Windows 10 is a complex, simplified OS ☺ developed after the dedicated efforts of thousands of Microsoft code developers which has been evolving over the last 30 years. Behind the externally looking vanilla screen, there lies a network of complex and complicated coding. Any slightest disturbance caused by malware or installing incompatible programs or improper use of hardware may render the OS unstable. It requires regular maintenance and sometimes, repairs. While regular Windows updates are capable of taking care of a host of such issues, sometimes it becomes mandatory to intervene. Experts warn against using third-party utility software that promises to do a lot of things with a minimum number of clicks as such software might actually harm your system rather than mending it. Windows has got excellent inbuilt tools to take care of these problems. The following tutorial will guide you through how to do it under various situations when Windows 10 presents with some common and unexpected problems to you.
If we follow this Golden Tip – Create a restore point manually before any new installation or update or better still, create an external recovery drive and keep it with you – we can save a lot of time, money and headache when the emergency strikes. I know 99% of us do not follow this wise code of conduct (because no one told us about this!) and start running frantically when our PC slides into coma after giving us a few initial hiccoughs.
In any case, going through some or all of the following seven steps will get your PC or laptop running back to its pristine condition from most of the common problems.
1. Deleting junk files
2. Running a malware detection scan program
3. Repairing damaged files by SFC & DISM scans
4. Running CHKDSK (Checkdisc)
5. Correcting Driver Errors and Updating, if any
If the problem persists,
6. Doing a system restore
Still the problem persists,
7. Reviving Windows by using a USB recovery drive
It is very much advisable to run each of these procedures in safe mode. So let's first get acquainted with this interloper.
Starting Windows in Safe Mode
All the roads go to Rome. Similarly, all the ways to start into safe mode go through Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) or Troubleshooting screen. If you are able to move your PC into a safe mode, it indicates a high probability of solving your problem.
One of the following two situations will always be there when one wishes to enter the safe cave:
1. When Windows has booted normally
2. When Windows can't boot normally, there may be a blank or blue screen
OR
Click Start > Click the Power Button > Press Shift key and click Restart
OR
Open Windows Settings (Win + I) > Update and Security > Recovery > Under Advanced Start Up click Restart Now
You will be presented with Choose an Option screen. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Start up settings > Restart. You will be presented with a Startup Settings screen with multiple options. First option corresponds with F1 key, second with F2 key and so on. Option no. 4, 5 and 6 are meant to access Safe Mode. If you want to use the internet, select 5th option.
If you are fortunate enough to have a USB Recovery Drive with you, you can access safe mode as follows: Insert the pen drive and press the power on button. As soon as Windows logo appears, press F12 repeatedly. You will be presented with an option: Boot from a Recovery Drive. Select it and proceed. More about this important topic in the last tutorial.
* When Windows can't boot normally, You may call it a crude method but there is no other option in this case. You will have to interrupt the normal boot process by pressing the power button thrice, called the forced shutdown method.
The manual process is as follows: Shut down the PC by pressing the power button for a few seconds. Then restart by pressing the same button. While the PC is booting up, force it to shut down by pressing the power button again. Do this 3 times. During the third boot up process, you will be presented with an Automatic Repair screen. Let the internal doctor take some time diagnosing the problem. Thereafter you will land on WinRE screen. The rest of the procedure is as described above.
To exit the safe mode, just restart the computer or if you want to save time, open Run box (Win + R) > type msconfig > Ok > Select Boot tab > under various options clear Safe boot checkbox.
Getting Clues from the EVENT VIEWER for the Possible Source of Problem
Windows OS provides a useful tool called Event Viewer to find the possible source of the problem. A computer is like a small universe with thousands of events and system processes going on in the background each second. Event Viewer records all those events in the form of logs and classifies them.
You can reach Event Viewer by simply typing 'event viewer' in Start search panel or Cortana search or by accessing Power User Menu by right click on the Start button. It looks like this:
This is a 3-pane-view. In the middle pane you will see all the event logs with error level, date and time, the source of the event and event id. All these logs are arranged in a chronological order with the latest log at the top. Double clicking on any event will open the info in a separate box. In the higher order of severity, the event levels are: Information < Warning < Error < Critical. In the left pane, you will see various filters. The events are classified under various filters like Applications, Security, Setup or System. All the event logs which are Critical or Error, are by default sent to the Administrative Event panel which you can see on the left.
Windows has included a wonderful option to view the summary of all the event logs at a glance in the EV. At the top of the left pane, there is an option – Event Viewer(Local). Clicking this node will open logs in a summary where you can view the type of logs and how many of them took place during the last hour, last 24 hours and last week. You can expand particular type of logs by clicking + button and view detailed information of each log by clicking on it.
Probing an Event Log from the Event Viewer
Suppose something goes wrong with your PC at 5.23 pm. Open the EV. Double click the event which has taken place at 5.23 pm. Google its Log Name, Source and Event ID to get the details. You may find the possible cause and source. As such you will see many errors and warnings listed in the middle panel. Most are taken care of by the OS itself and there is no need to get alarmed by any warning or error. One out of hundred fruits on a tree is always crummy and it doesn't need any particular attention. It needs probing when the issue is serious and affects the normal working of your PC.
Many times, the explanations we get after searching the details of a particular event in Google/Yahoo/Bing are so complicated and full of complex technical terms that it may create more confusion than composure!
Fixwin10
Here, it won't be inopportune to describe a small 130 KB portable utility which can be used to fix common windows problems and annoyances. It is free and can be downloaded from FixWin10 The Fixes are divided into 6 categories. Here is the full list of what FixWin can accomplish.
Getting started with FixWin10 is quite easy. Just download the file, extract it and run it, no installation required. Before applying a fix, the utility advises:
1. Run System File Checker Utility which is available on the welcome screen.
2. Create a restore point which is also available on the welcome screen.
3. Apply one fix at a time and restart your computer if required.
Applying a Fix with just a click sounds very simple but if you are curious enough to know the process behind or would like to do it manually, just click ? mark which appears against every fix.
The utility is harmless as it uses the inbuilt Windows tools to repair the problems.
The two basic topics described above i.e. Staring Windows in the Safe Mode and, Studying Event Viewer Logs to Detect the Possible Source of Problem are the essential preludes to the Step-by-Step Guide To Detect and Fix Common Windows 10 problems. The actual tutorial starts from the next chapter and the following topics will be covered one-by-one:
Next tutorials:
1. Deleting Junk Files
2. Detecting Malware
3. Repairing damaged files by SFC & DISM scans
4. Running CHKDSK (Checkdisc)
5. Keeping Drivers and Device Manager Updated and Error-Free
6. Enabling and Creating SYSTEM RESTORE
7. Reviving Windows Using a USB Recovery Drive
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