Version: 2008
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 9,614 in this category.

for the week of: December 27Downloads
  1. 1.
    WinRAR (32-bit)

    File Compression406,767

  2. 2.
    Advanced SystemCare Free

    Diagnostic Software359,687

  3. 3.
    Glary Utilities

    System Utilities297,155

  4. 4.
    WinZip

    File Compression124,807

  5. Create dashboards from any data source with point-and-click ease.
  6. 5.
    Smart Defrag

    System Utilities110,886

  7. 6.
    CCleaner

    Diagnostic Software62,823

  8. 7.
    Advanced Registry Optimizer

    Diagnostic Software52,540

  9. Everything you need to get your Mac up to speed.
  10. 8.
    Auslogics Disk Defrag

    System Utilities42,836

  11. 9.
    Easeus Partition Master Home Edition

    File Management38,339

  12. 10.
    WinRAR (64-bit)

    File Compression36,163

See all most popular software

  1. Optimize memory and manage computer's cache
Release date
  1. Ashampoo WinOptimizer 2010 Advanced Dec 26

    Maintenance & Optimization

  2. SetUp Monitor Dec 26

    Automation Software

  3. Revo Uninstaller Pro Dec 26

    Uninstallers

  4. Recovery Toolbox for Flash Dec 26

    File Management

  5. Recovery Toolbox for DBF Dec 26

    File Management

  6. Auto Typer Dec 26

    Automation Software

  7. Recovery Toolbox for CD Free Dec 25

    Backup Software

  8. Recovery Toolbox for Access Dec 25

    Backup Software

  9. Memory Improve Professional Dec 25

    System Utilities

  10. Portable Driver Magician Lite Dec 25

    System Utilities

See all new releases

  1. 1.
    WinZip

    Make it easy to zip and unzip files for quick, efficient, and secure data transmission and storage.

  2. 2.
    WinRAR (32-bit)

    Take full control over RAR and ZIP archives, along with unpacking a dozen other archive formats.

  3. 3.
    Smart Defrag

    Defrag your hard drive in the background automatically.

  4. 4.
    FreeRAM XP Pro

    Increase your system performance by cleaning the content of your RAM.

  5. 5.
    Auslogics Disk Defrag

    Defragment your disks and improve computer performance and stability.

  6. 6.
    Ashampoo WinOptimizer

    Speed up searches on your hard drive and optimize overall system performance.

  7. 7.
    Diskeeper

    Prevent disk fragmentation before it happens on PCs and servers in real time, with zero overhead.

  8. 8.
    TuneUp Utilities 2010

    Increase performance, free up disk space, and solve PC problems.

  9. 9.
    Revo Uninstaller

    Uninstall unwanted and even broken applications accurately.

  10. 10.
    7-Zip

    Archive files in different formats and manage them.

See all editor's picks

from the download blog

Introducing the Utilities Starter Kit

Posted by Seth Rosenblatt on Dec 23, 2009
The number of tools available to replace and enhance Windows utilities is enormous, so we've narrowed down a list of freeware essentials to get you going.
advertisement
Click Here

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.