Since most of us use the Internet to download media files to our computer, it's more important than ever we make a regular backup of our drive or partition. If your drive fails or you simply can't get access to your computer, most of these download audio files won't be accessible again as you can't go back to iTunes and download them all again for free. However, if you do suffer from a system crash, it's easier to simply locate your backup and recover to your systen. To do this, you need powerful backup software and there are few better tools than the market-leading Acronis True Image 2010.

Better still, we have Acronis True Image 2010 available from our new V3.co.uk Software Store for 25% from the UK RRP. This 25% off deal also applies to web users incoming from other currency territories such as the States, Eurozone and so on.

Acronis True Image 2010 on the V3.co.uk Software Store link.

Most modern computers, both desktops and laptops ship with large hard drives, big enough to store all of your applications, files, folders and media libraries. Managing this space can make the difference between your machine running well, or performing badly. You may notice your new machines drive will be divided into smaller partitions already, or be a single, large partition, either way you may want to change how your hard drive is partitioned. Windows does not enable you to do this that easily or effectively, so a third-party application may give you the flexibility required when creating or managing your drive and its partitions.

O&O Partition Manager 2.7 is similar in look and feel to the standard Disk Manager that ships with Windows, but provides greater flexibility and a number of more advanced features, such as supporting a number of disk types. Use it to segment your drive, change the size of partitions as well as move them to a different location.

O&O Partition Manager 2.7

Larger hard drives now enable the modern computer user to obtain and store large volumes of data, particularly useful for creating a library of your favourite audio and video files. Importing audio and video files from a CD or DVD is fairly straight forward, the trouble is that things can become a little more complicated when you save files from other sources such as a P2P network. This is where you may find that a downloaded a file may be saved in a format your media player cannot recognise or play.   

MediaCoder 0.7.2.4530 enables users to collate codecs in a single interface then import your audio and video files and quickly see the codecs used to encode them and convert them to another format, where required. Extremely useful for those who work with audio and video codecs on a regular basis.

MediaCoder 0.7.2.4530 link.

It's all too easy to spend ages downloading a file, only to find that what you've downloaded is either corrupt, incorrect or has simply failed to download. If your current download manager doesn't utilise multiple sources, it can take forever to download the file you need. The solution may be to take advantage of a download manager that will source and obtain files from multiple locations, one that will enable you to stop, resume, and monitor all downloads. Mass

Downloader 3.8.835 is a download manager that will enable a user to download files from multiple sources, decreasing download times. You can also stream both audio and video as well as browse through zip archives so that you can choose only the desired files.

Downloader 3.8.835 link.

Staying in touch with friends and family abroad using a phone is hugely expensive, so we tend to stick to using email to stay in touch. Instant messaging clients are also a cheap and effective way of communicating with loved ones, with the benefit of chatting in real-time rather than waiting for an email reply which could take much longer. Unfortunately, not all of your friends and family will use alternative messaging clients, so finding out who is online, and synchronising contacts between clients may be more difficult. This is where a cross-network messenger may prove helpful.  

Miranda Portable 0.8.9 is a portable, freeware cross-network messenger client. Simply download the application to a USB stick and take it on the road for use on any computer connected to the Internet. As it's cross-platform, you can chat with anyone who's using other instant messaging services and it can also be enhanced with an extensive list of plug-ins.

Miranda Portable 0.8.9 link. 

This month last year, we looked around for a potential software store partner and realised that we could do it as well, if not better, ourselves. We're lucky to have a strong relationship with our various software developer's, so there's no reason we can't organise our own promotional deals, present these to our web users and make sure we work hard to get the latest and best software in our store. The result is the brand new V3.co.uk Software Store, which went live, yesterday morning.

The V3.co.uk Software Store is powered by Cleverbridge and, at a basic level, enables you to purchase software from the majority of the Cleverbridge partners (Cleverbridge power the e-commerce for Acronis, Paragon Software, Uniblue, Avira and many other brands). We also have various non-Cleverbridge based brands, including AVG, Kaspersky, Iolo, Avanquest and others that will go live next week.

The V3.co.uk Software Store enables you to purchase and download your software, within minutes. No hanging around waiting for a delivery and no requirement to head to your local store to buy a boxed product. Simply choose the software you require, use your credit/debit card (or PayPal) to  purchase and you should receive your software and serial code within a couple of minutes of placing your order.

We're particularly pleased to point out our promotions on AVG AntiVirus 9, the Laplink Windows 7 Upgrade Assistant and various Paragon Software applications which are available with minimum 20%-off RRP.

We're already busy developing what we're calling Store 1.1, so if you have any feedback or ideas, let us know as soon as possible.

V3.co.uk Software Store link.

After a reasonable period of time using a certain application, many people tend to find it difficult to migrate to an alternative. Microsoft Word is one of those applications that almost anyone who owns a computer has used, but there are a few reasons for moving to an alternative. As with many other office applications, Word is an expensive piece of software and if you're on a budget, it's not always a viable option. Other reasons people look for alternatives is that they simply do not require the features that ship with Word.

AbiWord 2.8.0 is a freeware word processor that recognises and enables you to open, edit and save Microsoft Word documents. The application itself is obviously not as feature rich as Word, but it still offers extensive functionality, more than enough for the average user. There are also free plug-ins available via the AbiWord website.

AbiWord 2.8.0 link.

Current wireless technologies are enabling us to connect to the Internet quickly and easily, wherever we are. However, it hasn't always been so straightforward. Internet service providers used to manufacture suites that were designed to work specifically with the provider, shipping with all the applications required to access the Internet via a dial up connection. These suites were usually equipped with a browser, email client and an IRC client among other tools.

Mozilla SeaMonkey 2.0 is a popular, all-in-one internet suite that ships with the hugely popular Firefox browser as well as Thunderbird, an IRC chat application and Mozilla's HTML editor. Although Internet suites aren't as widely used as they once were, this is a useful collection of apps, but aimed at those who like and use Mozilla products.

Mozilla SeaMonkey 2.0 link.

Keeping certain files backed up provides a safety net in case anything disastrous happens to your computer. Although most of us are aware of the importance of regularly backing up photographs, music and other personal files regularly, how many of us do? Those who have experienced problems before are more likely to, but for those who haven't; it may be worth investing in a backup tool, before it's too late.

SyncBack SE 5.8.6.1 enables you to backup important data at set intervals. This means that in the case of an emergency, backups are as up-to-date as possible. The application can also be used to backup and store information on a CD-R or portable Flash drive. You can also utilise homepage space so that data can be accessed anywhere, via the Internet.

SyncBack SE 5.8.6.1 link.

When removing unwanted files and folders, you may come across a 'locked' file which you cannot delete or move. To delete or move this file you may be required to shutdown or restart your computer so that the file then becomes free again. However, restarting your machine time and again just to organise files can be tedious. Wouldn't be handy if these files could remain free or unlocked at all times?

Unlocker 1.8.8 enables you to move or delete system files whenever you need to. It does this by freeing up system resources which may be locking a file and in turn, keeps it free to move or delete as you wish, Just click your right mouse button to move or delete a chosen file.

Unlocker 1.8.8 link.

Most of us are familiar with, or have used an online chat service of some kind. It seems we cannot get enough of communicating with our friends and family, especially if it's free. Even social networking sites such as Facebook incorporate the facility to chat amongst online friends. The trouble is, communicating in this way can quickly become tedious, and there's no easy way of communicating with multiple users simultaneously.

Messenger Plus! Live 4.83 is an add-on for Windows Live Messenger that ships with numerous features that enhance functionality. These features include multi-chat within a single window, message shortcuts and it also has a fully customisable interface.

Messenger Plus! Live 4.83 link.

Almost any new PC is assembled using hundreds of components sourced from a number of different manufacturers. In any large electronics retailer there may be a number of computer manufacturers all offering 'great value' packages, usually boasting more value for money than their competitors products. This method of building PCs is excellent for cutting costs, but how does the finished article perform?

SIW 2009-10-22 enables you to check there current system for details on installed components. Use the application to find out almost everything about your machines hardware configuration, including information on your CPU, memory and all other hardware contained within your system.

SIW 2009-10-22 link.

Those of us who use a computer regularly tend to have a selection of favourite tools
and applications that we use regularly, some of which may updated fairly often, monthly or sometimes weekly. These updates may not be major, but can make applications more stable. If you don't regularly visit download or software publisher's sites, it's always easy to recognise newer versions of installed software. A useful and convenient way of keeping software updated is to use an auto-update tool, so you don't have to check manually.

UpdateStar 5 is an auto-update tool that will automatically find updates for any applications installed on your PC. This latest v5 is more likely to find updates for installed applications than previous versions, but it still may not find everything. 

UpdateStar 5 link.

The great thing about setting up and using a brand new computer is that everything works correctly. The trouble is, it doesn't take long for your new machine to accumulate folders, files and other junk which may all contribute to your machine behaving more erratically and performance becoming hindered. Although it's not quite time to call technical support, it may be time to try a diagnoses tool and attempt to identify any problems yourself.

Fresh Diagnose 8.23 can be used to analyse and benchmark certain aspects of your PCs performance. The application detects CPU and hard disk performance as well as motherboard information, so it can be used to identify any potential problems with regards to the performance of your hardware.

Fresh Diagnose 8.23 link.

Go out and buy a brand new computer and the first thing you'll want to do is partition the existing drive. That can be tricky, when the manufacturer has pre-installed Windows and other software. There might be more than a few partitions, some of which you'd like to delete or merge in to one larger partition. Either way, the software required to do this won't have shipped with Windows and it's wise to keep some partitioning software in your collection of applications, in case you want to re-partition at a later date. Buy an external hard drive and you may want to partition this. You may need to give your system partition more space, in the future. The options are endless.

Paragon Partition Manager 9.5 Professional, worth £42 (or $79.95), is available to download, for free from the Paragon Software website. This download has absolutely no restrictions - you can use it on your workstation or home PC - and it's the Professional edition, rather than the more basic Personal edition. This is a must have download and is only available between the 14th and 18th of October. 32-bit and 64-bit versions are available.

Paragon Partition Manager 9.5 Professional link.

If you understand how potential Internet threats could affect your computer, then you could be safe with the minimum of security software. We recently installed a well-known security suite and found our system slowed every time we tried to open, move, copy or even look for a file on our computer. If you work with a large number of files, this constant one or two second delay (whilst the file is examined for malicious content) can take it's toll after a while. Once you've downloaded a file to your computer, why do these anti-spyware security tools insist on checking them again?

AVG Anti-Virus Free v9 has been released and it's a major release. In addition to the regular anti-virus and anti-spyware support, you also receive basic support for finding rootkit installed on your computer, an email scanner as well as the new LinkScanner, so you will be warned if potential links or websites are a potential threat. Of course, AVG Free 9 has always been a relatively lightweight application, so it uses the minimum of system resources.

AVG Anti-Virus Free v9 link.

Over the years, disc burning applications have become over-complicated and overblown, making it more difficult to quickly burn any kind of disc. Simplicity and usability have been sacrificed  for useless options such as label and cover designing tools. All most of us really need is a simple and effective burning package that enables you to burn all modern media formats such as CD, DVD and Blu-Ray as well as create bootable discs quickly and with maximum quality.

Ashampoo Burning Studio 9.2  enables users to easily create almost any kind of disc they may need. It's fairly simple to navigate and use, so whether you need to burn a full blown Blu-ray movie, quickly backup an audio CD or create a bootable disc for your computer, this suite is more than capable.

Ashampoo Burning Studio 9.2  link.

Sending the odd photograph via email is relatively easy, but sharing an album can be a little trickier. One way is to create an online gallery that can be viewed by friends and family, via the Internet. This is a far easier than emailing your pictures to others and there's no need to compress images, this not only makes it easy for anyone uploading images but it also makes it easier for anyone that wishes to view them.

JAlbum 8.5.1 is a gallery producing application that enables you to create online albums from your digital photographs and other images. No other software is required to view uploaded images, just your web browser. You can also use the application to create themes and layouts for albums then simply drag and drop in your images.

JAlbum 8.5.1

If you regularly download files you'll know how important a good Internet connection can be. However, if your download manager isn't making the best use of available bandwidth, what's the point in paying for a good connection? Although download managers are not as widely used as they once were, a good one will enable you to allocate bandwidth and even increase download speeds.

Orbit Downloader 2.8.17 maximises your connection and maintains optimum download speeds and reliability. It does this by utilising multi-source download technology and supports multiple protocols. This download manager can also be used to stream video data from web pages as well as download Flash content.

Orbit Downloader 2.8.17 link.

Even if your computer ships with a large capacity hard drive, installing lots of different programs could eventually cause more problems than they solve. During the installation of any new application, data is submitted to your Windows Registry which may lead to applications automatically starting as your machine boots. Not only does this make booting slower, but once an application is uninstalled, those problematic Registry entries may remain.

Autoruns 9.56 is a utility that enables a user can obtain a list of any applications that are launched as your PC boots. This list can then be used to identify and locate any files or folders that are related to installed applications, making it easier for you to disable or remove any unwanted items.

Autoruns 9.56 link.

Encountering malicious software is an inevitability, even if you are running the latest antivirus client . Malicious software can be disguised and distributed in a number of different and ingenious ways which makes it increasingly difficult for many applications to identify, let alone protect against. One other problem is that, even if you find an application that works, they tend to be overblown and are usually far larger than necessary.
 
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool 3.0 is a basic utility that ensures you are protected against the very latest malicious threats. The application scans and checks your system, automatically removing any unwanted items as well as displaying a full report at the end of each scan.

Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool 3.0 link.

When you purchase a new computer, it doesn't take long before you start adjusting settings to match your personal requirements. Without the required skills though, adjusting these settings via the Windows Registry could all manner of issues and even result system failure. Rather than tweaking the Windows Registry, one solution would be to use an established optimisation tool, as they are a safer alternative for less experienced users.

Fresh UI 8.42 is a freeware optimisation tool for Windows that can be used to easily configure your operating system. There's no need to edit your Registry, meaning you can configure PC performance without fear of interfering or potentially damaging key areas of your operating system.

Fresh UI 8.42 link.

Installing any new software on our PC is fairly straightforward and can sometimes happen without you even realising. However it's a different story when it comes to uninstalling unwanted applications, and the Windows Add/Remove tool can often leave files and folders within your system and Windows Registry.

Your Uninstaller! 6.2 can remove these files from your system, and has an advanced uninstall option for delving deep in to file and application removal. It can also help to remove malware that may be hiding deep in your system as well as remove unused files on your PC which could be taking up vital space on your hard drive.

Your Uninstaller! 6.2 link.  

Anyone who has used a computer has used the Windows Explorer file manager at some point to perform maintenance tasks which include renaming, making backups and deleting unwanted data and as with many applications and utilities, there are alternatives available. Changing your file manager could improve productivity and make boring maintenance tasks quicker easier than ever whilst enabling you to customise certain areas of the explorer and even change the look and feel depending on personal preference.

Directory Opus 9.5 is a replacement for your existing Windows Explorer. The application is highly customisable and you can use it in single or dual-pane mode to quickly move folders and files as well as use it as your FTP tool for synchronising files between different computers.

Directory Opus 9.5 link.

One advantage of working between multiple machines is that it provides users with greater flexibility but on the other hand, it does pose numerous other difficulties. Transferring data between machines can make it more difficult to identify particular files and folders but by using a synchronisation tool, you can ensure that the latest saves are easily identified and opened on any computer you are using.

GoodSync 8.0.1.0 enables you to automatically sync or backup documents. Equipped with the application, users can work on a document whilst travelling, arrive at work, switch on your office machine and continue working on the same document or project. A very useful utility for anyone who uses more than one computer.

GoodSync 8.0.1.0 link.

All the facts and figures that are published in promotional literature for any new computer are obviously based on the hardware installed, but the quality of each component will make a huge difference, too. Many computers that are advertised or on sale in computer stores may look like good value, but to save money the components are often sourced as cheaply as possible, which when pieced together, could have a negative impact on system performance.

Everest Ultimate Edition 5.30 enables users to run a full analysis of your system and identify performance statistics of installed hardware. The application can be used to both compare components and identify hardware which may not be working correctly. The latest v5.30 ships with improved support for Windows 7.

Everest Ultimate Edition 5.30

Using a computer on daily basis requires you to maintain a certain level of organisation, especially if you use high capacity hard drives and work with large amounts of data. It's not only a larger drive that makes it more difficult to keep files and folders organised but transferring information via portable devices can also contribute to the disorganisation. Not only does a cluttered drive make searching for items difficult but it could potentially lead to more serious problems such as slow start up times and other erratic system behaviour.

UltraDefrag 3.2 is a freeware de-fragmentation tool that enables users to easily maintain a healthy drive. This application could help prevent system crashes, slowdowns, and in more severe cases, complete system failure. The interface is basic but the application features all the necessary components for effective de-fragmentation.

UltraDefrag 3.2 link.