Tech Tip : Give Your PC A Built-In Health Check
Windows includes a useful health-checking tool that can spot common problems with your PC before they become more troublesome, without needing to install any extra diagnostic software.
Why Is This Useful?
The Device performance & health section of Windows Security automatically checks several areas that can affect how reliably your computer works.
For example, it can warn you if your PC is running low on storage space, if something is putting extra strain on a laptop battery, or if apps and software need attention. It also checks that the Windows Time service is working correctly, which helps keep your computer’s clock properly synchronised.
Rather than having to investigate each of these areas separately, the health report gives you a quick overview and highlights anything Windows thinks needs attention.
How To Check Your PC’s Health
In Windows 10 or Windows 11:
- Click Start and search for Windows Security.
- Open the Windows Security app.
- Select Device performance & health.
- Look at the Health report displayed on the page.
- If Windows has identified a problem, select the affected area to see its recommendations.
Windows runs a fresh health scan when you open the page, so the report should show the current status of your PC.
What Should You Look For?
A green tick means Windows has not detected a problem in that area, while a yellow warning means something may need attention.
This is not a replacement for specialist hardware diagnostics or security software, but it is a quick and easy way to check for some of the everyday problems that can affect a PC’s performance and reliability.
Note: On computers managed by an organisation, IT policies can hide the Device performance & health section, so it may not appear on every work PC.
