Utilities

Note: All links are to the vendor's home or product page whenever possible. This is not a capital venture, but only a use of a free resource to promote other free resources. My listing is not an end all and if you have a better alternative to any linked software, please feel free to recommend it via email at x8T6blog@yahoo.com Please link to the homepage of said software and do not attach anything in your email. I will delete anything with an attachment without regard.

Comments on this blog may be left open, but do not leave software recommendations there. I will delete all such comments and urls in an effort to disallow malicious intent.


Advanced File Security 3.1 Basic
(see left menu: programs > AFS 3.1 Basic)

Easy to use file encryption freeware. It has the ability to encrypt entire directories. I cannot speak to the encryption strength of this software, but it does an excellent job of password protecting files in a simple fashion.


ANTI-VIRUS / ANTI-MALWARE / ANTI-SPYWARE

Please note that anti-malware and anti-spyware programs may identify false postives and one should take care to assure that they are removing or disabling only real threats. Google is a good tool to assist with proper ID.


Avast! Home Edition
(follow "FREE software" tab near top of page)

My pick for the best balance of protection and ease of use. Avira is often rated slightly higher, but Avast's features coupled with intuitive use makes it my choice. Features include email scanner, real time protection and even a boot scan after installation.

I switched from AVG Free after it did not prevent an infection from the "Antivirus 2009" malware and I am obviously satisfied with Avast. I always recommend regular visits to TrendMicro's "Housecall" or other reliable webscan / removal sites to supplement any free anti-virus's protection.


Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware
(see left menu: "Download free version")

This is an appropriate compliment to any free anti-virus (I would recommend this with retail anti-virus apps as well). While realtime protection is only available with the $24.95 full version, a regular scan with this application enables more complete protection. I used this after contracting the aforementioned "Antivirus 2009" malware and could find no evidence of the rogue AV2009 after a full scan with MB's Anti-Malware.


ANTI-SPYWARE:

Ad-Aware Free
(follow green "Download Ad-Aware Free" button on right side of page)

Spybot Search and Destoy
(select appropriate language and see the menu on the left to access the download)

Microsoft's Windows Defender
(follow the "Get it now" button - operating system validation is required)

I have used some combination of these three for years and it seems that one will find some malicious and / or invasive item that the other does not. All three offer realtime protection although I usually only continually run one to save on system resources. Ad-Aware and Spybot should be commended for their contribution to net security.


REGISTRY MAINTENANCE / PRIVACY - TEMPORARY FILE (CACHE) CLEAN UP

Glary Utilities
(follow the "Download" button under, "Glary Utilities 100% freeware

GU is simply an outstanding bundle of utilities including a registry cleaner, start up manager and temporary file / web browser cache remover that are all easily and consecutively ran via it's "1 Click Maintenance". This element of the application also includes spyware removal within that 1 click although I doubt it is very effective since definitions are not updated. Always remember to create a back up of the registry prior to any scan and clean.

There are a host of other functions in the free version that are worth exploring. Glary Utilities is one of a select few apps that I keep on a thumb drive to assisting family and friends when their machines have become sluggish and slow.

CCleaner
(follow "Download CCleaner now..." link)

Even though CCleaner duplicates many Glary Utilities functions I do find CC to be useful for a quicker removal of browser cache and other temporary files. CCleaner also provides registry clean up and works with all popular browsers, including Chrome, Opera and Safari.


SYSTEM INFORMATION / BENCHMARKING TOOLS

CPU-Z
(follow "CPU-Z" from menu at the left top of page)

This is a useful tool for easy retrieval of essential CPU, motherboard and memory information from your computer.

Belarc Advisor
(follow the "Download Belarc Advisor" link)

Another application that produces a list of hardware and software elements of your machine and your network. Among other beneficial uses, this is handy for documenting current configurations. By default the list is generated in HTML format (locally only) that is not shared.

Everst Home Edition 2.0
(follow the blue "Download" button and select the appropriate mirror)

Yet another system information program that also includes diagnostics and benchmarking.

3D BENCHMARKING / DIANOSTICS

SiSoftware Sandra Lite 2009.9.15.124 SP4
(follow the blue "Download" button and select the appropriate mirror)

Arguably the best in this category. My policy on this blog is to link to the author's website and not include shareware. I have linked to softpedia's download page since they most appropriately describe the value of this application and how the licensing defines this as freeware. I certainly recommend the retail version for those that have the need. It is written to current DirectX 10+ 32/64 bit configurations.

D3D RightMark Beta 4
(select the "Save" icon)

This is an Open source 3D diagnostic tool written towards DirectX 9 and it's expectations.

AquaMark3
(follow the blue "Download" button and select the appropriate mirror)

This is an obsolete 3D tool that also is aimed at DirectX 9, but can prove to be useful.



HARDWARE

Cacheman
(follow the appropriate release from the list)

A memory monitoring and management program that enables visual reference of RAM usage in the System Tray. The retail version allows for automated RAM recovery, among other features. This application was a necessity for me in the < 512MB days, but is still quite useful.

Memtest86

The holy grail of RAM testing. The testing is ran as a bootable CD. It is likely that most will need the Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.gz) of whatever version is needed. If you do not have a commercial disc burning app, then ISO Recorder Power Toy is a good alternative although there a many good freeware disc burning programs to choose from.

SpeedFan
(follow "Download" from the menu at the top of the page)

SpeedFan monitors voltages, fan speeds and hardware temperatures, including access S.M.A.R.T information from hard drives. One of my essential utilities.


OTHER

Process Explorer

Process Explorer displays running processes, CPU use, all the handles / DLLs open and can display resource use in the system tray. Among other features it allows the immediate termination of a process / program.

Microsoft Power Toys for XP

This link has many useful ones to choose from. My favorite is TweakUI which allows customization your XP configuration.

XP Messenger Disable

Then again, some things that MS gives I could do without. Messenger is at the top of that list. While TweakUI has a tick box to disable Messenger, the bit of code that is provided at the link gets rid of it once and for all. Many thanks to Doug Knox.

ExplorerXP

This is one of my favorite free programs, especially with approximately a terabyte of hard drive space available on my home network amassed on 6 hard drives. This program's GUI is intuitive by using the familiar Windows Explorer tree to show directories with their sub directories and total space used per each. It provides a very good way to identify how drive space is used and thereby gives the necessary data to organize as needed.

WinPatrol

WinPatrol actively monitors and alerts you of any system changes. This pre-UAC (Vista's user account control) program is handy for removing items from the start up menu and will prompt you to allow or disallow recognized changes. It will run from the System Tray and has a small system resource footprint.