How To Automatically Repair Windows Problems?

Fix Windows with Startup Repair, Repair Install, or Reset This PC

What to Know

Run Startup Repair if Windows isn’t loading properly. It’s available from the ASO menu(App Store Optimization) in newer Windows versions, and the setup disc in older versions. Or, “refresh” your PC (Windows 11/10/8) to reinstall Windows and keep your files. This article explains the automatic repair options available in Windows.

Windows Automatic Repair Options

Depending on the version of Windows you’re using, there are several ways to automatically repair major Windows operating system problems without resorting to a destructive process, like a Reset PC or a Windows Clean Install.

The newest versions of Windows feature easy, automated ways of repairing problems that you might have tried to fix manually but were unsuccessful at, like random error messages, overall slowness, or even problems that prevent Windows from starting at all.

It’s a mixed bag with older versions of Windows, with some automatic repairs for certain types of issues or all-or-nothing repair processes that, while sometimes might seem like overkill, are certainly welcome when you need them.

How Do I Automatically Repair Windows Problems?

The best way to automatically repair Windows is to boot from recovery media, or the original Windows setup media, and choose the correct diagnostic option.

The specific steps involved in performing a Startup Repair, a Repair Install, or a Refresh Your PC can differ considerably depending on the operating system used.

Windows Troubleshooter:

• Windows includes various built-in troubleshooters designed to diagnose and resolve specific issues. To access them:
  • For Windows 10 and 11: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot. Select the troubleshooter that corresponds to the problem you’re experiencing (e.g., Internet Connections, Windows Update, Printer).
  • For Windows 7: Go to Control Panel > Troubleshooting > View all. Then, select the appropriate troubleshooter.
• Follow the on-screen instructions, and the troubleshooter will attempt to identify and fix the problem automatically

• Windows Update:
• Ensure that your Windows operating system is up to date. Microsoft regularly releases updates that include bug fixes and security patches.
  • For Windows 10 and 11: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click “Check for updates.”
  • For Windows 7: Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Update.
• Install any available updates and restart your computer if prompted.
• SFC (System File Checker) Utility:
• The SFC utility scans and repairs corrupted or missing system files. To run it:
  • Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Search for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-click on “Command Prompt,” and choose “Run as administrator.”
  • In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  • Allow the tool to complete the scan and repair any issues it finds.
• DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool):
• DISM is another tool that can help repair Windows system files. To use it:
  • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  • Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
  • Let the tool run, and it will attempt to repair any issues with the Windows image.
• Windows Reset or Refresh (Last Resort):
  • If you’re still experiencing problems after trying the above steps, you can use the “Reset this PC” or “Refresh this PC” feature (the names may vary depending on your Windows version).
  • For Windows 10 and 11: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, and under “Reset this PC,” click “Get started.”
  • For Windows 8.1: Go to PC settings > Update and recovery > Recovery, and under “Refresh your PC without affecting your files,” click “Get started.”
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to reset or refresh your PC. Be aware that this will reinstall Windows, so backup your important files first.

See What Version of Windows Do I Have? if you’re not sure which of the versions of Windows listed below is installed on your computer.

Automatically Repair Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows 8

Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8 have the greatest number of automatic repair options, which is no surprise considering they’re the newest versions of the Microsoft Windows family.

A Startup Repair (formerly called Automatic Repair) is your best bet if Windows 11, 10, or 8 isn’t starting correctly. It’s available from the Advanced Startup Options menu.

How to Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 11, 10, or 8

If a Startup Repair didn’t do the trick, or the problem you’re trying to fix isn’t related to Windows starting properly, then Reset This PC is your next best bet.

Reset This PC: A Complete Walkthrough

The Reset This PC process in Windows 11 and Windows 10, called Reset Your PC or Refresh Your PC in Windows 8 is like a “copy over” of Windows. You have the option of saving your personal data with Reset This PC or have it removed, too.

Automatically Repair Windows 7 or Windows Vista

Windows 7 and Windows Vista have nearly identical processes for automatically repairing important files. This process is called Startup Repair and functions similarly to the Startup Repair in newer Windows versions in that it only fixes problems related to Windows starting properly. There’s nothing like Reset This PC (Windows 11, 10 & 8) that overwrites all important files, processes that tend to be very helpful when you have particularly stubborn problems in Windows but don’t want to lose your important data.