Windows XP includes a number of tools that make it easy to take control of a computer.

Tools such as the Device Manager and Disk Defragmenter are essential to managing hardware effectively, but there are a number of other components littered throughout Windows.

The problem is that many tasks require access to two or more of these tools and it can be difficult to remember how to access them all. The Computer Management Console is a handy utility that provides a centralised interface for launching these tools, making it easier to stay in complete control of your computer.

Here’s how to use the Computer Management Console.