Freeware

Miscellaneous

Dasher
innovative keyless text input solution

Converber / Convert
convert anything

Google Earth + Dapple
the earth

Celestia
the universe

WorldWide Telescope
a virtual telescope

Processing
playful multimedial programming language

vvvv
toolkit for real time video synthesis, with VST support

DOSBox ...
run DOS applications, especially great for games

Rollenspiel Stadtplan Generator [1] + NameMage
tools for roleplaying game masters

Physion
playful physics simulation

Sound Borb
generative sound textures for your aural pleasure

Structure Synth / Context Free ... / Mandelbulber / Agony
create complex graphical structures with code

MakeHuman
create anthropomorphic 3D models

Sculptris / meshmixer
virtual clay modeling for 3D objects

System, Interface, ...

virtualization:

VMWare Player + VMX Builder + StarWind V2V Converter / VirtualBox / Portable VirtualBox
full-featured, easy-to-use and fast virtualization + virtual machine file conversion

Symantec Workspace Virtualization Suite (registration necessary)
a unique way to create virtualized software environments

partitioning:

EASEUS Partition Manager Home Edition / Parted Magic
capable partitioning tools

backup:

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition / ODIN
hard drive/partition imaging, backup, ...

Dropbox / SpiderOak
2 GB free online backup with a simple client software, encryption, de-duplication, backup scheduling, ...

maintenance, system information:

ERUNT + NTRegOpt
backup and optimize your Registry

System Restore Manager
create, delete, tweak, analyse, manage Windows system restore points

CCleaner + CCleaner Enhancer
get rid of data junk

Revo Uninstaller / MyUninstaller
replacements for the native Windows software console

Recuva
undelete files

Roadkil's Unstoppable Copier
recover data from scratched discs

Puran Defrag Free Edition / MyDefrag
replacements for the shabby native Windows defragmentation tool

Advanced SystemCare / Glary Utilities
all-in-one system maintenance toolsets

SIW
system information and diagnostics

System Explorer
a swiss army knife of system and processes information, registry snapshots, ...

Process Monitor + Process Hacker / Prio
monitor real-time file system, Registry and process/thread activity

file and folder management, shell extensions, disc burning:

Copy Handler / TeraCopy / HoboCopy
faster and more robust copying with extended options

Unlocker / LockHunter
grants access to locked files

Linux Reader + Virtual Volumes
provides Windows with read/write access to a plethora of filesystems/virtual machines

Everything
much faster and more powerful than the native Windows file search

Double Commander / Unreal Commander / AccelMan / Q-Dir
powerful file managers

FindeXer
adds a customizable sidebar to the Explorer window

FreeArc / HaoZip / 7-zip / Universal Extractor
superior file compression / unpacking of installers [Universal Extractor]

Flexible Renamer / PFrank
file and folder renaming (with regular expressions, etc.)

Replace Text
powerful search & replace utility with support for regular expressions

SpaceSniffer / WinDirStat
visualize disc usage with treemaps

FileMenu Tools
full control over context menus

Ninotech Path Copy [1]
shell extension for copying the path of a file or directory to the Clipboard

HashCheck Shell Extension
calculate and verify checksums and hashes from Windows Explorer

StarBurn
CD/DVD/HD DVD/Blu-ray burning

miscellaneous:

nLite / vLite
create customized, less bloated Windows XP/Vista installations

Evalaze / MojoPac / JauntePE
makes almost any non-portable application portable

AutoIt / AutoHotkey_L
scripting tools to automate just about anything

Clavier+ / Skynergy HotKeyz Portable
customize keyboard shortcuts to do things like open folders, launch websites or programs, ...

Xecutor
run programs at specified conditions/intervals/startup/shutdown, during operation, ...

DShutdown / Shutter
timed/on-event/remote actions like shutdown, log off, disable network connections, ...

WhyReboot
displays a list of pending file operations (rename, delete, ...) that will occur after rebooting

Open Hardware Monitor / Speedfan
monitor hardware temperatures + fan speeds and adjust fan speeds/voltages (Speedfan)

HD Tune / CrystalDiskInfo
benchmark harddrive speed and temperature, read S.M.A.R.T. values

USBDLM
gives control over Windows' USB drive letter assignments

Dimension 4
automated time synchronization deluxe

EssentialPIM Free Portable / KeyNote NF
all-in-one Personal Information Managers (calendar, contacts, hierarchical notes, ...)

Rainlendar
slick desktop calendar

interface enhancements:

LiteStep (Installer: LOSI) + Rainmeter / Samurize
pimp your desktop

Allure / UltraUXThemePatcher + styles
use alternate visual styles for your Windows

ClearTweak / GDI++ / gdipp
change ClearType™ settings / use alternative font rendering

Dexpot
set up highly customizable virtual desktops

DeskPins
make Windows stay on top, with wildcard support (!)

High Sign / StrokeIt
assign mouse gestures to all kinds of customizable commands

Click-N-Type
virtual keyboard with word autocompletion feature

SysTrayMeter
displays CPU/RAM usage as a system tray icon

Volumouse / 3RVX
adjust system sound volume (and WAV, ... with Volumouse) with your mouse

uniquely useful utilities for advanced users:

Security & Privacy

Antivirus, Antispyware:

Microsoft Security Essentials
SUPERAntiSpyware Portable Scanner / Emsisoft Emergency USB Stick

virtualization, privacy:

Returnil System Safe
Tor Browser Bundle / Privacy Dongle

encryption:

Truecrypt + TrueMounter / FreeOTFE
fsekrit / Steganos LockNote
SilentEye
Free Hide Folder

miscellaneous:

Neo's SafeKeys
MachMichAdmin / SuRun
WSUS Offline Update

Internet

browsing:

Opera ... / Chrome / Maxthon
Proxomitron / Proxomitron

downloading:

Orbit Downloader
URL Snooper
Freemake Video Downloader
LoadScout
µtorrent

bookmark magagement:

Transmute
AM-DeadLink

instant messaging, VoIP, forum and blog posting, RSS:

Miranda + Miranda IM Wizard
Skype ...
ForumPilot
Windows Live Writer
FeedDemon

E-Mail:

MailStore
Qm / MiniMail

miscellaneous:

NetWorx
mRemote
HTTrack ...
FavBackup

Web Development

Scriptly / PSPad / Notepad++
Notepad2 / Notepad2 Modifications / AkelPad / HiEditor
Aptana Studio
XAMPP ...
WinSCP / Cyberduck
Xenu's Link Sleuth™

Image

viewers and organizers:

Irfanview / XnView ... / FastStone Image Viewer / Imagine
Picasa / PhoA
ImageSorter
Hamana [1] / Imagina / ArtSage

editors:

GIMP ...
Paint.NET
PhotoFiltre / DigiFoto
LightBox Free
Photoscape
Inkscape
ArtRage Starter Edition / Screenbrush
AnmanieSMP [1]
Pixelformer / IcoFX / Greenfish Icon Editor Pro + @icon sushi + BeCyIconGrabber
Microsoft Image Composite Editor / hugin / Autostitch
ShiftN
jpg-Illuminator
Diagram Designer / Dia
GraphicsMagick ...

miscellaneous:

VisiPics
PicPick
Geosetter
Visual Color Picker / ColorPix
Kolorgenerator
Shape Collage ...
Rasterbator / PosteRazor

Audio

playback, recording:

foobar2000 + components / AIMP / 1by1 + Plugins
Tapin Radio

analysis:

Pretty Fast FFT
AudioAnalyser
VUMeter
Sonic Visualiser / SPEAR

ripping, compression, conversion:

Exact Audio Copy + AutoFLAC
MediaCoder Audio Edition
LameXP

tagging:

TagScanner
Kid3 ... / Mp3tag

synthesis, manipulation, arrangement:

LAoE / Audacity / Wavosaur
SoX
TAPESTREA
RolloSONIC
Rubber Band
Paul's Extreme Sound Stretch
Mammut
Semuta
my favourite free VST plugins

miscellaneous:

ASIO4ALL
mp3DirectCut + MP3 Merger
Random Playlist Creator with Genres
Album Art Downloader

Video

playback:

PotPlayer / VLC media player ...
ffdshow

screen recording:

Wink / CamStudio / SCREEN2EXE

editing, encoding, transcoding, analysis:

Lightworks
Avidemux [1] [2]
MeGUI / HandBrake / VidCoder
MediaCoder / Format Factory / Jacek Pazera Software
MediaInfo

animation:

Beneton Movie GIF
AnimPixels

Office

LibreOffice Portable + LanguageTool / SoftMaker Office
TextMaker Viewer 2010
PDF-XChange Viewer
jPDF Tweak ... + BeCyPDFMetaEdit
Impressive ...
STDU Viewer
NexusFont

L^aT_eX [Why use L^aT_eX?]

MiKTeX / MiKTeX Portable / TeX Live
Texnic Center
Infty Project + LaTeXDraw ... / TpX
JabRef ...

Language