Keeping your Windows system running smoothly requires regular checkups and smart troubleshooting. Windows provides a rich set of built-in diagnostic utilities, and with the help of third-party tools like Glary Utilities, you can tackle most performance and reliability issues yourself. Whether you’re new to Windows maintenance or a seasoned power user, these 15 essential tips will guide you through practical steps to keep your PC healthy.
For Beginners: Getting Started with Diagnostic Tools
1. How Do I Access the Windows Reliability Monitor?
Reliability Monitor is a straightforward tool that shows your system’s stability history with clear graphs and error reports.
Step-by-step:
– Press the Windows key, type Reliability, and select “View reliability history.”
– Review the timeline for periods of instability or frequent errors.
– Click on any red X in the graph to see error details and suggested actions.
Practical Example: If your PC restarts unexpectedly, Reliability Monitor can reveal patterns and the exact error message for troubleshooting.
2. What Can Task Manager Tell Me About My System?
Task Manager provides a real-time overview of running processes and resource usage.
Step-by-step:
– Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
– Click the “Performance” tab to see CPU, memory, disk, and network activity.
– Use the “Processes” tab to identify resource-hogging apps.
Practical Example: If your PC feels slow, sort by “CPU” or “Memory” in Task Manager to find and close demanding programs.
3. How Do I Check for Disk Errors with Windows Tools?
Windows includes Error Checking for hard drives.
Step-by-step:
– Open File Explorer, right-click your C: drive, and choose “Properties.”
– Go to the “Tools” tab and click “Check” under Error checking.
– Follow prompts to scan and repair the drive.
Practical Example: If you suspect disk issues after a crash, run this utility for peace of mind.
4. Why Should I Use Glary Utilities for Basic Diagnosis?
Glary Utilities is an all-in-one maintenance suite that simplifies diagnostics and cleanup.
Step-by-step:
– Download and install Glary Utilities from the official website.
– Open the program and use the “1-Click Maintenance” feature to scan for registry errors, junk files, and disk problems.
– Review results and click “Repair Problems” to resolve detected issues.
Practical Example: Use Glary Utilities’ Startup Manager to quickly identify and disable unnecessary startup programs, improving boot speed.
5. How Can I Monitor System Health with Windows Security?
Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender) monitors for viruses, performance, and device health.
Step-by-step:
– Open Settings and go to “Update & Security” > “Windows Security.”
– Click “Device performance & health” for a quick overview of battery life, storage, and software updates.
– Follow any recommended actions.
Intermediate: Diving Deeper into Diagnostics
6. How Do I Run a Memory Diagnostic?
Windows Memory Diagnostic helps spot faulty RAM.
Step-by-step:
– Press Windows key + R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter.
– Choose to restart now and check for memory problems.
– The tool will run at boot and report any issues.
Practical Example: Use this when facing frequent application crashes or blue screens.
7. What Is System File Checker and When Should I Use It?
System File Checker (SFC) repairs corrupted Windows files.
Step-by-step:
– Open Command Prompt as administrator (type cmd, right-click, and choose “Run as administrator”).
– Enter sfc /scannow and press Enter.
– Let the scan complete; follow on-screen instructions if repairs are made.
Practical Example: Run SFC if Windows features stop working or you see unexplained errors.
8. How Can I Use Performance Monitor for Custom Diagnostics?
Performance Monitor tracks detailed system metrics over time.
Step-by-step:
– Press Windows key + R, type perfmon, and press Enter.
– Choose “Performance Monitor” from the console tree.
– Click the green plus sign to add counters (CPU, memory, disk, etc.).
– Start a new data collector set to log data for later analysis.
Practical Example: Advanced users can use logs to correlate spikes in CPU or disk usage with specific times or applications.
9. What About Network Diagnostics?
Troubleshoot network issues with built-in diagnostics.
Step-by-step:
– Right-click your network icon in the system tray and choose “Troubleshoot problems.”
– Follow prompts to let Windows detect and fix connection issues.
Practical Example: Use this utility if you lose internet access or experience slow network speeds.
10. Why Use Resource Monitor for Advanced Troubleshooting?
Resource Monitor provides granular details on resource usage.
Step-by-step:
– Open Task Manager, go to the “Performance” tab, and click “Open Resource Monitor.”
– Review the CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network tabs for detailed process activity.
Practical Example: Spot background processes or services that cause high disk or network usage.
For Advanced Users: Pro-Level Diagnostics
11. How Do I Analyze Driver Issues with Device Manager?
Device Manager helps identify and resolve driver conflicts.
Step-by-step:
– Press Windows key + X and select “Device Manager.”
– Look for devices with a yellow exclamation mark.
– Right-click and choose “Update driver” or “Uninstall device” to resolve issues.
12. What is Windows Event Viewer and When Should I Use It?
Event Viewer logs detailed system, application, and security events.
Step-by-step:
– Press Windows key + X and select “Event Viewer.”
– Check the “Windows Logs” > “System” and “Application” for errors and warnings.
– Double-click events for more details and troubleshooting tips.
Practical Example: Trace the cause of repeated application crashes or hardware errors.
13. How Can I Use Glary Utilities’ Advanced Tools?
Glary Utilities offers power tools like Disk Analysis and Duplicate File Finder.
Step-by-step:
– Open Glary Utilities and select “Advanced Tools.”
– Use “Disk Analysis” to see which folders and files consume the most space.
– Run “Duplicate File Finder” to safely remove redundant files.
Practical Example: Free up space on your SSD by identifying and deleting duplicates and large unused files.
14. How Do I Generate a Detailed System Information Report?
System Information provides comprehensive hardware and software details.
Step-by-step:
– Press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
– Use the menus to explore components, problem devices, and environment variables.
– To export, click File > Export and save the report.
Practical Example: Share your system specs with support technicians for faster troubleshooting.
15. Why Should I Create a System Restore Point Before Major Changes?
System Restore lets you revert to a working state if diagnostics or repairs go wrong.
Step-by-step:
– Search for “Create a restore point” in the Start menu.
– Click “Create” and name your restore point before making major changes.
– If issues arise, use System Restore to go back to this saved state.
Conclusion
Mastering these 15 diagnostic tools and tips will empower you to handle most Windows issues efficiently. For everyday maintenance and quick problem-solving, Glary Utilities stands out as a comprehensive solution, simplifying diagnostics, cleanup, and optimization for all skill levels. Whether you’re just starting out or diving into advanced diagnostics, these utilities will keep your Windows system running at its best.