The Windows Error Checking utility can help avoid hard disk problems that can slow down performance and make it difficult to save or access your files. It scans the hard drive for bad sectors and for file system errors and then fixes them:

Close all open files. Click Start > Computer. Right-click the hard disk you want to check, then click Properties from the pop-up menu. In the Properties dialog box, click the Tools tab. Under Error-checking, click the Check Now button.

To automatically repair files and folders problems that the scan reveals, select Automatically fix file system errors. For a more thorough disk check, select Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors.

This will find and repair physical errors with the hard disk itself, and it can take much longer to complete. You can tick both options. Click Start. It’s best not to use your computer for any other tasks while the scan is checking for and repairing errors.