Check for updates

1.      Press Windows logo  key + R, type ms-settings:, and then select OK. This opens Settings.

2.      In Settings, choose Update & security  > Windows Update , and then select Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart your PC if required.

Restart your device

If you didn’t have any updates that required a restart, it’s still a good idea to restart your device to make sure any pending updates are installed.

Try the troubleshooter

For assisted support, try the Start menu troubleshooter. After you've completed the troubleshooter, restart your device.

Create a new local administrator account

If you still can’t open the Start menu or Cortana, try creating a new local administrator account to see whether you can open the Start menu using that account.

If you're signed in with your Microsoft account, remove the link to that account first by doing the following (otherwise see "Create the new administrator account"):

1.      Press Windows logo key Windows logo  key + R, type ms-settings:, and then select OK. This opens Settings.

2.      Select Accounts  > Sign in with a local account instead.

3.      Type your Microsoft account password and select Next.

4.      Choose a new account name, password, and password hint, and then select Finish and sign out. 

Create the new administrator account: 

1.      Press Windows logo  key + R, type ms-settings:, and then select OK.

2.      Select Accounts  > Family & other people  (or Other people , if you’re using Windows 10 Enterprise).

3.      Under Other people , select Add someone else to this PC.

4.      On Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Professional, provide a name for the user and a password, and then select Next. On Windows 10 Enterprise, select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information, and then select Add a user without a Microsoft account.

5.      Set a user name, password, and password hint. Then select Next > Finish.

Next, make the new account an administrator account.

1.      Under Family & other people  (or Other people , if you're using Windows 10 Enterprise), choose the account you created, and then select Change account type.

2.      Under Account type, select Administrator > OK.

Sign out of your account and then sign in to your new account. If you can open Cortana or the Start menu, move your personal data and files to the new account.

If the problem still isn't fixed, try deleting the old administrator account:

1.      Under Other users, select the old administrator account, then Remove > Delete account and data.

2.      After the old account is removed, restart your device and sign in with the new account again.

If you were using a Microsoft account to sign in before, associate the Microsoft account with the new administrator account. In Settings  > Accounts , select Sign in with a Microsoft account insteadand enter your account info. 

Reset your PC

If none of the previous options work, try resetting your PC using Windows 10 recovery options.

Fix printer problems

Connecting your printer

When you connect a printer to your PC or add a new printer to your home network, you can usually start printing right away. Windows supports most printers, and you probably won't have to go out of your way to install special printer software. If you're using Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, additional printer support and drivers are available through Windows Update.

To install a printer

In most cases, all you have to do to set up a printer is to connect it to your PC. Simply plug the USB cable from your printer into an available USB port on your PC, and turn the printer on.


For wireless printers with Windows 8.1:
Note

If you have a new wireless printer that hasn’t been added to your home network, read the instructions that came with the printer to learn how to add it. Check the printer manufacturer’s website to learn more and to get up-to-date software for your printer.

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.

(If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

2. Tap or click PC and devices, and then tap or click Devices. If your printer is installed, it should appear under Printers.

3. If your printer isn’t listed, tap or click Add a device, and then select your printer to install it.


To install (add) a local printer

1. Click the Start button, and then, on the Start menu, click Devices and Printers.

2. Click Add a printer.

3. In the Add Printer wizard, click Add a local printer.

4. On the Choose a printer port page, make sure that the Use an existing port button and the recommended printer port are selected, and then click Next.

5. On the Install the printer driver page, select the printer manufacturer and model, and then click Next.

If your printer isn't listed, click Windows Update, and then wait while Windows checks for additional drivers.

If none are available and you have the installation CD, click Have Disk, and then browse to the folder where the printer driver is located. (For additional help, consult the printer manual.

6. Complete the additional steps in the wizard, and then click Finish.


Tip

You can print a test page to make sure the printer is working correctly. If you've installed the printer but it doesn't work, check the manufacturer's website for troubleshooting information or driver updates.

To install a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer

If you're trying to add a network printer at the office, you'll usually need the name of the printer. If you can't find it, contact your network administrator.

1. Click the Start button, and then, on the Start menu, click Devices and Printers.

2. Click Add a printer.

3. In the Add Printer wizard, click Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer.

4. In the list of available printers, select the one you want to use, and then click Next. (If your computer is connected to a network, only printers listed in Active Directory for your domain are displayed in the list.)

5. If prompted, install the printer driver on your computer by clicking Install driver.

If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

6. Complete the additional steps in the wizard, and then click Finish.


Tip

Available printers can include all printers on a network, such as Bluetooth and wireless printers or printers that are plugged into another computer and shared on the network. You might need permission to install some printers. You can confirm the printer is working by printing a test page.

Note
After your printer is installed, you can keep it up to date with automatic Windows 7 driver updates.


Troubleshoot printer problems

Start by checking your hardware

Make sure that the printer's electrical cord is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power switch is turned on. If you're printing to a shared printer or a printer on a network, make sure that all necessary computers and routers are turned on too. If your printer or other equipment is plugged in to a surge protector or a backup power supply, make sure that hardware is plugged in and turned on as well.

If you’re using a wired printer, make sure that the printer cable is properly connected from the printer to your PC.

For wireless printers, check the wireless connection. Make sure the printer’s wireless option is turned on and available. Many printers have a button that displays a blue wireless icon when wireless is available.

Next, run the printer’s wireless connectivity test. Read the instructions that came with the printer or check the printer manufacturer’s website for instructions about how to do this.

Use a troubleshooter

A troubleshooter is an automated tool that can find and automatically fix some problems with your PC. The printing troubleshooter can fix problems with installing and connecting to a printer.

Update drivers

Most printers require driver software to work properly. If you recently upgraded from one version of Windows to another, it's possible that the current printer driver is for the previous version of Windows. If you've had recent power outages, viruses, or other computer problems, it's possible that the drivers have become damaged. Downloading and installing the latest driver for your printer can resolve these types of problems.

Three ways to find and install a driver:

· Use Windows Update. Windows Update might have an updated version of your printer driver.

· Install software from the printer manufacturer. If your printer came with a disc, that disc might contain software that installs a driver for the printer.

· Download and install the driver yourself . You can search for a driver on the manufacturer's website. Try this if Windows Update can't find a driver for your printer, and the printer didn't come with software that installs a driver.

For Windows 8.1

To print webpages using Internet Explorer, click the Tools button, select Print, and then select Print again. See what the printed page will look like by selecting Print Preview. Or, print pages by pressing Crtl + P.

To print only a picture from a page (and not the whole page), right-click on the picture, and select Print. In the Print dialog box, select Print again.