List of Some Useful System Utilities
1. A Bootable USB
This utility can be used to create a bootable USB drive to install Windows Vista, Server 2008 and 7 without need of a DVD drive. Its very easy and useful utility. You can download it using following links:
Download Link (Rapidshare)
Download Link (Mediafire)
Download Link (Skydrive)
2. UXTheme Patcher
Windows XP doesn't allow to use custom themes but you can patch a system file "Uxtheme.dll" to use them.
UXTheme Patcher can patch the file automatically so that you can use 3rd party themes in XP. Simply run the patcher and restart your system to take affect.
To unpatch, run the program again.
Download here (for XP SP3)
Download here (for XP SP2)
3. VistaGlazz
Windows Vista also doesn't allow 3rd party themes but you can use "VistaGlazz" to use them.
4. Windows File Protection (WFP) Switcher
Whenever you want to edit/delete/replace a system file in Windows, 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 Switcher lets you disable and re-enable WFP service so that you can easily modify system files.
5. 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.
6. 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 system files without any problem even windows is running using unlocker.
7. Log off / Shutdown Text Remover (LSPatch)
In Windows VISTA, Server 2008 and 7, the text on Log off & Shutdown buttons has been removed. If you want the same thing in XP, this software is for you. Simply run it and it'll remove the buttons text. It has following features:
=> Simple and easy
=> Works on all XP/2003
=> Support non-English OS (every language)
=> Related strings in String Table 439 won’t be modified.
PS: It is known to be buggy with non-English XP versions.
8. Styler
Styler is a customization utility for Windows XP. It can add drop shadow to your windows, change Clear Type font settings, change visual style's color, change wallpaper and much more .
Its most useful function is located in the "Styler Toolbar" which can entirely change the look and feel of Explorer toolbar. So you can change your toolbar to make it look like Windows Vista.
9. Glass2k
Glass2k is a small little program that allows Windows 2000/XP users to make any window transparent. Right-click on any window or press the keyboard shortcuts Control + Shift + [0-9] to make it transparent.
10. Resource Hacker
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.
11. Resource Tuner
Resource Tuner is another resource editing tool like Resource hacker but it has some more advanced features which are not present in Resource Hacker. Resource Tuner can also show PNG files embedded in Windows Vista system files which can't be seen using Resource Hacker.
12. Restorator 2007
Restorator is an award-winning utility to edit windows resources in applications and their components, e.g. files with .exe, .dll, .res, .rc, .dcr, extension (see PE files and RES files).
13. WinRAR
WinRAR is a powerful archive manager. It can backup your data and reduce size of email attachments, decompress RAR, ZIP and other files downloaded from Internet and create new archives in RAR and ZIP file format.
14. 7-Zip
7-Zip is a file archiver with a high compression ratio. 7-Zip works in Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7. There is a port of the command line version to Linux/Unix.
