Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
To show gratitude to you, all of our terrific readers, I wanted to present you with a really cool download for the holidays. I initially had a few downloads in mind for this week which ended up leading me on a long and seemingly fruitless search. I just couldn’t find exactly what I wanted, not without it being shareware anyway. Eventually I found myself on the Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP (list of add-on programs created by Microsoft for the Windows XP operating system) page where I noticed that Microsoft had recently updated the PowerToys list by adding some new applications. I was very impressed by the new editions and changes Microsoft incorporated on this update. So impressed that before I knew it I had made up my mind. I had found my Download of the Week Holiday Edition.
I have showcased individual programs from the PowerToys list in the past programs such as the Virtual Desktop Manager or CD Slideshow Generator, which are both outstanding programs. This week however you guys hit the mother load with 15 free applications from Microsoft that will add features, functionality, and even a little bit of excitement to your XP experience. Who knows, this may even help to slice through the cabin fever this winter. So with no further adieux I present to you, our readers and Worldstart friends, the Microsoft PowerToys line up for Winter 2005:
Color Control Panel Applet
Professional-level photographers and designers know that getting consistent, accurate color from file to screen to print and beyond is a requirement for great results. This new tool helps you manage Windows color settings in one place. Download or learn more.
SyncToy
With new sources of files coming from every direction (such as digital cameras, e-mail, cell phones, portable media players, camcorders, PDAs, and laptops), SyncToy can help you copy, move, and synchronize different directories. Download or learn more.
RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer
Are you a serious photographer? Now you can organize and work with digital RAW files in Windows Explorer (much as you can with JPEG images). This tool provides thumbnails, previews, printing, and metadata display for RAW images. Download or learn more.
ClearType Tuner
This PowerToy lets you use ClearType technology to make it easier to read text on your screen, and installs in the Control Panel for easy access.
HTML Slide Show Wizard
This wizard helps you create an HTML slide show of your digital pictures, which you can then place directly on your Web site.
Open Command Window Here
This PowerToy adds an “Open Command Window Here” context menu option on file system folders, giving you a quick way to open a command window (cmd.exe) pointing at the selected folder.
Alt-Tab Replacement
With this PowerToy, in addition to seeing the icon of the application window you are switching to, you will also see a preview of the page. This helps particularly when multiple sessions of an application are open.
Tweak UI
This PowerToy gives you access to system settings that are not exposed in the Windows XP default user interface, including mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more.
Version 2.10 requires Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2003.
Power Calculator
With this PowerToy you can graph and evaluate functions as well as perform many different types of conversions.
Image Resizer
This PowerToy enables you to resize one or many image files with a right-click.
CD Slide Show Generator
With this PowerToy you can view images burned to a CD as a slide show. The Generator works downlevel on Windows 9x machines as well.
Virtual Desktop Manager
Manage up to four desktops from the Windows taskbar with this PowerToy.
Taskbar Magnifier
Use this PowerToy to magnify part of the screen from the taskbar.
Webcam Timershot
This PowerToy lets you take pictures at specified time intervals from a Webcam connected to your computer and save them to a location that you designate.
Click here for all Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP downloads.
So there you have it. And, of course, you don’t have to download all of the PowerToys.The choice is up to you as it’s a-la cart. Just grab the ones you want and leave the others. With this impressive list of Windows add-ons everyone is sure to find at least find one PowerToy that catches their eye. I love my Virtual Desktop Manager. It is THE desktop tool for multitasking. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the downloads. It’s always a pleasure 🙂
~Chad Stelnicki