13 Best Freeware Software for Windows PC [2024 List]
Explore the best free-to-use applications available
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Key notes
- If you are looking for the best freeware for Windows, the software industry is filled with them.
- There is a tremendous amount of video editors, file converters, antiviruses, and other valuable tools with free features.
- Gaming enthusiasts will be happy to know that we also included some games and other recreational apps.
Many PC users are looking for fresh new software. And the software industry is one of the few in which lots of things come for free, so we might as well make the most of freeware.
There are some terrific freeware packages for almost every software category. These are the best freeware programs you can run on Windows 10 and 11 and other platforms.
Just a note of caution: while there is genuine excitement about getting valuable products for free, there is the danger of picking up malware along the way, so we recommend you use good antivirus software while exploring free stuff on the internet.
What is the difference between freeware and free apps?
Although the terms appear to be very similar, there is a fine distinction between freeware and free apps, and we need to clear that up.
Free apps are software you can download and fully use with all the included features without any payment commitment.
Usually, these apps display ads inside the program or invite you to donate to support further development.
Freeware software tools are usually free versions of the full software that provide primary or limited features.
We would also need to mention the third type, the free trial apps that offer a free preview or the software with all the features available but only for a while.
Is freeware free software?
Just like we have mentioned above, they may not be free software, but they are the free versions of software that you may initially have to pay for.
That said, here’s our compilation of the best Windows 10 and 11 freeware apps for your PC.
What are the best Windows 10 & 11 freeware apps?
Fortect – Excellent PC optimizer
Fortect is not only a great repair tool but a significant system optimizer as well that has a multitude of advanced features.
It helps you run an assiduous scan of your computer, which takes a maximum of five minutes, to find out its condition and the broken parts that may slow down its performance.
This software has a complex OS repair technology that shows you a comparison between your system and a healthy system to determine the deficiencies and further correct them effortlessly.
It can repair or replace all the damaged or missing OS files, including DLLs and Registry Keys, and upgrade your operating system to an optimal state.
You can use Fortect for a cleanup procedure too as it will remove junk files from your folder, disk, and hard drive, which can instantly boost your computer’s health.
Take a look at Fortect’s key features:
- Detects and removes files affected by viruses
- OS rehabilitation
- Exhaustive scan
- Optimize Windows Registry
Fortect
Restorate your operating system in no time and watch how your PC’s performance is remarkably increased.Bitdefender Free Edition – Excellent antivirus tool
Bitdefender is a renowned antivirus utility for Windows. It has a full suite of scanning and detection tools for killing off malware and other viruses.
The publisher has already released the latest version, so now might be a good time to add this utility to Windows 10.
For a full-featured version of Bitdefender antivirus, we suggest you choose one of the paid options, which comes with good tech support.
Bitdefender includes antiphishing, USB auto-scans, email, and ransomware protection tools.
It includes a handy gamer mode that temporarily suspends scans and notifications to free up system resources for the game. The tool also scans for outdated software and helps you update antiquated programs.
Here are the top features of this tool:
- Minimal resource utilization
- Award-winning detection technology
- Ransomware and phishing protection
- Dedicated Game Mode system optimization
- Multi-layered scanning and detection
Bitdefender Free Edition
A cyber-security solution meant to defend systems and devices from all forms of malware, spyware, Trojans, and viral assaults.WinZip – Excellent file archiver
If you want to save space on your PC or group or compress files you’re planning to send; we recommend using good file archiver software.
Windows has its file archiver built into File Explorer, and while this archiver is good for the most basic tasks, it doesn’t have many features that WinZip has.
This awesome tool supports all popular compression formats, and the list includes RAR, ZIP, CAB, LHA, LZH, TAR, GZip, ISO, BZIP2, VHD, VMDK, IMG, and 7-Zip formats.
As for the speed, WinZip offers a faster compression speed than its competitors.
The application can recognize the type of files you’re compressing and offer you the best compression method based on the files you’re working with.
A handy feature is its ability to split archives, so you can easily send your archive in pieces. For example, this is incredibly useful if you have a file size limit for your email attachments.
Another great feature that separates WinZip from other file archivers is the ability to encrypt your files using 256-bit encryption. As a result, you can safely archive your files and ensure that only the people with the correct password can access them.
Overall, WinZip offers many great features; it supports a wide range of formats and offers great compression, as well as file encryption.
Here are the top features of this tool:
- Support for popular compression formats
- Simple and efficient UI
- Smart compression
- Ability to split archives
- 256-bit encryption
WinZip
WinZip is the best file archiver and has excellent cloud storage integration.LD Player – Excellent Android emulator
Diving into the gaming experience, on the top of our list is the Android emulator LD Player, which isn’t just a freeware that runs apps but also a breaking barrier between PC and mobile games, with a neat interface.
Using few resources for lightspeed performance, the emulator is compatible with minimum requirements of 2GB RAM and hard disk space of 36GB, efficiently operating games like PUBG or Clash of Clans.
LD Player is the newest mirroring software on the market, which allows you to use custom control with a mouse and keyboard for your favorite Android games.
It also allows you to execute scripts that manage the game automatically and power up your gameplay with high FPS/graphics.
Here are the top features of this tool:
- Emulates large Android games on Windows
- Multitasking operating controls
- Fast and powerfulÂ
- Support from developers
- Can play all the latest games
LD Player
This software is a tailor-made solution for any gamer who needs to emulate games from Android on PC.Speccy – Great system info tool
Speccy is another Piriform program that is bundled with CCleaner Plus. This is one of the most detailed system info utilities that provide details you might not find listed on the Windows System Information app.
It is a fairly essential freeware package for anybody planning on upgrading hardware, and you can add it to Windows from the CCleaner website.
Speccy provides one of the most comprehensive system overviews. The software gives you detailed reporting for RAM, CPU, OS, motherboard, graphics card, storage, drives, audio, and more.
Usually, these kinds of apps are cryptic and designed for specialists, but with this tool, anyone can access and comprehend the PC specifications.
Here are the top features of this tool:
- System detail export
- Detailed reporting for all PC components
- See real-time temperatures of components
- Friendly user interface
- Light on your system
Speccy
Learn about your PC’s specs with this friendly and rich tool for Windows.MailBird – Email client freeware
MailBird is email client software compatible with Windows platforms from XP to 10 and 11. This intuitive and straightforward email application is easy to set up and configure accounts with.
The freeware version is restricted to three email accounts but boasts a decent feature set.
MailBird is email software with which you can open Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, iCloud, and Outlook.com emails.
The client has a unified inbox so that you may easily open emails from multiple accounts in one place.
The software has many email formatting options, including customizable themes and layouts for the inbox.
Here are the top features of this tool:
- Integrated Google Calendar, Dropbox
- Unified inbox for multiple accounts
- Great Windows integration
- Modern and easy-to-use UI
MailBird
Manage all of your emails and contacts from various accounts in one consolidated Inbox.World of Tanks – Massively Multiplayer Online freeware
World of Tanks isn’t a new Windows game, but this is still one of the best MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) blasters.
When the game was at its peak, it set a world record for the number of players online on a single MOG server. So, if you haven’t already played World of Tanks, you’ve got to check it out.
This freeware tank game runs on Windows platforms from XP to 10 and 11, and you can get its installer for free.
Anybody remotely interested in mobile warfare will love World of Tanks. The game pits heavyweight tanks from World War One to the early Cold War era in one-on-one or team battles.
The title has six game modes: random, tank-company, historical, stronghold, and team battles.
However, perhaps the best thing about the game is its tech tree and the amount of tank customization it provides for players.
Players start with essential tanks and can build them into formidable, armored monsters.
Customizing the tanks is essential to victory in the multiplayer battles, and building them up is half the fun in World of Tanks.
Here are the top features of this tool:
- Incredible selection of armored vehicles
- Windows 11 compatible
- Customizable weaponry
- Multiplayer
World of Tanks
Play alone or in teams, compete for dominance and climb the leaderboard, or form your clan and rule the world.Icecream Password Manager – Great all-round password tool
Icecream Password Manager is a freeware password manager that has been getting rave reviews. This is ideal software with which to save website login details.
You may add Password Manager to Windows platforms from XP to 10 and 11 for free by clicking on the link below.
Password Manager users can save website login details, credit card, and bank account details with the software, which has its master password.
However, this software is a little more than a password manager as it comes with a form filler with which you may fill out repetitious website forms.
You can also save notes, attach files, and set up automatic backups with Password Manager. In addition, the software has Chrome and Firefox extensions that you should feel free to save website passwords.
Here are the top features of this tool:
- Fully Windows 10 and 11 compatible
- Chrome and Firefox dedicated extensions
- Form filer for repetitious website forms
- Excellent security protection
- Automatic backups setup
Icecream Password Manager
With the aid of plugins for Chrome and Firefox, you can generate passwords, keep secure notes, and automatically fill out web forms.Icecream Screen Recorder – Excellent screencast and screenshot tool
Screen Recorder is a screencast and screenshot software for recording video and capturing static snapshots in Windows.
The software has a freeware and pro version that enables you to schedule and convert recorded videos to alternative formats.
Screen Recorder is an excellent alternative to Windows’ built-in Snipping Tool for capturing snapshots, and you can download its trial for free.
Screen Recorder includes a flexible tool for capturing video and snapshots with which users can capture both full-screen output and selected areas.
It includes extensive drawing options for annotating videos or screenshots by adding text, step numbers, shapes, and arrows.
Here are the top features of this tool:
- Customizable hotkeys
- Transform recorded videos into alternative formats
- Record from external devices
- Record streaming video
- Easy to use
Icecream Screen Recorder
Record your entire screen or just a piece of it, apply a watermark, convert videos, and schedule screen recording.Advanced SystemCare – Robust all-round system care
Advanced SystemCare is system optimization software to give your Windows laptop or desktop an excellent clean. This is five IObit utility applications wrapped into one single package.
There is a notable difference between Advanced SystemCare’s Free and Pro versions, but the freeware package still offers excellent value.
The software incorporates IObit’s Uninstaller, Driver Booster, malware, and hard disk defrag software.
You can also scan for empty folders, completely erase documents, remove startup programs, and fix invalid shortcuts with the software.
However, the best thing about Advanced SystemCare is its all-in-one Clean & Optimize scan that will delete junk files, clean the registry, and optimize the Windows startup.
It also fixes shortcuts in one sweep, which isn’t something you get in CCleaner or many other software tools.
Here are the top features of this tool:
- Complex and complete PC cleaning and optimizing solution
- Built-in uninstaller, Driver Booster, malware, and hard disk defragmenting software.
- Start-up programs removal
- Invalid shortcuts fixing
- fast Registry cleaner tool
Advanced System Care
All-in-one PC optimizer that cleans trash files, scans for privacy traces and speeds up starting.WPS Office Free – Freeware alternative to MS office
Office suites are among the essential software. There are numerous freeware office suites, and WPS Office Free is one worth noting.
WPS Office includes a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation application.
This office suite has premium and professional versions, including extra split and merge options for PDFs. In addition, you can add WPS Office Free to Windows platforms from XP to 10 and even 11.
For more features, you may consider the paid version. It’s not so expensive, but it’ll be worth every penny.
WPS Office Free has an intuitive tabbed UI similar to the MS Office UI design. However, unlike LibreOffice, the software opens multiple documents in separate tabs instead of multiple windows.
The WPS word processor is more like desktop-publishing software, as you can drag and drop paragraphs to alternative page positions.
Here are the top features of this tool:
- Built-in PDF conversion tool
- 1 GB of cloud storage included
- Over 100,000 templates
- Sharing documents using links
- Modern look, tabbed UI
WPS Office Free
Get free customizable Word templates, spreadsheet reports, and presentation slides.Icecream Ebook Reader – Great e-reader for cross-platform use
E-books are no longer limited to just e-book readers and tablets. You can embrace e-books with the Icecream Ebook Reader software for Windows, which supports various e-book formats.
The software has a pro version with more extensive options, but the freeware version is still a nifty bit of kit that you may download for free.
Ebook Reader supports all the primary e-book formats, such as MOBI, EPUB, CBR, PDF, and FB2. In addition, the software enables you to both import and export e-books to other devices.
Users can set up bookmarks, customize fonts and themes and add notes for certain sections of e-books. Translate is another of Ebook Reader’s handy options with which you can translate selected passages if required.
Here are the top features of this tool:
- Wide variety of e-book formats
- Importing and exporting across devices
- Built-in translation tool
- Simple and modern design
- Customizing fonts and setting-up bookmarks
Icecream Ebook Reader
Manage your digital e-book library in FB2, EPUB, PDF, and MOBI formats, translate, export, and annotate.CCleaner – Great driver updater
CCleaner is among the most highly rated system maintenance software for Windows that Piriform boasts, and it has more than two billion downloads.
Although the CCleaner freeware version might lack features such as scheduled cleaning, and a software and driver updater, it still packs plenty of handy system optimization options.
If you want to try these features, you can do that with the Pro version, which is available for a free trial. However, a registry cleaner is one thing Windows lacks, and CCleaner fills that void with its flexible registry utility.
The registry cleaner enables users to customize scans by selecting various registry categories and can fix numerous software issues.
Here are the top features of this tool:
- PC optimizer
- Startup manager
- Duplicate file finder
- Browser plug-in manager
- Disk analyzer
CCleaner
Optimize your system performance with this award-winning software for a healthier PC.Is freeware safe to use?
Yes, freeware may have adware, key loggers, spyware, trojans, back doors, bots, and trojans. You should thus be careful.
However, we have shared only the ones we know are safe. But, like we earlier said, you should use a good antivirus always on your computer to guarantee your privacy and security.
However, it is wrong to say they all contain malware; you must get suitable freeware from the right sources.
Those are just a few of the best freeware programs you can add to Windows 10 and 11.
We tried to cover all the possible needs for PC usage, including productivity, security, and even gaming, that will improve your experience.
Even though some of them might lack a few options and features in their proprietary versions, they still offer terrific value.
Also, all the apps above are Windows 11 compatible, so if you switch to the new OS, you can enjoy them seamlessly.
Have you tried any of the products, or do you have better ideas? Please leave us a line in the comments section with your thoughts about our list.
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