Released in late October 2023, Windows 11 model 23H2 (a.ok.a. the Windows 11 2023 Update) launched huge modifications within the methods Windows 11 seems, works, and acts. One of the most important modifications in its make-up pertains to the troubleshooting platforms and instruments equipped with the OS.To elucidate what that is about, I’ll describe two earlier generations of troubleshooting instruments and platforms for Windows, after which clarify what’s modified in Windows 11 23H2 (and future variations of Windows). Buckle up!Ancient historical past: Mr. Fix-it Ed Tittel / IDG
Figure 1: A “system handyman” graphic appeared in older automated analysis and restore instruments.
As far again as Windows 7 (launched in 2009) — and maybe additional — by the earliest days of Windows 10 (launched in 2015), Windows used a whole assortment of “fix-it” restore instruments designed to handle particular Windows points corresponding to printer entry, community addressing and web entry, and consumer entry controls (UAC), amongst others. The charming repairman Mr. Fix It (see Figure 1) would seem on every of them.But in mid-2016, Microsoft retired these instruments, explaining in a help be aware, “Fix-it tools aren’t around anymore in Windows 10. Instead, use a troubleshooter to help solve problems with your PC.” So a lot for the deepest roots of automated Windows troubleshooting.Enter the Windows 10 troubleshootersFor all Windows 10 variations and Windows 11 variations by 22H2, a set of troubleshooting instruments is obtainable by Settings. Microsoft describes them as “built-in tools that, when launched, automatically diagnose and correct common problems for a variety of Windows features.” In Windows 10 you’ll discover the troubleshooters beneath Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot, as proven in Figure 2. Ed Tittel / IDG
Figure 2: Using the Windows 10 troubleshooting facility. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
As quickly as you open this Settings pane, the checks are supposedly run in your behalf. But discover in Figure 2 that the textual content beneath “Run troubleshooters automatically…” reads “No recommended troubleshooters right now.” Notice additional the “last checked” date: July 2020, at which level these automated checks ceased. In Windows 10 variations 20H2 and newer, the automated test is turned off. In Windows 11 22H2, this facility is discovered beneath Settings > System > Troubleshoot and reveals up with a default “Ask me before running,” as depicted in Figure 3. Ed Tittel / IDG
Figure 3: The similar facility differs barely in Windows 11 22H2. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
Please be aware the “Get help” merchandise under the overall troubleshooting stuff. This is foreshadowing the modifications in Windows 11 variations 23H2 and later. Leaving that apart for the following part, every of those common troubleshooting panes factors to extra, particular person troubleshooting instruments. (Windows 10 calls them “Additional troubleshooters,” whereas Windows 11 calls them “Other troubleshooters.”) In the absence of precise bother, nothing runs mechanically, so it’s greatest to proceed to these extra panes, as proven in Figure 4 (Windows 10 left, Windows 11 22H2 proper). Ed Tittel / IDG
Figure 4: Windows 10 affords 15 troubleshooting gadgets; Windows 11 affords 10. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
Clicking any of these things in Windows 10 transitions to a associated, particular troubleshooting device. In Windows 11, clicking instantly runs the device. Either means, launching the device walks customers by a particular set of checks (Windows performs these) or checks (Windows asks customers to run these) to see if it might diagnose — and presumably repair — what could be incorrect.You can seek the advice of my Windows 10 troubleshooters story from 2016 for extra details about among the Windows 10 instruments at left in Figure 4; their Windows 11 counterparts work equally.Exit Windows 10 troubleshooters, enter Get HelpBut a Windows 11 Microsoft Support be aware launched in February 2023 outlines a brand new route for Windows troubleshooting. The Windows-10 type troubleshooters, recognized on this be aware as “legacy inbox troubleshooters,” are being deprecated — made out of date — together with the Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT) platform on which they’re based mostly. The TL;DR model of what’s up is summarized within the help be aware:Many troubleshooters are constructed on the MSDT platform. Some of those troubleshooters shall be redirected to Microsoft’s new platform referred to as Get Help. The remaining troubleshooters shall be eliminated.My interpretation is that the previous underlying MSDT structure is being changed, and for a lot of gadgets which have a troubleshooter, a “Get Help” facility shall be made out there as a substitute. Indeed, a Microsoft Learn be aware entitled “Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool resources” dated October 9, 2023, confirms this supposition. It additionally gives the next data:There are at the moment 28 built-in troubleshooters for MSDT. Half of the built-in troubleshooters have already been redirected to the Get Help platform, whereas the opposite half shall be retired.Let’s check out what occurs in Windows 11 23H2 for those who go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot. As you may see in Figure 5, it not factors to beneficial troubleshooters. The show is fairly sparse, in reality. Ed Tittel / IDG
Figure 5: Visiting the Troubleshoot facility in Windows 11 23H2 reveals little or no.
The solely actual selections listed below are the 2 last gadgets — particularly, Other troubleshooters and Get assist. If you do go to Other troubleshooters, you’ll discover the identical set of “Most frequent” (Audio, Network and Internet, Printer, and Windows Update) and “Other” gadgets (BITS, Bluetooth, Camera, Program Compability, and extra) as proven in Figure 4. Now issues get fascinating, although. If you click on on any of these things, most of them take you straight into the brand new Get Help facility. Only Windows Update, which features a “will be retired” warning, nonetheless calls up an old-style troubleshooter; Privacy Resources gives solely data however no automated instruments.Choosing Get assist from the Troubleshoot display, after all, takes you straight to the Get Help app, proven in Figure 6. A extra direct route from the Windows desktop is to sort “Get Help” into the Windows 11 Start menu or taskbar search field after which select Get Help from the outcomes. Ed Tittel / IDG
Figure 6: In the brand new Get Help app, enter an issue focus within the enter line. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
In the Get Help app, sort just a few phrases about the issue you’re experiencing. If you enter one thing common, like “network and internet,” Get Help will supply ideas to attempt to pinpoint what you need assistance with, as proven in Figure 6. If you enter a particular drawback, Get Help will sometimes supply an answer, which can be to launch a troubleshooter. For instance, coming into “Can’t connect to the internet” calls up the community troubleshooter, as proven in Figure 7. Ed Tittel / IDG
Figure 7: Click the Launch the community troubleshooter hyperlink to fireside off numerous community checks.
When you launch the community troubleshooter, it runs a litany of acquainted community checks and repairs that embody restarting the adapter, checking the cable connection, restarting the boundary machine, and restarting the PC. This is a kind of a direct carryover from the older troubleshooters in a brand new, extra streamlined and Windows 11-consistent kind. Figure 8 reveals the hyperlinks supplied to run every such test. (Only the “Restart adapter” button is proven, however the others are all hiding inside expandable widgets.) Ed Tittel / IDG
Figure 8: The new community troubleshooter gives a well-recognized sequence of beneficial actions. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
If you’re inclined to look at that Get Help appears very very like the previous troubleshooters in a brand new format, you’re not off the mark. It is a brand new technique to troubleshoot, however the underlying instruments and methods stay darn comparable.Get Help nonetheless takes customers by step-by-step diagnostic, reset, and restore instruments that search to unravel no matter drawback the consumer has reported. It might merely be previous wine in new bottles, however it works no less than in addition to its predecessor and suits the general Windows 11 feel and look higher.Where to from right here?It’s excessive time, subsequently, to start out exploring the brand new Get Help instruments and services in Windows 11 22H3. Eventually, Get Help would be the solely technique to go, troubleshooting-wise.All this mentioned, all of the previous troubleshooters are nonetheless working in Windows 10, and you may entry them as you at all times have through Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot. Whatever your strategy, Windows troubleshooting is able to work by a number of navigation paths and toolsets for no less than the following yr or two.
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