When we originally approach an Operating System we believe it is a closed system where you get what you see. You can add programs and applications, but the basic elements of the OS are definite like the folder browsers, the text editor or the search option.

But after a while of being on a different OS you realize that all that options are not set and they are also programs that can be changed by similar ones. This is the concept behind Linux where there are many options to replace the different parts of the OS, not just those I talked about before but even the User Interface or Shell.

But this is not something that belongs just to Linux; it’s possible in Windows to replace the most basic elements with something that works better.

Copy Tool

Sometimes Windows' Copy Tool is too slow and if you want to move big files is not safe enough, there are third party programs that can easily replace this option:

• ExtremeCopy is a copy application that is free and extremely fast. You can copy or move files or folders faster and safer.
• TeraCopy is designed to be really fast and has some other features, like Pause and Resume with built-in error checking
• FastCopy: With this program you can copy a complete directory, it has many features like copying files without overwrite, delete source, or overwrite if the new file is new. The program also doesn't slow the computer when it’s working.

The Clock

You can even replace the Windows tray Clock

• ZoneTick This program replaces Windows system clock with a multiple time zone clock, utilizing skins, alarms, and double-click actions for each timezone.
• LClock is another option vastly improved and it has its own calendar that you can use it for remainders.
• TimeKeeper This program provides you with more information about the date and time than the simple Windows clock in your taskbar notification area. Timekeeper also gives you quick and easy access to a calendar.

Search

This option is one of the worst applications that Windows still lacks. To search anything on your computer takes ages counting just what is in your computer, whereas Google can do it faster with the entire internet.

• Everything The concept is simple: to have a fast search engine for your own computer. This program locates files and folders by name instantly. It almost doesn't use resources and updates its index in real time.
• Copernic Desktop Search is a similar program. It indexes everything in your desktop including mail and history. It lets you preview the files you just found. It also has nice icons to search specific formats (pictures, videos, etc.). Although it's not as popular and powerful as Google Desktop, it has many faithful users.
• Google Desktop is among the best and most smart search engines for your computer. The program not only indexes your hard drive, but you can also search your mail (outlook and gmail) your history and the web at the same time. It performs searches on the names of files and folders, but also includes the inside of documents and I believe it's the only program that can do this.

Notepad

Notepad is a small program created to take notes, but it remained a simplistic program and is easily replaced:

• Notepad++ is one of the best text editors that has surpassed the classic Notepad and still stays light. It has really good options that many users will find useful or maybe use a little too much. It supports tables and split screen editing. The replacing tools that this software has are really powerful and it’s one of the best programs for editing code supporting many, many languages. You can even access your remote files to edit directly via FTP. The program has a little of everything and still works amazingly fast.
• Gedit is my personal favorite. This program comes by default with Ubuntu, but you can install it also in Windows or Mac. It has many options although the best one is that the program is still basic and you don’t need to learn how to use it. It also has a plugin system with tools to do anything you want.
• Vim is one of the oldest programs of its kind and it works in almost any system, including Amiga and Android (yes, the two ends of the rainbow). Probably this is the scariest program of the bunch because Vim's interface is based not on menus or icons but on commands given in a text user interface; But there are many GUIs to use it. This program is best used by hardcore programers.

Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer is one of the options that Windows gives you to navigate in your hardrive, but is not the only option you have.

• Explorer ++ is a free multi-tab file exploring software. It has many improvements and enhancements to the Windows' original one. It’s completely portable and it has a customizable user interface.
• Xplorer2 is another free option that gives you many more functionalities that Windows lacks like fast preview of documents, pictures, music, video. Side by side views for easy file management. Filter and select with wildcards and probably the most interesting: Folder Synchronizing.
• Xyplorer has interesting operations that you find lacking in the original program. It has queued file operations with background processing, a Batch rename option using patterns and variables and Multiple-Level Undo for file operations, stored between sessions.

Windows Shell

You probably don't know but you can change Windows User Interface using a different shell with new and different options. There are many of this options that you could try:

• BB4Win: This is a port for Windows of the Unix Shell Blackbox. It’s a graphic windows manager with many configurable options. It has a favourites toolbar and a multi-function second panel. It has quick launch through shortcuts and a different text editor than the original used by windows. It also has its very own, built-in file manager file search utility.
• Aston Shell: This is an interesting shell replacement for Windows. You can customize every desktop element and make Windows look prettier and more usable. This program completely replaces your old desktop with a new one. It has its own taskbar, Disk and trash can monitors and hotkey manager.
• Emerge Desktop is another replacement shell for windows. It provides a system tray called emergeTray and also provide access to the users’ programs via a right-click on the desktop, via emergeCore. The best option is that it has an open API and there are many interesting applets to install.

Post your comment

Submit