20 Great Low-Cost Utilities

Hard-Disk Utilities

Restoration If you've accidentally deleted an important file, don't panic (yet)! Restoration is a free program that can scan your hard drive, floppy drive, or flash memory card and attempt to recover the file.

SureDelete Deleted means really deleted with this free program: It overwrites deleted files so they can't be recovered. Ideal when you have a PC you want to sell or give away.

Jv16 PowerTools 2006 This multipurpose utility can perform a number of useful tasks, such as working with the Windows Registry, erasing disks, and searching for files. There's a 30-day trial, after which you must pay $30.

BootItNG A powerful, easy-to-use partitioning and drive-imaging program that lets you create, delete, and resize the partitions on your hard drive; as well, it can create a complete backup of your data. It is free to use for 30 days; afterwards, it costs $35.

BartPE This free utility builds a bootable CD or DVD using your own Windows installation files. If your PC crashes and won't reboot, you can use the disk to get your rig back on its feet.