Free software is convenient but they’re also not reliable. A trusted source of freeware does not pose a risk to your PC, but there are plenty of malware on the market. It could be spyware (gathering information without your knowledge) or adsware (bombarding you with pop-ups) or even viruses (corrupting the data stored on your computer).

Avoiding websites that host pirated or copyrighted software is among the best ways to avoid getting affected by these dangerous programs. Also, you should keep your anti-virus and anti-malware programs up to date.

FileHippo: A handpicked list of the most recent versions of popular games and apps, as well as instructions for installation and opinions. The site also offers an extensive back catalog of older versions of the apps.

PortableAppz is a collection of apps you can run directly from your computer or cloud drive. The site offers everything from games to photo editing and office software.

Cleanup: A good freeware that allows you to clean Windows and browser history, as well as third party http://www.isohuntpro.org/amazon-echo-buds-review programs. It will help you empty the recycle bin, clear system log files clean typed URLs, erase search history, wipe clipboard and temp files and more.

Open-source software You can find a selection of the most reliable open-source applications on community-driven websites such as Github and SourceForge. Linux and LibreOffice are two popular examples. This kind of software may not be completely free, but is often cheaper than proprietary programs. It also permits you to modify or improve the code.