Free Software for Windows XP-10

The software on this page is for Windows 7, 8 & 10. Some software application programs even work with Linux, MacOS, XP and earlier. Free and open-source software links on this page. Some smaller software applications are downloadable from this page. I built this web page for myself when I buy new computers and update them. You are welcome to use this page too. To get the latest versions of these apps, this software can also be installed using Win Utilities by Chris Titus. See OS Optimizers, below.

See this page too for disabling Application Services and Windows 10 Services.

Also, see Disabling Windows 10 Services

This page was updated: August 2024. Here is some software I use ...

MS Essentials 32-bit download link to update virus definitions. Just download it, then double-click to install it. The app installs it but does not say it is finished. Note: sometimes it does not work at all, I don't know what the glitch is. For Windows 7 & 8. Ah ha, I found a cure, you must use Regedit and change the download link to this ... BRB.

MS Essentials 64-bit download link to update virus definitions. Just download it, then double-click to install it. The app installs it but does not say it is finished. Note: sometimes it does not work at all, well what do you expect from MS. For Windows 7 & 8.

.NET Framework Updates download link to .NET Framework versions 1.0 through 8.0. This software can also be installed using Win Utilities by Chris Titus. See OS Optimizers, below.

Visual C++ Redistributable versions from 2005-2022 from Microsoft. This software can also be installed using Win Utilities by Chris Titus. See OS Optimizers, below.

Converters

File Converter is a great file converter utility and fast too. In the options area, under Application, just change the program to exit when done converting. I put this on top since it is a very valuable tool.

Internet Browsers

Brave is the best internet browser for browsing unknown web pages safely, blocking third-party cookies and popups.

Firefox is the internet browser I use when editing web pages and is customizeable to fit your needs.

Virtual Machines

DOSBox, runs older DOS programs and games.

VirtualBox, runs multiple operating systems, like Windows, MacOS and Linux. So you can run your old software programs and games. For some reason, 3D accelerator and network does not seem to work. VMWare Pro is another alternative but is not free.

Image Browsers, Editors & Multimedia

GIMP is like Photoshop and may be better, it is also free and works with Windows and MacOS.

Gif Viewer is great for viewing animated gifs, start, stop, pause feature. This is a download link, file size: 134K. This is 64-bit only, I believe. It does not work on my 32-bit computer.

Image Glass is a photo viewer, editor, slide shows and opens many files, such as, (gif, jpg, png, psd, etc.). I like the easy zoom with the mouse wheel and escape to exit. This is 64-bit only, I believe. It does not work on my 32-bit computer.

Media Player Classic is a great alternative from Windows Media Player. File size is 12MB.

Screen to Gif is great for creating your own animated gifs. Records anything on the computer screen.

Text & Spreadsheet Editors

Libre Office is better than MS Office, I think so.

Notepad ++ is great if you write computer code and is alot better than Notepad with lots of features. I use it for HTML, CSS, JavaScript and making/saving my own bookmarks page. A great alternative is BBEdit if you are on an Apple computer.

Blue Griffon is a good HTML editor.

File Folder Search

Ultra File Search searches files faster than Windows search and without the need for indexing. A portable or installer version is available. Turning off Windows Search provides less disk activity and longer hard drive life.

Drivers & Utilities

Glary Utilities is great for fixing problems with your computer, like the registry, clean disk space, erasing spy tracks, cookies and more. There is a free version and a pro version. Wondering why your PC is running slower than when you bought it? Did you know, when I go on Facebook for 5 minutes, my PC collects over 200 cookies and most are trackers which slow down the machine. I use this program approximately once a month to clean up the PC.

Snappy Driver Installer Origin (SDIO)Scans your PC, then gives you the choice of which ones to install and compare them. Some of my PC's are old and cannot get drivers for them any more, works great. This is a download link, file size is 6.16 MB. Here is there web page.

More Drivers for Windows If you cannot find the drivers you need from SDIO above, you can go here and search at archive.org. This is where I recently found the software for my RealTek WiFi USB chip. Realtek's web site was just a pain in the A.

7-Zip for Windows Compress and uncompress files quickly.

OS Optimizers & Bloatware Removers

O&O Shutup 10 is a free anti-spy utility to shutup Windows 10 with all its spyware and bloatware, works great. O&O ShutUp10++ is entirely free and does not have to be installed (a portable app). It also explains each step/setting you can disable.

Optimizer v15.7 is a portable app with a drive cleaner, system tweaks, startup manager, HOST editor, Apps downloader, GOD mode is great (available when you activate, Ready Menus), it does have an apps installer similar to the Win Utility tool and more. This is a download link, file size is 2.2 MB.

Ultimate Windows 10 Utility is like Optimizer and OOshutup10 but with different features. I use all three to slim down the spyware, elimates those annoying advertisements, they all work great. Created by Chris Titus, you can see his documentation on his web site from the link above. You can also use this tool now by ...
Right-click on the Start menu (Run as Administrator) PowerShell prompt,

iwr -useb https://christitus.com/win | iex

Copy the code above and right-click to paste in the PowerShell and in a few seconds the application will appear. Note: you must be connected to the internet.

Recorders

OBS Studio is a great video recorder. Takes some getting used to, to figure it out.

Disabling Windows 10 Services

AVCTP service:
if you don’t use Bluetooth Audio Device or Wireless Headphones.

BitLocker Drive Encryption Service:
if you don’t use BitLocker storage encryption.

Bluetooth Support Service:
if you don’t use any Bluetooth device.

Computer Browser:
this will disable Network discovery of systems on the local network.

Connected User Experiences and Telemetry:
it will disable Feedback, Telemetry and Data Collection.

Diagnostic Policy Service

Diagnostic Tracking Service:
it will turn off Telemetry and Data Collection.

Distributed Link Tracking Client:
if you don’t need to use a network.

Downloaded Maps Manager:
if you don’t use the Bing Maps app.

File History Service:
if you don’t intend to use Windows Backup or System Restore.

Infrared monitor service:
if you never use File transfer via infrared devices.

IP Helper:
if you don’t use IPv6 connection.

Internet Connection Sharing:
it is an old service that can be disabled.

Netlogon:
if you are not on a domain controller environment.

Parental Control:
if you don’t use the Parental Control feature.

Print Spooler:
if you don’t use a Printer.

Program Compatibility Assistant Service:
it will hinder your running in the Compatibility Mode though.

Remote Registry:
you’d better disable it. Then, no one can access your Registry remotely.

Secondary Logon

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper:
if you are not a part of a Workgroup network.

Windows Camera Frame Server:
if you never use a webcam or an integrated camera.

Windows Error Reporting Service:
if you don’t need to save or send error reports.

Windows Image Acquisition:
if you don’t use a Scanner.

Windows Insider Service:
if you are not a part of the Windows Insider Program.

Windows Search:
if you never use Windows Search.