Best Free Software for Windows

Yes. <fillertext>

 

I really recommend NexusFile for commander-type file manager. Some of the features that I find really nice:
1. Supports file name in unicode. Last I checked, FreeCommander doesn't support this yet.
2. Advanced multi renaming.
3. Will arrange multiple columns for file listing in details, so it won't require that many file scrolling.

The site also has NexusFont, which is really useful for people who use a lot of fonts for photoshop etc. It allows to use fonts without installing them. It works like this (kinda):
1. Put the fonts in any folder you desire and tell NexusFont about this folder.
2. When NexusFont is running, those fonts in that folder can be used like programs such as Photoshop, Word.
3. When NexusFont is not running, those fonts will be invinsible to the users in for example, Ms Word.

Maybe you want to include these programs to the list, Calvin. Just a suggestion.

 

From Neowin, BlackBox. Basically, it is like cpu-z, but looks a little nicer.


"All about your computer
No secrets!

BlackBox is a utility designed to deliver precise details on the core components of your computer to the maximum. As well as providing you with you with in-depth information about hardware such as the processor, memory modules, mainboard, hard drives and video card, it also offers the opportunity to assess critical parameters such as clock speeds and temperatures. BlackBox also presents Vista – compatible tools to test your computer's performance under Microsoft Windows Vista".

 

AIMP2 can do this too.

 

Hi folks,

Q1: Has anyone tested this Battery Tool that Marconi has told us about!?!? And is it any good? And is it SAFE?

I am running Vista Home Premium 64-bit. I have set my Advanced Setting to prompt me at certain levels ... but Windows does not give an Option to have an AUDIBLE ALARM or a POP-UP Alarm ... so when my Battery drops below 20% ... unless I am squarely looking at my Icon Tray I miss the alarm and the darn laptop shuts-down at 15%.

Q2: Does anyone know of a "Freeware" that it can provide me with VISIBLE NOTIFICATION!?!?

Thanks,

G!

 

Tried it but did not like it due to it having a % timer in the bar that counts down how much battery was left. It goes like 99.9, 99.8. 99.7, 99.6, ect and it was annoying to have it go down by .1's instead of 99, 98, 97 ect.

I have this on my EEE: http://www.batteryinfo.de.vu/

 

Hi Jay ... Thanks for your reply.

How does "Battery Info" program work for you? And do you know if it has a clean uninstall program?

G!

 

Hi Calvin,

Is this "JK Defrag" different than the one that you recommend!?!? But SAME name ... can you clarify please!?!?

http://www.kessels.com/Jkdefrag/

Thanks!

G!

 

It works fine for my EEE. It is really cool how much more battery info it tells you than the built in Windows meter. Not sure about the uninstall since I haven't done that.

 

JKDefrag GUI is a GUI wrapped around JKDefrag, I find that this makes it superior because everyone likes a nice GUI so it's the one listed.

 

Not only that, it can do a lot more too.

 

Hey Calv, not sure if you've ever seen this site. Some of the entries there might be worth considering.

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=223929&t=930135

Ciao

 

I'm pretty sure I've already checked out that link and taken what I wanted from it. Thanks for it anyway.

 

Hi Meatloaf ... I sure didn't know about it! THANKS!

G!

 

Well, that is an AWESOME site for deals at any rate. I have received many things other than programs for close to nothing...

Like 2 Logitech VX revolution Mice, an MX610, Logitech bluetooth headset, Notrebook coolers, Flash drives, Hitachi HD, 2 sets of speakers, and the list goes on.... =)

 

http://www.yawcam.com/

why dont u add this to the free software thread?

it is a free webcam software for users that buy laptops that dont have software included. or can be used in conjunction with other software

&

http://www.virtualdub.org/
virtual dub, an open source video software. also free and very powerful.

 

I'm too lazy to go through the many pages this thread has, but when I noticed "Fraps" in a list of "free software" list that specifically excluded trials...

The limited nature of Fraps' free version makes it trialware, right?

 

Trial software is generally defined to be software that operates only for a trial period and then requires you to pay for it if you wish to use it further.

 

I prefer to get recommendations for software through this thread and not through PM as I like to keep my PM box only for friends and mods. I already have VirtualDub up on the list (you didn't follow the guidelines) and then you want to ask for credit? No can do.

Yup, especially since it's one of the few which is actually good. If it was fully free and even open source that would be great.

 

i was talking about the free webcam software.

 

I don't have a webcam to test it out but I'll see what I can do about checking it out....

 

well i've tested it out and its free and succesfully takes basic pictures + other powerful features that i dont know how to use

 

which is the best one for error checking? or is the windows one sufficient?

 

Thanks for the links

 

I tried YawCam a while back and got it working with an old usb webcam that I could not find drivers for XP. It worked fine except the old camera was rather low res. Yawcam also has a security feature that will monitor an area and any movement in the area it will start taking photos. I hung my old camera out the window and set this feature up and after about 20 mins I heard the alarm go off that it detected movement and was taking pictures. It ended up catching several deer crossing the yard about 80 yards down from the house. It also got my neighbor pulling into their drive.

I think it also has a feature that will let you setup for people to watch the video over the internet via a webpage that you can have private or public.

This was on my XP pro desktop and old USB camera. I have downloaded it and going to give it a try on my new laptop with vista64.

For a free program I thought it had some great features.

 

I need a software, which will allow me to
keep My work files (excel, etc)
in a Folder with a Password

on the desktop, so even if Friends
use my Laptop, i dont need to worry if
they are going through my Folders

I dont mind paying for it,
would like to know if theres a software to do that
Please Help

 

lordvader , try FolderLock

Sorry mods for giving link to commercial app in a freeware section

 

just note I don't think it's 64-bit vista compatible, so you might need another option if u have vista64

 

Thanks for that

 

i am also finding same one

 

Thankyou for the warning
I emailed them lets hope it is
I like that software

Thankyou soooo much
its just what imlooking for

 

I was just curious,
Whats the advantage of using a 3rd party defragger over the default windows defragger?
Is there anything particularly different?

Please forgive me if this has been answered, but couldn't find it.

O yeah, Revo Uninstaller is a nice program, assuming it's in fact working as advertised. Just thought I'd add that. Awesome thread

 

JkDefrag is an optimized defragger that is known to be more effective than the Windows defragger. Some actually use the Windows defragger, but put a GUI on top. Others have a simplified algorithm that makes the defragging go very fast (like Auslogics) but it is likely that it still did not defragment very well.

 

Defraggers differ in terms of run speed, user interface, results display, and price. They also may differ in optimization algorithm -- how it decides where on the disk to move each file to.

But as for the file defragmentation itself, it doesn't really matter. If a file isn't fragmented, then it's not fragmented... doesn't matter how it got defragmented.

 

Good list.

In the section "Checksum Utilities" I would put DigestIt as No.1 for windows:

http://www.download.com/DigestIT-2004/3000-2248_4-10387706.html

 

So, not to over simplify, but in essence what you're saying is that there really isn't much of a difference at all. Some will be alittle faster, or nicer then others, but they generally all have the same outcome.

 

Some defraggers use different algorithm than others. Some are faster than others, but faster doesn't mean more thorough. For example, Auslogics Disc Defrag is fast but it doesn't do a good enough and thorough enough job. JKDefrag takes a little longer but it defrags more files and optimizes, etc.

 

Alcohol 52 is pretty good for image ripping and virtual disk drivers.

 

Alcohol isn't freeware.

 

Hi McGrady,

I believe you can still find a Freeware copy of Alcohol 52%.

G!

 

Hi Ivar,

It says it is good only for up to XP. I will try and see if it runs in Compatible mode in Vista 64-bit.

G!

 

Oh really? Not without cracks and warez.

 

Hi McGrady,

Dude you had me worried for a minute ... I searched my Archives and I found my "legal" Freeware of Alcohol 52% ... but you are correct ... last that was offered FREE was back in 2006 ... so if you got it then you are in business.

G!

 

Yeah, you can only use free trials now unless you buy it of course.

 

Does anyone know of a free security software for use with memory cards and USB flash drives? I need something that asks for a password to access to the memory cards or USB flash drives? Thanks.

 

Does your flash drive have U3?

 

No, it does not. What I plan on using is one of those micro SD cards installed in the USB reader. I use my current USB flash drive at public libraries sometimes. It would nice to able to lock it with a password.

 

Try looking into any of the free encryption programs like truecrypt - i haven't used them so I couldn't tell...
You would possibly like something that has either an exe file that works on any computer or carries the exe embedded in the archive...

 

What about Super?

 

Which is good software
to extract rar file

here
http://www.download.com/1770-20_4-0...Name=platform=Windows&filter=platform=Windows