When your Windows PC starts behaving strangely—slow performance, system errors, or unexplained crashes—damaged or missing system files might be the culprit. While repairing these files can resolve many issues, it’s easy to make mistakes that could make things worse or leave problems unsolved. Here’s a look at the most common mistakes users make with system file repair, and best practices to ensure you safely and effectively clean up and repair your Windows system.
Are You Skipping Basic Cleanup Before Repair?
One common mistake is rushing straight to repair tools without first cleaning up the system. Temporary files, leftover registry entries, and junk data can sometimes mimic the symptoms of system file errors or complicate repairs.
Best Practice: Before attempting any deep system repairs, use a trusted tool like Glary Utilities to perform a full cleanup. Glary Utilities can:
– Remove temporary files and system junk
– Clean redundant registry entries
– Detect and fix minor issues that could be causing instability
To do this, open Glary Utilities, select “1-Click Maintenance,” and follow the prompts to complete a comprehensive cleanup. This simple step can often resolve system issues without further repair.
Are You Relying Only on Restart or System Restore?
Many users rely solely on restarting their PC or using System Restore to fix problems. While System Restore can sometimes undo recent changes, it won’t always address underlying file corruption or deeper system issues.
Best Practice: Combine System Restore with specific system file repair tools for more thorough results. If you must use System Restore:
1. Open the Start menu, type “System Restore,” and select “Create a restore point.”
2. Click “System Restore” and follow the prompts to choose a restore point.
3. After completing the restore, use Glary Utilities to check for remaining issues.
Are You Forgetting to Use System File Checker (SFC)?
Not running SFC is a frequent oversight. The SFC tool scans for and repairs corrupted or missing Windows system files.
Best Practice: Always run SFC when you suspect system file corruption.
Here’s how:
1. Press Windows + S and type “cmd.”
2. Right-click “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
3. In the command window, type: sfc /scannow and press Enter.
4. Wait for the verification to reach 100%. Follow any instructions provided.
If SFC finds and repairs issues, restart your computer. For stubborn problems, run SFC two or three times.
Are You Overlooking the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM)?
Another mistake is ignoring DISM, a powerful tool for fixing Windows corruption that SFC alone can’t repair.
Best Practice: Use DISM if SFC doesn’t resolve your issue.
1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
3. Allow the process to complete—it can take several minutes.
After DISM finishes, run SFC again to ensure all issues are resolved.
Are You Ignoring Third-Party Solutions for Deeper Cleanup?
Relying only on built-in Windows tools can leave some problems untouched, especially those related to registry errors or startup problems.
Best Practice: Supplement Windows tools with Glary Utilities.
Glary Utilities offers:
– Startup Manager to disable unnecessary programs that could interfere with repairs
– Registry Repair to fix deeper registry issues
– Shortcuts Fixer to clean broken shortcuts, which are often overlooked
Run these modules after SFC and DISM to ensure a comprehensive repair.
Are You Failing to Back Up Before Making Changes?
A critical mistake is not creating backups before making repairs. System file repair processes can sometimes make unintended changes.
Best Practice: Back up your system or at least create a restore point before any repair steps.
1. Open Control Panel.
2. Go to System and Security > System > System Protection.
3. Click “Create” and give your restore point a name.
4. Proceed with repairs knowing you can roll back changes if needed.
Are You Not Following Up After Repairs?
After completing repairs, many users don’t check to ensure the issues are fixed or to verify system health.
Best Practice: Monitor your system’s performance post-repair.
– Use Glary Utilities’ “Disk Repair” and “Check for Updates” modules to ensure everything is running smoothly and up-to-date.
– Restart your PC and verify that previous issues are resolved.
Conclusion
Repairing system files is essential for maintaining a healthy Windows system, but avoiding these common mistakes can make the process safer and more effective. Always begin with a thorough cleanup using Glary Utilities, use Windows’ built-in tools strategically, supplement with third-party solutions for deeper issues, and never skip backups. By following these best practices, you’ll keep your PC running smoothly and avoid the headaches that come with poor repair techniques.