As someone who has experienced the frustrations of broken things, I am constantly on a mission to fix them. From household appliances to personal relationships, the desire to mend what is broken is a universal human instinct. In this article, we will explore the power of the “fix it” mentality and how it can transform our lives for the better.
Restart Your Device
1. Save your work: Before restarting, make sure to save any important files or documents you’re currently working on. This ensures that you don’t lose any unsaved changes.
2. Close all applications: Close any open applications or programs before restarting. This allows your device to fully reset and start fresh when it powers back on.
3. Click on the Start menu: In Windows 10 or Windows 11, click on the Start menu located at the bottom left corner of your screen. This will open a list of options.
4. Select “Restart”: From the Start menu, click on the power icon. This will display several options, including “Restart.” Click on it to initiate the restart process.
5. Use the Task Manager (Windows): If your device is frozen or unresponsive, you can use the Task Manager to restart it. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager, then go to the “Processes” tab. Select any non-essential processes, right-click, and choose “End Task.” Once you’ve closed the necessary processes, go to the “File” menu and select “Restart.”
6. Use the physical power button: If your device is completely unresponsive or the software restart options aren’t working, you can try manually restarting it. Locate the physical power button on your device (usually on the front or side) and press and hold it for a few seconds until the device powers off. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.
Restarting your device can help resolve many common issues by clearing out temporary files, refreshing system processes, and freeing up memory. It’s a simple and effective troubleshooting tool that can save you time and frustration.
Update Windows
1. Press the Windows key to open the Start menu.
2. Type “Windows Update” and select the Windows Update settings from the search results.
3. In the Windows Update settings, click on the “Check for updates” button.
4. Windows will now check for any available updates for your system.
5. If there are updates available, click on the “Download and install” button to start the update process.
6. Windows will begin downloading and installing the updates. This may take some time, so be patient.
7. Once the updates are installed, you may be prompted to restart your computer. If so, click on the “Restart now” button to complete the update.
8. After the restart, your Windows system will be updated with the latest security patches and bug fixes.
Updating Windows regularly is important to keep your system secure and running smoothly. It helps protect your computer from viruses, malware, and other security threats. It also ensures that you have the latest features and improvements provided by Microsoft.
If you encounter any issues during the update process, you can use the Task Manager to check for any background processes that may be interfering with the update. To open Task Manager, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and look for any processes consuming a high percentage of CPU or memory. End these processes, and then try updating Windows again.
It’s worth noting that Windows 10 and Windows 11 have made the update process more streamlined and automatic compared to previous versions like Windows 8 or Windows Vista. However, if you are using an older version of Windows, it’s recommended to update to a newer version for better security and performance.
Regularly updating your Windows system is an essential part of computer maintenance. It ensures that you have the latest security patches and bug fixes, improving the overall stability and performance of your system.
Disable Windows Search
1. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
2. In the Task Manager window, click on the “Services” tab.
3. Scroll down and locate “Windows Search” in the list of services.
4. Right-click on “Windows Search” and select “Properties” from the context menu.
5. In the Properties window, click on the “Stop” button to temporarily disable the service.
6. Under the “Startup type” section, select “Disabled” from the drop-down menu.
7. Click on the “Apply” button and then click “OK” to save the changes.
8. Restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.
By disabling Windows Search, you can improve the performance of your computer, especially if you don’t frequently use the search feature. This can also help reduce the utilization of system resources, such as CPU and memory, which can be beneficial for older or low-spec machines.
Please note that disabling Windows Search may affect your ability to search for files and programs on your computer. If you find that you need to use the search feature again in the future, you can simply enable the Windows Search service by following the same steps and selecting “Automatic” or “Manual” for the “Startup type”.
Remember, it’s important to regularly scan your computer for viruses and malware using a reliable antivirus program like Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Keeping your system up to date with the latest patches from Microsoft is also crucial for maintaining security and resolving any potential issues.
If you encounter any difficulties or have further questions, it’s recommended to consult the official Microsoft support website or seek assistance from a qualified IT professional.
Update Device Drivers
1. Open the Device Manager. You can do this by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting “Device Manager” from the context menu.
2. In the Device Manager window, locate the device category that you want to update the drivers for. It could be something like “Display adapters” for graphics drivers or “Network adapters” for network drivers.
3. Expand the category by clicking on the arrow next to it.
4. Right-click on the specific device that you want to update the driver for and select “Update driver” from the context menu.
5. In the Update Driver Software window, choose the option to automatically search for updated driver software. This will allow Windows to search online for the latest driver updates.
6. If Windows finds any updates, it will automatically download and install them. Follow any on-screen prompts if necessary.
7. Once the driver update is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.
Updating device drivers can help improve the performance and stability of your computer. It ensures that your hardware is compatible with the latest software and fixes any bugs or issues that may have been present in the previous driver versions.
Regularly updating your drivers is especially important if you’re experiencing any problems with your hardware, such as graphics glitches or network connectivity issues. Outdated drivers can often be the cause of these problems.
By keeping your drivers up to date, you can also ensure that your computer is protected against security vulnerabilities. Manufacturers often release driver updates to address any potential security risks, so it’s important to stay on top of these updates.
Check for Malware and Viruses
To ensure the security of your computer and protect your data, it is crucial to regularly check for malware and viruses. These malicious programs can cause significant damage to your system and compromise your personal information. Follow these steps to scan for malware and viruses and keep your computer safe:
1. Use a reliable antivirus software: Install a reputable antivirus program like Microsoft Defender Antivirus to detect and remove any malware or viruses. Update the software regularly to ensure it has the latest virus definitions and patches.
2. Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager on Windows. This tool allows you to monitor running processes and identify any suspicious activities that may indicate malware or virus infection.
3. Scan your computer: Launch your antivirus software and perform a full system scan. This comprehensive scan will examine all files and folders on your computer for any malicious software. Allow the scan to complete and follow the recommended actions to remove or quarantine any infected files.
4. Check for unusual startup programs: In Task Manager, navigate to the “Startup” tab. Here, you can see a list of programs that automatically launch when you start your computer. Disable any programs that you don’t recognize or suspect to be malware.
5. Update your operating system: Keeping your operating system, such as Microsoft Windows, up to date is essential for security. Updates often include patches that fix vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Enable automatic updates or manually check for updates regularly.
6. Be cautious of suspicious emails and downloads: Avoid opening email attachments or downloading files from unknown sources. Phishing emails and malicious downloads can easily infect your computer with malware. If you receive an email from an unknown sender or a suspicious email from a known sender, delete it immediately.
7. Regularly back up your data: Creating backups of your important files is crucial in case of a malware or virus infection. Store your backups on an external hard drive or in cloud storage to ensure you can recover your data if needed.
Clean Junk Files and Reduce Startup Apps
- Open File Explorer
- Navigate to the C: drive
- Locate and open the Windows folder
- Access the Temp folder
- Select all the files and folders within the Temp folder
- Press Delete to remove the selected files
Reduce Startup Apps:
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager
- Click on the Startup tab
- Review the list of programs
- Right-click on the programs you want to disable
- Select Disable from the context menu
Change Energy Options to High Performance
1. Open the Control Panel on your computer. You can do this by clicking on the Start menu and searching for “Control Panel.”
2. In the Control Panel, look for the “Power Options” or “Energy Options” icon. Click on it to open the power settings.
3. You will see a list of power plans available. Look for the “High Performance” option and select it. This setting will optimize your computer for maximum performance, but keep in mind that it may use more energy.
4. If you don’t see the “High Performance” option, you can create a custom power plan. To do this, click on “Create a Power Plan” or a similar option.
5. In the power plan settings, you can customize various options such as when the computer should go to sleep or turn off the display. Adjust these settings according to your preferences.
6. Once you have selected or created the high-performance power plan, click on “Save” or “Apply” to apply the changes.
7. You can also access the power plan settings by right-clicking on the battery icon in the taskbar and selecting “Power Options.”
By changing your energy options to high performance, your computer will prioritize performance over energy savings. This can be beneficial when you need your computer to run tasks that require more resources, such as gaming or video editing.
Remember to balance your energy usage with your computer’s performance needs. If you’re using a laptop, using the high-performance power plan may drain your battery faster. Consider plugging in your laptop or using it on a power source when using the high-performance setting for extended periods.
If you encounter any issues or have further questions, consult your computer’s user manual or seek assistance from the manufacturer’s support website.
Reset Virtual Memory
1. Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Alternatively, you can right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager” from the menu.
2. Navigate to the “Performance” tab: In Task Manager, click on the “Performance” tab at the top of the window.
3. Open the virtual memory settings: In the Performance tab, click on the “Open Resource Monitor” link at the bottom.
4. Access the virtual memory settings: In the Resource Monitor window, go to the “Memory” tab and click on the “Configure” button in the lower-right corner.
5. Reset the virtual memory: In the Virtual Memory window, make sure the “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” option is unchecked. Then, select your system drive (usually C:), choose the “No paging file” option, and click on the “Set” button. This will remove the existing virtual memory settings.
6. Restart your computer: After resetting the virtual memory, it is recommended to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
By resetting the virtual memory, you can resolve issues related to low memory or memory leaks that may be causing your computer to slow down or freeze. This process essentially clears the virtual memory cache and allows your computer to create a fresh paging file when needed.
Note that resetting virtual memory will not delete any of your files or programs. It simply clears the virtual memory cache and starts afresh, improving the overall performance of your system.
If you continue to experience issues with virtual memory after resetting it, it may be worth considering other troubleshooting steps or seeking further assistance.
Perform a Disk Check
1. Open the Command Prompt: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, then type “cmd” and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
2. Run the disk check command: In the Command Prompt, type “chkdsk C: /f” and press Enter. Replace “C:” with the drive letter of the disk you want to check. The “/f” parameter instructs the computer to fix any errors it finds.
3. Schedule disk check on next reboot (optional): If you’re checking the drive where the operating system is installed, you may need to schedule the disk check to run on the next system restart. To do this, type “Y” and press Enter when prompted. Restart your computer for the disk check to begin.
4. Wait for the disk check to complete: The disk check may take some time depending on the size and health of your hard disk drive. The process will display a progress percentage, and you can monitor it to see how far along it is.
5. Review the scan results: Once the disk check is complete, you’ll see a summary of the scan results. If any errors were found and fixed, the Command Prompt will display the details. If no issues were found, you’ll see a message stating that the disk is clean.
Performing a disk check can help resolve various issues related to your computer’s hard disk drive. It’s particularly useful when you experience slow performance, system crashes, or if files and folders become inaccessible. Remember to regularly perform disk checks to maintain the health and reliability of your storage devices.
Note: If you’re using a different operating system or experiencing specific issues, refer to the appropriate documentation or seek additional support to address your problem effectively.
Disable Superfetch Service
To disable the Superfetch service in Windows, follow these steps:
1. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
2. Click on the “Services” tab in the Task Manager window.
3. Scroll down and locate the “SysMain” service.
4. Right-click on the “SysMain” service and select “Open Services” from the context menu.
5. In the Services window, find and double-click on the “SysMain” service.
6. In the General tab, click on the “Stop” button to temporarily disable the service.
7. Under the “Startup type” dropdown menu, select “Disabled” to prevent the service from starting automatically when you boot your computer.
8. Click on the “Apply” button and then click “OK” to save the changes.
9. Restart your computer to apply the changes.
Disabling the Superfetch service can help improve performance on systems with limited resources or if you often experience slowdowns. However, it is worth noting that Superfetch can also provide benefits by caching frequently used files and programs, so disabling it may not always be necessary or recommended.
If you notice any issues after disabling Superfetch, you can re-enable it by following the same steps and selecting “Automatic” or “Manual” as the startup type.
Turn Off Antivirus Software Temporarily
To temporarily turn off your antivirus software, follow these steps:
1. Locate the antivirus software icon in your computer’s system tray, usually located in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
2. Right-click on the icon to open a context menu.
3. Look for an option that says “Disable” or “Turn off” and click on it. This will temporarily disable your antivirus software.
4. Some antivirus programs may ask you to confirm your action. If prompted, click “Yes” or “OK” to proceed.
5. Keep in mind that turning off your antivirus software leaves your computer vulnerable to potential threats. Only disable it if you are sure that the software you are trying to install or the website you are visiting is safe.
6. Once you have finished the task that required the antivirus software to be turned off, make sure to re-enable it as soon as possible to ensure your computer’s protection.
Fix Corrupted System Files
1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. This will initiate the System File Checker tool, which will scan for and repair any corrupted system files.
3. Let the scan run until it completes. This may take some time, so be patient. Once the scan is finished, you will see a message indicating whether any corrupted files were found and repaired.
4. If the System File Checker was unable to repair all the corrupted files, you can try using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. In the Command Prompt window, type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and press Enter. This tool will check for and fix any issues with the Windows image files.
5. Again, let the DISM tool run until it completes. Once finished, restart your computer and check if the corrupted system files have been fixed.
If you are still experiencing issues with corrupted files after following these steps, it may be necessary to perform a system restore or reinstall Windows. Remember to regularly update your operating system and use reliable antivirus software to prevent future issues with corrupted system files.
FAQ
How do I free up disk space?
To free up disk space, you can perform a disk cleanup, uninstall unnecessary programs, delete unnecessary files, and consider storing files in the cloud.
How do I clear disk utilization?
To clear disk utilization, you can use the Disk Cleanup tool. Simply search for “disk cleanup” in the taskbar search box and select Disk Cleanup from the results. Choose the drive you want to clean up and click OK. Select the file types you want to delete and click OK again.
Why is my SSD at 100 active time?
Your SSD is at 100% active time because it is constantly reading data from the disk and waiting for the PCIE link to retrain before sending more data.
Why is my disk usage at 100%?
Your disk usage may be at 100% due to various factors such as malware, corruption, power issues, physical damage, or other reasons. These disk errors should be addressed promptly to prevent data loss, and Windows 10 usually notifies you if it detects a hard disk problem.
