The purpose of this page is to share a list of utilities and tools across different categories that will improve the PC experience you have.
Benchmarking Tools
- Cinebench Release 23 Installers (maxon.net) – Cinebench is a helpful tool that you can use to benchmark your CPU and system’s rendering capabilities. It does not test other components like graphics cards (GPU).
- FurMark > Downloads (geeks3d.com) – FurMark specifically benchmarks and stress tests a system’s GPU graphics card.
- Free Download HWiNFO Sofware | Installer & Portable for Windows, DOS – HWiNFO is a tool that provides real-time hardware status information.
- OCBASE/OCCT – OCCT uses HWiNFO and will generate heavy loads on your components while checking for errors, and will detect stability issues
Streaming Software
- Open Broadcaster Software | OBS (obsproject.com) – Stream your gaming experience to others on platforms like Facebook or Twitch.
- OBS Camera – Use your iPhone or Android camera as a webcam to stream within OBS Studio
PC Troubleshooting Tools
- Memcheck86 – Checks for issues found with RAM (memory)
- Recuva – Recover deleted files or files from a bad disk drive.
- GPU-Z – Test to see if your graphics card is real or fake.
- Speccy – Fast system information tool that provides granular hardware details about your PC.
List of Free Backup and Recovery Software
- Veeam Community Edition – Backup and recovery of your whole computer or just specific files.
List of Free Anti-Virus Software Downloads
- ZoneAlarm – Has a free built-in antivirus, firewall and data protection engine that protects sensitive information from leaving your computer.
- Bitdefender Antivirus Free – Antivirus and URL Blocker
- Avast 2022 PC Protection – Antivirus engine only
- AVG – Antivirus, URL Blocker and VPN, all in one.
- Avira – Antivirus, Firewall, Password Manager, and VPN, all in one
List of Free Firewall Downloads
- TinyWall – A free, lightweight firewall that is easy to use.
- MalwareBytes Firewall Control – Lightweight firewall with some additional features like SecureBoot.
- OpenDNS – URL Blocker that has the ability to block websites that are known to distribute malware. You can use this in combination with a firewall for extra protection.
VPNs and Anonymization Tools
- Cloudflare WARP – free VPN and anonymization tool that can hide what you do from your internet service provider. ISPs are known to embed supercookies into your sessions so they can track everything you do and sell your information.
- DuckDuckGo – free anonymous browser. Modern browsers track what you do and sell your data to data-brokers who add information to your profile stored in a supercookie which is kept in multiple data warehouses.
- https://onetimesecret.com/ – This web service allows you to create and send a message anonymously
Other and Miscellaneous Tools
- Ninite – Install or Update Multiple Apps at Once
- ThisIsWin11 – Completely controls the customization of Windows 11, far above and beyond what you can do normally. You can also remove unwanted apps and features.
- WizTree – The Fastest Disk Space Analyzer (diskanalyzer.com) – Find large files and other space hogs automatically and free up disk space.