System Health and Repair Guide 2

Windows 11 System Health and Repair Guide

This document provides steps and terminal commands to help diagnose and repair stability issues on Windows 11.

1. Check for Windows Updates

Ensure your system is up-to-date with the latest Windows updates.

1. Go to Settings (Windows key + I).
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Install any available updates and restart your computer if prompted.

2. Run System File Checker (SFC)

SFC scans for and repairs corrupted system files.

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin). Search for “cmd” or “terminal,” right-click, and select “Run as administrator.”

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   sfc /scannow

3. Wait for the scan to complete. This may take some time.

4. If SFC finds and repairs errors, restart your computer.

3. Use DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management)

DISM repairs the Windows system image.

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).

2. Run the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

3. Wait for each command to complete. The RestoreHealth command may take a significant amount of time.

4. Restart your computer.

4. Check Disk for Errors

Check your hard drive or SSD for errors.

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   chkdsk /f /r

3. You’ll be prompted to schedule the check for the next restart. Type Y and press Enter.

4. Restart your computer. The disk check will run before Windows starts.

5. Memory Diagnostics

Check your RAM for errors.

1. Search for “Windows Memory Diagnostic” in the Start menu and open it.
2. Select “Restart now and check for problems (recommended).”
3. Your computer will restart and run the memory test. Follow the on-screen instructions.
4. After the test, Windows will restart and display the results.

6. Check for Driver Updates

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause instability.

1. Open Device Manager. Search for it in the Start menu.
2. Expand each category and right-click on each device.
3. Select “Update driver.”
4. Choose “Search automatically for drivers.”
5. If updates are found, install them and restart your computer.
6. Alternatively, visit the manufacturer’s website for your hardware components (e.g., graphics card, motherboard, etc.) and download the latest drivers.

7. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help identify software conflicts.

1. Press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
2. In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
3. Check the box “Hide all Microsoft services.”
4. Click “Disable all.”
5. Go to the Startup tab and click “Open Task Manager.”
6. In Task Manager, disable all startup items.
7. Close Task Manager and click “OK” in the System Configuration window.
8. Restart your computer.
9. After troubleshooting, remember to re-enable your services and startup programs.

8. Check Event Viewer

Event Viewer logs system events, including errors and warnings.

1. Search for “Event Viewer” in the Start menu and open it.
2. Expand “Windows Logs” and check “Application” and “System” logs for errors and warnings.
3. Look for events that correspond to the time of your stability issues.
4. Research the event IDs for more information.

9. Reset Windows 11 (Last Resort)

If all else fails, you can reset Windows 11. This will reinstall Windows but allows you to keep your personal files.

1. Go to Settings (Windows key + I).
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Recovery.
4. Click “Reset PC.”
5. Choose “Keep my files” or “Remove everything” (if you want a completely clean install).
6. Follow the on-screen instructions.
7. If possible, back up your important files before resetting.

Important Notes

• Always run commands in an elevated Command Prompt or Windows Terminal (Run as administrator).
• Restart your computer after each major step.
• Back up important data before performing any major system changes.
• If you are unsure about any of these steps, seek assistance from a qualified technician.
• Third party antivirus programs can sometimes cause issues. try disabling them temporarily for troubleshooting.