Power Your PC With 45 Free Applications
Posted on January 23rd, 2010
File System Utilities
1 CCleaner
CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system make Windows run faster. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner. As a today, CCleaner has over 350 million remarkable downloads!
Link: http://www.ccleaner.com/
2 Ultradefrag
Use ultradefrag to defrag your entire hard drive. It is a powerful Open Source Defragmentation tool for Windows Platform. Features include: boot time defragmentation when windows is fully running, computer shut down after defragmentation has completed, file and folder defragmentation, defragment scheduler, etc.
Link: http://ultradefrag.sourceforge.net/
3 7-zip
7-Zip works in Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2008, 2003, 2000, NT, ME & 98. 7-Zip is open source file archiver software. It was the winner of the SourceForge.net 2007 community choice awards. 7-Zip supports for zip encryption, and be able to create self-extracting archives (*.exe files).
Link: http://www.7-zip.org/
4 Kruptos 2
File security is important. Kruptos 2 is a powerfull 256 bit file encryption utility that allows you to secure any sensitive files stored on your PC or portable storage device. Kruptos can also produce self-extracting (*.exe file) encrypted files that contain encrypted files & the software necessary to decompress the contents.
Link: http://www.kruptos2.co.uk/
5 DirSyncPro
DirSync Pro (Directory Synchronize Pro) is a small, but powerful utility for file and folder synchronization. DirSync Pro can be used to synchronize the content of one or many folders recursively. It has many options, including the deletion of destination files if the file has been removed from source. DirSync Pro is programmed completely in platform independent Java, so you need to have Java Runtime installed.
Link: http://directorysync.sourceforge.net/
6 TeraCopy
TeraCopy is a compact program designed to copy and move files at the maximum possible speed. Copy files faster, it uses dynamically adjusted buffers to reduce seek times. Asynchronous copy speeds up file transfer between two physical hard drives.
Link: http://www.codesector.com/teracopy.php
7 PC INSPECTOR File Recovery 4
PC INSPECTOR File Recovery 4 is a data recovery program that supports the FAT 12/16/32 and NTFS file systems. Use File Recovery 4 to undelete, recover deleted files or recover a lost file. Get your files back with no charges.
Link: http://www.pcinspector.de/default.htm?Language=1
8 Drive manager
If you have lots of drive letters of different types of drives, such as mapped network drives, USB thumb drive, CD-ROM and DVD then this utility is perfect to help you manage them.
Link: http://www.alexnolan.net/software/driveman.htm
9 Auslogics Duplicate File Finder
Day to day computer usage are sometime leads to accumulating of duplicate files on your hard disk. Auslogics Duplicate File Finder will find the and duplicate files for you, and it is totally up to you to delete the duplicated files.
Link: http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/duplicate-file-finder
System & Other Utilities
10 Startuplite
Many computers have the problem of slow startup. StartUpLite is a lightweight and simple to use application that allows you to speed up your system startup. Accordingly to the author it is safe and efficient. The program allows you to disable or remove unnecessary startup entries from your computer. You can then shorten your computer startup time.
Link: http://www.malwarebytes.org/startuplite.php
11 Process Explorer
Now you can find out which program has a particular file or directory open. Process Explorer shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded.
Link: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx
12 InfraRecorder
InfraRecorder is a free CD/DVD burning solution for Microsoft Windows. Support for burning disc images, discs copying, audio, CDs, DVDs, and more. It offers a wide range of powerful features; all through an easy to use application interface and Windows Explorer integration. InfraRecorder is your lightweight burning tools.
Link: http://infrarecorder.org/
13 CamStudio
CamStudio is able to record all screen and audio activity on your computer and create industry-standard AVI video files and turn those AVIs into Streaming Flash videos (SWFs). Use CamStudio to create a demonstration video for any software program.
Link: http://camstudio.org/
14 Greenshot
Greenshot is a revolutionary screenshot tool optimized for productivity. Save a screenshot or a part of the screen to a file within a second. Greenshot is open source software.
Link: http://greenshot.sourceforge.net/
15 Rainlendar
Rainlendar is a feature rich customizable desktop calendar application that is easy to use and doesn’t take much space on your desktop. The appearance can be customized with skins. Rainlendar uses the standard iCalendar format to store its events and tasks so you can easily transfer them between applications.
Link: http://www.rainlendar.net/cms/index.php
16 RocketDock
RocketDock is an application launcher for Windows. It provides a dock similar to Mac OS X Aqua GUI. It is freely available under a Creative Commons license. It is a smoothly animated, alpha blended application launcher. With each item completely customizable there is no end to what you can add and launch from the dock. It is available for Windows 2000, XP, Vista & Windows 7.
Link: http://rocketdock.com/
17 360Desktop
360desktop is free software that extends Windows as a 360° workspace, plus an online environment for creating interative 360° wallpaper, with a gallery and a widget platform, for sharing your favorite 360’s with everybody. Currently, 360desktop operates on Windows XP and Vista, both 32bit and 64bit Windows versions.
Link: http://www.360desktop.com/
PC Security
18 Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. The PC must run genuine Windows to install Microsoft Security Essentials.
Link: http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/
19 AVG Anti-Virus
AVG are still offering basic antivirus and antispyware protection for Windows for free. Limited features, no support, for private and non-commercial use only.
Link: http://free.avg.com/us-en/homepage
20 PC Tools Firewall
PC Tools Firewall Plus is a powerful free personal firewall for Windows® that protects your computer by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network.
Link: http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
21 Comodo Firewall and AntiVirus
If you prefer a more complicated firewall, then Comodo firewall might be your choice. Comodo firewall is a free Award-Winning firewall & antiVirus application. Comodo firewall uses sophisticated tests to ensure your computer is saved from the attacks.
Link: http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/
Office Applications
22 Open Office
OpenOffice is a open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers. It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose.
Link: http://www.openoffice.org/
23 Excel Viewer
You can use Excel Viewer to open, view, and print Excel workbooks. Although if you have your Open Office installed, you may not be able to view some of the Excel files. Use this to copy data from Excel Viewer to another program. However, you cannot edit data, save a workbook, or create a new workbook. Similarly, Word Viewer & PowerPoint Viewer is also available.
Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1CD6ACF9-CE06-4E1C-8DCF-F33F669DBC3A&displaylang=en
24 Notepad++
Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages. Running in the MS Windows environment, its use is governed by GPL License. Unlike the Window Notepad, this powerful text editing tools can open up very large text file within seconds.
Link: http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/
25 tinySpell
When you need to check spelling in an application that does not include a spelling checker, then tinySpell is the right choice for you. tinySpell is a small utility that allows you to easily and quickly check and correct the spelling in any Windows application, especially the notepad.
Link: http://tinyspell.m6.net/
26 Adobe Reader (Acrobat Reader)
Acrobat Reader are now namedx Adobe Reader, it is available as free from Adobe’s web site. It allows the viewing and printing of PDF files. The Reader are widely used as a way to present information similar to a document printed on a paper.
Link: http://get.adobe.com/reader/
27 PDFCreator
With the PDFCreator installed on your computer, creating a PDF file is as easy as printing a document. It helps users convert any printable documents into PDF files. It is FREE for use & even commercial purpose.
Link: http://en.pdfforge.org/
Internet & Email
28 Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is a free & popular web browser. I believe you are already using it right now.
Link: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
29 Free Download Manager
Free Download Manager is a powerful, easy-to-use and absolutely free download accelerator and manager. This download tool can accelerates downloads by splitting files into sections and then downloading them simultaneously. Beware of a fake versions of Free Download Manager.
Link: http://www.freedownloadmanager.org/
30 µTorrent
µTorrent is the world’s most popular BitTorrent client. Most of the features present in other BitTorrent clients are present in µTorrent, including bandwidth prioritization, scheduling, RSS auto-downloading and Mainline DHT (compatible with BitComet).
Link: http://www.utorrent.com/
31 Google Earth
I just can’t leave out Google Earth to be installed in my PC. Google Earth lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean.
Link: http://earth.google.com/
32 Mozilla Thunderbird
Mozilla’s Thunderbird in now on version 2. It is an powerful email application. Thunderbird 2 includes many new features to help you manage your inbox. You can now tag your email and find content within your email faster.
Link: http://www.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/thunderbird/
33 Affixa
Affixa makes your webmail account as Windows application. Today, people use more than one mail system in their day-to-day life. Someone may use Microsoft Outlook for business matters and Gmail for personal stuff. You can use Affixa to handle that multiple email functionality for you.
Link: http://www.affixa.com/
Social Tools
34 Skype
Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet. Free calls, video calls and instant messaging over the internet. Plus great value calls to phones anywhere in the world.
Link: http://www.skype.com/
35 digsby
digsby is a multiprotocol IM client that lets you chat with all your friends on AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, and Jabber with one simple to manage buddy list. It is a chat client with many stuff to offer. It is a social networking tool that be able to alert you when new messages arrive.
Link: http://www.digsby.com/
36 TweetDeck
TweetDeck brings your Twitter, Facebook and MySpace into your desktop. It is a personal browser for your contacts across Twitter, Facebook and more. It is a popular Twitter application. It is compatible with several operating systems like Windows, Mac, Linux & iPhone.
Link: http://www.tweetdeck.com/
Image Manipulation
37 GIMP
GIMP is an free & popular image manipulation application. It can be used as a simple paint program or an expert quality photo retouching program. I use it for images I have created for my blogs.
Link: http://www.gimp.org/
38 Paint.NET
Paint.NET is free image and photo editing software for computers that run Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools.
Link: http://www.getpaint.net/
39 PhotoPerfect Express
PhotoPerfect Express maximize the potential of your photos without spending hours in front of a computer. PhotoPerfect Express create image enhancement with just 3 simple steps. It create stunning results without any technical knowledge.
Link: http://www.arcadiasoftware.com/photoperfect-express.html
Video & Audio
40 VLC media player
VLC media player is a highly portable multimedia player and multimedia framework capable of reading most audio and video formats as well as DVDs, Audio CDs VCDs.
Link: http://www.videolan.org/
41 DVD Flick
DVD Flick aims to be a simple but at the same time powerful DVD Authoring tool. It can take a number of video files stored on your computer and turn them into a DVD that will play back on your DVD player, Media Center or Home Cinema Set.
Link: http://www.dvdflick.net/
42 Winamp
Besides MP3, Winamp supports variety of music file formats, including MIDI, MOD, MPEG-1 audio, etc. The Winamp allows software developers to extend Winamp’s functionality through the use of plug-ins, those are stunning.
Link: http://www.winamp.com/
43 Songbird
Songbird is an open-source customizable music player that’s under active development. Songbird promises to be the Firefox of media players.
Link: http://www.getsongbird.com/
44 Foobar2000
foobar2000 is an advanced freeware audio player for the Windows platform. Some of the basic features include full unicode support, ReplayGain support and native support for several popular audio formats.
Link: http://www.foobar2000.org/
45 Audacity
Audacity is a free, easy-to-use and multilingual audio editor and recorder. You can use Audacity to Record live audio, Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs, Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, WAV or AIFF sound files, Cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together, Change the speed or pitch of a recording.
Link: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/