Software Crashing or Freezing

💥 Software Crashing or Freezing — Stabilise Apps on Windows

Most crashes trace back to corrupted app files, extensions, low resources, permission blocks, or flaky drivers. Work through these steps in order for a safe, reliable fix.

🔁 1) Restart & Free Resources
• Restart (not shutdown) to clear stuck processes
• Ctrl + Shift + Esc > Performance — if CPU/RAM/Disk are ~100%, close heavy tasks and browsers with too many tabs
• Keep 15–20% free space on C: (low space = freezes)

🧰 2) Update the App & Windows
• In the app: Help > Update (or vendor updater)
• Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates (install OEM drivers offered)

🧹 3) Clear Temp & App Cache (Safe)
• Win + R → %temp% and delete what you can
• In the app, clear cache/recent lists (documents are not removed)

🧩 4) Disable Add-ins/Extensions
• Launch the app’s Safe Mode or open its Add-ins/Extensions manager
• Disable all, then re-enable one at a time and test

🛡️ 5) Security Interference
• Real-time scanning can lock files mid-write and cause hangs
• Keep protection ON, but exclude the app’s working folders if the vendor recommends it

👤 6) New Windows User Profile Test
• Create a temporary local user and launch the app there
• If it works, your original profile’s cache/registry may be corrupted (migrate or rebuild)

🧱 7) Permissions & Controlled Folder Access
• If saves fail or you see Access denied:
Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Ransomware protection > Controlled folder access → allow the app or save to an allowed path

🧯 8) Repair or Reset the App (Non-destructive First)
• Settings > Apps > Installed apps > (App) > Advanced options > Repair (if available)
• For Microsoft 365 apps: Apps > Microsoft 365 > Modify > Quick Repair, then Online Repair if needed

🧬 9) Repair System Files & Components
• Open Windows Terminal (Admin) and run:
sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• Reboot and retest

🎮 10) Graphics/Audio Drivers
• Update GPU from NVIDIA/AMD/Intel vendor sites (use clean install if offered)
• Update audio drivers if freezes occur in video calls/DAWs
• If issues began after a driver update, Device Manager > Driver > Roll Back

📦 11) Runtimes (.NET & VC++)
• Install/repair the latest .NET and Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables
• Reboot after installation

🧪 12) Clean Boot to Isolate Conflicts
• Win + R → msconfig → Services tab → tick Hide Microsoft services → Disable all (non-Microsoft)
• Task Manager > Startup apps: disable non-essentials
• If stable, re-enable in batches to find the offender

📁 13) Reset App Data (Targeted)
• Back up profiles/templates/presets
• Rename the app’s folder under %AppData% or %LocalAppData%; the app recreates it clean

🧼 14) Reinstall (Clean)
• Uninstall the app, reboot, install the latest version as Administrator
• If prompted, choose to remove old settings; restore only what you need after stability is confirmed

📝 15) Check Logs & Reliability Monitor
• Press Win, search Reliability Monitor → review Critical events
• Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Application → note Faulting module for targeted fixes

💾 16) Hardware Health (If Multiple Apps Crash)
• Windows Memory Diagnostic (mdsched.exe)
• Windows Terminal (Admin) → chkdsk C: /scan
• Recurrent, multi-app crashes often point to RAM or storage issues

💡 Need a hand?
If crashes persist, we can help diagnose logs and stabilise drivers — remote or onsite across Australia.