For more intensive maintenance that can significantly improve the performance of an older, congested, or slightly corrupted Windows 10 system without resorting to a complete reformat, you can consider the following advanced steps. These steps aim to clean, repair, and optimize your system at a deeper level. ### 1. **Deep Clean with Command-Line Cleaners** - **CleanMgr+**: A more advanced and scriptable version of the built-in Disk Cleanup tool. While not a native command-line tool, it can be automated via scripts. ```cmd Cleanmgr+ /VERYLOWDISK ``` - **CCleaner**: Another third-party tool with command-line options for deeper cleaning. Ensure you use the latest, reputable version to avoid any security issues. ### 2. **Advanced DISM Commands** After running the basic DISM restore health command, you can use additional options to clean up the system further and repair the Windows component store. ```cmd DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup ``` This command removes superseded versions of Windows components, freeing up space and potentially resolving some issues. ### 3. **Registry Cleanup** Caution is advised when cleaning the registry. Using a reputable tool like CCleaner with its command-line options for registry cleaning can help remove outdated or erroneous entries safely. However, always back up the registry first. ```cmd CCleaner.exe /AUTO /REG ``` ### 4. **System Restore and Recovery** If your system is still sluggish or buggy after cleaning and repairs, using System Restore to roll back to a previous state where your system was known to be functioning well can be an option. - Open Command Prompt as Admin and type: ```cmd rstrui.exe ``` This opens the System Restore interface, where you can choose a restore point. ### 5. **Creating a New User Profile** Sometimes, performance issues can be tied to a corrupted user profile. Creating a new user profile can sometimes resolve these issues. ```cmd net user NewUsername NewPassword /add ``` Then, give administrative privileges to the new account: ```cmd net localgroup administrators NewUsername /add ``` Switch to this new user profile to see if performance improves. ### 6. **Checking for Malware** Use Windows Defender or another reputable antivirus program to perform a deep scan of your system. Malware can significantly slow down your system and cause various issues. ```cmd "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe" -Scan -ScanType 2 ``` ### 7. **Trimming SSDs** If your system has an SSD, ensure TRIM is enabled to optimize performance: ```cmd fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0 ``` ### 8. **Optimize Startup Programs** Beyond disabling startup programs through Task Manager, consider delving deeper into scheduled tasks and services: - **Task Scheduler**: Review scheduled tasks for unnecessary tasks that might be slowing down startup or running in the background. - **Services**: Use `services.msc` to review and disable unnecessary services that auto-start with Windows. ### 9. **Windows Update Cleanup** Old Windows Update files can sometimes cause issues or take up space: ```cmd dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase ``` ### 10. **Refresh or Reset Windows 10** As a last resort before a full reformat, consider using the Refresh or Reset options in Windows 10, which can reinstall Windows while keeping your files or resetting it to a clean state. - **Refresh**: Keeps your personal files and some settings, but reinstalls Windows. - **Reset**: Removes all personal files, settings, and apps, and then reinstalls Windows. To start these processes: ```cmd systemreset -cleanpc ``` ### Final Thoughts These steps are more advanced and can potentially have a greater impact on system performance. Always ensure you have backups of important data before proceeding, especially with operations that modify the registry, system files, or involve cleaning up system areas. If you're using third-party tools, ensure they're from reputable sources to avoid introducing security risks.