Here’s an update to my previous post about good utilities that are also free. While they’re free I should really make a donation to some of these as I find them quite useful, and that would encourage development. I mainly run WinXP so I know that what these programs support:
- fSekrit – Use this to quickly and easily encrypt text files. If you want to save bank account information etc this is a simple and easy way to do. Each note gets saved as its own password protected .exe, no install required and it’s portable. Got this one from Lifehacker
- System Explorer – Better than the Windows system tool
- QuickMonth Calendar – Really useful tool that provides a pop-up calendar when you hover over the Windows timebar in the system tray. Provides a calendar instead of the Windows option
- Xinorbis – Hard disk analyser to show you what’s taking up all the space on your hard drive, provides lots of different reports
- Pidgin – My preferred IM client, connects to a wide range of other IM systems
- Recuva – Recover deleted files
- CCleaner – System optimisation, cleaning tool for the registry and also removes cookies, histories etc
- Revo Uninstaller – Better than the Windows uninstall program
- Launchy – A quick and easy to start programs without using the mouse, all your apps are indexed and you can most things with a quick keyboard combo
- Teracopy – Much quicker than using Windows copy, once installed it takes over the copy duties
And while it’s not a tool as such I can’t forget to mention Spotify, great app for listening to music. It gives free CD quality streaming of music you choose, with a few ads thrown in if you don’t go for the paid for versions. I’ve had no issue finding the music I want and the ads are not that annoying. Can’t wait to see what they’ve planned for the future…
