How to Stop Programs from Crashing on Windows: The Ultimate Guide

 

How to Stop Programs from Crashing on Windows

If you frequently experience program crashes on your Windows PC, you're not alone. Software crashes can be frustrating, leading to lost work, wasted time, and unnecessary stress. Fortunately, there are several effective solutions to prevent these crashes and keep your computer running smoothly.

In this guide, we'll explore the common causes of program crashes and provide detailed steps to fix and prevent them.

Why Do Programs Crash on Windows?

Before diving into the solutions, it's essential to understand why programs crash. Here are some common reasons:

• Insufficient system resources (RAM, CPU, storage)

• Software conflicts (multiple programs interfering with each other)

• Corrupt or outdated drivers

• Operating system issues

• Malware and viruses

• Overclocking instability

• Corrupt program files

• Outdated or incompatible software

Now that we know the causes, let’s look at how to stop programs from crashing.

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1. Keep Your Windows OS Updated

Microsoft regularly releases updates that fix bugs and improve system stability. Running an outdated version of Windows can lead to program crashes.

Steps to Update Windows:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Select Windows Update and click Check for updates.

4. Install any available updates and restart your computer.

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2. Update Your Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers, especially graphics and chipset drivers, can cause crashes.

Steps to Update Drivers:

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.

2. Expand the category of the device you want to update (e.g., Display adapters for graphics drivers).

3. Right-click on the device and select Update driver.

4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.

5. Restart your PC after updating.

For better performance, download drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).

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3. Check for Software Conflicts

Some programs don’t work well together and can cause crashes. If a program started crashing after you installed a new application, there might be a conflict.

How to Fix Software Conflicts:

• Uninstall recently installed programs: Win + R → Type appwiz.cpl → Uninstall unnecessary software.

• Use Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to check running applications and stop unnecessary ones.

• Disable background apps in Settings > Privacy > Background apps.

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4. Increase Virtual Memory (Pagefile Size)

If your system runs low on RAM, Windows uses a portion of your hard drive as virtual memory. If this memory is too low, programs may crash.

Steps to Increase Virtual Memory:

1. Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.

2. Go to the Advanced tab and click Settings under Performance.

3. In the new window, go to the Advanced tab and click Change under Virtual memory.

4. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.

5. Select your drive (usually C:), choose Custom size, and increase the initial and maximum size (e.g., Initial: 4096MB, Maximum: 8192MB).

6. Click Set, then OK, and restart your computer.

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5. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Corrupt system files can cause programs to crash. Windows has built-in tools to fix these issues.

Run SFC Scan:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Win + X → Command Prompt (Admin)).

2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

3. Wait for the scan to complete and restart your computer.

Run DISM if SFC Doesn’t Work:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

2. Type:

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

3. Press Enter and wait for the process to finish.

4. Restart your PC.

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6. Scan for Malware and Viruses

Malware can corrupt files and cause crashes. Running a deep scan can help identify and remove malicious software.

Steps to Scan for Malware:

• Use Windows Security (Win + I → Update & Security → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Quick scan).

• Use Malwarebytes or another antivirus tool for a more thorough scan.

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7. Run Programs in Compatibility Mode

Older programs may not be compatible with newer Windows versions, leading to crashes.

How to Enable Compatibility Mode:

1. Right-click the program’s shortcut and select Properties.

2. Go to the Compatibility tab.

3. Check Run this program in compatibility mode for: and choose an older Windows version.

4. Click Apply and OK.

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8. Disable Overclocking

Overclocking your CPU or GPU can cause instability, leading to crashes.

How to Disable Overclocking:

• Restart your computer and enter BIOS (Del or F2 key at startup).

• Look for overclocking settings and set them to default.

• Save changes and exit BIOS.

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9. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with minimal drivers and programs to identify conflicts.

Steps to Perform a Clean Boot:

1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.

2. Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and click Disable all.

3. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.

4. Disable all startup items.

5. Restart your computer.

If the crashes stop, enable services one by one to find the culprit.

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10. Reinstall the Problematic Program

If a specific program keeps crashing, reinstalling it can fix issues related to corrupted files.

How to Reinstall a Program:

1. Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter.

2. Find the program, right-click it, and select Uninstall.

3. Download and install the latest version from the official website.

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Final Thoughts

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce or eliminate program crashes on your Windows PC. If crashes persist, consider checking your hardware (RAM, HDD/SSD) for potential failures.

Do you have any additional tips that worked for you? Share them in the comments below!