Windows Programs
Microsoft Windows is by far the most popular operating system in use today. The debate will rage on as to whether or not it is the best, but nonetheless, it is most widely used. As a result, we need much help to use it to it's fullest potential.
This section was complied with that objective in mind. My hope is that you find life easier as result. Great free software programs to use with your windows computer. All the programs here are freeware, and recommended. There are a lot of great freeware products out there. Many are as good or even better than their commercial alternatives. If you use computers to make a living, and especially if you are using them in a development or electronic support mode, the standard programs provided by Windows aren't really "industrial" enough for most jobs.
Applications
7-Zip
This is a file zipper similar to WinZip. 7-Zip works in Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP. Command line version of 7-Zip can be used in Linux via Wine program. 7-Zip is a free software distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License. On 7-Zip's Source Forge Page you can find forum, bugs report and feature request systems.
Cute PDF Writer
CutePDF Writer is the free version of commercial PDF creation software. CutePDF Writer installs itself as a "printer subsystem". This enables virtually any Windows applications (must be able to print) to create professional quality PDF documents - with just a push of a button! Requires PS2PDF converter such as Ghostscript (recommended). You can get the free GNU Ghostscript 7.06 on same page
Use EXE Bundle to join 2 (or more) .exe files to ONE file. You can enter another icon file too. There is a small icon collection to use exe bundle with your favorite icon. It is very interesting for coders. You can join dll files to do and you do not have a "DLL not found" message any more.
PureText
Have you ever copied some text from a web page, a word document, help, etc., and wanted to paste it as simple text into another application without getting all the formatting from the original source? PureText makes this simple. Just copy/cut whatever you want to the clipboard, click on the PureText tray icon, and then paste to any application. Better yet, you can configure a Hot-Key to convert and paste the text for you. The pasted text will be pure and free from all formatting.
SendTo
SendTo implements a new option on the Windows right-click context menu, under the "Send To" option. The new option, "Any Folder," allows you to send files which you select in Windows explorer to any location on your hard drive, by either moving or making copies of them. You can also send files and folders to FTP servers and applications on your computer.
Email Tools
MailPassView
Mail PassView allows you to view account information, including username and password for POP accounts in Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook 2000/2003, IncrediMail, Eudora and Group Mail Free. Just run the program and the window will automatically find and display all accounts. You can choose to save all or selected accounts to a text file or copy it to the clipboard.
OE Backup
OE Backup is maintains Outlook Express message archives and registry entries. The developer acknowledges that its appearance isn't pretty, but it does the job--and the price is right.
Outlook Duplicates Remover
The free Outlook Duplicates Remover “removes duplicate items from Calendar, Tasks, Contacts, Notes, and mail folders.” Awesome!
Outlook Extensions
Outlook enforces two file attachment security levels by default. This addin allows the end user (you) to move file types from a level 1 setting to a level 2 setting so that you can interact with blocked files within the Outlook application. To use the application simply requires, downloading and running the setup. After that start Outlook and select the options menu from the tools menu. You will see a new tab labeled File restriction
Network Tools
Clever Eye
CleverEye is a network monitoring tool for servers, network appliances, databases and applications. It can send email notifications if a service goes down and can generate detailed reports, that can be exported to Excel or emailed. The program runs as NT service and provides a browser based administration interface that displays the current status of each monitored node, as well as the overall network status. Additional features include reports for recent failures, graphical charts and group profiles. The free version is limited to 4 nodes and does not support advanced notification scenarios.
Password Registry Editor
Displays info about network adapters on your computer such as network cards, virtual cards, and RAS connections. The long horizontal list displays the following information for each adapter: current download and upload speeds, total data download and uploaded, IP address, adapter speed, MTU size, adapter type, MAC address, status, admin status, in / out unicast packets, in / out discarded packets, in / out error packets, unknown protocol packets, and output queue length. The program requires no installation as it just involves a click and it runs.
Asterisk Key
Asterisk Key is a freeware utility from Lostpassword.com. Lostpassword.com specializes in selling password recovery software to help you recover passwords from many different applications. Its main offering, Passware, combines password recovery utilities for over 25 applications.
Spyware Tools
CW Shredder
A small utility for removing CoolWebSearch (aka CoolWwwSearch, YouFindAll, White-Pages.ws and a dozen other names). Spybot S&D tends to forget essential parts of the hijack, so until it updates, you can just this to completely remove the hijack. Updated to remove the new variants once they come out.
Kill2Me
Kill2Me is an adware removal tool specifically for the Look2Me adware parasite, which attaches itself to Windows and display pop up advertising. It removes the most recent versions
HiJack This
A general homepage hijackers detector and remover. Initially based on the article Hijacked!, but expanded with almost a dozen other checks against hijacker tricks. It is continually updated to detect and remove new hijacks. It does not target specific programs/URLs, just the methods used by hijackers to force you onto their sites. As a result, false positives are imminent and unless you are sure what you're doing, you should always consult with knowledgeable folks (e.g. the forums) before deleting anything.
KaZaa Begone
A Kazaa uninstaller which scans and removes all elements of all Kazaa versions, as well as all of the bundled software that comes with it.
Warning: This version has a bug that can cause your Internet connection to be broken when removing New.Net, WebHancer or CommonName. An update is being worked on. If you still want to use KazaaBegone, download LSPFix to fix your Internet connection (download it before you run KazaaBegone, of course).
Set Browser
A very simple program that lets you set the default web browser in Windows. Select the browser you want, and the program will modify the required registry settings. Can now also automatically locate the browser. A valuable tool for anybody who uses more than one web browser on their system (e.g. if you switch between Netscape Navigator/Communicator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Opera and others).
Autoruns
This applet shows you what programs are configured to run during system bootup or login. These programs include ones in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. You'll probably be surprised at how many executables are launched automatically. AutoRuns works on Windows 9x and Windows NT/2K.
Winsock Fix
WinSock XP Fix offers a last resort if your Internet connectivity has been corrupted due to invalid or removed registry entries. It can often cure the problem of lost connections after the removal of Adware components or improper uninstall of firewall applications or other tools that modify the XP network and Winsock settings. If you encounter connection problems after removing network related software, Adware or after registry clean-up; and all other ways fail, then give WinSock XP Fix a try. It can create a registry backup of your current settings, so it is fairly safe to use. We actually tested it on a test machine that was having a Winsock problem due to some Adware removal, and after running the utility and rebooting, the connectivity was restored.
MoveOnBoot
MoveOnBoot allows you to copy, move or delete files on the next system boot. This can come handy if you need to replace or delete files that are locked by other applications, loaded into memory or cannot be changed until next system boot.
System Utilities
Ultra VNC
UltraVNC is an easy to use, fast and free sotware that can display the screen of another computer (via internet or network) on your own screen. The program allows you to use your mouse and keyboard to control the other PC remotely. It means that you can work on a remote computer, as if you were sitting in front of it, right from your current location.
Magic JellyBean Key Finder
The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a freeware utility that retrieves your Product Key (cd key) used to install windows from your registry. It has the options to copy the key to clipboard, save it to a text file, or print it for safekeeping. It works on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Office 97, and Office XP. This version is a quick update to make it work with Windows Server 2003.
Boot Disk
This program will automate the process of making a 98 boot floppy with CDRom drivers
CPU Stresser
Just how tough is your PC? Here's your chance to put it on the treadmill and see what its heart can take. CPU Stability Test is a benchmarking utility that puts your PC's Central Processing Unit through a stress test. CPU Stability Test checks your CPU, hard disks, RAM, caches, and motherboard by running multithreaded tests. It supports multiprocessor systems and it offers error and CRC checking
The PC Decrapifier will uninstall many of the common trialware and annoyances found on many of the PCs from big name OEMs. Simply download the file. Open up the zip file and run the EXE. There is no installer necessary. If you have anti-virus software installed, it may complain about this program because it is written with a scripting language. These warnings can be safely ignored. You may then pick and choose what you want to remove. It will not begin removing anything without prompting you first!