Free Computer Software (Windows)

[Bevan Price]

I suggest that this thread is used for members to post their experiences with free (or cheap) software for Windows computers. My initial comments are based on Windows 7 operating systems.

There is a lot of free software available, some useful, some less useful, and some is dangerous. Before installing any "download" software, I suggest doing a Google search for reviews of the software. You also need to beware of things that try to "piggyback" their way onto your computer on the back of download software. Untick any boxes that offer to install extra toolbars, browsers, etc.

Now - keeping your computer clean and as safe as possible. The more "rubbish" on your computer, the slower it becomes. Some of the following help you to remove much of this rubbish and keep your computer running fast. In addition, I suggest, if the option is available, set your internet browser to delete browser history on exit. If you don't do this, you can find something like Internet Explorer storing thousands of temporary files on the computer.

1. Microsoft Security Essentials.
Free download from Microsoft Windows site - if you have a legal copy of Windows. Includes anti virus protection, etc. OK, but seems painfully slow if you do a full scan of everything on your computer.

2. Ccleaner

Cleans lots of unnecessary & spurious files from your computer. Various options available in the menu. Will also check the registry for unneeded entries, and backs up the registry before making any changes. Seems safe and fairly effective. Free download.

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner


3. AdwCleaner

Locates and removes adware that has infiltrated your computer.
Seems safe & fairly effective.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/

4. Malwarebytes anti-malware.

Helps to prevent & remove malware from your computer. Free download, or pay for a version with extra facilities. Seems safe & fairly effective.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

5. Tweak Now Registry cleaner. Removes unnecessary entries from the registry. Other options available in menu. Free download, but donations invited: seems safe & effective.

http://www.tweaknow.com/RegCleaner.php


Some other download locations - but beware of my initial warning.

http://www.tucows.com/downloads?hp=A2

http://sourceforge.net/

 

[SS4]

Not software from me (I've not used windows in years except at work where I've no choice) but security advice that can be done with free (as in speech) software or from what is already installed on the machine.


Use permissions correctly (this applies equally to the *nix world) and think about what's being asked of you. A program like Windows Media Player or Internet Explorer should never need Admin access. Read what it tells you and only click yes if you know you asked it to do that.

On the subject of users you should run your user account and your admin account separately. Since Vista I believe this is default in windows which only uses the admin account for certain takes (like sudo for the *nix users)

Make Regular backups, of user data if you're lazy and the whole system if you'd prefer to keep system files. It is easy to reinstall an OS - I can have my OS up and running within half an hour but any data will be lost forever/out there in the wild. Should your computer become infected you can restore a backup

Never run plugins from a browser unless you're exceptionally sure they're safe.

Computer being used for store confidential files or just ones you'd rather nobody saw? Encrypt the device and be sure to always lock the computer when it's not within arm's reach. Windows key + L will lock a device quickly. Naturally pick a strong password. For the experts use an (encrypted) USB stick with a randomly generated key on or a fingerprint scanner to unlock the machine.

 

[Zoidberg]

...

2. Ccleaner

Cleans lots of unnecessary & spurious files from your computer. Various options available in the menu. Will also check the registry for unneeded entries, and backs up the registry before making any changes. Seems safe and fairly effective. Free download.

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner


...

Another useful freebie from Piriform is Recuva - if it's possible to recover a deleted file, it'll do it for you. The main point to bear in mind is not to try to recover a deleted file to the same media i.e. if recovering from a USB stick, set the destination to, say, the hard disc.

I've used this successfully on a number of occasions, mainly to help out (almost) distraught friends who deleted when the ought not to have.

http://www.piriform.com/recuva

...

Make Regular backups, of user data if you're lazy and the whole system if you'd prefer to keep system files.

...

Anyone who does not, deserves all that they get when the hard disc fails.

And using a USB drive or memory card as a back-up is not recommended. That sort of media is fine for moving something from one place to another (where the original continues to exist) but not as the sole repository of a back-up.

 

[Yew]

For pre windows 7, defraggler is another good program from Piriform. A much more efficient and powerful defragmenter. When I'm on my PC I'll put a link.

Avast and AGV are pretty good free virus protection programs.

 

[asylumxl]

HiJackThis

Great for removing various spyware from start up etc.

 

[Zoidberg]

HiJackThis

Great for removing various spyware from start up etc.

Yes, but only if you are able to interpret the output from the log produced.

 

[asylumxl]

Yes, but only if you are able to interpret the output from the log produced.

More recently they added a wizard of sorts. Incredibly useful if people don't mind learning a little.

 

[Zoidberg]

More recently they added a wizard of sorts. Incredibly useful if people don't mind learning a little.

Ah, thanks for that - it's been a while since I used it. I'll take a look

 

[maniacmartin]

I don't use Windows often, but free software I use includes:
Some sort of antivirus - Avira or Avast
7-zip
Firefox/Chrome
Gpg4win
Truecrypt
Nitro PDF Reader or SumatraPDF (loads faster than Adobe)
LibreOffice - Office suite
GIMP or Paint.net -Image editing
Thunderbird email client