CPU-Z

CPU-Z is a free utility that Windows users can use to analyze the central processing unit, the motherboard chipset, and the RAM on their PC. It is available for download here.

As this screen grab shows, CPU-Z quickly shows the user on the first 'CPU' tab, the number of cores on her or his PC, the core speed, the type of processor the PC is using. Choosing 'Clocks' for the drop down Tools menu at bottom will show the individual core speeds in realtime. Multiple cores allow a processor to run multiple instructions simultaneously.

The SPD tab (Serial Presence Detect) shows you the memory modules (printed circuit boards) and the different speeds at which they can be run. The current memory speed will be shown in the Clocks option under Tools as well.

Autoruns for Windows

The free utility on the Windows Sysinternals site, Autoruns, will tell you what programs run when you boot up Windows, or open key programs like Internet Explorer or Windows Explorer. There are different tabs that show which programs run for various applications.

If you go the Options menu, and select 'Hide Microsoft Entries', Autoruns will only display third party software that starts up by itself.

Update Date Modified and Date Created in Windows Folder

Nirsoft has another great free utility that you can download at http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/bulk_file_changer.html . Bulk File Changer lets you drag and drop all of the files in a folder (or series of folders) into the program. If you hit CTRL + A

. . . then all you need to do is go to the Action menu and select 'Change Time / Attributes'

After you click 'Do it', a folder with these dates:

. . . is changed to the dates and/or times you specify.