Since time immemorial, computer users have had problems sharing large files. Whether trying to fit Sim City on floppy disks, uploading binaries to newsgroups or sharing home movies via email, you may well have suffered the inconvenience of a file that's just too big for what you're trying to do.

This is where HJSplit comes in. It's a remarkably simple and easy-to-use little application which can split any file you like into parts of a predefined size, so that sharing them or storing them is made easier. It can also join split files back together and compare parts to see if they're the same.

Based in just one small executable (there's no installer for this old school app!), the utility weighs in at a piffling 300kb and doesn't have the world's best design. But it works surprisingly well and splits files into chunks of your chosen size, very quickly indeed. Its joining, comparing and MD5 tools all work just as efficiently.

A small but very effective little utility which will split and rejoin any file you like.

Download HJSplit 2.3 in Softonic

DirectX is a package of special libraries developed by Microsoft that attempt to improve and optimize audiovisual performance on your system.

These drivers enable you to make the most of modern graphic cards with 3D capabilities, which makes them generally advisable for multimedia tasks and an absolute must-have for gamers – in fact, DirectX is usually a compulsory requirement to install certain games.

Installing DirectX on your computer is as easy as launching the executable file, which in turn will download some necessary components from the web. Then just follow the wizard's instructions and you're done.

Note that, when installed, this new version will overwrite any other previous versions you may have of Directx.

DirectX is an indispensable package of drivers and libraries to achieve an optimal level of performance in games and multimedia on your system.

Download DirectX 9.23.1350 in Softonic

There are certain software components that don't work as applications by themselves, but rather as a framework to run other apps.

This is the case of Microsoft .NET Framework, a software package that contains everything you need to execute programs based on the .NET development environment. It includes common library files, language common routines and ASP.NET files.

This component will fix all the error messages you may get when trying to run .NET applications, so you should definitely install it on your system. What's more, installation is really easy: simply run the file and follow the wizard's steps. Just don't expect to have an interface or something similar to run .NET Frameworks: there's simply none.

Microsoft .NET Framework is a necessary component to run many applications nowadays, so you should absolutely install it on your system.

Download Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.50727 in Softonic

A system analyzer is often overlooked as the toy of PC modding fanatics, but the reality is that these applications are very effective at dissecting your PC and giving you the hard truth about its performance. PC Wizard aims to explore the insides of your system and give you the complete low down on its strengths and weaknesses.

Once you launch PC Wizard you’ll notice it takes some time to detect all the hardware installed on your PC. Use the left side of the interface to navigate through the different categories. PC Wizard reveals all the basic details of your hardware, like ports, drivers and processors, but you’ll soon realize there’s much more to it, like analyzing system files or investigating the configuration of elements such as your Internet connection or your Control Panel. Over-sized icons make it fairly obvious what you can inspect, however we would have appreciated an explorer type window to navigate through components and select exactly what to analyze.

The core of any self-respecting system analyzer is the benchmarking tool and that is where PC Wizard excels. The application lets you inspect everything from processors to cache, RAM and multimedia like DirectX, MP3 compression and video. Benchmarks provide the results as a list of information or via comprehensible graphs. These will show you straight away where you’re PC stands and the “compare with” button will let you measure your processor up against well known models. We have to warn beginners though that the information is fairly technical and will be more relevant to experienced users. Just for fun, test out the video benchmark to obtain a swarm of multicoloured balls and lines all over your screen.

That’s the only bit of excitement you’ll get with this application though. PC Wizard is not here for fun it's here to be effective. The detailed information and thorough benchmarking tests give you reliable data on all the characteristics and components of your PC. The complexity of this type of application means beginners are best kept away from it altogether, however advanced users will revel in the wealth of knowledge it will uncover on their PC’s performances.

Download PC Wizard 2008 1.86 in Softonic

Over the years Nero has evolved from being a simple CD burner in its earlier versions to becoming the complete multimedia suite we find in its latest version, Nero 9.

As well as the classic Nero Burning ROM tool – which now includes support for Blu-Ray – Nero 9 includes pretty much everything you need to make the most of your music, photos, videos and creativity. You'll be able to carry out complete multimedia projects, from ripping your favorite audio CDs and mixing the tracks with Nero SoundTrax to creating videos with your photos, and even design CD artwork (top and back covers, booklet and CD sticker) by yourself with Nero CoverDesigner.

All these tools are conveniently available from Nero StartSmart, a handy app launcher with two main toolbars: on top of the window, shortcuts to Nero's apps; on the left-side menu, direct access to the most frequent tasks (data burning, audio burning, copy disc, etc.) than open right on StartSmart's main area.

Nero 9 features other interesting tools that try to cover even more areas. You can use the built-in Nero Backup tool to make safety copies of your most important data, for example. Nero also includes an embedded video player and a photo editor (known as Nero PhotoSnap) though these two apps are quite basic and could have probably been left out without much remorse for the user.

Talking about extra apps, Nero has often been accused of being bloatware, and this version won't change that. It does include a large array of tools, though to be honest they're all quite straightforward and easy to use. I guess the discussion about complexity versus simplicity will still go on, but my view is that Nero 9 is no longer a simple burning tool: it's a full-featured suite that happens to include a burning app, plus many other features that make it an excellent application for all your multimedia projects.

Nero 9 follows the trend of previous versions and adds even more features. If you only need a DVD burning tool, look elsewhere; but if you're looking for a complete multimedia suite, this is your program.

Download Nero 9.0.9.4b in Softonic

While Google Earth remains the undisputed navigational heavyweight master of global mapping, Microsoft have weighed in with a reasonable effort.

This beta version of Virtual Earth combines local search with maps and aerial photography. Microsoft have included satellite imagery with maps in its local search results for quite some time but with Virtual Earth, the display is focused primarily around maps and aerial views. You can zoom in and out of maps or images, and drag the images around within the display at leisure and the basic search interface is similar to MSN's local search with "what" and "where" forms to specify what you're searching for. In addition, text results for searches are displayed in floating popup windows on the left side of the display. Aerial photographs are overlaid with labels, showing street names, landmarks, and other features, even including directional arrows for one-way streets plus permalinks saves a screenshot of everything open in Virtual Earth, including the map view location and search results.

It may not be in the same class as Google Earth but this is one of Microsoft's better efforts it has to be said.

Download Microsoft Virtual Earth Beta in Softonic

Stealing the crown from WinZip, the previously undisputed king of file compression apps, WinRAR is a must-have in any modern-day PC toolkit. The application not only includes support for extracting virtually any kind of file compression format, it also boasts a no-nonsense approach to reducing file sizes.

Some will argue that the application isn’t as quick as WinZip at compressing files. However, for the small lag in time difference, you end up with a significantly smaller archived file at the end of the process with WinRAR. What’s more, the application allows you to save files into both ZIP and RAR formats, with a multitude of options for speeding up compression times, or reducing file sizes at the expense of a few more seconds.

Although many newcomers might be put off by the sheer range of features and settings within the program, the interface doesn’t take long to get accustomed to, and if you’re still really stuck there’s a simple wizard-based system that walks you through the process of extracting or compressing. All this adds up to make WinRAR a dependable utility that performs better than any other tool in its class.

Download WinRAR 3.80 in Softonic

Image burning is one of the fastest and most efficient ways to save large amounts of data to DVD or CD.

Images are increasingly popular on torrent sites and other download portals because they allow users to download high volumes of data in a relatively small file. What's more, it's instantly ready for DVD or disk burning. ImgBurn is an ultra-lightweight CD/DVD/HD/DVD and Blu-ray burning application that everyone should have in their toolkit. It has several 'Modes', with each one performing a different task.

These include "Read" which reads a disc to an image file; "Build" which creates an image file from files on your computer or network; "Write" which writes an image file to a disc and "Verify" which checks whether a disk is 100% readable. With this last option, you can also ensure that the data is correct by asking ImgBurn to compare your disk against an image file. Finally, you have "Discovery" which puts your drive to the test to find just what kind of speeds and disk types it can support.

If you are experiencing any burning problems, it may be that your drive is not fast enough to handle the settings you have configured or that you are using the wrong kind of disks.

A very lightweight an powerful image burner that requires little experience but will ensure all your images are burned in a flash.

Download ImgBurn 2.4.2.0 in Softonic

If you've been working on a Word document for a long time then it's a nightmare when it suddenly corrupts or won't open.

The reasons for this are numerous and usually it's not your fault. If you've ever received any of the following messages then you'll know what I'm talking about: "The document name or path is not valid. Try these suggestions. Check the file permissions for the document or drive. Use the File Open dialog box to locate the document."; "Word cannot open the document."; "Word cannot open the document: user does not have access privileges."; "When you attempt to open a Microsoft Word 97 document into Microsoft Word version 6.x or 7.x, the document contains garbage characters." Repair My Word can come to the rescue if you've suffered any of these error messages and has the ability to repair Microsoft Word 6.0, Word 95, 97, 2000, XP, and 2003 for Windows. To use it, you simply open the corrupt Word file, preview the recoverable text in the preview window and save this text to a new error free Word file. However, don't expect miracles from this software because it doesn't work in all cases and in addition, even if it can, the rescued document is often a jumbled mess of words of symbols.

If you've ever lost a Word document to corruption or file error, then this is definitely worth a try.

Download Word Repair 1.0.0.49 in Softonic

Nero 7 Premium enables you to experience your digital media in completely new and innovative ways. With the addition of a Nero Home – media manager, you can now have the complete PC and TV experience. Whether you want to access your media files from the comfort of your living room, or complete digital media projects on your PC, Nero 7 Premium is all you need.

This full feature update includes:

Nero Home

• Quick & easy access to all your digital media files from the comfort of your living room using a remote control

• Integrates TV time-shifting, DVD, video, photo and audio playback

• Easy wizard setup and user interface

• Support for all popular media formats

• Powerful database for storing and organizing of media files into playlists

• Advanced search options

• Complete multiple tasks concurrently

Nero Scout

• Optimized to provide access to media files from all Nero applications

• Browse media files from Windows Explorer

Nero StartSmart 3

• Simple-to-use interface

• Easy connection to the Nero ProductCenter

• Improved integration in Windows XP autoplay

Nero Burning ROM 7

• Advanced search options with Nero Scout

• Support for DVD-R Dual Layer format and DVD+R Double Layer

Nero Express 7

• Redesigned to maximize ease-of-use, efficiency and speed

• LightScribe support

• Support for DVD-R Dual Layer format and DVD+R Double Layer

• Verification for Audio CD, Video CD and Super Video CD

• Support for short lead-out recording

• Intelligent compilation size status bar

• Tree-view in data project

Nero WaveEditor 3

• Surround sound editing with up to 7.1 channels

• Zoom out/in of the recording beyond any limits

• Layout improvements: all channel view/channel sum view

• Offline effect processing possible

• HQ-Dithering to reduce the noise (noise reduction)

• Edit history window showing all editing steps

• Automatic track splitting and export tracks to separate files

Nero SoundTrax 2

• Support for up to 7.1 channel surround sound editing and mixing

• Option to produce subwoofer channel tracks automatically

• Automatic record triggering for LP/tape with supporting wizards option

• Drop CD track splits or CD indexes directly in the multi-track project

• Includes wizard for easy vinyl-to-CD or tape-to-CD transfer

• Add volume or pan curves to the audio tracks

Nero Vision 4

• HDV capturing support

• Improved support for DVD camcorder media (8 cm)

• Full support of Dolby® Digital 5.1 audio

• Supports chapter menus

• Splitting and merging of titles

• Playback of slideshows

Nero Recode 2

• Copy your DVDs with the fastest DVD 9 to 5 copying software in the world

• Convert DVDs and video data into Nero Digital (MPEG-4)

• Remove unwanted audio tracks, subtitles or bonus material

Nero ShowTime 2

• Support for H.264/AVC playback

• Playback media from Nero MediaHome with excellent sound and video quality

Nero MediaHome

• Fully certified UPnP AV Media Server 1.0

• Playback your media files on your TV or hi-fi system

Nero PhotoSnap

• Rotate and cut pictures

• Numerous visual effects

• Improve the resolution of your pictures

Nero CoverDesigner 2

• Choose from a variety of templates

• Import covers from your scanner, digital camera or the Internet

Nero BackItUp 2

• Supports drag and drop for file backup

• File backup from Windows Explorer

• On-the-fly compression

• FTP backup and restore

• Predefined file filters and file excluding list

Nero ImageDrive

• Supports up to two image drives simultaneously

• Mount image after boot of PC

• Seamless integration into Windows Explorer

Download Nero 7 Premium Reloaded 7.11.10.0 Update in Softonic

Traditionally the first choice when it comes to compressing and uncompressing files, WinZip is one of the most popular downloads of all time. Despite the fact that its competitors have caught up somewhat, it remains a simple way to archive programs and reduce file sizes.

Much of the app’s success has been down to its simplicity. From the outset, the program prompts you to choose between Classic mode and Wizard mode. The wizard is great for beginners, although even the classic interface is easily negotiated, giving you instant access to a range of features such as compression ratios, password-protection and a Favorites list.

While archiving files in WinZip is quick and easy, you can’t help but thinking that the program has lost some ground on its competitors. For instance, the compression rates aren’t as high as they are in WinRAR, and you can only save files in Zip format rather than RAR, ISO or JAR. Nevertheless, the program performs well and now comes bundled with Google Toolbar and Google Desktop Search, and is also fully certified for Windows Vista.

Download WinZip 12.0.8252 in Softonic

When it comes to saving documents to the web, Adobe's PDF format rules the roost. However, users have traditionally grumbled about the fact that you need to shell out lots of cash in order to get Acrobat, the program used to create PDF files. Thankfully, FreePDF offers a free alternative that does a pretty good job of making PDF files complete with password protection. As a result, you can use the program to save files from a number of formats into printable format, including Word documents, pictures or Web pages.

The program is a doddle to use, installing itself on your machine and adding an option for you to 'Print to PDF' in your printer dialog. From here you can choose from a wide variety of options for output, such as the dimensions or the resoltution. Despite the fact that you're limited to the number of PDF files you can generate, FreePDF XP performs very well and is a viable alternative to Acrobat.

Download FreePDF XP 3.24 in Softonic

Every PC owner faces the problem of slow computer syndrome at some stage and one of the most common causes of this frustrating issue is the Windows registry. In brief, this is a database that stores configuration information about all the hardware and software on your system and does so for each user account. Through persistent use, entries become redundant or unorganized, which is why users need some way to sort it out from time to time. RegCleaner attempts to provide a solution to this problem but does it deliver the goods?

What you get is a small program that displays the data that holds your Operating System together. It does so using the raw values and as such, some of the entries may seem mystical to anyone that doesn’t have much experience of the Windows registry. For users who do know their way around, however, they will find this utility to be efficient and useful for weeding out any lingering entries such as unused file types, “dead” uninstall information, or unwanted startup services.

There is an automatic scan but it seems to be geared towards manual removal of entries. Good for quickly removing multiple keys, the lack of a confirmation dialog could lead to disaster, but as you work through various lists, everything you affect is backed-up, should you accidentally get trigger-happy.

We like the no-nonsense interface of RegCleaner, which suits users who have clear objectives in mind before opening the program. Conversely, if you aren’t confident around the registry, don’t expect any spoon-feeding from here. For that, you may want to look to alternatives such as Registry Repair or Registry Booster.

Download RegCleaner 4.3.0.780 in Softonic

Although transferring files to your PSP is not overly difficult, there are a number of programs around designed to make the job even easier. PSP Max Media Manager is one such program, an archieve utility especially designed to transfer music, video and photos from your PC to the memory card of your PSP.

For music and images, the program simply makes an exact copy of the corresponding format. However, when it comes to transferring videos PSP Max Media Manager converts the file to MP4, the default video format on the PSP. The software provides you with a simple way to quickly move files from your computer to PSP without any trouble.

Download PSP Max Media Manager 1.32 in Softonic

Have you ever wanted to remove some Windows components like Media Player, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, MSN Explorer, Messenger. How about not even to install them with Windows?

nLite is a GUI for permanent Windows component removal by your choice. After removal there is an option to make bootable image ready for burning on cd or testing in virtual machines. With nLite you will be able to have Windows installation which on install doesn't include, or even contain on cd, unwanted components.

Download nLite 1.4.9.1 in Softonic

CCleaner is a small utility that will take care of a few of the important maintenance tasks that every computer user should carry out as regularly as possible to keep their systems in top shape. Fast, reliable and easy to use - CCleaner it's one of the best cleaning systems out there.

For me, the beauty of CCleaner is the speed at which it carries out the various scans and fixes. Its main purpose is to clean any unnecessary files from your hard-drive and on opening the program you see the various aspects of Windows that you can search through and clear. CCleaner will also detect your installed applications that may hold on to files which are no longer any use, such as Google Earth histories or Flash Player configurations.

The interface in CCleaner is very easy to navigate and before taking any action, you will always be asked to confirm that you are sure about what you want to do. There is a useful registry checker that will quickly check its integrity, and let you fix bad entries after making a backup. CCleaner uninstall and startup tools are handy to have and simply add to the usability of this very rounded little maintenance assistant.

The most recent release of CCleaner now works on Vista with Admin permissions where available and features various bug fixes and improvements to the translated versions.

CCleaner makes keeping your PC clean easy for beginners and experts alike. It's small, fast, comprehensive, and free to download it - get cleaning now!

Download CCleaner 2.12.660 in Softonic

If you want to keep your PC in good condition and running as smoothly as the very first day you switched it on, you've got two options: either you download a dozen different system optimization apps or you just use TuneUp Utilities, a nice piece of software that has turned into an essential maintenance toolkit for your PC.

The new version of TuneUp Utilities brings many exciting new features that make the program even better. It has not only improved many of the tools included in previous editions, but has also added new ones such as a defrag tool or a repair wizard. Also, you'll notice a completely revamped TuneUp Utilities interface which makes the program even easier to use: tools are classified into several categories as usual, but now there are also direct links to the most frequently used ones. As for the other areas in the program, TuneUp Utilities 2008 maintains the same clear, intuitive and eye-catching design that has made it so popular among users.

The first thing you see when launching TuneUp Utilities is a nagging window, a short message reminding you that this is not free software and that you have a 30 day trial period. It's a bit of a nuisance because it appears every time you run TuneUp Utilities, but no big deal.

Featured tools in TuneUp Utilities range from customizing the appearance of your Windows installation to editing the Registry and covering many important aspects of your system. You'll be able to optimize its overall performance, gain disk space by erasing useless files and even recover those documents you've deleted by accident. TuneUp Utilities can also generate a highly detailed report on the state of your PC. The good thing is that, no matter how many changes you make in TuneUp Utilities, you can always go back to your PC's previous state thanks to TuneUp Rescue Center.

TuneUp Utilities is seamlessly integrated into Windows. New commands are added to context menus to shred or undelete files in your Recycle Bin. Also, you'll find a new shortcut named "1-Click Maintenance" on the Desktop, which enables you to perform a quick maintenance check-up and which has also been optimized in TuneUp Utilities 2008. This is certainly a very handy tool which we recommend running every week as a periodic maintenance task.

TuneUp Utilities gathers pretty much all the maintenance and optimization tools you need into one efficient, easy-to-use application. You couldn't ask for more.

Download TuneUp Utilities 2008 7.0.7992 in Softonic

I always like to customize my mobile phone, since the first one I had a bunch of years ago. But for no apparent reason, I've always had problems when trying to choose the appropriate ringtone.

Now it looks like I found the end to my problems in ToneShop. This great application enables you to create your very own customized ringtones in just a few steps. It's compatible with many phone makes and models (including iPhone) and phone ringtone formats, and it's ridiculously easy to use.

Simply select your favorite song and crop it to the fragment you want to use as ringtone, which you can do with the program's built-in basic editor. This cropping tool doesn't allow much preciseness so you may as well use a third-party sound editor. Then select the format you want to export your newly created ringtone to, and you're done! We used an MP3 file to create a new tone for an iPhone and it all worked perfectly well.

Beware that your mobile phone may have restrictions about the ringtone's size and length. Also, note that you need to connect your phone to the PC in some way (USB cable, IR port, Bluetooth) in order to transfer the ringtone to the device. In the case of iPhone, just open the M4R file in iTunes and sync the ringtones folder with your phone.

Give the ultimate customizing touch to your mobile phone by creating your own personal ringtones. It's fast, very easy and totally free!

Download ToneShop build 21 in Softonic

Alcohol brings a new meaning to the word multimedia! It is without a doubt a leader in it's class, bringing the ability to emulate and record CDs and DVDs together into one amazingly easy to use software program. Using the latest technology, the program is constantly being developed and improved to add new features, allowing it to maintain it's position as a leading software package.

Imagine being able to store your most used CDs as images on your computer and just call them up at the click of a button! And then run them at 200x the speed of some CD drives and without requiring the CD itself! How about being able to make a backup of that CD onto another CD either using the CD itself or just using the image you have created? This is what Alcohol allows you to do and much more.

Download Alcohol 120% 1.9.6.5429 in Softonic

Windows Registry is the centralized configuration database that holds system variables, installed applications' data, user preferences, hardware device configuration and lots more. In a sense, the Registry is a cornerstone of Windows operating system and, de facto, is present in all Windows operating systems (however, the structure, storing system and management may differ). Whenever the program developer considers to store own application's settings and options, he turns his attention to the Registry which is a natural container for this kind of data. Despite of the fact that Microsoft provides Windows API functions to create, open, delete and modify Registry keys and values it is not a simple task, especially for Visual Basic and ASP.

Based on the standard API, Manage Registry ActiveX Control offers convenient set of methods and properties to access the Registry and perform all necessary operations (create, open, edit, delete, etc.) over various types of data. There is no need to drill the low-level Windows API functions: Manage Registry ActiveX provides simple functions (CreateKey, OpenKey, GetValue, SetValue and so on) that any level developers can easily handle, extend and implement into any applications. To help Visual Basic and ASP.Net developers, Manage Registry ActiveX provides additional methods to handle VARIANT and BYTES data types.

Download Manage Registry ActiveX Control 2.0 in Softonic