The Ultimate Guide to the Best Free Software for Your PC in 2025

Looking to boost your PC’s performance without spending a dime? In 2025, there’s no shortage of free software that can clean, speed up, secure, and enhance your computer. From removing junk programs and duplicate files to editing images, videos, and PDFs, the right tools can make your PC faster, safer, and easier to use. This guide covers the best free software for Windows that every user should have, all tested and beginner-friendly.

Table of Contents

1. Clean Up & Speed Up Your PC
1.1 1. Wise Program Uninstaller
1.2 2. Wintoys
1.3 3. DupeGuru
2. Capture & Edit Images and Videos
2.1 4. Snipping Tool (Windows 11)
2.2 5. PhotoDemon
2.3 6. OpenShot
3. Back Up & Sync Your Files
3.1 7. Google Drive for Desktop
3.2 8. Hasleo Backup Suite
3.3 9. BalenaEtcher
4. Edit Audio & Control Volume
4.1 10. Ocenaudio
4.2 11. EarTrumpet
5. Boost Privacy & Security
5.1 12. O&O ShutUp10++
5.2 13. DuckDuckGo Browser
5.3 14. TunnelBear VPN
6. Find & Share Files Faster
6.1 15. Listary
6.2 16. LocalSend
7. Create & Edit Office Files
7.1 17. SoftMaker FreeOffice
7.2 18. PDFgear
8. Simplify Emails, Calls & Messages
8.1 19. Wino Mail
8.2 20. WhatsApp Desktop
9. 21. SoftMaker FreeOffice (continued features)
10. 22. PDFgear (advanced features)
11. 23. Thunderbird
12. 24. VLC Media Player
13. 25. Notion (Free Personal Plan)
14. 26. Zoom (Free Plan)
15. 27. LibreOffice
16. 28. KeePassXC
17. 29. Bitwarden
18. 30. Shotcut
19. 31. GIMP
20. 32. Audacity
21. 33. HandBrake
22. 34. 7-Zip
23. 35. WinDirStat
24. 36. VeraCrypt
25. 37. TeamViewer (Free for personal use)
26. 38. Lightshot
27. 39. f.lux
28. 40. PowerToys (Microsoft)

Your PC deserves to run fast, stay organized, and keep your files safe—all without spending a penny. From uninstalling junk software to editing media, we’ve rounded up the best free tools to supercharge your computer this year. Here’s everything you need to know.

Clean Up & Speed Up Your PC

1. Wise Program Uninstaller

Download here
Removing unwanted software should be simple, and Wise Program Uninstaller makes it effortless. Unlike cluttered uninstallers, it lets you remove multiple programs at once, create restore points, and wipe leftover traces. It even detects Microsoft Store apps (though it still calls them Metro apps) and system components. Bonus: you can remove junk browser extensions from Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, or manually uninstall stubborn programs using the Custom Uninstall feature.

2. Wintoys

Download here
Wintoys is a one-stop toolkit for optimizing your PC. It combines a software uninstaller, startup manager, and services manager in a simple interface. Its Health tab is especially handy: clean junk files, browser caches, old Windows updates, and system restore points with a single click. Speed up boot time, manage Windows updates, and tweak your desktop, Start menu, and privacy settings—all safely and easily.

3. DupeGuru

Download here
Stop wasting space on duplicate files. DupeGuru is super easy to use, with three scan modes for standard files, music, and images. Its fuzzy logic finds duplicates even if filenames differ. Select duplicates and delete them quickly—either to the Recycle Bin or permanently.

Capture & Edit Images and Videos

4. Snipping Tool (Windows 11)

Download here
Microsoft’s revamped Snipping Tool combines simplicity with powerful features: screenshot annotation, video recording, OCR text extraction, and quick sharing. Unlike ShareX, it doesn’t overwhelm you with options, making screen captures fast and easy.

5. PhotoDemon

Download here
For fast and creative photo edits, PhotoDemon is a lifesaver. Crop, rotate, adjust colors, and apply filters easily, or use content-aware fill to remove objects. It even supports layers and Photoshop plugins for more advanced users—all without requiring installation.

6. OpenShot

Download here
OpenShot simplifies video editing for beginners while offering professional tools like timeline editing, AI-powered stabilizer, object detection, and advanced audio controls. Trim, add transitions, captions, and effects with ease—perfect for home videos or social content.

Back Up & Sync Your Files

7. Google Drive for Desktop

Download here
Forget manual uploads. Sync folders like Desktop, Documents, and Downloads automatically to the cloud. Mirror files on your PC or stream them to save space, access offline folders, and enjoy 15GB of free storage—three times more than OneDrive.

8. Hasleo Backup Suite

Download here
Backup your PC or specific drives easily. System, Disk/Partition, or File backups can be scheduled and encrypted. Restoration is simple, and optional tools for cloning or emergency recovery are available but not intrusive.

9. BalenaEtcher

Download here
Burn ISO or disk-image files to USB sticks or SD cards in just three steps. Easy, fast, and beginner-friendly, perfect for flashing Linux or Windows images without technical headaches.

Edit Audio & Control Volume

10. Ocenaudio

Download here
Ocenaudio delivers essential Audacity features without the clutter. Trim, normalize, fade, apply effects, or record audio directly in a clean, user-friendly interface.

11. EarTrumpet

Download here
Control volume levels for individual apps and devices instantly. Simple sliders let you adjust browser sound, media players, speakers, and headphones separately—way better than Windows’ default mixer.

Boost Privacy & Security

12. O&O ShutUp10++

Download here
Take control of Windows 10/11 privacy. Disable nearly 100 tracking, telemetry, and ad settings across your system with color-coded guidance and a single click. You can apply recommended settings and create restore points before changes.

13. DuckDuckGo Browser

Download here
Browse without ads, trackers, or cookie consent pop-ups. The browser now clears history automatically, keeps your tabs private, and even includes Duck Player for ad-free YouTube streaming.

14. TunnelBear VPN

Download here
Surf anonymously with a cute, friendly interface. Connect to servers in 47 countries with just a click. Free plan includes 2GB of monthly data, perfect for casual browsing.

15. Listary

Download here
Search files and folders instantly, including rarely used ones. Filter results by type, modification date, and preview images directly in the interface. Free version is perfect for everyday use.

16. LocalSend

Download here
Transfer files between PC and mobile devices seamlessly over Wi-Fi. Recognizes devices automatically, making sharing files and folders faster than email or cloud apps.

Create & Edit Office Files

17. SoftMaker FreeOffice

Download here
A free, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office. Offers an Office-style ribbon and classic menus, supports DOCX/XLSX/PPTX, and includes word count, spreadsheets, and presentations. Great for home users.

18. PDFgear

Download here
Merge, split, convert, edit, and annotate PDFs with an intuitive interface. Extract text using OCR, create fillable forms, add watermarks or signatures, all in a fast, user-friendly app.

Simplify Emails, Calls & Messages

19. Wino Mail

Download here
A simple email client for Windows that supports Gmail, Outlook, and iCloud. Read, reply, and manage emails in a clean interface with Focused and Other inbox tabs.

20. WhatsApp Desktop

Download here
Link your phone and PC instantly via QR code. Send messages, voice notes, and make calls with full end-to-end encryption on a bigger screen.

21. SoftMaker FreeOffice (continued features)

Download here
We already mentioned the core apps like TextMaker, PlanMaker, and Presentations. But SoftMaker FreeOffice also supports templates for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, so you can hit the ground running. Cloud integration is limited in the free version, but for personal use, it’s enough to create professional-quality work without the Microsoft Office price tag.

22. PDFgear (advanced features)

Download here
Beyond basic PDF tasks, PDFgear lets you annotate, highlight, and even compress large PDF files for easier sharing. Its OCR feature extracts text from scanned documents, turning them into editable files—perfect for students or remote workers who deal with PDFs daily.

23. Thunderbird

Download here
If Wino Mail isn’t enough for power email users, Thunderbird remains a completely free, open-source email client. It supports multiple accounts, advanced filtering, and add-ons for enhanced productivity. Its learning curve is slightly higher, but it’s extremely reliable for organizing emails, calendars, and tasks.

24. VLC Media Player

Download here
VLC is the ultimate free media player. It handles virtually any video or audio format without extra codecs, allows basic editing like trimming clips, and even supports streaming content online. Lightweight, powerful, and totally free—VLC is basically a must-have.

25. Notion (Free Personal Plan)

Download here
Keep your notes, tasks, and projects organized in one app. Notion’s free personal plan lets you create databases, checklists, and collaborative pages. It’s versatile enough for students, professionals, or anyone wanting a digital hub without paying for premium productivity apps.

26. Zoom (Free Plan)

Download here
Even in 2025, remote meetings are essential. Zoom’s free plan lets you host unlimited 1:1 meetings and group calls up to 40 minutes. It’s simple, secure, and integrates easily with calendars and email. Perfect for casual or occasional professional use.

27. LibreOffice

Download here
For users who need an open-source Microsoft Office alternative, LibreOffice is free and full-featured. Its Writer, Calc, and Impress apps are similar to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It may take a little getting used to, but it’s excellent for advanced document creation and editing.

28. KeePassXC

Download here
Tired of remembering dozens of passwords? KeePassXC is a free, open-source password manager that stores all your login info securely. It uses strong encryption and works offline, so you stay safe from breaches without relying on cloud storage.

29. Bitwarden

Download here
Bitwarden is another excellent free password manager, cloud-based this time. It syncs across devices, autofills passwords in browsers, and includes a secure password generator. Perfect for those who want convenience plus strong protection.

30. Shotcut

Download here
A free video editor for more advanced users who want features beyond OpenShot. Shotcut supports multi-track timelines, 4K editing, filters, effects, and format conversion—all without watermarks or paid upgrades.

31. GIMP

Download here
GIMP is the free Photoshop alternative. It’s perfect for photographers and designers who need layers, filters, advanced editing tools, and plugin support. The learning curve is a bit steep, but it’s extremely powerful once you get the hang of it.

32. Audacity

Download here
A classic free audio editor. Record, trim, fade, normalize, or apply effects to music and voice recordings. Audacity is versatile but includes many features that casual users may find overwhelming—Ocenaudio (previously mentioned) is simpler for quick edits.

33. HandBrake

Download here
HandBrake is a free video transcoder. Convert any video into formats suitable for streaming, sharing, or storage. Customize resolution, bitrate, and codecs—all in an open-source interface.

34. 7-Zip

Download here
The ultimate free file compression tool. Open, create, and extract ZIP, RAR, TAR, and many other formats. Lightweight, fast, and essential for saving space or sharing large files.

35. WinDirStat

Download here
See what’s taking up space on your PC. WinDirStat scans drives and visualizes storage in a colorful, intuitive way. Delete unnecessary files to free up space and speed up your system.

36. VeraCrypt

Download here
Encrypt your files, folders, or entire drives. VeraCrypt is open-source and secure, ideal for protecting sensitive data. It’s free and works offline, giving you full control over your encryption.

37. TeamViewer (Free for personal use)

Download here
Access your PC remotely or help friends and family troubleshoot their computers. The free version works perfectly for personal use and is cross-platform compatible.

38. Lightshot

Download here
Take screenshots in seconds, annotate them, and share instantly. Lightshot is lightweight and simple, perfect for creating guides or capturing content quickly.

39. f.lux

Download here
Protect your eyes from blue light. f.lux adjusts your screen’s color temperature based on the time of day, reducing eye strain for night-time work or gaming.

40. PowerToys (Microsoft)

Download here
Microsoft’s suite of utilities makes Windows more efficient. Features include FancyZones for window management, PowerRename for batch renaming, and a File Explorer preview pane. The upcoming Dashboard promises even easier access to all modules.

These free tools cover everything from cleaning and speeding up your PC to editing media, backing up files, and protecting your privacy. Install them today to get the most out of your Windows experience in 2025!

With these top free software tools for 2025, you can optimize your PC, protect your privacy, back up your data, and manage files effortlessly. Whether you’re a casual user or a creative professional, these apps provide powerful features without the cost or complexity of paid software. Install them today and enjoy a faster, cleaner, and smarter Windows experience—completely free.