Freeware – Daves Computer Tips

The Correct Way To Use PrivaZer On SSDs

Jim Hillier — Fri, 08 May 2026 04:40:35 +0000

PrivaZer is a popular junk file cleaner that includes additional privacy measures, such as secure deletion of files and securely wiping free space on drives. PrivaZer is my junk file cleaner of choice. However, if you’re running an SSD, there are a couple of PrivaZer settings you should be aware of. By way of explanation, I reckon you’d be aware by now that excessive writes to SSDs shorten…

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How To Check Your SSD’s Health

Jim Hillier — Tue, 05 May 2026 05:49:32 +0000

Unlike HDDs, SSDs give little to no warning that they are about to fail, so it’s important to periodically check your SSD’s health status. Some manufacturers provide a dedicated tool that supports their own brand – e.g., Samsung Magician – but if you don’t have such a tool, there are alternatives. CrystalDiskInfo is portable freeware that provides a comprehensive report of your drive’s health…

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Sync Folders Between Computers – AOMEI Backupper

Terry Hollett — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:44:32 +0000

I discovered that my backup MoviesTV folder on my Acer desktop had two fewer videos than the one on my CyberPC. I need a way to sync up my two folders. “AOMEI Backupper” is the software I’m going to experiment with. I’m using the Freeware version. Open the program. On the left-hand side panel, click on “Sync”. Then click on “Basic sync”. Click “Select Source” (plus sign). That would be my…

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Enhance Your Privacy With DoNotSpy11

Jim Hillier — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 05:11:21 +0000

DoNotSpy11 is a free application to enhance privacy in both Windows 11 and Windows 10. It was first released as DoNotSpy10 and the developer has updated the software so that it now also reflects Windows 11’s settings. DoNotSpy11 is a typical tweaking tool designed specifically to allow users to adjust settings relating to privacy. What I like most about this tool is its clear and comprehensive…

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Easily Debloat Windows With ‘Winhance’

Jim Hillier — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 11:17:41 +0000

Looking for an easy solution to slim down Windows? Look no further! Based on a suggestion from one of our regular readers, I checked out “Winhance,” a free and open-source Windows debloat/enhancement utility to see what it offered, and I must say I am very impressed. Many thanks to Reg for the suggestion. There are quite a few Windows debloat/slimming tools around at the moment…

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How To Quickly & Easily Convert Any File

Jim Hillier — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 05:05:21 +0000

How would you like to have an option in the right-click menu to quickly and easily convert any file, right there in File Explorer? That’s what you get with this terrific freeware with the rather exotic name, File Converter. Thanks to fellow author and friend Marc Thomas, who recommended File Explorer in the first place. I’m not one who needs to frequently convert files, and in the past…

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Making ISO From CD/DVD Using ImgBurn

Terry Hollett — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 05:58:05 +0000

For personal reasons, I’m going to make a bootable USB from a Windows 7 CD that I have. I’m going to be using a program called ImgBurn to do this. Download ImgBurn. I know. It hasn’t been updated in a while, but it still works. I put in my disc. Then I open up ImgBurn and click on “Create image file from disc”. Select your source CD/DVD and allow it a minute to prepare.

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6 Must Have Freeware For Windows

Jim Hillier — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 05:01:21 +0000

Very recently, we published an article from my mate and fellow author, Marc Thomas, in which he listed the freeware he adds to Windows: The Free Programs I always Add To Windows. It’s a great topic and, inspired by Marc’s article, one that I’m unashamedly going to expand on. It’s been quite some time since I’ve clean-installed Windows, but if I were to, these are the very first freeware titles I…

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The Free Programs I Always Add To Windows

Marc Thomas — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 05:19:24 +0000

On the whole, I have few complaints about Windows 11, but there’s always room for improvement. On a fresh install of the system, I always add several free (and some paid) programs where Windows is lacking. I’m writing this because I had to carry out a clean install of Windows 11 only a couple of weeks ago, which required reinstalling numerous programs. PowerToys is described by Microsoft as…

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How To Get Desktop Gadgets Back

Jim Hillier — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 04:10:15 +0000

Most of you will be familiar with the desktop gadgets from the Windows 7 era, which Microsoft later abandoned due to security concerns. I first mentioned “8 Gadget Pack” a few years ago. Now, the developer of this freeware has dropped the “8” from the name and updated almost all the self-contained desktop gadgets. The difference between Windows’ original desktop gadgets and Gadget Pack’s…

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Best Free Partition Manager – 2025

Jim Hillier — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:51:37 +0000

Most of you are likely aware that Windows’ built-in Disk Management capabilities are very limited, hence the need for more advanced partition manager software. All of the free software listed here includes all the options you’d expect for managing partitions, so I’m going to concentrate more on features that aren’t available in the free versions. (click images to enlarge) I’m…

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Best Free Data Recovery Software – 2025

Jim Hillier — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 12:47:30 +0000

Why you should always have data recovery software already on hand. Data recovery software is not generally considered as being essential and is more of an on-demand type of software. However, too many people make the mistake of waiting to download data recovery software until it is needed. Most of you will be aware that when a file is deleted, it is not physically deleted, but rather the space…

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How To Try Multiple Linux Distros From Single USB Drive

Jim Hillier — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 04:10:53 +0000

With the popular Windows 10 nearing the end of its support, many people are interested in exploring alternatives, and Linux is an eminently suitable option. However, for those who are new to Linux, the sheer number of available distros (operating systems) is often confusing. Almost all distros come as a “live” edition in ISO format, which means they can be run from bootable media without…

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Revo Registry Cleaner Review

Jim Hillier — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:34:26 +0000

The debate over the use of Registry cleaners has been ongoing for many years, mainly due to the risk versus reward factor. While I agree that Registry cleaners in the wrong hands do involve an element of risk, if the Registry cleaner software includes the proper safeguards, that risk becomes minimal, if not non-existent. Personally, I believe that an effective and safe Registry cleaner can play…

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