How to Troubleshoot Windows Live

The Windows Live software suite is a collection of computer products and software programs developed and supported by Microsoft. Some of the more popular programs and services listed under the Windows Live banner include WIndows Live Messenger (formerly MSN Messenger) and Windows Live Hotmail (formerly Hotmail). The Windows Live software suite is heavily promoted by Microsoft. For this reason, some of its services (such as Windows Live Hotmail) are heavily used by home and business clients. Learn how to troubleshoot Windows Live by following these steps.

Instructions

1. Backup your computer files. Continual backups protect you from data loss should a Windows Live program or service fail. You may use an empty storage medium (like a blank CD or a USB flash drive), an external hard drive or a professional backup service, such as Mozy.com.

2. Click "Start" at the lower left-hand corner of the PC. Select "Restart." Restarting your computer clears out the system cache and may restore functionality to some error-prone programs.

3. Determine whether your error in Windows Live is connected to a Windows Live program installed on your computer (e.g. Windows Live Messenger) or to a web-based Windows Live service (e.g., Windows Live Hotmail.)

4. Open Internet Explorer by double-clicking its icon on your Windows desktop or by selecting it from the "Start" menu. Click "Tools." Select "Internet Options." Click "General" in the dialog window. Under the "Temporary Internet Files," click "Delete Cookies" and "Delete Files." This clears the browser cache.

5. Double-click "My Computer" on your Windows desktop, or select "My Computer" from the "Start" menu. Right-click the C:\\ drive, which is the hard drive partition where Windows system files are stored. Click "Properties." Click "Tools." Click "Defragment Now." This defragments the hard drive data and makes it easier for the Windows Live programs to operate. Occasionally, hard drive data becomes corrupt and this causes software errors in all installed programs, including Windows Live.

6. Write down the error number given by any error dialog boxes that appear when using a Windows Live service or software program. This error code is a mix of numbers and letters. Visit the Windows Help & Support website (See Resources). Type the error code into the top search bar. Microsoft will then provide you with specific troubleshooting help files that pertain to your specific Windows Live error. Complete the steps in the help file to solve any recurring Windows Live problems.

Resources

• Windows Live Website
• Windows Help and Support Website