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 17 Mar 2023 ——
WARNING! Very many download pages will try to 'entice' you into installing other software in addition to the title you are requesting. This option is almost always enabled by default. Be especially on guard against this and, unless you are absolutely certain you want the additional software, uncheck that option! Do not allow them to install anything you are not explicitly requesting!
Internet Filters — eliminate unwanted porn, spam, scripts, adware, spyware, & viruses
OpenDNS
web content filtering, anti-phishing, DNS and navigation services—use this!
DNS servers: 208.67.222.222 208.67.220.220
MVPS HOSTS file
blocks ads & banners and protects the user from web parasites—recommended
SpywareBlaster
protection against spyware, adware, browser hijackers, and other unwanted software
Ad-Aware
anti spyware—highly recommended
Spybot-Search & Destroy
anti spyware / privacy software (you have to look for the free version)
IObit Malware Fighter
advanced malware & spyware removal utility
Spyware Terminator
spyware removal and prevention with real-time protection
SUPERAntiSpyware
detect and remove Rogue Security Products and many other types of threats.
ClamWin Free Antivirus
Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV) for Windows (Open Source GPL)
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
great free antivirus software
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
get this—you will need it!
Microsoft Security Essentials
real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software
AdwCleaner
removal tool for adware & hijackers (found an infection nothing else could!)
Internet Browsers & Email — a selection of alternatives to Internet Explorer you might like
Tor
defend against network surveillance and traffic analysis (Open Source)
Firefox
Internet browser (Open Source MPL/LGPL/GPL)—recommended
Google Chrome
runs web pages and applications with lightning speed
Opera
another alternative Internet browser
Sun Java
Java Runtime for intranet applications
Office Suites & Utilities — office software as good as Microsoft's, without the high price!
WordWeb
thesaurus and dictionary for Windows—neat & handy!
akFontViewer
view samples of installed fonts
Microsoft Office viewers
links to free programs to view, print and copy Microsoft Office documents
Windows Live Essentials
useful add-ons still available from the Internet Archive (see ghacks.net for caveats)
Graphics Editors — software to view, manipulate, & edit your digital images
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
one of the most popular viewers worldwide!
AlternaTIFF web browser add-on that displays TIFF image files
get the Developer API - 500 images/mo. free.
$15 lifetime + use Google API @ 1000/mo. free.
Useful Utilities — perform those impossible tasks, and just make your life easier!
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)
Replace Text
a string-replacing utility designed to operate on multiple files at once
Tidy Start Menu easily rearrange and put your Start Menu in order
ImgBurn
a CD / DVD / HD DVD / Blu-ray burning applicationwith several advanced features
InfraRecorder
CD/DVD burning solution for Windows, with a wide range of powerful features (GPL)
DeepBurner
advanced and extremely powerful CD and DVD burning package
Notepad++
source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages (GPL)
Screen Scales measure distance and angle between points on screen - best I have seen!
TweakUAC™
disable annoying Vista UAC (User Account Control) popups (there IS a God!)
Startup Control Panel manage programs that start automatically (XP)
Portable Applications — applications that require no installation—run on any computer from your flash drive!
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
Educational — quality educational software for children
SchoolForge.net
dedicated to furthering the use of open resources in education (FLOSS)
Open Admin for Schools
secure, web based School Administration Program (Open Source GPL)
Educational Freeware
free educational software and games
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
Miscellaneous — neat stuff that doesn't fit anywhere else
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
37,000 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 — if one of these sites doesn't have it, or link to it, it probably doesn't exist!
The OSSwin project Open Source for Windows—everything imaginable!
MajorGeeks
not all freeware, but lots & lots of it! well categorized
SnapFiles
shareware and freeware Internet tools downloads
FreewareFiles.com
free software resource—check it out!
FreewareWeb.com well organized, regularly updated freeware archive
The Software Patch
software patches, updates & upgrades
Game Downloads
mostly abandonware—see their FAQ page
GearDownload.com
mostly shareware (lots!), but freeware also... not easy to search
Best Freeware Download
HUMONGOUS! well-categorized, well-indexed, terrific freeware site!
cnet downloads
comprehensive site—look for the 'Top freeware' link
Information Websites — Educate yourself about Internet hoaxes and other security threats, find computer help
Lifehacker
Fix an Unresponsive Windows Explorer Window with the Green Loading Bar
Comparitech
How to start Windows 7/8/10 in safe mode (see their other security guides as well!)
snopes.com
Urban Legends Reference Pages
Hoaxbusters
the Big List of Internet hoaxes
Vmyths.com
Truth about Computer Security Hysteria
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