This should be an example of the popular VLC Media Playerclarify: "VLC is a free and open source multimedia player (...), which plays most multimedia files and DVDs, audio CDs, VCDs and various streaming protocols," the manufacturer advertises modestly. That's true, but at the latest, if you once in the VLC Media Player on "Tools -> Settings -> Show All Settings" has clicked, you get a faint idea of the huge variety of functions - with a "player" this is only on To do something. Saving copy-protected DVDs, spinning mobile phone videos, or streaming to the TV in the living room are just three examples. The software is not always as well-equipped as with the VLC Media Player. Sometimes the tools are just way better than what Windows doesbrings. For example, the freeware proposes 7-Zip that in Windows built-in zip tool in terms of speed, handling and options by far.
In total, we have put together over 60 programs for you, which deserve the title "Best Freeware 2018" without restriction. For a better overview, we have sorted the tools in seven categories, which are based on the typical use scenarios: First, Windows and system, second, backup, emergency and PC problems, third, all about hardware analysis and maintenance, fourth, the best Wi-Fi tools , Fifth, security and privacy tools, six office and PDF programs for the office, and seventh audio, video, and photo. In the following we present the programs sometimes shorter, sometimes more detailed.
7-Zip is much faster than the Windows packer , making it a must-have on any machine. Practical and in most cases quite sufficient is the operation via the context menu of files and folders. In addition, 7-Zip contents of already packed archives can be changed and sent directly by e-mail. With Adwcleaner you rid your Windows computer of accidentally installed, so-called "potentially unwanted programs". Simply click on "Search", the rest will do the program for you.
The Ccleaner tool cleans up your hard drive, cleans up the registry and removes Internet traces . As a result, you get a cleaner, faster Windows . The Glary Utilities promise even more speed : In addition to 1-click maintenance, you can specifically customize the startup entries, the browser plug-ins, the Windows services and much more. The operation is simple, because "details" the program describes the selected function in detail. Disk space analysis, upgrading of installed software, and context menu changes are additional features.
The file manager Q-Dir with its up to four windows replaces the Windows Explorer. Although ISO files, ie "images" of CDs and DVDs in the form of individual files, can also be opened directly under Windows 8 .1 and 10, Virtual Clone Drive offers more comfort. This allows you to create multiple virtual optical drives to use different volumes simultaneously: a must on any notebook without an optical drive.
In addition, Imgburn creates ISO images of real physical disks as well as any data compilations. If you want to reinstall Windows or Microsoft Office, then the Windows ISO Downloader is the right choice. Because instead of searching for the right installation files at Microsoft, the software loads the original ISO files of Windows 7, Windows 8 .1 and Windows 10 including the Insider Previews and the Office packages of the versions 2010, 2013 and 2016 on the hard disk ,
The ISO files can be further processed with one of the two aforementioned tools, or you can rebuild your computer using Easy BCD . How to boot Easy BCD from live CDs and DVDs is described here . Furthermore, the program provides good services, because it greatly simplifies handling and booting with several installed operating systems or Windows versions: With Easy BCD it is possible to conveniently configure the boot process including pre-selection, selection time and so on with the mouse.
Technically completely different, but in the result similar functions a virtual machine, in which a virtual PC under Windows runs. This requires more hardware, because two operating systems have to share the existing resources. You can quickly try something in the second system without having to reboot every time. The right tool is Virtualbox , the online workshop explains the details . Four simple tools follow at the end of the section: Double Killer detects duplicate files, Everything is a desktop search engine that detects all data and file contents on the hard disk with lightning speed and various filters.Should I remove it will help you decide if a program preinstalled on a new machine can be deleted or not. And if you have to provide IT support again in the family or in the circle of acquaintances, you can do that comfortably from home with Teamviewer . To do this, the person seeking help simply loads the "Quick Support" pager and, after starting, gives you ID and password by phone so that you can take over.
Analyzing system performance and finding errors requires specialized tools that manage hardware status, manage system settings, and indicate errors and incorrect configurations. If the computer slows down after powering up, it may be due to an overheated CPU running down Protection reduces the own clock frequency. Unfortunately there is no indication of the temperature in Windows , only in the bios. The small tool Core Temp accesses the sensor in the processor and reports the current heat levels in the system tray systray. A similar program exists in the form of GPU-Z also for the GPU of the graphics card.
Finally, the Sysinternals tools are the gold standard for professional analysis of Windows operations and troubleshooting. In particular, two of them, Autoruns and the Process Explorer should not be missing on any USB stick with support tools. Autoruns knows all places, where in Windows programs are started automatically. The Process Explorer is indispensable for finding memory eaters in RAM and on-the-go applications that drive up CPU usage to 100 percent over the long term.
