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[Windows] Best free encryption program — file, drive, system, folder, and partition encryption

Ashraf April 23, 2013 53

In today’s computerized, networked world, it is very important that we protect our private and sensitive data. One way to protect your data is to use steganography; another way is to use encryption. We have already covered the best free steganography program for Windows. Now, in this article, we will [...]

[Windows] Best free steganography program (i.e. hide files within other files)

Ashraf April 15, 2013 7

A popular way for people to protect their files is encryption, using programs like TrueCrypt and AxCrypt to prevent unauthorized access to data. The only problem with encryption is it is typically obvious that a file is encrypted. Steganography is a different method of preventing unauthorized access to data and [...]

[Windows] Best free DVD authoring program (i.e. create movie DVD with menu from MP4, AVI, WMV, FLV, MOV, etc.)

Ashraf April 13, 2013 34

Who knows the difference between burning DVDs and authoring DVDs? Burning DVDs consists of two things; you can either burn a data DVD (i.e. you put files, movies, music, etc. onto a DVD and it is only viewable on your computer — like a USB drive) or you can burn [...]

[Windows] Best free firewall — Online Armor vs Comodo vs Privatefirewall vs ZoneAlarm vs Outpost vs TinyWall

Ashraf March 31, 2013 83

There are two basic components of computer security: anti-virus/anti-malware and firewall. dotTech has already reviewed the best free anti-virus program for Windows. Now it is the turn of firewalls. Keep reading to learn about the best free firewall for Windows.

[Note: All the firewalls featured in this review are free [...]

[Windows] Best free clean uninstaller — Revo Uninstaller vs IObit Uninstaller vs GeekUninstaller vs Comodo Programs Manager

Ashraf March 15, 2013 100

As much as like to believe otherwise, many programs do not completely clean after themselves when you uninstall. In other words, many programs leave traces (in the form of files, folders, and registry entries) on your computer after you have uninstalled them. That is why clean uninstallers are so handy; [...]

Provide suggestions on best free instant messaging client for Windows

Ashraf February 28, 2013 11

Hey dotTechies,

For our next Best Free Windows Software article, we plan on writing Best Free Instant Messaging Client for Windows. To do that, we need your help.

Please provide in the comments below the instant messaging clients you feel are worthy to be featured in our article.

Thanks everyone![...]

[Windows] Best free video and audio converter

dotTech Staff February 26, 2013 44

Just as with digital photos, audio and video files have become an integral part of our everyday lives. However, our audio and video files are not always in a desirable format and we may come across formats that are not supported by all our devices (phone, tablet, etc.). Luckily we [...]

[Windows] Best free PDF reader — Adobe Reader vs Foxit Reader vs PDF-XChange Viewer vs Nitro PDF Reader vs Sumatra PDF

William February 18, 2013 87

PDFs are one of the most common document formats. To read PDFs, you need a PDF reader. There are tons of PDF readers out there. What to know the best free one? You have come to the right place!

All of the programs reviewed here are capable of rendering the [...]

[Windows] Best free file backup, drive backup (aka imaging), and system backup software

William February 9, 2013 104

Nowadays, computers are quite the keys to our kingdoms. While I’m sure it varies from person to person (and age group to age group), many people have critical data on their computers which, if lost, would be hurtful at best and devastating at worst. So it is always a good [...]

[Windows] Best free screen recording program (aka best free video capture program) [2nd Edition]

dotTech Staff February 7, 2013 35

The ability to record screen activity and gameplay are undoubtedly an important part of digital media today due to the entertainment value as well as educational value of this feature. As a result, several tutorial and instructional videos are made by recording the activity occurring on the author’s computer screen. [...]

[Windows] Best free partition and disk manager — EaseUS vs Paragon vs AOMEI vs MiniTool vs GParted

Ashraf February 2, 2013 37

When you buy a new computer, it probably comes with one hard drive which has two partitions on it; one partition is your main, Windows C:/ partition while the second (which may be hidden) is your recovery partition. For most people, this configuration is enough; there is no desire to [...]

[Windows] Best free file manager program — Q-Dir vs Xplorer2 Lite vs Explorer++ vs FreeCommander vs Multi Commander

William January 27, 2013 93

Windows Explorer is the default file manager provided with Windows. It is fine for most people but is not ideal in many aspects such as moving files around. This is where freeware file managers come in; with options such as multiple panes, these programs make managing your files a breeze! [...]

[Windows] Best free CD, DVD, and Blu-ray burning program — ImgBurn vs Ashampoo Burning Studio vs Burnaware vs CDBurnerXP

William January 26, 2013 19

Although optical media such as CDs and DVDs have become less prevalent in recent times, they are still a valid means of storing media and with the advent of the Blu-ray disc, users have the option to store large amounts of information on a relatively small device. This article seeks [...]

[Windows] Best free screenshot program — PicPick vs FastStone Capture vs Screenshot Captor vs Jet Screenshot

dotTech Staff January 18, 2013 66

Screenshots allow for the capturing of your computer screen(s) as image files. Consequently, screenshot tools allow users to save parts of their screen when it isn’t as simple as right-clicking and selecting ‘save image as’. Screenshots are important for explanations and tutorials as well as software reviews, as can be [...]

[Windows] Best free clipboard manager — ArsClip vs Ditto vs ClipX vs CLCL vs Clipboard Help+Spell [2nd Edition]

William January 17, 2013 38

The most important characteristic of a clipboard manager is its ability to save time. Clipboard managers allow users to store a history of previously copied content such as text and images—whereas the built in Windows Clipboard only allows for storage of one item at a time—thus allowing for speedy access [...]

[Windows] Best free image editing program — Paint.NET vs GIMP vs Chasys Draw IES vs Photobie

William December 30, 2012 19

Digital photos are undoubtedly a huge part of life today. Just last week I was servicing someone’s computer who had already built up a library of literally thousands of photos in just one year. I know many other people who have similar amounts and even more photos on their computers [...]

[Windows] Best free Microsoft Word alternative (best free word processing program) — LibreOffice vs Abiword vs Kingsoft Office vs Jarte

William December 15, 2012 26

Are you tired of paying lots of money for expensive programs to handle your document editing needs? The programs reviewed here today are all free and offer functionality that easily rival commercial offerings such as Microsoft Word and for the most part are simpler to use. So… what is the [...]

[Windows] Best free video player program

William December 3, 2012 28

The ability to play video is one of the most utilized features in today’s media enthused world; therefore, you would think people would pay more attention to the quality of their video player. However, the sad fact is that the majority of people usually use Windows Media Player or iTunes [...]

[Windows] Best free PDF to Word converter (PDF to DOC or RTF)

Ashraf December 2, 2012 27

Presentation is often a key element when it comes to sharing documents or files. The issue is, when you put together a document in a word processor, there is no way of knowing how the person you are sending the document to will view it; depending on what word processor [...]

[Windows] Best free file archiver (aka file compression program or ZIP utility)

Ashraf October 31, 2012 34

Are you looking forward to mailing a large file but the upload speed is just freaking your mind out? Or do you have multiple files and you want to archive them together? Or maybe you have downloaded a ZIP or RAR file and you want to unextract it? Well, if [...]

[Windows] Best free desktop search program

Ashraf October 16, 2012 13

Since Windows 7, Windows has been shipping with a fairly good built-in desktop search feature. However, for one reason or another, many people don’t like Windows Search. So some turn to third-party desktop search programs. dotTech has taken a look at the wide selection of free desktop search programs available [...]

[Windows] Best free password manager program — LastPass vs Dashlane vs KeePass vs Roboform

Ashraf October 14, 2012 38

Experts always recommend using different passwords for different logins. Any normal person cannot possibly follow that advice and memorize all their usernames and passwords. That is where password managers come in. Password managers securely store your usernames and passwords so you don’t have to remember them — you just need [...]

Microsoft Security Essentials vs Avira vs avast! vs AVG: Best free anti-virus/anti-malware program for Windows [3rd Edition]

Ashraf December 18, 2011 402

Without a doubt one of the most popular questions I am asked is “which security software should I use for my computer?” Often times the person asking me the question is looking for a free security solution as opposed to a paid one. To address this question, I have already [...]

Prevention, detection, and cure: 12 programs that will provide the best all-around security for you and your computer – for free

Ashraf April 8, 2010 212

Malicious people with malicious intent are constantly trying to gain access to your computer to make a buck at your expense. Whether it be your credit card number for a quick transaction, or something more personal like a SS number for identity theft, anyone anywhere can be infected by all [...]

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