Let’s get it out up front: I hate Windows.  The only reason I use it is because of the hundreds of others who use it at work.  I have one XP box: the rest run linux.  I cannot describe the hell that is waiting just for Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer at the end of their run.

Having said that, I have collected a few `secret weapons’ that help in my daily struggle against the Redmond Menace.  Hopefully some of them will come in handy for you.  They are all free for personal use unless otherwise noted:

  • Crap Cleaner:  the name isn’t the only great point here.  It is by far the best cleaner of XP garbage I have ever used.  From temp files to MS fix uninstallers, it removes the crap.
  • Spybot Search&Destroy: this program has gone through many revisions.  It’s no longer as accurate as Ccleaner but it has its uses.  I use it mainly for Tea Timer, which is similar to a firewall that also monitors the registry.
  • TweakUI: Microsoft done good with this one.  You can tweak almost everything about XP with this utility.  Link takes you to Annoyances.org, which is a great site in itself.
  • Avira antivirus: it’s light and fast, unlike most others.  Clam is great as an on-demand scanner.  Both are light enough for portable usb drive use.
  • Comodo Firewall: this is more of a personal preference – some will find it chatty or annoying.  I prefer to know what’s going on with my system.  Whatever you do, kill the Windows firewall.  Even after you turn off the service, some update will turn it back on.  Windows is so helpful that way.  Ballmer is so thoughtful.  Kerio is alternate choice.
  • Irfan View: tiny, deadly fast image viewer, displays everything.
  • VLC: the best video/audio player.  Plays everything.
  • Process Explorer: Originally from SysInternals, bought out by Microsoft.  A much better task manager (on steroids).
  • RevoUninstaller: an excellent uninstaller that cleans up after program uninstallers
  • Free Commander: one of many dual pane file managers (explorer replacements)
  • Unlocker: removed the `file locked’ message so you can delete files
  • Portable Apps: tiny versions of your favorite programs that run just fine from your flash drive (no booting required).
  • Sumo: Software Update Monitor.  Scans pc and lets you know if any programs need to be updated.  Will take you to the appropriate page to download updates.
  • Winroll: right click and the window rolls up, leaving only the top bar in place- saves space.
  • Pocketknife Peek: Outlook add-in that strips html and allows you to look at headers while defanging a potential problem.
  • Firefox/Opera: Do I really need to explain?  Whatever you do, do not use Internet Explorer unless there is no other choice.  Firefox is very option-heavy and Opera is lightning fast.
  • Text Messaging: my favorite way to keep the team in touch.  Short and sweet.

Stay tuned for Network Administrator Secret Weapons and Virus/Malware Secret Weapons