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Freeware Top 20

My TOP 20 freeware titles featured on Freewaregenius.
Last Updated: Mar 19, 2007

1. Launchy; Once I got used to this one I began to wonder how I ever managed without it.
2. Dexpot: How would you like a ‘tabbed desktop’ where each ‘tab’ displays its own files, programs, and icons or even its own wallpaper and display resolution. That’s pretty much the idea behind virtual desktops, and Dexpot is the best freeware virtual desktop program around. 

 

3. Spyware Terminator: Has saved my behind so many times. Because I test a lot of software, I invariably let in all sorts malware and spyware, and Spyware Terminator has been extremely effective in getting rid of it. It does a fast scan which I advise you to perform daily. 

 

4. AVG Free Antivirus: Love it. I recommend it to everyone who complains of their antivirus software (4 out of every 5 people, it seems), and they always come back to thank me. 

 

5. Evernote: create notes and capture web clippings for viewing offline. If you do a lot of research on the Internet try this one; you’l wonder how you ever managed without it. 

 

6. Mediamonkey: the makers of this music manager are betting that you will love the FREE version so much you will buy the ’gold’ one. They have a very good bet going. 

 

7. Altiris SVS: It lets you install software “virtually” rather than directly on your system, so that you can easily deactivate and remove installed programs later on. I cannot live without this, given the amount of software I install on my machine. 

 

8. URL Snooper: The key to downloading just about any media that you can see in your browser; simply a wonderful tool. 

 

9. Faststone Image Capture: I use it daily for all Freewaregenius screenshots. 

 

10. Comodo Free Firewall: I’ve tried a number of free firewall programs and this one is by far my favorite. 

 

11. Flashget: Not just a download manager; will download torrents and all kinds of streaming media (including WMV and FLV). 

 

12. Karen’s Replicator: a beautiful program that keeps my data always backed up. 

 

13. ALpass: a password manager that automatically fills log-in forms. I should have given it 5 stars. 

 

14. CCleaner: I like it! Use it every day. 

 

15. Easy CD/DVD Burner : my default CD/DVD burning program. Does most everything you would want from a DVD burner, including straight copying and converting MP3s into audio CD’s. Burns to double density DVDs as well. 

 

16. RipIt4Me: What can I say; the RipIt4Me / DVDdecrypter / DVDshrink combination is fantastic. (Backup any DVD). 

 

17. Stablauncher: a launcher that somehow survived my propensity to remove launchers within 2 weeks of installing them (and which I use constantly). 

 

18. MP3Tag: Powerful audio file tag manager. I’ve been using this one for years. 

 

19. Unlocker: One of the first things I install on any computer I use. Will remove any locking handle that any application or process maintains on a file so you can delete or change it. 

 

20. 7 Zip: I tried most freeware zip programs, including IZarc and Tugzip, but eventually came back to this one. Even when it forgoes a lot of the others’ bells and whistles, its powerful, reliable, and simple. 

 

65 Comments »

  • belgske says:

    ever tried FARR as a launcher ? even with default settings amaing results: you get the feeling the pc knows what you want to do..
    http://www.donationcoder.com/Software/Mouser/findrun/
    it is donationware but free to use.

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  • macobex says:

    Is Comodo Firewall better than ZoneAlarm Free Firewall?? Thanks.

    BTW, nice list.

  • Fred Astaire says:

    Just found you, I’m addicted (good or bad?) to finding new freeware that’s useful, I have most of your list, can’t wait to try the others, thanks!!

    /currently testing Returnil, and liking it!

  • [...] leave a comment » Top 20 Freeware Top 20 Freeware [...]

  • malikor says:

    Spyware Terminator is good, but seems to tell me about every little thing that is happening on my computer so it is not for those who are less tech-savvy. I like using SUPERAntiSpyware for scanning, as it as one of the best detection engines out there. Also, I like Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware (free, yes, but there is a paid version as well). I have had some viruses that AVG simply could not detect so I use Avira AntiVir Personal now and I have yet to have an issue with it. I prefer Winamp to MediaMonkey. Interface looks better imho and seems to run better. Also, RipIt4Me is good but I don’t like how it require DVD Shrink and Decrypter. Instead, I use bitRipper to convery my copy-protected DVDs to AVI and DVDSmith to convert my DVDs to backup VOB files.

  • JoWazzoo says:

    YO - Samer?? Has this been updated? If listed above, I am sorry as I skimmed the posts fairly quickly.

    BTW - Kudos for a great site (nearly one-of-a-kind) that I have recommended to others, but do not visit often enough. :-))

    Cheers JoW

  • lakshan says:

    The best is 7Zip (for me)

  • Thanks for the great freeware!
    that really took a lot of time on your part!
    Thanks!

  • flipx says:

    Big thanks keep up the good work on this site.

  • malikor says:

    Avast and Avira AntiVir both rank higher than AVG in several websites that I checked. I have used all three of them and found that yes, AVG updates almost daily, but somehow misses out in the detection area because I have been infected by viruses that AVG didn’t manage to block, while Avira AntiVir did.

  • netscC415 says:

    Hey you freaks :) try the last Real Player, with one click you will download any video from youtube or any other site and except that you can download and music, and then if you want to decode your flv file to avi or mp4 or mp3 or even 3GPP for your celly use the freeware SUPER is totally super and freeeeeee!!!!!!

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  • LL says:

    Hey,

    The top 20 hasn’t been updated since March 2007? Any new top 20s?

    Gwamma

  • RoninV says:

    Either these apps have withstood the test of time (2+ years) or a new Freeware Top 20 is secretly in the works.

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