It then outputs exactly what you need, even to MP3 if you use a plug-in. Open-source Audacity can record and edit audio files on more tracks than you can imagine.
Software for productivity is what this list is about there are plenty of other places to find free PC games.įor more free software, check out The 100 Best iPhone Apps and The 100 Best Android Apps. Some freemium software depends on showing ads to exist, however. The program should have little or no advertising to support it.
Preferably the program has had an update in the last year or two. It has to have at least a free-for-life option. If the software is on a tiered sales model, the free version cannot be trial-ware. However, we've included web-based apps that are as good, or better, than some downloadable programs. The software should (typically) have a Windows-based download. The software must be available directly from the developer/creator/original publisher. That's why one of the criteria for inclusion here is that the program is available directly from its maker.
It's not foolproof-after all, developers want to eat, too-but it helps.
For more about how to spot and avoid this problem, see How to Rid a New PC of Crapware, and check out the Uninstaller section below.Ī pro tip: only download desktop software from the maker of the software directly. Worse, the installation routine obfuscates the steps, so you provide the unwanted program tacit permission to be installed. To make ends meet, many creators of otherwise great free software, or the services that offer the programs for download, bundle in things you don't want.
CCleaner CCleaner protects your privacy and makes your Mac faster and more secure.įree Free Registry Cleaner and Optimizer.Something to always watch for: crapware installers.CCleaner Freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool.Now that all is said and done, the question remains: do you prefer using an application like CCleaner or going through the registry entries by hand? Let us know in the comments below. There you have it, friends, this is how to clean your registry, both manually as well as by using a specialized tool. Step 5Īs an alternative, you can press Ctrl + F and type the name of the item that you're looking for instead of manually scrolling through the registry entries. Select the entry you no longer want and press the Delete button on your keyboard. Leftovers from removed applications are generally located in HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Software. Use the left-side pane to navigate to the entries that you want to clean.
This is very important: create a backup by going to File-> Export, giving a name to your backup file, checking All in the Export range section and clicking on Save. Pres Win + R, on your keyboard type regedit in the box that opens up and hit Enter or the OK button. In case you're interested here's how you can do this: Step 1 Wait for the scan to complete, then select the problems you want to fix or leave them all checked and click on Fix selected Issues.Īs I said in the beginning, you can also clean the registry by yourself however, the process isn't only complicated even for advanced users, but also very time-consuming. Select the registry sections that you want to be verified or leave all the boxes checked and press the Scan for Issues button. Run the application and click on the Registry button from the left-side pane.
(Make sure to remove the check mark from the Install Avast antivirus box during the process.) Step 2 Here's how to use it: Step 1ĭownload CCleaner, double-click on the setup file and follow the instructions to install the application on your PC. The tool does its job very well and it's free, which is equally important. As far as choosing the right registry cleaning application goes, there are plenty that can do the job, but in my experience I found CCleaner to be one of the best solutions available. Of course, like any program, it can have flaws from time to time, but humans make just as many errors and it will save you a lot of time. The quickest and usually safest way to clean the registry is to use a specialized tool. Unfortunately, even experienced users have a hard time dealing with these issues manually, so if you want to learn how to clean the registry, you will need a whole lot of patience or a specialized tool. In fact, most of the problems and errors that you have to deal with when using Microsoft's operating system stem from the system registry files. A while back we've showed you how to fix DLL Not Found errors, but that's not the only problem you'll encounter while using Windows.