Sysinternals File and Disk Utilities

AccessChk
This tool shows you the accesses the user or group you specify has to files, Registry keys or Windows services.

AccessEnum
This simple yet powerful security tool shows you who has what access to directories, files and Registry keys on your systems. Use it to find holes in your permissions.

CacheSet
CacheSet is a program that allows you to control the Cache Manager’s working set size using functions provided by NT. It’s compatible with all versions of NT.

Contig
Wish you could quickly defragment your frequently used files? Use Contig to optimize individual files, or to create new files that are contiguous.

Disk2vhd
Disk2vhd simplifies the migration of physical systems into virtual machines (p2v).

DiskExt
Display volume disk-mappings.

DiskMon
This utility captures all hard disk activity or acts like a software disk activity light in your system tray.

DiskView
Graphical disk sector utility.

Disk Usage (DU)
View disk usage by directory.

EFSDump
View information for encrypted files.

FindLinks
FindLinks reports the file index and any hard links (alternate file paths on the same volume) that exist for the specified file.В A file’s data remains allocated so long as at it has at least one file name referencing it.

Junction
Create Win2K NTFS symbolic links.

LDMDump
Dump the contents of the Logical Disk Manager»s on-disk database, which describes the partitioning of Windows 2000 Dynamic disks.

MoveFile
Schedule file rename and delete commands for the next reboot. This can be useful for cleaning stubborn or in-use malware files.

NTFSInfo
Use NTFSInfo to see detailed information about NTFS volumes, including the size and location of the Master File Table (MFT) and MFT-zone, as well as the sizes of the NTFS meta-data files.

PageDefrag
Defragment the Windows paging file and Registry hives.

PendMoves
See what files are scheduled for delete or rename the next time the system boots.

Process Monitor
Monitor file system, Registry, process, thread and DLL activity in real-time.

PsFile
See what files are opened remotely.

PsTools
The PsTools suite includes command-line utilities for listing the processes running on local or remote computers, running processes remotely, rebooting computers, dumping event logs, and more.

SDelete
Securely overwrite your sensitive files and cleanse your free space of previously deleted files using this DoD-compliant secure delete program.

ShareEnum
Scan file shares on your network and view their security settings to close security holes.

Sigcheck
Dump file version information and verify that images on your system are digitally signed.

Streams
Reveal NTFS alternate streams.

Sync
Flush cached data to disk.

VolumeID
Set Volume ID of FAT or NTFS drives.

Windows USB/DVD Download Tool

Overview

When you download Windows from Microsoft Store, you have two options: You can download a collection of compressed files, or you can download an ISO file. An ISO file combines all the Windows installation files into a single uncompressed file.

If you choose to download an ISO file so you can create a bootable file from a DVD or USB drive, copy the Windows ISO file onto your drive and then run the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool. Then simply install Windows onto your computer directly from your USB or DVD drive.

When you download the ISO file, you must copy it onto a USB or DVD. When you’re ready to install Windows, insert the USB drive or DVD with the ISO file on it and then run Setup.exe from the root folder on the drive.

This allows you to install Windows onto your machine without having to first run an existing operating system. If you change the boot order of drives in your computer’s BIOS, you can run the Windows installation directly from your USB drive or DVD when you first turn on your computer. Please see the documentation for your computer for information about how to change the BIOS boot order of drives.

Making copies

To install the software, you can make one copy of the ISO file on a disc, USB flash drive, or other media.

After you’ve installed the software and accepted the license terms that accompany the software, those license terms apply to your use of the software. The license terms for Windows permit you to make one copy of the software as a back-up copy for re-installation on the licensed computer. If you do not delete your copy of the ISO file after installing the Windows software, the copy of the ISO file counts as your one back-up copy.

If you need to download the software again, you can go to your Download Purchase History in your Microsoft Store account and access the download there.

Installation

To install the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool:

2. Click Download then Run.

3. Follow the steps in the setup dialogs. You’ll have the option to specify where to install the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool.

You must be an administrator on the computer on which you are installing the Windows USB/DVD Download tool. It requires the Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0 or higher.

System requirements

Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)

Pentium 233-megahertz (MHz) processor or faster (300MHz is recommended)

50MB of free space on your hard drive

DVD-R drive or 4GB removable USB drive

For Windows XP users

The following applications must be installed prior to installing the tool:

Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 must be installed. It can be downloaded here.

Microsoft Image Mastering API v2 must be installed. It can be downloaded here.

Using the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool

Before you run the Download Tool, make sure you have purchased the Windows ISO download from Microsoft Store and downloaded the Windows ISO file to your drive. If you have purchased Windows but have not yet downloaded the ISO file, you can download the ISO file from your Microsoft Store Account.

To make a copy of your Windows ISO file:

1. Click the Windows START button, and click WINDOWS USB/DVD DOWNLOAD TOOL in the ALL PROGRAMS list to open the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool.

2. In the SOURCE FILE box, type the name and path of your Windows ISO file, or click BROWSE and select the file from the OPEN dialog box. Click NEXT.

3. Select USB DEVICE to create a copy on a USB flash drive or select DVD disk to create a copy on a DVD disk.

4. If you are copying the file to a USB flash drive, select your USB device in the drop-down list and click BEGIN COPYING. If you are copying the file up to a DVD, click BEGIN BURNING.

When your Windows ISO file is copied to your drive, install Windows by moving to the root folder of your DVD or USB drive, and then double-click Setup.exe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I download .NET framework 2.0?

The .NET framework can be downloaded here.

Where can I download Image Mastering API 2.0?

The Image Mastering API can be downloaded here.

What size USB drive is required?

You need a USB drive with a minimum of 4GB of free space.

Can I use my newly created USB drive to install Windows on someone else’s computer?

No. The Windows ISO file on the USB drive is only intended to be used to install Windows on the licensed user’s own computer.

Can I back up to a CD-ROM?

No. The Windows ISO file is too large to fit on a CD.

Can I back up to a Blu-ray Disc?

Yes, as long as your DVD drive can write to a Blu-ray Disc.

IfI have other files on the USB drive will the Windows USB/DVD download tool delete them?

This tool requires the USB drive to be completely blank before the Windows files are copied. This helps ensure that the device is bootable after the copying has completed.

Can I backup to an external hard drive or other device with enough free disk space?

Yes, but this is not recommended. The device must be formatted in order for the device to be bootable. A dedicated USB flash drive would be a better option.

Can I use the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool to back up other files?

No. This tool is only for use with the Windows ISO file purchased from Microsoft Store.

Does the tool support dual-layer DVD discs for burning?

No. Currently, the tool does not support dual-layer DVD discs.

Troubleshooting

The tool is asking me to install the .NET framework and Image Mastering API before I install the tool

If you’re running Windows XP, you must install the .NET Framework 2.0 and the Image Mastering API 2.0 before installing the tool. You can download .NET framework here and you can download the Image Mastering API here.

A restart may be required after installing the .NET framework and the Image Mastering API.

When creating a bootable USB device, I am getting an error about bootsect

To make the USB drive bootable, you need to run a tool named bootsect.exe. In some cases, this tool needs to be downloaded from your Microsoft Store account. This may happen if you’re trying to create a 64-bit bootable USB device from a 32-bit version of Windows. To download bootsect:

1. Login to your Microsoft Store account to view your purchase history.

2. Look for your Windows purchase.

3. Next to Windows, there is an Additional download options drop-down menu.

4. In the drop-down menu, select 32-bit ISO.

5. Right-click the link, and then save the bootsect.exe file to the location where you installed the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool (e.g. C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Apps\Windows USB DVD Download Tool).

6. Once the file has been saved, go back to the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool to create your bootable USB device.

My USB drive is not in the list of available devices

If you don’t see your USB drive in the list of available devices, please make sure the drive is inserted in the USB port, and then click the Refresh button beside the list of available drives.

I inserted a blank DVD in my DVD-ROM drive, but the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool doesn’t recognize it

If there are multiple drives on the system, the tool will select the first one that is capable of burning DVDs. If you have multiple DVD-R drives, try inserting the blank DVD into another DVD-R drive. If that doesn’t help, please make sure that your disc isn’t damaged and that your DVD-R drive is operational. Contact Product Support if issues continue to arise.

I inserted a blank DVD in my DVD-ROM drive, but the tool won’t let me burn it

Make sure the disc isn’t a dual-layer DVD disc. Currently, dual-layer discs are not supported within the tool.

Windows file utility software

• Publisher:TechPowerUp
• Version: 2.22.0
• OS: Windows
• Category: System Information

GPU-Z is a free tool that provides detailed information on the graphics cards in your computer. Using this tool you can see information such as the GPU load, its temperature, how much memory is used, and much more.

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Process Monitor (ProcMon)

• Publisher:Microsoft
• OS: Windows
• Category: File Recovery

Process Monitor, or ProcMon, is an advanced monitoring tool that allows you to see in real-time the file system, registry, and process activity occuring in Windows. Process Monitor is the successor to two different programs, FileMon, and Regmon, but also includes much more including filtering, network activity, and file logging.

• Total Downloads: 37,455
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UCheck

• Publisher:Adlice Software
• OS: Windows
• Category: System Administration

UCheck is a free program that allows you to scan a computer for outdated programs and automatically update them to the latest version. UCheck also has the ability to install numerous new programs onto a computer with the click of a button. This makes it incredibly easy to install wanted programs on a brand new computer with one click.

• Total Downloads: 25,551
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USB Disk Storage Format Tool

• Publisher:Authorsoft
• Version: 5.3
• OS: Windows
• Category: System Utilities

The USB Disk Storage Format Tool is a freeware program that allows you to format a USB drive using FAT, FAT32, NTFS, and EXFat file systems.

• Total Downloads: 226,813
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HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool

• Publisher:HP
• Version: 2.2.3
• OS: Windows
• Category: System Utilities

The HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool allows you to format a USB Flash drive too FAT, FAT32, and NTFS file systems. It also allows you to create a DOS startup disk, but this is not very useful with modern versions of Windows.

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WMI Explorer

• Publisher:Vinpa
• Version: 2.0
• OS: Windows
• Category: System Administration

WMI Explorer allows users to easily view and configure the WMI information configured on their computer. For those who perform system administration tasks using WMI, this is an incredibly useful tool.

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IObit Unlocker

• Publisher:IObit
• OS: Windows
• Category: File Managers

IObit Unlocker is a free program that allows you to unlock in use or locked files so that you delete, rename, or move them. It is not uncommon for applications to keep a file open, even when they are not being used. When you try to remove these files, Windows will display an error that states the file is in use and won’t let you access it.

• Total Downloads: 20,780
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Free Clipboard Viewer

• Publisher:Comfort Software Group
• Version: 3.0
• OS: Windows
• Category: Clipboard Viewers

Free Clipboard Viewer is an application that allows you to see the data that is currently copied into the Windows Clipboard. The Clipboard is a utility in Windows that allows you to store information into it that can be then pasted into another application or location. Using the Free Clipboard Viewer you will be able to see exactly what was copied into your clipboard and detailed information about the copied data.

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FurMark

• Publisher:Geeks3D
• Version: 1.17.0.0
• OS: Windows
• Category: Benchmarking

FurMark is a utility that allows you to benchmark and stress test your GPU, or graphics card, so that you can determine how well it operates under heavy loads. Using these tests you can diagnose hardware failures or inadequate cooling issues that you may have with your GPU.

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ShadowExplorer

• Publisher:ShadowExplorer.com
• Version: 0.9
• OS: Windows
• Category: System Administration

ShadowExplorer allows you to browse Windows Shadow Volume Copies created by the Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 Volume Shadow Copy Service. When these Shadow Volume Copies are created, they also create copies of changed data files on your computer. ShadowExplorer allows you to use the Shadow Volume Copies to restore files back to previous versions or even to restore a deleted file.