Remember , the old Microsoft utility that let you fine-tune the Windows interface? The , its unofficial successor for Windows 7, goes so far as to bill itself as a "Tweak UI utility."

Like TweakUI, UWT provides a king's ransom in customization controls, from changing what appears in the Start menu to optimizing performance by disabling various Windows features (like Aero and Tablet PC). Tired of Windows' automatically rebooting after an unattended system update? You can turn off that option and countless others. UWT even lets you wrangle Internet Explorer 8: no more warnings when you're about to close multiple tabs, for example.

Granted, you can reach many of the same settings by delving into the Control Panel, Registry, and other areas. But Ultimate Windows Tweaker puts every imaginable option (and some you never imagined) under one convenient roof. It's a must-have tool for any serious Windows tweaker.

If you use Windows Media Center, you've probably wished for a way to bypass the startup animation and go straight to live TV. Or to start playing your music favorites immediately. Fortunately, by flipping a few hidden "switches," you can configure WMC to start exactly the way you want.