Microsoft program fixes personal computers

Microsoft on Monday released "Fix It Center" software designed to act as a personal computer technician that troubleshoots problems with machines.

A test version of the free program available online at fixitcenter.support.microsoft.com promised "tools that help solve the issues you have now and prevent new ones."

Fix It Center scans computers to diagnose and repair problems, letting users decide whether to have it tend to fixes and even report the troubles to Microsoft.

Center software, which must be installed on individual computers, makes note of what programs machines are using and tracks updates "to find and fix issues before they become real problems," according to Microsoft.