I am compiling a list of freeware tools that can do almost everything you want to do on your computer. Leave comments if you think i missed something.
Office
OpenOffice – This one is the best alternative to Microsoft office suite majority of us are used to. Give it a try and its worth the money. Its free no money needed though but do almost everything that microsoft office suite does.
AbiWord – Its a decent Text editor for your small needs. Its not as comprehensive as Microsoft Word or open office word replacement but decent enough for many people.
Adobe Reader – Every one knows this though. Its the free reader that Acrobat provides for reading PDF files.
Foxit PDF Reader – Another PDF reader, an alternative to adobe reader and its much lighter.
PDFCreator – A tool used to create pdf documents from other formats.
Sunbird – Its a calendar/organizer good enough for all your needs.
EssentialPIM Free – Another calendar/organizer.
Archive managers
7-Zip – A free compression program more than good enough for personal use and do all that commercial compression products do.
Internet
Firefox – A web browser thats almost on the verge of replacing Internet explorer from No.1 position soon.
Maxthon – Another decent web browser.
Opera – Another light weight web browser offering tons of functionality.
Thunderbird – A email client good enough to replace outlook express or outlook.
Free Download Manager – A download manager good enough for downloading stuff fast using multiple connections.
FlashGet – Another free download manager
HTTrack – A offline browser or website copier letting you download whole website on your hard disk.
RSSOwl -Â A great RSS reader.
P2P
µTorrent -A torrent client.Most light weight and widely used for downloading stuff using torrent technology.
Azureus – Another torrent client but a bit heavier one.
BitComet – Another torrent client.
PeerGuardian – A IP blocker used to block connections from certain IPs while you download using torrent clients.
Chat
Live Messenger – Popular IM client from Microsoft.
Yahoo Messenger – Another chat client from yahoo.
Pidgin – chat client
Skype – VOIP client used for PC to PC and PC to Phone talks.
Google Talk -Â VOIP client from google.
Security
AVG Free – Most popular free antivirus from AVG.
Avast Home Free – Another free antivirus from avast providing good enough protection for home users.
AntiVir PersonalEdition – Another free antivirus from Avira.
BitDefender Free – Free antivirus from Bitdefender but not with a real time protection.
Ad-aware – Most popular anti-spyware used for protecting your system.
Spybot: Search & Destroy – Another anti-spyware providing good security from spywares
Windows Defender – A anti-spyware offered by Microsoft bundled along with Vista and Windows 7. Can be installed on Windows XP too.
ZoneAlarm -The best firewall offered by Zonealarm.
Simple File Shredder – IT is used for securely deleting files.
Audio
WinAmp – The most widely used audio player. A small and great tool for playing audio.
JetAudio – Another audio/video player having some great functions.
XMPlay – audio player
Video
TheKMplayer – The best media player ever i came across.
VLC – Another video player having great features including broadcasting options.
Media Player Classic – Small but great video player
Zoom Player – video player
GOM Player – video player
VirtualDub – video editor
CamStudio – video screen recording
AviSplit – Avi splitter
Video mp3 Extractor – rip audio from video files
Free iPod Converter – convert all popular video formats to iPod video
Image
Gimp – The best replcaement for Photoshop as image editor.
Paint.net – Another great image editor
IrfanView -Â image viewer
Picasa -Â image viewer
WinSnap – screen capture
3D
Blender3D – 3D renderer
Maya Learning Edition – 3D modeling
CD/DVD
Burnaware -Excellent replacement for NERO.
CDBurner XP Pro – CD/DVD burner
ImgBurn – ISO, BIN burner
Daemon tools – virtual CD/DVD
DVD Decrypter – DVD ripper
DVD Shrink – DVD ripper
Codecs
GSpot – codec information
AC3Filter – audio codec
Xvid – video codec
QuickTime Alternative – video codec
Real Alternative – video codec
K-Lite Codec Pack – all codecs
System Ulilities
CCleaner – system cleaner
xp-AntiSpy – OS setup
jv16 Powertools – system utilities
Unlocker – file eraser
Eraser – secure file eraser
Undelete Plus – file recovery
MozBackup – backup and restore bookmarks, etc.
SyncBack – system backup
Java Runtime Environment – java for Windows
UI Enhancements
RocketDock – application launcher
LClock – Windows Longhorn clock
Y’z Dock – application launcher
Microsoft TweakUI – system settings
BricoPacks – shell packs
ShellPacks – shell packs
XPize – GUI enhancer
Vista Transformation Pack – complete visual style
Vista Sound Scheme – Windows Vista sound scheme
Royale Theme – visual style theme for windows XP
Miscellaneous
nLite – Build your own custom Windows XP disk.
VirtualPC – create virtual machines
Windows Live Writer – WYSIWYG blog writing right from your desktop
June 28, 2009 @ 11:17 PM
This list is awesome dude
7 zip can also extract any msi or any installer package
June 28, 2009 @ 11:23 PM
thanx. Yes 7 zip is a excellent tool.
June 29, 2009 @ 4:38 AM
Great Collection Friend.
June 29, 2009 @ 9:31 AM
yes it is. Most of the apps perform much better than the commercial /paid softwares.
July 1, 2009 @ 2:40 AM
Another great freeware tool is Office Live Workspace from Microsoft–a smart option for storing your files in the cloud. Access your files from any computer with an internet connection, and, with a plug in, automatically back up any of your Microsoft Office files. Check it out at http://workspace.office.live.com.
Cheers,
Kate
MSFT Office Live Outreach Team
July 1, 2009 @ 8:32 AM
@kate, i haven’t used office live workspace till now. May take a look at it later.