Free software can be useful, but also unreliable. Freeware from a trusted vendor poses no risk to your computer, however there are a lot of malware available. It could be malware (which collects data without your consent), adware, (which sends you pop-ups), or spyware (which corrupts data on your computer).

Avoiding websites which host pirated or copyrighted software is one of the best ways to avoid being affected by these dangerous software. It’s also a good idea to keep your antivirus and antimalware programs up to date.

FileHippo is a hand-picked list of the latest versions of the most popular apps and games, plus installation guides and opinion pieces. The site also has comprehensive back catalogs of the older versions of the apps.

PortableAppz A collection of apps you can run from a cloud drive or your desktop. The site has everything from editing photos to office software.

Cleanup is a freeware program that allows you to clean Windows and browser histories, including those of third-party programs. It will help you empty the recycle bin, remove search history, clean URLs typed and erase system log files.

Open-source software There are a number of the most reliable open-source applications on communities-driven websites like Github and SourceForge. Linux and LibreOffice are two well-known examples. This kind of software may not be free, but is typically cheaper than proprietary software. It also allows you to modify or improve the code.

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