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System Utilities

  • Task Manager:

  • Disk Cleanup:

    • Access: Press Win + S, type “Disk Cleanup”, and select the application. Choose the drive you want to clean (usually C:).
    • Clean up system files: After opening Disk Cleanup, click on “Clean up system files” to remove old Windows installations and other system-related files.
  • Event Viewer:

    • Access: Press Win + R, type “eventvwr.msc”, and press Enter.
    • Windows Logs: Click on the desired log (Application, Security, System) to view its events.
  • Services:

    • Access: Press Win + R, type “services.msc”, and press Enter.
    • To start, stop, or restart a service, right-click on it and select the desired action. Double-clicking a service will open its properties for more detailed management.

File Explorer Tips

  • Quick Access:

    • Access: Open File Explorer press Win + E
    • To pin a folder to “Quick Access”, navigate to it, right-click then select “Pin to Quick Access.”
  • File Extensions:

  • Hidden Files:

System Settings & Features

  • God Mode:

    • Access: Right-click on the desktop, create a new folder, and rename it to GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}. The icon will change, and you can access the settings by double-clicking the folder.
  • Storage Sense:

    • Access: Go to Settings (Win + I) > System > Storage > Toggle on “Storage Sense.”
  • Night Light:

    • Access: Go to Settings (Win + I) > System > Display > Toggle on “Night light.” Click on “Night light settings” for adjustments.
  • Focus Assist:

    • Access: Go to Settings (Win + I) > System > Focus Assist. Choose from Off, Priority Only, or Alarms Only.

Maintenance & Performance

  • Defragment and Optimize Drives:

    • Access: Press Win + S, type “Defragment”, and select “Defragment and Optimize Drives.” Select a drive and click “Optimize.”
  • Check Disk (chkdsk):

  • System Restore:

    • Access: Press Win + S, type “Create a restore point”, and select it. Under the “System Protection” tab, you can create a restore point or restore to a previous point.
  • System File Checker (sfc):

    • Purpose: Scans the integrity of all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.
    • Access: Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
    • Use:
      1. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
      2. Allow the scan to complete. This can take some time. Once finished, follow any on-screen instructions.
  • Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM):

    • Purpose: Services and repairs Windows images, especially useful when the sfc tool can’t fix files.
    • Access: Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
    • Use:
      1. To check the health of your system, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth.
      2. For a more detailed scan and report on system health, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth.
      3. To repair system images, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
      4. Allow the process to complete and follow any on-screen instructions.

Reliability Monitor

  • Access: Press Win + S, type “Reliability Monitor”, and select “View reliability history.”
  • Use: It provides a timeline of system events and errors, helping you pinpoint what might have caused a system crash or malfunction.

Windows Memory Diagnostic

  • Access: Press Win + S, type “Windows Memory Diagnostic”, and select it.
  • Use: It checks your computer’s RAM for errors. This is useful if you suspect a memory problem.

Steps Recorder

  • Access: Press Win + R, type “psr” and press Enter.
  • Use: It’s a tool that captures step-by-step actions, useful for troubleshooting or creating guides.

Local Group Policy Editor

  • Access: Press Win + R, type “gpedit.msc”, and press Enter. (Note: Not available in Windows Home editions)
  • Use: Allows advanced users to manage and configure Windows settings.

DirectX Diagnostic Tool

  • Access: Press Win + R, type “dxdiag”, and press Enter.
  • Use: Check detailed information about your system’s DirectX, display, sound, and input capabilities. Useful for gamers and developers.

Windows Sandbox (Windows Pro and Enterprise only)

  • Access: First, ensure virtualization is enabled in BIOS. Then, go to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off > Check “Windows Sandbox”. After installation, you can find it by typing “Windows Sandbox” in the Start menu.
  • Use: Provides a temporary desktop environment to run untrusted software without the risk of lasting impact to your PC.

Reset This PC

  • Access: Go to Settings (Win + I) > System > Recovery. Select “Reset this PC” or “Advanded Startup”
  • Use: If your PC isn’t running well, resetting it might help. This lets you choose to keep your personal files or remove them and then reinstalls Windows.

Advanced Boot Options

  • Access: Hold down the Shift key and click “Restart” from the Start menu. This will reboot your PC into the Advanced Boot Options menu.
  • Use: Provides troubleshooting tools, including Safe Mode, System Restore, Command Prompt.

Credential Manager

  • Access: Press Win + S, type “Credential Manager”, and select it.
  • Use: Manages and stores credentials for websites, connected applications, and networks.

ClearType Text Tuner

  • Access: Press Win + S, type “ClearType”, and select “Adjust ClearType text.”
  • Use: Optimize how text looks on your display to make it more readable.

Color Calibration

  • Access: Press Win + S, type “color management”. Click ‘advanced’. Click ‘calibrate display’.
  • Use: Adjust your screen colors to get the best display quality.
 

Further Reading

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