FixWin is a freeware utility that's supposed to help you fix the most common Windows problems, be they affecting Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer or Windows Media Player.

The app relies on a handy approach, as it gives users the power to browse its categories individually, but at the same time it comes with a so-called “System File Checker Utility” to detect and diagnose problems automatically.

There are five categories at your disposal, “Windows Explorer”, “Internet & Connectivity”, “Windows Media”, “System Tools” and “Additional Fixes”, each with its very own tools.

Performing a system scan takes a few minutes, while the computer is a bit stressed up, so make sure to close the other running apps before loading FixWin. The program also includes a dedicated feature to create a system restore point, so you'll be on the safe side all the time.

The “Windows Explorer” tab lets you fix anything from the explorer.exe that does start at boot in Windows, to the thumbnails that are not working while browsing files and the Recycle Bin icon that doesn't refresh automatically.

The “Internet & Connectivity” tool repairs Internet connections and resets TCP/IP settings to default state, re-enables the disabled Context Menu in Internet Explore, places an Internet Explorer icon on the desktop and many other things.

If you wish to reset Windows Media Library or flush and rebuild the Windows Media Center database you should go over to the “Windows Media” category, while for repairing Windows Defender and Device Manager or resetting Windows Search to default you must click on “System Tools”.

Last but not least, “Additional Fixes” repairs the Windows Sidebar gadgets, Aero Snap, Aero Shake and Aero Peek, but also fixes corrupted desktop icons.

All these tools worked flawlessly during our test, but Windows 7 users should keep in mind that they will have to run the app as administrator to be able to apply the changes.

The good thing is definitely the long list of fixes included in the app, but also the interface that makes everything so easy to use. We didn't like the lack of help file but also the fact that you can't stop a system scan by any mean, as you can't even close the app.

All in all, FixWin may come in handy when trying to deal with system problems, and the freeware license makes it so much better.