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 v9.0 (829KB Installer then ~60.1MB)  Free Antivirus software, or try Free Anti-Virus Avast 5.0.377 (40.1MB), which also require registration or lastly Avira AntiVir Personal v9.0.0.415 (29.5MB) another highly recommended program

Spybot S&D v1.6.2.46 (15.7MB) Another utility for removing spyware from your PC Also use Lavasoft Adaware v8.1.3 Anniversary Edition (87.1MB) and lastly SpywareBlaster v4.3 (3MB) which should block most Spy and adwares

XP SP3 CD  Order the service pack to be delivered

ZoneAlarm v9.1.007.002 (38.4MB) Free version which is highly recommended

Browsers

Internet Explorer v8.0 (23.2MB) Internet browser - Requires authentication of software

Internet Explorer 9 Download and try the platform capabilities of the soon to be released Microsoft browser

Mozilla Firefox v3.6 (7.8MB)Another internet browser

Opera v10.10 (8.9MB installer) Yet another browser

Google Chrome v4.0.249.78 (551kb installer) Google's browser

Media Players

VLC v1.0.5 (17.6MB) Video Player which plays a whole host of file formats. Great player and a must have!

Real Player Alternative v2.01 (6.3MB) Media Player

RealPlayer SP   Media Player Choose the free version on left hand side (uses 775kb installer)

Winamp 5.57 (10.3MB) Another media player

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

QuickTime v7.6.5 Apple Media Player (20.9MB) Requires registration.

Plug-Ins

Adobe Shockwave v11.5.6.606 (4.2MB) Media Player for interactive web content (Watch out for Yahoo toolbar on installation - Choose custom install)

DirectX v9.27.1734 Core Microsoft software for multimedia and games (10KB to ~79MB) - May require authentication of Operating System

Adobe Acrobat Reader v9.3 Allows viewing of .PDF files (37.9MB - uncheck box for Adobe Photoshop)

Adobe Acrobat Reader - Previous, smaller, version v4.0 (5.2MB) is recommended

or even smaller is Foxit PDF Reader v3.1.4 (5.2MB)                       Want to create pdf files from Word, Excel etc by using 'Print' function? Try PDF Redirect v2.2.8 (6.2MB) and to convert .pdf files back to Word .docs use the online service PDFOnline It just works!

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

Visio 2007 Viewer v1 (7.7MB) Also, click here for latest service packs

Powerpoint 2007 Viewer v1 (25.8MB)

Word 2007 Viewer v1 (25MB)

Excel 2007 Viewer v1 (75mb) Other Office viewers

Microsoft XPS Viewer v1.1 (1.9MB-21.9MB) Enables you to view, generate and index XPS Documents

Microsoft Search v4.0 (11.9MB) Indexes your computer and offers fast searches

Applications

Crap Cleaner v2.29.1111 (3.3MB)  Removes unused and temporary files to make your PC faster

MS Windows Live Various useful microsoft application downloads including Mail, Messenger, Writer, Movie Maker (beta), and Photo Gallery

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

GoogleEarth (0.6MB installer) Googles application with 3 dimensional maps. Requires broadband connection and a half decent graphics card

Picasa 3.6 (9.1MB) A brilliant Google application that organises your pictures & videos and allows instant access

 iTunes v9.03 (93.6MB) Turning into 'bloatware') Digital Player and CD Burner and iPod syncer

IZArc v4.1.1820 (4.0MB) Supports every compressed file format there is. This replaces WinRAR my previous favourite

OpenOffice v3.11 (150MB) Free Office suite. See above for FREE MS Office 2003 viewers

Microsoft Office 2010 beta (618MB) Free to try! Microsoft Office Apps Access your documents online (requires Windows Live Sign-in)

Gimp v2.6.8 (17.4MB) Image Manipulator, like PaintShopPro or Photoshop - or try Paint.net v3.5.2 (4.8MB) which started from a Microsoft project

Avidemux v2.5.2 (9.8MB) Video editing software in the vein of Adobe Premier Elements 4

Nero 9 Lite v9.4.12.708 (32MB) Free version with no time limit on use! Need to supply E-mail address though

Ashampoo Burning Studio Free v6.77.4312 (8.2MB) Free version requires registration after 10 days. Burns CDs/DVDs/Blu-rays

IsoBuster v2.7 (5.5MB) Handy tool for extracting files from a CD, DVD disc image and supports a huge amount of formats

Sky Screen Saver v3.1b Fourmilabs Excellent Program (0.2MB)

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

RadarVirtuel Track aircraft live

Hey What's That? cycloped

Wikipedia Online encyclopedia

Preference Services Stop unwanted junk mail, unwanted telephone calls etc. Also see Royal Mail Opt-in/out

National Express Rail Best site for obtaining train tickets. Also try the TheTrainline

CDWow Buy chart CD's online from £6.99 with quick delivery

Google Maps Stunning site for maps with satellite overlays - sometimes to amazingly high resolution. 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. 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)

Ship Movements Use AIS to plot ship movements - a cool site

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