Free Windows Software You Can't Live Without

Discussion in 'Computer Corner' started by Aesculus, Jun 22, 2011.

  1. Aesculus

    Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

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    This is list of free software which over the years I have found invaluable, If you feel that there should be an application on this list then feel free to post a link in the comments on this thread and I will look into it:WINK1:


    Types of Free Software

    Freeware – As the name implies is software which is completely free, however some software will ask for an optional donation or may restrict use to home users (not for commercial use)

    Shareware – Typically this is software with a catch, examples would be having a trial period or a limited number of uses – this type of software is not listed here although a derivative called nagware is (see below)

    Nagware – This is software which when used may have a pop up or advert within the application asking for a donation or for you to purchase an upgrade to a premium edition however this is totally optional.​


    Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) – This is software which is free in another sense the word other then just in cost it is licensed in such a way as to allow anyone to be able to use, study, change, and improve its design through the availability of its source code (the actual building blocks of the application) enabling users to change things they don't like and improve upon it and then release it themselves for others to enjoy the improvements


    Catergories

    Internet



    Media



    Security



    System Management



    Tools
     
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      Good thread Aseculus!

      I can recommend Keepass which is a very secure and powerful password manager, it organises all your email, internet passwords, bank PINs, car radio codes, etc. It works on several platforms, Windows, iPhone, Android, linux etc etc.

      The great thing for me is I can carry all my passwords safely in my pocket PC and synchronise my home and work computers. I have used it for several years now with no problems:

      Downloads - KeePass
       
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      • Aesculus

        Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

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        I've heard good things about KeePass although I've never used it myself, I'll stick in the list when I get back to the internet:loll:
         
      • kyleleonard

        kyleleonard Total Gardener

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      • Aesculus

        Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

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        Are those not shareware? I haven't used them for so long... 7-zip will practically do anything those willdo except from create rar archives(it will extract them though)
         
      • kyleleonard

        kyleleonard Total Gardener

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        No idea what that means, but you put Chrome & Firefox which are both browsers (doubt you use them both at the same time, mind)
         
      • Aesculus

        Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

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        from the top post:

        so neither fit into the totally free ethos of the thread as they limit the fuctionality of the software until you purchase them:sunny:
         
      • Aesculus

        Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

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        I have finally got around to adding Keepass to the list (sorry JWK:o)
         
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        • Ashes

          Ashes Gardener

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          CCleaner (formerly and affectionately known as crap Cleaner) a free optimization and cleaning tool. I use it a couple of times a week and have done for many years now. Keeps my PC clean and free from errors. Download from www.piriform.com/ccleaner :thumbsup:
           
        • Palustris

          Palustris Total Gardener

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          Do Not Track Plus for most Browsers is a really good Addon.
          Winpatrol is a Freeware program which stops anything altering anything on your machine without your permission.
          Everything from http://www.voidtools.com/ is a far better search engine than any of the Windows provided ones.
           
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          • Aesculus

            Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

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            Hmmm my links don't work properly with the new forum:frown:

            I will have to investigate
             
          • gcc3663

            gcc3663 Knackered Grandad trying to keep up with a 4yr old

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            I can't get along with Photobucket. I seem to have to load 1 pic at a time and it takes ages.
            I use Faststone Resizer. I can load a whole lot of pics and resize them all together and elect to have blow up options. The results can be loaded up onto GC with no problems either.
            http://www.faststone.org/FSResizerDownload.htm
             
          • Dave W

            Dave W Total Gardener

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            Great and very useful thread Aesculus. Thanks!!
             
          • Chozo

            Chozo Apprentice Gardener

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            That's not a bad list at all and here's a few more..

            ImgBurn - cd/dvd image and file burner/copier
            B-Cup XP - automated file backup utility

            Puppy Linux - great for giving an older PC or laptop a new lease of life and damm handy to have on CD in an emergency if Windows won't boot up.
             
          • Shell4

            Shell4 Apprentice Gardener

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            Well I was going to say 7zip and ImgBurn, they've already been said though. Another I like, it is quite specific for use though, is something called GIMP. It's an Opensource, free program that is very much a long the lines of Photoshop.
             
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