Free Software I Can Not Do Without:
- No Comments » - Posted on March, 22 at 1:26 am
In my opinion this is a list of the essential FREE (Freeware, GPL & Open-Source) software that I would use on any PC…
Internet Browsing:
Firefox (With Google Toolbar)
Faster internet browsing with better compatibility with a greater number of sites, excellent replacement for the slower Internet Explorer.
Orbit Download Manager
Integrated download manager and download accelerator, includes a program called Grab++ that allows you to download shockwave flash files (.swf) and shockwave flash movies (.FLV).
Gmail Notifier
Only of use if you have a Gmail account, Official Google application that pops up a blue envelope and a preview of the message that is waiting for you, similar to that of Outlook.
SmartFTP Client
A free FTP client with all the functionality of a paid one, also useful for site to site FTP and CHMOD’ing files on your website (Free for personal use).
Security:
Ashampoo Firewall
A heavy duty firewall with an easy user interface, has both an easy and expert mode, one of the best and most easy to use firewalls out there, I started using this after previously being a fan of ZoneAlarm and it wipes the floor with it in both features and usability (also works with Avast!) (Requires FREE Registration).
Avast! Home
In my opinion the best Free antivirus program out there, I have tried AVG and a range of other solutions but none of them get near the features of Avast!. (Windows 32bit & 64bit)(Free for home use) (Requires FREE Registration).
Malwarebytes AntiMalware
A free anti-spyware program that doesn’t force you to disclose your credit card details to remove infections. I’d suggest anyone with an internet connection run this at least once a month, it’s the one AntiMalware program I trust to Remove all those Fake Antivirus Programs (Free & Pro Versions Available).
Spybot Search & Destroy
A completely free anti-spyware program, again something anyone with an internet connection should be running monthly (Free for both home and commercial use).
Encryption:
Truecrypt
A hard disk encryption program that can create containers for storing secure files or encrypt entire hard disks, keeps your files away from prying eyes (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux) (Now Open Source & 100% FREE).
Communication:
UltraVNC
This tiny program allows you to take control of your PC from anywhere on the web, also has a free business support tool that can be used to support your clients remotely, also supports file transfers (Free for Home & Business Use).
Graphics:
Irfanview
A Neat little batch image viewer and processor, supports almost every type of image, useful if you have a load of images in a folder that need renaming and/or resizing (Free).
CD & DVD Utilities:
DVD Shrink
The perfect tool for backing up your DVD’s, excellent for when you have collectors edition DVD’s that you want to keep in there box but still want to watch the movie (Free).
CDBurnerXP
Great free CD/ISO burning software, whether your backing up files, creating your own music or just copying a disk this is the tool for you, similar to Nero but completely free (Free).
MagicDisk Virtual CD/DVD-ROM
A tool for allowing you to mount ISO CD Images as drives without the need to have the original CD in the drive, much faster than a regular CD Rom, also allows you to create images from your own CD’s & Games, prevents damage to the original disks because you can leave them in the box, supports BIN, IMA, IMG, CIF, NRG, IMG, CCD, MDF, MDS, VCD, VaporCD, P01, MD1, XA, VC4, 000, VDI, C2D, BWI, BWT, CDI, TAO, DAO, PDI images (Free)(Windows 32bit & 64bit).
System Utilities:
JKDefrag
Just extract this tool to your windows directory and set it as your screensaver and it will keep your system defragmented. (Windows 32bit & 64bit)(Free/Open Source).
Unlocker
This utility can be a life saver when you have a file on your PC that just will not be deleted, many times this is caused by windows trying to read the file and the file either being corrupt or locked in some way, this utility allows you to delete the file regardless of whether it’s in use (Free).
Tweak UI
Official Microsoft PowerToy for tweaking system settings and making windows run faster, also allows you to hide drives and have the PC automatically log-on (XP Only)(Free).
CPU-Z
This tiny utility allows you to extract the speed, make and model of your motherboard, processor and memory, perfect for when you want to upgrade components or drives and don’t quite know what is compatible with your Machiene (Free).
Scanner
A little known but brilliant tool that allows you to see your hard disk usage in the form of a pie chart, perfect for tracking down those big files and/or folders that are eating up your storage space (Free/Open Source).
Applications:
Win32Pad
A free notepad replacement that has line numbers and a very useful search and replace function (Free).
Compressed File Utilities:
ExtractNow
An archive extractor that can handle pretty much any type of archive you throw at it, supports ZIP, RAR, ISO, BIN, IMG, IMA, IMZ, 7Z, ACE, JAR, GZ, LZH, LHA, TAR, SIT archive formats (Free).
Multimedia:
VideoLAN – VLC media player
A free video player that supports almost every video format available, allows you to stream your video to any other PC on your network and will even play DVD’s without the need for another DVD Decoder to be installed (Windows/Mac/Linux)(Free/Open Source)
Real Alternative
Alternative to RealMedia Player but with none of the addons that stay permenently loaded in the background sapping system resources like RealMedia Player. Supports RealAudio (.ra .rpm), RealMedia (.rm .ram .rmvb .rpx .smi .smil), RealText (.rt), ReadPix (.rp), and content embedded in to webpages (Free).
QuickTime Alternative
Alternative to QuickTime Player but with none of the addons that stay permenently loaded in the background sapping system resources like QuickTime. Supports DVD, MPEG-2, MP3, MP2, AAC, AC3 and DTS, has internal support for opening Matroska and Og files, also plays content embedded in webpages (Free).
Original Content - Copyright MixtLupus 2010
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