10 Must-have Free Windows 7 Utilities

All these days in this blog I used to promote or share the promotions of commercial sofwares and it’s became routine for me to search and share the promos or freebies, even our recently launched forum has only one active thread “Freebies“. This  blog is almost completing 2nd year, several software companies are approaching us to promote their softwares and other (some) bloggers started to mimic us and even there are some blogs copying our words.

But once I look back and see the only word that echoes in Techno360 is “Free” and I thought why people drive crazy when I post a title “—- is free”, although there are lot of  freewares available on the web world that does the same Job.

The only answer I got is freeware lacks advertising or Promotion, and the Commercial software takes this advantage by implementing a eye-candy strategy for instance, you will see often this kind of promos like “$49 worth —-software is free for today or for a limited time period”.

So from now onwards I’m thinking to balance the freeware and commercial software in Techno360, this article is one such implementation.

I’m using windows 7 from the RC stage, OK it’s time to cutoff my ramblings below is list of my Best freeware that I’m using on my Windows 7 PC.

10 Must-have Free Windows 7 Utilities :

1.VLC Media player :


Windows default media player just play only some format of videos and Microsoft will update this only along with release of next version of windows OS.

But VLC, the free media player literally plays all media formats without requirement of any separate codec packs. I know it is popular, but those who don’t know about VLC, this is a highly recommend app. If you feel the interface is not cool, you can install free skins over here.

Download: VLC 1.14

2.CDBurnerXP:


Don’t get wrong idea by the name, it is full compatible with Windows 7(32 bit & 64 bit). Although it lacks atrractive interface when compared to Nero,but CDBurnerXP is a powerful burning tool that allows you create music and data discs, burn ISO images, copy discs and do more. Also you take the CDBurnerXP anywhere in your pocket with the portable version.

Download: CDBurnerXP

Alternatives:

1. Nero BurnLite 10 : the freeware from with basic CD and DVD burning and copying functions
2. Ashampoo Burning Studio v 9.24: Although it’s a commercial software, but it will be available for free thought the year
3. Also read 5 Free tools to burn CD/DVD’s

3.DAEMON Tools Lite:


It is Undeniably that Daemon Tools is popular among virtual CD/DVD emulating softwares, that’s why I go for DAEMON Tools Lite a free version that does the primary job of making simple disc image files and emulating virtual CD/DVD drives.

This free for personal use tool, allows you to emulate up to 4 CD/DVD/HD DVD/Blu-ray virtual drives on your PC and can create ISO, MDS/MDF and MDX image files from original discs inserted in physical drive.

Download: DAEMON Tools Lite

Alternatives:

1. Gizmo Drive: A free image mounting software that supports ISO, BIN, CUE, CCD, NRG, IMG, MDF/MDS and Microsoft’s VHD file formats
2. Also read 4 Free tools to create ISO image files.

4.Inkscape:



This is the best free replacement tool for Adobe Illustrator. Inkscape offers vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X, using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format.

It supports many advanced SVG features like alpha blending, cloning, markers, layers, and 3D object creation.

Download: Inkscape v0.48

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5.GIMP:

If you want basic image editing software, the updated “Microsoft paint” in windows 7 is more than enough. But if you want a Free software Close to Adobe Photoshop then GIMP must/will be your choice.

GIMP is the favorite graphics editing program of for many designers and graphic artists. I don’t say it provides complete replacement for Adobe photoshop, but it offers Photoshop-like abilities and with certain tweak and addons it can act as a a serious Photoshop replacement option. Check out GIMP Tutorials over here.

Download : GIMP 2.6.10

6.CCleaner :

CCleaner (formerly Crap Cleaner) is the best free cleaning tool for windows that cleans unwanted Garbage on your system with one click. It protects your privacy online and makes your computer faster and more secure.
You can make CCleaner Even Better with a companion app called CCleaner Enhancer .

Download :CCleaner

7.7 zip:


If you use 7zip you will forget WinRar , Winzip & all other commercial zipping softwares. Similar to VLC, this opensource software support all compression & decompression formats.

Supported formats:

1. Packing / unpacking: 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR
2. Unpacking only: ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, DEB, DMG, HFS, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MSI, NSIS, RAR, RPM, UDF, WIM, XAR and Z

Download: 7zip

8.digsby:

This is a multi-client chat program, that lets you chat with all your friends on AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, and Jabber with one simple to manage buddy list.

Download: digsby

• 9.(A) Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE):


Ha, this is a Free & Commercial worth software from Microsoft.This free Antivirus is very light with top rated AV and had received top ratings from allover the web.

Download: Microsoft Security Essentials

9.(B) Kaspersky Security Suite CBE:


Why I added sub-section (B) because, a Antivirus is not enough to protect your PC from online threats. Although Kaspersky is commercial software, but you can Consider “Kaspersky Security Suite CBE”, because it is available for free through the year. I think “Kaspersky” doesn’t requires an Introduction, every one it’s top rated security product.

Download: Kaspersky Security Suite CBE 10

Note: Read this post about how to install this special version “Kaspersky Security Suite CBE”.

10.Revo Uninstaller:

This Top & powerful freeware acts as a complete replacement of built in windows soft “Add/Remove Programs”.Revo Uninstaller reaches the parts where other uninstallers can’t reach and removed unnecessary files, folders and registry keys that are usually left over on your computer.

Download : Revo Uninstaller

Note: Also read 4 Free tools to Uninstall any programs.