Version: 2008
  • On The Insider: Britney's Bikini-Clad Top 10
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Utilities & Operating Systems

From driver downloads to registry cleaners, CNET Download.com features all the latest utilities and drivers. Whether you're looking for FTP clients, compression utilities, or software to back up your hard drive, CNET Download.com has you covered. See all 37 in this category.

for the week of: November 08Visits
  1. 1.
    Zamzar

    System Utilities305

  2. 2.
    Ninite

    Other114

  3. 3.
    YouConvertIt

    System Utilities44

  4. 4.
    DoubleTwist

    System Utilities14

  5. Watch your favorite videos on your favorite devices.
  6. 5.
    Super Screenshot

    System Utilities9

  7. 6.
    Windows4all

    System Utilities9

  8. 7.
    Web File Manager

    File Management8

  9. Organize and play audio, video, images, TV, Web media.
  10. 8.
    SQLinForm

    System Utilities6

  11. 9.
    PrintWhatYouLike.com

    System Utilities5

  12. 10.
    Zoho Creator

    System Utilities5

See all most popular software

  1. Capture screen images, video and audio
Release date
  1. Ninite Oct 23

    Other

  2. Windows4all Sep 29

    System Utilities

  3. Web File Manager Jun 02

    File Management

  4. PrintWhatYouLike.com Sep 25

    System Utilities

  5. Mapstaction Jul 07

    System Utilities

  6. DomainsBot Jun 10

    System Utilities

  7. OpenSocial Jun 10

    System Utilities

  8. PdfMeNot Jun 10

    System Utilities

  9. Super Screenshot Jun 07

    System Utilities

  10. Postica Jun 03

    System Utilities

See all new releases

  1. 1.
    YouConvertIt

    Convert audio video images and documents into various formats.

  2. 2.
    Zamzar

    Convert various files without the need to download software.

  3. 3.
    PrintWhatYouLike.com

    Print Web pages with complete control over what content is included in the printout.

  4. 4.
    DoubleTwist

    Move media between your PC, your devices, and your friends.

  5. 5.
    Zoho Creator

    Create Web forms and convert your spreadsheet to online database application.

  6. 6.
    SQLinForm

    Format SQL code automatically.

  7. 7.
    Baseportal

    Create your own Web database easily.

  8. 8.
    Jaxtop

    Create, organize, and publish online content from your computer desktop easily.

  9. 9.
    OpenID

    Use one username and password on any Web sites you visited.

  10. 10.
    MyEvents.NET

    Manage and access your contacts and other data from your cellphone, PDA devices, or the Web.

See all editor's picks

from the download blog

Must-have Windows tools

Posted by Jessica Dolcourt on Nov 05, 2009
We round up seven system utilities to help keep your computer in top form. Did we mention they're all free?
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an introduction to Utilities & Operating Systems

Have you ever added a TV tuner card to your computer, only to have the DVD drive stop working? Maybe you've tried to install software and gotten an error message such as "The file foofah.dll is missing or damaged." The only time most people will need to deal with a driver is when something goes awry. Essentially, a driver is a piece of software that communicates the special needs of a hardware device or software application to an operating system. Windows comes with most of the drivers you need, but sometimes plugging in a new device--such as a digital camera or printer--will trigger a search for drivers. If the maker of your device doesn't offer drivers on its Web site, try searching our library for the name of the device or corrupted DLL.

This category is also the home of popular programs such as the top-rated SmartFTP Client, which made our list of the best free utilities. Installing and uninstalling software, deleting files, and other daily tasks can take a toll on your computer's performance. To test how well your PC is running, try a benchmarking program such as SANDRA Lite. Cleaning out the dead wood with a system optimizer such as Ace Utilities or System Mechanic will straighten out some Registry problems, improve system speed, and free up disk space. Don't forget to back up your data regularly with something like Second Copy so you can replace any files you regret erasing, such as the driver for your nVidia ForceWare Graphics card.

File-compression tools include the classic WinZip and the newcomer WinRAR, which are both excellent shareware products that provide lots of free functionality. Among the wide variety of software within Tools & Utilities, you'll find bookmark managers such as Bookmark Buddy, download managers such as Download Accelerator Plus, file-sharing tools such as LimeWire or Morpheus, and search tools such as Google Desktop.