(Last updated 31 August, 2014.)
This is the story of my attempt at making a 100% usable freeware Windows XP machine. It has been revised several times since I first published it thanks to feedback and suggestions from readers. I’ve done a lot of research and tried a lot of programs. There are also 2 companion articles: The Windows 7 Freeware Machine, and The Windows 8 Freeware Machine. This is not an exhaustive list of freeware programs but the result of the aforementioned research and installs blended with my own personal preference and opinion. You are free to recommend a FREE program but you must list exactly why you think it is better. i.e. – If you say it uses less resources then provide a concrete example (with stats), if you call it bloatware then show why, etc.
[Read more…] about The Freeware XP Machine
Tweaking Windows 7, Version 2.0

Tweaking Windows 7 has been updated.
It’s been over 3 years since the first version of this particular guide.
I figured it was time I got off my lazy ass and update it.
I hope you enjoy it!
***Important Note – If you’ve purchased the Tweak Guide in the past, please contact me for your free update. Please include the Name /email info you order it with.
FYI – Up next is a complete revision of all the freeware guides and a Windows 8 edition of same.
Buy – Tweaking Windows 7 Printable PDF
Buy – Tweaking Windows 7 Printable PDF
You can get a printable version of TweakHound’s – Tweaking Windows 7 (80+ pages) for $5.00 (U.S.).
Please note the content of this guide is no different than the online version. I have simply formatted it in Word to make it easy for printing.
You may not redistribute the guide. To protect the document there is no content extraction allowed.
The file you will get is a PDF file (viewable/printable in Adobe Reader, FoxIt Reader, etc.).
This is available through PayPal only!
You do not need a PayPal account account, just a credit card.
(Please note that I will not make other payment options available)
Once payment is received I will email you the guide or a download link.
Please allow up to 48hrs. although I will usually send it faster.
On occasion I do not get notified of purchases. If you do not hear from me in 48 hours please forward your Paypal email to me.
You are responsible for monitoring your email. If your paypal email address is through any free email other than Gmail I highly suggest putting another email in the comment box.
Under no circumstances will I click on a link to be “approved” or “added” to your email. This practice is quite rude.
Click the button below to purchase (or click here).
FAQ’s
In all these years only one person has complained. No, it is not a hardcopy. See the part where it says “printable”?
(Yes, they actually thought I was going to snail mail them a hardcopy for $5.)
Once you purchase the guide you get updates of following versions for free.
*** I do not keep your personal info on file. Therefore it is up to you to contact me with your original purchase info (at least name and email) so that I can send you the latest version.
Why am I charging for the guide?
I pay for the bandwidth for this site out of my own pocket. Not to mention the software, hardware, and other things that go into making this site possible. I figure $5 is a pretty good deal for all this material. At your local book store a magazine containing a fraction of this info would run 10-15 dollars. Besides, the online version is always available and always free!
Tweaking Windows 7
TweakHound’s

Tweaking Windows 7
A common sense guide to tweak and optimize Windows 7.
by Eric Vaughan
Version 2.0, 23 February, 2013
One Thousand Dollar Video Card Anyone?
Adobe Reader 11.0.02
Adobe Reader 11.0.02 is out.
Download or update from within the program (Help > Check for updates).
Security bulletin – Security updates available for Adobe Reader and Acrobat
Adobe has released security updates for Adobe Reader and Acrobat XI (11.0.01 and earlier) for Windows and Macintosh, X (10.1.5 and earlier) for Windows and Macintosh, 9.5.3 and earlier 9.x versions for Windows and Macintosh, and Adobe Reader 9.5.3 and earlier 9.x versions for Linux. These updates address vulnerabilities that could cause a crash and potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system.
iTunes 11.0.2
iTunes 11.0.2 is out.
Download
This update adds a new Composers view for music, improves responsiveness when syncing playlists with a large number of songs, and fixes an issue where purchases may not show up in your iTunes library. This update also includes other stability and performance improvements.
Be sure to read Ed Bott – The unofficial guide to installing iTunes 10 without bloatware.
Thunderbird 17.0.3
Thunderbird 17.0.3 released. Security and bug fixes.
Download (Windows, EN-US)
Release Notes
Download other languages and operating systems
Firefox 19.0
Firefox 19.0 released. New feature (PDF Viewer) and bug fixes.
Download (Windows, EN-US)
Release Notes
Download other languages and operating systems
Nvidia 314.07 WHQL Drivers
Nvidia has posted theire new 314.07 Drivers.
These are being called “GeForce R313 Driver for Crysis 3” :rolleyes:
Download:
No new Linux drivers.

