Windows Tools, Help & Guides

FastAero is a freeware program, which you can download and run to enable Aero-like effects in Windows XP. Download the 7z file, extract it (you can use 7zip), and run the exe. FastAero does not need to be installed; the program sits in your system tray.

Note: I didn’t think it was working at first, but all currently open windows should be closed and opened again to enable the Aero effect.

Download FastAero (Mirror)

When you delete a file using Windows, it goes to the recycle bin. When you empty the recycle bin, the file is gone right? Actually no; when you delete a file from the recycle bin (or SHIFT+DEL from Explorer), the file is just dereferenced. As long as the data isn’t overwritten, the file is completely recoverable–and may be for sometime if the space isn’t needed. In this guide, you’ll learn about two tools you can use to permanently delete files from your hard drive: RightDelete (GUI) and SDelete (command line.)

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If you’ve ever lost a USB drive before, this will be something you wish you had. If you haven’t lost one yet, then you should install this on your USB drive as soon as possible. I’ve lost two drives in the past; luckily both drives didn’t have any sensitive information on them, but I wonder if I would have got either back if I’d had this program.

USB Lost and Found simply puts a message up each time you put your drive in, which contains your contact information. The person who finds your drive can then get in contact and return your drive to you. If you are willing to pay $3.49 $8.99 for the Pro version, you get lockdown mode, which password protects your data too.

Download USB Lost and Found

I previously covered CCleaner when I first started this website. I still think this is a great tool and the in lieu of writing about Advanced SystemCare this evening, I felt it would be good to remind readers of or introduce them to CCleaner. CCleaner’s purpose is to clean your computer of temporary files, junk files, and invalid file references. CCleaner is highly recommended by Windows Forums members and I suggest, after making a system restore point, that’s you tried this program out to see just how much you can improve your PC.

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Windows Vista Ultimate comes with a feature called Dreamscence, which allows you to play videos as your wallpaper. Other versions of Vista and all versions of XP do not come with this by default.

XP Scene creates an HTML file, which you can use as your background (XP only) and display your video as your wallpaper. Just follow the three simple steps the program takes and you’ll be up and running.

Download XP Scene

Do you have your fair share of MP3s? If you’re like most internet users, you’ll have a large collection by now. These days, most MP3 players use tags and if your tags aren’t in order, you aren’t getting the most out of your player.

MP3 TagScanner searches through your MP3s and automatically tags them, renames your files, downloads album art, and even retrieves lyrics.

Download TagScanner