Free Windows Programs That I Use

I started my computing life with Windows, so I know a thing or two about software on Windows. There is a lot of pure crap out there for people to download, and there is alot of crap that gets shipped with good programs. This page helps you avoid crap and get good software, for free. Some of these will still require you to watch out for spamware in the program installers. There are a few areas where free software isn't as usable as the costly software, and this is where you want to go out and buy software. Usually at this point, the software you buy will be professional software and will cost you a fortune.

Free software, like all software, needs to be divided into sections. My first section will be dedicated to software everyone should have on their Windows-distribution, whether they like it or not. There are large debates around some of these, including people who prefer other programs. I don't respect their opinions, and I don't really care that they think they're so much smarter than me. I sculpt my choices around TONS of information, including user privacy, user freedom, computing politics, as well as the classic tests for features, compatibility, and reliability. In my opinion, my opinion is best, because it's based on more knowledge than 95% of computer users have.

• Essential software - this list is comprised of software that I generally can't live without. Some of these are programs I use all the time when I'm on my computer, others are security-related.