Free software

To my knowledge, the applications listed below are licensed for free use by non-commercial, home PC users. I have tried my best to compile a list of good, safe, free software, and I’ve tried the majority of them, but since I didn’t create them, I am unable to guarantee the quality, compatibility, safety, or really anything else about these products.

Improvements to built-in Windows apps:

  • Firefox – web browser with useful security features and lots of free add-ons available.
  • Paint.NET – drawing and photo editing tool with lots of neat features (may require installation of .NET framework from Microsoft)
  • PowerCalc – great calculator with memory, graphing, and history display; for Windows XP only
  • Revo Uninstaller – a more thorough way to uninstall applications from your PC
  • CDBurnerXP – CD/DVD burning software with lots of features

Staying safe for free

  • Spybot Search & Destroy - on-demand adware/spyware scanner; also can immunize against some known forms of adware/spyware; disable the TeaTimer feature during installation unless you know what you’re doing, as it can be a nuisance
  • Lavasoft Ad-Aware Free – another on-demand adware/spyware scanner; use it in addition to Spybot and/or test it out to see if it’s worth upgrading to their paid version (which includes automatic updates and realtime scanning)
  • AVG Anti-Virus Free – decent realtime antivirus scanner; most updates require no user intervention
  • Sunbelt Personal Firewall (unregistered/free edition) – firewall with enhanced protection over that offered by the built-in Windows XP/Vista firewall
  • KeePass – allows you to store all of your passwords in a single, secure database that can only be unlocked with a master password or master disk (just don’t forget the master!)
  • McAfee SiteAdvisor – tool that alerts you to websites that are known to be dangerous so you can avoid them; not always the most up-to-date, but a decent safeguard
  • MailWasher – anti-spam application that helps identify spam and allows you to delete it straight from your internet provider’s mail server (i.e., before it ever reaches your PC)

Free replacements for costly applications

  • OpenOffice.org – a complete office suite, similar to Microsoft Office; includes equivalents for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access; can open and save most Microsoft Office document formats
  • AbiWord – a small, simple word processor that’s great for older PCs when you don’t need all the bells and whistles of Microsoft Word
  • GIMP – a complete advanced graphics program similar to Adobe PhotoShop
  • InkScape – a vector drawing application (similar to Adobe Illustrator) for graphic designers
  • pdfcreator – allows you to create PDFs by “printing” any document to a special printer that saves the file as a PDF
  • PrimoPDF – another application similar to pdfcreator
  • Nvu – a web page editing application that is similar to (if less full-featured than) Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia Dreamweaver

Free games

  • PySolFC – an extensive collection of solitaire and Mahjong varieties
  • Enigma – another addictive puzzle game

Other free, useful applications

  • Audacity – full-featured sound editor and recorder; great for musicians or others trying to record themselves or remix others’ recordings
  • Evernote – note-taking software that makes it easy to clip content from web pages, upload photos, or simply type notes; also has a web version that keeps in sync with the Windows version, so you always have access to your notes
  • Pidgin – an instant messaging program that allows you to connect to AIM, Windows/MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, and other services simultaneously
  • Picasa – a photo editing and cataloging tool that makes it easy to manipulate and organize your PC’s photo collection
  • Workrave – a program that reminds you to take various types of breaks (you can customize the time intervals) so that you don’t get sore from staring at the computer for too long
  • StickyPad – virtual Post-It style notes for your desktop

Free web applications

  • GMail – a powerful web-based e-mail solution with great spam filtering; takes a little getting used to, especially the way it uses labels instead of folders
  • Google Docs – simple word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations that are saved online and can be shared with others
  • Zoho Office – similar to Google Docs but perhaps a bit more polished
  • Backpack – online to-do list and calendar application
  • Remember the Milk – similar concept to Backpack but with a very different feel; try both and decide which one you like better
  • Wesabe – a financial application and online community to help you manage your money more effectively
  • Mint – another financial application; some find it easier to update their accounts compared to Wesabe; others prefer Wesabe’s interface

Free web games

  • Orisinal.com – neat site with several small, simple, elegant games that take almost no time to learn (though may take longer to master!)
  • WorldOfSolitaire.com – several varieties of solitaire in your web browser
  • WordSplay.net – play a version of the classic word game Boggle against dozens of other people
  • GamesForTheBrain.com – games to keep different aspects of your mind sharp (memory, visualization, wordplay, etc.)

Free online services

  • LogMeIn Free – allows you to access your PC (if it’s turned on and connected to the Internet) from almost any other PC
  • MozyHome Free – allows you to back up your documents and settings to their server in case your hard drive dies or you accidentally delete a file

Sources for more free software

  • SnapFiles Freeware – directory of free applications sorted by category and including user ratings (hints: avoid the ads at the top and side of the screen, and avoid programs that are more than a few years old when possible)
  • Software for Starving Students - a free collection of programs organized for students (but available to anyone); designed to be downloaded (long download) and burned to CD
  • OpenDisc – another collection of free open source programs designed to be downloaded (long download) and burned to CD
  • OpenEducationDisc – a variant on OpenDisc geared more towards educational software