Windows 10 comes packed with a range of diagnostic utilities designed to monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize your PC’s performance. Learning how to maintain and effectively use these tools ensures your system remains healthy, efficient, and responsive. This guide will walk you through essential built-in diagnostics, practical maintenance routines, and third-party recommendations to keep your system tools running smoothly. Both beginners and advanced users will find valuable tips and step-by-step instructions tailored to their experience level.
What Are Windows Diagnostic Utilities?
Windows diagnostic utilities are built-in or supplementary tools that help you identify, analyze, and fix hardware and software issues. Key tools include Windows Memory Diagnostic, Performance Monitor, Reliability Monitor, Event Viewer, and built-in troubleshooters, among others. Maintaining these tools ensures they provide accurate results and remain free from corruption or outdated data.
Section 1: Getting Started with Diagnostic Utilities (Beginners)
Which Diagnostic Tools Should Beginners Know?
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Checks your RAM for errors.
Access: Type “Windows Memory Diagnostic” in the Start menu and select the tool.
Reliability Monitor
Shows a timeline of system events and errors.
Access: Open Control Panel > Security and Maintenance > Reliability Monitor.
Windows Troubleshooters
Provide step-by-step fixes for common problems.
Access: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
How to Use and Maintain These Tools
Step 1 – Running Windows Memory Diagnostic
1. Save your work and close all programs.
2. Press the Windows key, type “Windows Memory Diagnostic,” and select it.
3. Choose “Restart now and check for problems.” Your PC will reboot and begin testing.
Step 2 – Checking System Health with Reliability Monitor
1. Press Windows + R, type “perfmon /rel” and hit Enter.
2. View the stability timeline for recent errors or warnings.
3. Click on any event for more details and suggested solutions.
Step 3 – Using Built-in Troubleshooters
1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. Select the area you want to troubleshoot (e.g., Internet, audio).
3. Click “Run the troubleshooter” and follow on-screen prompts.
Maintenance Tips for Beginners
– Run troubleshooters monthly or after encountering issues.
– Monitor Reliability Monitor weekly for recurring errors.
– Restart your PC after running diagnostics to apply fixes.
Section 2: Advanced Maintenance and Diagnostic Strategies (Advanced Users)
How Can Advanced Users Extend Diagnostic Capabilities?
Event Viewer
Provides detailed logs of system, security, and application events.
Access: Type “Event Viewer” in the Start menu.
Performance Monitor
Allows the creation of custom data collector sets and performance reports.
Access: Type “Performance Monitor” in the Start menu.
System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM)
These command-line tools repair corrupted system files and check the health of Windows images.
Advanced Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Analyzing Events with Event Viewer
1. Open Event Viewer.
2. Expand Windows Logs and choose Application or System.
3. Sort by Level to find Errors or Warnings.
4. Double-click an event for technical details and troubleshooting steps.
Step 2 – Monitoring Performance with Performance Monitor
1. Open Performance Monitor.
2. Click “Performance Monitor” on the left.
3. Add counters by clicking the green plus (+) button.
4. Select items like Processor, Disk, or Memory, then click OK.
5. Observe real-time stats and identify performance bottlenecks.
Step 3 – Running SFC and DISM
1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Start and select Command Prompt (Admin)).
2. Type: sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete.
3. If issues persist, run:
– DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
– DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
– DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Step 4 – Cleaning Up Diagnostic Logs and Data
1. Open Disk Cleanup by typing it into the Start menu.
2. Select your system drive.
3. Check “System created Windows Error Reporting” and “System log files.”
4. Click OK to clean up old diagnostics data.
Section 3: Keeping Diagnostic Utilities in Top Condition
Why Should You Maintain Diagnostic Utilities?
Corrupted logs, outdated tool versions, or excessive data can cause inaccurate diagnoses or slow scans. Regularly cleaning, updating, and optimizing these utilities helps ensure reliability.
Best Practices for Maintenance
– Regularly clear old logs using built-in tools like Disk Cleanup.
– Keep Windows updated to receive diagnostic tool improvements.
– Avoid third-party registry cleaners that may remove critical diagnostics data.
– Document recurring errors for faster troubleshooting.
Section 4: Using Glary Utilities for System Tool Maintenance
How Can Glary Utilities Help Maintain Windows Diagnostics?
While Windows offers solid built-in diagnostics, Glary Utilities provides a centralized platform to automate cleanup, optimize performance, and maintain system health.
Key Features for Diagnostic Maintenance
1-Click Maintenance
Quickly scans and repairs common issues, including registry errors and temporary files that may interfere with diagnostics.
Disk Cleaner
Removes diagnostic logs and crash dumps to free up space.
Startup Manager
Identifies and manages startup programs, which can impact system diagnostics speed.
Registry Repair
Finds and fixes registry issues that might cause built-in utilities to fail or misreport.
Practical Steps with Glary Utilities
1. Download and install Glary Utilities from the official website.
2. Launch the program and select “1-Click Maintenance.”
3. Review detected issues and click “Repair Problems.”
4. Use the “Advanced Tools” tab to access Disk Cleaner or Registry Repair.
5. Schedule regular automatic maintenance to keep diagnostics running smoothly.
Conclusion
Maintaining Windows diagnostic utilities is essential for system stability and performance. Beginners should familiarize themselves with easy-to-use tools and regular routines, while advanced users can leverage powerful features like Event Viewer, Performance Monitor, and command-line repairs. Supplementing these with Glary Utilities ensures your diagnostics remain accurate and efficient, helping you catch problems before they become serious issues. Regular maintenance is the key to a healthy, responsive Windows 10 system.