1. Make sure your computer has the latest updates
It is important to make sure your computer has all the latest Windows updates installed. Updates often contain bug fixes and other improvements that can help prevent software from crashing. To check for updates, open Settings from the Start menu and then select Update & Security. When the Windows Update window appears, select Check for updates. Any available updates will be listed and you can install them by selecting Download and install now.
2. Ensure your software is compatible with your operating system
One of the most common causes of software crashes is that the program is not compatible with your operating system. Not all software is designed to work on every version of Windows, so check the system requirements before you install it. If the software was designed for an older version of Windows, such as Windows XP or Vista, it won’t work properly on a more recent version like Windows 10. In this case, you may need to download an updated version of the program or find an alternative.
3. Free up space on your hard drive
Another factor to consider is the amount of free space on your hard drive. When you run out of storage space, your computer is unable to save files properly, which can cause software to crash unexpectedly. To check how much free space you have left, open the Storage tab in Settings and then select This PC. The capacity bar at the top of the window will show you how much space is available. If you are running low, delete unnecessary files or consider upgrading your hard drive.
4. Install compatible drivers
Software also depends on hardware drivers in order to function correctly. If you have outdated or incompatible drivers, the software may not be able to access the hardware properly and could crash as a result. To check which drivers are installed on your computer, open the Device Manager in the Control Panel. Each entry here represents a device connected to your computer. Right-click the device and select Update driver to ensure the right version is installed.
5. Disable unnecessary programs
If your computer is running slow or having issues with software stability, it could be due to programs running in the background. Many programs are configured to start automatically when Windows starts up, however some of these might be unnecessary or resource-heavy and could be slowing down your system. To disable programs from starting automatically, open the Task Manager from the Applications tab in the Taskbar and go to the Startup tab. Here you can disable any programs that are not essential for the system to run.
6. Use antivirus software
Software crashes can sometimes be caused by malicious software, such as viruses and spyware. To prevent these types of infections, it is important to use an antivirus program to keep your system secure. Most antivirus programs offer a real-time protection feature which helps detect and remove threats as soon as they appear. Make sure you regularly scan your system using an up-to-date antivirus program and remove any malicious files that are detected.
7. Run System File Checker
The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows utility that can help repair any corrupted or missing system files. If there are corrupted system files on your computer, software may not run properly or may even crash unexpectedly. To run SFC, open Command Prompt from the Start menu and type “sfc /scannow”. This will scan your computer for any system file problems and attempt to repair them.
8. Uninstall and reinstall the program
If the above steps haven’t solved the issue, you might need to uninstall the program and then reinstall it. This will reset the program to it’s default settings, which can often fix any stability issues. To uninstall a program, open Control Panel and select Uninstall a program. From the list of installed programs, select the one you want to uninstall and then click Uninstall. Once the uninstallation is complete you can reinstall the program from the official website or from the installation disc.