Winning Friends and Influencing Deadlines

Ah, another software/gadget/productivity blog... This is clearly what the internet was missing. I won't promise you the freshest or the newest (although from time to time, stuff'll be pretty fresh) but I will promise you the TESTED. Which, honestly, is really what you want to hear about. I mean, sure that new app dripping in .NET alpha-blended glory looks cool, but it is actually useful.

To start things off here's a brief list of the top 10 'Must-Have' FREE Windows utilities to install on a fresh installation of Windows.

1. Unlocker - Ever tried to move a file only to have Windows deny you access? Yeah, problem solved.
2. Copy Handler - Face it, Windows ability to move and copy files is seriously limited. This app will give you the ability to queue up mulitple operations and copies on average 6-7 times faster than Windows is capable of.
3. TweakUI - Microsoft's Windows PowerToys have always been handy to keep around. TweakUI gives you access to a pile more Windows configuration options. Pick up the ClearType Tuning Wizard if you're LCD equipped.
4. WinRAR - No matter what the WinZip boys would have you believe, WinRAR is the defacto standard by which all other compression programs will be judged. Its broad support of compression standards makes it the one compression program you should install. NOTE: WinRAR is technically shareware, it will nag you to register after a while
5. Hijack-This! - for the majority of power users, spyware isn't that much of an issue. We're usually smart enough NOT to install that toolbar or activeX control. for those of you who fit that description; you're anti-spyware utility has arrived. With easy access to buried registry settings and TCP/IP stack modifications its honestly the only anti-spyware utility I use.
6. ExplorerXP - a powerful Explorer alternative ExplorerXP gives you to functions you'd really expect to have made it into Windows XP: A proper file renaming utility (renumber series, convert _ to space, etc), Tabbed file browsing, even a file splitting utility.
7. Paint.NET - Need a image editor? MSPaint not cutting it? This is what you need. Intuitive interface and Photoshop-level functionality make this one a no-brainer. Hell its only 5MB to boot!
8. Girsoft AVG Free - Free, automatically updating, email scanning anti-virus. I have no idea why people buy Norton every year when this is free, faster, and far less intrusive.
9. Daemon Tools - DVD/CD-ROM emulator with the ability to 'mount' a Disc Image or ISO as if it was a real CD/DVD. I've tried others, but I always uninstall them an reinstall D-Tools.