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Microsoft Substitutes
Don't expect new programs with improved usability from the upcoming version of the World's favorite OS Windows XP. Why? Because its the same old Microsoft operating system with added eye candy. Stick to XP, along with all your devices that are not compatible with Windows Vista, and run your favorite non-Microsoft software!We all heard about the new Vista and I think its not an upgrade most of us will make anytime soon. Microsoft loaded it with immature features that people will switch off after they use it for a while. For example, why in the world would anyone want the borders to look semi-transparent for? Give me one way it could be useful.. apart from sitting around (in the RAM eating precious resources) and looking pretty!
Likewise, Windows XP also came loaded with many useless built-in programs that you ended up dumping for a better alternative. People hate it and love it at the same time. Its great that we don't have to re-install a fresh OS every few months like it used to be with Windows 9x every time the BSoD appeared. This meant a lot of time saving as there is no need to re-install all other programs as well. Did you notice how we started using more and more applications that we can't do without? Here is a list of a few programs (plus annoying features) that substitute for better and free (some open source) programs:
Internet Explorer = 
Mozilla FirefoxFirst thing I install on a fresh Windows XP. Simply the best Internet browser. Ever! :)
1.
Windows Explorer = 
ExplorerXPTabs, groups and a toolbar with only the useful things. The way explorer should have been.
2.
Windows Messenger = 
IMVUChat using 3d digital personalities. I rarely chat, so why not make it interesting?
3.
Windows Media Player = 
VLC PlayerPlays almost everything. This is just what I needed with its functional basic skin.
4.
Windows Media Encoder = 
Media CoderConverts between almost every type of media files. Compress videos to save space!
5.
Windows Firewall = 
Sunbelt KerioPrevents hackers from breaking in. Seems to be working well. No known issues with security so far.
6.
Windows Defender = 
SpybotErase spyware that always find its ways in everyday. If something can go bad, it will go bad!
7.
Disk Cleanup = 
CCleanerCleans unnecessary rubbish that accumulate in your hard drive. Speeds up your system.
8.
Image Viewer = 
MaxViewSimple and very useful for big archives. I tried so many alternatives but this is a keeper.
9.
WordPad = 
AbiwordFully equipped word processor. Extra: Ditch Microsoft Office altogether for free Openoffice!
10.
Paint = 
GimpShopIf you are not playing with pixels then you need a better program to edit your photographs.
11.
Sound Recorder = 
AudacityVery powerful little tool with lots of features. I mostly use the large record button and save file.
12.
Screen Saver = 
Google Pack SCREENSAVERDisplays your photo collection in a smooth fading manner or a vitual Polaroid collage. Nothing flashy.
13.
Run = 
LaunchySearch for programs loaded in your computer fast with a touch of a key: Press in the middle of Alt+Space!
14.
Desktop = 
DeskviewTurn your desktop icons into a list. The right thing is now more visible with the filenames sorted.
15.
Shut Down = 
Switch OffSet a time to shut down or restart so you can go on a holiday while your computer works at home.
16.
Print Screen = 
CaptureCapture full screen, active window or a specific region. Also includes magnifier and color picker.
17.
Recycle Bin = 
RestorationRestore files that you delete permanently. I disabled the Recycle Bin to save some drive space.
18.
QuickLaunch = 
RocketDockLaunch your most used applications in a different bar to free up more area in the taskbar for them.
19.
Font Viewer = 
Font ListerQuickly view your fonts in a list and choose the one you will be using. Otherwise look for it one by one.
20.
ClipBook Viewer = 
ClipXTrack multiple entries in your clipboard and access them easily when you need. Happy copy-pasting!
21.
Compressed Folders = 
7 zipBetter compression for your files and folders. Supports almost every type of files.
22.
Disk Defragmenter = 
Disk DefragFaster defragmentation of your hard drive to keep your computer running fast.
23.
Task Switcher = 
TaskSwitchXPSwitch between your running application with their screenshots. Uses low resources as well.
24.
Virtual Memory = 
CachemanXPMore settings to control your virtual memory and RAM. Adds a tiny icon next to the clock indicating the amount of free RAM.
25.
CPU Speed = 
SpeedSwitchXP Change the speed of your CPU according to your needs. Mainly for laptop users. Adds another nice tiny icon showing your CPU load!
BONUS.
Startup Screen = 
BootSkin Optional application for those who are bored looking at the same thing everyday for 5 minutes.
Finally, the ones that I decided to keep:
Notepad = The only reliable Microsoft software!
Calculator = Don't use it much but still there..I would have posted screenshots (some don't have) but you can see how clean my desktop looks like. All other programs such as Outlook and features like Help, I rarely use them (if ever!) so there is no need to mention. The Internet is a better option for me to check my emails and look for "Help" that helps!
Before you leave, please rate my entry and leave some feedback using comments as to which program you found the most useful and let others know if there are other substitutes you use.
Note: Look out for future posts of other little known utilities that are useful everyday but are not necessarily Microsoft substitutes (hence did not qualify to enter the above post!). If you enjoyed this post Subscribe to the thinking blog newsletter.
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Before you leave, please rate my entry and leave some feedback using comments as to which program you found the most useful and let others know if there are other substitutes you use.
Note: Look out for future posts of other little known utilities that are useful everyday but are not necessarily Microsoft substitutes (hence did not qualify to enter the above post!). If you enjoyed this post Subscribe to the thinking blog newsletter.
Trying to convert pdf to word documents? Visit this pdf converter site today!
73 thoughts:
What about google picassa ?
picassa is a great program on its own right but i don't think windows xp comes with a similar built-in program.
microsoft was on the works for a program called max that would do but they now canceled it. http://www.microsoft.com/max/
shame!
I like they way you compare them side by side. Firefox is surely one of the greatest program ever created. The powerful features are tabs,add-ons,drag n drop, right-click. My favourite is tweaking Firefox manually by typing about:config in the URL. More stuff here. I don't think the is anybody who doesn't know that Internet Explorer is wannabe Firefox. its funny how they introduced add-ons in ie7
This post kept me entertained all night reconfig my pc, thnx, now im running more non Microsoft.
Great Stuff! I always love alternatives.
And your right about Vista!
No one should buy it unless they are getting a new computer with it installed. The hardware issues alone will be a nightmare for many people!
And do you think maybe Microsoft is a little scared of the Macintosh? I used to think I wanted to buy another Mac (I had one 20 years ago!), but the little foo-fooey stuff they keep stuffing into it (not to mention the resource.frk problems and I can crash ANY computer if given enough programs to use at one time) I've gotten a little disgusted with it all.
Have you seen the commercials--the "WOW" factor is what they're promoting--not easy, secure, faster, etc. but the way it LOOKS!
YAWN.
(BTW--the site looks good, but the CSS causes overlapping of buttons and text in the header in IE7--not the home page, but the topics and single post pages.)
I am a little late given the date on this post...just wanted to let you know that this is a great list.
I like open source and browser apps.
Write more on it if you can. I am seriously thinking of switching to all open source tech. I have migrated over to many online services...apps, storage, etc.
Some posts like this one are timeless and yes I will write more about open source apps in the future. Keep tuned.
Also don't hesitate to leave comments on my posts just because the date shows something BC. In any way it gives feedback as to what I should continue writing about and knowing that they were useful also makes me happy! =)
I would like to see a post about online storage, like steekr vs. omnidrive, etc.
I like both of these free services for doc files, and would use others for photo storage. The two above will both work with Zoho and Open Office.
what is the rss reader you use for keeping up with blogs? I'm using Google reader and I want to see if there is anything better out there. I'd like to be able to delete posts after I read them. thx
Programmers Notepad (available on http://www.sourceforge.net) blows away Notepad! Give it a try.
u should replace firefox with maxthon
Notepad -> Notepad2
I don't remember where I downloaded it, but I think it's this one:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/notepad2/
Definitely agree about not getting Vista as separately.
I'll check out the other programs you listed too ^_^
Ilker-
You still running all of these, and do you have any new picks?
digitalnomad
Yes I still use these ones plus a few other really good open source programs but are not really substitutes to anything built-in to Windows.
I will put them out on different posts sometime soon.
Thanks Ilker.
Check out Foxit as a pdf reader, also Picassa for photos, ot Infanview.
I agree on Foxit Reader because it is the fastest and the best PDF reader out there, in my opinion.
For sorting photos, I just use folders within folders to make sense of where is what. For viewing photos, I use MaxView and for editing them I use GimpShop as in the post.
That is a great list and great find! You can include IrfanView in the list which can be used as both image viewer and editor.
BTW, Why not replace the Notepad? ;-) Read about . Also check out my reader replacement as well!
Because I don't need a Programmer's Notepad.. I'm not a programmer ;)
:-)
Wow great writeup and cool list! Stumbled!
You may try metapad if you want to see something better than notepad :D
The "Deskview" link is no longer working. You need to change it to:
http://jimcofer.com/files/deskview.zip
Thanks Digital Nomad. Link fixed!
Ilker-
Check out paint.net also,
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/PaintNET/1096481993/1
Mee too, Digital nomad. Since I HATE paintbrush, I usually replace it with Paint.NET ..
Even Launchy is a very good replacement of the Win+R shortcut ..
This is a great list, I already use most of them and am looking at the others. I really like Deskview.
I know you don't use the calculator much, but another good alternative is Moffsoft Freecalc. It's the same as the built in one, except there is a handy tape (or history) that you can scroll through indefinitely. Very handy for bills and budgeting.
Thanks again, I will come back for more good suggestions from you.
Funny, informative and easy on the eye. Well done.
I'll try some of your recommendations (some of them I use already).
I can also recommend Jpegger and Autoshutdown.
Nice list, didn't know about some of these. I like the ExplorerXP a lot, and already use some of the ones listed (like VLC Player). Everything looks good 'cept I'd change the first one to Opera :D
Very good post...however, when it comes to the calculator and the notepad, I started using Powertoy calculator and Notepad++. Both are excellent tools and have enhanced features compared to the original programs. I also use xplorer2 instead of the Windows explorer. And lastly, using Teracopy instead of the Windows file transfer. The last is much much better than the regular Windows file transfer.
Great stuff! I used stumble upon to get to your site and really love it.
i have downloaded ExploerXP, RocketDock, and TaskSwitchXP. they are awesome! especially RocketDock.
Why tie yourself down to XP at all?
In fact, why bother with Windows?
Open Source OSes are generally more reliable, secure, and improve way faster than Microsoft products, and a lot of Linux distros come with stuff like Firefox, OpenOffice, the GIMP, and other great and free apps like the ones mentioned in this article.
also, someone should mention that there is a total non microsoft windows clone called reactos.
http://www.reactos.org/en/index.html
I'm don't believe that all of these apps are Open Source. You might review the Open Source Definition: http://www.opensource.org/docs/osd If you are interested in Software Libre read the GNU Free Software Definition: http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
Yes and I didn't claim they were all open source.
"free (some open source) programs"
I guess you forgot the absolute best viewer that does just about everything and that would be IrfanView 4.00 or better known as Iview the oldest a best viewer PLUS!
You name it. Could'nt work without it, period!
Open Office is another good free alternative. :)
Firefox is the best thing to come out in the last 5 years, with the tools popupblocker and flashblocker. Unfortunately they are partnered with Google who is 100X worse than Microsoft. Which means I have to use a different search engine and bypass the built-in Google garbage.
notepad --> metapad
if you must use windows (which you don't), you can also use metapad which is a far superior text editor on windows. it has more features, better file support and well, free.
Nice list. Could dream of situation where windows will allow to uninstall its component like Explorer,Notepad etc. and replace them with better tools. i know it wont happen...
nice list. for music player alternative, check out my 10 WinAmp Music Player Alternative
and you can substitute windows xp with Ubuntu ( ubuntu.com ).
You may like Gnome ;)
But IMVU is rubbish..
WOAH! How can you use Notepad when there is NoteTab Light?
http://www.notetab.com/ntl.php
Nivek
Don't forget a free PDF Writer like primopdf.com.
http://www.google.com/search?q=pidgin&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
Pidgin is a really great IM client, if you want to use aim/msn/icq/jabber etc all in 1 program with a merged buddy list, then it`s for u...
Process Monitor and Process Explorer are powerful alternatives to Task Manager. Sysinternals was bought by Microsoft so they are not really an alternative, but they are great and don't come preinstalled.http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Processesandthreadsutilities.mspx?wt.svl=featured
How about just replace the whole thing with a nice stable and open GNU/Linux?
I've been Windows free for some time now, and will never go back.
great alternatives. Now for the firewall:
Comodo vs Kerio vs ZoneAlarm
which one is better (in term of usability and performance) ???
thanks ...
looks like you havent yet tried Notepad ++
Interesting. I might look at some of the ones I don't have later on. *bookmarks*
Personally, I would recommend Notepad++ over Notepad; it's much more useful. Add in the hex plugin, and you can do basic editing/viewing of hexadecimal files too...
However, I wouldn't recommend Notepad++ for editing markup code (HTML/CSS, BBCode, Wiki-code, etc.) if you want syntax highlighting. It handles programming languages a bit better, I think, but I'd still rather use Eclipse for that...
Oh, and for anyone who needs to do more than the basic calculations, Microsoft's own calculator PowerToy (Windows XP only? Not sure) is a step up from the included calc app. More pre-determined functions, the ability to type in a whole expression as text before submitting, a history of calculations, and a graphing function.
Oh, and I'd rather Trillian or Pidgin for IM than use some less used service like IMVU.
Most people use MSN, AIM, Yahoo! IM or Skype, which, except for Skype, are all supported by Trillian and Pidgin. Furthermore, it allows to centralize one's contacts and save a bit of resources in not running three/four/five programs at once for IM.
And... um, deleting files directly and using Restoration to recover them if you need to? Not sure that's the best of ideas; you'd only need to have a bit of bad luck with data overwriting the old location of the file and you're done for. Which can happen via a background process.
I think the best replacement for Notepad is Notepad++.
Screensaver should be Electric Sheep (www.electricsheep.org
Disk Defrag is much "weaker" than the incredible jkdefrag, its safe, fast and gives you 30 to 40% speed gain. It really works, give it a try.
Although you do not use it enough to replace it, for those that do, calc can be replaced with Calcoo. Its available for Winblows as well as Linux/*nix/*BSD. (not sure about BeOS ;-) but its main selling point for me is RPN entry, although it has arithmetic as well.
Ok, let's see, well as of 2.0 I would agree with Firefox, but it's only JUST managing it and IE8 won't be that far behind.
ExplorerXP - fine - but what about my network neighbourhood. It appears to be missing. So one program for local files, another for network - erm, no.
VLC - right on the button - though it looks rubbish out of the box and ALL of the skins out there have some fault or another. It IS faster though.
Media Coder - erm, it doesn't encode live incoming video - and that's one of the main features of Media Encoder. More homework needed!
Imaeg Viewer - who uses THAT? Irfanview would be my choice.
Wordpad - who uses THAT? As for replacing Office with OpenOffice - you must be kidding. Office 2007 is LIGHT years ahead of open office in every respect.
Paint - I don't think anyone uses that, do they? Gimpshop is ok, but paint.net is a great general purpose replacement for paint.
Audacity - agree there. marvelous - a pity development seems to have stopped.
Launchie - another good one.
I love the capture of your desktop. Could you give me some hints on how I could do the same???
Instead of Notepad I use Notepad++.
How do you put some of those programs on the computer??? I can understand Firefox- but I don't know how you'd change Explorer. o-0
Notepad = The only reliable Microsoft software!
Notepad aint that reliable...
1. Open notepad
2. Type this app can break
3. Save it
4. close notepad
5. reopen the file...
A great list of Microsoft alternatives. I use +50% of them :)
Mozilla, VLC, Spybot, CCleaner and MaxView rock!
For Disk Defragmenter, you can try using Defraggler (http://www.defraggler.com)
How about Linux for all of Windows? Ubuntu's is a very good flavor for newcomers.
And NotePad is terrible. Emacs is far superior to it, and Vim is far superior to Emacs. =P
Give crimson editor a try, you will be amazed by the features it packs up in half MB. time to thrash notepad too:-)
I like your collection of software very much I am using most of them nowdays. I just want to know that do you know about any software which can dial my broadband connection on a schedule time? It will help me a lot if you mail me your answer.
souravhotpradhan@gmail.com
What about ProcessExplorer instead of TaskManager? Its made by SysInternals, Microsoft even hosts the download. It has a lot more information, far more customizable, can be told to replace TaskManager if you so wish (its just a simple option within it) and I am particularly fond of being able to view the dll threads within processes to see what is piggybacking on what.
May be you should just use linux instead of installing a M$ one and finding all subtitutes for its built-in programs.lols.
replacement for IIS is Xampp
Outlook replacement is Thunderbird with addons in thunderbird it can also replace the windows built in Address book"
here is my recommendations after so many years of trying out many
Explorer --> Powerdesk
claculator --> Ccalc (or conssole calculator)
message filing in outlook --> Speedfile
undelete--> undeleteplus
though Powerdesk is not free, it is the best with lot of power and options
if you use outlook and a lot of folders to file your meesages, speedfile will make things really cool, but not free. pl let me know if anyone knows a free app to replace speedfile
as an replacement for notepad, i like notetab. its a cleaner program with more options.
Let me be the umpteenth to suggest several further replacements:
Outlook Express -> Thunderbird http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/
- more attractive, more secure, brother to Firefox, tons of plugins available, open source (free and Free) . . .
Notepad -> Notepad++ http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm
- has tabs, context highlighting for just about everything, can open extremely large files without dying (Notepad chokes easily) and is open source (free and Free).
Calculator -> Microsoft Powertoy Calculator http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/Downloads/powertoys/Xppowertoys.mspx
- More powerful, has graphing functions, etc -- it's unofficial MS, but it really should be shipped with Windows! free, of course.
Lots of things -> TweakUI (same page)
- this Microsoft Powertoy lets you control tons of windows features to enhance performance & security as well as customizing appearance and more. Also free.
Messenger -> Pidgin http://www.pidgin.im/
- supports just about every chat service known to man. MSN, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, jabber, gadugadu, zephyr, and it's open source (free and Free) . . .
Thanks for the list of subs. Very useful for anyone trying to make the transition.
Can anyone recommend the robust Script Deployment utility for a small IT service company like mine? Does anyone use Kaseya.com or GFI.com? How do they compare to these guys I found recently: N-able N-central systems management
? What is your best take in cost vs performance among those three? I need a good advice please... Thanks in advance!
4 years on and I still use most of these programs on a daily basis. When I get my head round it, I'll publish an update with a new post. Thank you for dropping comments. Keep thinking! =]
What do you think? Post your thoughts..