While Microsoft is keen for us to move to Windows Vista, we've got other ideas. With a brand-new service pack and a slew of useful add-ons XP works better than ever. Here are 50 tools that can extend XP's useful working life still further.
Extend XP today, for free
XP: Trick or tweak?
In this feature, we outline 50 such tools that help you get more from what's officially the world's most popular OS. Some help to ensure XP runs smoothly; others are add-ons, filters and extensions that help you get more done or simply make using XP more enjoyable.
The result will be a leaner, meaner machine that dispenses with all the unnecessary frills, while continuing to offer an enjoyable user experience. These applications let you tinker with your onscreen setup so it works for you, help you get around irritating restrictions that are designed for PC newcomers and generally help you get more from your Windows setup.
Microsoft, meanwhile, has had a final shot at making Windows XP all it can be with the release of Service Pack 3 (SP3). If you've not already done so, we urge you to consider getting your hands on the update.
Windows XP SP3 offers a collection of fixes and patches that you may or may not already have – our handy guide will show you how to ascertain your current Windows Update status and outlines the most convenient ways for you to acquire and install XP SP3.
Of course, we've not forgotten Vista users in our rush of enthusiasm for Windows XP's last hurrah. Many of the tips we've outlined apply equally to the newer OS and, where appropriate, we've listed alternative Vista-compatible tools that will achieve the same end.
Windows Vista users have their own reason to be cheerful, in any case. In late February, Microsoft started rolling out that OS's first service pack, Vista SP1. Reviewed here, SP1 proves that Microsoft is at the very least pushing Vista in the right direction.
It's been a tough first year for Vista, but we hope to see things improve. After all, it's got a lot of catching up to do if it's ever to earn the respect of Windows XP users.
NEXT PAGE: XP-alidocious! > >
- 50 tools to help extend Windows XP
- Vista's failure to launch
- XP: Trick or tweak?
- XP-alidocious!
- Windows XP – your rights
- Windows XP – Support goes on
- Market pressure
- The save XP campaign
- How to downgrade to XP
50 free Windows XP tools
- Office optimising tools for XP
- Five essential XP add-ons
- XP browser boosters
- Five essential XP web-browser add-ons
- Extra media muscle for XP
- Five media boosters for XP
Related articles:
Comments
Ron Graves said: My mistake - if you close the donation request FireFTP appears
The Watcher said: Hey Ron Ill give you a dollar This article is really useful more please
Ron Graves said: FireFTP is NOT free You can download it but it wont run unless you make a donation first This apparently can be as little as 1 but its not a freebie so why is it here
Ron Graves said: I dont know which Firefox addons Woodburner had problems with but those Ive looked at gave me no problems at all
woodburner said: I tried to download several of the Firefoxaddons but on each occasion I received the message Microsoft can not find the associated file was this not checked before you published article
Regmon said: My sincere apologies if there are 50 Free Tools but I never got to them through all the Anti-Vista stuff and still believe that such tactics will put off potential customers far more than encourage them
The watcher said: there are 50 free tools but seems odd to make people read 9 pages of anti Vista first
Regmon said: This sort of false description of an article probably does more to discourage customers from buying the mag than anything else If you have 50 Free Toolsby all means shout it from the rooftops If you haventdont tell ouright lies
Hanea said: Just Another Anti Vista article I am really sick of these type of articles Especially when they try to promote other OSs between the lines Leopard I stopped reading at page 9 because I got bored from waiting for the great 50 free tools for XP I just shutdown reading this Guys be objective and try to bring a real benefit for your readers not just dump the anti Vista content templates that I have been reading all over the web The same thing every where Come on Move over I am using both Vista and XP and happy with them the most Every one has a place for me but not Leopard neither Ubuntu
Rob said: Nine pages of anti Vista then some XP stuff and not even the best free tools for XPWaste of time
Catweazle said: Theres a bit of a typo in this article - it says speaking of Vista downgrade to XP Clearly it should be Upgrade to XP