free downloads Archives - Page 2 of 4

7 awesome free software downloads that I use and recommend

Posted on August 26, 2020

The methods used to distribute software programs to the masses have changed quite a bit over the years.

Back in the early days of personal computing, software was usually distributed in one of three ways:

1 – We could buy a program outright and use it for as long as we wanted to without having to make any further payments.

Eventually the software companies figured out that most of us would be willing to shell out our hard-earned dollars on a regular basis to buy “upgraded” versions of our software.

That’s why many folks pay out the nose once a year or so for the privilege of installing the “new and improved” versions of their favorite programs. [Read more…]

Greenshot – My favorite screenshot utility

Posted on August 12, 2018

Most Windows users know that pressing the Print Screen key will create an exact image of everything on the current screen and place it on the Windows clipboard, thereby creating a “screenshot” image.

I’ve tried several third-part screenshot utilities over the years, but my favorite by far is a nifty little free program called Greenshot. In fact, I think it’s the best thing since that $50 bill that I found laying on the riverbank back when I was a kid!

There are so many things to love about Greenshot, but there are two in particular that make it extremely useful: [Read more…]

Clean out and speed up your computer with CCleaner

Posted on April 12, 2018

I love free software that helps me complete my daily tasks and keep my PC running fast and smooth, and my absolute favorite is CCleaner from Piriform, a great company that produces some of the best software out there, free or otherwise.

In a nutshell, CCleaner is like a vaccum cleaner for the file system of your Windows PC.

Running this powerful tool on a regular basis will keep your system clear of clutter such as temporary files, recent documents, cookies, obsolete form data, download history…in fact most any “leftovers” that tend to build up and clutter up your hard drive and slow down your machine. [Read more…]

How to avoid installing extra unwanted ‘add-on’ programs when downloading free software

Posted on August 7, 2015

microsoft-windows Regular readers of RicksDailyTips know that I’m a huge fan of free software. If I run across a freeware program that looks interesting and useful, I’ll often download and install it, try it out, then tell you readers about it if it appears to be worthwhile.

One thing that I learned early on is to be wary about downloading and installing extra add-ons that are often bundled with free software downloads. Most free download sites earn money by helping distribute third-party programs that most people don’t want or need.

If you aren’t careful you’ll quickly find your web browser and your computer collapsing under the weight of a dozen different add-on programs that you never even realized you had downloaded! And these unwanted programs are responsible for countless trips to the PC repair shop year after year!

There are a couple of things you need to watch out for when downloading and installing free software. First, we’ll cover the download part… [Read more…]

Fast Burst Camera Lite – Give any Android phone’s camera a burst mode!

Posted on January 16, 2015

Do you get frustrated at the slow response from the camera on your Android phone? Lots of folks do, especially if they have older, slower phones.

I have an ancient Samsung Galaxy S 4G and it seems like it takes forever for the picture to take after I tap the shutter release button. Well, at least it used to…

I recently installed a free app called Fast Burst Camera Lite, and let me tell you, it put my phone’s camera on steroids!

Fast Burst Camera Lite actually does two things to improve your Android phone’s camera: [Read more…]