The Ten Best Lesser-Known Freeware Apps of 2009... Revealed!

Posted 01/02/2010 at 3:00pm | by David Murphy

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There are a lot of weird little applications and utilities out there. They aren't programs that will win a spot on anyone's top-ten list of yearly freeware or anything like that, but that doesn't mean that they are any less deserving than their peers for a spot on your desktop or laptop computer. They're just, well, small. Small and simple-minded. A number of them aspire to solve individual problems or issues with your system, and some even attempt to bolster your interactions with your computer in some newfound way. These aren't huge applications--no Firefoxes of the freeware world--but they're every bit as interesting and important to know about as the next greatest Web browser.

That said, I've taken a grand look through all instances of my Freeware Files weekly roundup over the past year, and I've pulled out some tidbits that might have flown under your radar for whatever reason. They cover a hodgepodge of scenarios, but that doesn't mean that I've just reached into the freeware sack and pulled out a random pile of apps. No, these little programs represent the best of the forgotten--apps that might not be as well-spoken in your freeware vocabulary as the more popular entities on the Internet, but ones that are nevertheless important for whatever services they provide.

Without further ado, I present: 2009's most underappreciated apps and utilities!

StrokeIt

What it does: This powerful, freeware application adds mouse gesture functionality to any application you want.  Install the program and hold down your right mouse button, then use the cursor to draw a predefined shape of your choosing.  StrokeIt will recognize the picture or shape and carry out the assigned task.  For example, you can use the program to create macros that output certain phrases or words, or even launch functions within an application.  StrokeIt is a powerful tool that's only limited by your imagination and/or drawing capability--but don't worry, you don't have to be a Picasso to be productive.

Download it here!  

ReNamer

Right-click on a batch of selected files in Windows, hit rename, and the OS will automatically append whatever name you create to the files you picked--automatically adding an ugly (1), (2), (3), et cetera, to the end of said files. Yuck. The freeware application ReNamer rips apart this sad scheme and grants you the ability to mass-rename files in a number of customizable ways.

Download it here!

Eraser

You threw your files in the recycle bin and emptied it. You're in the clear, right? Wrong. One run of this program on the files you want to toss and you'll make it extremely difficult for off-the-shelf file restoration software to be able to piece together your unwanted information. I'm not suggesting that this open-source app could somehow survive the scrutiny of a government-level scan merely because I have not been able to test that claim out, er, first-hand.

Download it here! 

ADRC Data Recovery Tools

Did you frak up and accidentally shift-delete a bunch of files you were working on? Try to recover them using this freeware collection of DIY "save thyself" tools. Not only can you possibly recover files you've deleted, but the program also comes with tools to rip the contents of a dying hard drive, as well as backup options akin to a Norton Ghost drive clone.

Download it here!

USBDriveFresher

Although it's strictly designed for file deletion, this miniscule application runs in your system's background and automatically cleans unwanted files off any USB device. If you frequently switch between Apple and PC platforms, and can't stand the miscellaneous files that OSX dumps on your drive, this little utility is your key to a cleaner, er, key.

Download it here!