Extensions for Windows: Free Utilities for XP and Vista PCs

“Extensions for Windows” is a collection of tools for Windows users that bills itself as an “unofficial upgrade.” Previously, this package of tools and utilities was only available as a download which you had to pay for ($19.95). However, they’ve recently changed that. Although the full suite is still available, they’re now offering some of their products for free.

From the company’s homepage, you can download the following utilities:

1. An Extended Windows Explorer

2. A Screen Capture and Desktop Recorder

3. A Keyboard Shortcut Manager

4. An Image Converter, Resizer, and Denoiser

5. A Disk Analyzer

6. An FTP and SFTP Client

7. An Extended Task Manager

8. A File Compression Extension

Over the years, you’ve probably downloaded a few programs similar to those on this list – in fact, you may have even paid good money for them. As noted on the Extensoft site, similar programs like SnagIt, Camtasia, WinZip, Cute FTP, and others charge quite a bit once you get beyond their free trial. Buying each one of those apps piecemeal, and you could end up spending a lot of money.

If you’re someone who needed the advanced features that the professional editions of those apps offered, then your money did not go to waste. But if you only need, say, 80% functionality and none of the complex features, then Extensions for Windows says they have you covered…for free.

At first, I thought Extensions for Windows was a suite of Windows XP tools, so I didn’t try them out. However, it looks like Extensions runs on Vista, too, so now I’m definitely going to give them a shot.

Have you tried Extensions for Windows? If so, let me know about your experiences in the comments.