Each issue we’re going to be hunting down the best Windows customisations available on the internet so you don’t have to. This could be anything from context menu hacks to process tweaks, from custom shortcuts to Windows themes and everything in between. You name it, we’re likely to cover it. Best of all, everything you’ll find on this page will be freeware. So no nagging popups, no time restrictions and no feature limitations. Just strictly no holds barred functionality! Read on to find out what we’ve been digging during the last month.
Right Click Enhancer NEW
The secondary mouse button is an underrated tool for PC users, largely because a lot of its functions are somewhat concealed. Right Click Enhancer breathes new life into your tired old mouse, enabling many useful and time saving functions directly from a right click. Setup your context menus exactly as you wish, and in Windows 7 you can even tweak the sub-menus too. One-click actions for files, such as copying/moving to a folder of your choice will increase your productivity.
Website
Download from here
Get more from your mouse and your middle finger
CursorFX NEW
Getting under the bonnet of Windows is hugely satisfying when you can see the results of your tweaks. So what more satisfying than change the appearance of your cursor. CursorFX from Stardock let’s you create more complex looking cursors for Windows XP through to Windows 7. This version has an all new theme editor and embedded sounds.
Website
Download from here
Liven up your mouse activity with your very own custom cursor
Superbar Monitor NEW
One of the big changes to Windows 7 was the improved taskbar. With its dock-like appearance and use meant that you could do more with the space given to you. Superbar Monitor has utilised such space by displaying meters of various PC components. You can monitor information about your battery, CPU, hard drive, system volume and memory all from your taskbar.
Website
Download from here
Chameleon Window Manager
Inject some extra functionality right into the veins of the Windows title bar. Using this bit of kit from Nusoft Tools you can add buttons that – amongst other things will minimise the Window to the system tray, snap it to the left, snap it to the right, change its transparency, make that window sit on top of all others and hide everything except the title bar.
Website
Download from here
Gridy NEW
Windows Aerosnap is a very handy feature if you’re working with just one or two windows. Gridy is a program that will enable you to snap up to nine windows in a grid on your desktop. Snapping is enabled with mouse drag or keyboard arrow keys. In addition, you can make any window semi-transparent.
Website
Download from here
Context Menu Editor
It’s a regular misconception that the functionality contained within the Windows right-click menu is very much set in stone. Of course you can allow or disallow certain shortcuts when installing a new app, but you can’t specifically purge certain items. That is, until now. With Context Menu Editor can view and delete links to programs on your context menus.
Website
Download from here
Classic Shell
When new versions of Windows are released there’s often a small learning curve as you become accustomed to Microsoft supposed improvements to the operating system GUI. But what if you’re so used to certain features in the old version you have no interest in the new tweaks. Well you’ll want to install this utilities to revert elements back to their previous incarnation.
Website
Download from here
WizMouse NEW
It can be quite frustrating to scroll content in multiple programs and windows, as you need to activate the window first. With WizMouse you eliminate the need to have the window active as it will allow you to scroll whatever window your mouse is over. It can also enable mouse wheel functionality in applications that do not support mouse wheels.
Website
Download from here
QuickPop
So you want applications at your finger tips, but your taskbar is becoming increasingly overcrowded? We have the solution for you! Use QuickPop to assign applications to a keyboard shortcut. That way you’ll be able to forego the usual Windows start menu navigate for a quick combination of key presses. Neat, huh? We think so!
Website
Download from here
Windows 8 Snap Enabler
Thirsty for the features showcased in the yet-to-be-released Windows 8? Well, here’s one you can have well ahead of time. Not to be confused with Aero Snap, Snap in Windows 8 can be used to display two program windows in the new Metro interface instead of just one. You do however need a resolution that’s 1366×768 or higher.
Website
Download from here
All these great tools are part of issue 316 of PC Plus, on the shelves on 7th December 2011. Subscribe today to the paper edition and you can get it up to a week early! Subscribe to PC Plus.
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