Best Freeware Programs - Windows XP

Name: The Best things in life are free!
Category: Free Programs
Operating System: XP
Difficulty: You could get your grandma to do this for you!

What is freeware...?
Programs that are developed for people to use for free. Freeware is usually spyware are virus free, but it is becoming more popular to pack spyware together with freeware programs.

So what is this all about...?
I came across this great site that lists some of the best free programs for Windows and I thought I would share it with everyone. Most are for Windows XP, but many of these programs will work on other versions.

The list includes:
Audio Programs
CD DVD programs - including free video conversion programs
File Utilities
Games
Graphics editors
Internet Utilities
Free Office Software
Scientific Programs
Video Programs
and more....

This collection of freeware is really top quality and many of these programs are a close match for their often expensive commercial programs. It is well worth trying the free programs before you pay for something expensive - you might be surprised!

Where do I get it...?
The best freeware program list can be found at the following website:
XP Freeware

Freeware Review - Free alternative to photoshop

Freeware is a term used to describe programs that someone has created, but wants no credit for (in the form of money anyway). They simply do it for the joy of making people happy or something like that.


Name: Paint.Net Review
Category: Free software
Operating System: Windows XP and Vista
Difficulty: N/A


So what is it...?

From the author:

Paint.NET is free image and photo editing software for Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. An online community provides friendly help, tutorials, and plugins.

It was intended as a free replacement for the Microsoft Paint software that comes with Windows. However, it has grown into a powerful yet simple image and photo editor tool. It has been compared to other digital photo editing software packages such as Adobe^® Photoshop^®, Corel^® Paint Shop Pro^®, Microsoft Photo Editor, and The GIMP.

What do you think Mr Blogger...?
Well I like this program. It is fairly basic yet has all the features most users will need, lets face it we don't all need the millions of features of photoshop (or the price tag). With this program you can cut, crop, resize, rotate, adjust colours (or colors), and add effects until your heart is content. You will also find a few higher end features like the Red Eye Removal, Clone Stamp, Lasso Select, and Magic Wand. It even has support for layers!

It supports the most popular image formats--JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and others--but not super high resolution ones like RAW (whatever that means I hear you say!).

For what is is worth I use it as my main graphical editing tool and haven't come up against too many things I can't do. Lets face it the price is certainly right and it really is a no brainier if you are looking for a good graphical package! I love free stuff :-)

Where can I get it...?
You should head over to the publishers website and you can download it from there. You can also find out heaps more information about the product there.
Download Paint.Net

Make sure you download the current tested version not the beta - that means it is still in testing and may not run as smoothly!

Protect your computer - spyware blaster review

Name: Spyware Blaster
Category: Secutity / Spyware / Best Free Software
Operating System: Windows 95-XP (cannot confirm vista)
Difficulty: My grandma could do it with her eyes closed

So what is it...?
Most normal spyware software scans your computer and then removes the spyware after it has already infested your system. Spyware Blaster is a program the blocks spyware before it gets on your computer. There are two things about this program that make it even better:

1. It does not run in the background so it takes up no memory!
2. Its completely free for the following:

• Individuals (for personal and educational use)
• Public libraries
• Registered charities
• Elementary or secondary schools
• Degree-granting undergraduate and post-graduate community colleges, colleges, and universities

Alright how do I get it and what do I do with it then...?
It is avaliable for free at the authors website and I have provided a link to it here
Download SpywareBlaster
Simply install it and then start the program. Firstly you must update the database with new definition files (a lot like your anti virus program).

Step 1 -Click on download latest protection updates under the quick tasks section.
Step 2 Then click check for updates
Step 3 Finally enable all protection and you are protected.

STEP 1 ------------------>STEP 2 ----------------->STEP 3
(click to enlarge)

Is that it...?
Yes basically that is all you have to do to be protected. Make sure you check for updates about once a week or so. It is easy to use and should be on everyone's list of free protection software.

Welcome to the tech tips blog

Hi my name is Tom and I am a computer nerd at heart - I am currently studying to enter the IT industry and thought I would write a blog with some of my tech tips. Here you will find posts on the following topics:

Tips to get the most out of windows (XP and Vista)
What's new in Technology
Spyware, anti virus and other security issues
The best free software
The hottest Internet tools

and much more...

Check back for more soon.

This blog is listed on and recommends the following:

Tech-Directory.net - computer, internet and technology resource directory