Free software is abundant on the internet, you just have to know where to look. While there are many places to find this software, the hard part is finding software that is safe. There are two sites in particular that, while they are very different sites, they both safely deal in free software.
CNET’s download.com has a wide variety of both trial and full versions of software available in both PC and MAC formats. This site has the added advantage of pre-testing their uploads for spyware. This may be the most well known of the free software sites.
Freewarefiles.com is a site deals exclusively in free software. An advantage of this site is that it links to other partnered freeware sites. This site boasts that it has “over 15,600 programs to download and use for free.” If you are not looking for a trial, and are looking for just pure free software, this would be your starting place.
Other places that you can look for free software would include looking into what is called abandon ware. Abondon ware include software that has been discontinued. These discontinued products have no product support available. Some of these are professionally created programs whose companies have moved on, and many are still functional today. Those that are functional, are likely being used by others as well. This means there is probably an online forum where one can ask questions if needed.
Again, there are many places online to find the software you need for free. Just make sure that you are searching sites that are safe and protecting your computer from viruses and adware. Some sites are run illegally and should not be used to look for free computer programs. Bootleg programs are programs that are copied and distributed illegally. Being in possession of a bootlegged program is just as illegal as being the person who copies and distributes the program. This is why it is important to know where to look for the programs you need.