List of some good freeware programs I have found over the years.

 These programs I use as a technique to keep my computer in shape to run my daw on, and some are just plain cool to have.

This is my best of the best Freeware Utilities :
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

BE ADVISED : Any links posted here or downloads : USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. I may have downloaded the files from certain sites and they checked out ok, that could mean my security measures missed something - OR MORE IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND - Hackers sometime build a reputation with innocent virus free software and then knowing that you trust them you download their software without doing a full scan.

ALWAYS take every security measure you can to keep your computer safe by having quality Virus protection.

For those of you who might not know this, one of my favorite sites is : Virus Total
This site will allow you to scan any file 20mb's or less for viruses/malware by uploading the file you just received or downloaded. This is not a end all virus means, it's just another safeguard to protect your computer and I suggest you use it a lot. It's free BTW.
There are other sites, but I like this one the best, it scan the file you upload with 20 or so commercial software virus/malware checking programs and then gives you the result. This is one of the most useful sites on the web IMO.

That being said, here's some cool freeware links:

1st : CCleaner - This is an excellent program to clean your system with. Although I strongly suggest that you understand how to use this program before using it, because as simple as it may seem it still however is a VERY POWERFUL file remover and if you don't uncheck certain things you might remove some cookies or information that you otherwise wouldn't want to delete.

2nd: FOR VISTA AND WINDOWS 7 ONLY - Vista Services Optimizer - This is a cool program that will allow you to turn off or on various services and or setting with Vista/Windows 7 systems. This can be very useful when trying to regain resources for your DAW to use.

3rd: Rocket Dock - This program has a small memory footprint, and it can be set to where it's hidden until you move your mouse to the appropriate spot - Left/Right/Top/Bottom of the screen. Lots of settings with this one, you just basically drag and drop your shortcuts or files to the program and it's there when you move your mouse over the shortcut it creates or select it.

4th: Ashampoo Winoptimizer 2010 - This one has lots of options for XP/Vista/Windows 7, lots of goodies with this program. Just MAKE SURE you setup your options before running the individual program or "THE ONE CLICK OPTIMIZER".  To use this without it being a trial you have to register it, after you've done that then just go back and log backup and change your settings to where you will not recieve ANY ashampoo newsletters.

5th: Comodo System Cleaner - This is a very good cleaner, one thing I think is cool about it is the "Safety Clean" features it has, this has some nice features. Although it doesn't have an install package, you just create a folder and copy/paste the unzipped files and then create a shortcut to your desktop.

6th: Trend Micro House Call Virus/Malware Online Scanner - This is a good program to use from time to time as it doesn't take up very little space. Even if you have another brand of virus protection this is still a good checkup/CLEANing tool to run from time to time IMO.

7th: Bill2's Process Manager - CAUTION with this one, if you don't know what your doing you'll create a problem by using this program. Otherwise if you understand how processes are ran in priority and such then this is a great program to speed up your computer because it can be set to load and run programs with saved settings as to how their priority is set by the computer. 

8th: Paint.Net - This is an excellent Freeware program to edit your pictures or photo's for an Album cover, or create a picture or whatever you wanna do. The "Magic Wand" feature is used to remove things from photo's to where you can do some crazy stuff, things like putting your head on another persons body and such. You can do a You Tube search for this program and learn all kinda neat stuff you can do.

9th: Revo Uninstaller Freeware - This is a good freeware program to remove programs installed on your computer, the hunter mode is especially useful. This program goes in depth to remove installed registries and such based on your selections as to how you want it to remove things. THIS IS THE BEST - PERIOD!!!!!! I plan to go pro in the future, the link provides a download for the FREEWARE and PRO version but it also shows a comparison chart so be your own judge.

10th: FOR VISTA - Logon Studio Vista - This is one cool program with lost of features option and such for your boot screen. Check it out if you use vista.

Well, these are a few of the ones I think are pretty cool "FREEWARE" programs.

Feel free to add to this, my intent is to try and create a "USER" based list of programs with link and description as to WHY you might feel this program is the best or it isn't.

I hope these help someone, just keep in mind "BACKUP YOUR COMPUTER SECURELY BEFORE CHANGING ANYTHING WITH YOUR COMPUTER!!!!!!!", and I don't just mean SYSTEM RESTORE, I mean DVD/CD DISC and Hard Disk FULL IMAGE BACKUP. BOTH!!!

Bobby

There's so much paranoia about viruses and trojans and what not...Virus companies are having a field day. They in fact probably put out 50% of viruses anyway. What a scam they have goin!

Nice list there Freeze!
OT: It's good to have you back Freeze (Or did you never leave? Because i remember you had a different username before, anyway i missed you and your help!)

I like DOS, BIOS or CMOS. Mainly DOS

SeveredVesper


Nice list there Freeze!
OT: It's good to have you back Freeze (Or did you never leave? Because i remember you had a different username before, anyway i missed you and your help!)

I can't take credit for all the "ME's" out there, but I must say thank you. I'm kinda Chilled out for a change you might say. Stress causes mysterious things, that's about all I can say about that.

I kept the list simple, but I am always checking out the latest freeware files, I'll try and post some other cool stuff in the future. I'm trying to keep the list to something that might help musicians.

Thanks,

Bobby

montezuma


I like DOS, BIOS or CMOS. Mainly DOS

I agree 100%!!!! You can control and do something with those. With this new Vista and Windows 7 microsoft is trying to hide all the stuff in the registry to make it hard for you to control and setup your system without purchasing some program to do so IMO.

I liked the old days where you could define what was going on with your system. You can still do that, but, unless you do computer programing for a living or a hobby it's hard to figure out IMO.


Bobby

NoKey


On the simple little freebies that I have found useful as it relates to music making and recording is the Peak Level Meter by Paul Marshall of Dark Wood Designs.

Here is the download page, if anyone is interested:

http://www.darkwood.demon.co.uk/PC/meter.html#PPM1

I use it to calibrate my sound sources (instruments, presets) before recording, and also the vocal, and other things I am learning about here in this forum of great people.

I couldn't get it to work for Vista, but I have my settings a bit different than most. Either way I like the ideal.

Thanks for adding to the list.

Bobby