How to Scan Windows 10 for Errors: A Comprehensive Guide

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How to Scan Windows 10 for Errors: A Comprehensive Guide

Windows 10, while a robust operating system, isn’t immune to errors. These errors can manifest in various ways, from application crashes and slow performance to the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). Regularly scanning your system for errors is crucial for maintaining its stability and ensuring a smooth user experience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to scan your Windows 10 system for errors, along with detailed steps and explanations.

Why Scan for Errors?

Before diving into the ‘how,’ let’s understand the ‘why.’ Error scanning helps in:

  • Preventing Major Issues: Catching minor errors early can prevent them from escalating into significant system problems.
  • Improving Performance: Errors can slow down your system. Addressing them can lead to performance improvements.
  • Enhancing Stability: Regularly checking for errors contributes to a more stable and reliable Windows 10 experience.
  • Extending Lifespan: By proactively addressing issues, you can potentially extend the lifespan of your hardware and software.
  • Identifying Potential Problems: Scans can reveal underlying issues that might not be immediately apparent.

Methods for Scanning Windows 10 for Errors

There are several built-in tools and techniques in Windows 10 that you can use to scan for errors. We’ll cover the most effective ones, providing step-by-step instructions for each:

  1. Using System File Checker (SFC)

    The System File Checker (SFC) is a powerful command-line tool that scans for and repairs corrupted system files. These files are crucial for the smooth operation of Windows, and their corruption can lead to various errors.

    Steps:

    1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
      • Click the Start button.
      • Type “Command Prompt” (or “cmd”).
      • Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator”.
      • Click “Yes” when prompted to allow changes.
    2. Run the SFC Command:
      • In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
        sfc /scannow
      • The scanning process will begin, and it may take some time to complete. Be patient and don’t interrupt the process.
    3. View Results:
      • After the scan is complete, the Command Prompt will display one of the following messages:
        • “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.” This means no corrupted files were found.
        • “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.” This means SFC found and fixed corrupted files.
        • “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.” This means SFC found corrupted files, but could not fix them all. If this happens, you may need to use the DISM tool (explained in the next section) or seek further assistance.
    4. Restart Your Computer:
      • After the scan and any necessary repairs are complete, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

  2. Using Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)

    The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool is another command-line utility that can be used to repair the Windows image. It’s often used in conjunction with SFC when SFC fails to repair corrupted files.

    Steps:

    1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: (Same as step 1 in SFC section).
    2. Run the DISM CheckHealth Command:
      • In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
        DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
      • This command checks the Windows image for any corruption. It doesn’t perform repairs but reports if there is an issue.
    3. Run the DISM ScanHealth Command:
      • If CheckHealth reports an issue, run the following command and press Enter:
        DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
      • This command scans the Windows image for more detailed issues and reports if there are repairable issues.
    4. Run the DISM RestoreHealth Command:
      • If ScanHealth reports repairable issues, run the following command and press Enter:
        DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
      • This command will attempt to repair the Windows image. This process can take some time, so be patient. Make sure your system is connected to the internet, as DISM may download necessary files.
    5. Restart Your Computer: After the DISM repair process is complete, restart your computer.

    Important Note: If you don’t have an internet connection, or the online source for DISM is unavailable, DISM can try to use files from a mounted Windows installation image (ISO or USB). To do that, you would use slightly different syntax for the RestoreHealth command: `DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:wim:X:\sources\install.wim:1 /LimitAccess` (replace X with the drive letter of the mounted image or USB).

  3. Using Check Disk (Chkdsk)

    Check Disk (Chkdsk) is a utility that scans your hard drive (or SSD) for file system errors and bad sectors. It’s essential for maintaining the health of your storage devices.

    Steps:

    1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: (Same as step 1 in SFC section).
    2. Run the Chkdsk Command:
      • In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
        chkdsk /f
      • The `/f` switch tells Chkdsk to fix any errors it finds.
      • You’ll be prompted to schedule the disk check on the next reboot, type `Y` and press Enter.
    3. Restart Your Computer: The Chkdsk scan will run before Windows starts. Do not interrupt this process.
    4. View Results: After your computer restarts and logs into Windows, you can check the application event logs for detailed results about the Chkdsk process.

    Additional Chkdsk Options:

    • `/r` switch: To find bad sectors and recover readable information, use `chkdsk /f /r` (This will take longer but is recommended for thorough checks).
    • `/x` switch: To force the volume to dismount before the scan begins, use `chkdsk /f /x`. Use `/x` only if required, since forcing a dismount may corrupt data if any process is currently writing to the disk.

  4. Using the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool

    The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool is used to test the Random Access Memory (RAM) for errors. Faulty RAM can cause various issues including system instability and crashes.

    Steps:

    1. Search for Windows Memory Diagnostic:
      • Click the Start button.
      • Type “Windows Memory Diagnostic” and press Enter.
    2. Run the Tool:
      • Select “Restart now and check for problems (recommended)”.
    3. View Results:
      • Your computer will restart and the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool will run. It may take some time to complete the test.
      • After your computer restarts and logs back into Windows, the results will usually be displayed automatically as a notification in the System Tray. If you do not see a result, view the results within the event viewer under Windows Logs->System, source “MemoryDiagnostics-Results”.

  5. Checking the System Event Logs

    The Windows Event Viewer logs detailed information about system events, including errors, warnings, and informational messages. Regularly checking event logs can help identify persistent errors that may be affecting your system.

    Steps:

    1. Open Event Viewer:
      • Right-click the Start button and select “Event Viewer”.
    2. Navigate to Windows Logs:
      • In the left pane, expand “Windows Logs” to expose a list of log categories.
    3. Check Application Log:
      • Click “Application” log category.
      • Look for events marked as “Error” or “Warning”. Review the event descriptions for specific issues.
    4. Check System Log:
      • Click on “System” log category.
      • Look for events marked as “Error” or “Warning”. Pay special attention to any messages related to specific hardware drivers.
    5. Filter for Errors:
      • In the right pane, click “Filter Current Log…”
      • Under “Event Level”, select “Error” and click “Ok”.
      • This will filter the logs to display only errors.
      • Similarly, filter for “Warnings” if you want to review these.

    Tips for Event Logs:

    • Use keywords from error messages online to find solutions.
    • Focus on errors that are frequently occurring.
    • If the errors occur in association with specific software, attempt reinstallation.
    • If the errors occur in association with specific hardware drivers, update to the latest drivers, or revert to a previous driver version.
    • When seeking assistance, include specific event details.

  6. Using the Driver Verifier

    The Driver Verifier tool is a more advanced utility designed to identify problems with device drivers. If you are experiencing crashes, BSODs or otherwise suspect driver errors, this tool can assist. This tool is advanced and improper usage could prevent Windows from starting, so it should be used with caution.

    Steps:

    1. Open Driver Verifier Manager:
      • Click the Start button.
      • Type “Verifier” and press Enter.
    2. Select Driver Verifier Options:
      • Select “Create standard settings”.
      • Click next.
      • Select “Select driver names from a list”.
      • Click Next.
    3. Choose the Drivers:
      • Carefully select all non-Microsoft drivers. Use the Shift key to select multiple drivers, and deselect any Microsoft supplied drivers.
      • Click Finish.
    4. Restart Your Computer:
      • The verification will start automatically when you restart your computer.
    5. Review the Crashes:
      • If a driver violation is detected, Windows may crash, and a BSOD will appear.
      • After the crash, you will be able to locate the crash dump files which may help identify the driver at fault.
      • If Windows does not start due to the driver verifier, you will have to enter Safe Mode and disable the Driver Verifier manually using the command `verifier /reset`.
      • If Windows was able to successfully start, you can launch the tool again to view current status information.

    Important Notes:

    • This tool is for advanced users, and it is advisable to back up the system and have a recovery process in place.
    • Always use standard verifier options unless a more detailed verification is required.
    • If you’re unsure which driver caused the issue, disable the verifier, then enable on a smaller subset of drivers to isolate the culprit driver.

  7. Using the Reliability Monitor

    The Reliability Monitor provides a user friendly view of the computer’s overall system stability. This tool displays a timeline of events including program failures, Windows errors, and system changes, all grouped together to show the system’s reliability.

    Steps:

    1. Open Reliability Monitor:
      • Click the Start button.
      • Type “Reliability Monitor” and press Enter.
    2. Review the System Stability Chart:
      • The Reliability Monitor will display a chart of the system’s reliability over time. Each column represents a day, and any issues will be marked as an event icon (Red X, Yellow !, Blue I).
      • You can select any day to see detailed information about any of the listed events.
    3. View Problem Reports:
      • Scroll down the window to see “Problem Reports” section. This shows the list of reported problems including application failures and other Windows errors.
      • Click on any of the entries to review the details.

    Tips for Reliability Monitor:

    • Use the information to correlate specific events with issues you may be facing.
    • Check for patterns over time to spot recurring errors.
    • Troubleshoot problems using any available error codes or failure information.

Best Practices for Error Prevention

Scanning for errors is important, but prevention is even better. Here are some best practices to minimize errors:

  • Keep Windows Updated: Install the latest Windows updates and patches to ensure you have the newest bug fixes and security enhancements.
  • Update Drivers Regularly: Keep your hardware drivers up-to-date. Outdated drivers can cause compatibility issues and system errors.
  • Install Reputable Software: Download software only from trusted sources to avoid malware or corrupted installations.
  • Regularly Backup Your Data: Back up your important files regularly so you don’t lose data in case of system failure.
  • Use a Quality Antivirus Program: Use a reputable antivirus application and keep its virus definitions updated to prevent infections.
  • Uninstall Unnecessary Programs: Uninstall any software you no longer use to reduce the risk of compatibility issues and improve system performance.
  • Avoid Overclocking Hardware: Overclocking the CPU and other components can introduce instability and errors, it should be avoided, especially if there are already system instability issues.
  • Manage Startup Programs: Disable unnecessary startup programs to reduce the amount of processes that automatically run at startup. This can reduce the risk of issues due to system conflict, and improve boot times.

Conclusion

Scanning your Windows 10 system for errors is an essential part of maintaining its health and performance. By utilizing the tools and techniques outlined in this guide—SFC, DISM, Chkdsk, Windows Memory Diagnostic, Event Viewer, Driver Verifier and the Reliability Monitor—you can identify and address errors proactively, leading to a more stable and reliable Windows experience. Remember that regular system maintenance and good practices are essential for error prevention and overall system performance. If errors are still persistent after scanning and troubleshooting, seek advanced technical assistance from a qualified technician.

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