Free Windows Software Alternatives

Microsoft Windows bundles a number of software applications in order to provide a basic experience, such as Internet Explorer, Wordpad, and others. In this article, we’ll be listing replacements for basic Windows software and utilities. If you have a suggestion, feel free to list it in the comments.

Internet Explorer

• Mozilla Firefox - a fast, open source, secure, and extendable browser from Mozilla. Offers a number of features over Internet Explorer, including Smart Location Bar, Places Manager, and a rich database of extensions.


• Opera - Feature-rich browser. Includes email client, BitTorrent downloads, Speed Dial (page with quick access to favorite websites), and mouse gestures.


• Safari - Ported from Mac OSX, Apple brings Safari to Windows. Features private browsing and other enhancements.

Wordpad

• OpenOffice - a Java based office suite with features that rival the commercial Microsoft Office, and is compatible with Microsoft’s own formats.


• AbiWord - Word processing program similar to Microsoft Word. While it does not include all the applications of OpenOffice, it can serve as a replacement for Wordpad.

Notepad

• Notepad++ - a feature-rich text editor. Features syntax highlighting, function completion, tabs, and a plethora of other capabilities.



• Notepad2 - While not as feature-rich as Notepad++, it offers a simple replacement for Notepad with syntax highlighting.

Calculator

• Power Calculator (XP only) - Microsoft offers a free more powerful alternative to the built in Calculator.

Command Prompt

• CygWin - CygWin emulates the Linux shell for Windows, allowing you to work with a more powerful command line.

Built In Unzipping Utility

• 7-Zip - Supports a number of formats, including RAR, ZIP, TAR, and 7z; can also generate a self extracting archive.


• TUGZip - Supports a wide range of formats and can create a self extracting archive.

Windows Media Player

• foobar2000 - While only audio, supports a wide range of formats without plugins, and has low memory usage and is extremely customizable.



• iTunes - Media player from Apple. Provides access to the iTunes Music Store (although not recommended as it bundles DRM with songs).


• Songbird - In alpha stage, integrates well with music websites. Supports syncing to other devices.


• VLC Media Player - Does not have a library feature, but plays almost any media format.


• Miro - Video only, features RSS downloading, BitTorrent, and support for video websites such as YouTube.

Windows Media Center

• XBMC for Windows - Supports a large number of formats and is skinnable.


• Elisa - Provides support for a large number of media formats, external devices, auto detection of media on the network, and basic Internet integration.

Paint

• GIMP - Advanced image editor with functionality similar to Adobe Photoshop.



• Paint.NET - While not as advanced as GIMP, Paint.NET provides a large feature set, including support for layers and unlimited undo.

Windows Search

• Google Desktop Search - Allows you to search the computer and Internet history in an interface similar to Google Web Search. Also provides a sidebar and quick launch utility.


• Copernic Desktop Search - Provides an intuitive UI for searching and claims to be light on resources.

Add/Remove Programs

• Revo Uninstaller - Powerful uninstaller that attempts to remove all traces of a program when uninstalling.

Disk Cleanup

• CCleaner - Searches system for unneeded files and cleans them. Also has a registry cleaner, start up manager, and minimalistic Add/Remove Programs interface.

Remote Desktop

• TightVNC - TightVNC sets up a server on the computer you want to control, and client software on the controlling computer. Offers a number of features over Remote Desktop.


• UltraVNC - Like TightVNC, with support for a Java viewer, text chat, and encryption.


• TeamViewer - Quick setup, with support for both Windows and Mac. Has file transfer; no firewall setting changes needed.

Windows Photo Gallery / Windows Picture and Fax Viewer

• Windows Live Photo Gallery - Microsoft provides an enhanced version of Windows Photo Gallery free, as part of the Windows Live suite. Provides photo library tools.


• IrfanView - Light image viewer with a wide range of features, including image manipulation and conversion.


• XnView - Another light image viewer with a wide range of features. Image manipulation, conversion, and meta data editing are a few features.

Windows Movie Maker

• Jahshaka - Offers much more functionality than Windows Movie Maker. Open source.



• LiVES - Not available for Windows natively, but can boot from a Live CD. Has a greater feature set than Windows Movie Maker.

Windows Messenger

• Windows Live Messenger - Offers more functionality (and bloat) than Windows Messenger. Supports only the MSN protocol, with some integration with Yahoo.


• Pidgin - Supports a wide range of protocols, including Yahoo!, MSN, IRC, AIM, Google Talk, Jabber, and others. Extendable with plugins.


• Digsby - Supports a wide range of protocols as Pidgin does, and also features integration with social media such as Facebook.



• Miranda IM - Light messenger with support for a wide range of protocols. Highly extendable.


• Yahoo! Messenger - Offers some integration with the MSN protocol. Mainly supports the Yahoo! protocol.

Windows Explorer

• xplorer2 - Offers a wide range of features over Windows Explorer, including dual pane and tabbed browsing.


• Free Commander - Offers tabbed browsing, dual pane, file wiping, and MD5 checksum abilities.

Windows Update

• AutoPatcher - Allows you to download necessary update files and apply them when offline.


• Project Dakota - Lets you download a CD ISO file with all the updates


• MakeUseOf provides a couple other ways to get your Windows updates.

Windows Shell

• Blackbox for Windows - An alternative light shell replacement for Windows, based off of the Blackbox Window Manager. Highly customizable.

Disk Defragmenter

• JkDefragGUI - Is able to defrag when your screensaver comes on. Has other powerful features.

Outlook Express / Windows Mail

• Mozilla Thunderbird - Email client from Mozilla. Extendable with plugins and themes.


• Windows Live Mail - An improved version of Windows Mail, Windows Live Mail is part of the Windows Live suite.


• Evolution - Originally for Linux, Evolution is now available for Windows, offering an Outlook-like GUI.


• Mail functionality is also provided by SeaMonkey (formerly Mozilla) and Opera

Windows Firewall

• Comodo Firewall Pro - Protects outbound connections as well as inbound connections, unlike Windows Firewall. Has database of “safe” software to prevent unnecessary warnings.


• ZoneAlarm Free Firewall - Protects outbound/inbound connections, “stealths” your computer.

Sound Recorder

• Audacity - Record, mix, and apply effects to sounds in this fully featured audio editor.

CD/DVD Burning Functionality

• ImgBurn - Works with all types of media, able to create, build, and burn CD images.

Windows Sidebar

• Google Desktop Sidebar - Google Desktop features a sidebar feature as part of the Google Desktop package.


• Yahoo! Widgets - While not a sidebar, Yahoo! Widgets allows you to place widgets onto your desktop. Also features a widget dock where you can view your widgets at a quick glance.



• Klipfolio - Place “Klips” around your desktop, with information from the web. Takes up less space than traditional widgets/gadgets.

Start Menu

• Vista Start Menu - Larger start menu which allows you to find your applications more easily and quickly perform tasks.


• Launchy - While technically not a menu, Launchy allows you to launch programs by typing a portion of the application name.


• ViStart - For XP users, this replaces the current Start Menu with Vista’s start menu, even containing search functionality.

Run

Launchy - Launch programs by typing a portion of the application name - as opposed to typing the full application name or executable name.