Freeware

Command Line Utilities

Communication & Connectivity

FileZilla – FTP Server and Client
RealVNC – Remote Desktop Control Software (IP to IP)
TeamViewer – Remote Desktop Control Software (not inhibited by Firewalls, IP Addresses, or NAT)

Database Management Systems

File Management & Manipulation

7-Zip – File Compression/Decompression Utility
Attribute Changer – Right-click to change multiple file attributes (I use it for changing dates on multiple files).
Allway Sync – File Synchronization Utility – Synchronize USB drives ( etc.) with other disks/folders.
BRU – Bulk Rename Utility
Dropbox – Cloud Storage freeware
Everything – A Very Fast Search Engine for Local Files and Folders (includes a simple HTTP and FTP server).
FreeCommander – A Quick Windows Explorer Substitute
HFS – HTTP File Server (share selected folders and files)
ImgBurn – CD ISO Image Creator & CD Burner
SyncToy – Synchronize Files between Two Folders (or drives) – Uses Microsoft’s Sync Framework 2.0.
Treesize – Utility showing the size of each folder on a drive (useful for determining where large files are located).
Unstoppable Copier – File copier that deals with CRC and other disk errors nicely.
VirtualCloneDrive – Mount ISO Images (create virtual CD Drive from ISO Image)

Multimedia & Graphics Tools

AVC – Any Video Converter – Similar to QMC
CamStudio – Screen Recording Software – Takes a video of your screen movements (optionally records voice).
Cropper – Simple Screen Capturing Tool
Exiftool – Reveals Exif details (settings) of multimedia files
FotoTagger – Annotate images without changing the visible image (view annotations using FotoTagger). 2010-12-29: Link is Broken (may have to abandon – use IrfanView if so).
Greenshot – Screen Capturing Tool and Annotator. No “File-Open” option (configure Windows to “Open With”). Good for quick picture annotation/tagging.
Image Resizer for XP – Right-click to resize (PowerToy for Windows)
Image Resizer for Win7
IrfanView – Image Editor
K-Lite Codec Pack – Video and Audio encoding/decoding package – includes Media Player Classic (concise alternative to big-name multimedia packages).
QMC – Quick Media Converter – Convert media files to different hardware formats (similar to AVC).
Screencast-O-Matic – Similar to CamStudio, but easier to use.
SUPER – A Versatile Multimedia Encoder and Player – Requires only one simple click to encode.

Network Tools

Advanced Subnet Calculator – CIDR & Subnet Calculator from SolarWinds
The Dude – Network Management Software
FastResolver – Name resolution tool (for multiple hosts)
InSIDDer – Wi-Fi network scanner (locate & troubleshoot WAP’s)
PingInfoView – Simple multi-PING utility for quick “What’s Up” analysis.
Wireless Network Watcher – Scan/view devices on your wireless subnet.
Wireshark – Freeware Network Analyzer (aka “sniffer”).
Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector – Same functionality as InSIDDer (with a more user-friendly interface).

Operating Systems

FreeDOS – A free DOS-compatible operating system for IBM-PC compatible systems.
Oracle VM VirtualBox – Open source VM platform. Run multiple virtual machines (and OS’s) on a single physical machine.
Ubuntu – A Linux Operating System

Productivity Tools

AMP Calendar – Simple Calendar Tool – Shows 12 months.
AutoHotKey – Versatile scripting tool for Windows – Assign scripts to a “Hot Key” or run them stand-alone.
CloseAll – Close all windows utility. Download then rename to CloseAll.exe.
Directory List & Print – The name says it all. Version 1.9 is Freeware (scroll down on right margin).
FreeCalc – A Nice Windows Calculator Substitute
FREE PDFill Tools – Merge, split, rotate pages, etc. Excellent PDF utility.
KeePass – Password Database
PDFCreator – Freeware PDF creator – becomes a printer on your system.
PureText – Clipboard “cleaner” that removes formatting of all copied text leaving only the text to be pasted.
Simple Sticky Notes – A sticky notes utility I like to use – has a “always on top” feature I like.
SP TimeSync – System Time Synchronizer

System Performance Utilities

AML Free Registry Cleaner – Free Registry Cleaner (and more).
Defraggler – File and Disk Defragmenting Utility
Glary Utilities – PC Performance Enhancement Tools (uncheck/skip the Install Ask Toolbar prompts).
Process Explorer – Updated Sysinternals utility showing real-time process information.
Process Monitor – Classic Sysinternals utility – real-time file, registry, and process information.
ProcessQuickLink – A “plug-in” for Windows Task Manager – Click “i” icon to launch the Uniblue web page showing information of each process.
SIW – System Information for Windows

System Recovery Tools

Recuva – File Recovery Utility
UBD4Win – Ultimate Boot Disk for Windows – Bootable CD image containing many system recovery tools.

Virus & Malware Tools

Web Browsers & Tools

Abyss Web Server – Web server with a tiny footprint
FireFox – Web Browser
Firefox Add-Ons:
- Adblock Plus – Block advertisements on web pages.
- FoxFilter – Content filter for Firefox. Premium version allows password-based management (only $10).
- YouTube Comment Snob – Filter or completely hide YouTube comments.
Google Chrome – Google’s Web Browser
HTTrack Website Copier – Copies web sites to your local drive (for offline browsing, etc.)
Internet Explorer – Not Recommended. Stay away from this Microsoft browser (“most popular” is not always “best”).
KompoZer – Simple Graphical HTML editor
Opera – Another Web Browser.
WordPress – Web-based content authoring and management (install on your web server).

Craig's List