For many years JV Powertools was available for free but that changed when Finnish software developer Macecraft purchased the program and began charging a shareware fee.

JV Powertools is principally used to clean, maintain and customise your Windows Registry.

The program has a bewildering wealth of features including a Registry Manager that lists installed software and removes unneeded file types; a Registry Cleaner that does things such as remove start menu items and fix broken fonts entries; a Registry Finder that offers advanced Registry search options; and a Registry Monitor that keeps you up to date with what is happening in your PC's Registry.

JV Powertools also includes a File tool which gives you advanced control over system functions such as duplicating, renaming, searching for, encrypting and changing the attributes of files. If this was not enough, the program also features a Directory Tool, a File Cleaner, a Start Menu Cleaner, a Script Manager and an automated back-up tool.

Although extremely powerful, JV Powertools occupies a small amount of hard disk space. The program's interface is simple to say the least, but don't let that put you off.

The latest 2009 edition now offers two new modules: a system optimiser and service manager. You also get a brand new user-interface, improvements to the supplied software uninstaller and much more.