Central Point PC Tools for Windows 1.0 by W. Seth Carus One of the oldest utility programs around is PC Tools, a product of Central Point Software. The DOS version of PC Tools, now available in version 8, has long been praised for its rich variety of features, including disk caching, high quality disk backup, an anti-virus program, and data recovery tools. In the previous version of PC Tools, Central Point included a number of Windows applications (dropped from the version 8), which heralded the eventual release of PC Tools for Windows, the most recent member of the family. As a long-time user of PC Tools, and a recent convert to Windows, it was inevitable that I would purchase the new Windows version of the program. However, I must admit to certain doubts about loading it on to my hard disk. Central Point has been responsible on occasion for releasing programs before they were ready to go out the door (the original edition of Version 7 was notoriously bad). Given how easily Windows can be screwed up by programs that make changes to INI files, I was more than a little skeptical about this new release. Fortunately, my concerns have been allayed by the high quality of this product, which is a major and extremely useful addition to my array of Windows programs. PC Tools for Windows duplicates most of the functions of the DOS version, but with several major exceptions. Three utility programs are omitted: PC-Cache, a disk caching program; Commute, a program that allows you to control computers accessible through a modem; and RAMBOOST, a program that efficiently manages memory. This follows the unfortunate example set by Symantec with its Norton Desktop for Windows, which left out some of the key features of Norton Utilities. In addition, the program lacks many of the Desktop applications included in the DOS version of the program, which includes a data base, communications program, appointment scheduler, and calculators. The program does come equipped with one of the best arrays of Windows utilities now available, including hard disk backup, anti-virus protection, file viewers, recovery of deleted files, a DISKFIX program to repair some hard disk problems, an icon editor, a scripting program for automating tasks under Windows, and about a dozen other programs of various kinds. In addition, two disks filled with DOS utilities are provided to permit restoration of a system when Windows is not functioning. To aid in this process, Central Point makes it extremely easy to create an Emergency Recovery disk. All of the utilities appear to be of high quality, although I have not had a chance to extensively work with more than a few. The Backup program is improved over the one in Version 7 of PC Tools. It incorporates a few new features, including an integrated file viewer that makes it possible to look at a file before deciding whether or not to include it in a save set. The major improvements, however, appear to be performance enhancements. The program works incredibly smoothly and quickly, and is a real winner. Some of the programs appear to be significantly better than anything else available. For example, the disk compression program will work within Windows, and does not have to exit to DOS like most other similar utilities. It is smart enough to recognize open files, and will not move them. The "System Consultant" included in the package looks to be far better than the comparable feature included in Norton Desktop for Windows. The System Consultant not only provides detailed information about your system, but also gives useful advice on improving its configuration. For example, it noticed that my system did not have a TEMP subdirectory for Windows, even though I had a SET command in my AUTOEXEC.BAT for it. There is also a file synchronization utility, which automatically makes sure that all the files contained in an origination directory are also found in the target directory. At the same time, older versions of files are updated by the latest version, making the program a useful way of backing up particular directories. An example of the depth of the program is the file deletion utility, which includes three different methods of deleting files. Safe Delete saves the contents of a deleted file, so that it can be recovered later by using the undelete program. Wipe Delete writes zeros over the file, so that it cannot be recovered. And, DOD Delete provides secure erasure by writing over a deleted file three times with hexadecimal FF and 00 characters, and then concludes by writing over everything with hexadecimal F6s. The most obvious new feature incorporated into the package is its Desktop. Like Norton Desktop for Windows, the PC Tools for Windows Desktop is considerably more flexible than the one included in the Windows Program Manager. Central Point,however, has gone far beyond the Norton product by making it possible to create multiple desktops, all of which can be loaded into memory at the same time. Each Desktop can have its own complement of folders and program icons, making it possible to define Desktops devoted to particular activities. Included in Desktop is a utility, called Multidesk, which shows thumbnail sketches of the different desktops available (this program can be deactivated if it becomes too intrusive). What is remarkable about these thumbnail sketches is the extent to which they monitor what is going on with the computer. If you have a particular application up and running and it is occupying a spot on the desktop, the thumbnail sketch will accurately reflect its position. If you move the mouse cursor over the sketch, it will identify the application and the names of any icons or open windows that it passes over. Whether or not you find the Desktop of value will depend on how you use Windows. I found almost immediately that it made it much easier to access programs without creating a lot of clutter. Some of my fondness may result from the ease of switching from one Desktop to another. A click on the thumbnail sketch of the desktop will move you to that Desktop. There is also a drop-down menu above the menu bar at the top of the screen. It lists all the available desktops, and allows easy movement from one to another. In addition, there are at least four other ways of moving to another desktop, reflecting the flexibility built into the program. This new Windows version of PC Tools is a real winner. Anyone using Windows should take a serious look at it.