5 Ways to Fix The Extended Attributes Are Inconsistent in Windows

Windows 10 and other versions of windows users are dealing with an error which prevents them form
installing applications. That is the,

'' The extended attributes are inconsistent ''

Usually before this another system error of ERROR_EA_LIST_INCONSISTENT is presented. What this error means is that the operating system is corrupted. Some users have reported to experience this error when launching files with administrative rights. So you cannot access any administrative applications until the issue is fixed. 

That does not stop from there, there can be other signs like system lagging, freezing and crashing. Or signs like delay in launching applications. Al though this error is pretty common it comes with various reasons. No matter what the reason is, this issue isn't permanent and it is with easy troubleshooting steps.

In this article, I will be examining about the 5 Ways to Fix The Extended Attributes Are Inconsistent in Windows. Please try the below fixes in order until you manage to resolve this error. 

Let's get started,

1. Modify Sound Settings

Certain sound settings on your computer can cause the extended attributes are inconsistent error. Computers with altered sound settings restricts administrative permissions. So probably in the case of administrative privileges, there will be no UAC dialogue box. To get rid of this problem, you need to modify sound settings.

To modify sound settings,

1. Go to Start Menu
2. Type '' control panel ''
3. Select Sound
4. Go to the Sound tab
5. Scroll down and select Windows User Account Control
6. In the drop down menu, select None
7. Press Apply and Ok

2. Perform Clean boot

Often, this problem is caused by third party applications. Some third party applications tend to interfere with your operating system. Unless it is not disabled manually, it starts automatically when the computer boots. Performing clean boot is one way to disable all those services.

To perform clean boot,

1. Press '' Windows + R ''
2. Type '' msconfig '' and Press Enter
3. Go to the Services tab
4. Ensure that '' Hide all Microsoft services '' is checked
5. Press '' Disable all ''
6. Go to the Startup tab
7. Press Open task manager
8. Select the applications and Press Disable
9. Press Apply and Ok

3. Uninstall Third Party Apps

Instead of disabling all the third party apps, you can try uninstalling few recently installed applications. There is no other way to find the culprit application but to uninstall them individually. Especially, uninstall the third party Antivirus software.

4. Perform SFC Scan

The extended attributes are inconsistent  might also appear if your system files are corrupt. In this case, the only option is to repair them using SFC scan. System File Checker (SFC) scans windows files for error and replace them if they are corrupt. 

To perform SFC scan,

1. Press '' Windows + R ''
2. Type '' cmd '' Right click on it and Select Run as Administrator
3. Type the command and Press Enter

                                '' SFC/Scannow ''

5. Perform System Restore

If the above fixes fail to resolve, the last resort will be to perform system restore. This task involves restoring your system to an earlier state where the error did not exist. However, this method is only applicable if you have already created a restore point before this error.

To perform system restore,

1. Press '' Windows + R ''
2. Type '' System Restore ''
3. Go to the System Protection tab
4. Click on System Restore
5. Check the box '' Show more restore points ''
6. Press Next