This page contains freeware utilities designed for automating processes and overcoming a few of the limitations of Windows.  All the utilities on this page were written for one purpose - to make life easier.  I hold to the belief that when it comes to software, the computer should do the work.  Why do things manually when the most powerful automation tool in the world is sitting right in front of you?  Most of the utilities on this page were written because I needed them.  They weren't designed as profit-making full featured applications, they were meant to get a job done quickly and correctly.  After I built up a small collection of software, I thought perhaps others could benefit from it as well.  Here's my collection.  I hope you find something here that you can use.  Enjoy!

--Doug

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This symbol means the program is designed to run in a completely automated fashion using command line parameters and/or configuration files.  Recommended for use in batch files and scripts.

Unless otherwise noted, all programs below were designed to run on Windows 9x, Me, NT40, 2000, and XP.  Because they're all 32 bit applications, none of the programs below will run under MS-DOS.

Program Name & Description	Version	Price	Download
Blowfish File Encryption	1.0 01/22/01	Free	bfish10.zip (43 Kb)
This is a console mode implementation of the Blowfish encryption algorithm.  It uses a 160 bit key (derived using the SHA1 hash algorithm) to securely encrypt files.  Works fine on all 32 bit Windows platforms.  The encryption library used in this program was developed outside the USA, so the software  is legal to export.
Delay & Wait For Time	1.0	Free	dlywft10.zip (61 Kb)
These are both console mode programs, designed for batch file use.  Delay simply delays execution of a batch file for a specified number of seconds.  Wait For Time waits until the system clock hits a specific time before allowing batch file execution to continue.  Great for kicking off tasks at night or while you're out to lunch.
Drive Ready (DrvReady)	1.0	Free	drvrdy10.zip (23 Kb)
This is a command line utility that checks to see if a specified drive is ready.  Can be used on any drive type, but is especially nice for testing whether there's a floppy disk in a drive.  If no disk is found, you can optionally prompt the user to insert one.
EnvRep - Environment Replacement Utility	2.2 Beta 5 07/4/02	Free	envr22b5.zip (145 Kb)
This is a command line utility that allows you to use environment variables inside script files, registry files, batch files, macros, or any text file. It does a search and replace  using environment variables or special built-in variables (called SmarTokens) as the replacement values.  SmarToken variables available include PC serial number, username, computer name, MAC address, special system folder paths, IP Address, current directory and many more.  Ever wanted to automatically fill in a users ID or computer name in a .reg file, without manually editing the file? If so, this is for you.
Free Disk Space Checker (IsFree)	1.1	Free	isfree11.zip (24 Kb)
This program checks to see if a specified amount of free space exists on a drive, and returns 1 if so or 0 if not. Use this 32 bit console mode program to make sure you've got enough room on a disk before installing software or copying data.
IniMod	1.2 03/07/03	Free	inimod12.zip (35 Kb)
Console mode program that allows you to edit INI files from within a batch files or scripts.  You can add, change, or delete sections, keys, and values in ini files.  Works with any text or configuration file that is in "INI"  format.  Also has the ability to create new INI files if necessary.
InputBox	1.1 01/31/03	Free	inpbox11.zip (224 Kb)
Console mode program that allows you to prompt users for input using a standard Windows input box, then write that input into a file.  Makes for a user friendly way of inserting real-time data into batch, registry, INI, or other text files.  When you have to ask for input during a batch process, InputBox is what you need.
IsAdmin	2.0 Beta 12/17/01	Free	isadm20b.zip (28 Kb)
Small program for Windows NT & 2000 that tells you whether the currently logged in user has administrator privileges on the local machine.  Now with customizable exit codes for easier use in scripts and batch files.  For Windows NT/2K/XP.
IsFileSize	1.1 03/05/01	Free	isfsiz11.zip (23 Kb)
Simple program that compares the size of a file against a given value.  Returns 2 if the file is larger, 1 if equal or 0 if smaller.  Great for use in batch files - check versions of an EXE, see if a file is too big to copy to a server, or check Command.Com to determine which version of Windows is running.  Console mode program.
Message Box (MsgBox)	2.1 05/21/02	Free	msgbox21.zip (29 Kb)
Allows you to use Windows message boxes in batch files. Get responses from a user, or simply display a notice message.  This  console mode program was featured as the Download of the Day for Feb. 2, 2001 on Emazing.Com! New in version 2.0: display the contents of a text file in a message box too.
MostFree	1.1	Free	mstfre11.zip (23 Kb)
This  console-mode program returns a value corresponding to the drive with the most free space available.  Local hard disks, and optionally mapped network drives and removable Jaz/Zip type disks are checked.  Floppy drives, CD-ROMs, and RAM disks are not included in the check.  Great to use when backing up data - be sure the disk you're backing up to is the one with the most free space available! Great for use in batch files.
Registry Delete (RegDel)	1.1 11/09/00	Free	regdel11.zip (31 Kb)
RegDel allows you to delete registry keys and/or values from within a batch file.  Console mode program.
Remove Empty Folders (RmEmpty)	1.2	Free	rmemp12.zip (36 Kb)
A console mode utility that recursively deletes only empty folders.  Great for clearing out all those junk directories you have laying around.  Will NOT delete files, or folders that have files in them.  Only empty folders (or folders containing nothing but other empty folders) are removed.
ScreenSaver Switch	1.0 Beta 2	Free	sssw10b2.zip (255 Kb)
Tray icon based program gives you a number of easy ways to immediately activate the screensaver - by moving your mouse into a corner of the screen, typing a hot key, or clicking an icon. Increase the security of your workstation by turning on the screensaver before you leave.  Also has the ability to temporarily prevent the screensaver from activating if you want to monitor a process without interruption.
ScreenSaver Utility	1.0	Free	ss10.zip (24 Kb)
Console mode program that allows you to take control of the screensaver from a batch file or the command prompt.  You may either disable the screensaver so it doesn't turn on, enable it so it does, or force it on immediately.
Shortcut Creator	1.2 Beta 3 7/4/02	Free	sc12b3.zip (150 Kb)
Now creating shortcuts from scripts and batch files is simple!  You can automate shortcut creation in a few minutes !  No more copying .LNK files all over the place, or having shortcuts point back to the PC they were originally created on.  Shortcut Creator will create them right on the target PC.  As an added bonus, this program uses our SmarToken technology that gives you easy access to real-time Windows data and system folders.  No more hard-coding paths and hoping they're right!
Shutdown Stopper	2.1 06/23/01	Free	sstop21.zip (167 Kb)
Windows program that prevents Windows from shutting down.  Great for stopping those install programs from automatically shutting down your computer.  Even the Windows Start Menu Shutdown command won't work when shutdowns are disabled.   Now with the ability to launch programs when a shutdown attempt is detected!
TimeOut	1.2 11/09/00	Free	timeou12.zip (182 Kb)
This is a simple countdown timer that allows you to send keystrokes to a program or launch an application when the timer reaches zero.  Originally designed to automatically refresh an Internet Explorer window every few seconds, the functionality was expanded to cover any application.  If there's something you need to do repeatedly every few seconds then this program might help you out.
Variable Command Line Processor (VCLiP)	2.0 04/04/01	Free	vclip20.zip (244 Kb)
Ever need to run a command line utility a bunch of times, changing just one or two parameters each time? This beauty reads a list of variables, then uses them in turn to run a command line program repetitively.  This was written to fix user permissions on home directories on a server, but has many other uses as well.  This program can literally save you hours of work the first time you use it.  Definitely worth adding to your toolbox!  (This program was formerly known as the Variable  Replacement Batch Processor)
Video Resolution Changer (VidRes)	2.0 Beta 6 05/21/02	Free	vidrs2b6.zip (201 Kb)
This program was requested by a visitor to this page. It seems she likes to use the PC in one video resolution, but her husband prefers a different video mode.  She was tired of going to the control panel/display settings etc to switch the resolution each time she wanted to use the PC, so she asked if I could write a program that lives in the system tray and allows changing the video mode quickly with only a click or two.  Sounded like a challenge to me!  Here's the result of a little spare time - and a great idea submitted by June M.
Windows Version ID (WinVer)	1.1 02/08/01	Free	winver11.zip (24 Kb)
You can use WinVer to tell which version of Windows is running as well as what service pack is installed.  It returns result codes for the detected OS and revision level.  Now your batch files can behave differently for each different operating system they're being run on.

Outside The Box software is written in Borland Delphi.  Check out Borland's Delphi page here.

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