Free software is great, but how do you find it?

AlternativeTo

Let’s say you want a program that is like Microsoft Visio to create flowcharts and diagrams. Instead of Googling and maybe getting a scam site or something. Go to AlternativeTo.net, search for Visio. One of the best results is Dia a free and opensource program which has a huge resemblance to Visio.

Ninite

The easiest, fastest way to update or install software. Ninite downloads and installs programs automatically in the background. Every program on this site is free. There is no descriptions of the software so you must do your research. Save the Ninite executable because you can use it to undate that software.

Winget

The winget command line tool enables users to discover, install, upgrade, remove and configure applications on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Go to Winget.Run, at the top of the page click Install Winget. Download and run the installer. When finished installing go to the Winget.run page again to lookup programs. Pretty much all freeware is on there. You can copy the code to put in the command prompt or each program or bundle of apps.

My favorite use for Winget is it will update all of my software or almost all whether or not it was installed using Winget. Programs from Ninite or you got is from the souse website, it will probably update it. Open the Command Prompt, Power Shell or Windows Terminal if install and type:

C:\Users\lessf>winget upgrade --all

Let Winget do the rest.