30 Recommended Software Downloads for Free
Listed below is a collection of free applications that we have tested and found to be of the highest quality for free software. This collection is considered to be some of the best free software available on the planet. Most of which many of the staff use on a daily basis. If you like a freebie or just on a budget this list will surely please you.
RoboForm
RoboForm is a very powerful, yet very easy to use password manager and web form filler that automates password management and form filling. It can save passwords, log in to sites automatically, fill long registration and purchase forms with a single click, encrypt passwords for security, generate random passwords, and much more. RoboForm has a wide range of video tutorials to assist you with set-up.
Website: Visit Official Website
IrfanView
IrfanView is a free, small, and fast image viewer that can handle virtually any image file format (some require additional plugins). It offers a large arsenal of image manipulation features such as crop, resize, color adjustment, etc., as well as a multitude of special features usually found only in upper end paid software. I’m not going to focus on all the features as there are many, but some of the best features include complete effects (sharpen, blur, etc.), paint capabilities (draw on images), desktop/window capturing, thumbnail viewer/creator, multimedia player, batch conversion (optional image processing), support for Adobe Photoshop filters. Currently you will find dozen’s of plugins available to add more features.
Website: Visit Official Website
GIMP
GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. does most of what Photoshop does; the Gimpshop project (plasticbugs.com) even makes it look like Photoshop. It is a freely distributed program for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It has many capabilities. It can be used as a simple paint program, an expert quality photo retouching program, an online batch processing system, a mass production image renderer, an image format converter, etc. GIMP is expandable and extensible. It is designed to be augmented with plug-ins and extensions to do just about anything. The advanced scripting interface allows everything from the simplest task to the most complex image manipulation procedures to be easily scripted.
Website: Visit Official Website
TeamViewer
TeamViewer is a free, powerful, simple and fast program for remote control, desktop sharing and file transfer that works behind any firewall and NAT proxy. To connect to another computer just run TeamViewer on both machines without the need of an installation procedure. With the first start automatic partner IDs are generated on both computers. Enter your partner’s ID into TeamViewer and the connection is established immediately. With over 15 million users TeamViewer is a standard tool to give support and assistance to people in remote locations. The software can also be used for presentations, where you can show your own desktop to a partner.
Website: Visit Official Website
Glary Utilities
There are dozens of utilities for maintaining the computer clean and at a constant high performance, users still have a tough time finding the one solution that incorporates all the instruments needed for this kind of assignment. A solution incorporating registry cleaning, shortcut fixer, spyware, checking startup elements’ validity, cleaning temporary files or eliminating the tracks left behind from various computer activities would pretty much sum it all up. Glary Utilities seems to incorporate all there is for keeping your computer up and running and with as few unnecessary files as possible. This excellent free tool promises one-click cleanup and optimization and it really delivers. Optimization doesn’t get simpler than this.
Website: Visit Official Website
CCleaner
CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy, and cleaning tool that removes unused files from your system, which allowing Windows to run faster and frees up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities, such as Internet history. Additionally, it contains a full-featured registry cleaner. The tool is fast and easy to use.
Website: Visit Official Website
Auslogics Disk Defrag
Auslogics disk frag was designed to remedy system sluggishness and crashes caused by disk fragmentation. It is optimized to work with today’s modern hard disks. Auslogics Disk Defrag is extremely simple to use, does not require any analysis phase and is faster than most of the other disk defragmentation software. It will help you get the maximum performance out of your expensive hardware investments. And, what’s most important, it’s absolutely free.
Website: Visit Official Website
Process Explorer
Process Explorer is a free Windows Task Manager replacement that offers features beyond the standard Windows utility. It can be set to show much more information about running processes, such as start time, file version, window title, the .dll’s they have loaded, highlighting (such as for distinguishing services), and much more.
Website: Visit Official Website
CPU-Z
CPU-Z is a handy diagnostic tool that quickly provides information on your CPU, including: processor name and vendor, core stepping and process, processor package, internal and external clocks, clock multiplier, partial overclock detection, processor features, supported instructions sets, motherboard details (vendor, model, and revision, BIOS model and date, northbridge and southbridge chipset and sensor, graphic interface), memory (frequency and timings, module(s) specification using SPD (Serial Presence Detect): vendor, serial number, timings table), system (Windows and DirectX versions), L1 and L2 cache information, location, size, speed, and technology.
Website: Visit Official Website
Dependency Walker
Dependency Walker is a free software utility that scans any 32-bit or 64-bit Windows module (exe, dll, ocx, sys, etc.) and displays a hierarchical tree diagram of all dependent modules. For each module located, the application lists all the functions that are exported by that module, and which of those functions are actually being summoned by other modules. An alternative view displays the minimum set of required files, along with detailed information about each file including a full path to the file, base address, version numbers, machine type, debug information, and more. This tool is also useful for troubleshooting system errors related to loading and executing modules. Dependency Walker detects many common application problems such as missing modules, invalid modules, import/export mismatches, circular dependency errors, mismatched machine types of modules, and module initialization failures.
Website: Visit Official Website
FileZilla
It is the darling of the OSS crowd and certainly does the job. FileZilla is a small but powerful FTP client for uploading and downloading to and from your FTP site, server, or host. This program lets you transfer files and navigate among folders, web sites and your computer. FileZilla has a site manager to store all your connection details and logins as well as explorer style interface that shows the local and remote folders which can be customized independently. Filezilla offers support for firewalls and proxy connections as well as SSL and Kerberos GSS security. This fantasic program enables you to perform multiple file transfers simultaneously.
Website: Visit Official Website
HWMonitor
HWMonitor is a hardware monitoring program that reads PC systems main health sensors : voltages, temperatures, fans speed. CPU, motherboard, video card, memory modules, hard drives, and more. 32-bit and 64-bit versions are both available.
Website: Visit Official Website
Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is a free PDF document viewer, with incredible small size, breezing-fast launch speed and rich feature set. Foxit Reader supports Windows Me/2000/XP/2003/Vista. Its core function is compatible with PDF Standard 1.7. This PDF reader is quick to load and easy to use, without sacrificing features. Foxit Reader offers annotations, text conversion, privacy and security options, bookmarking, multi-tab support, callouts and text boxes, commenting, rulers and guides, magnifier, automatic scrolling, and more.
Website: Visit Official Website
FeedDemon
FeedDemon is a easy-to-use RSS feed reader that makes it quick and convenient to stay up-to-date with the latest news and information. The software is highly customizable, including the way feeds are organized and displayed. Customize news watches based on keywords can be setup, and podcasts can be easily transferred to portable audio devices. The program is pre-configured with dozens of feeds, so you can unleash the power of RSS right away.
Website: Visit Official Website
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox has really made some serious headway with the latest version 3. The improved performance of viewing web pages faster, using less of your computer’s memory id is no doubt a serious asset to any web surfer. Firefox has now become a powerful web browser. Due primarily to its extension capabilities and add-on’s, we highly recommend useing Firefox. In addition to the comprehensive extension support, Firefox also offers fast browsing, browser tabs, pop-up blocking, advanced privacy and security, smart searching, and more.
Website: Visit Official Website
MozillaThunderbird
Thunderbird 2 features many new enhancements to help you better manage your inbox, and stay informed. This powerful E-Mail Client is a free, open source, cross-platform e-mail, newsgroup, and RSS feed client that offers a simple solution for online communication and information retrieval. The software is also highly customizable and expandable via a huge collection of available extensions.
Website: Visit Official Website
Trillian
Access all your IM accounts (AIM, ICQ, Windows Messenger, Yahoo!, and IRC, and Jabber/GTalk (via a plugin)) from a single interface that also logs all your conversations, if you desire. Trillian is powerful free messenger providing capabilities not possible with original network clients, while supporting standard features such as audio chat, file transfers, group chats, chat rooms, buddy icons, multiple simultaneous connections to the same network, server-side contact importing, typing notification, direct connection (AIM), proxy support, encrypted messaging (AIM/ICQ), SMS support, and privacy settings.
Website: Visit Official Website
OpenOffice
OpenOffice.org 3 is the result of over twenty years’ of software engineering. It is an open source productivity suite that serves as a replacement for Microsoft Office. It contains the same basic feature-except it` is free. OpenOffice does not include the grammar checking, macros, and a replacement for Microsoft Outlook. It does offer PDF output, Writer macros (Writer’s own macro and scripting feature), smaller file size documents than Microsoft Office, and simplicity. The suite includes Writer (replacement for Word), Calc (replacement for Excel), Impress (replacement for PowerPoint), Base (replacement for Access), Draw (replacement for Visio), and Math (replacement for Equation Editor).
Website: Visit Official Website
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need – a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more. Ubuntu will always be free of charge, including enterprise releases and security updates. Ubuntu issues a new desktop and server releases every six months.
Website: Visit Official Website
avast! 4 Home Edition
Sharp-looking avast! notifies you by e-mail or IM if it catches a virus. Free antivirus software providing desktop security and data protection. avast! detects and removes all forms of malware, including spyware, rootkits and trojans. The best thing about this software is it is Free for home users. Simple to use with daily automatic updates to ensure continuous data protection against all types of malware and spyware. Simply install and forget it.
Website: Visit Official Website
Avira AntiVir Personal Edition Classic
AntiVir scans files on demand, upon access, and on a schedule; it doesn’t scan e-mail attachments until they’re saved, but it does go to work on rootkits. It’s especially good at coexisting with other security software. Like most good AV software, it has the Virus Bulletin’s VB100% award and certification for virus detection from ICSA Labs.
Website: Visit Official Website
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
AVG Free virus offers very good and free protection against viruses and spyware… As a bonus, its real-time LinkScanner technology keeps you from clicking search links to dangerous sites, that’s a plus. It’s an excellent choice if you need free protection against both viruses and spyware.
Website: Visit Official Website
Spybot – Search & Destroy
If there is any software program that deserves the name of a would-be James Bond flick, Spybot is it. In addition to removing invasive programs, the added Secure Shredder function absolutely annihilates troublesome files. Every member in our team gives this one a thumbs up. Highly recommend.
Website: Visit Official Website
Comodo Firewall
Comodo Firewall for XP and Vista keeps hackers out of your system, controls which programs can access the Net (its whitelist of about one million means you get fewer pop-ups), and blocks tricky “leak test” techniques. It’s both tough and good-looking.
Website: Visit Official Website
ZoneAlarm
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall blocks hackers from infiltrating your home PC by hiding your computer from unsolicited network traffic. By detecting and preventing intrusions, ZoneAlarm Free Firewall keeps your PC free from viruses that slow down performance, and spyware that steals your personal information, passwords, and financial data.
Website: Visit Official Website
Audacity
Whether you’re recording or editing, Audacity is all about audio in practically any format. Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems.
Website: Visit Official Website
Winamp
After a decade of playing music, the “skinnable” WinAmp Media Player has several versions, including one with full CD ripping and burning. This alternative to windows media player has tons of plug-ins and skins to satisfy your thirst for excellence. It did mine.
Website: Visit Official Website
7-Zip
7-Zip: If you need a good and free high compression tool this is it. It’s easy for users to forget that WinZip isn’t the only file-compression utility on the planet. Like its better-known competitors, the free 7-Zip unpacks a host of archive formats, including ZIP, TAR, GZ, and its own 7z format. Unlike WinZip, it can create TAR and GZ archives, which are commonly used on Unix and Linux systems. 7-Zip is great for casual users with a bit of computer savvy, however it’s especially well-suited for developers and anyone else who moves between the Windows and Linux/Unix worlds.
Website: Visit Official Website
3d Traceroute
3d Traceroute is a free full blown three dimensional traceroute program that allows you to visually monitor internet connectivity. This excellent program offers an attractive and fast loading 3D interface as well as optional text results. The 3D graphs can be manipulated by rotation, zoom and several other options. You can also record and playback individual traces for detailed investigation. 3d Traceroute also offers statistical displays as well as keeping track of trace history. You can utilize this software for technical tasks such as diagnosing slow connections or for general purpose snooping like determining the location and owner of a web site or tracing spammers.
Website: Visit Official Website
Ultimate Windows Tweaker
One thing I really miss in Vista is the free Microsoft Tweak UI program; it’s for Windows XP only. Tweak UI allows users to change a wide range of Windows settings, many of which are not accessible through the Control Panel. A couple of developers have made attempts at producing a Vista version but none has hit the mark with me. Until now, that is. “Ultimate Tweaker” for Vista is a free utility written by Ramesh Kumar. Ultimate Windows Tweaker is a Tweak UI Utility for tweaking and optimizing Windows Vista, 32-bit & 64-bit. It can simply be downloaded and used as a portable application to customize your Windows Vista to meet your requirements. With some tweaking, With the right tweaks it can make your system faster, more stable, and more secure.
Website: Visit Official Website
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Yes it is really nice also, this list is about to revamped here real soon at the one year anniversary. Thanks for dropping in.
Pidgin Is much better then trillion
Great list, learned about some stuff I never knew existed here
Wow, some real work went into this. Great post. I was fimiliar with a few of them but some not. I researched those that intrest me and they are really nice and free. Thank you.
Cheers