Chances are, you know that alongside Windows and Office, Microsoft makes a number of apps that are free for all. But the actual number might just surprise you.
When we started counting up all the best free Microsoft apps, we thought we'd find 20 or 30. In the end, by the time we'd reached 60, we realised we'd have to stop, just to fit them all in. And because this is Microsoft, these apps aren't just OK, they're good. Great, even.
There's a free program or service for just about every aspect of PC use, from headline-grabbers such as Windows Live Essentials and Microsoft Office Web Apps to smaller but no less useful tools such as Microsoft Autoruns, Security Essentials and Desktops.
It's not just about work, either; Microsoft is responsible for lots of apps that are enjoyable and fun to use. See through the eyes of the world's telescopes, play a game or two or – better still – create your own with Kodu Game Lab. The list just keeps on growing.
Some of the programs here are unfinished, and clearly marked as such. That means there's a chance you may run into problems using them – nothing major, but take a System Restore point before you proceed, just in case.
We also recommend you don't attempt to install every program in this list in one go; you'll quickly bring your computer to its knees. Instead, pick out tools that excite you and give them a go.
With the Windows Live apps, you can choose the ones you want when you download the Windows Live Installer program. So, what are you waiting for? You're about to make your PC more efficient, secure and fun without spending a thing.
Microsoft Office Web Apps
www.office.live.com
This must be one of the company's biggest giveaways; you can now have access to the core features of Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote for free through your web browser.
Just log on with your Windows Live ID to create new documents or upload existing ones from your computer to your Windows Live SkyDrive account, then edit them in your browser window. Even if you already own a copy of Microsoft Office, this useful freebie enables you to access your documents from any webconnected computer.
Windows Live Mail
explore.live.com/windows-live-mail
It's simply the best free email tool there is – essential for Windows 7 users, and a step up from both Microsoft Outlook Express and Windows Mail, too. Reasons to upgrade? It works brilliantly with multiple email accounts, gives you offline access to web-based providers such as Hotmail and Gmail and organises your mail intelligently into conversations.
It also integrates cleverly with a built-in calendar, enabling you to organise your life, too. Windows 7 and Windows Vista users can also enjoy the new photo email option, which enables you to share dozens of pictures without clogging up other people's inboxes.
Windows Live Hotmail
www.mail.live.com
The beauty of a web-based email account such as Windows Live Hotmail is that it enables you to access your messages from wherever you happen to be. If you log on through your browser, you can also reap the benefits of lots of other useful features, such as a junk mail filter and access to your other accounts, calendar and contacts list.
Outlook Connector Pack
explore.live.com/outlook-hotmail-connector-pack
If you want to get access to Hotmail in Microsoft Outlook 2003 or later, install this add-on, which comes with Windows Live Essentials 2011. Once it's set up, just create a new account in Outlook, choosing the option to manually configure when prompted to access the Microsoft Outlook Hotmail Connector option.
Free Microsoft Office Templates
www.office.microsoft.com/en-gb/templates
Need some inspiration for, or a helping hand with, your next Office document? Just visit the Templates section of the Office website (see the link above), where you'll find a mind-boggling number of useful options.
They're divided up into dozens of categories, which cover all of the major Office applications, and can be accessed through each of the individual Office programs when you create a new document.
Microsoft Producer For PowerPoint
www.office.microsoft.com/en-gb/downloads/redir/DC001075497.aspx
This free-to-use add-on for PowerPoint makes it incredibly simple to create web-based presentations from existing PowerPoint slides. You can also use it in association with other media sources, such as video, audio and images.
You'll need to use the Microsoft Office Animation Runtime plug-in unless you're running Office 2007 – a handy download link is provided on the Microsoft Producer download page.
pptPlex
www.officelabs.com/projects/pptPlex/Pages/default.aspx
This tool enables you to zoom into and out of your PowerPoint slides, as well as jump between non-sequential ones. Once it's installed, launch PowerPoint and view the video tutorial to find out how to use it.
Forgotten Attachment Detector
www.officelabs.com/projects/forgottenattachmentdetector
Do you often forget to attach files to important emails? Stop embarrassment by installing this add-on for Outlook 2007 and 2010. It flashes up a warning if it thinks you've forgotten to include attachments with your message.
Free images and clip-art
www.office.microsoft.com/en-gb/images
Need to jazz up an Office document with some relevant imagery? Thousands upon thousands of free photos, clip art and other illustrations are available at the Office website – download individual pictures through the site or use the Microsoft Clip Organizer tool (part of Office).
Noreplyall Outlook Add-in
www.research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/researchdesktop/noreplyall.aspx
This tiny extension adds two buttons to the Ribbon in Outlook 2007 and 2010, enabling you to prevent people in the same organisation from forwarding or clicking Reply to all when they get the email you're about to send out.
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack
www.support.microsoft.com/kb/923505
This tool enables users of Office 2000, XP and 2003 to open, edit and save documents in the new 2007 formats in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Install it and the functionality is immediately available in Office's File Open and Save As dialogue boxes.
Ribbon Hero
www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
The Ribbon interface was a great step forward for Office 2007 and 2010, but if you want to get the most of it, install Ribbon Hero.
It monitors what you do in Office and makes suggestions as to which features you should learn about that could help you do your work more efficiently. It also helps you learn about the Ribbon interface using games and tasks that can be played with your friends and colleagues.
Canvas for OneNote 2007/2010
www.officelabs.com/canvasforonenote
Struggling to stay on top of your notes? This standalone app enables you to view, edit and organise your notes as though you'd laid them all out in front of you on a desk for easy access. Click a section to zoom in on it. You can then view and edit individual notes quickly and easily in the usual way.
Microsoft Office Viewers
Website
Don't have access to a copy of Office on another computer? You can now install special Viewers for Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Visio or PowerPoint documents, enabling you to open, look at and print your work without having to download Office.
Microsoft SharedView
www.connect.microsoft.com/site94
This online meeting tool can be used for both professional and personal collaborations. Just log on using your Windows Live ID and start a session – it works like Windows Meeting Space in Windows 7, except that the program functions with Windows Vista and Windows XP, too. It also enables you to share individual applications, or even your entire desktop, and distribute important files as handouts.
TrueSpace 7.61
www.caligari.com
Imagine this: an incredibly powerful 3D modelling application that's yours for free! TrueSpace enables you to create 3D models, landscapes and photo-realistic objects for all kinds of purposes via a point-and-click interface – you can even use it to design your dream home. Head to the Caligari website for a helpful series of comprehensive tutorials that will familiarise you with this powerful tool.
Your comments (3) Click to add a new comment
anrus
January 4th
3. I have come across several sites having useful software for a Windows PC which includes freewares and opensource like
<a href='http://www.topusefulsoftwares.com'>Top Useful Softwares</a>
But yours is the first to have all useful softwares form Microsoft itself.
Thanks.
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ksbubbs
September 15th 2011
2. I have purchased several photo software apps to make slide show movies and Photo Story 3 is the best app I've used. There are many things I like about the app. It is easy to import pictures. There is an option to edit pictures with color correction and cropping. The app goes step by step in the process by adding pictures, commentary, movement, and music. Many of the steps give an option for reviewing the slide show before saving it. The one major thing I like about this app over the more expensive apps is that the slide transitions are very subtle. The more expensive apps tend to have more dramatic transitions between slides. Slide transitions that are too much and too often can cause eye fatigue with viewers and too many transitions are a bit cheesy anyway. The best thing of all is that the application is free. On the bad side, if you want to burn the slideshow to a DVD, you would need to purchase a plug-in which runs $19.95. The plug-in is very limited for the DVD options and will only allow one slideshow to be burned on a disk. You are also limited a specific number of pictures in a single slideshow. I have found that once I save the project, it also saves as a wmf video. I can import the wmf video into my video/dvd burning software and burn DVDs. I don't believe that Window's 7 versionn of Movie Maker is as good of a slide show maker as Photo Story 3 but I have found that you can make the slide show in Photo Story 3 then import it into Movie Maker to add beginning and ending credits.
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bradavon
December 28th 2010
1. Good list guys.
Windows Live Essentials 2009 (XP) or 2011 (Vista/Win7) really is an essential install.
Windows Desktop Search 4.0 is something of a mess. It works wonderfully in Vista/Win7 but XP it feels bolted on and doesn't integrate with the regular search at all, which makes it annoying to use.
SyncToy is now really only useful for people still running Windows XP. Windows Live Mesh does the same job and a lot more for Vista/Windows 7 users. Namely peer to peer file transfer (i.e - both PCs need to be on and nothing it stored online).
It doesn't say it above but Windows Live Mesh isn't XP compatible.
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