Faulty memory can masquerade as driver issues, overheating, or even malware. Before you reinstall Windows or buy a new graphics card, you need to diagnose the root cause. Luckily, Windows 11 has a built-in tool to do exactly that.

By default, it runs the test mix. You’ll see a progress bar and a status reading: “Running pass 1 of 2...”

To access more aggressive testing, press F1 before the test begins. You can change the "Test mix" from Standard to Extended . (Extended takes hours but is more thorough). Set "Pass count" to 3–5 for edge-case errors. Step 4: Interpret the Results Once the test finishes, your PC will reboot into Windows 11. Here is where most people get confused —Windows does not automatically show you the result.

Often, the culprit is hiding in plain sight:

Few things are more frustrating than an unexplained computer crash. One minute you’re deep in a workflow or an intense gaming session; the next, you’re staring at a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) or watching your application freeze for no apparent reason.

If you see errors, do not try to patch the problem with registry cleaners or reinstalling Windows. Your PC will feel snappier, crashes will vanish, and you’ll finally stop chasing phantom driver issues.