10 Must-have Free Windows 7 Utilities

Over the past two years of running this blog, I have consistently promoted various commercial software and shared information about promotions and freebies.

This has become a routine for me. As the blog approaches its second anniversary, more software companies have begun reaching out to us for promotion opportunities. Additionally, some other bloggers have started to mimic our content, and there are even a few blogs that are copying our words.

When I reflect on my experiences with Techno360, the word that resonates most is “Free.” It’s fascinating to see how people react passionately when I post titles like “—- is free,” despite the fact that many freeware options exist online that serve similar purposes.

The main reason I’ve found for this is that freeware often lacks the advertising and promotion that commercial software benefits from. Commercial software uses appealing marketing strategies, such as promoting offers like “$49 worth of —- software is free today or for a limited time.”

Going forward, I plan to strike a balance between freeware and commercial software in Techno360. This article is an example of that effort.

I have been using Windows 7 since its release candidate stage, so I’ll cut my rambling short and provide below a list of my favorite freeware applications that I use on my Windows 7 PC.

10 Must-have Free Windows 7 Utilities :

1.VLC Media player :

The default media player in Windows supports only a limited number of video formats, and Microsoft typically updates it with new versions of the Windows operating system.

In contrast, VLC is a free media player that can play virtually all media formats without the need for additional codec packs. It is widely popular, and I highly recommend it to anyone who may not be familiar with it. If you find the interface lacking, you can easily enhance it by installing free skins available online.

Download: VLC 

2.CDBurnerXP:

Don’t be misled by the name; it is fully compatible with Windows 7 (both 32-bit and 64-bit). While it may not have as attractive an interface as Nero, CDBurnerXP is a powerful burning tool that enables you to create music and data discs, burn ISO images, copy discs, and more. Additionally, you can take CDBurnerXP with you anywhere in your pocket, thanks to 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

5.GIMP:

1. 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

1. 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

1. (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.

1. You can make CCleaner Even Better with a companion app called

CCleaner Enhancer

1. .

Download :CCleaner

7.7 zip:

1. If you use

7zip

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

Supported formats:

1. 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:

1. 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 an 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:

1. This Top & powerful freeware acts as a complete replacement of built in windows soft “Add/Remove Programs”.

Revo Uninstaller reaches

1. 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.

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