useful links

backup & recovery

Cobian Backup - http://www.cobiansoft.com/cobianbackup.htm
Free backup tool. Schedule backups of files/directories from original locations to other directories/drives on same computer or over network. Other features include file compression and encryption, creating separate backup tasks, and password protecting.

Recuva - http://www.piriform.com/recuva
Free file recovery tool. Recover deleted files from hard drive, external drive, memory cards, deleted mails from email clients, and deleted music from iPods and MP3 players. Support for every modern verion of MS Windows.

system & desktop tools

CCleaner - http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
Free system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. Removes unwanted information, temporary files, browsing history, log files and settings left behind by previously installed software. Also includes a Registry cleaner and optimiser.

Defraggler - http://www.piriform.com/defraggler
Free defragmentation tool that supports both NTFS and FAT32 file systems. Features include ability to defragment one or more files, folders, or whole drive, quick defrag, defragment free space, and scheduler.

security

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition - http://free.avg.com/
Free for personal non-commercial use only. Features include anti-virus, anti-spyware, email scanner, link scanner, real-time protection, automatic updates and scheduler.

Ad-Aware Free Internet Security - http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
Free for personal non-commercial use only. Features include anti-virus, anti-spyware, real-time protection, automatic updates and scheduler. (No email scanner)

Avast! Free Anti-Virus - http://www.avast.com/en-au/free-antivirus-download
Free for personal non-commercial use only. Features include anti-virus, anti-spyware, email scanner, real-time protection, automatic updates, and scheduler.

ClamWin Anti-Virus - http://www.clamwin.com/
Open source GPL virus scanner. Features include anti-virus, anti-spyware, email scanner (Microsoft Outlook only), standalone virus scanner and right-click menu integration to MS Explorer, automatic updates and scheduler. (No real-time protection)

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
Features include anti-malware, integration with other anti-malware utilities, and context menu integration to scan files on demand. Free edition does not include real-time protection, automatic updates, or scheduler.

Microsoft Security Essentials - http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
Free for all genuine installations of Windows, not intended for business use (with an exception for small home based businesses). Features include anti-virus, anti-spyware, real-time protection, automatic updates and scheduler. (No email scanner)

Spamihilator Free Anti-Spam Filter - http://www.spamihilator.com/
Free spam filter works between email client and internet. Prevents spam from entering inbox. Features include trainable Bayesian filter, spam word filter, link filter, firends list, block senders list, and support for both POP3 and IMAP accounts.