Software Tools

As a computer engineer I’m always on the lookout for software tools to make my life easier. Here you can download a few of my favourites. They are all freeware (which is one of my requirements to be classified as good!) and I’ll try my best to keep this page updated when new versions are released.
You’ll also find a link back to the original site so you can read any help, check for new versions and even donate the author some cash (if applicable (if you really want to!))

CCleaner – A small highly customisable tool for cleaning up temporary internet files, temp folders, the registry and loads more. I’ve managed to free-up up to 10gb on seemingly ok pcs with CCleaner with just a single click. (Requires installation)
http://www.ccleaner.com

Disktective – Ever wonder where all your hard disk space has gone? This utility will create a pie-chart of all the folders on a disk so you can easily identify the large ones.
http://www.disktective.com

Process Explorer – Great for finding what process is launching dodgy looking spyware files and terminating them for long enough so you can delete them. Use the Find Handle or DLL option in the Find menu.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

ProduKey – A utility to recover the Windows and Office product keys from your pc. Most useful for when you need to format a pc and you don’t have the original discs to hand. (Some anti-virus programs detect this as a hack tool, arguably it is but it is useful and is not malicious)
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

RockXP – Another utility for retrieving Windows and Office product keys. It also allows you to change your Windows product key (careful!) and also shows cached dial-up passwords. (Some anti-virus programs detect this as a hack tool, arguably it is but it is useful and is not malicious)
http://www.rockxp.org

WirelessKeyView – Utility for showing the wireless key on a pc which is currently connected to a wireless network. Most useful for when you don’t know the wireless key and don’t fancy changing it e.g. connecting an additional pc to a wireless network which already has a number of pcs connected. NB. Supports WEP only (unless you can read in HEX)
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_key.html

Wurtbeta – Utility for repairing Windows Updates. This will fix pretty much every problem you'll ever come across with Windows Updates; either the site failing to find any or those stuborn last few updates that just will not install.
http://lifeisarainbow.net/3/windows-update-errors

RNavCorp – A small utility I wrote for removing damaged installations of Norton/Symantec Antivirus products. It's not perfect but it usually removes enough of the software to allow reinstallation. I recommend that you run CCleaner and scan the registry after using this tool. Also some antivirus software detects this as a virus as it does remove and damage antivirus software, it's not a virus at all.