How to Repair Keys.dat (Free Download)

Last Updated: 11/25/2024
[Time to Read Article: 5 minutes]

keys.dat uses the DAT file extension, which is more specifically known as a Game Data file. It is classified as a Dynamic Link Library (Game Data) file, created for C-Free 5.0 Pro by Program Arts.

keys.dat was first released in the Windows 10 Operating System on 01/04/2010 with C-Free 5.0 Pro. According to our records, this is the primary and most recent file release from Program Arts.

Please see below for more detailed information, DAT file troubleshooting instructions, and free downloads of different versions of keys.dat.

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File Overview


General Information
File Name: keys.dat
File Extension: DAT file extension
File Type: Dynamic Link Library
Description: Game Data
User Popularity Rating:
 
Developer and Software Information
Software Program: C-Free 5.0 Pro
Developer: Program Arts
Software: C-Free
Software Version: 5.0 Pro
File Details
File Size (Bytes): 3900
Oldest File Date: 12/31/2019
Latest File Date: 12/31/2019


What are keys.dat Error Messages?


Dynamic Link Library keys.dat Errors

keys.dat is considered a type of Dynamic Link Library (DLL) file. Dynamic Link Library files, like keys.dat, are essentially a "guide book" that stores information and instructions for executable (EXE) files - like as.exe - to follow. These files were created so that multiple programs (eg. C-Free) could share the same keys.dat file, saving valuable memory allocation, therefore making your computer run more efficiently.

Unfortunately, what makes DLL files so convenient and efficient, also makes them extremely vulnerable to problems. If something happens to a shared DAT file, either it goes missing or gets corrupted in some way, it can generate a "runtime" error message. Runtime is pretty self-explanatory; it means that these errors are triggered when keys.dat is attempted to be loaded either when C-Free is starting up, or in some cases already running. Some of the most common keys.dat errors include:

Your keys.dat file could be missing due to accidental deletion, uninstalled as a shared file of another program (shared with C-Free), or deleted by a malware infection. Furthermore, keys.dat file corruption could be caused from a power outage when loading C-Free, system crash while loading keys.dat, bad sectors on your storage media (usually your primary hard drive), or quite commonly, a malware infection. Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.



How to Fix keys.dat Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your keys.dat issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.


Step 1: Restore your PC back to the latest restore point, "snapshot", or backup image before error occurred.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the search results, find and click System Restore.
  4. Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
  5. Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
  6. Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the keys.dat error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

Step 2: If recently installed C-Free (or related software), uninstall then try reinstalling C-Free software.

You can uninstall C-Free software by following these instructions (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "Uninstall" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the search results, find and click "Add or Remove Programs"
  4. Find the entry for C-Free 5.0 Pro and click "Uninstall"
  5. Follow the prompts for uninstallation.

After the software has been fully uninstalled, restart your PC and reinstall C-Free software.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

C-Free 5.0 Pro

Program Arts

Step 3: Perform a Windows Update.

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many keys.dat error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
  4. If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
  5. After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the keys.dat error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.



If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your keys.dat File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate keys.dat file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free keys.dat files for every applicable version of C-Free. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

  1. Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download keys.dat Files".
  2. Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
  3. Copy this file to the appropriate C-Free folder location:
    Windows 10: C:\Program Files (x86)\C-Free 5\appdata\
    Windows 10: C:\Users\Tester\AppData\Roaming\C-Free\5.0\
  4. Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows 10.


GEEK TIP : We must emphasize that reinstalling Windows will be a very time-consuming and advanced task to resolve keys.dat problems. To avoid data loss, you must be sure that you have backed-up all of your important documents, pictures, software installers, and other personal data before beginning the process. If you are not currently backing up your data, you need to do so immediately.



Download keys.dat Files (Malware-Tested 100% Clean)


CAUTION : We strongly advise against downloading and copying keys.dat to your appropriate Windows system directory. Program Arts typically does not release C-Free DAT files for download because they are bundled together inside of a software installer. The installer's task is to ensure that all correct verifications have been made before installing and placing keys.dat and all other DAT files for C-Free. An incorrectly installed DAT file may create system instability and could cause your program or operating system to stop functioning altogether. Proceed with caution.

Windows 10


Files Related to keys.dat


DAT Files Related to keys.dat

File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
data.dat Game Data C-Free 5.0 Pro 8992 C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\WMI\RtBackup\
ntuser.dat Game Data C-Free 5.0 Pro 1310720 C:\Windows\inf\
9WZDNCRD1HKW.dat Game Data C-Free 5.0 Pro 472 C:\Windows\Temp\DFFF3561-51A2-49BF-AC4C-110326D...
Tools.dat Game Data C-Free 5.0 Pro 1152 C:\Windows\Prefetch\
9WZDNCRFHVJL.dat Game Data C-Free 5.0 Pro 466 C:\Windows\Temp\5B3E0988-7CBA-44F0-B8A6-C44686B...

Other Files Related to keys.dat

File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
CBS.log Log C-Free 5.0 Pro 946513 C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\
WmiApRpl.ini Windows Initialization C-Free 5.0 Pro 29736 C:\Windows\inf\WmiApRpl\0009\
WmiApRpl.h C/C++/Objective-C Header C-Free 5.0 Pro 3444 C:\Windows\System32\wbem\Performance\
diagwrn.xml Extensible Markup Language C-Free 5.0 Pro 44683 C:\Windows\Panther\UnattendGC\
api-ms-win-core-rtlsup... ApiSet Stub DLL Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (10.0.17134.12) 10600 C:\Users\Tester\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDriv...


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