With the release of Microsoft's Windows seven operating system, a lot 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 response to the chorus of complaints about XP and Vista, the onset of issues is to be expected for even the most recent release. No operating system is immune to the sort of error that results from any number of issues: viruses, adware, negligence, for example.

Despite how it's currently running, tomorrow could usher in a collection of unanticipated problems, which is to be expected with even new machines. Windows 7 ( Vista, too ) has a robust set of tools - all included within one easily accessed menu - the annoyed user can utilize when making an attempt to diagnose the source of an issue.

Accessing these tools is as simple as entering a command in the search box that's found in the Start menu. Once you have entered "performance info" you'll be welcomed by a window from where you can select "Advanced tools."

After those tools are available, it becomes clear that you have at your disposal an impressive collection of diagnostic options that may - at the very least - aid you towards determining what lies at the source of your hurting 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 informative tools you can use is Open Resource Monitor. Like Task Manager, Resource Monitor provides an outline of your system's resources, permitting you to control the available resources ( RAM, storage, bandwidth ) your system has to work with. Unlike Task Manager, which is somewhat vague in its detail, Resource Monitor works at the micro level - meaning, you are 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 that can enlighten you on what areas you need to address when experiencing issues with your PC's performance. Taking only a few moments, the system research will return a report that details every critical facet of your system. Using this diagnostic analysis, you'll be left with a more clear image of how your PC is faring. For example, if there is a driver that's impedeing your ability to listen to sound, this report will highlight that conflict.

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