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Essential Free Software

  • 02-03-2005 04:42PM
    #1
    Khannie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,485 ✭✭✭✭


    Here's a list of favourite free software for windows as submitted by boards users (see the unix forum for a similar thread). If you have software you think should be added to this list, PM me (Khannie), or one of the other mods and we'll edit this thread. Alternatively, post a request in the original thread.

    Please do not attempt to reply to this thread. It's locked on purpose :)

    3dMark - Benchmarking tools
    7-Zip - compression software (very high compression ratio)
    Acrobat Reader - For reading PDF files
    Album cover art downloader - download album covers
    Ad-Aware - Anti-spyware
    AP Guitar Tuner
    Apache - Worlds most popular http web server.
    AudioGrabber - CD ripper / mp3 creator
    Auto GK (Gordion Knot) - foolproof dvd to avi software
    Autoruns - See what programs are configured to startup automatically when your system boots
    Avast! Antivirus - Antivirus software
    Avant - Avant web browser
    AVG antivirus - Free antivirus prog
    AVG Email scanner plugin for use with Mozilla Thunderbird. Setup instructions here.
    Belarc advisor - a snapshot of your system details
    BitDefender - Antivirus software
    Bloodshed Dev-C++ - Free programming editor
    CDBurner XP Pro - great replacement for Nero
    CDex - For Ripping CD's (also converts to compressed formats (e.g. MP3))
    ClamWin - AV software to use in conjunction with AVG
    CPUZ - provides some information on your CPU
    cygwin - a Linux-like environment for Windows
    Daemon Tools - For mounting ISO (and other) images
    Damn NFO Viewer - .nfo file viewer
    DBan - securely wipe hard drives
    Desktop Sidebar - provides lots of useful system / application information.
    DeviantArt - Free wallpapers
    DIKO - Free AVI to DVD converter
    Diskeeper - Shareware defrag utility
    DScaler - best video picture quality from TV card
    DU Meter - Upload/Download speed for Internet
    DVD Decrypter - needed for AutoGK, also handy for copying single layer dvds
    DVD Shrink - DVD Ripping program. Can also burn if you have nero installed.
    EAC - For those who demand the highest quality ripping their own music collection
    EphPhod - manage your iPod
    Eraser - securely wipe files or free space
    Ethereal - Packet sniffer
    Filezilla - FTP client and server software
    FilZip - compression software
    Firefox - web browser
    FLAC - Lossless (i.e. perfect cd quality) music compression
    Flash and shockwave players - For running flash and shockwave stuff inside your browser
    Foobar2000 - Audio media player
    Foxmail - Mail reader
    Fraps - handy for taking screenshots of games and monitoring their performance
    FreeReader - RSS and XML reader
    G4u - Hard Disk cloning
    Gimpshop - gimp with photoshop look and feel.
    Godfather - MP3, Ogg, etc. tagging
    GoogleBar - Google toolbar for Mozilla / Firefox
    Gordion Knot - DVD backup software
    GPGShell - Front endd to GPG
    Hijackthis - lists all installed browser add-ons, other features
    ID3-TagIT - manage your mp3 id3 tags
    Incredimail - Email prog add-on (emoticons, etc.)
    IrFanView - more graphics software
    iso buster - Rescue lost files from a bad or trashed CD or DVD
    isorecorder - Tool for burning iso files in XP
    iTunes - Apple's itunes music player / purchasing tool
    Java JRE - For running applets, or anything else java based.
    JCreator LE - Free Java editor
    K-Lite codec pack - every video and audio codec you could need (and media player classic)
    Kerio Personal Firewall
    Lavalys Everest - Gives you lots of system information (like sisoft sandra, but completely free)
    Mame32 - Arcade machine emulator
    MaxLister - allows you to create virtual images of harddrives, floppy disks, CD-ROMs or other removable media
    Microsoft regclean - Cleans your registry. COuldn't find a microsoft.com link. This one is for download.com.
    mIrc - IRC (chat) client


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