Even Windows 10 does not always run completely error-free. The repair often requires only a few interventions and is done quickly. Sometimes only a return to the factory condition helps as a radical cure. Here you will find the necessary tips.
EnlargeHow to get Windows going again.© Illustration: © TLIf error messages and crashes accumulate, it is important to first isolate the cause of the problem. The most recently installed software can be responsible, new drivers or Windows updates are also possible. It is also possible that Windows is completely innocent and there is a hardware failure. Therefore, in the first part of the article (points 1 and 2) we will look at some simple measures that may already fix errors in Windows.
However, there are particularly tricky and confusing situations in which the cause of problems cannot be determined with certainty and therefore cannot be eliminated. Windows then offers several options that you can use to reset the system to a defined state. We will introduce you to the different options and explain their advantages and disadvantages (points 4 to 8).
1. Repair or roll back software installations
EnlargeError messages in the window: Messages of this type are caused by an application. It often helps to remove the last installed program or add-on or to reinstall the application.Symptoms of software errors are messages like "Error in application" or "Program has stopped working" in a window. It is also possible that an application silently quits and can only be started again after a Windows restart.
1. A program crashes when you start it: Try to repair the installation. To do this, go to “Settings” (Win-I) in Windows 10 and to “Apps –› Apps & Features”. Click on the desired application in the list and then on "Change" - if available. Some programs, such as Microsoft Office 365 or Libre Office, offer one or more repair options. If that doesn't work, remove the program by clicking on "Uninstall" and reinstall it. Some programs offer an option when uninstalling or reinstalling to remove the previous configuration or to create a new one. This will fix errors caused by invalid or corrupt configuration files.
For apps - pre-installed or from the Windows Store - clicking on "Advanced options" leads to a page with a "Repair" button. If that doesn't help, there's often a "Reset" button as well. This deletes the configuration of the app, which is reset to its original state.
2. A program crashes when you open a specific file in it: If the error occurs only with one file, it is probably defective. Sometimes the file can be repaired or at least part of the content can be extracted, for example in the case of Word documents. Detailed instructions for different file types can be found here.
Make your PC faster: Clean up Windows, memory and hard drives
2. Find and fix hardware problems
EnlargeBlue screen: Uncheck "Automatically restart". The blue screen then remains visible and you can read the error message.Due to faulty hardware, Windows may run unstably or crash frequently. The typical symptom is a stop error that can be seen in full screen with a blue background ("blue screen"). After that, Windows restarts automatically.
With a standard configuration, the blue screen is usually only visible for a very short time, which is hardly enough to read the error message. To change this, press the Win-Pause key combination, click on "Advanced system settings" and then under "Startup and Recovery" on "Settings...". Remove the tick in front of "Automatically restart" and confirm with "OK". The next blue screen then remains visible until you switch off the computer again.
The error message can sometimes tell you which driver caused the problem. Often there are only messages like "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL", "CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED" or hexadecimal error codes like "0x000000EF" or "0x1000007E". However, a clear indication of the cause cannot usually be determined from this.
Restoring drivers: In any case, you should examine which drivers were last installed or updated. To do this, look in the “Settings” under “Apps -› Apps & Features”, sort the list by “Installation date” and uninstall any driver that may have been set up recently.
EnlargeCause of crash: The blue screen often does not contain any clear information about the error. In any case, it is an indication of defective hardware or faulty drivers.Drivers that got onto the computer via the automatic Windows update are not in the list. To manage them, open the device manager, for example using the key combination Win-X. Select the device you want, such as the graphics card, right-click, choose Properties from the menu, and go to the Driver tab. Click the Roll Back Driver button and follow the instructions. This will install the previous driver version that Windows used to work properly.
Examine the hardware more closely: An unstable system can also be caused by insufficient cooling of the processor or graphics card or defective memory modules.
Cooling can be easily checked by listening for fan noise or by opening the PC and checking that the fans are running smoothly. It is often sufficient to carefully clean the fan and interior with a vacuum cleaner and a brush. If that doesn't help, replace the affected fan. Start the Windows memory diagnostic test tool by typing siemdschedin in the Windows 10 search bar and clicking on the search result. Windows must be restarted for a memory test. After restarting, the tool starts with a blue screen with white writing. The default test starts immediately and performs two test runs. With 8 GB of RAM, it takes around eight to ten minutes. If errors are found, replace the affected RAM modules.
Backup for professionals
Microsoft uses a WIM container (Windows Imaging Format) on the setup media to deliver the installation image (“install.wim”). WIM files can also be used for particularly space-saving backups. For this you need the command line tool Wimlib. Wimlib is an open source replacement for the Microsoft WIM management tools Dism and Imagex. However, it offers more options and usually works faster.
For a full backup, use this command line in a command prompt with administrative privileges:
wimcapture C:\ X:\WinBackup.wim „Window 10 Backup“ „2020-04-02“ --snapshotIndividual folders can also be backed up accordingly, for example the profile folder of the currently logged-in user:
wimcapture %userprofile% X:\ProfilBackup.wim „Mein Profil“ „2020-04- 02“ --snapshotIf you need files from the WIM file, you can mount them in the file system. To do this, use the Dism tool that comes with Windows with this command line (as an administrator):
dism /Mount-Image /ImageFile:„X:\WindowBackup.wim“ /Index:1 / MountDir:C:\WimMount /ReadOnlyThe target directory "C:\WimMount" must exist. You can now copy the files you want from the folder. Then solve the integration with the following command line:
dism /Unmount-Wim /MountDir:C:\WimMount /discardIf you don't just want to use Wimlib-Imagex on the command line, use the Wimlib-clc tool. Start the tool by right-clicking on "Run as administrator". Wimlib-Imagex is not included in the archive and you must specify the path via "File -› Select program file". Configure a backup on the Capture tab. Enter the desired target file under "Archive" and the path you want to save under "Source". Check the --snapshot option and click Capture.
3. Before every extensive repair: create a backup
Most of the reset options mentioned in the following points have a disadvantage: personal files such as documents or pictures are retained, but installed programs and their settings are lost. In many applications this is not a problem. After reinstalling, simply reconfigure the options you want.
More complex programs store lots of data that you may want to keep. Examples of this are user dictionaries or templates for Office applications as well as bookmarks and saved access data for browsers. All of that is lost when you reset Windows. An exception is the in-place upgrade (item 7), where everything is retained. However, with any repair method, there is a risk of data loss if something goes wrong. It is therefore advisable to create a full backup of the Windows partition. A full backup is also useful if you don't want to reset Windows but would rather restore a working installation from a backup.
User directories ("C:\Users") and configuration data of the applications ("C:\ProgramData") are also backed up separately, either with a backup tool or manually via Windows Explorer. If you want to save space, compress the backup with 7-Zip. Please note that not all configuration folders are visible in Windows Explorer by default. To change this, go to the "View" tab and check "Hidden items"
Macrium Reflect is suitable for a full image backup of the hard disk and for regular differential backups, where only the changes compared to the full backup are backed up. Individual folders can be restored manually because the backup file can be easily opened in Windows Explorer. However, the free version does not support backup of individual folders.
EnlargeBack up everything: Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows can backup entire hard drives, but also individual folders. Only certain folders can be restored from the backup.Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows is a free backup solution for Windows. This allows the entire computer or just the system hard drive to be backed up in one image. You can also use the tool to archive individual folders. However, multiple backup jobs cannot be configured in the free version.
EnlargeBack up personal files: Duplicati is suitable for regular backups of documents and images. The backup jobs are configured via an interface in the web browser.Duplicati is suitable for regular backups of personal files. Somewhat unusual: The backup jobs are configured via an interface in the web browser. The backup can be encrypted if required. This makes sense if you are not using a local target drive but rather cloud storage. Duplicati supports backups such as FTP and SFTP, as well as Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft One Drive and more.
Syncback also specializes in backing up individual directories. The program offers numerous options and seems a bit confusing. You can save backups on a local hard drive or a network drive.
Obtain installation media
You need an installation medium for the repair installation (point 7) or a new Windows installation. You can download the current Windows version using the media creation tool for Windows 10. This can also be used to fill a USB stick for the new installation.
If you need a newer or older Windows version, go to https://uupdump.ml. Use the bar at the top of the window to select the version you want, for example "20H1" for version 2004. You will see a list of all available builds. Click on one of the first links that starts with "Feature update to Windows 10". There are separate links for 32- (x86) and 64-bit (x64). Then select the language and the desired editions. Finally, click on "Create Download package" and unpack the downloaded ZIP file.
Start aria2_download_windows.cmd. You can monitor the download from the Microsoft servers in a command prompt. The result is an ISO file containing the Windows installation files. Use Rufus to create a USB stick for the installation from it.
4. Reset Windows 10 with and without data loss
EnlargeReset PC: You can choose to keep or remove your documents and photos. The installed applications and apps will be deleted in any case.Windows 10 up to and including version 1909 offers two functions that can be used to return Windows to a state close to that of the clean installation.
Go to “Settings” (Win-I) and go to “Update and Security –› Recovery”. Under Reset this PC, click Get started. If you then click on "Keep my files", the installed programs, drivers and Windows settings will be deleted, personal files will remain. Windows shows you which programs are affected after you click on "Show apps to be removed".
"Remove everything" is the radical cure and corresponds to a Windows reinstallation. After that, you not only have to set up the programs again, but also restore your own files (for a previous backup, see point 3).
Technical background: Windows uses the files stored locally on the hard drive for recovery. This saves additional downloads, but has one disadvantage: If the backup files are defective, the restoration will fail. It is therefore not guaranteed that a recovery in this way will always be successful. Then use the cloud download (from Windows 10 version 2004, see point 5) or the repair installation (see point 7).
A clean reinstallation can also be an alternative. It's quicker than resetting, and you'll have to reinstall your programs anyway.
30 Windows 10 hacks: More speed, better interface
5. Reset Windows 10 (2004) from cloud
EnlargeNew in Windows 10 version 2004: When restoring via cloud download, Windows uses fresh files and updates. This avoids errors that can cause corrupted system files.The problems described in point 4 prompted Microsoft to build a new recovery option into Windows. First go back to the "Settings" and then to "Update and Security –› Recovery". After clicking on "Let's get started" under "Reset this PC" you have the choice between "Keep my files" and "Remove everything" as before.
After that, you'll see the options to "Reinstall Locally" - which is the previous behavior - and "Cloud Download". With cloud download, the installation files are downloaded fresh from Microsoft. Defective files on the hard disk can therefore not hinder the recovery. You also get the latest drivers and Windows updates at the same time. With a fast enough internet connection, the whole process shouldn't be much slower than restoring from local files.
6. Use "Advanced Boot Options" for recovery
If Windows 10 is so unstable that you cannot use the recovery as described in point 4, start the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE, Windows Recovery Environment).
In the "Settings" go to "Update and Security -› Recovery" and click on "Restart now" under "Advanced startup". Alternatively, boot from the Windows installation medium and call up the “Computer repair options” after clicking on “Next”.
Click on "Troubleshoot" and then on "Reset this PC". Again, you have the choice between “Keep my files” and “Remove everything”. Starting with Windows 10 Version 2004, you will also get the "Cloud Download" option via Windows RE. Note: Since the recovery environment does not support WLAN, the computer must be connected with an Ethernet cable.
7. Use Repair Install instead of Reset PC
Upgrading from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 or a newer version of Windows 10 preserves your personal files and installed programs. This circumstance can be used for a pseudo upgrade, where you upgrade Windows 10 with Windows 10, for example (inplace upgrade). Unlike “Reset this PC” (–› point 4), installed desktop programs and apps are retained in addition to personal files. After the upgrade, Windows is as current as the files on the installation media. You should therefore update the system as quickly as possible in the “Settings” via “Update and Security –› Windows Update”.
You need an installation DVD suitable for the installed system or an ISO file from it (see box). Determine the Windows version using the key combination Win-R and entering Winver in the Open line. Windows 10 users can also use a newer version and upgrade at the same time.
Open the download folder in Windows Explorer and mount the ISO file in the file system using the "Share" context menu item. Start Setup.exe from the provided drive, click Next and follow the instructions in the setup wizard.
8. Set up programs after Windows recovery
If you used Reset this PC, you will need to reinstall all programs. The original settings and the data saved by the programs can be restored from a backup (see point 3). Since each application saves its data as it sees fit, there can be no general instructions for this.
Restoring is relatively easy for most open source applications. For example, Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird and Libre Office store the important data under "C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Roaming". The fastest way to open the folder in Windows Explorer is to type %appdata% in the address bar and confirm with the Enter key.
After reinstallation, simply copy the "Mozilla", "Thunderbird" or "LibreOffice" folders from the backup to "C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Roaming". If you start the programs now, everything is as before.
For other applications, the configuration files cannot be located so easily. Microsoft Office 365 puts a few files in “%appdata%\Microsoft\ Office”, templates are in “%appdata%\ Microsoft\Templates” and the user dictionary is in “%appdata%\Microsoft\UProof”.
If you don't want to search for so long here, simply restore the entire "%appdata%" folder from the backup. But it probably contains some unnecessary ballast from previous installations, which gets back onto the hard disk in this way.
Some applications also store data in the (hidden) folder "C:\ProgramData". This is mostly configuration data for all users of the PC. In some cases, license files that are created after a product has been activated can also be found here. If necessary, you can also restore these files from the backup. However, when you reinstall an application, you will be asked for the license key anyway, and the setup will generate a new license file.
Show video descriptionThe topics in Techup Weekly #187: ► Inexpensive: AMD presents Ryzen 3 3100 and 3300X as well as B550 chipset: www.pcwelt.de/news/Preisguenstig-AMD-stell-Ryzen-3-3000-und-3300X-sowie- B550-Chipsatz-vor-10796537.html ► AMD sells over 80 percent of all desktop CPUs in Germany: www.pcwelt.de/news/AMD-verkauft-ueber-80-Percent-aller-Desktop-CPUs-in-Deutschland- 10798193.html► Facebook Gaming attacks Twitch, Youtube and Mixer: www.pcwelt.de/news/Facebook-Gaming-greif-Twitch-Youtube-und-Mixer-an-10795139.html► Whatsapp increases group call limit: www. pcwelt.de/news/Whatsapp-erhoeht-Gruppenruf-Limit-10796108.html ► Epic Games buckles: Fortnite for Android available in the Google Play Store: www.pcwelt.de/news/Epic-Games-knickt-ein-Fortnite- Android-im-Google-Play-Store-verfugbar-10796827.html ► The Mandalorian: Preparations for Season 3 begin: www.pcwelt.de/news/The-Mandalorian-Preparations-fuer-Staffel-3-beginnen-10797397.html ► Disney +: These innovations are coming in May: www.pcwelt.de/ news/Disney-Diese-Neuheiten-kommen-im-Mai-10797200.html► Xbox Series X: Microsoft has its logo patented: www.pcwelt.de/news/Xbox-Series-X-Microsoft-laesst-sich-Logo- patentieren-10797370.html► Flight Simulator 2020: Microsoft reveals system requirements: www.pcwelt.de/news/Flight-Simulator-2020-Microsoft-verraet-Systemanleitungen-10797008.html► Leak: Source code of CS: Go and Team Fortress 2 im Web: www.pcwelt.de/news/Leak-Sourcecode-von-CS-Go-und-Team-Fortress-2-im-Web-10798089.html ► Comment of the week: www.youtube.com/watch?v= -9nedmxPBDU&lc=UgzX7XLW7C2JpTlF71F4AaABAgFail of the week: ► Twitch: User calls on kids to steal credit cards: www.pcwelt.de/news/Twitch-User-Demands-Kids-zum-credit-card-thief-auf-10798339.html ► To the PC-WORLD T-Shirt -Shop: www.pcwelt.de/fan
Tips to do your electrical installa...
Companies in the Pinneberg district...
Maintal is becoming a smart city th...
New subway workshop and wash bay in...