Walk into any electronics/software section of a store and it's a labyrinth. Row after row of software titles reflect magazine ratings and bulging text declaring these titles to be the most fun, most educational, safest, best value, business helping, mind-blowing titles ever. Without a doubt, there are a few titles in each section of software that are worth investing in. But with a little investigation, freeware offers you software in every genre and doesn't ask a dime from your wallet. Free games, free drivers, free clipart, free spam filters, free pop-up blockers and free antivirus utilities are all just a click away.

Freeware is not to be confused with no-cost software rips that are illegal. There is nothing wrong with obtaining freeware and using it. And the greatest thing about freeware is, of course, that it is free. Don't like it? Delete it. There will be no trip to the customer service counter to return your freeware, no paying for shipping it back, no waiting for a rebate. Freeware will save you plenty of money. Here's how.

Freeware Games

Parents spend a small fortune on games, books and software to keep their kids entertained and educated. Software titles are fifty bucks a pop when first released. If a game isn't popular, it's played once and tossed to the side. Flush ten or twenty dollars there. The tip of the freeware iceberg has hundreds of games, entertaining and educational. Board games, free card games and arcade games to pass the time. Free coloring book freeware that doesn't have to be pitched after one use and doesn't get crayon on your wall. Educational freeware for kids has reading/alphabet games, mathematical, musical and animal naming games. You are able to download unlimited options for a picky child.

Antivirus Freeware

Antivirus software and pop-up blocking software at the store is expensive. You rationalize it because you want safety on your computer and this ?should take care of it? so you hand over your charge card. Some connect to the main site daily and patch in updates to protect you further. Regardless, it's not getting the job done. Freeware is fantastic for taking care of your pop-up blocker and antivirus needs. When electronics magazines and computer magazines test an antivirus program, no one program finds them all. Are you really going to purchase three or four different brand name, full price sets of antivirus software at a store? By utilizing freeware, you can download two or three (more if you choose) and call it good. What one doesn't catch, the other one will.

Screensavers/Wallpapers

Doing a casual search for a screensaver or wallpaper with ?hot women in bikinis? is going to lead you to some terrible sites. These sites are going to be laden with a thousand pop-ups, a never-ending loop of porn windows, and you can get a free Trojan virus. Fun! It's important to search for ?freeware screensaver? or check out some freeware sites that specialize in everything before honing in on what you specifically want. Good freeware sites will have the number of downloads to date as well as some ratings and a professional looking page. Once you're in the subdirectory of screensavers from a main downloading/freeware site, you'll be able to find hot girls to put on your system without the fear of being virtually hijacked.