This will be an ongoing list of either freeware or trials of tried and tested tools for your pc.

The Shareware programs have at least a thirty day trial.* The freeware programs are free. The Share/freeware is free for only a limited use of the program.

Zip Programs


WinZIp
Quickly and easily zip and unzip files and folders
Save storage space, dramatically reduce e-mail transmission time, and efficiently archive documents
Easy-to-use AES encryption to protect your sensitive data
Flexible user interface: the intuitive WinZip Wizard for first-time users and the award-winning WinZip Classic interface for power users Share/freeware

WinRAR
WinRAR is a powerful archive manager. It can backup your data and reduce size of email attachments, decompress RAR, ZIP and other files downloaded from Internet and create new archives in RAR and ZIP file format. And in my opinion the best zip archiver out there. Share/freeware

PowerZip
Another Zip program more for people new to computing very easy to use. Shareware

FreeZip
As the name would mention one of the only true free zip programs. Only used it twice but it is simple to use and operate Freeware


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Programs to clean your temp file's..

MSConfig Cleanup

MSConfig Cleanup is a simple tool that removes disabled startup entries from MSCONFIG. When you type MSCONFIG into the RUN box, it will open Windows configuration utility, which also includes a basic startup manager, which allows you to enable/disable auto-start programs. It does not however allow you to completely remove an entry from the list. This is where MSConfig Cleanup comes in - it scans the startup configurations and allows you remove any item that has been previously disabled via MSCONFIG Shareware

CleanUp

CleanUp! is a powerful and easy-to-use application that removes temporary files created while surfing the web, empties the Recycle Bin, deletes files from your temporary folders and more. And is the one I personally use, has a nice toilet sound as it is washing :lol: Freeware

CCleaner

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. But the best part is that it's fast (normally taking less that a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware! Freeware

Window Washer

Very Easy to use interface. But a bit on the expensive side when you can get cleanup and ccleaner for free. Shareware

Tune Up Utilities

TuneUp Utilities optimizes the performance of your computer, corrects problems and helps you to customize your system to suit your needs. It combines important aspects of system configuration, security, cleaning and maintenance under a modern interface. You can remove unnecessary files from your hard disk(s), clean and optimize the registry, tweak your internet connection settings, recover deleted files, optimize memory and more. In addition, you can analyze your system, receive automatic suggestions for potential performance improvements and view detailed hardware information. TuneUp Utilities also includes an Uninstaller, registry Editor, Task Manager and even an Undelete tool to recover files that have been deleted from the recycle bin. A very nice tool, with many features that will appeal to novice as well as advanced users. Have bought this in the past and if I had to buy one cleanup program it would be this one. 30 day trial Shareware

Complete Cleanup

Complete Cleanup cleans up all cookies, browser cache, history files, and location URLs for all versions of IE, Firefox, Netscape, Mozilla or AOL. After an initial scan of your drive(s), the program will present you with a list of found junk files, from where you can choose to delete all or selected items. In addition to the removal of internet tracks, it can scan and find duplicate files, and performs many other disk cleanups including your "Recent Documents" list, temp files, ActiveX controls and Java applets, excess index files, and various registry entries, along with the ability for secure file "wiping". Complete Cleanup can be run automatically in the background. Additional features inclide a built-in cache viewer, an option to view and keep individual cookies, and custom cleanup optionsThis is more for the advanced user. Shareware

TidyGUI

TidyGUI is a Windows GUI encapsulation of Dave Raggett's HTML Tidy, a free utility application from the World Wide Web Consortium that helps you validate and cleanup your web pages. Again this is more for the advanced user.Freeware

Traceless

Traceless is a privacy cleaner for Internet Explorer, that can delete common Internet tracks, including history, cache, typed URLs, cookies and more. It allows you to keep a list of cookies based on keywords found in the name, so that they are never deleted during cleanup operations. The cleanup can be run manually, or automated either on a schedule (day,time) or whenever Windows starts. In addition, Traceless can also maintain your browser homepage settings. A small and easy to use tool that performs a basic cleanup, with the added convenience of getting it done automatically. As it says basic cleanup wont delete any .tmp files, so safe to use for the paranoid user Freeware

Ashampoo

Ashampoo WinOptimizer Platinum Suite is a cleanup and tuning tool for Windows. It allows you to clean common system junk files, as well as invalid registry entries and Internet traces. The Tuning Tools include a Startup Manager, and Internet Tuner to optimize your TCP/IP connection, and the additional File Tools offer secure deletion, file splitting and encryption. The program supports Internet Explorer, Firefox and Netscape browsers (for Internet cleaning) and also includes a popup blocker. Very good program but comes with a hefty pricetag!
Shareware

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Hard Drive Defragmentor's

VoptXP

VoptXP is a disk defragmenter that includes batch and scheduled defragmentation options to keep your disk performance at an optimal level. It offers advanced features to override NTFS packing style, exclusion of large files and specific paths, as well as strategic placement of file to improve defragmentation speed. VoptXP also includes additional tools to find large files, delete junk files, clean your browser cache, cookies and more. It also provides access to useful system functions and some other small utilities to help with disk cleanup. I liked this program very much for the simple fact it had an easy interface and was easy to do a clean bootup defrag. Shareware

Diskeeper Pro

Diskeeper is a fully automatic defrgmentation engine that replaces the standard Windows defragmenter which runs only manually, consumes high resoureces and rewquires full administrator privileges to operate. Diskeeper constantly monitors and maintains your systems maximum performance, using the fastest defrag engine. According to the National Software Testing Lab (NSTL) proven 300-500% faster and far more thorough than Windows built-in defragmenters. The program includes a unique `Set It and Forget It` functionality with Smart Scheduling, that, once set, runs invisibly and fully automatic in the background. In addition, the Frag Shield feature helps prevent fragmentation in your most critical system files. Additional features include boot-time defrag, priority settings as well as the ability to defrag multiple disks automatically and simultaneously while system is in use.
Very good program but* for a price. You can get diskeeper lite for free, just dont have the set it and forget it use. Shareware

Diskeeper Lite

Diskeeper Lite is a short version introduction to full-featured Diskeeper. Diskeeper Lite can only analyze fragmentation levels and run manual defragmentation on one disk volume at a time. All time and money saving Set It and Forget It® scheduling, system management functions and network controls are shown and explained, but rendered inoperative. This tool will show you how easy the full version is to install and operate across any size network . Diskeeper Lite will help everyone in their selection of the right automated defragmentation software for their homes and/or business sites. Freeware

OandO Defrag

The new O&O Defrag V8.0 Professional Edition activate performance you thought was lost forever - quickly and reliably. Within a few minutes, O&O Defrag V8.0 Professional Edition optimizes your hard disks with Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows NT and rejoins the file fragments together. O&O Defrag V8.0 Professional Edition offers you great ease of use and a multitude of functions. A very potent defragger. Run with diskeeper pro once and your files will be together untill the next time you reinstall your operating system! Shareware

FastDefrag Pro

FAST Defrag Professional is a memory manager with additional features to enhance your PC performance. The FAST Defrag memory optimizer cleans your RAM, but clears only the memory that was filled by previous loaded applications and does not remove Windows components or active programs from memory. In addition, the program comes with a simple Task Manager, a Memory Editor, shortcuts to system configurations (msconfig) and a few Windows tweaks. Very good application for the advanced user. But there is diskeeper Lite Shareware

TweakUI
A program which allows you to change many of Windows XP's settings that are not listed in the Control Panel.* Very usefull for total system customization.* Freeware

Speed Fan
Monitors system temperatures and also has the capability to overclock the motherboard, change fan speed settings, etc. Freeware

Topologilinux
An excellent piece of software that allows you to run Slackware Linux in a window within Windows ("coLinux mode") or from boot up ("real mode").* Contains the full installation of Slackware Linux.* Requires no hard drive repartioning, and the price is right, FREE!* You no longer have an excuse for not getting Linux.* Freeware

Much more to come have to go work for awhile

Very nice addition there Mr Merlin

Great help and advice as always. Has anyone heard of Madonote? I've had it and have used it for a while. It has some helpful tools, tweaks and toys. Free too. Here's the link; http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~vr4m-ikw/Global/


I've been using Sisoftware Sandra as well. Has tools for benchmarking, testing, diagnosing,and more. The Sandra Lite version is free. There are other versions with varying degrees of features. Here's the link; http://www.sisoftware.net/

Ya not done with the list yet by far, just have had alot to do latlry... Will be a long list dont worry about that...

The Linux program is interesting. Would you recommend downloading it? I have a fast internet connection, so I'm not worried about the large file. Is it any good? And is it basically like having two OS's in one system?.

Which is the best Hard Drive Defragmentor out of all then?

O&O in my opinion