This listing of utilities are those which I consider to be most beneficial to the user. Where the origin of the utility is shareware there are considerable benefits to be gained in purchasing a registered copy as the demo or trial versions invariably do not provide all of the registered copy functions.

Norton System Works - Is an exceptional tool for the novice and experienced user of information technology and enables the user to keep and maintain his computer and its installed software in correct functional order.

Norton Anti Virus - An anti-virus program is essential to scan your computer drives and network to prevent a virus from corrupting your system (included in Norton System Works)

Norton Personal Firewall - A firewall is essential when browsing the internet to prevent hackers from placing a virus and/or gaining entry to destroy your system and its configuration.

Computer Associates - eTrust® Internet Security Suite provides comprehensive protection against viruses, hackers, identity thieves, spyware, spam, offensive web sites, and other online threats that can jeopardize your privacy, your data, and your PC's performance. It combines easy-to-use, business-strength technology with preconfigured settings and automatic updates that take the guesswork out of PC security.

Adsubtract Pro - Is a program which filters out advertisements, animations, pop-up windows, cookies, background images/music, etc from appearing when browsing the internet.

Spy Sweeper - Spyware infects 9 out of 10 Internet connected PCs and has eclipsed viruses as the #1 threat to online privacy. The consequences of unidentified spyware can include identity theft, computer corruption and bombardment from pop-up ads. Spyware can easily bypass anti-virus and firewall protection by piggybacking on legitimate downloads to stealthily install on your system without your knowledge. Spyware programs are deeply rooted applications that intertwine with core system functions to make manual removal without system disruption nearly impossible for most PC users.

Spybot - This is one of the best spyware search and destroy programs available and used in conjunction with Spy Sweeper provides the best available protection against spyware

SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed.

SpywareGuard - SpywareGuard provides a real-time protection solution against spyware that is a great addition to SpywareBlaster's protection method.

Ie-Spyad - Is an internet registery file which adds a long list of known advertisers, marketers and spyware pushers to the restricted sites of internet explorer. (does not work with netscape)

Mailwasher - Check your accounts with MailWasher Pro first, and delete or bounce the e-mail you do not want. Then, when you use your e-mail program, it downloads only the emails which you want.

Window Washer - Wash away all traces of your PC and Internet activity and improve system performance.

MSGTAG - Used in conjunction with outlook express and other mail programs msgtag alerts you when the receipent reads your mail.

Benign - Used in conjunction with Mailwasher Pro is a system for processing and filtering email as it is downloaded. The aim of the processing and filtering operations is to remove a number of potential risks to the user's privacy and security, including (but not limited to) web bugs, scripting viruses, worms, and trojans, and other potentially malicious content.

GetRight - Is a download manager to help you download files from the internet it allows you to easily download files and recover (resume downloading) if errors occur and has many other advanced features.

WinZip - This a must have utility if you download files from the internet.

Acrobat Reader - A lot of information and tutorials are in PDF format and you need this to read them.

ACDSee - Is a digital imaging utility that will provide basic and complex functions similar to Photoshop and PaintShop Pro at considerably less cost.

PcPitstop - Diagnose and tune up your PC and discover other useful computing information at this web site.

Fonts - This useful utility allows you to view and manage the screen and printer fonts on your PC.

Add/Remove Plus 2004 - An easier and better way to uninstall programs in windows operating systems XP/2000/NT/Me/98/95.

WhatsOnMyComputer - What`s On My Computer is a unique web search program that is intended to find information about files, documents, registry entries and programs installed on your computer. It enables you to gather online intelligence for just about anything you can put your mouse on.

Web Album - Create a digital photo web album using this free application, automatic thumbnails, resize your photographs and create a highly customable presentation.

Snagit - SnagIt is a screen capture program that allows you to capture an exact copy of anything that appears on your Windows screen.

jv16 Power Tools - jv16 PowerTools is basically the tool for your computer. Until now your computer might have been the one who was in charge, but with jv16 PowerTools you can take control. The program contains all the tools you need for cleaning, controlling and tuning up your computer. Including a registry cleaner, duplicate file finder, temp file finder and much much more! Not suitable for the novice user.

AIDA32 - New version of the multilingual professional system information tools "AIDA16" and "AIDA32". Not suitable for the novice user.

Xteq X-Setup - This tweaking utility is one of the most comprehensive system configuration utilities I have come across to-date, Not suitable for the novice user.

Advanced System Optimizer - Advanced System Optimizer v2 is a powerful, easy-to-use system performance and optimization suite. Its 30+ tools let you supercharge your PC's performance. You can enhance your security, beautify and optimize Windows, tweak Windows settings, customize your screens, and make Windows work the way you want it to.

RegRun Security Suite - RegRun NIVA is excellent tool kit for protecting your computer against viruses or Trojans or spyware or Adware parasites. The NIVA uses the newest technology in the world. Fight with the bad guys by the most powerful weapon. Not suitable for the novice user.

Diskeeper - Built-in defragmenters are slow, labor intensive and use too much of your computers system resources to keep up with the performance demands of today's computing needs. Ultimately they don't get used. Running Diskeeper is like hiring an expert to constantly monitor and maintain your system's maximum performance.

Ace Utilities - Tools like Registry Cleaner, Disk Cleaner, Duplicate File Finder, Internet History Eraser, Startup Manager, etc.

Windows - Tips for improving your PC performance on operating systems, windows 95/98/ME, NT, XP/2000 plus general troubleshooting tips.

Operating Systems - Windows XP Home and Professional Service Configurations

Major Geeks - This web site contains links to downloads for an unbelievable number of utilities and is one of the major sites I use to update my utilities collection.

Startup List - For your computer to run effectively and efficiently you should have 70% plus system resources available immediately after starting the computer. After using the system for a while the resources will fluctuate this is normal. To determine the total resources your computer is utilizing first restart Windows. Once back into Windows click Start then click on Run, type in msconfig and click on OK. Once the window opens up, click on Help then About System Configuration Utility. See also Answers That Work Task List Programs

Disk Investigator - Helps you to discover all that is hidden on your computer hard disk. It can also help you to recover lost data.

Technical Support - A Guide to the Web's Best Technical Support Resources.

Driver Guide - Your guide to finding device drivers.

Windows Support Centre - Check out this site for the best knowledge base to using and supporting Microsoft Desktop Systems :-

Windows 95, 98 & ME and Leading Application Software

Freeware - Freeware World Team site which lists more than 13,000 freeware programs by category.