Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Alternative

There is a free version of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 named MSDE (Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine) with few limitations

Maximum 2GB database

Slow performance over 8 concurrent connections

Not supported in Windows NT 6.

No GUI management tool

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSDE

Windows Notepad Alternative

Microsoft windows notepad is a simple application to create and edit text files.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notepad_(Windows)

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/app_notepad.mspx?mfr=true

Here is an alternative for this...

EmEditor: I must say it handles files with text like a pro. They claim this

"From writing to programming, differentiate yourself with a fast, lightweight, extendable text editor for Windows!"

http://www.emeditor.com/

Microsoft Outlook Alternative

Microsoft Outlook is an email client but it also has other features like calender, contact organizer, task manager etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Outlook

Here are few alternatives for this...

Thunderbird

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/

Pegasus Mail

http://www.pmail.com/

Barca

http://www.pocosystems.com/home/

GMail

http://gmail.com/

Opera

http://www.opera.com/browser/

Zimbra Desktop

http://www.zimbra.com/products/desktop.html

Pimero

http://www.pimero.com/en/

Postbox

http://www.postbox-inc.com/

Spicebird

http://www.spicebird.com/

Microsoft Visual Studio Alternative

Microsoft visual studio is a development environment by Microsoft for the development of different languages and platforms including Windows, Mobile, Win CE, silverlight etc.
It has a great interface with extensive features, intellisense and easy integration with various softwares.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Visual_Studio

Here are few alternatives for this...

Visual Web Developer Express: A free version of visual studio for windows platform that just supports the development of web applications for .net framework.
http://www.microsoft.com/express/web/

Visual C# Express Edition A free version of visual studio for windows platform that just supports the development of Winform C# applications for .net framework.
http://www.microsoft.com/express/windows/

SharpDevelop A free open source IDE for windows platform for the development of C# and VB.net applications for .net framework.
http://www.icsharpcode.net/opensource/sd/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SharpDevelop

MonoDevelop IDE for windows,mac and linux platform for the development of C#, Java, Boo, Nemerle,C, C++, VB.net and Python.

http://monodevelop.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MonoDevelop