Top 50 free PC tools

Backup and disk tools

Cobian Backup
Everybody needs a simple backup tool and Cobian Backup is a great choice. It can be set up to copy files to a separate disk ­ an external hard disk would be a good choice ­ or storage on your network. It can also schedule backups, so you can set it up once and let it repeat the process every so often, and it can even scramble the backups to protect them from prying eyes.

Driveimage XML
A utility such as Cobian Backup (above) is handy for keeping a backup of certain files, but what if you want to store the entire contents of the disk? Disk imaging programs can convert everything on a hard disk into a single file (the ‘image’), and Driveimage XML is a fantastic free imaging program. Use it to create a backup of your main hard disk and you can restore Windows and all your programs and documents if a problem occurs.

Easeus Disk Copy
Rather than buy a new computer, it’s often cheaper to upgrade your existing PC. One simple upgrade is to add a bigger hard disk. If you want to replace the existing disk, it’s far easier to simply copy all the contents of the old one across than to reinstall everything. If you can connect your new hard disk to the computer at the same time, Easeus Disk Copy will move everything across from the old disk to the new one. You can then remove the old disk, and you are ready to carry on computing.

Paragon Partition Manager 10 Express
Large hard disks can be split into several smaller ‘partitions’, each one of which appears to Windows as if it were a separate disk. Most of the time there is simply no need to change these, but if you do then you will be annoyed to find that Windows includes only very limited tools. For example, if you find that you have bought a computer with loads of unused space on its hard disk, Partition Manager 10 Express will allow you to create a new partition or expand your existing one.

Recuva
It is all too easy to accidentally delete a file or folder. Sometimes files can be recovered from the recycle bin, but if that has been emptied then the process is a little trickier. Install this tool on a USB memory key now, though, and all need not be lost: plug it in, scan the hard disk and it should be able to restore the file. As with all file recovery tools it’s vital to install this before, not after, you delete the file.

Syncplicity
There are many tools and services that allow you to create an online backup of your files, but Syncplicity is one of the very best. You can use it to store up to 2GB of files on the company’s internet servers, and it is even possible to set up synchronisation so that those files appear on two different computers with any changes being automatically kept up to date. Web-based access makes it easy to grab an individual file from any internet-connected computer.