[Trae Johnson]

There are two major methods to the troubleshooting methods for Microsoft Windows, namely, systematic troubleshooting and restorative troubleshooting. Each has different steps and is used for different reasons; when to use them depends on what the problem is and how serious it is.

Systematic troubleshooting is, in essence, a step-by-step process in which the actual problem is diagnosed by simply narrowing the list of possible causes through the elimination process. This can be better employed when the very problem itself is not immediately apparent, necessitating identification of whether the problem emanates from software, hardware, or network configurations. For example, if a user reports a problem of slow system performance, the systematic method would be to check on Task Manager resource usage, run a disk cleanup, update drivers, and scan for malware. This step-by-step approach serves well when there are multiple causes for a symptom, so that the technician can eliminate the probable causes and arrive at the exact problem.

Restorative troubleshooting uses the utilities and functionality provided by Windows to return the system to an earlier point in time, when the system was known to be working. This method would be the best when the system has recently been updated or modified, and the beginning of the problems started after these changes. Features such as System Restore, Startup Repair, and Reset This PC can also be good options in the said case. For instance, if a user has been facing frequent crashes after a recent driver update, the use of System Restore to roll back to a previous state before the update will resolve the problem in a very short period and negate the requirement for further investigation.

Determining which of these methods to use, depends on the particular circumstances that surround an issue. Systematic troubleshooting is indicated for non-critical issues when identification of the exact problem is needed. It is ideal when the issue is not clear, or whenever there is a possibility that more than one variable may be at work. Conversely, restorative troubleshooting is ideally utilized in situations where critical issues have a clear origin, for instance, after system updates or fresh software installation. This technique consumes less time than when trying to get into detailed diagnostics with the sole objective being to bring the system up and running.

References
How-To Geek,. How to use Windows 10’s system restore (and what it does). 2023,. https://www.howtogeek.com/222979/how-to-use-windows-10s-system-restore-and-what-it-does/ .

Microsoft,. Troubleshoot performance issues in Windows. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/troubleshoot-performance-issues-in-windows