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Servant Salamander is still my favorite way of moving, deleting, copying and organizing files and folders under Windows.
  technofile
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T e c h n o f i l e
Personal favorites: Utility programs for Windows


Jan. 26, 2003


By Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2003, Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2003, The Post-Standard

   It's been a while since I wrote about my favorite utilities for Windows. Here's an updated list.
   I'd better explain what I'm referring to first. Utilities are programs that perform special functions. Often, they're designed to fill in the gap left by major programs or by the operating system itself.
   The Windows Defrag program is an example of a single-purpose utility. All-purpose "repair" or "fix-it" suites are examples of utilities that perform functions that the operating system can't do.
   SystemSuite. This started out as Fix-It from Mijenix, then morphed into SystemSuite. It has the best and safest Windows registry repair method available, and I use that part of SystemSuite every month or so on all my Windows PCs. It costs $50 to $60. Web site: www.v-com.com.
   PowerPro. I've used this utility for years to create macros (keystrokes that press themselves, more or less) and to automate much of what happens in Windows. PowerPro has too many functions to name here, so check out my review. Go to my site (http://technofileonline) and use the search form.
   You might even see my endorsement on the PowerPro site. (No, I didn't get paid to endorse it. The site is simply quoting my review.) It's free. Web site: www.windowspowerpro.com.
   TclockEx. This oddly named utility turns the taskbar clock into something truly wonderful. You get the full time and date (expressed any way you want) along with a popup calendar. Microsoft missed the boat when it failed to put this feature into Windows. It's free. Web site: http://users.iafrica.com/d/da/dalen.
   Servant Salamander. Superb file manager, despite the odd name. I've used version 1.52 of Sal for years, and it's still my favorite way of moving, deleting, copying and organizing files and folders under Windows. Skip the newest version; it's not as good. Look for Servant Salamander 1.52. Cost: free. Site: www.altap.cz.
   ACDSee Classic. If you don't have a good image viewer (and I don't mean any of the image editors that are given away with cameras and scanners), you're paddling without a canoe. ACDSee is the best image viewer ever designed. The "Classic" version in what I use, despite the introduction of "improved" (in other words, bloated) versions over the years. Be sure to read what I've written about setting up ACDSee properly. (Search my site; you'll see the articles.) Cost: $35. Site: www.acdsystems.com/English/Products/ACDSeeClassic.
   Tweak UI. Microsoft's own Windows tweaker. (It's not officially supported, so don't expect help if you have a problem. But what's new with that?) Check out my full report (on my site; just use the search) on how to install Tweak UI if you can't figure it out. Cost: Free. The "NT" version is the latest and runs on all versions of Windows. Site: www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/downloads/PowerToys/Networking/NTTweakUI.asp.
   HotKey Detective. Wonderfully useful way to find out what you've assigned as Windows hotkeys (shortcut keys that launch programs, open folders and more). Cost: free. Site: www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,6319,00.asp.
   Cookie Pal. Protect yourself from bad cookies while making use of the good ones. (Yes, there are good Web cookies.) Cookie Pal is unmatched. Be sure to let it learn your habits. Cost: $15. Site: www.kburra.com.
   Snadboy's Revelation. If you have ever forgotten a password that's already in use, you need Revelation. Or if you are a system administrator and still believe what Microsoft says about security, you need to see Revelation in action. It displays the hidden (and supposedly uncrackable) passwords in Windows in the most amazingly simply way. Security? Find out for yourself. Cost: Free. Site: www.snadboy.com.
   Startup Cop. Put an end to the nonsense of programs sneaking into your Windows startup sequence. Stuff should install itself and run automatically unless you say it's OK. Deadbeats, sayonara. Startup Cop is free. Site: www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,2173,00.asp.