Freeware Utilities
Productivity Freeware UtilitiesConnect two/more internet-connected-computers into a virtual network
LogMeIn Hamachi is a zero-configuration virtual private networking (VPN) application. In other words Hamachi is a
program that allows you to arrange multiple computers into their own secure network just as if they were connected by
a physical network cable. Hamachi is fast, secure and simple. Its core version is also free.
Connect two/more internet-connected-computers into a virtual network: Hamachi
Defrag hard disk with contiguous files
There are a number of NT disk defraggers on the market, including Winternals Defrag Manager. These tools are useful
for performing a general defragmentation of disks, but while most files are defragmented on drives processed by these
utilities, some files may not be. In addition, it is difficult to ensure that particular files that are frequently
used are defragmented - they may remain fragmented for reasons that are specific to the defragmentation algorithms
used by the defragging product that has been applied. Finally, even if all files have been defragmented, subsequent
changes to critical files could cause them to become fragmented. Only by running an entire defrag operation can one
hope that they might be defragmented again.
Defrag hard disk with contiguous files: Contig by SysInternals
Display which progam has a file/directory open
The Process Explorer display consists of two sub-windows. The top window always shows a list of the currently
active processes, including the names of their owning accounts, whereas the information displayed in the bottom window
depends on the mode that Process Explorer is in: if it is in handle mode you'll see the handles that the process
selected in the top window has opened; if Process Explorer is in DLL mode you'll see the DLLs and memory-mapped files
that the process has loaded. Process Explorer also has a powerful search capability that will quickly show you which
processes have particular handles opened or DLLs loaded.
Display which progam has a file/directory open: Process Explorer by SysInternals
Edit plain text
TED Notepad is a growing freeware editor for true plain-text. It looks like a small Notepad, but is more and more
fertile in innovative features, text-processing functions and other tools. All of them on hotkeys; all designed for
quicker and advanced editing. The light-weight portable application fits on USB drive and loads instantly with no
installation required. TED Notepad is designed especially for daily writing of notes, lists, scripts and html
files.
Edit plain text: TED Notepad
Keep more than 1 text snippet in windows clipboard
ArsClip is a FREE (freeware) utility for the windows clipboard. ArsClip monitors the clipboard and keeps track of
the entries. Press a configurable hotkey and select an item (or items) to quickly paste into a program. ArsClip used
to be barebonez, but I think I can safely say that it has become a nicely featured program (due to user requests for
changes). ArsClip remembers the last 15 (default) text entries entered into the Window's clipboard. Delphi 6
(Personal) source code is included - modify it freely for any non-profit use.
Keep more than 1 text snippet in windows clipboard: ArsClip
Ditto is an extension to the standard windows clipboard. It saves each item placed on the clipboard allowing you
access to any of those items at a later time. Ditto allows you to save any type of information that can be put on the
clipboard, text, images, html, custom formats,...
Keep more than 1 text snippet in windows clipboard: Ditto
Make a to-do list
Our first product is Easy To-Do, a FREE utility which helps you manage your To-Do lists. It is a simple but
powerful program to help you remember all those important little tasks you have to do, at home or in the office. It
was originally developed for our own use. After using it extensively for a time in our daily work, we decided to
release it to the public. With Easy To-Do you can become more efficient and get more things done in less time. Easy
To-Do can also function as project-management software, letting you assign tasks to a resource, e.g. a project or a
person responsible for the task.
Make a to-do list: Easy To-Do by Xanadu Tools
Organize calendar, contacts, to-do
EssentialPIM - the powerfully simple Personal Information Manager. Free powerful PIM that features calendaring,
notes keeping and contacts storage.
Organize calendar, contacts, to-do: EssentialPIM Free
Play a music/mp3 file at alarm time
Alarm - Free Digital Clock Alarm is a digital clock that you can set to display a message and play a sound at a
time of your choice. It is meant to be of help when you want to be warned while you are working (and chances are big
you are going to forget you have to do this very important thing later on)...
Play a music/mp3 file at alarm time: Alarm
Citrus is a software alarm clock, and the result of many missed busses. As a student, I used to set my alarm clock
to a different time each day. Worse, my radio alarm clock was unpredictable. Some days I'd wake up to an unexpectedly
loud heavy metal band-the next day, quiet chatter. After sleeping through a quiz entirely, I wrote Citrus Alarm
Clock!
Play a music/mp3 file at alarm time: Citrus Alarm Clock
Quickly launch applications
Launchy is a free windows utility designed to help you forget about your start menu, the icons on your desktop, and
even your file manager. Launchy indexes the programs in your start menu and can launch your documents, project files,
folders, and bookmarks with just a few keystrokes!
Quickly launch applications: Launchy
Read the text file to me
The Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader application will read your documents out loud in one of its many high quality
voices. This can be a great tool for proof reading because hearing your text out loud helps you spot all mistakes.
This program can also be used for reading e-books. Why strain your eyes trying to read a book from your monitor when
your computer can simply read it out loud for you? This program will also read all standard Windows dialog box
messages out loud to you. This can be a great aid for the visually impaired or for anyone who just wants messages to
be read out loud. The Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech reader is also able to read the clipboard contents.
Read the text file to me: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader by Zabaware
Replace Notepad
NoteTab is a leading-edge text and HTML editor. Winner of software industry awards since 1998, this application
does it all: it easily handles a stack of huge files; lets you format text to your heart's content; does system-wide
searches, and multi-line global replacements. It even corrects your spelling mistakes.
Replace Notepad: NoteTab Light by Fookes
Spell check in an application that doesn't have that feature
Occasionally you need to check the spelling of words in an application that does not include a spelling checker and
you don't want to launch your word processor just for that. This is when tinySpell becomes handy. It is a small
utility that allows you to easily and quickly check the spelling of words in any Windows application. tinySpell can
watch your typing on the fly and alert you whenever it detects a misspelled word. It can also check the spelling of
text that you copy to the clipboard. tinySpell installs itself in the system tray for easy access. It comes with an
American-English dictionary containing more than 110,000 words.
Spell check in an application that doesn't have that feature: tinySpell
Word a to-do list
Taskmaster is a robust To-Do manager with advanced features to help track tasks and anything you can make a list
for.
Word a to-do list: Taskmaster
Write a business plan
Our Exl-Plan range of integrated monthly/quarterly planners includes Exl-Plan Basic which uses annual assumptions
to generate comprehensive 5-year projections. Also available is a completely free version, Exl-Plan Free, which is
identical to Basic but projects for just two years ahead.
Write a business plan: Free Business Plan Software by PlanWare
Write a daily diary
iDailyDiary provides a simple interface that immediately gets you started taking daily notes, creating a journal,
putting your thoughts into writing and much more. The iDailyDiary editor is "richtext" with the ability to insert
graphics, URL's, Hypertext links and links to other diary pages. iDailyDiary is fully searchable so you can always
track down those important dates and reminders.
Write a daily diary: iDailyDiary Free Version by Splinterware