BEST FREE DOWNLOADS FOR 2023

Make the most of your PC this year without spending a dime. Robert Irvine reveals all the best free software, apps, and downloads to get you through the year ahead

-  Robert Irvine

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Remove hidden PC junk using Microsoft’s new clean-up tool

• Back up files and drives without paying for premium options

• Try Thunderbird’s new Android app

• Legally download thousands of classic books for free

• Download high-quality films to watch over the next year

• Save old radio shows to your PC or phone to play offline

• Download free music from YouTube

AFTER A STRESSFUL 2022, during which almost everything became more expensive, most of us will be watching our finances carefully this year. When the cost of basic items, such as fuel, food, and household bills, keeps going up, spending even a few dollars on a program, mobile app, or book can seem an extravagant and unnecessary luxury, even though in the past you may have splashed out without a second thought.

There's always been plenty of free software around, but with developers increasingly limiting useful options to paid-for versions or scrapping their free programs altogether even this is becoming more scarce.

However, it's not all doom and gloom, and there is still lots of great stuff you can get for free, provided you know where to look. Here, we recommend the best software and apps you should download, both to replace popular tools that will disappear soon and to try exciting new features before everyone else. We also reveal where to find other fantastic freebies, including ebooks, audiobooks, films, games, and much more.

All of our recommendations will have special relevance and usefulness in 2023, and will hopefully make the next year cheaper and easier than the last.

FIVE NEW FREE PROGRAMS YOU MUST DOWNLOAD

1. Microsoft PC Manager