Your Windows Basics

DS · 08-30-2007, 05:23 PM

Going to update this list a little bit with some good program alternatives.

CCleaner - Link
A small, yet effective, cleaning utility that lets you get rid of excess files and clean your registry. I replaced larger programs, such as TuneUp Utilities, with this and it works very well. The new beta version is merely 2.5MB.

Diskeeper
This is my favorite defragment program I've worked with. I didn't provide a link because you need to pay for it...or find it on torrents.

Once installed it will take up ~17.71MB.

JkDefrag GUI - Link
For those of you looking for a more advanced, efficient, free disc defragment program give this a try. Powerful and free. Can't beat that. 1.8MB

Notepad++ - Link
If you use Notepad at all, even for quick notes, you should download this and replace it. It's small and quick, just like Notepad, but with far more features and might even help you cut down on the number of times you have to open Word or OpenOffice. 1.4MB

Xplorer2 - Link
This is a good replacement for Windows Explorer, which is what opens when you go to different folders and such. This program lets you have 2 window panes that allow you to open up different folders at once and makes it easier to copy files. More advanced features and small program. 1MB

Launchy - Link
I love this program. It's pretty much all I use now instead of searching for shortcuts and such in the start menu/folders. Simply press Alt+Space and a little window bar pops up, you type keywords/filenames/folders/etc and it will instantly find that for you without you having to search. Just hit enter and it opens. Get this. 1.1MB

TeraCopy - Link
This will replace Windows copy system with a better one. This copies files faster, allows you to pause the transfer, pretty much fail-proof, and has more options to work with. If something screws up you can see what happened and select what you want to transfer again. Easy to do and just great. It's tiny too so it's a must have. 768KB

ImgBurn - Link
This is just for those of you looking to burn ISO files to DVDs/CDs/etc. Nice little program that's great. Better than Nero. 1.5MB

Opera - Link
I don't want to start an Opera/Firefox/IE7 war here, this is just an alternative to those of you looking for a new browser. I use Opera over Firefox now due to speed issues but this is really computer specific and, more than that, user specific. This is simply a users choice but give it a try. 4.6MB

Pidgin - Link
I had this down on the first post when it was known as GAIM but they've changed the name and made some changes. Anyone with multiple instant messaging programs (AIM, Live Messenger, Yahoo, etc) and wanting a single package should get this. Great stuff. 10.8MB

Now that there is an updated list, here are some of the programs I'm using that I don't want to write descriptions and stuff for:
Foobar2000 - media player alternative...best there is in my opinion
uTorrent - I've mentioned this before but still the best torrent program
7zip - metioned this as well but I think this is the best zip program out
NOD32 - anyone using an antivirus should be using this or Kaspersky
Spybot - the new version is great at getting rid of spyware
VLC - media player I use for videos. Won't use anything else now

If I think of any more I will add them but that's that for now. Get Launchy.

08-30-2007, 05:23 PM	#11
DS look at that hat Posts: 4,520	Going to update this list a little bit with some good program alternatives. CCleaner - Link A small, yet effective, cleaning utility that lets you get rid of excess files and clean your registry. I replaced larger programs, such as TuneUp Utilities, with this and it works very well. The new beta version is merely 2.5MB. Diskeeper This is my favorite defragment program I've worked with. I didn't provide a link because you need to pay for it...or find it on torrents. Once installed it will take up ~17.71MB. JkDefrag GUI - Link For those of you looking for a more advanced, efficient, free disc defragment program give this a try. Powerful and free. Can't beat that. 1.8MB Notepad++ - Link If you use Notepad at all, even for quick notes, you should download this and replace it. It's small and quick, just like Notepad, but with far more features and might even help you cut down on the number of times you have to open Word or OpenOffice. 1.4MB Xplorer2 - Link This is a good replacement for Windows Explorer, which is what opens when you go to different folders and such. This program lets you have 2 window panes that allow you to open up different folders at once and makes it easier to copy files. More advanced features and small program. 1MB Launchy - Link I love this program. It's pretty much all I use now instead of searching for shortcuts and such in the start menu/folders. Simply press Alt+Space and a little window bar pops up, you type keywords/filenames/folders/etc and it will instantly find that for you without you having to search. Just hit enter and it opens. Get this. 1.1MB TeraCopy - Link This will replace Windows copy system with a better one. This copies files faster, allows you to pause the transfer, pretty much fail-proof, and has more options to work with. If something screws up you can see what happened and select what you want to transfer again. Easy to do and just great. It's tiny too so it's a must have. 768KB ImgBurn - Link This is just for those of you looking to burn ISO files to DVDs/CDs/etc. Nice little program that's great. Better than Nero. 1.5MB Opera - Link I don't want to start an Opera/Firefox/IE7 war here, this is just an alternative to those of you looking for a new browser. I use Opera over Firefox now due to speed issues but this is really computer specific and, more than that, user specific. This is simply a users choice but give it a try. 4.6MB Pidgin - Link I had this down on the first post when it was known as GAIM but they've changed the name and made some changes. Anyone with multiple instant messaging programs (AIM, Live Messenger, Yahoo, etc) and wanting a single package should get this. Great stuff. 10.8MB Now that there is an updated list, here are some of the programs I'm using that I don't want to write descriptions and stuff for: Foobar2000 - media player alternative...best there is in my opinion uTorrent - I've mentioned this before but still the best torrent program 7zip - metioned this as well but I think this is the best zip program out NOD32 - anyone using an antivirus should be using this or Kaspersky Spybot - the new version is great at getting rid of spyware VLC - media player I use for videos. Won't use anything else now If I think of any more I will add them but that's that for now. Get Launchy.