Personal Computer World

PStart 2.1

Freeware

Windows System Tray tool designed to start user-defined (portable) applications that are stored on USB key devices or removable disks. PStart itself doesn't have to be installed to your hard disk. Execute the installer and choose whether you want PStart to your local hard drive or a removable device.

Requires: Windows 98SE, 2000, Me or XP

TweakVI Basic 1.0.1060

Freeware

Windows Vista will enable you to tweak many of the hidden features, as well as optimise your system to maximise performance in order to run Vista more successfully. TweakVI will open many of the hidden features. As it is a plugin based system, further plugins will be added in the future.

Requires: Windows Vista only

VirtualDub 1.6.19

Freeware

VirtualDub can make use of any video codecs installed on a computer to read different video formats. It can only save video in the AVI format, but as this is a standard file format it isn't a problem. This is quite a basic piece of software but very useful for capturing and viewing short videos and applying filters to them.

Requires: Windows 98SE, 2000, Me or XP

Stardock LogonStudio 1.0

Freeware

Tool that will enable you to choose and customise your own Windows logon screen. Create your own logon screens when you start up Windows Vista. You can either import your own image for your new logon screen or download one of the many existing screens, created by other users.

Requires: Windows Vista only

USBDeview 1.05

Freeware

Small utility that lists all USB devices that currently connected to your computer, as well as all USB devices that you previously used. For each USB device, extended information is displayed: Device name/description, device type, serial number, the date/time that device was added, VendorID etc.

Requires: Windows 98SE, 2000, Me, XP or Vista

XnView for Windows 1.91.1

Freeware

There is a huge number of different image formats and it is very frustrating to receive an image that cannot be opened. XnView can view around 400 different kinds of image and convert into 50 different formats. It is a good way of browsing images on your computer.

Requires: Windows 98SE, 2000, Me or XP