While there are many places on the cyberspace to download costless software, they're not all safe. Lots of sites take advantage of people looking for free downloads to striking you lot with malicious ads, false virus warnings, or fifty-fifty tampered files.

While proficient antivirus software will protect you from the worst sites, information technology'due south amend to avert shady gratis download sites altogether and stick to trustworthy freeware resource. Let's wait at some of the best and safest sites for downloading Windows software.

In add-on to general reputation and personal experience, we used URLVoid to check website safety. This tool checks sites confronting dozens of security software blacklists. Every website here scored at least a 41/43 (significant that all but one or ii scanners found the site to be clean).

1. Official Software Websites

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

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

ii. Ninite

Ninite is simple. The website presents you lot with a list of popular programs to select, and you check the boxes for all the apps yous want. Then, clicking the download button will requite you lot 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 Adjacent over and over. Thus, in that location'south no risk of malware or bundled garbage. Running the same installer file later volition cause Ninite to automatically update everything you downloaded originally.

While in that location are just a few dozen apps on Ninite, it has a lot of the most popular Windows software similar Chrome, VLC, Zoom, LibreOffice, and more. Keep in it mind side by side time you lot're setting up a new figurer.

three. Softpedia

Softpedia is one of the largest download sites effectually; it's delivered over three billion downloads over the years. The almost popular apps are updated every twenty-four hours, allowing you to get clean and malware-free software that's also as recent as possible.

On top of this, it has an easy-to-employ interface that makes it painless to browse for programs on any platform. You tin browse what'due south been updated recently, or search using filters like categories, terminal updated, and cost. In improver to Windows, you'll find Mac, Linux, and Android apps too.

4. MajorGeeks

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

Its listing of Peak Freeware Picks is a nifty place to outset, only don't be afraid to scan the left sidebar and look through all kinds of highly-rated programs that you lot might find handy. Otherwise, searching will help detect what you're looking for.

5. FileHippo

FileHippo is a well-known site with tons of agile programs broken down into categories. It besides has a repository of web apps, if yous aren't set on just downloading desktop software.

The site volition occasionally prompt you to download another app (such every bit Opera) earlier the i you lot asked for. Simply this is conspicuously labeled, like shooting fish in a barrel to skip, and doesn't push shady software.

FileHippo goes further past also offer older versions of software. While y'all mostly shouldn't install outdated software for security reasons, it'southward a useful choice to have in case y'all see issues with the latest version.

6. Download Crew

Download Coiffure's website stands out cheers to its brusque merely informative descriptions on each app page. These are written by real users, non just copied and pasted from the vendor's website. You'll learn what each app does, its perks, and any flaws.

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

7. FileHorse

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

Considering the homepage is broken into a relatively small number of categories like Video Software and Cleaning and Tweaking, it'southward also a skilful identify to discover trusted alternatives to popular software.

viii. FilePuma

FilePuma has a pretty basic interface and focuses on simplicity. Search for the software y'all're interested in, or scan its categories to observe something new. Since the categories have the most popular tools correct on the homepage, information technology's piece of cake to run across what's on offer.

Aside from old versions and screenshots, there'due south not much more on the product download folio. The but other standout characteristic is FilePuma's Update Detector, which makes information technology like shooting fish in a barrel to cheque for and install updates for software on your PC.

9. SnapFiles

SnapFiles looks similar a lot of the other download sites we've featured, simply it has a few absurd functions that brand it worth a look. Ane of these is the Freeware Pick on the homepage, which highlights a piece of software you might not have known about. And under More at the top of the page, you'll detect a Random Option, which is also great for discovering new software to download.

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

10. The Microsoft Shop

It'southward easy to ignore the Microsoft Store, which is the dwelling for Modern apps on Windows 10 and Windows 11. And while a lot of its offerings aren't particularly great, y'all tin can still find some solid apps on the Store.

Using Store apps also has some benefits compared to their traditional counterparts. Store apps update automatically update themselves. And more than importantly, they are sandboxed, and then they can't intrude on other areas of your organisation. Have a expect to see if your favorite apps are on the Microsoft Store and you might be pleasantly surprised with what else you dig upward.

The Best Free Software Download Sites to Visit

Call up that no site can always be 100 pct safe. It'due south possible that a rogue advertising will slip through, or the site could become hacked or sold to a malicious company. But 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 utilize the direct download instead. And before you kickoff, make sure you can spot ads disguised as download links.

How to Avoid Simulated Ads Bearded as Simulated Download Links

Fake ads disguised equally download links are all over the web. Here are some vital tips to avoid ads designed to trick y'all.

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About The Writer

Ben Stegner (1793 Articles Published)

Ben is the Editor in Chief at MakeUseOf. He left his IT chore to write full-time in 2016 and has never looked back. He's been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more as a professional person writer for over vii years.

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