AEIOUProvided links are FreeWare, ShareWare or Free-To-Try Ware
Windows
Windows Update
Spy-Ware Removal
Spy Sweeper Webroot Spy Sweeper proves itself to be a valuable weapon in the war against adware
Spy-Bot Search and Destroy
Ad-Aware
HiJack This! Advanced Users
Microsoft Defender
CWShredder program will completely remove the annoying CoolWWSearch spyware, including things spybot/adaware/ect miss.
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool This seems to be a more comprehensive version of
the little utilities that MS releases whenever a worm is really running rampant. This utility isn't a run-once thing though, it remains on your system and Microsoft has said it will receive
monthly updates (via Windows Update as well as other methods). There is also a version you can run directly off the website. This is a worm removal tool, not spyware/adware but I thought that it kind of belongs in the same general category as MS AntiSpyware.
Anti-Virus
McAfee AVERT Stinger - Stinger is a stand-alone utility used to detect and remove specific viruses. It is not a substitute for full anti-virus protection, but rather a tool to assist administrators and users when dealing with an infected system. Stinger utilizes next generation scan engine technology, including process scanning, digitally signed DAT
files, and scan performance optimizations.
AVG
Trend Micro (Free Online Virus Scan) - Ease your mind and scan your PC for viruses.
Removal Tools - If you know what virus infects your system.
BitDefender (click the home user tab -> free online scanner under Home User Kit) for a free online scanner
Avast
Pop-Up Blocker
Google Tool Bar
Hardware Reference / Benchmarks
Aida32
Belarc Advisor So far I am impressed with its rundown of installed security patches, particularly how it points out security patches that need to be reinstalled
TomsHardware
AnandTech
CPUID
Sharkyextreme - They have gaming PC buying guides for $1K, $2.5K, and $4K budgets.
Pre-Installed Environments
Bart's Preinstalled Environment This
is a CD builder program that will create a bootable windows environment on a CD customized to what you need. There are plug-ins for Ad-Aware, McAffee Stinger, Novell netware client, remote desktop, etc with full network support for most NICs.
Windows Ultimate Boot CD uses BartPE and has a bunch of added diagnostic and setup-type tools.
Ultimate Boot CD is a more DOS-oriented version of the same thing.
Knoppix is a full Linux distribution made to be run off a CD.
Smart Boot Manager is
a utility you can put on a floppy that will allow you to boot from CD even if your computer's BIOS doesn't support booting from CD.
Useful Tools
Net Tools
DVD Burning - Great guides for ripping audio and DVDs and all the software on the site is either freeware, licensed under the GNU public domain license or available free of charge from the copyright owner.
Roboform - Password management for all your websites.
Older Versions of Software
OldVersion
Shopping
PriceGrabber
PriceWatch
NewEgg
CompuCheap
Slick Deals - Your Daily Source for the BEST Deals on the Net!
XPBargains
TechBargains
Please add to this thread with the sites of very useful GEEK resources. Limit your suggestions to FreeWare, ShareWare, or Free-To-Try Ware please.
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