Windows tools & keyboard shortcuts
💻 Windows commands – simply explained
You can run these commands in the Command Prompt (or PowerShell). One click on “Copy” is enough – then paste it into the command prompt (right click).
🔍 Check system files
Checks and repairs important Windows files. Takes approx. 5-15 minutes.
sfc /scannow
🔧 Repair Windows image
Repairs the Windows system image. Helps with stubborn problems.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
🌐 View network details
Shows IP address, gateway, DNS and network adapter.
ipconfig /all
🧹 Clear DNS cache
Removes stored DNS entries. Helps with connection problems.
ipconfig /flushdns
💾 Check hard drive online
Online check for an NTFS drive. Not just a reading test: can initiate/mark repairs. If drive damage is suspected, first consult a data recovery professional; don't start blindly.
chkdsk C: /scan
🧠 Test RAM
First save all open documents. Opens the dialog for a RAM test on reboot; the test may take longer.
mdsched.exe
ℹ️ View Windows version
Shows Windows version and build number.
winver
📋 Check shadow copy writers
Helps with backup problems.
vssadmin list writers
🔌 Reset network
Resets the Winsock catalog, not all network settings. Restart required; may affect VPN/network software. Only carry out specifically after diagnosis and not during remote assistance.
netsh winsock reset
🔄 Get new IP address
Only for automatically obtained IPv4 addresses (DHCP). Briefly interrupts the connection. Do not use with static IP, company PC or remote maintenance.
ipconfig /release && ipconfig /renew
🌍 Test DNS server
Tests whether domain names can be resolved.
nslookup example.com
📊 Recent critical system events and errors
Shows up to 20 current errors and critical events, with no time limit. An event alone does not prove a cause.
wevtutil qe System /q:"*[System[(Level=1 or Level=2)]]" /rd:true /c:20 /f:text
📝 System information
Shows all important system data at a glance.
systeminfo
🧩 View all drivers
Lists all installed drivers with status.
driverquery /v
⚡ Create energy report
As administrator, let it idle for about 60 seconds. The command then gives the path to the HTML evaluation. Warnings are not automatically defects.
powercfg /energy
💾 Backup drivers
First create the target folder C:\Treiber in Explorer. Exports third-party driver packages; not a full system backup.
dism /online /export-driver /destination="C:\Treiber"
🗑️ Clear Windows Store cache
Helps if the Microsoft Store doesn't start.
wsreset.exe
🔋 Battery report
Creates an HTML battery report and shows its location. Compare design capacity and full loading capacity; Without a battery, the report is not very meaningful.
powercfg /batteryreport
Reliability history
Shows crashes by date. Select the time of the problem and open technical details; no automatic repair.
perfmon /rel
Detailed system overview
Opens model, BIOS and hardware information. Reports can include user names and device information.
msinfo32
Open Device Manager
Check yellow warning symbols and device status. Opening it doesn't change anything; Driver changes in the window can have an impact.
devmgmt.msc
Open Event Viewer
Windows logs → View system/application at time of error. Individual warnings are common and are not evidence of a defect.
eventvwr.msc
Resource Monitor
Shows CPU, RAM, disk and network usage. Do not end unknown processes.
resmon
Check Print Queue Service
STATE RUNNING means that the spooler is running. STOPPED alone does not explain the reason. Does not change the service.
sc query spooler
Test Internet IP
Four ping packets to a public IP. Response shows reachability of this destination, but DNS not working. No response can also be due to a ping block.
ping -n 4 1.1.1.1
Test domain with ping
Tests name resolution and ICMP reachability. A web server can block ping even though the website is working.
ping -n 4 example.com
Show connection path
Shows waypoints to a public destination. Asterisks are normal in routers and are not just evidence of a problem. Cancel with Ctrl + C.
tracert -d example.com
WiFi connection status
Shows signal, WiFi name and connection speed. Output includes network names and hardware addresses; black out before distribution.
netsh wlan show interfaces
WiFi driver capabilities
Shows adapter, driver version and supported wireless standards. Doesn't install drivers.
netsh wlan show drivers
Check HTTPS accessibility
TcpTestSucceeded: True means that a TCP connection could be established on port 443 - not that the website content is working.
Test-NetConnection example.com -Port 443
Check DNS resolution
Lists DNS answers for the example address. The destination address can be replaced with an affected public domain.
Resolve-DnsName example.com
Show network adapters
Shows adapter status and connection speed. Do not activate deactivated adapters without a reason.
Get-NetAdapter
Show free disk space
Shows letters, file system and free space in bytes. A “Healthy” status does not exclude physical defects.
Get-Volume
View printer status
Lists installed printers and their reported status. A status may be delayed; Additionally check the display on the printer.
Get-Printer | Select-Object Name,PrinterStatus,DriverName
Windows image: check known damage
Only checks whether damage has already been marked. No full inspection and no repair.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Check Windows image thoroughly
Checks the component store but does not repair it. May take some time and writing logs.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Check system files without repairing
Scans protected system files without repairing. note the result; Log files are written.
sfc /verifyonly
Show standby obstacles
Shows requests from apps and drivers that can prevent automatic sleep. Don't automatically override.
powercfg /requests
Show last wakeup reason
Shows the last recorded wake-up reason. May be blank or incomplete and is not evidence of defect.
powercfg /lastwake
Supported power saving states
Shows which standby and hibernate states are available and why some are missing. Do not change BIOS settings.
powercfg /a
⌨️ The most important key combinations
You can work faster with these abbreviations. Simply press the buttons at the same time.