The Best Windows Software

On this page you will find the best Windows software for all your needs. Over 95% of listed apps are free. We’ve taken the effort to categorize the apps and picked only those we believe to be the best ones and which will most likely be useful to you.
Anti-virus Malware Removal Firewall Apps Featured
Defragmenters File Recovery Uninstallers Backup Apps
PC Maintenance Browsers Email Clients Communication
Image Tools Audio Tools Video Tools Files/Drives
Documents Productivity Archive Managers Optical & Disc Image Tools
Downloads Others

Anti-virus

avast The Best Windows Software avast! Free Antivirus
Expect great all-around protection against viruses and trojans.

Download

avira The Best Windows Software AntiVir Free Version
Lightweight and solid. Good ratings. Worth looking into.

Download

AVG Antivirus Free Edition
Not as good as Avast or Avira but with considerably less bloat. The most popular free antivirus.

Download

Microsoft Security Essentials
Simple, effective and lightweight protection suite.

Download | Full review

Comodo Internet Security
Free security suite, includes both a firewall and anti-virus protection.

Download | Full review

Lavasoft Ad-Aware+ Free
A complete anti-virus and anti-malware solution in one tidy free package.

Download | Full review

Panda Cloud Antivirus Free Edition
A capable cloud-based antivirus that’s relatively light on resources with decent detection rates.

Download | Full review

BitDefender Free Antivirus
Finally BitDefender has released a free version of their antivirus software, optimized for Windows 8.

Download

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Malware Removal

IObit Malware Fighter
Advanced malware & spyware removal utility. The pro versioncomes with some really cool features.

Download | Full review

Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware
Easy-to-use, simple, and very effective anti-malware application.

Download | Full review

Spybot S&D
Detects and removes spyware. Compliments anti-virus apps. Has a very good reputation.

Download | Full review

Threatfire
Spyware removal tool with real-time antispyware protection. Lightweight and memory sparing.

Download | Full review

Superantispyware
Lightweight scanner to detect and remove spyware, adware, trojans, and other threats.

Download

Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool
A free tool for the removal of a variety of different viruses and malware, presented alongside virus-specific tools.

Download | Full review

Dr.Web CureIt!
A standalone virus removal tool that can be used alongside your existing virus scanner with no installation required.

Download

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Firewall Apps

PC Tools Firewall Plus 6
Powerful firewall capable of providing excellent protection.

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Comodo Firewall (standalone)
Long been considered one of the best free firewall tools available.

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ZoneAlarm Free Firewall
Provides the best overall firewall protection for advanced users.

Download

Online Armor Free
All of the normal features of a firewall and more.

Download

Ashampoo FireWall Free
Very easy to use and navigate. For intermediate users.

Download

Peerblock
Provides control over who your computer “talks” to online by blocking known bad addresses.

Download | Full review

TinyWall
A great free firewall solution that puts you in charge of whitelisting applications in a non-intrusive manner.

Download | Full review

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Featured

The apps and services listed under “Featured” category participate in the MakeUseOf Rewards program. You can exchange your points for a free copy or subscription. Each product has been selected because of its quality, so check them out. We think you’ll like what you see.

 

LastPass
Secure plugin to store and synchronise login passwords across browsers. Comes auto-login and form filler.

Download | Full review | Redeem

Lavasoft Ad-Aware+ Pro
A full-featured security suite. This edition will protect one PC for one year.

Download | Redeem

IObit Advanced SystemCare Free
One-click approach to help protect, repair, clean, and optimize your PC.

Download | Full review | Redeem

IObit Malware Fighter
Advanced malware & spyware removal utility. The pro version comes with some really cool features.

Download | Full review | Redeem

RightNote Pro
Create multiple types of notes; organize, store, schedule and even sync them with Evernote. $59.95

Download | Redeem

MediaMonkey
Full-featured music player and music collection organiser.

Download | Full review | Redeem

Glary Utilities PRO
The premium version of Glary Utilities, costs $27.97. Adds background automation, 24/7 technical support and commercial use.

Download | Redeem

TuneUp
All-purpose de-duper, title fixer, album art finder. One-time purchase of $49.95.

Download | Redeem

CyberGhost Classic
VPN client that obscures your IP address. 1-year Classic subscription ($69.99) with access to premium servers

Download | Redeem

Bitdefender Internet Security
Anti-virus protection, 2-way firewall and parental controls. 1-yr, 1PC subscription worth $49.95

Download | Redeem

Super Easy Video Converter 2
Makes the transition between different format and devices a quick, intuitive process.

Download | Redeem

Switch
Switch lets you schedule shutdowns or shutdown remotely; reboot, enter sleep mode and more.

Download | Full review | Redeem

InPaint
his amazingly simple tool will help you remove unwanted elements from any photograph.

Download | Redeem

Crashplan+
One of the best backup solutions for home users. Backup 10 GB od data to the cloud.

Download | Redeem

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Defragmenters

Defraggler
Another excellent defrag tool. Portable. From the same guys behind hugely popular CCleaner.

Download | Full review

IObit Smart Defrag
Extremely easy to use. Works continuously in the background.

Download | Full review

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File Recovery

Recuva
Very effective in restoring deleted files. Extremely popular.

Download | Full review

FreeUndelete
No frills, just focused on the zen of file recovery.

Download

ADRC Data Recovery Software
The Renaissance Man of free data recovery. Not as popular as Recuva but still has its own fans.

Download

Pandora Recovery
An easy to use yet powerful file recovery application.

Download | Full review

PhotoRec
Designed specifically for the recovery of lost photographs, PhotoRec is very powerful free software.

Download

TestDisk
Incredibly powerful free software for recovering whole lost partitions and making non-bootable disks bootable again.

Download

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Uninstallers

Revo Uninstaller Free
Fast and very effective at uninstalling just about anything. Popular choice for the purpose.

Download | Full review

IObit Uninstaller
New kid on the block. Gaining popularity. Boasts a bunch of features not found on other uninstallers.

Download | Full review

Absolute Uninstaller
Less popular than the other two but probably the simplest to use one.

Download | Full review

Advanced Uninstaller PRO
It might say “PRO” in the title but this uninstaller is completely free and already Windows 8 friendly.

Download | Full review

GeekUninstaller
Tested by MakeUseOf to be one of the most effective uninstallers out there.

Download | Full review

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Backup Apps

Crashplan+
One of the best backup solutions for home users. Backup 10 GB od data to the cloud.

Download | Redeem

Mozy
Incredibly smart, highly secure, set-it-and-forget-it backup solution. Backups data to web.

Download | Full review

FBackup
Easily backup important files and documents, personal settings and plugins.

Download | Full review

Clonezilla
Live CD to completely clone your hard drive.

Download | Full review

SyncBack Freeware
Selective synchronisation, local and remote backup to an FTP server.

Download | Full review

FreeFileSync
Open source folder comparison and sync tool. Optimised for speed and usability.

Download | Full review

CopyTo Synchronizer
Wide set of options for backing up, updating, and synchronizing files.

Download

DriveImage XML
Easily Backup or copy entire disks block-for-block directly to another drive without the need to reboot your computer to run the cloning process.

Download

Cobian Backup
A backup program that supports scheduling on both local and networked machines.

Download | Full review

SugarSync
A multi-platform syncing tool that features 5GB of free space and mobile compatibility.

Download | Full review

ToolWiz Time Freeze
A tool for creating cloned restore points for testing changes without risking your own system.

Download

Todo Backup
Able to backup the entire operating system, program settings, browser data, emails and other data.

Download | Full review

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PC Maintenance

IObit Advanced SystemCare Free
One-click approach to help protect, repair, clean, and optimize your PC.

Download | Full review

CCleaner
Scores high points all around. The most popular choice at the moment. Not as many features as in others.

Download | Full review

Soluto
Speed up Windows boot time by removing unnecessary apps from startup. Very effective.

Download | Full review

Glary Utilities
Includes over 15 useful system maintenance tools. Been recommended by MakeUseOf several times!

Download | Full review

Secunia Personal Software Inspector
A free utility that scans your PC for outdated programs in need of updates.

Download | Full review

D7
The Swiss army knife of Windows utilities, D7 is powerful professional-grade software for diagnosing a huge variety of problems.

Download | Full review

CPU-Z
A simple tool for detecting a huge range of hardware information about your PC and the components inside it.

Download | Full review

GPU-Z
Get detailed information about your graphics card including memory type and speed, software versions and temperatures.

Download | Full review

Process Explorer
An advanced version of Windows Task Manager from Microsoft for a more detailed look at what’s running on your PC.

Download | Full review

WinDirStat
A free tool for visualising your disk space usage.

Download | Full review

Speccy
A complete system information tool for your Windows PC, Speccy tells you exactly what hardware you’ve got under the hood.

Download | Full review

ToolWiz Care
A complete maintenance program for Windows, with a ton of features for optimizing and cleaning up your PC.

Download

CPUID PC Wizard
The big brother to CPU-Z, PC Wizard is a complete benchmarking tool for your PC and its components.

Download

SUMo
Software Update Monitor does exactly that – monitors software for available updates and downloads them for you.

Download | Full review

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Browsers

Google Chrome
The fastest, minimal design browser (from Google) now with extension support. Growing extremely fast.

Download | Download eBook | Full review

Firefox
More than 6,000 add-ons for every possible feature. The most customisable browser to date.

Download | Full review

Safari
A web browser from Apple. Designed to emphasize browsing. Also features extensions.

Download

Opera
The “fastest and most advanced” browser available today.

Download | Full review

Maxthon
A fast and stable browser with support for multiple rendering engines.

Download

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Email Clients

Thunderbird
Increasingly popular email client from the same guys behind Firefox browser. One of the best email clients for Windows.

Download | Full review

Postbox Express
A simple, yet powerful, new email application for Windows. Check it out.

Download | Full review

Google Notifier
Alerts you when you have new Gmail messages. Simple and handy.

Download | Full review

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Communication

Skype
The most popular cross-platform VoIP application. Must-have for everyone online.

Download | Full review

Pidgin
Easy-to-use, cross-platform, multi-protocol chat client. Supports all major chat programs.

Download | Full review

Digsby
An alternative multi-protocol instant messaging app. Cross-platform. Extremely popular.

Download | Full review

Trillian Astra
Popular multi-protocol instant messaging client.

Download | Full review

Raptr
A social network and messaging service for gamers to keep in touch.

Download | Full review

Google Talk
Google’s standalone GTalk client for Windows is a simple yet effective tool.

Download | Full review

TeamSpeak
Built with the gamer in mind, TeamSpeak is a popular VoIP solution that works across a range of desktop and mobile devices.

Download

Mumble
Intended for use with your favourite multiplayer game, Mumble is a great open source cross-platform low-latency VoIP client.

Download | Full review

Dolby Axon
A free VoIP program for gamers from Dolby, allowing for a unique surround-sound setup – a must try!

Download

Free Video Call Recorder for Skype
Just like the name says a free tool for recording video and audio conversations on Skype, Windows 8 ready.

Download

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Image Tools

Paint.NET
Strong candidate as a potential substitute for Photoshop for beginner/intermediate users.

Download | Full review

FastStone Image Viewer
One of the best image viewer, converter & editor bundles.

Download | Full review

IrfanView
The Swiss Army knife of image viewers/editors. Extremely popular.

Download | Full review

Google Picasa
Powerful photo manager software from Google. Includes 1-click photo retouching features. Easy online photo sharing.

Download | Full review

GIMP
Very capable graphic editor with Photoshop-like features. Often labeled as free Photoshop alternative.

Download | Full review

PhotoScape
Another good free and easy-to-use photo editing application.

Download | Full review

Inkscape
An open source vector graphics editor that uses the Scaleable Vector Graphics (.SVG) format.

Download

RIOT – Radical Image Optimization Tool
A free tool that makes light work of optimising images for the web while maintaining quality and small file sizes.

Download | Full review

XnView
A small utility for viewing and converting images that reads around 400 formats.

Download | Full review

XnConvert
Easily batch convert, resize and apply effects to images with this open source software.

Download | Full review

Zoner Photo Studio Free
Tweak, fix, manage and share your precious memories with Zoner, software that rivals paid software.

Download | Full review

Neox Screen
A free and open source screenshot manager that’s lightweight yet powerful.

Download

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Audio Tools

foobar2000
Advanced audio player for Windows with highly customisable user interface.

Download | Full review

Songbird
A popular music player based on Mozilla’s code. Includes some really useful plugins.

Download

Audacity
Very popular open source software for recording and editing audio tracks and sounds.

Download | Full review

iTunes
Music player and video library organiser. Hosts the iTunes Store.

Download | Download eBook

MediaMonkey
Full-featured music player and music collection organiser.

Download | Full review

Winamp
Well-known, lightweight, small-footprint media player.

Download | Full review

CopyTrans Manager
Alternative iPod manager app. Sync and transfer music & files to iPod, iPhone, iPad.

Download | Full review

TagScanner
A multifunction program for organizing and managing your music collection.

Download | Full review

MusicBee
A basic music player with a few thoughtful additions, including tag completion.

Download | Full review

Tomahawk
A social music player that can pull content from a range of sources including YouTube and Soundcloud.

Download | Full review

Spotify
Streaming music service client complete with Facebook integration and iDevice management.

Download | Full review

AIMP
Another full-featured audio player expandable with skins and plugins.

Download | Full review

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Video Tools

VLC Media Player
Extremely popular cross-platform video player that can play almost any video file. Highly recommended by many.

Download | Full review

Handbrake
Open source, cross-platform, video converter that can convert video files between many video formats.

Download | Full review

VirtualDub
Open-source and portable video editor.

Download | Full review

Media Player Classic
Replica of WM Player. Includes only the most basic controls but can play pretty much any video.

Download | Full review

Freemake
Free video converter & DVD burner that’s easy to use.

Download | Full review

Format Factory
Multifunctional audi and video converter. Supports MP4, AVI, WMV, FLV, SWF, RMVB and lots more.

Download | Full review

PotPlayer
From the creator of the original KMPlayer comes PotPlayer, a faster and improved media player.

Download | Full review

CamStudio
A high quality freeware screen capture utility with support for lossless video output.

Download | Full review

XBMC
A powerful, mature open source media centre that rocks.

Download | Full review

Plex
A great looking media centre solution that also works remotely and with mobile devices.

Download | Full review | eBook

UMPlayer
A light video player with some great features and over 270 in-built codecs.

Download | Full review

Freemake Video Converter
Convert over 200 filetypes to formats that work on a plethora of mobile, media and gaming devices and the web via Flash and HTML5.

Download | Full review

Miro
A feature-packed alternative to iTunes for managing video, music and podcasts with ease.

Download | Full review

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Files and Drives

FileMenu Tools
Customise the right-click context menu of Windows Explorer. Adds lots of useful functions and utilities.

Download | Full review

FreeCommander
Free file browser and Windows Explorer replacement. Two-pane browsing, secure file deletion and more.

Download

TeraCopy
Copy and move files at maximum speed. Pause and resume file transfers.

Download | Full review

EASEUS Partition Master
All-in-one, easy to use disk partition manager. Create, resize and merge partitions.

Download | Full review

Unlocker
Can’t delete a folder or a file? Getting an error that it’s being used by another program? Unlocker can easily delete it.

Download | Full review

TreeSize Free
Shows you where your precious hard drive space has gone to. Easily view how much space is being used by each folder.

Download | Full review

DropIt
Tiny tool to automate categorizing files and folders. Drag a file on top of it and it will place it for you where you need it. Portable version available.

Download | Full review

Free Opener
An easy way to quickly open over 80 types of file types using one tiny program.

Download | Full review

SyncToy
Free application that synchronizes files and folders between locations.

Download | Full review

Filezilla
A free, lightweight and robust FTP client for transferring files to and from the web.

Download | Full review

zeZebra
A cross-platform tool for sending and receiving files with absolutely no size limit.

Download | Full review

MultiCommander
A feature-packed alternative file manager to Windows Explorer that uses a dual-panel layout.

Download | Full review

Google Drive
The evolution of Google Docs keeps your documents synced between the cloud and your PC.

Download | Full review

Skydrive
Microsoft’s cloud storage solution comes with 7GB of space for storing documents and images.

Download | Full review

AxCrypt
A fuss-free encryption solution that also doubles as a deletion tool for eliminating any traces of a file.

Download | Full review

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Documents

LibreOffice
Microsoft Office alternative. Open source professional productivity and office suite.

Download | Full review

Dropbox
Must-have for everyone. Sync folder with docs and files to web or other PCs / Macs. Share documents.

Download | Full review

Notepad++
Popular open source text editor. Favoured by many, including programmers.

Download | Full review

FoxIt Reader
Really light alternative to Adobe Reader. Open PDF files.

Download | Full review

doPDF
Easily convert documents and pictures to PDF files from any Windows program with two clicks.

Download | Full review

PDF Xchange viewer
Desktop and portable PDF viewer. Lightweight and fast.

Download | Full review

Nitro PDF Reader
Read PDFs, create PDFs. Extract content, annotate and fill PDF forms.

Download | Full review

PDFTK Builder
Free graphical interface version of PDFTK. Merge, split, decrypt, encrypt, watermark PDF files.

Download | Full review

VIM Text Editor
Highly configurable text editor.

Download | Full review

PDFsam
Easily split and merge PDF files.

Download | Full review

Windows Live Writer
Compose then publish your blog posts with a click straight from Windows Live Writer.

MartView
Read PDFs and eBooks on your PC in style from MartView’s attractive interface.

Download | Full review

Kindle
Amazon’s Kindle app lets you read and manage your eBook collection from your Windows PC.

Download | Full review

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Productivity

Fences
Provides rectangular containers for your desktop to visually organize your icons. Very handy!

Download | Full review

Rainlendar
Very easy to use and lightweight calendar for your Windows desktop.

Download | Full review

Evernote
Save your ideas on the go and instantly take notes. Access notes from anywhere. Highly recommended!

Download | Full review

VirtuaWin
Gives you multiple virtual desktops to organize your workflow. Highly customisable.

Download | Full review

Launchy
A powerful keystroke based program launcher that lets you open program and files really quickly.

Download | Full review

Send to Toys
Enhances the right-click ‘Send To’ system menu. Personalise and configure the Send To menu content.

Download

Dexpot
Create virtual desktops to separate different running apps and Windows. Comparable to Spaces on Mac OS X.

Download | Full review

Q-Dir
Free multi-pane file manager to save you time. Portable version available.

Download | Full review

ClipX
Tiny, free clipboard history manager. Access up to 1024 items in your clipboard’s history.

Download | Full review

Bruce’s Unusual Typing Wizard
Gain typing speed and accuracy with its unique touch-typing teaching program.

Download | Full review

SendToSendTo
Easily add new entries to the right-click “Send To” menu.

Download | Full review

Ditto
Saves each item placed on the clipboard allowing you access to any of those items at a later time.

Download | Full review

Wunderlist
A multi-platform list syncing app for keeping track of your todo lists from any device.

Download | Full review

FreeMind
An open-source mind mapping solution written in Java that can be as simple or as complex as you need.

Download | Full review

RightNote Pro
Create multiple types of notes; organize, store, schedule and even sync them with Evernote. $59.95

Download

ResophNotes
A very simple and fast note-taking app for Windows that supports online sync with Simplenote.

Download | Full review

Visual Understanding Environment
VUE is a free and open source mind map application comparable to similar paid products.

Download

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Archive Managers

7-zip
Takes care of most of your archive extracting/compression needs. Supports ZIP, RAR and many others formats.

Download | Full review

Universal Extractor
With over 50 supported file formats, Universal Extractor is superb.

Download

IZArc
One archive utility to rule them all. Supports almost all formats.

Download

PeaZip
User friendly, free and open source archive manager with enough features to satisfy power-users.

Download | Full review

Hamster Lite Archiver
Another freeware archive manager with a bold interface and good compatibility.

Download

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Optical & Disc Image Tools

ImgBurn
CD/DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-ray burning tool. Also, lets you easily create image files from CDs and DVDs.

Download | Full review

CDBurnerXP
The most popular free alternative to Nero Burning ROM. Burn CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray and HD-DVDs.

Download | Full review

bitRipper
Back-up your DVDs as AVI files or MPEG to your hard drive. Excellent backup tool for DVDs.

Download | Full review

CDex
Open-source digital audio CD extractor. Saves CD tracks as MP3′s.

Download

DuBaron CD2ISO
A great tool to extract ISO images from CDs or DVDs. Very simple and easy to use.

Download

Virtual CloneDrive
Mount a virtual drive to open and playback ISO image files (CD/DVD images).

Download | Full review

DVDShrink
The easiest and one of the better free DVD ripping and backup tools.

Download

Exact Audio Copy
The most accurate and error-free audio CD extractor.
Can extract MP3s from a CD.

Download

DVD Flick
Easy-to-use DVD creation software. Allows adding subtitles and making DVD menus as well.

Download

WinCDEmu
Mount ISO, CUE, NRG, MDS/MDF, CCD, IMG images by simply clicking on them in Windows Explorer.

Download | Full review

DVDFab HD Decrypter
One of the only free tools that supports the decrypting of Blu-Ray discs.

Download

DaemonTools Lite
Lightweight and free disk virtualization software for installing virtual drives and mounting disk images.

Download | Full review

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Downloads

uTorrent
Speedy, efficient, and free. The most popular BitTorrent client.

Download

Deluge
An awesome but unappreciated cross-platform BitTorrent client.

Download | Full review

YouTube Downloader HD
Downloads YouTube videos with just a few clicks of the mouse button.

Download | Full review

PeerBlock
Control/block your PC’s communication with ad or spyware servers. Secures P2P activities.

Download | Full review

Free Download Manager
Open source download accelerator and manager. Increase download speeds and resume broken downloads.

Download

Jdownloader
The most popular download manager. Quickly and efficiently download files from sites such as Rapidshare, Megaupload and many others.

Download | Full review

FlashGet
A download manager that supports HTTP, FTP and BitTorrent protocols amongst others.

Download

MiPONY
A download manager designed to facilitate downloading from file lockers like Rapidshare.

Download

Freemake Video Downloader
Download and keep embedded videos from thousands of websites, supports Facebook as well as YouTube and audio extraction.

Download

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Others

LastPass
Secure plugin to store and synchronise login passwords across browsers. Comes auto-login and form filler.

Download | Full review

TrueCrypt
Free open-source, cross-platform disk and data encryption tool. Encrypt and hide sensitive files.

Download | Full review

TeamViewer
Request remote technical assistance. Connect to remote computer. Zero setup required.

Download | Full review

PortableApps Suite
A collection of useful portable apps that can be stored on USB stick. Carry the apps with you wherever you go on a thumbdrive.

Download | Full review

Sticky Password
Free password and identity manager. Browser add-on for automatic login and form-filling.

Download | Full review

KeePass
Free, open source, lightweight and easy-to-use password manager.

Download

LiberKey
Suite of over 300 free useful software apps that you can carry with you wherever you go.

Download | Full review

Hiren’s BootCD
All-in-one bootable CD providing an alternate boot environment to troubleshoot Windows problems.

Download | Full review

Eraser
Advanced security tool to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive.

Download | Full review

iPrint
Print multiple pages on each sheet of paper, delete unwanted pages. Lowers printing costs.

Download | Full review

Antirun
Protects your PC by blocking viruses and malware from infected USB thumbsticks and flash drives.

Download

Everything
Locates files and folders by name instantly.

Download | Full review

Game Booster 3
Speeds up your PC for faster gaming.

Download

DriverPack Solution 11
Makes the job of finding and automatically installing drivers really easy.

Download

XAMPP
Easy to install Apache distribution with MySQL, PHP and Perl. No manual setup required!

Download | Full review

Calibre
Free open source eBook management software with support for conversion and syncing.

Download | Full review

Rainmeter
A desktop customisation tool with support for functional skins.

Download | Full review

Rocketdock
An elegant dock solution for Windows with support for add-ons.

Download

VirtualBox
Free virtualisation software for creating and running virtual machines.

Download | Full review

TunnelBear
Need to access a website that’s restricted to the US or UK? Try TunnelBear.

Download | Full review

f.lux
This small program adapts your PC’s display to the time of day in order to reduce eye strain and fatigue.

Download | Full review

Connectify
Easily create your own adhoc wireless networks to share your ethernet internet connection wirelessly. Free and commercial ($29.99) versions available

Download | Full review

Copernic Desktop Search Home
A powerful and customizable desktop search solution.

Download

Classic Shell
Upgraded to Windows 8 but missing the Start Menu? Classic Shell is the freeware software you’ve been looking for.

Download

VMWare Player
Run virtual PCs with ease using VMWare Player, simple virtualisation software that is free for personal use.

Download | Full review

ObjectDock
Like the Mac OS X dock but using Windows? ObjectDock is free for personal use.

Download

SpeedFan
A free utility for checking the speed of fans, as well as system temperatures.

Download

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Disclaimer: All applications listed were thoroughly reviewed. MakeUseOf is not responsible for any damage and/or data loss
that might result from use of any of the above mentioned applications.

On this page you will find the best Windows software for all your needs. Over 95% of listed apps are free. We’ve taken the effort to categorize the apps and picked only those we believe to be the best ones and which will most likely be useful to you.
Anti-virus Malware Removal Firewall Apps Featured
Defragmenters File Recovery Uninstallers Backup Apps
PC Maintenance Browsers Email Clients Communication
Image Tools Audio Tools Video Tools Files/Drives
Documents Productivity Archive Managers Optical & Disc Image Tools
Downloads Others

Anti-virus

avast! Free Antivirus
Expect great all-around protection against viruses and trojans.

Download

AntiVir Free Version
Lightweight and solid. Good ratings. Worth looking into.

Download

AVG Antivirus Free Edition
Not as good as Avast or Avira but with considerably less bloat. The most popular free antivirus.

Download

Microsoft Security Essentials
Simple, effective and lightweight protection suite.

Download | Full review

Comodo Internet Security
Free security suite, includes both a firewall and anti-virus protection.

Download | Full review

Lavasoft Ad-Aware+ Free
A complete anti-virus and anti-malware solution in one tidy free package.

Download | Full review

Panda Cloud Antivirus Free Edition
A capable cloud-based antivirus that’s relatively light on resources with decent detection rates.

Download | Full review

BitDefender Free Antivirus
Finally BitDefender has released a free version of their antivirus software, optimized for Windows 8.

Download

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Malware Removal

IObit Malware Fighter
Advanced malware & spyware removal utility. The pro versioncomes with some really cool features.

Download | Full review

Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware
Easy-to-use, simple, and very effective anti-malware application.

Download | Full review

Spybot S&D
Detects and removes spyware. Compliments anti-virus apps. Has a very good reputation.

Download | Full review

Threatfire
Spyware removal tool with real-time antispyware protection. Lightweight and memory sparing.

Download | Full review

Superantispyware
Lightweight scanner to detect and remove spyware, adware, trojans, and other threats.

Download

Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool
A free tool for the removal of a variety of different viruses and malware, presented alongside virus-specific tools.

Download | Full review

Dr.Web CureIt!
A standalone virus removal tool that can be used alongside your existing virus scanner with no installation required.

Download

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Firewall Apps

PC Tools Firewall Plus 6
Powerful firewall capable of providing excellent protection.

Download

Comodo Firewall (standalone)
Long been considered one of the best free firewall tools available.

Download

ZoneAlarm Free Firewall
Provides the best overall firewall protection for advanced users.

Download

Online Armor Free
All of the normal features of a firewall and more.

Download

Ashampoo FireWall Free
Very easy to use and navigate. For intermediate users.

Download

Peerblock
Provides control over who your computer “talks” to online by blocking known bad addresses.

Download | Full review

TinyWall
A great free firewall solution that puts you in charge of whitelisting applications in a non-intrusive manner.

Download | Full review

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Featured

The apps and services listed under “Featured” category participate in the MakeUseOf Rewards program. You can exchange your points for a free copy or subscription. Each product has been selected because of its quality, so check them out. We think you’ll like what you see.

 

LastPass
Secure plugin to store and synchronise login passwords across browsers. Comes auto-login and form filler.

Download | Full review | Redeem

Lavasoft Ad-Aware+ Pro
A full-featured security suite. This edition will protect one PC for one year.

Download | Redeem

IObit Advanced SystemCare Free
One-click approach to help protect, repair, clean, and optimize your PC.

Download | Full review | Redeem

IObit Malware Fighter
Advanced malware & spyware removal utility. The pro version comes with some really cool features.

Download | Full review | Redeem

RightNote Pro
Create multiple types of notes; organize, store, schedule and even sync them with Evernote. $59.95

Download | Redeem

MediaMonkey
Full-featured music player and music collection organiser.

Download | Full review | Redeem

Glary Utilities PRO
The premium version of Glary Utilities, costs $27.97. Adds background automation, 24/7 technical support and commercial use.

Download | Redeem

TuneUp
All-purpose de-duper, title fixer, album art finder. One-time purchase of $49.95.

Download | Redeem

CyberGhost Classic
VPN client that obscures your IP address. 1-year Classic subscription ($69.99) with access to premium servers

Download | Redeem

Bitdefender Internet Security
Anti-virus protection, 2-way firewall and parental controls. 1-yr, 1PC subscription worth $49.95

Download | Redeem

Super Easy Video Converter 2
Makes the transition between different format and devices a quick, intuitive process.

Download | Redeem

Switch
Switch lets you schedule shutdowns or shutdown remotely; reboot, enter sleep mode and more.

Download | Full review | Redeem

InPaint
his amazingly simple tool will help you remove unwanted elements from any photograph.

Download | Redeem

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Defragmenters

Defraggler
Another excellent defrag tool. Portable. From the same guys behind hugely popular CCleaner.

Download | Full review

IObit Smart Defrag
Extremely easy to use. Works continuously in the background.

Download | Full review

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File Recovery

Recuva
Very effective in restoring deleted files. Extremely popular.

Download | Full review

FreeUndelete
No frills, just focused on the zen of file recovery.

Download

ADRC Data Recovery Software
The Renaissance Man of free data recovery. Not as popular as Recuva but still has its own fans.

Download

Pandora Recovery
An easy to use yet powerful file recovery application.

Download | Full review

PhotoRec
Designed specifically for the recovery of lost photographs, PhotoRec is very powerful free software.

Download

TestDisk
Incredibly powerful free software for recovering whole lost partitions and making non-bootable disks bootable again.

Download

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Uninstallers

Revo Uninstaller Free
Fast and very effective at uninstalling just about anything. Popular choice for the purpose.

Download | Full review

IObit Uninstaller
New kid on the block. Gaining popularity. Boasts a bunch of features not found on other uninstallers.

Download | Full review

Absolute Uninstaller
Less popular than the other two but probably the simplest to use one.

Download | Full review

Advanced Uninstaller PRO
It might say “PRO” in the title but this uninstaller is completely free and already Windows 8 friendly.

Download | Full review

GeekUninstaller
Tested by MakeUseOf to be one of the most effective uninstallers out there.

Download | Full review

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Backup Apps

Mozy
Incredibly smart, highly secure, set-it-and-forget-it backup solution. Backups data to web.

Download | Full review

FBackup
Easily backup important files and documents, personal settings and plugins.

Download | Full review

Todo Backup
Able to backup the entire operating system, program settings, browser data, emails and other data.

Download | Full review

Clonezilla
Live CD to completely clone your hard drive.

Download | Full review

SyncBack Freeware
Selective synchronisation, local and remote backup to an FTP server.

Download | Full review

FreeFileSync
Open source folder comparison and sync tool. Optimised for speed and usability.

Download | Full review

CopyTo Synchronizer
Wide set of options for backing up, updating, and synchronizing files.

Download

DriveImage XML
Easily Backup or copy entire disks block-for-block directly to another drive without the need to reboot your computer to run the cloning process.

Download

Cobian Backup
A backup program that supports scheduling on both local and networked machines.

Download | Full review

SugarSync
A multi-platform syncing tool that features 5GB of free space and mobile compatibility.

Download | Full review

ToolWiz Time Freeze
A tool for creating cloned restore points for testing changes without risking your own system.

Download

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PC Maintenance

IObit Advanced SystemCare Free
One-click approach to help protect, repair, clean, and optimize your PC.

Download | Full review

CCleaner
Scores high points all around. The most popular choice at the moment. Not as many features as in others.

Download | Full review

Soluto
Speed up Windows boot time by removing unnecessary apps from startup. Very effective.

Download | Full review

Glary Utilities
Includes over 15 useful system maintenance tools. Been recommended by MakeUseOf several times!

Download | Full review

Secunia Personal Software Inspector
A free utility that scans your PC for outdated programs in need of updates.

Download | Full review

D7
The Swiss army knife of Windows utilities, D7 is powerful professional-grade software for diagnosing a huge variety of problems.

Download | Full review

CPU-Z
A simple tool for detecting a huge range of hardware information about your PC and the components inside it.

Download | Full review

GPU-Z
Get detailed information about your graphics card including memory type and speed, software versions and temperatures.

Download | Full review

Process Explorer
An advanced version of Windows Task Manager from Microsoft for a more detailed look at what’s running on your PC.

Download | Full review

WinDirStat
A free tool for visualising your disk space usage.

Download | Full review

Speccy
A complete system information tool for your Windows PC, Speccy tells you exactly what hardware you’ve got under the hood.

Download | Full review

ToolWiz Care
A complete maintenance program for Windows, with a ton of features for optimizing and cleaning up your PC.

Download

CPUID PC Wizard
The big brother to CPU-Z, PC Wizard is a complete benchmarking tool for your PC and its components.

Download

SUMo
Software Update Monitor does exactly that – monitors software for available updates and downloads them for you.

Download | Full review

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Browsers

Google Chrome
The fastest, minimal design browser (from Google) now with extension support. Growing extremely fast.

Download | Download eBook | Full review

Firefox
More than 6,000 add-ons for every possible feature. The most customisable browser to date.

Download | Full review

Safari
A web browser from Apple. Designed to emphasize browsing. Also features extensions.

Download

Opera
The “fastest and most advanced” browser available today.

Download | Full review

Maxthon
A fast and stable browser with support for multiple rendering engines.

Download

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Email Clients

Thunderbird
Increasingly popular email client from the same guys behind Firefox browser. One of the best email clients for Windows.

Download | Full review

Postbox Express
A simple, yet powerful, new email application for Windows. Check it out.

Download | Full review

Google Notifier
Alerts you when you have new Gmail messages. Simple and handy.

Download | Full review

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Communication

Skype
The most popular cross-platform VoIP application. Must-have for everyone online.

Download | Full review

Pidgin
Easy-to-use, cross-platform, multi-protocol chat client. Supports all major chat programs.

Download | Full review

Digsby
An alternative multi-protocol instant messaging app. Cross-platform. Extremely popular.

Download | Full review

Trillian Astra
Popular multi-protocol instant messaging client.

Download | Full review

Raptr
A social network and messaging service for gamers to keep in touch.

Download | Full review

Google Talk
Google’s standalone GTalk client for Windows is a simple yet effective tool.

Download | Full review

TeamSpeak
Built with the gamer in mind, TeamSpeak is a popular VoIP solution that works across a range of desktop and mobile devices.

Download

Mumble
Intended for use with your favourite multiplayer game, Mumble is a great open source cross-platform low-latency VoIP client.

Download | Full review

Dolby Axon
A free VoIP program for gamers from Dolby, allowing for a unique surround-sound setup – a must try!

Download

Free Video Call Recorder for Skype
Just like the name says a free tool for recording video and audio conversations on Skype, Windows 8 ready.

Download

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Image Tools

Paint.NET
Strong candidate as a potential substitute for Photoshop for beginner/intermediate users.

Download | Full review

FastStone Image Viewer
One of the best image viewer, converter & editor bundles.

Download | Full review

IrfanView
The Swiss Army knife of image viewers/editors. Extremely popular.

Download | Full review

Google Picasa
Powerful photo manager software from Google. Includes 1-click photo retouching features. Easy online photo sharing.

Download | Full review

GIMP
Very capable graphic editor with Photoshop-like features. Often labeled as free Photoshop alternative.

Download | Full review

PhotoScape
Another good free and easy-to-use photo editing application.

Download | Full review

Inkscape
An open source vector graphics editor that uses the Scaleable Vector Graphics (.SVG) format.

Download

RIOT – Radical Image Optimization Tool
A free tool that makes light work of optimising images for the web while maintaining quality and small file sizes.

Download | Full review

XnView
A small utility for viewing and converting images that reads around 400 formats.

Download | Full review

XnConvert
Easily batch convert, resize and apply effects to images with this open source software.

Download | Full review

Zoner Photo Studio Free
Tweak, fix, manage and share your precious memories with Zoner, software that rivals paid software.

Download | Full review

Neox Screen
A free and open source screenshot manager that’s lightweight yet powerful.

Download

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Audio Tools

foobar2000
Advanced audio player for Windows with highly customisable user interface.

Download | Full review

Songbird
A popular music player based on Mozilla’s code. Includes some really useful plugins.

Download

Audacity
Very popular open source software for recording and editing audio tracks and sounds.

Download | Full review

iTunes
Music player and video library organiser. Hosts the iTunes Store.

Download | Download eBook

MediaMonkey
Full-featured music player and music collection organiser.

Download | Full review

Winamp
Well-known, lightweight, small-footprint media player.

Download | Full review

CopyTrans Manager
Alternative iPod manager app. Sync and transfer music & files to iPod, iPhone, iPad.

Download | Full review

TagScanner
A multifunction program for organizing and managing your music collection.

Download | Full review

MusicBee
A basic music player with a few thoughtful additions, including tag completion.

Download | Full review

Tomahawk
A social music player that can pull content from a range of sources including YouTube and Soundcloud.

Download | Full review

Spotify
Streaming music service client complete with Facebook integration and iDevice management.

Download | Full review

AIMP
Another full-featured audio player expandable with skins and plugins.

Download | Full review

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Video Tools

VLC Media Player
Extremely popular cross-platform video player that can play almost any video file. Highly recommended by many.

Download | Full review

Handbrake
Open source, cross-platform, video converter that can convert video files between many video formats.

Download | Full review

VirtualDub
Open-source and portable video editor.

Download | Full review

Media Player Classic
Replica of WM Player. Includes only the most basic controls but can play pretty much any video.

Download | Full review

Freemake
Free video converter & DVD burner that’s easy to use.

Download | Full review

Format Factory
Multifunctional audi and video converter. Supports MP4, AVI, WMV, FLV, SWF, RMVB and lots more.

Download | Full review

PotPlayer
From the creator of the original KMPlayer comes PotPlayer, a faster and improved media player.

Download | Full review

CamStudio
A high quality freeware screen capture utility with support for lossless video output.

Download | Full review

XBMC
A powerful, mature open source media centre that rocks.

Download | Full review

Plex
A great looking media centre solution that also works remotely and with mobile devices.

Download | Full review | eBook

UMPlayer
A light video player with some great features and over 270 in-built codecs.

Download | Full review

Freemake Video Converter
Convert over 200 filetypes to formats that work on a plethora of mobile, media and gaming devices and the web via Flash and HTML5.

Download | Full review

Miro
A feature-packed alternative to iTunes for managing video, music and podcasts with ease.

Download | Full review

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Files and Drives

FileMenu Tools
Customise the right-click context menu of Windows Explorer. Adds lots of useful functions and utilities.

Download | Full review

FreeCommander
Free file browser and Windows Explorer replacement. Two-pane browsing, secure file deletion and more.

Download

TeraCopy
Copy and move files at maximum speed. Pause and resume file transfers.

Download | Full review

EASEUS Partition Master
All-in-one, easy to use disk partition manager. Create, resize and merge partitions.

Download | Full review

Unlocker
Can’t delete a folder or a file? Getting an error that it’s being used by another program? Unlocker can easily delete it.

Download | Full review

TreeSize Free
Shows you where your precious hard drive space has gone to. Easily view how much space is being used by each folder.

Download | Full review

DropIt
Tiny tool to automate categorizing files and folders. Drag a file on top of it and it will place it for you where you need it. Portable version available.

Download | Full review

Free Opener
An easy way to quickly open over 80 types of file types using one tiny program.

Download | Full review

SyncToy
Free application that synchronizes files and folders between locations.

Download | Full review

Filezilla
A free, lightweight and robust FTP client for transferring files to and from the web.

Download | Full review

zeZebra
A cross-platform tool for sending and receiving files with absolutely no size limit.

Download | Full review

MultiCommander
A feature-packed alternative file manager to Windows Explorer that uses a dual-panel layout.

Download | Full review

Google Drive
The evolution of Google Docs keeps your documents synced between the cloud and your PC.

Download | Full review

Skydrive
Microsoft’s cloud storage solution comes with 7GB of space for storing documents and images.

Download | Full review

AxCrypt
A fuss-free encryption solution that also doubles as a deletion tool for eliminating any traces of a file.

Download | Full review

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Documents

LibreOffice
Microsoft Office alternative. Open source professional productivity and office suite.

Download | Full review

Dropbox
Must-have for everyone. Sync folder with docs and files to web or other PCs / Macs. Share documents.

Download | Full review

Notepad++
Popular open source text editor. Favoured by many, including programmers.

Download | Full review

FoxIt Reader
Really light alternative to Adobe Reader. Open PDF files.

Download | Full review

doPDF
Easily convert documents and pictures to PDF files from any Windows program with two clicks.

Download | Full review

PDF Xchange viewer
Desktop and portable PDF viewer. Lightweight and fast.

Download | Full review

Nitro PDF Reader
Read PDFs, create PDFs. Extract content, annotate and fill PDF forms.

Download | Full review

PDFTK Builder
Free graphical interface version of PDFTK. Merge, split, decrypt, encrypt, watermark PDF files.

Download | Full review

VIM Text Editor
Highly configurable text editor.

Download | Full review

PDFsam
Easily split and merge PDF files.

Download | Full review

Windows Live Writer
Compose then publish your blog posts with a click straight from Windows Live Writer.

MartView
Read PDFs and eBooks on your PC in style from MartView’s attractive interface.

Download | Full review

Kindle
Amazon’s Kindle app lets you read and manage your eBook collection from your Windows PC.

Download | Full review

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Productivity

Fences
Provides rectangular containers for your desktop to visually organize your icons. Very handy!

Download | Full review

Rainlendar
Very easy to use and lightweight calendar for your Windows desktop.

Download | Full review

Evernote
Save your ideas on the go and instantly take notes. Access notes from anywhere. Highly recommended!

Download | Full review

VirtuaWin
Gives you multiple virtual desktops to organize your workflow. Highly customisable.

Download | Full review

Launchy
A powerful keystroke based program launcher that lets you open program and files really quickly.

Download | Full review

Send to Toys
Enhances the right-click ‘Send To’ system menu. Personalise and configure the Send To menu content.

Download

Dexpot
Create virtual desktops to separate different running apps and Windows. Comparable to Spaces on Mac OS X.

Download | Full review

Q-Dir
Free multi-pane file manager to save you time. Portable version available.

Download | Full review

ClipX
Tiny, free clipboard history manager. Access up to 1024 items in your clipboard’s history.

Download | Full review

Bruce’s Unusual Typing Wizard
Gain typing speed and accuracy with its unique touch-typing teaching program.

Download | Full review

SendToSendTo
Easily add new entries to the right-click “Send To” menu.

Download | Full review

Ditto
Saves each item placed on the clipboard allowing you access to any of those items at a later time.

Download | Full review

Wunderlist
A multi-platform list syncing app for keeping track of your todo lists from any device.

Download | Full review

FreeMind
An open-source mind mapping solution written in Java that can be as simple or as complex as you need.

Download | Full review

RightNote Pro
Create multiple types of notes; organize, store, schedule and even sync them with Evernote. $59.95

Download

ResophNotes
A very simple and fast note-taking app for Windows that supports online sync with Simplenote.

Download | Full review

Visual Understanding Environment
VUE is a free and open source mind map application comparable to similar paid products.

Download

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Archive Managers

7-zip
Takes care of most of your archive extracting/compression needs. Supports ZIP, RAR and many others formats.

Download | Full review

Universal Extractor
With over 50 supported file formats, Universal Extractor is superb.

Download

IZArc
One archive utility to rule them all. Supports almost all formats.

Download

PeaZip
User friendly, free and open source archive manager with enough features to satisfy power-users.

Download | Full review

Hamster Lite Archiver
Another freeware archive manager with a bold interface and good compatibility.

Download

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Optical & Disc Image Tools

ImgBurn
CD/DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-ray burning tool. Also, lets you easily create image files from CDs and DVDs.

Download | Full review

CDBurnerXP
The most popular free alternative to Nero Burning ROM. Burn CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray and HD-DVDs.

Download | Full review

bitRipper
Back-up your DVDs as AVI files or MPEG to your hard drive. Excellent backup tool for DVDs.

Download | Full review

CDex
Open-source digital audio CD extractor. Saves CD tracks as MP3′s.

Download

DuBaron CD2ISO
A great tool to extract ISO images from CDs or DVDs. Very simple and easy to use.

Download

Virtual CloneDrive
Mount a virtual drive to open and playback ISO image files (CD/DVD images).

Download | Full review

DVDShrink
The easiest and one of the better free DVD ripping and backup tools.

Download

Exact Audio Copy
The most accurate and error-free audio CD extractor.
Can extract MP3s from a CD.

Download

DVD Flick
Easy-to-use DVD creation software. Allows adding subtitles and making DVD menus as well.

Download

WinCDEmu
Mount ISO, CUE, NRG, MDS/MDF, CCD, IMG images by simply clicking on them in Windows Explorer.

Download | Full review

DVDFab HD Decrypter
One of the only free tools that supports the decrypting of Blu-Ray discs.

Download

DaemonTools Lite
Lightweight and free disk virtualization software for installing virtual drives and mounting disk images.

Download | Full review

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Downloads

uTorrent
Speedy, efficient, and free. The most popular BitTorrent client.

Download

Deluge
An awesome but unappreciated cross-platform BitTorrent client.

Download | Full review

YouTube Downloader HD
Downloads YouTube videos with just a few clicks of the mouse button.

Download | Full review

PeerBlock
Control/block your PC’s communication with ad or spyware servers. Secures P2P activities.

Download | Full review

Free Download Manager
Open source download accelerator and manager. Increase download speeds and resume broken downloads.

Download

Jdownloader
The most popular download manager. Quickly and efficiently download files from sites such as Rapidshare, Megaupload and many others.

Download | Full review

FlashGet
A download manager that supports HTTP, FTP and BitTorrent protocols amongst others.

Download

MiPONY
A download manager designed to facilitate downloading from file lockers like Rapidshare.

Download

Freemake Video Downloader
Download and keep embedded videos from thousands of websites, supports Facebook as well as YouTube and audio extraction.

Download

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Others

LastPass
Secure plugin to store and synchronise login passwords across browsers. Comes auto-login and form filler.

Download | Full review

TrueCrypt
Free open-source, cross-platform disk and data encryption tool. Encrypt and hide sensitive files.

Download | Full review

TeamViewer
Request remote technical assistance. Connect to remote computer. Zero setup required.

Download | Full review

PortableApps Suite
A collection of useful portable apps that can be stored on USB stick. Carry the apps with you wherever you go on a thumbdrive.

Download | Full review

Sticky Password
Free password and identity manager. Browser add-on for automatic login and form-filling.

Download | Full review

KeePass
Free, open source, lightweight and easy-to-use password manager.

Download

LiberKey
Suite of over 300 free useful software apps that you can carry with you wherever you go.

Download | Full review

Hiren’s BootCD
All-in-one bootable CD providing an alternate boot environment to troubleshoot Windows problems.

Download | Full review

Eraser
Advanced security tool to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive.

Download | Full review

iPrint
Print multiple pages on each sheet of paper, delete unwanted pages. Lowers printing costs.

Download | Full review

Antirun
Protects your PC by blocking viruses and malware from infected USB thumbsticks and flash drives.

Download

Everything
Locates files and folders by name instantly.

Download | Full review

Game Booster 3
Speeds up your PC for faster gaming.

Download

DriverPack Solution 11
Makes the job of finding and automatically installing drivers really easy.

Download

XAMPP
Easy to install Apache distribution with MySQL, PHP and Perl. No manual setup required!

Download | Full review

Calibre
Free open source eBook management software with support for conversion and syncing.

Download | Full review

Rainmeter
A desktop customisation tool with support for functional skins.

Download | Full review

Rocketdock
An elegant dock solution for Windows with support for add-ons.

Download

VirtualBox
Free virtualisation software for creating and running virtual machines.

Download | Full review

TunnelBear
Need to access a website that’s restricted to the US or UK? Try TunnelBear.

Download | Full review

f.lux
This small program adapts your PC’s display to the time of day in order to reduce eye strain and fatigue.

Download | Full review

Connectify
Easily create your own adhoc wireless networks to share your ethernet internet connection wirelessly. Free and commercial ($29.99) versions available

Download | Full review

Copernic Desktop Search Home
A powerful and customizable desktop search solution.

Download

Classic Shell
Upgraded to Windows 8 but missing the Start Menu? Classic Shell is the freeware software you’ve been looking for.

Download

VMWare Player
Run virtual PCs with ease using VMWare Player, simple virtualisation software that is free for personal use.

Download | Full review

ObjectDock
Like the Mac OS X dock but using Windows? ObjectDock is free for personal use.

Download

SpeedFan
A free utility for checking the speed of fans, as well as system temperatures.

Download

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Disclaimer: All applications listed were thoroughly reviewed. MakeUseOf is not responsible for any damage and/or data loss
that might result from use of any of the above mentioned applications.

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Hide 438 Comments

  • D. Craig McCulley August 27, 2011
    0 likes

    What about AIMP and Audiograbber?

    | Like
    • Aibek September 2, 2011
      0 likes

      thanks, will look into it

      | Like
    • Shane Lear September 15, 2011
      0 likes

      I agree, AIMP is awesome and even has a built-in tag editor that supports album art. I use it constantly.

      | Like
    • Dave Rimmer June 19, 2012
      0 likes

      I also use AIMP3 great music player.

      | Like
    • Lambvolution July 9, 2012
      0 likes

      AIMP is light and better sound than winamp or itunes

      | Like
  • Rodney Fiddaman September 6, 2011
    0 likes

    I have a website created in an old version of FrontPage, that is WAY past the capacity of FP to synchronise. On moving to Win 7 X64, FTPSync doesn’t have an X64 version, so I found GoodSync. I highly, highly recommend it.

    | Like
  • Pumzy69 September 8, 2011
    0 likes

    Convert X to dvd should be under CD/DVD tools

    | Like
    • Johnfahlsing December 5, 2011
      0 likes

      And its the best, lag free, error free dvd creator ive ever used. My library grows……..

      | Like
  • Vibin September 14, 2011
    0 likes

    How about Ommwriter, PicPick and RIOT?

    | Like
    • Aibek September 14, 2011
      0 likes

      thanks for the input, will check it out

      | Like
  • Alex404 September 14, 2011
    0 likes

    How about suggesting effective software for updating drivers (no scams please) that does not cost.

    | Like
    • Aibek September 15, 2011
      0 likes

      that’s a very good idea. We’ll make sot include one such app on the next update.

      | Like
    • xeeker November 15, 2011
      0 likes

      try slimdrivers…ive been using it and its awesome. also their other products slimcomputer and slimcleaner is very nice

      | Like
      • Andycham2004 January 31, 2012
        0 likes

        tried slimdrivers on my computer and it decided i needed Sierra Wireless drivers, 1 i dont have a sierra device, 2, my router is wired and considering i was clicking on update for my USB not ethernet after using slimdrivers i had to use a recovery img,
        My wireless mouse usb didnt work at all after using the supplied drivers from slimdrivers only been connected for 4years and running perfectly before the usb update, my 1.5tb developed sector errors after installing the pci sata controller cards updated drivers, which now has to be rma’d. it was working perfectly before that update.
        my piece of advice stay well clear of SLIMDRIVERS unless you want to start buying new hardware.

        | Like
        • Tony March 18, 2012
          0 likes

          Just do a System Restore using the Restore point before the changes. No damage done.

          | Like
    • pramod March 10, 2012
      0 likes

      slim drivers freeware

      | Like
  • Scribawf September 16, 2011
    0 likes

    Truly sad!! Absolutely no mention of the “Other” OS and I’m speaking of Linux, of course! Then again “Who needs Windows, when there are no Walls?!”

    | Like
    • Ian Willow February 20, 2012
      0 likes

      Ears have walls.

      | Like
  • Scribawf September 16, 2011
    0 likes

    I apologize for last post, as there IS mention & some stuff for Linux, my comment was a little hasty. Windows just isn’t a flexible OS that the user can truly own & customize everything on/in it to their liking

    | Like
  • Aibek September 24, 2011
    0 likes

    also for Mac, http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/the-best-of

    | Like
  • jim September 29, 2011
    0 likes

    Ubuntu should be here.

    | Like
    • Danijel Cukarić October 12, 2011
      0 likes

      just scroll up…. there are links on Linux apps compilation and Mac too

      | Like
  • aBgrOnGak October 12, 2011
    0 likes

    How about alternatives to Chrome (Srware Iron & Comodo Dragon) & Firefox (Pale Moon)

    | Like
  • Jonas Platte October 12, 2011
    0 likes

    JDownloader is missing!!

    | Like
    • Aibek October 13, 2011
      0 likes

      thanks for the input, it will be added soon.

      | Like
  • mark October 13, 2011
    0 likes

    I wonder if I’m the only one having trouble with downloading the FREE OPENER software.

    | Like
  • Sylwwer October 19, 2011
    0 likes

    Comodo Programs Manager is a very good and free uninstaller.

    | Like
  • Froilan Reboldera October 23, 2011
    0 likes

    I have a problem with a laptop. I need an OS CD Microsoft Windows XP. The unit model is hp Compaq nw8240. Please send me a copy the OS in email which I can later download into a CD. Thank you in advance. More power!

    | Like
  • Matteo Riso October 26, 2011
    0 likes

    … and ZipGenius?

    | Like
  • Nathan Rich November 9, 2011
    0 likes

    GOM >= VLC. Agree.

    | Like
    • Jay December 30, 2011
      0 likes

      no way VLC way better than GOM

      | Like
      • Lambvolution July 9, 2012
        0 likes

        agreee!

        | Like
  • Alirazabb November 14, 2011
    0 likes

    Simply put ,brilliant collection, no doubt.The real thing ,
    Suitable for all , newbies to geeks

    | Like
  • Ally November 21, 2011
    0 likes

    What about MagicDisc or Gizmo Drive? Or PeaZip? ImgBurn?

    | Like
    • Aibek November 21, 2011
      0 likes

      thanks for the input, will check them out

      | Like
  • asdfzxcv December 1, 2011
    0 likes

    JDownloader, TagScanner, Ditto, Everything and Launchy should have been included as well.

    | Like
    • Aibek December 2, 2011
      0 likes

      thanks for recommendations, wil check them out

      | Like
  • bgman December 1, 2011
    0 likes

    You missed the best software to run on your windows computer. Run a linux installation. In 5 minutes you will have a computer without malware or viruses. Fee graphics, office, database and entertainment programs that is upgraded for free when new versions or bug fixes become available. And the updates actually work rather than break your computer. If you are still using windows – why?

    | Like
  • imaxim December 2, 2011
    0 likes

    bsplayer under video tools and for ALL TOOLS PortableApps and Liberkey. great job. thanks to all for great work

    | Like
  • Ubuntu Eleven December 5, 2011
    0 likes

    everything i need is in here.

    i hope mods will create something like ninite which i can click programs i wanted then a onetime download and install.

    | Like
    • Aibek December 5, 2011
      0 likes

      thanks for the input. we’ll consider using ninite.

      Aibek

      | Like
  • Danilo Alcantara December 8, 2011
    0 likes

    Aibek, sir can you please also consider adding in audio category comet player. It is also free and with most basic audio player features but with an added fun of auto LYRICS search and displays in the panel where you can sing-a-long with the music you’re playing. http://www.cometplayer.com/

    | Like
    • Aibek December 8, 2011
      0 likes

      thanks for the input, will deifnitely check it out before the next update. Though the audo category is pretty competitive I must say)

      | Like
  • Tim Omaha December 11, 2011
    0 likes

    Oh, you must add XnView to your list of must-have software! Please! It’s absolutely incredible! It supports MANY features, including a HUGE support range for reading and writing image formats, filters, organizing, lossless operations, filters, and much, much more! It’s free to use for non-commercial usage.
    http://www.xnview.com/ If it’s overlooked to be added, at least I hope those reading this will take a look and those who already use it will comment and testify to this fantastic software.

    | Like
  • Saibharani4 December 18, 2011
    0 likes

    thanks good apps for windows pc
    are they compatible with windows 7 also

    | Like
    • Aibek December 19, 2011
      0 likes

      yes, most of the mentioned software work on Windows 7

      | Like
  • Computerplusng December 19, 2011
    0 likes

    you guys are wonderful……..more of please

    | Like
    • Tina December 19, 2011
      0 likes

      We try!

      | Like
  • Ismaeeljo200 December 21, 2011
    0 likes

    Great programs… But do you have any programs to maximize battery life that you may recommend?

    | Like
  • Whgtfhj December 25, 2011
    0 likes

    BEST PLAYER is PotPlayer. Simply plays evrythink, great simple GUI and menus and you can inteligently setup everything

    | Like
  • Blaszta December 25, 2011
    0 likes

    - AIMP for Audio
    - GOM for Video
    - Multi Commander for File (better than FreeCommander)
    - WinDirStat for File (better than TreeSize Free to locate big files)
    - Mipony for Download (jDownloader support more sites, but Mipony doesn’t require Java)
    - VirtualBox for Other

    | Like
    • Aibek December 26, 2011
      0 likes

      thanks for the recommendations, will definitely check them out before the next upgrade.
      Mipony and Multi Commander are completely new to me. Never heard of them before.

      | Like
  • Anonymous December 26, 2011
    0 likes

    Believe or not but my roomate’s sister makes USD80 an hour on the computer. She has been fired from work for 10 months but last month her income was $7396 just working on the computer for a few hours. Here’s the site to read more… MakeCash17.cøm

    | Like
  • Hayuwono December 26, 2011
    0 likes

    good software, and waht about battery care

    | Like
    • Aibek December 27, 2011
      0 likes

      would you consider this essential app to have? any recommendations?

      | Like
  • Abarc85 December 27, 2011
    0 likes

    How about JetAudio??

    | Like
    • Aibek December 27, 2011
      0 likes

      Sure, will check it out as well.
      What’s so great about it though?

      Aibek

      | Like
  • Gaby December 27, 2011
    0 likes

    Some useful applications that you can consider: Screamer Radio, Screenpresso Free, Everything (search alternative), DustBuster (garbage file removing utility).
    Give them a chance! ;)

    | Like
  • Harry Papadopoulos December 28, 2011
    0 likes

    also UMplayer is really good

    | Like
    • Aibek December 28, 2011
      0 likes

      thanks, I will definitely check it out.
      what are your favorite features? what makes it special for you?

      | Like
  • Mark December 29, 2011
    0 likes

    Nice List, thanks

    Missing a section for Media Center programs though.
    Mediaportal, XBMC

    | Like
    • Aibek December 29, 2011
      0 likes

      Thanks for the feedback Mark.
      I am going to be testing some media centters in a week or two
      and will try to add a couple of media center apps to the list after that.
      Aibek

      | Like
  • Thomas December 30, 2011
    0 likes

    Oh, misspelling! That’s “Rainlendar” not “Rainlender”

    | Like
    • Aibek December 31, 2011
      0 likes

      thanks for heads up. corrected.

      Aibek

      | Like
  • Andrew Delk January 1, 2012
    0 likes

    Don’t forget SugarSync for backup solutions! hxxp://sugarsync.com

    | Like
  • Rasel khondokar January 2, 2012
    0 likes

    Acronis True Image Home 2012

    | Like
    • FSNLenneth February 19, 2012
      0 likes

      Maybe if you like getting your software when wearing a patch and resting a parrot on your shoulder!

      | Like
  • Filipe Bezerra January 2, 2012
    0 likes

    missed Secunia PSI, Connectify and Process Explorer.

    | Like
    • Aibek January 4, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks, will check them out again before next update to the page.

      | Like
  • Mattz15 January 5, 2012
    0 likes

    Hi im new to makeuseof and i actually have a question about the 100 free downloads for windows. Whats the difference between the windows application of this software and the downloadsthat are for free. are these free downloads better than the windows 7 stuff? cheers…

    | Like
    • Aibek January 7, 2012
      0 likes

      There are only a few apps here which are available on Windows by default. In almost all such cases we believe that third-party tools listed here are better
      than their default Windows counterparts.

      | Like
  • Jahangps January 5, 2012
    0 likes

    it’s a great collection !!!!!
    thanks to make use of.

    | Like
  • MonsteRR January 7, 2012
    0 likes

    Think u should have added Burn aware free in the list for noobs …
    Excellent piece of software ( non-buggy and straight forward )

    | Like
    • Aibek January 7, 2012
      0 likes

      thank, will definitely check it out before the next update

      | Like
  • liu kang January 8, 2012
    0 likes

    soda pdf reader is great if you want see your pdf’s in 3d.A must try and i bet you’ll like it.

    | Like
    • Aibek January 9, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks for the input

      | Like
  • Ivorykeys54 January 10, 2012
    0 likes

    Threatfire Malware Program is not free.

    | Like
  • Jk4u99 January 10, 2012
    0 likes

    WOW!!!!!! I love this site… its a gift of complete stuff

    | Like
  • Mickeel Pramono January 12, 2012
    0 likes

    Hi, MUO, Did you editted this page these few last days?
    Because as I remembered, there is Google Canary here.
    Am I in the wrong place anw ?.?

    | Like
    • Aibek January 15, 2012
      0 likes

      Hi Mickeel,

      Are you referring to Google Chrome browser? It’s still listed under Browsers category.
      This page is constantly updated and new tools being added as we discover them.
      We didn’t remove any software apps recently.

      Aibek

      | Like
  • Si-Nova January 12, 2012
    0 likes

    I suggest to add Virtualization or Sandboxing category for free apps like VMware Player and Sandboxie

    | Like
    • Aibek January 13, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks, will look into it before the next update

      | Like
  • dholla1 January 13, 2012
    0 likes

    i’d like to say thanks for what you do and have done. it’s not to often you find a resource or utillity that offers free downloads and includes the software. to many times i’ve been bit by so called offers of download for free, just to be asked for billing info after a partial install. i have no problem with a fee for a service, but be upfront with it.come on man! anyway, this is is just what a student needs to help further an education. now i can make use of what little money i have for food, look out dollar menu! whats that? free wifi?!? can it get any better? thank y’all again.

    | Like
    • Aibek January 15, 2012
      0 likes

      you’re welcome)

      | Like
  • Finly007 January 15, 2012
    0 likes

    thx for showing n explain them

    | Like
  • Sayyedfarid10 January 15, 2012
    0 likes

    thanks but should also keep ms office 2007 for free

    | Like
  • ryandigweed January 15, 2012
    0 likes

    Love it! :) Thanks :)

    | Like
  • Wangoloj January 16, 2012
    0 likes

    this is wholesome softwares, but games are not listed why? EXPLAIN

    | Like
  • Aaron Couch January 16, 2012
    0 likes

    Why is Dropbox categorized under “Docs”? It’s more file synchronization, so it should be under Backup.

    Also, I was disappointed to not see Skydrive (25 free GB), Windows Live Mesh or Sugarsync on the list. I feel like they beat out some of those.

    | Like
    • Tina January 16, 2012
      0 likes

      Dropbox is probably categorized under Docs because it’s great to manage documents across multiple computers. The storage space is a little small for serious backups.

      | Like
  • Mark January 20, 2012
    0 likes

    I am desperately in need of a “file / folder comparison utility” with the ability to compare multiple directories at one time to find the “most recent version – or – more options of what one wants to compare” in a file, THEN to copy these “most recent files” into a separate directory… hopefully this makes sense.
    I have so many backups of the same data from many reimages, that it is now a major task to compile all my files into ONE place. I have tried a few, all fall short of what is needed to compare multiple directories for some reason, unless I’m not using them properly.
    I am not a geek but can get around pretty good. Some of them are very difficult to understand, then setup takes forever – all for one comparison. Then same MO for next “batch” to compare.
    PLEASE help me find something that will work, free, paid or otherwise.
    I have many miles to go to gather all my data in one place and am lost at this point.
    Thank you.

    | Like
  • Peter Westerman January 21, 2012
    0 likes

    How about Rainmeter.net? Rocketdock.com? Inkscape?

    | Like
    • Aibek January 24, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks, i will go through each one of them again before the next update top the page.

      | Like
    • Tina January 26, 2012
      0 likes

      All great tools. Thanks for sharing, Peter!

      | Like
    • Tina January 26, 2012
      0 likes

      All great tools. Thanks for sharing, Peter!

      | Like
  • Jaydevsingh Talan January 22, 2012
    0 likes

    free finger prenter software

    | Like
  • Gerard0986 January 23, 2012
    0 likes

    Why not add MiPony to “Downloads”? It’s like jDownloader, but easier to use and uses less resources.

    | Like
    • Aibek January 24, 2012
      0 likes

      jDownloader is more popular and has a very good reputation among users.

      | Like
  • Sara S Z January 25, 2012
    0 likes

    I was wondering if there’s a software that allows to comment PDF files but not like those yellow bubbles that you see in Adobe now. Something easy to use, and draw on it (in case of equations)

    This is an amazing page, most of these I already have, and you already got my 100% trust!

    | Like
    • Tina January 25, 2012
      0 likes

      Sara,

      I highly recommend Foxit Reader!

      There are tons of options for comments. You can either add one like a Post-It note and when you close the note, you’ll only see a placeholder. Or you can use the typewriter feature and write directly in the PDF. Foxit also allows you to make drawings inside PDFs. And best of all: it’s free.

      | Like
    • Aibek January 26, 2012
      0 likes

      Hey Sara,

      I personally never needed those features on my PDF reader so can’t tell for sure which one has such features.
      Though I am pretty sure there should be a bunch of PDF readers supporting that feature.
      Why don’t you ask about it on MakeUseOf Answers, http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/
      Aibek

      | Like
  • Wilbill38 January 25, 2012
    0 likes

    Media Players
    Video-GOM
    Music-Spider player.

    | Like
    • Aibek January 26, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks, will check them out

      | Like
  • Prem Bts2000 January 26, 2012
    0 likes

    very good all software r working in windows

    | Like
  • Ieatlotsofpoop123456789101112 January 27, 2012
    0 likes

    too bad the best of windows isnt good at all

    | Like
  • Arun K Nayak2k8 January 28, 2012
    0 likes

    I THINK THIS IS THE BEST SITE FOR SEARCHING SOFTWARE ,.

    | Like
  • Kesar January 28, 2012
    0 likes

    Super apps: Strokeit, F.lux, Breakaway Audio Enhancer, Rainmeter, cFosSpeed :)

    | Like
  • Anonymous January 28, 2012
    0 likes

    For backup, I use Cobian (www.cobian.se). Free and easy to use. Best part is it doesn’t stuff all the files into a proprietary archive. It just duplicates all the files and folders. I use Cobian to back up my small network onto a big USB drive.

    | Like
    • Tina January 29, 2012
      0 likes

      I second Cobian, I use it as well. I think I also suggested it for this list, but apparently it didn’t make it.

      | Like
  • Anonymous January 29, 2012
    0 likes

    Great collection of handy software.

    | Like
  • d1nu January 29, 2012
    0 likes

    Nice tools :d .
    Great job .
    Thanks you .

    | Like
  • David Demian January 29, 2012
    0 likes

    Love this, thank you for sharing… I constantly get asked what to use on PCs and what apps I prefer. Most are listed right here…

    many thanks for compiling this list

    | Like
    • Aibek January 30, 2012
      0 likes

      glad to hear that you liked the page. please spread the word.

      | Like
  • Habib15000 January 29, 2012
    0 likes

    Thanks for this site i am so much happy for find this site…………

    | Like
  • Papajohnr January 30, 2012
    0 likes

    You might want to look into Calibre (http://calibre-ebook.com/) for e-book management.

    | Like
    • Aibek February 1, 2012
      0 likes

      didn’t consider it as essential tool when making the list for the first time.
      will check it out again.

      Aibek

      | Like
  • alex January 30, 2012
    0 likes

    Also need Winrar..

    | Like
    • FSNLenneth February 19, 2012
      0 likes

      winrar is NOT free, dude!

      | Like
  • 123 January 31, 2012
    0 likes

    what about adop reder and adop flash playar

    | Like
  • Kudan.Engg123@gmail.com February 1, 2012
    0 likes

    yes this site is exellent i prefer every time

    | Like
  • djsonu44 February 2, 2012
    0 likes

    KOoL……………………….RokKin* site damm Luv it !
    Need more instructions like wise regarding day 2 day common pc n software issues ,threads.njoy *

    | Like
  • @j!.k February 4, 2012
    0 likes

    Thanks a Lot…………

    | Like
  • Wayone24 February 4, 2012
    0 likes

    how can i get a free software that can be used to search for free music download.thanx

    | Like
  • Mir Shahwani February 5, 2012
    0 likes

    1 of the Best site

    | Like
  • Mir Shahwani February 5, 2012
    0 likes

    One of the best site for Software

    | Like
  • Buddhikajayasingha February 5, 2012
    0 likes

    nice work….

    | Like
  • Tichagwajacob3 February 5, 2012
    0 likes

    This is great

    | Like
  • Aibek February 6, 2012
    0 likes

    thanks for the input.

    | Like
  • Thedead1957 February 7, 2012
    0 likes

    neat place haven’t tried anything, just wonder if these items work effectively or is this just what it says and nothing else…..

    | Like
    • FSNLenneth February 19, 2012
      0 likes

      The only way to find out is to try them…

      | Like
  • Boon February 7, 2012
    0 likes

    Don’t see SugarSync here … It seems rather good.

    | Like
  • Prashanth Mittu143 February 7, 2012
    0 likes

    i want to remot control softwares
    i have internet shop

    | Like
  • Giriverbisht007 February 7, 2012
    0 likes

    very good site in my view ……………giriver 8439881423

    | Like
  • Vega February 8, 2012
    0 likes

    process explorer should be in here, its the ultimate task manager

    | Like
  • Sivin February 8, 2012
    0 likes

    ITS AWESOME

    | Like
  • Ahmadennne February 9, 2012
    0 likes

    greatest page

    | Like
  • j o February 9, 2012
    0 likes

    what about Zune? it is the essential iTunes alternative. It is simpler. it all so is better designed and coded than the Apple Bloatware well all hate (especially for windows)

    | Like
  • Minsethukyawswar February 10, 2012
    0 likes

    min kyawswar

    | Like
  • Minkyawswar February 10, 2012
    0 likes

    minkyawswar@gtalk.com

    | Like
  • Adil Elavia February 10, 2012
    0 likes

    A library of free soft wares for anyone.

    | Like
  • Sheezan February 10, 2012
    0 likes

    AWESOME COLLECTION

    | Like
  • Momin378 February 11, 2012
    0 likes

    momin

    | Like
  • Anonymous February 11, 2012
    0 likes

    I LOVE THIS SITE…………………………….

    | Like
  • Dave February 14, 2012
    0 likes

    Wow i probably just downloaded 4 programs from this! thanks!

    | Like
  • Skyrinkuyadav February 14, 2012
    0 likes

    ple i want to more knowledge for computer

    on this id
    skyrinkuyadav@gmail.com

    | Like
  • prafull February 14, 2012
    0 likes

    Hi, give Cubic Explorer a try and consider adding to you list. I found it very useful as file browser.

    | Like
  • TheMoffalo February 14, 2012
    0 likes

    For antivirus I use BT net protect plus, but that might only be for british peple…

    | Like
  • Mamunkhan000 February 16, 2012
    0 likes

    assa hay

    | Like
  • Brahmaji February 17, 2012
    0 likes

    Internetdownloadmanager knownas idm is best download manager, supports refreshing address, works great even in slower connections.

    | Like
    • FSNLenneth February 19, 2012
      0 likes

      IDM is not free. It is a 30 day trial and after that it does not start!

      | Like
  • Mr_brain_91 February 18, 2012
    0 likes

    best only best

    | Like
  • Chuck Beavers February 19, 2012
    0 likes

    Very interesting! Open on all levees, thank God He parted the Red Sea

    | Like
  • FSNLenneth February 19, 2012
    0 likes

    mydefrag for deframentation. It’s free and lightweight. I find it especially handy for moving all the data to the front of a drive in preparation for resizing a partition. (which windows cannot do)

    | Like
  • George Almeida February 20, 2012
    0 likes

    Thanks

    | Like
  • Asd February 22, 2012
    0 likes

    you can also add

    Tortoise SVN
    Wireshark
    Immunity Debugger
    BSPlayer free
    Adobe Reader
    Daemon Tools Lite
    WideCap
    Xampp/Wamp
    Ashampoo Burning Studio Free
    CamStudio
    WinMerge
    Filezilla
    FlashGet

    | Like
  • Jai53205 February 23, 2012
    0 likes

    no audio output device is installed

    | Like
  • Shah Khan February 24, 2012
    0 likes

    thanxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    | Like
  • Tib February 24, 2012
    0 likes

    Great collection, thank you.
    But I miss AIMP and AIMP tools as well. They are outstanding and free softwares.

    | Like
  • sheriff February 24, 2012
    0 likes

    nice

    | Like
  • Sagar Nargolkar February 24, 2012
    0 likes

    Great list of software’s for Windows, but Nimbuzz should be included in the list.

    | Like
  • Tryit2004 February 24, 2012
    0 likes

    At the document and pdf section, the absolutly shoud be included pdfcreator, extremely stable, I use it a my office for years and never had a crash. Maybe not very fast, but stable

    | Like
  • Pooyan February 26, 2012
    0 likes

    thank you for best web.good luck.

    | Like
  • Itai Aaronsohn February 27, 2012
    0 likes

    A great list, I think zeZebra should also be in here- take a look

    | Like
    • Aibek March 3, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks, will check it out

      | Like
  • Gurram February 27, 2012
    0 likes

    i know nothing about it

    | Like
  • micheal February 28, 2012
    0 likes

    this websites is the best and continue adding new software.

    | Like
  • surya wings February 28, 2012
    0 likes

    s it all opensource software ? or

    | Like
  • Deroxmanximt February 28, 2012
    0 likes

    What about MpcStar player…the best media I’ve experienced so far!

    | Like
    • Aibek March 3, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks, will check it out

      | Like
  • Withsystem February 28, 2012
    0 likes

    nice .. thanks a lot

    | Like
  • Gladyoureachedme February 28, 2012
    0 likes

    forgot System Explorer (an outstanding free product which hands-down beats task manager)? Your exclusion makes me wonder about those that you DO recommend.

    | Like
  • Guest February 28, 2012
    0 likes

    How about Comodo Dragon browser? Tho’ I’d long loved Chrome it uses waaaaay too much CPU resources – like 50% at least, at ALL times! ! Comodo Dragon is barely using between 9% and 27% – an overall savings of more than 50% and much more secure as I can attest after running my standalone security cleaners, etc.

    | Like
    • Lambvolution July 6, 2012
      0 likes

      comodo dragon browser is very slow, maybe it lighter than firefox but not to google chrome

      | Like
  • Guest February 28, 2012
    0 likes

    On several occasions I have chosen downloads from those individuals posting their favorites-of-type omissions by your site (from this very ‘forum’) and have found them to be excellent products which your site seems to have overlooked.

    | Like
    • Aibek March 3, 2012
      0 likes

      could you send in some examples

      | Like
  • Muhammadburhan52 February 29, 2012
    0 likes

    what about internet download manager and tune up??

    | Like
    • Aibek March 3, 2012
      0 likes

      will deff. check the out before the next update to the page

      | Like
    • Lambvolution July 6, 2012
      0 likes

      Internet download manager and tune up utilities isn’t free software,

      | Like
  • D.Hackie March 1, 2012
    0 likes

    good quality product u hv..

    | Like
  • john March 1, 2012
    0 likes

    what about thiny Purrint that captures everything in just 1mb and its free…

    | Like
    • Aibek March 3, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks, will definitely check it out

      | Like
  • JazZz March 3, 2012
    0 likes

    What about JetAudio and Eset NOD32 5 Antivirus& Firewall?

    | Like
    • Cary May 28, 2012
      0 likes

      Nod32 is awesome. Don’t know about JetAudio. :) .

      | Like
  • Anonymous March 3, 2012
    0 likes

    this is very useful.
    thank you

    | Like
  • Deepak GIdturwar March 4, 2012
    0 likes

    good site all things avlaible

    | Like
  • Deepak GIdturwar March 4, 2012
    0 likes

    good one site is really good

    | Like
  • fob911 March 5, 2012
    0 likes

    If I could make a suggestion, why didn’t you guys recommend Spotify? It gives you music for free and legally with I believe 20 hours of free music a week (haven’t checked in a while). Definetely worth looking into.

    | Like
    • Aibek March 5, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks for the input, will definitely take this into account on the next update to the page

      | Like
  • Notoneofus March 5, 2012
    0 likes

    Make Use Of ROCKS!!!

    | Like
  • Bhveshdatt March 5, 2012
    0 likes

    fantastic

    | Like
  • Shanjadobrial March 5, 2012
    0 likes

    but i want some best software

    | Like
    • Tina March 5, 2012
      0 likes

      Weren’t you able to find any on this page? What is it that you are looking for?

      | Like
  • Preetam Das March 9, 2012
    0 likes

    What about Download Accelerator Plus (DAP) ?? I think it should be included in the Downloads section. DAP is a very popular software and used by millions of users !!

    | Like
  • Ajir March 9, 2012
    0 likes

    Great info …., thanks

    | Like
  • Amir Hunter2012 March 9, 2012
    0 likes

    awesome

    | Like
  • Nitin Cuba Brijiya March 10, 2012
    0 likes

    ya.. these are really very good softwares..

    | Like
  • Sclark5257 March 10, 2012
    0 likes

    any password breakers?

    | Like
    • Tina March 10, 2012
      0 likes

      Apparently not. :)

      | Like
    • Aibek March 11, 2012
      0 likes

      nope, only the tools that have a wide appeal

      | Like
    • Little John April 23, 2012
      0 likes

      To find lost password to Windows use Hiren’s BootCD.

      | Like
  • MatthewC. March 10, 2012
    0 likes

    wow, this site it complete, well organized…just…Bravo!!!

    | Like
  • abdallah alfayez March 11, 2012
    0 likes

    thank u 7ob <3 ^_^

    | Like
  • Sid Uniyal88 March 16, 2012
    0 likes

    amazing :)
    THANKS

    | Like
  • Guest March 16, 2012
    0 likes

    I have have one app in almost every section

    | Like
  • Lawrence Coffee March 18, 2012
    0 likes

    An excellent resource. Lot’s of oldies and some newbies too. I would suggest perhaps that Inkscape should be added to anyone’s must have list if they are a Technical writer, like myself, or a Graphic Designer. I cannot convince my office to add my Photoshop suite/ Corel Draw solutions I own on my business laptop. From using them, I can tell you that they offer quintessential resources for professionals. And in the case of Inkscape, they are truly the first software platform to openly embrace the .SVG file, and through their leadership should be able to develop an existing, and often unsupported universal standard that would compliment the .PNG and .PDF files well.

    | Like
  • TBS March 18, 2012
    0 likes

    Greate! Kukur………

    | Like
  • Muhammad Faique March 19, 2012
    0 likes

    Awe Some Guys Great Website

    | Like
  • SmileMIC March 20, 2012
    0 likes

    thanx chalis

    | Like
  • Vigneshraj Boss March 21, 2012
    0 likes

    tnx

    | Like
  • Guest March 21, 2012
    0 likes

    You should try SPlayer and add it to the Video category. It’s a lightweight, yet stylish and elegant. Most video formats are supported (even more than vlc without having to install Kcodec) and it automatically add other videos, of the same format and in the same folder, to the playlist. The UI is so nice and easy. It can automatically download subtitles from the internet and you have the advantage of changing the appearance of the subtitles. Easy remove the black bar on the video with one click and enjoy a movie in the full size of your screen. Only thing I found to be annoying is sometimes the whole app becomes corrupt then all the text of the player is in korean or something. Hopefully this will get fixed when it’s popularity rises. Well that is all from me. Check it out – It’s a really good, yet still unpopular app.

    | Like
    • Aibek March 26, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks, will definitely check it out before the next update to the page

      | Like
  • Gopal_9998 March 22, 2012
    0 likes

    this is the best software provider

    | Like
  • Matthieu Covemaeker March 24, 2012
    0 likes

    I would like to download almost everything! Thanks

    | Like
  • Billy Hill March 25, 2012
    0 likes

    For a great uninstaller, I use Comodo Programs Manager.

    | Like
    • Lambvolution July 6, 2012
      0 likes

      isnt free or not? i’m using Iobit uninstaller and i’m very satisfied with the performance

      | Like
  • Md.Abul Fazal March 25, 2012
    0 likes

    The Best Windows Software Site

    | Like
  • Jefevir March 28, 2012
    0 likes

    hi guys i need one software to ride or change my IP address so i can open any brosower thanks

    | Like
    • Tina April 2, 2012
      0 likes

      Jefevir,

      it may take a while until this page is updated with the type of tool you are looking for. Meanwhile, the best way to receive some recommendations is asking a question at MakeUseOf Answers.

      | Like
  • Walison March 28, 2012
    0 likes

    bedankt er zitten goede programma tussen

    | Like
  • Aung Htet March 29, 2012
    0 likes

    great info for me and i really like it!

    | Like
  • Prasenjit Sarker March 29, 2012
    0 likes

    of course, thanks.

    | Like
  • Kalpesh Kalekar March 30, 2012
    0 likes

    You should try this browser Rock melt
    http://www.rockmelt.com/

    | Like
    • Tug Ricks August 9, 2012
      0 likes

      I tried it, but found it to be a bit bloated and overwhelming. Maybe I’m not the target audience though. (Not huge into social networks and what not.)

      | Like
  • Heart Disk March 31, 2012
    0 likes

    i love this post

    | Like
  • Latiffono1 April 1, 2012
    0 likes

    nice thanks

    | Like
  • Suresh April 2, 2012
    0 likes

    superb and best software.
    thanks..

    | Like
  • Marvaldar April 2, 2012
    0 likes

    I would like to recommend Maxthon internet browser, very fast browser said to be couple of times faster than Chrome:
    http://www.maxthon.com/

    | Like
    • Aibek April 5, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks for the recommendation, we’ll check it out

      | Like
    • Tug Ricks August 9, 2012
      0 likes

      Eh, to be honest, the fact that it’s operated out of China makes me hesitant. :|

      | Like
  • Nikoflores_008 April 4, 2012
    0 likes

    this is the most best site ever :)

    | Like
  • jsnow April 4, 2012
    0 likes

    How about this tool Make blu-ray/DVD media playable with any player software.
    http://www.bd-free.com/
    who can tell something ,thanks in advance

    | Like
  • Uschiewek April 10, 2012
    0 likes

    I see that you recommended AVG antivirus. I would not recommend AVG for anyone. I have the paid version of AVG and got bombarded with viruses TWICE! The first time I was able to download another, free, antivirus to clean my computer. The second time it infected every program to include my Window7 and I had to take in for repair. AVG interfaced and told me they could not find viruses on my computer but their antivirus program found 24 viruses. I am now using Kasperky. It does not slow down my OS like AVG did and it catches all viruses BEFORE they get on my computer. STAY AWAY FROM AVG!

    | Like
    • Aibek April 11, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks for the input, we’ll take into consideration on the next update to the page.

      | Like
  • Dazzams April 11, 2012
    0 likes

    You offer an excellent site & service – Thank you – I don’t often bookmark a shortcut to something I come across.

    | Like
  • Krishankantgoyal April 11, 2012
    0 likes

    thanks 2 u

    | Like
  • Clint Norwood April 11, 2012
    0 likes

    I would add Peazip and Cathy (disk index – cataloger), both are extremely useful and problem free.

    | Like
  • Tbork1 April 11, 2012
    0 likes

    What about an IP camera viewer with audio?

    | Like
  • erald mariano April 12, 2012
    0 likes

    any free app you can recommend that can record your screen? something that can be used for tutorials? i am now using Freez Screen Video Capture (windows) but quality is too low. TIA

    | Like
    • Aibek April 13, 2012
      0 likes

      Hey Erald,

      Try searching MakeUseOf for “screen recording” or “screen capture”, we wrote a bunch of articles on the subject. I am sure you will several good apps for that. You may also ask about this on MakeUseOf Answers, http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/

      Aibek

      | Like
    • Tina April 15, 2012
      0 likes

      Erald,

      I recommend you to ask that question over at MakeUseOf Answers.

      | Like
    • Tug Ricks August 9, 2012
      0 likes

      In case you’re still looking, I’d suggest Screencast-O-Matic. Great program that’s completely free and simple to use.

      http://www.screencast-o-matic.com

      | Like
  • PeteS April 16, 2012
    0 likes

    I use DVDstyler to make DVD’s from all kinds of video files…
    There is a portable version too…
    http://portableapps.com/apps/music_video/dvdstyler_portable

    | Like
  • Rhonda McPherson April 17, 2012
    0 likes

    I really appreciate Make use of. I have learned so much. I have so much fun reading everything. I also appreciate that it is free. Thanks so much!

    | Like
  • Tim April 20, 2012
    0 likes

    I really like Make Use Of. I would like to recommend that you include MusicBee as an alternative to the other audio player/organizers. I have used most of the apps listed, and have found MusicBee to be superior to all others in that category. It has a great combination of useful features without being bloated. In fact, it is the very first audio player/organizer that has every feature that I was looking for. Don’t take my word for it, check it out.

    | Like
    • Aibek Esengulov April 20, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks, we’ll definitely check it out

      | Like
    • Tina April 20, 2012
      0 likes

      Thanks Tim! MusicBee has been added to the list of apps to consider the next time we review this page.

      | Like
  • Srinivas Bijoor April 21, 2012
    0 likes

    Great list.But software for high end video and image editing,sequencing,CGI,VFX named Blender is missing.It has some high end features and its free

    | Like
  • Little John April 23, 2012
    0 likes

    For downloading off of Rapidshare and like web sites, I like to use MiPony. No listings of eBook readers, like Kindle or Caliber or Nook.

    | Like
  • andre April 24, 2012
    0 likes

    Best antivirus i think is Avast, i have paid license in i have no problems.

    you can download free license from here: http://softneo.com/avast-free-antivirus

    | Like
  • eMSki April 26, 2012
    0 likes

    For torrent I recommend qBittorrent (“qBittorrent is based on Qt4 toolkit and libtorrent-rasterbar.”) . http://www.qbittorrent.org/

    | Like
  • ashwani sharma April 27, 2012
    0 likes

    this site is just awesome than any othe.very useful,hepful,free and best,fullfills everythng

    | Like
  • Apurv April 28, 2012
    0 likes

    thanks for sharing so much apps,i only knew 10-20 of them. :)

    | Like
  • Jayaprakash Narayana Maganti April 29, 2012
    0 likes

    Yes softwares are really working fine Thank you very much

    | Like
  • Osama Javaid May 1, 2012
    0 likes

    What about adding ‘slawdog smart shutdown’ and ‘Speccy’ ?

    | Like
    • Aibek Esengulov May 1, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks, we’ll check them out before the next update to the page

      | Like
  • Silver May 2, 2012
    0 likes

    Softwares are excellent.

    But I can not find a nice encrypt software. Why not pick the Easy Encryptor in the collections.

    | Like
  • yinxs May 2, 2012
    0 likes

    Great list. About virusscanners, Panda should definitely be on the list too. It’s rated amongst the best (together with avira and avast) and is probably the most lightweight of them all. Also, AVG is, in contrary to your description, one of the more bloated freeware scanners atm.

    | Like
  • Megha May 7, 2012
    0 likes

    FileMenuTools is not properly working after download…

    | Like
  • Abenezer May 8, 2012
    0 likes

    wow I like it so so much.Keep it up!

    | Like
  • Joseph Robert BUGEMBE May 8, 2012
    0 likes

    You guys and girls are doing a good (informing and educating) job, many thanks and keep it up!

    | Like
  • HARRY May 9, 2012
    0 likes

    HI There…

    is it all will never ask serial number to register, and or to use and operate each software will never ask same serial number ???

    thanks and regards…

    | Like
    • Aibek Esengulov May 10, 2012
      0 likes

      Hi Harry,

      Almost all of the the listed apps here are free and don’t require any activation code or serial number.

      | Like
  • Coarch May 9, 2012
    0 likes

    Your missing XNView

    The tool is like FastStone but with all the features of Picasa and partially gimp. It has been around since Win2000.

    http://www.xnview.com/

    | Like
  • Tan Guangjun May 12, 2012
    0 likes

    iobit has stopped permanently the development and maintenance of IObit Toolbox(as a standalone product). However, he will continue developing and maintaining IObit Toolbox in their flagship product, Advanced SystemCare. So, if you need to continue using IObit Toolbox, please download the latest version of Advanced SystemCare here.
    Thanks.

    | Like
  • Timon May 14, 2012
    0 likes

    I use Copernic Desktop Search a lot.
    It’s great, especially to find stuff within Outlook (E-Mails, Tasks, Contact)

    | Like
  • Sachin Kanchan May 14, 2012
    0 likes

    got a hp lappie…used “tune up” to maintain and defrag my laptop…but once visited the service centre and they said the third party or other softwares as such hamper the battery and may reduce the battery life in the run…so better use windows own “disk cleanup” and “disk defragmenter” just to be on the safe side…
    comment if i am wrong

    | Like
  • IamGautia May 15, 2012
    0 likes

    You have a great site and its a great post. Almost all the software’s listed are free that’s great but what’s the problem the best licensed software’s when you can get the licences of almost all the softwares in the internet for free or just with a little trick use it free.

    I use Kaspersky pure, Windows 7, Office 2010 and many more all for free.

    | Like
    • Aibek Esengulov May 15, 2012
      0 likes

      well, the thing the software you’re referring to isn’t normally FREE. And using a cracked version considered stealing in many countries.

      | Like
  • DT May 16, 2012
    0 likes

    Check out SpaceSniffer, it’s an awesome visualization tool to help you see which directories are consuming the most hard disk space.

    | Like
  • Sander Wegdam May 18, 2012
    0 likes

    Love this, good options ;)

    | Like
  • Sachin Kanchan May 19, 2012
    0 likes

    i would recommend any software from the given options…

    but for maintaining a pc, or to keep them tuned using softwares like TuneUp Utilities , or
    CCleaner or any other defragmenting or cleanup software… i would not recommend any..

    my laptop retailer said these third party or other softwares harm the battery life and decrease and degrade them in long run…so it is best to use window’s own provided -
    -disk cleanup and disk defragmenter

    | Like
    • Tina May 19, 2012
      0 likes

      Thanks for the reflection, Sachin.

      Proponents of third party applications argue that a lot of thought and development time went into making these better than the native Windows tools. The native Windows uninstaller, for example, has been shown to be very bad at properly uninstalling software, leaving a lot of junk in the registry or on the hard drive. Other native tools, such as defrag, disk cleanup, or partition management lack key features or make it very complicated to achieve the same result.

      I’m not sure how these tools could harm the battery life. They could definitely drain the battery if you would let them run in the background continuously. However, this is a decision each user has to make.

      | Like
      • Sachin Kanchan May 19, 2012
        0 likes

        i agree …
        for like Revo uninstaller pro is one of the best software removal tools…

        and i had been myself using these softwares to maintain my lappie for a while now….wonder why they said so…
        but its obvious that they use more system resources and power
        and them are tech experts too…we can’t simply take them wrong

        | Like
  • Morfic May 23, 2012
    0 likes

    I’d recommend XMPlay(http://support.xmplay.com/) as a lightweight yet highly customizable and extensible (via provided plugins) replacement for Winamp

    Cheers

    | Like
  • tigershark202 May 25, 2012
    0 likes

    Good day

    Can we use them with windows 7?

    Regards

    | Like
    • Tina May 25, 2012
      0 likes

      Yes of course you can!

      | Like
  • Darrell Thomas May 28, 2012
    0 likes

    i would like to say ive had a few problems in the past with softonic.com ive had viruses/spyware after downloading software from softonic.com so i would watch out what your downloading from softonic.com ok thanks

    | Like
    • Tina May 28, 2012
      0 likes

      Thanks for the heads-up, Darrell!

      What typically happens is that when you use the Softonic installer, you are offered additional downloads. However, you can deselect and thus choose not to install them. Often, those additional apps, e.g. toolbars are recognized as spyware by antivirus software.

      | Like
  • ghassan ghazla May 29, 2012
    0 likes

    what is the best video player ??

    | Like
    • Tina May 29, 2012
      0 likes

      Personally, I think VLC is the best. It’s also the top choice in the list above.

      | Like
  • ratnesh May 30, 2012
    0 likes

    sir i am a daily visitor of your site. But i have found that some people copy your post and they dont give you any credit
    please visit this site and take strict action against it

    http://www.meetgajjar.in/p/best-windows-software.html

    | Like
    • Tina May 30, 2012
      0 likes

      Thanks for the heads-up, Ratnesh. We are aware of these copy cats.

      | Like
  • Clint Norwood May 30, 2012
    0 likes

    Please add Peazip to the Archive Managers. It’s small, fast and very reliable. Just right-click and extract anything. It’s even portable if you wish.

    | Like
    • Tina June 2, 2012
      0 likes

      Clint, Peazip has been added to our review list for the next update of this page. Thanks for the suggestion!

      | Like
  • escher7 May 31, 2012
    0 likes

    I use many of the utilities mentioned. However, it amazes me how these types of sites never mention the Maxthon Browser. I have used it for a year and nothing compares in speed, built-in tools, safety and flexibility. ALL of the others have become hogs where Maxthon has remained lien. Try it.

    | Like
    • Tina June 2, 2012
      0 likes

      Not sure why Maxthon Browser is not on this list. However, we will consider it for the next update of this page. Thanks for the input!

      | Like
  • Andy Roche June 1, 2012
    0 likes

    some one to help me,
    i need a software to help me access internet for free .

    | Like
    • Tina June 2, 2012
      0 likes

      Andy,

      This is not an easy question to answer, especially without knowing your situation. I would recommend posting a question on MakeUseOf Answers. Please add a little more information, for example how you access the internet now, what devices you own, and in which country you live.

      | Like
  • Mihovil Pletikos June 1, 2012
    0 likes

    what about skydrive,

    | Like
    • Tina June 2, 2012
      0 likes

      Thank you Mihovil! We will take it into account when updating the page.

      | Like
  • Thomas June 2, 2012
    0 likes

    I suggest you to add MusicBrainz Picard to the Audio section. It’s a cool application

    | Like
    • Tina June 2, 2012
      0 likes

      Thank you for the suggestion, Thomas! I have added it to the list of apps to review for the next update of this page.

      | Like
  • saju June 2, 2012
    0 likes

    I suggest oovoo in communication category, its a good alternative to skype.
    http://www.oovoo.com/home.aspx

    | Like
  • clabbe June 2, 2012
    0 likes

    Under archive managers, check out Extract Now. It’s much better than 7-zip. Just make sure not to download Incredibar when installing it. It’s tough to locate and remove.

    | Like
  • Gene Baker June 3, 2012
    0 likes

    Another all-in-one you can add to the others group is D-7. I own my own part time consulting business and between D-7 and Hiren’s boot disk, I have found almost no software issues I have not been able to resolve for customers.

    Thanks for the cool and informative website.
    Gene

    | Like
  • Melissa Dunienville June 3, 2012
    0 likes

    You should check Kestrel GX, that’s one of the best and most complete photo software i have used so far. I’ve been using it for over a year now and must say that it’s far much better than many commercial photo software. It’s free.

    Nice to see irfanview in the list too. I’ve been using this software for quite some years now. Keeps getting better with each new release.

    Melissa

    | Like
  • Achraf Almouloudi June 3, 2012
    0 likes

    You didn’t include the wonderful Panda cloud antivirus in security .

    | Like
  • Alan Wade June 4, 2012
    0 likes

    How about ePrompter and Waterfox.

    | Like
  • bob June 5, 2012
    0 likes

    take a look at zoner photo studio free, I currently use this and I’ve used picasa and irfanview before, but I find this one to be better

    | Like
  • GamE June 5, 2012
    0 likes

    what about your uninstaller?

    | Like
  • yousef ibrahim June 6, 2012
    0 likes

    i need a free program like folder lock !
    thank you very much

    | Like
  • Cliff Mccullar June 7, 2012
    0 likes

    for cd/dvd burning, imaging etc alcohol 120. Great piece of software, has more functionality than any other copy program on the market(that i have ever found, and ive used a good bit of the ones on that list).

    teamspeak/mumble/ventrilo are also very useful for VOIP in certain situations(mostly for gaming), yes skype also works but especially for slower PC’s these outperform due to a smaller amount of resources used.

    | Like
    • Tina June 8, 2012
      0 likes

      Thank you for the recommendations, Cliff! These have been added to the list of apps to review for the next revision of this page.

      | Like
  • jayzee June 10, 2012
    0 likes

    i think you should look at nexus. it’s perfect…
    http://www.winstep.net/nexus.asp

    | Like
  • David Schwartz June 12, 2012
    0 likes

    Makeuseof is totally awesome for making all of this available!

    | Like
    • Markel June 13, 2012
      0 likes

      I use a number of the programs listed here, but I would add the free version of NoteTab (NoteTab light) available from http://www.notetab.com . I install it on every computer I work on.

      | Like
  • NoIQ June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    Missing some pretty good one’s here and repeating a few, also some are just plain bloat ware. I think you should narrow it down to a tool which is best for each purpose.

    SumatraPDF
    FScapture (Portable as free)

    two which for sure should be on there

    Thanks

    | Like
    • Tina June 13, 2012
      0 likes

      Thanks for the suggestions, I added them to our list of apps to review.

      | Like
      • NoIQ July 2, 2012
        0 likes

        Noticed has included Sumatra PDF in his review of PDF readers, Chris Hoffman.

        Nice to see it featured.

        | Like
  • Little John June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    For web site to download most of free software is NINITE.COM, by checking off the software you wish to install. The web site creates a silent install, doesn’t install any toolbars or misc. junk. I use this site when I am sitting up new computer for a friend.

    | Like
  • Dave June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    Great list but can’t believe you missed Spyware Blaster it’s one of the first Apps I install on my machine when I do a re-install about once a year. Here’s the link take a look see what you think –

    http://www.brightfort.com/spywareblaster.html

    | Like
  • Ryan C. June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    Don’t forget about CrashPlan for backup. I use it and it’s very good :-)

    | Like
  • Arun Singh June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    you can list one more freeware called Spotflux http://www.spotflux.com/. this really nice to make internet more secure,safe and private .

    | Like
  • Pushkar June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    n What about the Freemake Softwares
    Freemake Video Converter and Freemake Downloader, they are pretty awesome and FREE !

    | Like
  • michael hill June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    thanks for the update it is very very cool and easy to use. this is just a note to every one in your company so if possible forward to a general mail box so all can see, this web site is proably the helpful on the web in todays world it is great to have such a broad based information at my finger tips.
    keep up the great work. JOB WELL DONE ONE AND ALL.

    | Like
  • Gregg June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    Know of any good programs which help to safely remove flash/external drives? It always bugs me when no programs are open and windows says its still using it..

    | Like
  • Ryan C. June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    Another great program for the Audio section is MusicBee

    | Like
  • Krishley Purmanun June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    Nice list. Would love to see Kestrel GX in that list – http://www.kestrelfly.com
    Kestrel GX is a free photo editor and photo organizer. This software has been highly rated by many top download sites including CNET and was even featured in many PC magazines. If you need any more info do get in touch with me.

    Krishley.G.D.Purmanun
    Developer of Kestrel GX
    http://www.kestrelfly.com

    | Like
  • Joey June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    nice list.

    One I have had great luck with is SlickRun. Its like Launchy, but much faster and “out of the way”.

    http://www.bayden.com/slickrun/

    | Like
  • Vince June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    Why isn’t Download Accelerator Plus in your list? It’s an excellent program, especially for downloading large files. In the free version it uses 4 or 5 download locations to split the file up and download simultaneously. I use it a lot.

    | Like
  • Dan June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    Hiren’s appears to be a great CD of utilities, but as best I can tell, it is infected with some nasty malware. At least that is what Microsoft Security Essentials says.

    | Like
  • Al Grosser June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    Check out the following:
    Renamer – http://www.den4b.com/
    Duplicate Cleaner – http://www.digitalvolcano.co.uk/
    Wireshark – http://www.wireshark.org/
    Google Earth – http://earth.google.com/
    WorldClock – http://www.carefile.com/WorldClock/

    | Like
  • snert June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    What about VSO Downloader?

    | Like
  • Newnottakenname June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    Although I gotten dvdvideosoft from this very website I’m not seeing it here. A little tear. It can download (whole playlists), convert, and a lot more.

    Windows live mesh, unfortunatly has been a kind of discontinued. (you can not sync your files with it anymore). Instead you can now use the skydrive app, which in my opinion did not quite met the awesomeness of mesh. You should probably check it out to see it for yourself.

    Good luck with all,
    Newnottakenname

    | Like
  • Alan Wade June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    Unfortunately when you read through the comments, as the tech help comments, some of the quotes and comments are just not respectful or related. I hope you dont mis-understand me as an Englishman living in a different country, I am not racisist in any way but the comments and suggested answers need to be filtered in my opinion.

    I have wrote for, and still do for many sites, but dont find it entertaining to write for sites that dont monitor the replys that they get, or allow a multitude of un-related answers to make the post count look good.

    Sadly, at the moment the main influx of answers here is from India/Asia, again not to be racisist but would suggest it is for the prizes offered rather than help that can be given.

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  • Karl Gephart June 13, 2012
    0 likes

    I’d like to add some more great FREE Win programs…Nexus (INCREDIBLY flexible docking program, can simulate OS X), Sublime Text 2 (GREAT text and HTML editor with plugins, I like better than Notepad++), Memory Optimizer (really works great!), Light Alloy (great playlist media player with awesome file support, light on resources, portable version available), Smart Defrag 2 (fast, very effective), Advanced Uninstaller Pro 11 (yes, FREE, very effective with great tools), peazip (fine program).

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  • Mayank Agarwal June 14, 2012
    0 likes

    I would like to recommend COMODO Programs Manager for Uninstallers Section…
    It’s one of a Unique Software by COMODO…
    U’ll definitely forget about other un-installers coz COMODO programs manager actually records paths to all files (in directory as well as registry) when installing a software so much faster un-installing as it discards the need to search for the un-installer file and registry edits…

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  • Simon Clough June 14, 2012
    0 likes

    Quite an interesting list! Many of the programs have pride of place on my systems.
    However, quite shocked that your audio section does not mention AIMP3.
    As a disabled ex systems manager I rely a lot on music as after 3 strokes concentration is difficult. I have spent an awful lot of time trying ‘free software’ of all kinds and I think just about every audio player there is! AIMP3 is now my default, indeed only, player and I have installed it on all the family’s laptop etc. One of the most relevant points is that you are offered upgrades at least twice a year – it is actively being developed!
    Thanks for your efforts, MUO is also loaded on all the familys kit!

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  • Leenesh Singh June 14, 2012
    0 likes

    There is a tool called http://www.tagkeys.com which is used for shortcuts. E.g. you type “.addr” and it will insert your full address in any windows program. I have not found a similar tool anywhere else.

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  • T.Terlemez June 14, 2012
    0 likes

    Hello

    FreeMind is a very good planning, productivity and presentation software.

    And thanks for this very good and usefull list.

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  • Will June 16, 2012
    0 likes

    I would suggestion when you update this list that you mark which ones are new. So we can see what has been added.

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    • Tina June 20, 2012
      0 likes

      Excellent suggestion, Will! We will keep this in mind.

      | Like
  • arob11 June 18, 2012
    0 likes

    Thanks for the updated best Win software list – several app’s I shall have to check out. However, I would have added 3 software treasures: Goodsync (the full version is worth every penny), SyncToy (still a gem for it’s efficient simplicity) and Axcrypt (not the very strongest file encryption out there, but offers auto re-encryption on file closure – bliss).

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  • arob11 June 18, 2012
    0 likes

    Oops! – further to prev’ comment – I see you did mention Synctoy. Quite right – I would have given it a more enthusiastic write-up personally.

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  • Dave Rimmer June 19, 2012
    0 likes

    Also take a look at WinPatrol it’s great for cutting down your start up items, you can disable items and also have them on delayed start great App.

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  • Rick Alley June 21, 2012
    0 likes

    I reckon Antirun is MALWARE. It hijacks your browser with some Greek search bar and redirects you to Greek websites. I could not get rid of it with Windows Restore, and had to reinstall a drive image backup to get rid of it.

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  • Terafall June 23, 2012
    0 likes

    I think you should include Autohotkey and Belvedere

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  • Denis Binks June 24, 2012
    0 likes

    Hi there

    your website is fab

    | Like
    • Aibek Esengulov June 26, 2012
      0 likes

      thank you

      | Like
  • hero June 25, 2012
    0 likes

    Search Everything by voidtools available for free download on voidtools is a wonderful tool to search file names (if want to search file with a particular extension, then write the extension along with the file name e.g. nero exe).
    It displays results before a blink of the eye!

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    • Aibek Esengulov June 26, 2012
      0 likes

      thanks, I will check it out

      | Like
  • David June 27, 2012
    0 likes

    Great list, but what is the best piece of software that can check for duplicate pictures?

    | Like
    • Tina June 30, 2012
      0 likes

      David,

      For software suggestions, I recommend asking a question on MakeUseOf Answers.

      | Like
  • Radie June 27, 2012
    0 likes

    Is there any chance of Game Booster 3 getting a full review? Always a little hesitant about DLing and using it.. A good look at what it does and how it works (and any potential issues) would help me out a lot.

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  • Linda June 29, 2012
    0 likes

    Love this list! So what’s the best software for creating a flipbook?

    | Like
    • Tina June 30, 2012
      0 likes

      Linda,

      I recommend asking a question on MakeUseOf Answers to get suggestions.

      | Like
  • Nagesh July 2, 2012
    0 likes

    Thank you very much for this list. really useful.

    | Like
  • Pranav Rastogi July 3, 2012
    0 likes

    hy all of you there the site is awesome. I like it too much.
    I would also like to contribute to the software.
    Please tell me how can i do it.
    :)

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  • Chris R July 4, 2012
    0 likes

    Among the things I have downloaded that is Avira, Comodo Firewall, Universal Extractor(Great extractor of installers, zips, rars) , Mipony(Great for bulk Mediafire Downloads), Virtual Box, TeamViewer, NitroPDF.

    Better include Norton Identity Safe in the “Others” section until October. A great Password Manager which is free for a limited time

    | Like
    • Tina July 4, 2012
      0 likes

      Thanks for the recommendation, Chris! I have added Norton Identity Safe to our list of tools to review. Although I’m not sure we will add something that is free temporarily.

      | Like
  • Dennis Phillips July 6, 2012
    0 likes

    I have Google Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer as browsers. Would adding Opera and Safari interfere or cause confusion between browsers or would it enhance my Internet capabilities?
    Since I am NEW in this what are the Applications you would recommend in….Audio. Video.. Downloads Antivirus software..(across the various sections). There are so many and you don’t want to duplicate or utilize unnecessary software. Please help.

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    • Tina July 6, 2012
      0 likes

      Dennis,

      Three browsers are more than enough. Adding more would not necessarily interfere with already installed browsers. However, I wouldn’t run them all at once.

      I’m afraid it’s hard to make recommendations from all the categories without knowing your needs. And since you are new to this, it’s likely you don’t really know your needs either. Just try the first listed, it’s usually the most popular. For example VLC as audio/video player or Avast as antivirus programme.

      | Like
  • Kiril Buzev July 10, 2012
    0 likes

    PowerMenu by Thong Nguyen – I use it every day to hide progs in the systray or set priority
    Prey (tracking stolen devices)

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  • Josh Vogler July 10, 2012
    0 likes

    While the comments list is already too long for most people to spend reading, I will add to it. These articles are great for helping get Windows customized and working how you want for FREE. It’s easy to spend 1/2 the price of your computer just to get it working how it should out of the box. $20 for 3rd party app to remember location of windows correctly, $20 to be able to re-size dialogue boxes, $49 to have ‘windows explorer’ ‘preview’ pane in separate window on 2nd monitor, $20 to get screen-savers and wallpaper to work correctly across dual monitor, $20 to upgrade pitiful sound control options from task-bar. This list is way more massive than what I just typed quickly. This page helps find a cheaper way to use you computer the way you want to.

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    • Tug Ricks August 9, 2012
      0 likes

      Oh my goodness I totally agree. I worked at Best Buy (Not for them, just at the store.) and I always felt bad for the elderly people that got suckered into paying for anti-virus/spy-ware software. The same people who pay for anti-virus software are probably the same people still pay for porn. :)

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  • Gian Singh July 17, 2012
    0 likes

    iobit advanced system care should be on there

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  • RèShâm PàñTh July 18, 2012
    0 likes

    How about adding GOMPLAYER for videos and TuneUp Utilities for utility??

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  • govindasamy July 18, 2012
    0 likes

    very good ………………………..i like very much,,,,,,,

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  • Bobby Lasley July 18, 2012
    0 likes

    ive just started using some of your manuals on win.7 and other tips.a great help for me.thanks guys !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    | Like
  • sagar July 22, 2012
    0 likes

    very good….was helpful…:D

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  • Brian Lawrence July 22, 2012
    0 likes

    I am looking for a free video downloader that will detect on;line video’s on page viewing and give me an option of where to download them to. Any suggestion would be deeply appreciated. Thank You

    | Like
    • Saikat Basu July 24, 2012
      0 likes

      Hi Brian,
      Nothing comes to mind immediately. But perhaps you can put this question to our wider community at MakeUseOf Answers [http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/]

      | Like
    • Tug Ricks August 9, 2012
      0 likes

      You could try Audials Moviebox. MUO is giving licenses away for free in exchange for points. Pretty good deal, and I think it might be what you’re looking for.

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    • jrasulev August 17, 2012
      0 likes

      I am using Freemake Video Downloader, it is absolutely free. But to use is, you must install .Net Framework 4.0 first

      | Like
  • Patricia Alsup July 23, 2012
    0 likes

    You guys are AWESOME. Thank you!

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  • Doc July 24, 2012
    0 likes

    Could I suggest putting the comments on a separate page? The main page is getting so large, it takes forever to finish loading before I can even begin to scroll down. The “Hide Comments” option does not persist between sessions.

    Thanks!
    Doc

    | Like
    • Tina July 25, 2012
      0 likes

      Good point, Doc and thank you for the feedback!
      We will look into the issue and see what we can do.

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  • JavaChips July 25, 2012
    0 likes

    Missing productivity application: CintaNotes
    http://cintanotes.com/

    A great way to manage notes that is both light weight, easy to use, and has a very very powerful search and tagging system. I use it daily and consider it a diamond in the rough.

    Check it out.

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  • Ahmed Saqr July 26, 2012
    0 likes

    very good collection actually
    precisely picked

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  • Mike Green July 28, 2012
    0 likes

    I do not recommend Comodo firewall, it is the most annoying program I have ever installed onto systems.

    | Like
    • Saikat Basu July 29, 2012
      0 likes

      Any particular annoyance(s) you would like to mention here about Comodo?

      | Like
      • Tug Ricks August 9, 2012
        0 likes

        I stopped using Comodo simply because of how much attention it was requiring of me. (Too many prompts/pop ups) Perhaps it works better than the standard MS firewall, but it made using my computer more of a chore than it needs to be.

        | Like
  • Steve Taylor July 28, 2012
    0 likes

    Have you tried PhotoFiltre as an image editor?
    Also small foorprint and easy to use with many featurs…

    | Like
  • Sunil Panwar July 31, 2012
    0 likes

    Thanks To U & Ur thoughts

    Which is the Best Software to Upgrade Windows 7 Drivers

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  • Evan Spangler July 31, 2012
    0 likes

    I mainly use very old and slow computers, and that generally rules out even lightweight antiviruses, so Microtrend Housecall is nice. Just run it whenever you want, there is no background apps running.

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  • Krishna August 1, 2012
    0 likes

    Please suggest any software’s which can lock drives or folders (other than Trucrypt) and also software for downloading online videos. Thanks in advance.

    The best website I ever gone through. Thank you soo much …:)

    | Like
    • Tina August 1, 2012
      0 likes

      Krishna,

      Have you tried to search MakeUseOf? We have definitely written articles about such apps. See my search for lock folder and download online video, respectively.

      You could also ask for recommendations on MakeUseOf Answers.

      | Like
  • RAmu Aki August 1, 2012
    0 likes

    VLC media player is the player for me. really works out.

    | Like
  • Ghassan Ghazala August 2, 2012
    0 likes

    http://www.kmpmedia.net/ This is the official website for KMPlayer .

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  • tej August 4, 2012
    0 likes

    why don’t you included zune in audio list?

    | Like
  • Little John August 6, 2012
    0 likes

    One of best uninstallers is Advance Uninstaller Pro version 11.11 and it is free. Advanced Uninstaller PRO is the ultimate uninstaller for Windows, allowing you to uninstall programs quickly and completely using its simple and intuitive interface.

    For more information go to: http://www.advanceduninstaller.com/

    | Like
    • Saikat Basu August 7, 2012
      0 likes

      Looks good. Thanks, we will check it out and consider it for the next updated list.

      | Like
  • Terafall August 8, 2012
    0 likes

    I have some ideas
    1)I think Makeuseof should pick 1 or 2 software/apps as the best in each category
    2)Label commercial software/apps as trialware or shareware

    | Like
  • Kris C. August 8, 2012
    0 likes

    Bitdefender is , in my opinion, the best anti-virus program for windows, period !

    | Like
  • jrasulev August 17, 2012
    0 likes

    Nice collection of freeware, but why antivirus tools like Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool, Dr.Web CureIt! 6.0 are no listed here, as they are the best tool to remove rootkits, trojans and other malware, when other installed antivirus fails to cure.

    | Like
    • Saikat Basu August 18, 2012
      0 likes

      We keep updating the list. Maybe, in the next round these will find a mention. Thanks for the suggestions.

      | Like
  • Mike MacLeod August 17, 2012
    0 likes

    Hi
    Is there a cd/dvd burner software similar to Nero? I want to back up files to cd/dvd and when I insert the cd/dvd the software must make a list of files that have changed and automatically back up as pre – Nero5 versions did?
    Mac

    | Like
    • Saikat Basu August 18, 2012
      0 likes

      There are quite a few CD/DVD burner tools, but for your particular requirement…hmm. Maybe, you could ask this in our Answers section. The wider community could have a solution.

      MakeUseOf Answers – http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/

      | Like
  • Pranav Srivatsav August 18, 2012
    0 likes

    I think Daum potplayer deserves a place in the video tools list – from the creator of km player…. plays anything you throw at it and lite on resources…. i see it on par with vlc… hope u look into it… Sincerely speaking, this is one of the websites that i would run into , if at all i’m havin any queries in regards to pc , ….and this coloumn is really buzzin with exciting freewares . Another suggestion is auslogics readyboost , a tidy piece of software for windows maintenance.

    | Like
  • John Penland August 25, 2012
    0 likes

    The download link for CopyTo Synchronizer seems to be pointing to a dead website or they forgot to pay the bills.

    It still seems available by all the various sites that rehost programs that one that sounds like wikipedia for software..

    | Like
    • Saikat Basu August 27, 2012
      0 likes

      The hosting seems to have expired. Thanks for spotting that.

      | Like
  • sanjay_addya August 25, 2012
    0 likes

    I am a Computer Professional and use Avira Free Antivirus in my desktop, laptop and also recommend to all my clients. Its really a very good antivirus and its free.

    | Like
  • HannibalCat August 28, 2012
    0 likes

    Time for an update to this page, I think. New reviews of the software.

    | Like
  • Rich Mc. August 30, 2012
    0 likes

    I personally like using the free download gamebooster it really helps to stop unwanted programs and allows for greater performance.

    | Like
  • Do Huy Ngoc September 7, 2012
    0 likes

    excellent list but should it be updated more frequently? There ‘s a myriad useful softwares out there

    | Like
    • Tina September 7, 2012
      0 likes

      Our lists are being updated regularly. We have people responsible for lists and they review the comments for suggestions before updating the list. So if you see something missing, please add it as a comment. Thank you!

      | Like
  • m g September 7, 2012
    0 likes

    FotoSketcher would be a good addition for the Photos/Images section.
    http://www.fotosketcher.com/

    | Like
  • Jordyn Bushaw September 8, 2012
    0 likes

    AVG software works, but it sucks up your computer’s memory, which will slow your computer down.

    | Like
  • Jordyn Bushaw September 8, 2012
    0 likes

    I have used the anti-virus software from Lavasoft, it worked great, I did a full system scan, and at the end, it said that my computer was highly infected. I ran a full system scan a couple more times, and my computer was free of threats.

    | Like
  • Ion Vasile September 10, 2012
    0 likes

    For PDF view best is MartView

    | Like
  • Vishal Mishra September 15, 2012
    0 likes

    This is the best list of software on the internet. Thank you MUO.

    | Like
  • PROP2020 September 17, 2012
    0 likes

    Good list. I look forward to your 2012 list. I’m a computer technician- so of the apps I use daily are:
    Avast http://www.avast.com
    Sugarsync https://www.sugarsync.com/
    ScreenConnect http://www.screenconnect.com/
    Chrome
    D7 http://download.cnet.com/D7/3000-8022_4-75450656.html

    I also enjoy-
    Tapatalk http://www.tapatalk.com/
    Amazon Kindle
    Viber http://www.viber.com/

    | Like
  • Joses Lemmuela September 30, 2012
    0 likes

    Vuze(a.k.a Azureus) should be considered, it’s a more powerful torrent client than uTorrent. Great list though.

    | Like
  • Anonymous October 3, 2012
    0 likes

    This is Actualy a really good list of software even i would recomend, the only additions i would add are Gpu-z and Cpu-z but theese are mostly power-user Apps.

    | Like
  • Lawrence Ott October 11, 2012
    0 likes

    I recommend IObit’s free advanced systems care and smart defrag 2 to all who have slow running PC’s.

    | Like
  • Sudheendra chari October 14, 2012
    0 likes

    +1 for AVG

    | Like
  • Martin M. Jørgensen October 17, 2012
    0 likes

    I’d like to share http://www.holyfile.com as a software resource with you guys. It don’t replace Makeuseof, but supplement it well. :)

    | Like
  • howard wolowitz October 18, 2012
    0 likes

    thanx i could have used some of the stuff years before

    | Like
  • Pedja Ivanovic October 25, 2012
    0 likes

    VirtuaWin made my day !!!

    | Like
  • Howard Wolowitz November 7, 2012
    0 likes

    vlc was really good i downloaded it

    | Like
  • Abba Jee November 27, 2012
    0 likes

    I’m glad to see Comodo Internet Seucrity in Anti virus list as i,m using it my own for last 3 years or so never had a problem :) though i’ve been used kaspersky too and in my opinion it was best of best Anti Virus Software ( only if they make it free like comodo ) well its expensive that’s why i had to move to comdo otherwise i,m pretty sure KAsperSky is best antivirus, well
    its just my opinion you may agree with me or not

    | Like
  • Dave Kissoon December 3, 2012
    0 likes

    What about orbit downloader?

    | Like
  • Isla Duffy December 8, 2012
    0 likes

    Excellent guide

    | Like
  • Akhil Kumar December 11, 2012
    0 likes

    Check these out: Hamster Lite Archiver, NexusFile, Inbox2.

    | Like
  • Denis Cole December 11, 2012
    0 likes

    Many thanks for all the great news and reviews you provide! This software is really useful! THANKS

    | Like
  • Jonthue Michel December 13, 2012
    0 likes

    I have became a big fan of the site since I bump into this page and tried out some of the software on top. Totally grateful for makeuseof,com, keep up the good work!!!

    | Like
  • Charles McCullough December 30, 2012
    0 likes

    Interesting site. I would add:
    ObjectDock-Place start menu on the dock and combine with Start Killer to rid the earth of the start button
    Acive Ports-excellent peer viewer
    ToolWiz Time Freeze-Record changes to a system over time and revert after the session is over. Great for testing
    SpeedFan-Easy to see temps and fan speeds. Make adjustments to fan speeds.
    CPUID PC Wizard-Comprehensive system information and a benchmarking tool
    Comodo Programs Manager-Great installer/unistaller
    GBoost-Gaming optimizer best I have used
    Windows Search 4.0 (for XP)-upgrade search capabilities of XP

    :)

    | Like
    • Saikat Basu December 30, 2012
      0 likes

      Active Ports looks useful. Thanks for the recommendations. We will surely consider them when it’s time to update this page.

      | Like
  • Aakash Kothari January 19, 2013
    0 likes

    Please add some software for windows 8 platform

    | Like
  • Switchblade Rebirth January 21, 2013
    0 likes

    NOTE: Bitdefender now has a “Free Antivirus” version and should be included in this page. Here’s the site: http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

    | Like
  • Dr Ramraj February 27, 2013
    0 likes

    aimp3 must be added

    | Like
  • Zaid Mark March 27, 2013
    0 likes

    I Would like MakeUseOf team to review Registry Recycler which perhaps is a best free registry cleaner available today in 2013. Here is the Site Link:

    http://www.registryrecycler.com/

    | Like
  • Reý Aetar April 24, 2013
    0 likes

    what about KGB Archiver though it doesnt support most formats but the compression rate is super atleast unmatched its free should be incuded

    | Like
  • Kristina Appertu May 3, 2013
    0 likes

    That is an insane list holy “#%”# :)

    Already downloaded 3 essential tools I didn’t even know I needed, thank you.

    I have two suggestions to the list:

    1. Watermark software (http://freewatermarksoftware.com)
    As a photographer this can sometimes be very good when showcasing previews of ie. wedding photos.

    2. OUTDATEfighter (http://www.spamfighter.com/OUTDATEfighter)
    Easy keep all my programs and software updated.

    Again thank you for all the great tools.

    | Like