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Windows Troubleshooting FAQ

Why does my Windows PC keep restarting unexpectedly?

Unexpected restarts can be caused by hardware issues, driver conflicts, or Windows updates. Try the following steps:

  1. Check the Event Viewer for critical errors (Win+X → Event Viewer).
  2. Update device drivers, especially graphics and chipset drivers.
  3. Run the built‑in sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup‑Image /RestoreHealth commands.
  4. Disable automatic restarts on system failure (System Properties → Advanced → Startup and Recovery).

If the issue persists, consider testing hardware components such as RAM (using Windows Memory Diagnostic) and the power supply.

How can I recover a lost Windows system restore point?

System Restore points are stored in the System Volume Information folder and cannot be directly recovered if deleted. However, you can:

  • Use vssadmin list shadows to view available shadow copies.
  • Run System Restore to select an earlier point.
  • Consider third‑party recovery tools that can scan the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) database.
My Windows Update is stuck on "Downloading..." – what now?

Follow these steps to fix a stalled Windows Update:

  1. Stop the Windows Update service: 
    net stop wuauserv
  2. Delete the contents of C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download.
  3. Restart the service: 
    net start wuauserv
  4. Run the built‑in troubleshooter (Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Windows Update).

If the problem continues, consider resetting the update components using DISM /Online /Cleanup‑Image /RestoreHealth and then checking for updates again.

Why am I getting the “Blue Screen of Death” with error code 0x0000007B?

0x0000007B indicates an INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE error. Common causes include:

  • Corrupt or missing storage drivers (especially after a BIOS/UEFI change).
  • Faulty SATA controller mode (AHCI vs. IDE).
  • Disk failures.

Resolution steps:

  1. Enter BIOS/UEFI and verify the SATA mode matches the driver installed in Windows.
  2. Boot into Safe Mode and uninstall recent storage driver updates.
  3. Run chkdsk /f /r on the system drive.
  4. If hardware is failing, replace the drive.
How can I enable high‑contrast mode programmatically for accessibility testing?

You can toggle high‑contrast mode using PowerShell:

Start-Process "ms-settings:easeofaccess-highcontrast"

Or via the registry (requires a reboot):

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize" -Name "AppsUseLightTheme" -Value 0
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize" -Name "SystemUsesLightTheme" -Value 0

Make sure to restore the original values after testing.

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