Best Software to Download on Your Computer Updated FREE
Best Software to Download on Your Computer
The best free PC software programs aren't about the toll (or lack thereof), they're about a fresh opportunity—collections of code that put the dumb hardware in your reckoner to smart use, tools that tin can accomplish anything from balancing your household budget to helping cure cancer.
Stocking your PC is an intensely personal task. But some programs are then helpful that nosotros heartily recommend them to everybody. These free PC programs—a mix of must-haves and delightful auxiliary apps—deserve a place on almost any computer. There are times when a paid culling makes sense, however. We've pointed out the circumstances where an upgrade over the free offering is warranted, along with our recommendation for the category.
And if you're selecting these programs as function of breaking in an all-new PC, be certain to bank check out our guide to how to ready upwardly new calculator upwards the correct way. Let's dig in!
A better browser
Microsoft
Earlier you coil up your sleeves and starting time slinging software effectually, make sure to snag your web browser of choice. Using Windows x's default Internet Explorer or Border browser when you're accustomed to something else feels like wearing somebody else'southward shoes. (Blech.)
That said, our money's really on Edge, which earned top honors in PCWorld's extensive all-time browser showdown, barely nudging out Google's just-as-superb Chrome browser. Simply hey, they're all free! Endeavour earlier you "buy." And if the large names aren't your thing, in that location's a legion of highly specialized alternative browsers begging for your attention.
Is it worth it to upgrade to a paid version?
Maybe. Browsers are largely free, and mostly fantastic already. For Windows users there is Ghost Browser, which lets you lot sandbox carve up online identities while viewing them all in a single window. At $120 per year, however, yous've got to really demand what Ghost Browser's offer.
Ninite
Ninite makes loading upward a new computer a breeze. Simply head to the Ninite website, select which gratuitous software yous'd like to install on your PC—it offers dozens of options, including many of the programs named here—and clickGet Installer to receive a single, custom .exe file containing the installers for those programs. Run the executable, and Ninite installs all of them in turn,and it automatically declines the offers for bundled bloatware then many free apps try to sneak in. No muss, no fuss, no hassle.
Is it worth it to upgrade to a paid version?
No. For most users at that place really isn't a worthy alternative, and even if there was it wouldn't justify the cost. That said, there is a paid complementary utility chosen Ninite Updater that costs $x per year that makes it easy to proceed all your desktop programs upwards-to-date.
Unchecky
Accidentally installing unwanted bloatware is one of the greatest dangers of complimentary software, the sanctity of Ninite aside. For everything else, utilize Unchecky. Unchecky automatically unchecks all of the checkboxes when you're trying to install a plan, and warns you if shady software is trying to sneak something ugly onto your motorcar.
Is it worth it to upgrade to a paid version?
No. Once more Unchecky is in a league unto itself, and while you lot might find similar capabilities bundled in an antivirus program, at that place's little reason to look elsewhere.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free
The Windows Security software enabled by default in Windows ten provides solid protection for most users, but no unmarried antivirus utility offers impenetrable protection, particularly against the latest and well-nigh clever threats. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware Free was designed specifically to discover and eliminate those cutting-edge "zero-day" vulnerabilities. Yous tin can't schedule scans or even use it as a regular antivirus plan, but it's invaluable when you think that something nasty has slipped past your primary antivirus utility.
Is information technology worth information technology to upgrade to a paid version?
Yeah. As the saying goes, "a few megabytes of prevention is worth a terabyte of cure," or something like that. Malwarebytes is bang-up at saving infected computers, only Malwarebytes Premium at $40 per year is on baby-sit to stop the malware from getting in its hooks in the first place.
Beyond that, premium antivirus options offer a combination of excellent protection, a worthwhile selection of features, and minimal touch on on your PC's performance. PCWorld'south guide to the all-time antivirus for Windows PCs tin can walk you lot through your options.
Launchy
On the surface, Launchy is a simple app launcher, and that's nifty all on its own! App launchers let you actuate software far faster than navigating Windows, even if you use the Windows key and search for an app past proper noun. But Launchy can do much, much more: Open up whatsoever file or binder in mere seconds, close downwardly your PC, or even kill processes and perform math calculations with the right plug-ins. Read Lifehacker's superb tutorial and forget nigh your Start menu.
Is it worth it to upgrade to a paid version?
No. Launchy is some other Windows utility that is unto itself; however, the developers do accept donations, and nosotros highly recommend tossing the developers a few dollars for this first-class program.
7-Zip
Windows can create and extract Goose egg files natively, but if you lot observe yourself staring at some other compressed archive you'll need a dedicated program to handle it. A lot of them cost money. 7-Zip is open up-source and completely complimentary, ready to perform all your archiving needs from Windows' right-click context menu. Y'all tin fifty-fifty encrypt seven-Zip athenaeum with a countersign to send them deeply.
Is it worth it to upgrade to a paid version?
No. 7-Zip is great, and paid parallels such as WinZip really don't offer plenty to justify the fee. If you lot spend all day unzipping massive annal files and then maybe a faster utility like WinZip is worth information technology. For about of us, however, vii-zip is just great.
VLC
Windows 10 has a prickly problem: Unlike Windows 7, information technology's incapable of playing DVDs out of the box. Your PC might have a DVD-playing program installed if yous bought a boxed system, but if not, the simply wonderful VLC media actor tin play your flicks (and music, and podcasts, and…) for free. Information technology can even play (some) Blu-ray discs with a trivial fiddling.
Is it worth information technology to upgrade to a paid version?
No. VLC is just fantastic, and you won't find a paid pick that justifies its worth compared to this free workhorse. Y'all can, however, send the VideoLAN organisation a donation as a thank you for its difficult piece of work.
Paint.net
Don't let Paint.cyberspace'southward freebie status fool you: This image editor may non take all the bells and whistles of Photoshop, but it packs everything that most people demand (even layer-based editing) and costs hundreds of dollars less. We've got Pigment.net tips to help you get started with this killer no-price software.
If you're a graphics professional, and you lot can't afford Photoshop but require more than Pigment.internet offers, bank check out GIMP. Information technology has a challenging learning curve, but its capabilities are damned impressive once you wrap your caput effectually it. Those aren't your only options though. Check out our roundup of the all-time free Photoshop alternatives for more no-toll programs for everything from quick and muddied tweaks to nitty-gritty image edits.
Is it worth information technology to upgrade to a paid version?
Yes. Free prototype editors are generally corking and GIMP is looking better than always. But Adobe'south hobbyist level Photoshop Elements at $100 has advanced features that yous won't find in the free programs.
Audacity
If you demand to record or mix audio without spending large bucks on pro software, Audacity is hands-down the best option around. This powerful open up-source audio editor offers excellent production capabilities—and a dizzying array of buttons and options. Snag it, then read PCWorld'southward Brazenness primer to wrap your head effectually the nuts.
Is it worth information technology to upgrade to a paid version?
Mayhap. For almost users Audacity is a powerful tool, but if you're rising to the level of semi-pro and need a deeper level of sound editing then Adobe's Audition CC for $21 per month might be worth it. Go on in mind, yet, that Adobe Audition is a pro tool and not a starter pick.
Revo Uninstaller
When y'all delete software using Windows' default uninstallation utility, it can leave a lot of remnants backside in weird places, sucking upwards precious storage space. Revo Uninstaller wipes outeverything. It'south great.
(Pro tip: If you run into a programme that says it can't exist deleted because information technology's currently in utilize by your system, IOBit's gratis Unlocker can loosen its grasp.)
Is it worth it to upgrade to a paid version?
Yes. Revo uninstaller only takes intendance of the nuts. If you lot demand features like getting rid of remnants from previously uninstalled programs or mass uninstalls and then spending $20 on Revo Uninstaller Pro or a $xx yearly subscription to Iobit Uninstaller Pro is worth it.
SpaceSniffer
Michael Crider/IDG
Managing your estimator's storage infinite is kind of an all-or-nothing experience. Windows will tell you how much space is left on your drive, and that'due south information technology; information technology's up to yous to dive into a million different directories and clear out the gunk when yous're running low on infinite. SpaceSniffer (try not to giggle) from Uderzo Software solves this by scanning an entire drive and presenting your files and folders in a visual filigree, which makes it piece of cake to discover "lost" programs eating upward huge chunks of your hard bulldoze space. Information technology'southward 1 of the five Windows power tools nosotros tin't live without.
WinDirStat is some other free program that behaves similarly to SpaceSniffer. If y'all're looking to free up some space for the latest massive game install, you'll want 1 of these installed on your PC.
Is it worth it to upgrade to a paid version?
Nope. Plenty said.
Recuva
Merely what if you want to bring a deleted file back to the realm of the living? Recuva is a clean, simple undelete program from Piriform, the makers of CCleaner.
Be warned: Recuva won't be able to recover all deleted files, and the odds are even lower if you erased a program with a secure delete tool like Eraser (some other elevation-notch costless plan). Still, Recuva has saved my salary on more than than one occasion.
Is information technology worth it to upgrade to a paid version?
Maybe. Recuva helps you lot recover files, but if you want power user features similar virtual difficult drive support and automatic updates then the $xx for Recuva Pro might exist worth it.
Sumatra PDF
Adobe Reader may exist the go-to PDF reader for many people, but it'southward clunky, constantly updating, and often targeted by malware peddlers. If you need only basic functionality, go with Sumatra PDF instead. Sumatra lacks the fancy extras found in many full-featured PDF readers, but when it comes to directly-upwards reading Portable Document Format files, Sumatra PDF is blazing-fast and completely authentic. Oh, and since information technology's less ubiquitous than Adobe'due south offering, hackers tend to stay away from Sumatra PDF.
Is it worth information technology to upgrade to a paid version?
No. There are paid PDF readers such equally Adobe's Acrobat or Wondershare's PDFelement. But they offer features that few people need such as the ability to edit PDFs, watermark, and annotate them.
If yous must have these advanced features check out PCWorld'due south guide to the best PDF editors.
Spotify or iTunes
Sometimes, blasting tunes is the only thing that makes slogging through a spreadsheet or a stuffed inbox even remotely tolerable. The verbal music client you'll want volition depend on whether you've already bought into a service, naturally. For musical neophytes I recommend ii programs: iTunes and Spotify.
The iTunes Windows client notoriously sucks, just information technology gets the job done—and that chore includes giving you access to a vast universe of premium music downloads and keeping your iPhone'southward music library synced with your PC. Spotify, meanwhile, is an all-yous-can-eat streaming service with millions of top-tier tunes available, all for free if you don't listen listening to a few ads.
Is it worth it to upgrade to a paid version?
Yes. In fact, if my editors let me utilise "Hell Yes" as an option, I'd say, "Hell Yes!" You don't need to be an audiophile to recognize the sound difference in the higher-quality versions Spotify and Apple Music premium subscribers go, plus no ads and the freedom to heed to your music anywhere? Sold.
A password manager
The high-profile hack attacks of the by few years have driven home the betoken: Youneed strong passwords, and yous need a different password for each site you lot visit. Rather than juggling dozens of alphanumeric codes in your noggin, download a password managing director.
In that location are several options available, merely our favorite is LastPass, a cloud-based password manager that generates strong, random passwords and keeps rail of your credentials across all your devices for free. Dashlane is some other stellar option, merely the gratis version is limited to a single device. PCWorld'due south guide to the best password managers tin can help walk you through all the available options.
Is it worth it to upgrade to a paid version?
Yep. Password managers are of import tools, but you need them on all your devices to exist effective and that means paying for the service. LastPass Premium is the cheapest subscription at $24 per year, merely there'southward also 1Password and Dashlane Premium.
A productivity suite
PCs excel at helping you Get Things Done—simply few of them ship with a productivity suite installed. Fix that, stat! Even if yous don't plan to use a productivity suite regularly, it'south smart to have bones editing capabilities available on your computer.
Legions of people swear by Microsoft's legendary Part; I do, too. Merely you don't have to drop big dollars on Office if you don't need its myriad bells and whistles. Free—and practiced—alternatives abound, with LibreOffice (pictured) beingness the flagship free-and-open up-source option. The online-merely Google Docs likewise rocks. PCWorld's guide to the all-time free Microsoft Office alternatives explains your various options.
Is it worth it to upgrade to a paid version?
Perchance. You can get a lot washed with LibreOffice or Open Office, or even Google Docs. But in that location's a lot to be said for Microsoft's subscription service, Office 365, with its added 1TB of OneDrive storage and monthly Skype minutes.
AutoHotKey
Macros sure are great in Microsoft Word and Excel, aren't they? AutoHotKey lets you create customized keyboard shortcuts for any program or action on your PC. Information technology's not exactly beginner-friendly, equally configuring AutoHotKey requires somevery bones scripting, which near people will exist able to pick up quickly enough. It's downright magic one time you wrap your brain around it though.
Is information technology worth it to upgrade to a paid version?
No. Even if yous could pay for a pro version, why would you lot? But if y'all similar keyboard shortcuts, Vimium is another not bad free option for adding keyboard controls to your browser.
TunnelBear VPN
Browsing websites and sending individual data over open Wi-Fi hotspots is onlybegging for hackers to capture the details. Virtual private networks secure your connection. If you need to log in to your work website or email at Starbucks, apply TunnelBear to keep your data safe. Information technology's fast, easy to use, and has a straightforward privacy policy, dissimilar many VPNs.
The free version is limited to just 500MB of information per month, though.
Is it worth it to upgrade to a paid version?
Yeah. This is another one where "Hell Yes!" would be appropriate. TunnelBear is not bad, and we think it's a trustworthy product, merely the 500MB monthly limit is so tiny. There are numerous VPNs to choose from. Check out our roundup of the Best VPNs to find the one that suits you lot. Our current meridian pick is ExpressVPN.
Free games!
All work and no play makes Homer something something! Valve'due south outstanding PC game marketplace, Steam, makes it easy to shrug off the stress of the workday and blow off some … well, you lot know. You lot'll find tons of free games available on Steam, and games are frequently given away free for a limited time. If you want a steady stream of freebies, the rival Epic Games Store gives way a free game or two every unmarried week.
Is it worth information technology to upgrade to a paid version?
Probably. Free games tin can only take you so far before you're left wanting more. Steam, GOG, EA's Origin, the Epic Games Store, and Blizzard can all satisfy your gaming needs once the costless games aren't enough.
Bonus: Back up your PC!
This isn't an official recommendation because the best mode to back upwards your PC for free is to employ a hodgepodge of native Windows utilities and no-cost third-party solutions. Just backing up your information isso vital—especially in this ascent historic period of ransomware—that information technology needs to be highlighted hither.
If the thought of using a mish-mash of tools makes you wince, check out PCWorld's guide to the all-time Windows fill-in software for more options. You're going to need some portable storage to stash your $.25 on, besides. PCWorld's best external drives roundup tin can assistance there.
Is it worth it to upgrade to a paid version?
Aye. The best strategy for backing up your PC isn't just throwing your files on a hard drive over USB. You likewise need to have an online fill-in, and at that place are many services to choose from such as Backblaze, and Carbonite. Check out our guide to the best online backup services for more details.
Master your Windows ten PC
Now that you've loaded up your PC with the best free software effectually, it's time to put Windows itself to work. Head on over PCWorld'southward best Windows 10 tips, tricks, and tweaks guide to seize fifty-fifty more than control over your PC for the low, depression price of nothing.
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