What File Is Best for Downloading Free Software?
It's a mobile world, but we take not fully abandoned the desktop. The real work (and a lot of the play) of computing requires a total personal computing system, and to get the about out of that, yous need software.
Software can be expensive, only complimentary programs have been a mainstay of the desktop experience for decades, and today'due south offerings are pretty powerful. Software developers can adopt an advert-based model, donation-ware to go along things afloat, or a shareware/freemium model that charges for extra features.
Something to always spotter for: crapware installers. To make ends see, many creators of otherwise great free software, or the services that offering the programs for download, bundle in things y'all don't desire. Worse, the installation routine obfuscates the steps, so y'all provide the unwanted program tacit permission to exist installed. For more virtually how to spot and avoid this problem, see How to Rid a New PC of Crapware, and check out the Uninstaller section below.
A pro tip: simply download desktop software from the maker of the software directly. It's not foolproof—subsequently all, developers desire to eat, too—simply it helps. That's why one of the criteria for inclusion here is that the program is bachelor directly from its maker.
Other Criteria:
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The software must be available direct from the programmer/creator/original publisher.
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The software should (typically) have a Windows-based download. Yet, we've included web-based apps that are equally good, or better, than some downloadable programs.
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If the software is on a tiered sales model, the complimentary version cannot be trial-ware. It has to take at to the lowest degree a free-for-life selection.
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Preferably the program has had an update in the last year or two.
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The program should have little or no ad to support it. Some freemium software depends on showing ads to exist, nonetheless. We'll include some if they don't suck.
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Software for productivity is what this list is about; there are plenty of other places to notice gratuitous PC games.
For more gratuitous software, check out The 100 Best iPhone Apps and The 100 All-time Android Apps.
Audio
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Audacity
Open-source Brazenness can record and edit audio files on more tracks than you tin imagine. It then outputs exactly what yous demand, even to MP3 if you lot use a plug-in. Information technology is perfect for noobs and pros alike, on any desktop OS.
Automations
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IFTTT
If This, And so That, aka IFTTT, is a service with a website and apps that let you lot create automations that hook upward your diverse web and smart domicile services and devices. Want your lights to come up on when yous walk in the door? Want a backup created when you lot brand a new contact? Desire email or text warnings when the weather turns bad? The combinations and permuations are countless and limited just by your imagination. (Some tools don't give y'all full access, but hey). (Read our review of IFTTT.)
Zapier
Another in the globe of automations between services and apps, Zapier puts the focus on businesses and helps them get the nigh out of all the disparate services they use. Gear up for productivity to soar. The gratuitous version lets you perform upwards to 100 automatic tasks per month. (Read our review of Zapier.)
Back-Up & Synchronization
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Dropbox Basic
Put files in your Dropbox binder on the desktop, and they are uploaded to the deject and synchronized with any other PC on the account. Files are also attainable via apps or the web. If y'all delete a file by accident, you tin can use the website to get it back. Dropbox offers 2GB of costless online storage. (Read our review of Dropbox.)
Microsoft OneDrive
Consider OneDrive the nearly flexible and all-encompassing sync and back-upwardly tool going. Information technology'due south the official cloud storage for users of Microsoft Office and Windows 10 (information technology's built right into the Bone). OneDrive includes 5GB of free online storage. If you subscribe to Microsoft 365, that storage jumps up to 1TB per user. (Read our review of Microsoft OneDrive, a PCMag Editors' Choice.)
IDrive
You get 5GB gratis from IDrive to back up files from all your devices. If that's enough, you lot'll find this service more up to your needs. It'll even support your photos and videos from Facebook. (Read our review of IDrive, a PCMag Editors' Option.)
(Wondering almost Google Bulldoze? It'southward on the listing, only downwardly under Role Suites.)
AOMEI Backupper
The standard, free version of this tool can create a full arrangement image, back up entire drives or specific partitions, schedule backup of files and folders you specify. Sorry, the option to clone a full drive to some other will at present price you the price of the pro version.
Browsers
Mozilla Firefox
The venerable browser Firefox remains our Editors' Choice. That'due south because information technology's highly customizable, stiff on security, privacy, and performance, and supports a slew of new standards. (Read our review of Firefox, plus our Top Firefox Tips.)
Google Chrome
Chrome still ranks high as a browser to go on in your arsenal. Especially if y'all're a devotee of Google products—and it's built correct into Chrome Os on Chromebooks and then it practically is the OS. However, information technology's probably not the browser yous desire if you're a privacy abet, even if it is going to end supporting tracking cookies in the future. (Read our review of Google Chrome, plus our Top Chrome Tips.)
Make clean-Up / Maintenance Utilities
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CCleaner Free
The showtime C is for Crap! CCleaner deletes inapplicable files that gunk up the OS and browsers. Get it and run information technology, regularly. It'll even delete some apps you didn't call up you could become rid of. (Read our review of CCleaner Professional Plus.)
Defraggler
Defragmenting a hard disk has get a fiddling passé in the age of terabyte drives, but information technology's still a smart thing to do to eke out a little more data-access speed. Defraggler'southward interface makes it brain-dead simple to do. It fifty-fifty works with solid-land drives (SSDs).
Conferencing
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Skype
Skype is synonymous with video conferencing. In that location'due south a reason our Editors' Selection review says Skype, at present run by Microsoft, is "a highly polished, hugely functional service that runs on every platform you lot can think of (including the browser) and offers more advice options than any of its competitors." For free, you can make unlimited video calls between Skype users, fifty-fifty with groups of users. Plus, its existent-time translation power is directly out of science fiction. (Read our review of Skype for Windows, a PCMag Editors' Choice)
GoToMeeting Free
Up to 3 people on PCs tin can use this service to video chat and even share screens, all without fees or whatever setup other than sharing a URL or organizer lawmaking. Sign upward for an business relationship or sign in with your Google or Facebook accounts, and claim a regular-to-use meeting "room" online. Because it'south web-based, it works on any desktop or laptop. (Read our review of the full GoToMeeting.)
Zoom
Want to host an online conference for you and 100 of your closest friends? Zoom tin can permit them all view what yous're showing for up to 40 minutes from whatever device, even a smartphone. Information technology volition also allow direct i-on-one HD video meetings. Plus you can chat all y'all desire. (Read our review of Zoom Meeting, a PCMag Editors' Selection, plus our Top Zoom Tips.)
Ebooks and Comics
Comixology Comics
Amazon-owned Comixology is the shop for purchasing digital comics from just most all the major funny-book publishers. You read them in the app, and it's a wonder, making page-past-page or panel-by-console reading a delight, especially on a comic book page-sized tablet. The synced view ways you terminate on one device and pick upward at the adjacent one in the same spot. Pair it with Comixology's unlimited reading subscription pick or buy new comics the same day they announced in stores. For comic book nerds, it's a must. (Windows users are stuck with the web-based interface.) (Read our review of Comixology, a PCMag Editors' Choice, plus Everything You Need to Know about Digital Comics.)
Kindle
Practically the de facto reader for ebooks these days, the Kindle brand is more than just hardware—information technology extends to apps and programs for reading ebooks (which you have to buy from Amazon, of grade). Start the volume on any device, continue information technology elsewhere—the Kindle WhisperSync characteristic knows where you stopped reading. X-Ray gives you insight into the book; GoodReads integration gives you a social aspect. PageFlip lets you go along your page while scouring the rest of the volume.
Calibre
If you've got a lot of ebook files, Calibre is the open-source tool you need to organize them. Information technology converts files into dissimilar formats, so you can use ebooks on many different devices, with which it volition also sync. It's constantly updated with new features and support for not-Amazon ebook reader hardware, similar the devices from Kobo.
(Image: Getty)
Microsoft Outlook.com
If you lot've got a Microsoft account, you have access to Outlook.com, the successor to Hotmail and Live mail and our Editors' Choice for spider web-based email. In that location's still the Outlook programme itself for Windows and Mac—it comes with Microsoft Part—but this complimentary choice is a perfect, minimalist, consumer-based webmail, complete with OneDrive integration. Interesting features include Sweeps, so you tin can, for example, delete all messages from one sender at one time, and born chat—including Skype video chat. The version for iOS is particularly corking. (Read our review of Outlook.com, a PCMag Editors' Option.)
Gmail
The ultra-popular option for individuals and businesses akin, Gmail sports a clean interface and works with a lot, if not all, third-party e-mail apps you tin imagine. Plus, it probably has the all-time spam filter you'll e'er use. (Read our Top Tips for Gmail.)
Thunderbird
Mozilla's email client extraordinaire still has all the features that fabricated it great years ago: account setup wizards, multiple languages, hundreds of add together-ons, a tabbed interface, great search, junk mail and phishing tools, and the option for a personalized e-mail address with your own choice of a domain name. Migration from previous versions is a breeze and worth it if you lot're on the desktop.
SPAMfighter
If you apply a desktop email client like Outlook, Thunderbird, or even Windows Mail, yous're probably not getting as much spam-fighting power—especially with POP3 email accounts. Stick SPAMfigher on the system—it works straight with Microsoft to make it as tough against spam as possible. The Windows version is totally complimentary for dwelling house use.
File Recovery and Deletion
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Recuva
Recuva (say it out loud) is a must on the tool belt of any techie: it's the fundamental to helping recover a lost file. Information technology's easy to sympathize, though should actually exist installed before y'all lose a file. It'southward portable, so you accept the selection to run it from a USB thumb drive. (Read our review of Recuva.)
TestDisk
TestDisk does a lot more than just find lost files. Information technology can recover an unabridged lost hard drive partitioning, and makes what was one time a non-bootable disk drive bootable again. It'south open source then it might not have as fancy a user interface equally you're used to, just it'due south powerful. Companion tool PhotoRec specializes in recovering lost images.
Eraser
The opposite of file recovery is utter devastation—the thing you do to keep a file out of someone else'south hands. Eraser does that, writing over the spot on your drive where the file(s) lived until information technology's scrubbed clean, with no chance of it coming dorsum to haunt you lot. Utilise it to schedule a wipe of the free infinite on the disk, or merely to purge your recycle bin.
File Transfer
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Filezilla
The former computer-science project is now ane of the best standalone file transfer protocol (FTP) clients around. Information technology's a must-have for website owners who transfer a lot of files to a server, fast. It comes in a client and Windows-merely server option.
Teracopy
Windows copies files between folders and drives just fine. TeraCopy takes over that job and makes information technology sing—it'southward faster, ameliorate looking, provides more information/feedback, and tin recover from transfer errors.
µTorrent
Still ane of the biggest clients for downloading and uploading torrent files, this works on its own or paired with web or mobile accounts for remote downloads. In that location'south a web-based pick and desktop download-based options for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android for more experienced users.
File Management
Multi Commander
There are many, many attempts out there to supersede Windows Explorer (a file managing director marinating in weak sauce). Multi Commander stands out, providing multiple tabs, a file viewer, and dual panels to efficiently prove yous everything.
7-Nix
Somewhen in this life, you're going to run into an archive file—a single file with multiple files stored (and compressed) within it. They accept dissimilar extensions, from RAR to ZIP to 7z and many more than, and sometimes the program to open them costs yous. Not 7-Cipher. Information technology opens all of those and more than, and allows creation of new athenaeum. It'll fifty-fifty encrypt the contents for prophylactic. It's entirely open source.
CDBurnerXP
Don't let the XP in the name fool you, this is a frequently updated tool for called-for ISO images and much more to CDs and DVDs. It comes in multiple languages and lists all the drives with which it'south uniform. It works on all versions of Windows.
File Viewers and Converters
IrfanView
IrfanView (pronounced ear-fan-view) has been the leader in file viewing for over two decades. Not only does information technology view multiple file types, it tin can convert them, batch process changes, even play media. Plug-ins and add-ons give information technology fifty-fifty more power.
XnView MP
With an enhanced version that works across platforms, XnView MP really has multiple uses, like batch file conversion and back up for 500 epitome formats. It'southward but free for private or educational use.
FastStone Image Viewer
View, manage, and compare your images with this fast and intuitive freebie. Information technology supports a slew of epitome formats, plus a ton of RAW image formats from specific digital camera manufacturers. Information technology has companion apps for screenshots and photo resizing.
Graphics and Imaging
(Mahmut Serdar Alakus / Anadolu Agency)
Adobe Photoshop Limited
When you don't need the full strength of Photoshop, merely still want Adobe in your arsenal, the low-stop, consumer-oriented Limited is there to help yous with the basics of image editing. It'll auto-fix a lot in your images, plus has photo filters and, of course, in-app purchases to extend functions. (Read our review of Photoshop Express for iPhone.)
GIMP
The GNU Epitome Manipulation Program (GIMP) remains a acme pick for complimentary epitome editing for good reason. It has all the high-end tools you could desire for playing with graphics and, naturally, costs 100 pct less than Photoshop.
Inkscape
Vector graphics illustration tools typically cost a lot simply not Inkscape. Yous'll be designing, cartoon, and shaping gorgeous SVG formatted files in no time with this tool. Check the online gallery for excellent examples of its capabilities on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Icecream Image Resizer
Icecream Apps has many squeamish programs, but the nigh useful for designers with a batch of graphics that demand a quick resize is the aptly named Image Resizer. Drag images to it, choice a size and a destination folder, and they'll exist converted in an centre-glimmer.
Paint.net
Is Paint.cyberspace a perfect replacement for Photoshop? Nothing is as powerful, but at this price—free—it is pretty close. For any minor (and some major) motion picture manipulation, information technology's fast, comprehensive, and easy to apply.
Pixlr X
Pixlr X is a "next generation" web-based photo editor for making quick adjustments and retouches to a photo when more avant-garde tools aren't bachelor. Every alter is automatically saved and information technology also works straight with Dropbox.
Maps
Google Earth
As if high-stop software that lets you fly beyond the globe isn't cool enough (peculiarly with all the aforementioned features of its online sibling, Google Maps), Google Earth Pro for the desktop—with advanced features like high-res printing, distance measuring, and global guided tours—is totally costless. It also comes in a web-only and mobile versions now.
(Image: Spotify)
Spotify
If all you demand in life is a constant shuffle play of your music (with the occasional advertising), so Spotify is for you. It offers 50+ million song possibilities no thing where you are, on every possible device you can think of. The free version is ad-supported, which is why Spotify wants you to subscribe for $x per month. Only if you can get over those confines, you're no worse off than when listening to FM radio, and arguably far ahead. (Read our review of Spotify and Superlative Spotify Tips.)
VLC media histrion
The premier way to watch just about any video, ever, no matter what the weird codec, VLC has features similar auto-rotating smartphone videos taken at the incorrect orientation, and resuming playback from where you stopped. Seriously, VLC plays back anything on all desktop platforms, and guarantees it comes with no ads, tracking, or spyware. (For more, read How to Play DVDs in Windows 10.)
Kodi
Kodi has become the open-source serious media center. Run the software in i identify and stream all your media (you bring the content) to other devices. It's all about content, and so it's the best option in many ways for a home media heart. (For more, read How to Install, Update, and Use Kodi.)
Plex
If you don't know or care what a media server is—yous only want to stream your videos and music collection around the house—Plex is probably for yous. Install it on all your devices, point it at some media, and those sound and video files become available on everything. Even remotely over the cyberspace. (Read our review of Plex also every bit How to Fix a Plex Server, How to Share Your Plex Libraries, How to Organize Your Plex Media Library, and The Expert'southward Guide to Managing Your Plex Server.)
Messaging
(Image: Discord)
Discord
Over 250 million use Discord for text and voice and video chatting—mainly while kicking each other's arses in online games. Information technology's such a large deal with gamers, Discord even launched a game store to compete with Steam. (Possibly considering Steam besides has a chat pick.)
Telegram
One of the new class of messaging services with an ecosystems of apps for every platform, Telegram delivers not simply piece of cake communications, but also encryption security finish-to-end. Transport messages, files, photos, animated GIFs (the search is built in), and create channels of up to five,000 people for broadcast. (Read our review of Telegram Messenger (for iPhone), a PCMag Editors' Selection.)
Point
Our favorite mobile messaging service takes security seriously using its own open-source protocol to exercise end-to-stop encryption, fifty-fifty on vocalization calls. It's not equally much fun as some of the others, but supports sending photos and video, plus group messaging. And it features a Windows desktop client when you lot're deskbound. (Read our review of Signal for iPhone, a PCMag Editors' Choice.)
Don't ignore the 800-pound messaging gorilla that is WhatsApp. It has billions of users worldwide. It offers end-to-end encryption, blithe GIF support, grouping chat for upwardly to 256 people, certificate sharing, voice and video calls, 1-tap phonation letters, and a web-based interface y'all access by scanning a QR code with the app on your mobile device. (Read our review of WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Tips for Chat Fans.)
Notes
Microsoft OneNote
Evernote
Evernote is your online repository for everything. Scan it, shoot it, type it, whatever, but put it in Evernote to find later. Most text, even in pictures, is fabricated searchable. Organize the notes into Notebooks, then access it anywhere. Despite some severe ups and downs in its business concern model, it remains our Editors' Selection for note-taking apps on multiple platforms—fifty-fifty if you tin only use two devices (plus the web interface) for gratis.
Microsoft OneNote
Once just a function of Microsoft Office, the sublime OneNote has become a gratuitous, standalone powerhouse for annotation taking beyond all the major OSes. It still works with Office, syncs data across all platforms, and has full online admission via Office.com, with storage via OneDrive. (Read our review of OneNote, a PCMag Editors' Choice.)
Google Proceed
The most basic of online annotation-taking tools, Google's attempt is like avant-garde, customizable, high-end gluey notes you keep online. (Read our review of Google Keep too as 7 Reasons to Actually Start Using Google Go on.)
Notepad++
This is the ultimate replacement for the anemic Notepad included in all versions of Windows. Its multiple tabs, colour-coded nest text, macro support, and WYSIWYG printing get in a must for anyone who hand-codes text for programming, or just wants to write with a minimalist interface.
Office Suites and Presentations
Google Drive
Google Drive has morphed over the years to become the official identify where you shop your deject files for employ with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides (Drive's online and mobile equivalents to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). If you utilise the Dorsum Up & Sync utility, it besides doubles as a sync service on the desktop, a la Dropbox or OneDrive, storing any kind of file, with apps for access to those same files on mobile devices. Throw in the office suite aspects and the 15GB of free space online (shared with other Google services), and you've got a real winner. For Android users, we requite it a full 5 stars. (Read our review of Google Drive, a PCMag Editors' Selection.)
LibreOffice
The obvious option for open up-source Role tools. Within are word processor, spreadsheet, and presentations programs, a vector graphics editor, a math formula editor, and a database. Information technology'due south a trivial more bad-mannered to use than the desktop version of Microsoft Office, but you lot tin't shell the cost. (Read our review of LibreOffice.)
Scribus
Scribus is the open-source equivalent of Adobe InDesign for desktop publishing, or equally shut as you can get. It even has built-in color separation and management and a lot more.
Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is gratis for non just reading, but as well creating PDFs and collaboration on the files (at least you can with the Windows version; Mac and Linux are more express). Foxit'south MobilePDF apps are on iOS and Android. Send PDF files betwixt them and fifty-fifty update the contents after the fact (cheers be to the cloud). (For more, read How to Convert PDFs to Word Documents and Image Files.)
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
Adobe created the PDF format, and then it stands to reason it would offer a pretty kick-ass free PDF reader, admitting i that'south not as total-featured as some others (Adobe has Pro tools it wants to sell you). Using Reader, you can easily annotate or sign PDFs, fill out forms, or fifty-fifty save a PDF to Give-and-take or TXT format.
Remote Access and Screen Sharing
TeamViewer
PCMag'due south top option for software to take control of other computers is TeamViewer. Almost everything you need is complimentary for personal apply: desktop sharing, file transfers, fifty-fifty conversation with remote users. The setup couldn't be easier. Have control of a remote PC over a web connectedness with the app, or use a Chrome browser (even in Chrome OS) with the TeamViewer extension.(Read our review of TeamViewer, a PCMag Editors' Choice.)
Security/Privacy
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Kaspersky Free
Kaspersky Free has perfect scores from independent antivirus labs and our phishing tests. The only thing it lacks is direct tech support. (And yes, nosotros know there are allegations well-nigh ties to the Russian government, but haven't seen whatever proof notwithstanding.) (Read our review of Kapersky Costless, a PCMag Editors' Option.)
BoxCryptor
This app creates a folder where everything inside gets AES-256 and RSA encrypted. Apply one deject service and two devices with the complimentary version and share access to encrypted files with others. BoxCryptor itself has zero access to your data or account info, so don't lose your password. (For more, read How to Encrypt a Document Stored on Google Bulldoze.)
LastPass
LastPass is a true classic—despite some security issues, the complimentary version remains ane of PCMag'southward favorite countersign managers. Information technology works on every major Os, browser, and mobile device, so you only need one master password to stay secure on every website and service you visit, no matter how you lot go there. (Read our review of LastPass, a PCMag Editors' Option.)
Myki Countersign Manager & Authenticator
The free Myki Password Manager & Authenticator stores passwords on your smartphone, not in the cloud. Its slick interface and enhanced features brand it an excellent, secure selection. If you're looking to ditch a venerable tool like LastPass or others, you can import right into Myki. Information technology'south also a 2FA authenticator, so you can ditch Authy or Google Authenticator if you lot use this, and has added form-filling. (Read our Myki review, a PCMag Editors' Selection.)
Tor Browser
If you're really worried about beingness seen while surfing, a VPN isn't enough. The Tor Browser uses the Tor network to bounce your requests and responses all over the globe. No one knows what sites you visit or where you actually are. You'll accept a performance hit, simply y'all'll be safe. (Read our review of Tor Browser and How to Stay Bearding Online.)
Prey
For free, Prey will help you proceed tabs on upwards three devices (and many more if you pay). Retrieve of it as a backup for Find My iPhone, merely on multiple, easily stolen products running operating systems other than but iOS—including on your laptops.
ProtonVPN
You probably should pay for a VPN, but you can skip it with a tool like ProtonVPN, albeit with a few restrictions. They include only getting three VPN server location options, and only i connection at a time across all your devices, and a speed rated every bit "medium." However, your bandwidth is Not limited and the focus is mainly on keeping you secure. (Read our review of ProtonVPN, a PCMag Editors' Choice.)
Screen Capture/Record
LightShot
Put that useless PrtScn (Print Screen) button on the keyboard to use. LightShot takes over that fundamental. Push it to choice what function of the screen to grab, plus annotate with tools similar text and arrows. In one case captured, salve to a file, the clipboard, the deject, social networks, or search for similar shots in Google.
ShareX
ShareX might take too many options, but if yous love choice—both in how to take a shot (similar a scrolling capture or OCRing text) and what to do with it after (it supports 80 unlike destinations and enough of notation options)—this is the capture utility yous need for your Windows PC.
Software Updaters
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IObit Commuter Booster
Sometimes the only software you want to update are the drivers that connect your hardware components. Driver Booster checks them to see if the hardware manufacturers have annihilation new that will make your system purr like a kitten. It creates a restore point before installing drivers for y'all, just in case something goes awry, and comes a costless Windows Software Updater to run in one case the drivers are updated.
SUMo
Curt for Software Update Monitor, this tool looks at your installed software and tells you what needs patches or updates; it even offers up beta versions. Tell information technology to ignore sure programs as desired. It promises that it "tells you if updates are available before you need to use your software." Companion DUMo does the same for drivers.
Uninstallers and Installers
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IObit Uninstaller
This is the tool you need to get rid of stubborn programs, plug-ins, and toolbars on a Windows PC. Information technology outpaces the contest by including a community-based proffer characteristic, and then the rest of the net is helping you delete extraneous crud from the PC, also. (Read our review of IObit Uninstaller Free, a PCMag Editors' Pick.)
Ninite
Set up to install a whole butt-load of programs for Windows all at in one case, like after you buy a new PC? Don't take hold of them all individually—visit Ninite to bank check off all the programs you want. Then download a custom installer that will place all the programs on the PC in one massive installation session.
Unchecky
This doesn't uninstall as much as information technology prevents installs. We've mentioned how y'all might be accidentally getting Windows software you don't want when you install something you do. Unchecky ensures all the checkboxes in the installer programs are unchecked, and warns you if you may be getting a potentially unwanted program (PUP) or offering.
Video
(Image: Shutterstcok)
Lightworks
Pro-level video editing, with quality up to 4K? You can get information technology if you lot download Lightworks. The free version limits output to 720p videos on Vimeo or YouTube, but has most of the same tools as the $25/month Pro version.
HandBrake
No one would call HandBrake simple, only for power and comprehensiveness, it's hard for whatsoever other video transcoder to compete. Transcode ways to convert; Handbrake will turn almost whatsoever video format into another video format. It'due south free, open source, and has years of practice.
Blender
Budding CGI animators of the earth have costless access to Blender, a magnificent open-source tool to do full 3D modeling of characters and worlds. It even features an integrated game engine.
Virtual Machines
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VirtualBox
It doesn't have all the features and polish of the paid services, but Oracle'southward VirtualBox is free, and information technology does the chore of getting y'all ready upward with a virtual operating arrangement that runs on an Intel chip, within another OS such equally Windows, macOS, Linux, fifty-fifty Solaris. (Read our review of VirtualBox (for Mac), and so read The Best Virtualization Software.)
Shade
Shade is a simple way to sandbox your existing applications that may be under threat (similar a browser). Launch it, paste in the shortcut for the software you want to protect, then launch—the running programme is sandboxed safely from the remainder of Windows.
Windows Enhancers
AutoHotkey
Love your macros in Microsoft Give-and-take? Now imagine those aforementioned keystrokes performing like actions in every single program in Windows. That's what AutoHotkey brings to the table—a total scripting linguistic communication for Windows.
HWiNFO
This system-information utility does the most thorough inspect of your estimator and peripherals you'll ever run across. Selection the version yous need for either 32-scrap or 64-bit Windows, whichever you lot have installed. The portable version tin can run from a thumb drive.
FileSeek
Windows search is rarely upwardly to snuff. This utility offers ultra-fast search, checking inside folders and files, looking for patterns, and even uses Regular Expressions for avant-garde searches. It doesn't even have to index files in the background to work. Salvage your searches for use again afterwards.
Ultimate Windows Tweaker
It provides an interface for tweaking just about every possible setting in Windows 10, including plenty you'd never, e'er know virtually, over 200 in all. That includes many privacy tweaks.
Writing
(Image: Shutterstock)
Trelby
Fancy yourself a budding screenwriter, simply lack the funds to purchase high-cease tools like Last Typhoon? Trelby does a damn fine job of helping yous keep the formatting correct, remembering graphic symbol names, and even importing and exporting to formats used in Hollywood.
WriteMonkey
This "zenware" is for distraction-gratuitous writing. Become full screen or blot out the other apps; even the interface is hyper-minimal. If this doesn't help y'all get writing done, nothing will.
Bibisco
You lot may take heard of Scrivner, but Bibisco gives the novel-axial software writing tool a run for its money, for no money at all (or get more features with the "pay what you desire" version). Open-source Bibisco organizes capacity, scenes, characters and ideas; provides help with construction; and is an all-around help for writers trying to make a book work.
FocusWriter
FocusWriter is about focus, merely likewise a touch on of beauty. It has lovely backgrounds, and little interesting touches like typewriter sound furnishings for your clicks. Most important: a web-app-like autosave and then you never demand to panic nearly hitting Ctrl-South.
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