MajorGeeks Top Freeware Picks

[BoraMurdar]

*Note* As of January 14th-16th, this page is undergoing a massive change. This list now ONLY includes truly free software

This is a list of the absolute BEST, TOTALLY FREE programs for your computer. No worrying about sneaky toolbars, third party programs or wrappers. Send suggestions, comments or complaints about this list ti tim at majorgeeks.com. Enjoy!




All-In-One System Tools

• Simple System Tweaker
  There are a handful of safe, tested tweaks most geeks will apply to a computer. This does it for you and saves potentially hours.
  Download at: http://majorgeeks.com/Tweaking.com_..._Formerly_Simple_Performance_Boost_d7176.html

• Wise Care 365
  I have used Wise Care 365 over the years and it’s a solid, all-in-one suite that pretty much does it all. There’s a video on the download page, so check that out as well.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/wise_care_365.html

• Glary Utilities
  Glary Utilities has a Disk cleaner, registry cleaner, start up manager, file shredder, process manager, shortcuts to Windows tools, memory optimizer and much, much more.
  Download at: http://majorgeeks.com/Glary_Utilities_d5870.html

• X-Setup (Older)
  X-Setup was a pretty hard core tweaking program but was abandoned in 2002. The author agreed to provide a key to Majorgeeks so it could live on.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/X-Setup_d127.html
  
  
  
  Anti-Virus Protection

• Avira Free Antivirus
  Avira has good speed, accurate detection and removal and has been consistently rated a 4.7 out of 5 by our readers. A pro version is also available.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Avira_AntiVir_Personal_-_FREE_Antivirus_d955.html

• Microsoft Security Essentials
  Microsoft finally got into the game with free protection for all Windows users in 2010. While the detection and removal is very good we feel it can be a bit slower for power users.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Microsoft_Security_Essentials_for_Windows_d6242.html
  
  
  
  Anti-Spyware & Anti-Malware Scanners

• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
  Malwarebytes is one of our all-time top downloads and for good reason. It's simple, fast and effective. You can purchase full time protectionso you don't get infected again.

• SUPERAntiSpyware
  SUPERAntispyware might not be as recognizable a name to you but don't let that stop you. SUPERAntiSpyware has saved me a few times when other programs have failed to detect or remove a problem.
  
  
  
  Driver Updaters

• Driver Booster
  I've used this one for years and it works great. It does offer to install one of their other programs at the end, but since it's not malicious or a wrapper it makes it onto the list.
  Download at http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/iobit_driver_booster.html

• Driver Easy
  A newer program, this one also can back and potentially repair driver problems.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/drivereasy.html
  
  
  
  
  Drive Cleaners

• CCleaner Slim
  CCleaner has been around and highly rated for many years. It also has a start up manager, registry cleaner and shortcut to remove programs.
  Download at: http://majorgeeks.com/CCleaner_Slim_d4191.html

• Wise Disk Cleaner
  If you find CCleaner too conservative then Wide Disk Cleaner can often free up an additional gig removing file CCleaner won’t touch.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/wise_disk_cleaner.html
  
  
  
  Defragmenting Tools

• Defraggler
  Defraggler is brought to you by the same guys who created CCleaner. If you like CCLeaner then try this one.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Defraggler_d5777.html
  
  
  
  System Information

• Tweaking.com - System Information
  Tweaking.com is the same guy from PCWinTech.com and all of his utilities are free and 5 star programs so this is no exception.
  Download at: http://majorgeeks.com/Tweaking.com_-_System_Information_d7142.html

• Belarc Advisor
  Belarc Advisor can be found in use by most techs. It shows all of your system information into a web page.
  Download at: "http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/belarc_advisor.html
  
  
  
  Web Browsers

• Cyberfox 64-Bit Web Browser
  If you want a 64-bit version of Firefox, here you go. And it's pretty awesome.
  http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/cyberfox_64_bit_web_browser.html

• Mozilla Firefox
  Mozilla Firefox is one of the most popular browsers out there and for good reason. It is fast, stable and offers enough add-ons to make sure it works exactly as you want it to.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/mozilla_firefox_35.html

• Google Chrome
  Google Chrome continues its “keep it simple stupid” concept with this browser. Seems to be getting worse over time though.
  Download at: http://majorgeeks.com/Google_Chrome_17.0.963.83_Final__d7594.html
  
  
  
  Uninstall Old Programs Completely

• Revo Uninstaller
  Revo Uninstaller is another very popular utility in this category and has managed to remain totally free.
  Download at: http://majorgeeks.com/Revo_Uninstaller_d5706.html

• IOBit Uninstaller
  IOBit Uninstaller can remove programs and do a deep scan for leftover files, folders and registry entries. This one does offer to install their Advanced System Care so watch that at the end.
  Download at: http://majorgeeks.com/Iobit_Uninstaller_d6427.html
  
  
  
  Email Clients

• Mozilla Thunderbird
  Thunderbird is an email client from Mozilla who is also the group behind the popular Mozilla Firefox web browser. Installation and setup is easy, the spam filter is very good and it does not require any sort of registration.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/mozilla_thunderbird_17_05_final.html

• Sylpheed
  I'll make this one short and simple. It is a simple, clean 3 panel interface similar to Outlook Express. Sylpheed has been around a long time.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Sylpheed_d5003.html
  
  
  
  Diagnostics

• Tweaking.com Windows Repair
  Getting errors from your computer? Windows Repair will go through your system and reset and repair many potential problems with your computer. A Portable version also available.
  Download at: http://majorgeeks.com/Tweaking.com_-_Windows_Repair_d7141.html

• Ultimate Boot CD (UBCD)
  Getting a bit geekier here. With Ultimate Boot CD you can boot your computer from the CD\DVD drive to run tools. This is especially useful if you have a computer that will not start at all.
  Download at: http://majorgeeks.com/Ultimate_Boot_CD_d4981.html

• BlueScreenView
  BlueScreenView scans all your minidump files created during 'blue screen of death' crashes, and displays the information about all crashes in one table. Great program if you just need to diagnose the dreaded blue screen of death.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/BlueScreenView_d6200.html

• IObit Toolbox
  Display/diagnose PC information, enhance PC security, optimize PC performance and repair PC problems. It is portable but no longer updated.
  Download at: http://majorgeeks.com/IObit_Toolbox_d6503.html
  
  
  
  Backup Your Important Files

• Dropbox
  No need for a second hard drive, external drive or DVD. With Dropbox you can use the Cloud to backup your important files. You can also share and sync.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Dropbox_d6413.html

• DriveImage XML
  Copy files folders or even your entire partiton to another drive. You can compress them as well to save space. You can restore images without having to reboot.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/DriveImage_XML_d4919.html

• Karen's Replicator
  Karens' has been around for years and we love it. It has some limitations, though. The biggest thing is it will only back up to another hard drive or on your network. R.I.P Karen Kenworthy - April 12, 2011. Your software will live on.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Karens_Replicator_d3917.html
  
  
  
  CD\DVD\Blu-Ray Burning Tools

• Ashampoo Burning Studio Free
  This is an older version of the Ashampoo Burning Studio but it still works great. There are very few true freeware programs in this category so if you like this you can buy the professional version.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/ashampoo_burning_studio_free.html

• Free Any Burn
  Copy, burn, write images and more. Pretty sweet little program considering it’s only just over 1 MB.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/free_any_burn.html
  
  
  
  Recover Deleted Files

• Recuva Portable
  For free, Recuva is an excellent choice. It's fast, easy to use and can even try to recover lost emails, deleted music and Microsoft Word documents or temporary files.
  Download at: http://majorgeeks.com/Recuva_-_File_Recovery_d5514.html

• Unstoppable Copier
  Another that has not been updated in years but fills a niche like PC Inspector below. It was designed to recover files from scratched CD's or defective floppy/hard disks.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Unstoppable_Copier_d2623.html

• PC INSPECTOR Smart Recovery
  Bad news? It hasn't been updated since 2006. Good news? It is really designed to recover photos digital cameras including memory cards so only get it for that.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5040
  
  
  
  Graphic Programs

• Picasa Photo Organizer
  Picasa makes organizing all of your photos a breeze. You can create albums, screen savers, slide shows and even edit your photos. Uncheck default Google search if you like.
  Download at: http://majorgeeks.com/Picasa_d4476.html

• XnView
  Photoshop is expensive. Sometimes you need those features but not a full blown, pricey suite. XnView might just fill in the gap.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/XnView_Full_d4974.html

• IrfanView
  You can apply everything written about XnView (above) and apply it to IrfanView. Both have a very long history. One neat advantage to IrfanView is the IrfanView Plugins.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/IrfanView_d4253.html

• Paint.net
  Paint.net was actually designed to be a replacement for the old Microsoft Paint that came with Windows that grew into an excellent program offering features that make it as good as IrfanView and XnView.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Paint.NET_d4548.html

• The Gimp
  Gimp can be used for many different photo management purposes but its real power lies in photo retouching, image composition and image authoring.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/The_Gimp_d4485.html
  
  
  
  Office Tools
  
  1: LibreOffice Productivity Suite
  Designed to be an Office replacement it does an excellent job. The list of features is too long to go into here, so take a look. It is also available as the next beta as well as a portable version, something the other programs lack.
  Download at: http://majorgeeks.com/LibreOffice_Productivity_Suite_d6644.html
  
  2: OpenOffice.org For Windows
  Everything said about LibreOffice can also be said about OpenOffice.org. It has been around a long time and this is another one of those coin flips. OpenOffice.org is rated a tad higher if that makes a difference to you.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/OpenOffice.org_For_Windows_d3461.html
  
  3: Tomahawk PDF+
  This is a free version of their more feature filled product. You can create PDF and even export into different format. The dictionary, thesaurus and help files are all left out on this free version.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Tomahawk_PDF_d5871.html
  
  4: AbiWord
  We always have people trying to figure out how to just get Microsoft Word on their computer. Here is a solution with AbiWord. It can do everything Microsoft Word does, integrates seamlessly and document you open or create are compatible with Microsoft Word.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/AbiWord_d5325.html
  
  5: Notepad++
  Microsoft Notepad included with Windows works. That's about it. Notepad++ allows you to have Notepad on steroids. It has a WYSIWYG interface and is handy for programmers including HTML, Java, PHP, Pascal, Perl and more.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Notepad_d4910.html
  
  
  
  Honorable Mention

• TeamViewer QuickSupport
  Got a friend who needs help with their computer or vice versa? With this simple no installation version of TeamViewer you simply run it and get a code to connect to and a password. I swear by this program and so will you.
  Download at: http://majorgeeks.com/TeamViewer_QuickSupport_d6689.html

• AI Roboform
  I’ve been a registered user for over 10 years. Manage all your passwords easily. 10 passwords limit in this download though.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/roboform_everywhere.html

• SpeedGuide.net TCP Optimizer
  Having issues with your internet connection and suspect it is your Windows settings? This program can apply the optimal settings in your Windows registry as well as reset everything to default.
  Download at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/speedguide_net_tcp_optimizer.html

 

[Maxxx58]

Can I ask some question?
What's the difference between CCleaner Slim and CCleaner?
And, Cyberfox and Waterfox, which is better in you option?
Thank you!

 

[BoraMurdar]

Can I ask some question?
What's the difference between CCleaner Slim and CCleaner?
And, Cyberfox and Waterfox, which is better in you option?
Thank you!

CCleaner Slim is CCleaner Standard but without toolbar in it's setup file.
About Cyberfox and Waterfox I cannot tell, 'cuz I use Chrome

 

[frogboy]

The very best place to download software. Bar none.

 

[StriderHunterX]

....and me,acting all scared! You guys knew about the Christmas Giveaway....

Aside from the excellent Wise Care 365 Pro,they provided the community with AShampoo Burning Studio 2015,WonderFox Video Watermark Pro,DVD Ripper Speedy and Video Converter Factory Pro.

Love this site so much.Indispensable site for techies....

 

[woomera]

thanks for sharing the list with us

 

[clyde]

Thanks for this

 

[StriderHunterX]

http://wikisend.com/download/839026/MajorGeeksGiveaway2014-1.zip

http://wikisend.com/download/654292/MajorGeeksGiveaway2014-2.zip

^I'm sharing the software I mentioned on these 2 links.Remember,as explained by MajorGeeks on December,that version is full and yours forever.

As soon as it is updated,it will revert to 30-day trial version.....

 

[jackuars]

Good list but MSE

 

[donetao]

Hi! Some good freeware in that list @BoraMurdar . I'm just not a fan of snake oil programs that mess with my registry and promise to clean up my PC and make it run faster. I'll clean my own PC. I won't name the snake oil programs freeware, but there are some on that list that won't get installed on my PC. However there are some good ones in that list also. I trust Major Geeks for down loads, but Tim is in the game to make money. Major Geeks is about the only site you can trust these days for freeware down loads. Most have PUP's. I hate PUP's
PS Still watching the sun set over the ocean Tim??

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

This is wonderful list with a rich variety of free software (apart from those donetao warns may be registry "snake oil"). Thank you for sharing your map to buried treasures, BoraMurdar! Perhaps "Tim" watches the sun set from a tropical island beach.

 

[jackuars]

@BoraMurdar . Major Geeks is about the only site you can trust these days for freeware down loads. Most have PUP's. I hate PUP's

Don't forget Softpedia. And it has a much bigger database than MajorGeeks, the biggest of all with 1.2 million softwares.

I'm just not a fan of snake oil programs that mess with my registry and promise to clean up my PC and make it run faster. I'll clean my own PC. I won't name the snake oil programs freeware, but there are some on that list that won't get installed on my PC.

Honestly the purpose of these cleaners is not to speed up the performance, although some might claim to do so. Deleting a few 50 to 100 keys among the 10,000's or more of the keys isn't going to give any performance advantage.

However if you are careless and one who installs/uninstall a boatload of programs on your PC then using the registry cleaners *could* help you. If you've installed something that plugs into Windows in some way or the other and doesn't work good and also doesn't uninstall properly, you might take a look at these RC's.

Simple advice is that, don't make registry cleaner as a part of your daily computer maintenance. Simply do it, if you find that when Windows is acting in really odd or undesirable ways. This might really help. Once a month might not hurt either, but most of all don't forget to backup your registry before you *sweep* it, any decent RC would do that anyway.