Best Freeware?

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Alright Ive seen a few Best of the Best Freeware/Program threads around, but all of them are for security based or process based programs.

This thread was made to collect the other freeware programs that you may use. Such as video converters, vector imaging software, CAD type software, music players, Docks, RSS readers, or anything else. This is more of an attempt to collect and create a list of some of the not so well known programs.

Please post your ideas in a specific fashion as to not get this all cluttered up.

Example:

Title
Website
Small User written description

SUPER ©
http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html
Super C is a music/video encoder and renderer that has unlimited capabilities.

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KMPlayer
http://kmplayer.en.softonic.com/
Another open source media player that has a wide range of video and audio codecs that it can play.

Kantaris
http://www.kantaris.org/
Another open source media player that was built off of VLCs code.

Audio Identifier
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/…Identifier.htm
Audio Identifier is a FREE audio inspector. You can browse through your audio collection with it and it will show you useful information, like average bitrate, used encoder and settings, guessed quality etc.

Basically it analyzes your music and tells you the format and the bitrate. Great for burning high quality CDs.

CD BurnerXP
http://cdburnerxp.se/
Free CD/DVD Burner that can also burn blu-ray discs and HD DVD as well as ISO files.

iWisoft Free Video Converter
http://www.easy-video-converter.com/index.html
iWisoft Free Video Converter can fast convert videos between all popular formats like AVI, MPEG, WMV, DivX, XviD, MP4, H.264/AVC, AVCHD, FLV, MKV, RM, MOV, 3GP, and audio MP3, WMA, WAV, RA, M4A, AAC, AC3, OGG. Directly convert video for playback on your PSP, iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, PS3, Xbox, Zune, Creative Zen, Archos and other digital multimedia devices.

Its a free version of Xilisofts Video Converter. It has the same user interface.

SpeedyFox
http://www.crystalidea.com/speedyfox
Firefox is a fast browser, but with the lapse of time it starts working much slowly. The reason is fragmentation of profile databases. A free tool SpeedyFox is designed specially to resolve that problem. The method used in SpeedyFox is 100% safe for your profile (e.g. bookmars, passwords, etc), it’s well documented and tested on many computers.

Disc Cleaner
http://www.diskcleaner.nl/index.php
Disk Cleaner is a free open source (GPL v2) tool to quickly and easily clean your hard disk from temporary files like those in the system temporary folder, the Internet Explorer Cache and Cookies folder, and the Recycle Bin. Disk Cleaner is absolutely free from adware and spyware.

nCleaner
http://www.nkprods.com/ncleaner/
nCleaner contains an advanced system and application cleaner with over 90 cleaning items available, a Registry Cleaner, a Tweak Manager, an advanced Startup Manager, a Junk Finder, a Free Space Shredder, a System Resource Monitor, a System Adviser, supports logging and statistics as well as advanced Scheduling.

Better than CCleaner I think.

CCleaner
http://www.ccleaner.com/
CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system – allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space.

Restoration
http://www.aumha.org/freeware/freeware.php#restore
One of the best file recovery softwares available and its open source and free. Much better than Recuva from Piriform programmers.

Recuva
http://www.piriform.com/recuva
Another free tool to recover lost or deleted files.

Speccy
http://www.piriform.com/speccy
Speccy is an advanced System Information tool for your PC. We’re still bug fixing, but have just released a Public BETA version for you to download! It monitors temps, processes, services, etc. Much like Everest, but FREE!

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A couple that I use

SIW
http://www.gtopala.com/
A very useful system info utility.

K Meleon Browser
http://kmeleon.sourceforge.net/
A VERY fast browser That can use Bookmarks and Favorites natively.
Includes tabbed browsing, ad blocking, privacy options and many other customizations.

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Thanks for the input. I hope this turns into the best freeware thread on the net.

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Name: Shark007’s FREE Codec solutions

Website: Homepage

Description: You will no longer be restricted to using any specific player.
WMP and your Windows Media Center setup will play all your files.

There are two separate Codec packages offered (both free): 1) Windows XP and Vista, and 2) Windows 7. See the respective “tab” on the top navigation menu on the website to learn more and download the version you need. I have installed and tested both of these packages and they do exactly as advertised. I personally have not found one media type file that I have not been able to play on WMP.

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Best Freeware
My selection based on years of exploring

CLEANERS

BeClean
http://www.boozet.org/beclean.htm
File cleaner that is especially versitle about choosing which folders, filenames, and extensions to delete. Can customize what registries, caches, etc to clean

Erunt
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/
Saves copy of registry

Ntregopt
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/
Packs registry to eliminate unused space

DISK

FastCopy
http://www.ipmsg.org/tools/fastcopy.html.en
Copies files at unbelievable speed

Treesize
http://www.jam-software.com/freeware/index.shtml
Shows total folder sizes with quick right-click

Powerdesk
http://www.v3.co.uk/vnunet/downloads/2128843/powerdesk
Best file manager. 1 or 2 panes, drive bar, treats zips like a folder with various operations, many other features. Shareware worth it

EDITORS

Atlantis Nova
http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page14.html#AtlantisNova
Very versitle word processor. Best compromise is shareware Atlantis 1.50 which is pre-bloat

Metapad
http://liquidninja.com/metapad/
This is the best text editor. It can reformat word wrap, trim blank lines, most recently used on main menu

Foxit
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/reader3.php
Small quick PDF reader

Filenote
http://download.cnet.com/3001-2094_4-10019651.html?spi=b886f8073bba10b2563d9ed6d67f5982
Right-click on any file to create a txt file with that file’s name in that folder. Then paste info about that file and save the already named txt

INTERNET

Opera
http://www.opera.com/
Fastest full-featured browser

Gigaget
http://www.gigaget.com/
Download huge files at super-speed

Avira
http://www.free-av.de/en/trialpay_download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html
Current best rated free anti-virus

MULTIMEDIA

Irfanview
http://www.irfanview.com
Standard image viewer

ZoomPlayer
http://download-free.programas-gratis.net/php/software.php?id_programa=879&download-SLD-Codec-Pack-2.2
Within the codecs is a free version of Zoom Player, which is very versatile

SYSTEM

EndItAll
http://www.docsdownloads.com/enditall-1.htm
Effectively kills programs that won’t close properly. Great

Handy Tweaker
http://download.cnet.com/Handy-Tweakers/3000-2094_4-10650467.html
Small program to shutdown windows at a set time or interval. Also tweaks

Powermenu
http://www.abstractpath.com/powermenu/
Adds to upper left window icon a right-click that enables priority choice, transparency, always on top, minimize to tray

PicPick
http://picpick.wiziple.net/features
Print screen (with scroll) and many other features quickly

StartClock
http://startclock.osnn.net
Changes the Windows Start button to a clock

Superfast Shutdown
http://download.cnet.com/SuperFast-Shutdown/3000-2094_4-10410931.html
Fast windows shutdown

SIW
http://www.gtopala.com
Gives a large variety of system info

ToggleRes
http://users.forthnet.gr/pat/efotinis/programs/toggleres.html
Click to easily alternate between two selected screen resolutions

XTeq
http://www.xteq.com
Best tweaker

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Avira
http://www.free-av.de/en/trialpay_download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html
Current best rated free anti-virus

Agreed. Looks like someone has done their research.

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SequoiaView
Info SequoiaView[/url]
Graphically displays file and folder sizes. Unlike TreeSize Free[/url], also scans network drives.

About KMPlayer:
I like this media player and use it myself, but the current version (2.9.4.1435) has raised controversy: the installer includes the ASK toolbar and many users reported that they weren’t offered an opt-out during installation.

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SequoiaView
Info SequoiaView[/url]
Graphically displays file and folder sizes. Unlike TreeSize Free[/url], also scans network drives.

About KMPlayer:
I like this media player and use it myself, but the current version (2.9.4.1435) has raised controversy: the installer includes the ASK toolbar and many users reported that they weren’t offered an opt-out during installation.

I had an issue with the latest KMPlayer as well. It installed in Chinese or Korean Im not sure which. I had to use an older version. Im using version 2.9.4.1434 the version before the one you posted and havent had any issues with it yet.

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I have stayed with version 2.9.4.1434 and it works fine for me too.

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SequoiaView
Info SequoiaView
Graphically displays file and folder sizes. Unlike TreeSize Free, also scans network drives.

About KMPlayer:
I like this media player and use it myself, but the current version (2.9.4.1435) has raised controversy: the installer includes the ASK toolbar and many users reported that they weren’t offered an opt-out during installation.

This is because during the installation, there is a stage where the installer says Completed with a progress bar below it. At this point the Next> button becomes active but there is no need to press the button as the installer resumes after a slight pause. If, as users are wont to do, you click next in that little pause the installer skips over the toolbar option screen. If you wait, however, the installer automatically displays the toolbar screen and you can opt out. Found this out after many many installations. The toolbar isn’t a nuisance, though. You can still uninstall it later. And it doesn’t raise any red flags in Avira.

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Thank you for describing how to get the opt-out for the ASK toolbar when installing the latest version of KMPlayer.

The ASK toolbar may or may not be a nuisance, but I dislike unwanted software being installed on my PC. I understand that offering extra software is a way for developers of freeware to earn some money, but I’d rather see them offering opt-in than opt-out. Or, as Piriform does (the makers of CCleaner, Recuva etc.), making a “slim” version without the extras available for download.

Also, several users of KMPlayer reported that they had problems removing the ASK toolbar. It should be possible to uninstall it from the Add or Remove Software control panel, but apparently it doesn’t always appear there.

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Thank you for describing how to get the opt-out for the ASK toolbar when installing the latest version of KMPlayer.

The ASK toolbar may or may not be a nuisance, but I dislike unwanted software being installed on my PC. I understand that offering extra software is a way for developers of freeware to earn some money, but I’d rather see them offering opt-in than opt-out. Or, as Piriform does (the makers of CCleaner, Recuva etc.), making a “slim” version without the extras available for download.

Also, several users of KMPlayer reported that they had problems removing the ASK toolbar. It should be possible to uninstall it from the Add or Remove Software control panel, but apparently it doesn’t always appear there.

No probs.

And, yes I agree with you on the opt-in rather than opt-out part. I also understand your pov about the principle of the thing itself but I rarely encounter it and it doesn’t bother me that much anyway.

I believe the toolbar appears as Pandora TV toolbar, actually. However, I never checked in add/remove. I use CCleaner for uninstalling.

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However, I never checked in add/remove. I use CCleaner for uninstalling.

I use Revouninstaller Free version http://tinyurl.com/2fdekq since it goes into the bowels of my PC
acting as any colonic in clearing out the abysmal waste.

Hey Jude

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Here are my picks, then. (System – Dell Inspiron 1525, T5550 @1.83 GHz, 3 GB RAM, Windows Vista Home Basic SP2 and Windows XP Pro SP2 in dual-boot)

Adobe Reader
http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/
For PDFs, obviously. Some of you may recommend Foxit but I feel that Adobe is pretty fast too. And, as I have a huge collection of ebooks and text books in PDF format, I prefer to use Adobe because I feel that the font smoothing is better than in Foxit. I used to get headaches when I read too much in Foxit.

Apex DC++
http://www.apexdc.net/
For file-sharing. Mainly in my campus. Can’t live without it.

Avira Antivir Personal
http://www.free-av.com/
Best free antivirus I’ve ever used. Except for the nag screen on every update I have no issues with it.

CCleaner
http://www.ccleaner.com/
General purpose cleaning. I don’t mind a bit of clutter, though. Use it mainly for the startup manager.

Defraggler
http://www.piriform.com/defraggler
Use it mainly in XP. Does a great job. Vista’s built-in defragmenter is more than enough.

IrfanView
http://www.irfanview.com/
General purpose picture editor and viewer. Prefer Windows’ built-in picture viewer, though. Mainly use Irfan for resizing pics.

iTunes
http://www.apple.com/itunes/
Only for managing my iPod. I realise there are less ‘bloat-y’ ways to do it but I prefer the real thing. Call it OCD if you want.

Microsoft Reader
http://www.microsoft.com/Reader/
Obviously for reading ebooks in .lit format. Works pretty good. No issues.

Mozilla Firefox
http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/
Best all-round browser in my opinion. Can’t beat some of the add-ons. Chrome is a bit too slick for my taste.

Mp3tag
http://www.mp3tag.de/en/
Tag editor and organiser for music files. Batch processing rocks.

Picasa 3
http://picasa.google.com/
’nuff said. Best amateur photo editor ever.

SpeedFan
http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php
Displays temperature from various system sensors. Has a cool Dell mode to read additional sensors. Mainly use it to prevent overheating of the processor during gaming. The Inspiron’s ventilation system is a tad insufficient.

The KMPlayer
http://www.kmplayer….orums/index.php
One stop software for all video viewing needs. Also supports my computer’s multimedia keys and remote. VLC doesn’t.

TweetDeck
http://www.tweetdeck.com/
Twitter client. Nice UI and annoying notifications can be turned off.

WinRAR
http://www.rarlab.com/
Not strictly freeware but I can put up with its nag screen. Gotten used to the UI and reluctant to switch to 7-zip.

Zune
http://www.zune.net/…tware/download/
Music player from Microsoft. Don’t have a Zune device, though. Love the sound quality on the computer and the fantastic UI. Nowhere near as refined as iTunes in functionality but still use it for the sound, especially on tiny laptop speakers.

uTorrent
http://www.utorrent.com/
Best torrent client ever. Hardly uses any resources or space. Necessitated by the non-existance of Fox and ABC in India. Only use it for TV torrents.

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GIMP

http://www.gimp.org/

To quote the GIMP site

GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed program for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring.

It has many capabilities. It can be used as a simple paint program, an expert quality photo retouching program, an online batch processing system, a mass production image renderer, an image format converter, etc.

GIMP is expandable and extensible. It is designed to be augmented with plug-ins and extensions to do just about anything. The advanced scripting interface allows everything from the simplest task to the most complex image manipulation procedures to be easily scripted.

GIMP is written and developed under X11 on UNIX platforms. But basically the same code also runs on MS Windows and Mac OS X.

I can’t afford Photoshop, but GIMP can do a lot.

Ian

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Except these small glitches and differences, I very much agree with the list given by Ashwin Bhaskaran

The KMPlayer is crashing too much often and also is not able to play some flv and rm files. But the clarity with which it plays and the features it offer are extremely good.

Format Factory is a great tool for video and audio conversions. It supports a large number of formats and devices and of course it is fast in doing it. I would very much recommend it as it is pretty good at what it does.

I am using Comodo Internet Security and I am very satisfied with its capabilities as firewall and antivirus. Is avira antivir better than this?

I found 7-zip to be light, simple, efficient and better at handling compression and decompression than win-RAR.

Bitcomet is faster than uTorrent, I have found it practically and it also doubles up as download manager and video downloader.

I also use EasySleep to shutdown my system at a fixed time

I am using ImgBurn as a burning software. It does not have audio and video burning but it can handle different types of image formats and is great for data burning.

Spyware Terminator is great if you are security paranoid and want any new process or thread to be started with your notification only and it also got a game mode. Of course, it also includes real time anti spyware scanner. It can also integrate clamwin antivirus database into it.

Finally I am using DriverMax to find and update my drivers.

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Except these small glitches and differences, I very much agree with the list given by Ashwin Bhaskaran

The KMPlayer is crashing too much often and also is not able to play some flv and rm files. But the clarity with which it plays and the features it offer are extremely good.

Format Factory is a great tool for video and audio conversions. It supports a large number of formats and devices and of course it is fast in doing it. I would very much recommend it as it is pretty good at what it does.

I am using Comodo Internet Security and I am very satisfied with its capabilities as firewall and antivirus. Is avira antivir better than this?

I found 7-zip to be light, simple, efficient and better at handling compression and decompression than win-RAR.

Bitcomet is faster than uTorrent, I have found it practically and it also doubles up as download manager and video downloader.

I also use EasySleep to shutdown my system at a fixed time

I am using ImgBurn as a burning software. It does not have audio and video burning but it can handle different types of image formats and is great for data burning.

Spyware Terminator is great if you are security paranoid and want any new process or thread to be started with your notification only and it also got a game mode. Of course, it also includes real time anti spyware scanner. It can also integrate clamwin antivirus database into it.

Finally I am using DriverMax to find and update my drivers.

Im going to have to disagree with a number of things here. First Bitcomet is banned on multiple private trackers now because of its false reporting of stats. Second uTorrent is the lightest bit torrent client available.

Third if you can get ahold of KMPlayer v2.9.4.1434 you wont have any issues. I had issues with the latest version as well. It refused to install in English and I couldnt get around it. I snagged the older version. Not only was it in English, but its much more stable.

Avira Antivir Free/Premium are the number 1 antivirus software with the best detection of 99.7%. They beat out NOD32, KAV, Avast, AVG, and all the other big companies. CIS doesnt even get rated in the same category because it also includes firewall and HIPs protection. I would personally use Avira and PC Tools Firewall. They are the best 2 programs in their respective categories. AV Comparatives and Matousec can both back this up. Matousec rates CIS high, but Matousec only rates on a program firewall and HIPs protection. They dont actually rate the AV section of the program. If they did Comodo probably wouldnt be so high on the list.

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Here’s a freebee thats been with me from the Windows 98 days..
Dimension 4 v5.0

It’s an alternative time keepper for your computer,

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Here’s a freebee thats been with me from the Windows 98 days..
Dimension 4 v5.0

It’s an alternative time keepper for your computer,

I’ll add my hearty endorsement to D4. It’s been on my list of must-have aps for more than a decade.

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KatMouse

My link

Extends the functionality of the scroll wheel on your mouse, allowing you to scroll any window directly beneath the mouse cursor even if it doesn’t have keyboard focus (which is the default on Windows OSes). You know, you normally have to click in a window before you can scroll with the wheel.
I love this thing! It’s one of those utilities that you don’t know how much you like it until you’ve tried it. Hasn’t been updated since 2007, but works fine with Windows 7, Vista, XP, Win2000. Does NOT work with Win 9x or ME.

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