QUESTION-1:- A printer is unable to print

documents from a networked computer. How

would you troubleshoot printing problems on
the networked printer? What steps would you
take to check printer settings, network
connectivity, and driver installation?

ANSWER:-
1. Check to make sure the printer is turned on and
connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your device:-
To find out if your printer is connected to Wi-Fi, see if your
printer's built-in menu has options for checking its Wi-Fi
connection, or check the printer's manual for instructions
about how to add it to a Wi-Fi network.

2. Unplug and restart your printer:-

Sometimes power-cycling your printer can resolve the issue.
Turn off your printer and unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug
your printer back in, and then turn the printer back on.

3. Set your printer as the default printer:-

1. Select Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners
[Open Printers & scanners settings]
2. Select your printer and then select Set as default.
If you don't see the Set as default option, the Let Windows
manage my default printer option may be selected. You'll
need to turn that off before you can choose a default printer
manually.
4. Clear the print queue:-
1. Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers
& Scanners
[Open Printers & scanners settings]
2. Select your printer and then select Open print queue.
3. Under Document Name, select any documents listed,
then select Document, and select Cancel.

5. Reset the service that manages the printing

queue:-
1. Go to Search in the taskbar, type services, and then
select Services in the list of results.
2. Find the Print Spooler service, select and hold (right-
click) it, and select Restart

6. Remove and reinstall your printer to your device:-

Try removing and reinstalling your printer.
Remove your printer:
1. Select Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
[Open Printers & scanners settings]
2. Select your printer, select Remove device, and then
select Yes.
Reinstall your printer:
1. Select Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
[Open Printers & scanners settings]
2. Make sure your printer is turned on and connected.
Select Add a printer or scanner and follow the instructions to
reinstall your printer.

7. Restart your PC:-

Restarting your PC can sometimes help to refresh the services
and components necessary for your device to communicate
with your printer.

Q2) A user cannot connect to the internet on

their laptop. How would you troubleshoot the
internet connectivity issue on the laptop?
What steps would you take to diagnose
problems with Wi-Fi settings, router
configuration, or mobile data connection?

Answer:-
1.Check for Physical Connectivity Issues:-

Sometimes, your internet connection can fail due to simple

issues like a loose or unplugged network cable, modem, or
router. Or, if you’re on a wireless network, your computer’s
wireless network interface card might be turned off.
On an Apple device, check your Wi-Fi settings by clicking
Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi and then switch Wi-Fi
to the “On” position. For Windows, click on the Wi-Fi (or
“No Internet”) icon in the taskbar and check if Wi-Fi is
switched on.
When browsing from your phone or tablet, check your Wi-Fi
settings to confirm it’s turned on, and make sure your device
doesn’t have Airplane Mode enabled.
For wired connections, check the Ethernet cables that connect
to your router. If you suspect that any cable is the culprit, try
swapping it out with a new one or changing ports.

2. Restart the Router and Modem:-

Restarting the router can sometimes help fix internet
connectivity issues. If your router has been off for quite some
time, a quick restart could get it back to working. Likewise,
rebooting your modem could correct the problem.
The hardware and software components of a router or modem
are prone to causing issues from time to time, in the same
way, your computer needs to be restarted every now and then
in order to refresh running processes and clear the cache. To
perform a quick restart:
1. Unplug the router and modem.
2. Wait at least 30 seconds, then plug in the modem and
turn it on.
3. Wait a further 60 seconds, then plug in the router and
turn it on.
4. Wait two minutes before testing if your connection has
returned.
Rebooting your router or modem can work wonders, but if it
comes to a point where you are forced to do it every day or
multiple times a week to address connectivity issues, you may
need a new modem or router. In such a case, a call to your
local ISP might be needed.

3. Evaluate Software Problems:-

Strict firewall rules or security policies could be the source of
your connectivity issues. For example, many new generation
antivirus solutions like Norton and ThreatDown actually
include network intrusion protection that acts as a software
firewall in filtering and blocking malicious traffic.
When you install two software firewalls on the same
computer, such as Windows Firewall and a private, third-party
firewall, the contention between the two can incorrectly block
traffic. If you recently installed or upgraded a firewall on your
computer, consider disabling it temporarily to determine if it’s
the cause of the connection issue.

4. Check If You’re Outside the Wireless Signal

Range:-
If you’re on a Wi-Fi network, the connection performance can
vary depending on the distance between your wireless access
point and your device. The further away you move from the
Wi-Fi router or a wireless access point, the more sluggish the
internet connection will be, and any further drift will result in
a total breakdown. Signal interference in your location can
also limit the effective range of the Wi-Fi connection.
Wi-Fi extenders or boosters offer a quick fix to this problem if
you can’t move closer to your router, as they can help extend
the coverage and performance of your Wi-Fi network.
Alternatively, consider using an Ethernet cable to physically
connect your device to an access point, which will provide a
more stable connection.

5. Check Service Isn’t Being Blocked:-

Sometimes, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can decide to
block access from your account due to non-payment or
violation of the provider’s Terms of Service. If you’re using
paid hotspots that charge hourly or daily, it’s easy to forget to
keep your subscription updated.
Other times, your ISP might block your account when you’re
exceeding bandwidth caps, downloading illegal or
inappropriate content, or sending spam emails. Most internet
providers will notify you while you are trying to visit a
webpage if your account has been suspended.It is always good
practice to contact your ISP promptly if you suspect your
account has been suspended.

6. Open Windows Network Diagnostics and Check

Your DNS settings:-
Windows features a tool known as Windows Network
Diagnostics, which lets users troubleshoot internet connection
issues. Simply go to Windows Settings > Network & Internet
> Status. Next, open Network Settings and click Network
Troubleshooter.
The Windows Network Diagnostics tool will then run a
couple of tests to determine what’s possibly causing your
internet connection issues. If any issue is discovered,
Windows will give you a list of possible actions to take to
restore your connection.
Many SoHo (Small office/Home office) routers use
themselves as DNS servers by default. Unfortunately, some of
these devices are not designed for the CPU stress the DNS
service can apply to the device, so it’s good practice to replace
the primary and secondary DNS servers in your NIC
(Network Interface Card) configuration manually with Google
DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).

7. Check the Wi-Fi Adapter:-

The settings on your Wi-Fi adapter can also sometimes lead to
connectivity issues. To check if this is the case, open Device
Manager > Network Adapters and click on your adapter name.
Select Advanced and look for your Wireless Mode setting to
make sure it’s set to the mode your network is using.

8. Reset Internet Explorer Settings:-

If you’re using Internet Explorer, perform the following reset
of your browser settings to see if this restores your
connection:
1. Close all open programs.
2. Open Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet options, and
select the Advanced tab.
3. Open Reset Internet Explorer Settings and click Reset.
4. Wait for the default settings to restore, select Close >
OK, then restart your device.

9. Reset Network Settings:-

A network reset should be one of the last troubleshooting
options you try if you can’t connect to the internet, as it can
affect other software you might be using. However, network
resets are occasionally needed if, for example, you have
recently performed an OS upgrade.
On Windows, open Settings > Network & Internet >
Advanced network settings > Network reset. On this screen,
select Reset Now and Yes to confirm.
For Apple devices, open the Apple menu > System
Preferences > Network. Select your Wi-Fi name, click the
minus symbol, and select Apply. Then, re-add your
connection settings by clicking the plus symbol, selecting
your Wi-Fi, and clicking Apply.

10. Restart File/Windows Explorer:-

For a quick troubleshooting option on your PC, try restarting
File Explorer. Click CTRL + ALT + DEL to open the Task
Manager and scroll until you find File Explorer (or Windows
Explorer on older versions of Windows). Right click and
select Restart.

11. Check Windows Services:-

As above, open the Task Manager on your PC by selecting
CTRL + ALT + DEL. Open the Services tab and click Open
Services at the bottom of the window. Find DHCP Client in
the list and check the status is set to Running. If it says
Stopped or Disabled, right click and select Properties. Set the
Startup Type to Automatic, then select Start > Apply > OK.

12. Forget Wi-Fi Network:-

If your network settings have recently changed, you may no
longer be able to connect to a Wi-Fi network that you
previously saved. To remedy this problem, open Settings >
Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
Select the network in question and click Forget. Then, click
on the Wi-Fi symbol on the taskbar to find and reconnect to
your network.

13. Reboot the Computer:-

Failures in the operating system software controlling the
adapter can frequently occur.
This is why it is always a good idea to restart your computer.
By doing so, you can clear the cache and ensure the settings
are not following old configurations.
We see this happen frequently. Sometimes after applying all
the correct changes, it is only after restarting the computer
that the fixes are actually applied.

14. Contact Your Internet Service Provider:-

If you’re using a satellite internet service, you may notice that
the connection is not as reliable during periods of extreme
weather. Sometimes, internet service providers or cellular
internet carriers in densely populated urban areas are unable
to support network traffic peaks that cause sporadic
downtimes for some users. If you can’t figure out why you
can’t connect to the internet, your ISP can offer informed
advice.

15. Reach Out to IT Professionals:-

Ultimately, if you’ve tried everything and your internet
connection still fails to restore, it is best to reach out to a
professional IT support team to troubleshoot your issue and
restore your connection before the downtime impacts your
operations further. You can also try for free our AI-powered
IT assistant, sign up to try Electric today!
When your company partners with Electric, our team of IT
experts can diagnose your connectivity issues and
troubleshoot for you. Electric offers a modern and user-
friendly IT management platform that simplifies IT for SMBs.
With our comprehensive suite of tools and expert advice, you
can manage all aspects of IT in one place, from employees
and devices to applications and security.
Q3) An application crashes frequently on a
Windows computer. What steps would you
take to troubleshoot the application crash?
How would you check for software updates,
reinstall the application, or investigate
compatibility issues?

Answer:-
Windows OS users have reported that some third-party apps
and programs are shutting down independently. A virus,
program issues, corrupted files, or system faults could cause
Windows apps to crash. In addition to crashing the apps, this
problem keeps users from accessing their data. Even though
this can appear to be a major issue, it is fixable. Let’s examine
a few strategies for eliminating these Windows app crashing
problems.

Method 1: Run the App Troubleshooter

Microsoft’s App Troubleshooter in Windows 11 helps fix
problems with apps from the Microsoft Store by scanning and
resolving the Windows app crash issues.

Step 1: Press Windows + I and navigate to System > Other

troubleshooter

Step 2: Now Scroll down a bit, there you will find the
Windows Store Apps option, and click Run the troubleshooter
button.
Step 3: After running troubleshooter it will detect and resolve
any issues with the programs that were downloaded and set
up from the Microsoft Store.

In our case, the troubleshooter couldn’t identify any

problems, but if you have any, it will detect and diagnose
those issues on your system.

Method 2: Resetting Apps Cache and Settings

WSReset is a command-line tool in Windows that helps
resolve issues with Windows Store apps by resetting their
cache and settings. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an Administrative.

Step 2: Type “wsreset” in cmd and hit Enter.

Step 3: It may take a few moments. Once completed, the

Windows Store will open, and you should see a message
indicating that the cache has been cleared.

Check if the issue with the Windows Store app crashing has
been resolved. If not, go for another method.

Method 3: Re-Registering Applications

App crashing problems can be fixed by re-registering apps as
they fix, corrupted files and restoring default settings. To
resolve the Windows app crashing issue using PowerShell,
follow these steps:
Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator.

Step 2: Type the command and press Enter to list installed

apps.

Step 3: Type copy-paste the following command and press

Enter.

Wait for the process to complete, as it re-registers all installed

apps. you might also get some errors as some of the
applications are already opened and can’t be re-registered at
that moment.

Step 4: Once finished, restart your computer to apply the

changes.

Check if the app are were trying to access is now working

properly or not. If it does, move on to the next method.

Method 4: Perform Clean Boot

You can resolve several system issues that cause apps to
abruptly crash or close by doing a clean boot. This lets you
focus on the issue by starting Windows OS with the fewest
possible settings and apps. To carry out this

Step 1: Type “msconfig” and hit Enter after pressing

WINDOWS + R.

Step 2: Select the option to hide all Microsoft services by

clicking on the Services tab.
Step 3: Next, select “Disable all” to turn off all non-Microsoft
services.

Step 4: Select Open Task Manager from the Startup tab.

Step 5: Now Right-click on each task and disable it.

Step 6: Go back to the screen showing the system

configuration and select Apply and OK.

Step 7: Turn your computer back on.

By doing a clean boot, you can identify the root problem of

your Windows 11 computer.

Method 5: Execute System File Checker (SFC)

To find corrupted files on the system, we will quickly scan the
system using a program called the System File Checker (SFC).
Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt, simply type “CMD” into the

search box, right-click it, and choose “Run as administrator.”

Step 2: Enter the following command and hit Enter.

When the scan is completed 100%, restart your computer

again.

The files will be automatically deleted if any corruption is

found. If, however, you receive an error notice stating that
“Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity
violations,” then nothing went wrong.

Method 6: Adjust Advanced System Settings

Use Advanced System Settings to troubleshoot Windows apps
that crash by doing the following steps:

Step 1: Open the search menu and type “Advanced System

Settings.”

Step 2: Navigate to the Advanced Tab and click on “Settings”

under “Performance

Step 3: Enable Data Execution Prevention (DEP)

 Open the “Data Execution Prevention” tab in the

Performance Options box.
 Choose “Turn on DEP for all programs and services
except those I select.”
 Click on the “Add” button to add a program to the DEP
exceptions list.

Step 4: Add Program to DEP Exceptions

 Select the local drive (C:) and click the Program Files
folder
 Choose the executable file of the problematic app.
 Click “Open” and then “Apply” to save the changes
Note: If a dialogue box appears stating “You can’t turn off DEP for
this program,” it means that Data Execution Prevention (DEP)
cannot be disabled for that specific program.

Additionally, you can use troubleshooter to automatically scan

your system and detect any potential compatibility issues.
Log files are also useful; they record events and actions that
occur when a software program is installed or run and can
provide information about errors, warnings, or failures.

Q4) A macOS user experiences slow

performance and frequent spinning beachball
cursor. How would you identify and resolve
performance issues on a macOS system? What
tools and techniques would you use to
diagnose resource-intensive processes or disk
usage?

Answer:-
 Diagnosis of Spinning Beach Ball of Death to determine
the root cause, whether it's software or hardware-
related.
 Assistance with force quitting applications that aren't
responding to regain control of your Mac.
 Optimization of startup items to improve boot times and
system responsiveness.
 Clearing of cache files to free up space and resolve
system slowdowns.
  RAM upgrade recommendations if necessary to enhance
overall performance.
 Resolution of software conflicts that may be causing
system instability.
 System-level repairs including SMC resets and disk
permission repairs to ensure your Mac runs smoothly.
 Education on monitoring system resources and
implementing best practices to prevent future issues.
 Provision of preventative
maintenance tips to keep your Mac in top shape.
 Expert guidance to navigate complex troubleshooting
steps with ease.

Fix 1: Restart your device

As a general rule, restarting your device can work wonders. A
fresh start will flush your computer’s RAM, which will stop all
the short-term tasks and data bogging down your computer.
This can also plug memory leaks and improve performance. A
system restart just might be what your device needs to lower
disk usage.
 To restart your Windows device, open the Start Menu,
click Power, and select Restart.
 Windows button and power buttons highlighted on
Windows 10

Fix 2: Update Windows 10

Microsoft updates Windows periodically to address problems
and install new features. These updates can sometimes
resolve 100% disk usage issues.
Here's how to update Windows 10:
 Open the Start menu and click Settings.
  Windows start button menu with Settings highlighted.
 Select Update & Security.
 Windows 10 Settings menu, Update & Security is
highlighted.
 On the left side of the page, select Windows update and
check for available updates.
 Update and Security menu on Windows 10 w/ Windows
Update tab opened.
 To update Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Update &
Security > Windows Update. Select Check for updates
and download and install any available update.
Windows 10 can bombard you with constant updates, which
are resource-intensive and may cause temporary 100% disk
usage issues. Pausing automatic Windows 10 updates may
help, but you’ll need to remember to check frequently for
new updates — these are often essential for your computer’s
security. We do not recommend disabling or stopping
Windows 10 updates.
Don’t stop a Windows update once it starts. You may need to
remove and reinstall the latest Windows Update if you do so.

Fix 3: Reduce startup apps

Some programs run on startup by default, so look under
“disk” in Task Manager for sneaky apps contributing to
Windows 100 disk usage on startup. Limiting the number of
startup apps is a quick and easy way to lower disk usage.
To reduce startup apps in Windows 10 or 11:
 Open Settings from the Start menu.
 Opening Windows Settings from the Start menu.
 Click Apps and select Startup from the left-hand menu.
  Accessing Windows Startup apps via the Apps & features
menu.
 Toggle off startup programs you don’t need.
 Fixing 100% disk usage by toggling off unneeded startup
apps.

Fix 4: Update device drivers

Your device drivers are how your software talks to computer
hardware like your disk. Updating your disk driver can help
get you below 100 disk usage by allowing your disk to
communicate better with the programs it interacts with.
To update a driver in Windows 10 or 11:
 Type “device manager” into Windows Search and select
Device Manager.
 Searching for "device manager" in Windows 11 search
 Double-click on Disk drive. Right-click on your drive and
select Update driver.
 Updating a disk drive's driver in Windows 11 Device
Manager
 Select Search automatically for drivers.
 Selecting how to search for a disk drive's driver on
Windows 11
Windows will now search for a more current driver for your
disk drive and update your disk driver if one is available. If
Microsoft has trouble finding the latest drivers, try looking on
your device manufacturer’s website for the most current
driver and download it directly.
And just as updating your disk driver can upgrade your disk’s
performance, learning how to update graphics drivers and
how to update audio drivers can increase the performance of
your games and applications.
The best driver updater software ensures you have the
current drivers for your system’s hardware. The average PC
has dozens of drivers, which can be a pain to locate and
install — try using a driver updater tool to manage all your
drivers for you.

Fix 5: Check for viruses

Hackers target different parts of your system, including your
hard disk. While it performs well against malware, Windows
Defender may not be enough to protect against additional
threats like phishing attacks.
If you’re experiencing high disk usage, a computer virus or
other malware may be the reason, in which case a junkware
removal tool won’t help — it’s antivirus software you need. If
malware is bleeding your PC’s resources dry, a virus removal
tool can get rid of infections as well as help to fix computer
overheating or a loud computer fan.
Avast Free Antivirus is a dedicated cybersecurity solution that
will scan your system and eradicate threats to your hard disk
— as well as the rest of your device. With six layers of
security, it’ll monitor your device 24/7 to detect and block
future viruses and other online threats.

Fix 6: Clean junk files

Junk files are temporary files that your computer creates
when you perform a task, like browsing the internet or
viewing an image. These files are used only once, and if left to
accumulate, they quickly build up. Junk files can slow your
system, cause performance issues, and contribute to high
disk usage.
While they’re an inevitable part of how your computer
operates, you can regularly delete junk files to free up disk
space. If you’re using one of the fastest browsers available
and you’re still experiencing slow browser speeds, examine
your junk.
Like removing bloatware, clearing out junk files is one of the
easiest ways to clean up your PC.
Here’s how to use the Disk Cleanup feature in Windows 10:
Type disk cleanup into the search bar and select Disk Cleanup
from the list of results.
Windows search box with "disk clean up" and the results.
Choose the drive you want to clean and select OK.
Disk Cleanup feature in WIndows 10. Windows drive selected.
Under Files to delete, choose the file types to remove.
Choose Downloaded Program Files and Temporary Internet
Files, and then select OK.
Disk clean up for Windows feature open. Set to delete:
Downloaded Program files and Temporary files
The steps above are the same for Windows 11, except
Windows 11 skips step 2 and goes directly to step 3.
You can also choose other file types like Recycle Bin to create
more space. Just be sure you don’t delete anything you might
miss.
Through normal usage, your computer accumulates
numerous unneeded files, and they’re often hard to find. Our
dedicated optimization experts know how time-consuming it
is to sift through and manually clean up all these files. That’s
why we built an intuitive and powerful tool that thoroughly
cleans your entire system.

Fix 7: Change energy options

Windows 10 offers a variety of energy options to help your
computer save energy, maintain CPU temperature, and
perform optimally. The default setting is Balanced, which is
usually enough for most users.
But if you continue to experience 100 percent disk usage on
Windows 10, changing your energy option to High
performance could give your system a boost, though this is a
general performance tip and may not directly impact 100%
disk usage.
Here’s how to change your energy options on Windows 10:
Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard. From the pop-
up menu select Power Options.
Pop up menu on Windows 10 highlighting Power options.
In the Power & sleep menu, click Additional power settings.
Power and Sleep options in Windows 10
In the Power Options window, click Change plan settings.
Power Option window in Windows 10 highlighting Change
plan settings.
In the Edit Plan Settings window, click Change advanced
power settings. In the Power Options window that pops up,
click the downfacing arrow next to Balanced and select High
performance.
Advanced settings in power options window in Windows 10
In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > System > Power &
battery. Then, next to Power mode, choose Best
performance.
Disk usage of 100 in Windows 10 or 11 won’t change if there
are unresolved errors on the disk.

Fix 8: Check for disk errors

A disk at 100 in Windows 10 can be caused by errors on the
disk, which can occur because of malware, corruption, power
issues, physical damage, or other reasons. Since they can lead
to data loss, disk errors should be addressed immediately,
and Windows 10 will usually prompt you if it detects a hard
disk problem.
But if you don’t get a notification and your disk is running at
100% usage, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Here’s how to check for errors on Windows 10 using CHKDSK:
Type command prompt in the search box on the taskbar, click
Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Search result for command prompt app on windows 10. Run
as administrator is highlighted.
When prompted to let the app make changes, click Yes.
In the Command Prompt dialogue, type: chkdsk.exe /f /r and
press Enter. Then type Y to finalize the disk check next time
you reboot.
Admin command prompt with command.
Running CHKDSK is the same process in Windows 11. You can
also run a hard drive test to see if your drive is faulty.
A background process called Superfetch has been known to
take the disk to 100 in Task Manager.

Fix 9: Disable Superfetch

Superfetch is a Windows feature designed to improve
performance by optimizing your RAM. Superfetch anticipates
what programs you’re going to use and pre-loads their data
for you. This can decrease load times, but if you don't have
the latest hardware, Superfetch can cause high disk usage.
You can try disabling Superfetch, but if that doesn’t help with
your high disk usage, re-enable it to reap its performance-
boosting benefits.
Here’s how to disable Superfetch in Windows 10 or 11:
 Right-click the Windows Start button and select Run. In
the window, type: services.msc. Click OK.
 Windows 10 Run feature with services.msc typed in.
 Under Name in the Services window, double-click
SysMain, select Disabled, and then click OK and reboot
your system.
 Services program in Windows 10. Options expanded for
the SysMain feature.
 Flash Player is another process that can create 100 disk
usage on some systems.

Fix 10: Uninstall Flash Player

Adobe’s Flash Player was once popular for multimedia
applications and streaming music and video. But since the
end of 2020, Adobe no longer supports Flash Player and
strongly recommends that you delete it.
If that’s not enough incentive, Flash Player updates consume
unnecessary disk space and have been known to cause
problems with Windows disk usage, like spiking it to 100%.
Microsoft has already released system updates that
automatically delete Adobe Flash Player.
If you haven’t removed it yet, here’s how to delete Flash
Player with Adobe’s dedicated tool:
Click the Adobe uninstaller link to download the uninstaller
for Flash.
Link to Adobe uninstaller for Flash Player
On the bottom-left of your window, click the downloaded file
for the uninstaller. When asked if you want the app to make
changes to your device, click Yes.
An Adobe uninstaller file download on WIndows 10.
When the uninstaller opens, click Uninstall.
Adobe Flash player uninstaller
Follow the onscreen instructions and restart your computer
when prompted.

Fix 11: Reset virtual memory

Virtual memory is a storage management technique that lets
your computer’s RAM borrow space from your drive when it’s
overloaded. Virtual memory will temporarily take data from
your RAM and transfer it to your hard disk.
RAM (random access memory) is your computer’s short-term
memory, responsible for immediate computing tasks like
running an app or browsing the web. It’s faster than your
hard disk, which is used for longer-term storage.
If you check your RAM, you’ll see it’s smaller than your main
hard disk: generally 8 to 16 GB on an average desktop. If your
RAM is maxed out, virtual memory will transfer some of the
unused data to your hard disk into something called a swap
file, freeing up more space on your RAM. It will swap the
transferred data back to the RAM once you need it.
This is a great strategy on your system’s part, but it can also
contribute to disk usage of 100% on Windows 10. The best
solution is to add more RAM to your system, if you can — this
isn’t possible on every computer.
If you don’t want to add more RAM, here’s how to reset your
virtual memory on Windows 10:
 On your keyboard, press the Windows key +
Pause/Break key.
 Click Advanced system settings on the left side of the
window.
 Windows 10 Control Panel with Advanced system
settings highlighted
 Under the Advanced tab in the Performance section,
click Settings.
 System Properties with Settings highlighted under
performance.
Under the Advanced tab, click Change in the Virtual memory
section.
Performance Options in Windows 10 with the Change button
highlighted in Virtual Memory.
Untick Automatically manage paging file size for all drivers.
Select the [Windows] drive and tick Custom size to set the
values for Virtual memory. Click Set, then click OK. Here are a
few things to keep in mind:
Initial size: This value depends on your computer’s
specifications. If unsure, use the value next to
Recommended.
Maximum size: This value should be about 1.5 times the size
of your RAM. So if you have 4 GB (4096 MB) of RAM, you
shouldn’t set your maximum value higher than 6000 MB.
Virtual Memory window with Custom size values added.
Next, delete your computer’s temporary files. Press the
Windows key + R. In the Run window that opens, type temp
and press OK.
 Run form with "temp" typed in.
  Select all the files in the Temp folder and delete them.
 Temp folder in Windows 10 with all folder about to be
deleted.
 Your virtual memory on Windows 10 will now be reset.
Here’s how to reset virtual memory in Windows 11:
Open Search.
 Search for “View advanced system settings” and click on
View advanced system settings when it shows up
underneath.
 Under “Performance,” click Settings to open
Performance Options.
 Click the Advanced tab. Under “Virtual memory,” click
Change to open Virtual Memory.
 Untick Automatically manage paging file size for all
drivers.
 Select your drive (usually C:), then select No paging file
and click Set.
 On the confirmation prompt, click Yes.
 Click OK.
 Restart your computer to bring these changes into
effect.
 After your computer restarts, complete steps 1-4 again
to re-open Virtual Memory. Re-tick Automatically
manage paging file size for all drivers. Click OK.
 Restart your computer again.

Fix 12: Disable Windows Search

Windows Search helps you search your computer, but it also
pulls items from Microsoft’s Bing search engine, which slows
down your system and can take you up to 100 disk usage.
Disabling Bing, so it searches only for your local files, will put
less stress on your disk.
Here’s How to Disable Windows Search in Windows 10 or 11:
 Open Search. On Windows 10, you can search directly in
the taskbar. On Windows 11, Search is a magnifying glass
icon in the taskbar.
 Start typing “registry editor” and then click Registry
Editor.
 Searching for Registry Editor in Windows 11 Double-click
HKEY_CURRENT_USER. Double-click Microsoft. Double-
click Windows.
Navigating to HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Microsoft>Windows in
Windows's Registry Editor
Right-click CurrentVersion. Select New>Key. This will create a
subfolder under CurrentVersion.
Selecting New>Key for the CurrentVersion folder in Registry
Editor
Name the new folder Explorer.
Creating the Explorer key in CurrentVersion
Right-click the newly created Explorer. Select New>DWORD
(32-bit) Value. This will create a new registry entry under
Name, below (Default).
Selecting New>DWORD (32-bit) Value in the Explorer key
Name the new registry entry DisableSearchBoxSuggestions.
MicrosoftTeams-image (54)
Right-click the newly created DisableSearchBoxSuggestions
and select Modify.
Creating a new registry in Explorer called
DisableSearchBoxSuggestions
Under Value data, type 1. Click OK.
Setting DisableSearchBoxSuggestions value data to 1
Restart your computer.
Windows Search should now pull items only from your local
computer, speeding up the search process and saving you
disk usage.
If all else fails, perform a clean boot to see what’s causing 100
disk usage in Windows 10.

Fix 13: Perform a clean boot

A clean boot will restart Windows 10 with a limited number
of drivers and startup programs. From there, you can reinstall
third-party programs one-by-one to see if any of them are
causing your system to use 100% of your disk.
Here’s how to perform a clean boot in Windows 10 or 11:
Open Search. In Windows 10, you can search directly in the
taskbar. In Windows 11, Search is a magnifying glass icon in
the taskbar.
 In search, start typing “msconfig” and open System
Configuration.
 Windows 10 search tab with "Msconfig" typed with
search results for System Configuration app
 Under the General tab, tick Selective startup. Then, tick
Load system services, untick Load startup items, and
keep Use original boot configuration ticked.
 System configuration Menu highlighting Selective
startup options
 Under the Services tab, tick Hide all Microsoft services
and click Disable all. Click Apply/OK and reboot your
computer.
 System Configuration window in Windows 10 under
Services Tab.
You may have already tried to delete programs or defrag your
hard drive, but sometimes, you just need a fresh start.
If Windows 10 is using 100% of your disk, as a last resort, you
can back up or clone the contents of your hard disk. Then,
learn to format your hard drive to wipe it completely, before
finally reinstalling Windows 10.

Q5) A user encounters a "Blue Screen of

Death" error on a Windows PC.What steps
would you take to troubleshoot the BSOD
error? How would you analyze the error
message, check for recent hardware or
software changes, and resolve driver conflicts?

Answer:-
The blue screen of death — BSOD — is an error screen that
displays when the Windows operating system encounters a
so-called “fatal” system error and crashes. Although the
BSOD indicates that Windows has reached a critical condition
and can no longer run safely, it’s often caused by relatively
minor problems that can be easily fixed.

Fixing a blue screen of death has many different possible

solutions, but conveniently there’s just one process you need
to follow to find your blue screen of death to fix and resolve
the issue.

Here’s how to fix a blue screen of death:

1. Shut down the PC that showed the BSOD

Press and hold the power button until the computer powers
off. It’s okay to do this because the whole point of shutting
down properly is to allow the computer to save all temporary
data. It’s too late for that if the system’s already crashed —
the only way to proceed is to force a shutdown.

2. Disconnect all USB devices except for the mouse

and keyboard
Remove all external devices like hard drives and printers.
These peripherals and their drivers might be the cause of the
error.

3. Reboot the system in Safe Mode with Networking

Safe Mode is a bare-bones version of your normal Windows
OS that only allows essential processes that are very unlikely
to trigger another BSOD, giving you space to troubleshoot the
problem.
To reboot in Safe Mode, turn your PC back on normally, and
then when you see the Windows sign-in screen, press and
hold the Shift key while you select Restart from the Power
icon.
After your PC reboots again, you’ll be presented with the
Choose an option screen. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced
options > Startup Settings > Restart.
Upon restart, you'll be given a list of options. Select F5 to
start your PC in Safe Mode with Networking.

4. Uninstall recently installed software

Now that you’re in Safe Mode, the first priority is to remove
any recently installed software as this is very likely to be the
culprit. To uninstall software in Windows, press the Windows
key. Type “add or remove programs” and click Add or Remove
Programs.
The Windows start menu is opened, and "add or remove
programs" has been typed in the search bar.
Then, scroll through the list of programs and search for
software you recently installed or that looks unfamiliar (but
leave anything with Microsoft in the name alone). Click on
the program, and then click Uninstall.
A view of "Add or remove programs." A program has been
chosen and the "Uninstall" button below has been circled.
While you’re at it, you should also run a scan using a
junkware removal tool to jettison junk files and PUPs
(potentially unwanted programs) that could be slowing you
down. As well as freeing up disk space, getting rid of dead
weight will help keep your PC running smoothly once you’ve
completed the blue screen of death fix.

5. Roll back or disable drivers

Since recently updated drivers could be the issue, you should
try undoing recent driver updates. It makes the most sense to
start with display adapter drivers and non-essential
components, as these tend to be the most troublesome.
First, press the Windows Key, type “Device manager,” and hit
Enter.
The Windows start menu is open. "Device manager" has been
typed.
Then, scroll through the list of components, right-click on
your selection, and choose Properties from the pop-up menu.
A view of device manager. The AMD display card is selected
under "Display adapters." The AMD GPU has been right
clicked, and the mouse is hovering over "Properties."
Finally, click the Device tab and click Roll Back Driver.
A view of the properties for the display adapter. The "Driver"
tab has been selected and the "Roll Back Driver" button has
been circled.
Follow the same process to roll back recent driver updates for
other hardware components.

6. Scan for malware

It’s possible that a virus or malware caused the BSOD by
deleting or corrupting critical system files. To prevent further
disruption and ensure your PC is secure, launch your
preferred malware removal tool, make sure it’s fully updated,
and run a full scan to find any malware that may be lurking
on your device.

7. Run an SFC Scan

Now it’s time to search for damaged or missing system files
— and repair or replace them, if possible — using a System
File Checker (SFC) scan. Here’s how to run a System File
Checker scan using Command Prompt:
First, press the Windows key and type “cmd.” Right-click
Command Prompt and select “Run as Administrator.” Select
“Yes” or “OK” on any prompts that appear.
The Windows start menu is open, command prompt has been
right-clicked, and "Run as administrator" has been circled.
Then, type sfc /scannow into the Command Prompt dialogue
box, hit Enter, and wait for the scan to complete.
Command prompt is shown and the aforementioned
command has been typed in.

8. Scan your hard drive

A CHKDSK hard drive scan looks for damaged parts of the
hard drive, including corrupted file systems and physical
damage to the disk itself — both common causes of the blue
screen of death.
To run a CHKDSK scan, press the Windows key and type
“cmd.” Right-click Command Prompt and select “Run as
Administrator.” Click “Yes” or “OK” if prompted.
The Windows start menu is open, command prompt has been
right-clicked, and "Run as administrator" has been circled.
Then, simply type “chkdsk” and hit Enter to run the command
line and initiate the scan.
A command prompt is shown and "chkdsk" has been typed
in.If the scan identifies drive errors, you need to run a new
CHKDSK process to repair them. Type “chkdsk /r” into
Command Prompt and hit Enter — this will launch a deeper
diagnostic scan and restore damaged hard drive sectors so
that they're readable within the file system.
Hardware does degrade over time, so if your disk is more
than a few years old, you should perform this kind of hard
drive test regularly to catch issues before they result in a
crash.
9. Check your computer's RAM
If problems with your RAM have caused a BSOD, the
Windows Memory Diagnostic tool will help you identify the
specific issue.
To check if your computer’s RAM is functioning correctly,
press the Windows key, type “Windows Memory Diagnostic,”
and press Enter.
The Windows start menu has been opened and Windows
Memory Diagnostic has been typed in.
Then, click Restart now and check for problems
(recommended) when you’re ready.
Windows Memory Diagnostic is shown and the option
"Restart now and check for problems" is highlighted.
The results of the diagnostic will show as soon as your
computer starts up again. If you would like to refer to them
again, you can view them in the Event Viewer.

10. Restart your PC to see if the BSOD shows again

The RAM check requires a restart, so this is the perfect time
to reboot and see if any of the above fixes have worked. If the
BSOD has stopped appearing, congratulations! You’ve found
your solution.
In that case, you can start carefully re-introducing software
and drivers that you previously uninstalled or rolled back,
making sure to download them from legitimate sources and
install them one by one with no other programs running. It’s
best to start by updating Windows drivers, followed by audio
drivers, and then graphics drivers.
To help keep your drivers updated for optimal performance,
use a driver updater. Not only will this save you from having
to manually configure updates, a dedicated tool can help
minimize problems that can arise when installing new
versions. Plus, it may help prevent getting hit by another
Windows blue screen.
Similarly, you can also help prevent Windows blue screens
from happening by regularly cleaning your PC and
downloading antivirus software to keep you, your files, and
your machine safe and secure.
11. If all else fails, reinstall Windows
If nothing’s worked until now, there’s only one option left:
reinstalling Windows. This will wipe all the data stored on
your machine, so it’s the final resort. But fortunately, if you’re
able to use Windows normally in Safe Mode, you still have
the chance to clone your hard drive and back everything up
before deleting Windows and reinstalling a clean version of
the OS.

You can also check the device manager for any conflicts or
errors and try to resolve them using the troubleshooting
wizard or error code information.
Additionally, look at software
applications and programs that use your devices to make sure
they are updated and compatible with your devices and
operating system.

1. What are drivers and why do they matter?

Drivers are software programs that enable your operating

system to communicate with your hardware devices, such as
your graphics card, printer, keyboard, or mouse. Without the
right drivers, your hardware may not function properly or at
all. Drivers are usually provided by the hardware
manufacturers or by the operating system vendors, and they
are updated regularly to fix bugs, improve compatibility, and
enhance features.

2. How to check for driver conflicts and

compatibility issues?

One of the easiest ways to check for driver conflicts and

compatibility issues is to use the Device Manager, a built-in
tool in Windows that lets you view and manage your
hardware devices. To open the Device Manager, you can
press Windows + X and select Device Manager from the
menu, or you can type Device Manager in the search box and
click on it. In the Device Manager, you can see a list of your
hardware devices, grouped by categories. If there is a
problem with a device, you will see a yellow exclamation
mark or a red cross next to it. You can also right-click on a
device and select Properties to see more details about its
status, driver version, and error code.

3. How to update drivers manually or

automatically?

One of the most common solutions for driver conflicts and

compatibility issues is to update your drivers to the latest
version. You can do this manually or automatically, depending
on your preference and convenience. To update your drivers
manually, you need to visit the hardware manufacturer's
website and download the appropriate driver for your device
model and operating system. Then, you need to follow the
installation instructions and restart your computer if
required. To update your drivers automatically, you can use a
driver updater software that scans your system and installs
the best drivers for your devices. Alternatively, you can use
the Windows Update feature that checks for and installs
driver updates along with other system updates.

4. How to uninstall or roll back drivers?

Sometimes, updating your drivers may not solve the problem

or may even cause more issues. In that case, you may need to
uninstall or roll back your drivers to a previous version. To
uninstall a driver, you need to open the Device Manager,
right-click on the problematic device, and select Uninstall
device. You may also need to check the box that says Delete
the driver software for this device to remove it completely.
Then, you need to restart your computer and let Windows
reinstall the driver automatically or install it manually from
the manufacturer's website. To roll back a driver, you need to
open the Device Manager, right-click on the problematic
device, and select Properties. Then, you need to go to the
Driver tab and click on Roll Back Driver. This will restore the
driver to the last version that worked properly. You may need
to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

5. How to troubleshoot hardware compatibility

issues?
Sometimes, updating, uninstalling, or rolling back your drivers
may not be enough to fix compatibility issues with your
hardware devices. To find the root cause of the problem, you
can check the hardware requirements and specifications to
make sure they are compatible with your operating system
and other components. Additionally, check the power supply
and cables of your devices to ensure they are connected
securely and correctly. Furthermore, examine the BIOS
settings of your computer to make sure they are configured
properly for your devices. You can also check the device
manager for any conflicts or errors and try to resolve them
using the troubleshooting wizard or error code information.
Additionally, look at software applications and programs that
use your devices to make sure they are updated and
compatible with your devices and operating system. Finally,
you can run a hardware diagnostic test or scan to detect any
hardware errors or failures.

6. How to prevent driver conflicts and compatibility

issues?

The best way to prevent driver conflicts and compatibility

issues is to keep your drivers and devices updated and
maintained regularly. You should also avoid installing
incompatible or unnecessary drivers or devices that may
interfere with your system performance and stability. You
should also backup your drivers and system before making
any changes or updates, so that you can restore them if
something goes wrong. Finally, you should always follow the
installation and uninstallation instructions of your drivers and
devices carefully and restart your computer when required.