BY FEDI BEN KALIFA
Best Free Windows 7 Software
1. Rainmeter
If you plan to use your computer a lot, it might as well look pretty. Rainmeter offers thousands of fully customizable, user-created live desktops free for download.IMAGE: Rainmeter2. Launchy
Another organization tool, Launchy indexes all your files and programs, allowing you to pull them up with custom keystroke shortcuts.IMAGE: Launchy3. Audacity
Audacity is an open-source audio editor that's free to download. It has a relatively small learning curve, too. You can record live audio or edit existing tracks.IMAGE: AUDACITY4. Apache OpenOffice
OpenOffice -- a free replacement to any desktop-based word processor or spreadsheet program -- continues to improve and expand over time. The newest update, 4.0, features a sidebar UI based on code contributed by IBM.IMAGE: APACHE OPENOFFICE5. ObjectDock
ObjectDock is an animated desktop dock for applications, based on the design popularized by Macs. If you're making the switch from Mac to PC, this familiar look will help ease the transition.IMAGE: OBJECTDOCK6. Fences
Get rid of unwanted desktop clutter with Fences, the software that hides your icons when you don't need them. To see your files, simply hover your mouse over the screen.Note: Though previously offered for free, Fences has begun charging $9.99 for its limited version.IMAGE: FENCES7. VLC Media Player
VLC is a simple and fast media player. Use it to play any and every type of media file out there.IMAGE: VLC MEDIA PLAYER8. GIMP
Known as the "free Photoshop," GIMP is an open-source image editor, file convertor and paint tool. It's designed to expand with various plugins, making it an obvious download for any creative PC user.IMAGE: GIMP9. Picasa
Google's free basic editing and photo sharing tool, Picasa, is similar to Mac'siPhoto app. Easily store and share your photo stream online with 1GB free of cloud storage.IMAGE: PICASA10. Paint.NET
Another free image editor, Paint.NET gives users an intuitive UI for retouching photos or creating custom artwork. Paint.NET supports multi-layer image editing and has unlimited undo capabilities.IMAGE: PAINT.NET11. Google Chrome
Consistently a few steps ahead of its rivals at Mozilla, Chrome is the best browser on the market.IMAGE: GOOGLE CHROME12. Microsoft Security Essentials
For security against viruses and malware, let Microsoft Security Essentials run quietly in the background while you get your work done.IMAGE: MICROSOFT13. Malewarebytes
Use Malewarebytes in conjunction with Microsoft Security Essentials for added protection against viruses.IMAGE: MALEWAREBYTES14. Glary Utilities
If you're not vigilant, your PC can easily clog with unwanted files and duplicates. Glary Utilities is a great tool for cleaning up those unneeded files and programs from your computer. Don't worry -- you're always given the final say in what's deleted.IMAGE: GLARY UTILITIES15. Digsby
Combine your chat tools, social media and email into one simple application with Digsby. Our favorite feature is the mixed buddy list, perfect for keeping up with friends who don't use the same chat services.IMAGE: DIGSBY16. Dropbox
If you're not using Dropbox yet, you should really get on that.IMAGE: DROPBOX17. 7-Zip
7-Zip is an open-source file compression and unpacking tool. It compresses large files and folders into smaller zip files, which you can transfer easier via email.IMAGE: 7-ZIP18. Foxit Reader
We recommend a Foxit download if you're concerned about your PC's disk space. At just 28.5 MB, Foxit is the best free PDF reader that also allows for PDF creation.IMAGE: FOXIT READER19. Calibre
Though Kindle is arguably nicer-looking, we like that Calibre can connect and sync to all of the major e-book readers (including Apple products). Another great feature is Calibre's conversion tool, allowing you to more easily transfer your e-books to various devices.IMAGE: CALIBRE20. Skype
You won't find a video conferencing application that bests Skype. Now topping 500 million worldwide users, Skype is an essential download for everyone with an Internet connection.
