The Best Built In Windows Tools You Need to Know About

Ophtek, Windows 10, Windows Startup, Windows Startup Repair, Windows System Information, Windows Task Scheduler, Windows Tools, , , , , ,
17
Nov 2020

Windows is an incredibly powerful operating system, but most users are unaware of just how much it can do; this extra power is down to some hidden tools. 

If you take a look through the folders on your PC that contain Windows then it quickly becomes a bewildering spectacle. In among all the various Windows applications there are .dll files (don’t ask!) and text files full of binary code and gibberish. And that’s why most people spend little time sifting through the less explored corners of their PCs. But hidden within Windows are a number of innovative and helpful tools. These can boost your productivity and enhance your PC’s performance. 

The Built In Tools You Need  

It’s a rare individual who can afford to turn down increases in productivity and PC performance, so it’s time to familiarize yourself with: 

  • Startup: In Windows 10 you can find the Startup tool within Windows Task Manager. All you have to do is click the Startup tab to discover which applications begin loading as Windows starts booting. From here you can use the tick boxes to control what does and doesn’t load at startup. So, for example, you could ensure that valuable processing power is concentrated on loading up essential programs such as Windows Updates rather than Spotify.
  • System Information: It’s always important to know the basics about the PC you’re working with. This allows you to determine what your system is capable of as well as aiding IT professionals in diagnosing solutions. And System Information is the quickest way of gathering all this information together. This tool can be accessed in two ways: Firstly, you can type msinfo32 in to the ‘Run’ box when you hit the Windows key. And, secondly, you can access it by opening Administrative tools in control panel. Either way you are presented with a wealth of information on your system.
  • Task Scheduler: Workplaces are busy environments and it’s easy for simple tasks to be missed. But this doesn’t need to be a problem when you have Task Scheduler on your side. A simple but useful tool, Task Scheduler allows you to put automatic processes in place e.g. display alerts at specific times or schedule your antivirus program to scan.  Task Scheduler can be found within Administrative tools or by typing taskschd.msc in the ‘Run’ box.
  • Startup Repair: There’s nothing worse than a below-par startup process. Sometimes it can simply be slow and other times it can generate endless error messages. Thankfully, Startup Repair can help to eliminate this. If you’re in Windows then you need to hold the Shift key as you click on the Restart button to take you to your boot options. If your PC is failing to get as far as Windows it should present you with your boot options after two or three attempts. From boot options you should go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair. The process is automatic and any problems should be fixed by the tool. 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals. 

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5 Ways to Fix a PC Which Won’t Start Up

Repairs and Upgrades, ,
25
Apr 2017

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There’s nothing more frustrating than a PC which won’t start, and its impact on productivity is immense. Therefore, knowing how to remedy this is crucial.

When a PC fails to start up, however, it can seem as though there’s no hope due to the lack of indicators towards the actual problem. Thankfully, there are a number of steps you can take to investigate the fault and start forming solutions to get your PC back up and running.

And that’s why, today, I’m going to share 5 ways to fix a PC which won’t start up.

  1. Check the PowerIMG_5626b

One of the most common reasons for a PC refusing to start up is that age old favorite of electrical appliances: no power. Luckily, it’s also one of the simplest to fix. Just check your power cable or power adapter to make sure it’s plugged in.

  1. USB Drive Plugged In?

PCs can fail to start up correctly when a USB drive has been left plugged into the system; the reason for this is that a PCs BIOS will often be set up to boot up through any USB devices rather than heading straight to the hard drive. And, seeing as your USB drive is unlikely to have the correct software to load up your operating system, this will be why your PC fails to boot up. Therefore, remove any USB devices and try again.

  1. Listen for the Beeps

If there is a specific issue with your PCs hardware, then there’s a good chance that it will make a series of beeps as it tries to load up. Make sure you count these as it will provide you with the cause of your issues, but bear in mind that these beep codes can vary between PC manufacturers e.g. 5 beeps on a Hewlett Packard could indicate a problem with RAM, but on a Dell it could mean a processor failure.

  1. Check for Loose Hardware

Over time, your hardware can come loose and once it reaches a certain point, this can render your PC unusable. Therefore, if you can’t identify the specific fault, it’s worth opening your PC up and checking that the following components are secure:

  • RAM should be fitted into the motherboard securely
  • Check that all internal data cables such as power cables and motherboard ribbons are secure
  1. Access Safe Modeimage37

If you can get far enough into your PC to access Safe Mode then this can often help resolve any issues. You usually need to hit F5 or F8 as your computer starts up to access Safe Mode, this will give you access to your desktop and its most basic functions e.g. accessing control panel and system restore. Once in here you should be able to investigate faults with your software and, if necessary, perform a system restore.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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