If you have an Android phone, you've probably installed an app or two. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to run them on your Windows PC? BlueStacks App Player makes this possible for certain apps.

BlueStacks App Player is the alpha version of an emulator that lets you use use Android on PC. It works a bit like a widget. When clicked, BlueStacks App Player will display the ten apps that have already been pre-installed, which are mostly games.

BlueStacks App Player's interface is easy to navigate. You can install new applications by clicking the "Get More Apps" button. Currently, there are more than 25 apps you can install this way. Hopefully, the number will grow as BlueStacks App Player develops.

The BlueStacks App Player team is currently taking emails for volunteer signups for an upcoming beta release as well. You can add your name to the list on the program's official website.

BlueStacks App Player is onto a good start when it comes to running Android apps on your PC.

Download BlueStacks App Player 0.7.12 Beta in Softonic

Windows Movie Maker 2012 is the stand out application of Windows Essentials 2012. This basic video editing tool remains great while offering a few new, useful features.

Windows Movie Maker 2012 takes advantage of hardware acceleration, which will speed up video exporting and encoding. There is also a new video stabilization feature, which will be a boon to those with cameras that don't offer this feature. Videos now output to h.264 by default.

The interface of Windows Movie Maker 2012 has stayed the same for the most part but integrating audio is easier as you can now look up music from services like AudioMicro, Free Music Archive, and Vimeo Music Store. The video timeline also features a wav form so you can easily see where audio is placed within the video.

Overall, Windows Movie Maker 2012 is a great update to an already great video editor.

Download Windows Movie Maker 2012 2012 16.4.3508.0205 in Softonic

Like many other security apps, the installation of AVG Internet Security is quite long. The installer downloads the 123 MB application file, and also requires you to uninstall any other security apps present on your system – even if they’re also an AVG product. This is understandable though, as AVG Internet Security includes pretty much everything you need to stay safe while browsing the web. Also, bear in mind that unless you choose the custom installation option, the program will change your homepage and install the AVG browser bar.

Once AVG Internet Security is finally installed in your system, and after the usual system restart, you’re presented with an easy, clear interface, with icons that take you to the program’s functions. Some of the tools included in AVG Internet Security are an antivirus, an antispyware, scanners for links and email (including an anti-spam tool), two special security shields (Online for web activity and Resident for local active processes), an anti-rootkit app and a special tool to protect your identity online.

AVG Internet Security includes also an extensive configuration menu so that you can easily adapt the program to your needs. It may take a while, but it’s worth the effort.

With AVG Internet Security you’ll be protected against all sorts of online threats and dangers.

Download AVG Internet Security 2013 2013.0.3343 (32 bits) in Softonic

With Nitro PDF Reader you can not only read PDF files on your computer, but also edit them in several ways: you can annotate PDF documents, insert notes, and highlight, cross-out or underline certain text. Plus Nitro PDF Reader also lets you extract all images in a PDF or save all the text inside the PDF in plain text, removing all the formatting and making it easier to edit.

Another great feature in Nitro PDF Reader is a virtual printer, with which you can convert any document to PDF – as long as the application you use to open it has printing capabilities. All you need to do is choose the Print option and select the Nitro PDF printer.

Nitro PDF Reader features a nicely designed interface that makes the program a pleasure to use. Plus the program seems to have solved the unstability issues that affected earlier versions, so there's really no reason why you shouldn't give it a try!

Nitro PDF Reader is a full featured PDF reader with annotation tools, image and text extractors and a special tool to convert documents to PDF.

Download Nitro PDF Reader 3.5.3.14 in Softonic

PCBoost increases computer performance by allocating higher portions of CPU power to active applications and games. PCBoost is a revolutionary product which enhances processor intensive software to run at even faster speeds.

The application's interface is designed to be very easy to use, fully compliant with all versions of Microsoft Windows and compatible with most software. With PCBoost your computer should run faster than ever before.

Download PCBoost 4.5.13.2013 in Softonic

Features

These days, it's an app that attempts to be all things to all people - play DVDs, organize music, catalog photos, convert video, interact with social networking sites, browse internet multimedia....there's no end to what RealPlayer offers to its users. Even so, it's not an out-and-out success...

Usability

For a start, installation of RealPlayer is annoying - it takes a while, requires lots of "nexts" and tries to install and enable several features that users don't really need. Finally, when it starts, you're offered a chance to upgrade to paid versions of RealPlayer before you have to register yourself with Real Networks. If all this messing around doesn't appeal, check out a slimline app like UMPlayer.

When you're up and running, RealPlayer features a wide interface where you will notice ads and videos recommended by Real Networks. This looks cluttered and messy, and it's hard to know what the app actually offers. In reality, RealPlayer is ideal for playing and sharing video with your friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter and it works easily with BlackBerry, iPod, iPhone and other game systems. The new video converter allows you to copy online video to your iPod, Xbox, PS3 and other devices. Unfortunately, you can't rip DVDs with RealPlayer, although this is available as a feature if you upgrade to RealPlayer Plus.

Most recently, RealPlayer has been updated with far better mobile and social networking integration. You can now copy your favorite videos to an iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry and dozens of other popular devices automatically. Downloading internet videos is faster, and for those of you with something to hide, RealPlayer offers a new Private folder. Social media has also been bumped up, with direct access to Facebook videos and usefully, a built-in feature to transfer videos to your mobile devices.

Quality

That said, RealPlayer isn't bad at all. It's comparable to Windows Media Player 12 as they both have some impressive ways of organizing your music. For me, the best feature is the CD burner which is something I've used from the early days of RealPlayer. The sheer quality of some of the media only available in Real formats makes RealPlayer an essential item in the toolkit of any fan of internet video and audio.

Conclusion

There's no shortage of media players theses days, and RealPlayer is by no means a bad option. It offers lots of features, good options and is a high-quality player that will do justice to your media. The only problem is that despite its modern features, it feels like a bit of a dinosaur. It's heavy and slow, looks chunky and takes an age to respond to clicks, and for many people - especially those who have experience of lighter options - it's just not the most comfortable player.

RealPlayer is a media player that, although powerful, has suffered from serious feature-creep over the years.

Download RealPlayer 16.0.2.232 in Softonic

Adobe Reader has been in existence for over a decade and has gone through various evolutions during this time. One result of this is that it has been increasingly loaded with plug-ins and extensions which mean that it's consistently criticized as being bloated and slow.

The truth about Adobe Reader's speed

It is true to a certain extent that the extra plug-ins and extensions can make Adobe run more slowly. Adobe Reader is still a PDF reader that has much to offer though. With the latest version of Adobe Reader, Adobe have addressed some of the speed issues and the memory footprint has been improved consistently throughout the development of Adobe Reader XI.

Interface and stand-out features

This version of Adobe Reader is not only slightly faster, but also displays a clearer, simpler interface that makes it easier to use. Adobe Reader XI still features the classic tools from previous versions (Zoom, Text selection, Snapshots and Read out loud), but now it also includes renewed features such as the ability to leave comments as sticky notes. A new feature you’ll find in Adobe Reader X is the Share tool, with which you can easily share the document by email or via the Adobe SendNow service.

Built-in security precautions

If you were worried about security issues in Adobe Reader, fear not: Adobe Reader XI is probably the safest version ever released, thanks to the new Protected Mode than loads images, code and 3D objects in a special area in memory, isolated from the system.

Adobe Reader XI is undoubtedly an important update in the history of this popular PDF reader – an essential tool to open, read and print PDF documents.

Download Adobe Reader XI 11.0.03 in Softonic

There are plenty of programs like Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear, and CyberGhost VPN that allow you to browse content that is not available to you locally. Spotflux differentiates itself by touting its privacy and security features.

SpotFlux runs silently in the background and sits in your system tray. There is only an on/off button on the main interface. After it's turned on, you can forget about it. Spotflux is great for browsing on public wifi networks or if you just want to encrypt and secure your connection, say when you're entering sensitive information on a site.

One of the coolest features of Spotflux is its ability to block ads. There are browser extensions that do this, but it's nice to have Spotflux block advertisements system-wide. This also means that you won't be tracked online and it will help save a little bandwidth since you don't have to load heavy flash ads.

Like Hotspot Shield, Spotflux also offers malware and virus protection. This is a nice buffer between you and an infection. It is still recommended that you run an antivirus program alongside though.

If you require a proxy, Spotflux will let you enter in your proxy server manually. This is great for those who are paying for a proxy service, but it unfortunately doesn't provide a built-in proxy like TunnelBear.

Overall, Spotflux is a light weight app that will protect, secure, and make your browsing private.

Download Spotflux 2.9.8 in Softonic

Features of Piano Chords at a glance: - Display of notes on a virtual piano keyboard. - All popular chords and scales included. - Invertation of chords possible. - Different input options for displaying notes on the virtual piano keyboard. - Integrated help system. - Automatic program updates. - Multilingual (at the moment English, German and Spanish). - Intuitive program interface. - Free e-mail support in case of problems or questions. - All updates for free.

This product offers a wide range of piano chords. But they are not only just displayed, but can also directly be played within the application. Also scales are included.

Home users that want to learn piano or that are searching for a special piano chord.

Download Piano Chords 1.4.3 in Softonic

Operating system, web browser, media player... Microsoft had everything covered, except for a security application. Until now, with the release of Microsoft Security Essentials.

After some months in beta stage, Microsoft has launched the final version of its security application, though I have to say Microsoft Security Essentials hasn't changed that much in the final release. It still features a simple, clear tabbed interface with four main areas in which the user can take a look at the system's security status, update virus and spyware definitions, check the history of previously detected items, and tweak the program's settings, respectively.

Microsoft Security Essentials includes three types of scan - quick, full, or customizable. They can be scheduled to run at a give time or particular location, and can be modified to work when the computer is not actually in use. Handily, Microsoft Security Essentials automatically updates its database, and is fully integrated with Windows Explorer and the Windows Firewall. It also boasts a system restore point, in case you need to undo any over-enthusiastic cleaning.

Microsoft Security Essentials is Microsoft's first attempt at a standalone security application for home use. Given its simplicity and suitability for beginners, it probably isn't the best choice for more advanced users or professional network administrators, but for the average user, it covers all the bases. Bear in mind, however, that Microsoft Security Essentials doesn't disinfect files - it only deletes them in case of infection.

Microsoft Security Essentials is a gentle introduction to the sometimes complicated world of home computer security.

Download Microsoft Security Essentials 4.2.223.0 in Softonic

Features

Thanks to a straightforward, uncluttered interface BitTorrent appears as a user friendly torrent client that beginners will feel comfortable with. We particularly appreciated the integrated search box to look for files on the BitTorrent website. Once you’ve found the torrent you want, download it to your PC, open it up inside BitTorrent and let the client do the rest. The speed at which you download will depend on the number of seeds, that is people who have the complete file and are sharing it. The more seeds there are the quicker files will download.

You can set multiple torrent downloads and the downloading speed is fairly quick. It’s easy to configure the client and we suggest choosing the right port and setting upload and download rate limits to avoid hogging your bandwidth. It’s also good to set your downloads by priority to monitor more precisely how your torrents are doing.

Using BitTorrent

The file you want to download is cut up into small segments shared by users, creating what is called a swarm, and does not go through a central server, significantly reducing the bulk of file transfers. The BitTorrent client is actually the first P2P application to use this technology and became immensely popular when it was released. Torrents are considered by online users as a great way to download recently anything from movies to operating systems.

Competition

Compared to the exhaustive Azureus, BitTorrent is very simplistic. It doesn’t provide half as many statistics and doesn’t let you customize the interface. Integrating a search box is a great idea, but it limits searches to the BitTorrent website, not considered the most thorough source by torrent aficionados.

Conclusion

If you’re a newbie to the torrent world, BitTorrent is a good bet. It’s safe, stable and sharp. Associated with the huge database of legal torrents that is the BitTorrent website, it makes for a very rich P2P experience. Advanced users will probably frown upon its lack of options but others should give it a try.

Download BitTorrent 7.8.0.29676 in Softonic

Are you looking for lost files? Accidentally emptied your recycling bin and want to recover your files? Feeling nosy and want to peek into the history of your hard drive (or any storage device)? DiskDigger will go through any disk and reveal what's been left there, for better or worse!

This free application can't do magic, obviously, and so won't be able to repair corrupted files it finds, and once a file's been deleted it can't guarantee to find it. It does do an exhaustive scan to find traces of what you want though, so if you file is indeed sitting on your disk somewhere, it will be found.

The great thing about DiskDigger is it doesn't require installation, and can be run from a portable drive. You can search a drive without leaving a trace of your search. James Bond aside, this also means it's lightweight and small. Using it is a cinch - choose the type of file you want to look for, choose the drive you want to search and off it goes. Searching a big HDD can be a lengthy experience, but worthwhile if you really want to find something!

When you find something, there's a button to save it wherever you want, although unfortunately DiskDigger has no search tool, which means you'll have to wade through the found files manually.

DiskDigger is an easy to use tool for scanning the contents of a drive in its entirety, but we hope future version feature a search!

Download DiskDigger 1.5.6.1522 in Softonic

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

The EverNote utility features versions for many different operating systems: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, WebOS and more. It lets you capture and sync anything you throw at it, from notes to images, media or passwords. All your information is stored in the program and you can organize it in so called “notebooks”, as well as using tags to categorize.

Using EverNote is really simple. The program displays tips for the most important functions and is also thoroughly documented. The pleasant interface in EverNote, with a clean, eye-catching design, makes it even easier to use.

Now that we can access the internet from anywhere and on multiple devices, having a synced copy of all your information available at all times is crucial. If you have EverNote installed on all your devices – desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone - all it takes is an internet connection and a press of the Synchronize button from the menu to ensure that you have the same information stored on all of them.

EverNote is a very promising application that captures, stores and syncs any sort of information on all your devices.

Download EverNote 4.6.5.8353 in Softonic

Baidu PC Faster is a free lightweight security optimization software launched by Baidu which gathers "health check", "win update”, “cleaner”, ”speedup”, ”cloud security”, ”toolbox” and ”PC APP store” with simple interface and it’s easy to operate. It aims at providing users with an ideal system optimization solution.

Baidu PC Faster aims at providing PC users with an ideal system optimization solution.It is applicable to all computer users.

Download Baidu PC Faster 3.2.0.25 in Softonic

Other key features: - Adjust Column Width as required. - Insert or Delete Rows and Columns. - Access any Cell in the worksheet. - Add data to desired Cells at runtime. - Retrieve data from cells according to their data types. - Address to Cell Range. - Apply different Styles on the Cells. - Copy Styles. - Apply Number Format Settings for the Cells. - Format Cell as a Date. - Custom Formatting of the Cells. - Set Text Alignment. - Set Text Rotation and Direction in the Cells. - Merge multiple Cells into single one. - Unmerge the Cells. - Apply different kinds of Font Settings for the Cells. - ApApply different Colors to Cells, Fonts, Gridlines, Fill to Drawings. - Set Rich Text in a Single Cell. - Apply different Border Settings on Cells.

Key features: - Supported Excel files XLS, XLSX, CSV. - Creating a strong copy of Excel spreadsheet as an HTML file. - Preservation of formatting of source Excel spreadsheet. - Choosing the index of Excel spreadsheet for export to HTML file. - Create and access Worksheet. - Move a Worksheet to a specific location in the Workbook. - Set the name of Worksheet. - Freeze Panes. - Page Breaks and Settings. - Set Headers and Footers. - Adjust Row Height according to your desire.

The Elerium Excel to HTML .NET component can be used by .NET developers. It can be easy invoked to the project by adding the reference to the Excel to HTML .NET component. The component can be used in WinForms, ASP.NET applications.

Download Elerium Excel to HTML .NET 1.5 in Softonic

International Voip Calls.

Users can make free phone calls whit or without phone or account, with pc, landlines or cellphones. They can choose to buy additional minutes of calls by loading a minimum credit of one dollar, and calling at cheapest rates.

Young users experienced in the use of technologies such as redirect the number and use of voip.

Download Magicall - Free Phone Calls 1 in Softonic

Ubuntu epitomizes everything that open source software is all about - free, quality software that works well and looks good. The latest version of Ubuntu "Maverick Meerkat" is packed with new features aimed at bringing Ubuntu to a wider market by making it easier than ever to use.

This download is for the Windows installer version of Ubuntu which installs Ubuntu on your system just like any other application you might install in Windows. It's the easiest and safest way of installing Ubuntu for the first time because you can easily remove it if you find you don't like it. If you do like it, you can download the desktop version which you'll then have to transfer to a CD or USB stick to install correctly.

Ubuntu allows you to do everything that Windows allows you to do with bonus that everything from the word processor to the e-mail client is free and it's fast. Ubuntu comes with Mozilla Firefox preinstalled although you can choose Google Premium from the fantastic Ubuntu Software Centre. One of the big stars of Ubuntu is Open Office which provides you with everything that Microsoft Office has. The IM client is Empathy IM and the mail client is Evolution Mail although you can install Skype and Thunderbird if you prefer. Other apps included in Ubuntu include Me Menu which gives you access to Facebook, Twitter and Identi.ca plus The GIMP, Flickr and Shotwell for image editing.

The major innovation in 10.10 however is the integration of a music store. Ubuntu's music player includes an integrated store, so you can buy and download new tracks. In addition, Ubuntu One's file-syncing means you can stream your music uninterrupted to your Android device or iPhone. This file syncing capability extends to other files and folders too. For video fans, you can still watch clips in YouTube, iPlayer, and MSN Player as well as play your own videos with Movie Player or you can use Pitivi to edit your videos. For game fans, there's lots of games to choose from in the Ubuntu Software Center including puzzles, adventures, strategy games and more - all for free.

One of the major benefits of Ubuntu however is simply its awesome speed. If you're used the the sluggishness of Windows, you're in for a treat. However, the major downside of Ubuntu is that it can be hard to get components in your PC to work with it. There is no driver center as such, meaning finding drivers to run your WiFi card, mouse-pad etc can be very hard. However, most newer laptops and PCs should have no problems being supported from the start.

Ubuntu is a fantastic example of how open source software can compete with the big guns. If you can get it working smoothly on your PC, you may never look back.

Download Ubuntu 13.04 in Softonic

It has the ability to save the retrieved product key into a text file.

zebNet Office Keyfinder TNG is a one-click tool that easily retrieves the products keys of all Microsoft Office Suites or stand-alone applications installed on the users system. Compared to other application of this kind, zebNet Office Keyfinder TNG can retrieve all Microsoft Office product keys. Even the user has two different MS Office editions installed, zebNet Office Keyfinder TNG offers then a dropdown list to select the desired edition.

This application targets both end-users as well as business users. End users can use the application to easily retrieve their MS Office product keys when need to reinstalling it. Business users can use this application to inventory their company keys

Download zebNet Office Keyfinder TNG 1.0.0 in Softonic

This is the case of ESET NOD32 Antivirus, an anti-virus tool that you may find simpler than other similar applications, but this simplicity is precisely the key to its success. In fact, NOD32 is one of the most popular anti-virus apps among computer users.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus is easy to install and launches without even restarting the system (something most anti-virus tools require after installation). The program has a simple, straightforward design, though you'll soon discover that this is actually the Standard mode display and that you can choose the Advanced mode if you prefer to have more options and tools at your fingertips.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus includes basic anti-virus tools such as system analysis, antispyware filters, filters to exclude certain applications, a scheduling tool for automatic analysis and seamless integration within Windows Explorer. Being used to more complex anti-virus solutions though, I missed having an email and web browsing filter. Also, I found the Settings menu a bit too hidden and difficult to use. Apart from these small flaws, ESET NOD32 Antivirus is definitely worth a try, especially if you want to have a simple, hassle-free anti-virus that takes care of your system and doesn't bother you all the time.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus may be simpler than other anti-virus tools, but it's perfect for users who prefer an easy, unobtrusive app even if that means giving up on certain advanced functions.

Download ESET NOD32 Antivirus 6.0.316.0 in Softonic