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
- MySQL – The world’s most popular open source database.
- SQLite – The most widely deployed SQL database engine in the world.
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
- 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
- IrfanView – Image Editor
- K-Lite Codec Pack – Video and Audio encoding/decoding package – includes Media Player Classic (concise alternative to big-name multimedia packages).
- 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”).
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.
- 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
- 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
- Ad-Aware – Anti-Spyware Software
- AVG Free – AntiVirus Software (most popular)
- Avira Antivir – AntiVirus Software (Personal Edition) (my true favorite).
- MalwareBytes’ AntiMalware – Malware (Virus/Spyware) Removal
- Spybot Search & Destroy – Spyware Removal Tool
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).
- Google Chrome – Google’s Web Browser
- HTTrack Website Copier – Copies web sites to your local drive (for offline browsing, etc.)
- KompoZer – Simple Graphical HTML editor
- Opera – Another Web Browser.
- WordPress – Web-based content authoring and management (install on your web server).