You are reading the article Why Does My Computer Keep Crashing? updated in December 2023 on the website Hatcungthantuong.com. We hope that the information we have shared is helpful to you. If you find the content interesting and meaningful, please share it with your friends and continue to follow and support us for the latest updates. Suggested January 2024 Why Does My Computer Keep Crashing?
If your computer crashes very often, it could be caused by many things. In some cases, overheating is the main cause of such crashes, but faulty hardware could also be the culprit.
In today’s round-up, we’ll be offering all the possible solutions to a common problem that may cause your computer to keep crashing.
Why Does My Computer Keep CrashingThere are many reasons behind the constant crashing of your computer. From faulty drivers to defective pieces of RAM sticks, there’s a lot of moving parts in your computer. And any of them could cause your computer to malfunction and crash every now and then.
How to Fix a Computer That Keeps CrashingTroubleshooting what’s wrong with your computer is a challenging task. And with a lot of moving parts, it is sometimes almost impossible to find the main cause that is responsible for crashing your computer.
But, the following fixes are likely to solve any problem that might be causing the random crashes.
Cleaning the RAMComputers that keep crashing after three beeps are generally caused when there’s something wrong with your memory stick.
In order to fix your computer that keeps crashing after three beeps, you will have to take out your RAM stick, thoroughly clean it, and put it back. This should fix the problem with your computer. However, if cleaning the memory stick doesn’t work out, you will need a new RAM stick.
The system boot-up heavily relies on RAM sticks, but oftentimes, dirt and other small particles can reach the RAM sticks. Which sometimes can cause your computer not to boot up. But, if you thoroughly clean the RAM sticks, you won’t be facing any random crashes.
Solving the Overheating IssueIf your computer is crashing upon boot up, the most common cause is generally overheating. Dust and other small particles can clog the heatsink on your CPU, restricting the airflow. And causing the CPU to reach a higher temperature, and that’s why your computer keeps crashing.
To fix the overheating problem, you must take apart your computer and clean it. Especially the heatsink that’s installed on your CPU and all the surrounding parts. Furthermore, changing the thermal paste on your CPU will also improve the temps and fix the random crashes.
Adding further 120mm fans to your PC case can also provide efficient airflow inside the case that keeps the temps on the down-low. With better airflow, the components will run cooler, and you aren’t likely to face any random computer crashes related to overheating.
Moving on, for laptop users, taking apart the whole thing is quite difficult; hence, it is recommended to contact experts to get it serviced.
Fixing Bad Sectors on your Hard DiskComputers that keep crashing randomly without a pattern are often times hard to detect. However, most of the time, RAM sticks or storage devices are the culprits. The blue screen of death is quite common if you have a bad HDD/SDD.
And if your PC freezes completely, it is believed that storage devices are responsible for the crashes.
If your computer keeps crashing randomly, firstly, check the health of your storage devices and see if it has any bad sectors. If it does, installing a fresh batch of Windows and re-organizing the memory sectors is likely to fix the issue for you.
However, if the storage devices are working properly, use this Diagnostic Tool for detecting any issues with your RAM. If there’s a problem, you will have to replace it.
Oftentimes, changing the RAM slots on your motherboard seems to fix the issue of random crashes, and if that’s the case, it’s an easy fix.
Moreover, if the health of your HDD/SDD isn’t ideal, you will keep facing this issue until you’ve replaced the storage device. In order to check the health of your hard disk, we highly recommend HD Sentinel.
Update DriversComputer crashes while playing games are fairly common, and there are many possible causes that lead to the crash. In most cases, faulty drivers are often the cause of this error. Outdated drivers for your graphics card can cause your computer to crash while playing games.
To properly troubleshoot a computer that keeps crashing while playing games, it’s best to update your graphics drivers and install the latest version from the official sources.
Furthermore, while playing graphically-demanding games, the GPU requires more power, and if the PSU has low wattage, it could also be the reason for the crash. In such a case, users will have to purchase a new PSU that has the recommended power rating required for their GPU.
Each GPU has its own power ratings. For instance, a low-profile GPU like GT-710 may work with a 250W PSU. While high-end GPUs like RTX 2070 or 3070 require you to have a PSU that’s rated for at least 550W to 750W.
And likewise, if the PSU that’s installed in your PC is lower than the recommended PSU wattage for the graphics card, you are likely to face random crashes while playing games.
Replacing Storage DeviceTo fix a computer that keeps freezing and crashing, users have to look for corrupted OS files or bad sectors on their hard disk. If there are any bad sectors on the hard disk, which usually are the culprit behind this random crash, users can try to fix them using CMD.
However, in some cases, when the damage to the disk is beyond repair, users will have to completely replace their hard drives to fix the issue for good.
Increasing MemoryGoogle Chrome loves eating the memory of your computer, and when your PC runs out of memory, the computer often crashes, and the blue screen of death appears.
In order to fix a computer that keeps crashing when you open new tabs in Google Chrome, users will have to increase the memory of their computer by installing new RAM sticks. The latest version of Chrome requires at least 4GB of RAM for it to run flawlessly.
For those who are running on a limited 2GB RAM, you’re expected to have a laggy experience with Google Chrome. Especially when you’re opening more than a few tabs on Google Chrome. And once a user has opened web pages with a lot of cookies, the computer is expected to crash.
Furthermore, other apps that are running in the background can also cause the memory to be filled quickly. An easy fix is to close the apps before opening more tabs to create more room in the memory modules.
Upgrade HardwareIf you’re frequently facing crashes with your computer while doing your work, you are most definitely facing the issue due to weak hardware. Modern-day software requires you to have a beefy combination of CPU and GPU along with at least 4GB-8GB of RAM to work properly.
For professional use, it is highly recommended to get a powerful combination of CPU and GPU to perfectly render your work.
How to Fix Computer That Keeps Crashing With BSOD Error 0x0000005D on Windows 11Many new users are facing the BSOD error 0x000005D while/after installing Windows 11/8, and the kernel is restricting the device to boot up.
This error is generally showing up when the CPU isn’t compatible with the version of Windows. Earlier, this error made the headlines when Windows 8 was released, and many users complained about having to deal with this bug.
But, with Windows 11, the CPU requirements are quite unusual because unless you’re running a 9th-gen Intel CPU or AMD’s Zen 2 processors, you’re expected to face some issues with the all-new version of Windows 11.
Fixing the BSOD 0x0000005D requires a few steps, so make sure to apply all the following solutions for a permanent fix.
Customize the BIOS Settings Enable No-Execute Memory Protection Reinstall Windows 11Windows 11 has its shortcomings, and it’s crashing on systems for a lot of reasons, but most often, re-installing Windows seems to resolve most of the issues.
Currently, Windows 11 is still under development, and the developers are addressing most of the concerns users have with weekly updates.
Check for Hardware CompatibilityThe error 0x000005D often occurs when the processor is not compatible with SSE2, NX, and PAE, and also, the motherboard must be featured with TPM 2.0 if you want to smoothly enjoy the Windows 11 OS. If you’re lacking the hardware that is compatible with the requirements, then you will have to upgrade your CPU.
How to Fix a Computer that Keeps Crashing with Error Kernel Security Check FailureThe error kernel security check failure is quite common after a Windows update or performing a manual software installation. It generally appears when the root files of the operating system are corrupted or affected. Viruses and malware are often the culprits in the corruption of these files.
In most cases, the error kernel security check failure can be fixed quite easily by installing a clean batch of Windows. Once all the OS files from the previous version are removed, the computer will stop showing the error.
In some cases, using Windows Diagnostic systems to find the errors and manually fixing them could prove to be fruitful. However, it rarely happens. To permanently fix the issues for good, users can install a fresh batch of Windows and save themselves a headache.
You're reading Why Does My Computer Keep Crashing?
Why Does Yahoo Keep Opening In Chrome? How To Remove & Fix It
Why Does Yahoo Keep Opening in Chrome? How to Remove & Fix It Scanning the PC for viruses helps to prevent browser hijacking
11
Translate
French
English
Spanish
Italian
X
Share
X
Why does my search engine keep changing to Yahoo? That’s the big question and generally, malware is to blame.
If Yahoo keeps replacing Google, the settings themselves can be ill-configured.
X
INSTALL BY CLICKING THE DOWNLOAD FILE
To fix Windows PC system issues, you will need a dedicated tool
Fortect is a tool that does not simply cleans up your PC, but has a repository with several millions of Windows System files stored in their initial version. When your PC encounters a problem, Fortect will fix it for you, by replacing bad files with fresh versions. To fix your current PC issue, here are the steps you need to take:
Download Fortect and install it on your PC.
Start the tool’s scanning process to look for corrupt files that are the source of your problem
Fortect has been downloaded by
0
readers this month.
Browser hijackers are programs that adjust browser settings, which can change default search engines to Yahoo or other alternatives. And if you are facing this problem, it’s imperative to know how to get rid of Yahoo Search.
When a browser keeps switching to Yahoo search, some unwanted software has probably hijacked it. Even when a user restores the browser’s original search settings, it will keep on redirecting searches to Yahoo.
Thus, today we will show you how to remove Yahoo Search from Chrome.
Why does Yahoo keep opening in Chrome?If you haven’t set Yahoo search, your computer is likely infected with malware that’s changing the default search engine. It could be a program or an extension installed on the browser.
Generally, the malware doesn’t cause much harm but changing the default search engine every time can be frustrating. Also, the malware might collect critical data, which would invade privacy.
So, it’s best that you get rid of the malware and Yahoo Search using the methods listed in the next section.
What are the common iterations of Yahoo Search replacing Google?
Many of our readers are asking some questions about Yahoo Search replacing Google Search in Windows 10, 11, and Mac on their browsers.
So, don’t worry, we have answers and solutions in our guide if you are having one of these issues:
Why is Yahoo my default search engine? – You have probably installed a program that performed this change but one of the solutions below will fix this problem
How do I stop Yahoo from hijacking my browser
? – In this case,
scan
and clean your computer and then change the
settings
; they will stick for good this time
Why does Yahoo keep opening in Google? – Malware issues and browser hijackers listed within Windows’ uninstaller may cause this
Why is Yahoo my default browser? – Some software that you installed might have made these changes, you can revert the settings and get things back to normal
How to get rid of Yahoo Search on Firefox? – Similarly to Chrome, open Preferences, go to Search, and there you can select a Default Search Engine
How do I stop Yahoo from hijacking my browser?If Yahoo keeps replacing Chrome, you must take the matter into your own hands. Obviously, there are more than one way to remove the intruder, and we’ll show you the most successful ones.
Keep in mind that the steps listed here are for Chrome, but the concept remains the same for all browsers, in case you are facing the issue on a different one.
1. How to get rid of Yahoo search using SettingsThe easiest method to get rid of Yahoo search from your Chrome browser is to manually remove it from your Search Engines Settings.
Through Settings, you can configure which engines you want to set as default and which to delete.
1. Launch Google Chrome on your PC.
2. Paste the following path in the address bar:chrome://settings/searchEngines
3. Hit Enter to open the Settings menu.
5. A confirmation prompt will appear. Select Delete again.
6. Relaunch the browser and check if Yahoo keeps replacing Google as the search engine.
If the solution did not work, try the other methods here to fix the problem and remove the Yahoo search from Chrome.
2. Switch to a super-secure browser to get rid of Yahoo searchBrowser hijackers are a constant threat to millions of users around the world. Some browsers are more prone to them, some less, and some, a minority, basically can’t be affected.
The best is to use a browser that can’t be affected by security threats, a welcome novelty slowly growing to be paramount for secure browsing.
No hijacker or malicious software can assign a search engine you don’t want to use. But how does it prevent malicious software? With a whole plethora of security features, of course.
It has a built-in VPN that prevents malicious applications from downloading and many privacy features. That’s why no browser settings could ever get changed.
Opera One
Forget all about browser hijacking and enjoy a safe and uncluttered browsing experience.
Free trial Download
3. How to get rid of Yahoo Search by resetting ChromeSome users have confirmed that turning extensions off fixes browsers that redirect to Yahoo search. Users can manually turn off their installed extensions.
However, resetting browsers will either disable or uninstall all extensions and restore their original settings. Therefore, that’s probably a better way to fix browser search redirects.
4. Run a malware scan to remove Yahoo Search from ChromeIt is a browser hijacker that will change the search engine to Yahoo Search every time you look for a keyword in the address bar.
Unfortunately, this problem doesn’t seem to go away even if you attempt to change the browser settings and it mostly affects Google Chrome and Safari on Mac.
You will need to purge the browser hijacker with a malware scanner in this case. You can scan your computer with your antivirus or install another one.
If you choose to use your antivirus solution, open it and look for the Scan menu. You can run a quick or deep scan of your system.
Do remember that it not only finds malware but also stops it in real-time before it can even endanger your browser and safety. Even more, it prevents access to and from malicious websites.
5. How to get rid of Yahoo Search by uninstalling recently added Yahoo programsOnce done, the problem should be resolved, and Yahoo would no more become the search engine. Also, you may use an effective uninstaller tool to completely remove the software causing the trouble since these delete all associated files.
One user also suggested checking if you have the Google Legacy Browser Support installed and then removing it. That will also solve the problem, so try it out.
How to get rid of Yahoo Search on Mac?This solution applies to Safari, the default Mac browser but if you’re using a different browser, you may change the homepage by following similar steps.
How do I permanently delete Yahoo search?We have discussed some of our favorite ways of getting rid of Yahoo search. Many of these are excellent permanent solutions.
We, however, suggest you use the first method where you edit some parameters of your browser Settings, and delete the search engine. This way, you are guaranteed the change remains that way unless you reset your browser or reinstall it.
If you were wondering how to get rid of Yahoo Search in Chrome The resolutions above will probably eliminate most Yahoo hijackers from your browser.
Then users can browse with the default search engines they originally selected. Also, find out how to remove Bing from Chrome.
Still experiencing issues?
Was this page helpful?
x
Why Is My Pc Slow?
Had we a nickel for every time a friend, loved one, or random stranger asked us, “What’s slowing down my PC?” we could shutter PCWorld and retire to live comfortably on a small, secluded island. But since no such deluge of small coins seems likely, we’ll instead outline some methods you can use to troubleshoot unexpected slowness on your PC, free of charge.
Of course, systems differ, software differs, and your specific system’s history is unique, so we aren’t in a position to pinpoint the source of your problem. Nevertheless, we can give you some generally helpful hints that you can use to dig out of the mess.
Know Your HardwareIt’s important to know what hardware your desktop or laptop PC contains. Don’t run for a screwdriver or some third-party program (though CPU-Z is pretty handy for the nitty-gritty details) to figure this out: If you built your PC, you should know what’s in it. If you bought it, look up the manufacturer specs online. Easy enough, right?
Second, understanding your hardware will allow you to target issues that you can look up within Windows itself. For example, suppose that you pull up the Task Manager (press Ctrl-Alt-Delete, and select Task Manager) and discover that your system has only has 2GB of physical RAM listed in the Performance tab. But you also know from checking the specs that your system shipped with 4GB of RAM. Conclusion: Perhaps your sudden slowdown is the result of a bad stick of memory. You can apply similar reasoning to an underclocked CPU, to missing capacity (or drives) within a storage array, and even to the absence of specific components that you’d expect to see on your system (Lost your optical drive? Maybe your motherboard is on its last legs, and its demise is affecting your overall performance in some way.)
If could choose between a free 1998 model car or a free 2011 edition of the same vehicle, which would you pick? The newer one, obviously–but for some reason many people don’t employ the same logic when it comes to their PC’s operating system, software, and hardware.
There are three major kinds of updates you can apply to your PC. Software updates are newer versions of the applications currently installed on your computer; some companies notify you of their availability via tiny icons in your taskbar or via pop-up windows within the application itself. Driver updates are the specific pieces of software that allow Windows to communicate with one of your system’s hardware devices. Firmware updates relate to application-level software programs stored on a device’s memory–the “brains” of your camera or wireless router, for example.
Why are these important? Because the updates that affect your software and hardware could influence your system’s performance on various tasks. Remember the slow file transfers that plagued the release version of Windows Vista? Microsoft corrected them with its huge Service Pack 1 update for the OS. Another example: More than 15 driver updates have been released for the Radeon HD 5870 graphics board since its official launch in September 2009; and depending on the game being played, these can boost your system’s frame rates by 2 to 38 percent.
Before you start worrying about exotic methods of bringing a sluggish computer up to speed, make sure that your system’s hardware and software have the latest available updates. When you fire up the latest versions of each, you may find that the problem vanishes.
Speed Up With the Scientific MethodIf you’ve noticed a sudden slowdown when using a particular application or when performing some specific PC process, review what you’ve done since the last time the program performed perfectly.
If your Web browser’s ability to render pages has slowed to a crawl, for example, pay attention to how many tabs you have open and what those tabs contain. Have you installed any add-ons to your browser lately? Did your computer crash during a recent Internet surfing sessions (suggesting that it may be time for you to fully uninstall/reinstall your browser)?
If you want to multitask or play games, but your system is delivering significantly worse speeds than you’re accustomed to seeing, look for causes methodically. Is an application (or errant program) running in the background and eating up your system resources? Pull up Windows’ task manager and check your available memory and CPU usage. Are you background-downloading a huge file on Steam or uTorrent that’s sapping your bandwidth and making your online gaming stuttery? Have you not booted up your system for some time, and is it automatically running various virus scans, file backups, Windows updates, and who knows what else? Check, check, check!
And don’t forget Occam’s razor: When multiple explanations are possible, the simplest one is the most likely to be correct. In this case of system slowdowns, the likeliest culprit is you. What have you done that might make your system act sluggish? And short of a full system reinstall (or Windows System Restore), what can you do to reverse your most recent actions?
Let Windows Help YouBefore you run out and plunk down your hard-earned cash for software apps that promise to speed up your system (FYI: they don’t), consider using the free diagnostics tools within Windows Vista or Windows 7.
First, consult the ‘Performance Information and Tools’ section in the Control Panel. Within it, you’ll find an Advanced link that links to all of the operating system’s flashier performance-related utilities. To compare the Windows-dictated speed of your system in its original, brand-new incarnation with Windows’ assessment of your system’s performance now, rerun the Windows Experience Index.
The Performance Monitor is a real-time method for looking at how your PC is using its hardware and system resources. Though it’s more descriptive than diagnostic, it might point you in the right direction to identify your system’s performance bottleneck.T o cut to the chase, fire up Windows’ official System Health Report. The OS will scan your activity for 60 seconds and then offer you suggestions for maximizing your system’s capabilities.
The ideal quick-fix supertool would scan your system, eliminate the junk that’s that’s bogging it down, and give you a fresh and speedy computing environment that would last for months to come. Technically, that operation exists; it’s called a wipe and reinstall of your Windows OS. Short of this drastic measure, however, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for transforming a sluggish system into a speedy one. The underlying problem could be a hardware issue, a lack-of-hardware issue, a software issue, an operating system issue, or a random unknown issue.
But by following the tips and suggestions in this article, you’ll have some tricks and tools to use in tackling a system that’s running slow. You may not have the ideal fix for every situation, but at least you’ll know how and where to look for one.
Why My Projector Won’T Turn Off?
Projector won’t turn off? Here’s 3 quick solutions for you
424
Share
X
X
INSTALL BY CLICKING THE DOWNLOAD FILE
Try Outbyte Driver Updater to resolve driver issues entirely:
This software will simplify the process by both searching and updating your drivers to prevent various malfunctions and enhance your PC stability. Check all your drivers now in 3 easy steps:
Download Outbyte Driver Updater.
Launch it on your PC to find all the problematic drivers.
OutByte Driver Updater has been downloaded by
0
readers this month.
A major reason why your projector may not be turning off can be due to configuration corruption. It can also happen due to hardware failure or other minor issues. Many users have reported that their projector refuses to turn off in the Reddit community forums.
I’ve had it for about a year with frequent use and it’s never done this. Holding the power button (or any button/combo) doesn’t seem to work. From AAXA technologies, but their support doesn’t have anything like this.
Follow the troubleshooting tips in this article to troubleshoot my projector won’t turn off issue.
How do you turn off a projector?
1. Double-press the Power Button
Some projectors are configured to avoid accidental power-offs/shutdown and require the users to press the Power key or the power button the remote twice to turn off.
So, if you haven’t tried, already, try to press the Power button on the projector or on remote twice and check if that helps.
If that doesn’t work, press and hold the power button on the projector for 30 sec to turn off the projector forcefully.
Ensure that your projector is properly connected to your PC by following this extensive guide.
2. Force Shutdown the Projector
If the issue persists, to diagnose the projector you need to reboot it again. To do that, you probably need to force turn off the projector by pulling the power plug from the projector.
Once the projector is off and you have pulled off all the plugs, make sure you let the projector lamp/bulb cool down for about 30 minutes.
After the 30 minutes, turn on the projector and check if you can turn it off using the power button.
If the projector is turning off normally, you need not do anything else as it was a temporary glitch.
3. Other Solutions to Try
If the issue persists, it is possible that the projector has internal hardware issues. Contact the projector maker to get better troubleshooting idea for your projector.
Check if the projector has any pending firmware update which may include bug fixes. So, try to update the projector to the latest version of the firmware available and check for any improvements.
You can perform the firmware update on your own using the computer or send it to the projector manufacturer authorized dealer. The failed projector firmware update is not covered under warranty. So do it at your own risk.
RELATED STORIES YOU MAY LIKE:
Still experiencing troubles? Fix them with this tool:
SPONSORED
Some driver-related issues can be solved faster by using a tailored driver solution. If you’re still having problems with your drivers, simply install OutByte Driver Updater and get it up and running immediately. Thus, let it update all drivers and fix other PC issues in no time!
Was this page helpful?
x
Start a conversation
Why Does Android Randomly Restart?
A common question Android users may ask is “Why does my Android randomly restart itself?” At one point or another, every Android device I’ve owned has had this problem. There are a few common reasons your Android might restart on its own. Let’s take a look at them and see if we can fix it.
Cause #1 – Bad AppsIn most cases, random restarts are caused by a poor quality app. Try uninstalling apps you don’t use. Be sure the apps you do use are reliable, especially the apps that handle email or text messaging. My wife recently discovered her Galaxy S22 would restart sometimes when receiving a text message. Switching from the Verizon Messaging app to Hangouts for text messaging fixed that issue.
You may also have an app running in the background that is causing the Android to randomly restart. When a background app is the suspected cause, try the following, preferably in the order listed:
Uninstall apps you don’t necessarily need. This goes especially for any apps that control sound, ringtones, wallpaper, have fancy widgets, or use GPS.
Cause #2 – System Apps Are Disabled Cause #3 – OverheatingMany Android devices are designed to shut off automatically if they become too hot. If you have your device out on a 100 degree day while trying to use 4G, GPS, and the screen is set to the brightest setting, it might restart itself or shut down. Try to take it easy and maybe disable features you don’t need.
Overheating shutdowns shouldn’t be a regular problem though. If your device is overheating regularly, contact the retailer or manufacturer about it.
Cause #4 – Loose BatteryOf course, this problem only occurs on devices with a removable battery. My Droid 1 and Samsung Galaxy S4 were notorious for suddenly restarting. Sometimes they would shut off and never turn back on. It turned out that in both cases, the battery was coming a bit loose. Just a slight jab at the device would quickly unseat, then re-seat the battery, causing it to reset.
The most common reason for this is the rear cover has become slightly bent and is no longer holding the battery into place. Another reason is the gold battery connectors are bent out of shape. Over time, the connectors may get worn down.
There are two ways to tackle a problem with a loose battery:
Cause #5 – Corrupted System Software Cause #6 – Stuck Button
Sometimes the “Power” button can get some water or gunk stuck in it. Be sure that nothing is jammed in the button opening. Try cleaning your buttons with a lightly dampened cloth. Also check to make sure your case is not putting pressure on any buttons.
Cause #7 – Defective HardwareIf everything above has been tried and your Android is still randomly restarting itself, you may just have a bad device. Contact the retailer or manufacturer about the problem. You may not have that option if you have a custom Android ROM installed. In that case, you may want to take your question to the maker of your particular ROM.
FAQMy Android is low on battery power and restarts when plugged in. Why is it doing this?
You are likely not giving the device enough power. Ensure you use the correct power adapter and cable and plug the Android into a wall outlet, not a computer or other device with USB ports.
Why You Should Use Timeshift To Back Up Your Computer
Timeshift is a relatively new utility for Linux, but it’s something that’s become so essential to desktop users that many distros have added it to their official repositories. This nifty application essentially brings the System Restore utility from Windows to Linux.
Timeshift allows you to create incremental backups that produce exact images of your system at a specific point in time. You can use them to restore your system to the exact state that it was in when the backup was made. Since they’re incremental, they don’t take nearly as much hard drive space to store. In this post we show you how to get started with Timeshift on your own desktop.
Why Use TimeshiftFirst off, Timeshift isn’t primarily meant for servers (though it does have great command line usability). It’s designed with desktops in mind, and it shines there. There are plenty of reasons that you’d want to use Timeshift on a desktop Linux system.
It lets you roll back from bad updates, security issues, and just about anything else that can go wrong with your system, even the mistakes that you make yourself. If you’re worried about security, you might want to check out the best Linux-Libre distributions for improved protection.
Timeshift also allows you to create backups to external and networked hard drives. That means that it can service backups even when the hardware it’s installed on fails.
There’s even an extra feature that makes it better than Windows’ System Restore: Timeshift can be set to run at just about any time interval automatically. You can have your system back itself up every night, week, or month, and never worry that your latest backup is outdated.
How to Install TimeshiftTimeshift is now available in most Linux repositories and can be installed directly from your package manager. Here are a few examples of the installation in major Linux distros:
Debian/Ubuntu-based Distributionssudo
apt
install
timeshift Arch LinuxTimeshift is available in the Arch User Repository (AUR). You will need an AUR helper to access this special repository. In this example, we used Yay to install Timeshift:
yay-S
timeshift Fedorasudo
dnf
install
timeshift Void Linuxsudo
xbps-install timeshift Getting Started with the GUI
You’ll need to decide whether you want to run your backups via Rsync or BTRFS. Unless you formatted your hard drive for BTRFS, Rsync is the right choice.
Select where you want to store your backups. Pick the drive where you want your backups to go. A different drive than the one your system is installed on is usually a better option if you have it available.
Timeshift will ask you to set up the timing of your backups. Set something that makes sense for your system. Usually, weekly or nightly backups work best on desktops.
Once all this is set up, Timeshift will let you know that the setup is finished.
If you ever want to go back and change your settings, hit the “Settings” button on the top of the window to do just that.
Creating a BackupCreating a backup of your system is super easy, and you can make one right after you set up Timeshift. This gives your system a starting point.
After the backup process is completed, you’ll be able to see it listed on the main screen. Timeshift lists all of its backups there.
How to Restore a BackupYou’ve backed up your system files, and now it’s time to restore them. Timeshift is capable of restoring in a variety of conditions, which we will walk you through:
If You Can Reach Your Desktop If You Can’t Boot to Desktop But Still Have Access the Login ScreenIn this circumstance, your display manager was able to open meaning that you are technically booted into the system, but your desktop environment failed to load properly. To access Timeshift, we’ll need to access a terminal.
To access the Linux fallback (TTY) terminal prompt, press Ctrl + Alt + F2 or Ctrl + Alt + F3 on your keyboard. Depending on the distro, either of these key combinations should take you to a terminal where you are asked to log in.
Type in your user name and password, and you’re now in your system!
To restore a snapshot using Timeshift here, just type:
sudo
timeshift--restore
You’ll be presented with a list of snapshots and asked to pick one. We selected snapshot 0.
You’ll now be asked to press Enter. In almost all use cases, you could just keep pressing it until it starts the restore process.
Tap your Y key and then press Enter to confirm. Once Timeshift is done restoring your system, you’ll be booted back into your system which now should work perfectly fine.
If You Can’t Boot At AllFor this process, you’ll need a live USB/DVD of a Linux distro to boot into. You can use a software like balenaEtcher to create one.
Shut down the computer, then boot from the USB stick/DVD you created. If it asks you to whether you want to try or install the distro, pick the “Try” option.
Once you’re in, install Timeshift like you normally would in your system using the steps described earlier in this article.
Open Timeshift, pick the drive your snapshots are stored in, and you should now see the ones you’ve made.
Frequently Asked Questions Why doesn’t Timeshift’s window follow my theme?You may have noticed this especially if you normally use a dark theme: Timeshift’s aesthetics will not follow anything you have on your system. This happens because the application itself runs on a root shell. That’s why it asks you for an administrative password as soon as you open it. The root shell’s theme and your user theme are two completely separate entities managed in different parts of your file system.
To make this as simple as possible without going on a long conversation about root shell modification and its security implications, an application opened with elevated privileges will always use the root shell, which is almost always the vanilla default theme your desktop environment comes with.
Can I delete older backups without breaking Timeshift?Yes, you can delete whatever backups you want in Timeshift in any order you want without issues! Since backups are incremental, it’s normal to assume that removing an image might create a Jenga tower situation and break the sequence. However, Timeshift performs its backups using a little bit of file system magic with hard links that allow it to store multiple instances of a file in different locations. This allows the application to remove an image while preserving overall backup integrity.
All screenshots by Miguel Leiva-Gomez and Nick Congleton.
Miguel Leiva-Gomez
Miguel has been a business growth and technology expert for more than a decade and has written software for even longer. From his little castle in Romania, he presents cold and analytical perspectives to things that affect the tech world.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox
Sign up for all newsletters.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and European users agree to the data transfer policy. We will not share your data and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Update the detailed information about Why Does My Computer Keep Crashing? on the Hatcungthantuong.com website. We hope the article's content will meet your needs, and we will regularly update the information to provide you with the fastest and most accurate information. Have a great day!