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.

There are different ways to remove apps and programs, so if you can't find the one you're looking for, you can try another location. Note that some apps and programs are built into Windows and can't be uninstalled. You can try to repair a program first, if it's just not running correctly.

First, you'll need to download the troubleshooter. Download troubleshooter. If you see the File Download box when you start downloading, select Run or Open. The troubleshooter provides steps for you to follow. If a program isn't listed in the uninstall options, you'll be asked for that program's product code.

Learn how to run System File Checker in Windows to check if your computer has problems with files.

Get Help has troubleshooters you can run for many common scenarios. These often help resolve issues without the need to contact support. If a troubleshooter is available for your issue, select Start to run that troubleshooter. After you run any troubleshooter, Get Help provides details on any findings and suggestions for possible remedies.

With System Restore you can revert your PC's state to a previous point in time. This can be particularly useful when troubleshooting issues caused by recent changes, such as software installations, driver updates, or system settings modifications.

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.

System protection in Windows is a recovery feature designed to help you safeguard your system settings. It primarily involves creating and managing restore points, which are snapshots of system files, installed applications, Windows Registry, and system settings at a specific point in time.

Learn how to optimize system performance by managing startup applications in Windows.

This article describes how you can digitally sign a macro project on Windows by using a certificate. If you don't already have a digital certificate, you'll need to get one. Tip: To use or test macro projects on your own computer, you can create your own self-signing certificate by using the Selfcert.exe tool. You'll find more details on that below.