NirLauncher: 100+ Portable Freeware Utilities for Windows
NirLauncher: A Comprehensive Portable Utility Suite for Windows
NirLauncher represents a collection of more than 100 portable, free-to-use utilities designed specifically for the Windows operating system.
This suite functions as an ideal toolkit, easily transportable on a USB drive, providing solutions for various scenarios. These include password recovery and network surveillance, making it invaluable in emergency situations.
Organization and Customization
The included tools are logically organized into 12 distinct categories, streamlining the user experience.
Furthermore, users have the flexibility to incorporate additional software packages, tailoring the suite to their specific requirements.
Deployment and Availability
While optimized for portable operation from a USB flash drive, NirLauncher can also be installed on a local hard drive for convenient, daily access.
All applications within the suite are developed by NirSoft and are individually accessible via the official NirSoft website.
Key Features and Benefits
- Portability: Run tools directly from a USB drive without installation.
- Extensive Collection: Over 100 utilities cover a wide range of system tasks.
- Categorization: Tools are grouped for easy navigation.
- Customization: Add your own software to personalize the suite.
- Free of Charge: All utilities are provided as freeware.
NirSoft provides a valuable resource for Windows users seeking a comprehensive and adaptable set of system utilities.
Benefits of NirLauncher
This comprehensive package includes over 100 portable freeware utilities. Users unfamiliar with NirSoft’s individual tools might not immediately recognize them. However, NirLauncher organizes these applications into functional categories and provides concise descriptions detailing each tool’s purpose.
A complete review of every utility within this collection is beyond the scope of a single article. A full listing of all available tools can be found in the Utilities List. The following highlights a selection of utilities deemed particularly interesting or useful.
Password Retrieval Tools
WirelessKeyView: This utility is designed to recover lost wireless network security keys (WEP/WPA) that are stored on your computer.
PasswordFox: Allows users to view passwords saved within the Firefox web browser.
Asterisk Logger: Reveals passwords that are hidden behind asterisk characters ('***') in input fields.
Network Analysis Tools
SniffPass: Captures passwords as they are transmitted through your network adapter.
NetResView: Displays a comprehensive list of all network resources accessible on your local area network (LAN).
Web Browser Extensions
MozillaCookiesView: Functions as an alternative to the standard 'Cookie Manager' found in Netscape and Mozilla browsers.
FirefoxDownloadsView: Presents a list of all files downloaded using the Firefox web browser.
Multimedia Utilities
Volumouse: Enables volume control for your speakers using the scroll wheel of your mouse.
Internet Functionality Tools
SiteShorter: Captures and saves a screenshot of any webpage as a file.
DownTester: Measures and reports your Internet connection's download speed.
Command Line Interface Tools
BluetoothCL: Displays a list of Bluetooth devices currently detected.
Desktop Management Utilities
OpenWithView: Provides the ability to disable or enable options within the 'Open With' dialog box in Windows.
Clipboardic: A lightweight and straightforward clipboard manager.
Disk Management Utilities
DriverLetterView: Allows users to view and modify drive letter assignments.
System Information Tools
WhatIsHang: Provides detailed information regarding Windows software that is experiencing a freeze or hang.
ProduKey: Displays the product CD-Keys for Microsoft Office and Windows installations on your computer.
DriverView: Shows a list of all device drivers currently loaded on your system.
Miscellaneous Utilities
SkypeLogView: Enables viewing of log files generated by the Skype application.
IconsExtract: Extracts icons and cursors from executable files.
Understanding NirLauncher's Functionality
The NirLauncher package can be obtained by downloading the ZIP archive and extracting its contents to either a USB flash drive or a directory on your computer’s hard drive. The compressed file is remarkably small, measuring just 9.4 MB, and expands to a folder occupying 14.1 MB of disk space. Given that it encompasses over 100 different utilities, this compact size is particularly noteworthy.
It’s important to be aware that your antivirus software might identify and flag certain applications within NirLauncher during the installation process. In one instance, AntiVir attempted to isolate files such as iepv.exe, dialupass.exe, and chromepass.exe. Further investigation of the detection codes revealed that these weren’t specifically identified as viruses, but were flagged due to behaviors commonly associated with malware. This is a recognized issue, and NirSoft addresses it in a post on their NirBlog: Antivirus companies cause a big headache to small developers.
After extraction, the NirLauncher.exe file can be executed to access the collection of tools, which are organized into categories. To initiate a specific utility, simply select it by clicking once, then click the Run button located in the lower-left corner of the NirLauncher interface.
Certain tools necessitate Administrator privileges to operate correctly. These can be launched either by right-clicking the utility and choosing Run As Administrator from the context menu, or by selecting the Advanced Run option.
The Advanced Run feature provides additional control, allowing you to execute the utility in full-screen mode or with customized environment variables.
A 64-bit version of many utilities is included. When running NirLauncher on a 64-bit version of Windows, the appropriate 64-bit utility will automatically be loaded upon selection.
Alternatively, applications can be launched directly from the NirSoft folder within the extracted package. Simply double-click the corresponding .exe file. Notably, a .chm file accompanies each .exe file; these are intended as help files. However, I encountered issues attempting to open any of them, whether through NirLauncher or directly from the folder.
Customizing NirLauncher: A Guide
It is indeed possible to personalize NirLauncher to suit your specific needs. As previously noted, each application within the suite can be launched directly from the NirSoft directory. Removing an unwanted utility is as simple as deleting its file from this folder. Adding new portable tools is also supported.
However, to fully integrate or remove a tool from the NirLauncher interface, adjustments are necessary. You must modify the corresponding entry within the relevant group. These modifications are performed on the nirsoft.nlp file, which resides in the NirSoft folder.
This file is a standard text document, easily opened and edited with Notepad. To add or remove tools from the launcher’s display, simply alter the contents of this file, save your changes, and then restart NirLauncher to observe the effect of your customizations.
Further expanding NirLauncher’s capabilities is achievable through additional utility packages. The NirSoft Download page offers supplementary files, such as sysinternals2.nlp, which integrates the SysInternals Suite directly into the launcher.
Final Thoughts
Considering all aspects, this represents a remarkably practical application, boasting a wealth of beneficial features while maintaining an impressively small footprint. Consequently, it should easily accommodate itself onto any portable storage device.
Furthermore, the application allows for personalization, enabling users to include only their preferred portable programs, potentially reducing its size and enhancing its utility.
What additional tools would you suggest for inclusion in this comprehensive suite, and which existing utilities do you find most valuable?
Image attribution: -dal-
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