DESQView (1984) 9 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
• DESQView X 2.x

Direct Access (1988) 22 Utility 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.

• 1.0 (Win)

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

• 2.6

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

Expresso Calendar and Address Book (1994) 0 PIM Windows

Expresso is a budget Personal Information Manager from Berkeley Systems, makers of the After Dark Screensaver series. Expresso provides modules for managing Calendars, Notes, Address Books, and To-Do Lists. It also includes a selection of colorful visual themes and alarms with sound effects.

• 1.0

EZ-Tape (1992) 0 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) 6 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 6.x

FontMinder (1993) 0 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
• 2.5

Fontmonger (1992) 2 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) 3 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

hDC Power Launcher (1991) 0 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

• 2.0

Helix Netroom (1995) 0 Utility DOS

Helix Netroom is a memory manager, similar to their Helix Headroom product, but specifically targeted at machines running DOS networking software. Unlike other 386 memory managers that simply page in extra high/UMB RAM, Netroom moves specifically supported TSRs in to an invisible background virtual machine. As a result, large DOS network stacks may be loaded yet not take up any conventional memory needed to run DOS applications. Netroom supported Novell NetWare, Banyan VINES, and LAN Manager networks.

• 3.x

IBM AntiVirus (1995) 2 Utility DOS OS2

IBM AntiVirus is a comprehensive but easy to use virus scanner that supports DOS, OS/2, and Windows. It features the use of "Neural Network" technology, whatever that means, heuristic analysis, change detection, and false alarm elimination. It supports scanning e-mail, attachments, macros, and the ability to run suspicious programs without spreading infections.

• 2.x

Icon Do-It (1992) 2 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

InfoCentral (1994) 3 PIM DOS

InfoCentral is Personal Information Manager that can create and store outlines, calendars, contacts, and todo lists using an object-oriented tree structure. It features a customizable database, can "connect" to information from other windows programs, a built-in dialer, and bundles several pre-populated reference "ibases". purchased by Novell, and later owned by Corel. It was initially part of WordPerfect's "Main Street" software family. Software Inc Ecco Professional.

• 1.10

Interest Vision Professional - Address Book (1993) 3 Utility Financial Windows

This is a "fluff" program from Parsons Technology that contains a simple address book/dialer and a loan calculator.

• 1.0

Landmark Service Diagnostics (1992) 0 Utility DOS

Landmark Service Diagnostics is a set of professional, exhaustive diagnostic tool for testing all aspects of IBM PC 8088, 286, 386, and 486 compatible computer systems. It includes hundreds of powerful and flexible tests that check motherboards, RAM, video, COM ports, floppy drives, hard drives, and printers.

• 2.x

Lotus Domino (1993) 0 Communications PIM Server OS2

Lotus Domino, originally called Lotus Notes Server, is the sever software used for Lotus Notes clients. Notes is a powerful e-mail and collaboration tool. It was heavily used by large corporations. Lotus Notes and Lotus Domino competed against Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Exchange.

• 3.x

Lotus Notes (1993) 2 Communications PIM Windows

Lotus Notes is a powerful e-mail and collaboration tool. It was heavily used by large corporations. It was sometimes criticized for its complexity and bloat. Notes is a client server tool, and uses the Lotus Domino server (originally just called Lotus Notes server). Lotus Notes and Lotus Domino competed against Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Exchange.

• 3.x

Lotus Organizer (1992) 5 PIM Windows

A personal information manager from Lotus for Windows. Organizer was a Windows-based replacement for the DOS-based Lotus Agenda. Lotus Organizer was the most popular PIM during the mid 1990s.

• 1.x
• 2.x

Lotus SmartSuite (1992) 49 Word Processor Spreadsheet Presentations PIM Database Windows OS2

IBM/Lotus SmartSuite is an office suite from Lotus software for Windows and OS/2. SmartSuite includes SmartCenter, 1-2-3, Word Pro, Freelance Graphics, Approach, Organizer, and ScreenCam.

• 1.x
• 2.x
• 3.x
• For OS/2
• 4.0
• 96

MacTools (1988) 2 Utility MacOS

Central Point MacTools is a set of disk utilities similar to Central Point PC Tools for the Apple Macintosh. It includes a file system repair tool, disk optimizer, anti virus, hex editor, and more. MacTools 4.0 Pro was the final version after Central Point was bought out by Symantec.

• 2.0
• 3.0