This is a list of windows software that I keep handy in a text file. I usually recommend these to friends who have done a clean format or new install. Bookmark this page and refer to it whenever you need the very best of Windows Software. I keep this page updated.

Also grab my custom download pack from ninite which is a nifty all in one installer-pack (Saves you the hassle of going to each link and downloading. Moreover picks up the latest versions).

Software already available from my Ninite install package have been marked below as in Ninite (alternatively click the software name to take you to the downloader page). Software marked Freemium is free for all practical purposes but paid if you want to get that extra zing. Software marked Paid is well… to be paid for, and has to be super-mega-awesomely irreplaceable to have made the cut.

Software listed have been evaluated and recommended based on the following:

Performance	Any application that takes up less memory and does the job fast is given utmost weightage.
Functionality	If it doesn’t get stuff done, the way you want it to be done…. it’s useless.
Cost	I generally prefer open-source because you can’t beat the grand price of 0. Open-source “good” software have the added advantage of getting support in multiple environments like Windows/Mac/Mobile platforms(read ANDROID). So consistency and accessible from many places.
Multi-functional	Also, if I’m going through the trouble of downloading, installing etc I want to take care of more than just one requirement (read:multi-functional).

My bro posted a customized form of this list earlier.

Essentials:

• Microsoft Security Essentials (in Ninite) – All the Security you’ll need for a Windows PC.
• Google Chrome (in Ninite) – Best Browser yet. period.
• 7zip (in Ninite) – A Winrar replacement for all your zip/rar/compressed file concerns (Compressed Files).
• VLC Media player (in Ninite) – You don’t need anything else to play your Videos (Video playing).
• utorrent (in Ninite) – You know for downloading all those precious “legal” torrents available on the net (Torrent Download).
• EditPlus (Freemium) – The default Windows Notepad sucks. Stop using it please. The Net heralds the use of Notepad++ but i personally feel the ui is too cluttered. I like Editplus purely for this reason
• Keepass (in Ninite) – You may think this is too complicated and unnecessary. Trust me, you NEED this software. Every single household NEEDS this software. You never have to worry about privacy or password attacks with this beauty (Password Manager).
• ImgBurn (in Ninite) – For burning DVD/CDs etc(Nero replacement).
• Microsoft Office 2007 (Paid) (trial in Ninite) – There’s open office, Google Docs etc. The fact remains though, there isn’t a better office suite out there today. I didn’t think twice beofre purchasing this. Worth every penny.
• Save as PDF extension for Microsoft Office – Use this awesome add-in by Microsoft for converting Microsoft Office documents to PDF/XPS.
• Flickr Uploader – I love Google.. I really really love Google…. I still don’t use Picasa. That’s how good Flickr is. This tool lets me bulk upload pictures to Flickr (Photo uploader).
• Quick Media Converter (QMC) – Considering the number of requests that have come up for this functionality, bumping this to the Essentials section. The easiest freeby way of converting between a range of media formats. Make sure you get the latest version, previous versions are quite wonky.(Media Convertor).

For the Artist/Designer/WebDesigner:

• Adobe Photoshop (Paid :( ) – Need I say more? (Photo editor).
• Adobe Lightroom (Paid :( ) – This beauty from Adobe lets you quickly edit /make changes in bulk to images. Reducing 100 pics from a 10 Megapixel camera? this is for you.
• Jcpicker – Web designers NEED this utility. Quick color picker that provides you with the option of capturing HEX, RGB color values and host of other useful stuff to play around with (Color Picker).
• FastStone Capture – One of the most useful unknown tools on the web that let’s you take quick screenshots of webpages. Perfect for mockups (WebPage Screenshot).
• Spoon – Yet another gem discovered on the web for testing webpages on multiple browsers. Surprised the web hasn’t publicized this tool enough, considering how frustratingly difficult this is usually for webdesigners (Cross Browser Testing).
• AMP Font Viewer – You’ve got a bunch of free font downloaded on your comp, but need to get a feel for that perfect font. This is your tool (Font Viewer).

Music Lovers and Audiophiles:

• MusicBee – I’m pretty finicky about my Music playing and after using this for half an hour, I jumped straight away with it.Mainly because I now don’t need two softwares (Foobar and MediaMonkey). Should be noted though, MusicBee is a good balance between the two. But since it’s feature packed the interface is not as intuitive as we would like it to be, but it’s got an awesome developer and quickly evolving.(Music Playing). Gone are the days of Winamp.
• MP3Gain – You’re hearing your usual playlist with songs downloaded (legally) from all over the net. You have to keep switching to foobar to modify the volume. That’s a pain yo! This app takes care of that for you (Equalize all music file volumes).
• Adobe Audition – I’ve been using this tool even before Adobe purchased and re-branded “Cool Edit Pro”. This is a tool inclined towards studio and professional sound editing (Professional Music editing).
• foobar2000 – Whie Winamp is way more famous among the common folk, you belong in the elite. Use this much more functional, powerful and light-weight alternative (Winamp replacement).
• Media Monkey – I’m freakishly particular about my file naming. My mp3s aren’t spared either. This tool helps editing your ID3 tags, album art and the likes (Mp3 tag cleaning).

PDF (Business folk you’ll really like this stuff):

• Sumatra PDF – Despite what Mr.Jobs says, I love Adobe, but seriously the ubiquitous Adobe pdf reader is bloated and a pain in the rear (PDF Reading).
• BullZip pdf – Convert any document to a PDF with this print utility. There are a bunch of them available. This was my preferred one.
• PDFill – You have a bunch of pdfs, but want to mix/match, combine pdfs, remove pages, re-order them. This is the only tool I found that lets you do it and that too for FREE. Believe me I have searched…. (PDF Tools Merge and Combine PDFs)
• 7-PDF Maker – One of the very few times my multi-funtional criterion was violated.7-PDF is the only free utility out there that converts more than one document in bulk to PDF (Bulk convert to PDF).

Boost your productivity:

• Dropbox or Windows Live Mesh – I currently prefer Dropbox over Mesh because of the easy/intuitive interface + upcoming Android integration. If you’re ok with messing with software and don’t use an Android powered phone, go ahead with Mesh. Mesh gives you 5GB for free while Dropbox currently offers only 2GB (free i.e). I cannot imagine how much this has boosted my productivity. Who needs a flash drive anymore? (Online File Syncronization).
• Windows Skydrive – The second Live tool that Microsoft has bested everyone with (TWENTY FIVE FREE Gigabytes of online goodness). As is usual with Microsoft, the naming and differences can be wishy-washy. Hit up this post by labnol to understand the differences.
• Windows Live Sync – Recently added this to my arsenal and have truly understood the need of having all 3 live tools from Microsoft, shoot me a mail/comment if you need more clarification.
• AllwaySync (Freemium) – I use this to keep my external Hard-disk/Office Desktop and Home PC all syncronized and mirrored. Windows Mesh unfortunately has a 5GB limit (File Syncronization between HardDisks).
• WinMerge – Another freaking file sync utility? Actually this is a file comparison utility and the best in the market (File Comparison).
• Renamer – I like having my files named neat and organized. Impossible without this tool.
• Autohotkey – One of the best utilities to map keyboard commands (execute macros). This is not for the faint hearted (Keyboard Hotkey).

For the Techy:

• CCleaner (in Ninite) – This utility is awesome for keeping your pc clean and optimized.
• Speccy – From the makers of CCleaner this cool tool gives you your computer hardware specs in human readible form (Get your Computer Specs).
• TrueCrypt – I keep my confidential documents with this baby and i’m pretty sure no-one is going to be able to touch them. Industry standard secuirty protection of folders and files(Folder/File Security).
• Eraser – If you think hitting the delete button removes all traces of a file from your disk, think again. Nopes, Shift+Delete doesn’t cut it either. Your HDD is a persistent bugger. This utility remedies that. This is good when you want to sell that old computer and make sure all your personal data is wiped (Completely erasing files).
• Namebench – If, like your’s truly, you wish to keep your internet speed peaked and squeeze every little bit of data, this is for you (Pick the best DNS).
• Lockhunter (64 bit) – Want to stop the damn USB flashdrive, but don’t know which stupid program is locking it? Enter lockhunter. XP users should opt for Unlocker (File Unlockers).
• Contig – Light, simple and efficient defragging Utility by Microsoft.
• MagicDisc – Utility for creating and managing virtual CD drives and CD/DVD discs (DaemonTools replacement).

Honorable mentions :

Windows 7 has replaced the need for these otherwise essential utilities. If you’re using XP, PLEASE download the below (While you’re download them, why are you still using XP again ? Switch to Windows 7 yo! )

• TaskbarShuffle – Shuffle the tabs below and middle click to close windows.
• Launchy – Instantly launch programs. The Windows 7 search bar has essentially removed the need to use this program (this is a bare essential though for my XP pc in office).
• Everything Search – Super light weight utility to search ANY file in you hard-disk. Again superseded by Win7 Search bar. Seriously get Windows 7. No? ok get this then.

Update (31/03/2010): Added Dropbox. Once the Android integration comes in, will completely shift to it.. Update (22/03/2010): Added MusicBee cause it eliminates the need of two softwares (foobar & MediaMonkey). Not removing them from the list cause they are extremely powerful stand-alones. Also added QMC for video/media conversion.. Update (14/03/2010): Replacing Foxit with Sumatra after recommendation from Nishu. Update (11/03/2010): Moved up Microsoft save as PDF add-in to essentials. Update (09/03/2010): Added Skydrive, Live Sync and MediaMonkey.

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