Reference

IT Knowledge Base

Solutions, tips, and troubleshooting guides for common IT issues.

01

Knowledge Articles

Windows Update Stuck or Failing

Windows
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🔧 Difficulty: Easy⏱️ Time: 15–30 min

Windows updates frequently get stuck at certain percentages or fail to install. One of the most common issues in Windows 10 and 11.

Solution Steps:

  1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter: Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot
  2. Clear Windows Update cache: stop service with net stop wuauserv, delete C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution, restart with net start wuauserv
  3. Run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  4. Retry the update
windows-updatetroubleshootingcommon-issue

User Unable to Access Shared Mailbox

Office 365
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🔧 Difficulty: Easy⏱️ Time: 10 min

Users report they cannot see or access a shared mailbox that has been assigned to them in Office 365.

Solution Steps:

  1. Verify permissions in Exchange Admin Center
  2. Ensure user has "Full Access" permission
  3. Wait 60 minutes for changes to propagate
  4. In Outlook: File → Account Settings → Account Settings → Change → More Settings → Advanced → Add the shared mailbox
  5. Or use Outlook Web Access and open mailbox directly
office365exchangemailbox

Wi-Fi Connection Issues — Intermittent Drops

Networking
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🔧 Difficulty: Medium⏱️ Time: 20–45 min

Wi-Fi connections dropping intermittently, slow speeds, or failing to reconnect after sleep.

Diagnostic Steps:

  1. Check if issue affects one device or all devices (isolates device vs router problem)
  2. Update network adapter drivers via Device Manager
  3. Set power management to not allow PC to turn off the adapter: Device Manager → Network Adapters → Properties → Power Management
  4. Reset TCP/IP stack: netsh int ip reset then netsh winsock reset
  5. Check for interference — change Wi-Fi channel on router
  6. Forget and re-join the network
wifinetworkingdrivers

Computer Running Slow

Hardware
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🔧 Difficulty: Easy⏱️ Time: 30–45 min

Computer running significantly slower than normal, applications take long to open, system freezes occasionally.

Diagnostic Steps:

  1. Check Task Manager for high CPU/Memory/Disk usage
  2. Run Windows Defender full scan
  3. Review and disable unnecessary startup programs
  4. Check disk space — ensure at least 20% free on C:
  5. Run Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files
  6. Check for pending Windows updates
  7. Monitor disk health with CrystalDiskInfo
  8. Consider SSD upgrade if running on HDD
performancehardwareoptimization

Setting Up a Basic Backup Strategy

Backups
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🔧 Difficulty: Medium⏱️ Time: 1–2 hrs

Establishing a reliable backup routine using the 3-2-1 rule to protect against data loss.

3-2-1 Backup Rule:

  • 3 copies of your data
  • 2 different storage media (e.g., internal drive + external drive)
  • 1 offsite/cloud copy (e.g., OneDrive, Backblaze, AWS S3)

Recommended Tools:

  • Windows Backup / File History for local backups
  • Veeam Agent (free) for full image backups
  • Backblaze Personal Backup for cloud (cheap, unlimited)
backup3-2-1data-protection
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02

Troubleshooting Tips

Turn It Off and On Again

Rebooting resolves the majority of IT issues. Always try this first before escalating — it clears memory, resets connections, and applies updates.

Check the Basics First

Is it powered on? Is the network cable connected? Is the monitor's input set correctly? Many "complex" issues have simple causes.

Search for Error Messages

Search for exact error messages in quotes. Someone has likely encountered and solved the same issue. Microsoft docs and vendor forums are invaluable resources.

Document What You Changed

Keep notes on changes made during troubleshooting. If something breaks, you'll know exactly what to roll back. Good documentation saves hours later.