FREE Great Programs for Windows 7

[Brink]

FREE Great Programs for Windows 7​

   Information

These are completely FREE programs for Windows 7. I have tested all of these programs below without any problems in the 32 bit and 64 bit Windows 7 versions. The list is in alphabetical order using the program's name.

I will add more as I run across them, so be sure to check the list every so often and feel free to post your suggestion of a great free program.

Here's the Ever Growing List:


Moved and updated here: http://www.sevenforums.com/software/215829-free-great-programs-windows-7-2-a.html

 

[NormCameron]

Windows 7 Beta Programs

Microsoft currently has it's best designer working on Windows 7 addons :-



Leaner Windows 7 Will Let You Add Features À la Carte

It may be hard to believe that Microsoft is prepping a version of Windows without e-mail, calendar, and instant messaging apps. After all, some of those features have been bundled with Windows almost from the start; with Vista, the list got longer, including additions such as Windows Photo Gallery and Vista Parental Controls. But Microsoft officials say the plan for Windows 7 is to deliver a lean operating system that lets you add the features you like, choosing à la carte from a suite of Windows Live Essentials programs you download.

Some applets are already available in beta form at download.live.com; more are expected to debut in mid-November. All have (or will have) hooks to free services such as online file storage, photo sharing, and collaboration tools.

Windows Live general manager Brian Hall says that stripping accessory programs from Windows will allow Microsoft to focus on the development of the operating system and streamline its support (service packs should be smaller-and possibly fewer-for a smaller OS). Hall adds that a "cleaner" operating system eliminates potential confusion for customers faced with two different programs that are similar in function-one already in Windows and the other from Windows Live.

When Windows 7 is available, Hall says, Microsoft will work with PC makers to place a desktop shortcut that will link to a download page where you can choose just the programs you want. Here's a list of what's available now from Windows Live.

• Windows Live Messenger beta: This instant messaging application has phone- and video-calling capabilities too.

• Windows Live Mail beta: In this e-mail program, you can merge multiple e-mail accounts. It also includes a calendar that syncs with a Windows Live Web-based calendar.

• Windows Live Photo Gallery beta: Similar to Google's Picasa, this photo organizing and basic photo editing program has hooks to Microsoft's Windows Live Photo Gallery as well as to third-party photo-sharing sites such as Flickr.

• Windows Live Movie Maker beta : This video editing software also automates the creation of movies from your own photos, videos, and music. The application can burn video to CD/DVD, or convert it for viewing on a cell phone or for posting online at Microsoft's Soapbox video-sharing site.

• Windows Live Writer beta: An application for composing and publishing blog entries to Windows Live Spaces, it also works with other blogging platforms, including Blogger and WordPress.

• Windows Live Family Safety: Through this parental control software, parents can limit the type of content that their children can access online and monitor their surfing activity.

• Windows Live Toolbar: This updated Internet Explorer toolbar enables fast access to Windows Live Web services.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/152657-3/microsoft_plans_a_strippeddown_windows_7.html

 

[smarteyeball]

Working with the x86 8601


Switcher 2 (Flip 3d replacement / Expose style switcher)

Switcher for Windows Vista

 

[Barman58]

Hi all,

You can add Comodo Internet Security Version 3.5.54375.427 (current on Comodo Site) to the list of windows 7 Compatible software (I only run the firewall but AV should work also)

only caveat is to set the installer to compatibility mode for Vista RTM otherwise install will fail

 

[Barman58]

Hi all,

you can add Thunderbird and OpenOffice 3 to the list of compatibles

 

[garysgold]

The Vistax64 System Info tool seems to work ok in W7 Ultimate-32bit.

Gary

 

[Brink]

Hi all,

You can add Comodo Internet Security Version 3.5.54375.427 (current on Comodo Site) to the list of windows 7 Compatible software (I only run the firewall but AV should work also)

only caveat is to set the installer to compatibility mode for Vista RTM otherwise install will fail.

you can add Thunderbird and OpenOffice 3 to the list of compatibles

Thank you Nigel. These have been added.

 

[NormCameron]

Vlite works with Windows 7

Windows 7 Lite


"Windows Vista and Windows 7 are related products, some users would even go so far to describe Windows 7 as an update to Windows Vista. One aspect that could fuel these rumors is that it is possible to use the application Vlite on Windows 7. Vlite is a software program that can create a new Windows Vista installation DVD by removing parts that the user does not want to include in the operating system. The very same program recognizes Windows 7 as Windows Vista and is therefor compatible with it.

A video has been posted to Youtube that demonstrates the whole process.
http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?sw...se_get_video_info=1&load_modules=1&fs=1&hl=en

While it is possible to create a Windows 7 Lite installation with Vlite everyone should understand that Vlite has not been specifically designed to work with Windows 7. This could lead to errors or not-working installations if the wrong components are selected for removal."

http://windows7news.com/2008/11/14/windows-7-lite/

 

[StackOverflow]

Can I use Vlite to add features to Windows Vista/7?

 

[NormCameron]

nLite and vLite automate the customization process. First they copy the contents of the install disc to a folder on the user's computer. Then they let the user remove Windows components, tweak its options, install Windows Service Packs, patch faults, and add drivers. The user can preset the service settings in Windows or remove services entirely. One of the main uses is to remove programs and components, many of which cannot normally be removed in Windows, such as Internet Explorer, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows Media Player.

After applying the changes, an image file can be created or the Windows installation can be burned onto a CD.
nLite and vLite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Many of the customized pirate versions of Windows that appear are made using this program. Many of these versions contain a shopping list of programs etc that are slipstreamed into the install. The makers primarily intended it as a tool to allow a person to include all updates and patches to a Vista OS by slipstreaming them into the install process.

 

[StackOverflow]

Great. Thanks, I'l be getting this so there'll be no torture after 3 months.

I just tested it out and I need to install something called WAIK from MS that is like over 1 GIG!? Too bad. vLite just lost my attention.

 

[davehc]

A lt of readers may remmber threads such as this, from the early Vista days.
Another site I was on, in the end, decided to reverse the procedure and start listing programs which did not work, as the list of working programs was beginning to get to long and meaningless. I suspect that, with the forthcoming Beta, the same situation will arise with "7" (??)

 

[Barman58]

Hi Davehc

I think the ideal for a Beta OS would probably be three lists namely ...

1. A "Whitelist" of applications that work "Out of the box"
2. A "Blacklist" of applications that are totally incompatible
3. Applications which although they don't work out of the box, can be made to work [with a link to instructions to make it work]

This system would allow anyone thinking of installing a particular program a better place to start than just a single list. If an application is not on any of the lists then the user can try to install, report back to the Forum and eventually, get it placed on the appropriate list.

 

[davehc]

Excellent idea!

 

[Barman58]

Hi All,

Have just downloaded and installed the Vista Codec Pack and it is working ok
Version 5.0.2

I know that 7's native support is better than vista's but to mis-quote Dire Straights "I need my .FLV"

not sure if this is right forum to post into so if Admin/Mods think it's better elseware please move it

 

[Anthony]

Great. Thanks, I'l be getting this so there'll be no torture after 3 months.

I just tested it out and I need to install something called WAIK from MS that is like over 1 GIG!? Too bad. vLite just lost my attention.

StackOverflow,

You dont need to install that, if you go to this link:-http://www.msfn.org/board/Tutorial-Build-Windows-t114957.html

where it says 'Requirments' download the windows imaging driver
RapidShare: Easy Filehosting
and put the 3 files into the appropriate folder and it does work!!
its been a while since i did this, so cant remeber the exact folder.

Good Luck!!

 

[Brink]

A lt of readers may remmber threads such as this, from the early Vista days.
Another site I was on, in the end, decided to reverse the procedure and start listing programs which did not work, as the list of working programs was beginning to get to long and meaningless. I suspect that, with the forthcoming Beta, the same situation will arise with "7" (??)

Hi Davehc

I think the ideal for a Beta OS would probably be three lists namely ...

1. A "Whitelist" of applications that work "Out of the box"
2. A "Blacklist" of applications that are totally incompatible
3. Applications which although they don't work out of the box, can be made to work [with a link to instructions to make it work]

This system would allow anyone thinking of installing a particular program a better place to start than just a single list. If an application is not on any of the lists then the user can try to install, report back to the Forum and eventually, get it placed on the appropriate list.

Not a bad ideal Nigel and Dave, but this is a list of FREE GREAT (must have) programs for Windows 7. Not a works with Windows 7 list.

 

[StackOverflow]

@Anthony: I'll try that, thanks.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Brink....

I have been using Frameworkx (Vista Shortcut Manager) to remove the shortcut arrow for a while on 7 and it doesn't seem to be causing any problems so far. I had it on the last install and just added it to this one without incident.













Later Ted

 

[Ex_Brit]

A word of warning re: Comodo Firewall. It is an internet connection buster when it uninstalls and it also BSOD'd on me twice in the process of uninstalling & it did not do it cleanly and I had to spend at least an hour cleaning up the registry...they don't appear to have a removal tool. So I had to rely on System Restore in the end.
I'm staying with Windows Firewall for now and keeping my fingers crossed that it and Avast will protect me.