Best Free Software for Windows

[Calvin]

Best Free Software for Windows
By: Calvin Blackburn

SPECIAL EVENT: FIREFOX 3 HAS BEEN RELEASED! IF YOU DON'T USE FIREFOX OR DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, THEN PLEASE DOWNLOAD FIREFOX 3 AND TRY IT OUT TODAY.

Important information:

I take no responsibility for any damage caused by following this guide, proceed at your own risk
Everything is in this post, you don't need to search the entire thread
It is recommended that you ask here for software recommendations
This list contains software with no trials, that are at least compatible with Windows XP and Vista 32bit
New software will be in bold with an asterisk next to it
Vista users should also have a look at the NBR Vista Tips and Tweaks Guide

Guidelines for Contribution:

• Only free software
• No illegal software
• Check if it's already listed
• No promotional software
• Provide a description
• Provide a safe download

Software Index: Internet Media Safety System Tools Productivity

Internet

Web Browsers:
Firefox
Maxthon
Opera

Bittorent Clients:
uTorrent
Deluge

Communication:
digsby
Trillian
aMSN
Skype
X-Chat
Ventrilo
TeamSpeak
ThunderBird
Pidgin
Miranda IM
Gizmo5
ooVoo

RSS Feeds:
FeedDemon
RSSOwl

Media

Music Players:
Foobar2000
Media Monkey
Winamp

Video Players:
Media Player Classic
SMPlayer
VLC Media Player
Zoomplayer

Media Codec Packs:
CCCP-Project
K-Lite Codec Pack
Windows Essentials Media Codec Pack

Safety

Virus/Firewall/Spyware Protection:
The best free virus protection/firewall/spyware protection programs

Password Management:
KeePass

Encryption:
TrueCrypt
AxCrypt
Cryptainer LE

System Tools

File Managers:
xplorer²
FreeCommander

De-Fragmentation:
JK Defrag GUI
Auslogics disk defrag

Software Update Notification:
SUMo
FileHippo Update Checker

Screen Capture/Recording:
Debut
Screenshot Captor
CamStudio
Jing
Fraps

Application Launchers:
Executor
Colibri
Launchy
Google Desktop

Application Docks:
ObjectDock
RocketDock

Theming/Widgets:
VistaGlazz
Flyakite OS X
Vista OS X
Yahoo! Widget Engine
Caledos Wallpaper Changer
AveDesk
CursorFX
Logon Studio

Virtual Desktop Managers:
Virtual Dimension
Dexpot
VirtuaWin

File Compression/Copying:
7-Zip
TeraCopy
ALZip
IZArc

Disk/Image Ripping/Burning:
DAEMON Tools
DVD Identifier
InfraRecorder
DVDFab HD Decrypter
DVD Shrink
ImgBurn
CDBurnerXP
ISO Recorder
BurnCDCC

Tweaking:
WinBubble
RegToy
CCleaner
RivaTuner
Revo Uninstaller
PC Decrapifier
WinSecret Professional

Image Viewers:
IrfanView
Picasa
FastStone Image viewer
XnView
FastStone Max View

Resource Monitors:
ATTO
CPU-Z
HWMonitor
Notebook Hardware Control
GPU-Z
Samurize
Rainmeter
WinDirStat
Everest
Hd Tach
PC Wizard
HD Tune
SpeedFan

Data Backup/Recovery:
Recuva
Syncback
DriverMax
Karen's Replicator
MozBackup
Prompt Drivers Backup
SyncToy v2.0
Test Disk
DriveImageXML

Download Managers:
Free Download Manager
Flashget

Misc. Utilities:
Convert
WinMerge
WordWeb
WinGuggle
Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder
XVI32
nLite&vLite
Unlocker
DOSBox
DBAN
Portable Apps
Memtest86+
Dead Pixel Buddy
DisplayFusion

Productivity

Office:
Open Office
AbiWord
Scribus

PDF Tools:
Foxit Reader
Adobe Reader Lite
CutePDF
doPDF
PDF-XCHANGE Viewer
PrimoPDF

Blog Management:
Windows Live Writer
w.bloggar

Image Editors:
Paint.NET
GIMP
Inkscape

Video Editing:
VirtualDub

Audio/Video Encoding/Converting:
dBpoweramp
Super
HandBrake
SQUARED 5
Exact Audio Copy
Audacity
PocketDivXEncoder
Riva FLV Encoder

Virtualization:
VirtualBox
Sandboxie
andLinux
Microsoft Virtual PC 2007

Virtual Network Computing:
Hamachi
TeamViewer
UltraVNC

Text/Code Editors:
KompoZer
Vim
Emacs
Notepad2
Programmer’s Notepad
Editpad Lite
Notepad++

Calendars:
Rainlendar
Sunbird

[nobscot6]

ImgBurn v2.3 for ISO's/images

vista compatible 32/64bit

ImgBurn supports a wide range of image file formats - including ISO, BIN, DI, DVD, GI, IMG, MDS, NRG and PDI.

It supports Unicode folder/file names, so you shouldn't run in to any problems if you're using an international character set.

ImgBurn supports all the Windows OS's - Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista (including all the 64-bit versions). If you use Wine, it should also run on Linux and other x86-based Unixes.

It's a very flexible application with several advanced features that are often lacking in other tools, especially when it comes to burning DVD Video discs(excellent w/ Double Layer). It supports all the latest drives without the need for updates (including booktype / bitsetting / advanced settings on many of the major ones - i.e. BenQ, LiteOn, LG, NEC, Plextor, Samsung, Sony).

Brought to you by the developers of DVD Decrypter

DownLoad HERE!!

[fabarati]

Nice one Calvin. Consider Adding CCCP and VirtualDub. And change it to Works with vista 32-bit unless you've tested with both 32-bit and 64-bit.

[Calvin]

I changed it like you said fab, and also added that if you're gonna contribute, you have to have used the program and you need to include a description, along with a safe download link.

[zeppelin420x]

Awesome work!

[fabarati]

AH.
CCCP. Likely the best filter/mediaplayer package. Includes Mediaplayer Classic, Zoomplayer, FFdshow, Haalis mediasplitter and a whole bunch of other filters allowing you to play just about any video-file. I've used it on both vista and XP.

Virtualdub v1.77. A video editing tool. Quite advanced. Lots of features. Very good, IMO. Works with vista and XP. Is avaialable in a 64-bit version.

[ChristopherAKAO4]

Also consider adding -

Google Talk - IM Client
Windows Live Writer - Desktop Blog publishing software

[Mysteree]

isnt WinRAR technically a trial?

[blackmamba]

Is it really necessary to repeat a thread like this?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=32000&highlight=free

[ChristopherAKAO4]

Shouldn't "Instant Messaging" be under "Internet"?

BTW Great list! Should defiantly update that old sticky.