Advice Request Best Free Softwares for Windows

[brambedkar59]

For USB Protection I would suggest SMADAV

I think you linked to something else there Here's the link for SmadAV

Smadav Antivirus 2026 - Official Website

Smadav is an additional protection (second layer) antivirus for Internet, PC and USB Flash-disk.

www.smadav.net

 

[Duotone]

I think you linked to something else there Here's the link for SmadAV

Smadav Antivirus 2026 - Official Website

Smadav is an additional protection (second layer) antivirus for Internet, PC and USB Flash-disk.

www.smadav.net

Hahaha... My bad, pasted the wrong link.

 

[jackuars]

For USB Protection I would suggest SMADAV

Thanks for this. I will update the entire list in a new thread. The list is now a bit old.

 

[Chigwells]

Shouldn't VLC be the recommended media player? I have no experience with Pot player but VLC is time proven.

Aaargh, VLC with its ridiculous traffic cone icon! No, I can't look at it. Pot Player does enough, without the sillyness

 

[Chigwells]

pot player had ads

It does??? I've used it for years and never had one

 

[Chigwells]

I think you linked to something else there Here's the link for SmadAV

Smadav Antivirus 2026 - Official Website

Smadav is an additional protection (second layer) antivirus for Internet, PC and USB Flash-disk.

www.smadav.net

Is this for real, never heard of it before?

I use Kaspersky AV FRee, it has 'Removable Drive Scan', and have it set to run a 'Detailed Scan'

 

[brambedkar59]

Is this for real, never heard of it before?

I use Kaspersky AV FRee, it has 'Removable Drive Scan', and have it set to run a 'Detailed Scan'

Any decent AV will already protect you against USB malware, you don't need this. I haven't used it for a long-2 time
PS always disable Autorun and Autoplay for removable drives in windows settings.

 

[roger_m]

Is this for real, never heard of it before?

It's been around for some time, but has a very low detection rate. As already mentioned, you really don't need an app like this.

 

[vtqhtr413]

For those who appreciated the old built in gadgets. I've been using this for a month without issue.

8GadgetPack - Gadgets for Windows 11 / 10 / 8.1 / 7

 

[vtqhtr413]

I have used this app for many years, it's an information and toolbar. It looks much better than in this screenshot.

Spoiler: Screenshot

InfoBar is based on MiTeC System Information Component Suite.

Main window is Windows-taskbar-like window with auto hide feature. There are displayed most important information about your computer.
When switched on News Ticker feed by RSS Reader is displayed with scrolling news from your favorite websites.

Information shown from left to right

• Sun and moon astronomical information
• Current Weather Conditions
• Event Coundown
• System Up-Time
• Power Supply
• Disk Information
• Network Traffic
• CPU Usage
• Process with highest CPU Usage
• Memory Usage
• Day name and Date
• Current Time
• Keyboard locks

MiTeC Homepage

 

[Jonny Quest]

A favorite software of mine is a tool within Windows, the mouse cursor. Heck, I didn't know my Prime subscription (which I don't have) had expired. Thank goodness for this notification

Spoiler

 

[Virtuoso]

SMPlayer, GUI frontend for the excellent MPV player:

SMPlayer - Free media player for your PC

SMPlayer is a free media player than can play virtually all audio and video formats. It can even play and download Youtube videos. Other interesting features: find and download subtitles, thumbnail generator, resume playback.

www.smplayer.info

 

[B-boy/StyLe/]

It's been around for some time, but has a very low detection rate. As already mentioned, you really don't need an app like this.

Yeah, in fact, such tools are no longer needed from a very long time (maybe from the era when these were quite popular like - MCShield 3, USBFix and Flash_Disinfector and Panda USB Vaccine). Ah, nostalgia.

I have used this app for many years, it's an information and toolbar. It looks much better than in this screenshot.
InfoBar is based on MiTeC System Information Component Suite.

I like them as well. I am using WSCC Portable x64 to keep them updated.

 

[monkeylove]

X-Mouse Button Control, which can be used to replace the sometimes-bloated software that comes with the mouse.

 

[lokamoka820]

@jackuars

This is a very helpful list, I think this thread needs to be updated regularly.

 

[dronefox1166]

PDF reader : PDF XChange viewer
Video player : KMPlayer
Third firewall : Portmaster
Calendar : rainlendar lite
Telemetry : Optimizer
Secure Windows : Hard_Configurator
Hardening : Hardentools
HDD/SSD health : Hard Disk Sentinel

 

[dronefox1166]

IA : Poe
Repair Windows : Windows Repair
Cleaner : Privazer

 

[dronefox1166]

Audio player : MusicBee

 

[lokamoka820]

Audio player : MusicBee

Do use it for Radio Stations too?

 

[dronefox1166]

Do use it for Radio Stations too?

No, with "foobar2000"... only.