The Ever-Growing Free Windows Software List

Slight change of plans on the whole testing thing. If anyone has tested an application, let me know and I'll add their names next to the tested application.

 

Just about Irfanview - although a lot of people seem to adore it, I once compared it to other editor in terms of picture quality.

It offers less zoom than the current Windows Photo Gallery and the picture looks more pixelated.

(That's what I found)

 

I can vouch for JkDefrag (under 'De-Fragmentation') too. Been using it without any problems at all. Its been awesome.

As well as Revo Uninstaller - double thumbsup.

Both the above app's, tested in XP Pro SP3 and _Vista SP1 - works as / how they are supposed to.

Also, Rainmeter and GPU-Z - Rainmeter on both XP Pro SP3 and _Vista SP1, GPU-Z on _Vista SP1.

Rainmeter has been awesome as well, except for some issues when laptop changes from AC to battery or when the Aero is being turned off (manually or through _Vista Battery Saver, for example). I just mentioned about this in the other thread on desktop pictures and set up...

Finally, SyncBack, CutePDF, GIMP, VirtualDub has been great too - both on XP Pro SP3 and _Vista SP1. Works as advertised.

 

Thanks fonduekid! +1 Rep

 

Thanks to YOU.

I'm planning to try out other's too, one at a time, depending on how much I understand them I'll try mostly on _Vista SP1 (my laptop) though, since at work, don't have much time to mess around with the desktop which runs XP Pro SP3

Edit: Just saw Thunderbird, how did I miss it? This one too mate, but on XP Pro SP3 (haven't tried it on _Vista). Its a great email client. Been using it at work for years now.

And in the Resource Monitors, I would suggest having a link to the SysInternals Suite - its a goldmine.

 

I have successfully run JKDefrag and PDF X-Change on Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 system, as there is a x64 download.

DVDShrink works well on XP x86 SP3. I've had no reason yet to try it on Vista Ultimate.

Also, the K Lite Codec Pack, which I recently downloaded yesterday, has enabled WMP to play every file-type that I've tested so far (MPEG, wmv, AVI, MP3). I will be trying MP4 later this evening.

I am currently running Rainmeter and Railendar on Vista Ultimate x64; no glitches to report so far (other than not being able to find certain skins).

EDIT: I can also vouch for HDTune. It works flawlessly.

 

I can vouch for Defraggler in Vista.

 

HWiNFO32
Official website with latest non beta version

Has a built in Hardeware monitor like HWMonitor.

HWiNFO32 is a professional hardware information and diagnostic tool supporting latest components, industry technologies and standards. It's are targeted to recognize and extract the most possible amount of information about computer's hardware which makes it suitable for users searching for driver updates, computer manufactures, system integrators and technical exteperts too. Retrieved informations are presented in a logical and easily understandable form and can be exported into various types of reports.

Another hardware info utility: http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Info/HWM-BlackBox.shtml

 

I can vouch for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, uTorrent, Oovoo(though after 1 month, down to 3 ppl), Pidgin, Meebo, Winamp, KM Player, AIMP2, 7-zip, JKDefrag GUI, Launchy, Objectdock, Rocketdock, Daemon Tools, Ccleaner, Revo Uninstaller, Open Office, Foxit Reader. Don't put my name next to all, but those are what I've used in the past for quite some time and work great.

 

Which do you like better Pidgin or Meebo?

CCleaner& Revo U..FTW lol.


Cin

 

I use Pidgin, but Meebo is great for computers that don't have AIM(ex: school computers, library, family comps, etc)

 

I will be adding the free version of xplorer2 tonight. I will come back and post when I've had a chance to adequately play with it.

 

Marked a lot of applications as [TESTED]. Thanks to everyone who tested many applications!

 

Added a pretty cool disk management tool called EASEUS Partition Manager that Jay found. I renamed the defragmentation section to "Disk management" also.

 

Does Gadwin PrintScreen 4.4 work with Vista x64?

 

Yup! Works flawlessly.

 

oh ya i can also say with out a doubt digsby works, tested on XP and vista. Also highly recommend it

allows adding of most all social network sites plues regular IM clients, Myspace updates, facebook as well as twitter.

 

Awesome. Thanks.

 

I can vouch for uTorrent, Digsby, foobar2000, MediaMonkey, Media Player Classic, CDBurnerXP, CCleaner, Dead Pixel Buddy, Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder, Picasa, FastStone ImageViewer, Exact Audio Copy, Audacity, KompoZer, Notepad++, PSPad, and Rainlendar. I use most of these programs daily and have them installed in my notebook right now.

Oh, and I recommend Password Safe for Password Management software. I use it instead of KeePass because it supports unicode.

 

Media Monkey can be put down as tested by me. It works fine and is one of the best media players I have used (been using if for months).

 

Thanks KarenA and Drummer101 for your inputs on apps you've tested!

I added the Windows Live Essentials suite to the Productivity/Office section which has the following: blogging, movie maker beta, messaging, outlook connector (for live/hotmail email accounts), and safety tools. Most of those tools have been around for a long time from Microsoft, but they've really polished them up.

My favourite of the set is the Live Writer, which allows you to update your blogs which can be on a variety of systems such as TypePad, Blogger, Live Spaces, and more.

 

Hi folks,

On the 1st page I noticed that Programs are being ID'ed as "Tested" and so forth ... Great Idea.

Q: Can we add what OS was tested on to that "description". For example Vista x32 or x64 ... and so forth!

Q2: From the BitTorrent list which one you guys think is the BEST?

Thanks,

G!

 

Hi, thanks for the recommendation. I did think about listing which OS but didn't add that info in yet. I will try to do it this weekend.

As for the bit torrent client of choice, I've had good success with with the original BitTorrent client here: www.bittorrent.com. Tried it on both XP and Vista and it works nicely.

 

Hi dbam,

THANKS & THANKS!

G!

 

ive had the most successs with utorrent

 

Hi Jugz,

First of all I have to let you know I am totally New to this Torrent business.

So, I downloaded uTorrent yesterday and installed it ... I just tried looking for it under my "Add/Remove" programs and is Not there.

Q1: Shouldn't be under Add/Remove programs?

Q2: Where does it load itself to?

Yesterday I had an Icon for it in my TrayIcon ... but I don't see there today.

Q3: Is this Normal!?!?

Thanks,

G!

 

I had the same problem with utorrent not showing up. Are you using Vista or XP?

it showed up in there for me in XP but does not in Vista. For adding and removing programs I use CCleaner which is on the list here as well, its a great program and it does list utorrent for me.
which tray did it show up for you in yesterday?

 

Hi Jugz,

I am on Vista Home Prem. 64-bit.

It should up on the Regular Tray Icon ... the one next to your Clock and all.

BTW, during install did ask me if I wanted to have a Desktop & Quick-Start Icons and I said YES to both and neither one are there!!! Sooooo!

Thanks,

G!

 

ya im not sure what happened then, search your programs and see if it is listed is the onlly thing i can suggest. I dont have vista 64 installed but I really doubt there are any compatability issues.

 

im on a xp vostro how do i find if im a 64 user

 

when did winrar decide to have a free version?

 

how do i find out wht version of IE have i got ?
IE 7 or IE 8
I have vista ultimate 64

 

Step 1) Open a browser window;

Step 2) Left-click on the "Help" menu item at the top of the window, most likely somewheres to the left of the center of the screen;

Step 3) Left-click on the last item on the drop-down menu that appears, titled "About Internet Explorer";

Step 4) Read what it says in the dialogue box that pops up.

 

says x 86?
system type?
doesnt sound right

 

Doesn't sound right for what?

x86 is a 32 Bit OS

 

Vista Battery saver: http://www.codeplex.com/vistabattery

I have used it before and it works

 

Very cool tool! I added it to the System Tools/Miscellaneous section. I can see this tool being handy by many people, so if you could can you provide a short review of it? I'll post a link next to it for the review.

 

just for vista computers no xp?

 

Vista Power Saver is a great small and light application meant to help you save battery life. After it is installed, you can use the program to do a number of things that should have already been built into Visa's power savings. The best feature is the ability to have the aero interface and sidebar gadgets turn off when your notebook is running on battery power. This can extend your notebooks battery life, and save some ram for other applications. This program is small to install and easy to use, therefore I recommend it to anyone who my want some extra time out of their battery.

BTW, also works in Windows 7.

 

hmm... my Vaio switches Aero off in the powersave mode - also switches the optical drive of, and changes to 16 Bit rather than 32 Bit

 

But isn't that due to one of the Sony apps that come pre installed, not from Vista power savings?

 

I couldn't tell - its a Vista Power plan, but that may be affected by the sony app

 

This is cool! It will surely come in handy!

Thanks, Jay


Cin

 

You should move virtualdub to the video encoding section, as it is not an editor, and also add MEncoder

 

Virtual Dub is now in the video encoding section.

I added MEncoder to the list. Thanks!

 

Easy Video Splitter can help you split large AVI/DivX, MPEG(MPG) or WMV/ASF file into smaller video clips. It provides a built-in preview that allows you to select the section as you view the clip. You can extract multiple segments of any size by using the visual editing mode, or automatically have the program cut the AVI , MPEG or WMV/ASF file into multiple pieces with specified size or duration.

* Windows 95/98/ME, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP
* Pentium-compatible processor
* 32 MB RAM (128 MB suggested)
* 2 MB free hard disk space (for installation)
* 970x600 screen resolution
* Windows Media Player is required.

Also...

Easy Video Joiner can help you join multiple AVI, MPEG (MPG), RM (Real Media) or WMV/ASF (Window Media) files into one large movie file. You can add an unlimited number of video files as you like to the list and easily rearrange their order if needed. With just a few mouse clicks, you can enjoy your movie clips without interruption.

* Windows 95/98/ME, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP
* Pentium-compatible processor
* 32 MB RAM (128 MB suggested)
* 2 MB free hard disk space (for installation)
* 970x600 screen resolution

Programs that work and are EZ to use! Not sure if they'll work in Vista, maybe someone can test.

 

hott notes is the free sticky notes reminder program for your desktop. Totally free. No ads. No spy-ware. Not only can you post sticky note reminders, you can make checklists, set alarms, draw on your notes, and archive. Pumped? Download away!

Download size: 3.9 Mb
Install size: 8.3 Mb
Windows 2000/XP/Vista

 

Does anyone know a good free program for creating CD cover? I've tried CoverXP but it doesn't have enough features. Thanks.

 

I use Avery's software for other things but you could use it and plain papper if you didn't want to buy their products.

http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Templates-&-Software/Software/_/Ns=Rank

Here are the products. Just use the product code number for the template.

http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Se...ITESCHANNELS:Avery.com)&Ntt=cd+covers&x=0&y=0

 

What is Startup Manager?

As the name suggests, Startup Manager (aka st-m) is an open source startup manager for the Windows platform.

* Abilities
* Sections
* Screenshot

Startup Manager can:

* Make programs start on logon (add items)
* Rename existing items
* Delete existing items
* Disable existing items
* Enable existing items
* Create a batch file with programs that start in a certain order

Startup Manager supports:

* Startup folders (all users and current user)
* Registry sections
o All the run and services sections (all and current user)
o Computer sections: winlogon (userinit and shell) and BHO (browser helper objects)
* Win.ini sections (load and run)



Startup Manager is free software. It is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2. This means you are free to use it and to modify it, but if you distribute your modifications you must distribute the modified source code as well.