Features

avast! Free Antivirus is loaded with tons of features. From the home tab you can gain quick access to your system status, virus scan, software updater, stats, and the market. Features like the firewall and SafeZone require a premium subscription.

The software updater that's included with avast! Free Antivirus alerts users about outdated applications that are installed but only offers a link to the program page to download the latest update. Paying for a premium subscription will allow you to update your apps within the application. There's even an option to update automatically in the paid versions of avast!

avast! Free Antivirus offers more than just virus protection. The application also includes "cloud services," which gathers information from other avast! users to compare the reputation of similar files. These updates are constantly streamed to and from avast! so users don't have to worry about downloading updates.

New to avast! Free Antivirus is the Market where you can purchase additional features and services. The app itself is very good at reminding users how many features are missing so the Market makes it even more tempting to upgrade. Purchases can be made directly inside the application.

Usability

Using avast! Free Antivirus is very straightforward. Features and sections of the application are clearly marked with short explanations about what each feature does.

Like with many other antivirus applications, the amount of options and features is a little overwhelming. There are icons in the Security tab that are clearly marked with a green status light indicating everything is working as it should. This makes it easy to see what parts of the application require user action.

For the most part, avast! Free Antivirus is an application that you can configure and forget about. The program will display a popup if anything needs your action.

Quality

avast! Free Antivirus is well designed with tons of features. While it's not as simple as it could be, it works well and is completely free. It's nice that avast! Free Antivirus doesn't include an annoying tool bar, but it does install a web extension to monitor malicious links while you're browsing.

While avast! Free Antivirus excels as an antivirus application, it doesn't do much in the way of being a one-stop-shop for all your computer maintenance needs. Other apps like IObit's Advanced Systemcare with Antivirus offer more features that will make sure your computer is running its fastest.

Scans were performed quickly but not the best we've seen. This really depends on your hardware and how many files you have on your computer.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it's easy to see what avast! Free Antivirus remains at the top of our download charts. The amount of features that free users have access to is amazing. While it's annoying that the app nags you to upgrade to a paid subscription, it's a small price to pay for a well designed antivirus solution that's completely free. Now if only avast! could include some computer maintence features.

What's new

Download avast! Free Antivirus 8.0.1489 in Softonic

To initially install it, the process is a bit tricky but afterwards it makes life much easier. To install ModLoader, go to the Start Menu and select "Run". Type in “%appdata%” and you'll be presented with the .minecraft/bin folder. You must then open the minecraft.jar with WinRAR or 7Zip. Finally, drag and drop all downloaded files into minecraft.jar. The last step is to delete the META-INF folder. If you have any problem, there's a handy How to install ModLoader tutorial video to help you out.

ModLoader makes installing mods into Minecraft much easier.

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Using the program is a pleasant experience - at the most basic level, add the files you want to compress/decompress using the file explorer on the right and chose the action you want from the main toolbar or by right clicking. The PeaZip interface is fresh and easy-to-use with a few built-in themes to spice things up.

Right-clicking on a file or folder and choosing Add to archive or Browse path with PeaZip will also provide direct access to the program's factions. The compression/decompression process is very quick and smooth, and there are impressive advanced options for users who want to get a little more technical.

Among the best of these advanced PeaZip features are the encryption/password options, compression variables, and the File tools, which allow you to split files, join them and even view the checksum files. PeaZip really impressed us - it's a top-class program that performs at a really high level, and is a worthy rival to apps such as WinZip or 7Zip.

PeaZip is a fantastic program for all your compressing/decompressing needs.

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Compressed archives are a handy way to share data online: they can contain multiple files and folders, and usually take less space. There are many compression formats and algorithms, but with IZArc you can easily handle them all.

This powerful compressing utility supports dozens of formats, including ACE, 7-ZIP, ISO, LZH, RAR, TAR and of course, ZIP. The program can be seamlessly integrated with Windows Explorer, which means you can use it without having to open its interface.

Working with IZArc is really easy. You have access to the main functions in Windows Explorer context menu, and can also drag and drop files and folders on its interface. IZArc includes interesting features such as support for encryption, multi-volume sets, scanning for viruses, and the possibility to create an EXE file that will extract the compressed data by just double clicking on it.

The latest version of IZArc, 4.0 Beta 1, is not that different from the previous ones, at least in appearance. The program seems to have improved the way it works with multi-folder compressed files, meaning you won't lose any subfolder or file when expanding them.

IZArc is a powerful free compression utility with support for many formats and a bunch of interesting extra tools.

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UnZipLite is a simple yet effective compression and encription software that is easy to use by anyone. Along with its large number of file types that it can open, it gives great coverage compared to other compression and encryption software.

UnZipLite is perfect for any user who wishes to compress or encrypt data and files without being overwhelmed by numerous toolbars.

Download UnZipLite 0.2 in Softonic

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It has an "Alternatives menu" offering additional free and commercial solutions for recovery of both ppt and pptx files.

1. It's freeware. 2. Unfortunately it only recovers text, not graphics. 3. It has an "Alternatives" menu which allows users to easily navigate to other solutions.

Low income users of Power Point 2007 and 2010 who have a corrupt pptx file and want to at least recover their text.

Download Corrupt PPTX Text Extractor 0.82 in Softonic

The 7-Zip interface is similar to that of its competitors, with a main file manager and a command line to search and select files to extract or compress. The control panel has the essential basics like extract, add and test, as well as copy, move and delete functions to manage your files. 7-Zip extracts and compresses files as fast as WinZip and WinRAR and handles the main archive formats like ZIP, TAR, RAR and ISO.

The archiving process is where 7-Zip differs most from its rivals. Where WinZip only lets you compress to ZIP and WinRAR to RAR or ZIP, 7zip offers you up to 5 different archive formats to choose from. 7-Zip lets you choose the update mode, depending on whether you want to add and replace files, refresh the archive or just synchronize files. If you don’t want somebody opening up your archive without your permission, you can set a password to protect your archive.

We particularly liked the split tool as it can cut up your archive into equal parts which fit on a floppy, CD or DVD, handy if you need to distribute a particularly large archive. Unfortunately, security is where 7-Zip lags behind its main rivals. There is no option to scan archives for viruses and you can’t repair damaged or corrupted files.

7-Zip might not be as secure as WinZip or WinRAR but it is definitely more versatile. It works with more archive formats and offers many useful tools like update mode or splitting. If you feel too limited by WinZip and if you don’t like WinRAR, we suggest giving 7-Zip a try and taking advantage of all its possibilities.

Infinitely more flexible than its most famous rivals, 7-Zip is a great file compression tool.

Download 7-Zip 9.22 in Softonic

Being portable means that you'll be able to use this high-ratio compressor and extractor to manage files wherever you are - even if you're on the go or using 7-Zip Portable on a computer that's not yours. Given the utility of the app, it's probably a good idea to keep it on a pendrive so you can have access to it no matter where you are.

7-Zip Portable is one of many file compression apps, but it stands out because it can fit a lot of information into a small space - in other words, it can make large files much, much more manageable. You can use it either for compressing large files you own, or for opening files that other users have compressed. Either way, 7-Zip Portable couldn't be easier to use.

The app's interface is plain, but very self-explanatory and easy to use. It's integrated into the context menu, which means that to compress or extract a file, you only need to right-click. Double clicking on a compressed archive will extract it, and, of course, you can extract and compress via 7-Zip Portable's main interface and the buttons in the top bar.

Being open source and thoughtfully developed, 7-Zip Portable also has a number of nice features that don't always come as standard. Data nerds will love the benchmarking feature, while everybody should appreciate the test option (for making sure files aren't corrupted), excellent hotkeys and general selection of very user-friendly options.

Give 7-Zip Portable a try. If you're looking for portable, free and, above all, outstanding file compression and extraction, it's probably the app for you.

Download 7-Zip Portable 9.20 in Softonic

It's support for compatible ZIP compression, standard storage places and backup password protection makes it an ideal solution for a Home user.

Compressed backups save a valuable storage place and you can restore your files with Windows Explorer or other software that support the ZIP format (Free JZip, WinZip, WinRar.

). Simple User InterfaceSimple and powerfull graphic user interface keeps you up to date with all defined backup operations. ZIP Compression and EncryptionCompatible compression saves storage space and makes the backup files portable.

Backups can be opened with all popular ZIP software such as free JZip, 7zip, WinZip and WinRar. Use the built-in password protection for complete data security.

Copy Open Files The standout feature of Home version is the abillity to copy locked files or files open by other software. It uses the cutting edge Windows Volume Shadow Copy system (VSS) that enables you to access your data at any time.

Standard StoragesThis basic version supports the standard storages on the local hard drives, usb sticks and network shares. It's abillity to backup to CD or DVD mediums and internet FTP servers makes it a good choice for a home user.

Daily ScheduleCreate daily schedules of your backup set operations. You can also set the backup interval and start and stop times. Simple and enough for most users.

Need more? Creation of a daily backup with documents and pictures stored on the hard drives just got easier. For more advanced features and a built in restore operations see the Standard or Professional editions.

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The ZipZag can work on zip files likeZip, 7zip, Ace, Arc, Arg, Arj, Asd, Bel, Bza, Cab, Czip, Dz, Ear, Gca, Gza, Imp, Jak, Jam, Jar, Lha, Lzh, Lzs, Rar, Rez, Spl, Sqx, War, Yz1, Zac and Zoo.

It can also work on Mac archives like Bin, Cpt and Pit, LINUX/UNIX ARCHIVES like Bzip2, C, Cpio, Deb, Devpak, F, Gzip, Rpm, Shar, Slp, Tar, Tardist, Taz, Tbz, Tgz, Tpz, Txf, Tz, Tzb, Z and Zba.

The ZipZag also works on encoded files like B64, Bhx, Bnh, Boo, Btoa, Enc, Hqx, Ish, Ntx, Uue, Xxe and Yenc. Application related archives can also be worked on like Boe, Bol, Dwz, Dxstudio, Eba, Fwp, Gbm, Mar, Mbf, Pgz, Ppz, Sxc, Sxw, Xpi, Xsn and Zds.

The ZipZag program can extract, add, delete, self-extract, sfx and unsfv, convert, batch add, batch extrct, merge, run, install, checkout6, view, test, virus scan and even repair zip files.

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