There are a lot of locations on the internet where you can get free software, but not all of them are safe. Many websites take advantage of consumers looking for free downloads by bombarding them with dangerous advertisements, false virus warnings, or even modified files.
While strong antivirus software will protect you from the worst sites, it’s best to stay away from suspicious free download sites and stick to the ones that are reliable. Let’s have a look at some of the greatest and safest Windows software download sites.
1. The Vendor’s Official Website
Before we get into the sites that offer lots of different Windows software, it’s worth remembering that the safest place to download most popular software is often right from its official website. If you’re looking to download a browser, security suite, media app, or similar, it doesn’t get much more secure than its homepage.
Some software may still try to foist unwanted bundled junk on you from its official website, but you can be pretty sure it’s free 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 you right to it.
2. Ninite
Ninite is simple. The website presents you with a list of programs to select, and you check the boxes for all the apps you want . Then, clicking the download button will download a custom installer file that bundles all the selected programs together so you can install them in bulk.
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 same installer file later will cause Ninite to automatically update everything you downloaded originally.
While there are only a few dozen apps on Ninite, it has a lot of [the most popular Windows software] like Chrome, VLC, Zoom, LibreOffice, and more.
3. Softpedia
Softpedia is one the largest download sites around; it’s delivered over three billion downloads over the years. The most popular apps are updated every day, allowing you to you get clean and malware-free software that’s also as recent as possible.
On top of that, it has an easy-to-use interface that makes it painless to browse for programs on any platform. You can browse what’s been updated recently, or search using filters like categories, last updated, and cost. In addition 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 most reputable software download sites for some time.
Its list of Top Freeware Picks is a great place to start, but don’t be afraid 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.
5. FileHippo
FileHippo is a well-known site with tons of active programs broken down into categories. It also has a repository of web apps, if you aren’t set on 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 suggest shady software.
FileHippo goes further by also offering older versions of software. While you generally shouldn’t install outdated software (for security reasons), it’s a useful option to have in case you run into issues with the latest version.
6. Download Crew
Download Crew’s website stands out thanks to its short but informative descriptions on each app page. These are written by real users, not 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 down into exactly what kind of free software you’re getting.
7. FileHorse
FileHorse doesn’t have a massive repository of software. Instead, this site focuses on stocking the best and most useful programs. Each product page has screenshots so you know what to expect, version compatibility, a changelog, links to old 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 find something new. Since the categories have the most popular tools right on the homepage, it’s easy to see what’s on offer.
Aside from old versions and screenshots, there’s not much more on the product download page. The only other standout feature is FilePuma’s Update Detector, which makes it easy to check for an install updates for software on your PC. However, at the time of writing, it’s not available for Windows 10, limiting its usefulness.
RELATED:How To Update Windows, Apps, And Drivers: The Complete Guide
9. SnapFiles
SnapFiles looks like a lot of the other download sites we’ve featured, but it has a few cool functions that make it worth a look. One 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 find a Random Pick , which is also great for discovery.
There’s also a dedicated page for Portable Apps , handy if you want to run apps without installing them. SnapFiles also features user reviews on software download pages, plus warnings on apps that try to install bundled software.
10. The Microsoft Store
It’s easy to ignore the Microsoft Store, which is Windows 10’s home for Modern apps. And while a lot of its offerings aren’t particularly great, you can actually find some solid apps on the Store.
They also have some benefits. Store apps update automatically update themselves. And more importantly, they are sandboxed, so 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 you might be pleasantly surprised with what else you dig up.
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