computer software free downloads
Below are links and descriptions of suggested software to keep your computer optimized and trouble free. All download links open to a new page.
I see more and more rouges on the computers I service for virus and trojan removal. These cleverly disguised products are fake alerts that try to scare you into purchasing a product that does nothing. Chances are very big that this rouge is a big part of your problem and purchasing the product will not even fix it! Now, you can use the same product I and many other professionals use to remove malware, rogues and trojans. Download Malwarebytes Anti Malware.
I Am a big fan of "open source" software and many of the products listed below are free.
FREE COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Rid your inbox of unwanted, unsolicited email more commonly referred to as SPAM. Normally, I test a product for a week or two before posting a review here. This software, however, I found to be exceptional.
This product works with Outlook and Outlook Express
A great means to store and send larger files or groups of files is to compress them. To compress files many use a software to "zip" the files into a package as they are compressed. There are many forms of compression of files refereed to as .zip .rar .tar and even executable groups of files to be used for drivers or to install. These are in the form called .exe.
With all the different forms of file compression, so came the competition for a program to unzip or decompress them. There are many commercial products on the web, most have free downloads that only turn out to be trials and many even carry adware.
There is a freeware program that I suggest called 7 Zip. This program can open all of the files compressions that are in use today.
Note there are two different downloads available one for 32 bit and one for 64 bit. Be sure to download the one that is correct for the operating system that you are running.
How to truly uninstall unwanted , obsolete, trial software and non-working programs completely. When we use the control panel to uninstall unwanted programs, it simply uses the uninstaller that was developed by the software manufacture. This can leave behind many files, folders and even registry entitries that were only used by that particular program.
Not to worry. There is a free program available that will clean all remnants of the software from your computer. It is easy to use by simply following the instructions in the default mode. This is a highly recommended program and one that I use quite frequently on a professional basis to clean up slow running computers.
FREE SECURITY SOFTWARE AND VIRUS REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS
Before we get started on this section, I need to let you know that some of these programs have their drawbacks. Well, they are free and for this price there are some things that you will need to do manually to keep your software up to date and running efficiently. With that said, let's get started, but remember to set up a bi-weekly reminder to update and run these programs. If you feel that you will no be able to do this, skip this section and move on down to the paid software section. You will
find that most of these free versions have a upgraded version available as well. Personally, I prefer to run them manually and see what is going on internally every time I start up my machine. Next, I want to point out that I am not a big fan of security suites. These a programs that attempt to protect your computer from all known attacks of malware, viruses, spyware, adware with a combined firewall and spam protection. I feel more that this type of a job requires a team. If you think a suite can protect your
computer from all these things, then go ahead and just pick your favorite sport, pick your favorite player and imagine him going out on the field by himself against a team of opponents. I think you get the picture here. One more point I need to make. The software below is my personal choice! You do not have to take my recommendation right away. Do some research on the web as well. On the other hand take into consideration how many computers I have removed virus and malicious software from. I always take note
of what anti virus program the customer is currently using, if it is updated properly and is being used. So I know what works and what does not.
- AVG
Make sure to pay attention to the different downloads on this page. Again you will need to use the 32 bit or 64 bit removal tool as necessary. Click here to choose the proper tool to remove your AVG product
- Norton Products
Norton has many products as well. The Norton remval tool will work with most of them, but double check to make sure your product year is listed. Download the Norton removal tool here.
- McAfee
Follow the directions on their page here, there is even a video. Then download and run the McAfeee removal tool here.
- Trend Micro Products
Please download the apprpiate tool to remove a Trend Micro product from your system here
After removing your current product and rebooting your computer, please download the following products to your desktop. Do not run or install them until instructed to. Also, you may see a security warning telling you that there is no anti-virus software installed on your computer. Well , we just removed it, so you can relax and ignore that warning for now.
First, download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from here and save it to your desktop.
Next, download Spybot Search and Destroy from here also saving it to your desktop.
Finally, download Avast Home Version and save it to your desktop.
Now we are ready to begin installing the products. Please install the Malwarebytes first by double clicking on the file named mbam-setup. Choose to run and install with updates. The software will go through setup, then it will update, so give it a little time. Once the program is installed it should start up automatically. If not you will find a red icon with the letter M on your desktop. Double click on it to run the program. By default perform quick scan should be checked. Click on the scan button to begin the scan. You will see the program rapidly looking at files and registry entries and the scan should only take about 5 to 12 minutes depending on the speed of your computer and use of your hard drive. Notice the second line that reads "objects infected" if the software finds any problems, this will show the amount found in red. Once the scan is complete, you will get a small pop-up telling you what was found or not found as the case may be. Click the ok button. If infected files were found, click on "show results" this will show you what types of files were found on your computer infected. Click on fix and the software will take care of the problems. You will probably be asked to reboot your computer, please do as instructed. You should run this program once a month, but be sure to update first. You can delete the install file mbam-setup from your desk top now and continue on to the next step.
Next we will be installing the Spybot Search and Destroy. Find the file named spybotsd162 that we downloaded to your desktop. Note: Vista users will need to right click and run as administrator for this program to properly install. XP users can double click the program to install. The next steps are pretty important, so please go through this slowly and watch what you are installing and how. On the second screen after you accept to install spybot, uncheck additional languages (unless you need other languages), uncheck skins to change appearance, leave the next three boxes checked and then check the last box explorer file scan plugin, then click next. Two screens later uncheck use system protection (tea timer) then click next and install. On the completing setup screen leave all three boxes checked and click finish. A pop-up called legal stuff will come up, you can check don't show me this again, then ok. In step 3 of 7, please click create registry back up and wait until the next button lights up again before proceeding. Then clicking next you will see search for updates. You can skip this step as I want to teach you how to check for updates later on in this tutorial, so just click next. The next screen 6 of 7 will say immunize system, again click next. We will learn about this process along with doing updates. Step 7 of 7 click start using program. You may want to maximize the program screen at this point to better see the buttons I will explain now.
We are now ready to start using spybot s & d (search and destroy). First let's make sure the program is updated. You can do this by clicking the update button on the left navigation panel or search for updates in the main panel. Both will achieve same exact results. Go ahead and click on the button of your choice now. The spybot updater will come up and automatically choose a server for you to update from. Just click continue from here. There should be a available updates box come up. The updates will be automatically checked off for you except the english descrptions. Go ahead and check this box as well, then click on download. The program will close so do not be alarmed. It does this to do the updates. It will reopen once the updates are installed. If you get any errors, don't panic, just click retry. Click ok on the legal stuff and you can click out of the other boxes as well. You will notice one box says to be sure and immunize after updating and that is where we are headed now. Click on the immunize button in the left navigation pane. Note the amount of known problems in the database in the upper right hand corner of the program! also note that you are currently unprotected against those problems. Let's fix this now. Click on the green plus sign in the top left that says immunize and now you will see the unprotected number changing. Ultimately we want to see a nice zero in this area and by now you should. Make sure to check for update and immunize with this program at least twice a month. You can now delete the spybotsd162 install file from your desktop.
Finally we are going to install your new Avast anti virus software. Locate and double click the setupeng file on your desk top to install. This is pretty self explanatory and basically just clicking on the I agree and the next until the program is installed. However, at the final point of install, the program will ask you if you want to run a boot scan after rebooting. Choose yes on this option only if you feel that you have a issue, or if your previous anti virus was expired and outdated. Running this scan will scan your entire hard drive for viruses and can take a very long time if you have a lot of data..If you feel pretty secure in not having any infections and the malwarebytes did not find any issues, then you can click no on this option and reboot as instructed. Once you have rebooted your system, you will get a welcome sign from Avast. After reading it and clicking ok, you will notice two new blue icons down by your clock. One will have an A on it and the other will have an I. You can get rid of the one with the I by right clicking on it and choosing to merge it with the Avast icon. You can now delete the setupeng install file from your desktop. You Now we need to register your product. Avast home edition is free, but requires a license and registration. You can do this easily by locating and double clicking on the new Avast icon on your desktop. This will start up the program and you will see the registration button here. Click on it and fill in the simple web form with your email address and name. You will be sent a license and instructions on how to install it by email. You will also get a small pop-up help file. Please read it and familiarize yourself with the program. If and when Avast detects a threat, it will recommend what you should do with the file. Most of the time the choice will be to move the file to the chest. This is the way that Avast will quarantine the danger and protect your computer.
I hope this little tutorial has helped you to properly protect your computer and also you hopefully have learned a few shortcuts and tips on downloading and installing programs. If you need help installing this type of software, I can do it for you in usually one hour including teaching you how to use the programs. Feel free to call me and set up an appointment or you can use my online calendar to schedule a time that will best suit you. I can also do these installs by remote. Thanks for visiting!