F = Free software
$ = Not free
Informational/testing/benchmarking
F - CPU-Z Useful for information on CPU, memory speed, type, etc
F - SuperPI General benchmark tool. Make sure to select 1M digits
F - Prime95 Torture test program for memory and CPU
F - Speedfan Show system temps, fan speeds, etc.
F - WinDirStat Shows a graphical representation of your hard drive to see where you are losing space!
General/system utilities
$ - Tag and Rename The best MP3 ID3 tag editor around
$ - SnagIt The best screen capturing program
$ - Fraps Used to record games, benchmark, etc. A lot of our guild movies are make with fraps
$ - True Image Make backup images of your PC in case of a crash. Never lose data again!
Archiver
$ - Winrar The best archiver! Handles all major formats
F - 7-Zip Free archiver that is very capable
CD/DVD mastering software
$ - Nero It does everything you need with CDs or DVDs
Explorer replacement
$ - Directory Opus A necessity if you spend any amount of time using Windows Explorer. Its the best
$ - xplorer˛ A nice replacement for the default explorer. Theres an older, free version at http://netez.com/2xExplorer/
Newsreader
$ - Newsleecher Powerful and easy to use USENET download utility
Browsers
F - Firefox 1.5 IE is the devil! Its time to move on to a real browser
F - Opera Another great browser. Totally free and makes IE look like Troubles
Browser addons/Extensions
$ - RoboForm Indispensable addon for remembering all your passwords and URLs in Firefox and IE
F - Tab Mix Plus Firefox addon that adds a ton to the browser
F - Google toolbar Firefox and IE addon with lots of useful stuff
F - Mr Techs Local Install Firefox addon that exposes poweruser stuff
F - Spellbound Check your spelling as you type in any textbox on web sites! It rules! Make sure to download a dictionary from the download link for your system
Email client
F - Thunderbird Outlook Express is for your grandma. Get this one!
Terminal emulation
F - Putty It does everything you need from telnet to SSH to tunnelling
Audio player
F - Foobar2000 Winamp is dead, this is where its at for a lightweight and capable media player
AntiSpyware
F - SpywareBlaster Protect your browser from spyware before it can get started
F - Microsoft AntiSpyware Protection runs in real time to keep your machine safe. Recommended
F - AdAware Good for getting rid of spyware already on your system
F - Spybot Good for getting rid of spyware already on your system
AntiVirus
F - AVG A great, free AV program for home use
$ - Kaspersky Personal My personal recommendation for AV
Text editors
$, F - Edit Pad Pro/Lite Edit pad lite is free, pro is not, but it is MUCH more capable. This is my favorite editor
F - UltraEdit A fantastic editor. I wrote the raid interface using this and Edit Pad Pro
Lets start building this list up! =)
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Originally Posted by ruffuscahn
