I just updated my list and thought I'd share it here.
 
[Edit: fixed a few broken links, and added a few more instruments and FX.  I tried to fix the links a while back, but the forum spam bot ate my edit.  Hope it works this time!]
 
For some good free virtual instruments, check these out:

KONTAKT 5 PLAYER
https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/samplers/kontakt-5-player/
 
KONTAKT FACTORY SELECTION  contains 650 MB of free premium sounds and 50+ instruments for use with the free KONTAKT 5 PLAYER.
https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/samplers/kontakt-5-player/kontakt-factory-selection/
 
AAS Player - with free Swatches sound bank
https://www.applied-acoustics.com/aas-player/

Ample Guitar M Lite II
http://www.amplesound.net/en/pro-pd.asp?id=7

Ample Bass P Lite II [this sounds really good!]
http://www.amplesound.net/en/pro-pd.asp?id=19

SynthMaster Player Free [with 300 presets]
http://www.synthmaster.com/synthmasterplayer.aspx

U-he TyrellN6 - Roland Juno 60 VA emulation with good presets
https://www.u-he.com/cms/tyrelln6
Download link:
https://www.amazona.de/fr...synth-tyrell-n6-v3-03/

U-he Zebralette - Little Zebra 2 - One oscillator from the Zebra 2
http://www.u-he.com/cms/zebralette

TX16Wx Sampler with recording, keyboard mapping, wave editing, beat slicing
http://www.tx16wx.com/

OB-Xd - Emulation of famous OB-X, OB-Xa and OB-8 synths with huge preset banks - Updated from v1.31 to v1.4 on 9 Jan 2017 - Added bank and skin browser (right click GUI / Command click on Mac)
https://obxd.wordpress.com/
http://www.discodsp.com/obxd/

Tone2 Firebird - Harmonic Content Morphing synthesis (32-bit)
https://tone2.com/html/firebird.html
 
Synth1 - Functionally it is modeled on the Clavia Nord Lead 2 Red Synth [fugly, but the sound is remarkable!!!]  The v1.13beta3 PC has a 64-bit plugin!
http://www.synth1.com/
14,000 free patches for Synth1
http://veryrandomstreams.blogspot.com/2012/03/over-10000-free-patchessounds-for-free.html
 
Virtual Playing Orchestra is a free, sfz format, sample library that attempts to emulate multiple articulations of the solo and section instruments from a full orchestra using the best samples from Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra, No Budget Orchestra, VSCO2 Community Edition, University of Iowa, Philharmonia Orchestra and extra samples from Mattias Westlund, author of Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra.
http://virtualplaying.com..tual-playing-orchestra/
 
sforzando :: Free SFZ Player - get this to play the free orchestra!
http://www.plogue.com/products/sforzando/
 
TAL Free Products - the TAL website has a lot of freebies to play around with ... a few of the virtual synth emulations like  TAL-NoiseMaker and TAL-BassLine are interesting, as well as FX like TAL Reverb-II or TAL-Chorus-LX, but never made my go-to list.  Some of them do get mentioned on various best free VST lists.
https://tal-software.com/Products
 
VST Effects - as far as free VST effects go, I'm pretty happy with the bundled FX in Sonar.  My use of VST FX is mostly as channel FX for virtual instruments, so I lack the expertise to recommend audio mixing plugins.  That said, I have found these VSTs useful.

Voxengo Span Spectrum Analyzer - similar to the analyzer in the Pro Channel QuadCurve EQ flyout
http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/

Signal Analyzer
http://www.rs-met.com/freebies.html

Anwida Soft DX Reverb Light
http://www.anwida.com/product.asp?pid=7

Melda Productions - 30 Free FX Plugins
https://www.meldaproduction.com/MFreeEffectsBundle
 
Blue Cat's Freeware Plug-ins Pack II
https://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Bundle_FreewarePack/
 
OrilRiver by Denis Tihanov  OrilRiver is a free algorithmic reverberation plugin available in VST2 and VST3 format for any Windows.

https://www.kvraudio.com/product/orilriver-by-denis-tihanov
 
IK Multimedia Amplitube 4 Custom Shop - The AmpliTube Custom Shop desktop app is free, and contains 24 pieces of gear to start. When you download and register/authorize the software, you'll get a fully functioning "standalone" app with a built-in 2-track recorder, plus you get the plug-in version for your favorite DAW.
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/amplitubecs/
 
These last 3 FX were recommended by bitflipper.  I tried them and agree!
 
PanCake is a free plugin for most flexible panning modulations
http://www.cableguys.com/pancake.html
 
Roth-AIR is a mixing tool for easily adding airy, crispy presence to your audio
https://www.kvraudio.com/product/roth-air-by-rothmann
 
TDR Kotelnikov is a wideband dynamics processor
http://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-kotelnikov/

Thanks abacab, very useful.

thanks 

All correct answers. I'd only add Kotelnikov and PanCake.

bitflipper
All correct answers. I'd only add Kotelnikov and PanCake.

Done!

And a number of other beauties:
ikjb Luftikus EQ & PitchDelay, Vladg Molot comp & Limiter6 & Nova-67P, Acon Multiply, Stillwell Event Horizon, Ignite PTeq 1-A, PluginAlliance (Brainworx Solo & Cleansweep & SPLFreeRanger, Elysia Niveau Filter), Klevgrand Squa****, Flux Bittersweet v3, AudioSpillage Minispillage, AudioDamage Rough Rider, Blue Cat Pack II, TDR Feedback Compressor & VOS SlickEQ & Proximity, Thomas Mundt LoudMax limiter, FXpansion Dcam free comp, Kuassa basiQ eq & Amplifikation Lite, VacuumSound ADT. RIAA & PoorPlate, SoundHack bundle+, Cerberus Ice9, EAReckon Limit & EQ & Gate & Comp, ToneBoosters V2.9.1 EZQ & OsoneSurround & OmniSone & TimeMachine & mvMeter, AudioAssault/BPB FilterCrusher, LostIn70s DeluxeAmp
 
Also, this is the best list of 2016 freebies: http://bedroomproducersbl...free-vst-plugins-2016/
 

Some other beauties: VirtualCreations Ultrachopper, ikjb Luftikus EQ & PitchDelay, Vladg Molot comp & Limiter6 & Nova-67P, Acon Multiply, Stillwell Event Horizon, Ignite PTeq 1-A, PluginAlliance (Brainworx Solo & Cleansweep & SPLFreeRanger, Elysia Niveau Filter), Klevgrand Squash and others, Flux Bittersweet v3, AudioSpillage Minispillage (drum), AudioDamage Rough Rider, Blue Cat Pack II, TDR Feedback Compressor & VOS SlickEQ & Proximity, Thomas Mundt LoudMax limiter, FXpansion Dcam free comp, Kuassa basiQ eq & Amplifikation Lite, VacuumSound ADT. RIAA & PoorPlate, SoundHack bundle+, Cerberus Ice9, EAReckon Limit & EQ & Gate & Comp, ToneBoosters V2.9.1 EZQ & OsoneSurround & OmniSone & TimeMachine & mvMeter, AudioAssault/BPB FilterCrusher.
 
Best 2016 (and older) freebies list to be found at the bedroomproducersblog site. Can't post the link 'cause of bots.

I don't know why Aksimet picks on you, Fleer.
 
Here's what got dropped from Fleer's post:
 
Best 2016 list: http://bedroomproducersblog.com/2016/12/29/free-vst-plugins-2016/
(you can also find their older lists on that site)
 
P.S. Next time that happens, shoot me a PM and I'll pull it out of the trash for you. Whenever we do that, Aksimet is supposed to learn from it.

So that's his name  
Me and Aksimet have some unsolved business, it seems. 
I'll be Bach indeed. Thanks Bit!

I'd also add the Acon Chorus from the 2014 KVR Developer's challenge.
 
There's also a free VST version of Wampler's Cranked AC pedal out there.  Coded by LePou, 32 bit only, but still sounds pretty good.
https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=297695