Favorite Freeware
Bible Software
The Word - The Best Bible Freeware (usable and feature-rich)
Command Line Utilities (Advanced Users Only)
blat - Command line tool to send email
wget - Command line tool to download files from the internet
Communication & Connectivity
FileZilla - FTP Server and Client
RealVNC - Remote Desktop Control Software (IP to IP)
TeamViewer - Remote Desktop Control Software (not inhibited by Firewalls, IP Addresses, or NAT)
Database Management Systems
MySQL - The world's most popular open source database.
SQLite - The most widely deployed SQL database engine in the world.
File Management & Manipulation
7-Zip - File Compression/Decompression Utility
Allway Sync - File Synchronization Utility - Synchronize USB drives ( etc.) with other disks/folders.
BRU - Bulk Rename Utility
Dropbox - Cloud Storage freeware
Everything - A Very Fast Search Engine for Local Files and Folders (includes a simple HTTP and FTP server).
FreeCommander - A Quick Windows Explorer Substitute
HFS - HTTP File Server (share selected folders and files)
ImgBurn - CD ISO Image Creator & CD Burner
SyncToy - Synchronize Files between Two Folders (or drives) - Uses Microsoft's Sync Framework 2.0.
Treesize - Utility showing the size of each folder on a drive (useful for determining where large files are located).
Unstoppable Copier - File copier that deals with CRC and other disk errors nicely.
VirtualCloneDrive - Mount ISO Images (create virtual CD Drive from ISO Image)
Multimedia & Graphics Tools
AVC - Any Video Converter - Similar to QMC
CamStudio - Screen Recording Software - Takes a video of your screen movements (optionally records voice).
Cropper - Simple Screen Capturing Tool
FotoTagger - Annotate images without changing the visible image (view annotations using FotoTagger). 2010-12-29: Link is Broken (may have to abandon - use IrfanView if so).
Greenshot - Screen Capturing Tool and Annotator. No "File-Open" option (configure Windows to "Open With"). Good for quick picture annotation/tagging.
Image Resizer for XP - Right-click to resize (PowerToy for Windows)
Image Resizer for Win7
IrfanView - Image Editor
K-Lite Codec Pack - Video and Audio encoding/decoding package - includes Media Player Classic (concise alternative to big-name multimedia packages).
QMC - Quick Media Converter - Convert media files to different hardware formats (similar to AVC).
SUPER - A Versatile Multimedia Encoder and Player - Requires only one simple click to encode.
Network Tools
Advanced Subnet Calculator - CIDR & Subnet Calculator from SolarWinds
The Dude - Network Management Software
FastResolver - Name resolution tool (for multiple hosts)
InSIDDer - Wi-Fi network scanner (locate & troubleshoot WAP's)
PingInfoView - Simple multi-PING utility for quick "What's Up" analysis.
Wireless Network Watcher - Scan/view devices on your wireless subnet.
Wireshark - Freeware Network Analyzer (aka "sniffer").
Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector - Same functionality as InSIDDer (with a more user-friendly interface).
Operating Systems
FreeDOS - A free DOS-compatible operating system for IBM-PC compatible systems.
Oracle VM VirtualBox - Open source VM platform. Run multiple virtual machines (and OS's) on a single physical machine.
Ubuntu - A Linux Operating System
Productivity Tools
AMP Calendar - Simple Calendar Tool - Shows 12 months.
AutoHotKey - Versatile scripting tool for Windows - Assign scripts to a "Hot Key" or run them stand-alone.
CloseAll - Close all windows utility. Download then rename to CloseAll.exe.
Directory List & Print - The name says it all. Version 1.9 is Freeware (scroll down on right margin).
FreeCalc - A Nice Windows Calculator Substitute
KeePass - Password Database
PDFCreator - Freeware PDF creator - becomes a printer on your system.
PureText - Clipboard "cleaner" that removes formatting of all copied text leaving only the text to be pasted.
Simple Sticky Notes - A sticky notes utility I like to use - has a "always on top" feature I like.
SP TimeSync - System Time Synchronizer
System Performance Utilities
AML Free Registry Cleaner - Free Registry Cleaner (and more).
Defraggler - File and Disk Defragmenting Utility
Glary Utilities - PC Performance Enhancement Tools (uncheck/skip the Install Ask Toolbar prompts).
Process Explorer - Updated Sysinternals utility showing real-time process information.
Process Monitor - Classic Sysinternals utility - real-time file, registry, and process information.
ProcessQuickLink - A "plug-in" for Windows Task Manager - Click "i" icon to launch the Uniblue web page showing information of each process.
SIW - System Information for Windows
System Recovery Tools
Recuva - File Recovery Utility
UBD4Win - Ultimate Boot Disk for Windows - Bootable CD image containing many system recovery tools.
Virus & Malware Tools
Ad-Aware - Anti-Spyware Software
AVG Free - AntiVirus Software (most popular)
Avira Antivir - AntiVirus Software (Personal Edition) (my true favorite).
HijackThis - Registry & Settings Reporting Tool - Helps in spyware removal
MalwareBytes' AntiMalware - Malware (Virus/Spyware) Removal
MSBSA - Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
Spybot Search & Destroy - Spyware Removal Tool
Web Browsers & Tools
Abyss Web Server - Web server with a tiny footprint
FireFox - Web Browser
Firefox Add-Ons:
Adblock Plus - Block advertisements on web pages.
FoxFilter - Content filter for Firefox. Premium version allows password-based management (only $10).
YouTube Comment Snob - Filter or completely hide YouTube comments.
Google Chrome - Google's Web Browser
HTTrack Website Copier - Copies web sites to your local drive (for offline browsing, etc.)
Internet Explorer - Not Recommended. Stay away from this Microsoft browser ("most popular" is not always "best").
KompoZer - Simple Graphical HTML editor
Opera - Another Web Browser.
WordPress - Web-based content authoring and management (install on your web server).