X-Setup's user interface isn't attractive, but it's very functional: tweaks are organised in a logical hierarchy of categories accessed from an Explorer-style tree, and each tweak is briefly described on-screen, with warnings about any complications which might arise from its use. Some of the descriptions could be more informative, and assume a fair degree of familiarity with the workings of Windows.

There are also 17 wizards, accessed from the menu bar, which can save time in running through the most common tweaks but don't provide much indication of what you're doing to your system.

Other panels allow you to remove invalid entries from the Add/Remove Software list, change the Windows user registration information, and remove unwanted or obsolete options from the list of new file types you can create on the desktop.

The options for enhancing the security of your system should be particularly handy if you're sharing your PC with others, especially younger members of the family. You can prevent access to virtually every Windows feature that would allow tampering with your system, and you can even clear the desktop completely (these features don't work under Windows NT).

It allows you to access settings through tabbed panels, not all of which are helpfully labelled: Desktop and Explorer Settings (icons, task management and miscellaneous -- many of the most useful are under that last heading); Access Restrictions (mainly options for hiding desktop items); Registry Safety (backup options for the Registry and vital system files); OEM Information (entering or changing); and Troubleshooting (adding/removing desktop items, file system changes and a few checks on Windows operation).

There's more: Boot Options (including disk caching); Internet Connection (numerous options here); Tracking Clearance (clearing history lists for numerous Windows features and applets, adding/removing standard Start Menu items); Managing Software Components (removing entries from the Add/Remove Software list, and removing Registry entries for start-up programs); and Security and Networking.

WinBoost's settings are arranged in six panels of 24, under the categories of System & Booting, Start-up, Desktop, Windows Explorer, Internet and Miscellaneous. The interface includes a description of the currently selected option and, where applicable, a graphic preview of its effect -- the descriptions may save the unwary from considerable grief. Another nice safety feature is an override control that allows you to undo all tinkering and return to the default settings.

Like most programs of its class, WinBoost offers tweaks that range from the almost sublime to the well-nigh ridiculous, but emphasises those which should appeal to most users. Some of the best include expanding the CD-ROM cache for higher-speed drives, adding a program launcher to the Start button's pop-up menu, and a whole bunch of enhancements for the Explorer. There's a pretty complete set of options for customising the Start Menu, and quite a few for doctoring Internet Explorer 4.0.

Four modules are either complementary to or more powerful versions of existing Windows tools. System Information gives you quick access to some general information, CPU details and useful disk and memory data. Like the Control Panel applet, the Add/Remove Cleaner can remove software, but also lists invalid entries in the install list; you can delete these (or any other entry) and also edit entries or create new ones. The System File Editor improves on Windows' sysedit by allowing you to edit not only the system configuration files (brought up in individual windows) but any other text file.

The File Extensions Editor offers much better management of file associations, by listing every extension found in the Registry, displaying their descriptions and identifying invalid extensions. You can edit or remove extensions and descriptions, add new items and even change the icon for a given description.

The other four modules cover much the same ground as most tweaking programs. The Windows Configurator presents a well-designed tree menu which describes the purpose of each option and warns of any associated hazards: you can change many interface features, including Start Menu speed and sorting, autoplay functions and attributes of the Explorer, add new commands to Explorer's context menu and tweak many other Windows settings.

The Shell Editor allows you to change display locations, icons and infotips for the Shell Classes (important system folders and applications including the Recycle Bin and a clutch of Internet-related items). The Security Editor enables you to hide or disable virtually anything which can alter your Windows setup; security can be strengthened by disabling individual programs, with the option of giving the system administrator sole access on a multilogin system. Last but not least, the Startup Editor gives easy access to the numerous options that Windows provides for system bootup, and also lets you add, edit or delete items in the Registry's list of start-up programs.