We have almost fully abandoned the desktop in a world that is entirely mobile. However, in order to utilize your PC’s capabilities to their fullest, even on occasion, certain software is needed.
Although software can be expensive, there are several good free applications that have been in demand by many users for decades, and today’s offerings are rather strong. Software developers work hard to make their products more accessible to consumers all around the world.
So, with so many possibilities and simple access, there are thousands of amazing software solutions available for free.
Back-up and Synchronization
Dropbox Basic: All
When you drag and drop files into your Dropbox folder on the desktop, they are instantly uploaded to the cloud and synchronized with any other device associated with your account. The files are accessible via applications and the web. If you mistakenly remove a file, you can restore it via the website. Dropbox offers 2 GB of free online storage space.
Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is often regarded as the most adaptable and ubiquitous sync and backup solution available. It is the official (and built-in) cloud storage for Microsoft Office and Windows 10 customers. OneDrive offers 5 GB of free online storage space. If you subscribe to Microsoft 365, you can get up to 1 TB of storage per user.
IDrive
IDrive provides you with 5 GB of free storage space to back up files from all of your devices by default. If that’s sufficient, you’ll discover that this service meets the majority of your requirements.
Browsers
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox, the respected browser, is still the first option for many people worldwide. That’s because it’s incredibly configurable, secure, private, and fast, and it supports a slew of new features.
Google Chrome
Chrome still retains the top position as a browser to have on your desktop, especially if you’re a lover of Google goods. Even if Chrome will cease monitoring cookies in the near future, it’s probably not the browser you need if you’re looking for privacy.
Maintenance Utilities
CCleaner Free
Crap! is what the first C stands for! Get it and use it every now and again. CCleaner eliminates unnecessary files that slow down the operating system and browsers. It can even get rid of certain pesky files you didn’t think you could get rid of. ConferencingSkype: All of.
Conferencing
Skype
Video conferencing and Skype go hand in hand. The service is extremely functional, available on every platform imaginable, and provides more communication possibilities than any of its competitors. You can have several video conversations between Skype users, tet-a-tet, or groups for free. Furthermore, its real-time translation capability impresses even the most expert user.
Zoom
If you need to organize an online meeting with 100 people, Zoom can let them all watch everything you’re exhibiting for up to 40 minutes from any device, including a smartphone. Direct one-on-one HD video meetings will also be available. Furthermore, you can talk with other people indefinitely.
Microsoft Outlook.com
If you have a Microsoft account, you can access Outlook.com, an excellent, simple, consumer-oriented webmail service with OneDrive integration. Sweeps, which allow you to erase all messages from a single sender at once, are among the most important functions. The iOS version is quite awesome.
Gmail: All Gmail
Gmail is a popular alternative for both people and organizations, with a simple UI and compatibility with all third-party email programs. Furthermore, it has the finest spam filter you’ve ever used.
Thunderbird
Mozilla’s email client retains all of the features that made it excellent years ago, like account creation wizards, numerous languages, hundreds of extensions, a tabbed design, useful search, junk mail, and phishing tools, and the possibility for a personalized email address with your own domain name.
File Recovery and Deletion
Recuva
Recuva is a must-have desktop application; it is the key to restoring a lost file. Despite the fact that the tool works well, you should install it ahead of time (before potential file loss). Another benefit is that Recuva is portable, so you can run it from a USB flash drive.
TestDisk: All TestDisk
Aside from retrieving missing data, TestDisk has a lot more features. It is capable of restoring an entire lost hard disk sector. It’s open-source, so it won’t have the flashy UI you’re used to, but it’s unquestionably strong. TestDisk works in tandem with its sister product, PhotoRec, which aids in the recovery of lost photographs.
Eraser
The opposite of file recovery is complete deletion. Eraser accomplishes this by clearing the data from your disc, ensuring that it will not return to overwhelm your PC. It may be used to schedule a disc wipe or just to empty your recycle bin.
File Transfer
Filezilla
The former computer science project is now one of the best independent FTP (file transfer protocol) clients around. It’s a must-have tool for users who regularly transfer multiple files to a server and need that to be done fast.
Windows’ ability to copy files between drives and folders is just fine. However, TeraCopy takes over that job and brings it to perfection—it’s faster, better looking, provides more feedback, and can protect from various transfer errors.
µTorrent
One of the biggest services for uploading and downloading torrent files, Torrent can work independently or together with web or mobile accounts for remote downloads. There are web-based options and desktop options for multiple platforms such as Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android for more experienced users.
File Viewers and Converters
IrfanView
IrfanView has been in the top position in file viewing for over twenty years. It can view multiple types of files, but it can also convert them, make batch operation changes, and even play media. Multiple extensions make it even more powerful.
XnView MP
With an improved version that works across various platforms, XnView MP can manage multiple actions, like batch file converting and support for 500 image formats. However, it offers a free version only for educational or private purposes.
FastStone Image Viewer: view, convert, and edit your images with this fast and user-friendly free tool. It supports plenty of image formats, plus a ton of digital camera RAW image formats. Another great advantage is that it has companion apps for screenshots and photo resizing.
Graphics and Imaging Adobe Photoshop Express All
When you don’t need the full power of Photoshop but still want Adobe on your desktop, the user-oriented Express version is here to help you with the basics of photo editing and sharing. It can manage multiple transformations of your images, plus it has photo filters and, of course, in-app purchases to extend functions.
GIMP remains among the best free image editing tools, and for good reason. It includes all the high-end instruments you could imagine for playing with graphics and, apparently, costs 100 percent less than Photoshop.
Maps
Google Earth
If expensive software that lets you fly across the globe doesn’t cover all your needs, then try Google Earth Pro for the desktop, which has advanced attributes like distance measuring and global guided trips. Everything is absolutely free. Besides, it also comes in web and mobile versions now.
Media PlayersSpotify: All
If you are keen on music and looking for something of good quality, then Spotify is just for you. It provides millions of song possibilities and podcasts on every possible device you can think of, with offline playback. However, the free version is ad-supported. If you want to get an ad-free version, you may subscribe to the premium version for $10 per month.
Kodi has spawned from the love of the media. It represents a media center and entertainment hub that brings all your digital media into an exciting and user-friendly package. Run the software in one place and spread all your media among other devices—it’s the best option for a home media center. MessagingTelegram: All
Being a representative of the new class of messaging services, Telegram offers easy communication and incredible security. Send texts, files, pictures, and GIFs and create channels to attract a new audience.
Signal
One of the most engaging mobile messaging services pays much attention to security, using its open-source protocol to do end-to-end encryption. Though it might not be as cool as some other services, it enables you to send photos and videos and make group messages. And it has a Windows desktop client for those who are deskbound.
Notes
Evernote
Evernote is your online assistant for your daily routine. Whatever you do—scanning, typing, editing, whatever—just put it in Evernote to find later. Transform the notes into notebooks, then get access to them on multiple platforms for free.
Microsoft OneNote
Once a part of Microsoft Office, OneNote has become an exciting free independent tool for note-taking. It is still compatible with Office, syncs data across all platforms, and has online access via Office.com with storage on OneDrive.
Remote AccessTeamViewer: All
The top tool among other software services to take control of other computers is undeniably TeamViewer. Almost everything you need is free for private use: desktop sharing, file transfers, even chatting with other users. It’s as easy as a piece of cake. Take control of a remote computer via a web connection with the app, or use a Chrome browser with the TeamViewer extension.
Security
Tor Browser: All
If you really worry about your security while web surfing, a VPN might not be enough. The Tor Browser works so that no one knows what sites you visit or where you are. It guarantees you’ll be safe, whatever you do.
