Top 51 Free & Useful Downloads

Once upon a time you actually had to pay for great software or use illegal cracked versions. The scenario has totally changed today. Luckily we are out of that world now. If you want to make your PC more productive, secure, informative and entertaining, try these softwares listed below. We've compiled a list of the most useful softwares available for download - and they don't cost even a cent!

Tweaking Windows XP

• Fresh UI - Configure and optimize your system, hardware, and Windows application settings.
• Microsoft Power Toys For Windows XP - PowerToys add fun and functionality to the Windows experience. PowerToys are additional programs that developers work on after a product has been released.
• Tweak & Tune - Access hidden Windows system settings.

Tweaking Windows Vista

• Tweak VI Basic - Tweak hundreds of hidden features of Windows Vista.
• VistaBootPRO - Featured in PC Magazine, Microsoft's Tech Net Magazine, and hundreds of online articles worldwide.
• EasyBCD - Modify, back up, and restore configurations of Windows Vista bootloader.

Security Tools

• Ad-Aware SE Personal - Scan your system for ad-supported software components and remove them.
• Avast - Scan your computer for viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.
• ZoneAlarm - Protect your Internet connection from hackers and other security breaches.
• AVG Anti-Virus - Protect your computer from viruses and malicious programs.
• SMAC - View, change, and validate MAC Address.
• Microsoft Windows Defender - Remove spyware from your PC and prevent unwanted software from being installed without your knowledge.
• Spybot Search & Destroy - Search your hard disk and Registry for threats to your security and privacy.

Registry Cleaners

• TweakNow RegCleaner - Remove obsolete entries from your Windows Registry.
• CleanMyRegistry - Clean your Windows Registry.

System Information

• Belarc Advisor - Plug a PC audit into your browser with details on hardware and software.
• SpeedFan - Monitor fan speeds, temperatures, and voltages in computers with hardware monitoring chips.
• M2 Information - Get your system specifications quickly for easy reference when filling in technical-support questionnaires.

E-mail Clients

• Thunderbird -View e-mail and news the way you want it, with intelligent junk controls and personalized themes.
• Eudora - Send e-mail to and receive it from friends and coworkers.
• Spamato - Add-on for Microsoft Outlook, an extension for Thunderbird and Mozilla Mail, and as a stand-alone proxy component.

File Sharing

• AllPeers - Share anything with people you choose
  
• Pando - Bypass e-mail attachment limits when sending big files.
• uTorrent - Manage BitTorrents for Windows with scheduling and other features
• Skype - More than just talk
  
• Yahoo Messenger - Communicate instantly with your friends on YIM and Windows Live using custom avatars, PC-to-PC calling, and lively emoticons.
• Trillian - Chat and share files with all your friends on mIRC, AIM, ICQ, MSN, and Yahoo Messenger.
• Google Talk - Talk share with your friends for free.
• Microsoft Windows Live Messenger - Connect and share instantly on the worlds most popular IM network.

Desktop Search

• Google Desktop - Search your hard drive for e-mail, files, and your Web and IM histories.
• Copernic Desktop Search - Search files, e-mails, and popular multimedia formats on your PC's hard drive.
• Windows Desktop Search - Search your computer for virtually any kind of information.

Office Suites & Word Processors

• OpenOffice.org - Take an open-source approach to office productivity.
• Easy To-Do - Manage important tasks at home or in the office.
• NoteTab Light - Edit text and HTML documents of any size.
• Crimson Editor - Edit programs in HTML, C/C++, Perl, Java, and other languages.
• EditPad Lite - Try a general-purpose Notepad-like text editor.

Backup & File Synchronization

• Everyday Auto Backup - Automate your file backup routines.
• Microsoft FolderShare - Find, access, share your files anywhere
  

Video Players

• VLC Media Player - Play audio and video files with this cross-platform media player and streaming server.
• iTunes Foobar2000 - Listen to music with an audio player that supports several popular audio formats.

Image Editing

• Google Picasa - Find, edit, and share pictures faster.
• IrfanView - View and edit most graphics formats available today in a fast and simple way.
• StudioLine Photo Basic - Import, manage, edit, and share your digital images using e-mail, slide shows, and Web galleries.
• Microsoft Photo info - View and change metadata properties for digital photographs in Windows Explorer.
• FastStone MaxView - View, edit, and manipulate your images.
• GIMP - Create and alter photos and graphics manually or via scripting.
• Paint.net - Create and alter photos using layers, effects, and other tools.

Audio Players

• Nullsoft Winamp - Play and organize a variety of audio and video files.
• iTunes - Create MP3 playlists, burn CDs, and download music with this top-rated jukebox.
• Audacity - Edit your digital audio files.