Windows 10 has been widely recognized for its stability, reliability, and performance since its launch in 2015. Inevitably, however, there may come a time when your Windows 10 computer starts to experience technical problems. Fortunately, there are several ways to repair Windows 10, depending on the type and severity of the issue. This article will walk you through the various approaches you can take to repair Windows 10.
1. Check for System Updates
Before attempting more complicated repairs, it is generally recommended to check for any system updates that may have been released since you last updated your Windows 10 computer. Many system issues can be resolved by installing the latest updates. To check for system updates, open the Start menu and type “check for updates” into the search bar. When the search results appear, click “Check for Updates” and follow the on-screen instructions to install any available updates.
2. Go Back to a Previous Build
If your Windows 10 computer is experiencing problems after installing a new system update, you may be able to go back to a previous build to restore the system to a stable state. To do this, open the Start menu, type “recovery” into the search bar, and select the “Recovery” option from the search results. On the Recovery page, select “Go back to the previous version of Windows 10” and follow the prompts to restore your system to a previous build.
3. Run a System Restore
If you’ve recently installed a new application or made changes to your system settings, a system restore may be able to reverse the changes and repair your Windows 10 computer. To run a system restore, open the Start menu, type “restore” into the search bar, and select the “System Restore” option from the search results. On the System Restore page, select “Restore my computer to an earlier time” and follow the prompts to restore your system to an earlier point in time.
4. Use System File Checker
The System File Checker is a built-in tool that can be used to repair Windows 10 by scanning for and replacing corrupted system files. To use System File Checker, open the Start menu, type “command” into the search bar, and select “Command Prompt” from the search results. At the Command Prompt, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter to scan for and replace corrupted system files.
5. Run DISM Tool
The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool can be used to repair Windows 10 by repairing the Windows image and replacing corrupted system files. To run DISM, open the Start menu, type “command” into the search bar, and select “Command Prompt” from the search results. At the Command Prompt, type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and press Enter to repair the Windows image and replace corrupted system files.
6. Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot is a troubleshooting technique that can be used to repair Windows 10 by disabling all unnecessary services and startup items. To perform a clean boot, open the Start menu, type “msconfig” into the search bar, and select “System Configuration” from the search results. On the System Configuration page, select “Selective startup” and uncheck the “Load startup items” checkbox. Then, select “Services” and check the “Hide all Microsoft services” checkbox. Finally, click “Apply” and “OK” to save your changes.
7. Run SFCFix
SFCFix is a free command-line tool that can be used to repair Windows 10 by replacing corrupted system files. To run SFCFix, open the Start menu, type “command” into the search bar, and select “Command Prompt” from the search results. At the Command Prompt, type “sfcfix /scannow” and press Enter to scan for and replace corrupted system files.
8. Perform a Clean Installation
If none of the above methods are successful in repairing your Windows 10 computer, the last resort is to perform a clean installation. A clean installation will erase all of your data, so it is recommended to back up your data before proceeding. To perform a clean installation, open the Start menu, type “settings” into the search bar, and select “Settings” from the search results. On the Settings page, select “Update & Security” and then select “Recovery.” On the Recovery page, select “Reset this PC” and follow the prompts to perform a clean installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Windows 10?
Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft and released in 2015. It is the successor to Windows 8.1 and is the latest version of Windows.
How do I check for system updates on Windows 10?
To check for system updates on Windows 10, open the Start menu and type “check for updates” into the search bar. When the search results appear, click “Check for Updates” and follow the on-screen instructions to install any available updates.
How do I go back to a previous build on Windows 10?
To go back to a previous build on Windows 10, open the Start menu, type “recovery” into the search bar, and select the “Recovery” option from the search results. On the Recovery page, select “Go back to the previous version of Windows 10” and follow the prompts to restore your system to a previous build.
Can I repair Windows 10 with a system restore?
Yes, you can repair Windows 10 with a system restore. To run a system restore, open the Start menu, type “restore” into the search bar, and select the “System Restore” option from the search results. On the System Restore page, select “Restore my computer to an earlier time” and follow the prompts to restore your system to an earlier point in time.
How do I run System File Checker on Windows 10?
To run System File Checker on Windows 10, open the Start menu, type “command” into the search bar, and select “Command Prompt” from the search results. At the Command Prompt, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter to scan for and replace corrupted system files.
How do I run DISM Tool on Windows 10?
To run DISM on Windows 10, open the Start menu, type “command” into the search bar, and select “Command Prompt” from the search results. At the Command Prompt, type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and press Enter to repair the Windows image and replace corrupted system files.
How do I perform a clean boot on Windows 10?
To perform a clean boot on Windows 10, open the Start menu, type “msconfig” into the search bar, and select “System Configuration” from the search results. On the System Configuration page, select “Selective startup” and uncheck the “Load startup items” checkbox. Then, select “Services” and check the “Hide all Microsoft services” checkbox. Finally, click “Apply” and “OK” to save your changes.
How do I run SFCFix on Windows 10?
To run SFCFix on Windows 10, open the Start menu, type “command” into the search bar, and select “Command Prompt” from the search results. At the Command Prompt, type “sfcfix /scannow” and press Enter to scan for and replace corrupted system files.
How do I perform a clean installation of Windows 10?
To perform a clean installation of Windows 10, open the Start menu, type “settings” into the search bar, and select “Settings” from the search results. On the Settings page, select “Update & Security” and then select “Recovery.” On the Recovery page, select “Reset this PC” and follow the prompts to perform a clean installation.