Windows Development Free Software for Windows

There is no free lunch in this world. Fortunately, the same doesn’t apply to software. Finding free software is a boon. But finding free software that is not a crippleware (functionality is so limited to the point of almost useless), nagware (repeatedly reminds user to purchase the software), demoware (can be used for certain times or certain number of days only), and does not contain adware(display advertisements every now and then), spyware(collect your personal information) is tough.

Here is a list of what I consider as Top 100 Free Software for Windows. Most of these are software that I am using or have used before. Majority are freeware with some of them under open source software license agreement. There are a number of shareware in this list too. These are great shareware that provides good functionality even if you don’t buy.

Windows Development

1. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition
   A powerful and easy-to-use database to complement each Express Edition.
   http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/sql/
   
2. Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition
   Productivity that is ideal for first time or casual Windows programming.
   http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/vb/
   
3. Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition »
   A great combination of power and productivity for the Windows developer.
   http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualcsharp/
   
4. Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition
   Horsepower with a finer degree of control than other Express Editions.
   http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualc/
   
5. Microsoft Visual J# 2005 Express Edition
   Ideal for those with prior Java-language experience or learning the Java language.
   http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualj/
   

Education

1. WordWeb
   WordWeb is a free thesaurus and dictionary for Windows. It includes a comprehensive English thesaurus and dictionary, and can be used to look up words from within most programs.
   http://wordweb.info/free/
   
2. Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader
   Feeling lazy? Get Ultra Hal to read that ebook for you. The Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader application will read your documents out loud. This can be a great tool for proofreading because hearing your text out loud helps you spot all mistakes.
   http://www.zabaware.com/download.asp
   
3. Quotes
   Have you ever find yourself linger on at the end of an e-mail message to let out a smile or sit back and reflect for a moment due to a quote appended to the message? Quotes 2006, the latest version of this program that was first released in 1996, inserts random quotes in your e-mail signature, making you appear much smarter than you really are.
   http://qliner.com/quotes/
   
4. Google Earth
   Want to know more about a specific location? Dive right in — Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps and the power of Google Search to put the world’s geographic information at your fingertips.
   http://earth.google.com/
   

CD / DVD Tools Free Software for Windows

There is no free lunch in this world. Fortunately, the same doesn’t apply to software. Finding free software is a boon. But finding free software that is not a crippleware (functionality is so limited to the point of almost useless), nagware (repeatedly reminds user to purchase the software), demoware (can be used for certain times or certain number of days only), and does not contain adware(display advertisements every now and then), spyware(collect your personal information) is tough.

Here is a list of what I consider as Top 100 Free Software for Windows. Most of these are software that I am using or have used before. Majority are freeware with some of them under open source software license agreement. There are a number of shareware in this list too. These are great shareware that provides good functionality even if you don’t buy.

CD / DVD Tools

1. CDBurnerXP Pro
   CDBurnerXP Pro is a free CD/DVD burning solution. With this software you can burn CD-R, CD-RW DVD+R/RW DVD-R/RW discs.
   http://www.cdburnerxp.se/
   
2. IsoBuster
   This is not exactly a free software; once in a while it will display a reminder to purchase the software. But this software is too powerful to ignore. IsoBuster is a highly specialized yet easy to use CD and DVD data recovery tool. It supports all CD and DVD formats and all common CD and DVD file-systems. Start up IsoBuster, Insert a CD or DVD, select the drive (if not selected already) and let IsoBuster mount the media. You can also use IsoBuster to open content of iso files without having to burn it into CD.
   http://www.isobuster.com/
   
3. ISO Recorder
   ISO Recorder is a tool (power toy) for Windows XP, 2003 and now Windows Vista, that allows (depending on the Windows version) to burn CD and DVD images, copy disks, make images of the existing data CDs and DVDs and create ISO images from a content of a disk folder.
   http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm
   
4. DVD Shrink
   DVD Shrink enables you to copy a DVD very easily. Copying a DVD doesn’t get much simpler than this. Put DVD into DVD-ROM or DVD burner. Choose either either a Full Disk (1:1) copy or a main movie only. It’ll analyze DVD, encode video files , and finally burn a copy of the dvd to DVD±R media. Thus you have a excellent quality dvd copy of your original DVD.
   http://www.mrbass.org/dvdshrink/
   
5. CDex
   CDex a CD-Ripper, thus extracting digital audio data from an Audio CD. The application supports many Audio encoders, like MPEG (MP2,MP3), VQF, AAC encoders.
   http://sourceforge.net/projects/cdexos
   

Games

1. Grand Theft Auto & Grand Theft Auto 2
   When the original Grand Theft Auto first hit the PC in 1998, the game was already courting controversy: its brazenly amoral gameplay actually rewarded the player for wanton criminal conduct. But competing titles such as Carmageddon–a Death Race 2000-inspired car combat racer that awarded points for mowing down as many pedestrians as possible–were an easier lightning rod for critics.
   http://www.rockstargames.com/classics/
   
2. Hidden & Dangerous
   Although it’s unstable and flawed, Hidden & Dangerous is nonetheless an impressive and uniquely serious depiction of squad-level combat behind enemy lines.
   http://www.3dgamers.com/games/hiddendangerous/downloads/
   
3. The Ur-Quan Masters
   The Ur-Quan Masters is a GPL port of the 3DO port of the DOS version of the classic video game Star Control II. It is based on the source code and game resources released by Toys For Bob in 2002. Explore the galaxy and engage in thrilling space battles with this game that combines strategy and action in a unique universe.
   http://sc2.sourceforge.net/downloads.php
   
4. Starsiege Tribes
   Starsiege Tribes was so revolutionary that it quite possibly limited its audience with its extreme depth and complexity. But the game’s features read like a laundry list of what players expect at a bare minimum from today’s shooters.
   http://www.download.com/Starsiege-Tribes-full-install/3000-7453_4-10294999.html
   
5. America’s Army: Special Forces
   The original version of America’s Army, released in 2002, was a better-than-average online multiplayer shooter. But what set it apart from the legion of other Counter-Strike clones were its impressive visuals (powered by the Unreal graphics engine) and its price–or lack thereof. Unlike all the other games on this list that began as commercial ventures, America’s Army was always intended as a giveaway. That’s because it’s an unapologetic recruiting tool for the real U.S. Army, which funds its development.
   http://www.download.com/America-s-Army-Special-Forces-Direct-Action-/3000-7455_4-10126542.html
   

Web Development Free Software for Windows

There is no free lunch in this world. Fortunately, the same doesn’t apply to software. Finding free software is a boon. But finding free software that is not a crippleware (functionality is so limited to the point of almost useless), nagware (repeatedly reminds user to purchase the software), demoware (can be used for certain times or certain number of days only), and does not contain adware(display advertisements every now and then), spyware(collect your personal information) is tough.

Here is a list of what I consider as Top 100 Free Software for Windows. Most of these are software that I am using or have used before. Majority are freeware with some of them under open source software license agreement. There are a number of shareware in this list too. These are great shareware that provides good functionality even if you don’t buy.

Web Development

1. Notepad2
   Similar to Notepad that comes free with Windows, this Notepad2 follows the principle of small, simple, fast text editor with a number of additional functions like syntax highlighting for common language like HTML.
   http://www.flos-freeware.ch/notepad2.html
   
2. NoteTab
   When you want to step up a bit higher than the usual Notepad but don’t want the bells and whistle of the complete development programme, enter the NoteTab. Move quickly around large files with a tabbed interface, and format your text. Write with the font of your choice, fixed width or proportional.
   http://www.fookes.com/notetab/index.php
   
3. PHP Designer
   Now, you are ready for a full-fledged development programme, but don’t want to spend a boom on it. Get PHPDesigner. Features such as XML support, customizable syntax schemes, and autobracketing may sound expensive, but PHP Designer delivers them all and a whole lot more without requiring you to dip into your savings.
   http://www.mpsoftware.dk/
   
4. NVU
   If you are not into coding, and just want to get your HTML pages done, use NVU. It is simpler than Microsoft Frontpage or Macromedia Dreamweaver, and create cleaner code.
   http://www.nvu.com/download.html
   
5. Ferant DHTML Studio Lite
   I want to use popups to present material on my site, but many viewers would not see it, because they use popup killers. Is any alternative to popups? Use DHTML window. A dragable layer that can be used like a popup, but it is user friendly, powerful, immune from popup killers. Ferant DHTML Studio Lite helps you do that without having to learn HTML, CSS, and Javascripts.
   http://www.ferant.com/
   
6. Apache HTTP Server
   Apache has been the most popular web server on the Internet since April 1996. The November 2005 Netcraft Web Server Survey found that more than 70% of the web sites on the Internet are using Apache, thus making it more widely used than all other web servers combined.
   http://httpd.apache.org/
   
7. PHP Windows Binaries
   PHP is a widely-used general-purpose scripting language that is especially suited for Web development and can be embedded into HTML.
   http://www.php.net/downloads.php
   
8. Abyss Web Server X1
   If you just need a personal web server for learning or testing your codes, use Abyss Web Server. Abyss Web Server X1 is a free, personal Web server. Despite its small footprint, it supports CGI scripts, FastCGI, ISAPI extensions, ASP.NET, server-side includes (SSI), download resuming, caching negotiation, logging, custom error pages, password protection, IP address control, aliases, custom MIME types, index files, custom directory listings, anti-leeching, and bandwidth throttling.
   http://www.aprelium.com/downloads/
   
9. MySQL
   MySQL Community Edition is the freely downloadable version of the world’s most popular open source database. It is supported by a huge and active community of open source developers and enthusiasts. Use MySQL database to complement the Apache server.
   http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/
   
10. phpMyAdmin
    phpMyadmin is free, browser-based administration tool for managing your MySQL database, written in PHP.
    http://www.phpmyadmin.net/home_page/downloads.php
    
11. WordPress
    WordPress is a free blogging software which offer powerful publishing capability, thus you can concentrate on your contents, and not worrying about the platform. WordPress is php based, so you need a server capable of running php.
    http://wordpress.org/
    
12. phpBB
    phpBB is a very highly customizable free and open source bulletin board package. It is not the best looking forum software, but the active community is very helpful.
    http://www.phpbb.com/
    
13. Drupal
    Drupal is an open source content management platform. Equipped with a powerful blend of features, Drupal can support a variety of websites ranging from personal weblogs to large community-driven websites.
    http://drupal.org/
    
14. osCommerce
    osCommerce is the leading Open Source online shop e-commerce solution that is available for free under the GNU General Public License. It features a rich set of out-of-the-box online shopping cart functionality that allows store owners to setup, run, and maintain their online stores with minimum effort and with no costs, license fees, or limitations involved.
    http://www.oscommerce.com/
    
15. Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition
    An environment for dynamic Web development, geared towards ASP.Net. Visually design your Web applications and database.
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/vwd/
    

Internet & Network Tools Free Software for Windows

There is no free lunch in this world. Fortunately, the same doesn’t apply to software. Finding free software is a boon. But finding free software that is not a crippleware (functionality is so limited to the point of almost useless), nagware (repeatedly reminds user to purchase the software), demoware (can be used for certain times or certain number of days only), and does not contain adware(display advertisements every now and then), spyware(collect your personal information) is tough.

Here is a list of what I consider as Top 100 Free Software for Windows. Most of these are software that I am using or have used before. Majority are freeware with some of them under open source software license agreement. There are a number of shareware in this list too. These are great shareware that provides good functionality even if you don’t buy.

Internet & Network Tools

1. Azureus
   Azureus implements the BitTorrent protocol for P2P file sharing using java language and comes bundled with many invaluable features for both beginners and advanced users:
   http://azureus.sourceforge.net/
   
2. Emule
   If BitTorrent is not your cup of tea, you can try Emule for P2P file sharing. It is originally based on EDonkey2000 network, but now includes Source Exchange and Kad networks. It is stable, efficient, and has many features.
   http://www.emule-project.net
   
3. Limewire
   Not my favourite, but surely among the most popular P2P file sharing program. It claims to be fastest P2P file sharing program.
   http://www.limewire.com/english/content/home.shtml
   
4. SG TCP Optimizer
   The TCP Optimizer is a free, easy Windows program that provides an intuitive interface for tuning and optimizing your Internet connection. There is no installation required, just download and run.
   http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php
   
5. HTTrack Website Copier
   HTTrack allows you to download a website from the Internet to your local harddisk, and after that browse the site even when you are not connected to the Internet.
   http://www.httrack.com/
   
6. Free Download Manager
   Free Download Manager (FDM) is a full-featured download accelerator and manager. It is absolutely free! Using this software product you can easily download a list of files and whole web sites from any remote server via HTTP, HTTPS and FTP. With FDM the downloading process will be as easy as never before!
   http://freedownloadmanager.org/
   
7. Skype
   Skype is a little program for making free calls over the internet to anyone else who also has Skype. It’s free and easy to download and use, and works with most computers.
   http://www.skype.com/
   
8. TightVNC
   TightVNC is a free remote control software package derived from the popular VNC software. With TightVNC, you can see the desktop of a remote machine and control it with your local mouse and keyboard, just like you would do it sitting in the front of that computer.
   http://www.tightvnc.com/
   
9. Peer-To-Peer Network Messenger
   This program is a peer to peer messenger program which functions (and looks) like MSN messenger with no server code required. This is only intended for use on LAN’s or any other network which uses static IP addresses, since the IP address is the primary contact identifier unlike MSN messenger which uses email addresses. It works by making socks connections to all other users on the contact list. there are some problems with this: i.e. when you have a large list of users it can take a very long time to attempt to connect to all contacts.
   http://www.codeguru.com/cpp/i-n/network/messaging/article.php/c5419/
   
10. SDP Receiver Downloads
    Ever wished you can download the mms video streamings? SDP receiver downloads (or copies) the stream to your hard disk. It can support following protocols: Http v1.0 streaming protocol, Http progressive (simple http download) and of course: mms, mmst and mmsu over both TCP and UDP transport protocols.
    http://sdp.ppona.com/
    
11. FreeProxy
    FreeProxy enables many users to share an Internet connection. The basic features include proxying HTTP, SMTP, POP, FTP Proxy, TCP Tunneling, and SOCKS 4/4a/5. The application works well with a wide range of clients including browsers, ICQ, and MSN messenger and comprehensive help illustrates the setup of these clients. In addition, FreeProxy includes authentication to both an internal user database or to a windows domain, extensive reporting, comprehensive control of resource permissions, URL filtering, IP address filtering, local port binding, demand dialing, calendar control, proxy chaining, and includes a functional Web server, plus numerous other features.
    http://www.handcraftedsoftware.org/
    

File & System Utilities Free Software for Windows

There is no free lunch in this world. Fortunately, the same doesn’t apply to software. Finding free software is a boon. But finding free software that is not a crippleware (functionality is so limited to the point of almost useless), nagware (repeatedly reminds user to purchase the software), demoware (can be used for certain times or certain number of days only), and does not contain adware(display advertisements every now and then), spyware(collect your personal information) is tough.

Here is a list of what I consider as Top 100 Free Software for Windows. Most of these are software that I am using or have used before. Majority are freeware with some of them under open source software license agreement. There are a number of shareware in this list too. These are great shareware that provides good functionality even if you don’t buy.

File & System Utilities

1. Unlocker
   For many frustating occasions where you get the “Cannot delete file: Access is denied” error messages when deleting files, save yourself the headache and install this free program before you need it.
   http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
   
2. Process Explorer
   Ever wondered which program has a particular file or directory open? Now you can find out. Process Explorer shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded. It’s almost similar with the Windows Task Manager, except that it provides much more advanced functions.
   http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/ProcessExplorer.html
   
3. FreeRAM XP Pro
   If you want to boost your PC performance without taking a hit in the pocket, get FreeRAM XP Pro.
   http://www.yourwaresolutions.com/
   
4. CCleaner
   CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system – allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history.
   http://www.ccleaner.com/
   
5. 7-Zip
   Forget Winzip or WinRAR. Throw any compression format, and 7-Zip will handle it. It supports zip, rar, cab, 7z, tar, gz, among others. As like many other open source software, the interface needs a little time to go around with, but you’ll get used to it in no time.
   http://www.7-zip.org/
   
6. SequoiaView
   Ever wondered why your hard disk is full? Or what directory is taking up most of the space? When using conventional disk browsing tools, such as Windows Explorer, these questions may be hard to answer. With SequoiaView however, they can be answered almost immediately. SequoiaView uses a visualization technique called cushion treemaps to provide you with a single picture of the entire contents of your hard drive.
   http://www.win.tue.nl/sequoiaview/
   
7. Smart Data Recovery
   Smart Data Recovery is a free data recovery tool for Windows operating system that supports the FAT and NTFS file systems. The software easily recovers data from hard disks, digital cameras, and any type of storage media – flash drives, USB drives, memory stick, PC card, multimedia card, secure digital card and diskette.
   http://www.smartpctools.com/data_recovery/
   
8. FreeUndelete
   FreeUndelete is a freeware data recovery program for deleted files. In case of accidental deletion of files on a NTFS file system (used by default in Windows XP/2000/NT) and FAT32 (added in 2.0 release) FreeUndelete is the utility to help. Features a comprehensive interface, which allows user to sort the files according to their efficiency (good, average, poor).
   http://www.officerecovery.com/freeundelete/index.htm
   
9. Partition Resizer
   The first free program to resize and move partitions without data loss, with features include: Int13 extensions support allows handling of disks up to 2TB (2048GB) of size. New Resizing/Moving engine, with simpler interface. Move and resize your partitions in one step. Transparent extended partition resizing (no more confusion with extended partitions). Command line parameters for accessing advanced options (read-only operation etc.).
   http://zeleps.com/
   
10. Hekko Virtual CD
    Hekko Virtual CD creates a virtual CD-ROM drive on your Windows PC. This allows you to make images of your favorite CD-ROMs and use them without inserting a CD into a CD-ROM drive. Hekko Virtual CD: 1) improves the speed at which you access data, 2) stops you from having to switch disks in and out of your CD-ROM drive. Use Hekko Virtual CD to easily access your favorite games, favorite music or favorite software programs. Since Hekko Virtual CD uses HekkoScan(tm), nearly *any* CD can be imaged.
    http://www.circleofone.com/
    
11. Omziff
    Omziff is a straightforward encryption utility that uses various cryptographic algorithms to encrypt and decrypt textual files. These algorithms include: Blowfish, Cast128, Gost, IDEA, Misty1, AES/Rijndael, and Twofish.
    http://www.xtort.net/xtort/omziff.php
    
12. Regmon
    Regmon is a Registry monitoring utility that will show you which applications are accessing your Registry, which keys they are accessing, and the Registry data that they are reading and writing – all in real-time. This advanced utility takes you one step beyond what static Registry tools can do, to let you see and understand exactly how programs use the Registry. With static tools you might be able to see what Registry values and keys changed. With Regmon you’ll see how the values and keys changed.
    http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Regmon.html
    
13. MD5summer
    MD5summer is an application for Microsoft Windows 9x, NT, ME, 2000 and XP which generates and verifies md5 checksums. Its output file is compatible with the output of the Linux GNU MD5Sum and it will also read Linux generated files.
    http://www.md5summer.org/download.html
    
14. SyncToy for Windows XP
    With new sources of files coming from every direction (such as digital cameras, e-mail, cell phones, portable media players, camcorders, PDAs, and laptops), SyncToy can help you copy, move, and synchronize different directories.
    http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/prophoto/synctoy.mspx
    

Audio / Video Free Software for Windows

There is no free lunch in this world. Fortunately, the same doesn’t apply to software. Finding free software is a boon. But finding free software that is not a crippleware (functionality is so limited to the point of almost useless), nagware (repeatedly reminds user to purchase the software), demoware (can be used for certain times or certain number of days only), and does not contain adware(display advertisements every now and then), spyware(collect your personal information) is tough.

Here is a list of what I consider as Top 100 Free Software for Windows. Most of these are software that I am using or have used before. Majority are freeware with some of them under open source software license agreement. There are a number of shareware in this list too. These are great shareware that provides good functionality even if you don’t buy.

Audio / Video

1. Winamp Media Player
   Winamp is old, as old as the mp3 music format. This legendary music player has pack so much muscles into its tiny body, it shows us that Winamp is not to be forgottent yet amidst newer music players.
   http://www.winamp.com/
   
2. iTunes
   iTunes is the most popular way to organize, share and listen to music on your computer.
   http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
   
3. Media Player Classic
   Media Player Classic looks just like Windows Media Player 6.4, but has many additional features. It has a built in DVD player with real-time zoom, support for AVI subtitles, QuickTime and RealVideo support (requires QuickTime and/or Real Player); built-in MPEG2/SVCD/DVD codec.
   http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Media_Player_Classic.htm
   
4. Real Alternative
   Real Alternative will allow you to play RealMedia files without having to install RealPlayer/RealOne Player.
   http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Real_Alternative.htm
   
5. QuickTime Alternative
   QuickTime Alternative will allow you to play QuickTime files (.mov, .qt and other extensions) without having to install the official QuickTime Player. It also supports QuickTime content that is embedded in webpages.
   http://www.free-codecs.com/download/QuickTime_Alternative.htm
   
6. VLC Media Player
   VLC (initially VideoLAN Client) is a highly portable multimedia player for various audio and video formats (MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, mp3, ogg, …) as well as DVDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. It has high tolerance for errors. I used it especially for opening incomplete downloads.
   http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
   
7. Screamer Radio
   Screaner radio is a freeware Internet radio player and recorder. It comes set with a slew of stations to tune into.
   http://www.screamer-radio.com/
   
8. Audacity
   Audacity is a free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. Comes handy when you need recording software for podcast or voice background for your photo album.
   http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
   
9. Audiograbber
   Audiograbber copies music from CDs or external sources such as radios, cassettes, or turntables. The music is saved on your hard disk as WAV, MP3, WMA, or OGG files. CD-ripping is definitely not new. But once you used Audiograbber, you might wonder how you have survived this far without this function-packed application.
   http://www.audiograbber.com-us.net/
   
10. EvilLyrics
    EvilLyrics automatically searches for and displays lyrics as your song is played in your player. Supports Winamp, Windows Media Player, iTunes, MusicMatch, Real Player, and many others.
    http://www.evillabs.sk/evillyrics/
    
11. iPodder
    Podcasting is the buzz word of 2005, and likely to continue in 2006. If you want to listen to podcasts but can’t when they are scheduled, this program is for you. Call it the TiVo of podcasting.
    http://www.ipodder.org
    
12. AVI Fixed
    The author’s site is no longer active. But AVI Fixed is still going around. This software can rebuild the index part of the movie file, which is at the end of the file,and fix the file’s play time error. It can help you to be able to watch partially downloaded DivX (AVI) movies.
    http://www.divx-digest.com/software/avifix.html
    

Security & Privacy Free Software

There is no free lunch in this world. Fortunately, the same doesn’t apply to software. Finding free software is a boon. But finding free software that is not a crippleware (functionality is so limited to the point of almost useless), nagware (repeatedly reminds user to purchase the software), demoware (can be used for certain times or certain number of days only), and does not contain adware(display advertisements every now and then), spyware(collect your personal information) is tough.

Here is a list of what I consider as Top 100 Free Software for Windows. Most of these are software that I am using or have used before. Majority are freeware with some of them under open source software license agreement. There are a number of shareware in this list too. These are great shareware that provides good functionality even if you don’t buy.

Security & Privacy

1. AVG Free Edition
   As a free anti-virus, AVG works very well. Ever since installing this a year back on my laptop, it no virus has even escaped. That’s compared with 4 or 5 virus infections on the home desktop protected by Norton Anti Virus. Moreover, it doesn’t take much system resources and easy to use.
   http://free.grisoft.com/
   
2. Avast Home Edition
   I personally do not like Avast very much. Avast takes more system resources than AVG, and the interface is overly complicated. The detection is comparable though. And it does provide more options in the settings.
   http://www.avast.com/eng/av4_revision_history.html
   
3. Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall
   I started using Kerio Personal Firewall about 2 years ago. It is much easier to use than ZoneAlarm, and it is free. Sometime in the last year, it is bought over by Sunbelt, but they still give the free version.
   http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm
   
4. Windows Defender (Beta 2)
   Windows Defender (previously called Microsoft Anti-Spyware) has so far been the most succesful software for cleaning even the most sticky spywares. Just update it and then run it on Windows Safe-Mode for a few times. You need to have your OS to be updated for running this tough. Listed on the FAQ, Windows Defender run on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later, or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 or later.
   http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
   
5. Spybot S&D
   Some of you just won’t trust your system security to Microsoft. Anyway, they are the one who has allowed so many holes on their Windows operating system. Fair enough, then you might want to get Spybot Search & Destroy for fighting spyware and adware instead of Windows Defender.
   http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
   
6. a-squared HiJackFree
   a-squared HiJackFree is a detailed system analysis tool which helps advanced users to detect and remove all types of HiJackers, Spyware, Adware, Trojans and Worms.
   http://www.hijackfree.com/en/
   
7. Lavasoft Ad-Aware
   Another very popular anti-spyware.
   http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
   
8. Rootkit Revealer
   Remember Sony’s rootkit fiasco last year? It was first publisher by the author of this program. It checks your computer system againts any files that hides itself. As malicious software grows in sophistication, more and more viruses and spywares will be hidden by rootkit.
   http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/RootkitRevealer.html
   
9. Ewido Anti-Trojan
   Now, anti-virus combined with anti-spyware might have been good enough to protect againts malicious software. But if you want to be sure, get Ewido Anti-Trojan.
   http://www.ewido.net/en/download/
   
10. HijackThis
    This lightweight program offers a simple, powerful remedy for the pesky spyware and adware that manages to get past other tools. Novice users should be mindful about what they’re tossing out, but this is ideal for the infection you just can’t seem to shake.
    http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/
    
11. TOR
    If you are concerned with your privacy when surfing Internet, use The Onion Router. Using Tor can help you anonymize web browsing and publishing, instant messaging, IRC, SSH, and other applications that use the TCP protocol.
    http://tor.eff.org/
    

Graphics / Photo Editing Free Software

Graphics / Photo Editing

1. The Font Thing
   Easy font-management functions let you install, uninstall, print, copy, or delete any number of fonts at once. You can even store your own notes with them, filter them according to type (serif, sans serif, and so on), and group them into collections for convenience.
   http://members.ozemail.com.au/~scef/tft.html
   
2. GIMP
   Gnu Image Manipulation Programme is a software as powerful as Adobe Photoshop. The main difference tough, lies on the price. While Photoshop cost few hundred bucks, GIMP is free.
   http://www.gimp.org/
   
3. ColorPic
   Ever tried using a color picker on a high resolution monitor? It’s impossible. That’s why this color picker has a magnifier attached. Control it from the keyboard and grab up to 16 colors at once.
   http://www.iconico.com/colorpic/
   
4. Pixie
   Pixie is an easy-to-use, fast and tiny utility designed especially to fit the needs of Webmasters and Designers. Its a colour picker that includes a mouse tracker. Run it, simply point to a colour and it will tell you the hex, RGB, HTML, CMYK and HSV values of that colour.
   http://www.nattyware.com/pixie.html
   
5. Easy Thumbnails
   Easy Thumbnails is a a free utility for creating thumbnail images for individual image files or for the whole folder.
   http://www.fookes.com/ezthumbs/index.php
   
6. Picasa
   Picasa is software from Google that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. It also includes easy-to-use advanced editing tools.
   
   
   http://picasa.google.com/
   
7. Image Analyzer
   Advanced image editing, enhancement and analysis software. The program contains both most image enhancement features found in conventional image editors plus a number of advanced features not even available in professional photo suites.
   http://meesoft.logicnet.dk/Analyzer/
   
8. Popims Animator
   Animation software for creating morphs, warps and other effect with one or more pictures. The program allows the user to align, resize, and crop the pictures to achieve the best morphing results. The resulting animation can be computed and displayed real-time, it can be saved to disk and it can be printed for use with a Popims screen.
   http://meesoft.logicnet.dk/PopimsAnimator/
   

Free Software for Windows

There is no free lunch in this world. Fortunately, the same doesn’t apply to software. Finding free software is a boon. But finding free software that is not a crippleware (functionality is so limited to the point of almost useless), nagware (repeatedly reminds user to purchase the software), demoware (can be used for certain times or certain number of days only), and does not contain adware(display advertisements every now and then), spyware(collect your personal information) is tough.

Here is a list of what I consider as Top 100 Free Software for Windows. Most of these are software that I am using or have used before. Majority are freeware with some of them under open source software license agreement. There are a number of shareware in this list too. These are great shareware that provides good functionality even if you don’t buy.

Office / Productivities

1. Mozilla Firefox
   If you are stil using Internet Explorer now, get Firefox. Stability and security aside, it is much easier and fun to surf the net using Firefox. You can add in additional functions by installing the many extensions available. Otherwise, with basic download of less than 6MB, you are ready to go. It even helps migrate your Internet Explorer settings.
   
   http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/
   
2. Mozilla Thunderbird
   As companion to Firefox browser, use Thunderbird to replace your email client (that will be Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, etc). The built-in spam filters works well, and you can search your mail from months ago effortlessly. With the webmail extension, I use it to manage all my emails account, including the Hotmail, Yahoo, GMail, and my POP accounts. The migration wizard will help you transfer your account settings and mails from the current email client.
   http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/
   
3. Adobe Reader
   Adobe Reader has been around for many years, used for opening PDF (Portable Document Format) files. Previously it is called Acrobat Reader, referring to the for sale Adobe Acrobat for creating files in PDF format. It is hard to go around without this free software from Adobe.
   http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
   
4. CutePDF Writer
   Previously Adobe products (Acrobat, Distiller) were the only software that can be used to produce PDF files. With CutePDF Writer, you can create PDF from any file than can be printed.
   http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp
   
5. Open Office.org
   Open Office.org is a strong contender of Microsoft Office products (read: Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access), supporting most of the commonly used functions on Microsoft Office products. Advatages of Open Office includes supports for PDF files and using open formats. And it’s free! You can use Open Office to open Microsoft Office files, so the change is painless.
   http://www.openoffice.org/
   
6. PagePlus SE
   PagePlus SE a free desktop publishing software. It is one of the easiest ways to get professional desktop publishing results on your desktop printer. With your PC, printer, and PagePlus, you can save time and money.
   http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/PagePlus/default.asp
   
7. Easy To-Do
   Easy To-Do helps you manage your To-Do lists. It is a simple but powerful program to help you remember all those important little tasks you have to do, at home or in the office. With Easy To-Do you can become more efficient and get more things done in less time.
   http://www.xanadutools.com/products.htm
   
8. Forecaster
   Plan your spending for sustainable portfolio withdrawals. See cash flow projections for your retirement years. See your estate plan results.
   http://www.retirementforecaster.com/
   
9. Compiere
   Compiere is open source ERP and CRM software that provides a seamless 360-degree view of your company, its customers and vendors. For years only large corporations have been able to enjoy the benefits of ERP applications. Now, Compiere ERP and CRM puts the power of timely and consistent communications within reach of small to medium-sized businesses.
   http://www.compiere.org/
   
10. Tina POS is a point of sales application designed for touch screens. Supports ESC/POS ticket printers, customer displays and barcode scanners. It is multiuser and has a great backoffice with a product entry form, reports and charts.
    http://www.tinapos.org/