FREEWARE THAT WORKS

[Hawk]

I have been testing freeware programs for quite a few years & I am going to post some of the ones I kept. I have used them & they work. In some case you may have to uncheck unwanted programs during setup.

 

The first program (Partition Assistant) will not only partition drives but will also resize them & merge them to name just a little what it does. There is more on the Site here:

 

http://www.disk-partition.com/free-partition-manager.html

 

I will be posting more in this thread from time to time.

 

Regards,

 

 

Hawk

[Hawk]

I am hoping this thread will continue for some time & other Members will start posting links to freeware programs they like & continue to use. I hope that new Members & Visitors will find some programs here that they are not aware of & will be of use to them. So, fellow Members, let's see those links!

 

The following is not what I intended to post today but I have used the program for a long time & after trying several others, I found it to be the best freeware Antivirus I have tried.

 

Avast 2014 Antivirus: http://www.avast.com/index

 

A little added protection when browsing:

 

Web Of Trust: http://www.mywot.com/

IE Privacy Keeper (Works with Firefox as well) http://www.browsertools.net/IE-Privacy-Keeper/

KeyScrambler: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/keyscrambler.html

Please Note: When installing some freeware software it may be bundled with crapware so as you install the program, read each page & uncheck anything you don't want. They are sometimes hidden & the best way to uncheck them is to use the "Advanced" installation.

 

Regards,

 

Hawk

[Joe C]

Do Not Track Me is another handy add on for Firefox, IE and Chrome

https://www.abine.com/dntdetail.php

[caintry_boy]

Ninite

Malwarebytes

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/spywareblaster.html < helps keep the "nasties" away

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/spywareguard.html < Win XP only, helps keep the "nasties" away

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/superantispyware_free.html < I use it weekly as a standalone scanner

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/imgburn.html < for burning .iso files and all cd/dvd burning needs

 

 

 

 

[Hawk]

KurtBleach asked that these be posted here:

 

 

I won't be posting in it since I'm pretty sure it's close to 10 years since I ran Windows, but I'll throw a few things out in here.

 

Antivirus: AVG http://free.avg.com/ca-en/homepage

 

Firewall: ZoneAlarm http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-pc-security-free-firewall.htm

 

 

Media Player: Winamp http://www.winamp.com/media-player/all

 

Regards,

 

Hawk

Edited November 7, 2013 by Hawk

[Hawk]

I thought that today it would be good to post some backup programs so I am listing a few I have used:

 

Driver Forge is a driver tool: http://www.freewarefiles.com/DriverForge_program_43369.html

Driver Booster will check drivers on your system & provide updated downloads: http://www.iobit.com/driver-booster.php

Double Driver is a backup/restore program: http://www.boozet.org/dd.htm

Paragon Backup is a full system, partition & drive backup/restore plus will provide a boot disc: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/

 

caintry_boy has a backup program for Win 7 which I will ask him to post.

 

More to come...

 

Regards,

 

Hawk

Edited November 7, 2013 by Hawk

[caintry_boy]

Macrium Reflect is what I use to backup my entire PC with, the FREE version does just what I want it to do...

Macrium Reflect

 

Picked up on this some time back in a post from 8210GUY, kudos to him!

 

 

 

 

[badbinary]

notepad++

google chrome

windirstat

vlc media player

skydrive

utorrent

curse client (for gamers)

steam client (gamers again)

synergy

[Tomk_]

While utorrent may be freeware that works... I highly recommend that no windows user mess with any of the torrent clients or torrent sites. This behavior means you will get infected. 100% guaranteed. The client will bypass your security so having layered protection will do you absolutely no good. Infection occurs quickly. The only question is how bad will it be. I have seen many, many people say they have used them for years with no ill effects, and refuse to acknowledge the logs that show they've been infected for years and have just learned to accept their sluggish system as "normal".

[badbinary]

While utorrent may be freeware that works... I highly recommend that no windows user mess with any of the torrent clients or torrent sites. This behavior means you will get infected. 100% guaranteed. The client will bypass your security so having layered protection will do you absolutely no good. Infection occurs quickly. The only question is how bad will it be. I have seen many, many people say they have used them for years with no ill effects, and refuse to acknowledge the logs that show they've been infected for years and have just learned to accept their sluggish system as "normal".

 

sigh...not entirely true. however as with any file sharing, use at your own risk.

 

it's irresponsible, however, to tell us that there is a 100% guarantee of infection. if you use torrents for illegal purposes, then it is likely unless you use private trackers, but if you use torrents for the legal intended purposes, then not so much.

Edited November 8, 2013 by badbinary

[Hawk]

I believe that next to protection, maintenance of your computer comes in second. If you don't maintain your computer, you will find it starting to get slower & slower. (See thread-Amazing). The following is a list of disk cleaners & defraggers & some programs have multi-tools besides these ...most notably registry cleaners. If you run one, please make sure that the program has a Backup/Restore function or it will set a System Restore point. The Disk Cleaners & Defraggers are pretty well straight forward. (I know...NOT for Linux Peeps ).

 

CCleaner or Crap Cleaner is a disk cleaner & also a registry cleaner (With backup & restore) plus a couple of other tools: http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

 

ATF Cleaup Utility is mainly a disk cleaner. Both it & CCleaner will clean Firefox as well:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Secure-cleaning/ATF-Cleaner.shtml

CleanUp! is mainly a disk cleaner: http://www.stevengould.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=69

360 Amigo System Speedup has multi programs so read the help file before running: http://www.360amigo.com/products/
The freeware downloasd is on the left side of the page.

 

Comodo System Utilities also has multi programs so read the help file before running.

http://comodo-system-utilities.en.lo4d.com/

DisKeeper Lite is a defragger. If you download & run, put a check in the circle "To run with error". It still works like it should.: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/diskeeper_lite.html

 

Auslogics Disk Defragger: http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/download/

 

O & O Defragger is slow & thorough. The slower a defragger runs, the better job it does. : http://www.oo-software.com/en/free/download.html

 

There is a multitude of tools like this on the Net but these are the one I prefer. I have tested many over the years....some that gave me a lot of problems.

 

I hope some or all of these FREEWARE programs are of assistance to you.

 

Regards,

 

Hawk

Edited November 8, 2013 by Hawk

[Tomk_]

Atribune abandoned his ATF (Atribunes Temp File cleaner) project years ago. It hasn't been updated in at least two years. I suggest caution using it. I suggest an alternative is OldTimers TFC (Temp File Cleaner). It's a little less aggressive (won't unilaterally delete all your cookies) but is more stable.

[Hawk]

Atribune abandoned his ATF (Atribunes Temp File cleaner) project years ago. It hasn't been updated in at least two years. I suggest caution using it. I suggest an alternative is OldTimers TFC (Temp File Cleaner). It's a little less aggressive (won't unilaterally delete all your cookies) but is more stable.

 

Should let Jacee know TomK...I read in one of her posts where she suggested a User to download it.

 

Thanks for the update...Good to know.

 

Regards,

 

Hawk

 

PS...Think I will give TFC a try.

[Tomk_]

Not much gets by Jacee. She already knows. If you do some checking you will see that the last time she recommended ATF was Aug of 2011.

 

Two years ago.

 

How time flies when you're having fun.

[Hawk]

Not much gets by Jacee. She already knows. If you do some checking you will see that the last time she recommended ATF was Aug of 2011.

 

Two years ago.

 

How time flies when you're having fun.

 

 

Appears you are correct TomK...it was TFC not ATF. I rever used TFC before & it made me wonder at the time why she would ask a User to D/L & run ATF. I never found it that good when I first found it quite awhile ago. My apologies.....

 

Regards,

 

Hawk

[Tomk_]

No bigee... at my age I often think that the 1980's were just a couple years ago. Two years in nothing.

[Hawk]

No bigee... at my age I often think that the 1980's were just a couple years ago. Two years in nothing.

 

 

[Hawk]

I use a variety of small utilities on XP & I believe most worked with Vista (When I had it) & I have tried a few on Win7 without a problem. Have a look & see what you think.

 

SIW (System Information for Windows): http://www.gtopala.com/
Is a stand-alone utility & is portable.

 

Atlantis Nova: http://www.atlantiswordprocessor.com/en/nova.htm

Is a word processor if you don't want a whole suite.

 

Auto Sizer: http://www.southbaypc.com/autosizer/
This utility will resize pages to fit the Window.

 

Boot Safe: http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/BootSafe.shtml
Is a stand-alone utility that will boot to safe mode without going through BIOS.

 

Change Icon: http://pmdevigne.free.fr/
If you want to put an icon on a file.

 

Easy Print Calendar: http://easy-print-calendar.en.softonic.com/

This has many different formats that can be printed.

 

E-Mail Stripper: http://emailstripper.en.softonic.com/
Will remove >> on E-mails..Got it from firekraker

 

Installed Program Printer: http://lib.giveawayoftheday.com/Installed_Program_Printer_110166/
Will print or save all the programs listed in Programs on your computer.

 

Print Folder: http://no-nonsense-software.com/freeware/

Will print the contents of a selected folder.

 

Pix Resizer: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Video-Editors/PIXresizer.shtml

Will resize pictures & photos to a location you specify.

 

Webshots Desktop: http://www.freewarefiles.com/Webshots-Desktop_program_4519.html

No longer Webshots but it will change wallpaper manually pluse has a 3 month calendar that fits in top right corner. It has to be modified to work this way.

 

Regards,

 

Hawk

Edited November 9, 2013 by Hawk

[Humbluemoon]

http://www.flightradar24.com/42.14,-80.28/9

[Hawk]

Thanks Humblemoon...very interesting....now I can see if my plane in still in the sky.

 

I have a few other programs that I didn't list but I thought I would list a couple of Sites instead. One of the Sites I like best for freeware is http://www.freewarefiles.com/ . One of the Sites I detest is http://en.softonic.com/ because they insist on using their own downloader which is full of "Crapware".

 

When I first started using WinXP, I didn't care for a desktop full of icons or the quick launch toolbar next to the Start button so I devised my own. It also worked in Vista & now I find, even Win7. I first make a folder I name ALL PGMS usually in My Documents. Next, I make other folders & name them Cleaners, Defraggers, System Info & so on. I put these folder in the ALL PGMS folder. After I install a right-click enhancer, I move the folder to Programs in Local Disk C. Next, I put all the desktop icons (Shortcuts) in the appropriate folder. Once I have them sorted & put an icon on each folder, I put a shortcut of ALL PGMS on my desktop. My desktop now has two icons plus my browsers. Makes a nice desktop.

 

That's the way I see it anyhow.

 

Regards,

 

Hawk

Edited November 10, 2013 by Hawk

[Humbluemoon]

My Pleasure Hawk. All is well here and I hope this finds you the same. I like to find an aircraft currently flying over my home and selecting it.

In the left hand panel that pops up identifying the aircraft I then select 3D. When the cockpit view window opens Try toggling aircraft on and having a look at your surroundings from the pilots view. I often wonder who's on board some of the private aircraft. Especially direct New York/Chicago Flights .