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

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

In improver to general reputation and personal experience, we used URLVoid to bank check website rubber. This tool checks sites against dozens of security software blacklists. Every website hither scored at to the lowest degree a 41/43 (meaning that all but one or two scanners found the site to exist make clean).

1. Official Software Websites

Before we get into the sites that offer lots of dissimilar Windows software, it's worth remembering that the safest identify to download nigh popular software is oft correct from its official website. If you lot'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 yet try to foist unwanted arranged junk on you from its official website, but you can exist pretty certain it'southward costless 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. Just make certain y'all're on the official page.

2. Ninite

Ninite is simple. The website presents you with a list of popular programs to select, and you cheque the boxes for all the apps you want. Then, clicking the download push will give y'all a custom installer file that bundles all the selected programs together, allowing you to install them in bulk.

Ninite is known for its safety and security. It automatically declines toolbars and actress junk, runs in the background, and doesn't require you to click Next over and over. Thus, in that location'due south no chance of malware or bundled garbage. Running the same installer file later will cause 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 similar Chrome, VLC, Zoom, LibreOffice, and more than. Keep in it mind next time yous're setting up a new figurer.

3. Softpedia

Softpedia is ane of the largest download sites effectually; it'due south delivered over three billion downloads over the years. The most pop apps are updated every day, allowing yous to become clean and malware-complimentary software that'southward likewise equally recent as possible.

On top of this, information technology has an like shooting fish in a barrel-to-use interface that makes it painless to browse for programs on any platform. You lot tin browse what's been updated recently, or search using filters like categories, last updated, and cost. In add-on to Windows, y'all'll find Mac, Linux, and Android apps likewise.

4. MajorGeeks

Even though the site looks similar information technology hasn't been updated since the 1990s, MajorGeeks has been one of the nearly reputable software download sites for some time.

Its list of Top Freeware Picks is a slap-up place to start, simply don't be agape to scan the left sidebar and wait through all kinds of highly-rated programs that you might find handy. Otherwise, searching volition assistance find what you're looking for.

5. FileHippo

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

The site will occasionally prompt you to download another app (such as Opera) before the one you asked for. But this is clearly labeled, easy to skip, and doesn't push 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 choice to have in case yous see problems with the latest version.

6. Download Crew

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

The elevation section has Featured Downloads, making it a good identify to get started. It besides has a robust list of options for the software licenses, including Open Source, Trialware, and more. This lets you drill down into exactly what kind of gratuitous software you're getting.

7. FileHorse

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

Because the homepage is broken into a relatively small number of categories like Video Software and Cleaning and Tweaking, it's also 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 have the nigh popular tools right on the homepage, information technology's easy to see what's on offering.

Aside from onetime versions and screenshots, there's not much more on the product download folio. The only other standout feature is FilePuma'south Update Detector, which makes it 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, but it has a few cool functions that brand information technology worth a look. 1 of these is the Freeware Option on the homepage, which highlights a piece of software you lot might non take known about. And under More at the top of the page, yous'll find a Random Pick, which is also great for discovering new software to download.

In that location'due south also a dedicated page for Portable Apps, handy if you desire to run apps without installing them. SnapFiles likewise features user reviews on software download pages, plus warnings on apps that endeavour to install arranged software.

x. The Microsoft Shop

It'southward easy to ignore the Microsoft Store, which is the dwelling house for Modern apps on Windows 10 and Windows 11. And while a lot of its offerings aren't particularly great, you can even so 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 importantly, they are sandboxed, and then they can't intrude on other areas of your system. Have a look to see if your favorite apps are on the Microsoft Store and y'all might be pleasantly surprised with what else you dig upwards.

The Best Free Software Download Sites to Visit

Think that no site can e'er exist 100 percent safe. It's possible that a rogue advertisement will slip through, or the site could get hacked or sold to a malicious visitor. Merely in general, the download sites we've featured here are clean and trustworthy.

Use a bit of mutual sense and don't install anything that seems shady. If a site offers a "faster" download manager, ignore it and use the directly download instead. And before you start, make certain you tin can spot ads disguised as download links.

How to Avoid Imitation Ads Bearded as False Download Links

Fake ads disguised as download links are all over the web. Here are some vital tips to avoid ads designed to flim-flam you lot.

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About The Author

Ben Stegner (1793 Manufactures Published)

Ben is the Editor in Primary at MakeUseOf. He left his It task to write total-time in 2016 and has never looked back. He'southward been roofing tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more as a professional writer for over 7 years.

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