How to Use GiliSoft Total Repair on Windows
Repair a Windows error, clear unwanted files, manage startup, or work with damaged and deleted files. Choose your task below for the matching tool, illustrated steps, and result checks.
What Would You Like to Do?
Repair Windows and Application Errors
Use System Repair when a program fails to open, a dependency is missing, or Windows reports a component problem. Keep the exact message available so you can choose the matching repair.
Open System Repair and choose a category
Open System Repair in GiliSoft Total Repair. Choose the category matching the problem: App DLL Repair for an application dependency, System DLL Repair for a system DLL, or the relevant runtime, game, or Windows component tool. Use Intelligent Repair for a broader component scan.
Launcher and detailed-window labels differ: Intelligent Repair opens One-Click Repair, App DLL Repair leads to Application Error, and System DLL Repair leads to System DLL Scan.
Before applying a system change: save open work, back up important files, and prepare an appropriate recovery option. The launcher has a Restore points entry; see Microsoft's System Protection instructions for setup. This desktop workflow starts from running Windows.
Scan and inspect the relevant components
Let the chosen category finish scanning, then review component names, descriptions, and status. Compare the reported entries with the application or Windows error you are trying to fix. A Normal result means that entry does not currently call for repair.
- Application and system DLLs
- Match missing or abnormal dependencies to the program or Windows feature that reports the error.
- C++ Runtime Library
- Review the runtime version and architecture relevant to the affected application.
- .NET categories
- .NET Runtime Repair and .NET FX Repair are separate categories; choose the dependency used by the application.
- Game and Windows component tools
- Choose the matching game, system-file, system-image, or disk-error task and review its prompts.
Apply a repair for the selected issue
Select the finding that matches the problem. Use its Repair action or Repair Now for the reviewed selection, follow the prompts, and allow the operation to finish. Leave unrelated entries unselected so you can test the effect of the chosen repair.
The illustrated Application Error result offers a row-level Repair, Rescan, and Repair Now. Use the action for the reviewed issue. A scan count does not identify which finding caused your symptom.
Restart when requested and test the result
Restart Windows if requested by the completed repair. Reopen the affected application or repeat the Windows action that produced the error. Use Rescan where available and check whether the same error returns before deciding the issue is resolved.
If the failure remains, record the unchanged or new message and the repair already tried. Check the application's own update or repair route and the dependency it reports before applying another change.
Find a DLL or Investigate an Error Code
Find a DLL by File Name
- Open Manual Repair
In System Repair, select Manual Repair. Keep the full error message visible so the file name can be copied accurately.
- Enter the DLL name and search
Enter the DLL name from the message, including its file extension, and click Search. The field is for a DLL file name, not a general Windows error code.
- Review the result and test the application
Check Search Results for the exact file name and review its available action. Follow the relevant tool prompts, then reopen the application to test the original error.
Use the software's repair workflow rather than replacing unrelated system files based only on a similar DLL name.
Scan and Review Windows Error Codes
- Open the error-code tool
Choose Error Code Repair in the System Repair launcher. The detailed window uses the label Error Code Scan. Let its scan finish, or use Rescan for a fresh inspection.
- Match the description and code
Compare the reported description and ErrorCode with the message and action that failed on your PC. Select the relevant finding rather than every detected entry.
- Apply a matching repair and retest
Use the row's Repair action or Repair Now for the reviewed selection. Follow the prompts and repeat the original action after completion, restarting if requested.
Clean Files and Analyze Disk Space
System Clean contains the junk, large-file, duplicate, and disk-analysis tools. Select the task for the storage you want to reclaim or inspect.
Clean Junk Files
- Open Junk Clean and choose the scope
Select System Clean > Junk Clean. Review Scan Settings to choose the cleanup scope, then let the scan finish.
- Review the categories and selection
Expand the relevant categories and check the detected items and sizes. Use Recommend or All only as selection controls, then keep any data you still need unselected.
- Clean the selected items and check space
Close applications using the selected data, then use the cleanup action offered after the scan. Confirm the selected removal and check available disk space afterward.
Find Large Files
- Open Large File Clean
Select System Clean > Large File Clean. Review Scan Settings, choose the relevant scope, and wait for the scan to finish.
- Inspect the file paths and sizes
Review Name, Path, Size, and Last Modified. Identify which files are old downloads, unused copies, or other content you can move or remove.
- Reclaim space from chosen files
Keep required projects, backups, installers, and application files. Use the available file action for confirmed unwanted items, or move needed files to suitable storage, then check the result and free space.
Find and Remove Duplicate Files
- Choose the duplicate scan scope
Open System Clean > Duplicate File Clean and review Scan Settings for the locations to inspect.
- Scan and compare the copies
Click Scan Now. When results are available, compare each reported group and its file locations so the required original and deliberate backup copies are identified.
- Remove only unwanted copies
Select redundant copies you no longer need and use the available removal action. Keep at least the required usable copy, then check that the retained files open correctly.
Analyze Disk Space
- Open Disk Analysis
Choose System Clean > Disk Analysis. Select the Categories and Drives to inspect.
- Run the analysis
Click Analyze and review the completed storage breakdown for the selected drive and categories.
- Decide what to move or clean
Use the results to identify content to archive, move, or investigate. Continue with Large File Clean or Duplicate File Clean when appropriate; analysis itself does not remove files.
Manage Startup and Windows Settings
PC Optimization groups startup management, tune-up settings, registry cleanup, software uninstall, and hardware/system information.
Manage Startup Programs
- Open Startup Manager
Choose PC Optimization > Startup Manager. The detailed window labels the tool Startup Manage.
- Select the relevant tab and entry
Use Startup Items for startup programs, Task Scheduler for scheduled tasks, or Services for services. Review the name, publisher, purpose, and current state of the entry.
- Make one change and test startup
Record the original state and use a reversible disable option when offered for an unwanted item. Restart normally and check that required programs and services still work.
The screenshot shows Optimization Log, not the startup-items tab. Some logged actions are marked Irrecoverable; do not assume deleting a service, driver, or log entry is a reversible startup toggle.
Adjust Windows Settings
- Open System Tune-Up
Choose PC Optimization > System Tune-Up. Review the available settings and their Optimized or Not Optimized status.
- Choose the behavior to change
Read each description and select the specific shutdown, stability, or Explorer behavior you want to adjust. Prepare a suitable recovery option before system-setting changes.
- Apply and verify the setting
Click Optimize for the reviewed selection, follow any prompts, and test the affected Windows behavior. Record which settings changed so the result can be checked.
Restore System Defaults applies to the settings tool; it is not an undo command for every earlier startup, registry, or file operation.
Scan Registry Entries
- Open Registry Cleanup
Choose Registry Cleanup from the maintenance launcher or related window. Back up relevant settings and prepare an appropriate restore option before applying changes.
- Scan and review detected entries
Click Start Scan and inspect any finished findings. Check whether an entry is relevant to the issue you are investigating, and leave unfamiliar or required entries unselected.
- Apply only a justified cleanup
If a reviewed entry is appropriate to remove, use the available cleanup action and follow its prompts. Test the affected application or Windows behavior afterward. Skip cleanup when there is no established need.
Registry cleanup is optional, not a routine requirement or a guaranteed speed improvement. For the effects of registry changes, see Microsoft's system configuration tools guidance.
Use Hardware Info and Operating System to inspect the PC. For an unwanted program, open Software Uninstall instead of deleting its application folder manually.
Repair, Recover, or Compress Files
Repair Damaged Files
- Choose the repair tool for the file type
Open File Repair and select Video Repair, Image Repair, Document Repair, or Audio Repair.
- Add a copy of the damaged file
In the selected tool, add a working copy of the file and run the offered repair process. Keep the original unchanged so another recovery approach remains possible.
- Save and verify the repaired output
Use the selected tool's save or export controls to create a separate result. Open the document or image, or play the audio/video, to check that the needed content is usable.
For deleted or missing files, use Data Recovery instead; repair works on an existing file.
Recover Deleted or Lost Files
- Open Data Recovery before other maintenance
From File Repair, select Data Recovery. Stop unnecessary writes to the affected storage and avoid cleanup, formatting, or installing software on that drive.
- Choose the matching recovery mode and source
In the recovery tool, choose the mode matching the deletion, formatting, or other loss. Select the original drive or storage location and run its scan.
- Review the files found
Inspect the scan results and preview files where supported. Select the documents, photos, videos, or other data you need to recover.
- Save recovered files to another drive
Choose a different physical drive as the destination. After saving, open or play the restored files to verify useful content before resuming normal work on the source.
The File Repair launcher screenshot shows the Data Recovery entry. Follow the GiliSoft Data Recovery guide for recovery-mode and scan instructions.
Compress or Extract Files
- Choose the compression task
Open Compression. Select File Compress to create an archive, Image Compress to reduce image file size, or File Decompress to extract files.
- Add the source and set the output
Use the chosen tool's input and output settings. The illustrated launcher lists 7Z, ZIP, and TAR for archive creation, and 7Z, RAR, ZIP, TAR, and GZIP for extraction. Choose the required format offered by the installed tool.
- Process and check the saved files
Run the selected operation and inspect its output. Test extraction of a new archive, open the extracted files, or compare the compressed image before removing any originals.
Final Maintenance Checklist
- Original problem
- The exact symptom was recorded and retested after the selected repair, including a restart when requested.
- Cleanup targets
- Selected categories, paths, duplicates, and large files were reviewed instead of treating every finding as unwanted.
- Settings and recovery
- Startup, service, registry, and tune-up changes were deliberate, recorded, and backed by an appropriate recovery plan.
- File outputs
- Repaired, recovered, compressed, or extracted results were saved separately and opened or played for verification.
If the original issue remains, keep the exact message and steps already tried for support. Avoid repeating unrelated changes simply to make every status green.
GiliSoft Total Repair FAQ
Which Total Repair tool should I start with?
Choose the symptom first. Use System Clean for junk, large files, duplicates, or disk usage; System Repair for application, DLL, runtime, or Windows component issues; PC Optimization for startup and settings; File Repair for damaged files or the Data Recovery entry; and Compression for file size or archive tasks.
Does One-Click Repair mean I should repair everything it finds?
No. Use it to inspect a broader set of components, then wait for the scan to finish and review the relevant findings. The screenshot's issue counts describe that example, not your PC. Apply only changes you understand, and test the original problem afterward; a scan count is not proof that every finding caused the symptom.
Why does an application still fail after repair?
The cause may be outside the repaired component. Record the new or unchanged error, restart if requested, and check that the selected repair matches the application and runtime involved. The application itself may need an update or repair, and storage, permissions, drivers, or other dependencies may require separate investigation.
Should I remove all junk, large files, and duplicate results?
No. Review categories, paths, sizes, and file purpose before removing anything. Recommend and All are selection controls, not a guarantee that every item is unnecessary. A large file can be important, and duplicates can be deliberate project copies or backups. Keep needed files and close applications that may use the selected data.
Can I undo every startup or optimization action?
Do not assume so. Startup Manage has Startup Items, Task Scheduler, Services, and Optimization Log tabs; the supplied screenshot shows the log, with some entries marked Irrecoverable. Record the current state, prefer a reversible disable option when available, and do not delete unfamiliar services, tasks, security tools, or drivers.
Is registry cleanup required to make Windows faster?
No. Treat registry cleanup as an optional, targeted maintenance task, not a routine requirement or a promise of a faster PC. Back up relevant settings and prepare an appropriate restore option before changes. Review detected entries, leave unfamiliar or required entries alone, and skip the operation when you cannot establish a specific need.
When should I use file repair instead of data recovery?
Use the matching Video, Image, Document, or Audio Repair tool when an existing file is damaged or cannot be used correctly. Use Data Recovery when files were deleted or lost. Keep a copy of a damaged source, and save recovered data to another drive so you do not overwrite data that may still be recoverable.
Can I use this guide if Windows will not start?
This guide's app workflow starts from a running Windows desktop. A boot failure needs the appropriate Windows recovery path or hands-on diagnosis before these desktop steps can be used. Keep important data and recovery information available; repeatedly applying unrelated cleanup or registry changes is not a boot-repair plan.
Is GiliSoft Total Repair free?
A Windows trial download is available. Check the installed version for its current scan, repair, and feature limits. The Buy Now buttons in this guide show the $39.95 lifetime license for 1 PC and link to the official Total Repair purchase page; the trial is not a promise that all tools are permanently free.
