SpeederXP accelerates various aspects of your PC that in theory, should improve your gaming experience. This includes mainly your graphics card for games that demand a lot from it, your CPU for those that hog your processing power and your internet connection for those that are played over a LAN. In reality, if you're a serious gamer, you'll have a pretty decent setup and won't require SpeederXP to help you. However, if you are working on a slightly older system, then you will undoubtedly notice an improvement in the speed of your system.

How much SpeederXP improves your gaming though depends on the game. Some users have complained that the program can lock up their system (probably due to overclocking) but in general, it does seem to provide at least a 20% boost to gaming speeds whilst it works. The slower your system, the more you will notice the benefits of SpeederXP, of course. On a fast system, you will barely notice or need any of this. SpeederXP operates via a throttle which the developers recommend cranking up to maximum although if your experience instability problems, you're best to leave it at a happy medium point. The program is updated regularly automatically with improvements although you need to pay to upgrade and receive the unlimited version.

SpeederXP is a handy little utility for gamers on slow systems although serious gamers with decent equipment need not apply.

Download SpeederXP 2.63 in Softonic

FixWin is a simple, standalone tool – no installation required - that helps you solve the most common problems in Windows Vista and Windows 7. Of course, we're talking about simple annoyances here, like the Recycle bin icon missing from your desktop, the context menu not working in Internet Explorer or the Automatic updates not working properly.

If you're lucky to find your particular problem with Windows among the FixWin list (which includes about 50 different problems), fixing it is as easy as clicking thhe "Fix" button beside the description of the problem. If not, well, maybe you should look for another program.

As with any other tool that fiddles with system options, you should create a system restoration point before using FixWin. You can do it in the program's Welcome window.

If you're having small, annoying problems with Windows Vista or Windows 7, check out FixWin and see if you can solve them with it!

Download FixWin 1.2 in Softonic

Luckily there are tools like Registry Reviver with which you can keep your Windows Registry in perfect shape. Registry Reviver is an easy-to-use Registry analysis and repair utility, which scans the Registry in search of any possible problems – ActiveX entries, app paths, file references, keys, shared DLLs and more – and fixes all found errors, in just two clicks.

Before applying any changes to the system, Registry Reviver creates a restoration point that lets you go back to a previous state in case something goes wrong. The whole system analysis and repairing procedure is surprisingly quick, though as with other similar tools, it's hard to notice if your system really improved after the analysis.

In any case Registry Reviver is easy to use, features a nicely designed interface, can be scheduled to run analysis automatically and includes an extra tool to manage start-up programs.

If you're having problems with Windows Registry, try Registry Reviver: an easy-to-use, surprisingly quick Registry analysis tool!

Download Registry Reviver 3.0.1 in Softonic

Let’s start from the beginning. The first time you open WinXP Manager you are prompted to create a system restore point, just in case something should go horribly wrong. If you have system restore disabled on your computer, WinXP Manager will go ahead and load up anyway. What you are presented with is a detailed overview of your system specs. Through WinXP Manager's tabbed navigation, you can switch the view to check out details about your operating system, computer, hardware, and processes. WinXP Manager doesn't, however, have any central tab that would display all the information in one place so that you could easily print out a complete run down on what you have in your box. Neither, for that matter, is there a print button for quickly converting anything to hard copy.

On further investigation, you find yourself digging through tabs of tabs to find what you need on WinXP Manager, or alternatively, opening pop-up windows that appear when you click buttons that lie alongside those that don’t produce pop-ups. Supposedly consistency wasn't high on the priority list. WinXP Manager runs inside a fixed width window, something that wouldn't usually merit any criticism but in this case the window is very small relative to the entire screen size and results in some scrolling.

Putting design and usability aside, there are a lot of positive things to say about WinXP Manager. As we mentioned, it does provide comprehensive information about all aspects of your hardware and software. WinXP Manager has a handy optimization wizard that guides inexperienced users through the process, and for every tick box you see, there is a corresponding detailed tooltip that will give you a clue whether or not you are on the verge of destroying your PC. WinXP Manager has an amazing amount of utilities for tweaking XP to the last, although we are concerned that the registry cleaner may be over aggressive.

Boiling it down, WinXP Manager is a fantastic utility for anyone that has a good general understanding of the many various elements making up their PC. If you have a tweak in mind and don’t want to bury yourself in the actual system files, WinXP Manager will serve you well. On the other hand, if you are after a quick all round maintenance fix and you don't quite get the registry or services, then you should look for a less hard-core solution.

Download WinXP Manager 7.0.6 in Softonic

To start out with, Sunrise Seven offers you the ability to create a restore point directly through its interface. This action is essential if you want to play around a little with Windows 7 without fear of disabling the system. You can restore it to how it was before the problem occurred. You'll find this option in a button on the bottom of the program's main window.

Sunrise Seven is divided into several sections. Essentially, Sunrise Seven can customize your Start menu, the Start menu button, context menus and the system UAC (User Account Controls).

Another important aspect of Sunrise Seven is the ability to disable Windows services that consume resources. You can also block certain features to prevent misuse of Windows 7 should you opt to share it with someone else. Seven Sunrise also offers the option to clean caches to speed up performance and gain some disk space.

It's unfortunate that such a useful tool doesn't come with a help manual. Beginning users might find using Sunrise Seven to its full potential a challenge as a result.

If you're comfortable with Windows 7 and want the opportunity to tweak certain settings within your operating system, Sunrise Seven gives you that option.

Download Sunrise Seven 1.2.61 in Softonic

This amazing toolbox features an impressive selection of tweaks and apps with which you can dramatically improve your system's performance with the minimum risk. It's very easy to use – even for the not-so-experts. What's more, it creates a backup copy of your system right before changing anything, so that you always have a way back in case something goes terribly wrong.

The program's interface is divided into two main sections: Tweaks and Useful tools. The first one contains a bunch of system tweaks you can apply in different areas such as general performance, services, visual appearance or your Internet connection. They're all neatly organized in categories on the left-side pane.

The Useful tools category includes a selection of tools that have been especially developed for certain maintenance tasks. You'll find a CPU accelerator, a RAM booster, a start-up manager and a registry optimizer, among others. Any changes you make are automatically applied, but you need to restart the computer in order for them to take effect.

Mz Ultimate Tweaker is probably one of the most complete tookits you can find to keep your computer in perfect shape in an easy way and with the minimum effort.

Download Mz Ultimate Tweaker 5.9 in Softonic

If you've ever had the urge to change the look of your Windows operating system, Ultimate Windows Customizer can help you do it. From the start button and log on screen to individual thumbnails, Ultimate Windows Customizer can give your PC an entirely different look and feel. You can even change aspects like the taskbar, Explorer and Windows Media Player.

Everything is very simple to implement with Ultimate Windows Customizer. Do you want to change the look of a specific icon on your PC? Simply click on the option and you can apply it instantly.

Unfortunately, Ultimate Windows Customizer does have some stability issues, and doesn't come with a document that explains all the available features that can be changed. In some instances, it will also set off a false alarm if you're using an antivirus program. These issues might deter some users from being willing to use Ultimate Windows Customizer, while to others they're just minor glitches that can easily be worked around.

Ultimate Windows Customizer is certainly an easy to use tool to customize your Windows 7 or Vista desktop, but can be a little frustrating if you need guidance in order to change specific aspects of your operating system.

Download Ultimate Windows Customizer 1.0 in Softonic

Instead of having to dig into Windows menus, configuration settings or Control Panel modules, you can use Windows 7 Tweaker to change, adjust, disable and customize all sorts of tweaks. They’re all accessible in one single window and conveniently organized in nine categories – plus a special section with direct shortcuts to frequently used Windows utilities.

The categories in Windows 7 Tweaker include tweaks for Windows Explorer, the Start menu and task bar, Windows logon, the right-click menu, system maintenance options and other areas.

Windows 7 Tweaker doesn’t create a backup copy before applying the changes, but these can be manually reverted one by one at any time, without any risk for the system. It may not be as quick as restoring a backup copy, but keeps your computer safe just the same.

Windows 7 Tweaker is a handy, easy-to-use system tweaker with which you can customize every single detail in Windows.

Download Windows 7 Tweaker 3.8 in Softonic

Download EF StartUp Manager 4.70 in Softonic

This is where 7 Quick Fix comes in handy. It's a standalone app that doesn't require installation and can be run from a USB memory device. 7 Quick Fix enables you to quickly fix a bunch of those special services and features, with a single mouse click.

7 Quick Fix is obviously not the perfect solution for everything. It helps you fix 21 problems in Windows 7, so you may not find the antidote for your symptoms. Among the things that 7 Quick Fix does repair, you'll find the task manager, command prompt, Registry editor, Control panel and others.

To use 7 Quick Fix, simply launch the file and click the element you want to fix on the program's interface. hovering the mouse cursor over any of these elements will display a description of the problem. There's really nothing more to it: no settings, no options.

7 Quick Fix is a simple standalone tool that lets you fix 21 very specific problems in Windows 7 with just a mouse click.

Download 7 Quick Fix 1.0 in Softonic

The first thing that strikes you is the sheer number of features this program has. It's absolutely ram packed with options that will keep you tweaking and fiddling with Windows Vista until the cows come home. The program features a "My Tweaker Tool" which allows you to create your own tweaker customized exactly how you want it. You can add, edit and delete DVD and CD drive names and labels, and the program now features full support for tweaking and optimizing Firefox.

It also supports Internet Explorer with the additional bonus that you can delete specific IE URLs. The program has been further enhanced by allowing it to update automatically instead of having to visit the developer homepage. Don't be fooled by the small file size - this program has plenty of features, many of which seem unique and original to WinBubble.

The name WinBubble doesn't really fit the program but there's no taking away from the fact that this is an excellent tweaker and optimizer for Vista fans.

Download WinBubble 2.0 in Softonic

Xpy allows you to close a lot of these vulnerable holes and make Windows considerably safer without the need to install any kind of security software. Amongst the things it can do are disable Windows "calling home", disable unnecessary services, disarm Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player and remove Windows Messenger.

You can instantly improve your privacy and security by running it and removing certain unneeded components, speed up the performance of your system. The problem however is that it can close vital components that are needed for Windows to update itself.

When you are presented with a list of components to remove or close-off, be very careful what you select as there is no real guide as to what each one corresponds to. The reason for this is that XPY is written and compiled using NSIS which do often get picked up as spyware by programs such as AdAware. The developers have assured that the program does not install any kind of malware and they are working to resolve this problem

A very simple way to close security holes and threats on Windows but be careful what you remove or close down.

Download Xpy 1.2.5 in Softonic

This is where Vista Services Optimizer comes in handy, by providing you with a very intuitive, user-friendly interface to manage system services. You'll be able to select which ones to load on Windows launch, optimize all active services and even create different user profiles for different service configurations, depending on the way you use the computer. The only thing missing here, in my opinion, is having some kind of general report about all currently active and disabled services.

Vista Services Optimizer includes several wizard-like configuration tools that help you decide which services you need and which you don't. The latter will be disabled, saving memory and processor power and thus enabling Windows to launch faster and run more smoothly.

And in case something goes terribly wrong, don't worry because Vista Services Optimizer has a Rescue service that will restore all services to default values.

With Vista Services Optimizer you can decide which system services you want to load and which not, saving resources and tweaking Windows settings more efficiently.

Download Vista Services Optimizer 2.0.288 in Softonic