Note: There are a great many ad blockers and pop-up stoppers in this listing. Recently some commercial and corporate sites have taken measures to cripple or avoid having their ads blocked, sometimes causing your browser to crash or your computer to seize up. While there's no real workaround as yet, you should be aware of the situation. More to follow.

Note #2: See the info on PC Magazine downloads here.

!Panic 1.0.5 is a free Internet Explorer 5 add-on that hides your surfing history from anyone else who uses your PC. It also comes with a "Panic" button that reduces its window to what looks like a minimized MSWord document. Good for fooling the boss. Slip over to www.gr-fix.com/panic/ to see for yourself.

@Start 3.1 is a custom homepage for Internet Explorer which loads from your hard drive when IE is opened and displays customized links, news stories, direct access to 5 search engines (Google, Alta Vista, Lycos, MSN and Yahoo), recently-typed URL list, Favorites, and History. Free from www.atstart.org/.

1TabView 2.2 is an IE plugin that defines sets of Web pages that you can open all at once in a tabbed display (no multiple browser windows to suck down your system resources). Useful for those of us who visit the same few sites over and over again during a day. $10 from www.1tabview.com/index.htm.

32bit Service Monitor s9.50.01 monitors your Web site and other network services with this utility. $59 from www.electrasoft.com/32bs.htm.

3d Traceroute 1.0.13:31 gives you a colorful, graphical traceroute display for your Net connection. Free from www.hlembke.de/prod/3dtraceroute/.

404Browser 1.4 is an IE-based browser that, like others of its ilk, is smaller and quicker than its bloatware parent. Free from www.ltpb.8m.com/404Browser/.

40tude Dialog 2.0.3.1 is a highly configurable newsgroup reader that handles different languages. Free from www.40tude.com/dialog/ .

A1Monitor Network Monitor (TCP or Web) 6.2.3 monitors multiple Web or TCP servers and notifies you by e-mail or pager if any servers can't be reached after consecutive attempts. $100 from www.a1monitor.com/.

Aaron's Web Vacuum 2.30 is a utility that downloads files from web sites; ideal for downloading pictures from web pages with thumbnails, all the MP3s from web sites, or all the files off of any site. The full version is $22; you might start with the free, "lite" version to see if it's worth your money. Visit www.surfwarelabs.com/ for more info.

ABC-EDUCA Startpage Creator 0.3 lets you create a dynamic HTML (DHTML) Start page from your bookmarked favorites. Free from www.abc-educa.nl/download-spc.html.

Absolutely On-Line 2.91 performs the minimum activity required to avoid the line being dropped and automatically clicks on the pop-up window that asks if you'd like to continue your connection. You can also set it to save your password and automatically connect and disconnect to your ISP, and sets your system clock using an Internet Time Server. $15 from www.jimjams.com/.

AbsoluteShield Internet Eraser 3.22 protects your privacy by cleaning up all the tracks of your Internet and computer activities. Erases the browser cache, history, cookies, typed URLs, autocomplete list and so on. You can also use it to automatically erase those tracks when you quit IE or quit Windows. Additional plug-ins can erase tracks left by other applications such as Microsoft Office, WinZip, RealPlayer and Windows Media Player. $35 from www.internet-track-eraser.com/ (a "lite" version is free).

Accelerate 4.0 is one of many browser accelerators listed on this page. This one does its job by modifying your data transfer settings in Windows. $20 from www.webroot.com/.

AcqURL 5.0 is a sophisticated bookmark manager with lots of features. $35 to keep from www.acqurl.com/.

Actioneer 3.1 Smart Portal is a freebie from www.actioneer.com/ that works with either Navigator or MSIE to help you find Web-based information without using bookmarks or typing in URLs. Actioneer is tied in with over 100 Web sites, from Amazon.com to Yahoo!, and automatically updates itself. Keywords are customizable, and works nicely with Lotus Notes, MSOutlook, and various Palm organizers. All in all, a very nice download.

Active Whois 1.0 BETA is a network information utility that lets you find information about the owners of Internet domains and addresses. $20 from www.johnru.com/activewhois/.

ActiveCaption allows you to speed Web surfing by running background searches of multiple search engines and streamline your bookmark organization. Works with MSIE and Netscape only. Free from www.oneseek.com/.

Active XCavator 2.0 locates and identifies all the ActiveX controls installed on your PC. You'd be surprised just how many of these little buggers MSIE will download and install on your computer without so much as a by-your-leave. Free from www.cognitronix.com/.

Actual Title Buttons 1.3 adds two buttons to the ubiquitous three in the upper right corner of any Windows program's title bar, Stay on Top and Minimize to Tray. This sounds intriguing; I've gotta try this one. $20 to keep from www.actualtools.com/index.shtml.

Acutesearch 1.0 enables shortcut Internet searches within the Internet Explorer address bar. For example, you can establish a search prefix for Google called "google," then type "google Scotland" to search for "Scotland" at Google directly from IE's address bar. You could do the same with any other search engine or library, such as the Internet Movie Database. Free from www.acutesearch.com/.

AddaButton 1.6 lets you add a button (up to 20) to MSIE's toolbar for a one-click launch of a Web site, program, or document within your browser. Free from www.harmonyhollow.net/.

Ad-Aware 5.83 finds and deletes "spyware" from your PC that may have been placed on your machine without your knowledge. Similar in function to Steve Gibson's OptOut, this utility finds spyware from Web3000, Gator, Cydoor, Radiate/Aureate, Conducent/TimeSink, and CometCursor, among many others. (Note: Gibson has retired his OptOut program in favor of Ad-aware.) Free from www.lsfileserv.com/ or www.lavasoftusa.com/. An essential program for any Web user.

Ad-Terminator is a simple text file that sits in your \WINDOWS\ directory and has your computer contact the Ledgerlabs site whenever an ad is requested; the site then replaces the ad with a blank screen. Free from www.ledgerlabs.com/.

Address URL Edit 1.1 helps users edit URL address dropdown lists in Internet Explorer. $15 from www.fadsoft.com/address_url_editor.htm.

AdFree 3.1 removes banner ads from Web sites. The program filters your Web connections as you surf and blocks ads you don't want. Unlike other ad blockers that use proxies, AdFree looks in your Windows HOSTS file for a Web server's IP address. When a page calls an ad, AdFree edits the HOSTS file and substitutes a dummy file for the banner ad. You selectively choose which banners you don't want to view in the future by right-clicking the ad and specifying the server you want to block. Also lets you block entire sites. Free from lucille.dhs.org/.

AdKiller 1.2 is an aptly named utility that stops ads from coming up during your surfing. In addition, the vendor asks you to report ads that make it through the screens, so that they can be blocked in the future. Free from www.adkiller.com/, but if you register it ($15), you get rid of the nagging registration reminders. Updates are free.

AdKiller Daemon v1.0.15r2 is a free pop-up killer from mycgiserver.com/~adkiller/ that uses the window title and size to determine whether it is an advertising window or not. It comes with about 400 pre-loaded titles and allows you to edit them or add new ones. Configurable to close any window that is smaller in height and/or width than specified, or to simply prevent any additional windows from opening, and includes a feature that can automatically search for dependent windows and close them automatically.

AdsCleaner 4.2 stops pop-ups, banner adds, and quite a bit more. $25 to keep from www.adscleaner.com/.

AdvertisingCleaner 2.0 blocks pop-ups and many types of spyware from infesting your system. $25 from www.productsfoundry.com/advertisingcleaner/.

Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 is an absolutely essential browser plug-in (and standalone program) that enables you to read .PDF files. It's a big one, and slow as molasses, but it works, and you need it. Grab it for free from www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.

Adobe Reader Speedup 1.32 greatly speeds the loading of the above Adobe Reader by blocking the innumerable, and often-unneccesary, loading of Reader plug-ins. Customize the utility by deciding which plug-ins you need, and disable the rest. Free from www.tnk-bootblock.co.uk/prods/misc/.

AdsGone Popup Killer 3.5.1 removes most banners and pop-ups regardless of which browser you use, and makes browsing faster by preventing ad content from loading. $12 from www.adsgone.com/.

AdsOff 2.0 is a $19 utility from intercantech.com/ that filters banner ads, pop-ups, and even animated GIFs from coming up as you surf the Web. You can configure it to block as much or as little as you like. Compatible with Opera, MSIE, and Navigator. When you register, you also purchase a year of free updates. (Note: No longer supported by the vendor, even though it still works. You might try downloading it from www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,6182,tk,hsx,00.asp instead.)

AdSubtract Pro 3.0 filters cookies, pop-ups, GIFs, scripts, music, and Flash, as you choose. $30 to keep from www.adsubtract.com/ (the SE version is free).

AdWiper 1.02 is another ad removal utility for your browser. $18 to keep from www.webwiper.com/frameset.htm.

Afreet Site Viewer is an MSIE add-on that makes it easy to view a site's directory structure. An ad-supported version is free; lose the ads for $10. Go to www.netvampire.com/siteviewer/ for more info.

AI Roboform 5.4.1 completes those ubiquitious Web forms for you. Free, but limited to MSIE users; get it at www.roboform.com/.

Alchemy Eye PRO 4.4 is a system management tool that continuously monitors server availability and performance. In the event of network errors, the program alerts the network administrator by cell phone or pager before problems get seriously out of hand. $299 from www.alchemy-lab.com/products/eye/pro.html.

Alchemy Network Monitor PRO 4.9.3 is a system management tool that continuously monitors server availability and performance. It can alert the network administrator by cell phone or pager in the event of network errors, before problems get seriously out of hand. $299 from www.deksoftware.com/alchemy/index.html.

AlertPing 2.4.1 is a tool which verifies the accessibility of a computer by building a list of TCP/IP devices (computers, printers and others) to verify their network connections, periodically pinging each device and notifying any failed ping requests. It features a traceroute function, and you can specify the type of warning message issued when there is a failed ping request. Free from www.psgsoft.com/.

Alexa 5.0 is a free browser utility from www.alexa.com/ that provides you with lists of related sites to the ones you surf to. It also provides you with "traffic" and "freshness" reports, along with information about the Web site authors. Affiliated with Amazon.com, so expect lots of referrals to that site. Ad-aware considers Alexa "adware" and so do I. Note: Alexa comes bundled with most versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer. Feel free to remove it.

AllegroSurf 5.0.0.3 gives you control of the Internet by sharing your connection with others while also accelerating its speed and filtering out unwanted content. Uses advanced filtering techniques to allow you to block unwanted content in numerous categories from your Web browser. $60 from www.allegrosurf.com/.

Alphabetical Bookmark Collector 1.01 is a plain and simple bookmark manager that allows you to quickly access your IE Favorites from an alphabetical register instead of a folder tree. It's very useful if you have several Favorites and want to search them by name. The index is mouse-sensitive, so you can just move your mouse over the letters in order to display the Favorites associated with them. Free from cocoholo.com/.

AltaVista Discovery 1.0 is a search tool based on the AltaVista Web search engine, but searches both your system and the Internet for specific information, using your browser to created easily indexed and organized search results. Look for it at www.altavista.com/.

AltaVista Messenger Beta is a free messenger utility that allows you to send messages to users of both MSN Messenger and AOL's Instant Messenger. Users of AltaVista's message client can send voice messages to each other, also send files, set up voice chats, etc. Available from www.altavista.com/.

Amaya 4.3 is the W3C's own browser, used to implement and showcase new HTML, XHTML, XML, etc protocols. An excellent choice for Web developers, though not for the average surfer. As it is open source software, it is frequently upgraded. Free from www.w3.org/amaya/.

AmiWeb Secure Browser for Kids! 2.0 is a kid-safe browser that guides your young surfers to pre-approved sites. Colorful and interactive, and free from www.midmultimedia.com/amiweb_ca/.

AmphetaDesk 0.24 is a configurable news provider that adds news content to your Desktop. Free from www.disobey.com/amphetadesk/.

AnalogX FastCache 1.0 speed ups your Internet connection by caching DNS requests. This is a caching DNS server that runs on your local machine and handles any DNS request that your computer makes. Every time you launch a Web site, send an e-mail or perform any other Internet activity, your computer needs to look up the domain name from your ISP's DNS server. It only takes a couple hundred milliseconds per request, but these seconds can add up over time or slow you down if DNS response is slow. FastCache caches the results for a configurable number of days, so you don't have to waste time on repetitive DNS lookups. Free from www.analogx.com/.

AnalogX Pow! 1.58 is a well-known pop-up ad killer that works efficiently and unobtrusively. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me; instead, it insisted on closing every browser windows open. Your mileage may vary. Free from www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/pow.htm.

Angry IP Scanner 2.21 lets you scan any range of IP addresses looking for a live connection, or you can search a specific hostname on your network to find the IP address. Provides a listing that has the information on whether an IP address is dead or active, and can export the list into an HTML, XML, TXT, or CSV file. You can right-click an active IP address and get the NetBIOS information, or perform tasks such as opening the IP address in a Web browser, opening the IP address in an explorer window, open an FTP connection (if possible), telnet to the IP address, or start a traceroute command. Fits on a floppy. Free from www.angryziber.com/ipscan/.

Annotate is a browser add-on that adds to your browsing experience; after downloading the utility and subscribing to Annotate's service, as you browse you'll sometimes see a Desktop alert that signals more information available from the Annotate system. Click it to see what Annotate thinks might go well with the page you're browsing. Free from www.annotate.net/.

Anonymity 4 Proxy is a browser utility that uses proxy servers to keep your Web surfing hidden from prying eyes. $45 to keep from www.inetprivacy.com/a4proxy/index.html.

Anonymizer Private Surfing 2.0 is the gold standard of private Web surfing. $30 a year gets you the premium service, but you can use the service free, if you don't mind slower surfing and some various annoyances. Find out more from www.anonymizer.com/.

Any Speed 1.3 gauges the transfer speeds of your local network, Internet, or CD-ROM transfer by sending a data packet over the Web, waiting for an echo reply, and seeing how many bytes you can transfer or receive from the internet per second. $19 from www.pysoft.com/anyspeed_fr.html.

Arachne 1.70 is a small graphical browser for use on DOS or Linux systems, especially older ones. Good alternative to Windows-dependent bloatware products. Free from home.arachne.cz/.

Ativa 3.11 monitors your Internet connection and allows you to optimize your DUN settings for peak performance. Features include a real-time graphical monitor, automatic connect and disconnect, event alarms, and ping support. $17 from www.ativapro.com/.

AtStart Page 1.0 automatically creates a custom home page for Internet Explorer. You can easily add links to it, access your favorites or last typed URLs, or search a selection of search engines. Free from www.screen-capture.net/.

AuctionFerret queries the major auction sites on the net, hunting down the goodies you send it after. No longer supported by FerretSoft, but still available on many shareware sites.

AutoForm 2000 2.02 automatically fills out Web forms with pre-loaded information. If you fill out a lot of Web forms, you might decide that $10 is cheap for the service this provides. Check it out at www.superscalar.homepage.com/.

AutoRefresh 1.01 is a utility that automatically refreshes a browser window at specified intervals. Most useful for sites that need frequent refreshing, like stock tickers, game updates, news sites, etc. Free from dqdb.hypermart.net/softwares/autorefresh/.

AutoSizer 1.4 automatically resizes newly opened browser windows to maximized mode. Only works with relatively recent browser releases. Free from www.southbaypc.com/AutoSizer/.

AutoWhat? 2 lets you edit the data used in IE's AutoComplete feature. Free from www.pcworld.com/utilities/.

AutoWinNet95 5.2 is one of the better programs that lets you automatically download files from the Internet without having to hover over the PC. It also sends e-mail messages and binary messages to Usenet, all while you get reaquainted with the family. It is available free from www.autowinnet.com/.

Avant Browser 10.0 is an Internet Explorer-based Web browser offering many enhancements over the original. It features tabbed interface, pop-up window stopper, restores sites if browser is not properly closed, offers additional mouse functions, has a built-in Google search engine, integrated Cleaner, and more. Free from www.avantbrowser.com/.

AvantGo Client, free from www.avantgo.com/, lets you snag info from Web sites on your desktop PC, then automatically download it to your palm-size PC via HotSync.

BeFaster 2.40 is a tidy collection of goodies that speed and enhance your Internet connection, most by tweaking the Registry Win 95/98 only. $23 from www.ekremdeniz.com/.

BHO Cop 1.0 is a utility that allows you to disable BHOs (Browser Handling Objects) without uninstalling them. BHOs are little adware utilities that many shareware sites use to implement their programs; not only are they "adware" that reports information about your computer and your surfing habits back to their home companies, but they are often configured to disable their associated programs if uninstalled. Therefore, the usefulness of BHO Cop becomes clear -- the downloaded programs can run, and the BHOs can't tattle. Free from www.pcmag.com/utilities/.

BHODemon 1.0 is another utility that handles those annoying Browser Handling Objects. Free from www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm.

BlackWidow 4.40, $40 from www.softbytelabs.com/, is an Internet utility that allows you to download Web pages or Net files without connecting with the Net.

BlazingTools Instant Source 1.4 opens an additional toolbar at the bottom of the Internet Explorer window. It shows the HTML of the current page or selection or an item under the cursor. $20 from www.blazingtools.com/is.html.

Bomis Browser is a new, free Web browser that provides all the modern functionality of the big boys, and eliminates pop-up ads from the display. Find out more at www.bomis.com/about/download.html.

Bookmark Converter 2.85 lets you synchronize your Navigator Bookmarks and your MSIE Favorites; it also sorts Navigator bookmarks alphabetically, something that later versions of that browser won't do. $8 to keep from www.magnusbrading.com/bmc/.

Bookmark Manager 4.0.0-pre5 is a nice program that, well, manages your bookmark. The program's default language is German, but you can switch to English by going to Extras, Optionen, Ubersetzungen and selecting the bottom item. Free from bkm.sourceforge.net/.

BookmarkBridge 0.60 Beta is a small program for sharing bookmarks between Internet Explorer, Mozilla, and Opera. Free from bookmarkbridge.sourceforge.net/.

BookmarkPriest is "donationware" (i.e. send money if you want to, but the program is free) from homepage.uibk.ac.at/~csab3666/index-e.html that converts bookmarks/favorites to and from Netscape, Opera, and Internet Explorer.

BookmarkSync 1.3 is a free utility from either www.bookmarksync.com/ or www.synchit.com/ that allows real-time access of bookmarks, favorites and files from any computer or browser. Works with Windows 95/98/NT/2K and MacOS and does not require manual importing or exporting. It allows import of AOL favorite places and Palm Pilot bookmarks, and the editing of bookmarks on site.

BroadPage Free 3.2 is a standalone browser with the ability to open up to 100 pages simultaneously (not that most of us could deal with that many pages open at once). Nice, small footprint (under 2MB). Free from www.broadpage.com/index.html if you don't mind ads; $25 for an ad-free version.

BrowseAbility is a useful bookmark management utility from www.melanie-systems.com/ that works with recent versions of both MSIE and Netscape; a Mac version is in the works. It costs $30 to keep, but has several very sophisticated functions that the freebie managers don't, such as the ability to store "Picmarks," screen shots of bookmarked Web pages.

Browse3D Browser 1.0 rides atop MSIE 5.5 (or later versions) and displays Web pages in 3D view, up to 16 at once. If you've got the system resources, and the display doesn't give you a headache, this might be a fascinating way to enhance your browsing. Free trial, $30 to keep from www.browse3d.com/.

BrowseFresh is a freebie from www.pcmag.com/utilities/ that automatically monitors selected Web sites and refreshes them when they are updated. Useful for sites that change a lot, i.e. stock tickers, message boards, news sites, etc. Only runs in MSIE 4 or later.

Browser Bob 1.01 is a standalone browser that lets you design your own skins for maximum viewing pleasure. Free from www.browserbob.com/.

Browserola 1.01 is a "browser emulator" that claims to simulate various browsers. Useful for modeling potential Web sites, etc. Free from www.bizdomain.com/browserola/.

BrowserSizer 1.02 addresses the obscure question of how big our Web site actually looks on different size monitors. Think it doesn't matter? Try designing a flashy site on a 21", 1024x768 res mammoth and see how scrunched and unfriendly it becomes on a proletarian 15" screen. This freebie simulates how your site looks on different screens, in either Navigator or IE. Cost: one uncanceled stamp. Get it from www.vasile.com/racecar/stampware/.

BrowseTo 1.0 lets you go directly to unlinked URLS (such as the ones on this page) by right-clicking. IE only; Mozilla's Firefox has the capability built in by using its TextLinks extension. Free from www.straightnochaser.org/goodies/aboutbrowseto.html.

BrowseUp 1.0 lets its members share online content among themselves. Free from www.browseup.com/.

Browz 3D 1.0 is a browser for 3D models of various types. It supports 3DS, ASC, DXF, LWO, OBJ and T3D formats with 4 display modes, wireframe, vertices transparent and opaque. You can zoom and rotate the model and highlight one of the meshes inside the model. Free from users.skynet.be/bk232951/appbrowz3d.html.

Bugnosis 1.3 analyzes Web pages you visit and alerts you when it finds Web bugs (invisible graphics that can monitor your surfing habits). If it finds a possible Web bug, it alerts you and makes the culprit visible. Works with Internet Explorer version 5.0 or later only. Free from www.bugnosis.org/.

Bullet Proof Connection 3.1 is an intelligent internet surfing simulator that promises to keep your internet connection stable and prevent your modem from being disconnected by your ISP due to inactivity. $15 from www.chithai.com/.

BullsEye 2 2.5 is a free utility that probes search engines for the desired results. A more powerful version costs $150, but check the freeware version out before laying out the cash at www.intelliseek.com/.

Bullwhip.com is a free Web-based "extranet" utility that allows teams of users to access private Web pages. Ideal for businesses, families, or anyone who needs to keep in close electronic contact. Check it out at www.bullwhip.com/.

Bumper 1.0 is a small Web browser that allows you to move through a site merely by "bumping" the side of the screen with your pointer. Free from www.stereopsis.com/bumper/.

Buzz 3D Browser 1.1 Beta touts itself as a new, "3-dimensional" browser that lets you view up to 48 Web pages at one time. It's either a breakthrough or a migraine producer; you decide. It's free for the taking at www.buzz3d.com/.

CableNut 4.08 is a tool for optimizing your Windows TCP/IP stack (your Internet connection). You can tweak just about every TCP connection, load custom setting files included with the program, make your own custom settings, and get help from the makers. All for free from www.cablenut.com/.

Cache Banish 5.0, formerly Cache Killer Pro, is a nifty little MSIE-only cache cleaner tool. $10 from zpay.com/.

Cache Decimator 31.33.7 gives you instant access to such functions as clearing history, emptying the recycle bin, clearing the Run history, clearing Internet Explorer's cache, etc. Free from members.aol.com/gluetube149/.

CacheSentry for Internet Explorer is a program that fixes serious bugs in the Internet Explorer cache manager (versions 3.0 on up through and including IE4 SP1, Internet Explorer for Windows 98, and IE5.5). It basically takes over the job of managing the cache from Internet Explorer, resulting in better browsing. Free from www.cachesentry.com/.

CacheX for Internet Explorer 3.02 lets you view your MSIE browser cache offline. $30 to keep from www.mwso.com/.

CacheX for Netscape 3.02 lets you view your Netscape browser cache offline. You can even import MSIE caches. $30 to keep from www.mwso.com/.

CapTime 1.06 shows the time in the MSIE title bar. Also allows you to change the name displayed in the title bar. Free from members.nbci.com/imkobi/progs/.

Catch the Web 1.08 lets Web surfers capture and store any Web page for offline viewing and discussion. You can also annotate and organize the captured pages' content. $40 to keep from www.catchtheweb.com/. Note: this is now a Web-only utility.

Cello 1.01a is a useful browser for older systems running 386 or faster chips. It hasn't been updated since 1994, so don't expect too much. Free from www.law.cornell.edu/cello/cellotop.html.

Champion Launcher 1.0 is a utility that helps you narrow down your site choices through a Q&A wizard. Trim your search time by visiting users.skynet.be/bs661306/cl/.

ChangeDetection.com isn't a program, it's a Web site that lets you select any page on the Web to monitor. When the page changes, the site e-mails you with a notification. See how it works at www.changedetection.com/monitor.html.

CheckIP 2.01 monitors any five IPs through the standard ICMP ping. Free from www.digital-services.net/software/checkip/.

Clarify Button is an Internet Explorer toolbar button implementing a Clarify command. The Clarify command renders hard-to-read web pages more visually accessible. ClarifyButton requires Internet Explorer version 5.0 or higher. Free from www.cheztabor.com/ClarifyButton/.

CleanCache 2.23 takes care of IE's cache, the INDEX.DAT file, and a plethora of Windows temp files. If you're running Mozilla Firefox, Opera, or Windows XP, you might prefer CleanMOCache instead. Both are free from www.buttuglysoftware.com/.

CleanUp! 3.0 deletes the temporary files that are created while you're surfing the Web (including cache, cookies, and history), clears out temporary folders, and totals deleted files to prevent retrieval of their contents with lower- level disk tools. Free from cleanup.stevengould.org/.

ClickGarden Professional 1.3 costs $50, but it adds a number of options to MSIE that speed and enhance browsing. Find out the details from www.clickgarden.com/.

Clicksearch 1.0 is a search accelerator that works with your browser's integrated toolbar. Free from www.clicksearch.com/ (the home site is apparently gone, but you can get it from www.32bit.com/software/listings/Internet/Search/_180P/26987/ among other sources.

Clip Strip 1.5.2 allows you to convert the contents of the Windows clipboard into plain text. All formatting and any images or other graphical data is stripped away. Helpful when you want to copy information from a Web site and paste it into an e-mail message or into a word processing file or HTML document. $5 to keep from www.iscreations.com/.

CloseIEX 2.6.05 closes all instances of open MSIE windows. Good way to handle pop-ups and other browser annoyances without the hassle of configuring a pop-up manager. Free from www.geocities.com/closeiex/ unless you use it commercially, then you have to pay. XP users, you have a similar utility built in to your browser.

CNET Bandwidth Meter is a free, Web-based test of your Internet connection's bandwidth speed. Free from webservices.cnet.com/bandwidth/.

Cogitum Co-Citer 1.04 snags text, and only text, from Web pages, and files/organizes it as you like. Free from cogitum.com/co-tracker-text/more.htm.

Columbine Bookmark Merge 3.3 is a free bookmark-merging utility that lets you merge bookmarked sites from MSIE, Netscape, Opera, and Mosaic. Easy to use and very useful for those of us with multiple browsers, although it takes a long time to sort through extremely large bookmark files. This utility is "MemorialWare," which means that users are asked to donate to a designated charity. Get the info from home.earthlink.net/~garycramblitt/.

Compass 2.73 is a $25 bookmark management utility from www.softgauge.com/compass/ that works well with large bookmark files, sorts by subfolders, and boasts other relatively sophisticated functions.

Complete Internet Cleanup 3.2.3 erases your Internet tracks, including typed URLs, user names and passwords as well as the Windows search and run history. It also helps your PC run faster by emptying the Windows temp directory, recycle bin and recent documents folder. $39 for the heavy-duty version, but you might try the free "lite" version first, both from www.pcmesh.com/.

Complete RSS is a Web site that can find and hook you up to thousands of RSS feeds throughout the Internet. Free to use at www.completerss.com/.

Convert & Open 1.0 automatically repairs bad links such as h**p, f*p, htp:site.com, and so forth, in Internet Explorer. Free from camtech2000.net/Pages/Useful.html.

Cookie Cop Plus is a free cookie management utility from ZDNet at www.zdnet.com/pcmag/stories/solutions/0,8224,2433798,00.html. The program requires the COMCTL32.DLL from Microsoft, version 4.70 or later.

Cookie Cruncher 2.11 is a no-frills cookie management utility that lets you view, edit, and delete cookies, and works with both Netscape and MSIE. Free from www.rbaworld.com/Programs/CookieCruncher/index.shtml.

Cookie Crusher 3.0.4.35, a $15 utility from www.thelimitsoft.com/, keeps cookies under control and keeps stats on them as well.

Cookie Cutter PC 2.61 is a simpler cookie manager than some others, but if all you want to do is corral them for later deletion, it works fine. Download it from www.ayecor.com/.

Cookie Eater MiLK 2.0 chows those cookies. Free from www.dittotech.com/Products/CookieEater/.

Cookie Jar 1.0 lets you keep the cookies you want and delete the cookies you don't want. Simple to use, and free from www.jasons-toolbox.com/cookiejar.asp.

Cookie Monster II lets you remove cookies from your hard drive. Free for 15 days, after which you must send the author at least two actual cookies in order to continue using it. Find out more at www.angrytoddlersoftware.com/freeware.html.

Cookie Muncher 2 is a free cookie management utility from www.bigwig.net/softwaredesign that works with both MSIE and Netscape.

Cookie Pal 1.7b, $15 from www.kburra.com/cpal.html, keeps tabs on where Internet cookies come from, scrubs them from your cache, and alerts you when sites send you new ones. Highly recommended.

Cookie Server 1.03 costs twice as much as Cookie Pal, but is that much more sophisticated. $30 from www.newfangled.san-jose.ca.us/.

Cookie Terminator isn't there to sort them or play with them, it just massacres them individually or en masse. $15 from www.4developers.com/.

CookieCop and an addition to the original, CookieCop Plus, are freebies from www.pcmag.com/utilities/ that lets you manage Web cookies; with the addition, you can block access to entire sites (i.e. porn sites) or just the graphics (nice way to block ads).

CookieWall 1.01 is an IE-only utility that allows you to decide which cookies to admit and which to block. Free from www.analogx.com/.

Cool Find 1.03 is a powerful file search software, featuring search capabilities in LAN, ZIP, Drag"Drop, and with summary and result export features. $19 from www.nihuo.com/.

CoolSync Bookmarks is a Web site that lets you store your bookmarked URLs with them, under password protection to keep the riff raff out. Useful for accessing your needed sites when you're away from your desktop. Free from bookmarks.coolsync.com/index.asp.

Copernic Agent Basic 6.1 queries multiple search engines, newsgroups, and e-mail directories, and allows you to save, sort, and update the results. The Basic version is free, while the $30 Personal and $80 Professional versions allows you to search additional material (divided into categories like Business, Finance, News, Games, etc) along with several other capabilities. Visit www.copernic.com/ for more info.

CopyURL 2.3.0 is a simple little freebie that copies URLs and/or page titles to your Clipboard in text or HTML format. Nice little time-saver, available from www.moonsoftware.ee/.

Cover Your Tracks 3.0 kills cookies, clears your cache, and deletes URLs from Navigator's History field. $10 from www.ffsoftware.com/.

Crazy Browser 1.05 hooks in to MSIE, but provides a fast, configurable front end that features pop-up killing. Free from www.crazybrowser.com/.

CrystalPort 4.7.4 is another slick MSIE-based browser interface that features AppCapture, a multitasking tool that allows you to capture and use programs from within the browser. A free, ad-supported version is available, as is a $20 ad-free version, from www.crystalport.com/.

CubicEye 1.0 is a wild MSIE-based browser interface that gives you a rotatable, 3D "cube" display of Web pages. $20 from www.2ce.com/. Note: you need a lot of system resources to have this work properly. If you're not sure your computer is up to it, you might try the free "lite" version first.

CureInfo 0.41 displays system info in your Taskbar. Useful and unobtrusive, and free from www.hbg.lth.se/~pv98glu/.

Customize IE allows you to easily add, edit and delete additional buttons and menu items in Internet Explorer. Free from www.nirsoft.net/.

DailyRotation! 1.2 lets you launch Web pages from the system tray. Good for visiting sites that you visit on a regular basis without making you go through your Favorites. Free from carotids.com/dailyrotation/.

Data Grabber snags data from more than 300 public databases on the Internet. The program sits in your system tray waiting for you to initiate a search action on the Net. Free from www.wildcowpublishing.com/datagrab.html (as I write this, the site is down; if that doesn't change, snag the program from PCWorld's download site or another provider).

Dave's Quick Search 3.1.4 enables you to access every popular search engine from the convenience of your Windows taskbar. Free from notesbydave.com/toolbar/doc.htm.

DejaView 0.0001 uses Google's (formerly Deja) Usenet service to let you view, search, download, and save Usenet messages. Quite full-featured for a freebie. Find out more from www.michaelmoser.org/content_products.htm. Note: the site warns that since Google has bought out Deja, the program does not work properly. Apparently a fix is in the works.

Delindex 5.0 deletes your INDEX.DAT file, along with other "junk" files. The program is a .BAT file which needs to go in the root directory. You can view its notes from the Web site or open it with a text editor. Free from www.burzurq.com/forum/delindex.html.

Desktop Web Spider 1.0 helps you find all related webpages in correct order, spidering all the links and content of a particular site. Apparently not supported by its creator, Position Builder, any longer, but available from www.2000shareware.com/network-tools.html.

Dibs stands for Desktop Integrated Browsing System; it works to gather specified Web content behind the scenes without slowing your system down. Good for checking stock tickers, news sites, etc. etc. $20 from 209.237.154.5/solutions/index.html.

DirectSeek 2.1 uses intelligent agent technologies to simultaneously query over 100 search engines, web directories, online stores, discussion groups, news archives, online auctions and public databases, grouped in several Search Agents. Free from www.directseek.net/.

DL-Calc 1.1 calculates the estimated speed of a file download. Free from www.rwsoft.co.uk/dlcalc/dlcalc.htm.

DM Url Bookmarks 1.0 Beta is a handy utility for organizing website links that you want to keep for later reference. Create your own categories, add a custom description to each link, create a HTML page of your favorites, perform a WHOIS lookup on selected items and use the built in browser to take a quick look at selected sites. Free from www.developers-answers.net/dmprograms/.

DNS4Me 2.0.0.0 lets you associate a static domain name with a dynamic IP address, so it's easier for visitors to access the services you provide. Lets you take control of your Web site by running your own HTTP server. $10 from www.dns4me.com/.

DoDots work along with your Web browser to give you additional "sidebar" information about whatever you're surfing. As DoDots adds more partners (currently ZDNet's Tech News, MapBlast, and Merriam-Webster are some of the information providers), it will become more useful. Free from www.dodots.com/.

Dogpile Search Toolbar 1.08 is an IE add-on toolbar from the Dogpile metasearch engine which makes searching through the Internet easy. Includes Web results, Yellow Pages, White Pages, dictionary capabilities, and more. Free from www.dogpile.com/info.dogpl/tbar/.

Dominica 0.996 is an IE-based browser that works a lot like NeoPlanet. Lots of options that MSIE lacks. Free from www.netsoft.sk/.

Don't Panic 4.0 instantly hides all open applications, clears browser history, removes cookies, prevents browser pop-ups and more. $15 to keep from www.panicware.com/.

Down2Home 1.3 is a program that monitors your ADSL/Cablemodem/Dialup traffic and provides you with usefull statistics about the amount of data your PC has transferred. Use it to see what's happening on your Dial-up/DSL or Cable connected on your PC. Check if there is data transferred when you don't want it, or use it to keep control over your transfer volume. Free from jitserv.coolfreepage.com/.

Download Accelerator 5.3 speeds up your downloads by making multiple connections and breaking downloading files into smaller, more manageable chunks. Free from www.speedbit.com/ (the Premium version goes for $30).

Download Anywhere 1.50 is a fully featured download manager with lots of bells and whistles. Free from www.forty.com/.

Download Calculator is a freebie from Intel that calculates just how long a certain download will take, based on your connection speed. The tool is available as a download, or you can run it in your browser in a pop-up window. Even calculates your connection speed for accurate time estimations. Check it out at www.intel.com/home/tech-center/calculate_download/.

Download Druid 1.2 adds a mass download option to Internet Explorer. The program grabs all specified file types with direct links from the current page in a single click. $20 from www.xemico.com/druid/index.html.

Download-Speeder 1.16 is another download manager that speeds downloads and lets you pick up interrupted transmissions from the point of break, rather than forcing you to start over. Integrates with MSIE, Netscape, and Opera. $14 from www.download-speeder.com/.

DrTCP 0.21 is a tool which allows you to manually change your Internet settings, including broadband, within Windows. It is a GUI front-end to specific settings in the Registry which offers control over TCP Receive Window (RWin) settings, MTU settings for adapters and ICS, Windows Scaling, Time Stamping, Black Hole detection, Selective Acks, and more. Free from www.dslreports.com/front/drtcp.html.

DU Meter 3.02 build 76 is a utility that monitors and informs you about your Internet connection. $20 from www.dumeter.com/.

DUNTrack 2.2 is a powerful tracking utility that monitors and logs your Internet usage. Also keeps your ISP from booting you offline, syncs your PC's clock, and more. IE only. $20 from www.itaz.com/duntrack/index.htm.

DuoPage 1.0 is a tiny, free MSIE browser utility that lets you use the side pane on the left side of the display to surf the Web. In other words, you can surf two separate sites within a single browser window. Neato keeno! Check it out from www.linkgram.com/duopage.htm.

EarthNavigator 3.0 is an MSIE 5-only interactive 3D globe that lets you click on a desired location and get informative Web sites and e-mail listings. An ad-supported version is free; $18 buys you an ads-free version. Get the info from www.earthnavigator.com/default.htm.

EasySeeker 4.0 is a competitor of WebFerret, Copernic, and other Web search utilities. This one submits your search query to over 100 search engines, removes duplicates, indexes the results, and checks the links for functionality before passing them on to you. The "lite" version is free from www.bluesquirrel.com; the more powerful WebSeeker 3.4 will cost you $50.

eCleaner 1.0 covers your Internet browsing tracks, deleting cookies, History records, Temp documents, and more. Free from www.pccontrolanywhere.com/ecleaner/.

eCode iBar 1.0.0.10 is described as a "Swiss Army-knife" utility that gives your Web browser lots of capabilities it didn't have before, including quick access to search engines, stored form information, etc. Free from www.ecode.com.

EditURLs 1.07 lets you edit the contents of the URL Address Dropdown List and will even let you drop the contents to a master file that can be re-uploaded before opening Internet Explorer. Some people will see that this program is also a way to partially cover your Internet tracks, at least to the common user. Free from www.aandrc.com/editurls/.

Ellicit Internet Skinner 2.1 lets you put "skins" on your plain-vanilla copy of Internet Explorer. Don't know what a skin is, or why you'd want to dress up IE? Surf over to ellicit.org/software/ and give it a whirl; unfortunately, the home page doesn't have screen shots to give you a peek in advance.

EMCO Network Favorites 1.0 allows you to create a backup of Internet Explorer Favorites across your network. In addition, you can also copy Favorites to remote machines. Free from www.emco.is/.

Empty Temp Folders 2.8.3 does just this. Free from www.danish-shareware.dk/soft/emptemp/index.html.

EMS Free Surfer Mk II 2.1.026 is a pop-up stopper and cache cleaner that lets you control how many browser windows you have open and gives you control over windows that open without your toolbar or menu bar. Free from www.emsproject.com/FS.

EntryPoint 2.0 is a free desktop utility that brings news, weather, stocks, and other reports to your PC over the Internet while you work. It also offers an audio player and an e-mail/Web search facility. Its biggest drawbacks are that it eats system resources, and its busy toolbar shoves some of your desktop icons either downscreen or off the screen entirely. If this sounds like a trade-off you're willing to make, check it out at www.entrypoint.com.

Etcetera 2.0 is a plug-in for Microsoft Internet Explorer designed to enhance the functionality of common Web browsing tasks, such as searching the Web and controlling popup windows. Supports over 20 search engines, and uses hotkeys for quick access. Free from www.pkpsoft.com/etc/.

Evidence Eliminator 5.0 removes browser history, cache files, cookies, and application logs, along with emptying your Recycle Bin and pruning your Registry. Pricey at $150, but check it out at www.evidence-eliminator.com/ to see if it's worth the cash. Note: this is no longer shareware; you have to pay to download the program, but you do get a money-back guarantee.

Express Assist 2000 saves your MSIE Favorites in a compressed ZIP file, as well as your Address Book, mail rule, and e-mail from Outlook Express, and even your account preferences. Free from ajsystems.com/oexhome.html.

Fast Browser is a $20 add-on to MSIE that gives options to enhance speedy page loading, quick access to security options, and preset, configurable pages that load with a single click. The Pro version adds language translating capabilities. Find out more from www.fastbrowser.net/.

FastNet99 3.1 is a freebie that allows you to remove a small but annoying bottleneck to Web surfing, by using direct IP addresses instead of URLs and the subsequent DPS requests. The program adds IP addresses to your WINDOWS/HOSTS folder, and allows you to enter your own addresses as needed. Even if you don't know DNS from donuts, this program will speed your surfing. Check it out from members.exploit.it/gcriaco/.

FaveLock 1.0 keeps others from perusing, and visiting, the sites listed in your MSIE Favorites folder. Free from www.pcmag.com/utilities/.

FavesToGo 1.0 is a tiny PC Magazine freebie that converts your MSIE shortcuts and Favorites into a single HTML file, ready for copying to floppy or for e-mailing to yourself. You can also make the FavesToGo file your MSIE home page, which makes it easy to organize and surf through your bookmarked sites. Download it from www.pcmag.com/utilities.

FavOrg 1.2 is an MSIE add-on that makes the browser's use of custom icons for Favorites permanent (currently, they disappear every time you clean out the TIF folder), gives IE the ability to use "favicons," and checks your Favorites menu for dead links. Free from www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,6679,00.asp.

Favorites Annotator 1.0 lets you add annotations to your MSIE Favorites. $20 from www.favoritesannotator.com.

Favorites Home Page 2.3 is a simple utility that lets you convert your Favorites list into a "home page" for easy reference and use. Post the page on the Web or keep it on your own PC; either way, it's free from www.favoriteshomepage.com/ or www.geocities.com/favoriteshomepage/.

Favorites Management Master 2.02 is a useful browsing companion designed to help you organize and manage your Internet Explorer Favorites. You can check, modify, and organize your links, and also search them by keyword. A unique feature of this program is that it allows you to search within the actual Web sites of your Favorites, rather than just in the name and URL. So, in a way, Favorites Management Master can be used as a personal Web search engine that only returns results from your favorite Web sites. Free from www.service-1.org/.

Favorites Organizer 1.0 is a sophisticated Favorites/Bookmarks organizer for both MSIE and Netscape. Uses thumbnail images for easier browsing. Free from www.freewaredownloads.de/Multi_Media/Media-Organizer/.

FeedDemon 1.11 is a IE-similar RSS feed organizer that has over 180 RSS feeds presubscribed, with the ability to add more quickly. If you're a news or RSS junkie, this program can help you get organized and find the news you need. $30 from www.bradsoft.com/feeddemon/index.asp.

The FeedRoom is not a utility per se, but an Internet broadcaster, a network of news, entertainment, and corporate sites delivering streaming videos to Internet viewers. Watch news feeds covering entertainment, news, movies, technology, military, business, and more. If you use a feedreader (news feed reader) or offer RSSified content on a Web site, The FeedRoom provides free feeds using the standards RSS 0.91 format. Free to use at www.feedroom.com/.

Feedreader 2.3 is a free newsreader program from www.feedreader.com/.

FileBox Extender 1.61.01 adds two dialog-box buttons that show your Favorites and recent folders. The program also makes many static Windows dialog boxes resizable. $20 from www.hyperionics.com/.

Firefox 1.0 is Mozilla's newest cutting-edge browser. Fast surfing, tabbed browser pages, and a refreshing lack of security holes makes it a terrific alternative to Internet Explorer. Free from www.mozilla.org/, and find out more at my own Netscape/Mozilla page.

FirstStop WebSearch Deluxe Edition 3.6 uses the results from multiple Web search engines, then organizes and collates the results for your use. $25 from www.firststopwebsearch.com/.

FlashGet 0.95, formerly called JetCar, divides targeted download files into smaller chunks for faster downloading. Free from www.amazesoft.com/.

FlashSwitch 1.0 lets you disable Macromedia Flash from automatically running in your browser. Free from www.flashswitch.com/, though this is a demo that expires in six months, when an upgraded version will be available.

Flying Toolbars used to be known as FullScr; the program allows you to view Netscape in full screen display. $10 from www.inquare.com/ftb/.

Flyswat 2.0 is a free MSIE plugin that uses keywords of sites you're visiting to hunt down related information from other Web sites. Check it out at www.flyswat.com. Warning: Flyswat is a known spyware purveyor.

FormWhiz 1.1 is another PC Magazine (www.pcmag.com/download) freebie. This one takes down your name, address, e-mail, telephone number, etc., and automatically fills in Web forms for you. The source code is also available at www.pcmag.com/utilities.

Forte Free Agent 1.92 is a freebie for those who want to get involved in the world of Usenet/RSS newsgroups. Check it out from www.forteinc.com/, and if you really get hooked, consider getting the more muscular Forte Agent 1.92, which costs you $29.

FourTimes is an Internet Explorer add-on that lets you maneuver easily between up to four different windows -- e-mailing, shopping, surfing, dragging&dropping links, pretty much whatever strikes your fancy. The manufacturer wants to play coy, so you'll need to download this at www.pcworld.com/r/shw/1%2C2087%2C7160%2C00.html or another download site.

Free Flash 1.0 displays Macromedia Flash files from the Internet. Features 8 channels of content. Allows you to view files in the IE cache, displays thumbnail views of the files, skinnable, and more. Lots of fun with Flash, including games and e-cards, and free from www.cequal2000.com/freeflash/.

Free Surfer mk II controls pop-up windows and prevents home page changes. Free from www.free.surfer.tc/mail.

Freedom WebSecure is a $60/year service that keeps your surfing safe from prying eyes. Includes ad blockers, Java controls, and configurable surfing options. Find out more from www.freedom.net/.

Freedom Bar 6.0 is an Internet Explorer, Explorer, and Outlook Express toolbar skinning tool which is equipped with an Internet accelerator and configurable e-mail skin sharing. It features integration with Paint Shop Pro (version 7 or later) to modify and create skins, extra skins are available from the author's site, and more. Free from www.tas-independent-programming.com/freedom_bar.htm.

Fresh Download 5.5 is a quite fast download manager. Free from www.freshdevices.com/.

GalaxySpy for Windows 1.0 lets you selectively block ads, adult-content sites, market research, profiling, and tracking. By eliminating some of this obnoxious behavior, you can increase your surfing speed. The program detects and blocks adware, cookies, hackers, scripts, spyware, viruses, and worms. $35 from www.swreg.org/soft_shop/4017/shopscr2.shtml (homepage not available).

Gateway IP Monitor Light 1.1 is a tool that is useful for users with a DSL/cable Internet connection who would like to monitor their external IP address. XP/2K only. Free from www.netikus.net/software/gatewayipmonitor/index.html.

Genius 2 is a free download from www.indiesoft.com/ that combines access to trace, ping, and whois clients, Namespace lookups, Telnet clients, an address book, a notepad, a to-do list, and a password keeper.

Geoffrey's Search Center 4.3 gives you centralized, one-click access to more than three dozen search engines, letting you quickly and easily search the Internet. Free from geoffreygoldberg.com/.

GetFileSize 2.0 is an Internet Explorer add-on that allows you to find out the size of a file before downloading it. Free from www.unhsolutions.net/GFS/.

Getleft 1.1 is a Web site downloader that downloads complete web sites according to the settings provided by the user. It automatically changes all the absolute links to relative ones, so you can surf the downloaded pages (Web sites) on your local computer without the need to connect to the Internet, so that you can surf the site on your hard disk. Free from personal1.iddeo.es/andresgarci/getleft/english/index.html.

GhostSurf Pro 2.0 lets you surf anonymously and cover your tracks. It protects you from your ISP, as well as from sites you visit. The program blocks ads, automatically removes spyware, and monitors cookies. $40 to keep from www.tenebril.com/.

Ghostzilla 1.0 is an extension of Mozilla that camouflages your browsing to disguise it as boring work-oriented displays -- while you're busily surfing, the boss thinks you're working on a Word or any other app. Free from www.ghostzilla.com/.

GGSearch 3.7, formerly known as Google SearchTools, does as much or more than the Toolbar (below). Free from www.frysianfools.com/ggsearch/.

Giage WebSpace 1.1a is a powerful Web utility that uses its own browser to locate, select, reorganize, sort, and store Web pages and files. Free to try, $99 to keep, from www.giage.com/.

Gimme IP 4.50 shows you your IP address, and monitors your Internet connection, from your system tray. Also offers finger, ping, and nameserver lookup tools. $16 from www.idyle.com/.

Girafa 2.08 is a free IE plug-in that shows you a thumbnail view of a Web site before you visit it. Scope it out at www.girafa.com/.

GoBox 1.1.12 is a "mini-browser" that handles your simple surfing chores without requiring you to fire up IE. Free from gobox.net/.

GOgraph Toolbar 1.02 hunts down graphics over the Net through a IE-based toolbar. Free from en.toolbar.gograph.com/.

GooDelete History 1.0 is for those who use the Google Toolbar mentioned below. GooDelete controls what is deleted from the search history list. Requires the Google Toolbar and VB6 runtime files; free from www.pppindia.com/goodelete/.

Google Browser Buttons adds various Google-ish buttons to your browser's toolbar. Not recommended for IE 5.5, you guys should use the Toolbar below. Free from www.google.com/options/buttons.html.

Google Deskbar is another goodie from the Google labs. This one lets you access Google searches from any application; no need to open a browser window. Requires IE 5.5 or higher. Free from toolbar.google.com/deskbar/index.html. Mozilla and Netscape users, try the Googlebar for some of the fun features that IE has kept to itself, free from googlebar.mozdev.org/.

Google Toolbar is an MSIE plug-in that puts most of Google's features on a browser toolbar. I use this; it's very, very cool. Free from toolbar.google.com/. Note: some security vulnerabilities in earlier versions make it imperative that you upgrade to version 1.1.58 or later. Find out what version you're running by clicking on the Google logo and choosing "About Google Toolbar." Check out some of the other options while you're in this menu!

Go!Zilla Plus 4.11 no longer contains spyware, so it's safe to recommend. It's a very good download accelerator; $30 from www.gozilla.com/.

GrabIt 1.3.6 hunts up downloadable files from Usenet. Quite useful, since most search engines don't do Usenet justice. Free from www.shemes.com/grabit/.

Gravity 2.11, $30 (non-profit or educational use) from www.microplanet.com/, gives Web surfers easy access to Usenet newsgroups.

Grim's Ping 1.7.5 is a scanning tool; a program that pings many FTPs to find active FTPs (public folders) with anonymous access and upload/download permissions. Pub-scanners use this tool to do host lookups, scan ports, log and print scan results, check read and write permissions, and other configurable functions. Free from grimsping.cjb.net/.

gSearch 2.0 is a small search tool, which places a "G" icon on the desktop. Hover the mouse over the "G" to start searching the Internet using Google. Free from homepage.mac.com/av11d/gSearch/.

Guard-IE 3.2 shields your Internet Explorer browsing from prying eyes, helps defend against worms and Trojan horses, and keeps pop-up ads at bay. This package combines four programs: Pop-up Blocker, Web Evidence Remover, FLASH Ad Blocker, and Web Firewall. $35 from www.guardwall.com/en/index.asp.

Guidescope is a Web-based community service that uses pattern matching to block ads and selected cookies from loading while you surf. Free for personal use ($15 for businesses) from www.guidescope.com/home/.

Hide My Favorites 1.3 is a tool which hides selected URLs (IE Favorites) so that others (kids, spouse, boss, etc) can't see them. Free from oocobol0.tripod.com/hmf.html.

HijackThis 1.97.5 is a tool that lists all installed browser add-ons, buttons, and startup items and allows you to inspect them and optionally remove selected items. The program can create a backup of your original settings and also ignore selected items. Additional features include a simple list of all startup items, default start page, online updates and more. Free from www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/.

Hindsite 5.0 searches through the sites you've visited to find a search string -- i.e., if you can't remember a site you visited but you know it's about, say, Pop Rocks, you just have Hindsite search it down for you. Good for those of us who visit more places than we bookmark, and free from www.isysusa.com/products/hindsite.shtml.

History Book for IE5 is a simple tool for compiling your surfing history (or that of employees who seem to spend too much time on the skin sites, ahem). Free from www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~mozart/soft/hist2html.html.

History Collector 1.41 is an Internet Explorer plug-in that allows you to save a copy of every Web page you visit as a complete and standalone file. If you ever need to reference something from your history, you'll have the original version, even if the online page has changed since. 2K/XP only. Free from www.hibrosoft.com/.

HistoryKill 2001.3.8 erases virtually all trace of your surfing history from your machine -- cookies, temp files, cached files, even the hard-to-handle INDEX.DAT file. $30 from www.swanksoft.com/historykill/index.html.

HotJava 3.0 is a totally Java-based browser. Still some glitches and rough spots, but overall a fine browser. Free from java.sun.com/products/hotjava/index.html.

Hotbar is a Web-based utility that adds colorful backgrounds to Internet Explorer's toolbar. Later additions incorporate skins for the entire browser, not just the toolbar, and offer Netscape skins as well. Free from www.hotbar.com/.

HoverNews 2.01 is a tiny and unobtrusive program that scrolls the latest headlines from any news site you choose. It operates from the System Tray. Free from software.deviantart.com/details.php?id=282.

HTML To Text 2.0 converts HTML-coded Web pages into readable, usable text. $10 from www.microblast.com/html2text.htm.

HTTP-Timer v1.0 informs you when selected Web sites are updated. Free from w1.704.telia.com/~u70402559/httptimer.htm.

HTTP File Grabber 1.1 "grabs" just about any file you may find on the Web and downloads it for your use. Free from www.aaronbock.net/.

HTTrack Website Copier 3.05 copies Web sites for offline perusal. Free from www.httrack.com/.

HyperTerminal PE 6.3 emulates and adds features to the usual Windows HyperTerminal utility. Free from www.hilgraeve.com/htpe/index.html

iAnnotate-it 2.0 offers annotation tools for your IE browser. $20 from www.insightdev.com/.

i-Bench is a free browser-testing and Web-testing utility from ZDNet, available at www.i-bench.com/. It tests how well your browser handles HTML, Java, Flash and Shockwave animations, VRML, audio and video, 3-D modeling and imaging, and XML. It even tests for HTML 3.2 and 4.0 compliancy.

iAmaze Presenter uses current versions of MSIE or Navigator to help you create web-based presentations. It won't replace PowerPoint any time soon, but if you want to make no-fuss Web-based presentations of auction items, photo galleries, or a traditional online slide show, iAmaze might put enough steam in your shorts to make it worth your time. Drawbacks include the lack of an Undo function, and the inability to drag elements around by the mouse. iAmaze plans on building a full application suite by adding a word processor and a spreadsheet. Free from www.iamaze.com/.

ICRAfilter 1.0.9 allows you to set up filtering rules related to nudity, language, violence, and chat. There is a set of rules titled "Other" to deal with alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and gambling. In the Services section, you can block and allow specific services like newsgroups, e-mail, and IRC. Warning: like most filtering programs, this one can block the good programs along with the objectionable ones. Free from www.icra.org/_en/filter/.

IE Booster 1.4 is a more powerful variation of the old IE Web Accessories, with some very nice new tools, and is also fully compatible with IE 6. Get lots of new right-menu options. Free from www.iebooster.com/products/ieb/index.html.

IE Browser Washer 1.08 protects your online and offline privacy and manages your browser (IE and MSN Explorer) cookies, cache, history, location address list, autocomplete, index.dat, windows run history, search history, recent documents history, Temp folder, Download Program Files, and more. $12 from www.gohotsoft.com/.

IE New Window Maximizer 2.3.0.2 automatically maximizes every new Internet Explorer window that you open. It includes a function for hiding or closing all IE windows with a user-defined hot key; you can also specify a particular IE window that will not be hidden or closed when you use the hot key. Free from www.jiisoft.com/.

IE Privacy Keeper 2.3 manages cookies, IE History files, AutoComplete entries, certain Registry keys, and more. Free from www.unhsolutions.net/IEPK/index.shtml.

IE Quickstart 3.0.0 opens any number of preselected Web sites at once in separate browser windows. Good for those of us who visit the same sites regularly. Free from www.iequickstart.com/.

IE Restrictions 1.0 allows you to disable certain modifications to Internet Explorer. Many of them are commonly abused by invasive Web sites that, for example, change your home page settings, modify the toolbar, open pages in full-screen mode, and more. Others are more of an administrative nature, allowing you to disable the registry editor, page source viewing, and other settings. Free from camtech2000.com/.

IE Speakster 1.0 gives you a little blue character that reads Web page content aloud. Free from www.webtalkster.com/.

IE Toolbar Manager 1.1 helps you effectively manage some aspects of Internet Explorer's appearance and behavior. $15 from www.one.com.ua/ietool/.

IE Zoomer is a modification for MSIE's "Set as Wallpaper" option. With this free utility from www.pcmag.com/downloads/, you can expand on MSIE's one-note "save image as centered wallpaper" capability. You can stretch, rotate, and otherwise modify an image before saving it as wallpaper, and you can center it or tile it. Zoomer also allows you to enlarge small Web images for a better look. You'll need MSIE 4 or later and DirectX Media 6 or higher to run this program. See the article, and its source code, at www.pcmag.com/utilities/.

IEClean 5.0 is a sophisticated cookie (and Java, ActiveX, news, cache, and mail) manager for Internet Explorer. $40 from www.nsclean.com/.

IECookiesView 1.00 lets you view and manage cookies. It tells you which are secure and which are unsecure, which cookies are affiliated with what Web site, and more. Free from www.nirsoft.net/.

IECount 2.0 limits the number of open browser windows you can have at one time. Why do you want this? Besides preventing an onslaught of pop-ups, it keeps your system from overloading itself with too many open windows that can cause MSIE to seize up. Version 2 costs $10, while 1.0 is free. Both can be found at f-group.mastak.com/Iecount.html.

IEMate 6.0.3 is an application that will allow you to customize Internet Explorer without having to directly access the Windows Registry. Free from www.devicode.com/freeware/iemate.htm.

IEradicator 2001 removes all traces of MSIE from your system, starting with IE 3. Works on all flavors of Win 9x, including ME, but not with NT systems, including 2K, nor does it work with Win XP. Free from www.98lite.net/ieradicator.html.

IESpeed 1.0 speeds up your browsing by tweaking Internet Explorer 5.0.s settings. For example, you can download multiple multimedia files (such as AVI, MP3, or JPEG files) simultaneously while you surf. It works well with all Internet connections, including ISDN, cable, DSL, and T1. Requires the VB Runtime files. Free from 24.78.169.247/zweb/iespeed.htm.

IESpell 2.0.1 spell checks text input boxes on a page; particularly handy for heavy Web mail and/or forum users. Free for personal use from www.iespell.com/.

IEtweak 1.04 lets you change the toolbar background, the upper-right-corner animation, and the title bar text in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Less spectacular, but more useful, tweaks include the ability to select a new default browser engine and a new default download folder. If you're using IE 6, you can cut your transfer times by changing the number of simultaneously downloaded files from the same server. Free from free.of.pl/i/ietweak/ieeng.html.

iFind Graphics 1.5 is a Web utility that searches several search engines to locate specified graphics and images. Free from www.ifindgraphics.com/.

iFocus 1.2 lets you focus in on the parts of a Web site that interest you, and skip over the rest. Free from www.rangeva.com/.

iHarvest is a Web utility similar to Giage that selects, organizes, sorts, and stores Web pages and files. Its browser is better than Giage's WebSpace, and the updated version has significantly improved organizational capabilities. Free from www.iharvest.com/. Note: this is now a Web-only utility.

Ikonboard is a customizable message board system for the Internet. Free from www.ikonboard.com/.

iMarkup is an MSIE-only tool that lets you "mark up," or annotate, selected Web pages which appear when you revisit the page. $40 from www.imarkup.com/.

Index.dat Suite lets you view, and then delete, the INDEX.DAT file on your computer. Also cleans cookies, temp files, and more. Free from support.it-mate.co.uk/?mode=Products&p=index.datsuite.

Index.dat Viewer 1.0 allows you to view the INDEX.DAT file on your computer where Windows secretly stores information about your browsing habits. It displays Temporary Internet Files and Internet Cookies, both with the time/date they were created. Free from www.pcmesh.com/.

Indie Toolbar 2.5 gives you a batch of icons linking to your favorite Web sites that stand alone and work with the user's default browser. Works with most browsers. The default bar includes Google, eBay, Weather, CNN, and Smartpages, among others. Change any icon and replace it with one of 300 icons already in the program connecting to sites such as commerce, entertainment, international, nonprofits, and reference. Free from www.alexwilson.com/software.php.

InfoFerret, another of the well-regarded Ferret family of shareware, searches Web-based databases for specific information. No longer supported by FerretSoft, but still available on many shareware sites.

InfoGate/USA Today Newstracker is a news utility that provides you with a constantly updated, configurable headline feed. Since it joined forces with USA Today, it is no longer a free service, but costs $40/year or $5/month. You do get a free 7-day trial, though. Find out more at www.infogate.com/.

InForm v1.00 Beta lets you share your Favorites with other surfers, and lets you browse theirs as well. Free from www.geocities.com/makslane/.

InfoTip Extension works with MSIE 4.x to provide your folders and shortcuts with pop-up boxes that give selected information such as Creation Time, Last Write Time, File Header, etc. when you hold the cursor over an item. Free from www.na.rim.or.jp/~norio/index-e.shtml.

InfraNET 2000 1.2 is a Web search utility similar to Copernic or WebFerret that also allows you to launch multiple sites at the same time. $35 from www.infranet.w.pl/.

InstantFavorites 3.0 lets you surf the Web with a fully searchable, Explorer-style view of your Favorites folder. $20 from www.nwlink.com/~sergiva/ifav/.

IntelliDial-UP 2.51 resets three critical Registry keys for better dial-up connections. For 56K or LAN users. Free from www.skylam.com/.

IntelliSeek BullsEye 2 is a combination metasearch tool and shopping bot, free from www.intelliseek.com/. It doesn't work any better than utilities like Copernic and WebFerret, and it definitely doesn't do the same quality of job as MySimon, but it does a pretty solid job, especially in metasearching, and it's organized for easy and intuitive use.

IntelliTamper 2.03 lets you browse through a Web site's folders and files without actually downloading anything. Good for helping you find what you want and avoiding nuisances like pop-up ads, useless links, etc. Free from www.chez.com/cavemania/intellitamper/.

InterMute 1.5.0 allows you to block animations, ad banners, cookies, Java windows, background music, and/or ad pop-ups that make surfing so much of an annoyance. $20 to keep from www.adsubtract.com/.

Internet Cleaner 2.01 helps you remove all traces of your online and offline activity, including the list of recently visited sites, browser cache and cookies (IE, Opera and Netscape Navigator are supported), start menu history, lists of recent documents in various applications (MS Office, Paint, Media Player, WordPad, Acrobat Reader, ACDSee and more) and free up hard drive space by erasing the scandisk file fragments and emptying the Recycle Bin. $30 from www.softneoweb.com/icleaner/index.htm.

Internet Connection Counter 5.2-Eng various statistics about your Internet dial-up and GPRS connections. $19 from www.counterslab.com/.

Internet Download Accelerator 1.3 claims to be able to increase download speeds by up to 500 percent. Uses intellectual multisection downloads to provide the best performance for all connection types. $25 from www.westbyte.com/ida/index.phtml.

Internet Download Manager 3.14 is a download manager and accelerator that supports proxy servers, firewalls, handles file redirects, cookies, directories with authorization and a large number of directory listing formats. $25 from www.internetdownloadmanager.com/.

Internet Explorer Password 1.0 recovers passwords to Web sites as well as allows you to add, edit, and delete passwords stored in Content Advisor. Seems to work with 2K/XP only. $19 from www.thegrideon.com/internetpass.html.

Internet Explorer Password Recovery Key 2.90 is a useful goodie for those times when you accidentally (or MSIE "accidentally") blocks you from accessing certain Web sites through Content Advisor. This happens most when parents use passwords to block their kids from accessing certain sites, then forget the passwords and find themselves locked out of sites they want to visit after the kiddies are in bed, but users of older versions of MSIE may find that a bug in the code does the same thing without their clicking a single button. This free demo version ($45 to keep) can unlock the Net for you again. Take a look at www.lostpassword.com/ie.htm.

Internet Explorer Personalizer 3.0 lets you personalize MSIE's window title, logos, search buttons, and server identification. Free from www.snapfiles.com/get/iepers.html (the home page seems to be gone).

Internet Explorer Text Archiver 4.0 lets you save text from a Web site into a text file with a single click. Requires the Windows Scripting Host to be enabled. Free from www.pcnineoneone.com/tweaks/scripts9.html.

Internet Graphics Finder 2.0 lets you find, extract, view, and save images from across the Web. Use keywords to hunt down the graphics you want. Registering the program ($15) allows you to print your gleanings as well. Find it at www.skibbysoft.com/.

Internet Junkbuster 2.0.2-6 blocks unwanted banner ads and cookies. It works as a proxy that stands between your browser and the Internet, checking HTTP requests against a list of files you want to block. When it detects an ad you don't want, it blocks the ad. Can be used with all common browsers and runs under Windows and Unix. Free from internet.junkbuster.com/.

Internet Phone Release 5 supports both PC-to-PC and PC-to-phone transmissions, and offers a global directory called Community Browser that helps users locate and contact one another by name or special interests. $50 from www.vocaltec.com/.

Internet Sweeper 4.0 works with Windows 95 through XP and Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera and AOL to stop pop-ups and clean up your browser history. Internet Sweeper closes JavaScript pop-up windows, and lets you erase your cache, history file, cookies, addresses, forms, passwords, recent documents, saved searches, and temporary files. $30 from www.ladybugsoft.com/.

Internet Tech Support Diagnostics 1.2 is a freebie from www.greenpotatochip.click2site.com/ that checks your Internet connections, modem speeds, and browser settings. After its diagnosis, it gives you a helpful report which may include suggested patches or downloads, along with links to the download sites. Not bad for free.

Internet Turbo 5.3 speeds your Internet connection by changing some Windows settings. $19 from www.clasys.com/.

Internet Watcher 2000 1.1 is another ad-prevention utility for your browser. $50 to keep from www.internetwatcher.com/.

InternetMETER 2.0b is a freebie from Croatia (hence the shaky English) that gives you detailed information about your Internet connection. Need to know how much you're paying per minute to go online? How many bytes on average you're sending and receiving? If you don't care, then don't worry with this program, but if you do, check it out at redrival.com/smaster/im.htm.

InterQuick Pro 2.1.1 is yet another ad-blocking utility designed to keep your Web surfing ad-free., this one with added features such as optimized downloading, content filtering, etc. $40 from www.deerfield.com/ (a "lite" version is free and works relatively well).

iOpus File and Web Page Downloader 3.0 lets you automate, schedule and batch Web page downloads with this command-line utility. Integrates well with batch files, Windows scripts, Visual Basic or the Windows task scheduler. Free from www.iopus.com/downloader.htm.

iOpus Internet Macros 1.0.704 Beta records your surfing for later playback and perusal -- especially useful for Webmasters who have to visit the same sites day after day. Free from www.iopus.com/iim.htm.

IPing isn't a "ping" utility, it's a free notification service that reminds you when to wake up, refill a prescription, keep up with a delivered package, pay a bill, etc. If you don't mind an ad with each reminder, this utility might be what you need to keep ahead of things. Look it over at www.iping.com/.

IPResolve is a free program from www.zone17.com/~software/ipresolve.php#downloads that both gives you the name associated with an IP address and determine the IP address from a site's name.

iProtectYou 3.01 is an internet filtering/parental control package that provides you with control over Internet usage. You can block e-mails, chat sessions and instant messages that contain inappropriate words, stop annoying ads, and/or restrict Internet time to a predetermined schedule. You have control over which web sites can be accessed and which programs can have Internet access. Free from www.softforyou.com/.

IPSwitcher Basic kets you change your TCP/IP settings without rebooting; applicable to all networking environments and includes multi-Network Interface Card support. $20 from www.ipswitcher.com/index.htm.

IPWatcher 1.84 displays your IP address and host name. You can also