Windows only: AnVir Task Manager Free is a Windows Task Manager replacement boasting an enormous feature set. This utility can manage startup applications, running applications, processes, services, and oh-so-much more. When you select a running process in the top pane, the bottom pane provides a wealth of information about the process, from a brief description of what it does to the network connections it's making and DLLs it's using. One of my favourite unusual features is the Check with AntiViruses on VirusTotal right-click option—which streamlines my favourite method of determining if a file really has a virus. You can find tons of Task Manager replacements out in the wild, but AnVir still manages to stand out. If you want even more functionality, this free download is also available in a Pro version with a kitchen sink full of features.

Windows only: Free program Task Manager Extension 2.0 adds tons of functionality to the built-in Windows task manager. The extension beefs up the right-click menu with 14 menu entries instead of the default four. If you've ever needed more from your task manager than the basic End Process and Set Priority options available, Task Manager Extension 2.0 packs on options like additional process details, viewing dependencies, and finding files in use. Using the Find File/Module tool is extremely useful for ferreting out a file that Windows won't allow you to delete. A small word of caution when using Task Manager Extension: it allows you to shut down processes that the default Windows task manager would normally restrict you from touching. Shut down a core process and you can crash your machine. For more information about processes and how to tame them, check out Kevin's excellent guide to mastering the task manager. Task Manager Extension 2.0 is a free download for Windows only.

Linux only: Free to-do manager Tasque is a clean, unobtrusive interface for managing your to-do items on your Linux desktop. The program can run with its own local database of tasks, or can integrate with an Evolution-based workflow. Tasque gets really helpful, however, when hooked up to the web-based task manager Remember the Milk. Importing, completing, and adding tasks with a smart text box all work perfectly with RTM. You can add notes to a task with a right-click, but tagging looks like it has to be handled from RTM's web interface. If you're a fan of simple to-do lists you can access from your desktop or the web, Tasque is a great solution. Tasque is a free download for Linux systems only; hit the via link below for help installing its repositories in Ubuntu.

Windows: taskTome is a lightweight task manager with a host of additional features. While the task system is robust enough to stand on its own with just the basic task management list, taskTome includes several other modules which enhance usability. The following is a breakdown of the planner, tasks, notes, and money management sections of taskTome:

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We've already shown you how to use Gmail Superstars and Gmail Quick Links—both exclusive features of previously mentioned Gmail Labs—and now reader Alex McRoberts details how he uses the two excellent features to turn his Gmail account into a killer to-do list manager. Here's how he did it:

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Web-based project manager Task2Gather organizes your to-do list online. Task2Gather's interface is spartan and uncluttered, and accomodates projects with sub-tasks. You can share projects and notes with other users to collaborate, as well as assign deadlines, colour code, and mark off progress. Although the interface is easy on the eyes and not hard to use once you create your first few projects, initial use may be a little awkward. When you create a new project or task, in order to rename it from New Project or New Task you have to click on the properties box in the middle of the interface to apply the name to it. Here's a screenshot:

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Windows only: Free application ProcessQuickLink adds small icons to the left of every running process in the Windows Task Manager that—when clicked—tell you what that process does. The app looks up its information from ProcessLibrary.com, which provides a description of the process and recommendations for whether or not you should feel comfortable disabling it. When your computer seems slow and bogged down with running processes you can't make heads or tails of, ProcessQuickLink's seamless integration with Task Manager seems like the perfect way to hunt down and eliminate your unnecessary processes. For a full snapshot of all your running processes and their priorities, check out previously mentioned ProcessScanner. ProcessQuickLinks is freeware, Windows only.

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Windows only: Free desktop task manager FruitfulTime is a lightweight portable to-do list application. Split tasks into sub tasks, assign priority, mark incremental completion of tasks, set reminders and due dates, and tag tasks with keywords. Within each task there is a tab for taking notes, adding contacts to the project, setting reminders, and including references to files and web sites. While FruitfulTime TaskManager 2 will set you back $US30, the Free Edition (for single computer, personal use) is a free, no-strings download for Windows only.

Windows/Mac/Linux (Thunderbird): Harness the to-do-managing power of Remember the Milk from inside your mail reader with an alpha extension for Thunderbird. Once installed and authenticated with your RTM account, the task manager provided by the Lightning extension will have bi-directional access to your tasks, which you can add, delete, modify, and prioritise from inside your mail manager. Hit the video above to see a few of the things you can do with the extension, and hit the via link below for step-by-step installation instructions. Remember the Milk Provider extension is a free download, but requires a free Mozilla Add-Ons account to download, needs the Lightning calendar extension, and works wherever Thunderbird does.

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Windows only: Killing runaway, memory-gobbling processes from Windows' task manager is easy—if you know the name of every process and thread on your system and which apps they match up with. Daphne, a free Windows process management utility, gives you a unique set of crosshairs to drag onto the window of any app giving you trouble. There's also a magnifying glass that reveals properties and even passwords of any window it stops on, and Daphne can call back to its DRK database to identify any apps you might want exlained. Daphne is a free download for Windows systems only. For more tools and tips on knocking down memory-grabbers, see our guide to mastering Windows' Task Manager.

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