Freeware and Shareware Utilities for Windows

If you're tired of trudging through endless menus from the start button, this may be the answer to your prayers. Maverick is a sophisticated program launcher that can be configured to provide quick access to your documents, applications and games, etc. It combines ease of use with a myriad of features and utilities including a sophisticated alarm clock, a hex file viewer, an advanced font viewer, a file wiper (to irrevocably destroy files) a file toucher (to change dates) a file/disk profiler (to analyse disk usage) a file/disk scanner (to validate suspect data CDs) a zip reader/writer, and a zip repair tool.

Maverick is suitable for beginners and experts alike. Beginners should find that default settings are all sensible. Experts should discover a range of features to :-

• adjust visual parameters such as individual button colours
• adjust behavioural parameters such as auto-hiding
• create additional launch windows
• create application bars (with large or small icons)
• make use of multiple monitors
• access verbs such as Find, Properties, Explore and Print
• create a common configuration for a mixed network of computers

Zipfusion is a versatile self-extractor. It can be used with any zip tools that create type 0/8/9 (stored/deflate/deflate64) format zip files e.g. WinZip™.
Features include :-

• Three stub programs making it suitable for distribution of data files or software.
• End-user dialogs that can be easily translated into other languages and customised in appearance.
• A sophisticated configuration editor.
• Extensive online help.
• The Installer and File Extractor stubs have a footprint of about 100KB.
• The Microlight stub has a tiny footprint of just 42KB whilst still supporting many advanced features.

A small utility designed to view/read/extract the contents of zip files.

• The main executable program is only about 100KB in size but this program has many features including online help.
• Full install and uninstall support.

A small utility designed to read registration keys from the Registry.

• It scans for all available key data in a single operation that takes a few seconds.
• Currently, only keys for Microsoft products can be read.

A small utility designed to simplify the task of manually creating restore points.

• Allows restore points to be created with just one click.
• Also provides access to the System Restore applet.

If you want to add page-hit counters or download counters to your website then you may have what you're looking for. This sophisticated Perl script can perform all the basic requirements of a web counter. It can :-

• act as a page-hit counter
• act as a download counter
• track ip addresses to avoid false increments
• disable caching
• output counter values in a manner suitable for javascript or server-side includes

Unless you want to gather detailed statistics, or display values using pictorial graphics, this counter will probably do everything you need.

If you want to submit form data to an email account then you may have what you're looking for. This sophisticated Perl script can perform all the basic requirements of a form mail program.

• It is secure. If configured correctly, it cannot be usefully hijacked by spammers.
• It is powerful and flexible. Most configuration parameters can be specified by file as well as by url.
• It includes a comprehensive diagnostic mode to simplify installation and testing.
• The format of the result page can be adjusted using a css file.
• Copies can be sent to any number of additional recipients.
  No additional email forwarding is required.
• Ticket numbers can be generated automatically and placed in the subject line.
• In addition to the main perl program, a javascript program is included that can be used to verify several types of data field.
• It does not require the Unix sendmail program.
• Version 2 has many additional features.

Unless you need to send HTML data or attachments, this program will probably do everything you need.

WipeDir is a utility designed for use by developers to facilitate the removal of directories that may contain open files. Though intended for use as part of uninstall methods, it may have other applications.
Features include :-

• Two versions, GUI and console.
• Several options controlled by command-line switches.
• If unable to delete a directory immediately, it waits for up to five seconds for other applications to close. If still unable to delete the directory, it can instruct Windows to delete the directory when next restarted.