15 useful utilities for windows 10
- Synergy (Share a mouse and keyboard across computers)
If you have more than one machine on your desk, you know it’s a pain to have multiple keyboards and mice. Synergy is a virtual KVM that works across PCs, Macs, and Linux boxes. It’s $19, but worth it.
- Spacedesk (Turn your tablet into an external monitor)
It’s well known that more screen real estate increases productivity. Given we all have tablets lying around, why not use them as an extra screen for your laptop? That’s what Spacedesk is does for you, for free.
- Reaconverter (Automatically modify images in bulk)
If have any kind of bulk image converting tasks, Reaconverter is the tool to use. You can create simple scripts and droplets that will transform entire folders nearly instantly. There’s a free version.
- KeyTweak (Customize keyboard behavior at the nano-level)
KeyTweak looks old because it’s been around for a long time. But it still works and it’s free. If you need to surgically alter your keyboard, this is the tool for you. Not for newbies.
- PC Decrapifier (Eliminate excess software)
It’s hard to believe, but PCs still come loaded with crap. PC Decrapifier has been with us for years and is still a go-to tool to clean the crap from your machine. It’s a free download.
- MysticThumbs (Display image thumbnails instead of generic icons)
The Windows desktop and File Explorer show thumbnails for some file formats, but not all. If you want to see (and customize) thumbnails for many more formats, MysticThumbs is your friend. $30. Just one snag: it has a problem displaying thumbnails from shares.
- Revo Uninstaller Pro (Uninstall stubborn apps)
At almost $40, this isn’t cheap. But if you want to cleanly remove applications from your Windows install, Revo Uninstaller Pro can save you a lot of time, and even save you from having to do a fresh install… for a while.
- Mobile Net Switch is a tool (Switch to the right network)
For those who remember NetProfileSwitch, Mobile Net Switch is a tool that’s been updated for Windows 10. As you move from network to network, it adjusts your PC’s network configuration automatically. About $30.
- Speccy (Find out what’s in your computer)
If you’ve ever needed to know your machine’s configuration (say, to find the right drivers), Speccy is the go-to product. There’s a free version that should do for most needs.
- Recover Keys (Find keys for installed products)
If you want to reinstall your system, it’s often necessary to re-register with the appropriate product key. If you can’t find your original order, the $30 Recover Keys can help.
- WinDirStat (Find what’s clogging your storage)
Why is my drive suddenly full? Ever have that happen to you? With WinDirStat, you can see all your files at a glance and easily see the clusters of files that are taking up way too much space. Oh, yeah. It’s totally free.
- Quick Assist (Avoid driving 3 hours to fix Mom’s computer)
Back in the day, there was Windows Remote Assistant. Today, Windows 10 supports Quick Assist, which will help you fix machines remotely. If both of you don’t run Windows 10, consider TeamViewer — there’s a free version.
- 7-zip (Uncompress pretty much everything)
So someone just sent you a file compressed with some odd format. Consider 7-Zip your go-to tool. It can uncompress 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP, WIM, AR, ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, CramFS, DMG, EXT, FAT, GPT, HFS, IHEX, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MBR, MSI, NSIS, NTFS, QCOW2, RAR, RPM, SquashFS, UDF, UEFI, VDI, VHD, VMDK, WIM, XAR and Z files.
- VLC (Play nearly every media format)
Affectionately known as “the cone,” VLC will play nearly any media format you can think of (and many you can’t). Plus, it’s free. You can’t beat that!
This entry was posted in
Computer. Bookmark the
permalink.