This is an organized list of all the software mentioned in the most recent incarnation of the perennial “post some cool software” thread in SH/SC. In particular, the thread this list was based on was “Share your recent ‘cool programs’ that are keepers”. A previous thread can be seen here [requires archives access], or here as an html document.
Note that the previous thread was for all operating systems, and this one was specifically Windows software. As such, please keep this article to Windows software only. The “Software_Gold” article over at Applepedia accomplishes much the same thing as this article, but for OSX software. And for Linux software, we now have UsefulLinuxSoftware.
Table of content
Windows Enhancement
Shiny Chrome
Internet Essentials
IM / IRC
Text Editors
Desktop Search Tools
Audio Encoding / Decoding
Video Encoding / Decoding
Image Editing / Viewing
Security / Encryption
Diagnostics / Monitors
Malware Removal Utilities
FTP Clients
Productivity Tools
Miscellaneous Utilities
Windows Enhancement
Windows isn’t Windowsy-enough for some people. These are apps to add or modify some kind of feature.
TaskSwitch XP – Free/Open Source – Pretty Alt+Tab replacement tool with previews for XP
Logon Loader – Free – Logon Screen changer for Windows XP
Microsoft Powertoys for Windows XP – Free – Latest in the ongoing suite of neat little apps Microsoft has released to go along with Windows. Of special note are ClearType Tuner, Alt+Tab Replacement, and TweakUI.
ShellToys XP – Shareware ($53) – Collection of context-menu . . things . .
Entbloess – Shareware ($8, free for 100 uses) – Yet another task switcher for XP and 2000, brings OSX’s Exposé feature to windows.
StrokeIt – Free – OS-Wide customizable mouse gestures.
Winkey – Free – Customizable hotkey program.
HoeKey – Free – *Ridiculously* customizable hotkey program.
SharpKeys – Free – Lets you remap any key to another key.
HotKeyControl XP – Free – Another keymapping app. Requires VB 6.0 Runtimes.
Clickie – Free – Adds “Copy Path Name To Clipboard” and “Open MSDOS Prompt” to your context menu.
TrueLaunchBar – Free – Super Ultra Beefed-Up Taskbar of Doom.
Sound Control – Free – Replaces the default Windows sound mixer with a new one, with customizable hotkeys, and other bonus features.
Joe – Free – ANOTHER Alt+Tab enhancer.
Sizer – Free – Lets you resize any window to a specific exact customizable size.
MultiDesktop Manager – Free – Virtual Desktop Program.
TrayIt – Free – Lets you shove any program into the systray, if they like it or not.
sDesk – Free / Open Source – Virtual Window Manager for Windows. No longer being developed.
AllSnap – Free – AllSnap adds window-snapping functionality to all windows. It’s neat and tiny and good.
X-Setup Pro – Shareware ($8) – Comprehensive Windows tweaking tool. Gives you access to tweak a ton of stuff TweakUI doesn’t list.
Tclock2 – Free / Open Source – Taskbar Enhancer. Lets you mess with the start menu, your clock, set alarms, etc.
WinRoll – Free / Open Source – Adds “Rolling” or “Windowshade” mode to all windows.
Clipomatic – Free – Expands the capability of the clipboard, allowing for multiple clipboards, permanent clips, etc.
Icon Restore – Free – Lets you save and restore your desktop icon layout in two clicks.
Chameleon Clock – Free – Another Systray Clock Replacement.
ieSpell – Free – Too much of a mouthbreathing retard to learn how to spell? Let computers do it for you!
xplorer2 – Shareware ($35, Free “lite” version available) – Windows Explorer replacement, with a TON of built in extra features.
SlickRun – Free – Floating window that allow you to open any program in about 4 keystrokes with user defined shortcuts.
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