# Best of Win2k - llms.txt ## Site Overview **Name:** Best of Win2k **Domain:** https://www.win2k.link **Purpose:** A comprehensive, free archive of thoughtfully selected Windows 2000 application software. **Established:** Online in various forms since 1992 **Focus:** Practical, verified, free Win2k-compatible software—not historical preservation or games. ## Core Mission Provide **free**, verified Windows 2000 compatible software for: - Users maintaining legacy Win2k systems or servers - Users who want software that does NOT require online Microsoft activation - Users who prefer a lean, spyware-free, highly customizable OS - Users seeking software that works on Win2k AND modern Windows (nearly all listed software also works on Windows 11) ## Key Characteristics - **Software Type:** Freeware, Abandonware, Made Freeware (all for **personal use**) - **Verification:** All software is tested under Windows 2000 before being listed, unlike typical download sites that list no system requirements or only list Windows XP and newer - **No Demos/Shareware:** Excludes "demo", "time limited", and currently-sold commercial/shareware software - **Local Hosting:** All downloads are stored locally on this server, since original hosting servers frequently disappear - **No Games:** Explicitly excludes games; redirects to https://www.gameplace.link/win/ - **No Ads/Tracking:** No commercial advertising, signups, tracking, or donation requests - **Last Win2k Version Flag:** Software updates that can no longer be installed via its own built-in installer on Win2k (due to Microsoft's online-initialization change) is flagged as the "Last Win2k version" ## Important Distinction: Why Windows 2000? - Windows 2000 is the **last version of Windows that does NOT require connecting to a Microsoft Server to initialize**, meaning it can be loaded on any suitable computer anywhere - It is lean and contains no built-in spyware - Its default look-and-feel is extremely customizable, unlike post-XP Windows versions which have steadily removed backward compatibility and customization - Many "new" convenience features in Windows XP are mimicries of third-party Win2k utilities already available on this site - A properly configured Windows 2000 machine with bundleware removed makes an exceptional server ## Software Categories (with direct links) ### 1. Operating System - Main (Win2k): https://www.win2k.link/OS/index.htm - Tools: https://www.win2k.link/OS/1/index.htm - Shells: https://www.win2k.link/OS/2/index.htm - DLLs: https://www.win2k.link/OS/3/index.htm - WinXP (supplemental): https://www.win2k.link/OS/WinXP/index.htm ### 2. NTVDM (NT Virtual DOS Machine) - Main (DOS Hardware Emulators): https://www.win2k.link/NTVDM/index.htm - Command Line Utilities: https://www.win2k.link/NTVDM/1/index.htm - Command Line Applications: https://www.win2k.link/NTVDM/2/index.htm ### 3. External Interfacing - Main (Specialized Interfaces): https://www.win2k.link/Interfacing/index.htm - Peripherals: https://www.win2k.link/Interfacing/1/index.htm ### 4. Networking Programs - Main (Network Diagnostics): https://www.win2k.link/Networking/index.htm - Clients: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/index.htm - Email hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/SMTP/index.htm - CCSO hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/CCSO/index.htm - Daytime hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/Daytime/index.htm - DICT hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/DICT/index.htm - DNS hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/DNS/index.htm - Nicname hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/DNS/nicname.htm - Finger hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/Finger/index.htm - FSP hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/FSP/index.htm - FTP hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/FTP/index.htm - Gopher hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/Gopher/index.htm - H.323 hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/H323/index.htm - IRC hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/IRC/index.htm - LDAP hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/LDAP/index.htm - NNTP hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/NNTP/index.htm - SIP hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/SIP/index.htm - SNPP hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/SNPP/index.htm - SNTP hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/SNTP/index.htm - TelNet hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/TelNet/index.htm - Time hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/Time/index.htm - XMPP hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/XMPP/index.htm - Z39.50 hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/Z3950/index.htm - WAIS hosts: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/1/Z3950/wais.htm - Servers: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/2/index.htm - NNTP moderation: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/2/NNTP/moderation/index.htm - Other: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/3/index.htm - BitTorrent trackers: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/3/ABC/index.htm - Aggregators: https://www.win2k.link/Networking/4/index.htm ### 5. Programming Tools - Main (Reverse Engineering): https://www.win2k.link/Programming/index.htm - Interpreters: https://www.win2k.link/Programming/1/index.htm - Compilers: https://www.win2k.link/Programming/2/index.htm ### 6. Adjustment Tools - Main (Diagnostics): https://www.win2k.link/Adjustment/index.htm - Archivers: https://www.win2k.link/Adjustment/1/index.htm - Format Conversion: https://www.win2k.link/Adjustment/2/index.htm - Cryptography: https://www.win2k.link/Adjustment/3/index.htm - Patches: https://www.win2k.link/Adjustment/4/index.htm ### 7. Utilities - Main (Machine Emulators): https://www.win2k.link/Utilities/index.htm - Display: https://www.win2k.link/Utilities/1/index.htm - Disk: https://www.win2k.link/Utilities/2/index.htm - Input: https://www.win2k.link/Utilities/3/index.htm - Firewalls: https://www.win2k.link/Utilities/4/index.htm - Miscellaneous Utilities: https://www.win2k.link/Utilities/5/index.htm ### 8. Viewers - Main (Internet Animation Viewers): https://www.win2k.link/Viewers/index.htm - Document Viewers: https://www.win2k.link/Viewers/1/index.htm - Media Players: https://www.win2k.link/Viewers/2/index.htm ### 9. Office Automation - Main (Reference): https://www.win2k.link/Office/index.htm - Time Management: https://www.win2k.link/Office/1/index.htm - Document Processing: https://www.win2k.link/Office/2/index.htm - Bookkeeping: https://www.win2k.link/Office/3/index.htm - Database: https://www.win2k.link/Office/4/index.htm - Presentation: https://www.win2k.link/Office/5/index.htm - Office Suites: https://www.win2k.link/Office/6/index.htm ### 10. Applications - Main (Unit Conversion): https://www.win2k.link/Applications/index.htm - Mathematics: https://www.win2k.link/Applications/1/index.htm - Design Simulation: https://www.win2k.link/Applications/2/index.htm - Charting: https://www.win2k.link/Applications/3/index.htm - Mapping: https://www.win2k.link/Applications/4/index.htm - CAD: https://www.win2k.link/Applications/5/index.htm - Graphics: https://www.win2k.link/Applications/6/index.htm - Video: https://www.win2k.link/Applications/7/index.htm - Music: https://www.win2k.link/Applications/8/index.htm - Miscellaneous Applications: https://www.win2k.link/Applications/9/index.htm ## Licensing Categories Software is tagged into three categories for sorting purposes (always read the actual license before use): - **Freeware:** Free for personal use, often also for commercial use (e.g., GPL open source software) - **Abandonware:** Older versions of commercial/shareware software silently relinquished for personal use by the owner - **Made Freeware:** Former commercial software formally transferred to the public by its owner ## Related Sites & Resources - Sitemap: https://www.win2k.link/sitemap.htm - Software Catalog: https://www.win2k.link/catalog.htm - Homepage: https://www.win2k.link/ - Why Windows 2000 (rationale document): https://www.win2k.link/Why_Windows_2000.txt - Games (Alternative site): https://www.gameplace.link/win/