Mail PassView is a small tool from Nirsoft that reveals the passwords and other account details for Thunderbird, Outlook Express 2002/2003/2007, Outlook, Yahoo messenger, Gmail Notifier, etc.

Mail PassView is an extremely simple to use program, you only just want to run the program, it will list the following information: Account Name, Application, Email, Server, Server Type (POP3/IMAP/SMTP), User Name, and the Password.

Mail Password Recovery is another tiny program (10Kb) that allows you to recover your email password for any POP3 account, as long as it is stored in an email program on your desktop. It works with Outlook Express, Eudora, The Bat, Thunderbird, etc.

After running the program (Required VB6 runtime), open your email client. Open account setting, choose an account, write down your POP3 server name and replace it with 127.0.0.1 and confirm the changes. Click on Send/Receive button, password will appear in this window. After retrieving your password, change back your incoming POP3 server name.

Similarity is a free program that helps you to find and remove similar, duplicate musical files (MP3, WMA, OGG, ASF, WAV, FLAC, APE, WV) with the same or similar sound content, music tags (ID3, WMF, and Vorbis).

This program analyzes the artist, title, album information from the music tags contained in the audio files and compare these with the appropriate entries in other files.

You can adjust senility of searching criteria to find exact or similar files. In this way it is possible to identify similarly titles with smaller differences.

Anything went wrong with registry will potentially wreak havoc on the system. So before doing anything with Windows registry, it is wise to back up the registry by using Windows backup tool (All programs – System Tools – Backup). So that, at any later point you can restore it by using the same tool, if anything went wrong.

Here is a free tool WinMend Registry Defrag for defragging and cleaning windows registry. It utilizes Microsoft’s latest base level reconstruction technology that guarantees the maximum safety of your Windows operating system once the registry is rebuilt.

It can rebuild registry index safely and clear waste registry space to make it easy for Windows and other applications to find data more efficiently. As Windows registry is re-organized, you will enjoy much improved operating system performance.

This wizard interfaced program is very easy to use and support Windows 2000/XP/Vista (32-bit and 64-bit) operating systems. You can download the application from here.

For cleaning obsolete entries from registry you can always choose Ccleaner

These tools and product guides helps you to understand the power behind Bing’s search and decision engine technology, gives details about the design goals for Bing as well as interactive, step-by-step instructions for how to use the new features in everyday tasks, etc.

More information and download are available at www.discoverbing.com/behindbing/downloads.aspx [via]

Following are some of the new features of Ccleaner 2.20.920:
- Added support for Google Chrome recently closed tabs.
- Disabled removal of most recent System restores point.
- Fixed bug with Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View settings.
- Improved uninstaller support for Windows 7.
- Enhanced right-click menu options for Cleaner screen tree.
- Added right-click menu to Registry screen tree.
- Internal 64-bit improvements.

You can download Ccleaner (3.3Mb) from here/ Portable version (918Kb) from here.

Currently, Skyfire runs on Windows Mobile (smart phones and PPC) and Nokia N and E Series (Symbian S60, 3rd Edition) phones.

However right now, Skyfire officially launched in the US, Canada and UK only, but is possible to download and install it from anywhere in the world. [Via]

This tiny (95Kb) toolkit contains three components. All of them function primarily to set or clear a specific registry key that is used to detect and block download of Service Packs from Windows Update. You only need to use the component which best serves your organization’s computer management infrastructure.

This toolkit will not prevent the installation of the service pack from CD/DVD, or from the stand-alone download package. It simply prevents the service pack from being delivered over Windows Update. More information and download. [via ]

Meanwhile Windows Vista SP2 and Server 2008 are available for public download. the latest service pack supports new types of hardware and emerging hardware standards, includes all of the updates that have been delivered since SP1.
Download Window Vista /Server 2008 SP2 (32bit), SP2 (64bit)

However currently, only one-way synchronization is possible with this tool. This means that it just copies the contents of the hard disk folder to the folder on the removable drive, so changes in the folder on the drive will be discarded.

After installation, right-click on the USBsyncer icon from your system tray and choose 'Configure drive'. This will help you to set up your USB stick for synchronization. Then, choose 'Synchronize now' to perform your first synchronization.
You can download USByncer free from here

The tool is very small in size (130Kb) and required 10 MB of free hard drive space. After installing, it will sit on your system tray. Just open it and select available CD/DVD drive and move it to locked CD/DVD drive to lock it.

With the help of O&O DiskStat you can identify and dispose of unnecessary files, saving yourself valuable hard disk space in the process. It has an easy-to-use interface like Windows Explorer. So you can take a closer look at the file and folder structure of your internal and external drives.

Through intuitive and beautiful graphical representations (Doughnut, Bar or Tree-map) you will easily find out which files, file types and folders are taking up the most space. The program has full support to Windows 2000/XP and Vista (32bit and 64bit) and extremely fast in performance.

O&O DiskStat is a commercial application. Under a promotion, you can grab a FREE registration key from OO-Software. After getting your key just use the key for downloading the professional edition of O&O DiskStat.

BitDefender Chat Encryption is a free program that keeps your instant messages safe from hijacking through a simple and automatic encryption process. It protects your confidential documents and your instant messaging conversations through Yahoo! Messenger (8.1 or newer) and Windows Live (MSN) Messenger (v8.5 or newer).

To use BitDefender Chat Encryption, you just have to make sure the persons you are talking to install on their computer the same encryption tool or a BitDefender product, version 2009 or higher.

Main features of BitDefender Chat Encryption are: The tool does not require any password or other special settings. When a conversation is initiated, the encryption procedure begins automatically. Its top level encryption guarantees that only you and your contact have access to your IM conversations.

Requirements: Windows XP SP2 (32 bit), Windows Vista (32 bit), Yahoo! Messenger v8 or higher, Windows Live Messenger v8.5 or higher

The simplest method is manual backup at regular intervals on any media such as USB pen drive. Normally, these files found at C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook. (You should enable ‘show hidden files and folders’ from Windows explorer Tools menu in order to view the files). When restoring it you need to copy the files to the very same location from where you copied it earlier.

Microsoft has developed an add-on for Outlook (2003/2007) that lets you backup and restores your emails quite easily. And it reminds you at regular intervals for backup. You can get more information and download from here. After installation you can see the backup option from File menu. Just click on it to backup your mails or restore it. Click the Option to change the reminder.

Another way of email backup/restore in Outlook is by using its ‘Import and Export’ feature. Click on File menu and select ‘Import and Export’ and select ‘Export to a file’. Select ‘Comma Separated Values (DOS) and click next. Next select what you want to export such as Inbox, contacts, etc and save this, for example, on a USB pen drive. To import the CSV file, just select ‘Import and Export’ and select ‘Import from other Programs and file’ and follow the instruction.

To reset the update components automatically, just download the file from here(kb971058). Run the utility and then follow the screen instructions.

Note this Fix it Solution has two modes Default and Agressive. You should run the Fix it solution in Default mode and determine if it resolves your problem with Windows Update before running it in Agressive mode.

This program has been developed to replace Anti-malware packages and contains an useful collection of applications available to download to help a user clean their computer and keep it in excellent running condition. Many of the applications offered in the Anti-Malware packages can be found in the Anti-Malware Toolkit.

The Anti-Malware Toolkit works on 32-bit versions of Windows: 2000, XP, Vista, Server 2003, Server 2008 and Windows 7. It requires the .NET 2.0 Framework at a minimum (Windows XP/2000/2003). It is highly recommended that you install the latest .NET Framework.

These folders have names like "$NtUninstall..." and are highlighted in blue. These unnecessary folders occupy your valuable disk space and are normally difficult to remove, because they are referred to by links in the Registry.

This is where Windows XP Update Remover comes in. It makes clean removal of these folders easy. Just select an update from the list, read the information about it to see what it is, and then click Remove backup folder.

Windows XP Update Remover can also uninstall Windows updates as well. If you suspect that your computer has problems after an update, you can uninstall it. The program displays a warning before allowing you to proceed. Download Windows XP Update Remover

This technology preview program service will be always up-to-date with F-Secure transparent automatic updates and in this initial version, the malware detection capabilities are limited to detect Eicar test file, the actual database updates will be automatically delivered later during the beta program.

F-Secure Mac Protection will be include the following features: Anti-Virus, real-time Anti-Virus engine which scans files when accessed, stopping malicious content from being executed, easy to use intuitive user interface and license key provisioning through the F-Secure SMI

Users of F-Secure Mac Protection beta program gets a free one-year subscription and regular prizes who actively send feedback. More details

Take a screen shot of an active window with the keyboard shortcut key ‘Alt + Print’ and the entire desktop with Print key. You can edit this on any image editing program like Paint, Gimp for publishing on your blog by just pasting the screenshot on it.

It is designed to convert and accurately re-position all elements such as paragraphs, columns, tables, and margins upon conversion. This service is useful when you need to quickly re-purpose PDF content in Word.

PDF to Excel is another free online tool that quickly and easily creates highly-editable XLS files, making it a cinch to re-use tables and spreadsheets from PDF files in Microsoft Excel, Open Office, Google Docs, and WordPerfect Office.

Unlike other tools, PDF to Excel matches font styles, size, and colors, and wherever possible, reproduces the table appearance with borders, cell coloring, and row/column height and width.[via]

This effective program works with most email clients such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Incredimail, Windows Mail, Thunderbird, Gmail, AOL, Yahoo Mail, Windows Live Hotmail, etc.

MailWasher works directly with your email server, exactly like your email program like Thunderbird does, one important difference is you can tell MailWasher to delete a message at the server, without downloading it.

MailWasher retrieves information about all the email on the server. With that information you can decide what to do with each individual email - download, delete, report or bounce it back.

The free version supports only one account and comes with ad supports. However, this is certainly a very easy to use, powerful spam blocker software

The program weigh only 198Kb and requires no installation and has a very simple to use GUI. You just have to select the External Hard Disk, the time interval and start the xSleep mode. You can set the time interval between 1 – 20 minutes.

Moreover it also includes an 8 hour customizable working day timer (default starting time is set to 9 hour), so that you can program xSleep to operate only within a specific time slot.

xSleep is a freeware and works on all Windows versions. Windows XP users required to installed .net framework 2 on their computer. It is very useful in order to eliminate the annoying lag waiting for your external drives to spool up.

These changes are essential in order to save your battery, because Aero Glass requires substantially more graphics processing power than when it is switched off.

Windows Sidebar uses idle processing power, when the CPU should/could be in a low power state - this is not ideal for a notebook when running on battery.

Windows Vista will show warnings in the Power Options like "Your current plan may reduce battery life" or "Your current plan may reduce performance" if you use (respectively) high performance on battery or power saver when plugged in. Aerofoil can switch these two plans for you automatically so these messages will never appear.

Installation and usage: Download Aerofoil from here, unzip and install it. It will put a small configuration icon in your system tray. Just right click on it to select the options such as Enable/disable Aero Glass, Auto Sidebar and Auto Power Plan when your Notebook running on battery. This tool also provides a quick hibernate shutdown option.

GFI has now offers a free Backup and restore software to home users. It is an easy-to-use, powerful, professional and wizard-interfaced program. Main features of GFI Backup 2009 are:

1. You can backup your files, folders, registry keys, emails, user settings to any media or locations such as local folder, LAN, removable devices, USB, CD/DVD, and remote location by FTP.

2. Run as a service - GFI Backup 2009 has a service component that allows the user to run a backup even when all the users are logged off.

3. It allows open files backup by using the Volume Shadow Copy Service of Windows

4. Free plug-ins installed by default to facilitate the backup of email and rules for Microsoft Outlook , Outlook Express, Firefox, Opera, Thunderbird, Eudora and many user settings

5. Version control, incremental and differential backups to back up only new/changed files, or to delete from the current backup the files that don't exist anymore in the source location

6. Standard ZIP64 archives (unlimited in size) and self-extracting backups - It doesn't use proprietary archive formats like other backup programs do. It uses the standard Zip file format. This makes it very easy to restore data manually form the backup archive even if GFI Backup 2009 is not installed.

7. GFI Backup 2009 uses military strength 256-bit AES strong encryption to protect backed up data privacy.

8. You can select external programs to run before the backup will start or after it ends. Also there is the possibility to shut down the computer automatically after the backup task is done.

9. Users can filter selected files using filename masks, for instance users can choose to backup only .doc files in a certain folder or exclude all .exe files from another folder.

10. Detailed logs of all backup operations - GFI Backup 2009 writes local logs of all backup operations, so you can determine what was backed up, start & end times, elapsed times, summary information, operation status, possible warnings and errors.

11. Synchronize operations of your data - GFI Backup 2009 offers you a synchronization engine for staying up to date with your data.

More information and download a free copy of GFI Backup 2009 from here.

This tool is the least option to be used in case the AVG uninstallation or repair installation process has failed. It removes all parts of AVG installation on your computer, including registry items, installation and user files on your disk, etc. This is an automated, portable tool, you only need to run the tool, and it will automatically remove all entries from your PC.

All AVG user settings will be removed after the uninstallation, as well as the Virus Vault content and other item related to AVG installation and use. During the removal procedure you will be asked to restart your computer. Therefore please make sure to finish your work and to save all important data prior to AVG Remover launch.

Disabling add-ins might be useful if your Office programs are running slow with the add-ins installed, you can disable them when you are not using them and enable when using.

The program is extremely simple to use, just install and run the program, it will list all installed add-ons for MS Office with a check box against each. Check the box that you want or uncheck the add-in that you don’t need.

Finding what is slowing down your system performance is very useful for shutting down such programs for smooth working of a system. The free tool, Rubberducky, gives an average of system information at a glance, the small aquarium sits above the system tray, and elements of the aquarium represent system information.

Water level indicates RAM usage, if the water level is too high the duck will drown. If you open too many applications, your computer memory starts filling up. If the duck is drowning close some applications to improve performance.

Water color indicates swap file usage. If the water color is muddy, the computer is using too much swap files. The computer starts using swap file when it is running low on free memory. If your water color is dark close some memory intensive applications.

Bubbles indicate CPU usage. As your programs use more cpu power more bubbles appear. If there are too many bubbles, one of your programs using too much CPU. That means, it may slow down or destabilize your system.

Fish indicates network traffic. When you have fish swimming your computer is sending/receiving data. Fish moving from left to right indicate inbound traffic such as download.

Plants indicate disk activity. When the plants are waving, your computer is writing data to the hard disk. If there is too much hard disk activity, your system may slow down. The program is clean and free,you can download it from here.

PrivacyCenter is a misleading application (reported by Symantec, 2009 - May 7.) that may give exaggerated reports of threats on the installed computer. The program may be manually installed or installed though Trojan.Zlob and it affects all Windows operating systems (95 to Vista).

Removal method: You don’t need to worry about this program if you have latest, good antivirus program installed. It won’t allow either downloading or installing on your computer.

If you have already installed this rogue program, the following information may help you to remove it from your PC. 1. Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP), 2. Update the virus definitions, 3. Run a full system scan with antivirus program, 4. Delete any values added to the registry.

Detailed procedure for removing this rogue program is available from here.

When you double-click on the icon or using a shortcut key (Windows key + F11), it will resize the currently active window so the title bar is actually above the screen boundaries, thus saving those extra pixels that you don't want to waste.

When you double-click on it again it or using shortcut key (Windows key+F11) will bring back the window to its original size and position.

However for best performance you should set up your taskbar as "auto-hide". If you don't, the lower part of the window will actually be behind the taskbar. You can download the utility from code.google.com

Even though a few of modern virus scanners are comes bundled with rootkit scanner, a standalone scanner specialized in this category will be useful for most of us. It removes these types of pests and repairs manipulated drivers, registry, system files and process.

The new Panda Anti-Rootkit will be able to detect and deactivate known and unknown pests from your computer. The program is freeware and no installation required. Just unzip and run. You can also enable a deep scan (required system restart).

Features:
1. Capable of deactivating unknown rootkits. With this new version you'll be able to deactivate all rootkits. By default you'll be presented with deactivation of known rootkits plus the option to deactivate any unknown rootkits found on your system.
2. Deletes registry keys transparently. Previously it was only deleted the necessary registry keys to deactivate the rootkit and prevent it from functioning. Some leftover keys made some users worry about incomplete deactivation. Version 1.08 now transparently deletes all rootkit associated registry keys for piece of mind.
3. Cleaner interface.The new version have cleaned the results window for a more efficient use of available space. Now a mouse-over a detected object will present you with its type (file, process, ADS, registry, etc.).
4. Various improvements have also been made to the disinfection of unknown rootkits, some false positives reported by some of you, and more deactivation routines.

What does it test? It measures your browser's performance by testing its JavaScript functionality. As JavaScript is a widely used programming language for providing features such as animation, navigation, forms and other common requirements, measuring a browser’s ability to handle these JavaScript functions can evaluate its performance.

What does it NOT test? Peacekeeper is a JavaScript performance benchmark. It does not test your browser’s other features nor does it measure its security functionality. It does not check for W3C conformity, nor does it test external components such as Flash. It does not test, nor is the score influenced by, your internet connection speed or latency.

In order to show and delete installed USB devices that are not currently connected to the computer, you can use either a command prompt or a little tool USBDeview from Nirsoft.

USBDeview is a small and very easy to use utility that lists all USB devices that currently connected to your computer, as well as all USB devices that you previously used.

It will give you information such as Device name/description, device type, serial number (for mass storage devices), the date/time that device was added, etc. You can uninstall USB devices that you previously used by right clicking it, or disconnect USB devices that are currently connected to your computer.

You can also use a command line utility DevCon from Microsoft (Windows XP). This utility acts as an alternative to Device Manager and you can enable, disable, restart, update, remove, and query individual devices or groups of devices. DevCon also provides information that is relevant to the driver developer and is not available in Device Manager.

The bundled Optimizing tool lets you tweak windows startup and shutdown speed; tweak hardware to increase system speed and performance and lets turn off unnecessary system tasks.

The Cleaner section lets you find out which files or folders absorb your disk space and shown with chart. You can find and clean junk files, duplicate files, checks your registry and repair incorrectly linked registry entries, automatically remove invalid entries; etc.

With the Customization utility you can control what is started on Windows startup, tune up Windows 7 boot menu; edit context menu (right click menu) items, customize system desktop, menus, toolbar and notifications settings and automatically change desktop wallpaper on background.

This tweaking and customizing tool is suitable for professionals and non professionals alike; to use some of the utilities bundled with the tool are required more knowledge about the system. More information and download from here

[Remember that Windows7 Manager is a beta version now, you can use it free until Windows 7 final version released]

The Tweaks.com Logon Changer for Windows 7 is a freeware, portable tool that lets you customize the logon screen background with just a few clicks. It will give you the option to automatically resize and recompress the image to the highest quality possible. The original image is left untouched.

The application will prompt for the location of the new background image and then install the new screen behind the scenes. Tweaks.com Logon Changer will even provide a preview of your new background on a logon screen. When you have settled on a good logon background, click the Test button to see it in action.

If you want the default Windows 7 logon screen back just click Revert to Default Logon Screen and the application will automatically uninstall any customized screens.

The LongURL Mobile Expander uses the LongURL.org web services to let you know where shortened links really go. Just install this add-on and whenever you come across a shortened URL, just place your mouse over it, it will reveal the real URL as a popup.

For example, if you are using a cyber café or any public computer to buy something over the internet, or entered any other sensitive information into the web browser's window, you cannot be absolutely sure that this information is not cached somewhere. NeatSurf is designed to protect you in such situation.

NeatSurf is a portable application and has no interface. Just download and run NeatSurf.exe. It will start an instance of Internet Explorer (no matter whether IE is your default browser or not) and continue to run until IE browser is closed. It supports Internet Explorer 5 – 7 and Windows 2000 and XP.

As I said, you can store any number of username and password and all these information are protected with a password that you choose. Moreover, it is a portable application, which means you can securely carry your login information on a USB stick and can be use them from anywhere.

Create a directory on your hard drive or a flash drive or some other portable device that will house Secret Keeper. Extract SecretKeeper.exe from SecretKeeper.zip to that directory. Double-click on SecretKeeper.exe. At first time use, you will enter the password that you will use to gain access to the user names and passwords you will store in Secret Keeper.

Installing backgrounds ranging from your favorite Football player to Hollywood stars is just a matter of seconds. You can even install your own photos on your browser. Just install the extension, restart your browser and enjoy the new backgrounds.

To add your own background image, right click the button show at the bottom right section of your screen and click on ‘Browse Background’. Now you can add a collection of photos by clicking on ‘Add new collection’ or can add any image into any collection by clicking on “Add’ button after selecting a ‘Collection”.

Don’t forget to resize the image according to your screen size before adding it to the extension.

Firstly create a Personal Secure Email Certificate from Comodo. Backup this certificate. To backup, if you are using Firefox browser, follow the instruction. After Installing Comodo certificate;

1. Open your browser (Firefox 3). Click Tools menu, then Options – Advanced – View Certificate – Your Certificate.

2. You should see your certificate there. Select this and click on Backup button to backup using any password. (See image for confirmation).

Installing and Using your Secure Email Certificate with Thunderbird (2.0.0.12)
Assigning your Certificate to your email account:

1. Open Thunderbird
2. Select Tools from and select Options from drop down menu
3. In dialog box that appears select ‘Advanced’ tab and click on the ‘View Certificates’ and click on ‘Import’ under ‘Your certificate’.

Browse to the location where you save PKCS12 file. Enter any password. Next, enter the password that you used when back up the file. Once complete the certificate will appear and you will be able to digitally sign e-mails you send out.

Encrypting and Signing a single Email: Encrypting email will only work if you have added a digitally signed email to your address book from the person you want to encrypt the email with.

1. Compose your email and attach files as usual.
2. Ensure the recipient has a Digital Certificate and you have assigned the Certificate to their entry in your contacts area (if encrypting required)
3. Choose ‘Security’ settings and click "Digitally Signing this Message" and follow the screen instructions.

Signing and Encrypting as default.
1. Open Thunderbird
2. Select Tools from menu
3. Select Account Settings from drop down menu
4. In dialog box that appears select Security tab
5. Select the appropriate certificates you wish to Sign and/or Encrypt your mails. Note that the same certificate does not have to be used for both options.

i-Vault maintains all these data under 256 bit industry standared encryption systems to keep your information safe from curious eyes and protect against the very latest key-logging programs.

Main features of Comodo i-Vault are: Instantly login to your favorite websites and applications, Single point of storage for all your confidential information, 256 bit encryption, Secure Password Generator, Supports for multiple users on a single machine, and Anti Keylogging feature.

i-Vault is simple to use with its drag n drop interface. You can download i-Vault and get a free license key to activate the software from Comodo.