Best Windows Freeware Apps

So you have built that new PC or bought one recently and need some software to get yourself started. Well here are some really great free applications you can download that will help ya out. They are categorized by type and are just as good if not better than some of their commercial counterparts.

Security

1. AVG Antivirus / Avast Antivirus
2. Spybot Search & Destroy / Lavasoft Adware Se Personal / Microsoft Anti spyware- Detect and deletes unwanted software (antispyware)
3. SpywareBlaster - Prevent the installation of spyware and other potentially unwanted software!
4. Zone Alarm Firewall / Kerio Personal Firewall (or switch on the built in Windows Firewall in Win XP SP2)
5. Ultimate Boot CD - Bootable disc with essential diagnostic utilities

Internet

1. Mozilla Firefox - Safer alternative to Internet Explorer
2. Mozilla Thunderbird - Safer alternative to Outlook Express. Supports RSS via extensions.
3. SharpReader / Awasu / Amphetadesk - Stand alone RSS news reader FeedDemon is an excellent shareware
4. Internet chat programs - Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, AIM or Trillian / Gaim (1 program to chat on all networks)
5. Skype / Gizmo Project - Internet telephony
6. Google Toolbar for IE and Firefox
7. Azureus Java BitTorrent Client

Multimedia

1. iTunes / Winamp Music Player
2. Audacity - Free, open source software for recording and editing sounds.
3. Picasa - Photo management, sharing and basic editing software.
4. Gimp / Paint.net / PhotoPlus - Advanced photo editing software (Similiar to Adobe Photoshop)
5. Artrage - Simulated canvas painting
6. Video Players - Divx Player, Real Player, Apple Quicktime (These software are needed to play internet video)
7. VLC Player with K-lite Codec pack can play any file circulating on the net
8. Deep Burner Free / CD BurnerXP Pro - CD / DVD Burner

Productivity

1. Openoffice - Alternative to MS Office
2. Adobe Acrobat Reader / Foxit PDF Reader
3. Yahoo Widgets aka Konfabulator - Useful utilities which appear and disappear at the touch of a key
4. Evernote - Note taking application
5. PrimoPDF - Free pdf creator
6. Bonjour - Zero-configuration networking software ( if a wifi card is installed on the PC/laptop)
7. Copernic Desktop Search / Google Desktop Search / Yahoo Desktop Search
8. AT Notes - Stickies
9. AceMoney Lite - Personal Finance Manager
10. Izarc - Archive utility which supports multiple formats
11. WordWeb - Free Thesaurus and Dictionary
12. Unit Conversion Utility

Enjoy ;)

+dwebb