What Are the Best Free Tools for IT Pros?What Are the Best Free Tools for IT Pros?

[Root] Access is an advice column for questions about IT issues, career moves, and workplace concerns.

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Dear [Root] Access,

I've got plenty of IT experience, but my daily workload is still a juggling act. I'm constantly stretched thin between troubleshooting user issues, maintaining systems, and tackling new projects. I know there are free tools out there that could help me streamline tasks and improve my efficiency, but it's overwhelming to sift through the options.

Could you recommend some of the best free tools for IT pros? I'm especially looking for tools to help with automation and monitoring — anything that saves time and reduces the mental load.

—Freeware Forager

Dear Freeware Forager,

Having the right tools can make your job much easier. My favorite is Windows PowerShell because you can create custom utilities for almost any task. Better still, you can automate PowerShell scripts using Windows Task Scheduler.

If building your tools isn't your thing, plenty of free tools are available online. However, I caution you to always check these tools for malware and download them from only trusted sources. Some bulk download sites bundle legitimate software with "potentially unwanted applications" or use deceptive buttons to trick you into downloading unwanted programs.

Also, many software vendors offer free "lite" or community versions of their products. Some of the tools included in the list below fall into that category. With that in mind, let's explore several free tools that could make your job easier.

Chocolaty

Since automation is a top priority, I recommend checking out Chocolaty. Chocolaty allows you to build custom software packages and works with various installers. It can streamline the process by avoiding having to create software packages manually.

Nagios Core

Nagios Core is an open-source tool for monitoring your IT infrastructure. It can monitor servers, network switches, routers, DNS servers, and workstations. The active Nagios Core community has also developed a range of monitoring agents and plugins that extend the platform's capabilities beyond the core offering. Nagios Core includes real-time dashboards for monitoring your environment and can generate infrastructure reports.

Paessler PRTG

Paessler PRTG is another network monitoring option for small organizations. Although it's a paid product, the company will give you 100 free sensors, which, according to Paessler, should allow you to monitor about 10 devices. If you use a "lite" approach, such as a single SNMP sensor to monitor network traffic, you might be able to monitor a few extra devices. In any case, the PRTG Freeware Edition is a good option for monitoring small networks.

Open Hardware Monitor

Open Hardware Monitor is a free tool for monitoring your PC's hardware. It identifies system components and provides data on CPU voltages, fan speeds, and component temperatures.

Angry IP Scanner

Angry IP Scanner, also known as IPScan, is a free, open-source tool for scanning IP addresses and port usage on your network. Beyond basic port scanning, it can retrieve Windows system details, such as PC names and logged-in users, and even detect rogue web servers on your network. Additionally, Angry IP Scanner is extendable via downloadable plugins.

Sysinternals

Finally, I encourage checking out the Sysinternals tools. This suite of free tools offers capabilities far beyond the built-in Windows tools provided by Microsoft. With dozens of utilities, Sysinternals is invaluable for troubleshooting since it gives you an in-depth view of what is happening inside Windows.

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