Recommended Free Tools
If you are tired of reinstalling the same software after every Windows or Linux setup, start with the job you need done rather than downloading a bundle. Dibakar Ghosh’s August 13, 2026 roundup for How-To Geek, republished by Yahoo Tech, highlights eight free apps he installs on his own PCs: a network firewall, email client, local-AI workspace, task planner, phone bridge, peer-to-peer sync tool, alternative browser and backup browser. They are not an objective ranking or a package deal. Pick only the tools that solve a problem you actually have.
The most important trade-offs are practical: some features are limited on free plans, local AI depends heavily on your hardware, Syncthing requires connected devices, and browser compatibility can vary by operating system. The guide below explains what each app does, where it fits, how to set it up and when to skip it.
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Choose by problem, not by popularity
This quick map keeps the list useful. The apps overlap very little because each targets a different task.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall| App | Best fit | Where it runs or connects | How work or data is handled | Main limitation to plan for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portmaster | Seeing and controlling outbound connections | PC network traffic | On-device firewall and monitor | Rules require review; blocking the wrong service can break an app |
| Mailspring | Managing several mailboxes in one desktop inbox | Desktop email accounts; exact platform coverage was not stated in the roundup | Uses your mail accounts, with optional tracking features | Free read receipts are limited; the roundup reported Pro at $8 per month for unlimited use, a price to verify before subscribing |
| LM Studio | Running language models locally | macOS, Windows and Linux | Models and document chats can stay on the computer; an API can be served locally | Large or capable models may need more memory and graphics power than a typical PC |
| Super Productivity | Tasks, time tracking and focus sessions | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and web | Tasks remain local by default; sync is optional | Optional synchronization must be configured if you work across devices |
| KDE Connect | Linking a phone and computer | Android, Windows, Linux desktop and iOS download routes | Device-to-device features on the same reachable network | Pairing and network permissions must be correct |
| Syncthing | Keeping folders identical between your own devices | Paired computers and other supported devices | Peer-to-peer; no central cloud copy is required | Devices must be online and able to connect when changes need to propagate |
| Zen Browser | Side-panel browsing and split views | Windows and Linux versions are discussed in the roundup | Browser-local sessions and profiles | DRM streaming support can differ by operating system and may change |
| Brave | A second browser with built-in blocking | Chromium-based desktop browser | Built-in ad and tracker blocking; separate sync system | Some sites depend on scripts or ads and may need per-site adjustments |
1. Portmaster: inspect every app’s network activity
Portmaster is a free, open-source application firewall and network monitor. Ghosh describes using it to see which servers installed programs contact and to block either individual connections or an application’s internet access altogether. That makes it useful when a program behaves like a black box, when you want to limit telemetry, or when a utility should work offline.
#1 Best Overall
What you can do with it
- Open the activity view and identify the application behind a connection.
- Inspect the remote server before deciding whether the connection is expected.
- Create a rule for one destination or deny an application’s network access.
- Temporarily allow a blocked connection while diagnosing a failure, then restore the stricter rule.
A safe first setup
- Install Portmaster and let it build an initial view of active applications.
- Use the application list rather than blocking the entire computer’s network.
- Start with a single rule for a program you understand, and record what you changed.
- If that program stops updating, signing in or loading content, remove or narrow the rule instead of assuming the app is broken.
A firewall is only as useful as its rules. Blocking a content-delivery, authentication or update endpoint can create confusing errors, so treat the monitor as an investigation tool rather than a one-click privacy guarantee.
2. Mailspring: one desktop inbox for multiple accounts
Mailspring is a desktop email client aimed at people who switch between several mailboxes. The roundup highlights a unified inbox, read receipts and link tracking, so you can triage messages in one window and see whether recipients opened an email or followed a tracked link when the feature is available.
Understand the free-plan boundary
The source article says the free plan limits read receipts each week and reports a Pro price of $8 per month for unlimited read receipts. That is a source-reported figure from 2026, not a current-price verification; check the live plan page before paying because limits and prices can change. Link tracking and read receipts also have privacy implications for recipients and may be blocked by mail clients.
Set it up without losing mail
- Add one account first and confirm that folders, sent mail and drafts appear correctly.
- Send a test message to yourself before adding the rest of your accounts.
- Decide whether tracking is appropriate for each type of message; leave it off for personal or sensitive correspondence.
- Only then add additional accounts and configure notifications so the unified inbox does not become a constant alert stream.
Choose Mailspring when a desktop workflow matters more than a browser-only setup. Skip it if you need a feature-rich free tracking allowance or if your organization prohibits tracking pixels and link redirects.
3. LM Studio: run language models on your own computer
LM Studio is a desktop application for downloading and running language models locally. Its documented platforms are macOS, Windows and Linux. The app also supports chatting with local documents and serving a local API, which can let another program use the model without sending prompts to a hosted service.
Why local processing matters
Prompts, documents and responses can remain on the machine when you use a local model and do not connect the workflow to an external service. That is valuable for private notes, internal documents or experiments where you want control over what leaves the computer.
Hardware and quality trade-offs
Local does not mean equally capable. Smaller models generally fit ordinary computers but may be less reliable on complex reasoning, coding or long documents. Larger models can require substantial system memory, fast storage and graphics resources beyond a typical consumer PC. The application can show what a model needs, but you should check available RAM and graphics memory before downloading a multi-gigabyte file.
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- Install the version for your operating system and open the model catalog.
- Start with a smaller model to confirm that generation speed and memory use are acceptable.
- Test it on a non-sensitive document before trusting the document-chat workflow.
- Use the local API only on networks you control, and protect any endpoint that another device could reach.
- Move to a larger model only when the smaller one fails a task you genuinely need.
LM Studio is best viewed as a private, configurable alternative for selected tasks, not a promise that every local model matches a hosted assistant.
4. Super Productivity: combine tasks, time and focus
Super Productivity is an open-source task planner with time tracking and focus tools. Its official site lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and a web version. The project describes the app as MIT-licensed and free, with tasks stored locally by default and optional synchronization when you need multiple devices.
Who benefits most
- People who want a task list tied to actual time spent.
- Anyone who prefers a local-first planner instead of an account being mandatory.
- Users who need a focus timer alongside projects, notes and recurring work.
Build a system that stays usable
- Create a small number of projects that reflect real areas of responsibility.
- Enter the next physical action rather than a vague goal such as “work on finances.”
- Start a timer when you begin and stop it when you switch contexts.
- Review recorded time weekly and shorten or split tasks that repeatedly remain unfinished.
- Enable synchronization only after deciding which devices should share the data.
Local storage is a strength for privacy, but it also makes backups your responsibility. Export or back up the local data before replacing a drive or reinstalling an operating system.
5. KDE Connect: turn a phone into a companion device
KDE Connect links a phone and computer for file transfer, clipboard sharing, notifications, trackpad and keyboard input, and remote commands. Its download routes cover Android, Windows, Linux desktop and iOS. The features are most convenient when both devices are on a network that allows them to discover one another.
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- Copy a one-time code or address on one device and paste it on the other.
- Send a photo or document without emailing it to yourself.
- Read phone notifications while working at the computer.
- Use the phone as a remote trackpad or keyboard in a presentation.
- Trigger a predefined command on the computer from the phone.
Pairing and privacy checks
- Install the app on both devices and place them on the same reachable network.
- Open the device list, select the other device and approve the pairing request on both ends.
- Grant only the permissions you intend to use, such as notifications or file access.
- Test clipboard and file transfer separately before enabling remote commands.
- Remove old pairings when a phone or computer is sold, lost or retired.
If discovery fails, check that the devices are not isolated by a guest network, a firewall or a VPN. KDE Connect is a companion tool, not a replacement for a backup system: a file sent between devices still needs a proper backup if it matters.
6. Syncthing: synchronize folders without a central cloud
Syncthing keeps selected folders synchronized directly between paired devices. The roundup stresses a detail that is easy to miss: every device involved must be connected and able to reach the others before a change can propagate. It is peer-to-peer synchronization, not cloud storage that silently updates an offline computer.
Good uses
- Keeping a working folder aligned between a desktop and laptop.
- Maintaining a local copy of notes or project files on several machines.
- Moving data between your own systems without putting the files on a central service.
Plan for conflicts and availability
- Install Syncthing on each device and exchange the device identifiers.
- Share one test folder before selecting your main data.
- Choose send-and-receive or a one-way mode according to whether each device should edit files.
- Keep at least one device online long enough for the initial scan and transfer to finish.
- Check conflict files after editing the same document on two devices while they were disconnected.
Synchronization is not versioned backup by itself. Deleting a file can synchronize the deletion, and a corrupted file can spread. Keep a separate backup with historical versions for irreplaceable data.
7. Zen Browser: an interface built around side panels
Zen Browser is described in the roundup as Firefox-based, with side-panel controls and split view for handling several pages in one workspace. That layout can suit research, comparison shopping or any task where you want a reference page beside the active page without opening multiple windows.
Try the layout before migrating
- Install it alongside your existing browser rather than importing everything immediately.
- Open a few common sites and test tabs, bookmarks, downloads and password handling.
- Use the side panel and split view on a small monitor to check whether the controls save space or create clutter.
- Import only the profile data you need after confirming that extensions and logins behave correctly.
Check DRM compatibility at the moment you need it
The source article says the Windows version did not support DRM-protected streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+, while Linux did. That behavior is operating-system-specific and volatile, so verify current support in the browser and with each service before relying on Zen for streaming. Keep another browser available if a site requires a DRM component, enterprise certificate or extension that Zen does not support.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.8. Brave: a practical second browser
Brave is a Chromium-based browser that the roundup recommends as a backup. Its built-in ad and tracker blocking can reduce page clutter, and its independent sync system lets you share selected browser data without depending on the sync account used by another browser.
Use it as a backup deliberately
- Install Brave without replacing your primary browser until you have tested your essential sites.
- Turn on blocking at the default level first; stricter settings can break sign-in widgets, video players or checkout pages.
- When a page fails, use the site-specific shield control rather than disabling protection everywhere.
- Enable sync only for the data you need and review which devices are enrolled.
A second browser is useful for troubleshooting and separation: you can keep work accounts in one profile and testing or personal browsing in another. It is not a guarantee of anonymity, and blocking behavior can change as websites and scripts change.
Install in an order that limits risk
You do not need all eight on every machine. This sequence lets you evaluate each category without creating avoidable conflicts.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- Set up your baseline security and backups before adding convenience tools.
- Install Portmaster and observe traffic for a day before writing strict rules.
- Choose either Super Productivity or another planner as your task hub; do not duplicate the same project in several apps.
- Add KDE Connect if your phone-to-PC workflow will save repeated transfers or copying.
- Use Syncthing for folders that need live peer-to-peer copies, then create a separate historical backup.
- Install Mailspring only if a unified desktop inbox is worth managing another mail application.
- Test LM Studio with a small model and a harmless document before committing storage or hardware resources.
- Add Zen Browser or Brave as a second browser after checking the sites and services you rely on.
Common failure points and fixes
“The app cannot connect”
For KDE Connect and Syncthing, confirm that devices are online, on reachable networks and not separated by guest-network isolation. For Portmaster, inspect whether a newly created rule blocked the connection and narrow it to the specific destination or application.
Best Value
“My files disappeared or reverted”
Check whether Syncthing synchronized a deletion or produced a conflict copy. Stop editing until you identify the newest valid file, restore from a versioned backup, and then decide which device should be authoritative.
“The local model is too slow”
Use a smaller model, reduce the document size and close memory-heavy applications. If quality remains inadequate, treat that task as a case for a hosted service rather than assuming more tuning will make a low-powered computer behave like a workstation.
“A website is broken”
In Brave, relax blocking for that site only. In Zen, test the same page in your backup browser, especially when the service uses DRM, proprietary extensions or a browser-specific feature.
“I am paying for a feature I expected to be free”
Review the current plan details before enabling Mailspring tracking features. The roundup’s $8-per-month Pro figure and its free weekly allowance are historical source claims, not a substitute for the live pricing page.
The sensible takeaway
These apps are most useful as a menu: Portmaster for visibility, Mailspring for a consolidated inbox, LM Studio for selected local-AI tasks, Super Productivity for measurable focus, KDE Connect for phone integration, Syncthing for connected-device folders, Zen for a different browsing layout and Brave for a blocked, independent backup browser. Install the few that remove a recurring problem, test their limits on your own hardware and networks, and keep backups and a fallback browser for the cases each tool cannot handle.
Quick Recap
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