Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Bob’s Favorite Free Utility Software

j0385703 This is a list of my favorite utility software that I use to keep my machines running. Like your own body if you don’t take care of them they begin to slow down. These are all free to use but, be aware there may be pay versions you may want to use. I’ve tried many out over the years and some of these have stood the test of time while some I’ve only begun using recently.

  • CCleaner – This is one of my favorite utility software applications. It has stood the test of time and is quite useful. It cleans out temp files, cookies and other items that clog up your PC. It also has a registry cleaner, startup program editor, and add/remove programs. It’s interface is intuitive and is a snap to use.
  • Spybot Search and Destroy – This is another application that has been around for quite awhile. This cleans out malware that can slow down your PC. If you suspect your infected with spyware this is the tool turn to first.
  • Belarc Advisor – If you need a quick snapshot of what’s running inside the computer this is a handy little application. It will give you information on both hardware and software running in your machine. It’s not the most in-depth tool of it’s kind but, gives you a quick look into the machine without installing a huge program with information you don’t always need.
  • Auslogics Disk Defrag – As you use your PC it leaves around little bits and bytes around your machine. If not reorganized(defragged) occasionally it will make your drive work harder(and slower) and possibly shorten it’s lifespan. If you want something else to use to defrag your machine besides the built-in Windows version this is a good choice. It’s hard to tell if it’s quicker than Microsoft’s but, I think it does a good job. It has a friendly interface and even give’s you a percentage of how much you’ve improved your machine.
  • Panda Cloud Antivirus – This is may current choice of antivirus software. I’ve only started using this recently after it was suggested by someone. I’ve also used Avast! and AVG(Free versions) which are also very good choices if your on a budget.

These are my current favorite utility software applications. All are free for personal use. Read user agreements if you intend to use for commercial or business applications. If you have any suggestions of stuff I may have missed or comment about your experience with the above feel free to let me know. Thanks and have a great day!

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