Recommended Software Utilities for PC's
2014 Utilities Folder
This group of utilities are (in most cases) free and have been proven to be of help in the use and maintenance of Computers and Networks. The download link is in this document to allow the most current version to be obtained if necessary.
Good link to show an example of removing malware from Browsers:
http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-conduit-apps-search-and-toolbar/
Caution!: As most of these programs are free, there is adware associated with them. Use extreme care not to install any of that as it can be an annoying task to remove it. As you install go to the custom mode, unclick everything except install and install desktop icon, also “Decline” any offers as you go through the install process. KMPlayer is an excellent player for all forms of videos, however, it has an extremely aggressive installation process which tries to load all sorts of stuff. Some, like Irfanview you only need to unclick a couple of things like the ASK toolbar etc. All mentioned here are worth the effort.
Note: In some cases there is a trial version and a free version, do not install the trial or it will try to get you to buy it later. For some of the utilities, like Malware Bytes Pro, it may be worth buying the full version as it has become an industry standard for virus removal.
Downloads: A good site for clean downloads is CNET. To find the download via CNET put the CNET and Name of the download in a Google search window. Example: CNET Irfanview will yield a link to the CNET download. Note: Do NOT use the CNET Downloader, download plain copy without the downloader assistance. (Direct Download Link) will appear below the download now button.
Handy Site: Dyndns.com – allows creation of an inbound dns, also has feature to block access to bad sites.
Office Utilities
o Open Office - http://www.openoffice.org/download/ - An office suite like Microsoft office. Usually free
o Notepad – Part of Windows, a great place to make notes as you go through troubleshooting steps.
o SD Card Recovery - Recover lost files on an sd card, very good product. https://www.piriform.com/recuva/download
Great Video and Photo Software and Apps
Browsers
Handy bunch of test programs for fixing computers
(download all and put on flash drive in a folder titled computer and network tools, most downloaded from bleepingcomputer.com)
Download and assist
o NiNite.com – Installs and updates multiple apps at once. http://ninite.com/
§ Very handy for setting up a new machine and getting everything current, especially if you have had the OS wiped and restored.
Image and Video
o Irfanview – The best image/photo manipulation software out there short of Photoshop. Very easy to use. http://www.tucows.com/preview/194967
o Install plugin’s after download of program: http://irfanview.info/files/irfanview_plugins_436_setup.exe
o KMPlayer – Plays all formats of videos - http://download.cnet.com/KMPlayer/3000-13632_4-10659939.html
o Replay Media Suite – Allows download of YouTube videos and others, multi faceted, usually you will end up purchasing it if it works well for you – get a trial copy: http://applian.com/avscs/
o Windows movie maker: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/download-utilities#utabs=win7
Network
o Inssider – Great for analyzing wireless systems and checking for other interference. http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/
o PS Ping – test network performance - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/jj729731
Repair and system monitors
o Microsoft System Internals download: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb795533
o Disc Clone – Acronis – trial offer: http://www.acronis.com/
o Process explorer – view running processes – Part of the Microsoft suite http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653
o System Explorer - http://systemexplorer.net/ Download the portable versio
o TreeSize – allows you to “see” what is using up all the space on your hard drive. http://download.cnet.com/TreeSize-Free/3000-2248_4-10139400.html
o Registry backup: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/registry-backup/
Malware Removal and protection
o Rkill – very simple dos batch utility that kills all running processes except system, the first step in virus removal. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/rkill/dl/10/
Downloads when page is accessed, check your download folder.
Malware removal of PUP’s – Potentially Unwanted Software -
o Malware Bytes – Great scan/detect/removal tool http://www.malwarebytes.org/
o AdwCleaner 1.0 – Used to scan for adware – begins download when page is accessed. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/
o SpyBot S&D – Used to be a great program, has gone downhill over the years.
o Junkware Removal Tool http://download.cnet.com/Junkware-Removal-Tool/3000-8022_4-75910255.html
o Hitman Pro 32 and 64 bit - http://download.cnet.com/HitmanPro-3-32-bit/3000-2239_4-10895604.html
o Rootkit revealer – Scan for malware root kits - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897445
o Autoruns – Locates programs that run at startup - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902
o CC Cleaner – Will clean your computer and remove cookies from browsers, also removes tmp and other useless files, resets browser history. Use care not to remove the bank cookies or the bank will ask your security questions like what is your third cousin on your mother side’s name….. http://download.cnet.com/CCleaner/ or http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download
o Boot time and boot logs: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/835557
o Get system information: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/speccy/
o Boots: Grab yourself a good system tweak utility such as Microsoft’s own Tweak UI, the superb TweakAll from Abton’s Shed Software, or Tweakl. If you don’t have a copy of TweakAll, download the latest version along with the associated plugins from http://www.codeforge.co.uk/mainframes.htm. Go to the Microsoft Web site to download the latest version of Tweak UI
o Ram Map: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/ff700229
Misc software for special things
o PowerISO – Allows virtual DVD/CD player.
Virus protection
o Microsoft Security essentials – Free Virus protection from Microsoft - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download
Desktop Sharing –
o Team Viewer http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/teamviewer/
o Join.me http://join.me Download and install the FREE version by clicking on “share” and installing the software. After that “pin” join me to your task bar for quick access.
This group of utilities are (in most cases) free and have been proven to be of help in the use and maintenance of Computers and Networks. The download link is in this document to allow the most current version to be obtained if necessary.
Good link to show an example of removing malware from Browsers:
http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-conduit-apps-search-and-toolbar/
Caution!: As most of these programs are free, there is adware associated with them. Use extreme care not to install any of that as it can be an annoying task to remove it. As you install go to the custom mode, unclick everything except install and install desktop icon, also “Decline” any offers as you go through the install process. KMPlayer is an excellent player for all forms of videos, however, it has an extremely aggressive installation process which tries to load all sorts of stuff. Some, like Irfanview you only need to unclick a couple of things like the ASK toolbar etc. All mentioned here are worth the effort.
Note: In some cases there is a trial version and a free version, do not install the trial or it will try to get you to buy it later. For some of the utilities, like Malware Bytes Pro, it may be worth buying the full version as it has become an industry standard for virus removal.
Downloads: A good site for clean downloads is CNET. To find the download via CNET put the CNET and Name of the download in a Google search window. Example: CNET Irfanview will yield a link to the CNET download. Note: Do NOT use the CNET Downloader, download plain copy without the downloader assistance. (Direct Download Link) will appear below the download now button.
Handy Site: Dyndns.com – allows creation of an inbound dns, also has feature to block access to bad sites.
Office Utilities
o Open Office - http://www.openoffice.org/download/ - An office suite like Microsoft office. Usually free
o Notepad – Part of Windows, a great place to make notes as you go through troubleshooting steps.
o SD Card Recovery - Recover lost files on an sd card, very good product. https://www.piriform.com/recuva/download
Great Video and Photo Software and Apps
Browsers
- Firefox
- Chrome (Google)
- Chromecast (see text)
- Google Earth
Handy bunch of test programs for fixing computers
(download all and put on flash drive in a folder titled computer and network tools, most downloaded from bleepingcomputer.com)
- RKILL--Run before running anti virus software, this kills the virus which might prevent installation of malwarebytes etc.
- Adwcleaner--One of the better adware cleaners
- FRST 32 -- FRST 64-- Farbar Recovery scan tool How to use FRST
- FSS-- Farbar Service Scanner
- JRT-- Junkware removel tool by malwarebytes
- Minitoolbox--Detects internet connection issues plus some features to restore connections
- System Explorer Utility --Task manager and analyzer for running processes
- Malware bytes (recommend install pro for real time protection) - Download free version, or test the Premium
- PE Boot CD - not for the faint of heart
- Microsoft on bootable windows PE cdroM
- Create a usb bootable drive
Download and assist
o NiNite.com – Installs and updates multiple apps at once. http://ninite.com/
§ Very handy for setting up a new machine and getting everything current, especially if you have had the OS wiped and restored.
Image and Video
o Irfanview – The best image/photo manipulation software out there short of Photoshop. Very easy to use. http://www.tucows.com/preview/194967
o Install plugin’s after download of program: http://irfanview.info/files/irfanview_plugins_436_setup.exe
o KMPlayer – Plays all formats of videos - http://download.cnet.com/KMPlayer/3000-13632_4-10659939.html
o Replay Media Suite – Allows download of YouTube videos and others, multi faceted, usually you will end up purchasing it if it works well for you – get a trial copy: http://applian.com/avscs/
o Windows movie maker: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/download-utilities#utabs=win7
Network
o Inssider – Great for analyzing wireless systems and checking for other interference. http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/
o PS Ping – test network performance - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/jj729731
Repair and system monitors
o Microsoft System Internals download: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb795533
o Disc Clone – Acronis – trial offer: http://www.acronis.com/
o Process explorer – view running processes – Part of the Microsoft suite http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653
o System Explorer - http://systemexplorer.net/ Download the portable versio
o TreeSize – allows you to “see” what is using up all the space on your hard drive. http://download.cnet.com/TreeSize-Free/3000-2248_4-10139400.html
o Registry backup: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/registry-backup/
Malware Removal and protection
o Rkill – very simple dos batch utility that kills all running processes except system, the first step in virus removal. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/rkill/dl/10/
Downloads when page is accessed, check your download folder.
Malware removal of PUP’s – Potentially Unwanted Software -
o Malware Bytes – Great scan/detect/removal tool http://www.malwarebytes.org/
o AdwCleaner 1.0 – Used to scan for adware – begins download when page is accessed. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/
o SpyBot S&D – Used to be a great program, has gone downhill over the years.
o Junkware Removal Tool http://download.cnet.com/Junkware-Removal-Tool/3000-8022_4-75910255.html
o Hitman Pro 32 and 64 bit - http://download.cnet.com/HitmanPro-3-32-bit/3000-2239_4-10895604.html
o Rootkit revealer – Scan for malware root kits - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897445
o Autoruns – Locates programs that run at startup - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902
o CC Cleaner – Will clean your computer and remove cookies from browsers, also removes tmp and other useless files, resets browser history. Use care not to remove the bank cookies or the bank will ask your security questions like what is your third cousin on your mother side’s name….. http://download.cnet.com/CCleaner/ or http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download
o Boot time and boot logs: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/835557
o Get system information: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/speccy/
o Boots: Grab yourself a good system tweak utility such as Microsoft’s own Tweak UI, the superb TweakAll from Abton’s Shed Software, or Tweakl. If you don’t have a copy of TweakAll, download the latest version along with the associated plugins from http://www.codeforge.co.uk/mainframes.htm. Go to the Microsoft Web site to download the latest version of Tweak UI
o Ram Map: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/ff700229
Misc software for special things
o PowerISO – Allows virtual DVD/CD player.
Virus protection
o Microsoft Security essentials – Free Virus protection from Microsoft - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download
Desktop Sharing –
o Team Viewer http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/teamviewer/
o Join.me http://join.me Download and install the FREE version by clicking on “share” and installing the software. After that “pin” join me to your task bar for quick access.