We have released many useful and absolutely free software for Windows users in past which can be found in our Software section. Today for your convenience, we are going to put all these free and exclusive AskVG apps together in this topic so that you can download and enjoy them without doing any extra hard work.
All utilities mentioned in this topic will help you in customizing and tweaking Windows OS. Almost all of these software have been developed by various AskVG readers except a few ones mentioned at the end.
So without wasting time, lets share the ultimate list:
Windows 8 Task Manager
"Windows 8 Task Manager" provides Windows 8 look-like Metro Task Manager in Windows XP, Vista and 7. Its very small and portable utility.
Hash Reporter
"Hash Reporter" is a small, free and portable software for Windows which allows you to calculate and verify hash codes of a file.
Hash Tool
"Hash Tool" is another small, free and portable tool for Windows which helps you in calculating and verifying hash code of a file.
Host Mechanic
"Host Mechanic" is a free software for Windows which allows you to edit, delete or restore default Hosts file in Windows. This free tool can be used in Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 Developer Preview.
ISO Toolkit
"ISO Toolkit" is a free ISO manipulation tool developed by an AskVG reader "Shashi Sinha" which allows you to create ISO image, copy ISO image from CD/DVD, convert ISO, NRG, CUE images, extract content of ISO, NRG, BIN and CUE images, mount ISO, NRG, BIN and CUE images and burn ISO image files.
WBICreator (Windows Bootable Image Creator)
"WBICreator" (Windows Bootable Image Creator) is a free and portable utility created by AskVG reader "Shashi Kumar Sinha" which allows you to create bootable ISO image file of Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 setup.
Right Click Context Menu Adder
"Right Click Context Menu Adder" is a free and portable utility created by AskVG reader "Gromas" which allows you to add your favorite program shortcut in Windows 7 Desktop context menu without modifying Windows Registry.
OEM Configurer
"OEM Configurer" allows you to customize Windows XP, Vista and 7 System Properties window look without any manual editing. You just need to enter desired text and select desired logo file and it'll do the rest automatically.
Run Editor
"Run Editor" is a very small and portable utility which allows you to add any program reference to Windows Registry so that you can launch it by just typing its name in Start menu RUN dialog box.
OEM Configurator
"OEM Configurator" allows you to customize Windows XP, Vista, 7 and Windows 8 System Properties window look without any manual registry editing. You just need to enter desired text and select desired logo file and it'll do the rest automatically.
Restarter
"Restarter" is a very small and portable utility which sits in system tray and allows you to directly "Restart Explorer", "Restart uxsms Service" and "Kill Not Responding Tasks" using its context menu.
As a bonus, it also allows you to start a few useful Windows utilities: Task Manager, Calculator and Notepad.
You can also log off, restart and shut down your system using it.
Autorun Manager
"Autorun Manager" allows you to disable and re-enable Autorun functionality for different kind of drives like CD drive, removable drives, etc quickly and easily.
AutoRun Disabler
"AutoRun Disabler" also allows you to disable Autorun functionality for different kind of drives like CD drive, removable drives, etc quickly and easily.
DeskIntegrator
"DeskIntegrator" allows you to add your favorite program shortcuts in Windows Vista and 7's Desktop context menu quickly and easily.
Run It
"Run It" is another very small and portable utility which allows you to add any program reference to Windows Registry so that you can launch it by just typing its name in Start menu RUN dialog box.
XTweaker
"XTweaker" is a small and portable tweaking utility for Windows XP, Vista and 7 which helps you in making your Windows Faster and running the way you want.
DreamScene Installer
"DreamScene Installer" is a small utility which can bring back Windows Vista's DreamScene feature to Windows 7. You just need to run this tool and it'll automatically install the DreamScene feature in Windows 7.
A Bootable USB
"A Bootable USB" allows you to create bootable USB drive to install Windows Vista, Server 2008 or 7.
Taskbar Iconizer
"Taskbar Iconizer" is a small portable tool which provides Windows 7 look-like iconized taskbar buttons in Windows XP and Vista.
UXTheme Patcher
Windows doesn't allow to use custom 3rd party themes but you can patch Windows to use the themes.
Universal Theme Patcher can patch Windows automatically so that you can use 3rd party themes. Simply run the patcher and restart your system to take affect.
Windows File Protection (WFP) Patcher / Switcher
NOTE: If your anti-virus detects this tool as a virus, don't worry about it. Its a false positive. Since this software modifies Windows system file, antivirus software detects it as a suspicious item.
Whenever you want to edit/delete/replace a system file in Windows XP, it doesn't allow and shows a message that the file is already in use. Even if you replace or edit the file using some other method, Windows automatically replaces the edited file with the default one upon next reboot.
It happens due to "Windows File Protection" (WFP) service which checks the system files periodically and replaces them with default ones.
Windows File Protection (WFP) Switcher lets you disable and re-enable WFP service so that you can easily modify system files.
Replacer
Replacer is another easy way to replace system files with your modified one. Suppose you downloaded a patched or customized system file and you need to replace existing file in your system with the new one.
Using "Replacer", you can do it very easily and quickly. Just drag-n-drop the default system file in its window and then drag-n-drop the new modified file. It'll ask for confirmation, press "Y" and you have done. Restart your system and it'll replace the default file with new one upon next reboot.
PS: You can also type the complete file path in Replacer window instead of drag-n-drop the file.
Unlocker
Many times we face following ERROR messages while deleting or moving a system file in windows:
- Cannot delete file: Access is denied.
- There has been a sharing violation.
- The source or destination file may be in use.
- The file is in use by another program or user.
- Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.
Unlocker is the solution of this problem. You can easily move/delete files without any problem even windows is running using unlocker.
Resource Hacker (aka ResHacker or ResHack)
Resource Hacker is a tool to edit Windows system files like .exe, .dll, .cpl, etc. You can edit these files and can change the look of various dialog boxes, menus and many other things in Windows.
7-Zip
7-Zip is one of the best, most popular and absolutely free file archive software. It can be used to unpack/extract wide range of formats like ZIP, RAR, GZIP, 7z, RPM, MSI, ISO, CAB, DMG, VHD, WIM, TAR, etc. It can be installed in almost all Windows versions including Windows 98,ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Its command line version is also available for Linux/Unix.
Free Themes, Skins and Wallpapers
We have released many free themes, skins, icons and wallpapers for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Yahoo! Messenger and mobile phones.
You can download them using following link:
Phew... That's all for now guys! We hope you'll give a try to above mentioned utilities and will post your valuable feedback here in your comment which we always love to read...
PS: We'll update this list whenever a new software is released by us. So keep checking this page regularly.
This article was posted by VG in following section: Software, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.
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Paras Sidhu
Nice collection... :)
ha7ak3
Great!! :)
sasja
nice, i +1'd this
there were some handy tool that I didn't see, untill now.
BadLuckLuke
Great, GREAT, G-R-E-A-T Vishal ! ! !
Thanks...
jelson
THANK YOU... bookmarked this page.
huex
thanks VG.. :D
ABdul Quddus
Thanks for valuable softwares and tutorials. How can I display " ABDUL QUDDUS" in my desktop context menu and all other drive`s background as you shown " AskVG.Com" ( large white fonts) ? I have been trying for 2 months.But cannot success still now. I shall be highly obliged if you help me.
Abdul Quddus Sarker
Kishoregonj, Bangladesh.
VG
^^ Check following:
http://www.askvg.com/ultimate-tutorial-to-customize-desktop-context-menu-in-windows-vista-server-2008-and-windows-7/
Abdul Quddus
I have followed the above link but fail. I can display my name in desktop context menu applying your mentioned registry editing. I want to display "Abdul Quddus" in desktop context menu background as you shown "AskVG.com"( white font letter) in Host Machine, 7zip, A Bootable USB etc software`s tutorials. I hope a tips.
I have an another problem. I have write my name (Abdul Quddus) in Right Click Context Menu Adder`s Program to Add and Text on Menu and apply Add to Context Menu. Abdul Quddus appear in desktop context menu but it does not work. "Application not found" shows if I click on my name. I cannot delete it from desktop context menu useing the software "Right Click Context Menu Adder". How can I remove my name from desktop context menu background. Please suggest .
VG
^^ You can check following:
http://www.askvg.com/how-to-add-your-name-in-windows-7-desktop-context-menu/