More and more users these days want to have more control of their endpoint devices running Windows operating systems. Despite the recent upgrade option offered and even encouraged by Microsoft, Windows 10 is still the most widely used device operating system in the world as of January 2022.
Many new challenges are perpetually surfacing for Windows 10 users. Challenges such as finding a strong keylogger detector and troubleshooting adverse system-wide symptoms caused by malware, hardware malfunctions, and various driver and Windows updates. Consequently, the ever-growing importance to improve Windows troubleshooting skills for users is on the rise.
Let’s focus on troubleshooting security and network issues.
Troubleshooting Security Issues
Windows has built-in security features which can be accessed in the Windows Security section and can lead to other troubleshooting sub-sections which could be potentially used as troubleshooting tools:
- Virus & Threat Protection
- Scan Status – This can be useful in a troubelshooting step to know when the last time a scan took place and what the results were.
- Quick Scan – If you are in a rush and want to know if anything obvious can be found the quick scan could be a great troubleshooting step.
- Account Protection
- Microsoft Account
- Windows Hello
- Dynamic Lock
- Firewall & Network Protection
- Domain, Private and Public network firewall status which can be important if troubleshooting a suspected intrusion.
- Advanced settings which can allow one to view which application could be blocked as part of a troubleshooting step and find logging settings in case the firewall log is needed.
The Security Windows Log in Event Viewer
In the Windows 10 main search simply search for the word Event and the Event Viewer will be accessible. The event viewer collects many events which for the most part are invisible to the average user. The event viewer creates a transparent environment for troubleshooting and even for informational purposes such as when the system was last rebooted.
Once you access the Event Viewer you will be able to access the custom views logs where the Administrative Events logs will take major logs from the different Logs to save you time from searching the specific log. The Security log is where you want to focus on but keep in mind that other log categories may have related events.
To troubleshoot at a more granular-focused level, go to the specific event log, right-click it and use the filters to filter by event level such as critical and error as well with the use of keywords. The filter has a lot of granularity built-in where you can even search for specific Event IDs.
If you are concerned about the log getting full and information being overwritten and lost, you can simply right-click the log and go to properties where you can configure the log to use more disk space.
When it comes to security although Windows has a lot of out-of-the-box built-in features, it is not a cyber security company. It is advisable especially when troubleshooting security issues, to purchase a 3rd-party comprehensive cyber security anti-malware application.
Network Troubleshooting Tips
- If you network is down on one device check another device to see if it is also experiencing the same issue. This will help narrow down the issue.
- Use the built-in “Find and Fix Network problems” troubleshooter on Windows 10 by typing network troubleshooter on the Windows search.
- Type in troubleshoot on the Windows search and access “Find and fix issues with your network adapter”
- Reboot your device
- Reboot your router
