How to create a baseline after reinstalling Windows

After reinstalling Windows, it can be hard to tell whether a problem is new or whether a device was already acting up. A baseline gives you a record of how the computer behaved when the fresh installation was working normally.

Run a full check once Windows and its essential drivers are installed. Test Everything checks devices step by step and gives you a report to keep for later comparison.

Create a baseline

1. Open Test Everything on the computer you reinstalled. First finish Windows setup, install available updates and essential drivers, and restart the computer. A test taken before drivers are ready may show missing or limited device information.
2. Set up consistent test conditions. Plug in a laptop, place it on a firm surface with its vents clear, close programs you do not need, and use the same Wi-Fi or network connection you normally use. Note the date, Windows version, browser, and whether the computer is plugged in.
3. Follow the test steps and respond when a check needs an action, such as pressing a key or speaking into a microphone. Allow camera or microphone access when the browser asks, if you want those devices checked.
4. Review the report. Write down any failed, skipped, or unavailable checks and the details that matter to you, such as a performance score or screen resolution. A screenshot or a short written record is enough if you do not have a way to keep the report itself.
5. Repeat only a check that failed or looked unusual after you have tried a fix. Avoid running full-load tests over and over just to get a higher score. If a laptop becomes unusually hot, shuts down, or behaves abnormally, stop the test.

For a useful comparison later, keep the computer, browser, power state, and network conditions as similar as possible. A note such as “Wi-Fi, battery saver off, plugged in” can explain a difference that looks like a hardware change.

What the results mean

Most checks pass

This is a useful record that the tested devices responded at the time. It does not prove that every feature works in every app, or that a problem will not happen intermittently. Keep the date and conditions with the report so you can compare a future check fairly.

One check fails

A failed check points to something worth investigating, but it does not automatically mean the hardware is broken. Windows may still need a driver, the browser may lack permission, or the wrong input or output device may be selected. Try the fixes below, then check that device again.

A check is unavailable

Some checks depend on what the browser and device make available. For example, Battery Meter and Charger & Cable Test appear only when the browser reports a battery. A missing result is not the same as a failed device.

A performance score changes

Scores can shift with background activity, power settings, browser updates, and browser engine changes. Compare them only under similar conditions. A small change by itself is not proof that a component is damaged. For processor scores, see why CPU benchmarks differ across browser engines.

Fix common problems after reinstalling Windows

1. Finish Windows updates and restart. Open Settings › Windows Update, install available updates, and restart when prompted. Then check Settings › Windows Update › Advanced options › Optional updates for relevant driver updates.
2. Check for missing drivers. Right-click Start and open Device Manager. Look for devices with a warning icon or listed as unknown. Use Windows Update or the computer manufacturer's support materials for the correct driver, then restart and test again.
3. Allow camera and microphone access. In Windows 11, open Settings › Privacy & security › Camera or Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone. Check that access is enabled for the device and desktop apps. The browser also needs permission when it asks.
4. Choose the intended audio device. Open Settings › System › Sound and check the selected output and input devices. A newly installed driver may change the default from your headset to built-in speakers or a monitor.
5. Use a steady power setting. On a laptop, open Settings › System › Power & battery and note the power mode. Battery saver or a low-power mode can affect performance results, so use the same setting when you compare later tests.
6. Close background work before comparing scores. Pause large downloads, file copies, updates, and other heavy tasks. Restart if the computer is unusually busy, then run the relevant check again under the same conditions as your baseline.

When a problem points to hardware

If the same device fails after Windows is updated, its driver is installed, and the relevant permission or setting is correct, check it outside the browser if possible. For example, try another known-working USB port or test an external mouse on another computer. If the problem follows the device, inspect its cable or connection and contact the manufacturer if it is under warranty.

A browser check can show that a device is not responding, but it cannot inspect every internal fault or prove that a component is healthy. If a built-in device repeatedly fails, or the computer shuts down during normal use, arrange a repair rather than relying on a clean Windows installation to fix it.

Keep the comparison fair

A baseline is a snapshot, not a universal target. Keep the report with a few notes about updates, driver changes, display connections, power mode, and network conditions. When something changes, compare the same checks first, then investigate the difference instead of rerunning everything without a clear reason.