Tips, Tricks, and Answers

The following articles are available for the 'Utilities' topic. Click the article''s title (shown in bold) to see the associated article.

    Agent Ransack
If you need to search the contents of files fast, Agent Ransack is a tool worth having. It searches through multiple directories for content you specify and returns its results in a flash.

    AutoHotKeys
AutoHotKeys is a great multi-purpose utility that covers the spectrum from allowing you to define shortcut keys for often-used programs to developing scripts that assist you in your everyday activities like spell checking, keyword expansion, etc. It can really boost your productivity!

    AutoRuns
Would you like to have one place to go in order to see what all programs are starting when your system starts or when you logon? If so, AutoRuns is what you've been waiting for.

    Available RAM Slots
Upgrading the memory on your Windows 10 computer can be helpful in improving sluggishness. Determining the number of available memory slots is simple with Windows 10.

    Cathy
Cathy is a small utility that lets you catalog network and external media for fast searching. It's handy if you have a lot of data 'out there' and aren't quite sure where it exists.

    Changing Explorer Navigation Controls
Every time Windows updates the operating system, it seems that they leave out or remove something that somebody loved in the previous version. If you want to add some great control back into Windows, you'll appreciate the two utilities mentioned in this tip.

    Commands for Better Dictation
The Dictation feature in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update provides a quick way to enter text without typing. Knowing certain voice commands will improve your experience.

    ConFavor
Navigating to favorite files or folders need not be a time waster of click through a tree structure. ConFavor makes this type of navigation a thing of the past by providing you with your favorites at the click of the mouse.

    CutePDF Writer
CutePDF Writer is an extremely versatile utility that allows you to create PDF files from virtually any application that permits you to print. When you want to create a PDF file, you simply choose CutePDF Writer as the printer and you'll quickly have a PDF version of your document.

    DesktopOK
Are you frustrated by your desktop icons moving around whenever you change your screen resolution or use Remote Desktop? You'll be pleased with the simple but effective functionality of DesktopOK.

    Dropbox
If you have more than one device and want to easily move files between them, Dropbox is the utility of choice. It provides a way to painlessly share information through the cloud.

    Enabling Speech to Text Dictation
With Dictation feature in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you can quickly say what you want and have Windows 10 transcribe what you say into text anywhere on your PC.

    Everything
If you want to be able to find any file on your hard disk in just seconds, Everything is a utility you'll find invaluable. Here's a quick description of what it can do for you.

    Focus On Your Tasks
Distractions can cause unfortunate delays in completing projects and tasks. With Focus Assist you can easily block out possible distractions.

    Getting Cortana to Listen to You
Talking to your computer can save you time and help get you the information you need faster. With the proper setup you can have the Windows 10 personal digital agent, Cortana, listen for you automatically and help get things done faster.

    Getting Started with Continue on PC
In todays on-the-go lifestyle, we tend to have multiple electronic devices. Easily being able to connect our devices can enable us to continue our work from one device to another.

    How to Password Protect a File or Folder via Zip
If you routinely create ZIP files, you may want to add some protection to those files. This tip shows how easy it is to add that extra layer of security using a utility called 7-zip.

    KeePass Password Safe
If you feel overwhelmed by the number of usernames and passwords you have to remember, KeePass Password Safe is your answer. You can lock away all your sensitive information and only have to remember one password to unlock them all.

    Launchy
Launchy is a small utility that packs a powerful punch. It allows you to instantly find files and launch them without ever moving your hands off the keyboard.

    Lock Your Computer With Your Phone
Sometimes you have to get up quickly from your computer before you have time to lock it. With a paired phone and Dynamic Lock enabled, Windows 10 allows you to leave your computer and have it automatically locked for you.

    M8 Free Clipboard
If you've ever found it tedious to do copy/paste with one piece of information at a time, you'll really like M8 Free Clipboard. With it you can copy up to 25 clips and paste them at will. You may not need to deal with multiple clips every day, but when you need to it's great to have this in your toolbox

    Monitoring Data Usage
With Windows 10 you can easily see how your data is being used. Even if you are not on a metered data plan, it can be helpful to know how your computer is consuming your data.

    Process Explorer
Process Explorer is a very well built utility that does a lot, from helping you with performance analysis to finding the process that has an undeletable file locked. You may not use it every day, but when you need it it's great to have in your toolbox.

    Quickly Format a USB Drive with File Explorer
USB flash drives are a very helpful addition to store and transfer data. Discover how to format a USB drive using File Explorer.

    Scanning and Fixing System Files
Is your system running a bit flakey at times? If you think the culprit might be a problem with some of your system files, here's a built-in utility you can call into action.

    Setting an Alarm
By using the alarm capabilities of Windows, you can make sure you never miss another important time again. This tip shows you how.

    Setting Data Usage Limits
Windows 10 allows you to set Data Usage limits for your computer. This is helpful when your computer has a metered internet connection.

    SyncToy
SyncToy allows you to keep multiple pairs of folders in sync. This means it can also serve as a decent file-backup utility. The synchronization can be done through a GUI or scheduled to run as an unattended task every day.

    Toggl
If you want a simple, unobtrusive time-tracking utility to keep track of time you spend on various tasks, Toggl is the utility for you. This tip provides an overview of the software.

    Understanding Process Monitor
A very useful tool in diagnosing what is going on with processes and/or files is the Process Monitor tool from Sysinternals. This tip introduces you to it.

    Use Cmd to Find Your Computer Serial Number
You can access your computer's serial number without looking all over on the outside of the box. Use the Command prompt to easily look up the serial number for your computer.

    Using Maps
Offline maps is a useful app if you want to look someplace up or get directions. This tip explains how to use these maps.

    Using Microsoft Fix It
Got a program on your system that you can't get rid of? Here's a handy little program that Microsoft provides that may be able to finally remove it.

    Using N.R.S. Ghost Control
Ghost Control is a nice utility when you need to save your keystrokes and mouse movements while doing repetitive tasks. This tip shows you how to use it.

    Using Process Monitor
A very useful tool in diagnosing what is going on with processes and/or files is the Process Monitor tool from Sysinternals. This tip presents three scenarios where the use of Process Monitor provides valuable insights about the activity occurring on your system.

    Using Reliability Monitor
Reliability Monitor provides some measure of how stable your system is. It does this by noting, over time, various types of failures and comes up with a stability index you can view. This tip explains how to use Reliability Monitor.

    Using Resource Monitor
Maximizing your system's performance is an ongoing activity that requires in-depth knowledge of various components. Resource Monitor helps by providing key metrics about your system as it is running. Tuning your system is beyond the scope of this tip, but the Resource Monitor provides a good start of where to look.

    WizMouse
WizMouse was developed with one goal in mind: scroll the window under the mouse wheel even if it's not the active window. It works.

    WizTree
Need to find out which files are hogging the most space on your hard drives? The WizTree utility can analyze your drives very quickly and show you where your space is going.

    Xplorer2
If Windows Explorer or File Explorer leaves you wanting more from a file management utility, you might want to give Xplorer2 a try. It is feature-rich with virtually no learning curve.