This update preserves the original 2006 list of four time-management freeware tools and summarizes their original features. It flags that Total Organizer, eQit and Chaos Manager could not be confirmed as actively maintained projects in 2025 and recommends verifying download sources and compatibility. EssentialPIM remains a known PIM with free and paid editions, but readers should confirm current features and sync options on the official site.

Why this update

This article revisits a 2006 roundup of time-management freeware and keeps the original recommendations while checking what changed. The goal is the same: give a quick sense of each app's purpose so you can decide whether to try it.

What I'm updating

The original list covered: Total Organizer, eQit, Chaos Manager, and EssentialPIM. Below I summarize each program's original strengths and note the app's current status where verifiable.

Total Organizer

Original note: Total Organizer stored contacts, notes, calendar tasks and to-do lists in a tree view, letting items belong to multiple categories.

Current status: I could not confirm a single maintained project named "Total Organizer" that matches the 2006 description. Project names and vendors often change; similar features now appear in many note-taking and PIM apps that use tags and trees ().

Tip: If you liked the tree/folder metaphor, look for modern note apps that support nested notebooks and tags (for example, some free tiers of major note-taking apps provide this feature). Verify the exact Total Organizer download and developer before installing on a modern OS (1).

eQit

Original note: eQit was a compact, minimal PIM showing date/time and quick access to diary, notes, contacts, appointments and app shortcuts.

Current status: I could not locate an actively maintained eQit project that matches the 2006 description. Lightweight PIM concepts persist in small utilities and launchers, but you'll need to confirm any download source and compatibility with current Windows versions (2).

Chaos Manager

Original note: Chaos Manager offered a clean interface with quick access to appointments, calendar, notes, contacts and a calculator.

Current status: I could not verify a current, maintained project called Chaos Manager matching the 2006 description. Similar single-window PIMs exist today, but confirm the publisher and compatibility before use (3).

EssentialPIM

Original note: EssentialPIM was the most complete free PIM in the list, managing calendar, contacts, to-dos and notes, and syncing with Outlook and Google.

Current status: EssentialPIM (Astonsoft) continued to be a well-known PIM with Free and paid editions after 2006. It historically supported calendar, contacts, tasks and notes, plus sync options with services like Google and Outlook. Confirm current features, edition limits and download from the official site before use (4).

How to proceed safely

  • Prefer official project pages or verified repositories for downloads.
  • On modern Windows, test older PIMs in a virtual machine if the project hasn't been updated recently.
  • Consider actively maintained alternatives (note-taking apps, cloud calendars, or modern PIMs) if security and sync are priorities.

Bottom line

The four apps reflect useful PIM ideas: tree-organized data, ultra-compact launchers, single-window PIMs and full-featured personal information managers. For current installations, verify each project's active status, download source and compatibility with today's OSes before installing (5).
  1. Confirm current official website, latest release date and developer for Total Organizer.
  2. Confirm current official website, latest release date and developer for eQit.
  3. Confirm current official website, latest release date and developer for Chaos Manager.
  4. Confirm EssentialPIM current edition details, developer (Astonsoft) and supported sync options on its official site.

FAQs about Time Management Freeware

Are these four programs still free and safe to use?
Availability varies. EssentialPIM historically offered a Free edition, but Total Organizer, eQit and Chaos Manager could not be verified as actively maintained projects. Always download from official sites and check compatibility and recent updates before installing ().
If a project seems abandoned, what should I do?
Avoid installing unmaintained software on your main system. Use a virtual machine to test, or choose a actively maintained alternative with similar features and current security updates.
What modern alternatives replicate these features?
Many current note-taking and PIM apps support nested notebooks, tagging, calendar, tasks and cross-device sync. Choose an actively maintained app that meets your needs and verify its free/premium limits.
How can I verify an old project's legitimacy?
Check the developer's official site, recent release dates, reputable download portals, user forums, and code repositories (GitHub, GitLab). If you can't find recent activity, treat the project as unmaintained ().

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