While in that location are many places on the net to download free software, they're not all safe. Lots of sites have advantage of people looking for free downloads to hit you with malicious ads, fake virus warnings, or fifty-fifty tampered files.

While good antivirus software will protect y'all from the worst sites, it's better to avoid shady free download sites altogether and stick to trustworthy freeware resources. Allow'southward look at some of the all-time and safest sites for downloading Windows software.

In add-on to general reputation and personal feel, we used URLVoid to bank check website safe. This tool checks sites against dozens of security software blacklists. Every website here scored at to the lowest degree a 41/43 (meaning that all but one or two scanners establish the site to be clean).

one. Official Software Websites

Before we get into the sites that offer lots of unlike Windows software, it's worth remembering that the safest place to download almost popular software is oft right from its official website. If you're looking to download a browser, security suite, media app, or similar, you can't get much more secure than its homepage.

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

ii. Ninite

Ninite is unproblematic. The website presents you lot with a list of pop programs to select, and you check the boxes for all the apps you want. Then, clicking the download button will give you a custom installer file that bundles all the selected programs together, allowing you to install them in majority.

Ninite is known for its safety and security. It automatically declines toolbars and extra junk, runs in the background, and doesn't require you to click Next over and over. Thus, there's no risk of malware or bundled garbage. Running the aforementioned installer file subsequently volition cause Ninite to automatically update everything y'all downloaded originally.

While at that place are only a few dozen apps on Ninite, it has a lot of the most pop Windows software like Chrome, VLC, Zoom, LibreOffice, and more. Continue in it listen next time y'all're setting up a new computer.

iii. Softpedia

Softpedia is one of the largest download sites around; it'south delivered over three billion downloads over the years. The near popular apps are updated every day, allowing you to get clean and malware-gratuitous software that's also every bit contempo as possible.

On top of this, it has an easy-to-utilise interface that makes it painless to browse for programs on any platform. You tin can browse what's been updated recently, or search using filters similar categories, concluding updated, and cost. In addition to Windows, you'll observe Mac, Linux, and Android apps also.

four. MajorGeeks

Even though the site looks like it hasn't been updated since the 1990s, MajorGeeks has been ane of the near reputable software download sites for some time.

Its list of Tiptop Freeware Picks is a great place to first, but don't be agape to browse the left sidebar and look through all kinds of highly-rated programs that you might find handy. Otherwise, searching will help find what you're looking for.

five. FileHippo

FileHippo is a well-known site with tons of active programs broken downwardly into categories. It also has a repository of web apps, if you aren't attack 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 clearly labeled, easy to skip, and doesn't push button shady software.

FileHippo goes further by also offering older versions of software. While you lot generally shouldn't install outdated software for security reasons, information technology's a useful option to have in case you lot run into bug with the latest version.

6. Download Coiffure

Download Crew'due south website stands out thanks to its brusk only informative descriptions on each app folio. These are written by real users, non just copied and pasted from the vendor's website. You lot'll learn what each app does, its perks, and any flaws.

The height section has Featured Downloads, making it a adept place to get started. It also has a robust list of options for the software licenses, including Open up Source, Trialware, and more than. This lets you drill down into exactly what kind of gratuitous software y'all're getting.

7. FileHorse

FileHorse doesn't have a massive repository of software. Instead, this site focuses on stocking the best and nigh useful programs. Each production page has screenshots then you know what to expect, plus version compatibility, a changelog, links to old versions, and more.

Because the homepage is broken into a relatively small number of categories similar Video Software and Cleaning and Tweaking, it's too a good place to find trusted alternatives to popular software.

8. FilePuma

FilePuma has a pretty basic interface and focuses on simplicity. Search for the software you're interested in, or browse its categories to observe something new. Since the categories accept the about pop tools correct on the homepage, information technology's easy to see what's on offer.

Aside from former versions and screenshots, at that place's not much more than on the product download page. The only other standout feature is FilePuma'southward Update Detector, which makes it easy to cheque for and install updates for software on your PC.

9. SnapFiles

SnapFiles looks like a lot of the other download sites we've featured, but information technology has a few absurd functions that make information technology worth a look. One of these is the Freeware Selection on the homepage, which highlights a slice of software you might not have known most. And under More at the top of the page, you'll find a Random Option, which is also not bad for discovering new software to download.

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

10. The Microsoft Shop

It's easy to ignore the Microsoft Store, which is the domicile for Modern apps on Windows x and Windows 11. And while a lot of its offerings aren't particularly nifty, you tin can however find some solid apps on the Store.

Using Store apps too 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. Have a look to encounter if your favorite apps are on the Microsoft Store and you lot might be pleasantly surprised with what else you lot dig upwards.

The All-time Free Software Download Sites to Visit

Remember that no site can always be 100 per centum safe. It'due south possible that a rogue ad will slip through, or the site could go hacked or sold to a malicious company. But in full general, the download sites we've featured here are clean and trustworthy.

Apply a scrap of common sense and don't install anything that seems shady. If a site offers a "faster" download managing director, ignore it and use the direct download instead. And before you start, brand certain you can spot ads bearded as download links.

How to Avoid Fake Ads Bearded every bit Fake 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 IT job to write full-time in 2016 and has never looked back. He'south been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more equally a professional writer for over seven years.

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