Windows has a knack for slowing down over time. As you surf, open and close applications, copy and move files, Windows leaves traces of all of these activities in the form of cookies and recent document links. Browsers tend to store cached information which, in theory, speeds up web browsing with pre-loaded graphics, portions of web pages, and surfing history. The simple act of installing and uninstalling applications also leaves orphaned files on your hard drive. Over time, all of these small files can add up to a large chunk of disk space, slowing the operation of your PC, especially the boot process. CCleaner, which stands for Crap Cleaner, is a freeware utility which optimizes Windows systems by removing unused files. This allows Windows to run faster and free up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of online activities such as internet history. CCleaner also cleans the Windows registry, the directory which stores settings and options for the operating system. This directory can grow huge over time with references to long gone applications and files. I recently ran CCleaner and removed one gigabyte of useless crude stored on my hard drive. CCleaner is free, fast, and contains no Spyware or Adware. They boast over 200 million downloads, and also per their website, donations large and small are appreciated.

Launchy is a nice little freeware program that allows you to open applications, directories, and files with just a few keystrokes on Windows. No more searching through the Start Menu or file manager to get your programs and files up and running. Of course you could use the Start > Run option, but Launchy is much slicker and you don’t need to remember the arcane names of all your programs and utilities. Simply download and install. Launchy quickly catalogs your system based on its default settings. However, to get the most from Launchy you should customize the directories and file types you want it to catalog. When you need to launch an app, directory, or file just hit ALT + Spacebar and type in the name of what you want to open.  Hit ALT + Spacebar again and Launchy disappears. Also be sure to check out the Tips & Tricks section on Launchy’s website to learn how to maximize all of its capabilities. There are nice nuggets there for using Launchy to search sites, get weather info, and create indexes of photos and music on your system. No muss, no fuss, quick and lightweight. Give it a try!

We simply have too many passwords to remember these days. Don’t rack your brain trying to keep track of them all. Try KeePass Password Safe and let it do your dirty work. KeePass is a free, open-source, light-weight, and easy to use password manager. Your passwords are secured in an encrypted database which is locked with one master key or a key file. KeePass is easy to use and ported to a number of platforms. There is even a portable version which can be stored on a USB device and carried with you. This allows you to have access to your passwords if you find yourself on a different computer. The database can be exported for backup or to be imported on to multiple systems.

From time to time I find the need to update or add mp3 tags to lots of mp3 tracks simultaneously. I’ve tried all the usual music players but their functionality has always left me wanting more. In my search for a better “mouse trap” I’ve discovered Mp3tag. It’s lightweight, allows for batch editing, and is insanely efficient. It supports a number of music file formats and also interfaces with the freedb database for tag info lookups. It works on Windows XP | 2003 | Vista | 2008 and it’s free. Of course, if you download and love the program, feel free to make a donation.