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6-inch quilt blocks

Free 6-Inch Quilt Block Patterns

Find free 6-inch quilt blocks for samplers and small quilts, with direct pattern links, technique and difficulty guidance, printer calibration, FPP instructions, sizing math, and troubleshooting.

By ThatPainter Team 17 min read

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These free quilt block patterns are designed to finish at 6 × 6 inches. In most traditionally pieced quilts, you sew or trim the block to approximately 6½ × 6½ inches unfinished; the ¼-inch seam allowances disappear when the block is joined to its neighbors.

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That distinction matters when you are making a sampler. A pattern labeled 6 inches may use traditional piecing, half-square triangles, foundation paper piecing, templates, curved seams, or appliqué, so the cutting instructions and unfinished measurement are not interchangeable. Always follow the individual pattern if it specifies a different trim size.

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Table of Contents

Quick picks: which free 6-inch block should you make?

Reader need Recommended block or source Why it fits
First-ever quilt block Nine-Patch Straight seams, simple squares, and only two fabrics are needed.
Simple strip piecing Bright Hopes A center square is surrounded by strips in sequence.
First star block Friendship Star Introduces half-square triangles without an especially complicated layout.
Classic sampler block Churn Dash A recognizable traditional design with a manageable combination of units.
Tiny-piece challenge Triple Four-Patch More seams and smaller units make accuracy especially important.
Curved piecing Fan The collection specifically identifies this block as using curved construction.
Template work Kaleidoscope or Jinny Beyer templates Useful when shapes cannot be cut conveniently with ordinary rotary-cutting rulers.
Appliqué May Basket, Daisy Days, or Petal Perfect These designs are identified as appliqué blocks rather than entirely pieced blocks.
Foundation paper piecing Carol Doak Beginner Block or an Economy block FPP helps control small or precise geometry, provided the pattern is printed at the correct scale.
Novelty design Coffee Time A themed block for a sampler, mug rug, or wall quilt.

These are editorial recommendations based on construction characteristics, not objective difficulty ratings or claims of independent hands-on testing.

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What does a 6-inch quilt block mean?

A finished 6-inch block measures 6 × 6 inches after it has been sewn into the quilt. Because adjoining blocks are joined with ¼-inch seams, a standard traditionally pieced block is usually made to measure 6½ × 6½ inches unfinished.

  • Finished size: 6 × 6 inches in the completed quilt top.
  • Unfinished size: commonly 6½ × 6½ inches before the block is sewn to its neighbors.
  • Cut-piece sizes: the individual squares, rectangles, triangles, or templates can be any size required by the design.

The AllPeopleQuilt Nine-Patch instructions illustrate the distinction: the block uses 2½-inch squares and measures 6½ inches including seam allowances, producing a 6-inch finished block.

Do not trim every pattern to 6½ inches automatically. Foundation paper piecing patterns may show a specific outer trim line, templates may include their own seam allowance, and some designers use different construction methods. The pattern’s stated unfinished or trim measurement takes priority.

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15 free 6-inch quilt blocks from AllPeopleQuilt

AllPeopleQuilt’s free 6-inch block roundup collects 15 designs. It includes traditional piecing as well as curved piecing, templates, and appliqué. Use the links below to open the original block pages rather than relying on a reposted or altered copy.

Block Construction and practical fit Editorial difficulty guide
Churn Dash Traditional piecing with triangle-square units, rectangles, and a center square. A strong choice for a traditional sampler. Beginner to intermediate
Bright Hopes Strip-pieced around a center square. The repeated strip construction is useful for learning consistent seams. Beginner-friendly
Friendship Star A star layout that introduces half-square triangles and diagonal movement. Beginner to intermediate
Road to California A traditional sampler-style block with multiple geometric units. Check the source instructions for the exact unit method and trim dimensions. Intermediate
Nine-Patch Nine 2½-inch squares sewn into three rows. It is the most straightforward place to start with a 6-inch block. Beginner-friendly
Triple Four-Patch A denser four-patch design with more seams and smaller visual units. Intermediate to advanced
Arkansas Star A star-oriented traditional block. Accurate points and consistent pressing matter at this scale. Intermediate
Coffee Time A novelty-themed block suitable for a sampler or small decorative project. Intermediate; follow the pattern’s unit order
Fan Uses curved piecing. The curves create a different sewing challenge from straight-seam blocks. Intermediate to advanced
Kaleidoscope Uses printed templates. Accurate printing and careful tracing or cutting are essential. Intermediate to advanced
May Basket Appliqué rather than a block made entirely from small pieced units. Technique-specific
Song of Praise A sampler-style design; use the source page to confirm its cutting method and any required specialty units. Intermediate; pattern-specific
Daisy Days Appliqué design with a floral motif. Technique-specific
Petal Perfect Appliqué design; choose an edge-finishing method before beginning. Technique-specific
Cozy Posies A floral or novelty sampler option. Confirm the individual construction directions before cutting. Intermediate; pattern-specific

For exact cutting lists and finished-size information, see the direct Churn Dash PDF, Bright Hopes PDF, and Nine-Patch PDF.

Three useful AllPeopleQuilt cutting examples

Churn Dash

The 6-inch finished Churn Dash uses two 2⅞-inch squares from each of two fabrics, cut diagonally for the triangle units; four 1½ × 2½-inch rectangles from each of two fabrics; and one 2½-inch center square. The four triangle-square units, four rectangle units, and center are assembled in three rows. See the complete Churn Dash instructions for the layout.

Bright Hopes

Bright Hopes uses one 3½-inch center square and two 2 × 5-inch strips in each of two contrasting fabrics. The strips are added around the center in sequence. The Bright Hopes PDF shows the order and final assembly.

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Nine-Patch

For a two-color Nine-Patch, cut five 2½-inch squares from one fabric and four 2½-inch squares from the second fabric. Sew three rows and join them. The assembled block should measure 6½ inches including seam allowances, which becomes 6 inches finished. The Nine-Patch instructions provide the source measurements.

More free sources for 6-inch blocks

Largest traditional-block index: Generations Quilt Patterns

Generations Quilt Patterns’ 6-inch block library currently states that it contains more than 135 six-inch blocks. That is the site’s stated count, not an independently audited total. The library organizes blocks by drafting grid:

  • 2 × 2 grid: Pinwheel, Hourglass, Double Pinwheel, and Whirlwind.
  • 3 × 3 grid: Bright Hopes, Friendship Star, Ohio Star, Shoofly, and Variable Star.
  • 4 × 4 grid: Economy, Liberty Star, Maypole, Susannah, and Yankee Puzzle.
  • 6 × 6 grid: Churn Dash, Broken Wheel, Cat’s Cradle, Jacob’s Ladder, Maple Leaf, Pennsylvania, and Weathervane.
  • 8 × 8 and 12 × 12 grids: additional blocks with progressively smaller units and more potential seam intersections.

The grid label is more than a cataloging detail. Blocks drafted on compatible grids are more likely to align cleanly edge to edge and produce secondary designs when rotated or alternated. The library also points readers toward separate block-count charts for larger quilt planning. The page includes affiliate disclosures, so treat it as a useful index rather than as an independent review.

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Foundation paper piecing from Carol Doak

Carol Doak’s free pattern library includes several 6-inch foundation-paper-pieced designs:

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  • Beginner Block, identified in the PDF as a 6-inch design.
  • Pink Ribbon, whose two halves finish at 3 × 6 inches and whose completed block finishes at 6 × 6 inches.
  • Have-A-Heart designs in a 6-inch size, available through the free-pattern library.
  • May Flowers, a 6-inch finished block and small-quilt pattern.

Carol Doak’s paper-piecing guidance recommends printing with scaling set to none, checking the printed size, using a 90/14 needle, and sewing at approximately 18–20 stitches per inch. Those settings are guidance from that designer; other instructions may specify a different stitch length.

Economy or Square-in-a-Square blocks

The Economy block is also called Square in a Square. Pin Cut Sew Studio’s free Economy block template finishes at 6 inches and is intended for foundation paper piecing. Its download warns readers to print at 100 percent. The sewing instructions are provided in a separate YouTube tutorial rather than entirely in the download, so it is not the best choice if you want a self-contained written pattern.

Gotham Quilts’ free Economy block pattern also describes a 6-inch finished block and notes that the FPP design can be resized by printing at another scale. That resizing feature belongs to this foundation pattern; do not assume that a traditional rotary-cut pattern can be enlarged or reduced safely without recalculating every cut.

Additional FPP options

Template patterns from Jinny Beyer

Jinny Beyer’s 6-inch template PDFs include designs such as Box, Uncle Sam’s Hourglass, Snail’s Trail, Marion’s Choice, Wild Goose Chase, and Ribbon Quilt. These are especially useful for quilters looking for template-based geometry rather than ordinary strip piecing. Each PDF includes a calibration line that should measure exactly 2 inches after printing. Additional examples are available as Block 51, Block 188, Block 211, Block 184, and Block 162.

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Die-cut option: AccuQuilt Susannah

AccuQuilt’s GO! Susannah pattern is a free 6-inch finished block pattern designed around compatible GO! dies. Downloading the pattern requires membership, and the pattern is most useful to readers who already own the specified die-cutting system. It should not be treated as a universally convenient rotary-cut pattern.

Choose a block by sewing technique

Technique Advantages Trade-offs at 6 inches Good starting sources
Traditional piecing Usually the easiest method to understand and requires no paper removal. Accurate cutting and a consistent seam allowance are essential. Nine-Patch, Bright Hopes, Churn Dash
Strip piecing Efficient for repeated blocks and useful with coordinated scraps. Less flexible than individually piecing every unit in a highly scrappy layout. Nine-Patch, Bright Hopes
Half-square triangles Creates stars, pinwheels, and strong diagonal movement. Bias edges can stretch; units often benefit from trimming to an exact size. Friendship Star, Churn Dash
Foundation paper piecing Controls complex geometry and narrow sections precisely. Requires correct printer scaling, extra paper, careful fabric placement, and paper removal. Carol Doak, Economy, Scrappy Triangles
Template piecing Handles shapes that are difficult to cut with a straight ruler. Templates must be printed accurately and traced or cut carefully, usually with added seam allowances as directed. Kaleidoscope, Jinny Beyer
Curved piecing Produces fans and softer, more organic geometry. Curves require more alignment and easing than straight seams. Fan
Appliqué Allows detailed motifs without constructing every shape from tiny pieced units. You must choose an appliqué method and decide how the raw edges will be finished. May Basket, Daisy Days, Petal Perfect

How to print a free quilt block pattern at the correct scale

A pattern that prints two or three percent too small can produce a visibly undersized 6-inch block, especially when it contains many seams. Calibrate the pattern before cutting your good fabric.

  1. Download from the original designer’s page. Avoid saving a screenshot or printing a resized preview image.
  2. Open the PDF in a PDF reader rather than printing from a browser preview when possible.
  3. In the print dialog, select Actual Size, 100%, or None for scaling. The exact label varies by software.
  4. Turn off Fit to Page, Shrink Oversized Pages, and similar automatic adjustments.
  5. Measure the calibration square or line. AllPeopleQuilt and WeAllSew use a 1-inch test box in their guidance; Jinny Beyer’s templates use a 2-inch calibration line.
  6. If the measurement is wrong, adjust the printer settings and print again. Do not compensate for bad scaling by changing your seam allowance.
  7. Make one test block before cutting enough fabric for the entire quilt.

For foundation paper piecing, the test measurement must be correct before sewing. For template patterns, the calibration line confirms that the shapes themselves have printed at the intended size. The relevant guidance is available from AllPeopleQuilt, WeAllSew, and Jinny Beyer.

How to sew a 6-inch block accurately

For traditionally pieced blocks

  1. Read the pattern’s finished and unfinished measurements before cutting.
  2. Cut with a sharp blade and a properly aligned ruler. At 6 inches, a small cutting error takes up a large proportion of the block.
  3. Use the seam allowance specified by the pattern, usually ¼ inch for standard U.S. quilt piecing.
  4. Test your seam on scraps. A consistent true ¼ inch may work well for a simple block; a scant ¼ inch can help a complicated block avoid finishing too small. Do not switch between the two without testing.
  5. Press each unit carefully. Pressing can be open or to one side according to the pattern, but avoid dragging the iron across bias edges and distorting them.
  6. Measure intermediate units whenever the instructions provide a target size.
  7. Trim the completed block only after identifying the pattern’s trim line. A trim line may show the unfinished block, not the final 6-inch size.

AllPeopleQuilt’s ¼-inch seam guidance explains why tiny inaccuracies accumulate across multiple seams. That effect is particularly noticeable in a 6-inch block.

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For half-square triangles

Bias edges can stretch while sewing and pressing, so handle triangle units minimally and square them up before final assembly when the pattern allows. One common two-at-a-time method starts with squares 1 inch larger than the desired finished HST size, followed by trimming; this is the sizing guidance described by Missouri Star Quilt Co. It is a method-specific rule, not a replacement for the cutting chart in your chosen pattern.

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Foundation paper piecing: the 6-inch workflow

Foundation paper piecing, or FPP, is helpful for precise stars, Economy blocks, skinny sections, and other designs that would be difficult to rotary cut. The foundation controls the seam lines, but only if it has been printed accurately.

  1. Place the first fabric piece on the unprinted side of the foundation, with the wrong side of the fabric against the paper if the pattern’s instructions use the conventional orientation.
  2. Sew directly on the printed line between the first and second numbered sections.
  3. Press the newly added fabric open.
  4. Trim the seam allowance to approximately ¼ inch, unless the pattern specifies another amount.
  5. Position the next numbered fabric piece so it covers the entire section and extends beyond the seam allowance.
  6. Continue in numerical order, checking coverage before every seam.
  7. Trim the completed unit on the foundation’s outer trim line.
  8. Remove the paper after the unit or block is complete, unless the pattern specifically says to keep it in.

AllPeopleQuilt recommends a short stitch length of approximately 12–16 stitches per inch and a larger 90/14 needle for easier paper removal. Carol Doak recommends approximately 18–20 stitches per inch and a 90/14 needle in her own instructions. Because paper weight, thread, and machine settings vary, follow the designer’s instructions when they differ.

In ordinary FPP construction, the sewn unit is a mirror image of the foundation’s printed view. Do not reverse or mirror the foundation unless the pattern specifically tells you to. Before sewing, hold the fabric and paper up to a light or fold the paper back along the next seam to confirm that the fabric covers the complete section plus seam allowance. AllPeopleQuilt recommends cutting FPP fabric at least ½ inch larger than the area it must cover.

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See the illustrated AllPeopleQuilt FPP tutorial and Carol Doak’s paper-piecing instructions for the designers’ complete methods.

How many 6-inch blocks do you need?

For blocks set edge to edge without sashing or borders, multiply the number of columns or rows by 6 inches.

Finished width = number of columns × 6 inches
Finished length = number of rows × 6 inches

Layout Finished quilt top before borders Number of blocks
6 × 6 36 × 36 inches 36
6 × 8 36 × 48 inches 48
8 × 8 48 × 48 inches 64
9 × 10 54 × 60 inches 90
10 × 10 60 × 60 inches 100
12 × 12 72 × 72 inches 144

These measurements exclude borders, binding, quilting shrinkage, and any deliberate allowance for squaring the finished quilt.

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Adding finished sashing

With sashing between blocks but not around the outside edges, use:

Finished width = columns × 6 + (columns − 1) × sashing width

For example, a row of eight 6-inch blocks with 1½-inch finished sashing between them measures:

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8 × 6 + 7 × 1½ = 58½ inches

Add borders separately. If you want a bed quilt rather than a wall quilt, start with the finished dimensions you need and work backward using the 6-inch grid. The Generations 6-inch block page also links to separate block-count planning charts.

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How to combine different 6-inch blocks in a sampler

Matching the label is not enough. Two blocks can both be called 6 inches and still require different unfinished measurements, use incompatible seam allowances, or look dramatically different when placed together.

  • Match the finished size. Every block should occupy the same 6 × 6-inch space in the quilt.
  • Match the unfinished size before joining. In a conventional setting this is often 6½ × 6½ inches, but verify every pattern.
  • Compare the drafting grids. Blocks built on compatible 2 × 2, 3 × 3, 4 × 4, 6 × 6, 8 × 8, or 12 × 12 grids are more likely to align cleanly and create secondary designs.
  • Compare visual density. A Nine-Patch has broad, simple units; a Triple Four-Patch or a detailed FPP block may contain many more seams and appear much busier even at the same outside measurement.
  • Use value deliberately. Alternating light and dark blocks can reveal secondary patterns. Blocks with similar colors and values may visually blend together.
  • Try rotations. Rotating a Churn Dash, star, or directional block can change the overall design substantially.
  • Use sashing when necessary. Sashing can separate blocks with different visual weight and can make a sampler feel more orderly when points or internal seams do not align.
  • Sew one of each block first. Place the test blocks on a design wall or floor before mass-producing any one design.

The grid-based planning approach is supported by Generations Quilt Patterns’ explanation of compatible block grids. It is a design aid, not a guarantee that every block will form a pleasing secondary pattern.

Best choices for beginners

  1. Nine-Patch: Start with five 2½-inch squares in one fabric and four in another. It teaches accurate straight seams without bias edges or curves.
  2. Bright Hopes: The center-and-strips construction gives you repeated practice while keeping the layout easy to see.
  3. Friendship Star: Choose this next if you want to learn half-square triangles and star points.
  4. Churn Dash: Make this when you are ready to combine triangle-square units, rectangles, and a central square in a traditional layout.

A beginner can certainly try FPP, appliqué, templates, or curved piecing, but those methods introduce a separate skill in addition to the small finished size. If you are learning several techniques at once, make a single test block and avoid cutting the entire quilt until its measurement and appearance are satisfactory.

Best choices for experienced quilters

For more precision or variety, try the Triple Four-Patch, Arkansas Star, Fan, Kaleidoscope, Jinny Beyer’s template blocks, or a detailed FPP motif such as the Sewing Machine or Economy block. The challenge may come from different sources:

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  • Tiny units: Triple Four-Patch and intricate stars magnify cutting and seam errors.
  • Curves: Fan requires easing and careful alignment rather than simply matching straight edges.
  • Templates: Kaleidoscope and Jinny Beyer designs depend on accurate printing and template handling.
  • Paper foundations: Carol Doak, Economy, Scrappy Triangles, and Sewing Machine blocks reward careful fabric placement but require paper removal.
  • Appliqué: May Basket, Daisy Days, and Petal Perfect shift the main challenge from piecing accuracy to shape placement and edge finishing.

Troubleshooting 6-inch blocks

The printed pattern is too small or too large

Likely cause: The printer applied Fit to Page, Shrink Oversized Pages, or another automatic adjustment, or the pattern was printed from a browser preview.

Fix: Reprint from a PDF reader using Actual Size, 100 percent, or None. Measure the pattern’s 1-inch test box or 2-inch calibration line. Never compensate for a scaling error by changing the seam allowance.

The finished block is smaller than 6 inches

Check whether the seam allowance is too wide, whether multiple seams accumulated small errors, whether the block was pressed with distortion, and whether intermediate units were measured. Small inaccuracies compound across a 6-inch block; this is why a seam that looks only slightly off can affect the final measurement.

If the block is only slightly too large, trim it to the pattern’s correct unfinished measurement while preserving points. If it is too small, stretching it is unlikely to produce a reliable result. Remake it when possible, or use a deliberate coping strip or surrounding sashing if the design permits. Do not force a too-small block into a larger neighbor.

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The block is too large

Confirm that you are comparing like measurements. A 6½-inch unfinished block is correct for a 6-inch finished block in many traditional patterns. If it is still too large after pressing, trim it evenly to the stated unfinished size. For a sampler, trim all blocks using the same ruler and target measurement.

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Points disappear

Lost points commonly result from HSTs cut too small, inconsistent seam allowances, pressing distortion, trimming on the wrong line, or joining blocks at the finished measurement rather than the unfinished measurement. When the pattern allows, make oversized HSTs and square them to the required size before assembly. Keep the point tip outside the seam line when joining units.

Bias edges stretch

HSTs and curved pieces can distort easily. Avoid pulling the fabric through the machine, handle units by the edges as little as possible, press with an up-and-down motion, and trim only after the unit has been stabilized according to the pattern.

FPP fabric does not cover the next section

The piece was probably cut too small or positioned incorrectly. Before sewing, fold the foundation back on the next seam line or hold it up to light. The fabric should extend beyond the entire section and include the seam allowance. A practical starting point is to cut the fabric at least ½ inch larger than the section it must cover, as recommended in AllPeopleQuilt’s FPP tutorial.

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The foundation paper tears

Use a shorter stitch length, avoid repeatedly unpicking the same seam, and remove the paper from the center outward after the unit is complete. A suitable needle and lightweight foundation paper can help. Lightly scoring or dampening the paper may make removal easier, but do not remove the foundation prematurely if it is still stabilizing the unit.

Sampler blocks do not match

First check that each block has the same finished-size definition and has been trimmed to the same unfinished measurement. If one pattern produces a different size, add a deliberate coping border where the design allows, use sashing, or remake the block. Do not stretch or distort a block merely to force it into alignment.

What free means for these patterns

Free does not always mean identical access or unlimited use. Before downloading, check whether the source is:

  • free to download and print for personal use;
  • available only after an account, membership, email signup, or checkout;
  • a free foundation that requires a separate video for sewing instructions;
  • a free pattern that assumes you own a specialty ruler, die, or cutting system;
  • free for personal sewing but not for redistribution, resale, or electronic reposting.

For example, AllPeopleQuilt’s PDFs state that they are for personal use and may not be reproduced electronically or in print without permission. Carol Doak states that most of her free patterns are for personal use, with a specific teaching exception for the Introduction to Paper Piecing pattern. Pin Cut Sew Studio provides a free Economy foundation but places the sewing instructions in a separate video. AccuQuilt identifies its Susannah pattern as free but requires membership for downloading.

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Link readers to the original pattern page instead of uploading copied PDFs. The permission attached to one designer’s free pattern does not automatically apply to another designer’s work.

A reliable first-block checklist

  1. Choose a block whose technique matches your current skill and tools.
  2. Confirm that 6 inches means finished size.
  3. Write down the required unfinished or trim size.
  4. Download the original PDF or pattern page.
  5. Print at Actual Size, 100 percent, or None.
  6. Measure the calibration box or line.
  7. Cut one test set of pieces.
  8. Sew with the pattern’s stated seam allowance.
  9. Press without stretching bias edges.
  10. Measure the completed block before making more.

The Bottom Line

For the simplest start, make the free Nine-Patch or Bright Hopes. Choose Churn Dash or Friendship Star for a traditional sampler, and use Carol Doak, Economy, Jinny Beyer, or other specialist sources for FPP and template work. Whichever pattern you choose, verify the calibration measurement, sew one test block, and make sure it measures the correct unfinished size before building the quilt.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

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