TRUSTED SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS 7 [MEGA-LIST]

UPDATED ON: 2024-10-26
NOTE: list will be updated in the future [final renewal is planned somewhere around 2028].

List of essential software needed for smooth and hassle free system performance. I use these applications on a daily basis.
Selection is really private, but nevertheless of this fact I want to share my knowledge with you.
List doesn’t contain any microsoft or adobe products. Sorted by usage frequency.

Also i’ll do my best to provide final Windows 7 compatible versions of software.
[Contact me for suggestions and error reports] .

▓64▓ ◄ this mark indicates that application is 64-bit

• [Firefox ESR] ► [v.115.21 ESR] ► time-tested Firefox ESR version for enterprise ▓64▓
  
• [R3dFox] ► [v.130 ► modern Windows 7 compatible Firefox hack ▓64▓
  
• [Tor Browser] ► [12.0.2 [102.7.0esr]] ► Tor browser, based upon Firefox ESR ▓64▓
  
• [ClawsMail] ► [v.4.1.1] ► lightweight open-source email client ▓64▓
  
• [qBittorrent] ► [v.4.5.5] ► secure torrent client [v5.0 can be executed with VxKex] ▓64▓
  
• [Soulseek] ► [v.2019-7-22] ► p2p file sharing network, neat for searching music ▓64▓
  
• [eMule] ► [v.0.60d] ► old school p2p file sharing application
  
• [DC++] ► [v.0.88] ► another old school p2p file sharing application
  
• [FileZilla] ► [v.3.66.5 & v.0.9.6b] ► good FTP client and server [separate applications] ▓64▓
  Server: versions above 0.9.60 brough 64bit support and some nasty glitches with authorization process
  
• [Mega Sync] ► [v.4.13] ► file hosting with plenty of storage space
  
• [Next Cloud] ► [v.3.13.3] ► private file hosting
  
• [Vividl] ► [v.8] ► download your favorite videos from YT & other sites
  

• [Flux] ► [v.4.124] ► cut the blue light spectrum to save your eyes
  
• [Workrave] ► [v.1.10.52] ► frequently reminds you take a short break to relax your eyes and body
  
• [Actual Windows Manager] ► [v8.15] ► extremely advanced window management
  
• [Peek Through] ► [v1.1] ► small tool, which adds transparecy to any window
  
• [Atomic Alarm Clock] [v6.3] ► excellent alarm clock tool
  
• [7-Zip] ► [v.23.01] ► multi-functional file archiver with high ratio compression ▓64▓
  
• [LibreOffice] ► [v.24.8.8 ► open-source replacement for MS Office 2007 ▓64▓
  
• [Notepad++] ► [v.8.7] ► notepad replacement with extended functionality ▓64▓
  
• [Sumatra] ► [v.3.4] ► fast &lightweight PDF viewer ▓64▓
  
• [VS Codium] ► [v.1.92.2] ► ultimate code editor ▓64▓
  
• [UltraISO] ► [v.9.7.6] ► manage your CD/DVD ISO images
  
• [XnView MP] ► [v.1.6.4] ► neat & very fast picture viewer
  
• [CDBurnerXP] ► [v.4.5.8] ► CD/DVD burner ▓64▓
  
• [Desktop Restore] ► [v.1.7.2] ► Save/Restore position of your desktop icons ▓64▓
  
• [Duplicate Cleaner] ► [v.5.0] ► remove duplicates
  
• [Lingvo x5] ► [v.15.0.826] ► translate foreign languages [latest version is Lingvo X6, but it introduced win10 sh#tty interface so i’m not into it]
  
• [ArsClip] ► [v.5.38] ► very nice and lightweight clipboard manager [consider to donate to author]
  
• [Purrint] ► [v.b26] ► tiny screenshot grabber
  
• [Capster] ► [v.1.0] ► launch application/batch on computer start up if caps lock in on or off [consider to donate to author]
  

• [MPС Clsid2] ► [v.2.3.5] ► lightweight & fast video player ▓64▓
  
• [Daum Pot Player] ► [v.230523] ► ultra comprehensive video player ▓64▓
  
• [OBStudio] ► [v.29.0.2] ► excellent streaming and recording program ▓64▓
  
• [Vegas Pro] ► [v.21] ► video editing software ▓64▓
  
• [Any Video Converter Ultimate] ► [v.7.1.3] ► convert your video files
  

• [Affinity Photo] ► [v.1.10.6] ► raster editor, neat replacement of boring Photoshop ▓64▓
  
• [Alien Skin Exposure] ► [v.X7] ► great collection of advanced photo filters ▓64▓
  
• [Blender] ► Open-source 3D software EOL versions: [2.92] / [2.93] with [HACK] ||| Experimental builds: [ up to 4.2] ▓64▓
  
• [Capture One] ► [v.21 14.4.1.6] ► RAW converter ▓64▓
  
• [RAW Therapee] ► [v.5.11] ► excellent free RAW converter ▓64▓
  
• [Nik Software Collection] ► [v.4.3.4] ► another solid photo filter package
  
• [Pinga] ► [v.0.60] ► excellent image compressor for web dev
  
• [Pixplant] ► [v.5.0] ► convert raster images to seamless textures & 3D maps
  
• [Photomatix] ► [v.6.3] ► HDR editor
  
• [Terragen] ► [v.4.6] ► 3D landscape generator
  
• [Topaz Bundle] ► [v.2018] ► excellent raster effects plugin collection + denoiser v.3.2.0 ▓64▓
  
• [ArtRage] ► [v.6.1.2] ► professional painter tool ▓64▓
  
• [Autopano Giga] ► [v.4.4.2] ► panorama stitcher
  
• [Screen Ruler] ► [v.0.10] ► very convenient on-screen ruler

• [Renoise] ► [v.3.4] ► modern and very powerful music tracker ▓64▓
  
• [OpenMPT] ► [v.1.30] ► modern version of ModPlug Tracker ▓64▓
  
• [Schism Tracker] ► [v.210524] ► windows port of classic [Impulse Tracker 2.14p5]
  
• [Sunvox] ► [v.1.9.6c] ► multiplatform tracker
  
• [Ableton] ► [v.10.1.30] ► DAW for DJing ▓64▓
  

• [Foobar2000] ► [v.2.1.6] ► minimalistic audio player
  
• [XMPlayer] ► [v.3.8.5] ► demoscene module player
  
• [Winamp] ► [v.5.8] ► old school mp3 player
  
• [Audacity] ► [v.3.6.5] ► free audio sample editor ▓64▓
  
• [Sound Forge] ► [v.156 ► audio sample editor ▓64▓
  
• [ADSR Sample Manager] ► [v.1.7.4] ► advanced sample manager ▓64▓
  
• [Sononym] ► [v.1.4.2] ► sample browser that offers a fresh perspective on how sounds can be explored and organized ▓64▓
  
• [XLN Audio XO] ► [v.1.4.5] ► sorts your one shot samples by similarity so you can focus on making beats ▓64▓
  
• [Awave] ► [v.11.5] ► sample extractor
  
• [CUE Splitter] ► [v.1.2] ► split audio CD rips via CUE file
  
• [Lame Encoder] ► [v.3.100] ► MP3 audio encoder ▓64▓
  
• [Flac] ► [v.1.4.2] ► loseless audio encoding ▓64▓
  
• [MP3 Directcut] ► [v.2.36] ► cut your MP3 files without re-encoding
  
• [Novation Automap] ► [v.4.12] ► automate your MIDI keyboard events
  

• [Far Manager] ► [v.3.0.6060] ► very fast text file manger ▓64▓
  
• [Console2] ► [v.2.0] ► advanced command prompt with tabs and transparency support ▓64▓
  
• [KeePassXC] ► [v.2.7.9] ► reliable password safe ▓64▓
  
• [Lock Hunter] ► [v.3.4.3] ► unlock & delete files locked by operating system ▓64▓
  
• [Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro] ► [v.9.3] ► advanced and lightweight firewall ▓64▓
  
• [AnyDesk] ► [v.7.0.14] ► secure remote desktop
  
• [Sysinternals Suite] ► [v.2022] comprehensive system toolkit for detailed diagnostics ▓64▓
  
• [NirSoft] ► excellent admin tools for everyday use
  
• [SoftPerfect RamDisk] ► create swap file/temporary files in RAM-based disk ▓64▓ [last free version]
  
• [Revo Uninstaller Pro] ► [v.4.5.0] ► ultimate software uninstaller
  
• [File Scavenger] ► [v.6.1] ► restore your accidentally deleted files ▓64▓
  
• [DDU] ► [v.18.0.4.6] ► comprehensive display driver uninstaller
  
• [HashTab] ► [v.6.0.0.34] ► calculate file & folder checksum
  
• [Joy2Key] ► [v.1.6.7] ► turns your joypad or joystick into programmable controller
  
• [KeepAliveHD] ► [v.1.6.2] ► prevents hdd drives from sleeping ▓64▓
  
• [Ntlite] ► [v.2.3] ► integrate updates, drivers, into OS distribution, remove unneeded services, pre-setup different settings ▓64▓
  
• [Rufus] ► [v.3.17] ► create bootable usb sticks in one click
  
• [VeraCrypt] ► [v.1.24] ► private disk encryption utility
  
• [VMWare] ► [v.15.5.7] ► virtual machine ▓64▓
  
• [Virtual Box] ► [v.7.0.20] ► free virtual machine ▓64▓
  
• [WineVDM] ► [v.0.8.1] ► allows to execute 16-bit software in 64bit environment
  

• [DirectX 9 June 2010] ► [v.9.0c] ► old school multimedia API, which sometimes is not present in modern OS distributions
  
• [.Net Framework Offline Installer] ► [v.4.8] ► latest NET.framework package ▓64▓
  
• [Visual C++ collection] ► [v2003-2023] ► all Visual C libraries compiled without payload bloat ▓64▓
  
• [Python] ► [3.9-3.11] ► hacked modern versions of Python programming language for “obsolete” Windows 7 ▓64▓
  
• [QT] ► [v6.6.1] ► hacked modern version of QT lib ▓64▓

For system tweakers check [DEDICATED SECTION] of the blog.

• [Aida64] ► [v.6.85] ► standard de facto in diagnostic software
  
• [CPU-Z] ► [v.1.98] ► detects CPU abilities
  
• [GPU-Z] ► [v.2.43] ► detects GPU abilities
  
• [Furmark] ► [v.1.25.1] ► stress-test your GPU
  
• [Memtest x86] ► [v.9] ► comprehensive RAM testing utility
  
• [Victoria] ► [v.5.37] ► comprehensive HDD/SSD testing tool
  
• [Best benchmarks ever] ► Final Reality / XL-L8R / 3DMark99-2022 / UNIGINE Heaven/Sanctuary/Tropics/Valley/Superposition / Stalker
  

• [DOSBox] ► [v.0.74-3] ► DOS emulator
  
• [DOSBox Staging] ► [v.0.81-2] ► modernized DOS emulator
  
• [D-Fend Reloaded] ► [v.1.4.4] ► frontend for DosBox
  
• [Scummvm] ► [v.2.50] ► emulator of old adventure point’n’click games
  

Also make sure to check out [modern software forced to work in Windows 7] .

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