Summary 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. This article describes the essential tools that you can use to manage Windows, and each section of this article ...

A clean boot starts Windows with only essential drivers and startup programs, making it easier to identify and troubleshoot background software conflicts affecting apps or games. Unlike starting Windows in Safe Mode, it provides greater control to isolate the source of a problem

Learn how to change Windows startup settings, including enabling Safe Mode.

Select Restart Once the device reboots, in the Startup Settings screen pick one of the available options, or press Enter to boot Windows normally Startup settings list Here's a list of startup settings that you can choose from. To select one, use the number keys or function keys F1-F9: Enable debugging. Starts Windows in an advanced troubleshooting mode intended for IT professionals and system ...

Find help and how-to articles for Windows operating systems. Get support for Windows and learn about installation, updates, privacy, security and more.

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

Learn how to change settings to enable Secure Boot if you are not able to upgrade to Windows 11 because your PC is not currently Secure Boot capable.

If you don't have an administrator account, see Manage user accounts in Windows to learn how to create one. In the Search box on the taskbar, type msconfig and select System Configuration from the list of results. Important If the computer is connected to a network, network policy settings might prevent you from following these steps.

Windows troubleshooters Network and internet troubleshooter Use the network and internet troubleshooter if you are having difficulty connecting to the internet or other network. Open the Get Help app. In the Search bar, enter connect to network and internet⁠.⁠ Select Run network diagnostics. Complete any troubleshooting steps provided until you can connect successfully.

Describes how to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files in Windows.