Essentials

 

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The links below take you to what we would consider to be essential or useful links to help your pc run better.

We either use this software on a regular basis or have tried it out.

All software is either free or requires registration unless stated otherwise.

Also take a look at or FAVORITES & FRIENDS page for useful & interesting sites.

  Program & Link Brief description Approx Size Usage Rating
Adaware Free ad removal tool.   Keep it up to date. Now been revamped which now means a much larger download. Seems to now be a bit bloated, noticeably slower & runs in the background. 19Mb Weekly

Update before running

5/10
Adobe Reader Essential tool for reading pdf files. You can also download 23Mb Essential 9/10
Aida32 Gives a full run down of your system. This free version is now no longer available or updated by the author. 4Mb D/D As needed 9/10
a-squared Another one to get rid of Malware. Just pick a download site I recommend download.com. You will need to register. 16Mb Fortnightly 7/10
Avant Browser An alternative to Internet Explorer. Ad blocking & tabbed interface. Less problems than internet explorer. 2Mb   8/10
Avast Free Anti-virus. Needs registration which will need renewal every year. But will be worth it. 22Mb Weekly 9/10
Avery Label Printing Free label printing software that does more than just labels. (requires registration). 53Mb Whenever 9/10
AVG Free anti virus (requires registration). Free for HOME use only. Automatic updating built in. The latest update did prevent me from downloading Adaware therefore would recommend Avast. 46Mb Weekly 5/10
Belarc Advisor Basic details of your PC. Just been updated to V6.1f 600Kb D/D   7/10
CDex Great little program for ripping music from cd's. 2Mb D/D   9/10
Comodo Firewall Pro 3 Free Firewall. For beginners or advanced users. An alternative to Zone Alarm or the windows firewall. 31.4Mb Load it Untested but recommended
Darik's Boot and Nuke DBAN "DBAN" is a self-contained boot disk that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction. More for the expert user 400Kb When required 9/10
Driver max Backup &/or restore your drivers.  Next version promises driver update facility, if it comes it will be very useful. Needs registration to go over 30 days use. 2.5Mb Whenever you change drivers 8/10
End it All Stops all programs that are not essential. More for 98 or older machines. 750Kb Zipped D/D   9/10
End it All 2 This handy tool quickly and easily closes all or selected running programs with a single click. It's perfect to use before running Scandisk or Defrag, since those programs running in the background usually cause restarts with both utilities. All old versions of Windows, including XP home & Pro (Download setup only file) 700Kb Before defrags etc 9/10
Eusing Free Registry Cleaner 1Mb As required 8/10
FireFox An a very good alternative browser with many add ons. 6Mb Use instead of IE 9/10
Filehippo Checks versions of software loaded on your pc. The Update Checker will scan your computer for installed software, check the versions and then send this information to filehippo.com to see if there are any newer releases. These are then neatly displayed in your browser for you to download. 100Kb Every month 10/10
Firenet ISP with an 0845 access with no sign up. Just download the set up link & run to configure your dial-up. This will change your homepage but this is easily changed back. Very handy as an alternative or just as you main dial up access. Small D/Load Keep available 10/10
Trend Micro Highjack This A useful tool for entries in the registry. Only delete items you are sure of if in doubt consult some of the online experts. 800Kb As required 8/10
IMG Burn Image burning software. 2Mb Load it 9/10
IObit Advanced Windowscare Personal Keep your computer safe, error-free, and running at top speed. A free for personal use pc cleanup tool. You will need to update each time you use it to ensure you have the latest fixes. Be aware of any preticked freebies & untick. 6.5Mb Weekly 9/10
Java Java runtime. Essential for viewing some sites . Another one to keep things moving. 14Mb or less Load 9/10
Karen Ware Great free downloads (Net Monitor & Replicator). You need the VB runtime file also available on this site to run the various programs. Various   8/10
Key Wallet Excellent program for keeping all passwords & details. Ensure you use the export feature to back up your lists. 1.5Mb Loaded all the time 9/10

Mail washer

Allows you to delete spam before downloading it. This is the older version but allows more than 1 email account.

1.5Mb Zipped D/D Before every mail download 10/10
Microsoft Microsoft Works wps to doc converter Converts Works Word Processor documents (.wps) to Word documents (.doc) [& other formats RTF etc] 4.6Mb Required for Works users 9/10
Old Version OldVersion.com is an archive of old versions of various programs. Because new is not always better. Item dependant If required 10/10
Open Office A free alternative to MS Office. Will import your old office documents. Now at 2.4.0 Will also save as Word documents. Be aware of the Google toolbar option just unselect if not required. 125Mb Replaces MS Office 10/10
Opera

A great tabbed browser to replace/supplement Explorer (for the more experienced). You can still use any other browser as well as this, I personally have IE, SB & Opera.  If in doubt download the Java version.

4.7Mb A good alternative 9/10
Panda Nanoscan Free online virus scanner. Minimal When needed 9/10
Home Photo Recover Got a digital camera. This great little program will recover corrupted pictures on memory cards. (web site home page) 1.2Mb D/D In times of need 10/10
Picasa Find edit & share all your photo's & pictures on your pc Can also be downloaded as part of the Google pack. 5.62Mb Install & use 9/10
Secunia  Detects insecure versions of applications installed.  Verifies that all Microsoft patches are applied Assists you in updating your system and applications. Runs through your browser. No installation or download is required. You will be surprised at what it finds & also directs you to direct downloads. Minimal Try it once a week 10/10
Send to Changes the send to option to anywhere you like. 900Kb D/D Install & Use 10/10
Shockwave Needed to experience shock wave games and entertainment web sites by Macromedia. Be aware of the Norton install on the first page , just untick the box before proceeding. 2.7Mb Loaded in IE  
Shoot the messenger Allows easy access to enable/disable Windows messenger (not MSN Messenger) XP only. 22Kb D/D Keep it handy 10/10
Spywareblaster Prevent the installation of spyware and other potentially unwanted software! With the free version you will have to manually update each time you use it. 2.6Mb Install & Use 8/10
Switchoff A very handy program that allows you to set a time for your pc to switch off / restart etc either daily or once. It will warn you before turning off the pc. 64k D/D   9/10
Slim Browser A great add on/replacement for Internet Explorer (skinable) with built in pop up stopper & an add-in download manager. 1.84Mb All the time 9/10
Spybot-S&D Another essential ad remover. Keep it up to date. Now at version 1.5.  A bit slow on loading & applying updates , you just have to be patient. 9.2Mb Weekly 8/10
Spyware Terminator 2 For those of you who want a spy ware removal/prevention tool that can be scheduled this is it 8Mb Install & Use Untested but recommended
Start Up Inspector See what starts & enables you to stop it. Now at 2.1. 670Kb Monthly or just check 9/10
Super Antispyware An essential tool for removing stubborn spyware (vundoo etc) 6Mb Run & leave or uninstall 10/10
Sygate Personal Fire Wall An alternative to Zonealarm. Select download site from the link page. 355Kb On 24/7 8/10
System 47 Screensaver Star Trek LACARS Screensaver (web site home page)  600Kb zipped D/D For Star Trek fans 10/10
Thunderbird An alternative to Outlook Express. Allows marking of emails & many other features. At present no stationery but you can drop in signatures & other text with a right click. But still better than OE. 6Mb Run instead of OE 9/10
Trend online free virus scan House Call A free online virus scan in case you suspect a virus. Just select your country & follow the instructions. There is a download that you will have to accept. Now at 6.6. 9Mb Anytime 8/10
Trend Online Spyware removal Tool A free online spyware removal tool. 4-5Mb Anytime 6/10
Ubuntu For those who want a different operating system from Windows, try this. For the advanced users or those that want a free system. 700Mb Windows alternative 9/10
Versaverta A unit conversion tool. Just about any unit you can think of. 500Kb zipped Whenever 6/10
WiFi SiStr A tool to see the signal strength of your wireless connection. 7.6Mb Whenever or always 9/10
Winamp A media player plays MP3,wav,wma, Mpeg etc. Good replacement for Windows Media player. Skinable. Select the Basic version.

Be aware of the optional downloads, just unselect. Now down in the ratings slightly due to now being owned by AOL

9Mb A great alternative 7/10
Windows Live Messenger Instant chat & much more. Has been updated & can cause slight problems but still a useful app. Be aware this is from Microsoft. 17Mb Anytime 8/10
Winpatrol 2007 Very useful program that runs in the background watching out for any changes & allowing  you to stop them if required. Now at build 3. 690Kb On 24/7 10/10
Zonealarm Free firewall for standalone machines only. 210Kb On 24/7 8/10

D/D direct download. Item highlighted have been updated within the last 6 weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

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This page was last updated Sunday, 24. August 2008