How to Support and Troubleshoot Windows 10

Windows 10 has been out for over a year and most users have settled comfortably into using the new OS. However, a computer operating system has a lot of moving parts which can lead to problems from time to time. Let’s talk about some of the most common issues people have when upgrading and how to troubleshoot Windows 10.

Problems During the Upgrade

Try these suggestions if your upgrade install stops or fails:

• If you have antivirus and/or firewall software installed and running in the background, try disabling it and starting the install again.

• Disconnect any USB peripherals and accessories. You might be having a hardware compatibility issue. USB devices are easier to troubleshoot when you plug them back in one at a time. You may also need to download new drivers.

• When in doubt, reboot. If you didn’t start from a clean boot, background tasks might be interfering with an OS install.

Windows Update Restarts

Windows 10 downloads and installs updates more often than prior versions. Many updates require the computer to reboot.  Windows attempts to schedule the reboots at times that will not interfere with any other usage but you can go into the Windows Update settings (Settings → Update and Security → Advanced Options) and select the “Notify to Schedule Restart” option. Then Windows will at ask before rebooting after downloading an update.

Incompatible Hardware

This has always been a problem when upgrading an operating system but now it’s easier than ever to upgrade the drivers for your hardware. Windows Update includes many drivers for the most common devices.  But if your device isn’t included in Windows Update, go to the driver manufacturer web site and search for the exact name and model of your hardware. Most vendors will have new Windows 10 compatible drivers for download.

Tablet Mode

Windows 10 has many features to make touchscreen-enabled laptop or PC easier to use. If the screen isn’t behaving like it’s supposed to, make sure you have Tablet Mode enabled. Go to Start → Settings → System → Tablet Mode. Click the option for Table Mode if it isn’t already selected.

Safe Mode

If you have problems with old software or incompatible drivers, sometimes it’s easier to troubleshoot these issues in Safe Mode. To get into Safe Mode, you will need to reboot and hold down the Shift key as the computer is booting up.  If you’re still in Windows, you can Restart while holding the Shift key and your computer should boot in Safe Mode.

Unsupported Operating Systems

Upgrading to a new operating system is not always possible. Windows 10 does not support all older hardware and peripherals. But, if you’re running an older OS that is no longer supported, you aren’t receiving updates or fixes for your software anymore and the longer you wait, the harder it will get to keep your PC healthy.

For eligible devices, Windows 10 is by far the smoothest upgrade from any Windows system that has come before it. Go ahead and pull the trigger and make the leap into the future with the rest of us.

If you’d like to learn more about Windows 10 or other operating systems, contact us today. We even offer courses specifically designed for support professionals that work within a corporate environment. At ONLC Training Centers, we are committed to keeping you updated on the most current system information and software resources.