Why You Need BlackTop: A Free and Easy Monitor Hibernation Tool
Download BlackTop: A Simple and Useful Utility for Windows Users
Have you ever wanted to turn off your monitor quickly without waiting for it to go into sleep mode or changing your power settings? If so, you might be interested in a small software application called BlackTop. In this article, we will explain what BlackTop is, how to download and install it on your PC, how to use it to turn off your monitor with a hotkey, how to customize its settings and preferences, and what are its benefits and drawbacks. We will also provide some alternatives to BlackTop for Windows users who are looking for similar tools. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of whether BlackTop is suitable for your needs and how to use it effectively.
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How to Download and Install BlackTop on Your PC
BlackTop is a free utility that allows you to turn off your monitor(s) with a simple keystroke. It is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. Here are the steps to download and install BlackTop on your PC:
Go to the official website of BlackTop at https://blacktop.en.softonic.com/ or a trusted source such as https://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Launchers-Shutdown-Tools/BlackTop.shtml or https://download.cnet.com/BlackTop-64-bit/3000-2094_4-75628347.html. Make sure you download from a reputable site that does not contain malware or viruses.
Choose the version that matches your system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit). You can check your system type by right-clicking on My Computer or This PC and selecting Properties.
Run the setup file and follow the instructions. The installation process is very simple and fast. You do not need to change any settings or options.
How to Use BlackTop to Turn Off Your Monitor with a Hotkey
Once you have installed BlackTop on your PC, you can use it to turn off your monitor(s) with a hotkey. Here are the steps to use BlackTop to turn off your monitor(s) with a hotkey:
Launch BlackTop from the Start menu or the system tray. You will see a small black icon in the notification area.
Press Ctrl+Alt+B to turn off your monitor(s). You will hear a beep sound and your screen will go black.
Press any key or move your mouse to turn on your monitor(s). You will hear another beep sound and your screen will resume.
You can use BlackTop anytime you want to turn off your monitor(s) quickly and easily. For example, you can use it when you leave your desk for a short break, when you want to save some battery power on your laptop, when you want to avoid distractions from your screen, or when you want to protect your privacy from prying eyes.
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How to Customize BlackTop Settings and Preferences
If you want to change some settings and preferences of BlackTop, you can do so by accessing its options menu. Here are the steps to customize BlackTop settings and preferences:
Right-click on the BlackTop icon in the system tray and select Options.
You will see a window with four tabs: General, Hotkey, Startup, and About.
In the General tab, you can change the beep sound volume, enable or disable the confirmation message, and check for updates.
In the Hotkey tab, you can change the hotkey combination to turn off your monitor(s). You can choose from several predefined options or create your own custom hotkey.
In the Startup tab, you can choose whether to start BlackTop automatically when Windows starts or manually when you need it.
In the About tab, you can see some information about BlackTop, such as its version, license, and developer.
Click OK to save your changes.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Using BlackTop
BlackTop is a simple and useful utility for Windows users who want to turn off their monitor(s) with a hotkey. However, like any software application, it has its benefits and drawbacks. Here are some of them:
Benefits of Using BlackTop
Save energy and reduce environmental impact: By turning off your monitor(s) when you are not using them, you can save some electricity and reduce your carbon footprint. According to some estimates, turning off your monitor(s) can save up to 50% of the energy consumed by them. This can also lower your electricity bill and extend the lifespan of your monitor(s).
Protect your privacy and security: By turning off your monitor(s) when you leave your desk or when someone else is around, you can prevent others from seeing what is on your screen. This can protect your personal or professional information from unauthorized access or theft. You can also avoid exposing sensitive or confidential data to potential hackers or malware.
Avoid screen burn-in and eye strain: By turning off your monitor(s) when you are not looking at them, you can prevent screen burn-in and eye strain. Screen burn-in is a phenomenon where images or text are permanently imprinted on the screen due to prolonged exposure. Eye strain is a condition where your eyes feel tired or irritated due to excessive or prolonged use of digital devices. Both of these can affect your vision and productivity negatively.
Drawbacks of Using BlackTop
May not work with some monitors or graphics cards: Although BlackTop is compatible with most monitors and graphics cards, it may not work with some models or brands. For example, some users have reported that BlackTop does not work with Dell monitors or Nvidia graphics cards. If this is the case for you, you may need to try another tool or contact the developer for support.
May interfere with some applications or games: Although BlackTop is designed to be unobtrusive and lightweight, it may interfere with some applications or games that require full-screen mode or continuous display. For example, some users have reported that BlackTop causes their games to crash or freeze. If this happens to you, you may need to disable BlackTop temporarily or use another tool.
Alternatives to BlackTop for Windows Users
If you are looking for alternatives to BlackTop for Windows users, here are some options that you can try:
Monitor Power Saver
Monitor Power Saver is another free utility that allows you to turn off your monitor(s) with a hotkey. It is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. You can download it from https://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Monitor-Power-Saver.shtml. It has a similar functionality to BlackTop, but it also lets you turn off your monitor(s) after a certain period of inactivity or when you lock your PC. You can also choose to turn off your hard disk or mute your sound when you turn off your monitor(s).
Turn Off LCD
Turn Off LCD is another free utility that allows you to turn off your monitor(s) with a hotkey. It is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. You can download it from https://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Turn-Off-LCD.shtml. It has a very simple interface and functionality. You just need to run the executable file and press any key to turn off your monitor(s). You can also create a shortcut to the file and assign a hotkey to it.
Conclusion and FAQs
In conclusion, BlackTop is a simple and useful utility for Windows users who want to turn off their monitor(s) with a hotkey. It can help you save energy, protect your privacy, and avoid screen burn-in and eye strain. However, it may not work with some monitors or graphics cards, and it may interfere with some applications or games. If you are looking for alternatives to BlackTop, you can try Monitor Power Saver or Turn Off LCD. We hope this article has helped you learn more about BlackTop and how to use it effectively.
Here are some frequently asked questions about BlackTop:
FAQ 1: Is BlackTop safe to use?
Yes, BlackTop is safe to use as long as you download it from the official website or a trusted source. It does not contain any malware or viruses, and it does not collect or transmit any personal data. However, you should always scan any file you download with an antivirus program before running it.
FAQ 2: How can I uninstall BlackTop?
To uninstall BlackTop, you can follow these steps:
Go to the Control Panel and select Programs and Features.
Find BlackTop in the list of installed programs and click on Uninstall.
Follow the instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
Delete the setup file and any shortcuts you created for BlackTop.
FAQ 3: Does BlackTop work with multiple monitors?
Yes, BlackTop works with multiple monitors. When you press the hotkey, it will turn off all the monitors connected to your PC. When you press any key or move your mouse, it will turn on all the monitors again.
FAQ 4: Can I use BlackTop with a laptop?
Yes, you can use BlackTop with a laptop. However, you should be aware that turning off your laptop screen does not mean that your laptop is in sleep mode or hibernation mode. Your laptop will still consume some power and generate some heat when the screen is off. Therefore, you should not leave your laptop unattended for a long time when using BlackTop.
FAQ 5: How can I contact the developer of BlackTop?
If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback about BlackTop, you can contact the developer by sending an email to mrinalkantipal@gmail.com. You can also visit his website at https://mrinalkantipal.blogspot.com/.