Best Free Windows Admin Tools

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. Mobile PC Monitor – Monitoring tool with smartphone app
  2. SCCM Client Center – Fix Configuration Manager clients
  3. SCCM 2012 Right-Click Tools – Part 1: Installation
  4. RVTools – Display information of virtual machines on ESX hosts and update VMware tools
  5. Netwrix Account Lockout Examiner
  6. EMCO Remote Registry Exporter – Export registry from network PCs
  7. Managed Service Accounts GUI
  8. CCleaner – Improve Windows performance by removing unnecessary files and registry entries
  9. SoftPerfect Network Scanner – IP, NetBIOS, WMI and SNMP scanner
  10. ManageEngine Free Active Directory Tools
  11. Free launcher for portable applications – NirLauncher
  12. ControlUp – Real-time monitoring and remote administration
  13. mRemoteNG – Open source, multi-protocol, remote connection manager
  14. Remote Desktop Manager – A powerful RDP client
  15. TeraCopy – Increase copy speed
  16. My_7PE – Build Windows 7 PE without WAIK
  17. GImageX – A GUI for ImageX
  18. Microsoft Security Compliance Manager (SCM v2) – Part 1
  19. EMCO Network Software Scanner – Audit installed programs
  20. Win IP Config – GUI replaces ipconfig, route, and netstat
  21. ADRestore.NET – the GUI version of ADRestore
  22. Free ZIP utility – IZArc
  23. Free SharePoint backup and permission reporting tool – SUSHI
  24. Exchange Remote Connectivity Analyzer – Test Exchange connectivity
  25. Fast Duplicate File Finder – Find and delete duplicate files
  26. vWorkspace Desktop Optimizer – Optimize VDI performance
  27. PAExec – Run programs on remote Windows servers
  28. Service Credential Manager – Search Windows services
  29. Zenmap: Windows GUI for nmap
  30. KeePass – Open source password manager
  31. JiJi Help Desk Password Reset – Delegate password resets
  32. AD Tidy – Identify last logged on user and computer accounts
  33. Farm Commander – Copy, move delete files on multiple servers
  34. System Explorer – Examine a Windows installation in detail
  35. EMCO WakeOnLan – Wake-on-LAN utility for large networks
  36. Memtest86 – A memory diagnostic tool
  37. Service and Scheduled Task User Manager – Change service accounts passwords
  38. Wireshark – Powerful network analyzer
  39. Notepad++ – Source code editor and Notepad replacement
  40. Desktop Central Free Windows Tools – 10 admin utilities
  41. MobaXterm – The multitab Unix browser for Windows
  42. Raw Copy – Create a raw image to rescue data from a hard drive
  43. Secret Server – Central password management for admins
  44. EventSentry Light – Real-time event log monitoring
  45. Sysinternals Suite – Troubleshooting utilities
  46. Active Directory Reports Lite – Active Directory reporting tool
  47. Free RDP manager – Royal TS
  48. Netcat – Swiss army knife for network troubleshooting
  49. ADManager Plus – Active Directory reports and monitoring
  50. JiJi Self Service Password Reset – Allows end users reset their password
  51. Network Monitor – A free network protocol analyzer
  52. Symantec NUAC – A UAC extension for Windows Vista
  53. SpeedFan – CPU and hard disk temperature monitoring
  54. Unstoppable Copier – Copy physically corrupt files
  55. H2bench – Benchmark hard disks
  56. BlueScreenView – Display Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) information
  57. Advanced Port Scanner – A port scanner for newbies
  58. RocketDock – A Mac OS X Dock clone for Windows
  59. Network Password Recovery – Windows password recovery
  60. imagepatcher – Update WIM images
  61. Server Configuration Change Reporter – Automated server auditing
  62. HoverIP – GUI for ipconfig, nslookup, routing table, ping, traceroute, port scanning
  63. TCPEye – Live netstat command
  64. FastResolver – Resolve IP addresses, retrieve MAC addresses
  65. Password Assistant – Change the local administrator password on multiple computers
  66. Lepide User Management – Remote password reset tool
  67. Network Infrastructure Change Reporter – Network device discovery and auditing
  68. WindowsPager – Virtual desktop manager for Windows 7
  69. WMI Code creator – Generate VBScript, C#, and VB.NET code that uses WMI
  70. Zetetic.Events – Scan and filter event logs
  71. WMI Explorer – Browse WMI classes and execute any WMI query
  72. Autoruns – Manage Windows startup programs
  73. CoreConfigurator – A GUI for Server Core
  74. Process Hacker – A mighty Task Manager and Process Explorer alternative
  75. FileMenu Tools – Customize Windows Explorer easily
  76. XIA Configuration Server – inventory and technical documentation
  77. Free software inventory software – EMCO Remote Installer
  78. ExInsight – Monitoring and statistics for Microsoft Exchange
  79. Process Monitor – View file system, registry, and network activity
  80. UBCD4Win – Ultimate Boot CD for Windows, a comprehensive rescue tool
  81. JDiskReport – Displays disk space consumption
  82. QTTabBar – Tabs for the Windows Explorer
  83. Memtest86+ – Memory test software
  84. Active Directory Telephone Book
  85. Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper – Standalone antivirus software
  86. BartPE – A Windows PE-based rescue platform
  87. Robocopy – Mirror folders
  88. EndPointScan – Scan your network for devices
  89. AdvancedRemoteInfo – Gather information remotely from Windows PCs
  90. VirtualIQ – Manage Hyper-V environments
  91. HealthMonitor – Monitor 60 different system states
  92. SyncBack – Synchronize folders
  93. ReNamer – Rename multiple files
  94. UnLock IT – Unlock files and folders
  95. IPMon – Monitor IP traffic
  96. EASEUS Todo Backup Free Edition
  97. WPKG-GP – Alternative client for the software deployment tool WPKG
  98. Veeam ONE Free Edition – Real-time Hyper-V and VMware monitoring
  99. Quest Object Restore for Active Directory – Undelete AD objects
  100. Extended Task Manager – Find resource eaters
  101. Event Log Manager – Event log collector
  102. locate32 – Find files
  103. NirCmd – Swiss army knife for the command prompt
  104. WuInstall – Install Windows updates using a command line script
  105. EMCO MAC Address Scanner
  106. Sequoia View – Visualize occupied hard disk space
  107. AD PHOTO EDIT – Import Exchange Global Address List (GAL) images into Active Directory
  108. SuRun – Run programs with local admin right
  109. Revo Uninstaller – Free PCs from junk
  110. Lansweeper – Hardware and software inventory for Windows
  111. ManageEngine Desktop Central – Client management software
  112. JiJi Self Extractor – Create self-extracting compressed executables
  113. The Dude – Map networks and monitor services
  114. GFI LANguard – Network Security Scanner
  115. EventTracker PULSE – a search engine for log data
  116. Treesize Free – Shows size of folder and subfolders
  117. Live Maps for Microsoft Operations Manager
  118. Terminals – A multi-tabbed RDP client
  119. PacketTrap pt360 ToolSuite – network management
  120. NetWrix File Server Change Reporter
  121. GParted – Partition manager for Windows and Linux
  122. AD Info – User friendly Active Directory reporting tool
  123. NTop-XTRA – Shows network usage
  124. SolarWinds Real-Time NetFlow Analyzer
  125. EMCO Remote Console – Remote command tool for Windows
  126. WMI Asset Logger – Gather computer information
  127. TMnetSim Network Simulator – Simulate network latency and packet loss
  128. ShareWatch – See connected users and open files
  129. Core Configuration Console (CCC) – Basic Server Core setup
  130. PStart – Launch and search tools on your USB stick
  131. Q-Dir – File manager with admin features
  132. Purgos – Desktop management software for Windows
  133. WPKG – Software deployment tool
  134. SysAdmin – Active Directory Management
  135. Secunia PSI – Scan for software vulnerabilities
  136. FlexTK Express – Advanced File Management Toolkit
  137. SuperScan – An easy-to-use udp/tcp port scanner
  138. EMCO Ping Monitor Free
  139. NT Toolkit – 28 useful admin tools
  140. Steganos Locknote – Password saver and text encryption
  141. RegScanner – Search the Windows Registry
  142. EMCO MoveOnBoot – Delete, move, rename locked files
  143. WSUS ClientManager for Workgroups – Add computers to a WSUS server
  144. Kaspersky Rescue Disk – Offline antivirus tool
  145. Active Directory Topology Diagrammer
  146. SetACL – Manage access control lists (acl)
  147. Servers Alive – A Monitoring tool
  148. smartmontools – Control and monitor storage systems
  149. PlacesBar Editor – Configure the dialog places bar
  150. NetLimiter Monitor – displays transfer rates of processes
  151. Defraggler – Defrag individual files and folders
  152. HashCalc – Compute hash/checksums and HMACs
  153. DHCP Reservation Manager – Easily migrate DHCP reservations
  154. Kiwi Syslog Server – A Syslog daemon for Windows
  155. WinBubble – Tweak Windows 7
  156. Comodo Time Machine – A system restore utility
  157. VirtuAll User Environment Manager (VUEM) – Centrally manage desktop settings
  158. GPMC PowerShell Cmdlets
  159. FTPUse – FTP client for the Windows command line
  160. Wizmo – Control power saving functions in scripts
  161. Virustotal – Analyze suspicious files
  162. SoftPerfect Network Scanner – network scanning for Windows
  163. ESXi Configurator Utility – Backup and update VMware ESXi
  164. Attribute Changer – Change file attributes recursively on multiple files and folders
  165. ServiWin: Manage Windows services and drivers
  166. System Information Viewer (SIV) – Displays hardware, network and Windows info
  167. FREE Karen’s LAN Monitor – Displays extensive network information
  168. XXClone, a free cloning tool for Windows
  169. Ant Renamer: Easy-to-use and file renaming tool for Windows
  170. Bulk Rename Utility – Rename multiple files and folders
  171. GDism ELDI – A GUI for managing WIM images
  172. Disk Defrag – A disk defragmenter
  173. Microsoft Safety Scanner – Portable antivirus program
  174. Winrpe – Nrpe for Windows
  175. Verax NMS – Network and application monitoring
  176. PhoneFactor – Mobile phone based two-factor authentication
  177. NTFS Permissions Reporter – What are the NTFS permissions?
  178. SolarWinds Diagnostic Tool for the WSUS Agent
  179. PowerTerm WebConnect for Windows Server 2008
  180. Server Core Configurator – Script-based Windows 2008 Server Core set up
  181. PC Wizard 2008 – A system information and benchmark tool
  182. Hyper-V VM Mover
  183. Change Analysis Diagnostic Tool for Windows XP
  184. Passgen – Set unique administrator passwords on multiple machines
  185. Top Users Expert – Analyze bandwidth consumption with Network Monitor
  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. ADREPLSTATUS – Active Directory Replication Status Tool
  201. NetWrix Disk Space Monitor
  202. Spiceworks – Network Monitoring and Help Desk software
  203. SpecOps Gpupdate – WOL, gpupdate, remote restart
  204. Process Explorer – A better Task Manager
  205. Request Tracker – ITIL compliant Service Desk software
  206. VMware DiskMount GUI – Mount VMDK files
  207. eToolz – GUI for ping, traceroute, WHOIS and more
  208. WinDirStat – Query disk usage
  209. Sysinternals ShellRunas – run programs as different user
  210. TCPView – displays active TCP and UDP connections
  211. Belarc Advisor – Builds a profile of your PC
  212. Steel Run As – Let standard users execute with administrator rights
  213. Disk2vhd – A simple P2V tool that creates VHDs for Hyper-V and Virtual PC
  214. HWiNFO32 – Detailed hardware information and diagnostic
  215. SolarWinds Permissions Analyzer for Active Directory – Determine effective NTFS and share permissions
  216. LogFusion – Log file monitoring in real time
  217. Trinity Rescue Kit (TRK) – Recover Windows using Linux
  218. Specops Command – PowerShell meets Group Policy
  219. USB Blocker – Centralized access control for USB devices
  220. Spacemonger v1.4 – Keep track of the free space
  221. VistaBootPro – manage boot configuration with a GUI tool
  222. AnVir Task Manager Free
  223. 3D Traceroute – Displays traceroute information in 3D
  224. Simple Search – An extension for Microsoft Network Monitor
  225. NetworkMiner – Network Forensic Analysis Tool (NFAT)
  226. Blackbird auditor express – Real-time Active Directory change monitoring
  227. Remote Desktop Connection Manager – An RDP client
  228. Hyper-V Monitor Gadget for the Windows Vista sidebar
  229. compname.exe – Query and rename computers
  230. ManagePC – An inventory tool
  231. export.exe – Redirect stdout output into environment variables
  232. PowerGUI Active Directory Recycle Bin PowerPack
  233. ManagePC – Inventory and manage PCs
  234. WSUS Offline Update – Update Windows and Office without an Internet connection
  235. SolarWinds Web Transaction Watcher – Record and monitor a Web transaction
  236. ADModify.NET – Modify multiple user accounts in Active Directory
  237. AD Query – Search Active Directory
  238. NetWrix Disk Space Monitor
  239. MobaSSH – SSH server for Windows
  240. Netsetman – Switch network settings
  241. Device Remover – A powerful Device Manager alternative
  242. Remotely Enable Remote Desktop
  243. SolarWinds VM Monitor – Get X-Ray insight into your ESX Servers
  244. VHD tool – Create, convert, and extend a VHD quickly
  245. SolarWinds IP Address Tracker – Manage IP addresses
  246. Windows Installer Clean Up – Resolve installation problems
  247. GFI WebMonitor – Web filtering for ISA Server
  248. Bad Application – Test application crashes
  249. YAPM – Yet Another (remote) Process Monitor
  250. Free nslookup tool for Windows with GUI – DNSDataView
  251. Windows System Control Center – Launch Sysinternals and NirSoft tools from the web
  252. BleachBit – Free disk space and delete Internet history
  253. Group Manager – Allows end users to manage Active Directory group membership
  254. SysInternalsUpdater – Update Sysinternals Suite
  255. Softerra LDAP Browser – LDAP viewer and search tool
  256. nspaces – Virtual Desktop Manager
  257. Altaro Hyper-V Backup
  258. NetWrix Services Monitor – Restart failing Windows services
  259. Nagwin – Nagios for Windows
  260. SCCM Client Actions Tool (SCCM CAT) – Manage Configuration Manager clients
  261. Spotlight on Windows – Monitor Windows servers
  262. PDQ Inventory – Track software and hardware
  263. RegAlyzer – A nifty free Registry editor
  264. Virtual CloneDrive – Mount ISO and IMG images
  265. TweakUAC – Turn off Vista UAC quickly
  266. SolarWinds Advanced Subnet Calculator – IP subnet calculation made easy
  267. Ultimate Windows Tweaker – Tweak Windows Vista
  268. NetWorx – Network traffic monitor and network usage reporting
  269. Gizmo Central – Mount VHD and ISO images and more
  270. CPUID HWMonitor – Measures temperatures for many hardware components
  271. Account Lockout Tools – View lockout status and unlock account
  272. SolarWinds Real-Time Bandwidth Monitor
  273. OCS Inventory NG – Inventory software for Windows, Mac, and Linux
  274. console – Multi-tabbed command shell enhancement
  275. FREEping – Quick and dirty monitoring
  276. Smart UAC – Disable UAC prompts for particular programs
  277. WIM2VHD – Convert a WIM image to a VHD image
  278. TCP Analyzer – Statistical Analysis of TCP connections in Network Monitor
  279. PC Audit – A simple system info tool
  280. Active Directory Explorer – Active Directory Viewer
  281. Delprof2 – Reliably delete a user profile
  282. SolarWinds Exchange Monitor
  283. Iometer – Measure disk performance
  284. Total Network Monitor – A sophisticated network monitoring software
  285. BootRacer – Measure boot speed
  286. PDQ Deploy – Software deployment software
  287. Free password recovery tool – Cain & Abel
  288. Free Windows sandbox – Sandboxie
  289. Logparser – Query text-based data
  290. AccessEnum – Displays directory and registry permissions
  291. IT Environment Health Scanner – Identify Active Directory problems
  292. Real Temp – Another CPU temperature measuring program
  293. SolarWinds WMI Monitor – Windows server monitoring tool
  294. Trilead VM Explorer – Easy Hyper-V and VMware backup
  295. NetWrix Password Manager Freeware
  296. PowerGUI – Create PowerShell scripts with a GUI
  297. RunAsAdmin – Run with administrative rights
  298. Script Elevation PowerToys – elevate PowerShell
  299. WinRAP – Hide running Windows applications
  300. CorreLog Windows Agent – A Syslog client
  301. AMP WinOFF – Schedule Windows shutdown and restart
  302. Speccy – System information for Windows
  303. ABC Deploy – Software deployment and Windows client maintenance
  304. PocketPutty – SSH client for Windows Mobile
  305. Product Key Finder – Export license keys from multiple Windows computers
  306. DELTACOPY – Incremental backup program
  307. JavaRa – Remove redundant versions of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
  308. Bart’s Stuff Test 5 – A hard drive stress test tool
  309. DocLock – Password encryption tool for Windows Mobile
  310. SafeMSI – Installing in Safe Mode
  311. EasyBCD – A GUI bootloader configuration tool for Vista and Windows 7
  312. GiPo@FileUtilities – Monitor directory changes, mount folders, and more
  313. Recuva – Recover accidentally deleted files
  314. Vmdk2Vhd – Convert VMware VMDK to Hyper-V VHD
  315. SQLSearcher – Search for SQL Server installations
  316. OpenedFilesView – View and unlock opened files
  317. DreamSys Server Monitor – Easy server monitoring
  318. Visual Subst – Map folders to a drive letter
  319. Core Configurator 2.0 – Powerful GUI for Windows Server R2 Server Core
  320. WinPing – A portable ping GUI
  321. DHCP Find – Search rogue DHCP servers
  322. Universal Viewer – File Viewer that supports many file types
  323. Wake-on-LAN Packet Sniffer – Capture Magic Packets
  324. Console – Windows Command Prompt alternative for Windows and PowerShell
  325. Blackbird Privilege Identity Auditor – Audit logon and logoff
  326. Necromancers Dos Navigator (NDN) – A file explorer
  327. Detect Intel and AMD Hyper-V compatibility
  328. Group Policy Refresh PowerShell Cmdlet
  329. NT EventLog Explorer – Retrieves event log information
  330. fs guard – Monitor services and directories
  331. Double Driver – Export and import device drivers
  332. FileTypesMan – File types manager for Windows
  333. FixWin – Fix common Windows 7 and Vista problems
  334. PingInfoView – Another ping monitor GUI tool
  335. SolarWinds Network Device Monitor – Real-time performance and health monitoring
  336. CleanAfterMe – Erase computer history
  337. Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector – Search and troubleshoot Wi-Fi connections
  338. Joulemeter – Computer power consumption calculator
  339. Active Directory Search – Server Admin
  340. DiskCountersView – Display hard disk drive system counters
  341. UserProfilesView – View user profiles
  342. iDesktop – Desktop management software
  343. Free file unlock tool – Unlocker
  344. Edgemeal Get and Set CPU Affinity
  345. Windows Mobile IP Utility – Check IP connections
  346. Specops Password Policy Basic – Fine-Grained Password Policies
  347. Free hard drive monitor – Acronis Drive Monitor
  348. NTPWEdit – Reset Windows 7 password
  349. CurrPorts – Displays detailed info about open TCP/IP ports
  350. mst IsUsedBy – Check what process uses a certain file
  351. Windows Memory Diagnostic – A memory diagnostic tool
  352. Active@ Kill Disk – hard driver eraser
  353. EVT LogParser – A Windows event log parser
  354. Delbyown – Delete, copy or list files by owner
  355. AdapterWatch – Comprehensive info about network adapters
  356. IPNetInfo – Get all information about an IP address
  357. MF Shutdown Manager – Schedule shutdowns, restarts and wakeups
  358. NetWrix Logon Reporter – Logon auditing
  359. NetWrix Non-owner Mailbox Access Reporter Freeware
  360. ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer – Network traffic analysis tool
  361. NetWrix Active Directory Change Reporter
  362. EC2Dream – GUI tool for Amazon EC2 and Eucalyptus
  363. NetSpeedMonitor – Monitor network speed and data transfer
  364. NetWrix Bulk Password Reset – Change the local administrator password network wide
  365. Network Activity Indicator – Displays network activity in the systray
  366. VHD Resizer – Shrink or Expand a Hyper-V VHD
  367. EMSA Register DLL Tool – Register programs with a GUI
  368. NetWrix AD Object Restore Wizard – Create Active Directory snapshots
  369. SolarWinds Wake-on-LAN tool
  370. NetWrix Privileged Account Manager – Password Manager
  371. Free Registry Defrag – Defragment the Windows registry
  372. ADMX Migrator – GUI tool for creating ADMX templates and converting ADM files
  373. Free portable PDF reader – Sumatra PDF viewer
  374. BitLocker to Go Reader – Read Files Protected with BitLocker under Windows XP
  375. Compatibility Administrator – Configure legacy apps for Vista
  376. NetWrix Inactive Users Tracker
  377. Karen’s ‘Net Monitor – Website, mail, and ping monitoring
  378. CentralOps.net NsLookup – Online nslookup tool
  379. DriverView – View drivers
  380. VHD Attach – Attach and detach VHDs in Windows Explorer
  381. Elevate – Start programs elevated from a batch file
  382. SuperbarMonitor – Monitor CPU, disk, and memory usage in the Windows 7 taskbar
  383. CommTest – Test network speed
  384. NetWrix Event Log Manager Freeware Edition
  385. NTFS Undelete – Easily recover deleted files
  386. Free Windows Error Reporting (WER) viewing tool – AppCrashView
  387. TsProfileCleaner – Delete user profiles on multiple Terminal Servers
  388. Free unzip software – 7-Zip portable
  389. NetWrix Password Expiration Notifier
  390. Elevation Gadget – Drag and drop to elevate programs
  391. FrameFlow – Web-based Windows monitoring

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

10 Comments - Leave a Reply

  1. anonymous says:

    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. Peter O says:

    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. 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. iznogoud says:

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

    IZ

  5. puli says:

    HI All,

    Very very useful tools…………..

    Thanks a lot buddy.

  6. simmi evans says:

    brill site giving us valuable links to free tools keep adding on

  7. gexos says:

    Brilliant work.

  8. Paul says:

    None of the links work. They give an error:
    Server error
    The website encountered an error while retrieving http://4sysops.com/archives/free-driverview-view-drivers/. It may be down for maintenance or configured incorrectly.
    Here are some suggestions:
    Reload this webpage later.
    HTTP Error 500 (Internal Server Error): An unexpected condition was encountered while the server was attempting to fulfill the request.

  9. Paul, sorry this was a configuration error. It works now. Thanks for the tip.

  10. DCourtel says:

    Hi all, may be you can find useful “Wsus package Publisher”. This tool allow you to publish third party applications like Adobe Reader, Flash player into your wsus server.

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