How to improve on shutdown time ? Close apps automatically & quickly at shutdown

Open Registry by going to START-RUN and typing REGEDIT.
Navigate to :
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\CONTROL PANEL\DESKTOP and look for AutoEndTasks.
On my computer default value is 0. Change it to 1. Thats all. Further more you can reduce the time it takes for Windows to issue kill directive to all active/hung applications. In doing this only constraint that you should make sure exists is that HungAppTimeout is greater than WaitToKillAppTimeout. Change the values of WaitToKillAppTimeout to say 3500 (since default value for HungAppTimeout 5000 and for WaitToKillAppTimeout is 20000)

Suspend Process Without Losing Data

Free Process Freezer : With Windows Process Manager is not possible to resume after terminating a running problematic process. Process Freezer allows you to suspend the problematic process and resume it later without losing any data.

All Browser Bookmarks Synchronizer

Bookmarks Synchronizer : Transmute is a free bookmark utility that helps you to synchronize bookmarks between web browsers. Transmute can synchronize bookmarks between Firefox, Google Chrome , Opera, Internet Explorer, Safari, Chromium, Flock, SeaMonkey Browser. Just Select the Bookmark Source Browser & the Target browser from the drop down list & click the Export button to start synchronizing . You can choose to export these bookmark in a specific folder or in the root folder of the Targeted Browser.

Transmute 1.08 Website
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Transmute Bookmarks Synchronizer Requires: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.

Transmute Bookmarks Synchronizer Related :
Google Chrome Beta
Firefox 3.0 Beta 3

Opera 9.50

Opera has released their final version of Opera 9.50 . The Opera 9.50 brings some major updates that every one was waiting for. Opera 9.5 is with new super fast browser engine, Opera link to sync bookmarks, new Speed Dial , Notes, Content Search, new Skin, strengthened defense against malware and phishing. more updates: Opera 9.5 for Windows Changelog

Opera 9.50 Website
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Protect Folder With Password

Protect Folder with Password: Folder Lockbox is a security software enabling you to password protect any folder on your computer. The protected folder (lockbox) is hidden from any user and application of your system, including Administrator and System itself. It is impossible to access the lockbox not only from the local computer, but also from the internet.

My Lockbox Website
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Install Windows XP Using USB Flash Drive.

Please note this tutorial works on all computers.
To complete this tutorial you need a 32bit version of Windows XP or Windows Vista installed on your home PC.
What you'll need:

Download "Install WinXP From USB"
and extract at some folder.

Special Note: If you use the program Nlite be sure to keep the manual installation files as the USB_prep8 script relies on these files.
Extract the files in Bootsect.zip
The next step is to extract USB_prep8 and PeToUSB.
Next copy the PeToUSB executable into the USB_prep8 folder.
Inside of the USB_prep8 folder double click the executable named usb_prep8.cmd.
The window that opens will look like this:

Press any key to continue
You next window will look like this:

These settings are preconfigured for you all you need to do now is click start.
Once the format is complete DO NOT close the window just leave everything as it is and open a command prompt from your start menu (type cmd in the search bar or run box depending on your version of windows.).

Inside of the command windows go to the directory you have bootsect.exe saved.
(use the cd directoryname command to switch folders)

Now type "bootsect.exe /nt52 R:" NOTE R: is the drive letter for my USB stick if yours is different you need to change it accordingly. What this part does is write the correct boot sector to your USB stick, this allows your PC to boot from the USB stick without it nothing works.
Please note: When running the bootsect.exe command you cannot have any windows open displaying the content of your USB stick, if you have a window open bootsect.exe will be unable to lock the drive and write the bootsector correctly.
If all went well you should see "Bootcode was successfully updated on all targeted volumes."
Now you can close this command prompt (don't close the usbprep8 one by mistake) and the petousb window.
You window you see now should look like this:

If it doesn't try pressing enter.

Now you need to enter the correct information for numbers 1-3.
Press 1 and then enter. A folder browse window will open for you to browse to the location of you XP setup files (aka your cdrom drive with xp cd in)
Press 2 and enter a letter not currently assigned to a drive on your PC
Press 3 and enter the drive letter of your USB stick
Press 4 to start the process.

The script will ask you if its ok to format drive T:. This is just a temp drive the program creates to cache the windows installation files. Press Y then enter.
Once it's done formating press enter to continue again, you can now see the program copying files to the temp drive it created. Once this is done press enter to continue again.
Next you will see a box pop up asking you to copy the files to USB drive yes/no you want to click yes.
Once the script has completed copy files a popup window asking if you would like to USB drive to be preferred boot drive U: select YES on this window.
Now select yes to unmount the virtual drive.
Ok we are done the hard part, close the usbprep8 window.
Now make sure your pc is configured with USB as the primary boot device.
Insert your USB drive and boot up.
On the startup menu you have two options, select option number 2 for text mode setup.
From this point on it is just like any other windows XP installation delete/recreate the primary partition on your pc and format it using NTFS. Make sure you delete ALL partitions and recreate a single partition or you will get the hal.dll error message.
Once the text mode portion of setup is complete it will boot into the GUI mode (you can press enter after the reboot if your too excited to wait the 30 seconds)
Once the GUI portion of setup is complete you will again have to boot into GUI mode this will complete the XP installation and you will end up at you XP desktop. It is very important that you DO NOT REMOVE THE USB STICK before this point. Once you can see your start menu it is safe to remove the usb stick and reboot your pc to make sure everything worked.
This method has advantages over all current no cdrom methods of installing XP to the pc You do not have to copy setup files in DOS to the SSD and install from there. It gives you access to the recovery console by booting into text mode setup, and it gives you the ability to run repair installations of XP if you have problems later on.

Vista Codec Package

Vista Codec Package 5 : Codecs have always been a pain in the butt. This Vista Codec Package 5 package takes from the best, all the big name creators, several small guys too, and compiles all this into a single Codec pack. All possible conflicts are already dealt with, many user suggested default settings are implemented.

Vista Codec Package 5.0.6 Website
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Crap Cleaner

Crap Cleaner (CCleaner) is a free powerful system optimizer & privacy software, Crap Cleaner removes unused files & registry entries from your system. Crap Cleaner allows Windows to run faster and free up valuable hard disk space. Crap Cleaner cleans your browsing traces such as your Internet history. The new Crap Cleaner 2.12.660 supports Google Chrome browser.

Crap Cleaner Website
Download Free Crap Cleaner 2.12.660

Crap Cleaner Related :
Internet History Eraser
Registry Cleaner

Free Registry Defrag

Auslogics Registry Defrag is an extremely useful program to keep your registry as compact as possible. As a result of keeping the registry defragmented and as small as possible, your computer performance will be much improved. Auslogics Registry Defrag keeps your registry optimized to improve your computer performance.

Auslogics Registry Defrag Website
Download Free Auslogics Registry Defrag

Free Registry Defrag Related :
Internet History Eraser

Black XP Theme : Luna Element V5.1 Black

Black XP Theme: Luna Element V5.1 Black is a slick looking black xp theme. Unzip the file then Go to "C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes" and create a new folder called "LE Black". To use this Black XP theme you need to patch the Windows system file uxtheme.dll. Read the ‘Readme.txt’ file for more info.

Black XP Theme Luna Element V5.1 Website
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Leopard Cache Cleaner 4.0.7

About Leopard Cache Cleaner
Makes system maintenance simple with an easy point and click interface to many OS X functions. Leopard Cache Cleaner can improve system performance by tuning internet and file cache settings, implementing ram disks, and cleaning out various cached and stale data. LCC includes tools to help optimize files and memory. LCC can recover wasted disk space by eliminating language localization files and slimming Universal Binaries.

Leopard Cache Cleaner lets you create bootable Emergency Disks that include system repair utilities and LCC’s powerful cache cleaning functions. If disaster strikes, the power of Leopard Cache Cleaner is available at the command prompt in Single User Mode.

Leopard Cache Cleaner helps protect your system from malware. Leopard Cache Cleaner is the only utility in its class to ship with powerful ClamAV antivirus built in. LCC can scan your downloads on the fly providing industrial strength virus protection. LCC also includes chkrootkit to provide protection from rootkit threats.

What’s New in this Version
- Version 4.0.7 adds the Password Assistant to the LCC engine global menu.
- Cache Cleaning now removes /private/var/db/BootCache.playlist.
- Performance of the trash tab panel has been improved.
- Mac OS X Customization has been updated for Safari 3.1.
- This release updates the ClamAV virus scanner to 0.92.1.
- This release adds a new Installer Receipts Viewer for examining software installations.
- This release adds the ability to execute unix commands reboot, halt and restarting WindowServer.
- Many more enhancements.

Website
Free Download

Explorer Breadcrumbs

Rather than navigating step-by-step through your folder hierarchy -- view your folders quickly and go directly to any location with a single click.

Explorer Breadcrumbs is an add-in for Windows Explorer which contains a contextual series of buttons that allows you to quickly see and navigate through the entire folder hierarchy without leaving the current window.

Features:

* Saves time navigating through folders and files
* Seamless integration with Windows Explorer
* Changes appearance along with Windows themes

website
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USB Device Utility

USBDeview is a small utility that lists all USB devices that are currently connected to your computer, as well as all USB devices that you previously used. For each USB device, extended information is displayed: Device name/description, device type, serial number (for mass storage devices), the date/time that device was added, VendorID, ProductID, and more...
USBDeview also allows you to uninstall USB devices that you previously used, and disconnect USB devices that are currently connected to your computer. You can also use USBDeview on a remote computer, as long as you login to that computer with admin user.

Website
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Google Talk

Website

Download Free Google Talk 1.0.0.104

Google Talk: All you need to make free calls is an Internet connection, a microphone, and a speaker. After you download Google Talk, you'll need to sign in with your Gmail username and password. Then you can invite your friends to download Google Talk, and once they do, you'll be able to talk or IM with them instantly.

Benefits of Google Talk:
Once your friends download Google Talk, you can talk to them anytime they're online
Your Gmail contacts are pre-loaded into Google Talk
Talk via voice or instant messaging
No adverts or pop-ups
Easily send files of any size
Leave voicemail messages if someone is not online
Displays your currently playing song in your friends contact list (supported players only)
Exchange instant messages with other clients supporting the standard XMPP protocol.

Vista Manager 1.4.4

A powerful software tool to tweak, optimize, maintain and tune up your Windows Vista, it bundles more than 30 different utilities in one. It will help your system to be stable, fast, secure and personal! For example, get detailed system and hardware information; Tweak your system to improve windows startup and shutdown speed; tweak your hardware to increase system performance; Find and clean junk files; searchs your computer for duplicated files; easily checks registry and repairs incorrectly linked registry entries; Defrag Registry to reduce application response time; Control what is started on Windows startup; tune up Vista boot menu; set context menus of mouse right clicking; customize desktop, menus, toolbar, notifications, change wallpaper automatically; Improve desktop, menus, control panel, windows logon securities, enable numerous hidden performance options, disable system updates and error reports; hide and restrict access to drives, specify which applications are not allowed to be executed, encrypt/decrypt and shred files, camouflage folder to hide its content from Windows Explorer, change the location of system folders; Privacy Protector can maintain your personal privacy by eliminating the tracks that you leave behind. Optimize Internet connection speed, manager your all shares, search and find opened ports; tweak your IE easily; automatically check invalid URLs in your favorites and parse domain name; backup your Windows Mail; show the collection of Windows utilities. Vista Manager has a topnotch, easy-to-use user interface that requires no technical knowledge. It is an excellent companion for windows Vista!
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RecoverPlus Photo Recovery 2.6.8

Just three mouse clicks away from recovering all your lost, deleted and (re)formatted photo's or files on cards and disks or any removable media or digital camera connection.

Award winning RecoverPlus supports all possible kind of files with over 45 predefined file types. included data and RAW.

Unique Learning Engine for adding new file types.
Hi-res images are made on the fly and displayed while recovering.

What you see is what you get.
A good display means a good recovery. Save all in one go or pick your choice for saving.
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ID Harddisk SmartChecker 1.2

ID Harddisk SmartChecker is a utility program designed to maintain the efficient functioning of your computer's system. It uses the S.M.A.R.T. technology to check the status of your disk, detecting and preventing problems from occurring and inflicting damage in any way.

Main Features:

- Checks computer status
- Smartly monitors over your PC
- Offers S.M.A.R.T. disk technology support
- Alerts to changes in the status of your disk
- Shuts down your PC in case of overheating
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Speed Up My PC

SpeedUpMyPC lets you monitor and control all your PC resources with easy, one click instructions. System settings, internet usage, disk clutter, RAM and CPU are all automatically scanned, cleaned and optimized for peak performance. You can also selectively disable or remove unnecessary background and auto-start processes to cut valuable seconds off your startup time.
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Windows XP Service Pack 3

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system. This update also includes a small number of new functionalities, which do not significantly change customers experience with the operating system.

Supported Windows Operating Systems: Windows XP; Windows XP Home Edition ; Windows XP Home Edition N; Windows XP Media Center Edition; Windows XP Professional Edition ; Windows XP Professional N; Windows XP Service Pack 1; Windows XP Service Pack 2; Windows XP Starter Edition; Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Website
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Windows Live OneCare Beta v2.0 - All In One PC Security

Windows Live OneCare Beta v2.0 Release Date: 2007-07-11
Windows Live OneCare File Size:
Windows Live OneCare is your all-in-one, automated PC care and maintenance solution. Continuous, powerful PC protection made simple from Microsoft. Sign up today for a free 90-day trial.

Here’s a quick overview of the new features we’ve added to OneCare version 2.0 to help keep users’ PCs and networks safe, reliable and performing well:

Multi-PC and home network management. Helps ease management of multiple-PC environments by providing a single navigation bar for monitoring the security and maintenance of networked computers. Also enables one-click actions to resolve issues among computers within a home PC network.
Printer sharing support. Makes it easy to connect printers to local networks so all users in the vicinity can use the same printer.
Start-time optimizer. Speeds PC boot time by removing rarely used applications from start-up menu. This helps to address one of the noticeable areas of frustration for PC users as time goes on.
Proactive fixes and recommendations. OneCare constantly monitors the specific configuration of the user’s system and makes proactive fixes and recommendations to improve the computing experience.
Monthly reports. Provides a summary in the Windows Live OneCare dialogue box of key activities and recommended actions for all PCs in a local network.
Centralized backup. Enables users to centrally configure and monitor backups for all PCs covered under the same OneCare subscription, with the data from all PCs backed up to a central location.
Online photo backup. Keeps precious photos safe from theft or accidental loss by backing them up to a secure, offsite location in Windows Live Folders (available at an extra cost once v2.0 is out of beta).
Windows Live OneCare Website
Download 90 Day Free Trial Windows Live OneCare 2.0 Beta
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