8 Essential PowerShell Commands to Fix Common Windows Issues Fast

1. How to Reset Network Adapters in PowerShell

If your internet drops or you're switching between networks and things don’t reconnect properly, this command gives your network adapter a fresh start:

Get-NetAdapter | Disable-NetAdapter -Confirm:$false

Start-Sleep -Seconds 3

Get-NetAdapter | Enable-NetAdapter

Pro tip: No need to reboot. This “soft reset” can fix flaky connections in seconds.

2. PowerShell Command to Flush DNS Cache

Is a website not loading or resolving incorrectly? The DNS cache might be the culprit.

Clear-DnsClientCache

This clears cached DNS entries and forces Windows to query fresh records—great for resolving connection issues or domain changes.

3. Clear Print Queue with PowerShell

Stuck print jobs can cause endless headaches. Here's how to completely flush the print spooler:

Stop-Service -Name Spooler -Force

Remove-Item -Path "C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*" -Force

Start-Service -Name Spooler

This is especially useful when printers hang or say "printing" but nothing happens.

4. Check Windows Activation Status Using PowerShell

Verifying Windows activation is easy—especially after reinstalling or reimaging a system:

slmgr.vbs /xpr

This opens a simple pop-up with your activation status. For more detailed information:

slmgr.vbs /dlv

Helpful for audits, deployments, or troubleshooting licensing issues.

5. Get System Uptime with PowerShell

Want to know how long your PC’s been running?

(Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem).LastBootUpTime

Great for diagnosing performance issues tied to long uptimes or checking how recently a server was rebooted.

6. List Installed Programs with PowerShell

Quickly generate a list of installed applications:

Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* |

Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, Publisher | Format-Table -AutoSize

Useful for system inventory, app audits, or identifying outdated software.

7. Free Up Disk Space by Deleting Temp Files

Cleaning up temporary files can free up gigabytes of space:

Get-ChildItem -Path $env:TEMP -Recurse | Remove-Item -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

It’s quick, safe, and works well for monthly maintenance routines.

8. Repair Corrupted Windows System Files with PowerShell

Experiencing crashes, update failures, or random errors? Start with:

sfc /scannow

Then follow up with:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

These two tools work together to scan for and repair corrupted or missing system files. They’re often the best first step when something just isn’t working right. Click here to learn more about SFC and DISM

How to Run PowerShell as Administrator

Most of these commands require elevated privileges. Here's how to launch PowerShell with admin rights:

• Press Windows + X, then choose Windows PowerShell (Admin)

• Or search for “PowerShell” in the Start menu, right-click, and select Run as administrator

Final Thoughts: Why Use PowerShell?

PowerShell helps you go beyond the GUI and solve problems faster. Whether you're an IT technician, tech-savvy home user, or someone looking to automate routine maintenance, these commands will save you clicks, time, and stress.

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