If you know of a good free admin utility and want to write a short review please submit it here. You can also just leave a comment on this page if you know of a free tool in this category.

The tools are ordered according to user ratings. To rate a program click on its title and scroll to the end of the review.

  1. EMCO Remote Console – Remote command tool for Windows
  2. Veeam ONE Free Edition – Real-time Hyper-V and VMware monitoring
  3. CCleaner – Improve Windows performance by removing unnecessary files and registry entries
  4. Free launcher for portable applications – NirLauncher
  5. mRemoteNG – Open source, multi-protocol, remote connection manager
  6. Service and Scheduled Task User Manager – Change service accounts passwords
  7. TeraCopy – Increase copy speed
  8. Remote Desktop Manager – Manage remote connections
  9. Microsoft Security Compliance Manager (SCM v2) – Part 1
  10. FrameFlow – Web-based Windows monitoring
  11. SoftPerfect Network Scanner – IP, NetBIOS, WMI and SNMP scanner
  12. Free SharePoint backup and permission reporting tool – SUSHI
  13. Exchange Remote Connectivity Analyzer – Test Exchange connectivity
  14. Password Assistant – Change the local administrator password on multiple computers
  15. Fast Duplicate File Finder – Find and delete duplicate files
  16. vWorkspace Desktop Optimizer – Optimize VDI performance
  17. PAExec – Run programs on remote Windows servers
  18. ManageEngine Free Active Directory Tools
  19. Zenmap: Windows GUI for nmap
  20. JiJi Help Desk Password Reset – Delegate password resets
  21. Farm Commander – Copy, move delete files on multiple servers
  22. KeePass – Open source password manager
  23. System Explorer – Examine a Windows installation in detail
  24. EMCO WakeOnLan – Wake-on-LAN utility for large networks
  25. Memtest86 – A memory diagnostic tool
  26. Wireshark – Powerful network analyzer
  27. Desktop Central Free Windows Tools – 10 admin utilities
  28. GImageX – A GUI for ImageX
  29. Raw Copy – Create a raw image to rescue data from a hard drive
  30. Secret Server – Central password management for admins
  31. EMCO Network Software Scanner – Audit installed programs
  32. EventSentry Light – Real-time event log monitoring
  33. Sysinternals Suite – Troubleshooting utilities
  34. Active Directory Reports Lite – Active Directory reporting tool
  35. Free RDP manager – Royal TS
  36. My_7PE – Build Windows 7 PE without WAIK
  37. USB Blocker – Centralized access control for USB devices
  38. Notepad++ – Source code editor and Notepad replacement
  39. MobaXterm – The multitab Unix browser for Windows
  40. Netcat – Swiss army knife for network troubleshooting
  41. JiJi Self Service Password Reset – Allows end users reset their password
  42. ADManager Plus – Active Directory reports and monitoring
  43. Network Monitor – A free network protocol analyzer
  44. Symantec NUAC – A UAC extension for Windows Vista
  45. SpeedFan – CPU and hard disk temperature monitoring
  46. Unstoppable Copier – Copy physically corrupt files
  47. H2bench – Benchmark hard disks
  48. BlueScreenView – Display Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) information
  49. Advanced Port Scanner – A port scanner for newbies
  50. Win IP Config – GUI replaces ipconfig, route, and netstat
  51. RocketDock – A Mac OS X Dock clone for Windows
  52. Network Password Recovery – Windows password recovery
  53. imagepatcher – Update WIM images
  54. Server Configuration Change Reporter – Automated server auditing
  55. HoverIP – GUI for ipconfig, nslookup, routing table, ping, traceroute, port scanning
  56. TCPEye – Live netstat command
  57. Lepide User Management – Remote password reset tool
  58. Network Infrastructure Change Reporter – Network device discovery and auditing
  59. WindowsPager – Virtual desktop manager for Windows 7
  60. Zetetic.Events – Scan and filter event logs
  61. WMI Explorer – Browse WMI classes and execute any WMI query
  62. Autoruns – Manage Windows startup programs
  63. CoreConfigurator – A GUI for Server Core
  64. FileMenu Tools – Customize Windows Explorer easily
  65. XIA Configuration Server – inventory and technical documentation
  66. ExInsight – Monitoring and statistics for Microsoft Exchange
  67. Process Monitor – View file system, registry, and network activity
  68. UBCD4Win – Ultimate Boot CD for Windows, a comprehensive rescue tool
  69. AD Tidy – Identify last logged on user and computer accounts
  70. JDiskReport – Displays disk space consumption
  71. Belarc Advisor – Builds a profile of your PC
  72. Remote Desktop Connection Manager – An RDP client
  73. QTTabBar – Tabs for the Windows Explorer
  74. Memtest86+ – Memory test software
  75. Active Directory Telephone Book
  76. Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper – Standalone antivirus software
  77. BartPE – A Windows PE-based rescue platform
  78. Process Hacker – A mighty Task Manager and Process Explorer alternative
  79. Robocopy – Mirror folders
  80. EndPointScan – Scan your network for devices
  81. AdvancedRemoteInfo – Gather information remotely from Windows PCs
  82. Steel Run As – Let standard users execute with administrator rights
  83. VirtualIQ – Manage Hyper-V environments
  84. HealthMonitor – Monitor 60 different system states
  85. SyncBack – Synchronize folders
  86. ReNamer – Rename multiple files
  87. UnLock IT – Unlock files and folders
  88. IPMon – Monitor IP traffic
  89. TMnetSim Network Simulator – Simulate network latency and packet loss
  90. EMCO MAC Address Scanner
  91. WPKG-GP – Alternative client for the software deployment tool WPKG
  92. Quest Object Restore for Active Directory – Undelete AD objects
  93. Extended Task Manager – Find resource eaters
  94. Free software inventory software – EMCO Remote Installer
  95. GFI LANguard – Network Security Scanner
  96. locate32 – Find files
  97. NirCmd – Swiss army knife for the command prompt
  98. WuInstall – Install Windows updates using a command line script
  99. Sequoia View – Visualize occupied hard disk space
  100. AD PHOTO EDIT – Import Exchange Global Address List (GAL) images into Active Directory
  101. SuRun – Run programs with local admin right
  102. Revo Uninstaller – Free PCs from junk
  103. Lansweeper – Hardware and software inventory for Windows
  104. ManageEngine Desktop Central – Client management software
  105. Spiceworks – Network Monitoring and Help Desk Software
  106. JiJi Self Extractor – Create self-extracting compressed executables
  107. The Dude – Map networks and monitor services
  108. NetWrix Active Directory Change Reporter
  109. EventTracker PULSE – a search engine for log data
  110. VMware DiskMount GUI – Mount VMDK files
  111. Treesize Free – Shows size of folder and subfolders
  112. NetWrix Inactive Users Tracker
  113. Live Maps for Microsoft Operations Manager
  114. Terminals – A multi-tabbed RDP client
  115. PacketTrap pt360 ToolSuite – network management
  116. NetWrix File Server Change Reporter
  117. MobaSSH – SSH server for Windows
  118. GParted – Partition manager for Windows and Linux
  119. NTop-XTRA – Shows network usage
  120. SolarWinds Real-Time NetFlow Analyzer
  121. NetWrix AD Object Restore Wizard – Create Active Directory snapshots
  122. WMI Asset Logger – Gather computer information
  123. ShareWatch – See connected users and open files
  124. Core Configuration Console (CCC) – Basic Server Core setup
  125. PStart – Launch and search tools on your USB stick
  126. Event Log Manager – Event log collector
  127. WPKG – Software deployment tool
  128. SysAdmin – Active Directory Management
  129. Secunia PSI – Scan for software vulnerabilities
  130. FlexTK Express – Advanced File Management Toolkit
  131. SuperScan – An easy-to-use udp/tcp port scanner
  132. EMCO Ping Monitor Free
  133. NT Toolkit – 28 useful admin tools
  134. Steganos Locknote – Password saver and text encryption
  135. RegScanner – Search the Windows Registry
  136. EMCO MoveOnBoot – Delete, move, rename locked files
  137. WSUS ClientManager for Workgroups – Add computers to a WSUS server
  138. Kaspersky Rescue Disk – Offline antivirus tool
  139. Active Directory Topology Diagrammer
  140. SetACL – Manage access control lists (acl)
  141. Servers Alive – A Monitoring tool
  142. smartmontools – Control and monitor storage systems
  143. PlacesBar Editor – Configure the dialog places bar
  144. NetLimiter Monitor – displays transfer rates of processes
  145. Defraggler – Defrag individual files and folders
  146. HashCalc – Compute hash/checksums and HMACs
  147. DHCP Reservation Manager – Easily migrate DHCP reservations
  148. WinBubble – Tweak Windows 7
  149. EMCO Remote Registry Exporter – Export registry from network PCs
  150. SafeMSI – Installing in Safe Mode
  151. EASEUS Todo Backup Free Edition
  152. VirtuAll User Environment Manager (VUEM) – Centrally manage desktop settings
  153. SolarWinds Real-Time Bandwidth Monitor
  154. GPMC PowerShell Cmdlets
  155. FTPUse – FTP client for the Windows command line
  156. Wizmo – Control power saving functions in scripts
  157. Virustotal – Analyze suspicious files
  158. SoftPerfect Network Scanner – network scanning for Windows
  159. ESXi Configurator Utility – Backup and update VMware ESXi
  160. ServiWin: Manage Windows services and drivers
  161. System Information Viewer (SIV) – Displays hardware, network and Windows info
  162. FREE Karen’s LAN Monitor – Displays extensive network information
  163. XXClone, a free cloning tool for Windows
  164. Free nslookup tool for Windows with GUI – DNSDataView
  165. Ant Renamer: Easy-to-use and file renaming tool for Windows
  166. Bulk Rename Utility – Rename multiple files and folders
  167. Comodo Time Machine – A system restore utility
  168. GDism ELDI – A GUI for managing WIM images
  169. FastResolver – Resolve IP addresses, retrieve MAC addresses
  170. Disk Defrag – A disk defragmenter
  171. Microsoft Safety Scanner – Portable antivirus program
  172. WMI Code creator – Generate VBScript, C#, and VB.NET code that uses WMI
  173. Winrpe – Nrpe for Windows
  174. Verax NMS – Network and application monitoring
  175. PhoneFactor – Mobile phone based two-factor authentication
  176. NTFS Permissions Reporter – What are the NTFS permissions?
  177. PowerTerm WebConnect for Windows Server 2008
  178. Server Core Configurator – Script-based Windows 2008 Server Core set up
  179. PC Wizard 2008 – A system information and benchmark tool
  180. Hyper-V VM Mover
  181. Change Analysis Diagnostic Tool for Windows XP
  182. ADRestore.NET – the GUI version of ADRestore
  183. Passgen – Set unique administrator passwords on multiple machines
  184. Top Users Expert – Analyze bandwidth consumption with Network Monitor
  185. Free ZIP utility – IZArc
  186. Directory Service Comparison Tool – Restore changed Active Directory objects
  187. ClamWin Free Antivirus – Portable antivirus software
  188. 1-4a Rename – A batch renamer tool
  189. Time Freeze Free – A software testing tool
  190. EkahauHeatMapper – Wireless coverage maps
  191. Xinorbis – Disk analyzer
  192. NovaBench – Free benchmark software
  193. WhatInStartup – Manage Windows startup programs
  194. MyDefrag – Script defragmentation
  195. Smart Defrag – A defragmentation tool
  196. SimpleSysInfo – A customizable system information tool for Windows
  197. WhatsUp Gold TFTP Server
  198. Workspace Manager Express – A roaming user profiles alternative
  199. SolarWinds VM-to-Cloud Calculator – Compare VM hosting costs
  200. Altaro Hyper-V Backup
  201. ControlUp – Real-time monitoring and remote administration
  202. SpecOps Gpupdate – WOL, gpupdate, remote restart
  203. Process Explorer – A better Task Manager
  204. eToolz – GUI for ping, traceroute, WHOIS and more
  205. Request Tracker – ITIL compliant Service Desk software
  206. AD Info – User friendly Active Directory reporting tool
  207. NetWrix Password Expiration Notifier
  208. WinDirStat – Query disk usage
  209. Sysinternals ShellRunas – run programs as different user
  210. TCPView – displays active TCP and UDP connections
  211. Disk2vhd – A simple P2V tool that creates VHDs for Hyper-V and Virtual PC
  212. HWiNFO32 – Detailed hardware information and diagnostic
  213. SolarWinds Permissions Analyzer for Active Directory – Determine effective NTFS and share permissions
  214. LogFusion – Log file monitoring in real time
  215. Trinity Rescue Kit (TRK) – Recover Windows using Linux
  216. Specops Command – PowerShell meets Group Policy
  217. Spacemonger v1.4 – Keep track of the free space
  218. VistaBootPro – manage boot configuration with a GUI tool
  219. AnVir Task Manager Free
  220. 3D Traceroute – Displays traceroute information in 3D
  221. Simple Search – An extension for Microsoft Network Monitor
  222. NetworkMiner – Network Forensic Analysis Tool (NFAT)
  223. Blackbird auditor express – Real-time Active Directory change monitoring
  224. Hyper-V Monitor Gadget for the Windows Vista sidebar
  225. compname.exe – Query and rename computers
  226. ManagePC – An inventory tool
  227. export.exe – Redirect stdout output into environment variables
  228. PowerGUI Active Directory Recycle Bin PowerPack
  229. Q-Dir – File manager with admin features
  230. Purgos – Desktop management software for Windows
  231. WSUS Offline Update – Update Windows and Office without an Internet connection
  232. SolarWinds Web Transaction Watcher – Record and monitor a Web transaction
  233. AD Query – Search Active Directory
  234. NetWrix Services Monitor – Restart failing Windows services
  235. NetWrix Disk Space Monitor
  236. ADModify.NET – Modify multiple user accounts in Active Directory
  237. Netsetman – Switch network settings
  238. Device Remover – A powerful Device Manager alternative
  239. Remotely Enable Remote Desktop
  240. SolarWinds VM Monitor – Get X-Ray insight into your ESX Servers
  241. VHD tool – Create, convert, and extend a VHD quickly
  242. NetWorx – Network traffic monitor and network usage reporting
  243. Windows Installer Clean Up – Resolve installation problems
  244. GFI WebMonitor – Web filtering for ISA Server
  245. ManagePC – Inventory and manage PCs
  246. Bad Application – Test application crashes
  247. YAPM – Yet Another (remote) Process Monitor
  248. CorreLog Windows Agent – A Syslog client
  249. Windows System Control Center – Launch Sysinternals and NirSoft tools from the web
  250. BleachBit – Free disk space and delete Internet history
  251. Group Manager – Allows end users to manage Active Directory group membership
  252. SysInternalsUpdater – Update Sysinternals Suite
  253. Softerra LDAP Browser – LDAP viewer and search tool
  254. nspaces – Virtual Desktop Manager
  255. PDQ Inventory – Track software and hardware
  256. Spotlight on Windows – Monitor Windows servers
  257. RegAlyzer – A nifty free Registry editor
  258. Virtual CloneDrive – Mount ISO and IMG images
  259. ABC Deploy – Software deployment and Windows client maintenance
  260. TweakUAC – Turn off Vista UAC quickly
  261. SolarWinds Advanced Subnet Calculator – IP subnet calculation made easy
  262. Ultimate Windows Tweaker – Tweak Windows Vista
  263. Gizmo Central – Mount VHD and ISO images and more
  264. CPUID HWMonitor – Measures temperatures for many hardware components
  265. OCS Inventory NG – Inventory software for Windows, Mac, and Linux
  266. console – Multi-tabbed command shell enhancement
  267. FREEping – Quick and dirty monitoring
  268. Smart UAC – Disable UAC prompts for particular programs
  269. WIM2VHD – Convert a WIM image to a VHD image
  270. SolarWinds IP Address Tracker – Manage IP addresses
  271. TCP Analyzer – Statistical Analysis of TCP connections in Network Monitor
  272. PC Audit – A simple system info tool
  273. Kiwi Syslog Server – A Syslog daemon for Windows
  274. Active Directory Explorer – Active Directory Viewer
  275. Delprof2 – Reliably delete a user profile
  276. PDQ Deploy – Software deployment software
  277. SolarWinds Exchange Monitor
  278. Iometer – Measure disk performance
  279. PocketPutty – SSH client for Windows Mobile
  280. Bart’s Stuff Test 5 – A hard drive stress test tool
  281. Free password recovery tool – Cain & Abel
  282. Logparser – Query text-based data
  283. AccessEnum – Displays directory and registry permissions
  284. GiPo@FileUtilities – Monitor directory changes, mount folders, and more
  285. IT Environment Health Scanner – Identify Active Directory problems
  286. Real Temp – Another CPU temperature measuring program
  287. NetWrix Logon Reporter – Logon auditing
  288. SolarWinds WMI Monitor – Windows server monitoring tool
  289. PowerGUI – Create PowerShell scripts with a GUI
  290. RunAsAdmin – Run with administrative rights
  291. WinRAP – Hide running Windows applications
  292. AMP WinOFF – Schedule Windows shutdown and restart
  293. Free Windows sandbox – Sandboxie
  294. BootRacer – Measure boot speed
  295. Speccy – System information for Windows
  296. SCCM Client Actions Tool (SCCM CAT) – Manage Configuration Manager clients
  297. Product Key Finder – Export license keys from multiple Windows computers
  298. JavaRa – Remove redundant versions of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
  299. NetWrix Bulk Password Reset – Change the local administrator password network wide
  300. DELTACOPY – Incremental backup program
  301. DocLock – Password encryption tool for Windows Mobile
  302. EasyBCD – A GUI bootloader configuration tool for Vista and Windows 7
  303. Recuva – Recover accidentally deleted files
  304. Total Network Monitor – A sophisticated network monitoring software
  305. Vmdk2Vhd – Convert VMware VMDK to Hyper-V VHD
  306. SQLSearcher – Search for SQL Server installations
  307. Account Lockout Tools – View lockout status and unlock account
  308. OpenedFilesView – View and unlock opened files
  309. DreamSys Server Monitor – Easy server monitoring
  310. Visual Subst – Map folders to a drive letter
  311. Core Configurator 2.0 – Powerful GUI for Windows Server R2 Server Core
  312. WinPing – A portable ping GUI
  313. Wake-on-LAN Packet Sniffer – Capture Magic Packets
  314. Console – Windows Command Prompt alternative for Windows and PowerShell
  315. Necromancers Dos Navigator (NDN) – A file explorer
  316. Detect Intel and AMD Hyper-V compatibility
  317. Group Policy Refresh PowerShell Cmdlet
  318. NT EventLog Explorer – Retrieves event log information
  319. fs guard – Monitor services and directories
  320. Attribute Changer – Change file attributes recursively on multiple files and folders
  321. Double Driver – Export and import device drivers
  322. FileTypesMan – File types manager for Windows
  323. FixWin – Fix common Windows 7 and Vista problems
  324. PingInfoView – Another ping monitor GUI tool
  325. SolarWinds Network Device Monitor – Real-time performance and health monitoring
  326. Free unzip software – 7-Zip portable
  327. DHCP Find – Search rogue DHCP servers
  328. CleanAfterMe – Erase computer history
  329. Universal Viewer – File Viewer that supports many file types
  330. Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector – Search and troubleshoot Wi-Fi connections
  331. Joulemeter – Computer power consumption calculator
  332. Active Directory Search – Server Admin
  333. DiskCountersView – Display hard disk drive system counters
  334. UserProfilesView – View user profiles
  335. Free file unlock tool – Unlocker
  336. NTPWEdit – Reset Windows 7 password
  337. Edgemeal Get and Set CPU Affinity
  338. Specops Password Policy Basic – Fine-Grained Password Policies
  339. Free hard drive monitor – Acronis Drive Monitor
  340. CurrPorts – Displays detailed info about open TCP/IP ports
  341. mst IsUsedBy – Check what process uses a certain file
  342. Script Elevation PowerToys – elevate PowerShell
  343. Windows Memory Diagnostic – A memory diagnostic tool
  344. Active@ Kill Disk – hard driver eraser
  345. Windows Mobile IP Utility – Check IP connections
  346. EVT LogParser – A Windows event log parser
  347. NetWrix Privileged Account Manager – Password Manager
  348. Delbyown – Delete, copy or list files by owner
  349. AdapterWatch – Comprehensive info about network adapters
  350. IPNetInfo – Get all information about an IP address
  351. MF Shutdown Manager – Schedule shutdowns, restarts and wakeups
  352. ADMX Migrator – GUI tool for creating ADMX templates and converting ADM files
  353. ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer – Network traffic analysis tool
  354. EC2Dream – GUI tool for Amazon EC2 and Eucalyptus
  355. NetSpeedMonitor – Monitor network speed and data transfer
  356. SolarWinds Wake-on-LAN tool
  357. Network Activity Indicator – Displays network activity in the systray
  358. VHD Resizer – Shrink or Expand a Hyper-V VHD
  359. EMSA Register DLL Tool – Register programs with a GUI
  360. Free Registry Defrag – Defragment the Windows registry
  361. Free portable PDF reader – Sumatra PDF viewer
  362. BitLocker to Go Reader – Read Files Protected with BitLocker under Windows XP
  363. Compatibility Administrator – Configure legacy apps for Vista
  364. Karen’s ‘Net Monitor – Website, mail, and ping monitoring
  365. CentralOps.net NsLookup – Online nslookup tool
  366. VHD Attach – Attach and detach VHDs in Windows Explorer
  367. Elevate – Start programs elevated from a batch file
  368. SuperbarMonitor – Monitor CPU, disk, and memory usage in the Windows 7 taskbar
  369. CommTest – Test network speed
  370. DriverView – View drivers
  371. NTFS Undelete – Easily recover deleted files
  372. TsProfileCleaner – Delete user profiles on multiple Terminal Servers
  373. Free Windows Error Reporting (WER) viewing tool – AppCrashView
  374. Elevation Gadget – Drag and drop to elevate programs
  375. Nagwin – Nagios for Windows

Please submit your favorite free admin tool!
Best Free Admins Tools Index

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5 Comments

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  1. Comment by anonymous — March 31, 2010 @ 8:50 pm

    Thank you so much for this list. I hope you always keep it updated. I thought this site had reviewed like 10000 tools. :P

  2. Comment by Peter O — April 3, 2010 @ 5:58 pm

    I know quite a few programs that are free & weel known generally. I can’t see ttem listed here.
    Perhaps it would be easier to scan the list if it were optionally listed alphabetically.
    Some examples: Image management IrfanView, XnView.

    Rgds & please keep up the good work.

  3. Comment by Michael Pietroforte — April 8, 2010 @ 12:15 pm

    anonymous, I am working on it. ;-)

    Peter, why don’t just use the search function of your browser? You can also post the names of the tools as a comment or send me an email. I will find out, if they are in the list.

  4. Comment by iznogoud — July 2, 2010 @ 5:09 am

    Great site, Great list of tools
    THX a lot for this good work ^^

    IZ

  5. Comment by puli — November 2, 2011 @ 11:35 pm

    HI All,

    Very very useful tools…………..

    Thanks a lot buddy.

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