in the Startup Repair screen. Click Advanced options.

• Click Troubleshoot in the Choose an option screen.

• Next, click Advanced Options.

• Click Startup Settings.

• Your PC will restart and show different startup options on the next screen.

• Press the F4 key or number 4 key on your keyboard to enter Safe Mode. You can also press the corresponding key to enter Safe Mode with Command Prompt or with Networking depending on what you want to do.

Note: If you have a Windows 10 bootable USB drive or setup disc, you can use that to start your PC in Safe Mode if Windows can’t load. Boot the PC using the bootable drive or setup disc, select Repair your computer and you’ll get to the Choose an option screen from where you can take the steps above to enter Safe Mode.

5. Start In Safe Mode When You Can’t Login to Desktop

This is another method you can use if you find Windows 10 Safe Mode not working. If you can access your login screen (welcome or sign-in screen) but can’t access or login to Desktop, use these steps to restart your computer in Safe Mode.

• Click on Power at the bottom right side of the Windows 10 Login screen.

• Press and hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and select Restart. You’ll see the Please Wait screen appear briefly, and the Choose an Option screen. Click Troubleshoot.

• Click Advanced Options.

• In the Advanced Options screen, click Startup Settings.

• In the Startup Settings screen, press the key(s) corresponding to the Safe Mode option you want to use.

More Ways To Boot To Safe Mode

We hope you found this guide useful in helping you boot into Safe Mode when you find F8 not working in Windows 10. If you know of other methods you can use to access Safe Mode, you’re welcome to share them with us.

This article will address some of your alternative options at Windows 7 end of life.

Upgrade To Windows 10

Although there are still many people using Windows 7, eventually they will have to move to a more secure operating system (OS).

The upgrade process is relatively easy because Microsoft made both versions. Many programs and apps created for earlier versions of Windows will still work and will update automatically.

However, some older applications may need to be updated or may not work at all. 

Windows recommends upgrading to Windows 10 as you would expect. However, the free upgrade ended on July 26, 2019. Now users must either purchase a full version of the software or buy a new device pre-installed with Windows 10.

Your computer must meet the following requirements to be able to run Windows 10:

• The latest version of either Windows 7 SPI or Windows 8.1 Update (find out which bit version you are running).
• 1GHz processor or faster.
• 1GB RAM (32-bit) or 2GB RAM (64-bit).
• 16GB hard drive space for 32-bit OS or 20GB for 64-bit OS.
• DirectX 9 graphics card or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.
• A screen resolution of 800 by 600 or higher.

How To Upgrade to Windows 10

First, you need to purchase a Windows 10 license either through Microsoft or an authorized retailer.

If you purchase through Microsoft, you can either use the USB option or download the OS using an ISO file.

The USB option is a good choice if your Internet connection isn’t stable enough to handle a 4GB download. Microsoft will mail a USB stick containing Windows 10 to your home.

Upgrade To Windows 10 Using The Media Creation Tool

Use this process if you did not order a USB stick. After you have purchased your license of Windows 10, follow the steps below to install and activate it.

Download the ISO file for your architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) and language. Extract the ISO file to your local file system, removable drive, or burn it to a DVD.

To extract the ISO installation files to a removable USB storage device, you can use an unzip app such as 7zip. Extract the file contents to a folder on your local drive in your existing Windows OS. 

Note that if you want to get an option to keep all your files and apps, it’s best to initiate the process from Windows 7. 

If you do a clean install of Windows 10 from a USB drive or DVD, you will not see this option, and your files and apps will be lost.

Start the upgrade by running setup.exe.

Windows will walk you through the installation process. The first recommendation is to download drivers, updates, and other optional features. You should accept these options to help ensure a successful upgrade.

• Select your edition of Windows.
• Read and accept the license terms.
• Windows’ default install configuration is to keep your apps and files.
• Click Install.

It will take several minutes for your installation to complete. You can find your apps and folders in the same locations on Windows 10 as they were on Windows 7.

Switch To Linux

Although Microsoft would disagree, upgrading to Windows 10 is not your only option. Changing to a Linux operating system is a viable alternative. 

Many Linux users consider it to be one of the best alternatives to Windows 7. Some of the reasons you might want to make the switch include:

• Less vulnerable to malware and viruses than Windows.
• Linux is free.
• Faster, more secure and compatible support and maintenance.
• More control over your system if you choose.
• Comes with a wide range of pre-installed software and access to more through a dedicated package manager or software installation tool.
• Linux updates make your system faster, free up space, and rarely require a reboot.

How To Replace Windows 7 With Linux

Before you do anything, back up all your data. Next, choose which Linux distribution you want to use. Some of the most popular Linux distributions for 2020 include:

• Ubuntu
• Linux Mint
• elementary OS
• Pop!_OS
• Zorin OS
• MX Linux

Many distributions will enable users to use a Live option booted from a USB to see how it works. If you like it, you can then install it on your system or in a VirtualBox. We will use Ubuntu for this article.

To try Ubuntu before installing it on your system, start by going to the Ubuntu download page and clicking on Try Ubuntu.

If you like how Ubuntu works and are ready to install it, click on Install Ubuntu and follow the installation wizard. The process is straightforward.

Choose to replace Windows 7 with Linux, but remember that all your apps and files will be erased. As mentioned above, before doing anything, back up your system first.

Leave Windows Behind & Switch To Mac

Windows 7 end of life could be a good reason for you to switch from Windows to Mac. Apple has enjoyed an excellent reputation for many reasons, including:

• Not needing drivers.
• New versions are free.
• A diverse Apple ecosystem.
• Most Windows programs are also available for Mac.

Whether you choose to move to Mac is a matter of personal preference.  While it is true that Apple products tend to be more expensive than Microsoft products, they also age better. So, even if you spend more money upfront, a new Mac will last you longer than a new Windows machine.

Whichever option you choose to move ahead from Windows 7 end of life, safely backup all your documents, files, and images. If you decide to stay with Windows 7, it’s essential to recognize that you are putting your computer at risk for security threats.

Help our HDG readers out. Can you suggest any other important Windows 7 End of Life tips?

There are multiple ways to change the login screen background image, and you can use any of them to have your favorite image set as the background for your login page.

Modify a Value To Change The Windows 7 Login Screen Background

Before you can assign a new image as the Windows 7 login screen background image, you’re going to need to modify a value using either registry editor or local group policy editor.

Use either of the following methods to do it.

Use Registry Editor To Allow The Windows 7 Login Screen To Be Changed

If you use one of the Windows 7 editions that don’t come with the local group policy editor, your only choice will be to use the registry editor to make the change. It’s a bit more complex than the other method but it gets the job done regardless.

• Press the Windows + R keys at the same time, type regedit in the box on your screen, and hit Enter.

• When it opens, head to the following directory by clicking on the items in the left sidebar.
  
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background
  
• If you see an entry named OEMBackground on the right-hand side pane, skip to the step below that edits it. Otherwise, right-click in the blank area, select New, and choose DWORD (32-bit) Value to create a new entry.

• Enter OEMBackground as the name of the entry and press Enter.

• Double-click on the entry and you should be able to edit it. In the edit box, change the existing value of the Value data field to 1 and click on OK.

• Exit the registry editor as you no longer need it.

Use Local Group Policy Editor To Enable Windows 7 Login Screen Background Changes

Certain editions of the Windows 7 operating system come built with the local group policy editor. It lets you change many of the settings and values of your computer in a much easier way than a registry editor. This includes the option of changing the Windows 7 login screen background as well.

If you have access to the tool, you can use it as the following to enable the background image option.

• Press the Windows + R buttons simultaneously, enter gpedit.msc in the box, and press Enter.

• When it launches, expand the directories on the left and navigate to the following path.
  
  Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Logon
  
• Once you’re there, you’ll find an option that says Always use custom logon background on the right-hand side pane. You want to double-click on this option to open it.

• When the option opens, select Enabled at the top to enable it. Then click on the Apply button followed by OK at the bottom to save your changes.

• Exit the tool when you’re done.

Setting a New Image As The Login Screen Background

Here comes the part of the procedure that you’re actually going to like. Now that you’ve enabled the option that lets you change your Windows 7 login screen background image, it’s time you choose an image to be used as the background.

Windows offers you the flexibility to use just about any image as your background. You can pick one from your computer, download your favorite from the Internet, or ask your friend to send theirs over to you. Just make sure the image is less than 256KB in size and is in JPG format and you should be all fine.

You’ll then need to place the image in a certain folder so Windows recognizes it as a login screen background image and uses it appropriately.

• Right-click on your image and select Rename.
• Enter backgroundDefault as the name of the image. This is a must. Then copy the image.

• Open a File Explorer window and navigate to the following path.
  
  C:\Windows\System32\oobe
  
• Create a new folder named info. Then create a new folder inside it and name it backgrounds.

• Open the backgrounds folder, right-click anywhere blank, and choose Paste. Your chosen background image will be copied here.

That’s all there is to it.

From now on, you’ll see your chosen image as the background on your Windows 7 login screen.

Using a Third-Party App To Change The Login Background In Windows 7

Someone who’s never used a registry editor or the local group policy editor will find the above methods to be a bit daunting and may even avoid using them. It’s totally understandable and there’s actually an easier way to change the Windows 7 login screen background image without tinkering around those tools.

There’s a free app called Windows 7 Logon Background Changer that allows you to change your current background image to whatever you like with the click of a button. All it basically requires you to do is select your new image to be used as the background and apply it to your system.

• Head over to the Windows 7 Logon Background Changer website and download the app to your computer.
• Extract the app archive and double-click on the executable file to launch it.

• You’ll see several images you can use as the background when it launches. Select the one you’d like to use and click on Apply at the top.

• If you’d like to use a custom image, click on Choose a folder at the top and select the folder containing your image.

It’s good to be able to replace a background you don’t like with something that you like. Let us know what made you change your background in the comments below.

Over time, however, this data can begin to fill up your available memory. The bigger the cache, the less free memory your PC has to perform other crucial tasks. Knowing how to clear the cache in Windows 10 could offer you an immediate speed boost if your PC is starting to run a little slow.

Restart Your PC

Your hard drive doesn’t require power to store your data. When you turn your PC off, your files are saved, ready for you to access again the next time you boot up.

Your system memory is different. It’s volatile, which means that it needs constant electrical power to maintain its state. When you turn off your PC, all the data held in your system memory is wiped.

That means that the quickest route to clearing your Windows memory cache is to just turn your PC off. Restart it or switch it off and boot it up again manually —either way, the brief interruption in power will erase the data held within. 

When Windows starts up again, your memory usage should be lower as a result.

While it’s true that Windows 10 is far better at being left powered up than previous Windows releases, your data cache is going to grow the longer it runs without a restart. By occasionally rebooting your PC, you can quickly clear the cache in Windows 10 and give yourself an immediate speed boost.

Disable Windows Superfetch

Windows tries to improve system performance by analyzing how you use your PC and predicting your actions. Superfetch is a Windows feature designed to help this by automatically loading certain application data into your system memory.

Technically, Windows treats Superfetch memory usage as a low priority. When demands on your system memory increase, Superfetch data should be given up. This process can be sluggish, however, especially if your memory usage is high and there’s a “tug of war” between Superfetch and your other open applications.

If you’re using a solid-state drive as your Windows system drive, Windows will automatically disable this feature. It’s much quicker to access files on an SSD than a typical hard drive, so it’s safe to leave data on the drive to run directly instead, making Superfetch unnecessary.

You’re probably safe to leave Superfetch on in most instances, but if you’re seeing regular slowdowns, high RAM usage, or a slow startup, disabling Superfetch could be a good place for you to begin troubleshooting.

• To start, open the Windows Registry Editor by pressing Win + R on your keyboard, type regedit, then press enter. 
• Press Yes to the User Access Control window that appears.

• In the Registry Editor, navigate to HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters in the left-hand panel.

• Right-click in the open window, go to the New sub-menu, then click D-WORD (32 bit) Value.

• Name the new value EnableSuperfetch. 

• If you want to completely disable Superfetch, leave the value of EnableSuperfetch as 0. If you want to alter it, however, double-click on the EnableSuperfetch value, then under ValueData, change it to 1 to enable Superfetch for applications, 2 to enable it for booting, or 3 to completely enable it. Click OK to confirm the figure.

• Once saved, reboot your PC.

This will disable the Superfetch service, either entirely, or by limiting its scope to applications or startup. As we’ve mentioned, users with an SSD system drive should have Superfetch disabled automatically and can look to one of the other methods to clear the cache in Windows 10 instead.

Clear Pending Idle Tasks to Free Up Memory

An old and commonly reported trick to clear your Windows cache is to use a custom shortcut that “should” clear the cache in Windows 10 and older Windows versions. 

Unfortunately, this doesn’t actually clear your Windows memory cache, but it does instruct Windows to begin processing pending system “idle” tasks. These are hidden Windows tasks that are performed in the background when system resources aren’t being used. 

The process may take some time to complete but could give you a longer-term boost in available system resources while your PC is running.

This is an outdated method, but there’s certainly no harm in trying it if you’re trying to figure out how to clear your computer cache on the go. If you want an immediate boost in system performance, however, it’s best to just restart your PC instead.

• To begin, head to your desktop, or open Windows File Explorer in a suitable location. Right-click, head to the New sub-menu, then click Shortcut.

• In the Create Shortcut dialog box, under Type the location of the item, type %windir%\system32\rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks, then click Next.

• Give the shortcut a suitable name, such as Clear Pending System Tasks. 

• Click Finish to create the shortcut.

The shortcut will be ready for you to use once it’s created—double-click the shortcut at any point to begin the process.

Consider Other Solutions

Windows 10 is far better at managing available system resources than older Windows releases. If you’re seeing poor performance, try a restart in the first instance. This is the easiest way for you to wipe your Windows memory cache.

The other methods we’ve listed could help, but they’re not guaranteed to work in every situation. Windows will try to manage your system resources as best it can, but a slow PC is likely to have a larger root cause such as insufficient RAM, low disk space, or an older and slower hard drive. 

Clearing your memory cache only patches up, rather than resolves, these longer-term issues with your PC. You may need to check your system performance to investigate the cause of any PC slowdown and to help you find a more adequate solution.