KarlSwartz.com/tech
Karl's Freeware Links
Below is a list of links to great free software. Note that most of these links will direct you to the developers' home page,
rather than to the download itself. There you should first read the description, licensing terms, and instructions, before
downloading the software. Note also that many of these sites support commercial software, and you may have to look for the links
to the freeware versions. Additionally, many of these sites offer other free and commercial titles which you may find useful!
I enthusiastically advocate the use of Open Source software, and the support of those who are engaged in this effort! If you
are unfamiliar with Open Source, please follow the links below for an introduction to these alternative licensing concepts, and
acquaint yourself with software motivated by excellence—not by profit.
All external links open in a new tab or window—simply close to return to this page. —— Last updated 07/09/10 ——
Educational Software
Quality educational software for children.
Internet Filters
Eliminate unwanted porn, spam, scripts, adware, spyware, & viruses.
Internet Browsers
More secure alternatives to Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, & MS Java VM.
Office Suites
Office software as good as Microsoft's, without the high price!
Graphics Software
Software to view, manipulate, & edit your digital images.
Useful Utilities
Perform those impossible tasks, and just make your life easier!
Portable Apps (New Addition!)
Applications that require no installation—run on any computer from your flash drive!
Miscelaneous
Neat stuff that doesn't fit anywhere else.
Freeware Websites
If one of these sites doesn't have it, or link to it, it probably doesn't exist!
Information Websites
Educate yourself about Internet hoaxes and other security threats, find computer help.
Educational
SchoolForge.net
dedicated to furthering the use of open resources in education (FLOSS)
Educational Freeware
free educational software and games
Kids Freeware
free software and Internet services for Kids
Asymptopia Software
home to some wonderful, free math and word games
Tux4Kids
high quality educational software (Free-Software / OSI Certified licenses)
Tux Typing
educational typing tutor for children (Open Source General Public License)
Tux Paint
award-winning drawing program for children ages 3 to 12 (Open Source GPL)
Tux of Math Command
cute, fast-paced math practice game for grade-schoolers (Open Source GPL)
TuxMathScrabble
a math version of the classic word game "Scrabble" (Open Source GPL)
Multiplication Station
teach your child how to add, subtract and multiply (Open Source GPL)
GCompris
educational software suite comprising of numerous activities for children aged 2 to 10
Phun
combines physics and art in a playful way (requires a fast computer)
Internet Filters
OpenDNS
web content filtering, anti-phishing, DNS and navigation services—use this!
K9 Web Protection
free Internet filtering and control solution for the home
SafeFamilies We-Blocker
free Internet filtering software and parental controls to help protect children online
File Sharing Sentinel
blocks file sharing P2P software such as Kazaa, Morpheus, Bearshare, etc.
SpywareBlaster
protection against spyware, adware, browser hijackers, and other unwanted software
SpywareGuard
real-time protection against spyware & browser hijacking
Ad-Aware
anti spyware—highly recommended
Spybot-Search & Destroy
anti spyware / privacy software
IObit Security 360™
advanced malware & spyware removal utility
Spyware Terminator
spyware removal tool with Clam AntiVirus integration and real-time protection
ClamWin Free Antivirus
Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) for Windows (Open Source GPL)
avast! Home Edition
free antivirus software detects and removes all forms of malware
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
great free antivirus software (direct download)
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
get this—you will need it!
Microsoft Security Essentials
real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software
Internet Browsers & Email
Firefox
Internet browser (Open Source MPL/LGPL/GPL)—recommended
Thunderbird
full-featured email application (Open Source MPL/LGPL/GPL)
Safari
Internet browser for Mac, PC, iPhone, and iPod touch
Opera
another alternative Internet browser
Sun Java
Java Runtime for intranet applications
Office Suites & Utilities
OpenOffice.org
office suite—XML & MS compatibility (Open Source LGPL/GPL)
WordWeb
thesaurus and dictionary for Windows—neat & handy!
akFontViewer
view samples of installed fonts
Microsoft Office viewers
view, print and copy Microsoft Office documents, even if you don't have Office installed
Windows Live Essentials
useful add-ons! (get direct downloads for Windows 7 / Vista
and Windows XP)
Graphics Editors
The GIMP
GNU Image Manipulation Program (Open Source GPL)—recommended!
ColorPic
easy color palette creation and grabbing—recommended!
Pixia
painting tool for full color graphics
IrfanView
graphic viewer for Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista
AlternaTIFF
web browser add-on that displays TIFF image files
Useful Utilities
CCleaner
removes unused files from your system—recommended!
Defraggler
versatile file defragmentation tool—recommended!
DoubleKiller
fast and easy to use application for finding and removing duplicate files
ReNamer
exceptional bulk file renamer (Creative Commons License)
DeepBurner
advanced and extremely powerful CD and DVD burning package
InfraRecorder
CD/DVD burning solution for Windows, with a wide range of powerful features (GPL)
File Processor
file backup / maintenance application (CareWare)
Startup Control Panel
manage programs that start automatically
X-Setup Pro
tweak Windows settings (final version) (website)
Notepad++
source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages (GPL)
E_Cloaker
foils spambots by encoding the email addresses on your websites
LocatePC
if your computer is stolen, it sends a secret email that can help you recover it
Portable Applications
PortableApps.com
carry your favorite computer programs with you (Open Platform & Open Source)
Pendriveapps.com
reviewed and categorized free and Open Source portable applications
100 Portable Apps
software you can carry on a portable device and use on any computer
Portable Freeware Collection
easily move from one machine to another—run off a USB memory stick
Portable Python
Python® programming language preconfigured to run directly from any USB storage device
Miscellaneous
Celestia
real-time 3D space simulation (GPL)
Stellarium
free open source planetarium for your computer (GPL)
Adastra Freestar
less resource-intensive planetarium—very good & difficult to find
Microsoft Agent downloads
obtain text-to-speech engine for Adastra Freestar speech function
Google Earth
fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain
Audacity®
easy-to-use audio editor and recorder (Open Source GPL)
Miro
HD video player (Open Source GPL)
Awesome Library
26,000 reviewed resources, including the top 5 percent in education
10 Finger BreakOut
improve your typing skills with this free typing tutor / typing game
Senselang
online free touch typing program
Binary
fun screensaver—scrolling 1s and 0s
Freeware Websites
The OSSwin project
Open Source for Windows—everything imaginable!
Nonags
no disabled features, nags, time limits—absolutely free
SnapFiles
shareware and freeware Internet tools downloads
Pricelessware
"the best of the best" as voted by alt.comp.freeware newsgroup
Game Downloads
mostly abandonware—see their FAQ page
Freeware Home
collection of free software in several categories
FreeStuffer.Com
freeware downloads and free stuff and freebies
FreewareFiles.com
free software resource—check it out!
FreewareWeb.com
well organized, regularly updated freeware archive
The Software Patch
software patches, updates & upgrades
DirFile
home of 6200+ freeware software
Softpedia
encyclopedia of software downloads (freeware, shareware, trial)
Primewares
more than 36,000 freeware programs to choose from!
PCWorld
PCWorld Magazine—articles, tips, software archive
GearDownload.com
mostly shareware (lots!), but freeware also... not easy to search
Best Freeware Download
HUMONGOUS! well-categorized, well-indexed, terrific freeware site!
Files32.com
lots of shareware & freeware, nicely organized, good descriptions
Softonic
Europe's leading software download site—freeware, shareware, trialware
cnet downloads
comprehensive site—look for the 'Top freeware' link
Information Websites
snopes.com
Urban Legends Reference Pages
Hoaxbusters
the Big List of Internet hoaxes
Vmyths.com
Truth about Computer Security Hysteria
Computer Viruses
Computer Viruses and Urban Legends at Yahoo.com
Spyware Warrior
A wealth of resources to help you fight spyware and adware
Hardware Hell
Trish's Escape from Hardware Hell computer help
KarlSwartz.com
Karl's computer help and links to great free and open source software