Microsoft Windows 10 is a popular operating system that is used by millions of people around the world. However, like all software, it is not perfect and sometimes needs to be repaired. Even though there are many ways to repair Microsoft Windows 10, depending on the issues you’re having, this article will show four ways that make the most impact.
The methods are easy to follow and will help you fix your computer in no time.
Let’s go over these four different repair strategies to help you get Windows 10 back up and running again.
Check For Updates
Assuming Windows 10 is operable, one of the first things you can do to improve its performance is to get and install updates. This is usually where I start before I do any other troubleshooting. Sometimes, the very reason for the malfunction could be because something is outdated and needs to be updated.
There are so many benefits to doing updates.
Security
Newer versions of Windows include security improvements that can help protect your computer from viruses and other malware. In fact, Microsoft often releases security updates in response to new threats that have been discovered. So if you want to keep your computer safe, it’s important to install these updates as soon as they are available.
You’re reducing your chances of getting a malware attack.
Resolving General Issues
Not only do updates provide security patches for vulnerabilities, but they also resolve general issues with the operating system.
Resolving those general issues will definitely help in repairing Windows 10 overall.
Some people put off updating their computers because they fear that it will cause problems, but in reality, it’s usually quite the opposite. By keeping your computer up-to-date, you can actually avoid a lot of headaches down the road.
And even if an update causes some unwanted malfunctions, you can always do a system restore to revert back to an earlier time. I’ll talk more about that later on in this article.
New Features
New features and capabilities are often made available through updates, so you may find that your system improves after installing the latest version. This is one of the benefits of getting updates installed. The new features can improve your overall experience with Windows 10.
So keeping your computer updated can help ensure that you’re always using the most current version of Windows.
To check for updates for Windows 10, do the following:
- Go to the Start Menu and select “Settings.”
- Click “Update & Security” and select “Windows Update.”
- If there are any updates available, they will be downloaded and installed automatically on your computer.
Once the installation is complete, it’s always a good idea to restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect and that any potential problems are resolved.
Running System File Checker
System File Checker is a utility in Microsoft Windows that allows users to scan for and restore corruptions in Windows system files.
SFC works by scanning for corrupted files and replacing them with cached copies that are stored in a compressed folder on your hard drive. If SFC is unable to find a cached copy of the file, it will attempt to replace the file from a known good source, such as a Windows installation disc or a shared network folder.
To run System File Checker:
- Open an elevated (Admin) command prompt and
- Type the following command: sfc /scannow
- This will scan all of the protected system files on your computer and replace any that are corrupted.
- Once the scan is complete, restart your computer and see if the problem persists.
- If it does, you can try running System File Checker again with a different option: sfc /scanonce.
- This option will scan your computer only once, but it may take longer to complete than the first scan.
Here’s a quick video demonstrating how to run a system file checker on Windows 10:
System Restore
Doing a system restore is always a good thing to do for Windows when you’re troubleshooting. In fact, this is the first place I start when I’m troubleshooting any computer, in addition to doing an update.
First, I create a restore point that I can revert back to in case something goes wrong.
Next, I search for any other restore points that were created in the past. Particularly if the restore point was created before the current problem started.
You can use a system restore to repair Microsoft Windows 10. Essentially what you’re doing with system restore is restoring your computer to an earlier point in time, which can fix problems that have started recently.
System restores are easy to do and only take a few minutes. Here’s how to get to system restore:
- Click on Start and select Settings
- Select Update & Security
- On the left side of the settings window, look for “Recovery” and click on it.
- Under “Reset this PC,” click Get Started.
- You’ll be asked if you want to keep your personal files or remove them. Choose to Keep my files and click Next.
- On the next screen, choose Local Install
- On the next screen, choose an option: “Go back to an earlier build” or “Go back to the previous version of Windows 10.” Click Get Started.
This will start the restoration process, and can only take a few minutes to complete. I’ve seen cases where it has taken a few hours, and that was because the OS itself was badly damaged.
But doing a system restoration can definitely help in solving many issues, pertaining to repairing Microsoft Windows 10.
How To Prevent Future Issues
Preventing is always better than cure. Learning to prevent issues from happening will go a much longer way than trying to repair your computer after an issue has occurred.
There are a few things that you can do as preventative maintenance on your Windows 10 system.
Here are a few tips to help you prevent any future issues from happening with your Windows 10 computer.
Keep Your Software Up to Date:
One of the main reasons people have issues with Windows 10 is that they don’t keep their software up to date. Make sure you’re always running the latest version of Windows 10 and all your other software. So check updates regularly if they’re not automatically being downloaded to your computer.
Use Reputable Download Source
Don’t download anything from untrustworthy websites or click on links in email messages from people you don’t know. You can seriously infect your computer with unwanted malware. Only download software and updates from websites you trust and that have a good reputation.
Be Careful about What You Install
Some programs that you install can cause major problems with Windows 10, or any other versions of Windows for that matter. So be careful about what you install, especially if you’re not familiar with that particular program.
If you’re unsure, check with a local tech to ensure that it’s compliant with Windows 10.
Another good tip that you can use to help prevent future issues with Windows 10, is running the built-in Windows 10 Update Troubleshooter. This will automatically scan for and fix any update-related problems.
Install an Antivirus Software
One of the best things you can do to prevent future issues from occurring with Windows 10 is to install third-party antivirus software. Antivirus can help you prevent your computer from being attacked by malware and also help manage the internal firewall of your computer.
One such software that can that does a great job with that is Norton Antivirus. It’ll do a great job doing preventative maintenance in real-time.
Another great you can use in the category that’s native to Windows 10 is the built-in troubleshooter.
It’ll check to see if any issues are happening with Windows 10, and attempt to fix them.
To open the troubleshooter, do the following:
- Click on Start
- Go to Settings
- Choose Update and Security
- On the left, choose Troubleshoot
Following the tips provided in this article will definitely help you in repairing Microsoft Windows 10.