The first thing I did after installing this program was to try the update feature. Updating PowerDesk could not have been easier. Within minutes, I had the latest version installed from the Internet.

This powerful program combines a file management utility, a zip/unzip program, an e-mail attachment decoder, a graphics converter, and a file viewer into one program. It is fully integrated into the operating system through Windows Explorer Context Menus.

An excellent file viewer, with supports for over 80 file formats, lets the user view the contents of files while searching. The viewer not only opens graphics, text files, multimedia files, and spreadsheets, but also "wav" files. Play, pause, and stop buttons are displayed by just clicking once on a file. The file can then be "viewed" or heard. Individual files contained within zip files can also be viewed. A filter option is available so that the user can choose which files are displayed.

There is an e-mail attachment opener that converts mime/base64, uuencoded, Xxencoded, and BinHex. Another file is then created in the original format. It will even create Uuencoded files. A graphics conversion program that has the ability to convert files from among 24 different formats is also included.

A Zip/Unzip utility is built into PowerDesk. This is a powerful zip program that supports a broad variety of additional compression types. It contains a full complement of tools. These include spanning large files over multiple disks, password protection, multiple file compression ratios and more.

PowerDesk can optionally replace or supplement the Windows Explorer. Moving and copying files are made easier because of the multiple windows provided in PowerDesk. You can easily drag and drop files from one location to another. Without this feature, you would generally need to open two separate instances of Explorer to easily move and copy files. This feature reminds me of the file manager in Windows 3.11 or winfile in Windows 95.

Several security features are also included. There is a "permanent delete," which completely wipes all traces of a file. File encryption/decryption ability is an added security feature.

PowerDesk makes file finding easier. Several key features have been added that are not in the standard File Finder. The user can search on multiple drives, print search results, view files, and use advanced functions to narrow a search.

The integrated launchbar (which is customizable) can be used to quickly start Windows and DOS programs without having to leave PowerDesk. The Command Line gives quick access to DOS or Windows commands.

The Toolbar (also customizable) can monitor system activity such as CPU usage, threads, GDI resources, user resources, system resources, free memory, and free hard drive space. The quick launch tool offers one-click access to applications of your choice. Any combination of printers or fax devices can be displayed and the active printer can be changed instantly. System access tools provide one-click access to Print Screen, booting to DOS, changing screen resolution, and restarting Windows.

There are other features such as Folder Synchronizer that allows two folders to be compared and synchronized. Some examples of what this feature can be used for are backing up files, working on files between computers, and finding duplicates to delete.

There are still other tools and features of this program that I have not mentioned. The manual provides instructions that are for the most part easy to follow. The more you use this program the more features you discover. This is a powerful program that delivers what it promises. In my opinion, this is a must have utility program.