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. Run the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe)

Use this app to try to recover lost files that have been deleted from your local storage device (including internal drives, external drives, and USB devices) and can’t be restored from the Recycle Bin.

If you reinstall, reset, or refresh Windows, the previous Windows.old folder is replaced by a new Windows.old folder. For more info, see How to refresh, reset, or restore your PC and How to remove the Windows.old folder. Learn how to find your old files and move them to your new PC after upgrading to Windows 8.1.

To fix problems using Windows Update: Select Start > Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update. After you select the Reinstall now option, choose if you want to allow the PC to automatically restart 15 minutes after the installation completes.

Navigate to the folder that used to contain the file or folder, right-click it, and then select Restore previous versions. If the folder was at the top level of a drive, for example C:\, right-click the drive, and then select Restore previous versions.

PC Health Check app brings you up to date info on your Windows device health, helping you take action to improve your device performance and troubleshoot performance problems. It is periodically updated based on customer feedback to help you make the most of your Windows PC. How to open PC Health Check. In Windows, use Search on the taskbar to ...

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.

Automatically update Windows 10, Windows 11, and Surface drivers and firmware (Recommended) Manually update Surface drivers and firmware (Advanced) You'll find the links for drivers after choosing your Surface model in the dropdown list in this section.

You can start a scan for malware any time you like. Note: Microsoft Defender currently offers anti-malware on Windows, Android, and macOS. Windows Android Mac. From the Microsoft Defender dashboard. Select Device details.

Start System Information connected to a remote computer. Use the following syntax in the command prompt to run the MSINFO32 command on computers that are running Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10: Msinfo32 [/nfo Path] [/report Path] [/computer ComputerName] Parameters Path.