Favorite OS Utilities

[Brian]

 

@Bapu mentioned Zinstall, which was new to me (Windows “move” utility to new hardware).  Here are some of my favorites for Windows.

 

When I build a new system I like to install from scratch, so I use NiNite to auto install some of my “must have” apps and utilities. FREEWARE

 

Maintain & Update apps: PatchMyPC. A long list (300+) of apps that can be installed and then checked for updates (and updated) silently in the background.  FREE for home users. Doesn’t require an install; it runs in the directory it is in and keeps a log file there.

 

Backup/Restore: Terabyte Suite. $59 for full suite (image&file back/retore/partition/boot repair/etc) with free point updates and license for 5 PCs. Supports Windows, DOS (!), and Linux. Be advised that this is rather nerd level as far as UI.  To automate a backup of multiple physical drives you need to create batch files, or do them one at a time in the GUI.  I used to use Macrium Free until it wasn’t.  I looked long and far for a cheap alternative (I maintain 4 systems in the household) and everyone seems to have gone (over-priced) subscription.  Anyway I tried them all, and Terabyte blows the doors off the rest for speed, and I have restored two UEFI systems with no problems using it.  Bonus- After a few years they upgraded from v 3.x to 4.x and the upgrade cost was $12.  I think their target are sysadmins backing up many networked PCs.  Support is great though, and there is an active forum.

 

4

[bapu]

I’ve been on Acronis sine 2010. Recently I’ve been writing my OS backup to an internal SATA SSD. I do daily incremental backups. Every two months or so I wipe out the incrementals and start over.

I’m going to explore Ninite. Thanks @brian

My name is Ed. I Am still bapu though. My Studio

Virtual Bands: Citizen Regen, The Forum Monkeys,  Fizzy Pickle, The Coffee House Band

[superabbit]

I really like WizTree. My favorite utility for getting a graphical representation of what’s taking up disk space. It really is as fast as they say it is.

Great for sniffing out huge leftover installers that don’t need to be taking up drive space.

Another goodie is Duplicate File Finder.

I’d never be without Microsoft’s own Sysinternals suite. Process Explorer and Autoruns have been part of my Windows toolkit for 30 years.

-Erik
___________
superabbit.bandcamp.com

2

[Brian]

Yes!  Wiztree is great.  I can’t remember what I used to use, but it was s.l.o.w… Gonna check out that duplicate finder.

[pseudopop]

Using Scoop (packet manager for Windows) to install and update software has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.

For example, installing the previously mentioned WizTree is as easy as:
scoop install wiztree
Done.

Want to update all your apps?
scoop update –all
Done.

 

Mod comment- I think the parser blanked the examples, so I made an edit.

2

[Lionel]

CrystalDiskInfo

A must-have for Windows users(not sure of Mac alternatives).  I have multiple HDDs and this is so invaluable for checking hard drive health, errors and temperature.  Definitely use on start-up.  This is a great utility to let you know if/when you need to backup your hard drive.

Link:

https://crystalmark.info/en/software/crystaldiskinfo/

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/xp8k4rgx25g3gm?hl=en-US&gl=US

1

[Author]

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