Tweaking tools on test

Customising Windows does not begin and end with changing your screensaver or downloading some funky wallpaper to brighten up your Desktop.

While it's easy to leave Windows running on its default settings, there are loads of further options lurking under the surface of the operating system. These can be tweaked to improve the performance of your PC or get it running in a way that better suits your needs.

It does take some digging around to access many settings, as all but the most obvious are well hidden away. For easier access to the range of controls available to you, you'd be better off using Windows utility software, which groups them all in one place.

Utility software allows you to make changes to the way Windows looks and operates. The changes can range from something as simple as placing a shadow around your mouse cursor to something as advanced as changing the amount of memory that Windows allocates to an application or boosting the speed of your internet connection.

It goes without saying that in the wrong hands, utility software can be a very dangerous business. With a little common sense, though, you can use Windows utility software to give your computer an individual look and generally improve its performance.

There is plenty of utility software available. While some are very expensive, there are a number of applications available free of charge or as shareware, for which you must pay a small fee. To help you find the right software for your needs, we've taken a look at six popular packages that will help you tweak and improve your PC's Windows settings.

TweakUI
TweakUI is available from Microsoft as a free download and gives you access to numerous system settings that are not easily accessible in Windows. Without TweakUI, the only way you can change these settings is using complex software that is best left to the experts.

TweakUI is available as a standalone application for Windows XP but for older versions of Windows, it is installed in the Control Panel. Both versions of TweakUI do the same thing; namely, they allow you to customise various elements of Windows' appearance.

This means that you can alter things such as menu fading, add a shadow to cursors, configure the taskbar, change the location of standard folders such as My Photos and My Music and assign system beeps to keystroke combinations.

TweakUI also includes ways of customising Internet Explorer settings, as well as deleting files detailing your internet and computer usage. It can also be used to help rectify problems with your PC, to add and remove programs and documents, alter your mouse button settings and even rename Desktop items such as the Recycle Bin, should you really want to do such a thing.

TweakUI really is an invaluable tool and, if you get carried away with your tweaking, you can easily use it to restore your computer back to its system defaults.

Download Tweak UI here.
File size: 563KB
Estimated download at 56K: 3 mins

XPTuneUp
There are so many features on offer here that it's difficult to know where to begin with XPTuneUp. It's a powerful tool that gives you access to more or less every aspect of the Windows XP Professional system and the ability to customise it.

The interface resembles a control panel, with tabs that separate XPTuneUp's functions into 10 distinct groups. The functions grouped under the Main tab give you a complete visual breakdown of the components that make up your computer, while the settings listed under the Network tab allow you to do such things as boost your internet access or network speed.

The Power tab covers the settings controlling the power usage of your PC, while the functions under the ystem tab offer a wide range of system modifications, mainly for experienced Windows users.

And that's not all. Yet more functions, including the ability to alter the fonts your PC uses and to clean up the Windows Registry, mean you get a system utility to satisfy even the most adventurous Windows User.

XPTuneUp offers professional power in a way that is easy to understand and use. The range of features is mind-boggling and is probably far more than the average user will ever need. As it's shareware, you'll need to pay $29 (about £16) if you continue using it.

Download XP TuneUp 3.1 here.
File size: 866KB
Estimated download at 56K: 4 mins

JV16 PowerTools
For many years JV16 PowerTools was available free of charge but that changed last year when this utility was purchased by a Finnish software developer, which started charging a $30 (about £17) shareware fee. JV16 PowerTools is principally used to clean, maintain and customise your Windows Registry.

The software has a bewildering range of features, including a Registry Manager that lists installed software and removes unneeded file types, and a Registry Cleaner that does things such as remove redundant entries left by uninstalled software.

There's also a Registry Finder that offers advanced Registry search options and a Registry Monitor that keeps you up to date with what is happening. As well as these features, JV16 PowerTools gives you an advanced tool for duplicating, renaming, searching for, encrypting and changing files.

And as if this wasn't enough, the utility also includes a Directory Tool to search for folders, a File Cleaner to get rid of all the potentially useless files on your PC and a Start Menu Cleaner. A Script Manager lets you set up automated system maintenance tasks, and there's an automated backup tool.

JV16 PowerTools is an extremely powerful utility, yet it occupies only 1.3MB of hard disk space. Its layout is basic to say the least, but don't let that put you off. JV16 PowerTools will make your life much easier with its simple tools, putting you in charge of your computer without delving into the more fundamental structure of Windows.

Download jv16 PowerTools 1.4here.
File size: 1.53MB
Estimated download at 56K: 5 mins

WinBoost
WinBoost focuses on speed, speed, speed, and aims to give your computer a shot in the arm by allowing you to tweak dozens of system features that are usually difficult to adjust.

With WinBoost you can, among other things, customise the speed at which your computer plays CDs and DVDs, boost your internet connection speed, optimise your multimedia applications and make numerous adjustments to Windows' appearance.

All of this comes in an easy-to-understand application that allows you to customise Windows at the click of a mouse. Restart, and hundreds of system enhancements come into play. These range from changing the Internet Explorer logo animation to changing the start-up and shutdown screens.

Also included is a handy range of hints and tips to help you efficiently manage your PC. Unfortunately, you'll have to pay the shareware fee of $29 (about £16) if you want to get your hands on this software.

Download WinBoost here.
File size: 1.5MB
Estimated download at 56K: 5 mins

TuneUp Utilities
TuneUp Utilities is another useful program that enables you to adjust many aspects of your PC's look and performance.

As well as standard system tools such as a Windows Registry and Temporary Files cleaner, the program also offers a number of features not seen in rival software packages. One such feature, MemOptimizer, helps to prevent system crashes by allowing you to adjust the amount of memory used by different programs.

The software also analyses your system and provides upgrade suggestions to improve your computer's performance. On top of this, TuneUp Utilities enables you to speed up your internet connection, uninstall files and software, recover deleted files, and remove unneeded files from your hard disk.

Add on the ability to delete files securely, automate maintenance tasks from the scheduler and automate start-up controls, and you have a program that is an essential addition to the Windows system.

TuneUp Utilities works equally well with Windows XP and previous versions of Windows and is available for $35 (approx £19).

Download TuneUp Utilities here.
File size: 5.9MB
Estimated download at 56K: 18 mins

Fresh UI
Fresh UI is a small, free utility that has been around for some time now and gives access to hundreds of hidden features in Windows. Fresh UI works with most versions of Windows and lets you tweak various hardware and software settings.

The software has a very simple layout separated into six main categories. Clicking on any of these will access a range of options. From here you can optimise your system settings, change the settings of various hardware components, customise individual application settings and alter the settings of individual user accounts. You'll need to restart your PC for many of these changes to take effect.

Fresh UI has by far the most straightforward approach of all the software listed here. It's an extremely useful program, made all the more attractive by being free.

Download Fresh UI here.
File size: 763KB
Estimated download at 56K: 3 mins

Take control
With the right software tools under your belt, there's no reason why you need accept the default Windows settings that Microsoft prescribes. Windows utility software will help you take control of your computer and tweak the settings in Windows to make your PC run the way you want it to.

Be careful, though, if you're delving into the guts of Windows for the first time as it is easy to do serious damage to your computer. Fortunately, most utility software has a 'revert to defaults' button that can bail you out in times of trouble.

Always follow the advice offered at the top of the page and back up the data on your computer before you start tweaking, just in case things go wrong.

Better safe than sorry
Before you begin tweaking Windows settings with any utility software, it's advisable to make a backup of your Windows Registry. If you encounter any problems, you can easily revert to the backup copy, recovering your account information, program settings and user preferences.

To back up the Registry in Windows 98 and Me, click on Start, then select Run and type 'scanregw' in the text box that appears. Click on OK when you receive the Backup Complete message.

Alternatively, if you are running Windows XP you can create a Windows Checkpoint to revert back to by clicking on Start, Accessories, System Tools and System Restore. Enter a name for the checkpoint and the date and time will be added automatically. Click on Next and the checkpoint is saved.

You can then tinker with your settings, secure in the knowledge that you can restore your system configurations to the checkpoint at any time.