The Ever-Growing Free Windows Software List

that would be data redundancy, not backup/recovery. backup/recovery is not ment to be realtime. data redundancy is. you can archive that f.e. with RAID setups. haven't heard about such a setup with an external usb disk.
and it's unneeded. the chance of a hd crash is unlikely. doing f.e. a daily backup is definitely enough.

again, no real-time sync.


about windows home server. it allows you to easily backup up to 10 computers/notebooks, with automated daily backups, and the option for manual ones (it is very fast at backing up, and does it while the system is running).

home server has data redundancy on it's file shares (where the majority of data should lie on). all the data on the server (and has duplication enabled) is synchronously saved/updated on two different hdds. all without you having anything to do.

so in essence, windows home server provides what you want (and can even do it with external usb disks). but not ON THE LAPTOP. so it's not exactly the solution you want, i guess.

question is, how much do you move around your laptop. is it only at home? if so, home server is perfect. if not, a portable home server would fit the purpose (and would be immense geek fun ).

obviously, all this is not free.. maybe someone has some free idea that would fit your needs. or you reconsider if you really need that functionality.

 

Comodo backup can do realtime backup but not clone. What he is looking for is CDP. I don't think there's any free CDP software.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_data_protection

 

yejun, you are correct. CDP seems to offer the level of protection and restorability I am seeking. There is a great article on http://wiki.r1soft.com/display/TP/Categories+of+Backup+Software and more information on the same website outlining the concept of CDP. Anyone aware of a free or inexpensive software offering this type of protection - please shoot a message here.

Thanks, A.

 

I have suggested Splayer before on this thread
Its real nice & must try it

 

The 'free' software list at http://www.portableapps.com is quite useful even if you never go the portable apps route.

The people there are quite thorough in finding the 'best' apps available. It's what they do.

 

Is there software or a firefox addon that lets one write (via touchscreen) instead of typing in things like MS word or forum posts?

 

Something like Onscreen Keyboard (already included with Windows).

 

I was thinking more like writing with a stylus and touchscreen (hand writing software). There probably isn't any for MS word or firefox.

 

Looking for something that will monitor my notebooks wattage use, any suggestions?

 

This is what I use. AFAIK, can't be done in software.

 

Gmail Notifier 2. Unlike Google's Gmail Notifier, this checks your inbox more frequently than every 5 minutes.

And: wow, the list in Dbam's post hasn't been updated since August!

 

Does anyone have an alternate to youcam cyberlink webcam recording software?

 

Under virtualization, Sandboxie now supports 64 bit. (as of Feb. 5)

 

YawCam

 

Thanks. I'm downloading it and going to try it out. I'm getting sick of youcam.

 

MusicBee found on Lifehacker, it is a new music player with built in web browser, Last.fm scrobbling, and other stuff.

 

was just about to mention that one, it should be on the list

http://www.yawcam.com/index.php

 

Localhostruploadr, great screen capture tool with a portable version!

 

I'd like to suggest adding this amazing tiny piece of software to The List: Cathy.
In less than 50 kB, a lightning fast, unobtrusive CD, DVD, USB and HD cataloging software. You can surf and search the directories of all your media (fixed and removable). Useful to find that file you know you backed up on DVD last year...
The program is on this page, scroll down to "Cathy".
http://www.mtg.sk/rva/
Please note that there also is a command line version (cathycmd) that can be used to automate cataloging tasks (such as making a catalog of every new media inserted)
Here are some users opinions
http://www.snapfiles.com/opinions/Cathy/Cathy.html

I tested it on Win98SE, WinXP and Vista. Works like a charm.

Here's the author's description of the program:

Cathy
-----
An extremly small, very fast and easy to use media cataloging tool. You can use it to index files stored on removable media (CD's, DVD's or even diskettes), hard disks or net drives, and create searchable catalogs that can be used without having access to original media. Searching capabilities are based on file name, date and size. Additional features include filtering options, search duplicates or singles, customizable date format, etc. Found files can be opened (executed) or deleted directly, if they are present. Drag&drop support. Directory trees, MP3 album/song lists can be printed, disk space usage can be investigated. Single file executable, no install needed.

 

I still can't get over this list! It's amazing! Thank's for this. I was going to give you rep, but it won't let me haha, I think I already gave it to you though. Bookmarked.

 

Best Free Software of 2010 according to PCMag.

 

Is there such a thing as a free pdf editor? The only free solution I can find for pdf editing is to import the document into Open Office Draw and then edit it in there.

 

I don't know if you're looking only for a software that does what you want to do, but I've tried this - pdfescape - and it worked great. Also, pdfill was good, though I didn't try it out much. See if that helps. Cheers.

PS., while we are at it, pdf split and merge is also a great util.

 

Sumatra PDF reader: http://blog.kowalczyk.info/software/sumatrapdf/index.html

Open source PDF reader.

Also, just as a note, Hamachi is now owned by Logmein, so it is Logmein Hamachi^2.

 

anything like free webcam software? Just stuff for using it to take pictures or video if i wanted.

 

Read the first post in this thread? Use the 'Search this thread' button?

 

i did. didn't see anything...

 

Yawcam - Yet Another Webcam Software

Found by searching this thread.

 

I think you should add Steam to the list of Gaming Add-ons. They have great sales every weekend and during the week as well. Very well-supported and is robust after many years of fine-tuning and development from Valve.

 

Might I suggest in your main guide categories that you change the word " Safety" to " Security". Safety doesn't apply very well (sounds goofy) .

 

Anyone got a recommendation for something that will check for duplicate files?

I have files and folders scattered across a couple of drives and want to make sure I don't delete my only copy of things.

 

Its called a human being
I'd actually not trust a software to do this.

And google is your friend - this is the first result:
Easy Duplicate File Finder - Remove Duplicate Files

And this my search...
check for duplicate files - Google Search

 

I agree. Such software is going to be tough to find. Even if you could find it, I would be more than a little uncomfortable with such "nosy" software. Try some of the free backup software listed in the OP.

 

Defrag Tools:
Puran Software - excellent product - Free version works on XP, Vista and Windows 7.
From the webpage: "Description: Now get a professional defragmenter for your computer at no price at all. This is Puran Defrag Free Edition which is exactly the same as its commercial version except you do not need to pay for it."
Link: Puran Defrag Trial Download

Free version link at bottom of the page.

 

is there a program to record music through a ext mic with a on screen equilizer?

 

Audacity may do what you want.

 

There is a successor of that software which is advertised as working with Windows Vista and 7 (inluding 64 bit): SlySoft Virtual CloneDrive

 

What's a good keyboard shortcut software? I have been using Onhand, a program designed for Windows 98, for years. But now it does not work with Windows 7. Please suggest a replacement. Thanks.

 

Is this free? It appears to be only free for the first 21 days.

 

No, it's not free.

 

Eh? SlySoft Virtual CloneDrive is freeware. I've been using it for ages.

http://www.slysoft.com/en/download.html

Their other software isn't, but that one is. I love it. It's a tiny program, and it doesn't hog up resources like Daemon Tools used to.

Something that might work for you is "Hotkeycontrol." It's $35, but it's pretty customizable. I'm on the trial right now; haven't decided if I'll shell out the full amount yet.

InchWest - Software that brings productivity to work

 

I just found a new version of Onhand. Yay! Happy days are here again!

Thanks anyway.

 

Oh, Sorry, My mistake, I didn't read it properly! Well then, YES, it's free

 

Ha, I like your option better. So long HotKeyControl!

Yeah, the first time I found CloneDrive I didn't realize it was free until I went to their checkout to try and pay for it. I was rather confused, haha.

 

Onhand is one the most useful software on my laptop. Things like opening, closing, minimizing, maximizing, etc. takes so much longer without it. I hope you found version 2, because that's the latest one. If you did, you are good at searching. It took me a while to find it.

 

Hmm, well, the version that I stumbled across was from this site: OnHand by Extensible Software

When I installed it, the description said that it was "Revisoin 1 Service Release 2". Is that what you mean, or is there a better version floating around that I should grab?

 

That's it. You've got it. Congratulations on finding one of the most useful software around.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the tip! I'm loving this software.

 

Is there any software that simply tells me when my machine has finished running all of the strartup processes including connecting to my wireless network?

 

It's called Task Manager. Put it to the Processes tab.

For wireless network, look in the system tray.