Windows 10 offers a variety of tools and settings for diagnosing and improving system performance. However, many users—both beginners and advanced—make common mistakes that can hinder effective troubleshooting. This guide will help you avoid these pitfalls and provide practical, actionable steps to optimize your computer’s speed and reliability, focusing especially on Clean Up & Repair tasks.
Why Performance Troubleshooting Matters
Slow system performance, unexpected crashes, and frequent errors can make even basic tasks frustrating. Proper troubleshooting not only eliminates annoyances but also extends your device’s lifespan, keeps your data secure, and ensures smoother software updates. The key is to avoid common mistakes and use the right tools and methods from the outset.
Section 1: Common Mistakes to Avoid (Applicable to All Users)
Overlooking Basic Maintenance
Many users jump straight to complex solutions, ignoring the basics. Failing to perform simple maintenance like disk cleanup, removing unnecessary startup programs, and updating Windows is one of the biggest mistakes.
Example: A PC running slow because temporary files haven’t been deleted in months. Regular cleanups can resolve this issue quickly.
Relying Solely on Built-in Tools
While Windows has built-in cleanup and troubleshooting tools, they don’t cover everything. Advanced cleaning utilities like Glary Utilities can dig deeper, addressing issues the default tools miss.
Skipping Diagnostics Before Making Changes
Some users start deleting files or uninstalling programs without diagnosing the problem. This can make issues worse.
Example: Deleting random files to free up space, only to remove important system files by mistake.
Neglecting Backup Before Cleanup
It’s essential to back up your data before making major changes. Failing to do so can result in accidental data loss.
Section 2: Clean Up & Repair Basics (For Beginners)
How Can Beginners Start with Windows Performance Troubleshooting?
Step 1: Run Windows Disk Cleanup
1. Type ‘Disk Cleanup’ in the Start menu and open it.
2. Select the drive you want to clean (usually C:).
3. Check the boxes for files to delete (like Temporary files, Recycle Bin).
4. Click OK, then Delete Files.
Step 2: Manage Startup Programs
1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click the Startup tab.
3. Right-click and disable any unnecessary programs.
Step 3: Use Glary Utilities for Comprehensive Cleanup
Glary Utilities is an all-in-one tool that simplifies clean-up processes for beginners.
How to use Glary Utilities:
1. Download and install Glary Utilities from the official website.
2. Open the program and select ‘1-Click Maintenance’.
3. Check options like Registry Cleaner, Temporary Files Cleaner, and Startup Manager.
4. Click Scan for Issues, then Repair Problems.
This automates many cleanup and repair processes, catching issues Windows’ built-in utilities may miss.
Section 3: Advanced Troubleshooting and Optimization (For Advanced Users)
What Advanced Techniques Improve Performance?
Step 1: Analyze Performance with Resource Monitor
1. Press Windows + R and type resmon, then press Enter.
2. Use the tabs (CPU, Memory, Disk) to identify bottlenecks.
Step 2: Check for Hardware Issues
Use tools like Windows Memory Diagnostic (mdsched.exe) for RAM issues or Glary Utilities’ Advanced Tools for disk health checks.
Step 3: Deep Registry Cleaning and Repair
While beginners should avoid registry edits, advanced users can use Glary Utilities’ Registry Cleaner for a safe scan and fix. Always back up the registry first.
1. In Glary Utilities, go to Advanced Tools > Registry Cleaner.
2. Click Scan Registry.
3. Review and fix detected issues.
Step 4: Schedule Regular Maintenance
Set up Glary Utilities to run automated maintenance:
1. Open Glary Utilities.
2. Go to Menu > Scheduled Tasks.
3. Set a weekly or monthly scan and repair schedule.
Step 5: Monitor Updates and Drivers
Outdated drivers can degrade performance. Use Glary Utilities’ Driver Manager to check for and install updates safely.
Section 4: Troubleshooting Real-World Examples
Scenario 1: Slow System After Windows Update
Mistake: Not checking for conflicting startup items or leftover update files.
Solution: Use Glary Utilities to clean unnecessary files and disable superfluous startup entries. Then, use the built-in Windows Troubleshooter under Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Scenario 2: Frequent Application Crashes
Mistake: Ignoring registry and system file corruption.
Solution: Run Glary Utilities’ Registry Repair and use its System File Checker shortcut to launch sfc /scannow for fixing corrupt system files.
Section 5: Summary of Best Practices
Beginners: Focus on regular cleanup, managing startup programs, and using automated tools like Glary Utilities.
Advanced Users: Monitor hardware, dive deeper into resource and registry management, and set up regular scheduled tasks.
For All: Always back up data before major changes and avoid making assumptions without diagnostics.
Conclusion
Effective Windows performance troubleshooting starts by avoiding common mistakes and using the right tools for thorough clean up and repair. Glary Utilities can be a reliable ally for both beginners and advanced users, providing features that go beyond the basics. Regular maintenance, careful diagnostics, and safe optimization steps will keep your system running at its best.