Description:
Cars don't clean themselves, and neither do hard drives. Norton Utilities 2002 helps users keep their computers uncluttered and running smoothly with only a small investment of time and energy. Utilities quickly and easily finds and repairs computer problems, and is scalable to the user's level of expertise. It takes a bit of time to install and run Norton Utilities the first time, especially if the machine has been used for any length of time without maintenance. Still, the manual and help functions are clear, and most users will have it running invisibly in an afternoon or evening (novices should definitely ask for the aid of an experienced user). The program requires a bit of additional attention every week or so, as it discovers new problems and prompts for authorization to repair them, but most of its work is unnoticeable. Repairing damaged files, defragmenting crowded drives, and monitoring system performance are the most widely useful utilities, but some users will particularly appreciate tools like WipeInfo and the Registry Tracker. One of Norton's great strengths is its scalability, which depends on the user's level of expertise. Old hands can fiddle around under the hood to their heart's content, while novices can just start it up and watch it go. If you own a previous version of Norton Utilities, you'll want to upgrade to the 2002 version if you're running Windows XP; other Windows users can get along just fine waiting for more new features. For new users, Norton Utilities is a great way to keep your computer happy, safe, and sound. --Rob Lightner
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