you're into constantly tinkering and tweaking your Windows operating system, I'm sure you must have have crossed paths with Microsofts TweakUI PowerToy. Countless Windows XP users. including myself. found it extremely easy to use. Just think of Ultimate Windows Tweaker as the TweakUI for Windows Vista. a magic wand to get rid of most of Vista's annoyances.

It is less than 1MB in size. but this miniscule size hides a multitude of tools that toggle between more than 130 system tweaks for Windows Vista quite efficiently. Moreover. it is a standalone executable which requires no installation, just click-and-run for launch. You will notice that Ultimate Windows Tweaker's interface is minimalistic and easy to navigate. Among its many ace features is the ability to curb Vista's infamous User Access Control. instant killing of troublesome applications. and applying menu tweaks.

Find the tool on this month's DVD. in the Software> Utilities section. Designed for advanced users. Ultimate Windows Tweaker makes it easier for the less-informed among us to control over more than 130 Vista settings. all of them conveniently grouped into seven categories (Personalization. Security, Internet Explorer. and so on). Thankfully. you can get a description of any given setting just by running the mouse over it. One good thing that the software lets you do is create a system-restore point just by clicking a button in the application window. It may come in handy just in case a tweak goes awry. Click Restore Defaults to set everything back the way it was.

Some of my favorite tweaks: Restore folder windows at startup in the Personalization section. If I shut down or reboot with folders still open. those folders will re-open when Windows restarts. But there are so many others. like the 0l2tion to restore the Run command to the Start menu. Ultimate Widows Tweaker is definitely a must-have for system modders. or anyone who likes to dive deep into Windows' guts. And the icing on the cake? It's completely free. I am sure that equipped with this efficient tooL. there should be no room for complaints on Windows Vista's annoyances. Hopefully.