DESQView (1984) 19 Utility DOS

DESQView, from Quarterdeck, was a DOS application multi-tasker and in later versions functioned as an X client for applications on remote UNIX systems. It competed against IBM Topview. The original DESQ was just a task switcher, but subsequent versions offered preemptive multitasking of well behaved DOS programs on real-mode 8088 PCs. It gained popularity when DESQView 386 added virtual x86 support. This enabled the ability to multi task many poorly behaved programs, and was often used on BBSes due to its excellent COM port handling. It was later overtaken by OS/2 and Windows.

• DESQView X 1.x
• 2.x

Direct Access (1988) 10 Utility DOS Windows

Direct Access is an easy to use menuing program designed to simplify access to applications on systems with many programs loaded on the hard drive. It is customizable, includes screen blanking, and includes password protection and usage logging. Later versions also detect common programs already installed on the hard disk.

• 5.x
• 1.0 (Win)

Disk Technician (1987) 2 Utility DOS

Disk Technician, from Prime Solutions Inc., is a hard disk utility and surface monitor. It contains an interleave adjuster and pattern tester similar to Spinrite. The Gold version also includes a defragmenter and disk-level virus protection.

• Gold 1.x

DiskDoubler (1990) 1 Utility Archive MacOS

DiskDoubler is an automated file compression program for the Apple Macintosh. It does not compress the entire drive, but rather specified files. It automatically compresses and recompresses files as you use them.

• 3.x

DiskLock (1993) 0 Utility DOS Windows

DiskLock, From Fifth Generation Systems, and later from Symantec as Norton DiskLock, is a data security tool that can lock a hard disk or individual files or directories so that it requires a password to access any data. It can also log activity to detect unauthorized access attempts. It also features the ability to lock the system after an idle usage period. There were versions for PC and Mac.

• 2.x
• 3.x

DoubleDisk (1991) 0 Utility DOS

First released in 1989, DoubleDisk was the first real-time drive compression product for DOS. It is a fairly no-frills program and sticks to what it does best. It was relatively low cost compared to its later competitors. and Expandz! Plus

• 2.5
• 2.6

EasyDesktop (1994) 1 Utility Windows

EasyDesktop, from MicroSeconds International, is an alternative desktop shell for Microsoft Windows that uses a more compact text-based file list and integrates its own file manager.

• 5.0

Expert Utilities (1990) 2 Utility DOS

Expert Utilities is a rudimentary file manager shell for DOS. It provides an on screen directory listing and a visual command menu. It does not use the mouse.

• 1990

EZ-Tape (1992) 2 Utility Windows DOS

EZ-Tape backup system for Windows and DOS.

• 3.x (Win)
• 3.x (DOS)

Failsafe Computer Guardian (1992) 0 Utility DOS

Failsafe Computer Guardian is a DOS TSR utility that prevents programs or other users from accessing or making changes to designated files on the hard drive. It includes password control, user groups, logging, keyboard locking, screen blanking, and support for Microsoft windows. Notably, it can do all of this with minimal DOS memory overhead, only 14k of RAM.

• 1.x

FastBack (1986) 9 Utility DOS

Fastback, by Fifth Generation Systems, Inc, is a backup utility for DOS. Its key feature is that it can read and write both a floppy disk and hard disk at the same time by making use of dual-channel DMA. Combined with speedy data compression, it can make a very fast backup.

• Plus 3.x
• Plus 6.x

FastTrax (1987) 1 Utility DOS

FastTrax is a disk optimization program for MS-DOS on IBM PC computers. It rearranges and defragments files to make file access faster.

• 4.x

FontMinder (1993) 3 Utility Publishing Windows

FontMinder, by Dennis Harrington & Costas Kistos, is a font management tool that streamlines the installation and archival of Windows TrueType and Adobe Type Manager fonts.

• 2.0

Fontmonger (1992) 1 Utility Windows MacOS

FontMonger, from Ares Software, is a font tool that can convert fonts between many different formats, move characters between fonts, and edit characters. Publisher's Type Foundry](/product/publishers-typefoundry) font editor. At release FontMonger was considered the only practical Windows-based program for modifying fonts. However, it was not considered a professional tool as it lacked kerning and hinting controls.

• 1.0.x
• 1.5.x

Fontographer (1992) 0 Utility Windows

First introduced in 1986 for the Macintosh, Fontographer is a robust, professional tool for creating or modifying fonts. It supports Postscript, Adobe EPS, and Truetype. It features kerning control, hinting, and other advanced features. Foundry](/product/publishers-typefoundry/).

• 3.x

GammaTech Utilities (1993) 1 Utility OS2

GammaTech Utilities is a "must-have" set of disk tools for OS/2, including an HPFS disk optimizer, undelete, file recovery, file wiping, enhanced directory list, and delete tree.

• 2.x

Grammatik (1988) 7 Utility MacOS

Grammatik is a standalone grammar checker, and was possibly the first grammar checker for personal computers. Later versions were built in to Word Perfect. It competed against RightWriter.

• Mac 2.0

hDC FileApps (1991) 3 Utility Windows

hDC FileApps is a set of five powerful MicroApps to Perform essential File operations quickly and easily. It is related to the Windows 2-based hDC Windows Manager.

• 1.0

hDC FirstApps (1990) 3 Utility Windows

hDC FirstApps is a collection of 10 simple "MicroApps". FirstApps includes Alarm Clock, Art Gallery, Auto Save, Character Set, Desktop, Font Viewer, Memory Viewer, Rocks, System Enhancer, and Work Sets. It is essentially a Windows 3 version of the Windows 2-based hDC Windows Manager.

• 1.0

hDC Power Launcher (1991) 3 Utility Windows

Power Launcher is a set of utilities that adds a custom menu to each system box, adds keyboard and mouse enhancements, adds a virtual desktop tool, as well as a screen saver. Version 2 also adds a customizable menu and toolbar to the Windows desktop. FirstApps](/product/hdc-firstapps), hDC MicroApps, and hDC FileApps, hDC Windows Manager, and hDC Windows Express

• 1.0
• 2.0

hDC Windows Express (1989) 3 Utility Windows

hDC Windows Express is a "Complete Menu System" shell for Microsoft Windows. The earliest version went under the name"hDC ClickStart", and was for Windows 1.x (Wanted!).

• 3.0

Helix Headroom (1990) 2 Utility DOS

Headroom is a memory manager, TSR manager, and application switcher for DOS. It enables you to load many TSR programs at once without using extra base memory. It can load unload TSRs at any time in any order, and even improves compatibility with older TSRs.

• 2.x

HyperDOS (1990) 1 Utility PIM DOS

HyperDOS is a simplistic menu shell bundled with Leading Technology PCs and offered as a standalone commercial product. It includes a file manager, built in help, and a number of accessories. It tries to clone the general appearance of the IBM PS/1 shell. Oddly, it starts off in a GUI mode, but all of the tools are text mode programs. Version 2.0 includes the ability to use sound cards.

• 1.x

IBM Classroom LAN Administration System (1990) 1 Utility Communications Education DOS

IBM Classroom LAN Administration System is a set of education oriented network administration utilities. courseware and 400 office utilities. This version requires Novell NetWare 3.12 server.

• 1.x

Icon Do-It (1992) 6 Utility Novelty Windows

Icon-Do-It, from Moon Valley Software, is a utility that enables you to customize your program group icons, and add animated icons to normal program items. It also includes a screen saver module. It is designed to work with both Windows 3.0 and 3.1.

• 1.x
• 2.x