Choose a Windows repair tool based on the symptom: use Repair for one app, DISM and System File Checker (SFC) for damaged Windows files, Safe Mode to narrow down crashes, and Startup Repair when Windows will not boot. Start with the least disruptive option that fits; no single tool fixes every cause.
Choose a repair tool by the problem you see
| Symptom | Tool to try | What it changes or does | Windows must start? |
|---|---|---|---|
| One app is malfunctioning | App Repair; Reset only if needed | Repair attempts to fix that app. Reset can remove its data or settings, depending on the app. | Yes |
| Windows features or protected system files appear damaged | DISM, then SFC | Repairs the Windows image and scans protected system files. | Usually; Safe Mode is an alternative if SFC cannot run normally. |
| A crash or stop code occurs | Safe Mode, then targeted troubleshooting | Starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers to help narrow the cause. | No; Safe Mode can be started through WinRE. |
| Windows cannot start normally | Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), then Startup Repair or another recovery option | Offers boot repair, update removal, System Restore, diagnostic startup settings, Command Prompt and reset options. | No |
Where available, first try the matching troubleshooter in Settings. For a wider rollback, System Restore can return system settings to a restore point. Resetting or reinstalling Windows is more disruptive and can remove apps, settings or files; back up important data before recovery actions that could erase it.
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Repair or reset a misbehaving app
If only one application has a problem, use its app-specific repair option rather than repairing Windows as a whole. The option is not available for every app.
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find the app, open its menu, and select Advanced options if that option is shown.
- Select Repair and check whether the app works.
- If Repair is unavailable or does not help, consider Reset. Check the app’s own guidance first: resetting can erase local app data or restore its settings to defaults.
Microsoft documents these options in Repair apps and programs in Windows. Menu wording and availability can vary by app and Windows release.
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Repair damaged Windows system files with DISM and SFC
Use these commands when Windows components or protected system files may be corrupted—not as a general fix for every app fault, crash or hardware problem. Microsoft’s prescribed order is DISM first, followed by SFC.
- Search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator. Approve the prompt if asked.
- Run this command and wait for it to finish:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth - Then run SFC and wait for the scan to finish:
sfc /scannow - Read the completion message. If SFC says it could not perform the requested operation, try the scan in Safe Mode.
DISM repairs the Windows image and normally obtains replacement files through Windows Update. SFC checks protected system files and replaces corrupted ones with cached copies. Microsoft explains the sequence and commands in Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files.
Use Safe Mode to investigate crashes and stop codes
Safe Mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. If the crash or problem disappears there, that is a clue that something excluded from the normal startup may be involved; it does not identify the exact driver, service or cause.
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- Try Safe Mode and check whether the issue still occurs.
- Review device drivers and available disk space as part of troubleshooting.
- If those steps do not resolve the issue, consider an appropriate update removal or System Restore, if a usable restore point exists.
To reach Safe Mode through recovery, open WinRE and choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. After the restart, select the Safe Mode option shown on screen. Microsoft describes the options in Windows startup settings and its guidance for unexpected restarts and stop code errors.
Open WinRE when Windows will not start
Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is the built-in recovery hub for a PC that cannot start normally. Windows may enter it automatically after repeated startup failures. If Windows still runs, Microsoft documents this route to advanced startup:
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- Windows 11: Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now.
- Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, then choose the advanced-startup option.
Once in WinRE, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options. Available tools include Startup Repair, System Restore, uninstalling updates, Startup Settings and Command Prompt. The options displayed can depend on the device and Windows installation. Microsoft’s Windows recovery environment page describes access and recovery tools.
Try Startup Repair for a boot problem
In WinRE, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair. Startup Repair checks for certain problems that can prevent Windows from starting and attempts to fix them. It is not a guarantee, and it is not intended to solve every crash or performance problem. An encrypted PC may ask for its BitLocker recovery key before recovery tools can be used. See Microsoft’s Startup Repair guidance.
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If Startup Repair does not fix startup
Choose the next option based on what preceded the failure and whether a restore point is available:
- Problem began after a Windows update: use WinRE’s update-removal option to uninstall a recent update.
- A suitable restore point exists: try System Restore to roll back system configuration.
- You need to diagnose a driver or startup issue: use Startup Settings to enter Safe Mode.
- Other repair options fail: consider Reset this PC or reinstalling Windows only after reviewing what can be lost and backing up files where possible.
Understand rollback, reset and reinstall before choosing
| Option | Best suited to | Effect on data and settings | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| System Restore | Rolling back system configuration after a change | Returns system files, registry settings and installed programs to a restore point; Microsoft says personal files are not affected. | A usable restore point must exist. |
| Windows 11 point-in-time restore | Returning an eligible Windows 11 PC to an automatic snapshot | Rolls back personal files, apps and settings to the snapshot; it is distinct from System Restore. | Microsoft lists it for Windows 11 version 24H2 or later; availability and retention depend on supported version and feature. |
| Reset this PC | A more disruptive Windows recovery when less disruptive repairs fail | Offers a choice to keep personal files or remove everything, but reinstalls Windows and can remove apps and settings. | Review the selected option carefully and back up important files first. |
| Reinstall from installation media | Reinstalling Windows when other recovery routes are unsuitable | Can remove everything. | Microsoft says installation media can be prepared using another working PC; check its current media instructions before proceeding. |
System Restore can be run from Windows or WinRE. It does not require a recovery point to be created at the moment of the problem, but one must be available and usable. Microsoft’s System Restore article explains its effect on personal files. The current Recovery options in Windows page covers reset, reinstall and version-dependent recovery features. Read the on-screen choices before confirming any reset or reinstall.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 support notes
Microsoft states that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. After that date, Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance or security fixes for Windows 10. The built-in repair options discussed here are not all identical across releases: in particular, Microsoft lists point-in-time restore for Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, and the Windows 11 “Reinstall Windows” option through Windows Update is available only on supported releases. That reinstall option is described as reinstalling the current version without affecting files, apps or settings; it is not the same as Reset this PC or a clean installation. Check the current recovery page and your device’s eligibility before relying on a release-specific feature.
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