PC Freeware Apps.

[Bex]

This is to, hopefully, complement my "[Only registered users can see links. ]" thread.

I've created a list of some of the must have free-ware apps to get the most out of your computer. Obviously, there will be more than what's on this list depending on your needs, these are just the basics.
If there's anything missing that you think ought to be added just let me know .


Essentials: Protection

[Only registered users can see links. ] Ad-Aware 2007 Plus provides powerful protection that detects deceptive malware and spyware applications before they integrate into your PC and steal your personal information.

[Only registered users can see links. ] The free edition of AVG Anti-Virus Software

[Only registered users can see links. ] Just as regular exercise is good for your health, a regular workout for your hard disk is recommended. Windows has its own tools for doing this, but CCleaner makes a slightly better job of it.
The application is free to use and shows the door to all kinds of temporary files, from temporary internet files to old automatic back-ups from application such as Office XP and file sharing software. It also shakes out old entries from your computer's registry, such as unistallers and invalid shortcuts. The makers guarantee that it contains no apyware or adware.

[Only registered users can see links. ] As with viruses, spyware has caused such controversy that a number of software programmers have developed utilities to eliminate it.

Perhaps the most complete freeware tool is Spybot Search and Destroy. This not only sniffs out and removes any hidden fiends, it can also immunise your system against over 400 different spies.


Essentials: Other

[Only registered users can see links. ] DivX for Windows includes the DivX Codec, the DivX Web Player and the DivX Player with support for DVD features like menus, subtitles and multiple audio tracks and offers everything you need to enjoy high-quality DivX videos including DivX HD movies.

[Only registered users can see links. ] Install the flash player to view flash based websites.

[Only registered users can see links. ] When it comes to PDF readers, the abundance of free and competent titles suggests that the need for anymore is unnecessary. The Foxit PDF Reader is, however, slightly different.

With a download size of less than 2.5MB, Foxit is an extremely light and speedy PDF reader with an almost non-existent installation process.
This makes it extremely portable; just slip it on a USB key or CD and you can use it anywhere with little fuss.
Unlike many mainstream readers, Foxit is not resident on your PC so it doesn't sap anymore memory than it should. Obviously, this does mean fewer features but the simplicity and portability of the software easily makes up for this shortfall.

[Only registered users can see links. ] IZArc is the ultimate freeware archive utility supporting many archive formats like: 7-ZIP, A, ACE, ARC, ARJ, B64, BH, BIN, BZ2, BZA, C2D, CAB, CDI, CPIO, DEB, ENC, GCA, GZ, GZA, HA, IMG, ISO, JAR, LHA, LIB, LZH, MDF, MBF, MIM, NRG, PAK, PDI, PK3, RAR, RPM, TAR, TAZ, TBZ, TGZ, TZ, UUE, WAR, XXE, YZ1, Z, ZIP, ZOO.

[Only registered users can see links. ] The freeware alternative to Microsoft Office.

OpenOffice components include word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, data charting, formula editing, a database, and file conversion facilities (including those for Microsoft Office formats).

[Only registered users can see links. ] QuickTime Alternative will allow you to play QuickTime files (.mov, .qt, .3gp and other extensions) without having to install the official QuickTime Player. It also supports QuickTime content that is embedded in webpages.


Web Browsers:

[Only registered users can see links. ] Very popular alternative to Internet Explorer.

The award-winning Web browser is now even faster, more secure, and fully customizable to suit your online life. With Firefox 2, we’ve added powerful new features that make your online experience even better.

[Only registered users can see links. ] / [Only registered users can see links. ] The Mozilla Foundation has released the latest beta for Firefox 3, which includes more than 750 alterations and fixes.
The new beta includes fixes for memory problems that have been plaguing users, as well as a blocking system that will prevent the showing of pages that are known to be forgeries.
Anti-malware code is also being built in, and parents will have the option of blocking certain content.
Other improvements include automatic shutting down of outdated and insecure plug-ins, and easier removal of third-party applications.
The new browser is expected to go out on final release in June, but Mozilla is adamant that it will not be tied down to a release schedule if it means putting out buggy code.

[Only registered users can see links. ] The portable edition of the great web browser Firefox

[Only registered users can see links. ] FlashGet promises fast downloads, and on the whole it delivers. It is different to many download managers in that it is integrated into the browser toolbar (IE and Netscape, Firefox and Opera via optional plug-in).


Email

[Only registered users can see links. ] Thunderbird 2 features many new enhancements to help you better manage your unruly inbox, and stay informed. Thunderbird 2 scales to the most sophisticated organizational needs while making it easy to find what you need.

[Only registered users can see links. ] Currently this service allows users to select and install the following Windows Live software applications:

• Windows Live Messenger
• Windows Live Mail
• Windows Live Photo Gallery
• Windows Live Writer
• Windows Live Toolbar
• Windows Live OneCare Family Safety

Messengers

[Only registered users can see links. ] Currently this service allows users to select and install the following Windows Live software applications:

• Windows Live Messenger
• Windows Live Mail
• Windows Live Photo Gallery
• Windows Live Writer
• Windows Live Toolbar
• Windows Live OneCare Family Safety

[Only registered users can see links. ] Messenger Plus! Live is an add-on for Windows Live Messenger from Microsoft. Messenger Plus! adds numerous features to Messenger to make it more enjoyable. Features include the ability to have a multi-chat within one window, by making use of tabs to control your chat – much like the tab function you’ll see in Mozilla Firefox. No need to open a new chat window.

[Only registered users can see links. ] Trillian is a great Instant Messenger that's fully compatible with all the other major services: MSN Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ, Yahoo Messenger and IRC.


Media:

[Only registered users can see links. ] DivX for Windows includes the DivX Codec, the DivX Web Player and the DivX Player with support for DVD features like menus, subtitles and multiple audio tracks and offers everything you need to enjoy high-quality DivX videos including DivX HD movies.

[Only registered users can see links. ] DVD Shrink is a software application that allows you to backup your DVD disks. You can use this software in conjunction with DVD burning software of your choice, to make a backup copy of any DVD video disk.

DVD Shrink does not burn DVDs! The output from DVD Shrink is saved as files on your hard drive, which you can then burn to a DVD-R using separate burning software, such as the software provided with your DVD-R drive.

[Only registered users can see links. ] FinalBurner is a freeware alternative to expensive CD and DVD burners. This 4-Mb application enables you to create data, audio, DVD disks and burn them onto any type of media, such as CD R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD DL.

[Only registered users can see links. ] MediaMonkey is a music manager and media jukebox for serious music collectors and iPod users. It catalogues your CDs, OGG, WMA, MPC, FLAC, APE, WAV and MP3 audio files.

[Only registered users can see links. ] QuickTime Alternative will allow you to play QuickTime files (.mov, .qt, .3gp and other extensions) without having to install the official QuickTime Player. It also supports QuickTime content that is embedded in webpages.

[Only registered users can see links. ] Used in conjunction with DVDShrink to remove DVD encryption.

[Only registered users can see links. ] VLC (initially VideoLAN Client) is a highly portable multimedia player for various audio and video formats, including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, MP3, and OGG, as well as for DVDs, VCDs and various streaming protocols.


Graphics:

[Only registered users can see links. ] The free alternative to Photoshop

[Only registered users can see links. ] Irfanview is a great utility for opening and saving in a vast range of graphics file formats as well as performing a reasonable amount of manipulation along the way.

[Only registered users can see links. ] Paint.net is intended to be a replacement for the free MS Paint software provided with all Windows operating systems.It offers many of the powerful features found in commercial editors, including the ability to work on multiple layers, full transparent PNG support, unlimited history, and a plethora of visual effects.


Fun and Other:

[Only registered users can see links. ] Arcade Classic Arcade Pack includes nine games: Asteroids, PacMan, Frogger, Hexxagon, Pong, Snake, Space Invaders, Tetris, and Tic Tac Toe. The software includes online score-keeping capabilities so you can compete against players worldwide.

[Only registered users can see links. ] DAMN NFO Viewer is an utility designed for viewing text files containing ASCII Art (e.g. nfo files), and it proved itself to be handy.

So, if you're fed up with starting some DOS-like file manager each time you need to view nfo file, or ain't too happy with the viewer you use, or (worst case) use Notepad - give this little tool a try.

[Only registered users can see links. ] With no supplied font manager, managing your Windows-based fonts isn't always easy. Which fonts do you have installed? How do you move your old fonts across to your new system? If you work with fonts on a daily basis, you'll want a tool which will enable you to quickly add/remove, preview and manage your collection.

[Only registered users can see links. ] ImgBurn is a tool that is designed to manage and create ISO distribution images. If you have an ISO you want to burn to CD/DVD, simply select the ISO image and burn. If you want to create your own ISO image, simply select the files you want to add to your image and save the contents to your hard drive.

[Only registered users can see links. ] RK Launcher is a free application that will allow the user to have a visually pleasing bar at the side of the screen that is used to quickly launch shortcuts. With support for themes, PNG's and ICO's and with smooth amazing animations, RK Launcher is a versatile and great taskbar replacement.


[Only registered users can see links. ] Taskbar Shuffle is a simple, small, free utility that lets you drag and drop your Windows taskbar buttons to rearrange them.

[Only registered users can see links. ] XNeat Windows Manager adds additional features to the Windows taskbar and system tray, that enables you to minimize any window to an icon in the system tray (instead of the taskbar), keep any window on top, set a custom transparency level, and also hide any window or tray icon, furthermore the program allows you to re-arrange the order of the taskbar buttons by simply dragging them around.

[Slash]

*bookmarked* honestly I don't have any good freeware, to use. Saves a lot of money then my usual buying official programs. This would be a good reference when I become uncapped lol. Freeware spreeeee

[Bex]

Yeah, saves a lot of money by using freeware and also time by using freeware, instead of looking for cracks/serials. I know when I tried to find WinRar Crystal it was hard and lots had viruses in, but, now I'm using IZArc instead and to me, it's just as good really. Tried a few different programs actually and removed the not so good ones from the list.

[poedgirl]

In my opinion, the DivX codec is worthless. It causes more problems than it solves. By far the best codec for Windows is FFDShow. This codec uses one main decoder known as libavcodec, which is able to decode almost every audio and video format known. It can even decode flash video format and has plenty of post-processing options to make the video look even better. Oh and by the way, the ONLY reason VLC plays all the formats it does is because it includes libavcodec, so do yourself a favour and get a codec to play videos in any player and not have to suffer using VLC.

Another thing required for media viewing (especially now days that plenty of video files are in mkv format) is Haali Media Splitter. This allows you to play MKV, OGM and MP4 files in any media player.

[Only registered users can see links. ]
[Only registered users can see links. ]

[Bex]

Ooooh, thanks poedgirl, they sound cool

Always wondered how the hell to play MKV as well lol.

[Watercycle]

+=Defraggler, some file sorter for pc makes it lag a bit less, usually helps alot if you haven't used it in like a year and download quite often

sorry if i'm short on specific details = P

[Snuggle Bunny]

i dont like media monky lol. some cool sounding apps i not heard of. thanz