Advantages of Free Software | Do I really need all those software?

You do not need to be an Advantage Software customer to use free  programs. As a computer expert, many people ask me for recommendations about antivirus software, or utility programs, or registry cleaners, or backup programs for their computers. They cite comparative reviews, debating the merits and flaws of various packages.

‘Do I really need all those software?’ I said ‘No’ It’s true: if you’ve moved up to Windows 7, there are all sorts of software that you just don’t need. Stop following outdated advice and get with the system!

'Do I really need all those software?'

I said that Windows 7 owners don’t need to pay for any of these benefits of  free essential software:

Advantage of Free Antivirus software: Back in XP times, I recommended AVG Free, Avira, Norton, ESET’s NOD32, and the like — many of those products were, and still are, free for personal use. That’s changed. Microsoft Security Essentials is free, and for the average PC user, works just as well as the paid products — sometimes better. Because Microsoft makes a first-rate Antivirus product that’s absolutely free for anyone with a genuine copy of Windows. It’s also free for organizations of 10 or fewer people.

I’ve heard all the arguments against Microsoft Security Essentials. Yes, it’s like asking the fox to guard the chicken coop. But not in this case. Microsoft Security Essentials doesn’t catch all the nasties, all the time. No Anti Viruses product does. In desperate situations, you may need a special-purpose program such as Malwarebytes to cleanse your system. But for everyday use, Microsoft Security Essentials works as well as any of the big-name, expensive, constantly money-grubbing packages. The only downside to installing Microsoft Security Essentials? You have to figure out how to completely remove the antivirus program you have now. Good luck.

Defraggers benefit : Windows 7 defragments your drives automatically, once a week by default. With Windows 7, you don’t need to run a defrag. Ever. Windows runs one for you, by default, one day every week at 1:00 a.m. You can double-check to make sure that your machine’s running defrags automatically: click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Task Scheduler. On the left, navigate to Task Scheduler Library, Microsoft, Windows, Defrag, and look for the ScheduledDefrag activity.

Backup packages: Win7 backup isn’t particularly neat or fancy, but it covers the bases automatically and (almost always) works well. There are some situations in which you might want to pay for backup software. If you have several computers on a network and want to back them all up to one single location, a Windows Home Server or Network Attached Storage box with integrated Windows backup software may be better than backing up each machine individually. Cloud-based backup is good and getting better. But for most people, Windows 7?s backup software does everything they need.

I explain why I think Registry cleaners are worse than useless. In my experience, the vast majority of Registry cleaners available now are either scareware come-ons or destructive — or both. Websites invite you to run a free Registry cleaning, they hit you with the rogue-anti-malware then they ask for money. One Registry-cleaner site even uses “Microsoft” in its Web address; I have no idea why doesn’t take the site down. Most important, why doesn’t Microsoft  come out and clearly say that you shouldn’t install or use a Registry cleaner — whether it’s from Microsoft or not?

So that’s  the list of software that Windows 7 users don’t need to buy, don’t even need to bother with. Trust me regarding these applications: their time has come and gone. Save your money. Buy a new computer, bigger monitor, faster Internet, new blackberry, upgrade to an Android phone or iPad 2 — things that will make an obvious difference to you.

Advantages of Free Software, Enjoy it !