Each issue we’re going to be hunting down the best utilities available on the internet so you don’t have to. This could be anything from benchmarking to archive fixing, from backup to hardware tweaking 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.
SlimComputer NEW
Wondering why you’re not reaping performance benefits you’d hope from your new PC? The chances are it’s because your computer is being weighed down by whole load of promotional programs, toolbars, links to advertising or trial offers. Clean this all up in one fell swoop using SlimComputer to asses all the installed data then decide what to remove.
Trim the excess fat from your new PC’s Windows install with SlimComputer
Zip2Fix NEW
You’re sat patiently watching the progress bar move across your download window, waiting patiently for it to complete so you can finally make use of that all-so-important file. But then, catastrophy! The zip archive is corrupt. Fortunately you don’t have to download it again. Just use Zip2Fix to extract any undamaged files from the archive.
BenchTown
Overclockers love to compare their systems with other tech-heads. But there’s an increasingly large interest in the practice of underclocking, or downclocking as it’s often known. It’s aim is to reduce a computer’s power consumption and heat emission while also boosting stability. With BenchTown you can compare your PC performance with other overclockers and underclockers.
CaSIR
Many of the big Antivirus household names are adept at cleaning most infections. But once a virus has taken hold of your computer and started manipulating that’s when their usefulness ends. Common and Stubborn Infections Remover, Casir for short is able to kill illegitamite services, remove nasty scripts, clean your registry of foreign contaminates and more.
DiskMark
Regularly benchmarking your hard disks using DiskMark means that you’re constantly monitoring performance. This is beneficial because you’ll be able to compare results and if a dropoff occurs, there’s a good chance the drive might be reaching the end of its life and a failure could be just around the corner.
Duplicati
Based on the Duplicity backup system, Duplicati commands an uncomplicated setup, good local and remote backup options and automation features taht will run frequent backup routines. So there really is no excuse for losing data in the event of drive failure with utilities like this that are both powerful and free to use.
nSpaces NEW
Virtual desktops are beneficial because you’re able to assign different apps to an entirely separate area. This means nothing bad’s likely to occure if you accidentally do something in that window without meaning to. nSpaces installs with the default four virtual desktops where apps can be assigned. Hotkeys can then be configured for quick switching.
Segragate your Windows usage by placing apps into different virtual desktops
Winflushprintjobs NEW
Printer jams are a fact of life. They happen all too frequently for our liking and always at the most inappropriate time. But once you ripped the offending paper from the jam there’s always the print queue to deal with in Windows. Use Winflushprintjobs to purge all jobs from the queue. It’s best to run this from the command line if you’re after confirmation.
RAMMap NEW
The current goings on of your computer’s random access memory can often be a mystery. But with RAMMap it’s possible to see which files are currently being stored in your RAM chips. Anything from system fonts currently loaded into memory to the dynamic link libraries and even system drivers. RAMMap has the useful ability to display all those and more.
SSD Boost Manager
SSD’s are still fairly pricy. So if you’re only able to afford a snall one, you’re fairly handicapped once Windows and a few other software programs have been installed. But with SSD Boost Manager you can swiftly move programs and data between your SSD and regular hard disk with a click or two. So you can have quite a fluid set of programs on the SSD.
All these great tools are part of issue 314 of PC Plus, on the shelves on 18th October 2011. Subscribe today to the paper edition and you can get it up to a week early! Subscribe to PC Plus.
Why not save some money and get PC Plus on your smartphone, laptop or tablet? Buy the PC Plus digital edition for a bargain price, or save the most and subscribe to PC Plus through Zinio.
Has the moment passed? Don’t panic. You can pickup a copy of issue 314 through our back issues service. Buy PC Plus paper back issues or, if you’re digitally inclined, buy single issues on Zinio.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.