X-Setup Pro is a so-called "tweaker" program; it allows you to change settings that are normally hidden deeply in Windows fast and easily. There are many hidden settings in Windows as well as in a lot of other programs and normally you can't change them.

X-Setup Pro knows 2,000 of these settings and displays them in an easy-to-use interface, grouped by several aspects (Figure 1). Simply choose what you want to tweak, select the setting in question, make your change and hit the "Apply" button. It's that easy.

From simple boot options to server and hardware settings, Internet settings or Office options, this lets you change more than 750 hidden functions with some simple button clicks. It supports Windows 95/98/ME/NT 4/2000/XP. The more than 750 tweaks range from simple Windows 9x boot options to Windows 2000 ActiveDirectory settings. Additional plug-ins are available or users can create their own. You get to choose between running this tool in Power User or Wizard operating modes.

This version includes full Windows 7 support (currently in RC state), as well as new and updated plugins. Additionally, X-Setup Pro Portable does now also integrate nicely into the PortableApps.com Platform.

To see with plugins have been added or changed just use Extras - Plugin History (or press F6) inside X-Setup Pro Classic. A click on an item in this list will activate the plugin directly. If you are interested what else has been changed, please have a look at HISTORY.TXT once you have installed it.

Features:
* Supports all Windows operating systems up to Windows Vista and Windows 7
* 2.000+ hidden functions can be controlled
* Easy to use
* Sophisticated search functions
* XML file format
* All recorded changes can be applied to other machines
* Undo changes on any OS with Restore Log
* Extendible with additional plugins
* With plugins for Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc.
* Automatic Updates
* Loading a different user or computer registry.
* For use on a bootable CD and fixing an non-working computer (BartPE)
* Can be used from script files or other programs
* Runs on USB sticks and U3 smart drives
* Restore log distinguishs between user and system
* Supports Roaming Profiles
* SDK freely available

Even if you normally not consider changing hidden settings since you simply want to have your computer up and working, give X-Setup Pro a try. It includes some settings that fix some of the glitches found in Windows and other programs. You fret the massive Balloon tips that suddenly appear in Windows XP Easily turn them off with X-Setup Pro. Your homepage in Internet Explorer does not stick You have been homepage-hijacked - fix it with X-Setup Pro (Figure 2).
Not only does X-Setup Pro offer all these settings, it has been created with the requirements of the user in mind. For example, Windows does not include any software that allows you to control all aspects of the computer startup, like which programs should be started automatically, how does the login window should look like etc. X-Setup Pro includes the Startup/Shutdown category which includes every aspect of the startup or shutdown process and allows you to take finally control over it.

* The settings X-Setup Pro offers not only include any Windows version ever available (Windows 95 to Windows Server 2003 Enterprise), but also a lot of programs settings as well. Regardless if you want to lock down your Internet Explorer, make Acrobat Reader to start faster, control the security aspects of your computer, change Microsoft Office 2000, XP or 2003 settings: X-Setup Pro is there and helps you to gain control.
Features for all your needs
* Of course these are not all features of X-Setup Pro: It offers you browser-like navigation, brings a lot of Wizards, allow you to generate *.REG files for the fly for mass-deployment, offers Automatic Updates. For a complete listing of the features of X-Setup Pro, please see Features.
Tweak another user or machine
* The features "Load computer registry" and "Load user registry" allow X-Setup Pro to apply changes more than 1,900 settings to a different user or even a different computer. Using these features, you can easily lock down a different user on the same computer without the fear to lock down your own user also.

The license of this software is Free Trial Software, the price is $19.95, you can free download and get a free trial.