Tech Tools & Utils
The Technician's for Rawls Group Help Desk use many tools, softwares, and utilities to accomplish daily tasks. This online collection of some of our most common tools not only serves as a connivence for us and but we thought some folks with DIY tendencies might appreciate some of these products.
Proceed at your own risk!
Some of the tools can be irreversible and result in permanent data loss. It is your responsibility to read all instructions and run programs only after have you a full understanding of how they work. Enjoy!
Some of the tools can be irreversible and result in permanent data loss. It is your responsibility to read all instructions and run programs only after have you a full understanding of how they work. Enjoy!
BACKUP SOLUTIONS (Cloud Technologies)
| PRODUCT | PLATFORM | DESCRIPTION | ACCESS | ||||
| Carbonite |  |
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Online backup service, available to Windows and Mac users, that backs up documents, e-mails, music, photos, and settings. (Local Backup Capable) | [Direct Link] | |
| Backblaze |
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Online backup tool that allows Windows and Mac OS X users to back up their data to an offsite data center. The service is designed for end-users, providing unlimited storage space and supporting unlimited file sizes. (Local Backup Capable) | [Direct Link] | |
| Crash Plan | |
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Backup software offers the best way to back up and store personal, business and enterprise data securely - offsite, onsite and online in the Cloud. (Local Backup Capable) | [Direct Link] |
| Glacier AWS | |
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Secure, durable, and extremely low-cost storage service for data archiving and online backup. Customers can reliably store large or small amounts of data for as little as $0.01 per gigabyte per month | [Direct Link] |
BACKUP SOLUTIONS (Local Network and External Hard Drive Technologies)
| PRODUCT | PLATFORM | DESCRIPTION | ACCESS | ||||
| Synology | |
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Hybrid RAID (SHR) is an automated RAID management system fromSynology, designed to make storage volume deployment quick and easy. | [Direct Link] | |
| FreeNAS | |
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A free and open-source software network-attached storage (NAS) system based on FreeBSD and the OpenZFS file system. It is licensed under the terms of the BSD License and runs on commodity x86-64 hardware. | [Direct Link] |
| Seagate NAS | |
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Centralize, back up and access your business-critical files from anywhere with a range of complete network storage solutions from compact, affordable desktop models to enterprise-class rackmounts. | [Direct Link] | |
| List of file copying and backup softwares | |
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This article provides a list of inbuilt and third party file copying and moving software - utilities and other software used, as part of computer file management, to explicitly move and copy files and other data on demand from one location to another on a storage device. | [Direct Link] | ||
| Airport Extreme | |
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Residential gateway product from Apple Inc. combining the functionality of a router, network switch, wireless access point and NAS as well as varied other functions. | [Direct Link] | ||
| Allway Sync | |
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Uses innovative synchronization algorithms to synchronize your data between desktop PCs, laptops, USB drives, remote FTP/SFTP servers, different online data storages, and more. Encrypted archives are supported. | [Direct Link] | |||
REMOVAL & CLEANUP TOOLS (Malware, Toolbars, Virus, Junk)
| PRODUCT | PLATFORM | DESCRIPTION | ACCESS | ||||
| CCleaner | |
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A small, effective utility for computers running Microsoft Windows that cleans out the 'junk' that accumulates over time: temporary files, broken shortcuts, and other problems. | [Direct Link] | ||
| EaseUS CleanGenius | |
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Provides all-around and easy-to-use solution for Windows users to speed up PC, optimize & repair OS, free up disk space etc with only 1 click. | [Direct Link] | |||
| MalwareBytes | |
(MBAM) is an application for computers running under the Microsoft Windows operating system that finds and removes malware. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| MalwareBytes Anti-Root Kit |
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(MBAR) is a standalone product designed specifically for the detection and removal of rootkits. Performs deep scans on system drivers, hard drive sectors including the Master Boot Record (MBR) and the Volume Boot Record (VBR) to seek out rootkit activity and remove it. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| combofix | |
A powerful anti-malware and anti-spyware program that can eliminate the type of combination programs that other apps often miss. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Hitman Pro (v3) | |
A second opinion scanner, designed to rescue your computer from malware (viruses, spyware, and rootkits.) that have infected your computer despite all the security measures you have taken (such as anti virus software and firewalls.) | [Direct Link] | ||||
| RKill | |
Attempts to terminate known malware processes so that your normal security software can then run and clean your computer of infections. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| SUPERAntiSpyware | |
Can detect and remove spyware, adware, trojan horses, rogue security software, computer worms, rootkits, parasites and other potentially harmful software applications. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Kaspersky | |
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Kaspersky Lab is named a ‘Leader’ in endpoint protection by the Big Three analytic agencies (Gartner[ii], IDC[iii] and Forrester[iv]). Firmly positioned as one of the top four leading vendors of security solutions for endpoint users... | [Direct Link] | |||
| Kaspersky TDSSKiller |
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Developed by Kaspersky Lab, TDSSKiller is a FREE handy tool that can quickly detect and remove both known and unknown rootkits | [Direct Link] | ||||
| MicrosoftInstall and Uninstall Troubleshooter | |
Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter will fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed including corrupted registry keys that prevent you from installing or removing programs. "The installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a problem with this package. The error code is 2753." | [Direct Link] | ||||
HARD DRIVE TOOLS (Cloning, P2V Conversion, Partition Tools...)
| PRODUCT | PLATFORM | DESCRIPTION | ACCESS | ||||
| Clonezilla | |
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A free open source disk cloning application based on Debian. Like other disk cloning applications, Clonezilla copies the contents of a hard drive for transfer to another storage medium. | [Direct Link] | ||
| EaseUS Disk Copy | |
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A free hard drive copy/clone software for PC and Server. Hard drive disk copy, disk image, disk clone, disk backup and recovery ... | [Direct Link] | |||
| Carbon Copy | |
With its quick performance and extensive features, Carbon Copy Cloner for Mac stands out as a top drive copy or backup program. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Acronis True Image | |
Keep your information safe with Acronis' backup & recovery software. Easily protect data, restore servers, migrate disk images & recover data and more... | [Direct Link] | ||||
| FOG | |
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A free imaging solution to make a disk image for a computer by copying it's hard drive while it is in a working state. If the computer should fail, you can restore the operating system to a previously working version. | [Direct Link] | ||
| DriveImage XML | |
An easy to use and reliable program for imaging and backing up partitions and logical drives. Image creation uses Microsoft's Volume Shadow Services (VSS). Visit Runtime Software's website for more! | [Direct Link] | ||||
| GParted | |
A free partition editor for graphically managing your disk partitions. Resize, copy, and move partitions without data loss, enabling you to: Grow or shrink your C: drive. Create space for new operating systems. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Partition Magic | |
Program for hard disk drive partitioning now owned by Symantec. As of December 8, 2009, the Symantec website stated that they no longer offer Partition Magic. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| EaseUS Partition Master |
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As Partition Magic alternative, EaseUS Partition Master Free is an ALL-IN-ONE FREE disk partition management tool brought together with three main functions including: Partition Manager, Disk & Partition Copy Wizard and Partition Recovery Wizard. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Hiren's Disc | |
(HBCD) is a bootable software CD containing a number of diagnostic programs such as partitioning agents, system performance benchmarks, disk cloning and imaging tools, data recovery tools, MBR tools, BIOS tools, and many others. Recommended reading: Hiren via USB boot | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Bart PE | |
A lightweight variant of the 32-bit version of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, similar to Windows Preinstallation Environment, which can be run from a Live CD or Live USB drive. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| SSDLife | |
SSDLife allows you to control how worn your SSDs are in an easy and convenient way, which means you can control how safely and securely your data is stored on them. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Parted Magic | |
Powerful Tools for Home or Office! Parted Magic is a complete hard disk management solution. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Darik's Boot and Nuke | |
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DBAN is free erasure software designed for the home user. It automatically deletes the contents of any hard disk that it can detect. Please be carefull with this tool! | [Direct Link] | ||
| HD Tune | |
Utility which has the following functions: Benchmark: measures the performance. Info: shows detailed information. Health: checks the health status by using SMART. Error Scan: scans the surface for errors. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Crystal Disk Info | |
A HDD health monitoring utility. It displays basic HDD information, monitors S.M.A.R.T. values and disk temperature. Features: Show S.M.A.R.T Information. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Disk2vhd | |
A utility that creates VHD (Virtual Hard Disk - Microsoft's Virtual Machine disk format) versions of physical disks for use in Microsoft Virtual PC or Microsoft Hyper-V virtual machines (VMs) | [Direct Link] | ||||
| VMware vCenter Converter | |
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Automate and simplify physical to virtual machine conversions as well as conversions between virtual machine formats with VMware vCenter Converter. | [Direct Link] | ||
MISCELLANEOUS TOOLS (Discovery, Analyzers, Information)
| PRODUCT | PLATFORM | DESCRIPTION | ACCESS | ||||
| Sysinternals Suite | |
The Sysinternals Troubleshooting Utilities have been rolled up into a single Suite of tools. This file contains the individual troubleshooting tools and help files | [Direct Link] | ||||
| HWiNFO | |
From a quick overview unfolding into the depth of all hardware components. Always up-to date supporting latest technologies and standards. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Recuva | |
Accidentally deleted an important file? Lost something important when your computer crashed? No problem! Recuva recovers files deleted from your Windows computer, Recycle Bin, digital camera card, or MP3 player. And it's free! | [Direct Link] | ||||
| FileZilla | |
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Free FTP solution. Both a client and a server are available. FileZilla is open source software distributed free of charge under the terms of the GNU General Public License | [Direct Link] | ||
| SlySoft | |
Software to back up and convert digital media, including CDs, DVDs, HD DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs, as well as copy and back up optical media and render PC-based games playable without the disc. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Defraggler | |
Use Defraggler to defrag your entire hard drive, or individual files - unique in the industry. This compact and portable Windows application supports NTFS and FAT32 file systems. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Virtual Box | |
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A general-purpose full virtualizer for x86 hardware, targeted at server, desktop and embedded use | [Direct Link] | ||
| 7-Zip | |
Open source file archiver, or an application used to compress files. 7-Zip operates with the 7z archive format, but can read and write several other archive formats. The program can be used from a command | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Belarc | |
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Builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware, network inventory, missing Microsoft hotfixes, anti-virus status, security benchmarks, and displays the results in your Web browser | [Direct Link] | |||
| WinDirStat | |
Open-source graphical disk usage analyzer for Microsoft Windows. It is notable for presenting a sub-tree view with disk use percentage alongside a usage-sorted list of file extensions that is interactively integrated with a colorful graphical display (a treemap). | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Disk Inventory X | |
A disk usage utility for Mac OS X 10.3 (and later). It shows the sizes of files and folders in a special graphical way called "treemaps". If you've ever wondered where all your disk space has gone, Disk Inventory X will help you to answer this question. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| KDirStat | |
A graphical disk usage utility, very much like the Unix "du" command. In addition to that, it comes with some cleanup facilities to reclaim disk space. While KDirStat is a KDE program, it runs fine on every X11 desktop, i.e., it runs on Linux, BSD, and lots of other Unix-type systems. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| Totu Soft LAN Speed Test |
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Designed from the ground up to be a simple but powerful tool for measuring file transfer, hard drive, USB Drive, and Local Area Network (LAN) speeds (wired & wireless). It does this by building a file in memory, then transfers it both ways | [Direct Link] | |||
| SpeakEasy Network Speed Test |
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There are many factors that impact your speed test results. Throughput problems in your local area network, IP or access overhead, and network design all play a role. Please read the definitions and examples below to learn more about these factors. | [Direct Link] | ||
| OOKLA Network Speed Test |
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Use our service to view your service's performance history, then share and compare with others near you - or around the globe. Performing over 50 million tests every month, Ookla Speedtest is the global standard in Internet connection testing. | [Direct Link] |
| NetworkVIEW | |
Quickly discover a new network, you print a nice map in a few seconds (and give a copy to your customer), and finally, you check for node availability when installing new servers, routers or any network devices. | [Direct Link] | ||||
| ForensIT | |
A scalable, enterprise-grade, workstation migration tool that can automatically migrate workstations to a new domain from an existing Windows network, from a Novell NDS network or join standalone computers to a domain for the first time – and maintain user profile data and settings. | [Direct Link] | ||||
Feedback, Suggestions, or Corrections?
Did you find this page helpful? Is there anything that would make it better? Do you have a suggestion or your own tip that you would like to share? Did I get anything wrong, or is there spelling/grammatical/technical error that needs correcting? Please let me know! Leave a detailed message for me below. Your name and website might even get featured on this site!
Did you find this page helpful? Is there anything that would make it better? Do you have a suggestion or your own tip that you would like to share? Did I get anything wrong, or is there spelling/grammatical/technical error that needs correcting? Please let me know! Leave a detailed message for me below. Your name and website might even get featured on this site!
