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 than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware! :)

Recuva – Finally out of beta and has a new release as of Jan. 31, 2008 that you have to get. Recuva (pronounced "recover") is a freeware Windows utility to restore files that have been accidentally deleted from your computer. This includes files emptied from the Recycle bin as well as images and other files that have been deleted by user error from digital camera memory cards or MP3 players. It will even bring back files that have been deleted by bugs, crashes and viruses!

 

ToddlerTrap – Very cool little program that allows you to clean your keyboard without the hassle of worrying about hitting all those keys. ToddlerTrap locks the keyboard and mouse to protect it while you clean, but has is rightly named for those of us that have tiny people in our homes reaking havoc on our PC’s because it’s just so much fun to be like the big people. Easy to use, and free. Get it here! If you own a cat, this is great for the cat owner as well!

Pixie – The best little color picker tool out there. By Nattyware, Pixie is easy to use, gives you all the color codes on anything you need, tiny application that can be moved around your screen to stay out of the way and yet be a super easy tool. Must have for your computer toolbox.

POPFile - The best free spam filter bar none! I have emaill addresses all over the place. Gmail has pretty good spam filters built in, but things like my Yahoo, MSN, and other accounts that I POP don't. Since I have them on my blogs, lenses, and sites, it makes them vulnerable to spam. A nightmare actually. I get over 1,000 emails a day, so a great spam filter is a must. POPFile is an open-source auto mail classification tool that works. Let me tell you, this is a HUGE time saver and headache saver.

AM-Deadlink – Bookmarks are cool. Faster than a speedy post-it note I can remember where I went 3 years ago that had that cool template or tool, link or review I just had to go back too. Problem is, I haven’t organized or cleaned out my bookmarks with any real furvor – ever. Why not go in and clean it up a bit and work on that organizational skills set? AM-DeadLink detects dead links and duplicates in browser bookmarks and text files. If a bookmark has become unavailable you can verify and delete it permanently. Additionally you can download FavIcons for all your Favorites and Bookmarks. Works in IE, Firefox, Opera, Mozilla & Netscape so check it out.

Know Your Stuff – Keeping track of your belongings doesn’t sound like a lot of fun, but losing it can be devastating. This handy tool helps to make the process of getting all that documented, safe, secure, helpful, organized and easier.

Pandora – Best free online music program on the internet today! I use this everyday, my kids listen to it everyday. We have created dozens of specialized radio stations for us that are commercial free and wonderfully catered to our tastes. Try it out!

BonkEnc – Is a free CD ripper, audio encoder and converter for various formats. It can produce MP3, MP4/M4A, Ogg Vorbis, AAC, Bonk and FLAC files. It sounds like a lot, but it think of it this way. Rather than reripping your songs from CD’s again when you upgrade or change music players, you can use a tool like BonkEnc to change the formats and save yourself tons of time.

OpenOffice – This project has evolved into one of the best free software suites available to you today. OpenOffice.org is both easy to use and easy to migrate to, for both experienced and beginners alike. It has a familiar user interface, and is able to read and write the vast majority of legacy file formats (including common Microsoft Office formats). It is supported in over seventy languages, with active support both Community based (free) and from commercial organisations (paid-for). It has a large and growing list of plug-ins as well and a community that is tied to it that is very helpful.