Top 10 Freeware Applications for your Home Computer
1. 7-ZIP 4.57 (840.23kb)
Publisher: 7-ZIP Software
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7-ZIP is a freeware compression program that is both compact and powerful reducing most file sizes between 2-10% more than other compression programs but has been known to compress up to 40 percent more, although this high compression can drain system resources and take a while longer than most. It also supports most known compression types including: RAR, CAB, ISO, ARJ, LZH, CHM, MSI, WIM, Z, CPIO, RPM, DEB and NSIS. For ZIP and GZIP.
From personal experience the built-in compression utility of the Windows operating system is good for normal .zip compression files, however doesn’t really have the ability or ease-of-use of some of its more advanced counterparts. For such a small file size (840kb) this freeware is hard to resist.
Download Here: 7-Zip
2. VLC Media Player 0.8.6h (8.96MB)
Publisher: VideoLAN Project
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VLC Media Player is a one-stop shop for all your video file playing needs supporting: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, MP3, and OGG, as well as for DVDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. It may not be as glamorous as Windows Media player, Quick Time or some of its more ‘flashier’ counterparts, but it will certainly do the job.
VLC has a Skin function where you can change the colours etc to make it more sophisticated looking, however we have found that by doing this, you get a few unwanted glitches when it comes to loading DVDs and VCD files. However in its normal mode, you shouldn’t have any issues.
Download Here: VLC Media Player
3. Foxit PDF Reader 2.3 (2.55MB)
Publisher: Foxit Software
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Foxit PDF Reader is a lightweight freeware version of its Adobe counterpart that still has all the functionality and ease of use that you would require. Foxit allows you to highlight and type text, make notes, draw graphics and then save or print the annotated document. Due to its small size, this program boasts a quick load time, much faster than that of the Adobe versions in which you could watch a movie in the time it takes to load. Highly recommended.
Download Here: Foxit PDF Reader
4. Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.14 (5.76MB)
Publisher: Mozilla
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For most PC users there’s no choice when it comes to whether or not we use a Windows-based OS, but that doesn’t mean we have to use their software as well. Mozilla Firefox is a full-featured web browser that offers faster, more streamlined browsing than its market dominating counterpart Internet Explorer.
It hosts a number of downloadable add-ons to make your browsing life easier, as well as visual themes to customise its appearance. Firefox is the recommended browser for all video streaming function due to its reliability, IE on the other hand is prone to crashing and errors.
Download Here: Mozilla Firefox
5. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0.1 (47.1MB)
Publisher: AVG Technologies
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AVG Anti-Virus has become popular in the past few years, although it has been around for a while, as it is a good free alternative to software such as Norton or McAfee Anti-Virus. The reason it has become popular is due to its low system resource requirements. If you have ever used Norton or McAfee (Norton especially) you would notice how much of a drain it would put on your system, even when it performs the simplest of tasks.
Some of AVG Free’s features include automatic update functionality; the AVG Resident Shield, which provides real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run; free Virus Database Updates for the lifetime of the product; and AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files.
Download Here: AVG Free 8.0.1
6. Windows Live Messenger 8.1 (15.38MB)
Publisher: Microsoft
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Windows Live Messenger is the next generation of online chat after its predecessor MSN Messenger. The all new functionality and look makes this a must for any PC user who likes to chat online. All new features including PC-to-PC calling, VoIP capabilities, video chat, file sharing and more.
Download Here: Windows Live Messenger
7. Object Dock 1.9 (12.08MB)
Publisher: Stardock
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Object Dock is a task manager and program launcher for PCs similar to that of the MAC interface. It allows users to customise it with a dozen default skins and icon animation. Object dock is basically the Windows equivalent to the Mac taskbar interface. It allows PC users to have a cool yet functional program that we can use to store all our most used icons etc, and also give us icons for all open programs etc. Not a must have, but a cool alternative.
Download Here: Object Dock
8. Open Office.org 2.4 (127.03MB)
Publisher: Openoffice.org
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OpenOffice.org is a freeware alternative to MS Office. The days off Office essentially being the only solution to your home office needs is over. Many freeware programs are starting to pop up that offer the same programs and functionality as its MS Counterpart.
One such program is the aforementioned OpenOffice.org that’s programs include: Writer (word), Calc (excel), Impress (powerpoint), Base (access) and Draw (draw is a mixture of a graphics application similar to paint mixed with a charting/graph application). This new free alternative supports all the MS Office formats.
Download Here: Open Office.org
9. Ad-Aware 2008 7.1.0.8 (18.27MB)
Publisher: Lavasoft
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Ad-Aware 2008 gives you the ability to do a check and scan RAM, Registry, hard drives and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components malware or spyware, and then delete them. It will give you the extra security for a trouble free web browsing experience; it also works well with the AVG Free Anti-Virus software also mentioned.
The new update has also improved the speed of the full system scans, however it will still depend on the size of your individual HDD to how long it will take.
Download Here: Ad-Aware
10. CCleaner 2.07.575 (2.76MB)
Publisher: CCleaner
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CCleaner is a system cleaner and optimisation tool. It has the ability to scan and remove unwanted files from Internet Explorer; Firefox; Windows Recycle Bin, Recent Documents, Temporary files; and Registry cleaner. It also has advanced features to remove unused and old entries, including File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, and Invalid Shortcuts, allowing windows to run at its full potential.
Download Here: CCleaner
