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Freeware and free trials, tips and resources

Desktop

Change icon size in Windows Vista

Add the Run Command to the Start Menu in Windows Vista

Change Screen Resolution in Windows Vista

Turn off Windows Aero

Disable Transparency in the Windows Vista Aero Interface

Add the Internet Explorer Links folder to the taskbar

Change Taskbar Width

INFORMATION: Vista Live Icons

Windows XP Color Schemes, Themes, Common Desktop Adjustments

Zoom Webpage in Internet Explorer

DesktopX - part of the Stardock collection (a component of Object Desktop), for use in building a better desktop, see WinCustomize for a large collection of themes including quality Vista Themes

Multi-Res - utility to change desktop resolution on the fly, free for personal use. Particularly handy for web designers who need to check site appearance under different resolutions.

Window Blinds  - download a large variety of desktop themes, part of the Stardock collection

Clear Type Tuner Power Toy - Greatly improves font clarity.  The Power Toy version released Sept. 2004 creates access to 'Clear Type' through a Control Panel icon. Clear Type is also available from Microsoft as an  on-line version . Hailed as a breakthrough technology when released in 2000, Clear Type deserves more praise then it gets. A real eyestrain saver. Additional information about this Microsoft technology.

Directory Opus 8 (Free Trial) - file manager and Explorer replacement, fantastic flexibility/customization options, multiple view options including Explorer, Dual Pane and Image, extremely useful desktop reorganization tool

Webshots Desktop - for easy photo downloads from Webshots, handy and organized storage for Webshots photos as well as your own photos, easy drag and drop to move photos into your collection, preps photos as wallpaper.

Deskpins - simple yet very useful tool, pins any window to keep it the foremost window on your desktop, simply click on the Deskpins icon on your taskbar then click on the window you want to pin, click on the pin at the top of the screen to un-pin the window

Geoshell - for a radically different desktop

Taskbar Hide - fully hide the taskbar, appears again on mouse over

Transbar - adjustable transparent effect for the taskbar

Iconoid - restore icon position

Tweak UI - an easy solution to Icons that have become associated with the wrong program. Go to 'Repair' and then 'Rebuild Icons'.

Konfabulator - 'mini-programs' called 'widgets'. See also the Widgets Gallery and Konfabulator Forum

Microsoft Power Toys

TuneUp Utilities (Free Trial) - quality registry cleanup as part of a performance suite - the 2007 version includes a faster and more comprehensive registry cleaner.  One-Click Maintenance provides a handy tool for registry handling and quick cleanup.  Suite also includes disk cleanup, Windows Tweaks, Icon Cache repair (very handy for those times when icons bring up the wrong program), Internet connection optimization, Uninstaller, RAM optimization, System TuneUp wizard, StartUp manager, and more.

Disney Themes - Disney Themes with icons, wallpaper, cursors