Is there any freeware (XP/vista) that will take a snapshot of your computer before and after a software installation and tell you of any modifications. I know there is at least one paid one but I am cheap. I am always a little suspicious of any software from the net and would like to know what it does, (e.g. to any registry values). I tend to sandbox anything new, but this would help too.
Also is there a program (freeware of course) that allows one to put pop-up descriptors onto files and folders? I am always trying out new software (e.g. graphic packages) thinking this will be useful later for a particular task. Ten months later when I come across it in my “all programs” start up menu I cant remember what it does. Something that pops up when I hover my mouse over it (or CNTRL click etc) would be perfect. It should be very quick to use, not having to say right click, go into properties box to look for a tag etc.
Install watchers were more common in the Win9x era, but Process Monitor is a pretty good free option these days. Start it up, drag the crosshairs toolbar button onto the installer’s window, and then complete the installation. It will record all the file and registry changes made by that process.
You will probably have to play with the filter options to narrow down the output.
Belarc Advisor is a great tool that will take a “snapshot” of your computer’s configuration. I don’t know if it will advise you of modifications, though.
As for your second question, how about editing the tooltip for your start menu entries? Right-click on any program in there, go to Properties and then change the Comment to whatever you like. It’ll be displayed as a regular tooltip if you just wait a second or two.
For an example of this, hover your mouse over any Microsoft program like Internet Explorer or Word… it’ll explain what the program does.