How To Fix Windows 7

Stop errors (too sometimes called bluish screen or black screen errors) can occur if a serious trouble causes Windows 7 to close down or restart unexpectedly.

These errors can be caused by both hardware and software issues, and it can be difficult to troubleshoot the trouble. The following tools and methods tin often help become Windows up and running once more.

If you tin start Windows

These tools and methods tin help you curlicue back your system to an before state, and help ensure your computer has the latest updates installed.

System Restore is the easiest thing to endeavour showtime. It tin can undo recent changes to your estimator's system files that might accept caused the problem. System Restore doesn't impact your personal files, such as email, documents, or photos.

Open Organization Restore

Open Arrangement Restore by clicking the Commencement button Film of the Start push button . In the search box, blazon System Restore. Next, in the list of results, click System Restore.‌ If you're prompted for an ambassador password or confirmation, blazon the password or provide confirmation.
Follow the instructions on your screen.

Windows creates a written report when sure hardware or software bug occur. Action Middle can check whether in that location'southward a solution to a reported problem.

Check for solutions

Open Action Center by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Console, and then, under System and Security, clicking Review your figurer's status.
Click Maintenance.
Nether Check for solutions to trouble reports, click Check for solutions. Windows volition notify you if there are any solutions to problems bachelor for your computer.

Annotation:Some bug and solutions can merely exist viewed and fixed by an administrator. Log on using an administrator business relationship to view these problems.

Recent updates from Microsoft might aid set the problem. Windows Update helps keep your computer up to date with the latest system updates and drivers. You can check Windows Update manually to help ensure you have the latest updates to Windows 7 installed.

Check for updates

Open Windows Update by clicking the Beginning push button . In the search box, blazon Update, and so, in the listing of results, click Windows Update.
In the left pane, click Cheque for updates, and so wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your calculator.
If you run into a bulletin telling you that updates are available, or telling you lot to review updates, click the bulletin to view and select the updates.
In the listing, click an update for more information. Select the check boxes for any updates that you lot want to install, and then click OK.
Click Install updates. Read and accept the license terms, and then click Stop if the update requires information technology. If you're prompted for an administrator countersign or confirmation, type the countersign or provide confirmation.

If yous recently installed a hardware device, such equally a sound menu or video card, an wrong or improperly installed device driver might be causing the trouble.

Brand sure yous have the latest driver for the device installed. Yous tin can typically find drivers on the device manufacturer's website. Virtually drivers are cocky-installing—after yous download them, you can usually just double-click the file to brainstorm the installation.

If a driver isn't cocky-installing, follow these steps:

Update a driver

You must be logged on as an administrator for this procedure.

Open up Device Manager past clicking the Start button , clicking Control Console, clicking System and Security, so, under System, clicking Device Manager. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the countersign or provide confirmation.‌
In the list of hardware categories, find the device that you lot want to update, and then double-click the device name.
Click the Driver tab, click Update Driver, and then follow the instructions. If you lot're prompted for an ambassador countersign or confirmation, blazon the password or provide confirmation.

Safety style starts Windows in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows are started, which can assistance yous troubleshoot software problems. For example, if a program runs as soon as yous start Windows and can't be shut down, you can start Windows in safe mode, and then endeavour to uninstall the plan.

Kickoff your computer in condom mode

Remove all CDs, DVDs, and other media from your figurer, so restart information technology. Adjacent, click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Close Down button , and then click Restart.
Do one of the following:
- If your computer has a single operating system installed, printing and hold the F8 central every bit your estimator restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you'll need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and so shutting downwards and restarting your calculator.
- If your computer has more one operating organisation, employ the arrow keys to highlight the operating arrangement you lot want to commencement in safe mode, and then press F8.
On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the safe way selection y'all want, and then press Enter. For more information about options, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
Log on to your figurer with a user business relationship that has ambassador rights.

When your figurer is in safe mode, y'all'll encounter the words Safe Mode in the corners of your screen. To get out safe mode, restart your figurer and permit Windows beginning normally.

Some errors can be caused by problems with your computer'south hard disk or random access memory (RAM), rather than problems with Windows or other software running on your figurer.

Windows 7 includes tools that tin can help place and fix certain hardware-related errors. Serious errors might require y'all to contact the hardware manufacturer for support.

Check for hard disk errors

Open up Estimator by clicking the Commencement push , and then clicking Computer.
Right-click the bulldoze that you want to bank check, and then click Backdrop.
Click the Tools tab, and then, nether Fault-checking, click Check now. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, blazon the password or provide confirmation.
- To automatically repair bug with files and folders that the scan detects, select Automatically fix file organization errors. Otherwise, the disk check will written report problems only not fix them.
- To perform a thorough bank check, select Scan for and endeavour recovery of bad sectors. This scan attempts to find and repair physical errors on the drive itself, and information technology can take much longer to consummate.
- To check for both file errors and physical errors, select both Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors.
Click Start.

Check for memory bug

Open Memory Diagnostics Tool by clicking the Start button , and so clicking Control Console. In the search box, blazon Retentivity, and so click Diagnose your computer's memory issues.‌ If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Cull when to run the tool. If you choose to restart your computer and run the tool immediately, make sure that you save your work and close all of your running programs. The Retentivity Diagnostics Tool will run automatically when you restart Windows.

If you can't start Windows at all

The following tools can assistance you uninstall or roll back software changes, repair Windows startup files, and restore your system from an earlier backup. If none of those suggestions gear up the trouble, you can reinstall Windows seven.

Several of the post-obit tools are located on the System Recovery Options bill of fare. This menu is preinstalled on your calculator's hard disk, and is also on the Windows vii installation media.

When attempting to recover Windows:

If you use a Tablet PC or other computer with a touchscreen, you might need to connect a keyboard and mouse in social club to employ Startup Repair and the other tools in the System Recovery Options carte. For more information, see What are the organisation recovery options in Windows vii?
If Windows 7 came preinstalled on your computer, your calculator manufacturer might accept included other recovery options. For more data, refer to the documentation that came with your computer, or go to the manufacturer's website.

Safe style starts Windows in a limited land. Only the bones files and drivers necessary to run Windows are started, which can help you troubleshoot software issues.

For example, if a corrupted video card driver is preventing Windows from displaying, or if a plan runs equally presently as y'all outset Windows and can't exist close down, you tin can start Windows in safe style before the driver or program starts and and so attempt to set the problem.

Start your computer in rubber fashion

Remove all CDs, DVDs, and other media from your computer, then restart information technology. Click the Commencement button , click the arrow next to the Close Downwards button , and so click Restart.
Do one of the post-obit:
- If your calculator has a single operating system installed, printing and concur the F8 cardinal as your computer restarts. You need to printing F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you'll need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, so shutting downwardly and restarting your reckoner.
- If your computer has more than one operating organization, employ the arrow keys to highlight the operating organization you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8.
On the Advanced Kicking Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the safe mode option you lot want, then printing Enter. For more information about options, seeAdvanced startup options (including safe mode).
Log on to your reckoner with a user account that has administrator rights.

When your computer is in prophylactic mode, you'll see the words Safe Style in the corners of your screen. To exit prophylactic mode, restart your computer and allow Windows get-go usually.

Startup Repair can detect and fix sure types of organisation problems that might prevent Windows from starting, such equally missing or damaged organization files.

Startup Repair is designed to outset automatically if certain organisation problems are detected, but you tin can likewise run the tool manually.

Run Startup Repair using preinstalled recovery options

Remove all CDs, DVDs, and other media from your computer, and then restart it using the figurer'south power button.
Do 1 of the following:
- If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key every bit your computer restarts. You need to printing F8 earlier the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you lot need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting downward and restarting your figurer.
- If your calculator has more than one operating system, employ the pointer keys to highlight the operating system you lot want to repair, and then press and hold F8.
On the Advanced Kicking Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your figurer, and and so press Enter. (If Repair your computer isn't listed as an pick, then your estimator doesn't include preinstalled recovery options, or your network administrator has turned them off.)
Select a keyboard layout, and and then click Adjacent.
On the System Recovery Options carte, click Startup Repair, and then follow the instructions.

Run Startup Repair using the Windows 7 installation disc or a USB flash drive, or a system repair disc

If your reckoner's system is severely damaged and y'all tin can't access the System Recovery Options menu on your computer, you lot can access it using the Windows 7 installation disc or a USB wink drive, or using a system repair disc if y'all created one before.

To apply this method, y'all need to restart your computer using the disc or USB wink drive.

Insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB wink drive, or a organization repair disc, and so shut downwardly your reckoner.
Restart your calculator using the computer'southward power button.
If prompted, press any key and then follow the instructions that appear.
On the Install Windows page, or on the Arrangement Recovery Options page, cull your linguistic communication and other preferences, and so click Next. If neither the Install Windows page nor the System Recovery Options page appear, and you're non asked to press any key, you might demand to modify some system settings. To learn how to practise this, see Start your computer from a Windows vii installation disc or USB flash drive.
If you're using the Windows installation disc, click Repair your figurer.
Select the Windows installation you desire to repair, and and so click Next.
On the System Recovery Options card, click Startup Repair, and then follow the instructions.

You tin use System Restore from the System Recovery Options card. It's just similar running System Restore normally, with one exception: System Restore can't create new restore points in this mode, so yous can't disengage a restore performance. Even so, you lot can run System Restore again and cull a different restore signal, if one exists.

Run System Restore using preinstalled recovery options

Remove all CDs, DVDs, and other media from your computer, and and then restart it using the estimator'southward ability push.
Do one of the following:
- If your computer has a unmarried operating system installed, press and hold the F8 primal equally your figurer restarts. Yous need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, y'all demand to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
- If your computer has more one operating system, use the pointer keys to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and so printing and hold F8.
On the Avant-garde Kicking Options screen, apply the arrow keys to highlight Repair your calculator, and then press Enter. (If Repair your computer isn't listed as an choice, then your figurer doesn't include preinstalled recovery options, or your network ambassador has turned them off.)
Select a keyboard layout, and so click Next.
On the Organisation Recovery Options menu, click Organization Restore, and then follow the instructions.

Run System Restore using the Windows seven installation disc or a USB flash bulldoze, or a arrangement repair disc

If your computer's system is severely damaged and yous cannot access the Organization Recovery Options menu on your computer, you tin can access it using the Windows 7 installation disc or a USB flash drive, or using a system repair disc if you created i earlier.

To use this method, yous need to restart your computer using the disc.

Insert the Windows vii installation disc or USB flash drive, or a organisation repair disc, and then close down your computer.
Restart your computer using the computer's power push.
If prompted, press any primal and then follow the instructions that appear.
On the Install Windows page, or on the System Recovery Options page, choose your language and other preferences, and then click Adjacent. If neither the Install Windows page nor the Organisation Recovery Options folio appear, and you're not asked to press any key, you might need to change some system settings. To learn how to exercise this, see Kickoff your calculator from a Windows vii installation disc or USB wink drive.
If you're using the Windows installation disc, click Repair your figurer.
Select the Windows installation you desire to repair, so click Next.
On the Arrangement Recovery Options menu, click System Restore, and so follow the instructions.

If you've used Windows Consummate PC to create a organization prototype backup equally part of your backup plan, you tin utilise the system epitome to restore your estimator.

A organization image is a copy of the segmentation on your difficult disk that contains Windows. Information technology besides contains everything on that partition on the engagement you created the image, including Windows, your programs, and user data—such every bit documents, pictures, and music. You need to have created a organization prototype beforehand to use this option.

When you restore your computer from a system epitome, the contents of your hard disk are replaced with the contents of the system image. This means that any changes you've fabricated, programs you've installed, or files you've saved after the system prototype was created will likely exist lost unless you have a recent backup of your data.

Restore from a system image using preinstalled recovery options

Remove all CDs, DVDs, and other media from your computer, and so restart it using the calculator's power button.
Do one of the following:
- If your computer has a unmarried operating system installed, press and hold the F8 fundamental as your estimator restarts. You demand to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you lot need to try again past waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and and so shutting down and restarting your computer.
- If your computer has more than ane operating organisation, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and and so press and agree F8.
On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the pointer keys to highlight Repair your computer, and so press Enter. (If Repair your figurer isn't listed as an option, then your computer doesn't include preinstalled recovery options, or your network administrator has turned them off.)
Select a keyboard layout, and then click Adjacent.
On the Arrangement Recovery Options card, click Organization Image Recovery, and and so follow the instructions.

Restore from a arrangement epitome using the Windows 7 installation disc or a USB flash drive, or a system repair disc

If you can't admission the System Recovery Options menu on your estimator, y'all tin access it using the Windows 7 installation disc or a USB wink drive, or using a system repair disc if y'all created earlier.

To use this method, y'all need to restart your computer using the disc.

Insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB wink drive, or a organisation repair disc, and and so shut down your computer.
Restart your calculator using the computer's power button.
If prompted, press any key and then follow the instructions that appear.
On the Install Windows page, or on the System Recovery Options folio, cull your language and other preferences, and then click Next. If neither the Install Windows page nor the System Recovery Options page appear, and you're not asked to printing whatsoever key, you might need to modify some system settings. To learn how to practise this, see Start your calculator from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB wink bulldoze.
If you're using the Windows installation disc, click Repair your figurer.
Select the Windows installation you desire to repair, and then click Adjacent.
On the System Recovery Options menu, click Organization Image Recovery, and then follow the instructions.

If you lot tin't recover Windows seven in any other way, you tin reinstall Windows 7 using your original Windows 7 installation disc or setup files.

Reinstalling Windows 7 will delete whatsoever programs you've installed and will restore the default Windows settings. You'll demand to restore your user files, and reinstall whatever programs y'all've installed using the original installation discs or files.

Install Windows seven using the Custom choice and formatting the hard disk drive

To format your difficult disk during Windows 7 installation, you'll need to kickoff your figurer using the Windows 7 installation disc or a USB wink bulldoze.

Turn on your calculator, insert the Windows vii installation disc or USB wink drive, and and so close down your computer.
Restart your reckoner.
Press any key when prompted, and and then follow the instructions that appear.
On the Install Windows page, enter your linguistic communication and other preferences, and so click Next. If the Install Windows page doesn't appear, and you lot're non asked to press any primal, yous might need to change some system settings. To larn how to exercise this, see Start your computer from a Windows vii installation disc or USB flash drive.
On the Please read the license terms folio, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and and then click Next.
On the Which type of installation do you lot desire? folio, click Custom.
On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, click Bulldoze options (advanced).
Click the partition that you want to change, click the formatting option you want to perform, and then follow the instructions.
When yous've finished formatting, click Next.
Follow the instructions to cease installing Windows vii, which include naming your computer and setting upward an initial user account.