Free Windows Software Alternatives
Internet Explorer
- Mozilla Firefox - a fast, open source, secure, and extendable browser from Mozilla. Offers a number of features over Internet Explorer, including Smart Location Bar, Places Manager, and a rich database of extensions.
- Opera - Feature-rich browser. Includes email client, BitTorrent downloads, Speed Dial (page with quick access to favorite websites), and mouse gestures.
- Safari - Ported from Mac OSX, Apple brings Safari to Windows. Features private browsing and other enhancements.
Network Monitoring
- NetWorx - is a simple and free, yet powerful tool that helps you objectively evaluate your bandwidth situation. You can use it to collect bandwidth usage data . NetWorx can help you identify possible sources of network problems, ensure that you do not exceed the bandwidth limits specified by Eastserve (4 Gigabyte in 24 Hours), or track down suspicious network activity characteristic of Trojan horses and hacker attacks.
- Down2Home monitors your day-to-day bandwidth transfers.
It logs up- and download volumes and organizes the data in nice 2D/3D charts. Down2Home monitors your day-to-day bandwidth transfers.
Notepad
- Notepad++ - a feature-rich text editor. Features syntax highlighting, function completion, tabs, and a plethora of other capabilities.
- Notepad2 - While not as feature-rich as Notepad++, it offers a simple replacement for Notepad with syntax highlighting.
Calculator
Built In Unzipping Utility
- 7-Zip - Supports a number of formats, including RAR, ZIP, TAR, and 7z; can also generate a self extracting archive.
- TUGZip - Supports a wide range of formats and can create a self extracting archive.
Windows Media Player
- foobar2000 - While only audio, supports a wide range of formats without plugins, and has low memory usage and is extremely customizable.
- iTunes - Media player from Apple. Provides access to the iTunes Music Store (although not recommended as it bundles DRM with songs).
- Songbird - In alpha stage, integrates well with music websites. Supports syncing to other devices.
- VLC Media Player - Does not have a library feature, but plays almost any media format.
- Miro - Video only, features RSS downloading, BitTorrent, and support for video websites such as YouTube.
Paint
- GIMP - Advanced image editor with functionality similar to Adobe Photoshop.
- Paint.NET - While not as advanced as GIMP, Paint.NET provides a large feature set, including support for layers and unlimited undo.
Windows Search
- Google Desktop Search - Allows you to search the computer and Internet history in an interface similar to Google Web Search. Also provides a sidebar and quick launch utility.
- Copernic Desktop Search - Provides an intuitive UI for searching and claims to be light on resources.
Add/Remove Programs
- Revo Uninstaller - Powerful uninstaller that attempts to remove all traces of a program when uninstalling.
Disk Cleanup
- CCleaner - Searches system for unneeded files and cleans them. Also has a registry cleaner, start up manager, and minimalistic Add/Remove Programs interface.
Remote Desktop
- TightVNC - TightVNC sets up a server on the computer you want to control, and client software on the controlling computer. Offers a number of features over Remote Desktop.
- UltraVNC - Like TightVNC, with support for a Java viewer, text chat, and encryption.
- TeamViewer - Quick setup, with support for both Windows and Mac. Has file transfer; no firewall setting changes needed.
Windows Photo Gallery / Windows Picture and Fax Viewer
- Windows Live Photo Gallery - Microsoft provides an enhanced version of Windows Photo Gallery free, as part of the Windows Live suite. Provides photo library tools.
- IrfanView - Light image viewer with a wide range of features, including image manipulation and conversion.
- XnView - Another light image viewer with a wide range of features. Image manipulation, conversion, and meta data editing are a few features.
Windows Movie Maker
- Jahshaka - Offers much more functionality than Windows Movie Maker. Open source.
Windows Messenger
- Windows Live Messenger - Offers more functionality (and bloat) than Windows Messenger. Supports only the MSN protocol, with some integration with Yahoo.
- Pidgin - Supports a wide range of protocols, including Yahoo!, MSN, IRC, AIM, Google Talk, Jabber, and others. Extendable with plugins.
- Digsby - Supports a wide range of protocols as Pidgin does, and also features integration with social media such as Facebook.
- Miranda IM - Light messenger with support for a wide range of protocols. Highly extendable.
- Yahoo! Messenger - Offers some integration with the MSN protocol. Mainly supports the Yahoo! protocol.
Windows Explorer
- xplorer2 - Offers a wide range of features over Windows Explorer, including dual pane and tabbed browsing.
- Free Commander - Offers tabbed browsing, dual pane, file wiping, and MD5 checksum abilities.
Disk Defragmenter
- Auslogics Disk Defrag was designed to remedy system sluggishness and crashes caused by disk fragmentation. It is optimized to work with today's modern hard disks.
- JkDefragGUI - Is able to defrag when your screensaver comes on. Has other powerful features.
Outlook Express / Windows Mail
- Mozilla Thunderbird - Email client from Mozilla. Extendable with plugins and themes.
- Windows Live Mail - An improved version of Windows Mail, Windows Live Mail is part of the Windows Live suite.
- Evolution - Originally for Linux, Evolution is now available for Windows, offering an Outlook-like GUI.
- Mail functionality is also provided by SeaMonkey (formerly Mozilla) and Opera
Windows Firewall
- Comodo Firewall Pro - Protects outbound connections as well as inbound connections, unlike Windows Firewall. Has database of “safe” software to prevent unnecessary warnings.
- ZoneAlarm Free Firewall - Protects outbound/inbound connections, “stealths” your computer.
Sound Recorder
- Audacity - Record, mix, and apply effects to sounds in this fully featured audio editor.
CD/DVD Burning Functionality
- ImgBurn - Works with all types of media, able to create, build, and burn CD images.
Windows Sidebar
- Google Desktop Sidebar - Google Desktop features a sidebar feature as part of the Google Desktop package.
- Yahoo! Widgets - While not a sidebar, Yahoo! Widgets allows you to place widgets onto your desktop. Also features a widget dock where you can view your widgets at a quick glance.
Start Menu
- Vista Start Menu - Larger start menu which allows you to find your applications more easily and quickly perform tasks.
- Launchy - While technically not a menu, Launchy allows you to launch programs by typing a portion of the application name.
- ViStart - For XP users, this replaces the current Start Menu with Vista’s start menu, even containing search functionality.
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