Free Backup Software and Disk Cleaning Tools
In this category, FreebieList.com takes a look at the Internet's best disk and dial-up freeware, including free backup software, disk cleanup utilities and more. If you happen to stumble across an outdated link, we'd very much appreciate it if you could report it.
IObit Uninstaller 2
One of the top freeware uninstaller programs for Microsoft Windows. This download will enable you to thoroughly remove unwanted software from your computer (even those left-overs - such as registry entries and redundant folders - often ignored by the standard Add/Remove Programs option). What's more, with Batch Uninstall, it is possible to remove several programs at once - ideal for anyone wanting to free-up some hard disk space. Being user-friendly and amazingly quick, this is one of our favourite "uninstaller" tools.
Toolwiz
Has your computer started to slow down? This handy piece of free software helps to tune-up your system. It includes over 40 powerful tools, including a disk, registry and history cleaner, startup optimiser, defragmenter, file recovery, a diagnosis mode, and lots more. Toolwiz is well-designed easy-to-use, thanks to the simplicity of its user interface. Available for modern versions of Microsoft Windows.
FBackup
A free and reliable backup program. FBackup takes the pain out of backing up your important files. It is easy-to-use and allows you to quickly select which files to backup, the location to backup to, and scheduling options. Restoring previously taken backups is also a breeze. Users are also able to select multiple backup locations and modify compression options (such as settings to vary .zip files).
Back4Sure
If you're looking for a freeware backup program that gets straight to the point, give Back4Sure a try. Occupying less than 4MB of storage space, you would be forgiven for thinking the program has limited features, but in fact the opposite is true. Features include: scheduling, backup folder selection, easy backup job options, file compression (e.g. ZIP), target directory cleanup, automatic computer shutdown (if selected), log files, and more.
Power Data Recovery Free Edition
A user-friendly file recovery program that lets you restore deleted files (such as photos, documents or music), whether that's due to accidential deletion or file corruption. The software is very powerful with the ability to recover data from damaged hard drive partitions, and in some cases, even reformatted disks. Additionally, DVD, CD, memory cards and USB drives are supported. Functions on Microsoft Windows.
DocShield
Free for personal use, DocShield is the answer to lost computer documents, whether that be accidental or otherwise. The software functions by constantly monitoring document changes and taking incremental "snapshots". In the event data disaster strikes, DocShield will restore the original files. Some other features include: historical log of file changes, archive password protection, remote FTP backup, drag and drop interface, document colour coding, etc. Functions on Windows.
PC Inspector File RecoveryLosing computer files can be a real headache, especially if the documents you've lost are important. Thankfully there's a free answer to this problem. PC Inspector File Recovery is a freeware data recovery program, supporting both FAT and NTFS file systems. It recovers files together with a date and time stamp, and even has the ability to recover files on network drives. Functions on Windows.
Glarysoft Disk SpeedUpA user-friendly free software download to help speed up and optimise your computer. With Disk SpeedUp, you can analyse, defragment and tune-up your hard disk drive to ensure it functions as smoothly as possible. This freeware download is compatible with all popular Windows operating systems.
DriverMax
A free device driver backup utility for Windows. DriverMax enables users to perform a complete driver files backup. In the event a new copy of Windows is installed, all functional drivers can be restored within minutes (and without having to endlessly search for ones compatible with your hardware). The software can also be used to keep up with the latest driver updates.
Time Freeze
Obtain a fully working, free version of Time Freeze, a system protection utility that allows you to run applications in a safe, virtual environment, thereby preventing damage to the operating system. This means you can surf the Web, download applications and perform system modifications safe in the knowledge no critical errors will ever appear on your computer. Simply register to obtain the free download. Functions on Windows XP, Vista, 2000 and 7.
BuddyBackupThis free backup program for Windows takes an interesting approach to safeguarding your important files. With BuddyBackup, you can save work - safely encrypted - to your friend's computers. This way, you'll have multiple copies (depending on the number of "buddies" you designate). The software takes regular incremental backups, so only modified data is stored, making this method very efficient.
Comodo Time Machine
This free download from Comodo is an effective data recovery utility, allowing you to roll back your computer to an earlier point in time. Comodo Time Machine takes regular snapshots of your system and enables you to recover lost files and settings. It functions on all modern versions of Windows but be aware: they recommend you have at least 4GB free disk space to run Time Machine effectively.
Double Driver
Computer driver files can cause plenty of frustration, especially if you're restoring your computer settings. Thankfully, there is a free back-up utility here to enable you to save and then restore the files all within a few mouse clicks. It will save you a whole lot of time. Double Driver functions on all modern versions of Windows.
Duplicate Cleaner
Do you have a lot of duplicate files on your computer? Tracking them down manually could take an age, but thankfully there's an easier way. Duplicate Cleaner does exactly what it says on the tin. It even goes as far as to search drives across a network and can scan a variety of music files, even if they're in a different format!
Cobian Backup
A freeware backup utility for Windows with more features than you can shake a stick at. Cobian Backup is easy-to-use and enables you to schedule automatic backups, so once the program is configured, you can sit back safe in the knowledge you're covered if disaster strikes. The "compression" feature is a nice touch and it'll help save a bit more disk space as well!
CrashPlan
This "free for personal use" program is ideal for creating automatic backups of your files. If disaster strikes and you lose your data, it pays to have copies in multiple locations. CrashPlan takes the hassle out of manual backups by automatically saving copies to both local hard disks and other computers. In addition, for the small fee of $3.47/month, you can take adavantage of their "online backup" service. The software is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux and even the lesser-known Solaris operating system.
Uberstaller
A popular and user-friendly software tool, designed to help you uninstall programs on your computer. Uberstaller functions on Windows and is an excellent replacement for the standard "Add/Remove Programs" utility. In fact, it removes installed software far more thoroughly.
Absolute UninstallerA free software uninstaller program from Glary Utilities. Absolute Uninstaller helps you remove unwanted software quickly and effectively (and without left-over files which can clutter and slow the performance of your PC).
Registry Life
This freeware registry cleanup utility from ChemTable Software will help you optimise your computer for maximum speed and efficiency. Registry Life's simple wizard-style interface makes it easy to tweak registry settings. The end result is a more stable and speedy computer!
AppRemover
A free "uninstaller" program for Windows, specifically designed to help you remove anti-virus software (which can be notorious to delete effectively). AppRemover ensures no files are left cluttering up your PC. If you've purchased a computer with anti-virus tools already installed (i.e. McAfee, Norton, Symantec, Trend Micro) and wish to have them removed, this is ideal.
Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free EditionAn excellent free backup (and file recovery) program from Paragon. This "two in one" utility takes the hassle out of making regular backups. As a result, you'll be able to save all your important files to an external disk or custom folder with ease. It also includes a backup schedular so you can automate when a backup takes place. Very useful!
MyDefragNot the prettiest of sites but one that houses an excellent (and free) disk defragmenter program. MyDefrag is a good alternative to the standard defrag program supplied with Windows.
ImgBurn
A simple and user-friendly program for performing a variety of disc-related burning, whether that be to CD or DVD. ImgBurn is especially good at writing ISO files to disc, but can also handle music and data file copying.
Uranium Backup Free
A free and simple backup program designed to create regular backups of your files. Its commercial counterpart packs more punch, but for general home use, this freeware tool is not bad at all. Features include: unlimited backup destinations, zip compression of files, in-build FTP client, e-mail notifications, backup log files and more.
EASEUS Todo Backup
It can be a nightmare if you lose important files on your PC. Thankfully, thanks to Todo Backup, an effective solution is available. Not only does this freeware tool backup your files, it can also restore them should disaster strike. Since the software uses a "wizard" interface for common tasks, it is also very easy to use.
Uninstall Tool
When you uninstall programs using The Add/Remove tool in Windows, files and folders can get left behind, hindering your computer's performance. Uninstall Tool on the other hand, is just as easy to use, but ensures a more thorough uninstall. Give it a go!
PowerTools Lite
Download this freeware registry cleaner and you will be able to identify and fix registry error, clean up unnecessary junk and leftover temporary files. PowerTools Life also has a multilingual user face and is straight-forward to use. The software will function on all modern versions of Microsoft Windows.
Ocster Backup FreeIf there is one thing in plentiful supply, it's backup utilities. However, they are not all designed from the start to be fully automatic, unlike Ocster backup, which was designed with simplicity in mind. The program effortlessly creates copies of your files and stores them on external drives, USB disks, etc. To save time and be as efficient as possible, incremental backups are used (so only modified or new data is backed-up).
DiskDiggerA free and user-friendly file recovery program that's suitable for rescuing files which have accidentally been deleted (or even files deleted on purpose). DiskDigger functions on your local computer, but can also recover lost files on removable media such as USB flash drives, or even SD cards!
Prevent Restore
This handy freeware file shredder ensures deleted files and folders are truly gone forever. Nowadays, sophisticated recovery software can restore files even after a user has deleted them. However, use Prevent Restore and your files will be unrecoverable - even by advanced recovery software. You can use this to delete files from removable media (USB disk, CD-RW, etc.), and also on your local hard disk drive. If you're selling a computer, or simply wish to dispose of sensitive data in a safe manner, give this tool a try.
GFI Backup Home Edition
An easy-to-use, free and wizard-based backup utility that makes backing up your important files, photos and other documents a simple and straight-forward process. GFI exports backup files in .zip format (unlike some other programs, which export in their own proprietary format). Using this, you may backup to a removable hard disk, USB disk, or even remotely via FTP.
Paragon Rescue Kit ExpressWith this highly-rated freeware program you can easily create a computer recovery disk to deal with a variety of issues, especially boot problems (i.e. if your PC fails to boot correctly). Fortunately, if disaster strikes, Rescue Kit Express will help fix any problems encountered and also retrieves data and lost drive partitions.
AceBackupA powerful freeware utility that's perfect for creating secure backups of your data. AceBackup allows users to store files on any local storage device, or even on CDs, DVDs or remotely via FTP. This program features 256 bit encryption and also boasts a user-friendly interface that makes creating backup tasks quick and efficient.
Registry Fix ProThis freeware registry utility is an effective tool used to locate and fix invalid registry entries. Registry Fix Pro performs a thorough scan and then optimises your system to help it run faster and with more stability. The software also creates an automatic backup of any repaired entries in case these should for any reason need to be restored. Functions on Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista.
EASEUS Partition Master Home EditionThis excellent free partition management program makes partitioning your disk drives an absolute breeze. If you've never created "virtual" drives on your computer, fear not! Partition Master is easy-to-use and allows users to resize, move, copy, create, delete, format, convert, explore, hide and unhide partitions. Note: this download is free for non-commercial use.
Auslogics Disk DefragA popular, easy-to-use and fast disk defrag utility that's the perfect replacement for "Disk Defragmenter" as supplied with Microsoft Windows. Auslogics Disk Defrag aims to improve the performance of your computer by combating fragmentation, which can cause sluggishness, slow start-ups, etc. The program offers some nice visualisation of the clean-up process in action and functions on all modern versions of Windows, including XP and Vista.
FreeraserIf you are working with sensitive data files that need to be kept private, you should ensure that when deleted, they stay beyond the reach of "recovery" programs. Freeraser is a fast, free, fun and easy-to-use file shredder for Windows. The program is particularly useful for securely deleting accounting records, bank details, financial statements, etc.
Fresh UIIf your Windows PC is not performing as well as it should be, maybe it's time for a service? This free system tweaking and optimisation program from Freshdevices allows you to optimise computer performance from software configurations right down to the hardware. It is easy to use and provides handy explanations if you require any assistance.
Glary UtilitiesA freeware system tweaking utility, allowing users to optimise system performance and fix a variety of errors. The software includes a Shortcuts Fixer, Uninstall Manager, Registry Cleaner, Disk Cleaner, Tracks Eraser, File Shredder, Process Manager, amongst other tools. If your computer is in need of a service, why not give Glary Utilities a try?
Advanced SystemCare FreeClaims to be "The Best System Utility in PC History". With over 20 million downloads, Advanced SystemCare Free takes the "Swiss Army" approach to system maintenance. The program includes a disk defragmentation utility, spyware scanner, junk file remover and also helps to correct system errors.
Quicksys RegDefragA user-friendly and effective freeware disk defrag program that optimises the system registry to remove gaps and fragments of wasted space in Windows. If you feel your computer isn't performing as quickly as it ought to be, give this program a try. The wizard interface ensures almost anyone can perform a disk defragmentation with minimal effort. Better still, the file size is less than 1MB in size.
Revo Uninstaller
How many times have you uninstalled a program only to find folders and files left behind? If you are looking to perform more a thorough uninstall, download Revo Uninstaller. This freeware program goes much deeper than standard programs and even penetrates into the system registry to ensure no evidence of your installation.
RecuvaRecuva (renounced "Recover") is a freeware file recovery utility for Windows, created by those who brought us the popular CCleaner application. This software will help you restore files that have been accidentally deleted from your computer. It even goes as far as to restore files that may have been corrupted by viruses. An essential tool if you work with important documents!
FreeUndeleteHave you ever accidentally deleted files you intended to keep? If you had this free program installed, you could have recovered them. FreeUndelete allows you to easily restore deleted files, even those deleted from the Recycle Bin. It functions on the following file systems: NTFS, FAT32 and FAT. This application is free for personal (non commercial) usage only.
System ProtectThis easy-to-use software protects your files and folders by preventing them from being deleted in the event of a virus attack (or file deletion as a result of your anti virus software removing important files). In addition, it also protects against accidental deletion and keeps a constant guard, ensuring your system is stable and secure. You can even configure the software to prompt you before deleting a file. System Protect makes an excellent addition to your overall computer security.
BurnAware FreeThe free version of BurnAware is a fully featured CD, DVD and Blu-ray disc burning program and allows you to quickly create discs containing audio, data or video files. The software is ideal for creating backups and comes complete with a smooth and sleek interface, so it's a breeze navigating the common tasks.
DefragglerFrom the company that brought us CCleaner and Recuva, Defraggler is a quick, simple and free disk defragmentation tool designed to help speed up your computer. The program differs from other similar tools in that you can identify particular files or folders to defrag. Being less than 1MB in size and supported by all modern Windows platforms, this tool should be in everyone's collection.
SmartDefragA great freeware program that helps to speed up your computer by defragmenting the hard disk drive. Marketed as "the world's most efficient disk defragmenter", SmartDefrag works tirelessly to combat disk fragmentation (a major cause of reduced PC performance). We've had a number of reports that this program performs as good as, if not better, than the "Defrag" application supplied with Windows.
Handy BackupA freeware backup program designed for most versions of Microsoft Windows. Handy Backup will backup and restore all your important files to virtually any type of storage media (i.e. a CD-ROM, tape, etc.), including remote FTP servers. If you've never performed an automated backup before, don't worry. This program will do most of the leg-work for you.
HDD HealthThis freeware program will sit quietly in your system tray and wait patiently until it detects an impending system failure. Using a method called SMART (Self Monitoring and Reporting Technology), HDD Health can warn of possible errors via e-mail, local pop-up messages, Net messages and even event logging. It's also very system-friendly, using no notable resources.
CCleanerCCleaner is a neat, efficient and best of all, freeware optimisation tool that removes unused and temporary files from your PC, freeing up disk space and allowing it to work faster. CCleaner cleans-up unnecessary files from many popular programs and also includes a fully featured registry cleaner. Additionally, the program can be used to erase tracks of your Internet usage.
JDiskReportAn easy-to-understand freeware program that will help you visualise how much directory space you're using on your hard disks. JDiskReport scrutinises your hard disk and gathers various statistics in the form of pie charts, bar charts, tables, etc. This tool is free from advertisements and since it's freeware, will never expire or throw up irritating "nag" messages.
EZBack-it-upA free and easy-to-use backup utility for personal use. Unlike a compression backup tool, this program makes a duplicate of your files to a pre-determined destination, meaning once the process is completed, you can easily manage all the "saved" materials. EZBack-it-up uses incremental-style backups, too, so only recent or updated files are added to the backup archive.
Free Online MeterWorried about the cost of Internet dial-up rates? This useful program logs how long you've been connected to the Internet and from that, calculates the approximate cost incurred, by automatically detecting which ISP you're using. A report of the monthly cost and time spent surfing can also be produced. This program functions on Windows 95/98/ME/NT4/2000 and XP.
EraserA fine privacy and security tool for Windows based systems. Using a drag and drop facility, Eraser permanently deletes files so they cannot be recovered, even by the most advanced software. It's ideal for covering your tracks or for removing sensitive information from your PC. No uninstall utility (free or commercial) can bring back the files once you have deleted them with Eraser.