The Most Respected and Useful Free Windows Downloads

So you've paid a packet on Windows 7, it is all set up on your computer, it looks shiny, and it comes with a number of toys that Vista and XP never had, like free DVD authoring. What more could you ask for? Well Microsoft certainly thinks that Windows 7 goes awfully well with a few free tools they have lined up for you, and while you're at it, you could look up a few from other people as well. Let's look at the free Windows downloads from Microsoft first.

The star of the Microsoft show is the new Microsoft Security Essentials; Windows 7 doesn't have native antivirus protection, as usual; this one has just been out for a few months now, and it is already a hit. You know it has to be good; Microsoft used to sell this for $50 under a different name - Microsoft Live OneCare. Now that it's repackaged as free for one and all, one does have to wonder what Norton and McAfee are going to do. Well they can wonder, while you just run over to the Microsoft website. Going on with the basic functional stuff, let's say you're still thinking about Windows 7, you don't want any part of the Vista-Ready trouble from a few years ago; you really want to know if your PC is good enough for Windows 7. Well, you can just download the Microsoft Upgrade Advisor, and it will let you have the low down. No more false starts and missed turns for you. And when you're ready to upgrade to 7, Windows Easy Transfer, will hold your hand through the process, and help you transfer all your files and folders from an earlier operating system.

When you're getting ready to install, a real headache it can often be to download the dozen programs and patches you need to get your PC all set up. There is your VLC player, your Java, Adobe Reader, your selection of browsers, iTunes, chat clients and so on. It can take the better half of a day. If all you wanted to do was install free or open source programs on your computer, try Ninite; this little winner (in the name always reminds me of dynamite), will just give you the options, and take over. It won't let up until it gets installed all the free software that is required for any basic installation.

But enough of what Microsoft wants to do for you, let's check out some of the third-party action in the free Windows downloads arena. Systerac Tools is a really cool set of utilities that will help you keep your installation humming along like new. This is a set of 16 little programs to do all kinds of things like defrag your hard drive properly, erase your tracks to help with privacy, and delete files really permanently. All this is crammed into a pretty little user interface, that's all graphics and buttons. And then there is the creepily named Enhance MySe7en Free; if you don't really understand why this should be creepy, perhaps you should check out the poster for the serial killer movie Seven with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. Anyway, this utility also provides you a number of functions, to help you keep on top of PC maintenance.

What if you wanted something that could do a little more? You could try out the Ultimate Windows Tweaker; this nifty little program lets you really get down deep and dirty with the innards of your Windows installation; there are pages of configuration options for everything from the way the computer looks, to making settings changes for networks or security. This is all about customizing your Windows 7 installation to your personal tastes.
The deeper you go, the more free Windows downloads there are; and you're sure to find several really good-looking ones. But you just need to make sure that you download from a trusted site that doesn't install any spyware on your computer, and that you get a program that's properly done.