Some essential free utilities compatible with the HTC Touch HD. All are .CAB files, just download the file to your computer, copy across to device (using Activesync, or if connected as a ‘hard drive’ then direct drag and drop). Locate the .CAB file on your device using the mobile File Explorer, and double-click to install. The programs can be un-installed from the “Start > Settings > System > Remove Programs” option on your device. All programs have been used by ourselves without issues, but are installed at users own risk!

Touch Response (FREE)

SnailSlug TouchResponse

The stock HTC Touch HD only gives an optional vibrate response for the main TouchFlo 3D tabs but nowhere else.
Install TouchResponse to Vibrate on touch for all buttons, even using the virtual keypad. The length of the vibrate can be adjusted in the TouchResponse settings menu.
Download from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=450256

SD card tuneup (FREE)

tnyynt SD TuneUP

Much perceived slowness on a Touch HD is actually the fault for the SD card, it can take time to transfer large files from the Micro SD card to memory. This can be improved in two ways, 1) swap the standard 8GB MicroSD card with a CLASS 6 8GB MicroSD card bought separately, 2) install the SD card tuneup utility. It is a good idea to install and run a benchmarking application before and after this type of upgrade so that you can accurately measurements any improvements!
Download “tnyynt SD TuneUP.cab” from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=446366

Improved battery icon (FREE)

netsn00p’s Battery Icon

The problem with the standard HTC Touch HD battery indicator in the Task bar is that it only shows four levels of charge remaining (excluding the empty icon). This can make it a little difficult to pace your phone useage over a day. There are numerous solutions available, my favourite is a simple update which keeps the same battery icon, but has a continuous white bar rather than the standard four segments. As the bar shrinks it finally turns yellow, orange and then red as the battery reaches zero.
Download Simple White Battery Icons here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2696538&postcount=288

General settings tuneup (FREE)

Montecristoff HD Tweak

Not all of the settings on the Touch HD can be changed directly through the Windows Mobile operating system settings, or from any of the HTC options tabs. Some settings (such as changing the left and right softkeys on the home screen) require you to search through the Windows Registry, or you can use a utility like Montecristoff HD Tweak which does all the techy stuff for you. Just install HD Tweak, and you see a list of options which can easily be changed using dropdown lists. The program also give ‘advised’ options where these differ from the defaults.

Download HD Tweak here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=452505