How Do I Automatically Repair Windows Problems?



Fix Problems with Start up Repair, a Repair Install or Reset This PC


Depending on the version of Windows you're using, there are several different ways to automatically repair major Windows operating system problems without resorting to a destructive process, like a Reset Your PC or a Windows Clean Install.
The newest versions of Windows have really easy, automated ways of repairing problems that you might have tried to fix manually but were unsuccessful at, like random error messages, overall slowness, 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?
Most of the time, especially when a major problem is occurring, the best way to automatically repair Windows is to boot from recovery media, or the original Windows setup media, and choosing the correct diagnostic option.
The specific steps involved in performing a Start up Repair, a Repair Install, or a Refresh Your PC can differ considerably depending on the operating system used.
See What Version of Windows Do I Have? first if you're not sure which of the versions of Windows listed below is installed on your computer.
Important: Please don't use what you read below as the only troubleshooting for your problem. Sometimes the ideas below are the best bet, but other times there are much more simple and effective solutions.
So, if you haven't already, search through my site for the specific error message or behavior that you're seeing - I might have much more specific advice to give.
Automatically Repair Windows 10 or Windows 8
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 Start up Repair (formerly called Automatic Repair) is your best bet if Windows 10 or Windows 8 isn't starting correctly. Start up Repair is available from the Advanced Start up Options menu.
See How to Access Advanced Start up Options for instructions on accessing that menu.
If a Start up 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.
See How to Reset Your PC in Windows 10 & 8 for a step-by-step walk through of this process.
The Reset This PC process in Windows 10, called Reset Your PC or Refresh Your PC in Windows 8, is like a "copy over" of Windows. If you're familiar with Windows XP, it's very similar to the Repair Install process in that operating system.
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 Start up Repair and functions similarly to the Start up Repair in Windows 10 & Windows 8 in that it only fixes problems related to Windows starting properly.
Unfortunately, there is nothing like Reset This PC (Windows 10 & 8) or a Repair Install (Windows XP) that works to overwrite 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.
Automatically Repair Windows XP
Windows XP really only has one automatic repair process, called the Repair Install.
The Repair Install process is very similar to the Reset This PC process in Windows 10 & 8 in that it overwrites all of the important files in Windows XP in an attempt to fix whatever might ail your computer.
Important: While the Repair Install process in Windows XP is not designed to remove any files, I recommend that you play it safe by backing up your important files. You should also prepare to reinstall your programs just in case the Repair Install damages any of their installations.

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