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Some of us are particular about the appearance of our desktop, annoyed by the clutter that can result from having too many icons scattered about. If you’re someone who likes to keep their desktop free of icons, while still retaining the ability to launch those apps which would otherwise be available, FLS Launcher is a free tool that affords you that luxury.

Once installed, this application can be launched from either the system tray — where you’d simply click on the corresponding icon — or accessed by moving your mouse cursor to the upper-left corner of the screen. After you’ve opened it, a window will pop-up, offering you a tabbed interface that’s easily navigable and customizable with additional tabs and icons for those applications you wish to include. You have the ability to drag and drop applications as you please,  between the computer and this utility, exiting the launcher once it’s fashioned to your choosing.

FLS Launcher is for the neat freaks amongst us, amongst whom I admit membership. It keeps your desktop free of the clutter and gives you quick access to your favorite apps.

I should note that there are two versions: a donation version, which offers the full set of features for a small contribution, and a freeware model that has 90% — pretty much all you’d need — of the utility’s functionality for free.

This is for Windows only and can be retrieved here.

If you’ve ever used a utility included with the Windows Operating System, you know the hurdles required to even access the folder within which it’s found. If you’re suffering the fatigue of having to take an unnecessary number of steps to make your way to these tools, we have an app that offers fast access without the hassle you’re used to.

Before proceeding, we should add that this will require the installation of .NET Framework 3.5. At the end of this article, you’ll find a link to it.

Requiring no installation, all you need to do is unpack the executable, place it within the “Program Files” folder and assign it a shortcut.

Once you’ve completed the brief task of setting it up, you can start the Windows Utilities Launcher, where you’re given immediate access to the utilities you’d otherwise have to endure superfluous clicking to locate. Looking at the “Utilities” tab, users will notice all the usual helpers – Computer, Device, Disk, Performance, Display, Services, Task, System, Add/Remove, et.al.

On the “Settings” tab, you’re given the option of having the Launcher start up with Windows; you’re also able to have it start minimized, which will see it occupying your system tray whenever you boot up your computer.

This app also comes with a handy right-click menu. Including the Task Manager, you can access the Notepad and Calculator from the right-click menu.

While these utilities aren’t frequently used, they’re still very helpful in a time of need, which every user will be confronted by at some point. Its use comes with ease, finding that it’ll spare you those few extra steps that were previously required. If you have questions about how to use these utilities, or discover that whatever issue you were attempting to correct hasn’t been resolved, Geek Choice is here to help you.

This application is available or Windows XP, Windows Vista, and the recently launched Windows 7.

First, if you haven’t already done so, download .NET Framework (version 3.5 SP1) here.

Then, download Windows Utilities Launcher (version 1.1) here.

Windows 7 is upon us, ushering in the latest era of Microsoft’s Windows Operating System. Faster and more functional, with less bloat than previous iterations, Windows 7 has been introduced to a surprisingly receptive audience.

But all fanfare aside, the question of its compatibility with your system is of paramount concern. As has been the case with each version of Windows, successfully installing the package is contingent upon the present composition of your system.

To shed light on what requirements your system meets, Microsoft has released a helpful program that aids in highlighting what you’ll need before attempting to upgrade to Windows 7.

Called the Upgrade Advisor, this utility assesses your system, providing an analysis that will leave you with a clearer picture of your computer’s compatibility.

After launching the Upgrade Advisor, you’re met with a welcome screen that prompts you to begin.

Depending on the specifications of your system, the duration of the analysis varies, but it usually lasts just a few minutes.

Upon conclusion of the analysis, Upgrade Advisor produces a report that lists those areas which must be addressed before proceeding with the upgrade.

Without running the Upgrade Advisor, you should know that the minimum requirements for Windows 7 are:

• 1 Ghz CPU
• 1 GB of RAM
• 16 GB HDD

Seeing how well it’s been received, it’s understandable that you could be leaning towards upgrading to Windows 7. Before doing so, you might want to run the Upgrade Advisor.

Download it here.