Pinned thread Free Computer Software (Windows/Mac) **UPDATED May 10, 2024**

[BaconUnicornsAndSpongeBob]

Malware Bytes: This program is 100% safe and easy to use. Actually gets rids of viruses, and if you want a pro version it is the ultimate virus protection.

Sony Vegas (Free Trial): Also available to buy, you can easily edit movies and clips. Provides a lot of amazing content.

HandBrake: Converts media files into other media files, such as .avi into .mp3 or .mp4. Easy to use.

 

[ssj4gogita4]

Updated :)

 

[DigitalDeathstraction]

I would suggest taking Daemon Tools off the list because of Spyware and Malware in the lite version.

 

[Patrick-man]

I don't necessarily advocate using torrents, but in the case that you do, if you use μTorrent, I'd recommend you probably switch to some other software because μTorrent has been in the news lately for bringing a [potentially malicious] cryptocurrency miner in its latest update that has been attributed to overloading computer processors.

Some good alternatives being suggested on reddit is qBittorrent, Transmission, and Deluge, among others.

NOTE: I do not encourage or advocate using torrents, by downloading and using them you are taking
a security risk that could potentially compromise your computer and its functionality. I am not
responsible for any damage resulted in the use of torrents.

Don't forget these can be illegal.

 

[President Squidward]

Don't forget these can be illegal.

you're back

 

[The Drifter]

Don't forget these can be illegal.

Live dangerously.

AdwCleaner - A very effective tool at removing toolbars, adwares, and stuff like those Baidu nonsense that hijacks your browser and forces you to use their search engine. Free and very light.

 

[ssj4gogita4]

Updated. :)

 

[The Drifter]

Just a heads up, but Microsoft Security Essential is no longer as good as it used to be.

 

[SpongeBob And Patrick]

Just a heads up, but Microsoft Security Essential is no longer as good as it used to be.

Oh no. But, what exactly is that, though?

 

[ssj4gogita4]

Oh no. But, what exactly is that, though?

It's a free antivirus scanner that really worked well in the beginning. However, all you need is malwarebyes.

 

[Mister Visitor]

It's a free antivirus scanner that really worked well in the beginning. However, all you need is malwarebyes.

Or Avast!

 

[ssj4gogita4]

Or Avast!

Avast is bloated but it's ok.

 

[Squiddit]

Bandicam
for recording your screen like a baws

 

[Mavaxis Starburner]

I've got a few additions to make on top of my original entry.

Media:
PowerISO: I've had several uses for this as of late, the biggest being to burn CDs in MP3 format (saves a lot of space for more files, if you didn't know). It also gives you the ability to set up virtual drives, as well as extract files from ISOs. (Oddly, I can do the latter with WinRAR of all things as well.)
K-Lite Codec Pack: Good lord, this is useful. This allows even Windows Media Player to play a relatively-wide range of files, all the way from MP4 to M4V to even MOV. This extends to every other media application, even Movie Maker. No more downloading extra programs to be able to do what you want with a single video.
Handbrake: Video encoder. I sometimes use this in conjunction with Fraps to encode the massive video files it puts out, as well as to convert a video to a different file type (often times WMV or AVI to MP4). It can also rip movies and the like from DVDs, but I haven't tried this before.

Other:
SpeedFan: Allows you to monitor hardware readings, such as fan speed (it does exactly what it says on the tin), CPU usage, and hardware temperatures. Handy for old computers, or computers with bad thermal paste.
Paint.NET: Photo editor that falls somewhere between MS Paint and Photoshop. Feels a lot like GIMP. I do a lot of my pic editing in the standard Windows 7 Paint (sue me), but when I need to do something a bit more advanced - say, edit a picture while saving transparency - this is what I use.

 

[Moxley♥]

Lightshot is my go to screen-capping program. It's keybinded, so it's real easy to use and easy to understand. Gifcam is also a really good instant gif maker, I've used it numerous times for blog posts.

 

[SpongeBob And Patrick]

Hey, since when was this topic Pinned? :P

 

[DigitalDeathstraction]

Hey, since when was this topic Pinned? :P

like 50 years ago

 

[SpongeOddFan]

reminders to those who are XP & Vista users that still use Firefox:

https://blog.mozilla.org/futurereleases/2016/12/23/firefox-support-for-xp-and-vista/

 

[toonjoey]

Programming:Geany. It's the way to go IMO, it helps me when I'm programming some sort of Tew Tow stuff.

Recording:Unregistered Hypercam 2 Camtasia Studio. Helps me record (in an iffy quality) and edit the video. Very basic and easy to use.

Game optimizer:Razer Cortex (they make gaming PCs so they know what they're doing). I've used it and have been able to run Yooka-Laylee at "simple" graphics (my computer is that bad). In the past I had to run it windowed in a small resolution on "fastest" and THEN it runs at 60fps.

 

[More]

For Graphics and Media applications, I think that the Autodesk SketchBook program works extremely well on Mac devices, as a free alternative to Photoshop. It coordinates really well with Wacom tablets for drawing, and has a wide variety of useful tools much like PhotoShop, from Layering, to blending, to realistic drawing utensils. I'd say that it's been very helpful.