How to get help in Windows 10: Microsoft’s online support could fix your issues

Victoria Woollaston February 10, 2016

Windows 10 is the best version of Microsoft’s OS we’ve used, and it’s easily the most sophisticated too. Thanks to brand-new features such as pre-baked Cortana, the faster Edge web browser and the ability to stream gameplay from an Xbox One, people are finding Windows 10 pretty hard to get to grips with. In response, Microsoft has a wide range of support services to help you get your Windows 10 machine up and running. Interested? Here’s how to get help in Windows 10.

How to get help in Windows 10

Microsoft has set up a multilateral approach to helping Windows 10 users, meaning you’ll be able to find a huge database of FAQs about every area of the system, along with an online chat function built into the software.

Fix Windows Update Errors site

Microsoft has a dedicated support site called Fix Windows Update Errors designed to help Windows owners solve update-related errors themselves.

The site supports Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 and the options and help available differs depending on which software you’re using. It specifically concentrates on fixing the following errors:

0x80073712
0x800705B4
0x80004005
0x8024402F
0x80070002
0x80070643
0x80070003
0x8024200B
0x80070422
0x80070020

If you are running Windows 10, you will be prompted to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter and this should guide you through any problems. If you’re still struggling, try contact Microsoft Support direclty using the details below.

Online Support page

If your problem isn’t drastic, a visit to Microsoft’s Windows 10 Help database is probably the best solution. There you’ll find pretty much anything you need, arranged in neat categories and explained in crystal-clear detail. However, the page also features a handy “Trending questions” list. Packed with the most common questions to do with Windows 10, it’s likely the trending list could also include your query. And, if it’s not there, you can always type your problem into the search box. windows_10_help_database

Online chat from Windows 10

If you’re having trouble with your new installation of Windows 10, Microsoft also provides a direct chatline, baked directly into the OS. To access it, simply type “Contact Support” into the search box and you’ll be able to get connected directly with a member of the support team. Like any service, you might have to wait, but you’re notified of your waiting time – and you can even request a callback.

This is probably the most intense method of support, but also the most likely to get you out of trouble. If, however, your call can’t be solved, you’ll be put in contact with a more specific problem-fixer.

Online chat from a browser

If your Windows 10 machine can’t connect to the internet, you can also connect to a Microsoft helper using a regular web browser on a different machine. Simply head to the link here and you’ll be able to get in contact with a Microsoft representative.

Looking for a VPN to use with Windows? Check out Buffered, voted as best VPN for the United Kingdom by BestVPN.com.