PRINCIPLES OF PROBLEM SOLVING FOR MICROSOFT WINDOWS
by Timothy Meridius Sheila Fitzgerald/Shutterstock.comThis book uses problem solving examples from Windows 10 & 7 which are similar to later Microsoft Windows operating systems such as Windows 11
Author's Note
Books on Microsoft Windows operating systems run the risk of being out of date very quickly due to the introduction of new Microsoft Windows editions, versions and builds. This book should have been published some time ago, however the introduction of Windows 11 in 2021 resulted in further delays to its publication. In addition I decided to self-publish this book free from the restrictions of any publishing company. Nevertheless the copyright and original content of this book are the author's rights.
Many of the problem solving examples listed in this book may not appear entirely relevant for users of later versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11 but the principles of problem solving in Microsoft Windows have largely remained the same over the last few years, despite changes to functionality within the operating system that take place on a regular basis
This book was originally conceived when Windows 7 was an even more popular operating system than Windows 10 and prior to the release of Windows 11. Many users of earlier Microsoft Windows operating systems, especially those prior to Windows 7, had to struggle with problems that have now largely, although not completely been solved through automation. Referring to and understanding the problems of earlier Microsoft Windows operating systems is nevertheless a useful skill that will help you to solve problems with newer Microsoft Windows operating systems when they are released.
Read on to learn and apply the problem solving principles in this book so that each problem becomes less daunting and you become more productive with your computer.
Kindly note that the hyperlinks may not work in certain versions of this book.
Copyright © 2023 Timothy Meridius. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the author
Notice of Liability
Every effort has been taken to ensure that this book contains accurate information. However the author shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by readers as a result of any information contained herein.
Any action taken on a computer, whether recommended by the author in this book or otherwise, is made entirely at the risk of the individual computer user. Please be aware that computer hardware and software can malfunction and that you operate your computer entirely at your own risk. Permanent operating system and data loss as well as hardware damage is always possible when operating computers. Do not undertake any action on your computer if you have any doubt. If necessary seek professional and reliable help.
The author of this book makes no profit, material or otherwise, by recommending one software product over another, nor should any of the software recommendations be considered a form of advertising. The reader may choose the recommended software products in this book or research and use products of their own choosing at their own risk.
Trademarks
Microsoft® and Windows® are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are acknowledged as belonging to their respective companies.
Software released by the Microsoft Corporation is normally referred to in its full name form such as Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Office or Microsoft OneDrive etc. Software may also reference the particular edition, version or build These products are often partly abbreviated to Windows, Windows 10, Office or OneDrive for example. Microsoft brand software is wholly owned and licensed by the Microsoft Corporation.
Any other non Microsoft Corporation brand software referred to in this book belongs to the respective software manufacturer.
Author contact details
Email: meridius271@outlook.com
INTRODUCTION
This self-help book is intended for users of Microsoft Windows operating systems and their related applications who look to solve their own computer problems from home.
The problem solving and research methods shown in this book can be adapted for future and current versions of Microsoft Windows.
This book is aimed at users of electronic reader and other formats who may not have immediate access to the internet. Computer users should type in the site or product recommendations given in this book into their preferred web search engine. Please note that software manufacturers reserve the right to modify, replace or discontinue any of their own brand software.
All Microsoft Windows operating systems, at least for the time being, or until there are serious advances in artificial intelligence, will have problems that require user input and problem solving skills which you will learn from this book.
Microsoft is an organisation that is constantly developing new products. It competes in the information technology development market at the highest level.
While this book was being edited, Microsoft announced Windows 11 as their new desktop operating system as well as Windows 365, a new streaming cloud based service that was initially designed for business rather than home users.
This book is not intended to be a traditional training manual based on any particular Microsoft Windows operating system. Nevertheless Windows 10 and Windows 7 are mainly used in example problems and potential solutions as they have both been Microsoft's mainstream and popular operating systems since 2009 for Windows 7 and 2015 for Windows 10.
It is unlikely that Windows 10 users will struggle if they migrate to Windows 11, either by upgrading through Windows Update, through a clean install or by buying a new computer with Windows 11 installed on it. Many of the core features related to problem solving in Windows Settings or the Control Panel and throughout the operating system itself are similar to Windows 10.
Currently users of computers with older incompatible hardware will most probably not be able to upgrade to or clean install Windows 11 directly from Microsoft.
There has been continuity in functionality throughout different versions of Microsoft Windows over the years and this is beneficial when Windows users are faced with the next challenge of having to use a new Microsoft Windows operating system.
As there is in many cases a lack of a substantial, comprehensive and user friendly approach to problem solving in Windows education in general you are advised to read this book first. Should you wish to read additional books or use online resources as to how a particular operating system works, you should do this as well.
There is nothing like testing new features yourself Having a test computer for any new or current operating system is a distinct advantage. Many technical problems have a number of potential solutions, some of which may or may not get you to the end result you are looking for.
It is worth bearing in mind that many instructional books in computing do not sufficiently focus on getting you to research and think out computer problems for yourself. This is the main intention of this book. Do not try to learn the operating system of your choice by rote Do not expect to be given the precise answer to your individual problem on a plate.
Learning any new subject, improving your skills and getting good at something can take a number of years and this is also the case with computer problem solving.
There can be no doubt that developing your own personal psychology to solving a new problem on your computer, rather than give up at the first hurdle, will have the most impact on getting you to your final result, which is to solve your technical problems while learning something new at the same time. In fact developing a positive mental approach to computer problem solving may yield more results than just obtaining technical knowledge using rote methods of learning.
Many educational books on Microsoft Windows contain instructions, images and screenshots. It is not the intention of the author of this book to take this route. I prefer to be short, descriptive and motivational My aim is to prepare you to begin problem solving as efficiently as possible.
This book is designed to be a starting point for someone who wishes to solve their own technical problems from home using the guidelines in it, as well as the internet. The internet does a far better job than many publications in bringing information together If one article or website is not clear, you can move on to another webpage or video so that you can hopefully find information in a way which suits your own requirements.
In spite of the changes between different versions that have taken place over the years the Microsoft Windows operating system is currently the world's most popular desktop operating system. If you are a home or business personal computer user it is highly probable that you will have used Windows at some stage in your life.
The first part of this book introduces practical problem solving techniques for individuals interested in learning to solve Windows problems more easily. Some sections of the second part of this book are written for Windows users who are not necessarily beginners. Nevertheless, a beginner who is determined to learn Windows from scratch as well as delve into problem solving will benefit from reading this entire book. When a problem occurs apply the relevant suggested solutions.
Learning Microsoft Windows on a superficial basis is possible through basic training but it is only over time that you will get to know what you need to know in Windows. This will become evident when you face the day to day problems with the operating system and its related third party applications.
Many features within Microsoft Windows require intuition. It is your own curiosity to experiment with its settings that will prove to be the best way for you to learn how the operating system works. Nevertheless those of you who still find Windows daunting may benefit from a formal instructional approach to learning the operating system in addition to reading this book.
By trying to think outside the box and by developing your own experience with Windows, you will find its problems, as well as those with technology in general, less difficult and easier to solve. Your investigative skills will improve over time.
Windows 7 which is still used today, although not widely, was developed as an operating system with few significant changes throughout its development. However Windows 10 is a constantly evolving operating system with sometimes significant functional changes that occur from one version to another. You may find that some of the instructions in this book do not exactly match the specific functionality of your own version of Windows and you may be required to do some additional online research in order to better implement a more targeted solution or set of solutions to your specific problem.
Knowledge of the Microsoft Windows file system and partitions should help you to better understand the operating system itself. Learning Windows is now largely visual and if you learn better this way, you will figure out how the operating system works far more quickly than most people.
This book is not designed to spoon feed you as to how the whole of the Microsoft Windows operating system works and the potential problems associated with it. This is an unrealistic objective for any book. Nevertheless, this book stresses the need to build on your own confidence, psychology and approach to problem solving operating system issues. The problem solving skills you will gain over time can be applied to other related technologies and not only to Windows and its compatible third party applications.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK IF YOUR TIME IS LIMITED
Reading this book should give you ideas about how to deal with your current and future computer problems. It must be stressed that there is no magic wand that you can use to solve your computer problems within your expected timescale.
Nevertheless, if you have an urgent and immediate computer problem and do not have the time to read the whole of this book, please first go to the Sample Problem Solving Template on pages 23 and 24 to see if this helps you in the first instance. Choose the research methods proposed in these sheets that best suit your purposes. You can copy the headings to a separate piece of paper and begin researching and solving your own computer problems.
If you are still unable to solve your computer problem immediately please read this book in its entirety, choose suitable methods to research your problem and start your research process again.
If your computer problem still persists and it is urgent you may have to pay for professional IT support although this should be done only as a last resort.
GETTING STARTED
In computing what is simple for one person can be complicated for another. Some people just stare in front of a computer screen seemingly without any clear strategy as to how to perform the next task or how to solve the problem facing them. Others appear to solve the same problem with ease.
Various strategies are presented in this book to help you to solve your own problems with your Microsoft Windows operating system, including installed compatible application software, sometimes just known as software or applications. These can be internet browsers, word processing software, video editors and databases.
I took the decision not to add a long technical glossary to this book but have added a shortened and simplified one which is located in the final pages and contains many but not all of the technical terms used here. Should you wish to consult a more comprehensive glossary with detailed technical explanations, go to Techopedia's online dictionary and enter the term you would like defined. You can additionally enter the technical term you wish to look up into Google search and it may point you to a quick definition which could include Wikipedia's. Many computing terms like application and software are used interchangeably so watch out for any confusion regarding these terms.
At the time of writing, it is expected that most Microsoft Windows users will be using Windows 11, Windows 10 or Windows 7. This book is intended for users of all these operating systems. It is strongly recommended that Windows 7 users transition to Microsoft's latest operating system for security, compatibility and functionality. If Windows 7 users cannot upgrade to Windows 11 because of hardware restrictions they should at least attempt to upgrade to Windows 10.
Hardware issues involving physical internal items, some of which can be non-movable parts of a computer, are beyond the scope of this book. It is preferable that you initially contact the manufacturer of your computer or peripheral rather than try to undo a laptop or desktop computer Only attempt to do this if you know exactly what you are doing.
Knowing the difference between whether you have a hardware or a software problem may not be immediately apparent to novice users of computer operating systems. Even more experienced computer users may not spot differences between these two potential areas of conflict. To simplify matters, take screenshots of or note down any error messages or unusual behaviour your computer may be showing. Then follow the guidelines shown in the relevant parts of this book on how to research or explain your computer problem.
Most problem solving strategies involve gaining confidence in using your preferred method of learning in order to achieve your goals. When you start this process many of the technical terms you need in order to ask questions may be unfamiliar to you but you will pick them up as you go along.
Many long and tedious books have been written about how to use an operating system or application but very few concentrate on showing you how to solve immediate problems which are relevant to you and which your will and determination will help you to achieve This is actually more important than going through a lengthy instruction manual only to reach the end of it and find yourself no closer to the truth.
Many of the problem solving theories relating to Microsoft Windows can also be adapted to other operating systems such as Apple Mac, Linux and Android, which is currently the operating system used in the majority of mobile phones.
THE SEVEN GOLDEN RULES OF COMPUTER PROBLEM SOLVING
The seven golden rules of computer problem solving relating to operating systems and applications are:
1. Operating systems and applications are written using programming languages. They enable you to achieve tasks and undertake a sequence of procedures mainly through graphical user interfaces. That is what you can see on your computer screen. You cannot normally see the programming code that takes place on the back-end of your computer when instructions are given to perform a specific task or a set of tasks. Except in instances of serious hardware failure, malware or irreparable operating system errors, you can take control of your computer sooner rather than later, if you decide to do so.
2. Computer software is written with a logic that may not match your own. You need to adapt to the computer rather than it to you.
3. If you find problem solving tedious and annoying you should find a way to change your mindset and try to approach each problem as a challenge or turn it into a game that you can win. Think of how you tend to approach a particular problem. Perhaps the set of instructions you are reading is not clear to you or has been poorly written. In that case you would be better off trying to find a suitable article or online video that can help you and is relevant to your specific problem.
4. In the early days of computing, before the internet was well developed, home IT support ranged from a cost based phone call to paying for an expensive technician to come to your home to undertake maintenance. This was especially the case if you owned an old, huge tower system that was difficult to move. Today much of the support is now online and free. It is up to you to find and use the full range of information that is available on the internet in order to reach your goal which is to solve your current computer problems.
5. Problem solving should not just be about dealing with a problem when a crisis occurs but about pre-emptive action. Think carefully about how important your data and security are to you and start to think of a backup plan for your critical data so that you can sleep well at night.
6. As mentioned much of the advice that is on the internet is free but you must choose the solution that is right for you and not necessarily go for the first suggestion that comes along.
This may initially happen through a process of trial and error if you have little experience in this area.
7. Computer problem solving is an underestimated skill. Working through these problems can help you to complete other personal and professional goals and ultimately make certain aspects of your own life easier in both the short and long term.
DO NOT PANIC
Do not panic, just take a step back whenever you are confronted with a problem related to your operating system or your applications or if you cannot properly complete a task.
In an emergency situation some people get angry and stressed and are unable to continue with the task at hand while others seem to have a sense of calm about them and begin attempting to solve the problem they are confronted with even though they may not initially know how to solve it.
Your job is to understand your strengths and weaknesses in relation to problem solving and then work on both of them. By working on your weaknesses you will become a good problem solver and that is something you can certainly teach yourself if you put the time and effort into it.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Those of us who started our computing lives in the 1990s spent most of our time solving, or unsuccessfully attempting to solve, mainly on our own, computing problems, sometimes with minimal support if we were lucky. We were often condemned to slow dial up internet connections and the internet itself contained far less information than it does today. At that time you might not have been able to fully solve a difficult problem on your own if you felt that you had hit a dead end.
Fast forward to more than thirty years later Today the internet provides you with the full spectrum of support and information that helps you to solve your computer problems. Many people are happy to give free advice on forums, articles and through YouTube videos. The cost for all of this help is simply your data allowance, time and patience.
KEEP YOUR DATA SECURE
The most serious problems in computing are the theft and permanent destruction of data. You must pre-empt and try to obstruct this possibility.
We spend a great deal of time online and may be unaware that individuals and organisations are viewing and stealing our private data that is stored both in our computer and online in the cloud. Some individuals also write malicious code in order to make money through ransom, known as ransomware, in order to unlock malware, sabotage an enemy, competitor or even just for fun. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) legally and wisely can further protect your online activities.
With all these issues in mind we cannot suddenly stop being computer users or hide away from civilisation in a cave. Once a problem comes our way we need to work towards solving it and in the case of data loss we must attempt to recover lost data. It is also better to protect your operating system even if it means reinstalling it as well as choosing a stronger internet security package if needed.
THE TRUTH IS THAT YOU WILL ONLY LEARN THROUGH TRIAL AND ERROR
If you have ever lost data, crashed your operating system, installed a program that caused your computer to slow down or been infected with malware, you will hopefully have taken one step back and tried to identify the problem.
Sometimes problems happen after installing a new program or doing an update or upgrade which has not been properly tested by the manufacturer. In other words, the problem occurs when you perform a specific action on your computer or when your computer performs an operation in the background that you are not aware of. This may sometimes be the result of malicious hacking.
You cannot go through your computing life without a problem but what you can do is try to identify the problem and find a solution for it.
WHAT CAN BE WRONG WITH LONG COMPUTER BOOKS
Many long computer books fail to get to the point of what you need to do or are interested in learning. Our time is now limited and a book which takes a long time to read does not focus on what you need to achieve urgently. Its contents may simply go in on one side of your brain and out the other.
In addition, the issue of your own personal approach to problem solving is often ignored. We simply do not take the time to investigate how we can overcome any mental blocks we may have which hinder us from achieving our goals. The author of a book who assures you that you can learn a subject parrot fashion without taking into account your own individual learning style and problem solving capacities is bound to fail in his or her teaching objective.
Ultimately what you need to know is where you need to go to today. You need only a small amount of background knowledge and a large amount of 'how do I deal with this problem right here, right now'.
In an emergency situation you become the captain of the ship or the pilot of the plane. There is no time to read the instruction manual. You must simply stop the ship from sinking or take control of the plane yourself.
We are constantly confronted with computer problems that we have to solve but we also want to have a life. We need to achieve other things outside computing. This is precisely why we must work on becoming better problem solvers and in doing so save time and heartache.
BACKGROUND TO OPERATING SYSTEMS
Not all operating systems were initially designed with the required security to combat constant malware attacks or allow smooth installations of different software. Older versions of Microsoft Windows prior to Windows 7 like Windows XP are a prime example of operating systems that needed constant security patches because they were persistently attacked by malicious hackers. This problem has continued with Windows 7 and later Microsoft Windows operating systems although Microsoft is constantly working on strengthening the security of its operating systems.
The use of networks, the internet and information sharing created an open window for malware of all kinds. As some of this malware was quite serious, security patches were created in order to protect operating systems and applications from new threats. This is still very much the case today.
Simply entering a password is not enough to secure one's computer and you would be advised to look into encrypting your operating system including the data partition if you have sensitive data that needs additional protection.
It is worth considering using BitLocker Drive Encryption which can be found in the Control Panel of certain Windows operating systems such as Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise as well as in Windows 11 and 10 Professional, Education and Enterprise.
Third party encryption software also exists which is compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating system but please test these products first on another storage drive and not on any computer that is important to you.
We now have the choice of a range of operating systems such as Apple Mac, Microsoft Windows, Linux and Android amongst others. Sometimes our choice is made for us, the main example being Microsoft Windows which is still used in the majority of work places today or Apple Mac which is favoured by many graphic designers and home users.
All computer operating systems have certain aspects of maintenance requirements in common. They will at some stage need to be updated, upgraded, secured and possibly eventually replaced in order to function effectively. Operating systems and the hardware that manages them all have shelf lives. At some stage something will go wrong and this may be so critical or annoying that you may decide to reinstall your operating system or buy new hardware.
TRY TO THINK OUT THE PROBLEM YOURSELF FIRST
This can be very difficult especially if your knowledge of operating systems, the applications you are using and your general experience of computer problem solving and technical terms is limited.
Sometimes you will be able to figure out the problem by using command buttons, selections on graphical user interfaces, wizards and operating system or application features that are available on your computer screen.
Let us consider a very simple problem. Imagine you have made a mistake in a word processing application like Microsoft Word by copying and pasting text that you do not need into an existing document. Perhaps you also accidentally deleted some of the existing text you wanted to keep. The solution would normally be to just click the 'undo' button, perhaps more than once. Someone completely new to word processing may not even know that an 'undo' button exists in Microsoft Word. They may have to fumble their way through the problem without help. Hopefully they would eventually find a way to explain their problem to someone at work, to a friend or seek online help in order to recover their lost data.
The problem mentioned above is a very simple one that I hope illustrates issues within computer problem solving. Losing data or forgetting existing settings is not what any computer user would like but it is sometimes the simple unsolved problems that can create and lead to much bigger ones.
Everyone needs to complete tasks in computing and you should never waver from your objective even if your final result falls short of what you had originally expected.
In practical computing terms it does not matter if you achieve your goals by using unconventional methods so long as you get there safely without creating additional operating system problems, security gaps or loss of data.
SHOULD I USE MY MANUFACTURER'S SYSTEM OR ONLINE HELP GUIDES?
You may wonder why I have not asked you to first read your manufacturer's software and hardware guide before you start working on your computer problem.
If you are happy taking this route please do. You will get the official explanation of what to do in case a particular problem arises. However, the problem that you are having may not be listed in the manufacturer's technical documentation. It is not possible for the manufacturer to list all the problems a user may face. Many problems are just outside the scope of what is written in the official documentation. These problems may not have arisen at the time the application was first released.
I tend not to use the manufacturer's information as a first resort. Much of this information tends to be written by technicians who do not always communicate their information clearly to the average user in understandable, non-technical terms. This problem is a challenge for all technical writers and this is precisely why computer users who find and develop their own way of approaching computer problems are one step ahead when a crisis strikes.
Nevertheless, if you want to check the official manufacturer's documentation of your operating system or software, first look through the user manual, disk or at any available online help website they may provide. If any official information you may have found is any good you should be able to install your application software or hardware by using the information provided by the manufacturer. This should be all that is necessary. However, I believe that if the manufacturer's documentation was so comprehensive we would never need forums, online help, videos and additional paid or unpaid technical support. You may get clearer support online through the information you find when using Google search.
Enter your proposed problem into Google search and see what you get. Does this information come from the manufacturer or from a third party?
USING AN AUTOMATED TROUBLESHOOTER
If your operating system or software has an automated troubleshooter, try using it first. Troubleshooters can help solve some but not all computer problems.
Windows 10 and Windows 7 both have troubleshooters which may or may not solve your individual computer problem. Try to find where they are located in your operating system and use them the next time you have a problem you cannot automatically fix. Please look at the section entitled Useful Troubleshooting Features in Windows 10 and 7 on page 22.
If your operating system's troubleshooter has features designed to solve your specific problem, it may fix it. If your problem is not solved, the troubleshooter may give you an error message which you can type into Google search so that you can undertake further online research.
USE A STRONG SEARCH ENGINE FOR PROBLEM SOLVING
Without the internet I would not have written this book and I would not have learnt so much from so many of the online heroes, those people replying to questions on forums, writing detailed technical articles, producing technical videos and offering all their advice online for free.
One of the most popular web search engines is Google which is also referred to in this book as Google search. Google, if you use it well, can be better than a technical book of 500 or 1000 pages. The advantage of Google is that you can get straight to where you want to be without buying a book.
A COMMON MISSING SOFTWARE PROBLEM
Let us use a simple example. I have a printer I used on another computer with Windows 7 but I now have a new computer with Windows 10 installed on it. I want to get printing but I do not have much experience of Windows 10 or installing software so what I do is connect the printer to my computer using a USB printer cable. However, I have misplaced the small instruction manual and CD that originally came in the printer's box. Still, I try printing Everything appears to work but as this particular model is an All-In-One multifunction printer, scanner and copier, I am unable to scan because no scanning software drivers have been installed for it within the operating system.
Those whose understanding of computers, printers or drivers is limited may go to Google search and type something like: Scanner in printer not working. This is not a very useful statement but someone new to computing may do precisely that.
Now let us write our question in simple English but add a little more detail:
No scanner option on Windows 10 version 20H2 with Canon MF3010 printer installed
If you actually do this you may find some answers or suggested links online. Look through each link to see if it takes you to the root cause of what you think this particular problem may be. If any suggestion is too complicated or you do not understand it, move on to the next one until you find a set of instructions that you are able to understand either in written or video form.
It goes without saying, as previously mentioned, that you may find the correct answer to this problem in the manufacturer's documentation enclosed with your printer but this is not guaranteed.
A good start that will help you to achieve the correct solution for this problem will be accessing the manufacturer's website and then downloading and installing the appropriate software and drivers for your printer relating to the version of Windows you are using.
Sometimes you may be able to get printer drivers through Windows Update in Windows 10 and 7. The printer-scanner-copier software may also be available from Microsoft Store in Windows 10 as a generically named product from the manufacturer.
Identifying the problem first and entering the information into Google search will most likely help you to find potential solutions to most computer problems. You should then be able to move much faster to achieve a final solution regarding your specific problem. Having done that you should be able to understand what to do the next time a similar problem occurs again.
HOW DO YOU SELECT THE RIGHT SOLUTION?
If you are new to computing you will initially have to go through a trial and error process in relation to computer problem solving because you might not have developed the experience or instinct to know the difference between a solution that is right or wrong. Whatever you do, you are unlikely to end up with a critical problem provided you take each step slowly and take your time before attempting any action, should you be in any doubt as to what your next step might be. If you do not understand a set of instructions or are hesitant about moving forward with a task, stop right there and get help.
As a last resort you may have to call a technician or take your computer and additional hardware back to the vendor or manufacturer to see if they can help you with your problem. However, I hope that the information and support you find on the internet will be sufficient for you not to need to do this under normal circumstances.
Computer users with some experience will know what to do. An experienced Microsoft Windows user with the same problem will understand that a printer installation issue may be related to an incompatible or missing driver, USB or wireless connection problem or a missing or incorrect software or settings issue as indicated in the previous section.
What may appear to be a seemingly simple task can turn into a very annoying and critical problem especially if you are working on an important document that needs to be scanned and sent urgently.
MANY COMPUTER PROBLEMS APPEAR COMPLEX BUT ARE NOT
Many computer problems appear complex and you may feel like giving up.
The answer to your computer problem may very well be out there online somewhere but you will have to find it.
Asking the right questions takes time and experience. There is no substitute for experience and developing a capacity to think outside the box which will help you to solve your computer problems.
WHY FORUMS ARE SOMETIMES BETTER
When you ask a question on a forum you should get a dedicated answer to your specific question for free. For this you will need:
An email address
A username and password which is required for you to enrol on the forum
Many contributors on forums are very generous and enthusiastic with their help in answering your questions but you should not necessarily apply the first answer that you are given. If you have signed up to a good forum and have posted a decent and detailed question that is reasonably clear, you should get at least one reply if not more.
Sometimes but not always the best replies come from some of the old timers who might have answered thousands of questions on forums. They may still however be wrong. You may even get the correct answer from a completely new member on a forum.
Selecting the simplest, lowest risk automated user interface and not code based solution may potentially work first for many Windows problems. If a solution has worked for someone else you may find ticks or thumbs up on a thread that indicate approvals by other forum users. If you have been provided with a solution look it up on Google search and see if it is listed online in another article or forum. It may not always be possible but try to see if there is any information allowing you to go back to your existing settings or to the computer's default settings should the proposed solution fail.
The most important thing is to use and develop your instincts for what the correct solution may be. If you instinctively believe a proposed solution is wrong, do not implement it. While computers appear largely logical, the route to get to a particular solution may not be your imagined one. The expected procedure sometimes has to be changed in order for you to achieve a successful outcome.
HOW TO USE FORUMS
Many contributors to forums are only too happy to reply to questions from novice users and you can at least get started on your stated goal. Make sure that your first question on a new forum indicates that you are new to computer problem solving, if this is the case. This should allow contributors to modify their technical level and make proposed solutions that are easier for you to understand. If you do not understand a reply to your question, make this clear so that solutions or terms that you do not fully understand can be clarified by the person who replied or by another forum user.
Some forums are very active and if they are well subscribed you may get a reply in less than an hour. This will depend on the complexity of your problem and the difference between your time zone compared to that of the majority of contributors on that forum. Some problems are more complicated and are a work in progress and you will need to be patient. At other times you will have figured out the problem yourself in which case you will be in a position to give the answer to your own question and share your result with the forum. Unfortunately there are times when your question may never be answered and may even be incorrectly answered. This sometimes happens with more complicated and untested problems although this is now more the exception rather than the rule.
Do not be discouraged if you end up with someone who is argumentative or dominates your thread with their own proposed solutions to your problem. You can always ask the same or a similar question on another forum or give your existing forum another chance in the hope that a new user will at some point contribute to your thread with an alternative answer. Of course some contributors bask in their own importance and are self-opinionated but once you understand these potential pitfalls you will be able to work better with forums.
Some manufacturers have their own official forums which are not necessarily better than third party ones. If you do not get the correct response from forums see if there is an official support line, chat or telephone support You can contact the manufacturer directly.
ASK CLEAR AND DETAILED QUESTIONS
Make your questions as clear as possible on threads in forums.
This is an example of an unclear question:
Windows 10 update problems
In fact this is not really a question at all and we can do much better:
Can I disable or delay automatic updates in Windows 10 Home Version 1809 as the constant update process uses too much of my monthly data allowance?
Write a description of the problems you are having in the correct section of the appropriate forum which in this case may be for example 'Microsoft Forum > Microsoft Windows > Windows 10 > Updates' with a heading title of for example 'Defer Updates on Windows 10
Home Version 1809'. Write your text to make it similar to that shown below or similar to the above example in italics:
Hi, Can anyone help me with this problem? I heard that in the Professional and other non Home versions of Windows 10 version 1809 it is possible to defer updates to a later date and install updates manually at the time of my own choosing. However, I am not sure if this is possible in Windows 10 Home edition. Please advise. Many thanks for any replies.
The key to solving many computer problems is to ask the right questions. You will then have a higher chance of getting and implementing the right answers.
An online technical contributor may have found a workaround solution to your problem by using a wizard, an automated troubleshooter, changing your operating system settings or by using code. If this is the case, you can attempt to implement a proposed solution to your particular problem if you are confident and understand what you are doing.
A big word of warning. Do not make changes to the Windows Registry or attempt to write small or large amounts of code into any part of the Microsoft Windows operating system unless you absolutely know what you are doing. You have been warned!
USING YOUTUBE FOR PROBLEM SOLVING AND LEARNING
YouTube is often associated with music videos, films and other fun activities but it is much more than that if you use it for the purpose of computer problem solving and training. YouTube is full of instructional videos made by computer enthusiasts who teach you how to solve many of the common technical problems you may encounter in day to day computing.
First go to YouTube and make sure that you can actually watch videos and that they are not being blocked by an add-on or extension on your internet browser.
Once you get YouTube working you may decide to download videos so that you can keep them on your storage drive for future reference. Go into Google search and look for a free YouTube downloader for your own web browser.
I would like to stress that downloading and storing videos from YouTube on your storage drive may or may not be an infringement of their current terms and conditions which you should take the time to find out about.
Once you are in your local version of YouTube think of all the things you wish to learn. This may also be non-computer related subjects. Think about new projects you wish to start or problems or annoyances with your operating system, hardware or software. You may be pleasantly surprised at the range of topics and videos that are out there. You can then compare videos and choose the one or ones which you most like.
The advantage of YouTube is that you learn visually as well as through audio. In the majority of videos someone talks and guides you through their actions. By using the YouTube method you can see if someone has successfully completed a task and not just take it for granted that a set of instructions you have read is correct. There is no moving visual evidence as to
whether what has been written in a technical article actually works but a YouTube video will give you the confidence to work on your own and follow step by step what has been shown to you in a video.
YouTube is a great free learning tool for those who cannot afford expensive training courses and who wish to learn visually. Type in the text below, or your own computer problems, into the search box in YouTube to see if this helps you to find the appropriate video:
Cannot install Windows 11
Test hard drive for errors in Windows 10
Windows 10 has crashed
Speed up Windows 10 startup
Windows 7 update stuck
YouTube has opened up free education to everyone in an enjoyable way and some contributors have whole playlists of training and other videos. Let us say that you wish to learn a computer related technical subject from scratch. You work all day and do not have the time or money to go on technical training courses. Go to YouTube and you will probably find what you are looking for in technical education which can also be outside Microsoft Windows problem solving issues. For example:
Design a free website
Free ecommerce hosting
MySQL database tutorials
As with any search box, entering different selection criteria will offer different results. You will get better at this as you develop experience by asking the right questions relating to your individual problems or subjects of interest.
Go to YouTube first if you want to simplify or reduce the time it takes to learn a technical subject or wish to solve a problem using visual methods.
FREE IT TRAINING WEBSITES
Many free IT training websites exist online. Some are interactive. If this method of training appeals to you then type the following into Google search, choosing the topics listed below, which are related to some of the issues that have been discussed in this book, or enter any others that may be of interest to you:
Free Microsoft Windows troubleshooting training
Free Microsoft Windows 11 training
You can then achieve your own learning goals within your own time frame without needing to attend a course at a training centre away from your home.
PROBLEM SOLVING CAN BE FUN
You may be thinking that many Microsoft Windows problems appear overly complex but computer problem solving can actually be fun if you find a different way to approach them.
Look at it as a game of cat and mouse like you versus your operating system or software application This makes problem solving much more fun. Each problem you encounter will start to become less stressful once you work on solving it.
AT HOME YOU ARE IN CHARGE
As home based individual computer users we are not operating in a business networked environment with restrictions. We are in charge of our own computer and it belongs to us. We are our own commander in chief with no one breathing down our neck telling us what we can or cannot do or install.
If you work in a company environment there are rules and regulations laid down by the company's IT department from which you should not stray, but as a home user you can be more creative about how you manage your own computer.
A WORD ABOUT COUNTERFEIT SOFTWARE
There is a big temptation to use counterfeit software with fake product keys because it is cheaper or free but you do this at your own risk. Never install operating systems or applications with counterfeit product keys which automatically validate Microsoft Windows or any installed applications. Not only is this a security risk as malware may have been written into the software, but the manufacturer may well decide to shut you down through a background update which you are unable to control because you have performed an illegal operation. This is your second warning!
USE A SPARE COMPUTER FOR TESTING IF YOU CAN
Some computer users propose using virtualization software within an existing operating system in order to test new software, updates or upgrades but I have found that this has not worked well for me because it has not exactly mimicked the problem on my main computer. If this works for you, that is fine but if not and if you can afford to do so, reuse an old computer and designate it for testing existing or new software, updates and upgrades. This will save you a lot of trouble if something goes wrong with your main computer and operating system.
IT departments have their own support structure and finances. This book is not intended for this market but for individuals struggling to find solutions to their own computer problems from home
By going through computer problems that you face as they arise, you can learn the workings of the operating system on demand. I am presuming that many people will not actually be able to learn the whole of the Microsoft Windows operating system in a short period of time especially when they have other life pressures to deal with. They will simply want to find a way to solve their problems fast. We do not need to know the ins and outs of a car's engine in order to drive it!
Nevertheless, should you wish to learn the Microsoft Windows operating system in detail, you should allocate a considerable amount of time to the process of understanding its full functionality. Do not get overly bogged down trying to understand features you may not need at all.
In many ways you are your own best teacher and hopefully you will develop the confidence through experience as well as trial and error which will result in your improving your own computer problem solving skills. By then you will be able to complete most computing related tasks that are set for you or that you wish to achieve by yourself using all the support available on the internet.
Many paid consultants work in IT support but their fees can be high and some of their advice may not always be sound. I have never ever paid for IT software support and I hope this book shows you that you can do your best to work on your own and achieve results through your own efforts by using all the free online support available to you.
Today you are expected to go online in order to complete basic tasks quickly, like checking your bank account, paying bills, applying for jobs, booking flights or ordering food, goods and services. However, whenever you do so you need to be safe and understand the challenges and dangers of technology. You should be ready to keep your operating system and applications in check and apply the maximum amount of security to your operating system and online operations when you are making personal or business related transactions.
If you really feel that you need to go back to basic or further training in certain aspects of computing and have the commitment and time to do this, it may be worth your while to enrol in a local technical training college, take an online course or find a personal tutor. Unfortunately the computing revolution has skipped generations who might have missed out on essential technical training.
In addition, many people of all generations are now using mobile phones rather than standard desktop operating systems They have not had sufficient training at or outside work or in education as to how to properly use operating systems and applications which are still needed for serious productive tasks.
The sections that follow show you practical ways in which to start problem solving using different methods and real examples of common problems in Windows 10 and 7. The following section is this book's update for users of Windows 11.
Any Windows problem can have a number of selected solutions. I have chosen those which are easier to describe and implement.
Most explanations of seemingly complicated problem solving procedures are available online where you can find simplified instructions, screenshots and videos relating to your computer problems.
Some of my proposed solutions may be written procedurally while others may be more descriptive. A book which is completely procedural can be tedious and off putting.
I hope that this book proves to be a good starting point for you to solve your Windows problems and that as stated before, you will begin to work on and achieve your computing related goals with more confidence. I can assure you that the end result will be well worth it!
PROBLEM SOLVING TIPS FOR USERS OF WINDOWS 11
As previously mentioned, as this book was nearing completion, in June 2021 Microsoft announced Windows 11 into the operating system market as an Insider Preview Build. It reached general availability in October 2021
Those starting with or even using Windows 11 on a daily basis will benefit from reading the problem solving tips and tricks found in this book even though most examples relate to Windows 10 and Windows 7. However this book has a strong conceptual problem solving research aspect that should be valid irrespective of any new operating system Microsoft decides to develop and release.
Windows 11 users are advised to read this book in its entirety while keeping in mind that no drastic changes are predicted between how Windows 11 and Windows 10 operate in general. Users of Windows 10 transitioning to Windows 11 will have some minor user interface challenges which they should be able to overcome. However, certain features may be located in different parts of the operating system when compared to Windows 10.
Listed below are some but not all of the useful features in an Insider Preview Developer Build of Windows 11 which you may need for problem solving. The location of these features may change in subsequent versions of Windows 11 and are different to Windows 10. However it was not considered necessary to add Windows 11 to every listed problem and proposed solution in this book
Keep in mind that both Settings (also known as Windows Settings) and the Control Panel will help you with your operating system problems in Windows 11. It is important to familiarise yourself with many of these features and also the operating system in general. This should help you when you are confronted with a new technical problem
Troubleshooters in General
Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
Troubleshooters related to the following are available here: Internet Connections – Playing Audio – Printer – Windows Update – Bluetooth – Camera –Connection to a Workplace using DirectAccess – Incoming Connections – Keyboard –Network Adapter – Power – Program Compatibility Troubleshooter – Recording Audio –Search and Indexing – Shared Folders – Video Playback – Windows Store Apps – Privacy resources
Troubleshooting and Installing Printers
Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device (if applicable) > The printer that I want isn't listed > Add manually (if applicable) > Find a printer by other options (choose from the list of options as appropriate)
Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Related settings >
Troubleshoot
Windows Tools
Start > All apps > Windows Tools
Some of the applications listed here should be useful for problem solving tasks:
Character Map – Command Prompt – Component Services – Computer Management –
Control Panel – Defragment and Optimize Drives – Disk Cleanup – Event Viewer – iSCSI
Initiator – Local Security Policy – ODBC Data Sources (32-bit) – ODBC Data Sources (64-bit) –Performance Monitor – Power Automate – Print Management – Quick Assist – Recovery
Drive – Registry Editor – Remote Desktop Connection – Resource Monitor – Run – Services –Steps Recorder – System Configuration – System Information – Task Manager – Task
Scheduler – Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security – Windows Fax and Scan –Windows Media Player Legacy – Windows Memory Diagnostic – Windows PowerShell –Windows PowerShell (x86) – Windows PowerShell ISE – Windows PowerShell ISE (x86) –
WordPad
Control Panel
Start > Search icon (on right) > (Type in) Control Panel or as included in Windows Tools above
Backup and Restore (Windows and Data)
Start > Search icon (on right) > (Type in) Control Panel > Backup and Restore (Windows 7)
Backup (Data)
Start > Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Backup options > OneDrive (for cloud backups)
System Recovery
Start > Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems without resetting your PC (or) Reset this PC
System Restore
Start > Search icon (on right) > (Type in) Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore (and) Configure System Restore
It is your choice whether you prefer to use Windows Settings or the Control Panel for troubleshooting depending on your specific problem or need.
Ultimately you will find out about how a feature works by testing it yourself and this will have a far greater impact on you than reading a book. Most of us did not learn how to ride a bicycle by reading a book. We simply had to try to sit on the saddle, not fall and move forwards!
The Microsoft Windows Sample Critical Problems and Proposed Solutions section from pages 25 to 33 appears to only be relevant to Windows 10 and Windows 7 users but that is far from being the case. This section contains important information and practical problem solving concepts that will be invaluable for you when things go wrong. It can be easily adapted to the needs of a Windows 11 user and this is precisely why a list of features has been written in this section on Windows 11 so that you are guided to the feature that suits your purposes.
As previously mentioned Microsoft reserves the right to change the location of any of these features. Microsoft can add new features or eliminate old ones. If this is the case you will have to go through the operating system yourself or do some additional online research in order to achieve your problem solving goals.
USEFUL TROUBLESHOOTING FEATURES IN WINDOWS 10 AND 7
You can find most of what you need in relation to the Microsoft Windows operating system's troubleshooting and analysis functionality in both these features:
Windows Settings (Windows 10 only)
Control Panel (Windows 10 and Windows 7)
First select Windows Settings (Windows 10 users only) from Start > Settings (wheel shaped icon) and the Control Panel (Windows 10 and Windows 7 users) from Start > Windows System > Control Panel in Windows 10 and Start > Control Panel in Windows 7 in order to find out what each feature does. Preferably do this on a test computer if you are afraid of making any changes to your operating system.
The list below shows selected examples of troubleshooting features in Microsoft Windows 10 and 7. You should go into the Control Panel (Windows 10 and Windows 7 users) and Windows Settings (Windows 10 users only) in order to investigate all the different features and areas that may be of interest to you. In the above right part of the Control Panel select View by > Large icons or View by > Small icons (not View by > Category) in the dropdown list in order to access the relevant features below.
Troubleshooters
Windows Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters (Windows 10)
Control Panel > Troubleshooting (Windows 10 and Windows 7)
Network and Internet Connection problems
Windows Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network troubleshooter (and) Change adapter options (Windows 10)
Control Panel > Network & Sharing Centre > Troubleshoot problems (Windows 10 and Windows 7)
Control Panel > Device Manager > Network adapters (Windows 10 and Windows 7)
Printer problems
Windows Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Select Printer > Manage > Run the troubleshooter (Windows 10)
Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Right Click Printer > Troubleshoot (Windows 10 and Windows 7)
Control Panel > Device Manager > Printers (Windows 10 and Windows 7)
A printer must be installed for the printer icon to appear in the Device Manager.
SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING TEMPLATE
You can design a sheet similar to this one using the headers below so that you can keep a record of your home computing problems and solutions.
PROBLEM
Sample Problem Text
I am starting to run out of storage space for my data on my computer. My operating system is Windows 10.
RESEARCH METHOD
Sample Research Method (Tick the boxes of the methods you use)
Google Search ( ) - YouTube ( ) - Forum ( ) - Troubleshooter ( )
SOLUTION / POTENTIAL SOLUTION(S)
Sample Solutions (Write down potential solutions as you are working through them in note form)
Desktop and Laptop Quick Solution
Pay for a cloud storage service such as Microsoft OneDrive.
Add existing files to the cloud and use the cloud for storage space without worrying about buying a new physical storage drive.
Keep sensitive documents on your local hard drive and not in the cloud.
Desktop with Offline Storage
Keep your existing operating system as it is. Buy another larger hard drive and use it for data storage only. Keep the operating system on one hard drive and data on another one. This is a good solution in all cases as your data should be unaffected in case you need to reinstall Windows, so long as there is no malware in the data drive.
Laptop with Offline Storage
The easiest option is to buy a portable external hard drive and keep it attached to your laptop. However this can be annoying if you regularly move your laptop around.
Another potential solution is to backup all your operating system and data using Windows features such as Backup and Restore in the Control Panel (Start > Windows System > Control Panel > Backup and Restore (Windows 7) > Create a system image) or data only through the backup feature in Windows Settings (Start > Windows Settings > Update & Security > Backup > Backup using File History).
Alternatively if you have only one storage drive on your computer of say 1 TB (Terabyte) you can manually copy and paste your data to a larger external intermediary storage drive. Then
copy your data from the larger external intermediary storage drive into a new storage drive on your laptop of say 2 TB (Terabytes) or more. A new partition should be allocated for data only which is separate to the operating system partition
Using third party tools such as Macrium Reflect Free or Acronis True Image (now called Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office) to image your existing operating system and data to a larger hard drive are alternative solutions to using Microsoft software within Windows.
Combination Solution
A combination solution may involve any of the ideas above such as mixing offline and online storage. You must use OneDrive's settings to make sure that only the data you wish to save in the cloud is placed there. It is important to think about your own personal data security.
Conclusion
Think about buying a physical hard drive with a large enough terabyte capacity for your local data storage needs and use one hard drive for the operating system (Windows) and another separate one for data if possible.
Always make sure your operating system and personal data are separated into different partitions of your storage drive if it is not possible for you to have two different physical drives.
Solid State drives are much more expensive than Hard Disk drives.
Consider cloud data storage but pay attention to security issues.
Regularly defragmenting a mechanical storage drive to ensure faster read write speeds and less mechanical stress as well as disk checking is important.
Regularly scan your computer for malware.
In Windows 10 go to Start > Windows Settings > System > Storage to see if there are any options there that can help you to free up disk space.
If these tasks seem beyond your capacity, get reliable and trustworthy help. Do your homework first so that you can speak to the technician using as much technical language as possible.