Free OpenSource software downloads to keep your computer protected, and up to date

All of the links below lead to free downloads most of which are direct from the software creators. A lot of them can also be accessed through FileHippo

Why pay? when you can get it all legitimately for free!!

Security

Microsoft Security Essentials Anti-virus and anti-spyware protection

Malwarebytes Identify and remove malicious software

Microsoft Fix It Centre For XP PCs and replicates software used in Vista and Window 7

AVG - Anti-virus Free Antivirus software, or try avast! Free Antivirus which also requires registration or lastly Avira AntiVir Personal another highly recommended program

Spybot S&D Another utility for removing spyware from your PC Also use Lavasoft Adaware (Choose the free version on left side of page), and lastly SpywareBlaster which should block most Spy and adwares

ZoneAlarm Free version which is highly recommended or try Online Armor Free

Browsers

Internet Explorer 9  Internet browser - Requires authentication of software

Mozilla Firefox Another internet browser

Google Chrome Google's browser

Opera Yet another browser

Media Players

VLC Video Player which plays a whole host of file formats. Great player and a must have!

Real Player Alternative Media Player

RealPlayer SP   Media Player

Winamp Another media player

Windows Media Player v11 (24.5MB Media Player - Might require authentication of Operating System

QuickTime Apple Media Player Requires registration

Plug-Ins

Ninite Brilliant automatic Installer that can also update multiple programs/apps

Firefox MS Media Player v11 Plug-in for Firefox browser (only way I can find for it to install)

Adobe Shockwave Media Player for interactive web content (Watch out for Yahoo toolbar on installation - Choose custom install)

Adobe Reader Allows viewing of .pdf files           or the smaller alternative is Foxit Reader                      

Want to create .pdf files from Word, Excel etc by using 'Print' function? Try PDF Redirect

To convert .pdf files back to Word .docs use the online service PDFOnline It just works!

Microsoft Update Catalogue Works only in IE - search for update packs

Microsoft Office 2007 Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint File Formats v4 (37MB) Open older file versions in newest MS Office

Windows Search 4 MS software that Indexes your computer and offers super fast searches

Applications

CCleaner Look for FileHippo or Piriform download links. Removes unused and temporary files to make your PC faster

MS Windows Live Various useful Microsoft application downloads including Mail, Messenger, Writer, Movie Maker, and Photo Gallery

MS Live Mail 2011 Great E-mail accounts client

MS Live Mesh 2011 Keep your documents synced online

Ping - Use this one application for all your social network needs

GoogleEarth Google's application with 3 dimensional maps. Requires broadband connection and a half decent graphics card

Picasa Brilliant Google application that organises your pictures & videos and allows instant access

Scribus Desktop publishing - similar to MS Publisher

 iTunes Digital Player and CD Burner and iPod syncer

IZArc Supports every compressed file format there is. This replaces WinRAR my previous favourite

IsoBuster Handy tool for extracting files from a CD, DVD disc image and supports a huge amount of formats

LibreOffice 3  (343MB!!) Free Office suite (replace OpenOffice which is no longer being developed). See above for FREE MS Office compatibility packs

Microsoft Office Apps Access your documents online (requires Windows Live Sign-in)

Gimp Image Manipulator, like PaintShopPro or Photoshop - or try Paint.net  which started from a Microsoft project

Avidemux Video editing software in the vein of Adobe Premier Elements 4

Nero Kwik Burn Free version with no time limit on use! Need to supply E-mail address though

Ashampoo Burning Studio Free Free version requires registration after 10 days. Burns CDs/DVDs/Blu-rays

Freemake Video Converter Converts video to a multitude of formats

Macrium Reflect Free edition offering full PC image back-up but not individual files - for this use GFI Backup

Soluto (1MB installer) Speeds boot up of your PC by analysing applications that hog resources on start-up

Met Office Desktop Widget Scroll down page, tick box and download

Sky Screen Saver Fourmilabs Excellent Program

Old Version Excellent website which offers free downloads of old versions of some programs             Zamzar Free online file conversion tool

Giveaway of the Day

Find the right programme to open that E-mail attachment that refuses to open FileInfo

Links that I'm often using....................

BBC News One of the best news sites BBC Customise your BBC homepage

PropertySnake See how much house prices have fallen in your area

Google+ Will it take over from Facebook?

RadarVirtuel Track aircraft live

Ship Movements Use AIS to track ships live

Hey What's That? Useful for identifying features whilst out walking

Wikipedia Online encyclopedia

Telephone Preference Service Stop unwanted telephone calls Mail preference Service Stop junk mail. Also see Royal Mail Opt-in/out

Google Maps Great site with satellite overlays. Try using mouse scroll to zoom in and out

Extreme Instability Great website for weather buffs with amazing cloud images

UK Radar See where the rain is and if you might need your brolly

MegaShopBot One of the best comparison bot sites which compares the comparison sites!

Hopewiser Find postcodes and addresses, or try Royal Mail - but requires Registration and restricted to 15 searches a day. Also Yell is very useful for finding businesses (online yellow pages)

Mum Died 17Jan2009

CWGC Commonwealth War Graves Commission Search engine My Granddad (on Fathers side)

bit.ly Use this to shorten urls before sending on in E-mails