AnVir Task Manager Free is an interesting task manager alternative.

Like similar tools, the program lists running applications, processes and services across several tabs. You're able to view more details about each process - loaded DLLs, files open, network connections used and more - and right-clicking gives options to set the process priority or affinity, close it down, search for the name on the web, and more.

This doesn't have the low-level power of programs like Process Hacker, but you do get other interesting extras. Like the ability to manage existing application windows in various ways (minimise them to the system tray, set transparency, make them "always on top", more), or view a "security rating" which tries to assess the danger of individual files (mostly inaccurate, but it gave us one or two worthwhile hints).

The "Log" tab is another plus, as it records interesting events like processes launched and closed, and windows created. Leave AnVir Task Manager Free running, switch back to the Log tab occasionally and you'll see important details on how your PC has been used recently.

The "Startup" tab lists your Windows startup programs, displays more information about each and allows them to be disabled or deleted. But again, there are unusual extras, including options to delay its startup or launch the program as an icon in your system tray.

AnVir Task Manager can also optionally extend your desktop windows with many of these management options. We right-clicked Notepad's title bar, for instance, and found items to set it "always on top", tweak and optionally save transparency, set and optionally save priority, minimise the app to the system tray, and more.

The $49.95 Pro version adds more monitoring (various temperatures, GPU load, network traffic, SSD remaining life, threads, handles, performance counters), extra security tools, persistent priority setting, technical support, and a license for commercial use.

What's new in v9.x (see changelog for more)?

- Some minor usability updates.
- Update of startup programs database.
- Fixed some bugs.