EMCO MoveOnBoot

Emco Software

If you've ever received an error message from Windows when trying to move, rename, or delete blocked files or folders, you know how annoying it can be. In these circumstances, the operating system rarely gives you any details about the issue, so you often need to find external help to solve the problem. EMCO MoveOnBoot is an excellent application that lets you move, rename, or delete any file or folder that is blocked in the system, either because another application is supposedly using it, or for any other reason. The program includes a useful assistant that helps you perform these tasks easily, without too many steps. Aside from that, EMCO MoveOnBoot has more than 20 different skins to change its appearance, and it can be set to launch at startup.

IsoBuster

Smart Projects

Have you ever tried to read data from a CD without a positive result? Now, you can save your old data, your photos or videos you think you had lost thanks to ISObuster. ISObuster is specialized on recovering data from damaged CDs and DVDs, and it supports DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-RW, DVD-RAM, ISO, CUE, etc. It is really easy to use: Run ISObuster, insert the CD or DVD, choose the drive and let ISObuster read and show you the content of your CD or DVD. Then you can browse that data as if the CD were new. In addition, you will be able to convert the image format, recover data from a fast-formatted CD-RW, analyze the surface of a digital drive,... And it is translated into more than 40 languages.

Xinorbis

Paul Alan Freshney

If you have not a lot of free space on your HD and you are used to reorganize it frequently you'll welcome Xinorbis because it will let you know a lot of information about your HD and the folders in it. Xinorbis scans your HD and gives you detailed info of every folder in your HD so you'll perfectly know the status of your folders in just a few seconds. Using a sophisticated mix of graphs, tables and tree displays, it gives the user a complete overview of the contents of a hard disk, folder, removable or network drive. The program features the results in a sectors chart so in just a glance you'll know the status of your HD and the folders occupying more space in it. Finally, Xinorbis, can compare two folders or drives and you'll know how to use them.

EF Commander

Dipl.-Ing. Emil Fickel, EFSoftware

EF Commander is a simple application developed with the sole purpose of managing and organizing all the files and folders on your PC. The program presents itself as the perfect alternative to the classic Windows Explorer, improving some of its features and correcting certain shortcomings and weaknesses. EF Commander includes support for the compression of any file into ACE, ARC, ARJ, BZIP2, CAB, GZIP, LHA, RAR, TAR, TBZ, TGZ, ZIP, ZOO, UU, XX, or MIME format. It also incorporates both an image viewer for JPG, BMP, GIF, and PNG files, and an audio player. Some of the program's secondary features include a transfer manager for FTP servers, internal editor, folder syncing, HEX editor, network support, fast panels, etc.

Karens Replicator

Karen Kenworthy

Often, when you need to backup all your files, it means wasting a lot of your time to do so. From now on, this tedious task will be much easier. Karen's Replicator is an application for automatically creating backups of your drives or just certain files in another hard drive or directory on your PC or the local network. This means you can choose exactly how and when the backups are created. You have tons of options like: setting how often you want your files backed up, filtering the files, and it also offers overwriting options. If you like to always have a backup of your files or you need to make sure you don't lose any information, Karen's Replicator can take care of the job without you barely even noticing. Best of all, it's efficient and completely customizable.

Archivarius 3000

Eugene Troitskiy

Archivarius 3000 is very complete application which will help you finding your files and emails on PC, local network or CD/DVD drives. You can configure the searching process by a simple wizard. With this wizard we will configure the search process very easily. We will choose where we want to search and what kind of files we are searching for. Once we have selected where we are going to perform the search, Archivarius will index all documents, so when we insert a word, it will show us the result of the documents containing that word in it automatically. Archivarius is capable of searching compressed files (ZIP, ACE, RAR, etc,) in mail clients (Outlook, Outlook Express, Netscape, Mozilla Thunderbird, The Bat!,...).

Default Programs Editor

Factor Mystic

Each type of file has a pre-established program that opens it, and a series of options in the context menu that appears when you right-click it. Still, you often need other options, or may want to change the default program used to open a certain file. That's where Default Programs Editor comes in. It's an application with a simple interface in the style of an assistant that allows you to change the menus associated with each type of file, including the icon it displays, the program that opens it, autoplay, and much more. Default Programs Editor offers three essential modifications: changing file association settings, modifying autoplay settings, and modifying default programs. The last two are not available for XP. The first and most important feature of the program allows you to change the context menu actions associated with a given file extension, the file type's icon, and its description. The Autoplay Settings option helps you to modify the frequent action list that appears when you connect an external drive, while Default Programs Settings allows you to change the file associations of Windows accessories. Default Programs Editor is very easy to use, as it employs a wizard that guides you through some simple steps to help you adapt the context menu to fit your needs.

Prevent Restore

PrivacyRoot

AS you probably know, when you delete a file you don't delete it properly, but the space occupied by that file is replaced and made available for other applications or files, but you don't delete the file itself and sometimes they can be restored if you don't save another file in the same space. Until that moment that the old file is overwritten those files can be accessed by using certain methods. Prevent Restore is an application that overwrites the files you delete so they can't be accessed anymore. They will not be able to be recover. Prevent Restore analyzes the free space in disc and overwrites that space to make unavailable to access it. IT's a good way to make sure that when you delete a file you can be sure thatit is totally destroyed.

VSO Inspector

VSO Software

VSO-Inspector is a simple utility which analyzes all the components and drivers related with your CD/DVD drives to obtain data like reading speed, writing speed, firmware version,... You'll be able to know all data about any device you insert in your drives. This data can be free space, creation date, modifications, DVD region,... In addition, it will check if there is any failure in the CD or DVD, so you will be sure that the time hasn't modified your data and that it is perfect. If you have just burnt it you can check if it has been correctly burnt. Thanks to VSO inspector, you will know if your data is ok or not.

Toucan

N/A

The more we use our PC and the more we trust in technology to manage our data, the more important it is to keep safe our private data. That's the reason why we see how a lot of applications are being developed in order to keep our privacy safe. Decrease the dangerousness of the threats and keep our data in private is very important. Toucan is one of these application and it is portable, what makes it to be usable on any computer without having to be installed. Toucan offers files and folders synchronization and backup creation. Your data can be really safe if you usually use Toucan to create backups and copy files to removable drives. If you want to make them to be even safer, encrypt them. Its interface organize the different tasks into different tabs, so it's easy to access all functions offered by the program. Creating backups should be essential if you work with important data. We are not talking only about photos or songs, we are talking about private data, current accounts, bank numbers, charts, etc. It's always a good idea to have a backup.

Rumie

Micware software

Deleting a file from Windows (even if you bypass the recycling bin) is difficult to do so securely. This is because the file can be easily retrieved with any application that specializes in recovering files deleted 'on accident'. With that in mind, sometimes you need an external application independent from your operating system that you can use to permanently delete such files. Rumie helps you do just that. Simply select the file you want to delete and click the Remove button. Once you've done that, the file will no longer be able to be recovered, even with the aforementioned special applications. For that reason, it's important to make sure you're deleting the correct file to avoid making an irreversible mistake. The only downside of the application, perhaps, is its stark interface, even though the look of the application doesn't really have anything to do with its ability to get the job done.

Encopy

Micware software

For sure that more than once you have been unable to access a certain diskette, cd, dvd or any other kind of drive. Maybe, if you had had encopy installed in your system, the result would have been different. Encopy is a lite tool which will help you recovering that damaged data, so you will be able to work with it as if never happened. It can even create a report including the activity log, so we will be able to know how useful it has been for us. Of course, there are some damaged devices which can?t be recovered, but most of them can be accessed and recovered thanks to Encopy.

SpeedCommander

Sven Ritter

We are so used to using the Windows file manager that many believe it is a connected, inseparable part of the experience. But that isn't true, and even less so when we can turn to such useful and quality alternatives as the following: SpeedCommander is a file manager for Windows that allows you to perfectly substitute its native counterpart integrated in the operating system. It has tons of benefits, including dual folder display, web browsing, direct access to system directories, system directory drop down menus, and favorites. If you want to try out a new way to manage your files and folders, SpeedCommander is a great option.

SyncBack SE

2BrightSparks

You might have some folders or maybe even an entire partition dedicated to duplicate files and backups of your most important documents. If that's the case, SyncBack can be really useful for keeping these backups updated. It works in a really simple way: the program syncs the original files and their copies so you always have the latest edits saved. It can be especially useful if you use several different computers (your work computer, personal laptop, desktop computer, etc.) and want to keep your files synced. SyncBack also has endless customization options, filters, and configuration tools. Best of all, it's completely free.

JaBack

HitekSoftware.com

JaBack is an application which will let you program backups each certain time: hours, days, weeks, or months. JaBack will create a zip file which will include all chosen data, so we will be able to recover it if something fails. JaBack offers you the possibility of uploading automatically to a FTP server the created, by that way you will have the copy totally safe, and it will send you an e-mail advising you. JaBack can be setup to be supervising the activity of your PC and if it detects a folder or file changes, automatically creates the backup file.

Duplicate Files Cleaner

DigitalVolcano Software

Duplicate files are a common reason why, for many users, the hard drive runs out of memory so quickly. It doesn't matter how many gigabytes of memory you have – in the end, you will always find a way to fill them up with applications and files, even if many of them have no useful purpose whatsoever. You get home from vacation and copy all your pictures, for example, only to forget where you put them a month later and copy them again to a different folder – not to mention all the movies you watch and all the music you download. It's an obvious problem: when you work with an overwhelming number of files, it's easy to lose track of what you have on your hard drive. This becomes an issue when your computer starts to run more slowly, or when you need a few more gigabytes to install that game you want to play. That's when Duplicate Files Cleaner comes in. This simple application is easy to use, and can save you a lot of trouble. Basically, it scans your hard drive to find all your duplicate files. There are probably a lot more than you'd expect, all of them taking up precious space on your hard drive. Once the duplicate files are detected, the application lists them so you can decide which to delete and which to keep on your hard drive.

HDDlife Pro

BinarySense Inc.

If you save your entire life - from pictures to documents, videos, and other private information - to your hard drive, you should look after its well-being so that you don't lose everything in the case of some problem with your computer. HDDLife is a useful tool that you can use to look at the status, temperature, performance, and free space on your disc so that you know when to be on the lookout for possible errors. The moment this application detects that your hard drive's status is deteriorating, you'll receive an email or a warning on the network, a sound will get played, or your PC will turn off immediately. You should configure these options beforehand in accordance with the decision you want to make when your hard drive's life is at risk. HDDLife will create reports that you can save in order to see what's happened to your disk, but you can always find out about an error or risk before anything happens, avoiding your computer's overheating and overexertion. Prevention with HDDLife is better than having to fix everything later.

Metamorphose File-n-Folder Renamer

Ianaré Sévi

Synchromat

Syncromat.com

If you're looking for a program to help you sync the files on your computer, Synchromat is worth a try. This tool has a simple and attractive interface with which you can sync multiple folders smoothly and efficiently. If you're not sure how to use it, Synchromat has a small wizard to help you set up everything exactly as you want. Just select the folders you want to work with and analyze them for differences. Then you can sync them, making sure the content is exactly the same for both. Synchromat works with local folders, network computers, and removable discs, making it completely efficient to use no matter what.

FreeUndelete

Recoveronix Ltd.

FreeUndelete is a practical tool oriented at the recovery of all types of files. In the case of accidental deletion of files with NTFS format (standard with Windows XP, 2000, and NT), FreeUndelete will be of great help, recovering your files and data intact in the majority of attempts. The program is easy to use, it simply searches among selected drives for any deleted files that are recoverable. FreeUndelete is a completely free tool.

Similarity

GAR Software

Every day it is becoming easier to access digital music files, allowing us to download gigabytes and gigabytes of files that can become a huge job to organize. In our desire to collect as much music as possible, sometimes a hard drive can become full of duplicate files. To help you in the task of organizing your hard drive and optimizing available space, there's Similarity; a useful program that analyzes your folders to show files that are identical and therefore eliminate them. The program allows the user to create two different directories for comparison, which, depending on the amount of files to analyze, takes just a few minutes. For its analysis, Similarity takes into account the actual content of the files to identify them with greater precision. The program includes a built in music player to make sure that the detected files really are duplicates, in case the analyzation of the file wasn't 100% effective.

SugarSync

SugarSync, Inc.

Sugarsync is a quite attractive piece of software which allows you to have your data stored remotely and access them from any computer at any time. When you sing up, you get 5 GB storage space and you can make it bigger by inviting other people to the service or paying for space. SugarSync offers two synchronization methods: drag and dropping files into the magic case or adding folders from the program menu. One of the most interesting options of SugarSync is the possibility of installing the program and sync files with portable computer, blackberry and smartphones. If you are using a computer which hasn't SugarSync installed, don't worry, you'll be able to access data via web. Finally, you can decide to share files with other users using the Share option. You can decide whether to hare one file, two or a whole folder. In addition, you can password protect files and mark files a only read ones.

KFK

KC Software

Although the concept of this program called KFK is not new at all, it offers some options which make it a very recommendable choice. This lite and effective program allows us to divide large files into smaller ones. You decide the size of those new files, in fact, you can decide whether the size of the files or the number of them. Of course, all those new files can be restored as the previous large file at any time using the program or even without it, and that's good news for everyone, you'll only need the program to fragment it and create those new files, but your friends won't have to install KFK to restore the files. In addition you can decide to save them in a CD or DVD.

NexusFile

JungHoon Noh

NexusFile is a free application for Windows that lets you manage your files quickly and easily, providing an advanced way to navigate your file system. The NexusFile interface includes two panels for navigating, each of which is suitable to use as the default file browser on Windows. It also has support for FTP, which makes it even more versatile. You can even use bookmarks to access the folders you use frequently as quickly as possible. For these reasons, NexusFile is an application worth downloading.

PureSync

Jumping Bytes

Having important files and folders safe is something really relevant. One of the best options is to have a backup in a different and external drive. Sometimes it is not easy, but we have found a really good application that will help you keep them updated and safe. Puresync includes many interesting features and it is not difficult to use. You choose the folders and files you want to backup and the destination drive. From then on, the program will check it and each time you modify the original file PureSync will backup it automatically. You can plan backups to be done everyday, everyweek,... or automaticcally when files are modified. Now you may think it is not important but in case of crash you'll welcome having used it.

UltraExplorer

Mustangpeak Software

If you think Windows Explorer doesn't offer all you need to better manage your files and folders, you'll surely be interested in UltraExplorer. UltraExplorer is a powerful explorer that makes working with folders incredibly easy, allowing the user to work in different locations simultaneously from a unified program interface. This is possible because UltraExplorer uses the successful tabbed browsing formula that's been so useful for web browsers. This way, you can easily work with multiple folders, do basic operations like copying, pasting, cutting ... and even use a simple FTP client built into the program. UltraExplorer also supports skins and different display modes, with each tab displaying columns of all the folders in the file path to get to the file you want to use.

MacDrive

Mediafour Corporation

MacDrive is a very interesting solution for accessing a hard disk or disk partition in which the operating system is Macintosh. Windows is unable to see Mac OS partitions on its own, even if they are on the same disk, so you have to find external applications such as this one to do so. The program lets you access a Mac disk or partition as if it were a regular one. The operations the user can then carry out are the same as with any device: copy, cut or eliminate files. MacDrive adapts the names, the extensions, and the icons of the different documents to Windows, so you won’t have any problems when working with them. On the other hand, it lets you make security copies of these units' contents on compact discs. Plus, this tool lets you create, eliminate and format Mac disk partitions.

Last Changed Files

www.file.net

USB Personalizer

Christian010

USB Personalizer is a lite application that allows you to personalize the look of your USB drive when plugged in your PC. You can change the icon you see in the file explorer as well as the background color of the window and the font color. Choose ICO files for the icons and JPG images for the backgrounds. It's very easy to use, you only have to copy the .exe file in the root of your USB PenDrive and execute it. Once you personalize the style of your PenDrive, USB Personalizer creates a file named autorun.inf which is the one that will personalize the file when you connect it to any PC.

ViSplore

lee-soft.com

ViSplore implements several improvements in the original Windows file explorer, such as dynamic path breadcrumbs to show where the user is browsing or a built-in file searcher that allows the user to find files in the any folder. It can be used as a complementary file browser or set it as default - You can do that by activating the option Default File Manager in the menu of the application located in the system tray. You can open it at anytime just pressing the key combination Windows + W. The breadcrumbs system used by ViSplore is interactive, that means that when you click any folder of the path, it shows a menu featuring all the subdirectories in it. Finally, the Vista style of VISplore will give your desktop a new, stylish and semitransparent look.