Technology Tips – Published Feb 2016 in the Guide and Digest
by Don Trauger – Kennett
Windows 10 Repair & Recovery
Given some instruction, a Windows 10 computer can be repaired by the user. That would be useful to employ when Windows 10 is not running correctly or the user wishes to revert back to their previous operating system such as Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.
To start a repair, click the 4 pane white icon in the lower left corner. Click Settings in the Menu or type “settings” (no quotes) in the Search field to the right of the icon, then click Settings at the top. In the window that opens, click Update & Security. Next, click Recovery. You will see 2 items listed. The top one is Reset this PC, the bottom Advanced startup. Reset this PC allows you to choose 2 different methods to repair your PC. In the window, click Get started which allows you to see the 2 choices. Be very careful here as both choices will make major changes in your computer. The top choice, Keep my files, will remove your apps (programs) but save your personal files and will re-install Windows 10. The bottom choice, Remove everything, will wipe your system and re-install Windows 10. Since both choices are major, let’s consider a simpler method that’s been around for years – System Restore.
System Restore is the first repair attempt you should try. It allows you to pick a date when the computer was working normally. There’s no re-installing Windows 10, or apps and no loss of your data. It often solves the problem at hand. To initiate a restore to an earlier point in time open the Control Panel by right clicking the white icon and click Control Panel. Change the view of the Control Panel by choosing Large icons instead of Category near the upper right of the Control panel. This allows you to see all the Control Panel items in alphabetical order. Next, click System, then System protection in the upper left. Click System Restore. Click Next, then choose the latest date when the computer was working normally. Click Next and follow any screen prompts. After a restart, hopefully your problem will be fixed.
You can also attempt a repair by clicking the white icon, click Power then hold down the Shift button while you click Restart. This method will allow you to perform all of the previous levels of repair mentioned. Click Troubleshoot to Reset this PC or Advanced options for the System Restore function and other repair options.
If all else fails, and it’s been less than 30 days since you upgraded to Windows 10 you can go back to your previous operating system. Open Settings. Click Update & security and click Recovery. This option will disappear after the 30 day limit has expired.
The PC Club meetings are open to all regardless of computer experience. If you have questions that need to be answed, be sure to attend on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7 PM, upstairs in the Community Center. We’ll cover Windows 10 Repair/Recovery this month