Microsoft Powertoys Add Functionality To XP - And It's Free!

For example, when you press [Alt] + [Tab] you can switch between open programs; an accompanying icon denotes the different application types. The 'Alt­Tab Replacement' PowerToy works in the same way but also gives you a mini preview of each program window, making it easier to select the one that you want.

Another option is the 'Open Command Window Here' tool, which adds an option to the right-click menu. When you right-click a system folder you'll have the additional option of opening command prompt window at that specific location.

One of the best PowerToys is the Tweak UI tool, which gives you access to a number of settings not normally accessible through the interface. Ordinarily, some of these settings are only made possible through changes to the registry.

Added extras

Other smaller tools include the Power Calculator; this enables you to graph and evaluate functions as well as perform numerous conversions. The Image Resizer is ideal for all those photos you've taken with your digital camera but are too big to email.

Once the PowerToy is installed, right­click on any image file and choose Resize Pictures. Using one of four pre-set sizes you can create a resized copy of your picture that will be saved in the current folder.

CD Slideshow Generator is a simple way of viewing images that are stored on disc. Write your image files to a CD-R or CD-RW and a new task will appear in the wizard that will enable you to autorun the slide show. When this disc is inserted in another PC you'll still be able to view the images as a slide show, even if it's not running Windows XP.

The Virtual Desktop Manager enables you to manage up to four different desktops from the Taskbar. You can choose individual backgrounds for each desktop and run separate applications on each one. To activate the Virtual Desktop Manager, right-click on the Taskbar and choose Toolbars > Desktop Manager. You can then click on a number to switch between desktops.

The Taskbar Magnifier is an extension of the Accessibility tools built into Windows XP. Right-click the Taskbar and choose Toolbars > Taskbar Magnifier. An area of the Taskbar will be set aside; if you then move the mouse over any other part of the Taskbar, it will be magnified in this new area.

Webcam Timershot enables you to take pictures from a webcam that's attached to your PC at specific time intervals. You can then save the pictures to a location on your hard drive.

Jan 21 - 08:55 PM PT  |  filed under Tools & Utilities  |   Printer-friendly version