Windows Troubleshooting Utilities

Overview

This lecture covers essential Windows troubleshooting and maintenance utilities, explaining their uses for system information, configuration, monitoring, cleanup, defragmentation, and registry management.

System Information Utility (MSinfo32.exe)

• Use MSinfo32.exe to quickly view system hardware, components, and software environment details.
• Main categories: Hardware Resources, Components, and Software Environment.
• System Summary provides OS, processor, BIOS, boot device, memory, and file space information.
• Hardware Resources show conflicts, DMA settings, IRQs, and memory configuration.
• Components includes sound, network, storage, and display information.
• Software Environment lists drivers, print jobs, running tasks, and services.

Resource Monitor (resmon.exe)

• Resource Monitor offers real-time stats for CPU, memory, disk, and network usage.
• Provides breakdown of performance by process and service.
• Access through the search function or by running resmon.exe.

System Configuration Utility (msconfig.exe)

• Use msconfig.exe to manage startup process, including boot, services, and startup items.
• General tab selects startup mode: normal, diagnostic, or selective.
• Boot tab configures OS selection, Safe Boot, and advanced boot options.
• Services tab lets you enable/disable services at startup.
• Startup tab now links to Task Manager for applications.
• Tools tab provides quick access to various Windows utilities.

Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) and Defragmentation

• Disk Cleanup helps safely remove unnecessary files like temp files, recycle bin, and error reports.
• Access via cleanmgr.exe and select categories to free disk space.
• Disk Defragmenter (defrag.exe) reorganizes file fragments on spinning hard drives for better performance.
• SSDs do not require defragmentation.
• Can be run from graphical interface or command line.

Windows Registry and Registry Editor (regedit.exe)

• The Windows registry stores system and application configuration data.
• Access registry with regedit.exe; changes can impact system stability.
• Key sections: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, HKEY_CURRENT_USER, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, HKEY_USERS, HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG.
• Always back up registry keys before making changes (export function available).
• Restore backups by running the saved registry file.

Key Terms & Definitions

• DMA (Direct Memory Access) — Allows hardware subsystems to access memory without CPU intervention.
• IRQ (Interrupt Request) — Hardware lines over which devices can send interrupt signals to the processor.
• Registry Hive — Major section of the Windows registry (e.g., HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE).
• Defragmentation — Process of reorganizing data on a disk to reduce file fragmentation.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Practice locating and running MSinfo32.exe, resmon.exe, msconfig.exe, cleanmgr.exe, defrag.exe, and regedit.exe on a Windows system.
• Make note of where to back up and restore registry keys before change.