Freeware

Command Line Utilities

• blat – Command line tool to send email
• wget – Command line tool to download files from the internet

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).