# Windows Tools **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 29, 2003, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-tools/221497 "2003-12-29T01:07:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-tools/221497/1 "2003-12-29T01:07:47Z")
This thread was prompted by a recent one in which I learned that the WindowsXP “Recovery Console” can be rather useful. I’m probably not alone in my view that the various MSWindows operating systems can be long on problems and short on tools that can diagnose and fix those problems. So I was hoping to encourage Dopers to suggest tools that they have occasionally found handy and that they feel might be of use to others. Perhaps there should be an emphasis on free or low-cost tools, but if you have pricey items that works well, there will probably be someone who’d like to hear about them. (I’d especially like to know of effective tools for diagnosing network problems, almost regardless of their cost.) Here are a couple of simple items I’ll note up front: - TweakUI - various tools to modify aspects of the Windows user interface. - Ad-Aware and SpyBot - freeware utilities to search for and remove “adware”, “spyware” and “scumware”. I’m aware that most of what is posted here will have been mentioned many times previously. I nonetheless feel there may be some value to a compendium of this info. (Details on the above – and I expect many other – suggestions are readily available via Google. If you suggest something that’s a bit obscure, you may wish to provide a link.) ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-tools/221497/2 "2003-12-29T02:44:43Z")
One that I wholeheartedly recommend: [FreeRam XP Pro](http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3000-2086-10219611.html) ---
**Author:** ![Etherman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@Etherman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Etherman)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-tools/221497/3 "2003-12-29T04:25:11Z")
[Nmap](http://www.insecure.org/nmap/) and [Ethereal](http://www.ethereal.com/) are must haves. Throw in [Cain](http://www.oxid.it/), , [fport](http://www.foundstone.com/index.htm?subnav=resources/navigation.htm&subcontent=/resources/proddesc/fport.htm), and [psutils](http://gnuwin32.sourceforge.net/packages/psutils.htm) and you’ve got a good start, network wise. All free or with an evaluation period. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-tools/221497/4 "2003-12-29T13:13:55Z")
Xteq [X-setup](http://www.xteq.com/products/xset/index.html) does some extra things that TweakUI doesn’t ---
**Author:** ![NutMagnet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@NutMagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutMagnet)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-tools/221497/5 "2003-12-29T13:36:07Z")
One of my favorite pieces of freeware is xxcopy. Unfortunately it only runs on Win 9x [http://www.xxcopy.com/#summary](http://www.xxcopy.com/#summary) It’s a bit arcane with all the possible command line switches, but using its cloning features is simple: xxcopy c: d: /clone It makes an exact copy of your hard drive, which can then be swapped with th original, and everything works as before. you can also be working in Windows while it’s running. It’s priceless when you’re upgrading a hard drive. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-tools/221497/6 "2003-12-29T16:12:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NutMagnet \* > It makes an exact copy of your hard drive, which can then be swapped with th original, and everything works as before. you can also be working in Windows while it’s running. It’s priceless when you’re upgrading a hard drive. xxcopy does _not_ make an exact copy of a hard drive. It’s because of the poorly thought out system MS came up with to have long file names. Certain programs (esp. the booting of the OS) may fail after such a “clone”. Furthermore, xxcopy’s own documentation (RTFM!) clearly explains this point and why it occurs. To make a true copy you have to use a partition copy program (which usually comes with new hard drives or you can use programs like Partition Magic, etc.) Never, ever, expect xxcopy to clone a hard drive. ---
**Author:** ![NutMagnet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@NutMagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutMagnet)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-tools/221497/7 "2004-01-09T13:30:33Z")
**ftg** Are you referring to MS’s **x** copy? You’re right, it won’t do the job. This is **xx** copy, a different piece of software, not from MS. I’ve used it a number of times and without reservation highly recommend it. Check this link. [http://www.xxcopy.com/xxcopy10.htm](http://www.xxcopy.com/xxcopy10.htm) The actual steps are: > [@](#): > > . connect the new drive as D: > . FDISK (initialize a partition) > . FORMAT D: (init volume for file access) > . XXCOPY C:\ D:\ /CLONE (copy all the files) > . connect the new drive as C: > . FDISK (set active partition)