SmartClose 1.0

As you might know, when it comes to install a new program to your computer, it is highly recommended to close all running programs. One of the reasons for this is because during the installation, the program(s) that you want to install might need to update some system files (e.g. system DLLs) that are currently used by the the running programs. In such case, the installation process might not complete successfully. The same recommendation applies when you want to defragment your hard-drive - to close all applications and other constantly running programs (e.g. anti-virus utilities). A program that you'll find very handy in such case is SmartClose.

The aim of this program is not only to close all currently running programs (and processes) when you want (for example) to install a new program to your computer, but more important - to get all your programs back up and running the way they were before you have begun with the installation. Basically, SmartClose stores your running program in a system snapshot that can be restored later easily.

Let's say that you were doing something that requires several programs to work with and you realize that you need to install another piece of software. You're going to close all your running programs to continue with the installation? No, we're going to use SmartClose to create an immediate snapshot of the system before installing the missing program and then restore all running programs.

From the main interface, we're going to click 'Create a system snapshot and close all programs' button. Next, the program will prompt to select which programs (and processes) he should close before continuing with the system snapshot - the critical processes are not closed to make sure that the system remain stable and well-functioning. If you're not sure what all those options do, continue with the default without modifying anything. Then, we're going to select the location of the snapshot file and, finally, we'll be able to create the snapshot. When done, we install the program that we realized that we need.
When done, just use SmartClose to restore the previously saved snapshots to restore all the programs. To do so, just click 'Restore a Previously Taken System Snapshot' from the main interface.

Pluses: free; ease to use; very useful;

Drawbacks / flaws:

In conclusion: An excellent application able to take snapshots of all your running programs and than restores them later. You should keep it nearby.

version reviewed: 1.3