[Addison West]

Two effective methods for troubleshooting Windows issues are the use of Safe Mode and the System File Checker (SFC) tool. Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode that loads only the essential drivers and services. It’s particularly useful when your system is unstable or won’t start normally. By booting into Safe Mode, you can determine if the issue is related to a third-party application or driver. If the problem doesn’t occur in Safe Mode, it indicates that a non-essential program or driver is likely the cause, allowing you to uninstall or update the problematic software.

The System File Checker (SFC) tool is another powerful method. It scans and repairs corrupted system files that may be causing your Windows issues. To use SFC, you open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the “sfc /scannow” command. This tool is especially useful when you experience unexplained crashes, blue screens, or other erratic behavior that suggests system file corruption. If SFC finds and fixes issues, it can restore system stability without the need for a complete reinstall. By discerning the nature of the problem—whether it’s related to external software or internal system files—you can choose the appropriate troubleshooting method to effectively address the issue.