folders

Q-Dir gives you the ability to view the properties of up to four files all at once for side-by-side comparisons. We were unimpressed by its tiny, unintuitive command buttons but, overall, it did its job well.

The user interface opens as four panels, each with the same commands, and each with the ability to browse for a specific file. At the top of the window reside tiny, almost microscopic buttons that let you choose your view. We had to hover our mouse over each one to learn its function. Still, we were able to quickly search for, and pull up, … Read more

Everyone knows they should back up their data, but a surprisingly small percentage of people actually do. Unfortunately, when the big crash finally comes or you experience a hard-drive failure, that's usually the time you realize you should have been backing up all along. There are a number of programs that make it easier to regularly back up your hard drive, but in my experience, many require several steps to get the job done.

Nero's BackItUp and Burn ($39.99), released yesterday, attempts to make the whole process easier for everyone. Using an intuitive tabbed interface and simple … Read more

KLS Backup 2008 Standard doesn't have the most intuitive user interface for backing up important files and folders, but thankfully, it employs wizards to streamline the process. Once we put it to the test, it successfully backed up designated files, folders, and even our Registry keys.

The user interface has commands at the top of the window, and four panels that display created profiles, profile tests, archives, and archive content. Not sure where to go first, we used the backup wizard to get started. Using the wizard, we added the files, selected the compression level, and applied encryption and … Read more

While this system cleaner is easy to use and works quickly, it doesn't offer anything to set it apart from the plethora of other registry fixers and optimizers.

Family Windows Cleaner has a clean, simple interface with big, bold buttons that all users will find easy to follow. The program offers several check boxes for users to customize their cleaning options. Like most optimizers, this program lets users choose certain cookies to keep during the cleaning process. It also offers password protection to limit access. In our trials, scanning and cleaning took no more than a few minutes, and … Read more

For all the bells and whistles you get with this backup program, we were shocked to find that it's free. Cobian Backup not only looks good, but it proved to be a very reliable and easy to use backup tool.

The user interface is straightforward, and the colorful command buttons are extremely intuitive. Creating a new backup task was easy, despite all of the configuration options. Basically, all we had to do was create a name, decide what files and folders to include, and create a schedule for the backup. We opted to save important files to our USB, … Read more

Folder Scout promises to help users eliminate tedious, confusing searches through folder trees to locate a specific document. However, some users may find this program's structure to be a larger obstacle than the trees it aims to replace.

This program presents its interface in a puzzling fashion. The display is broken into three pieces: the top being a Root Folder Quick Jump; the middle a selection of four tabs allowing users to seek folders as a disk tree, Favorites, Recent Folders, and Recent Docs; and the bottom being reserved for a standard search feature. Each option offers a different … Read more

Cool Tabs wants to make your desktop obsolete. This unique program allows for an easy way to condense the clutter from your computer's desktop into a small window that claims to help users get better organized.

This freeware program is presented as a simple bar that pops up on your screen. From there, you'll find tabs for Applications, Documents, and Favorites. Each tab is a different color and an unlimited number of tabs can be added. Within these tabs is where the program shines. Users can simply drag and drop shortcuts, folders, and files into the appropriate tab … Read more

Many people are interested in protecting their computer's security. Even deleted files are not safe from prowling criminals, looking for important information. Blancco - File Shredder claims to have a sure-fire way to protect your deleted material.

This program operates on a simple premise and should be easy for all users to handle. Even though the program throws around calculus terms like "algorithm," it does a fantastic job of breaking down the key components of its security and making deletion simple for all.

Users are greeted by a menu asking whether they wish to shred files, folders, … Read more

Simple Backup Tool promises to provide users with a quick and efficient way of keeping their files safe from crashes and hackers by storing them securely. While this sounds like a great idea, this software is flawed in so many ways the word "Simple" should be removed from the title.

The free download appears on the surface to be very easy to use. A basic menu consisting of "Backup," "About," and "Settings" options seems straightforward. In addition, there is a generous empty space for the backup log to chart actions.

Unfortunately, the … Read more