Three from ajua Software

ajuaonline.com is home to three useful freeware apps by a Systems Automation Engineering student.

VistaTweaker 0.5 beta from is a tweaking utility designed to make Vista run the way you want. It features different tweaks organized into tabs: System, UI, IE, software, performance, network. The simple interface also provides explanations for the settings.

Launch 1.0 runs any executable file, including *.MSU and *.MSP. It comes with U3 and MSI installers. It is quick, compact, and accepts drag & drop.

ServiceTweaker 1.0 Beta, released just recently, is a management application for Windows services that gives full control over services. It helps free up resources and speeds up loading times at startup.

TweakNow RegCleaner

Voted one of PC World’s 101 Fantastic Freebies, TweakNow RegCleaner Standard edition is a registry cleaner that is free for non-commercial use. Applications you install on your computer leave data and configurations on your Windows registry and do not always delete them when you uninstall. These obsolete entries can slow down your computer. By cleaning your registry regularly, you computer can perform optimally, just as it should. TweakNow RegCleaner claims to be the ” fastest and the most reliable” registry cleaner. It also comes in a Professional edition with additional features such as Track Cleaner, Registry Defragmenter and 1-Click Windows Optimization. There is a special offer for free upgrading to Professional using TrialPay. Visit www.tweaknow.com for details.

Dreams for Vista Ultimate

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Now that you have Dreamscene on your Vista, it’s time to make the most of it and turn your desktop into a jawdropping animated wallpaper experience. A number of websites offer free and paid downloads in .MPG and .Dream formats, including vistahd.org, vistadreams.org and wincustomize.com, which also has preview videos of the Dreams and supports uploads. Stardock DeskScapes and DreamMaker comes as free downloads, so you can get a bunch of Dreams in one go and weave some of your own using your videos or your cool imaginings in AfterEffects and 3D Studio Max. The screen captures above, from dreamscenevideo.net and wincustomize.com, show the artistry of TheMasterBaron, one of the popular creators of Dreams.

Dreamscene in a non-Ultimate Vista

Vista Ultimate is said to be the most complete Vista. One of the extras is Dreamscene, which allows you to use video, either installed or your own, as screensavers. Dreamscene supports the WMV and MPG file formats. There are also sites where you can download other videos for Dreamscene. What if your Vista is non-Ultimate but you want to install Dreamscene? Hope comes in different forms. My Digital Life has a hack right here; user geniusguy posted a patch in the mechodownload forums; dreamscene.org has instructions on how to run Dreamscene using the audio-video players Vista VLC or BS.Player in its FAQs

Virtual PC 2007 SP1

Microsoft’s Virtual PC 2007 Service Pack 1 is a freeware that lets you run multiple operating systems and switch between them instantly. Although this is most useful for developers to visualize applications in different OS simultaneously, this is also useful for the regular computer user. For example, you may have older software that you don’t want to reinstall. With Vista as host OS, you can run Windows Server 2008, Windows 2000 Professional and Server, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, Windows NT 4.0 Server, and some forms of IBM OS/2 as guest OS. Virtual PC 2007 is available as a free download from the Microsoft website.

Logon Screen Saver Changer

Another free software to spice up your desktop just a little bit: Logon Screen Saver Changer lets you change the screensaver that runs when there is no user logged on to the computer, say, after you turn your computer on and leave it to boot while grabbing some coffee in the pantry. The Changer lets you reset the timeout so that the screensaver will work after a shorter delay. The logon screensaver is usually different from your regular screensaver. Without Changer, you have to fix Windows Registry to change the logon screensaver. Hassle, isn’t it? This one is a fuss-free, barely-there 0.1 MB download in 32-bit and 64-bit formats. The configuration window is the same as the one in the Control Panel. It’s virus-free, with no adware or spyware. And to remove the software, simply delete.

TweakUAC

One of the security features of Vista that the user can find irritating is the User Account Controls (UAC) pop-up that asks for administrative approval whenever an action involves a possible change in settings or the installation of new software. Can anything be done to remove these prompts without compromising security? Apparently, yes. TweakUAC is a downloadable freeware from WinAbility Software that overrides the system prompts that ask you for permission to continue, meaning the UAC is either silent or turned off altogether. Should you want your prompts back, TweakUAC can turn them back on. Download the file here.

Vista Battery Saver

Ranked by PC Advisor (UK) as among the 20 best free downloads for Windows Vista, Vista Battery Saver is a godsend for on-the-go individuals who are conscious about the battery life of their laptop when they are mobile and do not have power outlets nearby. Tamir Khason’s freeware deactivates Vista’s Aero Interface and Sidebar to save power. While there is debate over exactly how much energy these two consume, there’s always room for an app with green, earth-friendly intentions. What’s more, Vista Battery Saver also has French, German and Italian UI, and is open source. No doubt, the best intentions go hand-in-hand.

Essential Sidebar Gadgets (part 2)

Here’s my continuation of my essential gadgets list.

3. Multi-Meter (Dual-Core)

Multi Meter shows the usage and history for your machine. If you’re running on a dual-core Windows box, you can check out various information like:- Cpu usage % ( 2 cores )- Ram Usage %- Ram info ( Total, used, left size). The meter is available from http://thehobbylounge.com

4. Uptime Gadget

This simple gadget lets you know how long since your last shutdown or restart.

5. Free Space Gadget

This gadget monitors your PC’s drives and shows you the available space for the drives you select.

Essential Sidebar Gadgets (part 1)

There are lots of Windows vitsa Gadgets out there. Some have nifty purposes, and some are purely for fun. Tut these gadgets are the tools I need during my wandering on various coffee shops looking for free Wi-Fi. These Gadgets are my life saver. Let me presnt my Essential Windows Vista Gadgets.

1. Wireless Network Meter Gadget

The Wireless Network Meter will show you SSID, signal quality, IP address, upload speed, download speed and whether your connection is secure or not secure. For More Info & Support, visit www.AddGadget.com

2. Battery Meter Gadget

Monitor the battery level of your laptop with this gadget. This gadget gives a more accurate strength The battery metter also tells me if I’m plugged in, charging and what percentage of battery power I have.