No matter what operating system you are using, be it Windows, Mac, or Linux, you will come across issues that prevent the smooth operation of your operating system. Fortunately, a handful of quality, free applications are available to fix common Windows problems.
In no particular order, here are the 10 best utilities you will ever need to troubleshoot and fix common Windows 7 issues. Many of these tools may help you fix Windows 8 issues as well.
Free Windows 7 repair tools
1. System File Checker: One of the best and least used features of the Windows operating system. This command line tool can fix missing or corrupted system file errors . We recommend you use this tool before using any other third-party software for fixing Windows errors. To know how to launch and use this command line utility, read our how to repair Windows 7 system files guide.
2. Troubleshooters: Both Windows 7 and Windows 8 include over 20 quality troubleshooting tools to automatically troubleshoot and fix common computer problems. You can find the list of the troubleshooters included in your version of Windows by navigating to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Troubleshooting. You can find more info about these in our troubleshooting Windows 7 using built-in troubleshooters guide.
3. FixWin: A must-have utility. FixWin lets you fix over 50 common Windows Vista and Windows 7 issues. For instance, you can take the help of this utility when the Recycle Bin icon is missing from the desktop, games explorer is not working, explorer.exe won’t start, and Windows Media Player doesn’t show slideshow properly. Fixes are also available to enable Task Manager, Command Prompt, Registry Editor, and other Windows features to disable viruses or malware.
Review and download page
4: Fix WMP: Free standalone utility to re-register Windows Media Player dll and ocx files. These dll and ocx files are crucial for the smooth operation of Windows Media Player.
Review and download page
5. Microsoft Fix It: Hundreds of free Fix It solutions are available to download from Microsoft. Fix It solutions help you automatically diagnose and repair problems. Visit the official Fix It page search for your issue and then download the Fix It solution.
6. Safe Mode Fixer: We all know how useful Windows Safe Mode is. If you can’t boot into Safe Mode or have any other issues with Safe Mode then Safe Mode Fixer is the right utility to fix them.
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7. Fix IE: Having issues with your Internet Explorer browser? No problem. Download and run FixIE utility to quickly fix your IE browser issues. This portable tool re-registers all dll and ocx files, files which are crucial for the proper functioning of Internet Explorer.
Review and download page
8. Complete Internet Repair: Another must-have utility for Windows users. Complete Internet Repair is capable of fixing DNS lookup problems, network connectivity problems, pop-up errors, Windows update, and other networking issues. This utility also helps you reset Internet Protocol, flush DNS resolver cache, renew internet connections, reset Windows Firewall configuration, and more.
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9. CD-DVD Icon Repair: Is your CD/DVD drive missing from Windows 7 Explorer? If so, try out this portable tool. The tool can also reset autoplay settings. You can also use this free utility to update your optical drive firmware.
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10: Fix MSE: Microsoft Security Essentials is the best free and one of the widely used antivirus software on Windows 7 OS. Fix MSE tries to fix most of Microsoft Security Essentials issues. This tool is a standalone tool and doesn’t require an installation.
Review and download page
You might also be interested in our 10 free tools to repair Windows 10 article.
Vic says
Does this product fix “your connection is not private” error. I think I need security updates to fix this damn error. No help found on line and no software that says it will update and get rid of this error.
robert hall says
All damage seems to result from windows updates especially in windows 10, we should create a facebook group, gather people together and sue microsoft
randy trachsel says
the only way ive been able to get rid of SearchAssist.net is by removing it from the registry and every file on hdd that had it.
mdh says
The MICROSOFT “FIX IT” DOES an ok job but the link is no good it pushes Win 10 so theres no downloads to get for problems you have to google them and even then FIX IT is hard to find, the best way I’ve found to fix problem is to install windows again, NOT a clean install bot run from inside windows just like a clean install, just put disc in and it will ask to install now click yes then it qill ask to udate files click yes and it will fix system issues and won’t DELETE your files. google REPAIR INSTALL , read at window seven forums , this is how I fixed my computer from lockup’s crashes and many other issue’s.
howard germany says
my computer will not open up it keep going to a blue screen and it dump the files i tryed system repair it does not work i tryed to restore the computer it does not work what should i do to fix the problem
Bill says
Any of these fixes clean out searchassist.net re-direct from IE browser (all versions 9-11). Went through the recommended program delete, adware cleaning, browser reset, etc. Even tried dumping the IE sub-key [programs/microsot/IE/main( includes searchassist.net)]. IE defaults are restored until browser is reopened and then it’s back. Serious hook somewhere. Too bad IE can’t be dumped, then re-installed.
Thanks
B
FatimaTakeda says
thk u so much… really helpfull
Linda says
missing file error is: 0xc0000056 – how to repair? blue screen crashes
ec on says
Thank you kindly; great info.
Rezwanur Rahman Pantho says
Thanks.
ha14 says
Nice listing, thanks