When critical Windows system files are missing or corrupted, your operating system may begin to malfunction. Common symptoms include Windows features not working properly, system errors, or Windows becoming unresponsive or freezing.

After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11. Learn more. Note: Use these steps for Windows programs.

In this article, we will help you find your error code and suggest what you might try to correct the error. Follow the recommended resolutions for that error code. You may also click the specific error code to get more detail information. Note: This article doesn't contain all error codes generated by Device Manager.

Download the drivers for the desired device from the device manufacturer's site. Make sure to download the correct drivers that match the version and architecture of Windows. Once downloaded, if necessary, uncompress the downloaded drivers. Make a note of where the drivers are located on the Windows device.

Use this tool to find and remove specific prevalent threats and reverse the changes that they made (see Covered malware families). For comprehensive malware detection and removal, consider using Windows Defender Offline or Microsoft Safety Scanner.

Download and install the latest Bluetooth driver for Windows 10.

Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the latest printer driver for a printer. Installing the latest printer driver might resolve known issues with the printer, increase performance, or add additional capabilities.

Learn about BitLocker Drive Encryption in Windows and how to encrypt drives.

Windows provides a variety of configuration tools tailored to meet the needs of different users. These built-in tools facilitate your device's customization and monitoring, allowing you to change Windows' configuration to suit your preferences and requirements with precision.

To find information about restoring your device in this scenario, please visit the article, Windows Recovery Environment. These steps might look complicated at first glance, but following them in order, step-by-step, will help get you back on track. Sign in to the computer as an administrator.