WinExt

The desktop can be characterized as the default landing zone, since it is the place you return to after closing any other application. Hence, due to the fact that a large portion of your time is spent with at least a portion of the desktop visible, it can be useful to add more functionality to it, as well as use it to quickly reach other important items.

WinEXT is a software utility that allows you to place an elegant toolbar onto your desktop, which is capable of holding a wide variety of shortcuts, quick links and even Internet bookmarks. All of these features can be accessed directly from the main screen of your operating system, without having to scour the computer for various applications or documents.

Although the notion of toolbar may cause you to have seconds thoughts, it is worth noting the fact that the utility does not interfere with the rest of your applications at all, since its primary purpose is to store links and shortcuts. Thus, it requires next to no system resources and it does not affect your usual working environment in any way.

As far as functionality is concerned, the toolbar contains a wide range of system shortcuts by default, which enable you to quickly access sections like Control Panel or My Computer, without having to clutter your desktop with additional shortcuts or navigate through the start menu. Moreover, you can also activate the “Run” function and execute the desired application or script in a matter of seconds.

In order to make the program integrate better with the rest of your desktop, you are allowed to bring almost any kind of modification to its appearance. Thus, from basic text and background colors and up to custom-made menus, the entire toolbar is customizable. You can also add new buttons and shortcuts to it, as well as view information regarding memory and CPU usage levels.

Thanks to the large array of customization options and the numerous ways it can be used to improve accessibility, WinEXT proves to be a very versatile and useful application, especially for those of you who require additional functionality but want to keep the desktop clean of annoying shortcuts.