Windows 10 Troubleshooting: Learn to Troubleshoot and Repair Windows 10 Problems Like the Pros Do 1484274709, 9781484274705

Table of contents :
Table of Contents
About the Author
About the Technical Reviewers
Introduction
Part I: Getting Started with Windows Troubleshooting
Chapter 1: Introducing Troubleshooting in Windows 10
The Three Seashells…
The Problems We Encounter
Hardware Problems
The Tale of the Exploding Charger
Software and App Problems
Networking Problems
Startup Problems
OS Installation and Update Problems
“Prevention Is Better Than Cure”
The Security and Maintenance Center
Windows Reliability History
Windows Automatic Maintenance
Managing Diagnostic Feedback and Privacy
Windows’ Security Systems
Windows Defender Antimalware
Windows Firewall
Windows App and Browser Control
User Account Control
Device Security
User Account Management
Administrators vs. Standard Users
Local Accounts vs. Microsoft Accounts
User Identity and Sign-In Management
How to Create a Superstrong Password: Top Tips!
An Introduction to Family Safety
Managing and Deleting User Accounts
Summary
Chapter 2: Building a Safe and Secure OS
Creating a Recovery Drive
Backing Up and Restoring Windows 10
Reset
Restoring a Reset Image on a Nonbootable PC
System Image Backup
Creating a System Image Backup
Restoring a System Image Backup
Using Windows System Restore
Configuring System Restore
Using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool
Backing Up Your Files with File History
Restoring Deleted and Previous Versions of Files
Setting Up and Managing OneDrive
Summary
Chapter 3: Configuring Windows 10
Settings
System ➤ Storage
Apps ➤ Default Apps
System ➤ About
Devices ➤ Printers and Scanners/Bluetooth and Other Devices
Devices ➤ AutoPlay
Phone
Network and Internet
Personalization
Apps
Accounts
Time and Language
Gaming
Ease of Access
Search
Privacy
Update and Security ➤ Windows Update
Update and Security ➤ Delivery Optimization
Update and Security ➤ Windows Security
Update and Security ➤ Backup
Update and Security ➤ Troubleshoot
Update and Recovery ➤ Recovery
Update and Security ➤ Activation
Update and Security ➤ For Developers
Introducing the Control Panel
Managing the Virtual Memory, Paging File
Managing Remote Connections to the PC
Moving the Shell User Folders
Creating, Managing, and Deleting Partitions
Managing Startup Apps
Summary
Chapter 4: Fixing Windows 10 Quickly
The Disk Cleanup Wizard
What Is the Situation with Internet Explorer?
Managing IE and Edge
Cleaning Temporary and Other Files from IE and Edge
Resetting IE
Resetting Edge, the Windows Store and Store Apps
Defragmenting Your Hard Disks
Managing Running Apps and Services with Task Manager
Managing win32 App Compatibility
Using the System File Checker
Using the Automated Troubleshooters
Microsoft Answers, Service Status Site, and Being a Twit
Summary
Chapter 5: Understanding Tasks and Events
The Windows Event Viewer
Introducing the Microsoft Management Console
The Category/Views Panel
The Actions Panel
The Main Events View
Making Sense of Error Logs
Creating Custom Event Views
Creating Event Subscriptions
Attaching a Task to an Event
Saving, Exporting, and Importing Event Information
Summary
Chapter 6: Understanding PC Hardware
BIOS and UEFI
BIOS Virus/Malware Attack
Resetting BIOS and UEFI Firmware
PCs, BIOS, UEFI, and Overclocking
Power Supplies
Jump-Starting a PC
The Motherboard
The Rear Panel Connectors and Cables
Memory
Hard Disks, SSDs, M.2, and PCIe Drives
Expansion Cards
Monitors and Cabling
Keyboards and Mice
Summary
Chapter 7: Diagnosing and Repairing Problems with Hardware and Peripherals
Getting USB Devices to Work Reliably
Installing and Managing Bluetooth Devices
Installing and Configuring Printers
Installing Different Types of Printers
Finding the Name or IP Address of a Printer
Managing Printing Policies
Have You Tried [Not] Turning It Off and On Again?
Summary
Chapter 8: Troubleshooting Startup
Have You Tried Turning It Off and On Again?
Using Startup Repair
The Windows Recovery Options Menu
Using the Command Prompt to Repair Windows Startup
Summary
Chapter 9: Troubleshooting Networks
The Network and Sharing Center
Configuring Network Connections
Managing Network Adapters
Managing Network Connections in Settings
Network Reset
Setting Up and Managing Your Router
Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Connection Problems
Recovering Lost and Forgotten Wi-Fi Passwords
Summary
Chapter 10: Troubleshoot and Manage Internet Explorer and Edge
Managing IE11
Disabling IE
Managing Temporary Files in IE
Resetting IE11
Managing Edge
Using Internet Explorer Compatibility Mode
Edge System Settings
Resetting and Updating Edge
Summary
Part II: Becoming a Proficient Troubleshooter
Chapter 11: Dealing with Common Windows Annoyances
User Folders in Incorrect Locations
Incorrect File Associations
Setting Drive, Folder, and File Permissions
Managing Audio Devices
Troubleshooting Windows Activation
A Note About Windows 10 Extended Support Product Keys
Troubleshooting and Resetting Windows Update
Troubleshooting Power Loss During an Update Installation
Managing and Resetting Windows Search
Troubleshooting Slow Startup
Windows 10 Hangs on Startup
Windows 10 Shuts Down Slowly
Windows Fails to Sleep/Resume from Sleep
Gaining Access After Bitlocker Lockout
Troubleshooting Touchscreen Problems
USB Type-C and Thunderbolt Problems
No Picture on Desktop PC Monitor or TV
Disappearing and Conflicting Drives
Understanding the BSOD
Summary
Chapter 12: Remote Help and Support
The Problem Steps Recorder
Recording an App with Game Bar
Quick Assist
Windows Remote Assistance
Sending and Responding to a Remote Assistance Request
Sending Unsolicited Remote Assistance Offers
Remote Desktop
Third-Party Remote Support Apps
Summary
Chapter 13: Repairing Windows Startup Problems
Manually Repairing Windows Startup
Repairing BIOS Startup Files
Repairing UEFI Startup Files
Additional Repair Commands for BIOS and UEFI
Recreating or Moving the Boot Partition
Step 1a: Create a New Boot Partition (Command Prompt)
Step 1b: Create a New Boot Partition (Disk Management Console)
Step 2: Create the New Boot Files
Setting Up and Managing Dual/Multiboot Systems
Secure Boot
Bitlocker and Dual-Boot Systems
Managing Boot Systems with BCDEdit
BCDEdit Identifiers
BCDEdit Data Formats
Examples of BCDEdit Use
Effecting Repairs on the Boot Partition Structures
Summary
Chapter 14: Networks and Internet Connections
Checking the Status of a Network Connection
Displaying Information About Wi-Fi Networks
Prioritizing Wi-Fi Network Connections
Diagnosing Network Connection Problems
Getting Network Diagnostic Reports from the Event Viewer
See the Status of Your Connection with the Performance Monitor
See What’s Using Your Bandwidth with the Resource Monitor
Troubleshooting in the Network and Sharing Center
Changing a Network Type Between Private and Public
Setting Advanced Network Configuration Options
HOSTS, LMHOSTS, and WINS
Troubleshooting TCP/IP Connections
Ping
TraceRT
IPConfig
Netsh
Managing User Profiles
Summary
Chapter 15: Managing Device Drivers and PC Resources
Deciphering the Device Manager
Identifying and Installing Unknown Devices
Installing Legacy Hardware
Uninstalling and Deleting Device Drivers
Blocking Device Driver and Device App Installation
Finding Device Driver Details and Information
Troubleshooting Device Drivers
Configuring Driver Parameters
Backing Up and Restoring the Driver Store
Summary
Chapter 16: Windows Update and System Upgrades
Deferring Updates in Windows 10
Semiannual Channel
Long-Term Servicing Channel
Choosing How Updates Are Delivered
Uninstalling and Blocking Updates
Troubleshooting and Repairing Windows Update
Repairing the Windows Reset Image
Summary
Chapter 17: Maintaining App and Website Compatibility
Maintaining Compatibility with Win32 Apps
Managing Website and Intranet Compatibility
Compatibility in Internet Explorer
Compatibility in Microsoft Edge
Managing Security in IE
Resetting IE
Managing Security in Edge
Setting Your Default Web Browser
Using and Managing Progressive Web Apps
Program Compatibility Assistant Service
The Microsoft Assessment and Deployment Toolkit
Windows 365 and Windows Sandbox
Summary
Chapter 18: Managing Security and Privacy
The Last *Pass*Word in Security?
To App or Not to App, That Is the Question
Memory, Aging, and Neurological Conditions
Creating a Strong P455w()rd?
Using Two-Factor Authentication
Windows Hello
Managing Safety and Privacy for Children
The Windows Security Center
Ransomware Protection
App and Browser Control
Core Isolation
Using the Credential Manager
Managing Encryption in Windows 10
Using the EFS
Managing EFS Encryption with Cipher.exe
Managing Device Encryption
Encrypting Your PC with Bitlocker
Managing a TPM on Your PC and in Windows 10
Using Bitlocker Without a TPM
Managing Bitlocker Encryption on Your PC
Managing Your Bitlocker Recovery Key
Using Bitlocker To Go
Summary
Chapter 19: Troubleshooting Viruses and Malware
How to Defend Against Malware
What Is This Malware Stuff Anyway?
Defending PCs Against Malware
Defending Your Files Against Ransomware
Manually Removing Malware from a PC
Microsoft Defender Offline Scan
Using Safe Mode and Diagnostic Mode
Starting Your PC in Safe Mode
Starting Your PC in Diagnostic Mode
Checking Loaded Services in Safe or Diagnostic Mode
Using the Registry Editor to Remove Malware
Using a Portable OS to Manually Remove Malware
Forensic Investigation and Remove of Malware
Step 1: Isolate the PC
Step 2: Identify the Malware Processes
Malware and SVCHOST.EXE
Step 3: Deactivate the Malware
Step 4: Test the Results
Step 5: Retest the PC
Step 6: Clean Up the Malware
Rootkit Removal
Using BCEEdit
Using Third-Party Tools to Remove Malware
Microsoft DaRT
ESET Online (and Offline) Scanner
Norton Bootable Recovery Tool
Sophos Bootable Antivirus
Kaspersky Rescue Disk
Kaspersky Ransomware Decryptor
AVG Rootkit Scanner and Remover
F-Secure Online Scanner
McAfee Free Tools
D7II
RKill
Junkware/Adware Removal Tools
Microsoft Sysinternals Suite
Researching Virus Removal Online
Summary
Chapter 20: Using Virtualization to Protect PCs
Creating and Managing VMs in Hyper-V
Managing Networks in Hyper-V
Creating Backups of VMs in Hyper-V
Managing Hyper-V from PowerShell
Booting and Repurposing Your PC from a VM
Resetting and Removing Hyper-V Network Connections
Creating a VHD
Adding a VHD to the Boot Menu
Windows Sandbox
Windows 365 and Cloud PC
Summary
Part III: Mastering Windows 10 Troubleshooting
Chapter 21: Bomb-Proofing Your PC
Creating a Robust Backup Strategy
Managing the Work from Home, Workforce
Lock Down Your PCs with Group Policy
Managing Windows Services
Manage Your Local Security Policy
Managing Advanced Firewall Policy
Summary
Chapter 22: Microsoft Sysinternals Suite
File and Disk Utilities
AccessChk and AccessChk64
AccessEnum
Contig
Disk2Vhd
DiskExt
Diskmon
DiskView
DU (Disk Usage)
EFSDump
FindLinks
MoveFile and PendMoves
NTFSInfo
PsFile
SDelete
ShareEnum
Sigcheck
Networking Utilities
ADExplorer
ADInsight
ADRestore
PsTools
PsExec
PsFile
PsGetSid
PsInfo
PsPing
PsKill
PsList
PsLoggedOn
PsLogList
PsPasswd
PsService
PsShutdown
PsSuspend
TCPView
WhoIs
Process Utilities
AutoRuns
Handle
ListDLLs
Portmon
ProcDump
Process Explorer
Process Monitor
ShellRunas
VMMap
Security Utilities
LogonSessions
Sysmon/Sysmon64
System Information Utilities
Handle
LiveKd
LoadOrder
RAMMap
Miscellaneous Utilities
RegDelNull
Registry Usage
RegJump
Summary
Chapter 23: Best Practice in the Workplace
Education, Information, Cooperation!
Education Theory
Creating Community Involvement
Managing Power and Batteries
Sleeping Browser Tabs
Managing Users and BYOD PCs
Device Management
Group Policy
Backups’ Best Practice
Deployment and Recovery Best Practice
Managing External and Network Hardware
Summary
Chapter 24: Managing BYOD Hardware
Managing VPNs and Secure Connections
Workplace Join
Managing Provisioning and Device Enrollment
Connecting to an Exchange Account
Connecting to Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Azure
Work Folders
Summary
Chapter 25: Getting Advanced Information
The Task Manager
The Performance Monitor
Data Collector Sets
The Resource Monitor
The Computer Management Console
System Information
DXDiag
Summary
Chapter 26: The Registry in Depth
Registry Files
Registry Keys and Values
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (HKCR)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM)
SAM
SECURITY
SYSTEM
SOFTWARE
Other Sections
HKEY_USERS (HKU)
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (HKCC)
HKEY_PERFORMANCE_DATA
Registry Value Types
Where You Will Find Important Registry Settings
The Registry Editor
Backing Up and Restoring the Registry
Creating and Modifying Registry Keys
Using REG.EXE and REGINI.EXE
Editing the Registry Using PowerShell
Editing the Registry from the Recovery Console
Editing Other Users’ Registry Databases
Connecting to the Registry of Another PC
Enabling Remote Administration on PCs
Third-Party Registry Utilities
Comparing Different Registry Files
Summary
Chapter 27: Using Scripting Tools for Troubleshooting
The Windows Command Line
Troubleshooting Using PowerShell
Using the Event Log with PowerShell
Gathering Disk and File Information
Gathering Hardware and Software Information
Managing Processes and Services
Managing Windows Update
Windows Terminal
Summary
Chapter 28: Windows 10 File Structure in Depth
The Windows 10 File and Folder Structure
Root Windows Folders
Win32 and Store App Folders
Windows Operating System Folders
User Account Folders
Windows Log Folders
Windows Temporary File Folders
Windows File Types
Managing the Shell User Folders
Creating and Managing Symbolic Links
File Management from the Command Line
ChkDsk
SFC
DISM
Disk Partitions and Formats
MBR and GPT Partitions
Windows File Systems
Troubleshooting File and Folder Permissions
Understanding Permission Inheritance
Checking the Effective Access for a User or User Group
Taking Ownership of Files and Folders
Using Scripting to Handle Access Control Lists
Troubleshooting File and Folder Sharing
Summary
Chapter 29: Researching Difficult Problems
Reading the Windows Log Files
Log Text Files
Reading .xml and .etl Files
Reading .dmp files
Searching the Internet for Solutions
Microsoft Docs
Answers.Microsoft.com
Support.Microsoft.com
Other Microsoft and Third-Party Support Sites
Hardware Driver and Support Sites
Third-Party Support Tools
Summary
Chapter 30: Troubleshooting Difficult Problems
“Mike Halsey’s Holistic Troubleshooting Agency”
Gauging Both Internal and External Factors
Using Troubleshooting Tools Together
Troubleshooting and Repairing Hardware
Minimal Boot Configuration and Jumpstarting PCs
Summary
Chapter 31: Installation and Restore
Troubleshooting the Windows 10 Upgrade
Installing Windows 10
Obtaining Up-to-Date Installation Media
Creating Customized Installation Media
Nondestructively Reinstalling Windows 10
Reset and Fresh Start
Windows 10 SysPrep
Summary
Index