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.

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.

You can repair some apps and programs if they're not running correctly. Note that you won't see repair, change, or modify options for all apps and programs. Repair options from the Settings page. Select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Select the More icon next to the app you want to fix.

In search on the taskbar, enter Control Panel and select it from the results. Select Programs > Programs and Features. Press and hold (or right-click) on the program you want to remove and select Uninstall or Uninstall / Change. Then follow the directions on the screen. Need more help?

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.

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 run a Control Panel tool in Windows, type the appropriate command in the Open box or at a command prompt. NOTE: If you want to run a command from a command prompt, you must do so from the Windows folder.

Troubleshoots and fixes common issues with security and malware prevention in Windows.

Windows 11 might shut down or restart unexpectedly when a serious problem occurs, causing you to briefly see an error message, such as “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart.” Windows 11 will then restart automatically.

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.