Right-click context menu causes Explorer.exe crash

One of the strangest problems reported by Windows 7 users is an Explorer.exe crash that sometimes occurs when a right-click context menu is opened.

This problem is typically caused by a corrupt context menu entry. Windows doesn’t let you edit the contents of the context menu directly, but there’s a free tool called ShellExView that has this capability. Download it and install it.
For Downloading Please Click Here

Open the program. You’ll see a list of entries, but you only need to worry about Context Menu entries, so sort them by type. A long list of context menu items will appear. Go through them and disable any that are not related to Windows directly (you can tell by reading the entry’s description).

Now close ShellExView and restart your PC. The disabled context menu entries will no longer appear, and the crash should no longer occur.


System Requirements
This utility works on any version of Windows, starting from Windows 98 and up to Windows 10. x64 versions of Windows are also supported.

Description
Shell Extensions are in-process COM objects which extend the abilities of Windows operating system. Most shell extensions are automatically installed by the operating system, but there are also many other applications that install additional shell extension components. For example: If you install WinZip on your computer, you'll see a special WinZip menu when you right-click on a Zip file. This menu is created by adding a shell extension to the system.
The ShellExView utility displays the details of shell extensions installed on your computer, and allows you to easily disable and enable each shell extension.

ShellExView can be used for solving context-menu problems in Explorer environment


Troubleshooting Right Click Issues Caused by Shell Extensions

Symptoms
When you right-click a file/folder, there may be a huge delay before Windows displays the context menu.

When you try to empty Recycle Bin (from Common Tasks), it opens Quick Finder instead.

When you click Play All in the Music or Videos folder Common Tasks, nothing may happen.

When you select multiple files and right click and open / print nothing happens. Whereas, selecting a single file in explorer and right click and open / print, it works fine.

When you right-click a folder in the Start Menu and choose Open or Explore, nothing may happen. (Whereas, it works fine in Windows Explorer.)

Error message "Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience" when you right-click a folder.

Right-click is extremely slow only when the network card is enabled.

When you right-click on a folder and choose Properties, nothing may happen.

Your image editing program does not start when you click the Edit button in Windows Picture and Fax Viewer.

Data Execution Prevention (DEP) error occurs when Windows Explorer or Control Panel is launched.
Nothing happens when you click Slideshow or Print in the Tasks pane in Windows Vista.

Unable to launch applications (mainly Windows Installer shortcuts) from the recent programs list in the Windows Vista Start menu.

Device Manager link in the tasks pane does not work in Windows Vista

When you click "Set up backup" or click "Change settings" in Windows 7 Backup and Restore, nothing happens or the System32 folder opens.

When you right-click Start to access the Win+X (Power User) menu in Windows 8 or Windows 10, none of the shortcuts work correctly. Whereas they work correctly when run from the Win+X shortcuts folder.

Troubleshooting Computer Problems

This page contains answers to common questions along with some tips and tricksthat may be useful.What do I do if...

1. the computer locks up and/or is acting weird?

2. the computer is completely dead?

3. the keyboard doesn't work?

4. the mouse doesn't work?

5. the computer displays a disk error or non-system disk message?

6. the computer starts up in "safe mode"?

7. the printer doesn't work?

Back to Tutorial the computer locks up and/or is acting weird?

1. If the computer is frozen and will not respond to any commands, it may be necessary to press Ctrl + Alt + Del (all three keys at the same time) to bring up the Task List. Select any program that says "Not responding" and click the EndTask button. Repeat until all tasks are ended. If this does not work, turn the computer off, wait several seconds, turn the computer back on, and let the computer run the Scandisk.

2. Reboot it. A majority of problems that occur while you are using your computer can be fixed by rebooting. Applications sometimes dont release memory  like they should when they are finished. The end result is your computer locks upor acts really weird. When you reboot, memory registers are cleared and most everything is reset. This fixes a lot of problems.

Special Note 

It doesn't hurt a computer to leave it running all the time. However, using the computer for long periods of time causes small problems that can build into larger ones. When Windows reboots, it fixes most of these small problems.Therefore, restarting the computer periodically while working can help reduce the risk of glitches.

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the computer is completely dead?

Check all the connections, the cables between the CPU and the monitor and all the electrical cables. Check the wall socket or surge strip to see if they are bad (sometimes a surge strip will have good and bad outlets). If you have a green light on your monitor but not on your CPU, then there is a problem with your CPU.If there is a green light on your CPU and not your monitor, then you have a problem with your monitor and your CPU may be fine. If you have another monitor that you know is good, the quickest way to test is to put another monitor on the machine and see if you get an image on the screen. If you have a light on both the monitor and the CPU, check the pins of the data cable between the monitor and the CPU. A single bent pin can cause an image problem.

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the keyboard doesn't work?

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del (all three keys at the same time) to bring up the Task List. Select any program that says "Not responding" and click the End Task button. Repeat until all tasks are ended. Check periodically to see if the keyboard will work.

2. Check to make sure the keyboard is still properly connected to the computer. If the keyboard has been disconnected, you may have to reboot your computer.

3. If all else fails, then turn the power off. Wait a couple of minutes before turning the computer back on.

Special Note

One of the dirtiest parts of your computer is the keyboard. Regular cleaningwill help keep the keyboard working properly. First, blow compressed air throughthe spaces in between the keys to remove dust and lint. If you shake yourkeyboard upside-down this will also remove some of the particles.Another keyboard problem that could occur is when you turn your computer onand you get a message that no keyboard was detected or you get into Windows butare not able to type. Remove the keyboard connector for the CPU, examine the pinsin the connector to ensure they are straight, then reinsert the connector. Also,check and make sure the mouse and keyboard connectors have not been switched. Ifthe keyboard still doesnt work try connecting, another keyboard that you know is

 working. This will determine if you need a new keyboard or if you have a CPUproblem.

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the mouse doesn't work?

Check to make sure the mouse is still properly connected to the computer. If the mouse has been disconnected, you may have to reboot your computer.Like the keyboard, the mouse pad is sitting in the open most of the time getting dusty, wet, slimed, or anything else that happens on you desktop. The mouse then rolls over whatever has collected on the mouse pad and gets inside,gumming up the works. To clean the mouse pad, wipe it off occasionally with a damp cloth or get a new one.You also need to clean your mouse regularly, as often as twice a week. If you turn your mouse over, you ll notice a round ball with a cover over it. This cover can be twisted off and the ball will come out. Roll the ball on a clean, lint free cloth. Then take a look at the rollers inside the mouse. Take tweezers, a screw driver, or even your fingernail to scratch the dirt and lint off the rods.Next, you should look inside the mouse and clean out any other dirt or lint that is hiding in there. Finally, replace the ball and twist back on the cover. 

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the computer displays a disk error or non-system disk message?

1. You may have left a disk in the A drive. Remove it and press any key on the keyboard to reboot the computer.

2. If you dont have a disk in the A drive, and the message is accompanied by a "clunking" sound, turn the computer off and send for a technician.

 

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the computer starts up in "safe mode"?At times your computer could develop a problem which causes you machine to boot up in what is called "safe mode". The easiest way to try and solve this problem is to run a "scandisk".

1. Click on Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and Scandisk.

2. Place a check on "Automatically fix errors".

3. When Scandisk finishes, reboot your computer to see if this fixed the problem.

4. If the computer still boots up in the Safe Mode, click on Start, Programs,Accessories, System Tools, and Disk Defragmenter. If you receive the message "You don't need to defragment this drive now", continue with the process anyway.

5. When Disk Defragmenter is finished, reboot your computer to see if thisfixed the problem.

6. If the computer still starts up in safe mode, you need to contact acomputer technician.

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the printer doesn't work?

If the printer will not print at all, you need to determine if the printer itself will not work or if it is not receiving a print message from the computer.

1. Many models have a built-in self test option which allows you to print atest page by holding down the feed button for a few seconds. The power button will begin to flash and a test page will print. If the printer self test fails,your problem is with the printer itself rather than the printer cable or computer.Should this occur, you should contact a technician.

2. If the printer self test prints, the next step is to have Windows print a test page. Click on Start, Settings, Printers, and right click on the icon of the printer with the problem. Select properties and press the Print Test Page button.If the test page fails to print, make sure the printer cable is firmly seated in both the computer and the printer. You should also check the ends of the printer cable to make sure that none of the prongs are bent. If the test print fails, or if the print consists of nonsense characters or a few characters printed over many pages, you need to uninstall then reinstall the drivers for your printer. Paper feed problems and jams can often be resolved by using paper which conforms with the specifications provided by the printer manufacturer. On ink jet printers, the rubber rolls which pick up each sheet can sometimes become coated with paper residue which decreases the friction. Cleaning off the residue can sometimes solve paper feed problems.Special Note If your ink jet printer is making a banging or grating noise, you need to clean two areas of the printer.

 

1. Some models of ink jet printers have a gray colored narrow plastic film which extends almost the whole width of the printer just behind the rod on which the print head travels. If this film gets dirty, the print heads can have problems determining where it is and can crash against the end of the printer.Use tissue or soft cloth to clean this strip.

2. The printer head moves across a rod that can also become dirty. With the printer power on, raise the front of the printer and clean the rod with a paper towel. Put the front of the printer back down and turn off the printer. This time when you lift the front of the printer, the printer heads will move across the rod. This will allow you to clean the part of the rod that was covered when you cleaned it the first time. If you spray the paper towel with WD-40, this will do a better job of cleaning the rod.As the printer gets older, it may become necessary to perform these two cleaning jobs at least once a week.

 

Windows Firewall keeps blocking specific software

Affects: Windows XP/Vista/7

Description: Windows comes loaded with a built-in firewall that will block any program that istrying to communicate with the Internet without permission. However, this sometimes trips upprograms that are legitimate.

Solution: Open the Control Panel and go to Windows Firewall. Click on Advanced Settings.Click in Inbound Rules in the left hand column and then select New Rule in the right handcolumn. Select Program as the Rule Type, select the program that you want to give permission,and select “Allow the connection.”Repeat this process in Outbound Rules. Once you’ve done so, you should no longer haveproblems with that program tripping the firewall.

Windows doesn’t detect your DVD drive

Affects: Windows Vista/7

Description: Although your DVD drive appears in BIOS, it in rare cases could disappear from Windows 7, which of course means you can’t play DVDs

Solution: Run regedit and find  

 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\ 

Find and delete the UpperFilters and LowerFilters entries, then reboot. If this doesn’t work, enter Disk Management and look for the drive letter of your DVD drive. Right-click that drive, then click Change Drive Letter and Paths. Change the drive letter to some other, unused letter, then reboot.

Windows says that I am running out of disk space

Affects: Windows XP/Vista/7

Description: This alert will appear when a hard drive is running very low on free space. Theerror flags relative to the size of the disk, so larger drives will have more free space remaining when this error appears.

Solution: Windows XP users should run cleanmgr from the Run menu while Vista and Windows7 users should do a Windows Search for Disk Cleanup. This will pull up a utility that can purge ahard drive of unneeded files like temporary files and files stuck in the recycle bin.If Disk Cleanup can’t free up enough room to rid you of the error, you’ll need to delete someprograms that you no longer use or move files onto a secondary or external hard drive. Videofiles, image files, and music files often consume the most space on the average user’s hard drive, soconsider cleaning out and/or moving those first. A good program which can automate this cleanup process is CCleaner.
CCleaner will remove all temporary files from web browsers, cookies, clear the Windows Recycle Bin, temporary files,log files and remove unused or old registry entries.

For Downloading CCleaner Please Click Here

Trying to delete a file results in an error that states the file or folder is still in use by another program or user

Description: This is a common issue that arises when trying to delete files, particularly large volumes of files. Windows can’t delete afile when it is being used, so this error message willappear. It can appear when deleting anykind of file or folder, and it will appear if even one fileor folder among the many you’re trying to delete is in use.

Affects: Windows XP/Vista/7

Solution: Usually this problem occurs simply because you’re trying to delete a file that’s in useby another program you have loaded but forgot about.Shutting down the program with the currently open file will solve the issue in most cases. In somerare instances, however, you may find that you still receive the error. If you’re certain the fileneeds to be gone you can try using a program such as Unlocker to circumvent the error, or youcan try rebooting into safe mode.
For Downloading Please Click Here

·  Ever had such an annoying message given by Windows?

·  Unlocker is the solution!

1. Simply right click the folder or file and select Unlocker

2. If the folder or file is locked, a window listing of lockers will appear

Enable Aero Effects In Windows 7

Aero is normally not available on Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows 7 Home Basic. Furthermore there is an internal Hardware Check which only allows you to run Aero if passed.
This tool can enable Aero for you and additionally disable the Hardware Check if required!
The Aero desktop experience, available in the Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Windows 7, mixes cool graphics with useful new ways to manage your desktop.

For Downloading,Please Click Here

Fix a corrupted user profile in Windows 7

My computer is on a domain

1. Open Microsoft Management Console by clicking the Start button , typing mmc into the search box, and then pressing Enter.

 
If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

2. In the left pane of Microsoft Management Console, click Local Users and Groups.
If you don't see Local Users and Groups, it's probably because that snap-in hasn't been added to Microsoft Management Console. Follow these steps to install it:

1. In Microsoft Management Console, click the File menu, and then click Add/Remove Snap-in.

2. Click Local Users and Groups, and then click Add.

3. Click Local computer, click Finish, and then click OK.

3. Click the Users folder.

4. Click the Action menu, and then click New User.

5. Type the appropriate information in the dialog box, and then click Create.

6. When you are finished creating user accounts, click Close.

7. Restart the PC.

My computer is in a workgroup

1. Open User Accounts by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking User Accounts and Family Safety, and then clicking User Accounts.

2. Click Manage another account. 

If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

3. Click Create a new account.

4. Type the name you want to give the user account, click an account type, and then click Create Account. 

5. Restart the PC.

Copy files to the new user profile
After you create the profile, you can copy the files from the existing profile. You must have at least three user accounts on the computer to complete these steps, including the new account you just created.

1. Log on as a user other than the new user you just created or the user that you want to copy files from.

2. Open the My Documents folder by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Computer. Double-click the hard disk drive that Windows is installed on (it's usually your C: drive), double-click Users, double-click the folder with the name of your account, and then double-click My Documents. 

3. Click the Tools menu, and then click Folder Options.
If you don't see the Tools menu, press Alt.

4. Click the View tab, and then click Show hidden files, folders, and drives. 

5. Clear the Hide protected operating system files check box, click Yes to confirm, and then click OK.

6. Locate the C:\Users\Old_Username folder, where C is the drive that Windows is installed on, and Old_Username is the name of the profile you want to copy files from.

7. Select all of the files and folders in this folder, except the following files:
· Ntuser.dat
· Ntuser.dat.log
· Ntuser.ini
8. Click the Edit menu, and then click Copy.

If you don't see the Edit menu, press Alt.

9. Locate the C:\Users\New_Username folder, where C is the drive that Windows is installed on, and New_Username is the name of the new user profile you created.

10. Click the Edit menu, and then click Paste.
If you don't see the Edit menu, press Alt.

11. Log off, and then log back on as the new user.
If you have e mail messages in an e mail program, you must import your e mail messages and addresses to the new user profile before you delete the old profile. If everything is working properly, you can delete the old profile.

Microsoft .Net Framework 4.0 Version

Microsoft .NET Framework 4 (Web Installer)

 The Microsoft .NET Framework 4 web installer package downloads 
 and installs the .NET Framework components required to run on 
 the target machine architecture and OS. An Internet connection is

 required during the installation. .NET Framework 4 is required to 
 run and develop applications to target the .NET Framework 4.

For Download,Please Click Here 

The .NET Framework is Microsoft's comprehensive and consistent programming model for building 
applications that have visually stunning user experiences, seamless and secure communication, and
 the ability to model a range of business processes.
The .NET Framework 4 works side by side with older Framework versions. Applications that are based on earlier versions of 
the Framework will continue to run on the version targeted by default.
The Microsoft .NET Framework 4 provides the following new features and improvements:


   Improvements in Common Language Runtime (CLR) and Base Class Library (BCL)

·         Performance improvement including better multicore support, background garbage collection, and profiler
       attach on server.

·         New memory mapped file and numeric types.

·         Easier debugging including dump debugging, Watson minidumps, mixed mode debugging for 64 bit and 
        code contracts.

·         For a comprehensive list of enhancements to CLR and BCL go here.

·         Innovations in the Visual Basic and C# languages, for example statement lambdas, implicit line 
       continuations, dynamic dispatch, and named/optional parameters.

·         System Requirements

·          

Supported Operating System

Windows 7, Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2008,

Windows Server 2008 R2,Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows Vista Service Pack 1,

·         Windows XP SP3

·         Windows Server 2003 SP2

·         Windows Vista SP1 or later

·         Windows Server 2008 (not supported on Server Core Role)

·         Windows 7

·         Windows Server 2008 R2 (not supported on Server Core Role)

·         Windows 7 SP1

·         Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

·         Supported Architectures:

·         x86

·         x64

·         ia64 (some features are not supported on ia64 for example, WPF)

·         Hardware Requirements:

·         Recommended Minimum: Pentium 1 GHz or higher with 512 MB RAM or more

·         Minimum disk space:

·         x86 – 850 MB

·         x64 – 2 GB

Microsoft Easy Fix Solution For Windows7

How to use Microsoft easy fix solutions

Summary

This article provides information about Microsoft easy fix solutions and how to use them to resolve software issues. “Microsoft easy fix” was previously known as “Microsoft Fix it.” The article also contains information about the end of support notification for legacy Fix it solutions.

End of support notification for Fix it

If you are redirected to this article when you click the Download button of a “Fix it” solution in a Microsoft Knowledge Base article, this means that the solution has been retired and is no longer supported. We recommend that you use one of the following diagnostics to resolve your software issues.

Windows troubleshooter

Troubleshoot problems that may prevent Windows Store Apps from working properly

Find and fix problems playing sounds

Find and fix problems recording sounds

Find and fix problems that may prevent background downloads from working

Troubleshoot problems with devices and printers

Find and fix problems with devices and hardware

Find and fix problems with Internet Explorer performance

Find and fix problems with security and privacy features in Internet Explorer

Find and clean up unused files and shortcuts, and perform maintenance tasks

Find and fix problems with connecting to the Internet or to websites

Find and fix problems with accessing files and folders on other computers

Find and dix problems with viewing computers or shared files in a homegroup

Find and fix problems with wireless and other network adapters

Find and fix problems with incoming computer connections and Windows Firewall

Find and fix problems with connecting to your workplace network using DirectAccess

Find and fix problems with running older programs on this version of Windows

Find and fix problems to help optimize Windows speed and performance

Find and fix problems with your computer's power settings to conserve power and extend battery life

Find and fix problems with printing

Find and fix problems with Windows Search

Find and fix problems playing movies, television, or video

Find and fix problems with Windows Media Player settings

Find and fix problems with the Windows Media Player Library

Find and fix problems with playing DVDs in Windows Media Player

Resolve problems that prevent you from updating Windows

What is a Microsoft easy fix solution?

"Microsoft easy fix" was also known as Microsoft Fix it. Microsoft easy fix solutions can help diagnose and resolve issues for Microsoft products or third-party software that affects Microsoft products. Microsoft easy fix solutions are usually found in Knowledge Base articles or other Microsoft support content. Clicking the Download button will download a Microsoft easy fix solution that can help you deal with software issues automatically.

A Microsoft easy fix package can be one of the following file types based on the technology that is used to create the easy fix package:

• .msi
• .diagcab

Note .diagcab solutions are for Windows 7 and later versions of Windows only. Windows Vista and Windows XP cannot run .diagcab solutions.

MSI solutions are created by using the Windows Install platform. An .msi package contains a single fix that addresses a single problem of your software. .diagcab solutions are created by using the Windows Troubleshooting Platform. A .diagcab package may contain a single fix or multiple fixes to address a single issue or a series of issues in a complex scenario. 

Note Microsoft easy fix solutions are not substitutes for Microsoft hotfixes, security updates, or product updates, but may be used as a temporary stop-gap until the regular product response is ready.

How to run a Microsoft easy fix solution

All easy fix solutions start with the same process.

1. To run an easy fix solution, click the Download button or the "Fix this problem" link in the KB article that hosts the solution.
2. A File Download dialog box will appear in your browser. Here are some examples of the different download dialog boxes on some popular browsers:
   • For Internet Explorer 11, the download tooltip is shown at the bottom of the web browser.
     
     
      
   • For Google Chrome version 33, the download tooltip is shown at the bottom of the web browser.
     
     
     
      
   • For Mozilla Firefox 28.0, the Save File dialog box appears in the web browser.
     
     
     
      
   
   Download the file and then run it on your computer. For example, in the Internet Explorer 11 example mentioned previously, click Run on the download prompt at the bottom of the browser.
   
   Some packages may require you to log on to Windows as an administrator. You may be prompted to provide credentials when you run the package.
   
   
    
   
   Follow the prompts in the easy fix solution to complete the troubleshooting process. The exact prompts may differ, depending on which kind of easy fix package you downloaded and the individual easy fix solution itself.

Run an easy fix solution with the extension: .diagcab (Windows 7 and later versions)

1. On the first page of the Diagnostic Troubleshooting wizard, you can click the "Advanced" link to select whether to diagnose and fix the problem automatically, or to manually select the potential fix to apply.
   
   
    
2. The solution takes time to diagnose and repair the problems. You can see the progress in the wizard.
   
   
    
3. When the troubleshooting process is complete, the result page will show you the problems that cannot be fixed. Clicking View detailed information will show you the detailed troubleshooting report.
   
   
    
   Screenshot: An easy fix solution that has a single root cause.
   
   
    
   Screenshot: An easy fix solution that has multiple root causes.

More Information

Microsoft easy fix solution prerequisites

Easy fix solutions requires a minimum-supported operating system and software. For .msi solutions, you can run the solutions on Windows XP and later versions of operating systems. For, .diagcab solutions, you can run the solutions on Windows 7 and later versions of Windows.

Improve PC performance in Windows 10

1. Make sure you have the latest updates for Windows and device drivers

One the best ways to get the most of your PC is to make sure you have the latest version of Windows 10 installed. When you check for updates, your PC will also search for the latest device drivers, which can also help improve your PC’s performance.

To check for updates:

Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Update & security  > Windows Update  > Check for updates.Look under Update status, and do one of the following:

1.If the status says Your device is up to date, go to the next tip below.

2.If the status says Updates are available, select Install now, and go to the next step in this procedure.

3.Select the updates you want to install, then select Install.

4.Restart your PC, do what you were doing before, and see if your PC is running better.

2.Restart your PC and open only the apps you need

Having more open apps, programs, web browsers, and so on can slow down your PC. If this is happening to you, restart your PC, then close the apps, programs, and windows you’re not using.

To restart your PC

1. Select the Start  button > Power  > Restart.
2. After your PC restarts, open just the apps you need, then close them when you’re done.

Sometimes apps that were made for a previous version of Windows will still run on Windows 10, but they might slow down your PC. If you notice this is happening after opening a certain program, check the software company’s website for an updated version, or run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.

To run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type troubleshooting, and then select Troubleshooting, which has Control Panel listed underneath it.
2. In Troubleshooting, select Run programs made for previous versions of Windows.
3. In the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter, select Next to run it.
4. Select the program that you’re having problems with > Next, and continue through the troubleshooter. 

3. Check your memory and memory usage

When it comes to memory, one of the first things to do is find out how much memory (RAM) you have and how much of it is currently being used. You can find out these things and much more in Task Manager.

To check memory and memory usage

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, and then select Task Manager.
2. In Task Manager, select More details > the Performance tab > Memory.
   First, see how much you have total, and then check the graph and see how much RAM is being used.



1. Total amount of memory (RAM)
2. Memory in use

If you find that a lot of your RAM is regularly in use, you might want to consider adding more RAM if you can—especially if your PC only has 1 or 2 gigabytes (GB) of RAM. To learn more about what kind of RAM your PC model uses, first look at the memory information in Task Manager, and then visit the PC manufacturer’s website for more specific info.

  

1. Type of memory (RAM) PC uses
2. RAM speed
3. Memory slots used

Here’s some info about the minimum memory requirements for Windows 10:

• Windows 10 (32-bit) can run on a PC with 1 GB of RAM, but it runs better with 2 GB. For better performance, add memory so you have 3 GB or more.
• Windows 10 (64-bit) can run on a PC with 2 GB of RAM, but it runs better with 4 GB. For better performance, add memory so you have 6 GB or more.

Use ReadyBoost to help improve performance

Like previous versions of Windows, Windows 10 has ReadyBoost. ReadyBoost lets you use a removable drive, like a USB flash drive, to improve your PC’s performance without opening your PC and adding more memory (RAM). To use ReadyBoost, you’ll need a USB flash drive or a memory card that has at least 500 MB free and a high data transfer rate. For more info about ReadyBoost, see ReadyBoost in Windows 10.

To use ReadyBoost

1. Insert the USB flash drive into a USB port on your PC.
2. On the taskbar, select File Explorer.
3. Press and hold (or right-click) the USB flash drive (or SD card if you used one instead), then select Properties.
4. Select the ReadyBoost tab, then select Use this device.
   Windows determines if the device can use ReadyBoost. If it can’t, a message appears to let you know.
5. After Windows determines how much free space to use to optimize memory, select OK to reserve this space, so ReadyBoost can use it.
   When you look at the contents of the USB flash drive in File Explorer, you’ll see a file named ReadyBoost.sfcache on the flash drive. This file shows how much space is reserved for ReadyBoost.

Change the paging file size to improve performance

The paging file is an area on your hard disk that Windows uses like memory. Increasing the paging file size can help improve your PC’s performance.

1. Right-click the Start  button, then select System.
2. Select Advanced system settings on the left side.
3. In System Properties, select the Advanced tab > Settings in the Performance area.
4. In Performance Options, select the Advanced tab > Change in the Virtual memory area.
5. Clear the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box.
6. Select Custom size, then enter an initial size (in MB) and maximum size in the corresponding boxes.
7. Select Set > OK.
8. Restart your PC by selecting the Start  button > Power  > Restart.

4. Check for low disk space and make some room if necessary

Your PC might slow down if your hard disk is almost full and you don’t have a lot of free space. In this case, freeing up disk space can help make your PC run better.

To check for low disk space

1. Select the Start  button > Settings  > System  > Storage .
2. Under Storage, select your hard disk, and then see what’s taking up space.
3. Do one of the following:
• If your PC isn’t low on space, go to the next tip.
• If you’re running low on disk space, go through each section and remove stuff you don’t need.

To remove temporary files and downloads, and empty the recycle bin

Another way to free up disk space is to delete temporary files and downloads, and empty the recycle bin.

1. Select the Start  button > Settings  > System  > Storage .
2. Under Storage, select This PC, which has a drive letter for your hard disk next to it.
3. Under Storage usage, select Temporary files.
4. On the Temporary files screen, select the Temporary files check box > Remove files.
5. On the taskbar, select File Explorer, then select the Downloads folder under This PC.
   The Downloads folder is the default file location for most web browsers.
6. See which files are in the Downloads folder, and move the downloads you want to keep to another drive.
7. Go back to the Temporary files screen in Settings, select the Downloads folder check box > Remove files.
8. Go to your desktop, and then open Recycle Bin.
9. Move any files you want to keep, and then select Empty Recycle Bin.
10. Restart your PC, and then see if it’s running better.

To move files to another drive

If you have photos, music, downloads, or other files that you want to keep but don't use very often, consider saving them to removable media, like a USB flash drive. You'll still be able to use them when the flash drive is connected, but they won't take up space on your PC.

1. Plug a USB flash drive into a USB port on your PC
2. Select File Explorer on the taskbar, and find the files you want to move.
3. Select the files, go to the Home tab, and then select Move to > Choose location.
4. Select your flash drive from the location list, and then select Move.

To uninstall apps you don't use anymore

Another way to free up space is to remove apps and programs that you don’t use.

1. Select the Start  button > Settings  > System  > Apps & features .
2. Search for a specific app or sort them to see which ones are taking up the most space.
3. When you find an app you want to remove, select it from the list, then select Uninstall.
4. Restart your PC, and then do what you were doing before to see if your PC’s performance has improved.

5. Restore your PC from a system restore point

Restoring your PC is a way to undo recent changes to your PC that might be causing problems. If you think an app, driver, or an update for Windows you recently installed might be causing problems, you might be able to get things running normally again by restoring your PC to an earlier point in time. This is a called a restore point.

Notes

• Restoring from a restore point won’t affect your personal files, but it will remove apps, drivers, and updates that were installed after the restore point was created.
• System restore works for recent changes that were made to your PC more recently—changes in the last 7 to 14 days.

To restore your PC from a restore point

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type restore point, then select Create a restore point from the list of results.
2. In the System Properties box, on the System Protection tab, select System Restore.
3. Select Next > choose the restore point related to the app, driver, or update that might be causing the problem > Next > Finish.
4. Restart your PC and do what you were doing before and see if that makes things better.

If you don’t see any restore points, it might be because system protection isn’t turned on.

To turn on system protection

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type restore point, then select Create a restore point from the list of results.
2. In the System Properties box, on the System Protection tab, select Configure.
3. In the Restore Settings area, select Turn on system protection > OK.

6. Disable unnecessary startup programs

When you turn on your PC, some programs start automatically and run in the background. You can disable these programs, so they don’t run when your PC starts up.

Many programs are designed to start automatically when Windows starts. Software manufacturers often set their programs to open in the background, so you don’t see them running, but so they'll open quickly when you go to use them. This is helpful for programs you use a lot, but not for programs you don’t use often because it slows down the time it takes Windows to start.

Find the programs that start automatically

Sometimes you can figure out which programs start automatically by looking at the program icons in the notification area that’s on the far right of the taskbar. Check there first to see if there are any programs running that you don’t want to start automatically. To try to find out the name of the program, point to the icon with your mouse pointer. Make sure you select Show hidden icons , so you don’t miss any programs.

                               Notification area with mouse pointing to show hidden icons

Even after you check the notification area, you might still miss some programs that run automatically at startup. Here’s how you can find all the programs that start automatically, and stop the ones that you don’t want to start automatically when Windows starts.

To stop a program from starting automatically

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then select Task Manager.
2. In Task Manager, select More details in the lower-left corner, then select the Startup tab.
3. To stop a program from starting automatically, select the program, then select Disable.
   If you have questions about a specific app or program, see the program’s support page for more info.
4. Restart your PC and do what you were doing before, then see if you’re still seeing the same performance problems.

7. Check for and remove viruses and malware

A virus, malware, or other malicious software could cause your PC to run slowly. Some other symptoms include unexpected pop-up messages, programs that unexpectedly start automatically, or the sound of your hard disk constantly working.

The best way to handle viruses and malicious software is to try to prevent them by running antimalware and antivirus software and keeping it up to date. Even if you take precautions, your PC can still become infected.

You can scan your PC for viruses or other malicious software by using Windows Defender, which is included in Windows 10. For more info, see Protect your PC.

1. Select the Start  button > Settings  > Update & security  > Windows Defender  > Open Windows Defender.
2. Select the Update tab > Update Definitions to make sure you have the latest definition file.
3. Select the Home tab > Scan Now, then wait for Windows Defender to finish scanning for viruses and malware.
4. Do one of the following, depending on the results of the scan:
   • If Windows Defender finds a virus or malware and can’t remove or quarantine it, contact Microsoft Support for help.
   • If no viruses are found, restart your PC and try to reproduce the performance problem you were having with your PC.

1. Save any documents or anything else you might have open on your PC.
2. Select the Start  button > Settings  > Update & security  > Windows Defender > Scan Offline.
   Your PC will restart, and Windows Defender Offline will run and scan for viruses and malware. The scan might take 15 minutes or so, and your PC will restart again after that.
3. Try to reproduce the performance issue.

8. Check for corrupted Windows system files

System File Checker (SFC) is a utility in Windows that scans for corrupted Windows system files. If it finds a problem, it will try to replace the problematic system files from a cached version that’s on your PC. If SFC can’t replace the files, the Deployment Image Service and Management Tool (DISM) can check the corrupted files then download and replace the files through Windows Update.

To run System File Checker (SFC)

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt, press and hold (or right-click) Command Prompt, then select Run as administrator > Yes.
2. At the command prompt, type sfc /scannow (note the space between "sfc" and the "/").
   Scanning will take a few minutes.
3. Do one of the following, depending on the results of the scan:
   • If SFC finds corrupted files and replaces them, restart your PC and see if that improves your PC’s performance.
   • If SFC doesn’t find corrupted files or finds corrupted files but can’t replace them, try using the Deployment Image Service and Management Tool (DISM).

To use the Deployment Image Service and Management Tool (DISM)

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt, press and hold (or right-click) Command Prompt, and then select Run as administrator > Yes.
2. At the command prompt, type dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth (note the space between "dism.exe" and "/" and each switch (/)).
3. If DISM finds corrupted files and replaces them, restart your PC and see that improves performance.

9. Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows

Windows 10 includes many different visual effects, such as animations and shadow effects. These look great, but they can also use additional system resources and can slow down your PC—this is especially true if you have a PC with a smaller amount of memory (RAM).

To adjust the visual effects in Windows

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type performance, then select Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.
2. In the Performance Options dialog box, on the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance > Apply.
3. Restart your PC and see if that speeds up your PC.

10. Adjust or turn off OneDrive sync

Your PC settings let you choose where files will be saved to by default. However, in newer versions of Windows 10, files are saved to OneDrive instead of your PC. This lets you get to your files from any device that can connect to the Internet, and it helps to make sure you have your files in case your PC is ever damaged or lost. It also means that your files need to sync between your PC and OneDrive to make sure both copies—the one on your PC and the one on OneDrive—are synced. However, syncing can slow down your PC.

To stop syncing to OneDrive

1. On the taskbar, select File Explorer.
2. Press and hold (or right-click) OneDrive - Personal, and then select Choose OneDrive folders to sync.
3. Clear the Sync all files and folders in OneDrive check box, then select OK.
4. Restart your PC and see if that improves things.

11. Reset your PC

When you reset your PC, you can choose whether you want to keep your personal files or remove them, then have Windows reinstalled. Resetting your PC should be one of the last things you should try.

Do one of the following:

• If you want to keep your files, follow the steps in To back up your data below.
• If you want to remove your files and not back them up, go to To reset your PC below.

To back up your data

1. Select the Start  button > Settings  > Update & security  > Backup  > Add a drive, and then choose an external drive or network location to back up your files to.
2. On the Backup screen, select More options > Back up now.
   This will back up all the files in your Users folders—including Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Favorites, Music, Pictures, and more.

Note

It might take several minutes for the backup to finish. Your external drive or network location needs to have enough free space for all the files that you want to back up.

To reset your PC

1. Go to Settings  > Update & security  > Recovery .
2. Under Reset this PC, select Get started.
   

To restore your data

After you reset your PC, here’s how to restore your data from your backup. When you do this, all the personal files you backed up will be put back on your PC.

1. Select the Start  button > Settings  > Update & security  > Backup  > Add a drive, and then choose the external drive or network location that you backed up your files to.
2. On the Backup screen, select More options > Restore files from a current backup.
3. When the external hard drive or network location that you backed up to is available, select the green circle at the bottom to start restoring your files and folders.
   It might take several minutes for Windows to restore your files.