Troubleshooting Guide: Windows Pop-Ups on Lenovo T470 (Windows 10)

README.md

Troubleshooting Guide: Windows Pop-Ups on Lenovo T470 (Windows 10)

When turned on, the Lenovo T470 running Windows 10 sometimes shows pop-ups that disappear quickly. This guide outlines detailed steps to diagnose and fix the issue.

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Step 1: Check Startup Programs

1. Open Task Manager:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Navigate to the Startup tab.
3. Review the list of programs set to launch at startup:
   • Identify unfamiliar or unnecessary programs.
   • Right-click on any suspicious entries and select Disable.

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Step 2: Inspect Event Viewer Logs

1. Open the Event Viewer:
   • Press Win + R.
   • Type eventvwr and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to Windows Logs > Application.
3. Look for:
   • Errors or warnings around the time the laptop is turned on.
4. Double-click entries to view details:
   • Note the application or service causing the error.

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Step 3: Run Antivirus and Malware Scans

1. Open Windows Security:
   • Press Win + I, go to Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
   • Run a Quick Scan.
2. Use a third-party tool for deeper analysis:
   • Download Malwarebytes from https://www.malwarebytes.com.
   • Install and run a Full Scan.

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Step 4: Check for Scheduled Tasks

1. Open Task Scheduler:
   • Press Win + R.
   • Type taskschd.msc and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to Task Scheduler Library.
3. Review tasks set to run at startup or during login:
   • Right-click any unknown tasks and select Disable.

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Step 5: Verify Installed Programs

1. Open the list of installed programs:
   • Press Win + I and go to Apps.
   • Alternatively, open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
2. Sort by Install Date.
3. Uninstall any suspicious or unnecessary programs:
   • Select the program.
   • Click Uninstall and follow prompts.

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Step 6: Check Windows Services

1. Open Services:
   • Press Win + R.
   • Type services.msc and hit Enter.
2. Review services with Automatic startup:
   • Identify unfamiliar services.
   • If unsure, Google the service name to determine its purpose.
3. To disable a service temporarily:
   • Right-click the service and select Properties.
   • Set the Startup type to Disabled.

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Step 7: Update Drivers and Windows

1. Update Windows:
   • Press Win + I and go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
   • Click Check for updates.
2. Update drivers using Lenovo Vantage:
   • Download Lenovo Vantage from Microsoft Store.
   • Open the app and check for driver updates.

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Step 8: Perform a Clean Boot

1. Open System Configuration:
   • Press Win + R.
   • Type msconfig and hit Enter.
2. Go to the Services tab:
   • Check Hide all Microsoft services.
   • Click Disable all.
3. Open the Startup tab:
   • Click Open Task Manager.
   • Disable all startup items.
4. Restart the laptop and check if the issue persists.

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Step 9: Restore System Settings

1. Open System Restore:
   • Press Win + S and type Create a restore point.
   • Click System Restore.
2. Follow the wizard to restore the system to a previous state:
   • Select a restore point created before the issue began.

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Optional: Reset Windows Explorer

1. Open Task Manager:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Restart Windows Explorer:
   • Under the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer.
   • Right-click it and select Restart.

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