Essential Software

Here are some softwares which I use to solve most of my routine headache with computer systems. This covers a wide range of categories so I am sure you are going to find this useful (useful internally means 0$, innit?).

1. 
   Lastpass - Is the best password manager IMO. Like it says it is the last password you are going to remember. If you use firefox/IE, the extension sits on the browser and prompts for filling up user name logins whenever you visit any page. For chrome you could use the bookmarklet feature.
2. Free hide Folder - Ever wonder how to hide some files in windows explorer ? Such as the movies in an office system or some personal pictures ? You can use this tool to hide/unhide folder or password protect them :). Handy !! but certainly not super-smart-hacker-proof.
3. DownthemAll - Is probably the best ever download manager which is available as an add-on only in firefox (I haven't researched if it works in Chrome with bookmarklets or something). I was suprised at the way it accelerated the downloads, managed the file names etc.
4. Teracopy - You are not alone when you feel windows explorer copies files very very slowly. Teracopy can be used to copy files between folders and typically when you copy about 10-20GB (normal when you backup music files/movies) this software seems to copy at an excellent speed.
5. Explorer2 - Ever wondered that windows explorer is way too bad. I work in a software at about 10 different branches and 5 environments simultaneously and have alteast 6 explorer windows open. This amounts to clutter and explorer 2 is the best way to solve it.
6. Launchy - Why should you go to Start -> Programs -> (spend 2 mins searching the list) -> Program of your interest -> Program EXE every time? If you launch 20 programs a day that is about 350000 clicks extra per year :). Use Launchy which combines a MacBook style navigation. [Please note that if you use Google Desktop, a good software that I hate, it performs most functions that Launchy does]
7. WinDirStat - Your C: has no space why ? some folders in "Documents and Settings" (aka "All kinds of junk") and "Program Files" might be the culprit. How to find such culprits? If you are a windows guy then good luck with right click on each folder and seeing folder size. If you are a sensible-windows guy try WinDirStat.
8. SyncToy - Microsoft at times makes some really good software and SyncToy which I think was originally from SysInternals is a good one. If you are a geek then there is a good chance that you have high-capacity mega hard drive which backs up your movies/music/pictures etc. SyncToy can sync between your backup folders (and only copy what was changed, thankfully)
9. TeamViewer - Trust me when I say this is the best software for seeing a remote desktop. Or if you fancy paying money try FogCreek Co-pilot (google what that is) or GoToMyPc.com. Remember !!! the team viewer license is free only for PERSONAL use. 
10. Unlocker - You delete a file, windows says it is in use. You try and close all processes which are possibly accessing the file and still same issue. After pulling whatever hair is left in your head you give up saying that directory will stay there forever. You don't like that? Take Unlocker :)
11. Dropbox - You want to send a 800MB file. You have tried yousendit.com, isendit.com, someonesendit.com with multiple variations like 7 days/14 days/48 hours in the server. The best option for this is Dropbox where you are given a 2GB space. Open dropbox and drag a folder/file into it. The upload happens in the background so even if your internet connection flicks, you wont lose all contents. Once you upload you get a easy download link which can be sent to people :) A simple browser is enough for downloads but for more fancier stuff like recovery etc, the other party can use dropbox as well to sync. (Windows live folder share is a close competitor to this software)
12. BitMeter - You use broadband with limits and want to know how much you have guzzled. What if your provider gives 4GB free and charges therafter, be extra careful when you are at 3.7GB. This software records the amount of data that goes up/down in your computer so it is handy when you have usage limits.
13. Wink - You want to record a screencast? For example, instead of saying "Go to this site -> click on this link -> enter these details -> Press button -> Open another link -> See if your data turns up" you can simply record what you did and send him over?
14. Command Window Here - No more registry tweakings to get a "Open Command Window here" in Windows explorer.

PPPPS: Any software here is just a recommendation. The authority of any information about licenses in this blog will be superseded by the actual license information at their individual websites. Some/most softwares may be free for personal/academic use and not for professional use. This is just a recommendation, so please use your judgement.