How to Repair Windows Without Formatting
Navigate to the System Restore page in the control panel.,Run a virus scan, if you do not have an antivirus program download AVG free from http://free.grisoft.com , Run a spyware scan, use Windows Defender, AdAware or SpyBot. ,Run a Disk Cleanup...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Navigate to the System Restore page in the control panel.
Do this in safe mode.
To get to safe mode, restart your machine, keep tapping F8 until you get a list of boot options, pick Safe Mode.
In Window Vista, it's Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Backup and Restore Center > Use System Restore to fix problems and undo changes to Windows.
In Windows XP it's in Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore Usually, you can choose a number of restore points that are automatically made by your computer at regular time intervals.
Choose the most recent one that was set before you started experiencing problems. -
Step 2: Run a virus scan
,,, In Windows XP or 2000 open Internet Explorer and go to http://www.windowsupdate.com, you will be redirected to the appropriate update site, follow the instructions to install new updates. , Go to the startup tab in the msconfig window, uncheck any items that you do not use/recognise, be careful not to uncheck things like antivirus software and do not mess with the other tabs unless you know what you're doing, which if you're reading this, you don't, just leave it. ,, -
Step 3: if you do not have an antivirus program download AVG free from http://free.grisoft.com
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Step 4: Run a spyware scan
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Step 5: use Windows Defender
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Step 6: AdAware or SpyBot.
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Step 7: Run a Disk Cleanup from Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Cleanup
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Step 8: Download the latest updates In Windows Vista go to Start > Control Panel > Windows Update and click check for new updates
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Step 9: follow the on screen instructions to install.
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Step 10: Go to Start>Run and type msconfig
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Step 11: press enter.
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Step 12: Uninstall unnecessary programs
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Step 13: do you really need them all?
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Step 14: Defragment your hard drive In Windows XP go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter If you have more than one partition select drive C: and click 'Defragment' This can take a long time
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Step 15: bring a book.
Detailed Guide
Do this in safe mode.
To get to safe mode, restart your machine, keep tapping F8 until you get a list of boot options, pick Safe Mode.
In Window Vista, it's Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Backup and Restore Center > Use System Restore to fix problems and undo changes to Windows.
In Windows XP it's in Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore Usually, you can choose a number of restore points that are automatically made by your computer at regular time intervals.
Choose the most recent one that was set before you started experiencing problems.
,,, In Windows XP or 2000 open Internet Explorer and go to http://www.windowsupdate.com, you will be redirected to the appropriate update site, follow the instructions to install new updates. , Go to the startup tab in the msconfig window, uncheck any items that you do not use/recognise, be careful not to uncheck things like antivirus software and do not mess with the other tabs unless you know what you're doing, which if you're reading this, you don't, just leave it. ,,
About the Author
Brian Diaz
Specializes in breaking down complex lifestyle topics into simple steps.
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