Taqi Shah Blogspot

1.  Google Chrome
A blisteringly fast, lightweight Internet Browser.

2.  7-Zip
Lightweight, fast and opens more file types than you can shake a stick at.  A bit ugly though. More details about 7zip. Split large files for emailing with 7zip. Put split files back together with 7zip.

3.  CCleaner + CCEnhancer
PC slowing down?  Try CCleaner, it cleans your PC of unneeded temporary files and folders, cleans the registry & much more!  Add CCEnhancer to the mix and you’ve got yourself a full system cleaner. More details about CCleaner.

4.  Gyazo
It doesn’t get any faster than this image capturing & sharing tool.  Click, Snip & Share!

5.  Microsoft Security Essentials
In my opinion, the best anti-virus product on the market.  Light, fast, good looking, frequent updates & great detection rates, all make ‘MSE’ a well-rounded product. The complete guide to protecting your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 PC with Microsoft Security Essentials.

Note: This is no longer required in Windows 8; Windows Defender is back in the spotlight and bundled with the OS.

6.  Virtual Clone Drive
Like to keep backups of DVD’s?  DVD drive broken?  Then install Virtual Clone Drive.  It emulates a DVD drive so you can mount files and use them as you would a physical one.

7.  µTorrent
“Speedy, efficient, and free. µTorrent is the world’s most popular BitTorrent client for a reason.”  Enough said.

8.  DropBox
Sync anything across multiple computers.

9.  Team Viewer
Friends and family treat you as a free PC technician?  Me too, use this to help them when you’re not at their desk. How to help your friend with their PC problems using remote access via team viewer.

10.  Rainmeter
Customise your Desktop to your hearts content as the possibilities are endless.  Touted as a system monitor, which frankly undermines its capabilities. See what Stu created using this app.

11. Seven Drive Changer
Made by our very own Windows Forums member Batu.  Changes the icons of the drives in the ‘Computer’ view of Windows Explorer.  A somewhat challenging task if done manually.  A breeze with this.

12.  7CONIFIER
Like customising your Taskbar and Start Menu icons?  With this app changing them all at the same time, and to a custom (or pre-made) theme pack is a cinch.

13.  Keepass
Keep your internet browsing sessions safe by using strong passwords.  Keepass generates mid-bogglingly complicated password in a millisecond and stores them all, so you never have to remember another password again.

14.  Easy BCD
Managing your Boot Manager has never been so easy.

15.  HiddenFiles Toggle
Tires of having to toggle the ‘hidden files and folders’ option in the view tab of the folder options window?  Install this to have a toggle option in your context menu.  Not x64 compatible.

16.  Windows Live Essentials 2011
Email client, blogging client, photo gallery, movie maker & much more.  Looks and functions amazingly and yes, it’s also free.  You don’t seriously think Microsoft would ever charge for the privilege? Do you?

17.  Library Icon Changer
Customise the icons to the Library’s in Windows 7.  A lengthy procedure when done manually.  Easily 7 quickly accomplished with this.

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18.  Shark 007 Codec Pack.
Got some media files that won’t play on your Windows system?  Install this fantastic comprehensive codec pack.

19. FileZilla
A FTP client that’s fast, light and works great.  Rich made some recommendations recently.  Check them out.

20.  Revo Uninstaller
This is a great program for uninstalling other programs for you system.  Cleans up traces of uninstalled programs better than the built-in installers ever could.  x64 users have to pay. More details about Revo.

21.  Handbrake
HandBrake is an open-source, GPL-licensed, multiplatform, multithreaded video transcoder.  Great for converting those DVD’s. More details about Handbrake.

22.  MediaBrowser
Take your Windows 7 Media Centre experience to another level with Media Browser.  A frequently updated plug-in that makes Media Centre cool.

23.   ImgBurn
They say “ImgBurn is a lightweight CD / DVD / HD DVD / Blu-ray burning application that everyone should have in their toolkit!”   I agree. More details about ImgBurn.

24.  Media Monkey
Sick of Apple and their shoddy iTunes software but have an iPod?  Use Media Monkey to relieve the shackles.  Also great looking and easily manages massive music collections.

25.  Wubi
Ever wanted to install another Operating System or just curious as to what Ubuntu is?  Installing it has never been simpler.  This runs and essentials acts as just another programs in your system.  no dual booting required, just install it, reboot and choose Ubuntu!