Microsoft says that rather than struggle to fix their own PC problems, computer owners have proved themselves more than willing to just click a "Fix it" button and let the computer take care of itself.
Since about January, Microsoft has been adding the automated fixes for an array of PC problems for which there is a single known solution. In the past six months, it has added more than 300 "Fix its" to automate the steps needed to solve problems, change settings, and even protect against viruses.
Recently, Microsoft used the approach to help people defend against a serious unpatched flaw.
"If we know what those 15 steps are, why shouldn't we just script it," Lori Brownell, Microsoft's general manager of product quality and online support, said in a February interview.
The effort is working, Microsoft said this week, noting that more than 7 million people have used the automated fixes and in 95 percent of cases, the "Fix it" button completely solved the issue.
Microsoft said the fixes are now available in 23 languages and have shown up in the company's advertising. There's even a "Fix it" page on Facebook and a feed on Twitter.
This article was first published as a blog post on CNET News.
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