Features

Version 2 ("Twoflower") brings a new interface, faster decoding, support for more formats and the ability to play HD and BluRay. It still remains however the most stable, flexible and lightweight audio and video player around today. While other media players will play unusual formats after downloading a codec, or simply refuse to play things,

VLC media player handles tons of formats, from MPEG to FLV and RMBV files. Version 2 has seen some important additions too such as support for 10 bit codes plus multi-threaded decoding for H.264, MPEG-4/Xvid and WebM.

Also useful is the fact that you can use VLC media player to preview files you are downloading since it plays incomplete parts of video files. VLC media player is not just for video playback however. It also offers superb integration with video channel streaming services such as Channels.com giving you access to channels such as ESPN, Reuters and National Geographic. Just right-click or CMD-click on the playlist, select Services Discovery and Channels.com.

Channels.com will then appear in your VLC media player playlist. Click on it to reveal the the different categories of channels available. Click on the category you want and a drop down list of all available channels appears in VLC media player. Just click on the channel you want to watch and streaming should begin almost immediately.

Usability

VLC media player also has great hotkey support and if you take the time to learn the shortcuts so it can be controlled without touching your mouse. If you're watching DVDs or video files through it, this is not an issue. For music, it plays more or less any file and features an equalizer and playlist creation. VLC media player isn't as intuitive as iTunes as a media manager, but it's a much more flexible player in terms of file formats. You can even use VLC to convert your files, and on top of all the formats and physical media it will play, many streaming protocols and TV capture cards are supported.

VLC media player makes it easy to add subtitles to your video files too - just add the SRT file to the folder where your video is kept, and it will automatically play with subtitles.

Finally, the interface in VLC media player has been somewhat improved in version 2 although it remains strictly functional. However, you can download skins to completely change VLC media player's appearance. The preferences menu is comprehensive without being overwhelming, and there is extensive documentation online.

Conclusion

VLC Media Player is quite simply the best multimedia application for Windows and Mac. It plays just about anything, hassle free - what more could you need?

What's new

Rework and fixes of the Mac OS X interface

Fix Pulseaudio initial synchronization

Fix MKV, SWF, AIFF and subtitles demuxer crashes

Translations updates and new Welsh translation

DVB-S delivery system detection

Fix audio and video track selection through libVLC

Fix system sleep issue on Mac OS X 10.5

Download VLC media player 2.0.6 in Softonic

ClocX supports many features like anti-aliasing, transparency and mouse-over transparency, over 400 included customizable skins, interface in 34 languages, click through, customizable priority, auto-load, alarms, calendar and many more.

ClocX is completely free and clean software. No adware, spyware or toolbars are included. ClocX allows users to customize its look completely by selecting one of many styles and various options. Advanced users can even create their own styles or edit any of current styles just using a graphic editor and Notepad.

Users who like to customize look of their desktop will love ClocX. It allows them to choose from many of styles and it adds extra functionality like creating alarms.

Download ClocX 64-bit 1.6.0 in Softonic

Compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and 7, Windows 8 Charms Bar Skin offers two separate skin options for your RocketDock. One is transparent and the other is black, giving you the option to switch easily and to whatever suits your current aesthetic.

To make use of Windows 8 Charms Bar Skin, you'll need to first download and install Rocketdock, a nifty little app that gives you a Mac-style navigation bar for your PC's desktop. Then unzip Windows 8 Charms Bar Skin and move the "Transparent charmbar" folder into the RocketDock program's skins folder. Strangely enough, the black bar option is named "settings," which could get confusing. You'll also need to move that in the same manner though.

Windows 8 Charms Bar Skin's Startmenu.exe file also needs to be moved into the RocketDock folder. Once done, Windows 8 Charms Bar Skin should work and appear once you launch RocketDock though.

Setup for Windows 8 Charms Bar Skin can be a bit of a pain, but once done you'll have two great new skin options for your RocketDock navigation bar.

Download Windows 8 Charms Bar Skin (for RocketDock) in Softonic

While Windows 8 users may be missing the traditional start menu, Windows 7, Vista, and XP users can also benefit from installing Start Button 8. It is a fully customizable start menu that features the ability to create smart folders or 'virtual groups.'

Users have the ability to skin the start menu and button. Included with the application are some fun Angry Birds themed buttons and some pretty lack luster skins for the start menu. Start Button 8 differs a little from the stock start menu by making it quicker to access items. You only have to hover over an item for it to expand.

There is also an integrated search bar in Start Button 8 but its performance is a bit lacking as the stock Windows 7 search is quicker. While it's nice to see all of your options automatically appear when hovering, it requires users to be precise with their mouse movements.

For Windows 8 users, Start Button 8 offers a way to get back the traditional start menu. It doesn't block access to the Windows 8 Modern UI but it does make it a bit more cumbersome to get to. You'll have to activate the 'charms' and click on 'Start' to get into Metro.

It's also a bit disappointing that Start Button 8 doesn't disable booting into the Windows 8 Modern UI. Many users who are using Windows 8 as a desktop operating system will likely benefit from this feature. Hopefully the developers will include it in the future.

Overall, Start Button 8 offers a few unique features but its performance and interface give little reason for users to replace the stock start menu.

Download Start Button 8 4.53 in Softonic

In short more than Windows 8 is offering And this comes in small package of 12mb Uses less resources and CPU A simple lite app

The closest resemblance to Windows 8. The software is only 12mb unlike other big softwares. Uses less resources than Rainmeter 6 times faster than a rainmeter alternative

This software is meant for people who love customization and want Windows 8 Start Screen in their PC. For all current Windows Users who want to have Windows 8 but can't afford it And above all its free of cost

Download Windows 8 Start Screen Full 3 in Softonic

XP VISUAL TOOLS features organized by section for easy navigation:* XP Transparency it? s first magic utility from XP Visual Tools pack, witch take advantage of the new feature find in Windows XP.

Now you can reveal all that is lost behind the Taskbar and Start Menu, by applying the desired level of transparency to them. Enjoy your new transparent XP Start Menu and transparent XP Taskbar!

* XP Visual Style it's a great option for making your old Windows Programs look great. It? s easy and safe to use, it doesn? t modify in one or other way the processed file.

It apply the look and feel of any Windows XP Skins (XP Themes) to old programs. * XP Logon gives you the opportunity to use multiple Logon? s screens XP and automatically swapping between them at specified interval.

You can even preview your Windows XP LogonUI screens before selecting the one you want. XP Visual Tools maintained a list of preferred logon? s and sort them in alphabetic order or randomly by title.

* XP Wallpaper offers you total and complete solution to manage all your wallpaper collections and automatically swapping between them at specified interval.

Your favorites Windows XP Wallpaper list can be sort in alphabetic order or randomly by title and you can preview any file before use it. It as easy as can be to add a new file to favorites list by drag drop them from windows explorer.

s so powerful!

Download XP Visual Tools in Softonic

This download combines three packages: the MIG Alley pack, the Cold War pack and the Russian Power pack. Content:New aircraft: F-4E-Phantom II.

New aircraft: F-86 Sabre. New aircraft: Mig-15 Fagot. New aircraft: Mig-21 Fishbed. New aircraft: Su T-50 (PAK FA). Bonus skin for F-22 Raptor. Bonus skin for F-35B Lightning II.

Bonus skin for Eurofighter Typhoon. Bonus skin for A-10A Thunderbolt II. Bonus skin for Su-35BM. New Team Battle Mission: Search and Destroy. New Team Battle Mission: High Altitude Warfare.

New Team Battle Mission: Trigger-Happy. MINIMUM CONFIGURATION:SUPPORTED OS*: Windows XP (32 bits) or Windows Vista (32 bits) or Windows 7 (32 bits).

SERVICE PACKS: (SP3 for XP, SP2 for Vista and soon SP1 for Win7). CPU: 3. 0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon64 3000+ or higher. RAM: 1 GB Windows XP or 1,5 GB Windows Vista and Windows 7.

HARD DRIVE SPACE: 9 GB free. VIDEO CARD: 128 MB DirectX 9. 0c-compliant video card, Shader 3. 0- enabled video card. SOUND CARD: DirectX 9. 0-compliant sound card.

DIRECTX VERSION: DirectX 9. 0, 10. 0 and 11. 0 libraries (included on disc) INTERNET CONNECTION: 128 kbps Broadband. PERIPHERALS SUPPORTED: Windows-compliant keyboard, mouse, optional controller (Xbox 360 Controller for Windows recommended).

Download Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X 2: DLC Pack 5 All In One in Softonic

NEW LEVEL OF ACTION FOR SPLINTER CELL. A full arsenal of cutting-edge innovations allow you to outflank foes with the Last Known Positionsystem, tag and eliminate enemies using the Mark and Executefeature, and much more.

BLOCKBUSTER EXPERIENCE. A unique storytelling style keeps you on the edge of your seat as you navigate the explosive world of a renegade agent where trust is impossible and justice requires you to go above the law.

A NEW LEVEL OF IMMERSION. A revolutionary new graphic direction delivers an utterly seamless gameplay experience that'll keep you totally engrossed in the story of Sam Fisher.

ADDITIONAL 2-PLAYER COOP CAMPAIGN. Prequel to the single player story: embark on a mission to recover warheads in the heart of Russia. Or engage in one of three coop battle modes.

SPECIFIC COLLECTOR CONTAINS:Infiltration Mode: Eliminate all hostiles in the mission area without being detected. A special playable skin: Shadow Armor.

Early access to 3 weapons: SC300, SR2 and MP5. The official Splinter Cell Conviction Soundtrack (more than 17 tracks). PC CONFIGURATION. OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows XP (32/64 bits), Windows Vista (32/64 bits), Windows 7 (32/64 bits).

PROCESSOR: Pentium D 3. 2 Ghz / AMD Athlon64 3800+ (Intel Core 2 Duo 2. 0 Ghz / AMD Athlon 64 x2 5800+ recommended). RAM: 1 GB (2 GB recommended).

VIDEO CARD: 256MB Video RAM, DirectX 9. 0c, NVIDIA Geforce 7800 / ATI X1800 (512 MB Video RAM, DirectX 9. 0c, NVIDIA 8800 GS / ATI HD4670 recommended) - See supported List*.

DIRECT X: DirectX 9. 0c. SOUND CARD: DirectX 9. 0c compatible sound card. HARD DISK: 10 GB. PERIPHERALS: Mouse, keyboards, headsets, 12 buttons gamepads with analog sticks.

MULTIPLAYER: 128 kbps Broadband connexion (256 kbps comnnection or better recommended). *SUPPORTED VIDEO CARDS AT TIME OF RELEASE:. NVidia: Geforce series 7800, 7900, Geforce series 8, Geforce series 9, Geforce series GT.

ATI: Radeon series X1800, Radeon series X1900, Radeon HD Series 2000, Radeon HD Series 3000, Radeon HD Series 4000, Radeon HD series 5000. Laptop models of these cards may work but are not supported.

Laptop models of these cards may work but are not supported.

Download Splinter Cell Conviction Digital Limited Edition in Softonic

TrackMania United Forever also allows you to play solo or online on the 7 incredible TrackMania environments. Features:4 single player modes (Race, Platform, Stunt and Puzzle) on 265 spectacular progressively challenging tracks.

7 types of vehicles offering different gameplay and driving experiences in 7 TrackMania environments - of which one, Stadium, is compatible with the free game, TrackMania Nations Forever.

Solo and team based multiplayer modes. Join millions of players online on the TrackMania servers. A spectacular graphics update for the three historic environments (Desert, Snow and Rally).

Integrated peer-to-peer sharing system to showcase all of your customizations with your opponents (modified vehicles, avatar. ). Use the resource-sharing system to acquire and exchange new tracks, vehicles and skins when you surf on Manialinks, the in-game Internet browser.

Earn "Coppers", the virtual currency of TrackMania players, by winning medals in solo mode or by trading your TrackMania creations with other players (cars, skins, tracks, videos).

Official rankings in solo and multiplayer. In solo play, along with earning medals for great racing, you can participate in official rankings by recording your best times on the game's tracks.

Create your own tracks, vehicles and videos with the TrackMania editors, paint shop and movie studio!. Minimum requirements:OS: Windows 2000/XP/XP-x64/Vista.

Processor: Pentium IV 1. 6GHz / AthlonXP 1600+. Memory: 256 Mb RAM (512 Mb with Vista). Video card: 3D 16 Mb compatible DirectX 9. 0c. Free hard disk space: 1,5 Gb.

0c or more.

Download Trackmania United Forever in Softonic

In the show, contestantscompete to create the most innovative fashion designsyet are restricted by time, materials, andthemes. Project Runway features a host of fashion and Hollywoodcelebrities including supermodel Heidi Klum,design expert Tim Gunn, Marie Claire Fashion Editor,Nina Garcia, and renown designer Michael Kors.

The Seventh season of Project Runway is set to premierin January 2010 with the finale airing in earlyApril. PROJECT RUNWAY: THE VIDEO GAME. Project Runway: The Video Game.

is the most engaging andauthentic fashion title available. The only title based on theaward-winning reality series, Project Runway The Game givesaspiring designers the tools and inspiration to create andmodel their own unique fashions.

The game lets designerschoose the model and create hair and make-up styles that enhancetheir fashions. Play a complete season of Project Runway:Receive your challengehaute couture, hip hop clothing, rock star fashion, newspaper dress, school uniform, & more.

Create your designchoose from an enormous selection of color, fabrics, material, accessories. Customize your modelselect hundreds of options for hair, skin tone, make up, and features.

Strut the runwaymodel your unique designs. Use the Wii Balance board to test rhythm and posing. Face the judges. Get feedback from top fashion celebrities - Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Nina Garcia and Michael Kors.

Jump in and play. Access instant gameplay options including design challenges, quick play, runway, photo shoot, and pose off. System requirements:Operating System: XP SP2, Vista, Windows 7.

Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2. 6 GHz or higher. RAM:1GB. Video: ATI Radeon X300, Intel GMA 4-Series, or NVIDIA GeForce 6600. Sound: DirectX 9. 0c compatible.

Download Project Runway in Softonic

. Flyable aircraft include the: F-100 Super Sabre, F-105 Thunderchief, F-4 Phantom II, F-15 Eagle, A-10 Thunderbolt II, British Hunter, and the exciting vertical take-off and landing of the Harrier 'jump jet.

'. Features:Engage in blood-draining, G-pulling, action-packed dogfights against 13 different types of Cold War Soviet aircraft. Fly era-specific aircraft through Central Europe in three epic campaigns.

From the developers of the highly successful European Air War, Strike Fighters: Project 1, and Wings Over Vietnam. Random mission generator provides maximum flexibility and replayability.

Campaign missions also have a different outcome each time. Open architecture for mod support. Download thousands of user-created skins, aircraft, terrain, missions, campaigns, and editors already available on the Internet.

Next generation environmental effects including volumetric clouds and state-of-the-art dynamic lighting. Highly-accurate planes, weapons, flight models, and challenging enemy AI.

Win decorations, awards, and promotions with each successful mission. System Requirements:Pentium III/Athlon 650MHz processor or better. Windows 2000/XP.

256MB RAM. DirectX 9 supported 3D graphics card with 32MB Video Memory or better. 1. 3GB free hard drive space. Mouse and keyboard with support for joystick, throttle and rudder controls.

Broadband internet connection for online play.

Download Wings Over Europe in Softonic

But 123 Free Solitaire is more than just one game; in fact, it includes 12 different types of solitaire games (Diplomat, Eighteens, Flower Garden, Free Cell, Grandfather's Clock, Klondike, Pyramid, Royal Rendezvous, Spider, Spider One Suit, Spider Two Suit, and Yukon) to ensure you never grow tired of playing on your own.

Playing 123 Free Solitaire is quite easy. After launching the game, you’re presented with a menu to choose which solitaire you want to play. Simply choose the game and start playing. 123 Free Solitaire lets you undo and redo moves, and also save the game any time to continue it later. And in case you don’t remember the rules to any of the included games, you can always take a look at the documentation.

There are a few customization options in 123 Free Solitaire which allow you to change the interface skin, select a different card back and also use a personalized background – instead of the classic green table cloth. The cards have really nice designs, and are bigger than other solitaire games, but they can't be manually resized - they only change when you resize the window.

123 Free Solitaire is a great pack of 12 free solitaire games for gamers and procrastinators alike.

Download 123 Free Solitaire 2009 9 in Softonic

According to his contract he has to fight against dreadful creatures at the Arena of the Thousand Emperors to become a champion. Battles with bosses in the gladiator tournament.

Unique enemy mercenary heroes. 8 different guilds with specific relations. 11 companions. New campaign. Defender of Crown. Having returned from Teana, Princess Amelie has to pass her final exam on the path to the honorable title of the Defender of the Crown of Darion!

She will be confronted by challenges, where it's not rude force that helps, but thoughtful tactics, since every new battle is a real enigma. Battles at unique tactic arenas.

Random selection of enemies and allies in each new game. Orc Path, large-scale expansion of the game world. The Orcs set forth on a warpath, and hordes of green-skin warriors are prowling about the entire Teana seeking the Ancient Orc God, but not all chieftains are willing to see the almighty Agro God back on the throne, and they are asking humans to help.

9 creatures. 35 items, new item sets and assembled artifacts. 50 new abilities and skills for the creatures. 13 new spells. Mysterious Sage's Tower, a puzzle of mage, who learnt immortality.

Chain of Military Academies allowing to upgrade creatures. New quests. Adrenalin, a unique ability of the Orcs. And so much more. Requires installed King's Bounty: Armored Princess.

System requirements:Min. OS: Windows XP / Vista. CPU: 2. 6 GHz. RAM: 1 GB. GPU: GeForce 6600 128 MB. DirectX: 9. 0c. HDD: 5,5 GB. Recommended.

HDD: 5,5 GB.

Download King's Bounty: Crossworlds in Softonic

You may not like the way Vista works, but you have to admit it does have some nice features. One of them is the new Start menu with an embedded search field that enables you to open any file or application by just typing the first few letters of its name.

Vistart is perfectly integrated in XP and works very well, although we missed some other Vista features such as the ability to move up and down the menu with arrow keys or having support for right clicking.

Download ViStart 8.0.0.4040 in Softonic

Photovista Panorama has an intuitive, easy to useinterface that allows you to stitch a series of still images together into asingle panoramic image or a 360deg; web panorama in minutes.

Perfect for real estate,travel, art galleries, museums and digital photography enthusiasts! Business Edition:Use this award-winning Panorama software to stitch, create, print and email your personal panoramas or virtual tours.

Photovista Panorama Business Edition inlcludes VuForge Java Viewer Customization Tool, that allows you to customize the look and feel of viewer toolbar, remove buttons or alter the splash screen.

Sample UI skins to useOperating System: Windowsreg; 98/2000/XP Pentium 33 MHz or higher 16 MB RAM (32 MB recommended) Internet Explorer version 4.

01 or higher; Netscape Navigator version 4. 04 orhigher Display Hi-color (16 bit or higher recommended)Resolution: 800X600 (1024X768 recommended) Disk Space/Drive110 MB of free space for program and samples Supported File Formats GIF, JPEG, BMP, FPX, TIF Options -WIA-compliant capture device, digital camera, scanner -Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) support only under Microsoftreg; Windowsreg; XP,Windowsreg; Me.

Download Photovista Panorama Business Windows ESD 3.5 in Softonic