Fixing computer problems can often be difficult, but Microsoft is aiming to make it as simple as a couple clicks with.  Here’s how you can easily fix computer problems with Microsoft’s new Fix it Center Beta.

Last year Microsoft began offering small Fix it scripts that you could download and run to help solve common computer problems automatically.  These were added to some of the most visited Windows help pages, and helped fix problems with things such as printing errors and Aero glass support.  Now, the Fix it scripts have been bundled together with the Fix it Center, making fixing your computer even easier. 

This free tool works great on all editions of Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7.

Note: The Fix it Center is currently in beta, so only run if you are comfortable running beta software.

Getting Started

Download the Fix it Center installer (link below), and install as normal.

The installer will download the remaining components, and then finish the installation.

In Windows XP, if you have not yet installed .NET 2.0, you may see the following prompt.  Click Yes to go to the download site, and once you’ve installed .NET 2.0, run the Fix it Center setup again.

Also, the Fix it Center uses PowerShell to automate its fixes, but if it is not installed yet the installer will automatically download and install it.

Find Fixes for Your PC

Once Fix it Center is installed, you can personalize it for your computer.  Select Now, and the click Next.

It will scan your computer for problems with known solutions, and will offer to go ahead and install these troubleshooters.  If you choose to not install them, you can always download them from within the Fix it Center at a later time.

While those troubleshooters are downloading, you can create a Fix it account.  This will give you additional help and support, and let you review Fix it solutions for all your computers from an online dashboard.  You need a Windows Live ID to create an account.

Also, choose whether or not to send information to Microsoft about your hardware and software problems.

Get Problems Fixed

Now that the Fix it Center is installed and has identified issues on your computer, it’s time to get the problems fixed.  Here’s the default front screen in Windows 7, showing all of the available fixes.

And here’s the Fix it Center running in Windows XP.

Select one of the Troubleshooters to see more information about it, and click Run to start it.

You can choose to either detect problems and have them fixed automatically, or you can choose for the Fix it Center to show you the solutions and let you choose whether to apply them or not.  The defaults usually work good, and only take a couple minutes to apply the fixes, but you can select your own fixes if you’d rather be in control.

It will scan your computer for known problems in this area, and then will show you the results.  Here, Fix it determined that startup programs may be causing performance issues.  Select Start System Configuration,

and uncheck any of the programs you do not usually use.

Once you’ve run a troubleshooter, you can see the issues it checked for and any problems it discovered.

If you created the online account, you can also choose to view the details online.  This will show all of your computers with Fix it Center and the fixes you’ve run on them.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a power user or new to computers, sometimes it’s best to just get your problems fixed and go on with life instead of digging through the registry, forums, and hacking your way to a solution.  Remember the service is still in beta and may not work perfectly or solve your issues every time. But it’s something cool and worth a look.

Links

Download Microsoft Fix it Center Beta

Fix additional problems with Microsoft’s Fix it Center Online