Tools

Home » Tools

Essential Windows Tools

Maybe I'm a gadget freak, but I find it almost impossible to use Windows without a few extra tools and utilities which don't come in the standard Microsoft box. These are my essentials and favourites, all either free or shareware. I have no commercial connection with any of the authors or suppliers, I just think good software deserves to be known.

Where these tools are still supported by their authors the links are to their respective Web sites. Some items download directly from this site. Use them at your own risk, I imply no guarantee as to their suitability for any particular purpose. If you're not sure about downloading or installing them, then they're probably not for you anyway.

General

Windows XP Powertoys: Microsoft's own set of add-on goodies for Windows XP only. Ten gadgets individually downloadable from this page on the Microsoft site.
TweakUI: Another vital Microsoft goodie, this is release 1.33 applicable to all versions of Windows except XP, including Me & 2000. Download from Microsoft. (An XP-specific version is available on the XP Powertoys page described above)
Fine Print: Indispensible print manager. Gives a real preview of anything you print, as well as the ability to print condensed 2, 4, or 8 pages to a sheet, double-sided, booklet-style, with borders, custom backgrounds, selected pages, etc. Defnitiely cuts down your consumption of paper and ink. Shareware from FinePrint
Password Keeper: Wonderful tool for filing away all those logins and passwords you accumulate but can never remember! They are stored encrypted, accessed by one master password. A very effective, compact, well-designed program. Shareware, from Gregory Braun. He has several other useful tools in similar style.
Text Pad: I find a powerful editor for plain text essential, Notepad just doesn't cut it! This to my mind is the best around. Shareware. Go to TextPad home page
Startup Control Panel: One of a great range of well-made free gadgets from Mike Lin, it enables you to easily manage startup programs in all the various places they can be squirreled away. Check out his other stuff too, if you're a tool freak you'll love them! Thanks to Mark Lamprecht for recommending this site.

Explorer context-menu add-ons

For files & shortcuts

Change extension: Lets you see and change the extension and attributes of any file, as well as giving size, dates, and times. No longer developed or supported by its author, but still works fine. Freeware. Download here
Target: A Microsoft goodie, adds an item to the context menu for shortcuts giving direct access to the file the shortcut points to. I find it the most useful item in the Powertoys set. Download all the Powertoys from Microsoft - you can extract and install individal items. Note that not all of them are compatible with all versions of Windows, but this one is.
Copy URL: Copies the URL of an Internet Shortcut icon to the clipboard. Freeware from Moon Software (click "More Freeware" on the site menu). Lots of other interesting goodies here too.
ClipFile: Allows you to copy the path-name of one or more files to the clipboard, or even copy a list of an entire folder contents. This is one I wrote myself, it's free for the basic features, advanced features require registration. Registration fee now reduced to $12.
Download Register
Split file: Very neat way of splitting large files into easily recombinable segments. Excellent for files that won't fit on one diskette. Freeware from Space Dolphin

For drives & folders

MD Folder: Enables a new folder to be created by right-clicking on any existing folder. Often quicker than using the New submenu, and works in the tree pane of Explorer windows. Freeware. Download here

The next two and are simply registry entries created by a .reg file. They are equivalent to a couple of things in the Windows Powertoys set, but are so simple I find it easier just to use a registry file.

Explore root: Opens an explorer window whose root is the folder being clicked on. Good when you want to work deep in the hierarchy and don't want all the surrounding clutter. Download or run ExploreRoot.reg
Command prompt: Opens a command window (DOS-prompt) positioned at the current folder. Download CommandPrompt.zip - contains alternative .reg files for different systems.

Explorer property-page add-ons

Folder size: Gives a hierarchical breakdown of disk space used by the current folder and all sub-folders. Excellent for finding what's eating all that space! Freeware from Space Dolphin
Date/Time: Allows complete control over the modification and creation date and time of any file or folder. Freeware from Space Dolphin

Tray add-ons

Tray Menu: The best tool I know for giving quick access to selected things from icons in the system tray. Powerful and highly configurable. Freeware from Iglyph Software, who were at www.iglyph.com, but who seem to have disappeared (even the domain name has lapsed!).
However, you can download it here, and also the source code, which was published before the site folded.

Clipboard extenders

These save a history of items copied to the clipboard, enabling you to paste items that you copied some time previously. They also allow you to manage categories of permanent items that you requently need to paste, such as email address, phone number, etc. Makes a huge difference to the functionality of the clipboard.

SmartBoardXP: New version of this very easy to use program which is surprisingly powerful without being overloaded with too many bells & whistles. Shareware and very good value. SmartBoard home page.
ClipMate: Much more powerful and sophisticated, but may have more features than you find you need. Shareware. Go to ClipMate home page

Internet

Web Ferret: To my mind the only effective way to do Web searches. Hits as many search engines as you want at once, and gives a condensed list you can quickly scroll through. Free and pay-for versions from Ferretsoft (now part of ZDNet).
Cookie Pal: I'm not totally averse to cookies but I like to know when a cookie is being dropped on my machine and whether to accept it or not. This gadget keeps cookies easily under control. Shareware from Kookaburra

Backup

Second Copy: A great way to maintain a routine backup of selected files. Will operate across networks or to removable media including UDF CD-R/RW (but not tapes). Very flexible. Shareware from Centered Software

Networking

SyGate: Provides modem sharing enabling all computers on a small LAN to share a modem connection from one of the machines simultaneously. Does what ICS in the latest Windows does, but SyGate was there first and is much more manageable. Shareware from Sybergen
FTGate: If you have a modem-sharing LAN, sharing email through a single ISP can become tricky. This is a small but powerful mail server that can run on the modem machine and manage mail for all the users. Shareware from Floosietek
Time Server / Time Client: You can keep the clock in your PC accurate by using a time service when on-line. With a modem-sharing LAN it's a bit more tricky because the modem machine needs to be a mini time-server as well as updating itself when on-line. This pair of programs will do just that - the server for the modem machine, the client for the others. Shareware from Mount Hay

Your favourite?

Do you have a favourite gadget you would recommend? I'm always interested to hear other peoples ideas - fill in this form and I'll take a look. If I like it and add it to this page you'll get a name check, and a link to your site if you give me a URL.