I have posted previously about recommended programs to get you started or if you have issues with Windows, but here is a good collection of all free tools that I use as well. A good website for finding more and alternative programs is alternativeTo, and there is also FileHippo and Download.com.
- Various tools
- Sysinternals especially Autoruns and Process Explorer
- Nirsoft
- Icecream Apps
- GEGeek Toolkit
- Auslogics
- Tron Script
- Soft4Boost
- Wise Cleaner
- CamTech2000
- Fresh devices
- Browser Tools
- Windows
- Driver hider to prevent Windows from installing its own drivers
- Media Creator Tool to create an ISO of the latest Windows 10 build
- Windows Essentials - e.g. Movie Maker
- Fresh Start to reset your Windows but keep your data
- Chrome Cleanup Tool to fix Chrome
- System stability
- HDDscan
- PassMark DiskCheckup
- Acronis Drive Monitor for monitoring Smart Status among other stats
- CoreTemp to monitor temperatures in your tray
- Defraggler better control than Windows Defrag
- Storage
- See this blog
- CDburnerXP for making and burning ISOs and copying CDs/DVDs
- Backup & Recovery
- Recuva simple file recovery
- AOMEI Backupper for making PC images for full system restore
- CrashPlan free backup
- Would recommend GetDataBack for full recovery
- Remoting and virtual
- TeamViewer for remote control
- Hamachi for VPN
- VirtualBox for running VMs
- VMware Player and Converter also for running VMs
- Security
- KeePass for keeping passwords
- HiJackThis, similar to Autoruns
- Free antivirus/malware scanners - no install needed
- Trend Micro House Call
- Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool
- McAfee Free Scan
- See here and here for more
- CD, DVD or USB bootable media
- Hiren's Boot CD
- Kaspersky Rescue Disk
- AVG Rescue CD
- Windows Defender Offline
- Sophos Bootable Anti-Virus
- F-Secure Rescue CD
- See more here
- Install needed
- Malwarebytes
- Norton Security Scan
- BitDefender Scanners and Removal Tools
- Kaspersky Removal Tools
- Most AVs provide free protection for a 30 day trial as well like E-SET, Norton, BitDefender, Kaspersky
- Windows 10 Firewall Control for straightforward outgoing control
- Prey
- Cyberghost
- DNScrypt
- Updates and downloads
- KC Softwares SUMo
- Ninite
- FileHippo
- Secunia PSI
- Deluge
- Intel Driver Update - do not recommend
- Development, creativity and media
- Gaming
- Sys admin
- C-Cleaner for cleaning up
- InSSIDer for analysing Wi-Fi network strength
- Battle Encoder Shirase for limiting CPU of processes
- Magical jelly bean keyfinder to find some Microsoft product keys
- Neosmart particularly EasyBCD
- TreeSize
- HWInfo or Speccy
- Editors and file management
- 7-Zip
- EditPad Pro for good regex highlighting
- Notepad++
- Beyond Compare for comparing files and folders
- Interface
