How do you perform a PC health check?

How to perform a PC health check? Use App and CMD tools

Performing a PC health check results in early detection of hardware issues and system slowdowns. Maintaining your computers condition prevents sudden failures and ensures stable performance for daily tasks. Regular diagnostic reviews protect valuable data and extend the functional lifespan of the operating system.

What is a PC Health Check and Why You Need It

A PC health check is a diagnostic process that evaluates your computers hardware and software for potential issues. It tells you if your system meets requirements for modern operating systems like Windows 11, identifies failing components (like a dying hard drive), and helps you preempt performance problems before they cause data loss or crashes.

Over 30% of Windows 10 devices are incompatible with Windows 11 primarily because they lack Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, a security chip that became standard in motherboards manufactured after 2017. SSD lifespan depends heavily on the drives TBW rating, daily write volume, and usage patterns rather than a fixed annual percentage decrease; monitoring tools like SMART attributes can help predict potential issues. Ignoring these warnings often leads to sudden data loss—something I learned the hard way when my old laptop’s hard drive gave out with no backup. ^[2]

Method 1: Using the Official PC Health Check App

Downloading and Installing the App

The official Microsoft PC Health Check app is the easiest way to perform a quick compatibility scan. It’s designed for Windows 10 and 11 users to verify system readiness, especially for Windows 11 upgrades. The installer is less than 30 MB and installs in under a minute—much simpler than navigating BIOS settings.

Running the Scan and Interpreting Results

Launch the app, click the “Check now” button. It evaluates eight key areas: TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, processor generation, RAM capacity, storage space, graphics card, system firmware, and device drivers. If everything passes, you’re ready for Windows 11. If it flags issues, the app gives specific guidance—for example, “TPM is disabled” with instructions to enable it in UEFI BIOS.

The first time I ran it, I panicked when it showed a red X next to TPM. Turned out I just needed to flip a setting in the BIOS—something the app told me to do.

Method 2: Running Windows Security Health Report

Windows Security (formerly Defender) includes a built-in device performance and health report. Open Windows Security, click on “Device performance & health.” You’ll see a summary covering storage capacity, driver status, battery health (for laptops), and Windows time. If any area needs attention, it appears as a warning. This method doesn’t require downloading anything extra—it’s already on your machine.

Method 3: Advanced Diagnostics with Command Line Tools

System Diagnostics Report (perfmon /report)

For power users, the Performance Monitor tool gives an exhaustive report. Press Win+R, type perfmon /report, and wait 60 seconds for the data collection. The resulting HTML report provides a system performance overview with various metrics and checks. It’s overkill for a casual user but invaluable when you’re troubleshooting specific slowdowns.

Checking Storage Health with WMIC or PowerShell

You can query your hard drive’s S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) data to see if a failure is imminent. Open Command Prompt as admin and type wmic diskdrive get status. If it returns “OK,” your drive is likely fine. If you see anything else, back up immediately. This simple command saved my colleague’s dissertation last year when it flagged a failing drive three days before it died.

Comparing Built-in vs. Third-Party Health Check Tools

While Windows provides several built-in ways to gauge system health, third‑party utilities often go deeper. Here’s how they stack up.

Built‑in Tools vs. Third‑Party Utilities

Microsoft PC Health Check App & Windows Security

- Covers OS compatibility, TPM, Secure Boot, basic storage health, and battery status. Does not show S.M.A.R.T. attributes or component temperatures.

- Limited to on‑demand scans; no background temperature or wear‑level monitoring.

- One‑click interface, no installation required for Windows Security; the PC Health Check app is a simple download.

- Free and pre‑installed (except the PC Health Check app, which is free).

Third‑Party Tools (CrystalDiskInfo, HWMonitor)

- Shows detailed S.M.A.R.T. attributes (reallocated sectors, wear leveling), exact drive temperature, CPU voltages, and fan speeds.

- Can run in the system tray, alerting you to overheating or failing sectors immediately.

- Slightly more technical but still user‑friendly. Requires download and installation.

- Free for personal use (CrystalDiskInfo, HWMonitor), some have pro versions with extra features.

Checking a Laptop Before Upgrading

Alex, a freelance graphic designer, wanted to upgrade to Windows 11 but was afraid his 2019 laptop wouldn’t pass. He’d heard horror stories about data loss after failed upgrades.

He ran the PC Health Check app first. It passed everything except TPM—the app said it was disabled. Alex felt defeated, thinking his hardware was obsolete.

After searching online, he realized he only needed to enter BIOS and enable Intel PTT. The process took 10 minutes. He ran the check again—green checkmarks across the board.

He upgraded to Windows 11 that weekend. The upgrade took 45 minutes and his files stayed intact. Now he checks health monthly using Windows Security’s built‑in report, catching a battery warning before it left him stranded.