Every day, you often encounter issues with your computer. With thousands of files, hundreds of folders, and various data that can suddenly become corrupted, fail to display, or be overwritten, troubleshooting can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are many tools available that can help you resolve these issues more simply.
After thorough research, we present four types of software that can help you tackle most problems, including: file management, hard drive utilities, desktop utilities, and advanced computer efficiency tools. We selected these four categories due to their effectiveness, ease of use, robustness, and importantly, because they are FREE or very low-cost.
1. File Management:
These tools will help you organize files better than Windows Explorer can. One of my favorite products is PowerDesk 6, which is incredibly handy with many management tools for easily handling a large number of files. If you frequently send emails with large attachments, you will appreciate using MasterSplitter, which allows you to split these files into smaller parts (Remember that most email servers will refuse to send large files.)
2. Hard Drive Utilities:
These are designed to help you manage files on your hard drive and oversee the hard drives on your computer. Programs like Restoration can help you recover deleted files, while Sure Delete is software that securely deletes files so you can be sure no one can recover them.
For instance, if you sell or give away your computer and want to ensure no one can access your old files, Jv16 Power Tools will quickly solve that problem. Additionally, BootITNG helps you partition a hard drive into smaller drives for easier management. This software is truly useful for separating data files from program files. For example, if your computer has one hard drive, the C drive, that includes both installed programs and your work data, this software allows you to split them into two drives: one for storing installed software and another for your personal data.
3. Desktop Management:
This helps you manage applications—where software and newly installed programs reside on your computer. However, not all software is beneficial; some may slow down your computer or steal and monitor your personal information.
Fortunately, there are many tools available to help you control these applications and manage programs that run automatically when you start your computer. First, we have WinPatrol—this software keeps track of and alerts you to dangerous software that has been installed, allowing you to easily disable them. The second tool I want to mention is Startup Control Panel, which is simple yet useful, allowing you to decide which programs have permission to run immediately when you start your machine. Moreover, it helps keep your computer’s memory free from unnecessary programs.
4. Advanced Computer Efficiency Tools:
These tools help your computer run “smoother” by disabling unnecessary Windows settings and configurations (for instance, if you are not a web developer, why would Windows install IIS, which makes your computer bulkier?).
RAM is always a major concern as it significantly affects the speed of application loading. With Free RAM XP Pro and RamBooster, you can effectively manage your RAM and free up applications when they’re not needed.
For example, when you’re using graphic software that demands a lot of RAM, but you previously opened many other applications that you “forgot” to close, those applications linger and slow down your computer, even causing Windows to give a “blue screen” error like: Out of memory!. Free RAM and RAMBooster will help you free up those applications to make room for important programs. Cacheman is software that functions similarly to the computer cache, helping your computer read and write faster, and with Motherboard Monitor, you can check the temperature of your motherboards and receive alerts if any components are overheating.
The above is just a brief introduction to software and utilities for PCs. In future articles, we will delve into detailed descriptions of each tool. Stay tuned!
Ngoc Hai
