With the releasing of Microsoft’s Windows seven operating system, plenty of the performance issues present in past installments of this PC mainstay have been addressed, showing a quantifiable improvement in areas that were once headaches for even the most capable machines. Still, despite what would appear to be Microsoft’s welcome reaction to the chorus of complaints about XP and Vista, the onset of issues is to be expected for even the latest release. No operating system is immune from the sort of mistake that results from any number of issues: viruses, spyware, negligence, and so on.

Despite how it’s presently running, tomorrow could usher in a collection of surprising problems, which is expected with even new machines. Windows seven ( Vista, too ) includes a robust set of tools – all included within one easily accessible menu – that the annoyed user can make use of when making an attempt to diagnose the source of a problem.

Accessing these tools is as simple as entering a command in the search box that is located in the Start menu. Once you’ve entered “performance info” you will be greeted by a window from where you can select “Advanced tools.”

After those tools are available, it becomes obvious that you have at your disposal an impressive collection of diagnostic options that will – at the very least – aid you towards determining what lies at the source of your ailing system :

* Clear all Windows Experience Index scores and re-rate system

* View performance details in Event log

* Open Performance Monitor

* Open Resource Monitor

* Open Task Manager

* View Advanced system details in System Information

* Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows

* Open Disk Defragmenter

* Generate a system health report

One of the most educational tools you can use is Open Resource Monitor. Like Task Manager, Resource Monitor provides an outline of your system’s resources, allowing you to manage the available resources ( RAM, storage, bandwidth ) your system has to work with. Unlike Task Manager, which is kind of vague in its detail, Resource Monitor works at the micro level – meaning, you’re given a degree of specificity that illuminates how an individual process or application figures into the general allocation of resources.

Another beneficial aid is the “Generate a system health report” option. Similar to having a physical at the physician’s office, this will evaluate your system’s health, generating an analysis which will enlighten you on what areas you must address when experiencing issues with your PC’s performance. Taking just a few moments, the system research will return a statement that details each vital aspect of your system. Using this diagnostic analysis, you will be left with a more clear picture of how your personal computer is faring. As an example, if there is a driver that’s obstructing your ability to hear sound, this report will highlight that conflict.

These are just the tools that are reasonably self-explanatory in their use and interpretation. The more complicated tools – like View performance details in Event log – are just as beneficial, but they require an amount of expertise that your average user may be without.

Gregg Housh works at Geek Choice, a nationwide Computer Repair company. At Geek Choice we solve computer problems such as: Slow computer, Virus Removal, and much more.

Microsoft suggests that its latest creation, Windows 7, is not just nicer to look at, but is the most secure desktop Operating System ever created. Is this an exaggerated marketing mantra or does it have any substance? In truth there are some impressive security enhancements built into Windows 7 that go some way to substantiating the claim.

1. Microsoft has strengthened the foundation by developing kernel level protection which prevents unauthorised access to the heart of the operting system. In addition is has developed Data Execution Prevention and Address Space Layer Randomization, two further methodologies that prevent malware attacks at a low level.

2. User Account Control is an effective security tool that first appeared in Windows Vista. User Account Control pop-ups became tiresome for some in Vista as they came too frequently, but most agree that they did help prevent malware infection. Windows 7 resolves this problem with a slider control that allows the user to adjust the level of protection and therefore the frequency of security prompts.

3. Windows 7 incorporates Internet Explorer version 8. Quite simply, this is a more secure and faster browser than its predecessor and has a host of new features improving privacy and protecting against phishing and other malware attacks.

4. Windows 7 has improved the way it alerts you, the user about important security matters. It does this through the new ‘Action Center’. This provides important information about Windows maintenance and security features, including firewall, Windows Defender and User Account Control.

Has Microsoft made a more secure opertaing system? Windows 7 does improve the security of PCs with better controls and protections out of the box and upgraders can look forward to a number of important security enhancements.

For more information on Windows 7 security and Virus Removal, goto http://www.virusremoval.org