Best Free Drive Imaging Software for Windows
"A very solid application that is great at what it does. It offers a convenient and easy way to schedule backups with the XML definitions files via the GUI. The program now has capability, the possibly unique of free imagers, of cloning your working, running system, very very handy. It's already made my life easier."
Disk Imaging has rapidly become a must have tool for most users because of its convenience, speed, and ease of use. It nearly eliminates any reason at all for going through the painful process of completely reinstalling, re-updating, and re-customizing Windows. A user can quickly recover from a system crash or a bad virus infection by simply restoring to a backup image.
Best Free Folder Synchronization Utility for Windows
"FreeFileSync is a solid contender here. The thing I like the best with this utility is its very clear and informative interface. The preview is very easy to understand, and file collisions and deletions are more readily recognizable than many other sync programs.
Allway Sync is my second recommendation. It is a very well rounded product with loads of features. It has a very robust filter and rule set and definitely has the edge here over the other previously reviewed products. It also offers support for FTP, scheduling, and auto syncing."
Synchronization utilities are important in helping you keep identical versions of your files or folders, say, on both your home computer and office computer.
Best Free Backup Software for Windows
"Here is a personal backup software that is easy to understand and use, while still offering a very good set of features. It has a slick modern interface that makes it easy on the eyes, as well as to navigate. It has setup wizard that takes you step by step through the job creation process, with the choice to show or hide advanced options."
Backup software typically have wizards and guides to make the process painless, giving you confidence that it will work behind the scenes to protect your data. Common features help you schedule backups, backup to local and online storage locations, verify backup archives, and easily restore files.
Best Free File Manager for Windows
"The Beta version of the new FreeCommander XE is the top pick for this year. FCXE has an elegant and user friendly UI. With a 2 pane interface and shortcuts available along the vertical and horizontal toolbars, there’s a lot to love here. The file manager provides one touch access to most of the system directories, desktop items, start menu and control panel items."
Replaces the simplistic Windows Explorer, allowing for better customization, tabbed browsing panes, and more features.
Best Free File Encryption Utility for Windows
Axcrypt -- Download
Sophos Free Encryption provides a graphical user interface (GUI) and also integrates with the file-system to provide context menu (right-click) control. Using Sophos Free Encryption is straightforward. You can encrypt single files, multiple files or folders.
It includes an option - and a utility - to securely delete source files after encryption. That utility can also be used to securely delete any other copies of plain-text files that may be left behind. Sophos Free Encryption also provides a command line function to use AES-256 encryption.
Encryption is normally used to protect highly sensitive documents, but it's a good way to stop people from looking at your personal stuff.
Best Free Partition Manager for Windows
"With an easy to use interface and fast performance, it aims to be a one-stop application. Performs many basic tasks of resizing, creating, deleting, moving, formatting, copying (disks or partitions), etc.
Also includes extra features like wiping (disks or partitions) and recovering partitions (detects previously deleted partitions and restores them with all data intact)."
Some uses include (1) separating user files from system files, so you can image the operating system (reimaging or reinstalling when needed) and leave the user files intact. (2) Creating a multi-boot computer (that has an option, say, between Linux or Windows) with separate partitions for each operating system.
Related Top Picks and Hot Items -- Disk & File
- Best Free File Copy Utility for Windows -- FastCopy -- Download. "FastCopy is the Fastest Copy/Delete Software on Windows."
- Best Free Data Recovery Utility for Windows -- Mini Tool Power Data Recovery -- Download. Recover data after accidentally deleting it.
- Best Free File Rename Utility for Windows -- File Renamer Basic -- Download. "Rename your files for organizational purposes, including your MP3 libraries and digital image collections."
- Best Free File Archiver or Zip Utility for Windows -- 7-Zip -- Download. Archive files/folders to better transfer, store, and organize your data. Chosen for Gizmo's 9 great freeware.
Related Top Picks and Hot Items -- Desktop & GUI
- Best Free Onscreen Keyboard for Accessibility for Windows -- Click-N-Type -- Download. "An excellent free OSK that rivals many commercial OSKs in the accessibility space. It is highly functional and very customizable, but isn't terribly pretty and the breadth of options may be a little daunting for some users."
- Best Free Onscreen Keyboard for Security for Windows -- Neo's SafeKeys -- Download. "A virtual keyboard for security. Security-focused OSKs offer protection against malicious software, but read the article for accessibility OSKs that offer more functionality as keyboard replacements (without the security features)."
- Best Free Desktop Search Utility for Windows -- Locate32
- Best Free Virtual Desktop Manager for Windows -- Dexpot -- Download. Organize your applications over several virtual desktops or work spaces, and work more efficiently and comfortably.
