10 Powerful Built-In Windows Tools You Aren’t Using (But Should Be)

If you’re a Windows user, you probably know about the Task Manager, Control Panel, and Settings apps, but did you realize that there are several power utilities hidden under the hood on Windows? These lesser-known tools can significantly enhance your ability to troubleshoot problems, monitor system performance, extend battery life, and change advanced settings – all without the need for any third-party tools.

Whether you’re dealing with frequent system crashes, unexplained drops in performance, or simply want to optimize your PC’s efficiency, the following built-in tools are invaluable rescues that are often overlooked.

10

Windows Memory Diagnostic

Test your RAM for hidden errors

If you’re experiencing problems with your system memory, especially the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), Windows Memory Diagnostic can help you identify and resolve the cause. It restarts your PC and performs a full scan of your RAM, uncovering hidden errors that could cause random crashes, system freezes, or BSOD. Catching memory problems early can save you major headaches in the future.

How to launch:

Open the Start menu, type “Windows Memory Diagnostic” or press Win + R Type to launch the run command box mdsched.exeAnd press enter.

9

resource monitor

See what’s eating up your CPU, RAM and network

Sometimes, you probably feel like your PC is running slow or constantly performing poorly for no particular reason. This may be caused by some hidden apps or services running in the background. Resource monitor will help you in such times.

Think of it as a more detailed version of Task Manager. It provides detailed, real-time information into your CPU usage, memory allocation, disk activity and network bandwidth. Detailed graphs and sorted tables make it easy to pinpoint exactly which applications or processes are consuming resources and slowing down your system.

How to launch:

open task managergo to Display tab, and click “Open Resource Monitor”. Or simply search for it in the Windows search box.

8

Reliability Monitor

No one talks about the crash history tool

Reliability Monitor provides an intuitive timeline of your PC’s stability, clearly showing software installations, updates, application crashes, and hardware errors. This helps to quickly identify problematic software or hardware, making troubleshooting much easier by revealing patterns or events that cause system instability.

For example, recently, a program called EssentialPIM was constantly crashing on my device, disrupting my workflow. Through Reliability Monitor, I was able to identify a pattern, locate the root cause, and ultimately troubleshoot the problem.

How to launch:

Type “reliability monitor” in the Start search bar, or navigate through Control Panel > Security and Maintenance,

Diagnose your graphics and sound problems

If you are a gamer and are struggling with troubleshooting graphics and audio issues, this tool is for you. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool provides detailed information about your GPU, audio driver, DirectX version, and other multimedia system components. This is incredibly useful for diagnosing and troubleshooting GPU issues, gaming issues, checking driver versions, or performing diagnostic tests on DirectX capabilities.

How to launch:

Press Win + RType dxdiagAnd press enter.

6

credential Manager

Your hidden password vault

Yes, Windows comes with a built-in password manager; However, this is quite different from what you may have seen. Credential Manager securely manages your Windows login credentials, legacy browser passwords (such as for older versions of Internet Explorer and Edge), and network login information. It is ideal for resolving recurring network connection issues and safely clearing old credentials.

Frankly, in modern times, it is not very valuable given the lack of advanced features that are expected in a password vault. Still, if you rely mostly on Edge and Windows login, Credential Manager can be helpful.

How to launch:

Type “Credential Manager” in the Start search bar. Or find it under Control Panel.

5

godmode

All your system settings are just a click away

If you like hidden Easter eggs, Windows has some, and God Mode is one of them. It consolidates over 200 important system settings and configuration options into a single, easily accessible folder. This powerful shortcut is ideal for power users and enthusiasts who frequently customize and tweak their Windows settings without having to navigate through multiple layers of menus.

How to enable:

1. Right-click on your desktop and create a new folder.

2. rename Folder: Godmode. {ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

You now have instant access to a wide range of settings.

4

Local Group Policy Editor

Unlock advanced system changes

If you are a Windows Pro or Enterprise user, you get a powerful tool in the form of the Local Group Policy Editor. It basically allows advanced customization of hidden Windows settings including security policies, UI behavior, telemetry controls, USB access permissions, and automatic logoff time. It is invaluable for power users and system administrators who want to optimize the security and performance of their system or network of systems.

Although it is not available by default for Windows Home users, there are some workarounds you can try.

How to launch:

Press Win + RType gpedit.mscAnd press enter.

3

computer management console

One hub for all your system tools

The Computer Management Console is not a tool or service. In fact, it is a comprehensive hub that lets you access Device Manager, Disk Management, Task Scheduler, Services, and Event Viewer under a single interface. It streamlines hardware troubleshooting, user account management, and disk partitioning tasks by providing all the necessary management tools in one place.

How to launch:

Right-click the Start button and select “Computer Management” or press Win + RType compmgmt.mscAnd press enter.

Find out what’s causing your laptop’s battery to drain

Are you experiencing problems with your laptop battery and afraid that its cycle is about to end? Well, Windows provides a way to diagnose this using a simple single-line command. Powercfg is an advanced command-line utility designed to manage and diagnose power settings on your computer. It provides detailed reports about battery usage, battery health, sleep settings and energy consumption patterns.

This will provide you with complete information about your battery usage from the day you first started using your laptop. It will also provide you with an accurate idea of ​​the current battery capacity compared to its original capacity. Basically, anything battery related will be answered in the HTML file that will be generated through Powercfg.

To generate the file:

run powercfg/batteryreport From command prompt. A detailed HTML battery health report will be automatically saved to your user profile folder.

1

System Configuration (msconfig)

Control how Windows boots

If you are facing trouble using Windows on your PC, one of the quick solutions is to boot it in Safe Mode and apply some fixes. But how to boot Windows in safe mode? This is what System Configuration (msconfig) allows you to do.

In addition, it also provides the necessary tools to optimize your PC’s startup process, manage boot configuration, startup services, and diagnostic mode. It is particularly effective for diagnosing and resolving boot problems, improving startup times, or isolating problematic software that runs at boot.

How to launch:

Press Win + RType msconfigAnd press enter.

Unleash your PC’s hidden potential

As you can see, your Windows PC has much more power and utility than it meets the eye. The next time you encounter performance issues, mysterious crashes, or simply want to optimize your system’s efficiency, remember these powerful built-in tools. They save you from unnecessary third-party software installation, protect your system performance, and help you get the most from your computing experience. Explore these utilities, and you’ll quickly appreciate the hidden depths of Windows.