It’s this time of the year again to create my list of some of my favorite and “must have” free software. This is a post that I am planning on creating at list once a year and let people know some of the best free software that I think everyone should be using or installing on their PC.
Make sure you check out my Must Have Software for 2025 post before we continue because I will not be repeating last years picks.
Rufus
If you are often finding your self downloading ISO images that you need to “burn” into a USB to make it bootable this is the perfect tool. You can use it to install OS like Windows, Linux etc. Rufus currently is my favorite because if you load a Windows ISO it will give the option to allow you to create true local account for Windows 11 during the installation.
UniGetUI
One thing that I always liked on most of the Linux distros is that they have a nice software manager where you can download your favorite programs without having to visit all the different pages to download the installation and also update or remove all the programs from a central location. Well UniGetUI does all the above for Windows and I love it.
Vivaldi
I was on the market for a new web browser cause Firefox and Chrome just felt to sluggish till I discovered Vivaldi. Based on Chromium Vivaldi is highly customizable and had everything I was searching for so its highly recommended by me.
Affinity
If you don’t have the budget for Adobe’s Creative Cloud Suite then Affinity is just perfect and pretty much just as good or capable I might say. IF you trying to work on a photo or want to do some vector work and want a free program then Affinity is the answer.
Screenbox
I will keep this short and simple. After many years I found the program to replace VLC with. A great free and lightweight video and music/audio player. Can’t go wrong with it.
Everything
A blazing fast search tool for Windows that instantly locates files and folders on your computer. Unlike the built-in search, it indexes your entire system in seconds, letting you find documents, images, videos, and apps almost instantly. Lightweight and efficient, it’s perfect for anyone who wants to navigate large file systems without wasting time.
Wiztree
A super fast disk space analyzer for Windows that helps you see exactly which files and folders are taking up the most space. It scans your drives quickly and presents the data visually with charts and treemaps, making it easy to identify large files, clean up clutter, and optimize storage. Perfect for keeping your system organized and avoiding low disk space issues.
LocalSend
With LocalSend you can easily send documents, images, videos, or any files from your PC to other computers or smartphones without relying on the internet or cloud services. With a simple interface and end-to-end encryption, it’s perfect for secure, quick file sharing between your devices.
RustDesk
A free and open-source remote desktop software that lets you securely access and control other computers from anywhere. You can provide remote support, manage files, or collaborate on tasks, all with end-to-end encryption for privacy. Lightweight and easy to set up, RustDesk is an excellent alternative to paid remote desktop solutions.