Lifehacker featured hundreds of free Windows applications over the course of 2009 that we hoped might bolster your productivity, workflow, or your PC usefulness in one form or another. Here’s a look back at the most popular Windows downloads of the year.

As with 2008’s most popular free Windows downloads, keep in mind that the apps featured here are chosen by the popularity of the associated post we published in 2009. Many were new, some were improvements to already loved apps, and others were simply new-to-us. Here’s a quick look back at the 19 or so most popular Windows downloads of 2009:

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Site tracking and analytics tool StatCounter Global Statistics now shows that Firefox 3.5 is the most used browser in the world.

Note this is the version of the browser rather than the browser brand but nevertheless an incredible achievement. The browser surpasses IE7 as the most popular browser, with IE8 close behind thanks to the success of Windows 7.

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DVD Flick aims to be a simple but at the same time powerful DVD Authoring tool.

It can take a number of video files stored on your computer and turn them into a DVD that will play back on your DVD player, Media Center or Home Cinema Set.

DVD Flick is open source (free)

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Windows 7 has been a bigger seller than its predecessor, Windows Vista, new industry figures show.

Research firm NPD Group said Microsoft users were switching from Windows XP and Windows Vista to Windows 7 in significant numbers. Sales of Windows 7 in the days following its Oct 22 release were 234 per cent higher than those posted by Vista when it was launched in January 2007.

Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s chief executive, said the response to Windows 7 had been “fantastic”. He said it had also reinvigorated demand for new PCs, with many users opting to upgrade their hardware as well as their software.

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Believe me, these abolutely fantastic high-resolution wallpapers would certainly spruce up your desktop.

These are really high-resolution wallpapers and you can download them on varying sizes. Go ahead and prep your download manager now!

Demo Geek

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