common Windows problems and how to fix them

Boot times are too slow

In Windows 8, Microsoft introduced hybrid boot to shorten start-up times, and this feature was carried over to Windows 10. Normally, when you shut down your PC, all processes are terminated. However, with hybrid boot, the Windows kernel goes into hibernation to speed up the next start-up. While this is useful, it can sometimes be too slow for IT professionals.

To disable hybrid boot, search for ‘Power Options’ in the Start Menu. Open the Control Panel applet from the left pane, and click on ‘Choose what the power buttons do.’ Select ‘Change settings that are currently unavailable,’ then find and deselect ‘Turn on fast start-up.’ Save your changes, and your PC should turn on faster.

Interestingly, some users have found that toggling fast start-up off and then back on can resolve related issues. To do this, follow the previous steps to deselect the function, restart your system, and then re-enable it.

Additionally, if you dual-boot between Windows 7 and Windows 10, disabling fast start-up in Windows 10 can prevent Windows 7 from performing a disk check every time you boot. This happens because with fast start-up enabled, Windows 7 may not recognize that the disks were properly shut down in Windows 10. Disabling this feature ensures smoother transitions between the two operating systems.

Windows 10 Sound Problems

Sound issues can be quite common in Windows 10, especially after an update. Here’s how to fix sound problems:

• Check audio output device: Make sure the correct output device is selected. Click on the speaker icon in the system tray and ensure the proper device is chosen from the dropdown list.
• Update audio drivers: Outdated or corrupted audio drivers are a common cause of sound issues. Open Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click your audio device, and select Update driver.
• Run the audio troubleshooter: Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can often resolve sound issues automatically. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and select Playing Audio.

Windows 10 startup problems

Startup issues are a frequent source of frustration for Windows 10 users. These problems can range from the system being stuck in a boot loop to errors preventing the computer from starting properly. To address startup issues:

• Use startup repair: Restart your computer and boot into the Advanced Startup menu by holding the Shift key while selecting Restart. From here, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
• Boot in safe mode: If the system is struggling to start normally, try booting into Safe Mode. Hold the Shift key while restarting, and select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings. In Safe Mode, you can uninstall problematic updates or drivers.
• Check boot order in BIOS: Sometimes incorrect BIOS settings can prevent Windows from starting. Enter the BIOS (usually by pressing F2 or Del during startup) and verify that the correct drive is set as the primary boot device.

The lock screen gets in the way

If you find the Windows lock screen to be an unnecessary barrier, you can disable it through the Registry Editor. This tweak allows you to bypass the lock screen and go straight to the login screen or desktop, saving time and reducing annoyance.

To start, open the Registry Editor by searching for regedit in the Start Menu. Once the Registry Editor is open, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

Look for a key named Personalization. If it doesn’t exist, you will need to create it: right-click the Windows key, select New > Key, and rename it to Personalization.

Next, right-click the new Personalization key, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it NoLockScreen. Double-click on this value and set the data to 1, then click OK to confirm.

After making these changes, restart your computer. The lock screen should now be disabled, allowing for a more streamlined login experience without the extra step of dismissing the lock screen.

System Restore isn’t turned on

One of the most puzzling aspects of Windows 10 is that System Restore is not enabled by default, despite its crucial role in system recovery. To activate System Restore, you need to do this manually via the Control Panel.

• Start by searching for “Create a restore point” in the search bar and open the System Properties page from the top result.
• In the Protection Settings section, select your main system drive (usually labeled as ‘C:’) and click Configure.
• Next, choose the option labeled Turn on system protection and apply the changes.

If you ever want to get rid of the Safe Mode entry, you can do it easily by returning here and deleting it.

Can’t access safe mode using keyboard function keys

Safe Mode can be a life-saver in many system-critical problem situations, especially when your device is finding it difficult to start correctly. However, what if one day, you find out that you can no longer activate Safe Mode by pressing the F8 or Shift+F8 keys at boot?

Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to boot into Safe Mode. We’ve put together a guide on how to boot Windows 10 Safe Mode, which provides alternatives to using the F8 shortcut, or bypassing shortcuts entirely. These include access a boot option inside the Update & Security settings, or using the Left Shift button as part of a restart.

You should also consider setting a Safe Mode as an option in the boot menu, although your system will first need to be configured to support it.

To set this up, you can do the following:

• Slow startup

  This could be due to a malware infection or an update failure. 
• Apps stop working

  After installing an update, apps may stop working. Re-downloading the app may help. 
• Files not opening in the right application

  To fix this, go to Settings, then System, then Default Apps. From there, you can choose which apps open each file. 
• Too many or too few notifications

  Go to Settings, then System, then Notifications to customize your notification settings. 
• Web browsing issues

  These can occur after updating Windows 10 or installing other updates. 
• Blue screen of death

  This error can be caused by hardware malfunctions, outdated drivers, memory problems, or corrupted system files. 
• Network errors

  Check that your network connection is working and that your computer can access Microsoft servers. If the problem persists, you can try manually downloading and installing updates or running the System File Checker (SFC). 
• Printer problems

  Download the latest drivers for your printer from the printer maker’s website and install them. 
• Update errors

  These can cause unexpected crashes and feature failure. 
• Audio issues

  These can be caused by accidentally muted microphones or audio sources switching between programs. 
• PC will not turn on

  Check that the power outlet, extension cord, and all connections are working. 
• Driver issues

  A “Driver not found” error can occur if a driver is missing or not installed correctly.