While at that place are many places on the internet to download free software, they're not all safe. Lots of sites take reward of people looking for free downloads to striking you with malicious ads, fake virus warnings, or even tampered files.

While practiced antivirus software will protect yous from the worst sites, it'due south ameliorate to avoid shady gratis download sites altogether and stick to trustworthy freeware resources. Let's look at some of the best and safest sites for downloading Windows software.

In add-on to full general reputation and personal experience, nosotros used URLVoid to check website safety. This tool checks sites against dozens of security software blacklists. Every website here scored at least a 41/43 (meaning that all but one or two scanners constitute the site to be clean).

1. Official Software Websites

Before we get into the sites that offer lots of different Windows software, it's worth remembering that the safest place to download most pop software is often right from its official website. If y'all're looking to download a browser, security suite, media app, or like, yous can't go much more secure than its homepage.

Some software may still attempt to foist unwanted bundled junk on you from its official website, but you can exist pretty sure information technology's free of malware. If you don't know an app's download page, a quick Google search for "download Spotify" or similar will bring up a box that takes y'all right to it. But make sure yous're on the official page.

2. Ninite

Ninite is simple. The website presents yous with a list of popular programs to select, and y'all check the boxes for all the apps you want. So, clicking the download button volition give you lot a custom installer file that bundles all the selected programs together, assuasive y'all to install them in bulk.

Ninite is known for its prophylactic and security. Information technology automatically declines toolbars and extra junk, runs in the background, and doesn't require you to click Next over and over. Thus, at that place's no risk of malware or arranged garbage. Running the same installer file subsequently will crusade Ninite to automatically update everything y'all downloaded originally.

While there are only a few dozen apps on Ninite, it has a lot of the most popular Windows software like Chrome, VLC, Zoom, LibreOffice, and more. Keep in it mind next time yous're setting up a new calculator.

three. Softpedia

Softpedia is one of the largest download sites effectually; it'due south delivered over three billion downloads over the years. The most popular apps are updated every twenty-four hour period, allowing you to get make clean and malware-free software that's also every bit recent equally possible.

On top of this, it has an easy-to-apply interface that makes it painless to browse for programs on any platform. Y'all can browse what'south been updated recently, or search using filters like categories, last updated, and price. In addition to Windows, y'all'll detect Mac, Linux, and Android apps too.

4. MajorGeeks

Even though the site looks like information technology hasn't been updated since the 1990s, MajorGeeks has been one of the nigh reputable software download sites for some fourth dimension.

Its listing of Acme Freeware Picks is a great place to first, just don't be afraid to browse the left sidebar and look through all kinds of highly-rated programs that you might find handy. Otherwise, searching will assist observe what you're looking for.

5. FileHippo

FileHippo is a well-known site with tons of active programs cleaved down into categories. It also has a repository of web apps, if you aren't set on just downloading desktop software.

The site will occasionally prompt you to download another app (such as Opera) before the 1 you asked for. But this is conspicuously labeled, piece of cake to skip, and doesn't push shady software.

FileHippo goes further by also offering older versions of software. While you mostly shouldn't install outdated software for security reasons, it'south a useful option to take in case you run into issues with the latest version.

6. Download Coiffure

Download Crew'due south website stands out thanks to its short simply informative descriptions on each app folio. These are written by real users, not just copied and pasted from the vendor'due south website. You'll learn what each app does, its perks, and any flaws.

The top section has Featured Downloads, making it a good place to become started. It also has a robust list of options for the software licenses, including Open Source, Trialware, and more than. This lets you drill down into exactly what kind of free software yous're getting.

seven. FileHorse

FileHorse doesn't take a massive repository of software. Instead, this site focuses on stocking the best and nearly useful programs. Each product page has screenshots so yous know what to expect, plus version compatibility, a changelog, links to old versions, and more.

Because the homepage is broken into a relatively modest number of categories like Video Software and Cleaning and Tweaking, it'south as well a practiced identify to find trusted alternatives to popular software.

8. FilePuma

FilePuma has a pretty bones interface and focuses on simplicity. Search for the software you're interested in, or browse its categories to find something new. Since the categories take the most popular tools right on the homepage, it's like shooting fish in a barrel to see what's on offering.

Aside from quondam versions and screenshots, there's not much more on the production download page. The only other standout characteristic is FilePuma'south Update Detector, which makes information technology easy to check for and install updates for software on your PC.

9. SnapFiles

SnapFiles looks like a lot of the other download sites we've featured, just it has a few cool functions that brand information technology worth a look. One of these is the Freeware Pick on the homepage, which highlights a piece of software yous might not accept known most. And under More at the meridian of the page, you'll find a Random Pick, which is too great for discovering new software to download.

There's also a dedicated page for Portable Apps, handy if you want to run apps without installing them. SnapFiles besides features user reviews on software download pages, plus warnings on apps that try to install bundled software.

10. The Microsoft Store

It's piece of cake to ignore the Microsoft Store, which is the dwelling for Modern apps on Windows 10 and Windows xi. And while a lot of its offerings aren't specially great, yous tin can however notice some solid apps on the Store.

Using Store apps as well has some benefits compared to their traditional counterparts. Store apps update automatically update themselves. And more than importantly, they are sandboxed, so they tin can't intrude on other areas of your system. Take a expect to come across if your favorite apps are on the Microsoft Store and you might be pleasantly surprised with what else you dig upward.

The All-time Free Software Download Sites to Visit

Think that no site can ever be 100 per centum rubber. It's possible that a rogue advertisement will slip through, or the site could get hacked or sold to a malicious company. Merely in general, the download sites we've featured here are clean and trustworthy.

Utilise a chip of common sense and don't install anything that seems shady. If a site offers a "faster" download manager, ignore it and employ the directly download instead. And before you start, make sure you tin can spot ads bearded as download links.

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About The Author

Ben Stegner (1793 Articles Published)

Ben is the Editor in Chief at MakeUseOf. He left his Information technology job to write full-time in 2016 and has never looked back. He's been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more as a professional author for over seven years.

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