Facebook Messenger for Windows 2.1.4590.0

License:	Freeware
Operating Systems:	Windows 7 (32 bit), Windows 7 (64 bit), Windows Vista (32 bit), Windows Vista (64 bit), Windows XP
Requirements:
Languages:	English
Software Cost:	Free Facebook Messenger is a dedicated social networking tool for Windows

Keeping on top of all of the activity that goes on on Facebook can be time consuming. The need to visit the site to check to see if you have any messages, respond to messages you have received, catch up with what your friends have been up to and chatting with your online friends means that you are usually unable to do anything else at the same time. Loading the Facebook site occupies your entire screen so there is unlikely to be the opportunity to multitask and get on with other things whilst chatting or using the social network for other things.

Facebook Messenger for Windows may just be the app you have been looking for. It is a dedicate Facebook app that can be used in a number of ways as an alternative to visiting the web site. The app will immediately inform you whenever you receive a message, a friend request or there is a notification generated - when a friend comments on one of your photos, for example. The news ticker that is found to the upper right of the Facebook page is visible in the app so you can see at a glance what your friends are up to.

The program can be used in one of two ways. The first option is to treat Facebook Messenger like any other Windows app and only bring it to the foreground when you want to use it – sounds are played when chat messages are received so you will know when the app needs attention. The other option is to switch to docked mode and pin the application as a bar to the right hand edge of your screen. In this mode the news ticker and your list of online friends is always visible.

Click most of the elements that are visible in the app window or dock will take you to the Facebook site to the relevant page. However, as you would expect from an app with the word ‘messenger’ in its name, the program can also be used to conduct chat with your Facebook contacts, just click the name of anyone in your friends list and you can start a chat in a new window. If you are chatting with more than one person at the same time, the chat window becomes tabbed to save space and enabling you to switch between conversations with ease.

Verdict:

 A great tool for the dedicated social networker, this saves having to visit the Facebook site and keep you informed about what is going on.

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Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 11 build 2012.08.28 

License:	Freeware
Operating Systems:	Windows 7 (32 bit), Windows 7 (64 bit), Windows Vista (32 bit), Windows Vista (64 bit)
Requirements:
Languages:	English
Software Cost:	Free

Detect malware on your PC

Installing a good antivirus tool will keep most malware out of your system - but not all. Even the best security suites will miss maybe 1 or 2% of incoming threats, which means your PC could become infected without your antivirus software noticing. So if you suspect a problem then you'll need another program to help deal with it, and we have the perfect candidate in mind.

The Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 11 has no real-time protection, so you can't use it in place of a full antivirus solution. Instead, the idea is that you use it to get a second opinion on your system, checking for malware and removing anything that it finds.

The lack of real-time protection means the Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 11 shouldn't conflict with your main antivirus program. And, once installed, it's very easy to use. Just select the system areas you'd like to check, click Start Scan and let the program do its work.

Kaspersky themselves warn that, if the program detects a virus, then removing it can cause harm to your PC. Virus-infected documents may be lost, and if system files have become infected then disinfecting them may disable your system. This is no different to any other antivirus tool, but you should still be careful in how you use it. And if you'd like assistance, feel free to ask for help in Kaspersky's official forum. See their support page on the Virus Removal Tool for more advice.

Important: our download takes you directly to the Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool file on the Kaspersky website. This link changes daily (meaning our link has to be updated daily). If you cannot download, try again later or directly from the Kaspersky website: http://www.kaspersky.com/antivirus-removal-tool?form=1
 

Verdict:

A valuable second line of antivirus defence. If your PC is unstable or otherwise showing malware-type symptoms then download the Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool and let it give your system a health check

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Paragon Partition Manager 12 Free

Paragon Partition Manager 12 Free

License:	Freeware
Operating Systems:	Windows 7 (32 bit), Windows 7 (64 bit), Windows Vista (32 bit), Windows Vista (64 bit), Windows XP
Requirements:
Languages:	English, German, French
Software Cost:	Free

Enables you to create a brand new partition or resize existing partitions

There are various ways of upgrading your computer. You don’t necessarily need to go out and buy a new machine, there are cheaper options. If you only have 1GB of system memory, considering doubling this to 2GB. If you have a small hard drive, why not purchase a larger drive? The new drive is almost certain to be faster and more efficient than the old hard drive, primarily as they have a limited life span.

Problem is that new hard drives either ship pre-configured with multiple partitions, with the manufacturer thinking they know how you need your drive, or with no partition at all. Once you format your drive, you need to configure it for your computer. A partition for Windows is a cert and another for your data is likely. You might want a partition for your media.

Formatting a drive is easy in Windows, partitioning is more difficult. If you just want to create a simply partition or re-size existing partitions, you may not require expensive professional-level partitioning software, hence Paragon Partition Manager 12 Free. This free software is designed for home users who just want to create, delete or re-size existing partitions.

Paragon Partition Manager 12 Free doesn’t contain much more functionality, although it does ship with recovery disc builder, so you can fix your machine if you experience problems partitioning a drive.

If you want to do more than create a new partition or resize existing partitions, you’ll need to step up to Paragon Partition Manager 12 Home, which will migrate drive contents to a new drive, perform a simple drive backup, enable you to create a multi-boot system (for multiple OS use) and much more. A comparison chart will give you more detailed information.

Verdict:

Free partitioning management software that will enable you to either create a brand new partition or resize existing drive partitions

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Windows 8 Transformation Pack 5.0 (For Windows 7 Users Only)

Every new version of Windows involves adapting to change, and Windows 8 will be no different, promising a radical new look as it attempts to bestride tablets and phones as well as your laptop or desktop. If all you want to do is preview the new look and some of the tools on your Windows 7-powered PC, try the Windows 8 UX Pack.

If you’d like to emulate the look on an earlier version of Windows, you’ll need this Windows 8 Transformation Pack tool instead. It takes the UX Pack and adds in a number of extra elements that emulate key aspects of Windows 8 already built into Windows 7 such as the translucent Windows Aero interface. Basically, if you want to get the Windows 8 look in Vista, XP or Windows Server, you need this instead.

Installation is simple enough: extract the setup file from the zip archive, then double-click it to get started. If you’ve installed the pre-requisites (.NET Framework 4.0, plus .NET Framework 2.0-3.5 if you’re running Windows Server or the 64-bit version of XP) you can select what to install and then click Install to see if the program will be able to supply you with the features you desire.

Be patient, it can take a while to apply everything, and it occasionally appears stuck, but persevere and if all works you’ll be prompted to reboot at which point you’ll be able to get a feel for Windows 8.

For Vista and Windows 7 users, the changes will be largely superficial, with access to the Metro-like user interface and various gadgets the big attraction. XP users will notice the most radical changes, with a completely revamped interface to contend with. You may encounter glitches – if these prove too troublesome, or you decide the new look and feel isn’t for you, just re-run the setup tool to remove it from your system. 

Windows 8 Transformation Pack v5.0 additions and new features:

- Fixed Segoe UI font installation compatibilities
- Improved uninstallation compatibilities with Themes removal
- Replaced Windows Vista theme with M-Awesome’s Windows 8 RC
- Replaced Windows 7 theme with thepanda-x’s Windows 8 RC Aero for Windows 7
- Replaced Windows 7 Metro theme with thepanda-x’s Windows 8 RC Aero for Windows 7
- Updated Aero mouse cursors from Windows 8 Release Preview
- Updated battery tray icons quality from Windows 8 Release Preview
- Updated branding logo to official ones from Windows 8 Release Preview
- Updated Explorer toolbar buttons from Windows 8 Release Preview
- Updated loading circle animation from Windows 8 Release Preview
- Updated Metro Inspirat theme for Windows XP to version 4.0 from Windows 8 Release Preview with more focus to Metro design
- Updated Newgen Tiles with Windows 8 Release Preview’s default background
- Updated Segoe UI fonts family from Windows 8 Release Preview
- Updated TrueTransparency skin matching Windows 8 Release Preview
- Updated Windows 8 Release Preview logon screen
- Updated Windows 8 Release Preview’s wallpapers

Verdict:

A surprisingly elegant and effective way to give your ageing version of Windows a major makeover, but you may encounter the odd glitch. And make sure you back up your PC first. 

Download Windows 8 Transformation Pack 5.0