Microsoft has over 150 FREE Windows Programs available for download but finding them all is extremely difficult. Until now, thanks to the Blake Handler a Tech Evangelist & MS Consultant who has provided us on his blog (Road to Know Where) an Ultimate List of Free Windows Software from Microsoft.

Here’s a very small sample of his links:

WINDOWS XP GOODIES

• Agent components provide animated characters (Genie, Merlin, Peedy, Robby & “Custom”) to appear during specific help or instruction. (Support FAQ)
• Alt-Tab Replacement in addition to seeing the icon of the application window you are switching to, you also see a preview of the page. Helping when multiple sessions of open applications.
• Calculator Plus also performs many different types of conversions.
• ConferenceXP enables you to see and hear others in a virtual collaborative space, called a venue. You can collaborate on an electronic whiteboard or PowerPoint presentation, send messages and more.

UTILITIES

• ActiveSync synchronization of Outlook information, Office documents, pictures, music, videos and applications from your desktop to Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs & Smartphones. NOTE: ActiveSync Error Codes received after a synchronization attempt.
• Clear Cache Feature for Internet Explorer automatically deletes all temporary Internet files, cookies, and history files. This was developed to programmatically clear these files when a corrupt entry caused errors with Internet Explorer.
• MSN Search Toolbar with Windows Desktop Search, tabbed browsing, pop-up blocker and automatic form fill. (Support: Administration Guide & Toolbar Help – MSN Search SDK Beta)

SUPPORT & TROUBLESHOOTING

• Bootvis Microsoft states this tool is no longer available, but they still support it. Bootvie was a performance tracing and visualization tool designed to help identify performance issues for boot/resume timing while developing new PC products or supporting software. (Alternate Download: MajorGeeks)
• Desktop Heap Monitor examines usage of a WIN32 subsystem that has an internal heap area known as “desktop heap”. When running large number of Windows-based programs, “Out Of Memory” error messages appear when you attempt to start new programs or try to use programs that are already running, even though you still have plenty of physical and pagefile memory available. (Support: KB126952)

But the range of free software that Microsoft offer dosent stop with Blake’s Post as there’s so much more out there, it just takes some time to find it all, so after you’ve looked at Blake’s Post why not start digging around and see if you can find anything that he hasent listed that you think others would like too, and then contact him, I’m sure he would be more than happy to expand his list! =)