Software
The software that can be found here is written in Visual Basic 6. All of these programs require the Visual Basic 6 Runtime. Chances are that it is already installed on your system by another application. So just try the software and if it complains about missing files, get the VB6 Runtime at the Microsoft website (1019 KB). Additional download of the MS Windows Common Controls 6.0 (497 KB) may be required for applications marked with a ♦ sign. Again, you only need this when indicated by the software. Most downloads on this page are zipped. Zipfiles can be unpacked with WinZip or another archive utility.
Important: All software on this page is freeware. You may distribute it, but unmodified and free of charge only. And please do not link to files on this site, but host them on your own server!
1. MS-DOS Name Conversion (updated June 14, 2007)
MS-DOS Name Conversion shows names in the short MS-DOS (8.3) format. Even though we have become used to long filenames sometimes we still need to find a short filename, for instance when a Windows95/98/Me application requires path-settings in the autoexec.bat. Normally you would open a MS-DOS prompt to retrieve the short filename. That means you'll be stuck with the command-line interface, which is not particularly fast when it comes to browsing directories. With MS-DOS Name Conversion you simply use the regular Windows browse-dialogs to click your way to the desired location. The short pathname will then appear in the text-editor window (see screenshot).
Download MS-DOS Name Conversion (20 KB) version 2.8, English & Nederlands
Note: This application was patched together from code snippets found all over the internet. The internet is an excellent resource for beginning programmers, since there are many websites that offer Visual Basic code for free. Here are some links to sites I visited while making this application. I don't exactly remember which ones I downloaded code samples from, but anyway... thank you all!
2. Task Keys Reviver (updated July 16, 2002)
When the Windows 95, 98 or Me screensaver starts it usually disables the task keys (Ctrl+Alt+Del, Alt+Tab, Ctrl+Esc). This could be something of a problem when the screensaver hangs your computer, since you won't be able to use 'Ctrl+Alt+Del' to end it. This small utility was made to turn those keys back on.
'Task Keys Reviver' is also useful in combination with screensavers that run in windowed mode, like for instance the beautiful SereneScreen Aquarium. This way you can keep the saver running in a corner of your screen while you continue working with other applications. And if you are used to switching between those applications with 'Alt+Tab' you can now get that functionality back with 'Task Keys Reviver'.
Download Task Keys Reviver (21 KB) version 1.4 revision 5 (Windows 95, 98, Me only)
3. Snelres (updated December 7, 2006)
Snelres changes the screen resolution on the fly, similar to Quickres which is included with Windows 98 or higher. So why another Quickres replacement? Because on many corporate pc's system administrators tend to disable the Display Settings. Now you can outsmart them with Snelres! In addition Snelres comes with a handy 'Undo' function, which saves you from 'fumbling in the dark' in case a chosen resolution fails.
Download Snelres (9 KB) version 1.1.2, English & Nederlands
4. Fish Picker (updated May 2, 2003)
Fish Picker is an add-on settings panel for the SereneScreen Marine Aquarium screensaver. It has many options not included in Marine Aquarium 2. You can save custom settings, place the starfish on the glass without having to wait for it to crawl up or make it disappear (see this screenshot), choose from 24 lighting presets, cycle the random fishes etc.
Download Fish Picker 4.1 (285 KB) revision 2 for Marine Aquarium 2.0
Download Fish Picker 3.0 (264 KB) revision 9 for Marine Aquarium 1.1
5. Color Slider ♦ (updated November 26, 2007)
Color Slider is an quick reference tool for anyone who frequently works with color codes. It supports both RGB and HEX formats so you can easily convert between the two.
Download Color Slider (7 KB) version 1.0 revision 6
6. Key Pusher (updated February 19, 2008)
Key Pusher sends one or more keystrokes to the window of another application as if they were typed at the keyboard.
Download Key Pusher (46 KB) version 1.4.3
Pranks
1. Windows Hidden Settings Editor ♦ (updated September 18, 2002)
This was my very first Visual Basic project and it is not really an application. It just pretends to be one. In an attempt to become familiar with forms and controls, I imposed upon myself the task of rebuilding a user interface from a screenshot I had. The screenshot in question was taken from a humorous fake Windows tweaking application, making fun of some well-known Windows 98 instabilities and annoyances. Building the interface proved to be quite easy and soon I found myself adding all kinds of new (fake) options and improving upon the original ones. The result can be seen in the screenshot below.
The original screenshot that started it all can be viewed here for comparison. By the way, I am still looking for the maker of the original to give him/her credit for the stuff that I used in my version. Please contact me if you know who he/she is.
Let me stress here that in reality this application does not change any system settings. All it tries to do (hopefully) is raise a few smiles of recognition. So where do you want to go today by pressing the 'Advanced' button? And what will happen when you press the 'More...' button? Don't hesitate... download Windows Hidden Settings Editor now! (24 KB).
2. Fake format C:\ ♦ (updated July 29, 2003)
This one is for all of you practical jokers out there. Just take a look at the screenshot. Need I say more? Hmm... on second thought, just to be on the safe side perhaps a disclaimer would be in order.
Disclaimer: This software is provided for educational purposes only. By downloading 'Fake format C:\' you accept full responsibility for any damage that may result from using this program to mislead a person into believing that his/her hard drive has been formatted.
![](img/format.gif "download Fake format C:\")
Download Fake format C:\ (6 KB) version 2.3 revision 4 (for Windows 95, 98, Me)
Download Fake format C:\ (6 KB) version 1.0 (for Windows NT, 2000, XP)
3. Close me (updated February 2, 2002)
Another lame prank. It's one of those proggies that jump away from your cursor when you try to push the close button. OK I know, there are many of those about, but I just couldn't resist and had to make my own. Sad really, isn't it? Anyway, I figured I might as well do the job right, so every conventional method to close an application has been disabled. That means pressing 'Alt+F4' or 'Esc' won't help. Neither does hitting 'Enter' since the button has no focus and it is impossible to give it focus with 'Tab'. Even 'Ctrl+Alt+Del' will be temporarily disabled! Fortunately the program times out after one minute. But of course your victim does not know that. Have fun!
Download Close me (6 KB) version 1.7
4. Stealth demo (February 7, 2002)
I decided to present this application in the form of a demo. Why? Well, this sneaky little bastard displays a few characteristics commonly found in viruses. Except for the most important one that is: it can NOT reproduce. So don't worry, you'll be perfectly safe.
What does 'Stealth demo' do? First it runs in the background for one minute. During that time it will repeatedly minimize all program windows. After that it becomes visible and informs the (by now probably very upset) user what has just happened. Additionally the program has a built-in demonstration of its 'hiding from the Windows tasklist' capability. The program Does NOT run under Windows XP, NT or 2000, because these operating systems do not allow programs to hide from the tasklist.
Now anyone tempted to use this purely educational demo for playing nasty jokes on people should read the disclaimer.
Disclaimer: The author of this software accepts no responsibility for any damage - either material, mental or physical - that may result from running this program on a PC of which the owner/user has not been informed in advance.
Download Stealth demo (4 KB) version 1.0 (for Windows 95, 98, Me)
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