Download Squad http://www.downloadsquad.com Download Squad http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Download Squad http://www.downloadsquad.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Opera 10.10 with Unite and Turbo now available]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/opera-10-10-with-unite-and-turbo-now-available/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/opera-10-10-with-unite-and-turbo-now-available/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/23/opera-10-10-with-unite-and-turbo-now-available/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Opera have released version 10 of their browser, now with Opera Unite and Opera Turbo included.

Opera Unite gives your web browser the ability to deliver content as well as consume it. The standard download includes a number of Unite applications, with more available for download from the application directory. The bundled applications include a file sharing server that allows you to make files available to the world (as well as allowing the world to upload content to your machine), a virtual fridge door for you to share notes with friends and family (pictured), a media player that allows you to play content from your Unite equipped machine remotely, an instant messaging server, a photo sharing application and a web server for serving your own web content.

The inclusion of Opera Turbo in the new browser marks the migration to the desktop of a technology that has long been a key feature of Opera's Mini product. Opera Turbo speeds up your browsing session by compressing content at Opera proxy servers before delivering it to your machine - particularly useful for those on low bandwidth connections.

Opera 10.10 is available free from www.opera.com for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

We're intrigued to hear what you, our lovely readers, think about Opera's advancements. They have an excellent, solid browser base and some truly unique additional features... are you tempted to make the switch?

Opera 10.10 with Unite and Turbo now available originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10linuxmacOperaTurboUniteupdatewindowsMon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Auslogics Disk Defrag buffs up, adds disk optimization in v3]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/20/auslogics-disk-defrag-buffs-up-adds-disk-optimization-in-v3/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/20/auslogics-disk-defrag-buffs-up-adds-disk-optimization-in-v3/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/20/auslogics-disk-defrag-buffs-up-adds-disk-optimization-in-v3/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Defragmentation (like backing up) is one of those chores I don't think about doing all that often. And I really should, since my desktop at work is a cluttered mess of downloads, screenshots, temp files, and other digital flotsam.

When Auslogics mentioned they've got a new version of their Disk Defrag tool available for download, I figured why not take it for a spin? My drive could use the TLC, after all. The app is available with an installer or as a portable app and is free for home use.

One small feature worth a mention is that Disk Defrag supports Windows 7's superbar progress indicator. You can choose to defragment your entire drive or target specific files or folders. It's also got a number of other smart features, like free space consolidation and intelligent system file placement. Disk Defrag can also be set to run automatically when your system is idle.

The installable version can also clean up your temp files prior to defragging, minimize to the system tray, run scheduled jobs, and integrate into your right-click context menu.

Tidying up my drive's 130Gb+ of disorganization took about 25 minutes. Disk Defrag also includes a new optimization feature which Auslogics recommends running once a week. It takes quite a bit longer, but if it helps keep your drive healthy and running at peak performance it's time well spent.

Auslogics Disk Defrag buffs up, adds disk optimization in v3 originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auslogicsdefragdefragmenterportablewindows 7Windows7Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Turn your keyboard LEDs into network activity indicators with a free app]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/12/turn-your-keyboard-leds-into-network-activity-indcators-with-a-f/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/12/turn-your-keyboard-leds-into-network-activity-indcators-with-a-f/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/12/turn-your-keyboard-leds-into-network-activity-indcators-with-a-f/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Most keyboards built in the last twenty years or so sport three LEDs - number lock, caps lock, and scroll lock. I'm pretty sure that over those same twenty years I've used each one for a combined total of five minutes.

It sure would be nice if I could somehow force the LEDs to perform another duty. Say, for example, blinking in time with my network activity? That would be pretty slick.

And that's exactly what Network Lights does. Download the 44Kb .zip file, extract it, and run the executable and your LEDs will go to work, flashing in time with the flow of network packets to and from your PC.

I'd recommend against running Network Lights on a laptop which doesn't have a full numeric pad on the keyboard. As the app flicks the LED on and off, your dual-mode keys (usually on the right side around J-K-L) will periodically become unresponsive.

While this is an older app and hasn't been updated in quite some time, Network Lights runs just fine under Windows 7.

[via Raymond.cc]

Turn your keyboard LEDs into network activity indicators with a free app originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>keyboardlednetwork statusNetworkStatusnumlocktrafficThu, 12 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SheepDog rounds up stray application windows on multi-monitor setups]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/10/sheepdog-rounds-up-stray-application-windows-on-multi-monitor-se/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/10/sheepdog-rounds-up-stray-application-windows-on-multi-monitor-se/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/10/sheepdog-rounds-up-stray-application-windows-on-multi-monitor-se/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It doesn't happen often, but every now and then I receive a customer's laptop which just doesn't want to believe it's no longer attached to an external monitor. And it never fails - some important app is going to appear in the display Twilight Zone.

If only there was some kind of digital shepherd to corral those errant windows. Hey, if not a shepherd, why not SheepDog?

It's a tiny, portable application whose sole purpose is to bring apps that have wandered back to the primary display. Fire it up, and the tray icon listens for a hotket combination to be pressed. In the options screen you can customize your key combo and also change the system tray icon.

Hit the hotkey (or right click the system tray icon and select reposition) and any offending application windows are instantly moved.

At only 20Kb, this baby is going straight on my USB flash drive with all the other handy utilities I need once in a blue moon.

SheepDog rounds up stray application windows on multi-monitor setups originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>desktopdisplayhidden windowHiddenWindowmultiple monitorsMultipleMonitorsrepositionwindow managementWindowManagementTue, 10 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Panda CEO and CTO talk Cloud Antivirus 1.0 as download link goes live]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/10/free-panda-cloud-antivirus-windows-now-available-for-download/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/10/free-panda-cloud-antivirus-windows-now-available-for-download/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/10/free-panda-cloud-antivirus-windows-now-available-for-download/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Panda Cloud Antivirus is one of the more talked about releases of 2009. Its new spin on the traditional antivirus model -- like many new programs which embrace cloud computing -- has been met with both praise and criticism. Panda themselves are bullish on Cloud AV, and I was fortunate enough to speak about it with CEO Juan Santana and Senior Research Advisor Pedro Bustamante.

To Santana and Bustamante, Panda's beta testing period was huge success. One way they measured is by taking a look at what Collective Intelligence -- the remote muscle powering Cloud AV -- has processed so far. "Right now, there is about 25 terabytes of data in the Collective Intelligence database," said Santana.

"About 60% of that," he continued, "is malware. We're receiving about 120,000 new files a day, of which 60-70,000 are malicious." In total, Collective Intelligence has processed more than 80 million files so far and generates about 150 gigabytes of log files per day.

On top of that, Cloud AV scored an impressive 99.4% detection rate in a recent round of testing. That figure put it ahead of free favorites like Avira, Avast, AVG, and even Microsoft's new Security Essentials.

Continue reading Panda CEO and CTO talk Cloud Antivirus 1.0 as download link goes live

Panda CEO and CTO talk Cloud Antivirus 1.0 as download link goes live originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antivirusavbusinesscloud antiviruscloud avCloudAntivirusCloudAveducationfeaturesfree avFreeAvmsepandareviewsschoolsohoTue, 10 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Comodo Easy VPN is a fast, free Hamachi alternative for Windows]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/09/comodo-easy-vpn-is-a-fast-free-hamachi-alternative-for-windows/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/09/comodo-easy-vpn-is-a-fast-free-hamachi-alternative-for-windows/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/09/comodo-easy-vpn-is-a-fast-free-hamachi-alternative-for-windows/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Ages ago, I used a combination of Hamachi and UltraVNC for hassle-free remote support setups. At the time (again, this was a long time ago), Hamachi had a lot of reliability and speed issues - so I ended up switching to TeamViewer.

Recently, however, I decided to revisit my options. One alternative I happened upon was Comodo's free Easy VPN application.

Like Hamachi, Easy VPN supports multiple virtual networks. To give a friend access, simply provide the name and password and they're ready to join. When logged in, the icon next to their name will turn green and you can then ping, chat, and even remote control to your heart's content. All traffic is 128-bit encrypted.

Ping times and file transfer speeds are respectable and competitive with Hamachi. The remote control software (which feels and works a lot like many VNC apps) works well, and is perfect for quick, long-distance assistance.

Machines connected on a Comodo Easy VPN network function just like the computers attached to your home router. You can share files, folders, and even printers. Need to be able to print on the fancy color laser printer at work from the comfort of your kitchen table? Easy VPN is a hassle-free way to get the job done.

You can read more about how Easy VPN works over at Comodo's web site, where you can also download it. Easy VPN works on Windows XP or newer - both 32 and 64-bit builds.

Comodo Easy VPN is a fast, free Hamachi alternative for Windows originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comodoeasyvpnhamachinetworkingvpnMon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[7 Taskbar Tweaker gives you more control over the Windows 7 superbar]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/05/7-taskbar-tweaker-gives-you-more-control-over-the-windows-7-supe/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/05/7-taskbar-tweaker-gives-you-more-control-over-the-windows-7-supe/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/05/7-taskbar-tweaker-gives-you-more-control-over-the-windows-7-supe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The Windows 7 superbar sports some very cool improvements over the old Windows taskbar. But suppose you want to customize your taskbar a bit. Say, for example, you find the close buttons just a bit too small to be practical. What then?

Why not set your middle mouse button to close using 7 Taskbar Tweaker? By default, middle-clicking a superbar icon in Windows 7 opens a new instance of that program, the same way shift +left click does. I don't need to do that very often and holding shift really isn't an inconvenience for me.

On the flip side, I close windows and tabs from the superbar all the time. Right click -> close all windows works, but why not make use of your scroll wheel's clicking ability?

Taskbar Tweaker also allows you to change other superbar click actions. Another change I've made is swapping the default left click to open previews to cycling through windows/tabs. It's a welcome switch if your web browser happens to support per-tab thumbnails.

You can also use the app to disable thumbail previews if you choose, and the settings menu provides options to run at startup, hide the main window, and even hide the tray icon if you like keeping clutter to a minimum.

7 Taskbar Tweaker is a free download and versions are available for both 32 and 64-bit Windows 7.

Thanks for the tip, Miklos!

7 Taskbar Tweaker gives you more control over the Windows 7 superbar originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>superbartaskbartweakwindows 7Windows7Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[VHD Attach enables right-click mounting and dismounting of VHD files in Windows 7]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/03/vhd-attach-enables-right-click-mounting-and-dismounting-of-vhd-f/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/03/vhd-attach-enables-right-click-mounting-and-dismounting-of-vhd-f/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/03/vhd-attach-enables-right-click-mounting-and-dismounting-of-vhd-f/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


One of Windows 7's slick new features is its handling of VHD (virtual hard disk) files. You can use them for a number of handy functions - from discreetly archiving files and folders to booting a full-fledged Vista, Windows 7, or Windows Server 2008 install via your Windows 7 boot.ini.

But VHDs aren't as easy to work with out-of-the-box as they could be. To mount and unmount, you've got to head over to the Disk Management snap-in (diskmgmt.msc), wait for the screen to populate, go to actions->attach (or detach), browse for your VHD, and then wait some more.

VhdAttach speeds the process up by adding two entries to your context menu. Mouse over a .VHD file, right-click it, and you can mount and dismount right from Windows Explorer. Left click attach, and your VHD will pop up alongside your physical hard disks. When you're all done, detaching is just as simple.

The control app (inset in screenshot) which can open your VHDs and display information about them. You can also attach and detach from this screen.

VhdAttach is a free download and works with both Windows 7 and Server 2008.

VHD Attach enables right-click mounting and dismounting of VHD files in Windows 7 originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>context menuContextMenudismountdrive imagedrive managementDriveImageDriveManagementmountright clickRightClickvhdwindows 7windows-7Windows7Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Security Essentials rated best free antivirus for Windows]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/31/best-free-antivirus-for-windows-microsoft-security-essentials/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/31/best-free-antivirus-for-windows-microsoft-security-essentials/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/31/best-free-antivirus-for-windows-microsoft-security-essentials/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Thousands of downloads. Countless positive reviews on software blogs around the Internet. It's been quite a ride so far for Microsoft Security Essentials.

In AV Comparative's most recent report on malware removal, MSE was the only free antivirus rated Advanced+. That ranking placed it alongside big names like Norton, Kaspersky, and F-Secure. Security Essentials also beat out technician favorite ESET, which managed only an Advanced rating.

It's also worth noting that only three antivirus apps - Norton 2010, eScan, and Security Essentials - scored marks of good or better in removal of malware and removal of leftovers. So not only has MSE beaten free competitors like AVG (version 8.5 tested, not 9.0), Avira, and Avast, it also posted test scores equal to or better than a dozen antivirus programs you'd have to pay for.

Well done, Microsoft!

[via Ars Technica]

Microsoft Security Essentials rated best free antivirus for Windows originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antivirusmalwareMicrosoft Security EssentialsMicrosoftSecurityEssentialsmorromsetrojanvirusSat, 31 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 is a great free imaging and partitioning tool]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/30/paragon-backup-and-recovery-10-is-a-great-free-imaging-and-partiti/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/30/paragon-backup-and-recovery-10-is-a-great-free-imaging-and-partiti/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/30/paragon-backup-and-recovery-10-is-a-great-free-imaging-and-partiti/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Paragon has long been a name respected by technicians and IT professionals. Their latest release is aimed squarely at home users, and it's a program well worth trying out.

Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition is an excellent, multi-talented hard drive management app. So, what can you do with it? For starters, it will create and restore images of your hard drives and partitions. There's also a built-in tool for creating bootable rescue media (either CD or USB flash drive).

Tasks can be scheduled to run at regular intervals, and you can also create differential jobs (which only back up files that have changed since the previous backup). On massive partitions, the differential option can really speed up the imaging process.

You can also mount previously created images so you can explore them like any other folder or disk on your computer - or manually add additional files.

In addition to backup and imaging tasks, Backup & Recovery can also perform a number of partition management tasks. Use it to create, format (FAT32, NTFS, EXT2/3/4, Linux Swap), and hide partitions as well as check filesystem integrity and check for surface defects.

Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free is loaded with great features. It's simple enough for casual users and powerful enough to be of use to seasoned veterans.

It's free for non-commercial use and downloads are provided for both 32 and 64-bit Windows. You will need to register for a serial number, but it's well worth the minimal effort (just be sure uncheck any 'email me special offers' boxes).

Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 is a great free imaging and partitioning tool originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archivingbackupcloningdifferentialghostimagingparagonpartitionpartitioningFri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SkyDrive Explorer adds 25gb of free cloud storage to Windows Explorer]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/30/access-skydrive-from-windows-explorer-my-computer/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/30/access-skydrive-from-windows-explorer-my-computer/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/30/access-skydrive-from-windows-explorer-my-computer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A lot of people overlook Microsoft's SkyDrive for free, web-based file storage and sharing. Still, it's tough to argue with 25gb of free space for your digital goodies that you can access from anywhere. SkyDrive Explorer is a free shell enhancement for Windows that makes it even better.

Once you install SkyDrive Explorer, you'll see a new icon in My Computer (under "Other"). Double click it to open your drive, and a Live login window will appear. Sign in and you've got full-on access to SkyDrive right from Windows Explorer. Add files and folders, move things around, delete old junk - all as if they were stored on your local hard drive.

I'd like to see the app allow access to SkyDrive from open and save dialogs, but it's a great addition to Windows even without that functionality.

SkyDrive Explorer runs on both 32 and 64-bit Windows.

[via gHacks]

SkyDrive Explorer adds 25gb of free cloud storage to Windows Explorer originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloud storageCloudStoragefile sharingFileSharinglive skydriveLiveSkydriveskydriveweb storageWebStorageFri, 30 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Add CPU and memory meters to your Windows 7 taskbar]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/29/add-cpu-and-memory-meters-to-your-windows-7-taskbar/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/29/add-cpu-and-memory-meters-to-your-windows-7-taskbar/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/29/add-cpu-and-memory-meters-to-your-windows-7-taskbar/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I'm not the biggest Twitter fan, but let's face it: people sometimes share really useful information in their 140-character updates.

Scott Hanselman (@shanselman), for example, tipped users about a slick addition to your Windows 7 taskbar that you'll find over at Codeplex called Taskbar Meters.

Download developer Jeff Key's .zip file and extract the contents to a folder on your hard drive. Inside you'll find two executables - one for CPU and one for memory. Launch them, and the result is what you see in the screenshot.

The meters make use of the Windows 7 taskbar's progress indicator kung fu. Using the sliders in the ultra-simple options screens you can choose the update frequency and set at what percentage of utilization your indicators switch from green to yellow and then to red. Pin 'em to your taskbar and you've got a simple, Win7-friendly heads up display of your PC's vitals.

They're jumplist enabled as well, though right-clicking only gives you access to task manager (which you've always had by right-clicking the taskbar anyway) and the Windows Resource Monitor.

Each meter uses about 18Mb of ram and worked for me under both 32 and 64-bit builds of Windows 7.

Add CPU and memory meters to your Windows 7 taskbar originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cpumemoryprocessorramshell-enhancementsuperbartaskbarwindows 7windows-7windows7Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows 7 Edition Switcher lets you change your ISO from Home to Ultimate]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/28/change-windows-7-iso-version-home-ultimate-pro-starter/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/28/change-windows-7-iso-version-home-ultimate-pro-starter/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/28/change-windows-7-iso-version-home-ultimate-pro-starter/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A lot of techy types weren't too excited when Microsoft changed the Windows 7 ISO. Beta and RC versions lumped all the versions on one DVD.

Heck, this was one big thing I thought Microsoft did right with Windows Vista. I had one DVD and I could load any of the 39 different versions using the same disc. Windows 7 ISOs and DVDs? Not so much. They're single-version.

Frustrated techs are never content to sit back and deal with annoyances - like the developer behind Windows 7 ISO Edition Switcher. Download the free, portable app and you can easily convert any Windows 7 ISO to the version you need. Sure, it's pretty easy to do this by editing a text file but Switcher is about as painless as the process can get.

Pick the patch file you need from the ones included in the zip, pick your ISO, and presto! Patched ISO, ready to burn.

Big thanks to VT4000 for submitting this via our comments!!

Windows 7 Edition Switcher lets you change your ISO from Home to Ultimate originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>editionisopatcherwindows 7Windows7Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Panda Cloud AV beta 3 boasts faster scans, inches closer to RTM]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/27/panda-cloud-av-beta-3-boasts-faster-scans-inches-closer-to-rtm/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/27/panda-cloud-av-beta-3-boasts-faster-scans-inches-closer-to-rtm/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/27/panda-cloud-av-beta-3-boasts-faster-scans-inches-closer-to-rtm/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


When our list of six free antivirus apps for Windows 7 went live over the weekend, Panda's Cloud AV made the list. While it boasted the best detection rates of any of the available options, it's still in beta testing - so I can't really recommend it for use by the average user just yet.

Panda's plugging away though, and a full release could well be just around the corner. Beta 3 has just been made available for download and it fixes a number of bugs and performance issues. The latest release also boasts improved scanning performance (the biggest knock against previous versions) and lower resource utilization.

In addition to updating the app itself, Panda is also hard at work on a new web site. Sign up for a CloudAV account, and you'll have access to forums as well as "other free services which [Panda is] still building." I'll be talking with Panda Security CEO Juan Santana and Senior Research Advisor Pedro Bustamante next week to learn more about their plans.

An account is now required to use the app, but as Pedro informed one leery commenter "It's just a unique identifier that is tied to the Tech Support Forums to be able to provide better support. You can use a throw-away mailbox to activate it[...]"

Panda Cloud Antivirus beta 3 is available for download now at Cloudantivirus.com. If you're using it - or tried it out and switched - share your thoughts in the comments!

Panda Cloud AV beta 3 boasts faster scans, inches closer to RTM originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloud antiviruscloud avCloudAntivirusCloudAvmalwarepandatrojanvirusTue, 27 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How to replace the crappy pre-installed software on your new Windows 7 PC with great free apps]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/23/win7-preinstall-software-remove-bloatware-speed-up-faster/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/23/win7-preinstall-software-remove-bloatware-speed-up-faster/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/23/win7-preinstall-software-remove-bloatware-speed-up-faster/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

So you picked up a new Windows 7 laptop (or desktop) or you're planning on buying one in the very near future?

If you took a look at display models in stores like Best Buy or Frye's, you no doubt noticed that new systems come with a lot of programs pre-installed. Lots of software is a good thing, right? Not always.

Trouble is, what you get is often a) not really useful software or b) a time-limited trial. Office 2007 and the antivirus protection the salesperson told you about? They're 60 day trials. After that, they're going to ask you to pay up...But you don't have to.

No, you can tell those apps to keep their hands off your credit card! With all the great, free software Download Squad has covered over the years, there's really no need to burden your new system with that kind of software timebomb.
With just two simple apps you can quickly strip away all the bloatware (that's what us techy types call the excess crud preinstalled on your new system) and get yourself a nice selection of totally free software that will never expire!

Continue reading How to replace the crappy pre-installed software on your new Windows 7 PC with great free apps

How to replace the crappy pre-installed software on your new Windows 7 PC with great free apps originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloatwarecleanupcrapwaredecrapifierfeaturesinstallinstallernew laptopnew pcnew-pcNewLaptopNewPcninitewindows-7windows7Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vistalizator changes your display language on Windows 7 and Vista]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/22/vistalizator-changes-your-display-language-on-windows-7-and-vist/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/22/vistalizator-changes-your-display-language-on-windows-7-and-vist/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/22/vistalizator-changes-your-display-language-on-windows-7-and-vist/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Every now and then I have the honor of reinstalling Windows on a customer's system in a language other than English - usually French, since I happen to work in Canada.

Trouble is, all my installation media is English which means the resulting OS would sport an English interface. Thankfully, Vistalizator makes switching languages a painless process. Grab the required language pack, fire up Vistalizator, and follow the on-screen instructions. In a short while, you'll be able to reboot your system into the newly-translated shell.

While this was originally a Vista utility, as of the October 17th release Windows 7 is fully supported.

Remember, you don't need Vistalizator if you're running an Ultimate edition - you can just run one of the standalone language packs. As luck would have it, they're also linked on the Vistalizator site for easy download. You'll find them grouped by OS on the download page.

Vistalizator changes your display language on Windows 7 and Vista originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>interfacelanguagemultilanguagetranslatevistalizatorThu, 22 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Update Microsoft Security Essentials definitions manually - no Windows Update required]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/20/update-microsoft-security-essentials-definitions-manually-no-w/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/20/update-microsoft-security-essentials-definitions-manually-no-w/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/20/update-microsoft-security-essentials-definitions-manually-no-w/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

While Microsoft Security Essentials has gotten mostly glowing reviews so far, some users are still hesitant to install it. One thing holding up some users is Windows Update.

You can't update your Security Essentials definitions automatically if the Windows Update service is disabled. And while keeping your system fully patched is a necessity, not everyone wants to allow Windows to do it for them - they prefer the going manual route.

Fortunately, Microsoft knows this. After all, Security Essentials is based on Forefront - their enterprise antivirus product. And in the enterprise it's common practice to install updates manually.

To that end, Security Essentials definitions can be downloaded as a standalone executable from Microsoft. They're available from the Malware Protection Center where you'll also find the current defs for Forefront and Defender.

Download the .exe yourself, run it, and your Security Essentials is up-to-date! Better yet, set up an app like Ketarin to handle scheduled downloads for you and save yourself a step.

Update Microsoft Security Essentials definitions manually - no Windows Update required originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antivirusdefinitionsmorrosecurity-essentialsupdatewindows-updateTue, 20 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Security Essentials enjoys warm reception in first week]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/18/microsoft-security-essentials-enjoys-warm-reception-in-first-wee/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/18/microsoft-security-essentials-enjoys-warm-reception-in-first-wee/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/18/microsoft-security-essentials-enjoys-warm-reception-in-first-wee/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I'm a huge fan of Security Essentials (and Windows 7, and a number of other MS products, but I digress). It's quickly become my recommended free antivirus app of choice and protects all three of the laptops in my house. And I've got plenty of company.

The Microsoft Malware Protection Center blog has posted some interesting numbers. After its first week, Security Essentials has already been installed more than 1.5 million times. From the approximately 535,000 machines reporting statistics, MSE has logged over 4 million detections.

44% of MSE users are already running Windows 7 with XP following at 33% and the remaining 23% on Vista. The number of detections per OS is also interesting. 52% of the 4 million reported were found on Windows XP systems compared to only 32% on Vista.

Windows 7 users fared even better. Though they represent the largest group of MSE users, only 16% of detections came from systems running Microsoft's latest OS. The post also reports 1/3 of these machines are using the 64-bit version, which "is even more resistant to malware than 32-bit due to PatchGuard," states Microsoft's Joe Faulhaber.

Security Essentials is a free download, and is available directly from Microsoft.

Microsoft Security Essentials enjoys warm reception in first week originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antiviruslive-onecaremalwaremorromsesecurity essentialsSecurityEssentialstrojanviruswindows-defenderSun, 18 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Winpatrol 2010 is out, and the little black scottie is leaner and meaner than ever]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/12/winpatrol-2010-is-out-and-the-little-black-scotty-is-leaner-and/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/12/winpatrol-2010-is-out-and-the-little-black-scotty-is-leaner-and/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/12/winpatrol-2010-is-out-and-the-little-black-scotty-is-leaner-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's become a common practice to defend your PC with a handful of security apps rather than relying on a single program. One lesser-known app worth investigating is WinPatrol.

Just released, WinPatrol 2010 builds on the strengths of previous versions. It's now even lighter on memory use, weighing in at about 5Mb on my Windows 7 x64 system. Scotty's also learned to play nice by tweaking internal behaviors to reduce conflicts with antivirus applications.

The new version's cookies tab now handles Firefox and Google Chrome in addition to Internet Explorer. Users of the WinPatrol Pro will also enjoy improved realtime scanning speed - 30% quicker than the free version.

Winpatrol also scores serious points for its Pro licensing plan. Not only do you pay once for the software and receive a lifetime of upgrades, but developer Bill Pytlovany believes that your license should follow you - not your computer. That means you're free to enjoy your paid WinPatrol on any and all PCs that you personally own and use. Nice!

Both the free and pro versions of WinPatrol 2010 are available for download now, as is WinPatrol To Go -- the portable version, which is also free.

Winpatrol 2010 is out, and the little black scottie is leaner and meaner than ever originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>privacysecurityutilitieswinpatrolMon, 12 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic Patch Tuesday rolls a baker's dozen, including first Windows 7 RTM patches]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/09/epic-patch-tuesday-rolls-a-bakers-dozen-including-first-window/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/09/epic-patch-tuesday-rolls-a-bakers-dozen-including-first-window/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/09/epic-patch-tuesday-rolls-a-bakers-dozen-including-first-window/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's not due to appear on stores for a few more weeks (or with major distributors like Synnex for a few more days), but the Windows 7 RTM is slated to receive a handful of critical fixes on Patch Tuesday next week.

A total of five patches are slated for both the 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows 7. Only one of the updates is considered critical, however, and it actually targets a vulnerability in Internet Explorer and not Windows itself.

That's a sharp contrast to XP and Vista. Softpedia points out that six of nine flaws in XP and eight of ten in Vista are flagged critical.

In total, there are 13 updates coming out this Tuesday -- which could make for an interesting few days for any of you who happen to be Windows administrators.

Epic Patch Tuesday rolls a baker's dozen, including first Windows 7 RTM patches originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>patch-tuesdaywindows-7-rtmFri, 09 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST