Microsoft Windows

System Utilities

• Task Manager:

  • Access: Right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager” or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
  • Processes Tab: To end a task, right-click on it then select “End Task.”
  • Startup Tab: To disable a startup program, right-click on it and select “Disable.”

• 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:

  • Access: Open File Explorer > View > Show > Click “File name extensions” .

• Hidden Files:

  • Access: Open File Explorer > View > Show > Click “Hidden items” .

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):

  • Access: Open Command Prompt as administrator (right-click Start button > Command Prompt (Admin)). Type chkdsk C: /f to check and fix errors on the C: drive. Replace “C:” with another drive letter if needed.

• 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.