If you cannot open your Outlook data file or suspect that the file is damaged, use the Inbox Repair tool (scanpst.exe) to repair errors in the file.

This tool is used to collect info about devices to help troubleshoot problems with DirectX sound and video. A support person might ask for this info, or you might post it in a forum when you ask for help. In Windows, select Start and enter dxdiag into the search box on the taskbar.

If some Windows functions aren't working or Windows crashes, use the System File Checker to scan Windows and restore your files. Though the steps below might look complicated at first glance, just follow them in order, step-by-step, and we’ll try to get you back on track.

Describes how to obtain the latest version of DirectX to enable games and multimedia applications on your system.

If a Microsoft 365 application such as Word or Excel isn’t working correctly, sometimes restarting it will fix the problem. If that doesn’t work, you can try repairing it. When you’re done, you might need to restart your computer. The steps to access the repair tool vary depending on your operating system.

The Microsoft Defender Offline scan will automatically detect and remove or quarantine malware. Learn how to remove malware from your PC. Use Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows 10 or Windows 11 to scan your PC for malware, viruses, or other threats.

Free up drive space in Windows. If your PC is running low on free space, you might not be able to install important Windows updates, and your PC’s performance may be affected. Here are some ways to free up space so you can keep your PC up to date and running smoothly.

You can use installation media (a USB flash drive or DVD) to install a new copy of Windows, perform a clean installation, or reinstall Windows. To create installation media, go to the software download website, where you'll find step-by-step instructions.

Defragment your Windows 10 PC. Windows 10. Optimizing your drives can help your PC run smoother and boot up faster. To optimize them: Select the search bar on the taskbar and enter defrag. Select Defragment and Optimize Drives. Select the disk drive you want to optimize.

Use the Office offline installer to install Office 2016 or Office 2013 if you don't have an active Internet connection or you're having problems with slow speed or unreliable connections.