Tools

Visual Studio Code is a lightweight but powerful source code editor which runs on your desktop and is available for Windows, Mac and Linux. It comes with built-in support for JavaScript, TypeScript and Node.js and has a rich ecosystem of extensions for other languages (such as C++, C#, Python, PHP, Go) and runtimes. Begin your journey with VS Code with these introductory videos.

Winrar
Essential for any user to extract/create archives.
This is the trial version, with nagscreen included.. its not too annoying though, i used it for years
Original site here with lots of regional versions available.
http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm

Notepad++ v6.8.8 
The essential replacement for stock notepad, this makes life so much easier.
Fix a regression of link style in html/php.
Fix find in files progress window alway on top issue.
Add Debug Info helper feature.
Fix highlighting for tags inside comment problem.
Make editor border edge display optional.
Enhance syntax highlighting for D, Powershell, Lua and Python.
Enhance syntax highlighting of preprocessor comments for several languages.
Improve close button in tab position.

About Cheat Engine
Cheat Engine is an open source tool designed to help you with modifying single player games running under window so you can make them harder or easier depending on your preference(e.g: Find that 100hp is too easy, try playing a game with a max of 1 HP), but also contains other usefull tools to help debugging games and even normal applications.

It comes with a memory scanner to quickly scan for variables used within a game and allow you to change them, but it also comes with a debugger, disassembler, assembler, speedhack, trainer maker, direct 3D manipulation tools, system inspection tools and more.

For new users it is recommended to go through the tutorial(The one that comes with Cheat Engine, you can find it in your programs list after installing) and at least reach step 5 for basic understanding of the usage of Cheat Engine

If you need help on Cheat Engine , you can always contact me at [email protected]<script cf-hash='f9e31' type="text/javascript"> /* */</script> , msn supported as well(don't ask about online games, I don't know anything about that)
Or on irc: server: irc.p2p-network.net channel: #cef (Web-based irc)

Note: It will most likely not work on online games, so don't bother asking me that
Local Cheat Engine WIKI


Note that since cheat engine is open source, everyone is welcome to contribute to the project. Contact [email protected]for more information about helping.