The Trouble-Free PC

When things go wrong with Windows--and they inevitably do--add-on utilities may help where Windows' built-in tools can't. The question is, which ones do you need? Utility suites offer the convenience of multiple tools on one CD. Plus, there are hundreds of specialized utilities that can fill in the gaps or, in the proper combination, substitute for suites altogether.

We tested four all-in-one suites and 18 less-known utilities to find the right mix that will keep your PC productive and secure.

In this article:

• All-in-One Utility Suites
• How the Suites Stack Up (chart)
• Small Utilities
• Preventive Security
• System Management
• Tune-Up Tools
• Explorer Enhancements
• Other Must-Haves
• Windows Tips