FREE Great Programs for Windows 7

[harpua]

Process Lasso

Free (with some features disabled, see list at bottom below) for personal use

[ Download for Windows ] [ Download for Windows x64 ]

Process Lasso is a unique new technology that will improve your PC's responsiveness and stability during periods of high CPU load. Windows, by design, allows programs to monopolize your CPU without restraint -- leading to freezes, hangs, and micro-lags. Process Lasso's ProBalance (Process Balance) technology intelligently adjusts the priorities of running programs so that badly behaved processes won't negatively impact the responsiveness of your PC.​

Process Lasso also offers an assortment of ways to take full control of how your CPUs are allocated to running programs. You can choose at what priority processes should run, and which CPUs should be assigned to them. You can also disallow certain programs from running, log all programs run, automatically restart programs, limit the number of instances of a program, and much more. You can even indicate processes that should induce entrance into the High Performance power scheme or prevent the PC from sleeping. A gaming mode also allows for easy process priority optimization for avid gamers.​

Once you install Process Lasso, it will just start working. More advanced users can tweak the configuration, but you needn't touch anything to have it instantly improve your system responsiveness and prevent stalls in high load situations.​

Process Lasso is very useful and effective on even the latest high-end PCs. However, its ProBalance algorithm achieves maximum effect on PCs with relatively little CPU 'power', such as Netbooks, Tablets, and older desktops.​

Process Lasso runs on all editions of Windows 2000, XP, 2003, 2008, Vista, and Windows 7.​

• ProBalance dynamic priority optimization
• Works great for Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, and Netbooks
• Persistent (sticky) priorities and CPU affinities
• Gaming mode
• Instance count limits
• Disallowed processes
• High Performance Power Scheme processes
• Anti-sleep processes
• Keep processes running (auto-restart)
• Unique system responsiveness graph
• Differentiate between svchost.exe instances
• Extremely low resource use
• Stand-alone process management engine (uses as little as 1MB of RAM)
• Both 32-bit and 64-bit builds for maximum efficiency
• Event logging
• MUCH more...

Process Lasso is written in native C++, not .NET. The background core engine that manages processes is completely independent from the graphical user interface, allowing you to keep process rules applied with almost no overhead. With Process Lasso, load time is instant and resource consumption is minimal.

Process Lasso

How free is free?

We don't want there to be ANY surprises with Process Lasso. We offer a free build of Process Lasso, and a paid/registered build called Process Lasso Pro. Home users can use the free build indefinitely, though they will eventually experience some nags and a reduction in available features (see chart below). Process Lasso Pro is well worth the cost and your purchase helps support continued development. Process Lasso was the FIRST utility of its kind, and we'll keep breaking new ground with YOUR support.
Process Lasso PRO (the purchased version) offers extended features and special optimizations. Its up to you whether you want to invest in it or not. We hope you do. Either way, thank you for using our software.
About the Pro build

The Pro build has many benefits over the free build. The table below lists the differences between the two builds.

Feature Process Lasso Free Process Lasso Pro
ProBalance YES YES
Gaming mode YES YES
Persistent priorities YES YES
Persistent CPU affinities YES YES
Instance count limitsTRIAL PERIOD ONLY* YES
Automatic gaming modeTRIAL PERIOD ONLY* YES
CPU throttlingTRIAL PERIOD ONLY* YES
Anti-sleep processesTRIAL PERIOD ONLY* YES
Keep processes runningTRIAL PERIOD ONLY* YES
High performance power scheme processesTRIAL PERIOD ONLY*YES
Core engine as serviceNO YES
TweakScheduler toolNO YES
MM Scheduler toolNO YES

*The trial period may vary, but is typically 7 to 14 days.
**Other unlisted features may also be disabled in the free build.
​

 

[Cyberian75]

A clipboard utility -- ClipX

 

[GEORG]

A decrypt DVD CD Utility DVD43 : http://www.DVD43.com !!!

 

[MilesAhead]

Here's a nice tool that can convert to .mkv or .avi or compress .mkv to a lower bitrate:

Quick AVI Creator Home

It produces good results but it does require horsepower. I recommend editing the xvid.presets file to add an xvid "one pass mode" like so(the stuff after the [One Pass Mode] section should be all on one line)


[One Pass Mode]
xvid_encraw.exe -i "$video_input" -bitrate $video_bitrate -progress 2000 -avi "$video_output"

Let's say for example you have an HD .wmv file you want to convert to .avi. What's nice about this tool is you can convert it to an HD .avi using .xvid codec by accepting the default .avs file produced, or you can add one line to size down to standard 720x480 .avi file for playing on divx stand-alone DVD players that won't play .avi at resolutions higher than 720x576. I find the xvid one pass output very good in both cases provided you give it some bitrate to work with. For HD .avi try at least 3200 kbit for the video bitrate and see how you like it.

edit: btw I've used it on both Windows Seven 32 bit and Vista64. Works out of the box. The only thing a bit quirky is using x264 it wants to know the starting frame for the end credits so that it can encode that end section of the video with crappy quality to use the bits on the rest of the video. To disable just put the number of the last video frame. Or use the preview to get the frame number of the end credits starting frame. It just seems weird the first time you do it. Again I recommend one pass mode unless you can leave your PC churning for a day or 2.

 

[xSeanBoi]

Not sure if these are in the list yet...

Windows 7 Start Orb Changer
Fantastic tool to quickly change the Start Orb bitmap (image) in a jiffy. The utility is extremely simple and useful especially for novice Windows users.
Download

StandaloneStack
If you don’t want any dock and simply use your taskbar, you can have stack view too. Just get StandaloneStack 2, create a shortcut and voilà, run it to show the stack.
Download

SMART Utility
SMART is a handy utility designed to help users to tweak the Windows 7 Services. basically you can customize your Windows 7 services settings, to meet your requirements.
Download

7Plus
The 7plus application was developed to be a small tool which tries to make working with Windows much more comfortable by adding features to explorer, window handling, and lots of other small tweaks.
Download

Luxand Blink! (Windows 7 & Vista 32-bit only)
Use your face as a password! With Blink!, you can log into your PC by simply looking into the eye of a webcam. Employing advanced face recognition features resulting from years of research developing biometric technologies, Blink! makes little to no mistakes.
Download

Network Activity Indicator
Network Activity Indicator displays the old 'two monitors' icon in Windows 7 that flashed blue to show network activity on the System Tray.
Download

zum
Your desktop is too scattered? Remove it all! Your new desktop is zum! Add your programs or files to categorized database. And one click to run your item! It's so easy! Give zum a try to see what it's really capable of!
Download

 

[SIW2]

+1 7plus is a great utility.

There are one or two I haven't come across before , e.g. zum. Will chceck it out.

It's better to link to the sites instead of direct downloads.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

Seems like Super Converter is not in the list. It's a good software for encoding Videos and Audio Files. Here is the link. SUPER &copy

- Captain

 

[MilesAhead]

Is 7Plus really stable? Seems like any of those that add toolbars or buttons to Explorer end up making it act flaky... at least the ones I've tried.

edit: afa categorized programs, I haven't tried zum. But there are several start menu organizer type freewares. The ones I like let you put them on the right hand side of the desktop. One of the things that always frosted me about the start menu, being right handed, is I had to move the mouse way over the other side of the desktop before I even started messing with the cascading or scrolling menu. Easier just to use a categorizer or a bunch of folders in RocketDock and park it on the rhs bottom of the desktop.

The only time I have an icon on my desktop is when I've just installed something and haven't dragged it into the category folder yet.

Just my $.02. Guess I have too much free time.

 

[Brink]

Thank you guys. 7plus, Network Activity Indicator, Super, and Quick AVI Creator added.

 

[wysiwyg]

I didn't notice any FTP programs for Windows 7, I'm using Terrapin 3.2 at the moment, works in Vista but not in 7.

if no freebies would appreciate info on paid for 7.

 

[swarfega]

Most of the well known FTP clients will work with 7. FileZilla does.

 

[A Guy]

Baku is a program I rarely see mentioned, been using it for years. It has a registry cleaner, and I know many warn again them like the plague, but it is just one of many usefull tools, and the registry is automatically backed up before any changes are made should you use it (has never harmed my system).

Baku

Features
Locate duplicate files on your system (while ignoring system files).

Deletes empty folders, 'History' folder contents, 'Recent documents' folder contents, 'Temp' folder contents, temporary internet files, cookies.

Searches Windows log files, shortcuts to missing files and folders and user specified file types.

Registry scan removes unused and obsolete keys, including ActiveX/COM, Application Paths, Fonts, Help files, Icon files, Sound files, Uninstall Programs and Windows Installer.

The registry is automatically backed up before any changes are made.

Implements the standard DOD 5220.22-M, to give you confidence that once deleted, your file data is gone forever (if Eraser is installed it will be used instead).

Clears MRU lists from many applications including Media Player, eMule, Firefox, Opera, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip, etc.

Compacts the registry hives to the minimum size possible.

Heuristic based scanning of applications MRU lists.

Ability to backup and restore the entire system registry.

Backup and restore system device drivers.



JavaRa

JavaRa is a simple tool that does a simple job: it removes old and redundant versions of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE). Simply select "Check for Updates" or "Remove Older Version" to begin. JavaRa is free under the GNU GPL version two.

About

JavaRa

Download

Download

A Guy

 

[GEORG]

Not sure if these are in the list yet...
Network Activity Indicator
Network Activity Indicator displays the old 'two monitors' icon in Windows 7 that flashed blue to show network activity on the System Tray.
Download

Hi its cool software !!!
Here my Network Activity Indicator Togglenetlights: View attachment Togglenetlights.zip !!!

 

[polycue]

Radian
Radian is an application launcher that aims to help you get things done quicker. Now instead of having to dig through folders, or even click on menus, all you need to do is to right click on your screen. No matter where your mouse is on your screen, you've now got access to your Radian menu. Set it up with your most important or most used applications, and see whether your efficiency improves. It's designed in such a way that it shouldn't interfere with your other right-click commands, so you're not really sacrificing functionality that you're familiar with for this new tool.

 

[Brink]

Thank you Patrick. Radian added.

 

[Bill2]

Sick of booting the computer every morning? With Boot Snooze you can shut down your computer, performing a full reboot, and then Boot Snooze puts it back into hibernation or standby mode. So you gain the benefits of a reboot and still start quickly out of hibernation.

And, you can add your favourite morning apps to Startup. So when you get down to using the computer, those are already open. See here for a walkthrough.

Start your PC the Productive Way « Tinkering with Tech

Note: You need to have hibernation enabled on your computer. User Account must be set up to logon automatically.

 

[Brink]

Thank you Bill. Added.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

Sick of booting the computer every morning? With Boot Snooze you can shut down your computer, performing a full reboot, and then Boot Snooze puts it back into hibernation or standby mode. So you gain the benefits of a reboot and still start quickly out of hibernation.

And, you can add your favourite morning apps to Startup. So when you get down to using the computer, those are already open. See here for a walkthrough.

Start your PC the Productive Way « Tinkering with Tech

Note: You need to have hibernation enabled on your computer. User Account must be set up to logon automatically.

Good Find Bill !! Thank You !!

 

[BAZ]

I'd like to suggest
- Nitro PDF Reader | Top Features Nitro PDF Reader
- LastPass | https://lastpass.com/

Nitro Reader is still in beta beta, so install it if you are okay with using beta softwares. Though I am sure you'll agree it'll make a good (/better) alternative for Adobe Reader which won't let you edit your docs much.

LastPass is good. It stores passwords in your online account, so I think it's quite handy.

 

[kucing13]

Sick of booting the computer every morning? With Boot Snooze you can shut down your computer, performing a full reboot, and then Boot Snooze puts it back into hibernation or standby mode. So you gain the benefits of a reboot and still start quickly out of hibernation.

And, you can add your favourite morning apps to Startup. So when you get down to using the computer, those are already open. See here for a walkthrough.

Start your PC the Productive Way « Tinkering with Tech

Note: You need to have hibernation enabled on your computer. User Account must be set up to logon automatically.

Love this software.. Good one Bill