Here is a post from ZDNet about some useful Windows programs that are low cost or free.
I’ve been using Windows for nearly two decades, and during that time I’ve tried hundreds of programs. Most come and go, but a handful have stood the test of time for me by solving a particular problem particularly well.
In this article and accompanying gallery, I list 10 Windows programs I use every day. Every one adds a feature that makes Windows easier to use or can help make you more productive. Each one comes from a company that has proven its ability to support the product and improve it over time. I’ve been using every program on this list for long enough to recommend it without reservation.
Most of the programs in this list are free; for those that aren’t a trial version is available. All of the programs in this list run on Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista (and most run on other editions as well). I’ve devoted one full page to each program, with info and download links and enough details to help you decide whether it’s something you want to try. I’ve also provided screen shots for each program to help you see what I’m talking about.
My 10 favorite Windows programs of all time | Ed Bott’s Microsoft Report | ZDNet.com
I like to look at programs that people like to see if they have found the better mousetrap. Here is my take on his choices.
- Process Explorer (Sysinternals/Microsoft) This is a great debugging tool but I rarely use it.
- RoboForm (Siber Systems) I use the open source program KeePass instead. The Windows version of KeePass has an autotype feature works for most login pages. There is Linux version with a few less features. Recently I created a script to login into sites that have the login split between two screens(e.g. Banks). KeePass is free and it works.
- Keyfinder (Magical Jelly Bean Software) I downloaded this program to check it out. I still like the tip someone wrote for KeePass. They recommended saving your product keys in KeePass. I still think this is the smarter practice. Keyfinder does not list the keys for some programs like QuickBooks.
- ClipMate Clipboard Extender (ThornSoft Development) I guess some people like fancy clipboards and use them regularly. Some people do not care. I fall in the second group. I have used Yankee Clipper in the past but I rarely used it.
- FeedDemon for Windows (NewsGator Technologies) This is a very good RSS Reader. I use it and it is free. Some people prefer the browser based readers like Google Reader.
- Windows Live Photo Gallery (Microsoft) This program was somewhat interesting while I had it working. Somehow I mucked it up and re-installation did not fix the problem. I do not miss it. Flickr has more uses for me.
- Allway Sync (Usov Lab) I use Microsoft’s SyncToy. It’s free and it works for me.
- SnagIt (TechSmith) There are a lot of people who like this program but I do not use screen captures that often. There are a lot of free alternatives that work reasonably well if your use is occasional.
- IE7 Pro I downloaded this program and I liked it! I think it is likely I will use its enhanced features for IE7. I had to disable the proxy to get the download manager to work.f you use IE7, you need this free add-on, which provides ad blocking, tab management, inline search, crash recovery, and all the other features Microsoft left out.
- FinePrint (FinePrint Software) I tried Greenprint on my laptop. It seems to have the some of the features of this program. It is supposed to help you avoid printing extra unwanted pages. It does not help me. I bypass it most of the time since I either want to print everything or create a PDF with PDFCreator. Greenprint is an extra step without added value for me so I am removing it.
Some free programs that did not make the list but I use often are TrueCrypt, Notepad++, and Windows Live Writer.