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
- 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/
- iTunes
iTunes is the most popular way to organize, share and listen to music on your computer.
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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/
- 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/
- 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/
- 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/
- 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/
- 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
- 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
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