The software on this page is free. Free software may be the solution to your problem, but sometimes paid software does a better job.
All of the software listed is spyware and adware free at the time it is listed. Don't forget to visit My Software Picks by clicking the link at the left.
Alt-Tab Thingy - by pressing alt & tab together you can switch between open programs. Very useful. This program adds a graphical display with a screenshot of each open program. -XP
Amic Email Backup - a free program to backup email, settings, signatures, etc from Windows based email clients. -XP/Vista
Analog Clock - a free program that allows you to change the clock in the system tray to various formats. -XP
AnVir Task Manager - WOW. I tried this software on the suggestion of a comment in a previous newsletter. It is now my default task manager, replacing the built-in Windows task manager. AnVir gives detailed information about every running process and startup program. It also allows you to monitor system health by displaying CPU temp, memory usage, and more! - XP/Vista
Bulk Rename Utility - a program to rename mp3's, photos, or any file. You can rename them all at once. Very powerful. Great program. -XP/Vista
CPU-Z - a free program to identify CPU, BIOS, and memory information.
Cryptainer LE - a free program to create an encrypted vault (folder) on your hard drive.
CurrPorts - a free program that displays a list of all open ports and the process that opened it.
Darik's Boot and Nuke (dban) - A self contained boot disk that securely wipes the hard drive of your computer. Very useful for removing personal data from a computer you are donating or disposing of. Works with any OS.
DataEraser - a free program to completely delete a file by writing over it with random data.
Desktop Sidebar - A free program that creates a sidebar similar to the one included in Vista. Very useful - XP/Vista
DriveImage XML - a free disk imaging program.
DSynchronize - a neat little program for syncing files. -XP/Vista
DTaskManager - a great replacement for Windows default Task Manager.
EULAlyzer - Analyze software license agreements in seconds. -XP/Vista
FileSort - this should be called FileMove. You set up the rules and this program will check a folder every 30 minutes and follow your rules to move file from the original folder to the folders of your choice. A great timesaver.
Folder2MyPC - a free program that allows you to change or add programs to "My Computer" and "Control Panel". I use it to add MyUninstaller (see below) to the Control Panel. -XP
Folder Lockbox - a free program that allows you to password protect any folder on your computer. Locked folders are not accessible from any account on the computer or network.
FreeSpell - a free spellchecker that can be used in any windows program.
Free Launch Bar - A neat replacement for the Windows Quick Launch bar. Adds quite a few useful features. -XP/Vista
Hamachi - a free VPN program. Hamachi allows you to set up a secure Virtual Private Network. I use it with UltraVNC (see below) to access my home computer from the office, hotels, etc. -XP/Vista
HD Hacker - a stand-alone micro-utility that saves, visualizes, and restores the MBR (from a physical drive), the BootSector (from a logical drive) or any specified sector from any disk (even removable disks).
IconArt - a free tool for creating or editing icons.
Jarte - A small portable word processor. - 98/2000/XP/Vista
KeePass - a free program to store passwords. Works great for websites! Saves a lot of time entering password, usernames, and signins. I prefer Roboform due to its more mature integration with Internet Explorer and FireFox. Roboform is available here. -XP/Vista
Launchy - a neat little program. When Launchy is running you begin typing a program or document name and it narrows the choices down to the one you want to open. Great if you have a large number or programs, documents, or music files. -XP
Loan Calculator - a free loan calculator. Easy to use. Detailed results.
LogonStudio - Easily change the Windows logon screen. Hundreds of downloadable skins are available. A great way to customize your computer. - XP/Vista
Magic Folder - This sidebar gadget is great for those who download lots of files. The gadget lives in the Vista sidebar. Drag a file to Magic Folder and it automatically moves the folder based upon predefined rules, which you can edit. A real time saver. -Vista
Microsoft Virtual PC - a free virtual PC program. What is a virtual PC? Virtual PC is software that lets you create a virtual pc on your computer. This virtual pc is imune from spyware, virus, and malware. Anything done inside the virual pc is not permanent and will be lost when you close the virtual pc. Great for testing software, spyware, or virus without any risk.
Moffsoft Calculator - a free calculator program. This program beats the calculator that comes with Windows hands down! Easy to use, and includes a virtual tape display so you can see exactly what you've entered and calculated. You can even print the tape.
MouseShade - Highlights the area around the mouse pointer and dims the rest of the screen. This would be useful for reading long webpages, presentations, demos, and a variety of other purposes.
Mz Vista Force - Windows Vista system tweaker. Many advanced tweaks including: Performance tweaks, Windows tweaks, Internet tweaks, Startup manager, Services manager, and basic backup. - Win Vista
Partition Logic - A free disk partitioning tool. Partition Logic allows you to change partition sizes, create new partitions, combine partitions and other useful functions. -Win 2000/XP/Vista
PDF24 - a free PDF creator. Installs a printer driver which allows you to "print" to PDF.
PDFCreator - a free PDF creator. Easy install. Allows pdfs to be password secured.
PlacesBar Editor - when you save or open a file in Windows XP there is a box on the left with "places". My Computer, My Documents are usually there. This program allows you to modify the selection to any locations of your choice. -XP
PrinterAnywhere - allows you to print to someone else's printer over the internet. -XP/Vista
Recuva - Delete a file by mistake? Having a drive problem? Recuva (from the author of Ccleaner) may be able to recover your files. - XP/Vista
Sandboxie - allows you to browse the web from within a "sandbox". When you exit the sandbox anything including spyware and malware is erased. A great way to protect yourself on the web.
Self Image - a free drive image program. I have not used it personally, but it is an alternative to True Image.
Shutdowner - a free program that allows you to shutdown, restart, logon, or run another program at a time entered by the user. - XP/Vista
SpeedFan - a free program to monitor the temperature of your CPU and hard drive. Also generates performance reports based on your hard drive S.M.A.R.T. data.
SoftDepo Icon Editor - a free program than allows the creation and editing of icons. - XP/Vista
Synctoy - a free program from Microsoft used to syncronise data between two folders.
TabbyFile - a small replacement for explorer, which uses tabs. Allows drag and drop between tabs.
Task Arrange - a free program that lets you change the order that programs appear in the taskbar. It's a great program for those who generally have many programs running at once and like to have them appear on the taskbar in a specific order. I use this all the time. -XP
TextMaker Viewer - A free viewer for Microsoft Word and OpenOffice documents.
UBCD4Win - Ultimate Backup CD for Windows. Build a CD bootable copy of Windows. Great for troubleshooting, virus, spyware, and malware removal.
UltraVNC - a free program when allows you to control another computer from the computer you are on. Your screen displays the screen from the other computer. It's just like you were there. You can transfer files too!
Unlocker - ever have a file that Windows won't let you delete? Not anymore!
Vista4Experts - A free program to adjust the hidden settings in Windows Vista. - Vista
What's Running - a free program to see exactly what is running behind the scenes on your computer. See what's running, what started it, and where it came from.
WinTools - a free program that provides quick access to Windows built in system utilities. - XP/Vista
X1 Desktop search - a free program to search your computer for files, folders, emails, attachments, and more. Never loose a file again.
XNeat - a free program that extends the functionality of Windows. Features include: Arrange taskbar items, show/hide windows, and change what appears of the taskbar. -XP/Vista