Topic of process and service management had been beaten to the death in software. Strangely drivers get less attention despite being closely related and often performing same functions.
So I wanted something to handle drivers for my toolkit and Nirsoft offers ServiWin utility that can be used to manage drivers’ status and boot mode.
What it does
App is dual-purpose and can switch (via toolbar buttons, menu options or hotkeys) between managing system services or drivers. For either it can control (or at least try to) running status and how it boots.
Items are color-coded to easily distinguish active, inactive and completely disabled.
Strong features
Usual multi-column interface is packed with information. It is very easy to sort and get to anything fast – from currently active drivers to those that aren’t in usual folders.
With sufficient access rights app can also be used on remote computers.
Downsides
Strangely there is no option to filter out Microsoft-signed drivers. Especially strange because another, less functional, Nirsoft utility DriverVIew has that.
Overall
Natively portable and very thorough service/driver information and manager utility. Done in usual Nirsoft style (or lack thereof, depending on your visual preferences).
Home&download http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/serviwin.html
Refine Google search with time frames
How to integrate Google search into WordPress site
LaptopVideo2go.com – resource on notebook drivers
USBDeview – USB viewer and manager utility
SmartSniff – simple packet capture utility
MyEventViewer – alternative utility for Windows logs
NetResView – helper utility for shared folders
Google Sync Services with Nokia smartphone
Everything – fast and powerful file search utility
Kaspersky GetSystemInfo utility and site
I love Nirsoft’s right-down-to-business applications. They don’t waste space trying to be UserInterfacily correct.
@kalmly
I guess those apps all share code base for multi-column view, makes sense for maintaining that many of them. On other hand some could use more flexible filtering options and stuff instead of solving everything with column/sort.
Anyway few of those are used daily so it’s totally worth it. :)
All of Nirsoft’s tools are great. Straight to the point, reliable, small and useful as hell.
Nirsoft’s apps prove the point that apps don’t always need to be pretty. Function over form?
@Jonny
I don’t think there was ever a point about apps being pretty. :) But I strongly feel they shouldn’t be ugly – that is sure one point missed often. :)