You can run the majority of existing commercial applications under Windows 7. But finding free programs that work well with Microsoft's newest OS is a bit more challenging.
They're out there, though - tools ranging from simple synchronisation applications to full-fledged interface makeover kits.
Read on to learn more.
Q: I like the Windows 7 interface better than Windows XP. But I still prefer the Mac. Is there an application out there that will make Windows 7 feel more Mac-like?
A: Yes. The free ObjectDock (http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock) will make your Windows 7 desktop feel more like a Mac, thanks to its animated object dock on which you can organise shortcuts, programs, and running applications. With ObjectDock, you can say goodbye to the Start menu altogether, if you wish. You can also determine how to display your running tasks - either as icons only, with thumbnails of the applications' contents, or both.
There's a feature called "mini applets" that allow you to place miniature applications on your desktop - much like the "widgets" that Microsoft introduced with Vista. ObjectDock's applets can display the time, the weather, a Web search form, among other things. Animations in ObjectDock are smooth, and the application is easy on system resources, so you should not notice a performance hit when it's installed.
While on the topic of alternate docks, the free CircleDock (http://circledock.wikidot.com) is worth mentioning as well. As its name implies, CircleDock puts all of your application shortcuts, files, and folders in a circular pattern on your desktop, arguably making them easier to see and access. It's completely compatible with Windows 7.
Q: I appreciate the new backup tools in Windows 7, but I don't see a way of easily synchronising files between two computers. Is there some good freeware that will accomplish this?
A: Microsoft's own SyncToy (http://bit.ly/17AYut) will do the trick. It's a shame this little application is not included as part of Windows 7. SyncToy is designed more for ease of use than for those who like lots of synchronisation options, however, so if you want a robust synchronisation tool, you'll probably want to look elsewhere. One option is 2 Bright Sparks' SyncBack (http://www. 2brightsparks.com/ freeware), which has a plethora of synchronisation options, including the ability to synchronise over a network or an FTP (file transfer protocol) server. You can even synchronise to a compressed (ZIP) file to save space.
Q: My antivirus subscription is about to run out. Will any of the free solutions out there provide the protection I need under Windows 7?
A: Yes. In fact, with Microsoft's recent release of Security Essentials (http:// www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials) for Windows users, the fee-based antivirus makers must be scrambling to differentiate their offerings in a way that makes paying for them seem compelling. There are good free alternatives to Security Essentials as well. Avira (http://www.free-av.com) has been around and available for Windows 7 even longer than Security Essentials has. The same can be said for Avast Free Edition (http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download). Malwarebytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org/index.php), Ad-Aware (http://lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php), and SAS (http://www.superantispyware.com/index.html) are good options to try for anti-malware and anti-spyware.
Q: What I miss most in Windows 7 are tweaking tools such as the PowerToys Microsoft provided for XP users. Are there tools out there that allow me to tweak Windows 7?
A: It is indeed a shame that Microsoft stopped developing PowerToys. But there are a few third-party vendors who have stepped up to provide similar free tweaking utilities for Windows 7. Some of the tools, such as XdN Tweaker (http://xenomorph.net/?page_id336) primarily make it easier for you to find the tweaks available through the Windows 7 interface itself. It does, though, have some nice tricks up its sleeve, including the ability to force Windows 7 to remember the folder views you establish with a "make views stick" tweak.
Others tools, such as the Ultimate Windows Tweaker (http://bit.ly/iLE04), focus on some of the more obscure tweaks that you can make to Windows 7 - ones that you would typically need to edit the System Registry in order to perform otherwise.
Q: I've never been thrilled with the way Vista or Windows 7 burns CDs or DVDs. I'd like a simple, free program that looks and works more like the older versions of Nero or Roxio but is compatible with Windows 7.
A: There are a couple of good choices available. CD Burner XP (http://cdburnerxp.se) may have the letters "XP" in its name, but it works just fine under Windows 7, and its no-nonsense approach to burning CDs and DVDs will likely appeal to you. There's no bloatware included with the program, so it's a refreshing break from the mega-ware packages that you typically find in the CD burning space.
Another option is BurnAware Free (http:// www.burnaware.com/burnaware _free.html), which opens with a simple, task-based interface that allows you to choose whether to burn data, music, videos, or create a bootable disk. Once you're beyond the task wizard, the application opens up to a fairly typical file selection window. - Sapa-DPA