Software : Download guide: Why Avira Free Antivirus is the best virus scanner you can download

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• Download guide: Why Avira Free Antivirus is the best virus scanner you can download
• Downloads: Download of the day: GeekUninstaller
• Round up: The best free system utilities 2016
• Skype allows Windows 10 testers to send texts from their PCs
• Round up: The best free audio editor 2016

Download guide: Why Avira Free Antivirus is the best virus scanner you can download Posted: Venturing online without an antivirus tool is like swimming through sewage with your mouth open, but protection from malicious software doesn't have to cost a penny. Avira Free Antivirus is fast, thorough and easy to use. It isn't brimming with additional features (although it does offer some extra online protection – more on that later), but you'd be hard-pressed to find better virus protection. After a little preparation, Avira's installer will minimise to an icon in your system tray so you can continue working, then produce an alert once it's finished. It's an unobtrusive approach, and one we appreciate. The program will also perform an initial scan of your system in the background once it's finished installing. Click the System Tray icon to access the Avira Free Antivirus control panel. At first, only one option will be activated: Free Antivirus. Most of the other functions (System Speedup, Phantom VPN etc) are available as trials, after which you'll have to purchase a subscription, but Browser Safety is included in the free package. This tool is designed to protect you from phishing attacks, and displays icons beside search results to let you know whether each site link is legitimate. It also includes a function that displays prices from Avira's 'partner vendors', but Avira is very open about this, and provides a simple toggle switch to deactivate it, if you like. Returning to the System Tray control panel and clicking 'Free Antivirus' will display a simple menu, with options for toggling real-time protection, performing a manual scan, checking for updates and activating the firewall. Avira used to offer its own firewall, but as Microsoft poured resources into developing and improving Windows' offering, Avira decided it was better off focusing on antivirus alone. Malicious files will be quarantined (moved into a sandboxed area isolated from the rest of your system). From here, you can either delete the file or restore it if you're sure that it's a false positive. This is rare, but you can verify whether the file is indeed harmful using Avira's Virus Lab. Any PC connected to a network requires a solid antivirus program, and Avira Free Antivirus is one of the best - free or otherwise.

Downloads: Download of the day: GeekUninstaller Posted: Download of the day: GeekUninstaller When you uninstall a program, temporary files and registry entries are often left behind. These not only take up space on your hard drive, they can also cause errors and instability over time, or create conflicts when you install a newer version of the same software. That's where third-party uninstallers like GeekUninstaller come in, sweeping away every trace of unwanted apps. GeekUninstaller is one of the smallest and lightest third-party uninstallers around, and works perfectly even on older PCs. It's a portable app, so it doesn't need to be installed – simply download it, unzip the file and you're ready to go. You can even save the EXE file to a USB stick or a cloud storage service like DropBox or OneDrive, which is perfect if you're trying to save as much space as possible on your PC. Why you need it When you start GeekUninstaller, it immediately scans your PC for programs and presents them in a simple list. It's much faster and more straightforward than most free uninstallers, which require you to start a scan manually, then take several minutes to complete it. This no-nonsense approach is GeekUninstaller's main attraction – it's quick, effective, and not padded out with unnecessary features. Recently installed software is highlighted in pink, which is extremely useful if you've started having software problems lately and suspect that a new app is responsible. You can also choose to see only pre-installed Windows 10 apps, which is extremely helpful if there are some you never use. Double-clicking a program will run its uninstaller, after which GeekUninstaller performs a deep scan for leftover files and registry entries. If the uninstaller fails, GeekUninstaller also includes a Force Removal option that looks for files and entries associated with the program and purges them manually. If you're not sure whether to remove a certain app, right-clicking it gives you the option to Google it first to make sure it's not important. Key features Deep scanning for leftover files and registry entries Portable – can be used from a USB stick Force Removal for broken programs Works on Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 Price Free

Round up: The best free system utilities 2016 Posted: Speed up your PC The best free system utilities A PC or Mac is rather like a car. That showroom-fresh saloon doesn't seem so sleek and shiny once road film, suicidal insects and evil supermarket car park users start ruining it, and that speedy new computer soon begins to sag under the stress of unnecessary apps, unwanted add-ons and other irritations. Thank crikey, then, for system utilities and tools: the right ones make your PC or Mac feel brand new, or at least an awful lot faster and a lot less crashy. There are thousands of system utilities out there, but these are our favourites - although as with any freeware, be very careful when you're installing any of them. Many free apps' installers are awfully keen on giving you extra software, toolbars or changes to your search engine that you might not want - see our guide to avoiding potentially unwanted programs. 1. CCleaner Remove unneeded files for a quick and easy speed boost CCleaner has been around for a long time, and part of the reason for its ongoing popularity is that it cleans the parts of your PC that many other free system utilitites don't. There are paid-for versions that add real time protection and cleanup scheduling, but the free edition covers the important stuff such as removing temporary files, getting rid of browser caches, removing unwanted cookies while keeping the useful ones and so on. If your PC feels slow or sluggish then this is the system utility to try first, and thanks to its huge array of features and deep scans, it's our favorite free system speed-up tool. Have we missed a system utility you rely on to keep your PC in top shape? Let us know in the comments below. 2. PC Decrapifier Uninstall the junkware that comes with a new PC Like CCleaner, PC Decrapifier's job is to remove unnecessary files and programs for your PC. It's particularly useful on brand new PCs, which are often either full of exciting opportunities to discover new apps or stuffed to the gills with a load of preinstalled junk, depending on your point of view. Free system utility PC Decrapifier analyses your system, shows you the apps it thinks you should get rid of - based not just on its developers' opinions, but on other users' feedback - and then removes the ones you choose. It's so focused on cleaning PCs it doesn't even install itself. One of the tidiest system utilities around. 3. Autoruns Stop unnecessary startup processes to speed up boot times We don't normally quote former US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, but when he said "There are known knowns. These are things that we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know," he could have been describing the apps you know you're running - the known knowns - and the ones you don't. The latter category of software runs when you boot Windows, or log in, or launch certain system tools. You can find and get rid of the known unknowns and the unknown unknowns with the superb system utility Autoruns. 4. Recuva An essential system utility for recovering lost or accidentally deleted data There are lots of data recovery tools out there, but Recuva is our favorite. Not only can it recover files that have been deleted but not overwritten, this free system utility can recover files from removable media such as USB drives and memory cards. It can even get data off damaged discs, although naturally the success rate depends on the kind and extent of the damage. The paid-for Pro version adds support for virtual hard disks and offers technical support too, but the free one is worth sticking on a thumb drive as part of your emergency toolkit. 5. 3DP Chip A convenient tool to keep your hardware drivers up to date The near-infinite variety of possible Windows PC configurations is a great thing, but it can also lead to a great big pain in the backside: ensuring that the device drivers, the bits of software that Windows uses to communicate with your various bits of hardware, remain up to date. It's worth doing because driver updates banish bugs, vanquish vulnerabilities and fix flaws, but it's not remotely quick or fun. Enter 3DP Chip, a free system utility that can do the dirty work for you - and unlike some other driver update programs, it doesn't try to install a whole bunch of nonsense on your PC either. 6. SpaceSniffer Find out what's taking up so much space on your hard drive or SSD You're running out of space but you've no idea why. Does that sound familiar? Then you need free system utility SpaceSniffer, which enables you to see what's taking up space via a format known as a Treemap. It's a very immediate way to understand where the space hogs are on your system, and the filtering means you can limit the visualisation to certain kinds of files or to exclude certain kinds of files. You can also combine filters to look for space hogs of a particular kind or vintage. 7. Auslogics Duplicate File Finder Delete redundant files to free up space on your hard drive or SSD One of the downsides of digital media is that it's very easy to end up with multiple copies of the same thing taking up valuable storage space. That's bad enough on a hard disk, but on the more limited space of an SSD it's even more of a problem - or at least, it is if you don't have Auslogics Duplicate File Finder. This free system utility scans your PC for duplicate files and enables you to restrict the search to specific file types or sizes, and you can specify whether duplicates should be binned or placed in a holding area for you to check them out. This is a great and genuinely useful app for Windows users of all kinds. 8. Revo Uninstaller Free Remove all traces of uninstalled programs to avoid junk buildup If you like trying new apps you'll be horribly familiar with the joys of built-in software uninstallers, which all too often leave bits and pieces everywhere. It's a particular pain when a program comes with additional tools like browser toolbars and unwanted 'helper' apps, which then have to be removed separately. Revo Uninstaller Free is a free system utility that solves the problem by scanning for the bits the standard uninstaller often leaves behind, and its multiple uninstall option means it's a big time saver too. The free version can't uninstall apps that were on your PC before you installed it, but it does a good job of getting shot of anything added since. 9. Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI) Keep your software up to date with the latest bug fixes and security patches Secunia PSI solves one of the biggest headaches for Windows users: keeping software up to date in order to keep your system secure. The free system utility knows about thousands of different programs and can scan your system to identify whether you have the most up to date versions. And here's the best bit: if you don't, this free system utility can usually download and install the necessary updates and/or patches without any further intervention from you. The combination of PSI and Windows Update should ensure that malware can't exploit any vulnerabilities in unpatched software. 10. OnyX A system cleanup tool to keep Macs running quickly and smoothly The majority of system tune-up and cleaning apps are for Windows, but Macs get messy too - and on OS X, the evergreen OnyX is often the solution. It can get shot of bulging system logs and clean up files that are no longer needed, it can turn on hidden features in OS X itself and you can use it to schedule dull but useful maintenance tasks. It has two companion system utilities, both also free: Deeper is purely for personalisation while Maintenance covers - yep - maintenance. For most people OnyX offers the best of both.

Skype allows Windows 10 testers to send texts from their PCs Posted: Microsoft is letting Windows Insiders send and respond to text messages on their PC without having to reach for their phone. Those testing preview builds of Windows 10 will be able to achieve this using Skype Preview – providing it's the default messaging app on their Windows 10 Mobile device – with this 'SMS relay' feature rolling out to users over the next couple of months. Those of you suffering a bout of déjà vu at this point are probably remembering the similar 'Messaging Everywhere' feature which was deployed to preview builds earlier this year, and was supposedly set to arrive with the Anniversary Update. However, that didn't happen (and it was subsequently ditched from Windows 10 previews, as well, as Engadget observes), with Microsoft instead deciding to tack this functionality onto the Skype app. Seamless sending The updated Skype Preview app for PC and Windows 10 Mobile allows you to send SMS and MMS messages direct from your computer seamlessly alongside your usual Skype chats. As mentioned, you need to ensure that your smartphone running Windows has Skype Preview set as the default messaging app (under Settings), and on your PC, you need to head to Skype Preview settings and make sure that you select 'Enable Skype on this device to sync my SMS messages.' Then you should be good to go. Microsoft notes that Skype Preview has a number of fresh features aside from text messaging on PCs, including the ability to hide conversations, and to fire up Skype calls or chats directly from websites or apps (using Skype URIs). Further additions planned include improved messaging with elements like keyboard shortcuts and the ability to drag-and-drop URLs straight from your browser window. In the bigger picture, Microsoft's major plans include the introduction of Skype Teams, its own messaging service which is a rival to the highly successful Slack. Also check out: How to record Skype calls and video on your PC

Round up: The best free audio editor 2016 Posted: The best free audio editor The best free audio editor When you want to edit a sound file – whether it's to create a custom ringtone for your phone, make your own podcasts or record music – the prospect of choosing the right audio editor for the job can be a daunting one. The complexity of some audio-editing tools might be enough to scare you away, but it's more likely to be the price tag attached to such software that sends you running. Never fear, though – there are free options packed with professional-quality features. Whether you're looking for a tool to help create a soundtrack for your home movies, or you need something to help you convert your old record and cassette collection into MP3 format while removing background static, there's a free software download out there for you. Before you begin, it's worth noting that most audio editors use the LAME codec. It's probably already installed on your system, but if you receive a warning that you need to install it, you can download a free codec pack containing it. 1. Audacity The very best free audio editor, Audacity has all the tools you could possibly need Available for any desktop platform you care to mention, Audacity is our first choice audio editor. It has a huge following, and it's one that is entirely justified. It's a powerful tool that would put some paid-for product to shame, and although the interface might initially seem slightly intimidating, it's actually surprisingly approachable even for beginners. Audacity is equipped with an extensive suite of built-in tools, enabling you to edit pre-recorded files, capture sound through an attached microphone, or even stream music and podcasts. There's support for a wide range of audio formats for both importing and exporting, and the range of built-in effect is impressive. There's also a great selection of third-party plug-ins to make it even more versatile (one of our favourites is autotune add-on Gsnap, for that T-Pain effect), and a comprehensive manual is available to help you to get to grips with the more complicated aspects of the program. 2. Free Audio Editor Ideal for recording and editing your own songs and podcasts Free Audio Editor's name tells you everything you need to know here. You have to deselect a few checkboxes to avoid installing unwanted software, but the tool itself is worth the effort. It can be used to record audio via line-in, work with existing audio files, or to rip CDs. One thing that makes Free Audio Editor stand out from the competition is the way the interface has been designed. Rather than hiding option deep in confusing menus, everything you need to right at your fingertips. A neat effects sidebar makes it simple to get to the tools you need, and you can even bookmark those you use most to make your life even easier. You can get as hands on as you like, but many of the readymade filters such as breath reduction (particularly handy for podcasts) and background noise reduction mean that you'll be able to perform many audio clean-up tasks in just a few clicks. 3. Free MP3 Cutter and Editor If you don't want advanced functions, this little audio editor is just what you need Free MP3 Cutter and Editor is a simple program designed with a very specific type of audio editing in mind. Audacity would be a better choice if you want fine control of your tracks, but if you're looking for nothing more than a quick and dirty program for trimming the fat from your MP3s, this is perfect. Open your MP3 file and you can cut out unwanted sections, add a fade-in or fade-out, adjust the volume, and convert between stereo and mono. That's it. It might sound limited, but it's extremely good at what it does (for example, if you have saved a live recording as one large MP3 and then want to divide it up into a number of individual tracks). It's not the sort of task you would need a professional audio editor for, and Free MP3 Cutter and Editor fits the bill nicely. 4. WavePad Audio Editor Free Easy sound editing for Windows, Android and Apple devices The iPad has, over the years, become recognised as a value tool for music creation, but not so much for editing tracks. WavePad Audio Editor Free is an interesting app for a couple of reasons: not only is it a free audio editing app, but it's also available for iOS and Android as well as Windows. The mobile apps are surprisingly powerful - helped, perhaps, by the fact that the iOS and Android versions are designed like the desktop software. There are a number of filters and editing options available such as trimming, a high pass filter, normalization and merging files, and you can add more tools via in-app purchases. There are some nice extra touches too, including voice-activated recording, and an auto-trim editing function. 5. ocenaudio A good choice for small tasks, like creating ringtones Like Audacity, ocenaudio is available for multiple platforms (Windows, Linux and Mac). While not bursting with features, it's a great tool for everyday audio editing. Real-time effect previewing should help to speed up your work as there's no need to apply a change just to try it out, and a highly precise selection tool makes it easy to apply the same effect to multiple section of a files. You can work with locally stored files, or even open those hosted online. This audio editor's somewhat sparse interface quickly becomes a joy to use, and if you spend a little time familiarizing yourself with the keyboard shortcuts, you should fly through common tasks in next to no time. There's a decent range of effects to choose from, and there's even the option of exporting your creations as a ringtone for your iPhone. 6. mp3DirectCut Trim and normalize recorded audio files Despite its name, mp3DirectCut does more than just slicing up MP3s (although it does that very well). You can record directly into the program or work with existing audio files, and although there are no fancy options, all of the basics are covered. As well as simple track splitting, this compact audio editor also contains tools for normalising audio, increasing volume, and fading. Automatic pause detection is available to help make it easier to decided where to split a track, and if you have created cue files to automate file processing, there's support for those here. mp3DirectCut also features a batching processing option that can be used to quickly apply the same settings and effects to entire folders full of files, which is handy for normalising a series of tracks, or increasing the volume of a set that were recorded at the same time. 7. Acoustica Basic Edition A more advanced mastering audio editor, with effect layering Acoustica Basic Edition is a superb audio editor, and is particularly good at cleaning up old audio recordings from vinyl or cassettes by removing unwanted noise. Opting for the free version means missing out on options such as a multi-track editor and support for 7.1 surround sound, but you still get a lot to play with. It has a very professional look and feel, and the Effect Chain - an area where you can build up and play with a layered series of filters - is a particular highlight. There's support for DirectX and VST plug-ins, so you can easily expand the program's repertoire. If you want to get a taste for audio editing with the freedom to move beyond the basics when you feel ready, Acoustica Basic Edition is an excellent starting point. 8. Wavosaur A portable app for simple editing on any PC Wavosaur differs from the rest of the audio editors we're looking at because it's a portable app. You can therefore save it to a USB stick, ready for use on any PC without installation. Despite its tiny size, Wavosaur packs a punch. It's designed with MP3 editing in mind, but supports other key formats as well. It also boasts features like pitch shifting and vocal removal (ideal for making DIY karaoke tracks, and as with Audacity, its feature set can be expanded with VST plug-ins. The basic program hasn't been updated in quite some time, but don't let that put you off - it's an absolute gem of an audio editor.

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