The Best Free Software For Your PC
© PC WorldThe best free computer software isn't about cost (or lack of it), it's about new features: bundles of code that put goofy hardware into your computer for intelligent use, tools that can do everything from balancing your family budget to helping cure cancer. .
Keeping your computer in a warehouse is a very personal task. But some programs are so useful that we highly recommend them to everyone. A mixture of indispensable and interesting utilities, this free desktop program deserves a place on almost any computer (unlike, for example, the most exclusive group of 5 free Windows Power tools that you can't do without). However, there are times when a paid alternative makes sense. We've highlighted the circumstances under which a switch from a free offer is justified, as well as our recommendations for those categories.
And if you choose this program as part of setting up your new PC, be sure to read our guide on how to properly set up your new PC. Let's dig!
Best Browser
© PC WorldMicrosoft
Before you roll up your sleeves and start ditching software, make sure you turn off your favorite web browser. Using the default Windows 10 and 11 Edge browser when you're used to other things like walking in someone else's shoes. (Tin.)
However, our money was actually on Edge, which took top honors in PCWorld's extensive roundup of the best browsers, narrowly eclipsing Google's equally good Chrome browser. But, hey, it's all free! Try before you "buy": we've published several detailed reviews of cool features you'll only find in Edge, Firefox, and Vivaldi (aka the enthusiast browser).
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
Maybe. The browsers are mostly free, and most of them are already great. For Windows users, there's Ghost Browser, which allows you to isolate your online identity by seeing everything in one window. However, for $120 a year, you really want what Ghost Browser has to offer.
Ninety
© PC WorldNinite makes it easy to start a new computer. Just go to the Ninite website, select the free software you want to install on your computer (the site offers dozens of options, including many of the programs mentioned here), and click "Get Installer " to get a custom .exe file. these programs. Run the executable and Ninite will install them all one by one and automatically reject offers to install malware, which is why many free apps try to get inside. No obligation, no hassle, no hassle.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
No. For most users, there really isn't a viable alternative, and even if there were, it wouldn't justify the cost. However, there is a paid add-on called Ninite Updater that costs $10/year and makes it easy to keep all your desktop programs up to date.
Out of control
© PC WorldAccidental installation of unwanted malware is one of the biggest dangers of free software, apart from the holiness of Ninite. For everything else, use Unchecky. Unchecky automatically checks all boxes when you try to install programs and warns you if suspicious software tries to infiltrate your computer.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
No. Again, Unchecky is in a league of its own, and while you might find similar functionality in antivirus programs, there's little reason to look elsewhere.
Microsoft PowerToys
© PC WorldJared Newman / Foundry
If you're looking to improve your Windows experience, check out the killer Microsoft PowerToys pack. Presumably for enthusiasts, PowerToys are literally loaded with tools designed to alleviate all sorts of computer problems. It provides utilities for batch resizing images, quickly locating the mouse pointer, always keeping selected windows on top of others, resetting the shape of keyboard buttons, showing file previews in File Explorer, and more. And you should definitely use FancyZones, Microsoft's amazing multitasking app.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
No, there is no superior alternative to Microsoft's incredible toolbox.
Free Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Protection
© PC WorldThe Windows security software included by default with Windows 10 provides solid protection for most users, but no antivirus program offers bulletproof protection, especially against the latest and smartest threats. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware Free is specifically designed to find and fix the latest zero-day vulnerabilities. You can't schedule a scan or even use it like a normal antivirus program, but it's worth it if you think something bad has slipped through your main antivirus program.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
Norton 360 Deluxe
© PC World 
© PC WorldRead our review
MSRP: $49.99 for the first year. Best price today:
$17.99 at PCWorld Software Store
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$49.99 at Norton
Yes, as they say, "a few megabytes of prevention is better than a terabyte of cure" or something like that. Malwarebytes is great for rescuing infected computers, but Malwarebytes Premium at $40/year is primarily designed to prevent malware patches.
In addition, premium antiviruses combine superior protection, a valuable set of features, and minimal impact on computer performance. PCWorld's guide to the best antivirus for Windows PCs will help you make the right choice.
publication
© PC WorldAt first glance, Launchy is a simple application launcher and it just explodes! Application launchers let you launch software much faster than navigating Windows, even if you use the Windows key and search for applications by name. But Launchy can do much more: open any file or folder in seconds, shut down your computer, or even kill processes and perform math calculations with the right plugins. Read the excellent Lifehacker tutorial and forget about the start menu.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
No. Launchy is another standalone Windows tool; However, the developers accept donations and we highly recommend that you give the developers some money for this wonderful program.
7 lightning
© PC WorldWindows can create and extract ZIP files by default, but if you see other compressed archives, you'll need a special program to handle them. Most of them need money. 7-Zip is open source and completely free, ready to meet all your archiving needs from the Windows context menu. You can even encrypt 7-Zip archives with a password to securely send them.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
No. 7-Zip is great, and paid counterparts like WinZip don't really offer enough to justify the cost. If you're spending all day decompressing large archive files, a faster tool like WinZip might come in handy. However, for most of us, 7-zip is fine.
VLC extension
© PC WorldWindows 10 and 11 have one obvious problem: unlike Windows 7, they cannot directly play DVDs. Your computer may have a DVD player installed if you buy the box set, but if you don't have one, the excellent VLC media player can play your movies (and music, and podcasts, and...) for free. It can even play (some) Blu-ray discs with minimal effort.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
No. VLC is amazing and you won't find a paid option that justifies its value compared to this free workhorse. However, you can send a donation to VideoLAN as a thank you for their hard work.
paint.net
© PC WorldDon't let Paint.net's free status fool you: this image editor may not have all the bells and whistles of Photoshop, but it includes everything most people need (even layer-based editing) and costs hundreds of dollars less. We have offers on Paint.net to help you get started with this amazing free software.
If you're into graphics and can't afford Photoshop but need more than what Paint.net has to offer, try GIMP. It has a steep learning curve, but its capabilities are impressive once you get the hang of it. However, these are not the only options. Check out our roundup of the best free Photoshop alternatives for other free apps for everything from quick and dirty tweaks to fancy image manipulation.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
Yes, free image editors are generally good, and GIMP looks better than ever. But the $100 Adobe Photoshop Elements for Hobbyists has advanced features that you won't find in the free program.
bravery
© PC WorldIf you need to record or mix audio without spending a fortune on professional software, Audacity is your best bet. This powerful open source audio editor has incredible production capabilities and a dizzying array of buttons and options. Check it out, then read the PCWorld Audacity Tutorial to get the basics down.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
Maybe. For most users, Audacity is a powerful tool, but if you're moving to the semi-pro level and need a deeper level of audio editing, Adobe Audition CC at $21/month might be worth it. However, keep in mind that Adobe Audition is a professional tool and not a choice for beginners.
Eraser Revo
© PC WorldWhen you uninstall software using the default Windows uninstaller, it can leave a ton of leftovers in weird places and take up valuable storage space. Revo Uninstaller removes everything . Very beautiful.
(Hint: if you come across a program that says it can't be uninstalled because it's being used by your system, the free IOBit unblocker might loosen its grip.)
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
Yes, the Revo uninstaller only covers the basics. If you want features like removing leftovers of previously uninstalled programs or bulk uninstalling, we recommend spending $20 for Revo Uninstaller Pro or a $20 yearly subscription for Iobit Uninstaller Pro.
SpaceSniffer
© PC WorldMichael Crider/IDG
Managing your computer's disk space is an all-or-nothing experience. Windows will tell you how much space is left on your drive, and that's it; You can dive into a million different folders and delete junk when you run out of space. SpaceSniffer (try not to laugh) by Uderzo Software scans your entire drive and displays your files and folders in a visual grid, making it easy to find "missing" programs that take up more space on your hard drive. It is one of the five powerful Windows tools that we simply cannot do without.
WinDirStat is another free program that behaves similarly to SpaceSniffer. If you want to free up space to install the latest huge games, you will need one of these on your computer.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
No. Enough said.
Take
© PC WorldBut what if you want to recover deleted files? Recuva is a clean and simple recovery program from Piriform, the creators of CCleaner.
Warning: Recuva won't be able to recover all deleted files, and the chances are even lower if you uninstall the program with a safe removal tool like Eraser (another high-end free program). However, Recuva has saved me more than once.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
Maybe. Recuva helps you recover files, but if you want advanced user features like virtual hard drive support and automatic updates, $20 for Recuva Pro might be worth it.
PDF Sumatra
© PC WorldAdobe Reader may be the best PDF reader for many people, but it's clunky, constantly updated, and often targeted by malware vendors. If you only need basic features, use Sumatra PDF. Sumatra lacks the fancy add-ons found in many full-featured PDF readers, but when reading Portable Document Format files directly, Sumatra PDF is fast and absolutely accurate. Yes, and since it's less popular than Adobe's offering, hackers try to stay away from Sumatra PDF.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
No. There are paid PDF readers such as Adobe Acrobat or Wondershare PDFelement. But they offer features few want, such as the ability to edit PDFs, watermarks, and annotations.
If you're looking for these advanced features, check out PCWorld's guide to the best PDF editors.
Spotify or iTunes
© PC WorldSometimes a loud melody is all it takes to dig through a crowded blackboard or mailbox. The specific music client you need will, of course, depend on whether you have purchased the service. For beginners in music, I recommend two programs: iTunes and Spotify.
The iTunes client for Windows is popular, but it gets the job done, and that job includes accessing a vast world of premium music downloads and syncing your iPhone music library to your computer. Spotify, meanwhile, is an all-you-can-eat streaming service with millions of hits available, all free if you don't mind listening to a few commercials.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
Yes. In fact, if my publisher allowed me to use "Hell yeah" as an option, I'd say "Hell yeah!" You don't have to be an audiophile to notice the difference in sound between the higher quality versions that Spotify and Apple Music premium subscribers get, plus no ads and the freedom to listen to music anywhere? For sale.
Password manager
© PC WorldThe high-profile hacks of recent years have confirmed this point: you need a strong password, and you need a new password for every website you visit. Instead of fiddling with dozens of alphanumeric codes in your head, download a password manager.
There are several options, but our favorite free one is Bitwarden, a free password manager with few restrictions (as opposed to the free offerings of premium favorites like LastPass and Dashlane). PCWorld's guide to the best password managers and the best free password managers will help you figure out all the options.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
Yes, a password manager is an important tool, but to be effective, you need it on all your devices, which means you have to pay for the service. LastPass Premium is the cheapest subscription at $24/year, but there are also 1Password and Dashlane Premium.
Productivity Packs
© PC WorldComputers are great at helping you get your work done, but few computers come with productivity tools installed. Fix the stats! Even if you don't plan to use the productivity suite on a regular basis, it's recommended that you have basic editing features on your computer.
Legions of people swear by Microsoft's legendary Office; same. But you don't need to spend a fortune on Office if you don't need its many bells and whistles. There are many good free alternatives, among which LibreOffice (pictured) is the leading free and open source. Google Docs online only is also interesting. PCWorld's Guide to the Best Free Microsoft Office Alternatives explains your options.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
Maybe. You can do a lot with LibreOffice, Open Office, or even Google Docs. But there's a lot to be said for the Microsoft Office 365 subscription service with an additional 1TB of OneDrive storage and monthly Skype minutes.
Automatic hot lock
© PC WorldMacros are great for Microsoft Word and Excel, right? AutoHotKey allows you to create custom keyboard shortcuts for any program or action on your computer. This isn't exactly beginner-friendly, as setting up AutoHotKey requires a basic script that most people can pick up pretty quickly. However, it's pure magic once you think about it.
Is it worth upgrading to the paid version?
No. Even if you can pay for the professional version, why? But if you like keyboard shortcuts, Vimium is another great free option for adding keyboard controls to your browser.
Tunnel Bear VPN
© PC WorldTo browse websites and send personal data to open Wi-Fi hotspots, hackers only need to collect data. Виртуальная частная сеть защищает ваше соединение. Если вам нужен доступ к вашему рабочему веб-сайту или электронной почте Starbucks, используйте TunnelBear для защиты ваших данных. Он быстрый, простой в использовании и имеет простую политику конфиденциальности, в отличие от большинства VPN.
Однако бесплатная версия ограничена всего 500 МБ данных в месяц.
Стоит ли переходить на платную версию?
Да... Это еще одно место, где "Ад Да!" все будет хорошо. TunnelBear великолепен, и мы думаем, что это надежный продукт, но месячный лимит в 500 МБ крошечный. Есть много VPN на выбор. Ознакомьтесь с нашим обзором лучших VPN, чтобы найти то, что подходит именно вам. Наш текущий лучший выбор — ExpressVPN.
Бесплатные игры!
© Мир ПКТолько работа и отсутствие игр делают Гомера чем-то особенным! Steam, флагманская игровая площадка Valve для ПК, позволяет легко избавиться от стресса в течение рабочего дня и снять часть стресса… знаете ли. Вы найдете много бесплатных игр в Steam, и часто игры бесплатны в течение ограниченного времени. Если вам нужен постоянный поток бесплатных игр, конкурирующий Epic Games Store раздает одну или две бесплатные игры каждую неделю.
Стоит ли переходить на платную версию?
Possible. Бесплатные игры могут дать вам только то, что вам нужно, прежде чем вы захотите большего. Steam, GOG, EA Origin, Epic Games Store и Blizzard могут удовлетворить все ваши игровые потребности, потому что бесплатных игр недостаточно.
Бонус: сделайте резервную копию вашего компьютера!
© Мир ПКЭто не официальная рекомендация, так как лучший способ сделать резервную копию вашего компьютера бесплатно — использовать сочетание основных утилит Windows и бесплатных сторонних решений. Но резервное копирование ваших данных настолько важно, особенно в эту постоянно меняющуюся эпоху программ-вымогателей, что об этом стоит упомянуть здесь.
Если идея использования нескольких инструментов вызывает у вас желание плакать, ознакомьтесь с руководством PCWorld по лучшему программному обеспечению для резервного копирования Windows, чтобы узнать о дополнительных возможностях. Вам также необходимо портативное пространство для хранения ваших заметок. Здесь может помочь обзор лучших внешних накопителей от PCWorld.
Стоит ли переходить на платную версию?
Да, лучшая стратегия для резервного копирования вашего компьютера — не просто загружать файлы на жесткий диск USB. У вас также должно быть онлайн-резервное копирование, и есть много сервисов на выбор, таких как Backblaze и Carbonite. Ознакомьтесь с нашим руководством по лучшим онлайн-сервисам резервного копирования для более подробной информации.
У вас есть свой ПК с Windows
© Мир ПКТеперь, когда вы загрузили на свой компьютер лучшее бесплатное программное обеспечение, пришло время позволить Windows идти своим чередом. Ознакомьтесь с руководством PCWorld по 10 малоизвестным функциям Windows, которые поразят вас, чтобы получить больше контроля над своим дешевым и дешевым ПК.
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