Your complete computer application/tool FAQ
Greetings,
This thread will focus on key applications & tools every PC should have that are legitimately FREE. From cleaning viruses to tweaking your machine I'll try to cover it all.
Have something cool to add to the list that every day people can use? Make a post and I'll add it to the FAQ. Are you looking for something specific? Post a question.
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Tools
Microsoft Private Folder
One of the best applications Microsoft has ever swept under the rug. Never heard of it? Well it only lived for a touch over a day before the pulled it due to Network Admin's complaining. You now have a folder which is locked & encrypted. If you forget your password your hooped! Just warning you now before you dump your porn collection in there.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Securit...e-Folder.shtml
PDF to Microsoft Word Converter
Nothing really exciting to report. Converts a PDF into Word format.
http://www.hellopdf.com/download.php
Flyakite OSX
Ever wanted your XP machine to look and behave like Apple OS X without having to fart around with theme software? This will do it all from one simple .exe and WILL NOT slow your PC down.
http://osx.portraitofakite.com/
Daemon Tools
A ISO Image solution. Can burn ISOs and has the abilities for BluRay.
http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/announcements.php
Other alternatives include Alcohol 120% or ImgBurn
Gadwin Systems - PrintScreen
Print screen software that is better then MS Paint.
http://www.gadwin.com/download/
jZip
Is a unzipper like WinRAR but without the annoying pop up to register.
http://www.jzip.com/
TVersity
TVersity is used to stream media from a computer to any number of 3rd party devices. I use it to stream to my 360. It will automatically transcode when necessary and works with a ton of different devices. I mainly use it to stream Top Gear and IT Crowd episodes but movies work as well. - Mibz
http://tversity.com/
nLite
nLite is my favourite Windows slipstreaming tool. You can add service packs, hotfixes, drivers and other stuff. You can pre-select all of the install options creating a completely unattended install. On top of that you can choose services and features to install or not install. It basically gives you the exact OS you want straight from install. No tweaking necessary. It's great for situations where imaging isn't feasible. It's saved me hours doing reformat/reinstalls for friends and family. You can bring up your saved settings and tweak them whenever you want, like if you change hardware or want to swap out old drivers for new ones.
nLite + XP + SP3 + hotfixes + drivers for all systems in the house - bloat = 1 CD to rule them all. - Mibz
http://www.nliteos.com/
VirtualDub
VirtualDub is video capturing, editing and converting porn to share with your room mates. - D'z Nutz
http://www.virtualdub.org/
Audacity
Audacity is the most advanced open source sound editor. I use to use it a ton to make ringtones, its definitely commercial grade. - supe
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Gimp
Gimp is a photo editor and a fantastic Photoshop alternative.
http://www.gimp.org/
Paint.net
Paint.net is a photo editor that should be included instead of MS Paint. Many features that we would consider 'basic' is included and is damned easy to use.
http://www.getpaint.net/
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Applications
OpenProj
A open source alternative to Microsoft Project
http://openproj.org/
Open Office
Open Office is a Microsoft Office 'equivalent'. You'll be able to open/modify/save Microsoft Office files without issue.
http://www.openoffice.org/
Cute PDF
Cute PDF is a free PDF writer.
http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp
AVG Home
AVG Home is a free virus scanner software that is not completely terrible nor a resource hog.
http://free.avg.com/download-avg-ant...s-free-edition
Other alternatives include Avast! Home.
SpyBot Search & Destroy
One of the original killers of that nasty spyware. Many new products offer cleaning but none really offer proactive patching to prevent it from getting on your PC in the first place.
http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html
Other alternatives include Malwarebytes and Microsoft Defender.
CCleaner
The best program I've used to deep clean my PC after months of abuse. Follow this up with a computer defragmention and breath some life back into your PC.
http://www.ccleaner.com/
K-Lite
K-Lite is used for playing whatever extension video you could ever imagine. Includes a massive Codec pack which is updated regularly & a slimmed down version of Microsoft Classic media player!
http://www.codecguide.com/
VLC Player
Many swear by vnc format for playing their video. This is not an alternative to K-Lite listed above but is an additional necessity to any savvy media player.
http://www.videolan.org/
uTorrent
Many will argue but uTorrent is one of the strongest Torrent clients out there. They continue to push R&D into defeating throttling by the Canadian ISPs!They are getting damn close and Bell is scared.
http://www.utorrent.com/
Mozilla Firefox
Does anybody still use IE? Seriously get with the program people. This is what I would consider the best internet explorer currently out there (and supported).
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
Another alternative is Google Chrome.
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