The Ever-Growing Free Windows Software List

Svchost Process Analyzer

Always wondered when different tasks always seem produce the 'same' svchost process?
What the heck is that particular Svchost process actually doing?

You can see every process within Svchost with Svchost Process Analyzer from Neuber Software.
Nice little utility for a deeper look inside your OS.
Doesn't require runtimes or installation & doesn't write to the registry.
For XP & Vista, 32- and 64-bit.

 

Easus Todo Backup Works on both 32/64 bit

 

Febooti Hash and CRC

http://www.febooti.com/products/filetweak/members/hash-and-crc/

Similar to Hashtabs.
Integrates directly to the windows properties page


PDF Split and Merge [FOSS]

Need Java to run
http://www.pdfsam.org/
Split and Merge pdf files for greater flexibility

 

TubeMaster
Seems Nice

Which is a real good Youtube downloader ?

 

I think you will not get an answer to this on here as this is against the terms and conditions of Youtube - sorry.

 

I have never run any offical tests on it (anti virus, installer, etc. ) but I have been using Yami Pod to manage my ipod over 2 computers for at least a year now and I have never had any problems with it, probably because you run it from your iPod without having to install it on your computer. For that reason I also believe there is no uninstaller for it. It would easily get an editors pick from me anyday of the week.

 

A question regarding Zilla PDF Creator

Funny thing is site says the file is 10 mb but the download is only 5mb...
Not sure if the sit is hacked...

It looks like a nice program but Avira flagged it.
Virus Total gave the following report

http://www.virustotal.com/analisis/...5f92b1595dbdcdef31dc4a81c03bc6cfe2-1249311869

can anyone verify??

 

Is there a Software
which counts our battery cycle
so we know how many life cycles are there

I think there are 1000 cycle counts for each battery
Like it has in Thinkpad :- ThinkVintage

 

I believe Battery Bar does, although I'm not positive. It's been a while since I used it.

 

The free version of BatteryBar definitely doesn't - it does show wear though.

Counting battery cycles is pointless as no one is quite certain what a cycle is apart from the obvious discharge to nearly empty and then full chare.

But charging a batter by 40% - is it a cycle, half a cycle?

Then, you can destroy a battery without any cycling - just overcharge ist...
Or always charging it by 1% to 100% isn't good in the long run either...
Then there's heat...

 

Thank you guys
I underdstand better now

 

This was probably discussed previously, but it's hard to search within a thread (and there are no current results from search), but can anyone recommend which PDF reader is best (simple, light, etc)? Wondering the same about alternatives to MS Office.

 

Well Adobe Reader 9 is pretty good.

Its much lighter than Adobe reader 8.

PS: It should be on the first post - applications for office use

 

I use Foxit Reader, which is light on its feet. Adobe Reader 9 is also pretty good (finally).

 

Meanwhile, a much cleaner list is going to be posted to make finding things easier. You could use your browser's search-within-a-page feature to look for certain keywords. Just go to the first post on this thread and begin your search.

 

is daemon tools lite safe?
i remember it used to contain adware/spyware of some sort (way back)

im assuming they're clean now?

 

Hmmm... I'll have to try it out to see if it contains any adware in it. If it does, it will be removed from this list.

 

I believe you just need to uncheck the offers they give, and they're ware-free.

 

Following up on this > http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=166532&page=207

I just want to mention Instant Memory Cleaner, which is a pretty good tool too.

I have been using this both on XP and Vista, and it works well. No issues, and does the job its meant to do with good effect.

Edit: Unlike CleanMem which runs every 30 mins or something, IMC is run manually.

 

dbam987

Hashtabs is back on line
http://beeblebrox.org/

Here is another one.

PDF Split and Merge [FOSS]
Need Java to run GUI

http://www.pdfsam.org/
Split and Merge pdf files for greater flexibility

 

I've never had any problems with Daemon Tools regarding adware/spyware. It's safe.

 

MS Office Alternative = Open Office.

 

What about PeaZip and RealPlayer?

 

What is the best free webcam program?

 

If you can avoid RealPlayer do - its horrid software in some ways.

VistaCodec Pack (google it) adds a lot of support to Windows Media Player - in most cases it will be enough.

 

Thanks for that.

The other day I had some problem playing an avi file with WMP because of a missing codec (I always use VLC though, just wanted to try). You think this codec pack should fix it? (I am trying now anyways). Thanks again.

 

From the softpedia download page:

Does this mean, the other codecs used by other players would be removed too? and will the other media players work with this new codec'? (Sorry if its a lame Q, but I'm not well informed, and a bit confused, about these things. )

 

I got the recommendation from Dave originally, and I haven't yet had a problem with unsupported files.

And before RealPlayer crashed explorer.exe when viewing a folder with .flv (flash) files/films - with VistaCodec Pack this doesn't happen to me

 

No clue?

Quicktime Player continues to work as far as I am aware.

RealPlayer too as far as I am aware.

 

lol. Ok then, let me see if VLC works

 

Well, I got in the Vista Codec Pack, and VLC plays some files, but not all, while before it used to play everything. Hmmm...

 

It's definitely horrid software but it has some useful features. Same thing with Rhapsody. Every so often one of them breaks the other one and I have to reinstall.

IMHO Quicktime is not far behind in terms of horridness.

I have the K-Lite codec installed and mainly run VLC player. It's extremely rare that I have a problem with playing anything and has some really cool features like being able to change the playback speed to up to 32x on the fly.

 

Windows Media Player play all your formats ow though?

 

Thanks.

However something like crashing explorer every time I have a flsh video... yuck... ah well...

That' in the past now for me

 

Ah yes it did. Forgot to mention that Sorry.

It was kind of funny with VLC because, even between two avi files, it chose to be good to one and not to the other with the new codec pack. I don't know if its got anything to do with the way avi files are encoded in the first place.

Before this new codec pack, VLC had no issues with any files.

For now, I have gone back to pre-vista codec pack. May be later, I want to see in detail how the players work.

 

Many thanks to all who posted new apps to add to this massive list!

 

This is a great list of tools. Can anyone recommend apps for the list?

I have a couple that are good. If anyone wants to test them out so they can be added.

Active Killdisk Hard Drive Eraser

Sophos Anti-Root Kit

 

I've noticed a distinct lack of decent freeware screen savers that don't make me want to vomit on myself and everyone around me. So far all I've got is fliqlo (which is a great screensaver) http://www.9031.com/downloads/screensavers.html
That link also points to another decent screensaver briblo, but I haven't used it.

Anyone have anything new? I get tired of the same old.

 

PolarClock is a good alternative; personally though, I like Fliqlo's subdued look much better.

 

Instant Messenger: Pidgin was crashing on me alot. I just upgraded and it seems more stable. Any other recommendations?

What about PVR software?

 

Top 10 Popular Work Resources


System Explorer 1.5
This full-featured system analyzing tool lets you take a sneak peek at everything that's going on in your system.
License: Free
Platform: Windows



TweakNow PowerPack 2009 1.6.3
A fully-integrated suite of utilities that let you fine-tune every aspect of your computer's operating system and Web browser.
License: Free
Platform: Windows



AVG LinkScanner 8.5.334
AVG LinkScanner is the most effective protection against poisoned web pages.
License: Free
Platform: Windows



ThreatFire AntiVirus Free Edition 4.5
ThreatFire protects you against major security threats including viruses, worms, trojans and rootkits. Easy to use and instantly effective.
License: Free
Platform: Windows



Glary Registry Repair 3.2.0.828
Fix your registry and optimize your PC's performance.
License: Free
Platform: Windows



ImgBurn 2.5
A lightweight CD/DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-ray burning application that has several modes, each for performing a different task.
License: Free
Platform: Windows



FotoSketcher 1.9
FotoSketcher is fast, fun and easy way to turn your digital photos into beautiful pencil sketches or paintings in seconds.
License: Free
Platform: Windows



DownTester 1.20
Easily test your Internet download speed in multiple locations around the world.
License: Purchase
Platform: Windows



BatteryCare 0.9.7
Optimize usage and performance of laptop's battery.
License: Free
Platform: Windows



Recover Files 3.11
Recover permanently deleted files from hard disks and removable media with this small, fast, useful, practical and powerful tool.
License: Free to try
Platform: Windows

 

Well I don't know if there are enough of these bittorrent clients out there, but I do believe I should input my little bitcomet as one.
It's simple and easy to use, runs well and I find it nice, I can't give a specific version because every month or so it gets a new update. It also checks each week for software on your system like nero or AVG or WINRAR and flash player/shockwave player/adobe reader/etc versions and tells you if there is an update out for it, then it provides you with a link to download it directly virus free so you don't need to go and find it.

It also has a nice ability to not only act as a bittorrent client but also as a download manager, especially with flashgot for firefox which lets you choose to use it for a download. When using bitcomet to download something, it will bypass normal server lag 90% of the time (for example, if something downloads at a rate of 5KB/s in firefox, but the maximum supported rate is about 300KB/s, bitcomet will almost always download at that maximum rate even if firefox or IE or Chrome etc is going slow. Found this came in handy more often than not.

So my recommendation of the day is Bitcomet. If you google it, it's the first choice that comes up. Free to use.

 

Image resizer for Vista/7 that act like the XP Powertoy version: Link

 

I currently use Vuze but find its resource intensive. Does bitcomet use a lot of system resources when running? I was considering switching to uTorrent. I like the search feature in Vuze, do the other torrent apps provide a torrent search feature as well?

 

Lol, I just noticed this thread. That's a lot of free softwares listed!
I have to thank everybody who contributed in making the list bigger. It will definitely come in handy one day.

 

Yeah agreed, and it works great with dual screens (sometimes that's tough to find with a screensaver).

 

Hi dbam987,

Consider adding this to your list of Calendars ...

Free Desktop Calendar for Windows
Desktop iCalendar Lite

G!

 

Data Backup/Recovery/Clone/Disk Image:

Acronis True Image WD Edition

If you have WD drives in your system this will work just as the full Acronis True Image product only it is FREE.

http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp

Per the WD Manual for this product:
* Acronis True Image WD Edition allows selecting only Western digital HDD as a restore location and for Cloning operation.
* Acronis True Image WD Edition is available for installing and launching only when a Western Digital HDD is connected.

 

Anyone knows a program that is able to record my computer screen together with the audio?

 

There is Camtasia but it's not free.