Great Low-Cost Utilities..Must!!!

These tools can address a host of problems, ranging from cluttered hard disks to sluggish performance. Most are free or offer a free trial period.

Your PC is a complicated piece of machinery. It probably has thousands of files, hundreds of folders, and any number of things that can break, disappear, or otherwise behave unexpectedly. Fortunately, there are plenty tools that can help you control the chaos. I looked at four important types of products that everyone should be familiar with: file managers, hard-disk utilities, desktop tools, and performance enhancers. I opted for products that were effective, easy to use, fun to try out, and, most important, free or low-cost.

For those in a hurry, here's a quick rundown of each category and of the most important utilities covered in this article. Our links take you to the Downloads page for each program. Read the full file description there to judge whether it's for you.

File managers help keep your files organized, and they also perform functions that Windows Explorer can't. One of my favorites, PowerDesk 6, includes tools to make managing large numbers of files easier. If you often e-mail large files, you'll want a tool like MasterSplitter that can cut large files up into smaller chunks. (Remember, most mail servers refuse to send large files in one chunk.)

Hard-disk utilities are designed to help you work with the files on your hard drive and manage the drives themselves. Programs like Restoration can recover files that you've accidentally deleted, or Sure Delete can completely erase them so nobody can read your confidential files. If you're selling or donating your PC,Jv16 Power Tools can wipe the hard drives so you don't end up donating your tax returns to an identity thief, andBootItNG allows you to repartition your drive, breaking a single drive up into several smaller logical volumes, so each gets its own drive letter and looks like a separate drive to Windows. This can be really useful in helping to keep data files separate from program files, a strategy that can simplify backups.

Desktop tools help you manage applications. Whenever you install a new program you're putting your PC at risk because some include spyware or adware that can slow your PC to a crawl. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools that help you control what's going on in your computer, spotting programs that shouldn't be there or which are trying to sneak into your startup folder.WinPatrol keeps an eye out for these, warning you when something tries to sneak in, and lets you block it. Startup Control Panel is a simple but useful program that allows you to decide which programs start up with Windows. Keeping down the number that do is a good idea; that will help keep memory free for the programs that really need it.

Performance enhancers help you get the most out of your PC, by enabling you to tweak settings that Windows doesn't normally provide access to. Free RAM XP Proand RamBooster, for instance, let you manage memory better than Windows alone can do. Sometimes if you're trying to run several applications and you close one, the closed app may fail to release all the RAM it was using. Free RAM and RAMBooster can help you free things up.Cacheman performs similar functions for caches that your PC uses to speed up disk reading and writing, andMotherboard Monitor can check your motherboard's temperature sensors and alert you if components are overheating.

File Managers

PowerDesk 6 Standard This handy little utility makes operations like moving, renaming, and otherwise manipulating files easy. It's a big improvement over Windows Explorer. The developer offers a free standard version and a more-advanced $40 version.

The File Splitter This simple, free utility takes a file and chops it up into smaller chunks, automatically creating a program that can restore the original at the other end. It's great for e-mailing large files.

MasterSplitter Large files (typically, those over 10MB) won't make it through your e-mail server. This program splits them into more manageable chunks, and automatically creates a batch file to reassemble them. It has more features than The File Splitter, but it nags you to register and pay $13.

DoubleKiller Got duplicates? This free program hunts down and eradicates duplicate copies of files, freeing up valuable disk space.

Hard-Disk Utilities

Restoration If you've accidentally deleted an important file, don't panic (yet)! Restoration is a free program that can scan your hard drive, floppy drive, or flash memory card and attempt to recover the file.

SureDelete Deleted means really deleted with this free program: It overwrites deleted files so they can't be recovered. Ideal when you have a PC you want to sell or give away.

Jv16 PowerTools 2006 This multipurpose utility can perform a number of useful tasks, such as working with the Windows Registry, erasing disks, and searching for files. There's a 30-day trial, after which you must pay $30.

BootItNG A powerful, easy-to-use partitioning and drive-imaging program that lets you create, delete, and resize the partitions on your hard drive; as well, it can create a complete backup of your data. It is free to use for 30 days; afterwards, it costs $35.

Desktop Tools

WinPatrol This free application keeps a close eye on the programs running on your system (including the hidden ones) and alerts you every time one tries to sneak its way onto your system. You can then block it, keeping your toolbar clear of programs you don't want or need.

Startup Control Panel This free program provides a simple way to manage which programs start up with Windows, a feature that can help keep your PC running smoothly.

X-Setup Pro This $15 utility gives access to hidden settings, letting you customize how Windows and many applications appear and function.

PowerStrip If you are connecting your PC to an HDTV, or just want to get the best image quality out of your monitor, this program can tweak a number of hidden settings that control the video coming in from your high-end graphics card. The trial version is fully functional, but the developer asks for a license fee of $30.

PrintKey 2000 This free program offers a shortcut to printing screens: It lets you print with a single press of the Print Screen key, and it also lets you do certain edits of screen captures.

BartPE This free utility builds a bootable CD or DVD using your own Windows installation files. If your PC crashes and won't reboot, you can use the disk to get your rig back on its feet.

Clonemaster This utility searches for duplicate files on your hard drive, network drives, and removable media; it's a powerful program. You can give it a spin with its 30-day trial, after which it costs $40.

Performance Enhancers

Motherboard Monitor This free program uses the temperature sensors inside your computer to monitor how hot the components are getting. If any are overheating, it will sound an alarm, and it can even shut the system down if it gets too hot. This is a good tool for anyone who builds their own PCs.

TweakUI This free program provides access to a number of settings for altering the Windows UI (User Interface) to make Windows easier to use.

FreeRAM XP Pro A free utility that monitors how programs use memory, and tries to make the most efficient use of the memory you have. It can also, on request, try to free up a user-defined amount of memory so that a memory-hungry program can have the space it needs to run properly.

RAMBooster RAMBooster is another memory-optimization program that manages your computer's memory to keep as much of it free as possible.

Cacheman This free program is designed to speed up reading and writing to the hard drive by managing the caches that Windows sets up to hold data that is waiting to be read or written. It can also manage the PCs memory, freeing up memory for programs that need it.

Select the link to download our entire list of 20 low-cost utilities.