Synching can complement or even replace backup for regular but relatively small jobs, especially between multiple PCs and devices. For larger jobs, backup might be a better idea. Ignore Windows Sync Center, another piece of Vista ‘uselessware' as it excludes server folder synchronisation from all but the Business and Ultimate editions, and in any case lacks enough configuration.

Like RegSeeker, we'd recommend Advanced WindowsCare only to advanced users.

If you like jv16 PowerTools but you don't need the extra functions — and you want to save some money, RegSupreme could be perfect for you.

It's free and useful, but Registry cleaners aren't exactly expensive, and RegSeeker is definitely not for beginners.

Registry First Aid is about as good a Registry cleaner as you can get — but unfortunately, you have to pay for it.

With limited support for Windows calendar apps — and a barrel of configuration problems — MobileMe is no bargain for Windows users.

Although Microsoft Live Mesh provides many ways to do its various tasks, few were intuitive in the beta we tested. It cries out for a good quick-start guide, but the closest you get for now is a video tour. We were frustrated by features that were hard to discover, and glitz that seemed to slow down the work. The most distinctive feature, the remote-desktop capability, is already built into Windows, and unless Microsoft can come up with very attractive pricing (which at this writing hasn't been determined), we would look elsewhere.

Webroot does a good job and is simple to use. The price is decent (although Carbonite offers unlimited storage for a similar amount), but Bullguard’s interface is much cleaner and still remains the software of choice in this area.

GoodSync is, well, good. If you want a simple and effective synchronisation program, you need look no further than the program — now at iteration 7.2.8.

We had reservations about the first release of BullGuard Backup, not so much because of the software which was a delight to use, but the rather stingy storage provision. Now that Bullguard has addressed this issue, BullGuard Backup 8.0 comes highly recommended.

Microsoft Windows Search 4.0 improves on the already impressive Windows Desktop Search and integrated search tools of Vista and Windows Server 2008, providing better manageability and streamlined performance. IT shops with mixed Windows versions will appreciate the strong support for legacy platforms (XP, Server 2003) and the fact that Microsoft continues to make its search technologies freely available.

Norton Ghost 14.0 is a mature product for the thankless task of safeguarding data against the unthinkable event of hard disk failure, theft or virus havoc. Being able to return to restore points additionally assists recovery from accidental deletion and loss of files. Its interface is good, although with the number and breadth of features available, you'll need to spend some time getting to know everything it can do to get the best from Ghost.