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.

Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files. When critical Windows system files are missing or corrupted, some Windows features may stop working correctly or Windows may stop responding altogether.

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.

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 Run to start that troubleshooter.

Windows allows multiple ways for you to wirelessly connect to an external display. You can wirelessly connect your PC to a TV, projector, or other kind of external display that supports Miracast. Turn on your TV, projector, or other display. If you're using a Miracast dongle or adapter, make sure it's plugged in to the display.

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.

Each Surface device is eligible to receive new driver and firmware updates until its end-of-servicing date listed in Surface devices driver and firmware lifecycle for Windows-based devices. You can quickly check the health of your Surface drivers and firmware using the Surface app. Open the Surface app.

Desktop applications which read from and write to various files formats including Microsoft Office Access, Microsoft Office Excel and text files. To transfer data between supported file formats and a database repository, such as SQL Server.

Here's how to do that on Windows, Mac, or Android.

Windows provides several recovery tools to help you troubleshoot and restore your PC when issues occur, such as startup failures, update problems, or malware infections. If you're having problems with your Windows device, the following table can help you decide which recovery option to use: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)