Shell Extension Software Reviews and Downloads

Handy Folders

Handy Folders adds a toolbar to Windows Explorer, that enables you to switch to your favorite folders or other drives with a single click. You can customize the list of folders, and also access them from the system tray icon for quick access from your desktop.

ubSpawn

ubSpawn is a small and simple program launcher that is primarily designed to act as a launchpad for programs on a USB drive. You can add a list of program and folder shortcuts to a simple list display, assign a custom title for each, and also set execution parameters. The program stores all settings in an XML file on the USB drive. Other features include system tray support and an option to autorun a specified program whenever ubSpawn is launched. Very basic functionality, with lots of room for improvements.

Armor Tools

A suite of tools which ensure your privacy and keep sensitive information secure. Armor Tools will let you work on the computer without leaving traces of your activities - deleting documents, programs, and other files without the possibility to restore them and contains a set of additional adjustments related to safety, system capacity and user preferences. The program includes tools:

12Ghosts Desktop

If you've ever had an active program block the way to the desktop, or an program that you were unable to minimize, this will provide a window that looks just like the desktop. It displays your desktop icons in the layout you are used to.

12Ghosts FileDate

Set the date and time created, modified, and last accessed to single files or complete folders. Mask the time you really created a document, or hide the time you last accessed it. This provides a GUI with optimized date and time control. There's also command-line support for automated software publishing.

12Ghosts ShellX

This adds 10 new commands to the Explorer context menu. Now when you right click you can perform advanced file searching and folder organization. This even lets you find and run DOS commands without closing the DOS shell at the end of a process.

TrayIcon Pro

This 32-bit program allows you to run your favorite applications and folders directly from the system tray. TrayIcon Pro lets you add icons for these applications and folders to the tray itself, or into menus that sit behind icons in the tray.

MaxiVista

MaxiVista can turn your secondary PC(s) into an additional monitor, that can be used as an extension of your primary PC. You can simply move your mouse beyond the boundaries of your main monitor and , like magic, it will appear on the second monitor - you can launch shortcuts, start programs, move applications out of the way etc. The program allows you to free desktop space without the need to switch between virtual desktop, as everything is in reach at all times. The program runs in the system tray and can be used in full screen or partial mode on the secondary PC - a double-click on the tray icon allows you to quickly switch to standard desktops on both machines. MaxiVista is completely software based and does not require any special hardware. It works with up to 4 PCs that are connected via Ethernet, Wireless LAN, Firewire or USB network.

Alpha Clock

AlphaClock is an tiny clock utility with miniature, but very nice and sharp LCD-style digital watch display. It allow choose any colors for display background and digits, or use any predefined color sheme.

Taskbar Hide

Taskbar Hide allows you to control your taskbar and optionally hide/unhide or re-arrange programs. You can also choose to temporarily minimize a utility to the system tray. You can also minimize/maximize all windows at once and hide any portion of the taskbar (click, Start button etc.). Additional features include optional password protection, hotkey feature to hide windows and more.

Multi-Filename Editor

The Multi-Filename Editor allows you to easily edit any number of filenames in an easy to use spreadsheet format and then Rename or Copy them with the press of a button. Microsoft makes it easy to edit the name of a single file. If you want to rename a number of files, it??s back to DOS. You also have to go to DOS if you simply want to make copies of files in the same directory (DOS -> copy *.doc BCK*.doc). The Multi-file Filename Editor is a shell extension that lets you select files from Explorer. You can edit any name with a double click of the mouse. You can also perform operations like Upper case, Lower case, Proper case and Append on all or a selected subset of the files. Copy, Cut and Paste are available to copy data within the spreadsheet or to and from other programs. You can use Find and Replace to change strings within filenames. By default the editing only occurs on the filename, not the extension. This eliminates the chance that you might accidentally make a file inoperable. It also makes it easy to append a string to the end of a file name and do Replace All. You can use the file extensions in the editing operation if you desire. Once you are satisfied with your new names you can either Rename or Copy the files. You can rename files or directories. Copying is limited to files. If you append path information to the new file name, i.e. rename abc.txt to xyzabc.txt, and xyz exists as a subdirectory of the current location of the files, a Copy will make the new copy of the files in the subdirectory while a Rename will move the files to the subdirectory. If the subdirectory does not exist the Rename or Copy will fail.

File Grabber

With this shell extension you can grab any info about a group of Never open a DOS window to execute a dir *.* > dir.lst command to save file information again!! Save not just the path and name but comments, title, author, subject etc. as well as dates and size. Make catalogs of any kind of file!! Create catalogs of music and videos, disks, zip disks, CD's and DVD's. Select Files Select files or a directory. If you select a directory the Directory File Selection Window allows you to enter the criteria to select files from that directory and, if you want, all subdirectories. Search by string, attribute, size, date. Select Output Specify what information should be included for each file in the File Information Window. These include the Volume and Path; the file attributes and fields such as comments, subject, keyword, title, page count etc. Select Format Specify how the output format in the clipboard. Specify the separator character to be placed between each field (default: space), a header record identifying the fields including for each file and whether to make the volume, path, filename and file extension separate fields. File Grabber is part of the CAVU Software Productivity package, a set of utilities and shell extensions that expand your ability to manage the information on your computer. You will be able to install (and uninstall) any of the demo programs with this download. Purchase all five for half-price when you buy the Package!

ShellExView

ShellExView lets you view all installed shell extensions. If available, it displays the description, as well as version details, company information, location, file name and more. You can optionally disable/enable any item, which can be very useful to disable an extension, that you don t need or that has been left behind in your right click menu from a previous software install.

Hardlink Shell Extension

Hardlink Shell Extension enables advanced users to create NTFS hard links under Windows 2000/XP without the need for the Windows Resource Kit. It installs as a dynamic shell extension that lets you picks the file or folder to be used for the hard link and drop it in the destination folder. It supports HardLinks, Junctions, and SymbolicLinks. Hard Links are a built-in, but not easily accessible feature of the Windows operating system and allow multiple references to a single file. You should be familiar with the concept of hard links to make use of this software.

BackgroundCMD

BackgroundCMD is a command prompt shell extension that enables you to launch a command prompt from within any folder you are currently browsing. The program is similar to the Microsoft Powertoy `Open Command Window Here`, the difference however is that it allows you to access the CMD from the folder you are currently browsing and does not require you to right-click on the actual folder icon, which often requires you to leave the current directory. BackgroundCMD eliminates this extra step and provides direct access to the command prompt from the Explorer right-click menu.

eGrabber CallPad

eGrabber Call Pad simplifies and quickens data entry by eliminating the need to manually browse between different fields to enter contacts and appointments. It processes and converts text entered using plain English into meaningful actions and data in ACT! eGrabber CallPad intelligently understands the text and instantly captures it as contacts, schedules, notes or history in ACT! thereby saves you time and manage ACT! contacts.

Fast Folder Access

Fast Folder Access is a right-click enhancement for Windows Explorer, that allows you to switch to any of your favorite folders with a single click. It also works from the desktop, as well as from common Save and Open dialogs, allowing fast switching to selected folders without the need for any folder navigation. In addition, the program also includes a handy feature, that allows you to preview selected images as a thumbnail inside the right-click menu of Windows Explorer.

Actual Title Buttons

Actual Title Buttons adds 4 additional buttons to the title bar of program windows, that allow you to roll-up the window, make it stay on top, apply transparency, or minimize it to the system tray. You can configure the program to exclude certain windows, and also customize the button choices for each application.

Actual Window Rollup

If you do not need some windows at the moment, roll them up so that only their title bars remain visible with Actual Window Rollup. When you want to get them back, just click the Roll Up button and the windows are open again. The program integrates into Windows and functions totally transparently throughout the Operating System. The control is visually represented as another Windows-style title bar button placed next to the minimize, restore and close buttons. It can also be triggered via contextual menu or hotkeys.

4t Tray Minimizer Free

4t Tray Minimizer enables you to minimize any program to the System Tray (including Ms Outlook, Internet Explorer etc.), thereby allowing you to keep your taskbar less cluttered. To minimize any program to the task bar, simply left click (instead of the usual right-click) the minimize button or use a keyboard shortcut. Multiple instances can be grouped into a single icon to further organize the windows. Additional features include customizable keyboard shortcuts and more. Commercial version also available with some additional features.

12Ghosts QuickStart

This allows unlimitted hotkeys and tray icons for each entry that you can use to open programs, documents, Web sites, and special system folders like StartUp or SendTo, specific control panel pages, and even registry keys in RegEdit. It also provides a variety of unrelated functions like quick resolution changing, shutdown or logoff, remove formatting from clipboard text, set task sequence, or changing the middle mouse botton click to a double-click.

12Ghosts SaveLayout

This keeps a strong backlog of icon layouts so you can restore them at resolution switches or when the taskbar is moved. You can transfer icon layouts between Windows versions and PCs. It can even restore different sets of desktop files, including your wallpaper. Several other desktop management commands are also included.

12Ghosts SetColor

This software is a utility to set the icon colors suitable to your wallpaper image. It can change the desktop icon's text color and text background color.

12Ghosts TrayProtect

This allows you to hide tray icons that you don't need all the time. You can still access the hidden icons from the context menu.

PS Tray Factory

PS Tray Factory allows you to manage icons from all applications that appear in the system tray (next to the clock). You can hide inactive icons (already offered by Win XP), sort the order of icons, set hotkeys for selected icons and also minimize any program window to the system tray.

Folder Guide

Folder Guide is 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.

WinTabber

Do you get frustrated trying to find the right window on your desktop, or with alt-tab but they all look the same? WinTabber may be the answer .... WinTabber can add tabs to many windows. A tabbed browser ,tabbed putty , tabbed terminal or tabbed shell, tabbed anything. Multi tab your windows in seconds. A terminal or shell with tabs work faster and efficiently! Having multiple windows as tabs will give a better overview of your windows than before. Also having multiple ssh sessions by the click of a tab works faster and efficiently.

Astatix Launcher

Astatix Launcher allows you to quick start any applications, open documents and explore folders in a single click. It allows assigning hotkeys to any actions, fulfil several special functions: open/close CD door, run screen saver, hide task bar and others. One of additional possibilities is a control of Winamp. You can use any hotkeys and control Winamp player anytime even you are playing full-screen games like Quake or Counter Strike.

Actual Transparent Window

Draw portraits with world-famous masterpieces. Open any picture, create a new image in Adobe Photoshop, make its window semi-transparent and draw a portrait or a landscape, preserving the subtle overtones of the original.

Actual Window Guard

You will be able to do whatever you want with Windows with Actual Window Guard, a system enhancement application. If you want, the program can automatically maximizes or minimize windows, change program priority, window alignment, prevention of data's loss, change windows' titles and keep a desired window on top of desktop.

Mayk

Mayk is a file launcher that can hold up to 54 icon shortcuts to your favorite applications. You can simply drag a program, document or folder into the interface and the shortcut will be created for you. While not in use, the interface hides along the edge of the screen, and appears when you touch it with your mouse pointer. Other features include support for custom icons and categories, grouping of programs to be launched simultaneously and access to various system commands and folders.

X2Net Recent Documents

X2Net Recent Documents automatically keeps track of every document and file you use, and allows you to quickly access them as needed. It integrates with Windows Explorer and allows you to access your documents by type, date or custom category groupings. Even though Windows already offers a recent document feature, this program greatly extends the capabilities by adding itself as a system folder, that can be accessed from all Windows dialogs. There are no additional interfaces to learn, you can simply access your recent files from any file dialog (Open, Save etc.) as well as from the Windows Explorer tree and the Start Menu. You can further customize the documents to be tracked by creating simple rules to include/exclude files based on user defined masks. A simple, yet very efficient way to access your recently used files and folders.

Zombie Workstation

Improve network security by automatically logging off users that forget to log out and save money and the environment by automatically shutting down computers after hours.

Aurionix FileUsage

Aurionix FileUsage is a Windows Explorer add-on that adds 3 additional info columns to the Detail View. The extra columns display the total size of all files and subfolders within a given folder, the total percentage disk usage as well as the total number of files within a given folder. (You will need to restart your computer and add the new columns to the Detail View).

PC-Com

PC-Com allows you to quickly access frequently used programs, folders, web sites or commands by typing a keyword rather than clicking an icon or searching through menus. It remains hidden until you press the Pause key on your keyboard and type your keyword - press enter and the command is executed. The program comes configured with several common commands and you can customize it to add your own. In addition to simple shortcuts, you can also configure advanced options like URLs that include parameters (useful to add custom search engines etc.), send emails, reboot your computer and more. Very configurable, but requires some PC experience.

Transparent Window Manager

Transparent Window Manager helps you to manage your windows settings. You can choose to apply a custom level of transparency to any window, or place any window to top, and even minimize it to a tray icon instead of the task bar. In addition , the program comes with an option to maintain up to 10 virtual desktops that can be switched via keyboard hotkey or a small toolbar on your desktop.

alinRes

Fast screen resolution, bit depth and frequency switcher with command-line support.

ZMover

ZMover gives you control of your desktop layout by allowing you to set the size, position, and layering of windows. You can modify windows on-the-fly or give ZMover a list of windows to remember. When these windows appear, ZMover will automatically modify them for you.

WinUtilities

WinUtilities is a collection of tools to optimize your system performance and to remove unneeded files and internet tracks. It allows you to find and remove invalid registry entries, delete your program and internet history, manage your cookies and more. With a startup Cleaner you can also see what programs start automatically with windows and optionally disable selected items. Furthermore, WinUtilities includes options to find true duplicate files, Erase traces of activity, fix or remove broken shortcuts and safely uninstall software. other features include secure file deletion, program protect, file split and rejoin, registry backup and restore, BHO Remover, etc.

WindowSizer

Work with multiple windows by arranging them in tiled layouts. Double-click the WindowSizer icon in your system tray to arrange all non-minimized open windows or use the Tile Last command to specify exactly how many of your recently used windows to tile. Choose from many default layouts or create your own and set as default. Resizing a window in your arrangement automatically resizes neighboring windows to maintain a tiled layout. Drag and drop tiled windows to swap positions. Use WindowSizer's right-click menu or keyboard shortcuts to manipulate your windows. Close all windows in an arrangement or on desktop with one command. Bring back the same group of applications or Web sites anytime by saving your arrangements as .panes files. Open several arrangements and manage your virtual desktops with WindowSizer or manage your windows across multiple monitors.

Taskbar Calculator

This mathematical calculator is positioned on the taskbar, the area of the desktop where the list of the open program appears. When the calculator box is active, you can press the digits and play the operations of a common calculator, that is the four fundamental operations (+, -, *, /) plus the square radix (q), the percentage (%) and the total ('Enter' or '=').

X-Setup Pro

X-Setup Pro is a so-called "tweaker" program; it allows you to change 1,900 settings that are normally hidden deeply in Windows fast and easily. There are many hidden settings in Windows as well as in a lot of other programs and normally you can't change them.

Customize Start Menu

Customize your desktop, start menu and Quick Launch with Customize Start Menu. The software has its own database of program titles and can automatically sort out hundreds of applications into target groups. The software also allows copying program icons from the start menu to desktop and Quick Launch, or deleting them from there.

Parallels Workstation for Windows

Parallels Workstation is the most powerful, easiest-to-use, cost-effective desktop virtualization solution available today. It empowers any user, from experienced professional developers to computer "newbies", to create completely networked, totally secure independent, maximally stable virtual machines on a single physical machine without partitioning or rebooting. Virtual machines can run nearly any x86 operating system, including the entire Windows family from 3.1 - XP/2003, Linux, FreeBSD, OS/2, eComStation, Sun Solaris and MS-DOS. Using the products easy step-by-step wizard, users can create virtual machines in seconds. Users can also easily manage active or inactive virtual machine properties with zero training by using Workstations e intuitive, web-like interface. The product is available at an industry-leading price of $49.99/license.

IndieVolume

IndieVolume is a desktop enhancement for Windows that allows you to configure sound volume, balance and mute individually, per-application.

Better File Select

Better File Select is a Windows Explorer shell extension that allows you to quickly select multiple files that share the same criteria. You can select based on extension, date, EXIF data, contain, wildcards and even regular expressions. The choices can be made from an easy to use dialog and drop down menus.

BusRunner

BusRunner enables you to auto-launch a utility or file whenever you insert a USB drive. You can select a utility specific for each drive, and it can be located either on the USB drive itself, or on your local computer. The program is easy to use, just insert the USB drive, select it from the tray menu and browse for the program to be launched. The next time you insert the drive, the selected program will be automatically launched.

Drag and Fire - Deluxe

Drag and Fire, a software productivity tool that floats on top of the Windows desktop, is designed to improve PC operating efficiency as you smoothly integrate Folders, Programs, Work Files and Web Sites into coordinated Work Units that support the way you operate.

Photoshop Interface Assistant

This program helps you get maximum available screen space for design while using Adobe Photoshop. It hides all the floating palettes and toolbars until you need to use them. When you don\'t use the floating windows, it automatically moves them to the edge of the screen to give you the maximum available screen space for design; when you want to use these floating palettes and toolbars, just move cursor on any of them and they will restore for usage.

Active Tray

This software supercharges your system tray, providing you with additional features and excellenter flexibility. Add programs, documents, links and other timesavers to your system tray.

SmartWin Professional

This resource manager provides access to files, folders, Web sites and applications through keyboard shortcuts of

HandyDialogs

The tiny sparkle icon in the tray will bring your favorite folders, documents, and Web sites to you in two mouse clicks. Another icon in the Save and Open dialog boxes provides access to custom and frequently used folders.

TotalSize

View total file and folder size details from Windows Explorer without having to switch to another application. This add-on utility for the Windows platform updates size-related information in real-time. This program blends with Explorer and can be accessed simply by clicking on the toolbar icon. The program features native x64 architecture support. You can customize the settings related to file and folder display style. It also features data visualization and advanced sorting.

PCSpeedDialer 2005

Configure any special key combination on your keyboard to run or open any frequently used applications, documents or Web pages. Different users can configure the program according to their own preferences. The onscreen notification displays information about your hotkeys every time a hotkey is used.

PCSummarizer 2005

Place critical system information on your screen where you can clearly see it all the time. Information is user-configurable and you can even hide the display with the click of your mouse. You can click and drag the display to a different location on your screen. The display is fully configurable. You can select the font, font color and all other related properties. You can also select the background color of the display or make it transparent. The display can be given various degrees of transparency making it even more unobtrusive.

Tray Commander

Tray Commander is a customizable launcher, that lets you run frequently used programs and system commands directly from the tray. It runs as a single icon in the system tray which, that offers a menu with your custom commands. You can define 3 different menus, one will pop-up when you right-click, a different one when you left-click and yet another one on middle-click. Each of the menus can be loaded with your entries, using an easy to use interface. Tray Commander also includes many preset options like open and close your CD drives, reboot, shutdown, screen capture, launch screensaver, send email and quick access to video modes. Each of the available action can also assigned a hotkey, so you can launch them from your keyboard directly.

goScreen

This program makes it possible to organize applications the same way you organize files on hard disk--by placing program windows into different desktop folders or screen pages. It creates up to 40 virtual desktops on your single physical one. You can move applications between desktops, define program management rules, and change attributes of each desktop separately.

Foxtrot GT/GTI

Automate your desktop without coding using Foxtrot. The program saves keystrokes for almost any repetitive task. The scripting is intuitive: just walk through your task once using Foxtrot's tools, and your script is ready to run. Advanced features in the full version support lights-out automation and error handling. Move, merge, manage and maintain your data.

Simple Launch

Manage the applications installed on your computer with this software. It collects shortcuts of program into assorted categories. You can add shortcuts of frequently used folders to Simple Launch, then they can be opened more quickly.

Skia

Hide program windows with Skia. Hidden applications will no longer be visible in the taskbar nor in task manager's applications view. It uses the same low-level routines that your operating system itself uses to show and hide windows. You can hide windows at the touch of a hotkey in any of three ways: you may hide the window under your mouse cursor, you may hide windows that have a window title that you specify or you may hide all windows. If you wish, you may also disable CTRL+ALT+DEL and hide the system tray. Skia's control panel can be password-protected so that others may not un-hide your hidden programs.