Freeware, Shareware, and Trialware
Follow these links to learn more about freeware,
shareware and "feeware" for the Microsoft Windows operating
system.
Note: most of these links open up in a
separate browser window.
Key: + indicates
freeware, S indicates shareware,
$ indicates "feeware"
| Graphics Software | ||
|---|---|---|
| IrfanView |
+ | One of the most popular image viewing applications worldwide. Can read from Twain-compatible scanners. Numerous basic image operations (rotate, crop, smoothing, brightness, contrast, etc.) |
| Ultimate Paint |
+,S | Available for download in freeware and shareware versions. |
The GIMP
|
+ | The GIMP (short for The GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free image manipulation program with which you can do photo retouching, image composition, etc. |
| ImageForge |
+,$ | "Standard Freeware Edition ... ImageForge provides you with a set of powerful tools for painting and editing images, photos or other graphics. Create and edit images, acquire pictures from your scanner, digital camera or other Twain-compliant device, apply special effect filters, produce your own photo albums and simple slide shows, and much more. Upgrade your ability to edit images with this free paint program." |
| Painter 25 |
+ | Too many features to list here. Check out their web site! |
| VCW VicMan's Photo Editor |
+ | "VCW VicMan's Photo Editor is a versatile image editor with an intuitive interface. ... free of charge and comes with a wide range of essential features for both novice users and professional designers. With Photo Editor you can refine your digital photos, draw natural artwork and effortlessly produce superb graphics for the web." Also several other image manipulation programs at this site. |
| Office Software | ||
|---|---|---|
LibreOffice |
+ | A full-featured free office suite, complete with word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, web page creation, page layout, and PDF output included. Can read and write Microsoft Office 97/2000/2002/2003/2007 and newer format documents. |
| PDFCreator |
+ | PDFCreator is a free tool which creates PDFs easily from nearly any Windows application. PDFCreator works like a "printer" that writes to a file instead of writing to a device. The resulting file can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader. |
| Go2PDF |
+ | Go2PDF is a free tool which creates PDFs easily from nearly any Windows application. Go2PDF works like a "printer" that writes to a file insetad of writing to a device. The resulting file can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader. |
| Web & E-Mail | ||
|---|---|---|
| Firefox |
+ | The better web browser. Firefox is designed to have much better security and privacy than Microsoft Internet Explorer, so your systems are less prone to viruses, spyware, and other malware. Easy-to-use ad blocking makes your browsing experience more enjoyable. Firefox and Internet Explorer can coexist on the same computer. |
Thunderbird |
+ | The Thunderbird e-mail program replaces Outlook Express. Thunderbird is designed to have much better security and privacy, so your systems are less prone to viruses, spyware, and other malware. As you install Thunderbird it offers to import your messages and settings from Outlook Express. |
| Security Software | ||
|---|---|---|
ESET NOD32 |
$ | Antivirus and antispyware software that doesn't bog down your computer like the big name software that came with your computer. Versions for Windows XP of course, but also for older Microsoft operating systems: Windows 95/98/Me and even MSDOS. Free 30-day trial. Buy here: ESET NOD32 |
| Spybot Search & Destroy |
+ | One of the top two free antispyware programs. Beware of products with similar-sounding names; some of the imitators actually put their own spyware onto your system! The official site is www.safer-networking.org/ . |
| Ad-Aware |
+,$ | Ad-Aware SE Personal version is free for non-commercial use. Paid version includes real-time checks and other features. Beware of products with similar-sounding names; some of the imitators actually put their own spyware onto your system! The official U.S. site is http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ . |
| Counterspy |
$ | Counterspy is highly rated, reasonably priced, and doesn't slow down your computer like the other top commercial contender. Here's a review at TopRenReviews.com Here's the Counterspy site: www.sunbeltsoftware.com. |
Eraser |
+,S | When you ask Microsoft Windows to delete a file, it just marks the space as available. The data can usually be recovered using undelete software. If you want to make sure the data can't be retrieved, you need to overwrite it with zeroes or random characters. With this eraser program installed, simply right-click on the file or folder you want to obliterate and choose "Erase". Several methods of erasing the data are available. |
| Computer Backup | ||
|---|---|---|
| IDrive | $ | Internet backup solution by the same people who bring you IBackup (see below) but geared toward home users and small businesses. Also backups up USB-connected drives and mapped drives. Unlike some bigger name competitors, one IDrive account can back up multiple computers. Sign up here: IDrive.com ... or use Promo code yellowcrayon and I will get a commission! Thanks! |
IBackup |
$ | Highly-rated internet backup solution backs up your files automatically, transmits the data securely, and saves your data off-site. Internet backup keeps your data safe off-site, away from thieves, fire, and natural disasters. Of the top internet backup providers, IBackup.com offers the most features and the most storage for the least money. Easy installation for Windows XP, plus instructions for Linux as well. Free 15-day trial. Sign up here: IBackup.com |
| EZBack-it-up |
+ | "EZBack-it-up is a personal file backup utility. It is designed to be very easy to learn and use. ... All directory structure is preserved and you can optionally choose to delete files from the target that are not in the source. ... includes a built-in scheduler... and more." |
| SyncBackSE |
+,$ | Free version and paid version. The paid version
adds these features:
|
Disclaimer
These links are provided for information purposes only. Yellow Crayon LLC disclaims responsibility for the contents of referenced sites and for the performance of the referenced software.
Acknowledgements
Linux is a registered trademark of Linux Torvalds.
Mozilla is a trademark of The Mozilla Foundation.
Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, and
Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
WordPerfect Office is a registered trademark of Corel
Corporation.
Netscape, Netscape Communicator, Netscape Mail and Netscape
Navigator are registered trademarks of Netscape Communications
Corporation.
Ximian and Ximian Evolution are registered trademarks of
Ximian, Inc. and/or Novell, Inc.
Photoshop is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc.
Paint Shop Pro is a registered trademark of Corel Corporation.
Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo, Java, StarOffice,
StarOffice 7 and StarSuite 7 are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Eudora, Eudora Pro, and Eudora Light are registered trademarks
of QUALCOMM Incorporated.
Opera is a trademark of Opera Software ASA.
Visio, Visio Technical, and IntelliCAD are trademarks of Visio
Corporation.
All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.
All graphics except graphics depicting other entities, web sites, and products copyright � 2006, 2007 Yellow Crayon LLC.