Free Programs

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"Stardock BootSkin is a program that allows users to change their Windows 2000 and Windows XP boot screens. Unlike other programs that can change the Windows XP boot screens, BootSkin does so in a safe manner. It doesn't patch the Windows XP kernel. Nor does it require the user to download replacement Windows XP kernels to do so. This has 2 advantages: 1) Boot screens that use BootSkin are typically under 20K compared to other boot screen programs whose files are over 2 MEGABYTES. 2) There is no risk of having your system unable to boot due to a corrupted file or after applying a service pack." --Stardock.com

4/5 stars

5/5 stars

ClearTweak View Screenshot

"While sub-pixel font rendering (ClearType) is an amazing experience to be cherished, No LCD screen is created equal. Even if you have the feature enabled for your monitor, it may not be optimized for the way your hardware was built. Tweak it clear - your eyes will thank you." --Chris.Pirillo.com

4.5/5 stars

4/5 stars

4.7/5 stars

Cursor XP View Screenshot

The CursorXP library can be found here

"Stardock CursorXP is a program that lets you use and create incredibly cool looking Windows mouse cursors. It does this by taking advantage of the new visual effects features of Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

4/5 stars

Custom Mess View Screenshot

4/5 stars

Folder2MyPC View Screenshot

"The root of "My Computer" displays hardware and a few select folders. Now, you can actually select the folders that show up here. Consider this method an easier way of getting to your favorite or most frequently accessed folders."

--Chris.Pirillo.com

5/5 stars

FolderGuide View Screenshot

"a handy shell extension that allows you to quickly access a list of your favorite folders from the Explorer right-click menu. You can easily switch to a folder from within Windows Explorer, the Open/Save dialogs of applications, or directly from your desktop or the Start button. New folders can simply be added to the list via the right-click menu, or from the Settings dialog. Folder Guide also includes an option to launch folders in Explore mode when they are opened directly from your desktop or Start button right-click menu." --Snapfiles.com

4.5/5 stars

Launchy View Screenshot

"A free windows utility designed to help you forget about your start menu, the icons on your desktop, and even your file manager.

Launchy indexes the programs in your start menu and can launch your documents, project files, folders, and bookmarks with just a few keystrokes!" --Sourceforge.net

	Mess Patch View Screenshot
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	"Allows you to patch Windows Live Messenger 8.0.0689 Beta with the following options: enable polygamy, install custom games, disable nudges, remove add contact label, remove msn search bar, remove banner ad, remove msn today button, fix nickname length, remove white (text ad) space from conversation windows, distinguish Idle from Away status (English version only), remove MSN logo (from main and conversation window), remove premium services (what's hot), remove conversation window search button, remove email button, remove my space button, remove all contact card buttons, disable nudge protection, remove user is writing message, remove Winks/packs and more." --Mess.be

	MiniMIZE View Screenshot
	"When you normally minimize a window, it shows up in the Taskbar and is relatively information-neutral (other than the program's title and/or icon). miniMIZE maximizes your minimizes by shrinking the minimized program to a tiny screen shot on your desktop. Compelling, clever." --Chris.Pirillo.com

iColorFolder View Screenshot

The iColorFolder skins can be found here

"Are you a visual learner, too? Here's an open source utility that'll enable you to easily change the icon of any folder. Again, this makes it easier to see where you're going inside of the Explorer. "I remember the icon is blue," is easier than trying to flip through folder names. This shell extension was partially inspired by the use of labels on the Mac." --Chris.Pirillo.com

4.2/5 stars

4/5 stars

Logon Studio View Screenshot

The LogonStudio library can be found here

"Allows you to customize the Windows XP logon and shutdown screens, by choosing from a variety of theme designs. The program include 3 designs and many others can be freely downloaded. Includes an option to restore your default screens. LogonStudio is free, but not supported by the developers." --Snapfiles.com

4/5 stars

3/5 stars

4/5 stars

Stardock LogonStudio Vista View Screenshot

The LogonStudio library can be found here

"allows you to customize the Vista logon screen, by choosing from a variety of theme designs. The program includes a few sample designs and many others can be freely downloaded. Includes an option to restore your default screen."

--Snapfiles.com

3/5 stars

Switcher View Screenshot

"Switcher allows users to manage multiple program windows in Windows Vista by arranging thumbnails of them at the top of the screen, and is accessible via hot keys.

Version 2.0.0.2705 you can now close windows during a session (default shortcut Alt+F4 or middle-click a window),Added Grid View which arranges windows in a grid,Reorganized settings into tabs. " --Download.com

5/5 stars

LiteStep View Screenshot

The LiteStep library can be found here

As an alternative to resource-hogging 'WindowBlinds', "LiteStep replaces the standard Windows Explorer shell with its own more customizable shell. You don't change the Windows operating system at all. You just change the interface you use to interact with it. Your standard Windows interface will act the same (open, close, launch, print, save, maximize, and so on), but look a lot different." --TechTV

4/5 stars

5/5 stars

ObjectDock View Screenshot

The LogonStudio library can be found here

"A program that acts as both a task manager and a program launcher. Users can customize the look of each item on the dock and set various animation options for when the mouse is over an item on the dock. It is very easy to configure. Version 1.04 now enables uesrs to have its auto-activation ignore full screen games." --Download.com

4/5 stars

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TaskSwitchXP View Screenshot

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"A replacement for the standard Windows task switcher dialog (Alt+Tab), which has remained virtually unchanged since Windows 95. It provides the same functionality, and adds visual styles to the dialog and also enhances it by displaying small screenshots of the application in addition to the associated icon. The dialog can also be customized on a per-user basis with optional font settings , transparency and more. (Open Source)" --Snapfiles.com

5/5 stars

UberIcon View Screenshot

"Visually speaking, Windows is bland - not even vanilla flavored. There's no feedback one receives after double-clicking on an icon. This tool turns on either visual "zoom out" or "bounce" feedback when you act upon an
icon (file, folder, etc.)." --Chris.Pirillo.com

5/5 stars

Visual Tooltip View Screenshot

"An application launcher that hides along the edge of your screen and reveals an attractive, alpha blended and animated launchpad when you hover your mouse over the area. You can drag and drop shortcuts into RocketDock, assign custom icons and choose from different interface themes. The position of the menu can be customized along with the optional icon label font and auto-hide behavior. RocketDock includes more than a dozen skins and is also compatible with MobyDock, ObjectDock, RK Launcher, and Y`z Dock skins. "

--Snapfiles.com

3.86/5 stars

4/5 stars

Windows Live Messenger Plus! View Screenshot

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"Messenger Plus! Live is an add-on for Windows Live Messenger which adds lots of features and extras that make your instant messenger easier, more useful or just tons more entertaining." --Snapfiles.com

Xentient Thumbnails View Screenshot

A simply and effective utility that replaces your generic image file icons with thumbnails icons of the actual image. After installing the software, your images can be be much easier recognized by simply looking at the icon. It works in List and Details view of Windows Explorer, as well as desktop icons. Xentient Thumbnails supports all popular image formats, including JPG, JPE, JPEG, JP2, J2K, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIF TIFF, and others." --Snapfiles.com

4/5 stars

XPize View Screenshot

"A GUI enhancer for Windows XP and above. It replaces most of the non-XP icons, avis and bmps that Microsoft has always overlooked. The installer simply automates the process of replacing resources in critical system files, making your XP's look better. It also includes some extras and a reloader, which you can use after visiting Windows Update. XPize does not contain any spyware or ad-ware of any kind. If you are not satisfied with the results, you can completely uninstall XPize. XPize is compatible with any version (except x64) and any language of Windows XP (Home, Pro & MCE) and 2003."

--MajorGeeks.com

Note: Requires Microsoft .NET Framework

4.5/5 stars

Yahoo! Widget Engine View Screenshot

(formerly "Konfabulator")

The Konfabulator library can be found here

"A JavaScript runtime engine for Windows and Mac OS X that lets you run little files called Widgets that can do pretty much whatever you want them to. Widgets can be alarm clocks, calculators, can tell you your WiFi signal strength, will fetch the latest stock quotes for your preferred symbols, and even give your current local weather.

What sets Konfabulator apart from other scripting applications is that it takes full advantage of today's advanced graphics. This allows Widgets to blend fluidly into your desktop without the constraints of traditional window borders. Toss in some sliding and fading, and these little guys are right at home in Windows XP and Mac OS X.

The format for these Widgets is completely open and easy to learn so creating your own Widgets is an extremely easy task.

For the "skinning" crowd, Konfabulator is a dream come true. You can easily change the look, feel, layout, even functionality of a Widget so that it matches your lifestyle, your desktop, or the pants or skirt you have on that day."

--Widgets.Yahoo.com

4/5 stars

4.59/5 stars

5/5 stars

Windowpaper XP View Screenshot

"Windowpaper XP lets you customize the background of your folders with wallpapers in the same way, you can customize your desktop. It allows you to select a custom background image for any folder you want, specify the font color (to make it stick out) and instantly preview the results. Very easy to use, neat tool for those that like to customize their workspace."

--Snapfiles.com

3.86/5 stars

3/5 stars

4.1/5 stars

3/5 stars

XNeat Window Manager View Screenshot