SpeedFan is a freeware program that monitors voltages, fan speeds and temperatures in computers with hardware monitor chips. SpeedFan can even access S.M.A.R.T. info for those hard disks that support this feature and show hard disk temperatures. SpeedFan supports SCSI disks too. SpeedFan can even change the FSB on some hardware (but this should be considered a bonus feature).

At the lowest level, SpeedFan is a hardware monitor software that can access temperature sensors, but its main feature is that it can change fan speeds (depending on the capabilities of your sensor chip and your hardware) according to the temperatures inside your PC, thus reducing noise and power consumption.

Download SpeedFan 4.35 in Softonic

There are so many graphics cards and chipsets nowadays that compatibility problems with software inevitably arise. PowerStrip provides advanced, multi-monitor, programmable hardware support to a wide range of graphics cards - from the Matrox Millennium I to the latest ATI X850 and NVidia SLI solutions.

The developers claim this is the only program of its type to support multiple graphics cards from multiple chipset vendors, simultaneously, under every Windows operating system from Windows 95 to the x64-bit edition of XP. A simple menu pop up from the system tray provides access to some 500 controls over your display hardware, including color correction tools, period level adjustments over screen geometry, and driver independent clock controls.

The program automatically detects when programs are launched and responds by activating specific display settings, gamma adjustments, performance switches and even clock speeds - returning everything to normal when the program closes. A quick setup wizard gets you up and running with minimal fuss and and live updates are supported to ensure you're always running the latest release.

If you've had problems with games or compatibility issues with other software, look no further than PowerStrip.

Download PowerStrip 3.82.632 in Softonic

WinRescue promises to help you recover from a crash in just 2 minutes. WinRescue backs up the Registry and important configuration files, packs the Registry, troubleshoots problems, provides fivefold protection from system crashes, backs up any and all files that you desire, and much more.

It offers five backup options. Full Backup backs up all of the specified files. Incremental Backup only backs up files that have changed since the last Full or Incremental backup. Backed up files will not be backed up again until they change.

Differential Backup only backs up files that have changed since the last Full or Incremental backup. Backed up files will be backed up again on the next Backup. Replace opens up the Backup File and replaces any of the specified files that are different.

Finally, Full (Archive not reset) Backup backs up all of the specified files, but does not reset the Archive attribute (this is for programs like Quicken which do not like the attributes of their files changed).

Download WinRescue XP 1.08.44 in Softonic

In a few easy steps you can make your PC run faster, cleaner and error-free with the help of a new system tool – Smart PC Professional. The software fixes stubborn errors, cleans-up space-wasting junk and debris making your PC more efficient and reliable. Special features of the new software ensure your personal privacy while surfing through the Web and protect your PC from information theft.

Download Smart PC Professional 5.3 in Softonic

There's nothing worse than when your PC hangs-up and you can't regain control of it. Sometimes, Window's Task Manger (revealed by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del) will solve the problem by allowing you to kill the process but some hang-ups are too tough for it to handle. Kill Process is basically a task administrator which will allow you to list, identify and manage all the active processes in your system.

Like with the Windows Task Manager, Kill Process allows you to visualize the names of processes and go directly to them in case of a major crash. However, it's more detailed than the former because it allows you to see exactly which processes relate to which programs. Useful if you don't know what half the processes are meant to be for on your system. It's also more effective in killing processes that Windows Task Manager may have trouble closing.

This is a really useful tool if you suffer frequent Windows crashes although for most people, Windows Task Manager will suffice.

Download Kill Process 1.1 in Softonic

The SysInternals Suite is a full-featured pack of system utilities that cover a wide range of functions and needs and which are especially addressed at expert users and system administrators.

Of course, this doesn't mean that average users can't take advantage of the more than 60 different tools included in the package. Simply bear in mind that they are not designed to be particularly easy to use, but just useful and straight to the point. Also, the featured utilities are presented as a ZIP archive with all the standalone files, rather than under a single interface which would have been definitely easier.

That said, the truth is that SysInternals is a very complete suite with all sorts of tools. Many of them include command-line controls, and most of them enable you to take full control of the way the whole system works, plus analyzing everything that's going on and preventing any malware from running without your knowledge.

In spite of not being very user-friendly, the SysInternals Suite is still a very valuable piece of software with a rich collection of system tools and tweaks.

Download Sysinternals Suite 07.04.08 in Softonic

Some people like to be in control of everything, including computer data and resources. If you fall on this group I'm sure you're going to love TinyResMeter.

TinyResMeter is a little app (as you can infer from its name) that tracks many different computer resources and other data in real time, and displays the gathered information on its interface. You can easily fit this window anywhere on your desktop without disturbing your current work, thanks to its reduced size and transparency.

Despite its apparent simplicity, TinyResMeter does include tons of fields you can add to its interface to keep an eye on them: CPU speed, RAM usage, uptime, user name, active processes and threads, hard drives, removable drives, network connections… are only a few parameters you can control with TinyResMeter. What's more, each one of them displays even more information if you right-click on them, though I must say I was lost among so many techie data.

The one thing that this program needs to improve is the way you select fields to be displayed. A context menu, especially when there are so many options, renders simply unusable.

With TinyResMeter you can easily control many different resources and parameters on your computer in real time.

Download TinyResMeter 0.97 in Softonic

Auslogics System Information is a free software application that gathers and displays loads of important data about your system.

Now, while there's nothing new about this – in fact, the program takes all the information from various system resources you could check by yourself – the good point about Auslogics System Information is that the data is presented under a single interface, in a conveniently categorized structure which makes it easy and comfortable to read.

The program features two possible viewing modes, Simple and Advanced, the latter showing more categories and in-depth technical information than the first one. Besides checking the information on screen, you can also have it printed on paper as a comprehensive report, after saving it as HTML, XML or plaint text. Unfortunately this report can't be customized to include only certain categories.

Another feature I missed was the possibility to obtain more information about certain items on the Internet, by linking to Google or the company's website.

With Auslogics System Information you get to see all the relevant data about your computer at a glance.

Download Auslogics System Information 1.1.9.205 in Softonic

SensorsView is a utility, that monitors the temperature of your CPU, northbridge, motherboard, VGA and hard disks, as well as voltages and fan speeds (as supported by your motherboard).
It can alert you if the values reach a critical level, and also provide a complete overview of the measurements.

At critical values of any parameters (CPU overheating, fan stop) SensorsView will inform you about it and store info in the log file, also it is possible to shut down computer, play any sound, execute the application (command) or send email.

You can set name, chart color, icon, critical threshold and if it is necessary, correction for all possible controllable parameters.

In addition, the program shows usage of CPU, physical memory, HDD, NIC (Network Interface Connection).

Download SensorsView Pro 3.1.3061 in Softonic

Adobe Reader SpeedUp is a simple application that was created to help make the loading time of Adobe's Acrobat Reader software bearable for everyday use. AR SpeedUp only needs to be used once (a process taking only a few seconds) and then your Reader will be transformed forever. There are also some tweaking options available.

Download Adobe Reader SpeedUp 1.36 in Softonic

The Windows Inspection Tool Set displays detailed information about your computer. The program doesn't really offer any data that you can't find in Windows by yourself, but it gathers it under a single location and a very intuitive interface.

You'll be able to check active processes, open services, user groups, available network connections, information about drives (including both local and networked ones) and a lot more. The program also includes a run menu that enables you to launch certain commands and Windows apps just by typing in their names.

All these features are made available in a very clear interface. However, I didn't like the fact that you have to manually expand the sidebar windows every time you open any of the program's options. I also missed the possibility to print out or export the different reports generated by the program.

Access detailed info about many aspects of your PC in a single window

Download Windows Inspection Tool Set 2.0.5 in Softonic

StatBar is a freeware system status bar which provides a handy, orderly overview of your system's condition. StatBar comes with 6 different color schemes and 19 information modules, allowing you to monitor and control various aspects of your system. This includes memory, CPU and disk usages, system uptime, Winamp control, network throughput, Internet time synchronization, and more. It features a built-in update check as well, which can download and install the latest version for you.

Download StatBar 2.406 in Softonic

If you're a serious gamer then you'll need some help to get the most out of your system and ensure your graphics card is performing to the peak of it's abilities.

Game Gain 2 is the latest version of this popular gaming assistant which attempts to take gaming to the next level. It can help you enjoy games like you never have done before by using those parts of your processor and graphics card that had formerly laid dormant. The program is remarkably easy to use requiring just the tweaking of a few throttles and switches to blast your PC into the gaming stratosphere. However, you should use this utility with caution because it does change registry settings that could unbalance your system if your registry is already damaged. It works by making direct changes to system registry and system files to enhance memory, screen drawing, animations, refresh rates, CPU threading speeds. However the developers assure that it only optimises based on the capabilities of your system and won't try and push it past anything it can't handle. If you do experience problems afterwards, the system analyzer should help remedy them.

A great tool for gamers although if you've got the latest Intel Quad processors, you'll probably have little use for it.

Download GameGain 2.9.29.2008 in Softonic

Us software fanatics know that not all programs are amazing and that sometimes you can end up installing stuff that wants to do bad things to your computer. Due to the very nature of spyware, malware and trojans, spotting these evil apps can be tricky, but there are now lots of applications around that can help you sniff them out. FreeFixer performs a search on your computer for these malicious programs to give you the chance to remove them.

Scanning with FreeFixer is very thorough and it scans a lot of programs files, BHO's, dll's, home page settings and the Windows registry for spyware and adware. The problem with this app, however, is the fact that it doesn't provide you with any information about the suspect files it finds, leaving it up to you to decide whether to delete them or not. This can be quite dangerous if you don't know what you're doing because you could end up removing files that are needed by your PC.

Download FreeFixer 0.21 in Softonic

BGEye displays system information on the desktop. The information is rendered as a bitmap that is temporarily set as the system wallpaper. There are two ways in which you can view the information and you may also select the elements that you wish to view; such as username, date and time, PC name, processor information, memory, disks, graphics card, etc.

Download BGEye 3.0.4.2 in Softonic

With OpenedFilesView can access a list of all the files that are currently in use, either by active processes or applications you have open. Each of the files from the list includes additional data such as the full path, read and write permissions, attributes, the name of the process and so on. OpenedFilesView also lets you close the files you select or terminate applications that have either crashed or appear suspicious.

One of the most useful features is the ability to close files that Windows won't usually let you for one reason or another. It's particularly useful if you try to delete/move/open a file and you get one of the following error messages "Cannot delete [filename]: There has been a sharing violation. The source or destination file may be in use." or "" Cannot delete [filename]: It is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again."

If you want more control over the files running on your system, OpenedFilesView provides you with the tools you need.

Download OpenedFilesView 1.16 in Softonic

Forget those expensive and complicated programs that take a long time to set up and even longer to run. System Cleaner is lightning-fast. Just download the self-installer, click a few times, and your PC will be in tip-top shape before you know it.

System Cleaner takes care of all the common PC headaches that slow your system down and puts your data at risk from disk failure. It also takes care of many of the of the PC problems that other so-called tune-up programs ignore.

System Cleaner also includes a comprehensive "secrets eraser" that scrubs all of your computer and internet activity files and removes every last trace of where you have been and what you did while you were there.

Download System Cleaner 5.60c in Softonic

It's a pretty safe bet that everyone wants to squeeze every ounce of performance out of their machine, whether it's the lastest and greatest one million mhz superchip or an 8088. Two of the bigger bottlenecks are harddisk performance and memory management; we've already covered memory management with AnalogX MaxMem, so how about harddisk...

AnalogX CacheBooster allows you to tweak your harddisk caching to help achieve the best possible performance from your system. Of course, different types of programs require different settings - CacheBooster comes configured with many of the most common uses which will automatically reconfigure themselves for your system, plus you can even add your own custom configurations!

Download CacheBooster 1.0 in Softonic

Dependency Walker is a free utility that scans any 32-bit or 64-bit Windows module (exe, dll, ocx, sys, etc.) and builds a hierarchical tree diagram of all dependent modules. For each module found, it lists all the functions that are exported by that module, and which of those functions are actually being called by other modules. Another view displays the minimum set of required files, along with detailed information about each file including a full path to the file, base address, version numbers, machine type, debug information, and more.

Dependency Walker is also very useful for troubleshooting system errors related to loading and executing modules. Dependency Walker detects many common application problems such as missing modules, invalid modules, import/export mismatches, circular dependency errors, mismatched machine types of modules, and module initialization failures.

Download Dependency Walker 2.1 in Softonic

Here's a small utility that will show you some useful information about your PC or can be used to keep track of which users are on a network. SimpleEye displays the following system information...

• UserName
• Local Date and Time
• ComputerName
• Computer Uptime
• CPU(s) (Model, Manufacturer etc)
• CPU Clock Speed(s) (MHz)
• Graphics Card (Model, Manufacturer etc)
• Audio Card(s) (Model, Manufacturer etc)
• Network Card(s) (Model, Manufacturer etc)
• USB Device(s)
• Processes (Total, minimum and maximum)
• RAM (Total, load, minimum and maximum load (load including Page File))
• Local Disk Drives (Total space and load)

Download SimpleEye 1.4.0.0 in Softonic