Emerging field of search tools which search the contents of a user's own computer files, rather than searching the Internet. The emphasis is on data mining all the information that is available on the user's PC, including web browser histories, e-mail archives, word-processor documents, and so on.

Programs that run from their icon in your tray, these little programs do everything from showing you the date to providing a handy notepad.

Set up a desktop for each member of the family, or set up one for work and another for games and yet another for Internet stuff. AKA virtual window manager.

Start a program automatically, set up hot keys for your most used programs.

Keep a designated window always on top, close all windows at once, show the time at the top of your browser window and lots more ideas.

Don't like the Windows 'Start' menu? Need to organize all of your shortcuts? Have trouble finding the shortcut for a program? Check out these alternatives.