Windows includes several built-in tools that provide detailed information about your system’s hardware, software, and performance. These tools are essential for diagnosing problems, monitoring system health, and ensuring smooth operation. However, just like the rest of your PC, these tools also require proper maintenance to remain accurate and reliable. Below are five proven methods to maintain Windows system information tools, explained in a way that is useful for both beginners and advanced users.
Method 1: Keep Windows Updates Current
Beginners: System Information tools such as MSINFO32 and Task Manager rely on accurate data from Windows itself. Installing the latest Windows updates ensures that bug fixes, driver compatibility patches, and performance improvements are in place. To update, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then select “Check for updates.”
Advanced users: Use Windows PowerShell with the command `Get-WindowsUpdate` (with PSWindowsUpdate module installed) to track pending updates. This allows scripted maintenance for multiple machines, keeping system information reporting consistent across networks.
Method 2: Clean and Optimize System Files Regularly
Beginners: Over time, temporary files, old Windows update caches, and unnecessary log files can clutter your system, leading to slower performance. Using built-in tools like Disk Cleanup helps free space and ensures tools like Resource Monitor and Performance Monitor can reflect accurate storage and disk activity.
Advanced users: For deeper optimization, Glary Utilities provides a one-click cleanup solution that not only removes junk files but also cleans registry errors and optimizes memory usage. This ensures information tools report correct disk and memory usage without being distorted by unnecessary clutter.
Method 3: Monitor Hardware Health Consistently
Beginners: Use Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to view CPU, memory, disk, and network performance. This helps you understand how your system is behaving day-to-day and whether performance issues are caused by overloaded resources.
Advanced users: Use Performance Monitor (perfmon) to create Data Collector Sets that log CPU, memory, and disk performance over time. This creates historical data you can analyze to spot hardware-related issues before they affect performance.
Method 4: Keep Drivers Updated for Accurate Reporting
Beginners: System Information tools rely on up-to-date drivers to report hardware details correctly. Outdated drivers can cause incorrect readings in MSINFO32 or Device Manager. To update, right-click Start > Device Manager, choose a device, right-click, and select “Update driver.”
Advanced users: Use Glary Utilities’ Driver Backup and update features to manage drivers more efficiently. This allows batch updates, backups, and restores, ensuring reliable system reporting without the risk of failed hardware communication.
Method 5: Protect System Integrity with Regular Scans
Beginners: Run the built-in System File Checker (SFC) to check for corrupted or missing system files that could impact how information tools function. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type `sfc /scannow`.
Advanced users: Combine SFC with DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) for deeper maintenance. Use `DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth` before running SFC to ensure the underlying Windows image is healthy and capable of producing accurate system information data.
Practical Example:
Imagine opening MSINFO32 to check your available physical memory, but the numbers seem off compared to what you installed. This could be due to outdated drivers or corrupted system files. By applying Method 4 (updating drivers) and Method 5 (running SFC/DISM scans), you ensure the reported system information matches the actual hardware present.
Conclusion
Maintaining Windows system information tools is not only about ensuring accuracy in reporting but also about preserving the overall health of your PC. Beginners benefit from simple cleanup and update routines, while advanced users can take advantage of in-depth monitoring, scripting, and third-party tools like Glary Utilities for comprehensive optimization. By applying these five methods regularly, your system tools remain reliable, helping you troubleshoot and maintain your PC with confidence.