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…
Filed under: network stuff, useful stuff , ccleaner, cookies, encrypt, file copy, free music, free utilities, fsekrit, im, launchy, lifehacker, music, pidgin, portable, quickmonth calendar, recuva, registry, revo uninstaller, software, spotify, system explorer, teracopy, text file, uninstall, utilities, Windows XP, xinorbis
