WinPower

WinPower is a solution to a problem to a solution each PC user goes through at some point, and that is clicking the wrong power options and not having the possibility to cancel the action. For some individuals, the power menu is not as easy to handle, and what should be a once-in-a-while mistake becomes a daily problem. That is why this program takes the main power options from their small box and plasters them on the whole screen, making them easier to see and select.

After a brief installation, the new set of power options is accessible via the app shortcut. Click it to force out a translucent layout holding the three most important power options: shutdown, restart and hibernate. There is no way to mistake one for the other, as their icon models are large, and their descriptions are highly visible. There is also a 'Back to Windows' option in case you wish to dismiss the layout without making changes.

What makes this program different from a simple set of power tools is the ability to cancel a command or determine the time one has to walk back a decision. By default, the time one can cancel a shutdown, for example, is 30 seconds. Once those seconds are up, the PC executes what it was instructed to do. This countdown timer is however adjustable. Use the settings button from the main layout to change the timeout interval, in seconds only.

This timeout adjustment makes the app more than a simple power switch. If you give it an hour or more before a shutdown command, the program easily turns into a slick shutdown timer.

WinPower is an interesting applet that combines the ability to expand the power options area with a timer-based trigger of the selected options. This not only brings the power buttons close to the user, but also creates the possibility to schedule one's machine to shut down or restart after longer time intervals.