Softwares I cannot live without

Below is my list of “Top 21 freewares”. While compiling the list have thought of categories and softwares that are essential in order for me to survive in front of a computer for a long time.

Blogging tool: Windows Live Writer

There are very few softwares from MS which have found a fan following from both pro & anti MS enthusiasts and this is one of them. Makes blogging very very easy.

Internet Browsing: Google Chrome

Redefined the meaning of “Fast Browsing”.

PDF Reader: Foxit Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader is not the only software that can open PDF files. Foxit is a lightning fast pdf file reader.

PDF Writer: PDF Creator

Create quality PDF files from any windows application with advanced features such as copy protection, password control and others.

Text File Reader: Notepad ++

Tab windows is the life line for any multi tasking person. With syntax highlighting, auto completion, ability to add plugins, this makes text editing and programming much much easier.

Compressing software: 7-zip

Fast, light weight, and enhanced compression make it a better choice than any other software available.

File Search: Windows Search 4.0

Inbuilt in Vista & 7, and available as an addon for XP, another product from MS which does exactly what it is supposed to do. Search -> Results –> Open. Quickly. Natural search is also supported.

System Housekeeping: CCleaner

It optimizes system, removes unwanted logs, internet history, temp files and is a must for keeping any system spic and span. It saves on hard disk space and also had a registry cleaner helps in keeping the registry in top shape.

Anti spyware: Spybot Search & Destroy

An anti spyware which is still the best amongst the host of new anti spywares that crop up every single day.

File copier: Fast copy

Fastest copy / delete software on windows. Period.

Codec: K-lite

A necessity because it makes viewing of any types of media files so much easier. know know VLC player is there, but guess habits are hard to die.

File Renamer:

Lupas Rename 2000 – Has been previously reviewed over here.

FTP Client: FileZilla

Forget the command line / explorer to do file transfer.  Filezilla supports FTP, FTPS and SFTP with an intuitive graphical user interface.

Download manager: Free Download Manager

With integration support for Chrome, IE, Firefox, Opera, Safari, there’s no reason why one should choose ANY other download manager. I Keep trying other managers and then keep coming back to using this. Supports video downloads and increases download speed manifold.

Web content filtering: Privoxy

It’s a Web proxy based on Internet Junkbuster with advanced filtering capabilities for protecting privacy, filtering Web page content and removing ads, banners, pop-ups, and other obnoxious Internet junk.

Password Bank: Keepass

The only software that I entrust with all my passwords, except the banking ones, which continue to remain in my head ;), though there is no reason why I should not transfer it on this.

Image editor & viewer: Irfanview

The Best image viewer. Simple yet powerful. You can use this for viewing to converting to creating images. Don’t forget to download the plugins available which enhances the experience of using this masterpiece.

Music Player: Foobar 2000

An amazingly light piece of software that does best what it has to do. Play music.

Audio & Video Converter: Super

Have had a high success rate for converting multimedia files with this software. It might take some time to get used to the interface. But once you are aware of the features, it is a very powerful application. It can convert audio and video files to virtually any format. Their website has the comprehensive list of possible conversions.

Torrent: uTorrent

The homepage of this software says everything, “A Powerhouse With a Tiny Appetite”. Look forward to a future post explaining the whole torrent business, if you are not aware of what exactly is a torrent.

CD/DVD Burner: CD Burner XP

Have tried lots of softwares for burning CD / DVD. The simplicity and reliability of this one makes it a must for everybody.