Getting more from XP

Even a comprehensive 1.5Gb operating system like Windows XP leaves out some useful functions, like MP3 encoding.

You'll look in vain for tools to configure context menus, optimise memory and securely delete other users' files. Many of Windows XP's system settings can only be altered by hacking the Registry, which goes against the principle of ease of use.

Microsoft offers some extras for about £25 (ex. VAT) in its Plus! for Windows XP package. This consists mostly of features like games, desktop themes and voice control of Windows Media Player. Users have to pay for a full MP3 encoder, or other system tools like Norton Utilities 2002.

But many useful professional tools can be found, often for free, on the internet. vnunet.com's sister publication PC Magazine presents a roundup of the latest utilities for Windows XP.

RAM Idle Professional 1.2
Shareware www.tweaknow.com

The well-known utility RAM Idle is now available in a Professional version for Windows 2000 and XP. This program for optimising system memory now displays free Ram in the task bar and makes it possible to free up a certain amount of memory with a key press.

This utility requires just 388Kb of memory and can be activated or deactivated using hot keys. The ability to define a timetable where the program frees 24Mb of Ram every three minutes, is very handy.

New in this version is the graphical representation of memory use, I/O Page Lock Limit optimisation and optimisation of read-ahead settings.

You can also configure RAM Idle to free up a specified amount of memory before launching a particular application. The ease of use makes this a valuable utility for all users running memory-intensive applications.

Necrofile
Freeware www.necrocosm.com

Necrofile promises greater protection from possible espionage. It fixes a defect of which many users are completely unaware: as files deleted by Windows are only removed from the system logically and not physically, 'deleted' files can be restored using suitable recovery programs. This is particularly dangerous where sensitive data is concerned.

This program overwrites the apparently deleted clusters with dummy data to avoid restoration. However, overwriting the clusters just once is often not enough.

To be completely sure that your files have been deleted, the tool should be used several times. Using the Clean Files function, it can also erase existing files and folders st that they cannot be restored, cutting out the need to use the Windows Recycle Bin.

As this freeware program supports FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS file systems, it can be used with all versions of Windows. It's very important that you don't save any data or start any programs while Necrofile is running.

If it terminates unexpectedly, this can lead to a loss rather than gain of disk space, as buffer files ending with 'J' remain in the root directory. This can, however, be fixed quite easily using the Safe-T-Net function.

Fast Explorer 2001 R4
Freeware thesoftpro.tripod.com

If you've ever wanted to put your own entries into Windows' context menus, you can now do so without detailed knowledge of the Registry. Fast Explorer 2001 makes this possible with an easy-to-use interface.

After a few steps, new menu entries can be created and associated with particular, all or unknown file types. Fast Explorer allows both static and dynamic entries. You can create new sub-menus with entries that start a process with different options.

In addition, you can add text hints and add bitmap backgrounds to menus. Fast Explorer 2001 is only 170Kb in size. When the program starts, it reads the existing menu configurations from the Registry and then automatically inserts your new configurations to the Registry database, so that they can be used by Windows.

Magic Folders XP
Shareware pc-magic.com

The Fast User Switching function in Windows XP conceals the danger that other users with the right know-how might be able to look at your personal data.

A solution to this problem is offered by Magic Folders XP, as it allows you to make files and folders invisible to other users, and to protect them with a password. However, Windows' system folders can't be protected.

During installation of Magic Folders XP you are required to supply a master password, an emergency password and to nominate a hotkey to start the program.

Then you can start the utility, for example, with Ctrl+Alt+A key combination and then drag and drop the folders that you want to be hidden into a Magic Folders list. If you leave the program as hidden, all the folders in the relevant list become invisible.

An integrated password administrator both encrypts and hides the passwords that have been entered. You can also configure Magic Folders for a number of different users via the user administrator.

Active Ports 1.1
Freeware www.Ntutility.com/freeware.html

Microsoft lays particular emphasis in Windows XP on a high degree of integration with internet functions. However, one wrong mouse click and you're connected to a remote Microsoft server. Some programs, such as the Auto Update function, even make a connection without a mouse click.

Active Ports 1.1 supports Windows XP as well as NT and 2000, and ensures more transparency and security with all forms of online activity. The software keeps an eye on all open TCP/IP and UDP ports on the local computer.

Active Ports 1.1 makes it easier to spot Trojans and backdoors by checking which applications are opening which ports.

In an emergency, any connection for which a local and a remote IP address are displayed can be shut down straight away. You can always keep an eye on the ports by selecting the always on top option. The software allows ports to be checked repeatedly at high, normal or low priority.

Easy MP3 to Wave Decoder 1.1
Shareware www.mediamatrixes.com

If you have any MP3 files and need to burn them onto an audio CD, then you'll need an MP3 decoder that creates WAV files. Easy MP3 to Wave Decoder 1.1 supports MP3, MP2 and Xing VBR. This program offers a manual batch mode, but also automatically converts all entries in M3U and PLS format play lists.

We found this utility to be both stable and fast. It only requires a few system resources which means that it can easily run in the background. The unregistered version is limited to a file length of five minutes.

WAV to MP3 Encoder 1.5
Adware www.mthreedev.com

WAV to MP3 Encoder 1.5 offers complete, free MP3 support. The encoder allows unlimited numbers of WAV files to be converted in batch mode at 40 bit rates between eight and 320K/bits. Before the actual encoding the preview function allows an impression of exactly what result the chosen settings will give.

Being able to specify the target file size is extremely useful. You can quickly find the best bit rate at which a whole CD will still fit on the small 32Mb MP3 player. Ease of use is ensured by an Explorer-like GUI with drag-and-drop functionality.

If the encoder refuses to start, displaying error 339, this is because the file MSCOM CTL.OCX is missing. It is, however, available from the vendor's website and simply has to be copied to the Windows/System directory.

After this, the encoder is quick and stable. Our only gripe is that the SaveNow spyware component is installed on your system even if you abort the installation program.

Turbo-Zip 4.2
Shareware www.filestream.com

If you find that XP's file compression system is too slow and unwieldy, then Turbo-Zip 4.2 offers a practical alternative. As well as formats like Zip, JAR, CAB and ARJ, the tool opens Unix Z and TAR archives and handles BinHex and Mime formats.

When creating Zip, JAR, UUE and EXE archives, this particular utility will, if required, add comments and passwords. The Autobackup function can be used to compress files and directories at specified times without user intervention.

The compression filter and factors like the encryption method are configurable. The three-paned interface is intuitive and makes Turbo-Zip 4.2 very simple to use. The viewer pane allows you to see a file's contents or compressed directories and will even display multimedia content such as AVI files.

Antexp 2.0
Shareware www.elcomsoft.com/antexp.html

Antexp stands for Advanced NT Security Explorer and is suitable for sniffing out passwords which can be worked out too easily by anyone using hacking tools. Administrators can use Antexp to plug loopholes in network computers' password administration.

After analysing the password hash values, the utility works out the corresponding password text. On a 166MHz Pentium the program tests up to 65,000 passwords in less than a second. The shorter the time that the program requires for the hack, the less secure the password.

This particular utility can also be run over a network on another computer. If the process has to be interrupted, the program allows the process to be started again at the same point.

Filecompair 1.0
Freeware www.ugexe.virtualave.net

Filecompair 1.0 has proved itself to be a very handy little software package for comparing seemingly identical files. First of all, the program checks the size and then all of the selected files' binary code.

In standard mode you simply specify the file names and paths and click the Compare button to start. However, according to the system configuration and the file sizes, the comparison can take quite a long time as the program uses full, not partial, checksums.

Another comparative test method can also be chosen: the direct comparison of two files, working out a file's checksum and the test of whether a checksum goes with a particular file. It's also very good that Filecompair 1.0 consists of a single 600Kb EXE file and doesn't add any Registry entries.

See also:

Microsoft sets date for XP service pack

First update available from 9 September  02 Sep 2002

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