Freeware used to be almost worthless. It was stripped down and buggy, or it was a limited-time demo license that would Stop functioning and start demanding money as soon as you figured out how to utilize it. Windows 7 looks to be bringing about a change. Microsoft's brand new operating system functions with a huge number of useful plugin applications that are utterly free.

There are so many useful utilities that it would take months to find the best options. I'd like to try to help you out. Below I've compiled a list of my favorite 7 utilities that will make any business person's day-to-day working life a little easier.

1. Dropbox

I'm not saving the best for last. Dropbox is a revolutionary utility that will allow you to securely store large files online and keep all your machines synchonized. It's easy to use. Just drag and drop files into dropbox and they can be accessed by any dropbox user you authorize.

Use of the service is free for the first 2GB.

2. Evernote

Evernote is a real lifesaver. Think of it as an online notebook that remembers everything, and "remember everything" is their motto. Usable on multiple operating systems and mobile platforms, Evernote allows you to catalogue everything from pictures, to sound bytes, to entire websites. Like Dropbox, this program synchronizes with other devices. Evernote also has charater recognition software. Got some note scawled onto a cocktail napkin? Just scan it in!

Free for the first 40MB.

3. WinSplit Revolution

Even as screen sizes and resolutions continue to climb it seems our desktops continue to become more and more cluttered with the increasing number of applications we all routinely use every day. WinSplit is a tiling application. With this program, you can make the best of your desktop space by tiling and organizing windows in a manner that's easy to switch and access. You won't need to spend your time dragging, resizing, and searching through running apps in your task bar any more. From now on everything on your desktop can be neatly tiled with ease.

Winsplit is a free download.

4. Launchy

Launchy is another program for keeping you organized and cutting your work time. Launchy is a "keystroke launcher" and heralds back to the days of the text based operating system, except it's much easier and more more intuitive than DOS ever was. Instead of searching through start menus and folders just type a keyword into launchy and it will use a shortcut to open the app or file you asked for. This program is very handy when a client calls and you need to access her file quickly. Instead of searching your app folders just type her last name into launchy and Voila!

Launchy is a free download, but they do ask you leave a donation of whatever you can afford.

5. VLC Media Player

The ultimate in video playback is here. VLC is a completely free, codec-rich program that allows you to play everything from DVDs to obscurely formatted videos. You no longer need to track down and install three different players. VLC player replaces Windows Media Player, Quicktime Player, and Real Player in a single, stable program. It's all built in.

Free for download.

6. System Information for Windows

System Information for Windows, or "SIW", provides you with realtime feedback on your computer. It tracks your hardware and software information and presents it in an easy to understand format. It also offers tools like Active-X controls, password recovery, and monitor testing. In addition, it can help you retrieve license keys, measure temperatures of your processor, and more.

Free for download.

7. Recuva

Ever delete a file by accident? Recuva (actually pronounced "recover") is a file that can retrieve unsaved or accidentally deleted information - assuming you haven't already overwritten it. Recuva scouts out all the files flagged for overwrite and gets them back to you quickly, completely, and efficiently.

Free for download.

There are thousands of free programs out there. This is just a small taste of my personal favorites. The online society is growing briskly. As it grows it is presenting us with more and more options, and the quality of these choices is constantly improving.

Brian O'Connell is the owner and founder of CPA Site Solutions, one of the country's leading businesses oriented entirely to accounting website design. His company currently provides websites for more than 4000 CPA, accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation firms.