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Must-have Windows tools
System utilities may not seem like the most provocative category in the annals of software development, but the apps within are essential for maintaining a tip-top computer. On top of that, their universality makes them a good choice for almost any computer.
With that in mind, we gathered together seven of our favorite freeware applications--most will support Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 operating systems. This list isn't the end-all and be-all--not when so many quality programs abound--but it is a good beginning.
We start with Glary Utilities, which is actually a suite of apps to optimize and tweak Windows computers. CCleaner and Smart Defrag also make the top of our list for sweeping away Internet tracks and drefragmenting the hard disk, respectively. When it's traces of files you're worried about after removing a program, Revo Uninstaller is our go-to app, thanks to its capability to scour nooks and crannies for leftovers.
When it comes to maintaining files, we're fans of 7-Zip, which can compress large files in a range of formats, including ZIP and RAR. To preserve those files in the event of a system crash, we recommend a backup program like SyncBack, which is accessible enough for most home users. Finally, a recovery app like Pandora Recovery belongs in your collection, for hunting down files you may have mistakenly deleted.
Do you have other favorite utility essentials? In the newsletter, click the "Read More" link below to share them in the comments. Check out our original roundup.
Jessica Dolcourt reviews the latest and greatest smartphone apps, in addition to a healthy dose of Windows software. E-mail Jessica and follow her on Twitter. 
Also, I prefer the auslogics disk defrag to iobit system defrag.
Registry defrag by iobit is a must have software.
JC&B 's quicknote a tiny , but very useful program. try it to have it always in your system!
http://www.downloadjunction.com/product/store/17227/index.html
Re Quicknote: I've looking for this since my old computer crashed about 3 years ago but couldn't remember the name. here's the cnet link: http://download.cnet.com/3001-2351_4-10116772.html?spi=babe838ecd9c8292d897f7272404e5fa&part=dl-Quicknote
Two other free-ware programs I consider must-haves are Clipboard Magic, http://download.cnet.com/Clipboard-Magic/3000-18487_4-10018572.html?tag=mncol and cnet Tech Tracker, http://download.cnet.com/CNET-TechTracker-app/3000-18513_4-10912909.html?tag=mncol which still has a couple of minor bugs but is much improved from the Beta which I used regularly. Basically this is a small app that sits on your toolbar and let's you know when any of the programs you downloaded from cnet has an update. Sure beats trying to remember which ones you've checked for updates lately.
It does not do anything to mess up, deletes temp files, and trash etc,
Can remove programs, IF YOU go to the area just like windows ADD/REMOVE tell it to. lol..
It does a shallow scan of registry and does a great job at it..Like finding missing references for programs you uninstalled. or programs that were porrly written leave things behind or have bad references
Simple as that..
Works great!
It's a great real-time backup utility!
I do prefer to use System Mechanic. Version 9 is much more user friendly than past issues. With it's automated tools for defraging and cleaning, it is a snap and seems to do a great job.
Uniblue's Registry Booster has been a great program for those of us who do not know that much about registry issues.
I prefer using Advanced System Care backed up with AVG antivirus and Spybot for malware. I haven't had an issue with any of them and they run really smoothly.
Jan
That is not true. The RAR format is proprietary, and only a few programs which have permission from the authors (the Roshal brothers) can create RAR archives. 7zip can only read (uncompress) the RAR files.
but it is supported in the 2010 version as i have well over 9 months left and seem not to be able to get any redress
i am not impresed.Other wise i was very pleased with with it.
By the way i have 2010 on trial but i'm not going to pay for the full version when it expires.
Thanks
- by jinyanjie November 10, 2009 5:35 AM PST
- thank you. i look forward to having more new information about the windows tools.
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