PowerArchiver 2000 v6.1 -- Win9x, Win2K, WinME
PowerArchiver is the best freeware archiver available. While version 7.0 has been released, it is no longer freeware. However, version 6.1.1, the last freeware version, includes an astoundingly broad array of features including Windows shell integration. The interface is similar to Winzip and just as easy to use. PowerArchiver 2000 has earned the coveted Five Clicks of Merit award. You can download version 6.1.1 here.

Get PowerArchiver2000 v6.1.1  

Enjoy the best freely distributable freeware compression utility available. (Download link posted by permission.)

UltimateZip -- Win9x, Win2K, WinME
UltimateZip is a freeware archiver that claims to perform at least as well as PowerArchiver so it is definitely worth a look. The new version sports numerous improvements. This program now features several very useful and specialized capabilities. UltimateZip!
(Last updated: 2/27/03)

EnZip v3.0 -- Win9x, Win2K, WinME
I use PowerArchiver 2000, but that doesn't mean there aren't other freeware archiver utilities out there to choose from. EnZip v3.0 is a freeware zip compression utility for Windows and is also still in development, just like PowerArchiver. It certainly appears to be at least as full-featured as any ZIP utility out there. If you haven't selected an archiver yet, EnZip just might be what you were looking for.
(Last updated: 12/31/00)

ZipCentral -- Win9x, WinME, WinNT4, Win2K
While both PowerArchiver and EnZip handle a great variety of different compression schemes, ZipCentral works exclusively with ZIP files. The claimed goal of ZipCentral is to be the most robust freeware zip-package available. Reliability isn't a problem with the other archivers mentioned, but it is a great tool for the beginner as well as the expert. Have a look and decide for yourself.
(Last updated: 9/7/01)

ERUNT: Emergency Recovery Utility -- WinNT, Win2K, WinXP
ERUNT is a Registry backup and restore utility for WinNT/2K/XP, and it's more compact than NT/2K/XP-Pro's standard NT Backup utility. This is very handy tool, and should be used regularly, especially before installing any new software or hardware. Kudos to my buddy Josh for the heads up. Read more...
(Last updated: 3/30/02)

o&o Defrag 2000 -- WinNT4, Win2K
Heads up you Win2K users. There is a freeware alternative to the standard defragmenter that comes with Win2K, and it's definitely worth a look. o&o Defrag 2000, optimized for NT4 and Win2K Pro, is completely integrated into the Management Console as a snap-in and may be used to replace the standard Windows 2000 defragmenter. o&o Defrag 2000 is a more full featured utility than Windows' standard defragmenter.
(Last updated: 11/5/00)

PageDefrag v2.20 -- WinNT, Win2K, WinXP
One of the limitations of the WinNT/2K/XP defragmentation interface is that it is not possible to defragment files that are open for exclusive access. Thus, standard defragmentation programs can neither show you how fragmented your paging files or Registry hives are, nor defragment them. PageDefrag uses advanced techniques to provide you what commercial defragmenters cannot: the ability for you to see how fragmented your paging files and Registry hives are, and to defragment them. In addition, it defragments event log files and Windows 2000/XP hibernation files (where system memory is saved when you hibernate a laptop). PageDefrag works on Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Read more...
(Last updated: 3/30/02)

Diskeeper Lite -- Win98, WinME, WinNT4, Win2K, WinXP
Diskeeper Lite is now available for more than just WinNT4. Diskeeper Lite is a high speed, manual defragmenter that is a big improvement over the standard defragmenters that come with Windows. It even includes a Fragmentation Analysis Utility.
(Last updated: 8/26/02)

Power Defrag -- Win9x, WinME
Power Defrag v2.0 Lite is a freeware, freely distributable alternative defragmentation utility for Win9x and ME which claims to improve the performance of the OEM defragmenter and prevent some common types of crashes.

Get Power Defrag v2.0 Lite  

UnFrag -- Win9x, WinNT4, Win2K, WinXP
If you are extremely particular about your hard drive maintenance, check this out. UnFrag searches for compound document files. Compound document files are created by applications such as Word and Excel that support Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) and are not normally recognized as being fragmented by your Defrag utility. Unfrag lets you get a handle on these files. I've used Unfrag for a couple of years and endorses it without reservation. (Note: As ZDnet insists on moving articles around their website seemingly at random, I found another link to a download for this program. Please scroll down the page to where it says "Unfrag 1.0 134K" and follow their link. Thanks for your patience.)
(Last updated: 8/27/02)

RegClean 4.1-a -- Win9x, WinME, WinNT, Win2K
Although RegCleaner 4.2 offers more control, a careless novice can get into serious trouble with it. Perhaps Microsoft RegClean 4.1-a is less thorough in cleaning out your Registry, but it is generally safe to use. (Netscape Navigator users read this.) I've used it for years in Win95, Win98 and now in Win2K and WinXP. As always, back up your Registry before you use any kind of Registry modification software.
(Last updated: 2/27/03)

NTRegOpt -- WinNT, Win2K, WinXP
NT Registry Optimizer is a very good alternative to Microsoft's RegClean. It doesn't offer the control that RegCleaner allows, but then the average user doesn't really know what to do with all those options anyway. Another "attaboy" to Josh for alerting me to this utility. Read more...
(Last updated: 3/30/02)

X-Find -- Win9x, WinNTx, Win2K, WinME
I've been looking for a file finder utility to replace the stock one that comes with Win2K. I know, the included file searching utility that comes with Win2K is very versatile and it can do all manner of amazing tricks and magic. I'm not impressed. In my opinion it's poorly organized, bloated and not very intuitive, especially for the novice user. Though I rarely use Win98 any more, I admit I prefer its simple, effective file finder utility. It could do everything I needed and more, and it was much easier to use. While I don't know of a way to use Win98's file finder in Win2K, I did find a suitable alternative. Not surprisingly, it comes from the fine folks at X-Teq. They make a dandy little freeware file finder that goes by the name X-Find. Have a look at it. If you like it, add a keyboard shortcut to it (I used F+3) and you're all set.
(Last updated: 4/26/01)

Mother Board Monitor (MBM) 4 & 5 -- Win9x, WinME, WinNTx, Win2K
Motherboard Monitor (MBM) is a tool that will display information from the sensor chip on your motherboard in your Windows system tray. MBM supports a wide range of chipsets & sensor chip combinations. There are two version of the program, MBM 4 and MBM 5. MBM 5 is a natural follow up of MBM 4 and is the current supported version. MBM 4 will remain available for download but it will no longer be supported, so any new sensors will be added to MBM 5 only.
(Last updated: 2/18/01)

EndItAll 2 -- Win9x, WinME, WinNT4, Win2K
If you are serious about keeping your Win98 installation in tip-top shape you'll employ one of the tricks that experts use. It is simple but effective: Close all running application, even the background stuff, before installing software. Sounds simple, but most folks aren't aware that often many programs are running in the background. Well, I have a solution for you. EndItAll isn't a program for generating suicide notes. It will however, allow you to terminate all non-essential programs for the purpose of installing new software, running finicky games, or writing to CD-Rs that need a big buffer, and it will do it far better than the old Ctrl+Alt+Del trick will. Neil Rubenking, author of many other great freeware utilities, wrote this program which used to be available at ZDnet. Now though, PC Magazine has an article about version 2, but download it from the link supplied above.
(Last updated: 2/7/04)

Samsung Low-Level Format Tool
Samsung has a tool available that you can use to completely wipe your hard drive of data and partitions. This should only be used when you want to clear every single bit and byte of data from an entire hard drive, not just a partition. Very handy for an occasional clean install. Read more...
(Last updated: 2/13/02)

MS-DOS Mode Customization Tool -- Win9x
Interested in a tasty Kernel Toy? Specifically, the MS-DOS Mode Customization Tool? Teach the MS-DOS mode wizard how to install your CD-ROM drive, network, mouse, etc. Then the next time you need to configure a game for MS-DOS mode, you can let Windows do the work instead of having to write CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files by hand.
(Last updated: 2/15/00)

Test-Run by BB® v2.1.0 -- Win9x
Here's something for those of you as download programs from time to time and have doubts about what will happen if you install. Test-Run by BB® v2.1.0 will permit you to safely experiment with new software without fear of corrupting the Windows Registry, or making wholesale changes that are hard to undo. Some programs that you try out may import values into the Registry that overwrite the original settings. Even if the program is uninstalled, it may be impossible to completely undo the changes.

Get Test-Run by BB®  

Clear -- Win9x
There are many utilities out there for automating the chore of cleaning up the various flotsam and jetsam that accumulates and clogs up your hard drive. Few are as elegantly simple as Clear. Clear will clean out files from your Cookies, History, Recent, Temp and Temporary Internet Files directories.
(Last updated: 2/15/00)

DoubleDesktop v2.0 -- Win9x
Do you struggle with a small monitor? Would you like to be able to double the size of your desktop? Well then, check out DoubleDesktop. It's freeware and simple. Version 2.0 features a configurable keystroke to toggle between desktops, an "Options" dialog to choose the wallpaper for the second desktop and the ability to change desktop icon colors separately for each desktop.
(Last updated: 7/30/01)

TakeAIM -- Win9x, Win2K
Netscape users, would you like to remove that silly AIM instant messenger utility? I have just what you need. Have a look at TakeAIM, a freeware utility for removing AOL's instant messenger.
(Last updated: 2/26/00)

CacheMan -- Win98, WinNT4, WinXP, Win2K
VCache is a system whereby Windows 98 uses some RAM to speed up hard disk activity. The problem is that Windows is not very good about releasing that RAM for normal use once VCache is done with it. Win98SE was supposed to address this problem, however when working with large files such as a CD writer or large graphics files, Windows 98 may not reallocate memory until you reboot. When this happens it is often diagnosed as a "memory leak" and blame is usually directed at some poor innocent program that's just doing what it's supposed to do. Window's poor abilities to dynamically adjust VCache have inspired CacheMan, a program that makes it very easy for you to manually adjust VCache. If you manipulate large files for long periods and have noticed deteriorating performance when doing so, give CacheMan a try.
(Last updated: 2/27/03)

Mem Viewer -- Win9x, WinNTx, Win2K
I have used this handy little utility for about a year and it's definitely worth a look. Mem Viewer is a tiny little freeware utility that can be placed in the System Tray or anywhere on your screen. It generates a dandy little graph of your free memory.
(Last updated: 9/7/01)

Calmira II -- Win3.x
If you have an older computer or simply prefer it, you may be running Windows 3.1. Many people all over the world still use the 16-bit version of Windows, and since this is the World Wide Web after all, I have something for you too. Calmira released the final version of their shell replacement for Win3.1 some time ago after a long and thorough development cycle. Calmira simulates a 32-bit version of Windows and this improves the functionality of Win3.1 tremendously. Version 3.3, a minor update, is available for download.
(Last updated: 11/11/02)

DirectX -- Win98, WinME, Win2K
Microsoft's DirectX features near photo-realistic graphics, scalability for multiplayer games and improved audio among other features. You gamers out there may want to jump all over this. WinXP users needn't install DirectX as it comes as part of the operating system. Download DirectX.
(Last updated: 11/11/02)

iSpeed -- Win9x, WinME, WinNTx, Win2K
I'm fortunate to have and enjoy cable access to the Internet. However, if you are one of the many folks out there using a telephone modem, you might just be interested in iSpeed. Good ol' Alex at PC911.com let me know about this freeware util that will help you optimize your dialup connection speed. Seems the settings for TCP/IP connections established when installing Win9x, WinME, WinNTx or Win2K do not give you the optimal throughput for your Internet dialup networking connections. Your solution? iSpeed. New version 2.82.166 added a Preferences item to the File menu, moved the application configuration type settings to this new dialog, added graph to Testing tab to visually show a short history of the average throughput of the current testing session and much more.
(Last updated: 2/27/03)

Discover -- Win9x
It's a small problem, but the mountain of life should be scaled one bit at a time. If you place your task bar at the top of the window (in it's proper, correct and natural location of course) you've probably experienced this problem. When using the taskbar with Autohide turned off, when a new window is created it can be obscured and unreachable by the taskbar. Discover a solution. What it does is simply move new windows into the working area. Sometimes the best things in life are just a download away.
(Last updated: 9/6/01)

Kill Docs -- Win9x
If you are concerned about the contents of your Documents menu, Kill Docs provides a layer of security. You can set the program to automatically clear the Documents menu at a user-defined interval between 1 and 99 minutes or when you double click its System Tray icon. Version 1.5 is now available.
(Last updated: 6/14/00)

Tree Copy -- Win9x
Have you ever needed to copy and entire directory tree without the files? Well, Tree Copy is just what you need. Have a look.
(Last updated: 2/27/03)

FileTargets -- Win9x, WinNT4
FileTargets is a shell extension that adds a sub-menu with all your favorite folder names to the context-menu of all files and folders in Win9x or WinNT4 so you can copy or move selected files to pre-defined folders. FileTargets (scroll down about half way for the download) is similar to the SendTo menu but is much more advanced as it allows you to create subgroups, automatically add new folders, copy file path names and much more.
(Last updated: 2/27/03)

Startdisk Ultimate Boot Disk v4.3 -- Win9x
My good buddy Peter J sent word of a very useful util. The folks at Startdisk offer a great recover/boot disk util that features a virus scanner and more.
(Last updated: 5/6/01)

Atomic TimeSync v1.03 -- Win9x, WinNTx, Win2K
Got the time? No? I found just what you need so you can set your clock using THE timekeeping source, the National Institute of Standards and Technology. NIST maintains the primary frequency (time) standard for the United States, and operates a special server using the Network Time Protocol (NTP) to allow Internet users to get the time from them. AnalogX's free utility, Atomic TimeSync v1.03 can periodically set your system clock via this server.
(Last updated: 6/21/00)

ID -- Win9x, Win2K
How about an extremely good and efficient piece of software that's free that does what it is supposed to do remarkably well and is only 26KB in size. Software needn't be huge and bloated -- regardless of size it should be focused and well executed. Welcome to ID (scrol down about two-thirds of the way down the page). A program that shows the SCSI and ATAPI devices in your system, detailing their SCSI ID's, device type, manufacturer, description, internal revision number, and whether the media is fixed in place or removable.
(Last updated: 2/27/03)

Q-Sort 2000 -- Win9x
Q-Sort 2000 1.2 has been updated to Build 60. If you use Win9x with IE4 Desktop Update sometimes the order of the Start Menu and Favorites entries get mixed up. Q-Sort 2000 arranges the "Programs" section of your Start Menu and your Internet Explorer Favorites in alphabetical order with a single mouse click.
(Last updated: 2/27/03)

PrintFolder 1.2 -- Win9x, Win2K
Ever wish you could just right click a directory in Windows Explorer and print out the contents? There are some hacks for doing this, but if you aren't up for a hacking session you could download PrintFolder 1.2, a nice, simple little freeware util that will do exactly what you need.
(Last updated: 5/20/01)

SetFileDate -- Win9x
I love tools like SetFileDate (scroll down a bit). You can use it to alter the time and date of one or more files. There are several such utilities available, but most of them are too large, too complex or cost. SetFileDate is small, easy to use, and free. Check it out.
(Last updated: 3/26/00)

PrcView -- Win9x, WinNT4, Win2K
You need a Process Viewer. PrcView is a process viewer utility that displays detailed information about processes running under Windows. For each process it displays memory, threads and module usage. It shows full path and version information for each DLL. PrcView comes with a command line version that allows you to write scripts to check if a process is running, kill it, etc. Win2K already has a similar but less feature rich util included, but you curious Win98 and NT4 users will certainly like it.
(Last updated: 11/19/01)

Device Manager Link -- Win9x
OK, here's a special goody for all you nice Win9X surfers and surfettes out there. For those of you as get into the guts of your system often and regularly, you'll appreciate this file enormously. It's a special little program that acts like a link to your Device Manager tab in your Win9x System applet.

Get Device Manager Link  

Startup Control Panel -- Win9x, WinNT4, Win2K
Startup Control Panel is a tasty little utility which does a better job than Win98's own MSconfig at allowing you to control what goes on at start up. The kicker is that not only does it improve on the Win98 utility, it works in Win95, NT4 and Win2K. It's simple to use and is very small and won't burden your system. A valuable tool for system administrators. I suggest the executable version, not the Control Panel version.
(Last updated: 10/28/04)

AnalogX BanishCD v1.00 -- Win9x
Here's yet another great little freebie from AnalogX. BanishCD v1.00 is a small utility that allows you to change the path that Windows will look for the CAB files. Normally, the only way this could be done would be to modify the registry manually. You can browse through your system with it and select the path; and just in case you make a mistake it will store the original path.
(Last updated: 6/28/00)

NoDelete v1.5.2 -- Win9x
NoDelete by the folks at Welshware, is an easy to use utility you can use to control and prevent: reading of, copying, modification of, renaming of, moving and/or accidental erasure of up to 510 files. This is not a "background program" so it doesn't hog your CPU. Each file can be individually protected with your selection of protection features.
(Last updated: 8/30/02)

BIOS Wizard -- Win9x, WinNTx, WinME, Win2K
BIOS Wizard is a simple and easy to use program that will examine, identify and test the BIOS and Chipset features on your PC. BIOS is an acronym that stands for Basic Input Output System. The BIOS is responsible for booting your PC by providing a basic set of instructions. The BIOS performs all the necessary tasks that need to be initiated at start-up time. The results you get from running BIOS WIZARD are what you will need if you chose to explore upgrade options, so save these results. You can download BIOS Wizard here.

Get The BIOS Wizard  

BIOS -- Win9x
Well now, here's something different. BIOS allows you to save, delete, and restore your BIOS settings. It will display information about your BIOS, including BIOS extensions and beep codes; lets you find the BIOS passwords (Award and Ami); and discover the Award BIOS universal passwords.
(Last updated: 2/27/03)

IE Off -- Win98 ONLY
This utility will safely perform a somewhat controversial task. I will turn off a feature that a few people find annoying, your desktop integration in Windows 98 (only). It is safe to use--if you don't like the results, simply run the program again and everything is undone. IE Off is from the folks at Windows Annoyances.
(Last updated: 9/7/01)

Empty Temp Folders v2.8.3 -- Win9x, WinNT, Win2K
Considering the number of requests for help with deleting temporary files that can be seen at help forums around the net, this freeware utility should come in handy. Empty Temp Folders is a freeware utility that helps you manage folders that contain temporary files left over by other applications, including your temporary Internet files.
(Last updated: 9/5/01)

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