Best Free Software for Windows

I don't need a faster system, just a healthy system.

 

A fast system is a healthy system and a healthy system is a fast system. I think they can be interchanged. Also guys, i know i made a wicked typo in my review for the registry cleaners but it "was on purpose".

 

Hey Calvin, I just loaded up Free Window Registry Repair and on my first scan I've received several of this message:
"Access Violation at address XXXXXXXX in module "Regpair.exe". Read of address XXXXXXXX"

Any clue what that's all about?
Should I worry about it? It seems like it just can't read a handfull of entries, which seems like not a problem at all. Just curious what you think.

 

I'm pretty sure it means that it can't access a certain registry key because it's being used. It seems to be a little too aggressive for some people so be careful. I'll probably take it down soon.

 

I think it's in an endless loop?

Check out the filepath it is scanning WOW6432Node is only 2 levels deep.

 

HAHAHA, check this out, think I should hit repair?

 

Please don't double post, merge both posts into one. Also, as i said before over and over. Registry cleaning application aren't supposed to be used blindly, it may increase your system speed but it might mess it up. Never mind, I'll remove the whole section right now and edit my posts in a couple of threads, i feel my registry cleaner recommendations are causing too much trouble.

 

Lo siento, I was just wondering if since you endorsed FWRR if you were familiar with those errors.

 

Yes, i'm familiar with them, but you should uninstall FWRR cleaner if you definitely don't want to have any problems.

 

Fair enough, thanks for the heads up. I'll probably be passing on this one, unless it works after I do a clean install in a couple weeks.

 

Cavlin,

I didn't see Temp Monitor "Core Temp" in section ? they are free too.

recently updated 0.97 support Vista 64 link at http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

Dg

 

Thanks for the suggestion, i just quickly tested it out and it works in vista for sure and seems useful.

 

I forgot one more Temp Monitor "CPUID HWmonitor" link at http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php is free too.

I just recently updated from HW 1.06 to 1.07 add "ACPI" pix below.



Dg

 

Thanks for the suggestion, wouldn't this one replace the other one you suggested as this does the temperature check of the component it checks and more?

 

Additional comm. tools:

Meebo -- Web-based instant messaging.*
Digsby -- A multiprotocol IM client.


*I know this isn't software, per se, but I thought it might come in handy.

 

These have already been recommended plenty of times but i choose not to include them because this is software only. In fact, I'll add that to the recommendation requirements.

 

You might consider adding Revo Uninstaller....gets good reviews, I'm still testing it. Freeware.

 

Another freebie for under RSS Feeds: RSSOwl....I personally love this program. There is a plugin for usenet groups where you can add newsgroups and read them as RSS feeds. Just my .02

EDIT: Good job adding this one. If you're into tech webcasts like me, and monitor other RSS feeds AND Usenet groups, here you can do it all in one place. Great program. Sits on my dock next to my browser

 

Thanks for the suggestions theZoid.

 

are ther any other programs similair to NHC that also control powermizer settings but hat are compatabil with 64 bi Vista?

 

Hmmm. Not that i know of at this time.

 

Hey hkman, are you interested in compatible = you CAN get it working
or compatible = it is intended to work in Vista x64?

You can get RMClock working in Vista x64, I'm not as savvy on the power mizer settings, but you can undervolt your CPU to save battery life and keep the heat down.

Check here if all you want is something that you can get working (you'll have to turn UAC off):
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3007588

 

my cpu is great, just gpu that is severly underclocked due to powermizer...

 

I've skimmed thru all the posts in this thread and don't see any mention of file manager products. This is for those times when Windows Explorer just won't do what you need. The one that became my favorite application within the first two days of using it is XYplorer but I'm not 100% sure if it meets your criteria for posting here as the latest free vers is from Dec 2006. It is shareware also, but the free version was considered good enough to qualify for PC Magazine's March 2008 issue about "Best Free Software" as the only product of this type. This version is also much more improved over what it was when I started using it in Jan 2006.

Should you wish a better formatted posting, I can attempt to provide that.
Also, I'm not at all financially connected with the product but am a VERY devoted user of it, and spend a fair amount of time helping out in the user forum for it. Thanks for your consideration of this.

 

For Virtualization Software what about Virtual PC?

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx

 

Hmmm....think I'll start a Best Free Software for Linux thread over in that forum....LOL

 

oh! And how about FTP software like FileZilla?
http://filezilla-project.org/

Or is it there? I checked, but the list is getting long.

And software development software like Visual Studio 2008 Express editions?
http://www.microsoft.com/express/default.aspx

And database application like SQL Server 2005 Express?

http://www.microsoft.com/express/sql/default.aspx

And this might be getting to un-mainstream, but how about Source Control client software like TortoiseSVN for SVN repositories:
Tortoise SVN: http://tortoisesvn.tigris.org/

No developer should be without source control. I'd recommend SVN, but I don't know if it can be installed on Vista.

 

FileZilla should be added to the list (if it's not already there), but I haven't suggested adding any programming tools, because that could get as big as the whole rest of the list (perl, python, ruby, java dev. kit, eclipse, tomcat, mysql, postgresql, etc., etc.), and they tend to require some programming expertise to be useful. But... Visual Studio Express probably is worth a mention, since it has a great GUI and if you know any programming it's relatively easy to make stuff pretty quickly.

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I've been really busy lately so I'll add them to the list later.

 

I suggest you add Xnview to your list of photo viewers/editors.

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/pierre.g/xnview/enxnview.html

Come to discover XnView, a software to view and convert graphic files, really simple to use ! Support of more than 400 graphics formats ! It's free, so do not hesitate !

XnView (1.92.1/1.70) exists for Windows, MacOS X, Linux x86, Linux ppc, FreeBSD x86, OpenBSD x86, NetBSD x86, Solaris sparc, Solaris x86, Irix mips, HP-UX, AIX !

NConvert (4.86/4.51) exists for Windows, Linux x86, Linux ppc, FreeBSD x86, OpenBSD x86, NetBSD x86, Solaris sparc, Solaris x86, Irix mips, HP-UX, AIX, OS/2, Atari, BeOS x86, MacOS X et QNX!

 

Thanks for the suggestion Hiker.

 

Are there any third-party apps to display the battery meter on the taskbar, not just as a small picture on the system tray, but an actual meter with numbers? I've seen them on Thinkpads, and I'd like one on my Dell. Thanks.

 

I know that Notebook Hardware Control can do it, but it is obsolete and doesn't support newer computers. It still should be ablt to show you the battery info, though.

 

Hey, Calvin, I would like to first thank you for posting these useful tools. I found a lot of them to be very beneficial to me. I do have one question for you. I notice that you added a few programs for defragmenting a drive. What about the disc defrag. feature that comes with Windows? That's what I've been using ever since I've owned a computer. Is it no good, or are the programs you listed just better?

 

The one that comes with Windows is just UBER slow and not as in-depth as others.

 

Thank you, McGrady.

 

Yeah. Also, you can't use some of its features unless you buy the software.

 

Does anybody have any experience with Vista Manager? I know there is a guide on here on how to tweak Vista, but this is supposed to be a one-stop program that tweaks everything and makes you PC run smoother. The one drawback is that it is not free.

 

I personally wouldn't recommend it, but if you feel up to it, create a system restore checkpoint and go ahead.

 

Why do you not like it, Calvin? Are there any specific reasons why you would not recommend it?

 

I forget if i tested it or not but i don't like those All in one problem solvers. They usually mess up my system.

 

Noted. Thanks again, Calvin. I think that's about the 5th answer in the last day that I've gotten from you. Thank you very much for answering so many of them and being patient with me.

 

No problem, I'm here to help.

 

In my opinion, all of them are needed. Eventhough tweaking tools do it Automatically and it bridges the Gap between the users and masters. Usually in the LONG TERM, KNOWLEDGE is Great.

We have different ideas and Different points... That's why I created
"My Tweaker Tool" Create your own Tweaker, Adding and deleting entries to the registry is the same as one by one adding them to Winbubble.

So, I recommend Try to Enjoy Hacking through Registry and When you're done. ADD THEM to Winbubble .

Isn't it great? Everybody is Happy.

 

Did you mean to post that here?

 

Yap...I'm Sorry for the double post...

LES Tips and Tricks is Great! Very Useful and in my opinion, one of the Best
Tips I've ever read in the internet.

Maybe, We shared a common Goal.
"Not Just for the Geeks but for ALL"

Thanks for the "Geek" thing Calvin. Your the Best! Two of your Suggestions... LAST!

 

Hey guys I am looking for a free H.264 codec. I was hoping not to have to buy one off cyberlink since there are surely people out there who can make them for free. I need for TV tuner so I can get access to Freeview digital TV in New Zealand.

 

For that, you can install one of the media codecs, found in the media section. If you plan on playing a lot of HD content (420p, 720p etc.) i recommend you follow this guide. But the software required to play HD content optimally isn't free.

 

Found out about this in PC Mag:

http://www.drivermax.com/index.htm

 

It's already listed. That website is a mirror, the files are hosted on the website i have for it on the list.