Maintaining Windows in decent working order can be a full time job and it's a pain to have to download multiple programs to keep everything in check.

Pristy Utils 2009 is a collection of tools to maintain your PC. It features everything from a power scheme manager to a web management utility and Vista tweaker

The first Pristy Utils 2009 utility, System PowerDown serves to schedule shutdowns, restarts, suspensions and blocking sessions in the PC after a specified time. Web assistant is the second application which works as a quick shortcut for different Web related uses such as sending mails, files over the internet etc. The third tool is called PC detector. It displays all the information from your computer hardware in eight different sections: - CPU, screen, sound, memory, network, disk storage devices, and so on.

Finally, Pristy Utils 2009 has three applications for maintenance tasks - a cleaner to free RAM Memory, File Wipeout for secure deletion of files, and a desktop clock which is basically a widget for the desktop. More recently, Pristy Utils 2009 has been bolstered with a Vista booster that defrags your boot sequence. However, what this program is crying out for is a defragmentation tool - it's all very well cleaning up your hard drive but it doesn't speed them up which is where a defrag tool would come in really useful.

Pristy Utils 2009 is a great all round lightweight maintenance and web management tool although it lacks a few essentials.

Download Pristy Utils 2009 1.0.8 in Softonic

If you’ve had enough bad experiences upgrading your Microsoft products, you’re too poor to upgrade to Vista or you just refuse on principle, you can always customise Windows XP to make it look like Vista. The Windows Vista customisation pack gives you all the flashy features of Vista without having to shell-out a few hundred dollars for the original. It’s certainly proved a hit with Softonic users so far who have made this pack one of the site’s most popular downloads.

The pack includes a booty of Vista features including transparency of the windows, 3D Vista style icons, mouse cursors, boot screen, login screen, and a whole host of Vista themes to name a few. After installing the pack, you’ll be asked to restart, when you’ll find that your system has been through an impressive transformation although the fact that Windows Vista isn’t actually that radically different from XP, shouldn’t be held against this pack.

Amongst the major differences you will notice are some jazzy changes to your systems icons, skins and toolbars as well as new enhancements to your desktop such as a dock bar or if you prefer, a totally different system tray clock. Transfer file progress dialogs are transformed with swanky new 3D graphics and the sounds scheme has been beefed up to blow you out of your chair. Microsoft certainly spent lots of time designing these features. It was recently reported that they spent a year and a half just coming up with the start-up music alone.

Other changes include Windows Media Player which also receives a facelift although nothing worth getting excited about. The colours have been changed to a metallic-blue and the drop down menus have been replaced by an invisible menu which pops up when the mouse is waved over it. However, this feature actually becomes increasingly annoying with regular use and is best deactivated.

Whilst initially impressive, after a while these changes can cause problems. Users have reported that the new schemes not only slows down their PC’s but also cause it to crash randomly. It can also be a pain whenever there’s a problem with your PC. Since you are running a somewhat modified version of XP, normal troubleshooting guides may not work. You’ll subsequently have to uninstall the pack to make sure that it isn’t causing the problem. Fortunately however, the pack comes with an uninstaller that makes reverting back to XP simple although in time honoured Windows style, you’ll have to restart the computer.

For anyone who doesn’t add or remove programs regularly, we’d recommend this pack as it does an impressive job at emulating the $200+ Vista look. However, for those that make regular changes to their PC, the pack can end up being more hassle than its worth as the changes made can conflict with interfaces of other programs.

Download Vista Customization Pack 3.6 in Softonic

If you are nostalgic for the days when you had a Sega Megadrive then you will love Gens which emulates the classic games console.

Gens has a number of features to enhance your playing experience such as Window mode - for playing within a small screen on your desktop or Fullscreen mode - for a genuine Sega Megadrive experience. The emulator also supports Joysticks to make your playing experience even more realistic (if you've still got one!). There's also support for Netplay and Save/Load state support meaning you can continue your gaming a later stage. However, you may find that it can't read some Sega Megadrive CD ROMS because its not compatible with all CD ROM drives. The developers advise that if when you put a Sega/Mega-Cd game in the drive and boot and you get the menu screen with tracks, this means that the Sega/Mega-Cd doesn't recognize the cd as a game. In addition, if you get a message telling you that the program is "Checking the CD" continually, it's likely that the CD's are dirty or scratched. However, don't worry as you can run games from a CD image file instead of a CD so all is not lost.

For anyone who loved their Sega Megadrive, this is a great way to roll back the years and breathe new life into your dusty game collection.

Download Gens 2.14 in Softonic

PC technology has come a long way in the last few years, but the sad fact is that they are still prone to crashes and system failure. Unfortunately, few of us have adequate protection to prevent losing all our valuable data.

That's where Selkie Rescue Data Recovery comes in, allowing you to ensure that if everything goes wrong, your data doesn't go down with the ship. I think many people are often put off of disaster recovery software because they think it's too complicated or that it's not worth the effort because 'it'll never happen to me'. However, anyone who's been in the position where they've lost their university thesis, an important business project, or even their entire web site's files, will tell you that it's vital for you to take these precautions.

Selkie Data Recovery is designed to make the process of protecting your data quick and simple. All you need is a blank CD, a crossover cable, your broken computer (obviously), and a working computer.

You start by creating Selkie rescue disk, and the program includes its own built in burning tool to help you do this without any fuss. It's a hassle-free solution, but you don't get as many writing options as you do with a burning app such as Nero or Roxio. You can still use these programs to create your recovery disk if you like, and Selkie includes instructions on how to do this.

Once you have your magic rescue disk, you're ready for anything. If your operating system crashes you simply reboot your machine and insert the CD into the drive. The interface is coded in DOS and is a far cry from the graphical user environments you'll be used to. Beginners may get a little overwhelmed by this at first, but if you follow the steps on screen, the program will find your files within a few clicks.

Then it's just a case of inserting the CD and copying your files to another computer over a network or via a parallel connection cable. This is a painless enough process, unless your machine is part of a complex LAN, in which case it can take some fiddling around to find the right network directory to copy to.

On the whole though, Selkie Rescue provides a fast and reliable way of recovering your stuff when your computer gives out on you.

Download Selkie Rescue Data Recovery 3.5 in Softonic

If you're not content with Windows Vista standard appearance and want to customize it in detail, this program is for you.

Vista Visual Master lets you do loads of changes to Microsoft's new operating system, mainly referring to its visual appearance and graphic design. Tweaks are organized in different categories to make them easier to find and apply. You'll find tools to customize desktop and system icons, change logon screen and boot picture and personalize the OEM information (that is, the PC owner's name) among others. There's also a special tool to patch Windows theme DLL file, in order to be able to use third-party visual themes. The program includes a restoration function as well, in case any tweak doesn't have the desired effect or you simply want to go back to the standard configuration.

What I didn't like about Vista Visual Master is the inclusion of links to other programs under the Vista Extras tab. I felt like they were trying to fool me, while I know this is clearly ads. But then again, at least they're hidden under a tab and don't disturb the program's functionality.

With Vista Visual Master you can customize every single aspect in Windows Vista, from logon screens to desktop icons, in just a couple clicks.

Download Vista Visual Master 1.0.2.0 in Softonic

Windows Vista may have fixed many things lacking in XP but one thing it never really addressed was the boot logo.

With Vista Boot Logo Generator you can create and improve the resolution of the Windows Vista logo in a few simple clicks. Once you’ve selected the two images you want to use, you select "File -> “Save Boot Screen File As…” and it will generate the logo file. To ensure that the logo appears during the boot process, you have to copy it the System 32 folder "%windir%\System32\en-US". The developer also warns that if you want this change to work, you need to make sure that the "/NOGUIBOOT" option is enabled in the MSCONFIG tool otherwise you will end up with the old 16 colour boot screen. It's also important that you use a pair of 24-bit images, a resolution of 800x600 in one and 1024x768 in the other and both should be in bitmap format. This program addresses a serious failing in Vista but what makes me uncomfortable is that it inevitable involves meddling with Windows Vista's registry and if it doesn't work properly, you run this risk of not being able to boot your system. Probably the worst that will happen though is that your logo either does not appear or appears in a lower resolution

This program fills a much needed gap but you may have to experiment a while to get it going and be warned that you use it at your own risk

Download Vista Boot Logo Generator 1.2 Beta in Softonic

Ubuntu XP is not a strange mixture of operating system, as you could tell from that name. It's a complete kit to transform Windows XP into Ubuntu – at least in its appearance.

The pack includes everything you need to give XP the Ubuntu look, from a new visual style (with several color variations) to mouse cursors, featuring also wallpapers, new logon and boot screens, skins for Firefox, icons and even a clone of Beryl, the 3D windows management system used by Ubuntu to change between applications.

The good thing about having a package with all these elements, categorized in several different folders, is that you can choose what to install and what to leave unchanged. The downside is that you have to do it step by step, and sometimes you even need a third-party application - like in the case of the new boot screen, which needs the Bootskin tool. This installation procedure can therefore be a bit complicated, as there's no documentation to explain how to apply the whole kit properly.

Give Windows the clear, colorful Ubuntu look with Ubuntu XP

Download Ubuntu XP 1.0 in Softonic

Access Lock is an easy-to-use system-tray security utility you can use to secure your desktop when you are away from your computer. Just configure the program, define a password and double click the Access Lock system-tray icon every time you need to disable and hide your desktop.

While it is locked, the system keys and taskbar are disabled and the mouse cursor is trapped, unauthorized password entries are met with an audio alert and logged to disk. The only thing available in this mode is a pop-up password-entry dialog with an input area for the password that restores your desktop.

Access Lock enables you to lock your PC by two methods. The first one hides your desktop and shows a screen saver while the second one does not hide it allowing others to see what is on screen. It also prevents unauthorized access on boot and allows people around to leave messages while the system is locked.

Download Access Lock 3.2 in Softonic

Access Controller is a desktop locking security utility you can use to protect your desktop when you are not near your PC. To activate protection, define a password in Options, and select the Lock command. Password protection can be automatically activated on boot or with a click of an icon in the system tray. You can also log access attempts and enforce a custom background image. Access Controller supports a simple messaging system to allow your visitors to leave short messages on your locked desktop.

Access Controller gives you two locking methods: with hiding your desktop and using a screen saver; and without hiding to allow others to see what is happening on your desktop. The second method is good for showrooms where you need to demonstrate something to your customers.

Download Access Controller 3.28 in Softonic

Image viewer, editor, and convertor. PMView supports saving and loading of more than 40 different file formats, including JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF, and PhotoCD. Automatic thumbnailing, thumbnail image browsing, screen capture utility, TWAIN interface for scanners, image filtering, and more. User customizable QuickScripts allow PMView Pro to remember settings and make everyday conversion tasks simpler.

PMView allows for printing an image using multiple sheets of paper, enabling the user to print out a huge poster using standard letter sized paper and gluing the parts together. In addition PMView is faster, smaller, and lighter on system resources than other leading image viewers.

File formats that can be read:

• OS/2 Bitmap (BMP)
• Windows Bitmap (BMP)
• Windows Cursor (CUR)
• DCA/Intel DCX (DCX)
• Flexible Image Transport System (FITS)
• CCITT Group 3 Facsimile (G3)
• Graphics Interchange Format (GIF)
• OS/2 Icon (ICO)
• Windows Icon (ICO)
• Electronic Arts IFF (IFF)
• Digital Research GEM (IMG)
• JPEG File Interchange Format (JPG)
• OS/2 Boot Logo (LGO)
• MacPaint (MAC)
• Microsoft Paint (MSP)
• Kodak Photo-CD (PCD)
• ZSoft Paintbrush Format (PCX)
• PC Paint/Pictor Format (PIC)
• Bio-Rad PIC Image Format (PIC)
• Softimage Picture Format (PIC)
• PBMPlus Portable Bitmap (PBM)
• PBMPlus Portable Graymap (PGM)
• PBMPlus Portable Pixmap (PPM)
• PBMPlus Portable Anymap (PNM)
• Portable Network Graphics (PNG)
• Adobe Photoshop Document (PSD)
• OS/2 Pointer (PTR)
• Sun Raster (RAS)
• Compuserve RLE (RLE)
• Utah RLE (RLE)
• Structured Fax File (SFF)
• Seattle Filmworks (SFW)
• SGI Image File Format (SGI)
• PMView Slideshow File Format (SHW)
• Truevision Targa Format (TGA)
• Tagged Interchange File Format (TIF)
• WAP Bitmap Format (WBMP)
• WordPerfect Graphics (WPG)
• X Bitmap (XBM)
• X Pixmap (XPM)
• X Window Dump (XWD)

File formats that can be written:

• OS/2 Bitmap (BMP)
• Windows Bitmap (BMP)
• Windows Cursor (CUR)
• DCA/Intel DCX (DCX)
• Encapsulated Postscript (EPS)
• Flexible Image Transport System (FITS)
• CCITT Group 3 Facsimile (G3)
• Graphics Interchange Format (GIF)
• OS/2 Icon (ICO)
• Windows Icon (ICO)
• Electronic Arts IFF (IFF)
• Digital Research GEM (IMG)
• JPEG File Interchange Format (JPG)
• OS/2 Boot Logo (LGO)
• MacPaint (MAC)
• Microsoft Paint (MSP)
• ZSoft Paintbrush Format (PCX)
• PC Paint/Pictor Format (PIC)
• Softimage Picture Format (PIC)
• PBMPlus Portable Bitmap (PBM)
• PBMPlus Portable Graymap (PGM)
• PBMPlus Portable Pixmap (PPM)
• PBMPlus Portable Anymap (PNM)
• Portable Network Graphics (PNG)
• Adobe Photoshop Document (PSD)
• OS/2 Pointer (PTR)
• Sun Raster (RAS)
• Compuserve RLE (RLE)
• Utah RLE (RLE)
• SGI Image File Format (SGI)
• Structured Fax File (SFF)
• PMView Slideshow File Format (SHW)
• Truevision Targa Format (TGA)
• Tagged Interchange File Format (TIF)
• WAP Bitmap Format (WBMP)
• WordPerfect Graphics (WPG)
• X Bitmap (XBM)
• X Pixmap (XPM)
• X Window Dump (XWD)

Download PMView Pro 3.51 in Softonic

LanHelper scans network at high speed and finds IP address, MAC address and other network information. You can boot (Wake-On-LAN), shutdown or lock your PC, make the remote computers run commands. Screen capture or manage processes remotely and more. Monitoring machines' availability, and find the changed IPs or computer names. No server program needed. Support XML for saving the scan results.

Download LanHelper 1.72 in Softonic

One of the most feared colors in the Windows world is blue. The infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) will pop up on a system whenever something has gone terribly wrong. BlueScreen is a screensaver that not only authentically mimics a BSOD, but will simulate start-up screens seen during a system boot, making it great for playing pranks on people.

Bluescreen cycles between different Blue Screens and simulated boots every 15 seconds or so. Virtually all the information shown on Bluescreen's BSOD and system start screen is obtained from your system configuration - its accuracy will fool even the most advanced NT systems developers.

Download BlueScreen Screensaver 3.2 in Softonic

If you’re one of those people who spends most of their free time tinkering with your mobile phone ringtone or reorganizing your bedroom, then StyleXP could become your new favorite toy. The application promises to expand the customizability of Windows XP and gives you the power to install new themes that break the mould of the existing XP shell.

The program works by patching your operating system to accept unassigned styles, scores of which are available for download from the web. Once you’ve applied a style you can tweak virtually any aspect of the appearance, including the font size, screensaver, colours, menu transparency, or even the boot screen. What’s more, if you’re particularly artistically minded you can create your own elements in a graphics editor and apply them to the skin.

Although the developer has made strides towards making the interface as simple as possible, there are so many customization options that it can be a little daunting for new users to the program.

There’s no doubt that the temptation to make Windows look like OSX or apply a ‘Windows Pirate Edition’ boot screen is pretty appealing, but pimping your OS in this way does come with a risk. It’s worth bearing in mind that because of the way the application writes files to your System Folder you could end up doing damage to your machine, especially if you install a patch or a new service pack.

Having said this, we’ve experienced no problems yet (touch wood) and also found that it runs pretty smoothly without sucking too much RAM. You can choose to keep Style XP locked in the System Tray, or release it so that it uses no resources, which is a refreshing thing to see from a developer. With so many themes and customization options available, Style XP is well worth a look if you fancy a change of scenery on your desktop, but keep in mind the risks involved in using a patching program such as this.

Download Style XP 3.19 Men in Softonic

If you’re one of those people who spends most of their free time tinkering with your mobile phone ringtone or reorganizing your bedroom, then StyleXP could become your new favorite toy. The application promises to expand the customizability of Windows XP and gives you the power to install new themes that break the mould of the existing XP shell.

The program works by patching your operating system to accept unassigned styles, scores of which are available for download from the web. Once you’ve applied a style you can tweak virtually any aspect of the appearance, including the font size, screensaver, colours, menu transparency, or even the boot screen. What’s more, if you’re particularly artistically minded you can create your own elements in a graphics editor and apply them to the skin.

Although the developer has made strides towards making the interface as simple as possible, there are so many customization options that it can be a little daunting for new users.

There’s no doubt that the temptation to make Windows look like OSX or apply a ‘Windows Pirate Edition’ boot screen is pretty appealing, but pimping your OS in this way does come with a risk. It’s worth bearing in mind that because of the way the application writes files to your System Folder you could end up doing damage to your machine, especially if you install a patch or a new service pack.

Having said this, we’ve experienced no problems yet (touch wood) and also found that it runs pretty smoothly without sucking too much RAM. You can choose to keep Style XP locked in the System Tray, or release it so that it uses no resources, which is a refreshing thing to see from a developer. With so many themes and customization options available, Style XP is well worth a look if you fancy a change of scenery on your desktop, but keep in mind the risks involved in using a patching program such as this.

Download Style XP 3.19 Ladies in Softonic

For the first time in Windows XP, Microsoft introduced the Theme Manager component that enables users to customize the visual appearance of all applications that run in Windows. You can customize literally all visual attributes, including colors, icons, fonts, headings, borders, buttons style and so on.

StarSkin allows you to change the view and appearence of your Windows XP box with the use of publicly-available themes.

Key features of the program include:

• Quickly change the visual appearance of the Windows
• Select custom styles, icons, fonts, colors and themes for Windows desktop
• Change boot screen
• Change log-on screen
• Enable themes support for older applications

Download StarSkin 2.5.2.5 in Softonic

Jesse James. Billy the Kid. Doc Holliday. These are just a few of the many legends whose stories make up the rich tapestry of the American West. But one tale has never been told until now: that of Hero.

Wild West Ransom begins with Hero in a tight spot: ghosts have taken his family and girlfriend hostage, and are holding them ransom in exchange for as many gold coins as our brave champion can gather. So he sets out to collect the riches in the hopes of setting his loved ones free.

The game pays homage to a classic arcade offering in which players gobbled dots, avoided ghosts and ate fruit bonuses in an effort to rack up the highest score. Wild West Ransom also offers several power-ups to help Hero defeat the outlaws and Indians that pursue him. Dynamite destroys every enemy on the screen, for example, and vials containing green gas allow Hero to leave a noxious trail in his wake. Our champion should avoid bottles of whiskey, however.

Download Wild West Ransom 1.0 in Softonic

Safely and easily change your Windows boot screen. Bootskin allows you to replace your Windows bootup screen with a screen you can download from Web sites such as WinCustomize.com or one you create yourself.

Download BootSkin 1.05a in Softonic

BootXP is an easy to use startup logo changer designed for Windows 2000 and XP. Use bitmap files or kernel files as sources. Show animated full screen previews of the screens, you will see it as if you were booting. BootXP also makes a copy of your kernel and has a safe install/uninstall progress. With this new version you can use any bitmap of 640x480 and 16 colors and are not limited to the default boot palette.

Download BootXP 2.50 in Softonic