Version: 2008
  • On TechRepublic: Five super-secret features in Windows 7
advertisement
Click Here

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 40 in this category.

for the week of: November 22Visits
  1. 1.
    Zamzar

    System Utilities297

  2. 2.
    YouConvertIt

    System Utilities118

  3. 3.
    Microsoft My Phone

    Data Transfer & Sync Software44

  4. 4.
    Chromium OS source code

    Operating Systems & Updates34

  5. Restrict user's ability to run or install any executable program.
  6. 5.
    Ninite

    Other29

  7. 6.
    DoubleTwist

    System Utilities13

  8. 7.
    Fileminx

    System Utilities13

  9. Everything you need to get your Mac up to speed.
  10. 8.
    PrintWhatYouLike.com

    System Utilities12

  11. 9.
    Windows4all

    System Utilities11

  12. 10.
    Web File Manager

    File Management10

See all most popular software

  1. Monitor PC activity by logging websites, keystrokes and chats.
Release date
  1. Chromium OS source code Nov 19

    Operating Systems & Updates

  2. Fileminx Nov 19

    System Utilities

  3. Microsoft My Phone Nov 12

    Data Transfer & Sync Software

  4. Ninite Oct 23

    Other

  5. Windows4all Sep 29

    System Utilities

  6. Web File Manager Jun 02

    File Management

  7. PrintWhatYouLike.com Sep 25

    System Utilities

  8. Mapstaction Jul 07

    System Utilities

  9. DomainsBot Jun 10

    System Utilities

  10. OpenSocial Jun 10

    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

Essential Firefox security add-ons

Posted by Dennis O'Reilly on Nov 17, 2009
No browser is unbreachable, but the security add-ons available for Mozilla's Firefox browser certainly put the odds in your favor.
advertisement

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.