"Free" software

hdmi · Mar 19, 2025

cheaterslick said:
There's no such thing as 'free'.

Maybe not, but there is such a thing as 'free software'. Free software - Wikipedia

Stupsi · Mar 19, 2025

After reviewing this thread I have concluded some folks are really bored. Would it not be better to provide more insight on what is available or what you use.
If everyone complies and posts a list of the free software they use that is available, whether through installation or portable software. I think that would be benefit others more than hashing it out over coffee. Free and fully functionally programs I use are:
CCleaner
Privacy Eraser
HitBit Uninstaller
Winscript
Revo Uninstaller
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
And I bet there's a lot more good free programs out there that a lot of people don't know about.
Care to join in?

pseymour · Mar 19, 2025

@Stupsi It's been done to death, honestly. The linked thread below is not confined to free software, but it's an example. This topic comes up every few months.

What's your favourite productive app/program to install

As the title says, I wondered what everyone's most used/favourite/most helpful, productive program or app they always install on a computer. If you could pick one, not including Office and Adobe reader :-) Just thought I might pick up some tips re something I didn't know of. Edit: And not...

www.elevenforum.com

Stupsi · Mar 19, 2025

Your absolutely correct "pseymour" -- Thanks

OldNavy · Mar 19, 2025

I use several truly free programs:
Karen's Replicator - or anything Karen created before she unfortunately passed away
Cobian Reflector
XnView
KeepassXC
Bitwarden
Veracrypt

Github or Foss are good resources when looking for free/open source software
I use Home Assistant

cheaterslick · Mar 19, 2025

hdmi said:
but there is such a thing as 'free software'. Free software - Wikipedia

That doesn't mean anything.

They don't develop software because they're nice guys who want to save the world and don't want anything in return. lol

idgat · Mar 19, 2025

cheaterslick said:
There's no such thing as 'free'.

Ummm, Yes there is, the 29 that I use frequently, on multiple devices, are testament to the existence of absolutely "free" software

boomite said:
.. aren't "free downloads" misconstrued by many as Free software ?
Somewhat presented to confuse the unaware ..

Absolutely. The commercial "hook" is alive and well and truly living in spurious software distributors

Wynona · Mar 19, 2025

kelper said:
Free download and a thirty-day trial is reasonable. Why should companies offer software for nothing? But I won't fill in credit card details in case I for get to cancel.

Yep, there's Rocket money that says it will help you get rid of subscriptions you didn't know you had. I was dubious and of course it was well earned. I got to the point that they wanted my credit card and that's when I backed out! Ain't nobody getting my Social Security number or my credit card number. Yeah I know they probably have my Social Security number but I'm not gonna make it easier for them.

Wynona · Mar 19, 2025

idgat said:
Be wary of the "Free download" tag. Frequently denotes trial- or demo-ware, and often contains adware

And if the software is "free", really and truly, remember : you get what you pay for

Plenty of websites and forums with experienced users who recommend or otherwise provide warnings about "free" software. Research is your friend

And if in doubt, image your system before (test) installing

Just looking at my system, I have 29 genuinely free programs in active use (excluding web browsers). There are good ones still out there

ditto I don't have that many free programs, but I do have a few. Some are good and some are not worth the download.

antspants · Mar 19, 2025

Every now and again a gem comes along. One that is quite notable and I always mention, is FreeFileSync. It is unconditionally free.

Having said that, I use it every day. It is the one software that I would be happy to pay a reasonable subscription for. So I do, I donate between $10 & $20 every two months as a rule. Initially, after using it for a month, I donated $100. To me it’s worth it.

Another is Hasleo Backup (Free), but I suspect, or I am waiting for that to become a subscription as soon as their user base is adequate. Which seems to be the trend. I can’t argue with that business model though, it makes sense.

hdmi · Mar 20, 2025

cheaterslick said:
That doesn't mean anything.

I think the modern definition (from FSF) of the term 'free software' is actually pretty clear: The Free Software Definition - Wikipedia

So, it does mean something. At least to those who bothered to read the article I linked in my first reply to this thread, it does... Here's the link again: Free software - Wikipedia

cheaterslick said:
They don't develop software because they're nice guys who want to save the world and don't want anything in return. lol

As has been carefully explained in both articles, what they want in return is separate from whether their software meets the free software definition.

Morph000 · Mar 20, 2025

If it's worth having and affordable then buy it - Macrium saved my a$$ as few times, so well worth the purchase price. Subscriptions that remove core functionality, aahh no - I'll switch.
There are a lot of good apps that are 100 free but you may get watermarks or nags, but do all you want.
Simply look closely at the vendor's homepage - is there a store? Is the app in there? Yes, then it's a trial.
Then again there's gone-off-the-rails apps like Photoshop - subscription only with desired features like generative fill which is server-side, but they don't tell you that in their ads.
If there's a market void, alternatives will fill it.

jimbo45 · Mar 20, 2025

Berton said:
Also, Free to Download is not always Free to use forever.

In plain English Free to download means just that !!!! It doesn't mean anything else but of course many of these "sneaky" companies or individuals assume typical users will assume the software is free to USE and also assume the software does what the title says - even though it could be something totally different.

I've no problem in some individual developers requesting financial or other support for excellent freeware programs such as Calibre (for e-books - almost invaluable if you use kindles / other e-book readers) or HeidiSQL for browsing and manipulating all types of MySQL / MariaDB type databases etc.

In all these things - as they used to say in some of the more dubious streets with "Sexy Susie" type establishments etc -- A.Y.O.R.

Linux though is generally safe with Freeware - its whole ethos is community based open source free software and I've used Linux for years and have never encountered some of the rubbish entangled download stuff that's often available as "Windows Free downloads" which can be riddled with adware, spyware and all sorts of other payloads plus often the nag that a feature you want is only available if you "Go Pro" i.e PAY.

Decent paid software is fine if it does the job its intended for and the prices aren't "rip off rates". I disklike though with a passion the increasing use of the subscription model -- but I think that's another major topic on it own.

Cheers
jimbo

cheaterslick · Mar 20, 2025

hdmi said:
As has been carefully explained in both articles, what they want in return is separate from whether their software meets the free software definition.

Things evolve beyond dictionary definitions. 'Free' means having no cost associated with it, but people out there who are savvy to this nonsense, know otherwise. There's always some kind of price to pay. Anything else is semantics.

We're just not going to agree on this, that's all. Have a good day.

Scannerman · Mar 20, 2025

I'll say it again: If it's free then you are the commodity. You could be the influencer, the advertiser, the beta tester, or something even more sinister BUT in the real world it's nuthin' for nuthin' and that's fine by me. What bothers me is when they abuse paying customers with spyware, bloatware, fear ware, adware, annoying popups and potentially unwanted programs. Nothing makes me want to cancel my subscription more than these and I certainly have done so many times.

Bree · Mar 20, 2025

There are two completely free sites packed with essential tools, NirSoft and SysInternals, and one of them is from Microsoft!

freeware utilities: password recovery, system utilities, desktop utilities - For Windows

Unique collection of freeware desktop utilities, system utilities, password recovery tools, and more

www.nirsoft.net

Sysinternals Utilities - Sysinternals

Evaluate and find out how to install, deploy, and maintain Windows with Sysinternals utilities.

learn.microsoft.com

antspants · Mar 20, 2025

… and Sordum

Simplify Your computer Usage

We develop highest quality software to simplify Computer usage

www.sordum.org

antspants · Mar 20, 2025

Sordum Free Software

Dns jumper - 5.149.250
Windows Update Blocker - 3.494.817
Firewall App Blocker - 1.417.767
Reduce Memory - 1.200.142
Easy Context Menu - 790.654
Easy Service Optimizer - 576.060
Edge Blocker - 519.101
Folder Painter - 455.381
Win11 Classic Context ... - 400.738
ReIcon - 327.299
BlueLife Hosts Editor - 316.668
Ratool - 306.711
RunAsTool - 280.162
PowerRun - 259.927
DNS Angel - 258.448
AskAdmin - 253.206
Qemu Simple Boot - 240.546
WebCam On-Off - 233.998
Fix Print Spooler - 217.704
Bluetooth Version Finder - 210.176
Ntfs Drive Protection - 210.131
BlueLife KeyFreeze - 202.843
Show Disk Partition Style - 179.717
Router Default Passwords - 174.558
Window TopMost Control - 166.118
Reg Converter - 149.503
Temp Cleaner - 139.992
Net Disabler - 126.232
Simple Run Blocker - 119.826
Simple VHD Manager - 115.315
Drive Letter Changer - 109.828
6to4 Remover - 106.035
Defender Exclusion Tool - 126.551
Hide From Uninstall List - 120.105
Update Time - 86.782
Rebuild Shell Icon Cache - 83.341
SendTo Menu Editor - 79.643
Hibernate Enable or Disable - 72.968
Password Generator - 72.335
Registry Key Jumper - 70.045
Backup Start Menu Layout - 67.618
Dns Lock - 67.201
Safe Mode Launcher - 67.026
Restart Explorer - 66.665
Switch Power Scheme - 62.392
Windows Settings Blocker - 57.589
Network Profile Changer - 56.109
URL Disabler - 55.902
Sordum Monitor Off - 49.938
Simple Firefox Backup - 48.975
Copy Public IP - 42.506
Classic Shut Down - 40.662
Desktop.ini Editor - 39.497
Show Desktop Icons - 39.292
Reset Data Usage - 39.199
Bpuzzle - 33.959
VHD For Context Menu - 30.041
Mouse Settings Changer - 28.188
Find Prime Numbers - 26.882
Streams Remover - 26.716
Send Windows Key - 24.360
No Mouse Wheel Zoom - 17.329
Skip UAC Prompt - 17.065
Store Apps Tool - 16.018
Wi-Fi Filter Tool - 12.744

Edwin · Mar 20, 2025

Scannerman said:
What bothers me is when they abuse paying customers with spyware, bloatware, fear ware, adware, annoying popups and potentially unwanted programs.

Sounds like you bought a copy of Windows 11 !!!

IownAmoneyPit · Mar 21, 2025

These are completely free software not yet mentioned in this thread and none nag you about other products, ask you to Buy now ect.

CPUID
CrystalDiskMark & CrystalDiskInfo
FxSound
GIMP
Hekasoft Backup & Restore
HWiNFO
MusicBee
Paint.NET
PDFgear
sys_minion
TechPowerUp GPU-Z
Unchecky
WizTree

"Free" software

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