My favorite free software downloads
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Recent additions: IE spell checker, backup software, synchronization software, notes database. Check them out.
Everybody wants free software. However, some free software comes with strings attached, like limited time offers,or adware/spyware that gets installed with your freebie. Some free software isn't all that good and you'd be better advised not to use it!
Some vendors offer a free version of a product that they sell with more features. Nothing wrong with this, or with buying the retail version if you need the added features. Often the free version is just fine, thank you very much!
Here is some software that I use and recommend to friends and family. I've had good experiences with this software and hope you will as well. Read the vendors information and make your own choice. Use the comment box below to let me know what you think. Let me know of other free software we should be checking out!
Links - the internet links worked when I added them to this HubPage, but links often get changed or break! Let me know of any bad links you find. If the link doesn't work, don't give up. Simply search with the product name and vendor name and the word download in the search window, e.g. [avg free grisoft download]. Be careful what you click on, there are frauds out there...
How about some free advice to go along with that free software?
Free antivirus software
- AVG by Grisoft
Good protection from a reputable vendor. What I especially like about this software is that it stays updated and scans in the background. Little user intervention is needed.
Free antispyware software
- Windows Defender by Microsoft (XP and Vista only)
Yes, its free! Yes, it works! And best of all it works quietly in the background. - AVG Anti-Spyware Free Edition
I use this on Windows 2000 PC's (including my own).
Free software to clean up temp files, and other surfing trails and debris.
- CleanUp! by Steven Gould
A thorough cleaner that flushes (literally) temporary files, trash, etc. Can get your PC to run a little faster! Be aware, if you flush cookies, you will have to re-login etc.
Free screen capture and screen print software
- PrintKey from webtree.ca
PrintKey is my favorite screen capture program for creating user guides, etc. You can capture any part of the screen and save it as a jpg, or save it to the clipboard for pasting, or shoot it to a printer. Quick, easy and lots of control and options.
Free file backup software
- SyncBack from 2BrightSparks
I use SyncBack to make and distribute backups around my network, giving me redundancy. Pluses are scheduling and zip format compression.
Free file synchronization software
- SyncBack from 2BrightSparks
I use SyncBack to keep my laptop synchronized with my IT consulting files, making it a true road office. I schedule it to synchronize when I turn it on in the office.
File backup vs. file synchronization
File backup is making a copy of files and folders in a separate location from the originals and in a form that allows you to recover lost files and folders and return them to the original location (or another location of your choice).
File synchronization is making an exact copy of a folder in another location, and then keeping the two folders identical, even after you add, delete or edit on either folder.
File synchronization is also a form of file backup. However it only allows one true copy for recovery. A file backup is a snapshot of your files at a point in time. Thus, you can have multiple snapshots allowing more recovery options.
a handy little notes database
Free notes database software
- EverNote - A single place for all your notes!
EverNote(r) makes it easy to store, manage and access typed and handwritten notes, memos, webpage excerpts, emails... I use it to track household items: maintenance, landscaping, vendors, appliances, etc...
Free remote access software
- Crossloop from crossloop.com
Remote access software allows you to hook up to a friends computer and help them out. It lets a remote techie help you out. Crossloop is as simple as it gets. It is more secure than most because it is turned off or unloaded when the session is over.
Free network mapping software
- The Dude from MicroTik
I've longed for a good free utility to scan a network and discover all the devices hanging out there - printers, pcs, routers, etc. I recently found The Dude, and The Dude rocks! It can map your network in a minute!
Free IE Text Spell Checker
- ieSpell - Spell Checker add-on for Internet Explorer
HubPages has a built in spell checker in their comments text box. Many sites are not that helpful. I use ipSpell to spell check text boxes when I'm posting. Horrable speler, I am!
Free Windows tweaking software
- X-setup by Xtek Systems, available from A+ Freeware
X-Setup 6.6 (last freeware version) is a 'tweaker' program; you can change settings that are normally hidden in Windows. There are many hidden settings in Windows as well as in a lot of other programs and now you have some adjustment control.
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Comments
A few of these I've used, a few I've never heard of (but will try). I also like Spybot Search & Destroy, HijackThis and AdAware (the free version).
Hi Livelonger, I also use and like the three you mentioned, but primarily when cleaning a PC. For the general user I prefer Windows Defender for quard duty, as it is the most user friendly. regards Jack
I also use spybot, hijackthis and adaware and would add CCLEANER presumably similar to Cleanup! (first time I ran it on my laptop it cleared nearly 3GB!!) - one of my current favourites is Firefox - I know we expect free browsers, but credit where it's due...
I started using mailwasher today for the first time, I'm told it's good... on a completely different tip... soundforge AUDACITY is free audio recording software which is truly awesome...
Hi Jay, I avoided some of the obvious free software that most people know of like Adobe Reader and FireFox. Also my recommendations tend towards user friendly and functionality. The ones you mention are all fine and free! Thanks, Jack ... btw, you should join HubPages and post some of your ideas?
ha ha I just did something on squidoo on debt, I'm just getting the hang of these hub-style forum thingies... there's not enough time, wot with mmmtalk moderating duties (OK, not such a huge burden...) and my own projects... man I need to be full-time at this stuff.
I will be launching a new domain in a couple of months, and will have to work overtime on promotion then - may be interested in hub pages at that point.
'see' you around
Jay Livewyre (John)
H'mmm ... get right down to it, *all* of my software is free, being a Linux/open-source junkie. For the stuff I know is ported to Windows, I like Abiword for straight word processing. Open Office for all of the usual functions (though it's become awfully bloated lately). Firefox. The GIMP for manipulating graphics; on a par with Photo Shop. Gee, I feel a Hub coming on!
Openoffice -the free version of Office: including wordprocessor spreadsheet, etc - its better actually because you can create a pdf from within the software
Firefox, OpenOffice, and the three livelonger mentioned are some of my favorites. I've also been using CoreFTP for a long time, and CeltX for scriptwriting.
Thanks for the suggestions. Will be checking out GIMP and Paint.net for photo editing. Regards, Jack
I'd add FAR Manager (from the creator of RAR Archiver). I has a built-in FTP as well.
working
jstankevicz says:
12 months ago
What is your favorite free software?