Desktop Tools

RealWorld Cursor Editor enables you to create and edit static or animated Windows cursors. You can create new cursor by editing existing .cur files or create new cursors from scratch by importing an image file. The program provides a variety of tools to draw lines, curves, rectangles and other shapes as well as predefined filters for color correction, sharpening, drop shadows and other effects. Other features include support for animations with custom frame sequence, batch processing of filters, cursor hot spot editing and more.

Dexpot allows you to create multiple, virtual desktops to increase the work area of your screen by up to 20 times. Each virtual desktop is independent from the others and can have its individual wallpaper, resolution, and icons (or no icons at all). You can easily switch between desktops from the tray icon, or via hotkey, or even use an automatic desktop slideshow that rotates all virtual desktops. In addition, you can move and copy windows from one desktop to another among the desktops, set up rules to automatically move, copy or close windows and more. Dexpot is one of the most advanced desktop managers out there, that is easy enough for beginners, but offers some great flexibility for more demanding users as well.

Yahoo! Widgets Engine is a JavaScript runtime engine that lets you run small programs called Widgets that can perform a variety of tasks. These desktop plug-ins can perform a variety of tasks and are available from many different sources. The default installation includes a Yahoo email checker, weather forecast, desktop photo frame, day planner and more. More than a thousand additional widgets can be downloaded from the Widget Library.

John`s Background Switcher enables you to automatically switch your desktop wallpaper every X hours. You can select individual images to be used or rotate through images in a folder on your PC or downloaded from various images sites inlcuding Flickr, SmugMug, Picasa, Facebook, Yahoo! and others. The program can display images in full-screen mode or as image collage in different styles. A variety of settings allow you to customize the behavior (image scaling, background effects, size etc.), exclude images from being shown and more. Other features include support for multiple monitors, RSS feeds, optional calendar display, background effects and more.

Desktop Sidebar is a toolbar that tightly integrates with Windows features and MS Outlook. It is built out of different components, each can be individually configured. Options include Outlook email overview, preview, notes, calendar entries (mail items can be previewed directly from the bar) as well as performance statistics, disk space usage, customizable mews headlines, access to Google and other search engines and more. Desktop Sidebar also integrates Windows Media Player controls, the QuickLaunch bar, commandline launcher and more. You can add new items and configure the layout and design in many aspects. The program is nicely done and makes a very attractive and useful add-on for your desktop. It can be displayed permanently or auto-hide itself when not in use.

Synergy is an open-source software that enables you to share a single mouse and keyboard with multiple other machines that are connected via a TCP/IP network. You can simply move your mouse off the edge of your main screen to enter the screen of a secondary computer to the left or right of you. While your mouse remains on the other PCs desktop you can control it with your main mouse and keyboard, and to return control to your main computer, simply move the mouse back. Synergy allows you to configure multiple computers, it needs to be installed on each of the computers to be controlled. The initial configuration can be a little confusing, and the docs are mostly aimed at technical users. Basically you have to tell the program what to do when the mouse passes the designated edge of your screen, and also how to get back on your main screen.

VistaSwitcher replaces the default Windows Alt-Tab dialog with an enhanced version that offers a more stylish interface and some additional features. It display a list of the currently running tasks and provides a mouse-over preview that shows the task window on your desktop, as well as right-click options to switch, minimize, maximize, restore the main window or close the process. VistaSwitcher also includes a handy feature that allows you to exclude certain task from the list, as well as support for dual-monitor systems and a quick way to call the dialog via right-click and mouse wheel.

DesktopOK enables you to save and restore your desktop icon layout. If you frequently change your screen resolution to play games or use applications that require a specific resolution, you are probably familiar with the fact that your desktop icons are usually a mess after you switch back to your normal resolution. DesktopOK solves this problem by allowing you to save your desktop layout and restore it with the click of a button. You can save multiple layouts and also set the program to save your layout automatically every few hours or on a daily basis.

Desktop Earth automatically updates your desktop wallpaper with a satellite image of the Earth as it would be seen from space at that precise moment. You can customize the time zone to be used as the center, display a cloud overlay and choose from several different night time images. The program runs in your system tray and automatically updates the image according to the selected schedule (one minute to an hour). Desktop Earth can be displayed as standard desktop wallpaper or as Active Desktop item.

Taskbar Shuffle is a small and simple program, that adds a handy new functionality to your Windows taskbar - it enables you to rearrange the taskbar buttons by simply dragging them around. This feature can be quite useful if the order and arrangement of your taskbar buttons is of importance to you. Makes you wonder why the taskbar did not come with this feature in the first place.

Visual Task Tips is a handy Windows shell enhancement that displays a thumbnail snapshot of any Windows that was minimized to the Windows taskbar. Just hover your mouse over a taskbar item and instead of the standard info tip, you will see a small snapshot of the Window. Visual Task Tips works with minimized folder, applications and web pages.

CursorFX enables you to apply special effects to your Windows 2000/XP mouse cursor. It includes several themes that are semi-transparent and feature more advanced shadows and alpha blending. CursorFX is configured directly from your Control Panel/Mouse Properties dialog. Additional themes can be downloaded. A Pro version with additional features is also available.

IconTweaker allows you to customize Windows with different sets of icon themes. It comes with several themes to choose from and additional ones can be added later. You can choose to change all icons according to the theme, and also set different icons for selected files and/or folders. The program provides an easy to use interface, and can restore your original icons at any time.

MuralPix is a desktop wallpaper changer that can automatically cycle through a selection of background images from one or more folders of your choice. You can choose to apply a new wallpaper every X minutes, every time your PC starts or during other times of the day. The wallpaper can be combined with a desktop calendar background that dynamically compliments the color hue of the wallpaper image. You can customize the image placement and sizing as well as the appearance of the calendar, exclude specific image from the display and manually switch to the next wallpaper from the tray icon. In addition to changing your desktop wallpaper, MuralPix can also run as a screensaver and display the same selection of images as a slideshow when your PC is not in use.

TaskSwitchXP is a replacement for the standard Windows task switcher dialog (Alt+Tab), which has remained virtually unchanged since Windows 95. It provides the same functionality, and adds visual styles to the dialog and also enhances it by displaying small screenshots of the application in addition to the associated icon. The dialog can also be customized on a per-user basis with optional font settings , transparency and more. (Open Source)

OuttaSight (outofsight) allows you to hide any application window from your desktop. You can choose to hide them completely, or to minimize them as icon to the system tray. The program also includes an auto-hide feature, that lets you hide specific windows automatically whenever they appear. Additional features include hotkey operation (Boss Key) to hide selected or all windows, and an option to hide desktop components like taskbar, start button and more. (Please note: OuttaSight is designed for 98/NT, however we tested it on XP and it worked fine, except for hiding of the Start button and system tray)

Wallpaper Master allows you to change your desktop wallpaper automatically every X minutes. You can create your own categories, using images on your computer, and cycle through one or multiple categories in random order, listed order or based on your personal ratings. The programs offers advanced auto-size options to make sure your images are displayed in with optimized size. You can also change the wallpaper instantly by simply clicking the tray icon. Additional features include customizable position and background color, directory monitoring and more.

WPChanger is an easy to use tool to automatically cycle through your collection of desktop wallpapers. Just add the images to be included n the cycle, and it will show them in a list with thumbnail previews. If you prefer not to switch your wallpaper automatically, you can let the program run in the tray, and quickly change wallpapers manually by simply double-clicking on one. Some additional features include conversion to grayscale, image stretching and random cycle, and an option to create a screensaver from the selected images..

DeskPins allows you to keep any window on top of others with a few clicks. While many programs offer this as a feature, others do not, and in such cases DeskPins comes handy. In addition, you can also define rules that use the window title (with wildcard support) and can automatically keep any window on top that matches your rules. The `on top` window is marked with a colored pin that can be quickly removed by simply clicking on it, returning the window to its normal state. (Note: Even though not officially Vista compatible, we tested it and it appeared to work fine on Vista)

Virtual Desktop Manager is a Microsoft Powertoy for Windows XP. It allows you to maintain up to 4 different desktops, each with it`s own applications and desktop wallpapers. It integrates into the taskbar and allows you to quickly switch between your virtual desktops. You can also assign keyboard hotkeys to switch between or preview all 4 desktops at once. For example, you can open your e-mail program on one desktop, an Internet chess game on the second, several Internet sessions on the third, and multiple database sessions on the fourth.

JR Screen Ruler is an easy to use, small screen ruler that you can use to measure distances on your screen. It supports pixels, centimeters, picas and inches and can be adjusted in length to fit your screen.

Desk Drive is a handy software that adds convenient shortcuts to USB thumb drives, removable drives and DVDs to your desktop. When you first insert a USB drive or DVD, the Windows autoplay feature will provide you with quick access to the media content, however subsequent access to the drive usually requires you to go through Windows Explorer to find the mapped drive and open it. Desk Drive overcomes this inconvenience by adding a shortcut to the desktop that provides one-click access to the drive for as long as it is inserted. The program runs in the system tray and detect a new drive as soon as it is inserted. It automatically removes the shortcut when the drive is ejected.

Walyk Wallpaper Changer enables you to automatically change your desktop wallpaper based on a selection of personal images. You can update the wallpaper on a daily or weekly basis, or every X minutes or hours. The program can also change your wallpaper whenever you restart your computer. The desktop wallpaper can be centered, stretched or tiled across the desktop and optionally resampled using a variety of algorithms.

OneLoupe is a screen magnifier that is useful for people with visual impairments or weak eyes, or to inspect the magnified details of photos, drawings and anything else you want to take a closer look at. The program allows you to adjust the size of the magnifier window as well as the strength of the zoom and you can optionally copy a bitmap of the enlarged area to the clipboard. OneLoupe can run in the system tray and does not require installation.

DS Clock is a digital desktop clock that displays variable date and time information. The program allows you to customize its look and feel, and can synchronize your clock from a list of Internet time servers. You can select any combination of date and time, pick custom colors and fonts and optionally set a custom sound to play at the top/half of the hour.

Transform XP to Vista installs 3 applications that make your XP computer look a little more like Vista. It adds the Microsoft Zune theme, a ton of Yahoo! Widgets and the free version of Vista Start Menu (by the same developer). While the Zune theme and Yahoo! widgets deliver most of the Vista-like appearance and gadget functionalities, the additional start menu enhancement adds a finishing touch to it.

WatchMe is a simple but effective timer program that can be used to time multiple tasks or events independently of each other. You can assign a custom name to identify each timer and also store personal notes for each and set optional timer alerts. The program can display the time in hours:minutes:seconds or in fractions of an hour, depending on your preference and you can also adjust the time by adding or removing minutes. Standalone, no install needed.

EvJO Wallpaper Changer enables you to automatically change your desktop wallpaper on a regular basis. You can change it whenever the program starts or closes, set a time interval (e.g. every X minutes) or change it at a specific time of day. You can load images from a folder or create a list of selected images that should be used in order or at random. The program supports BMP, JPG, PNG, TIF, PCX and TGA images and can stretch, tile or center the wallpaper.

Adolix Wallpaper Changer enables you to change your desktop wallpaper automatically every X minutes, hours, days or on demand via hotkey or tray icon. You can create multiple image lists and load them or combine them, and optionally have the program shuffle the images to display them in random order. Adolix Wallpaper Changer supports all popular image formats and can size images to fit your display, or place them in a custom position on your desktop. It also includes a simple screen capture utility.

Frix QuickRes is a handy tool, that allows you to quickly switch between 2 desktop resolutions by simply double-clicking on the system tray icon. You can also use the program to access the regular display settings, and to launch WinDVD or PowerDVD (if installed) from the tray menu.

RK Launcher is a visually pleasing replacement for the Windows taskbar, that closely resembles the MacIntosh taskbar with full color icons and mouseover animation effects (zooming). It automatically keeps track of minimized Windows and newly installed programs, and also functions as an application launcher that you can use to launch your favorite programs by simply dragging them onto the taskbar. Advanced users can fully customize the appearance via configuration files.

QuickFind allows you to quickly find shortcuts entries that are located somewhere in your Start menu, on the desktop, in your IE Favorites or Recently Used Files list. All you have to do is start typing the name, and it will instantly display a list of matches. You can click on the item to launch it. In addition, you can also create new shortcuts or autorun entries from a selected item, find broken shortcuts, and create a list of favorites for direct access. QuickFind runs in the system tray.

Clicky Gone Portable provides a fast way to hide selected application windows from your desktop without showing them in the taskbar. You can hide a window by simply holding down a user defined keyboard key and clicking on the titlebar of the window you want to hide. The program can also hide the active window, and optionally mute the sound, by use of a `Boss Key` keyboard shortcut.

Talking Desktop Clock displays an analog or digital clock on your desktop that can optionally plays chimes at the hour, half-hour, and quarter-hour. It can also announce the time on a regular basis, using a Microsoft Agent character and voice. You can choose from several clock style and adjust the clock transparency to blend it into your desktop.

A Ruler for Windows is an on-screen pixel ruler, that allows you to perform measurements on your screen. It comes with to skins that resemble a wood ruler and a transparent plastic ruler. You can customize the length of the ruler, use it vertical or horizontal, and even magnify the screen up to 4x for more accurate measurements. A Ruler for Windows only supports pixel units.

InstantTimeZone enables you to show the current time and date of up to 9 time zones in your system tray, next to your regular system clock. The icon displays the current hour, and on mouseover or click the complete date and time are shown. You can choose between different time and date formats, select a color for the icon and add a custom comment for the time zone.

Twingly Screensaver allows you to visualize global blog activity in real time on a world map. The program can run as regular desktop application or as Windows screensaver and displays a constant stream of blog activity from around the world. The blog posts are indicated as small dots and stacks on a rotating globe. You can also configure it to show blog post title along the side of the screen, allowing you to click on a post for additional details and a link to the site where the entry was posted. The blog posts are not filtered or categorized by content, therefore user discretion is advised.

Fileinspect Sidebar Gadget is a Vista sidebar tool that allows you to view a list of processes that are currently using the most CPU or memory. It can display up to 10 processes in the sidebar and you can choose to either display CPU or memory usage (not both). The program can also query detailed process information from an online database when you click on the magnifying glass icon next to the process name.

Respect Soft Vista Clock is a small desktop clock with an analog display. In addition to showing the time, it includes a stopwatch, a countdown timer, hourly chimes and and Uptime display. You can choose to run the clock in your current time zone or select a different zone from the world time dialog.

CrossGL Surface Clock is an attractive desktop clock that offers a unique, scalable interface that can be freely sized and placed anywhere on your desktop. You can make the clock display as large or as small as you like, and even rotate it 360 degrees if you feel the need for it. To size or rotate the clock, simply hover your mouse over the edges of the display to reveal the control buttons. CrossGL Surface Clock also comes with adjustable transparency settings, optional background animation and a date display. No installation needed, add it to your startup folder to have it launch automatically.

Zorro is a small utility that enables you to completely blank your computer screen, except for a user defined, rectangular area. You can position and size the Zorro windows to your preference and then activate it to blank out everything outside the rectangle. Zorro is useful for watching videos on your desktop without being distracted by other programs or a cluttered desktop.

QuickMonth Calendar adds a small monthly calendar to your system tray, that automatically appears when you hover your mouse over the Windows clock display. It highlights the current date and allows you to switch between month and years to look up future dates.

Roxio MediaTicker allows you to view a local folder of images, or images from an online RSS feed as a scrolling desktop ticker that can be placed at the top, bottom or along the sides of your screen. Clicking on an image thumbnail will show the full-size photo, along with an option to email or print the photo. In addition to photo feeds, the program can also displays various news feeds that contain thumbnail images, revealing the headline in a mouseover hint. The ticker may include some promotional messages from Roxio once in a while. User registration is solicited but can be skipped.

Sarbyx TrayClock is a replacement for the Windows System tray clock. You can choose to display the time in 12 or 24 hour format, display seconds and/or the current date and select from a variety of 50 skins to customize the clock display.

Hot Corners allows you to assign an action to the 4 corners of your screen, that can either launch a program or file of your choice, launch your screensaver, display the desktop, open a Google search, put your computer into Standby mode and more. Once you have assigned an action to one of the corners, all you have to do is touch it with your mouse and the action will be launched.

MoodBook allows you to rotate your desktop wall paper among 75 art images that are intended to boost your mood. You can switch at regular time intervals, or manually, with a click on the tray icon. The combination of the mostly abstract art pictures and the background color are supposed to influence your mental state. The program comes with 75 images included, additional art packs are available for purchase. You cannot use your own images or backgrounds with this application.

LogonStudio allows you to customize the Windows XP logon and shutdown screens, by choosing from a variety of theme designs. The program include 3 designs and many others can be freely downloaded. Includes an option to restore your default screens. LogonStudio is free, but not supported by the developers.

EfreeSoft Boss Key is a small application that allows you to instantly hide all open programs and folders from your desktop. Just click the left mouse button AND the right mouse button, and all windows are hidden in an instant. Click both mouse buttons again, and they will be back as if nothing happened. You can also choose to hide the desktop icons and taskbar as well.

Transbar is a small and simple tool that allows you to make your Windows 2000/XP taskbar transparent. Simply select the level of transparency and apply it.

APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day) downloads an astronomy pictures every day, and sets it as desktop wallpaper. The image includes a detailed description written by professional astronomers, that can be shown and hidden when you click on the small link. The program runs in the system tray and also includes link to the NASA picture archive, from where you can browse previous APOD images, as well as an option to print the current image. Nice, interactive desktop enhancement for astronomy fans.

Windowpaper XP lets you customize the background of your folders with wallpapers in the same way, you can customize your desktop. It allows you to select a custom background image for any folder you want, specify the font color (to make it stick out) and instantly preview the results. Very easy to use, useful tool for those that like to customize their workspace.

Icon Restore allows you to save your desktop icon layout and restore it when needed. If you have ever changed your desktop resolution temporarily, you will have noticed that your desktop icons are all messed up, after you switch back. This little tool allows you to right click on the My Computer icon and select `Restore Desktop Icon Layout` and everything will be back in order. Very useful for people that have to change the screen resolution often.

MagicBin is a small utility/game, that allows you to play virtual basketball with files before deleting them. It resembles a larger recycle bin icon, and allows you to throw files into the bin, bouncing them off the edges of your desktop... Each file you successfully send into the bin, is deleted and also gets a grade. Complete with bouncing sounds, applause and all. Great utility for those that have too much time on their hands.

If you change your monitor resolution under Windows XP, it gets changed for every user on the computer, forcing you to reset your favorite resolution each time, or agree on a common solution. UniqueDisplay takes care of these shortcomings, allowing each user to have their own desktop resolution. The program supports multi-monitor configurations and fast user switching. There is no interface, the program installs to run automatically at startup. When you login, it will automatically reset the resolution to your previous configuration, there is a small delay and your desktop items are still re-arranged, but at least you don't have to change the settings manually.

ZigZag Cleaner is a unique little tool that allows you to quickly minimize or hide all your open windows, by using a single mouse stroke in form of a "Z" on your desktop. Just draw a Z shape on your desktop and all windows will minimize. You can configure the size and position of the shape to meet your preferences and also choose to only act on selected windows and more. If you need quick access to your desktop, this is quicker than a tray icon or hotkey based application.

Desk Marker allows to draw on your desktop or application windows, using a pen of different size or color. In addition, the program offers a Visual Control mode, which allows you to highlight application elements (form buttons, interface elements etc.), as well as transparency support. You activate the drawing mode by pressing a keyboard key combination, and moving your mouse at the same time. Releasing the keyboard keys allows you to switch colors, pen size or mode, pressing another hotkey will clear the drawing. To capture the drawing to a screenshot, you can use the Windows PrtScn button and your favorite graphics editor.

Tidy Start Menu allows you to easily organize the programs in your Start/Programs menu, by sorting them into several categories, which will be created as folders in your Programs menu. Instead of having dozens of application folders and entries, you can reduce the initial level to 5-8 categorized folders and then directly navigate to the programs within that category. Of course this can be easily accomplished by using standard Windows features (creating folders and dragging items into them), and Tidy Start Menu only makes the task a little easier for novice users by using simple check boxes to assign programs to a category. The free version is limited to 8 pre-defined categories, which should accommodate the average user - if you want to create more categories, you will have to purchase an advanced version. (In this case however we would really recommend to invest a few minutes of your time and organize the Programs menu yourself)

WinFlog eXTreMe adds several functions to the Windows Vista right-click menu that enable you to enable/disable Aero effects, turn off your monitor and eject your CD drive. You can also activate Flip 3d from the middle mouse button.

Flickr Desktop Wallpaper allows you to create a dynamic desktop wallpaper, using random images from a Flickr account of your choice. The images will be arranged in a tile pattern and can be updated automatically every X minutes. The program does not require lofin credentials, you can use it with any Flickr account name, not limited to your own.

Delgado Desktop is a simple wallpaper changer that allows you to set a different desktop wallpaper for every day of the week. You can choose to stretch, center or tile each image and also set one as the default wallpaper. If you want to distinguish your weekdays with the help of wallpapers, give it a try.

DesktopBeautifier is a simple tool that automatically changes your desktop wallpaper every few hours or every day, by downloading from a hand-picked selection of high quality images. You can select from a large variety of different categories to specify a preferred style (nature, space, flowers, animals etc.).

TranspApps is a simple utility that allows you to assign (temporary) transparency to any application window. Just select the window from a list of currently open windows, and set a transparency level. In addition, you can also apply a custom transparency level to the Windows taskbar.

Stardust Wallpaper Control 2003 is a simple taskbar accessory that lets you easily change and configure your desktop wallpaper. You can change the wallpaper with a single click, or choose to schedule a wallpaper change every 30 minutes 30 minutes or few hours as well as at startup. It also provides access to the Desktop Properties, and lets you quickly browse for a wallpaper image.

Any Wallpaper is a simple wallpaper changer that can automatically update your desktop wallpaper with images from one or more folders. You can set the wallpaper position, as well as a time interval (e.g. every 15 minutes) or choose to change your wallpaper every time you start your computer.

Desktop Christmas Tree is a small, digital Tannenbaum for your desktop. It can optionally stay on top and you can adjust transparency - a mouseover hint reveals how many days are left till Christmas.

Desktop Graffitist is a small program that enables you to spray paint graffiti-style art onto your desktop. You can switch between colors, using the mouse wheel and quickly erase your creation with the Esc key. Unlike with real spray paint, Desktop Graffitist will not leave a sticky residue.