10 FREE PROGRAMS That Should NOT Be on YOUR PC!

In a prior videos, we’ve shown you the best free programs that make working on your computer more effective. In fairness there is also software that you should avoid because it could end up causing more harm than good. So, in this video, we’ll show you 10 free programs and apps we think should be removed or never installed on any computer. For each program, I’ll explain why they should not be installed and give you better alternatives, if available.

10 FREE PROGRAMS That Should Be on YOUR PC!
Top 5 Best Web Browsers

0:00 Intro
0:25 Video Hosting (Major Privacy Issues)
1:45 Cleaning Utility (Can’t Be Trusted)
2:40 Media Client (Major Bugs)
3:07 Browser (Misleading Marketing)
3:56 Screenshot Tool (Security Risk)
4:26 BitTorrent Client (Shady Business Tactics)
5:11 Bloatware (Unwanted Software)
5:37 Video Communications (Major Security Issues)
6:33 File Archiver (Nagware)
7:09 Shady Browser Extensions

LINKS TO BETTER ALTERNATIVES:
7-Zip
Google Meet
iCloud
Microsoft Teams
qBittorrent
ShareX
Should I Remove It?
Vivaldi
Webex by Cisco

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Brett In Tech is a leading source for the technology that we use each day. Whether it’s discussing operating system tricks, useful websites, or letting you know about the best free software for your computer, Brett In Tech has boundless topics on technology for the astute YouTube viewer.

[LucienSabre]

One program that should not be on any pc is definitely McAfee Antivirus. Since it comes as pre-installed bloatware on the computers of several brands, many people just keep it (either for convenience as they don’t have to install an antivirus, or for fear of messing with what they believe is system software), but it should be removed immediately - it’s heavy, glitchy and awful at protection.

[CaptainMarvelsSon]

Thank you for mentioning CCleaner. I have had to reinstall so many OSs as a result of clients getting punchy and ignoring even major warnings, Years ago the software could even delete the registry. That's insane!

[valkasolidor]

It's a shame that we can't have an honest version of what CCleaner once was. It really did used to be a trustworthy alternative to making and frequently editing your own batch file. I don't see Windows effectively doing all of the cache cleaning that I would like.

[saafewolf]

I'd love to see one about "background programs" running that you can stop to speed up your PC.

[Magnum]

for the extensions, I used a volume booster extension that was one of the most used ones in the store, yet a couple of weeks ago my browser notified me that it disabled the add-on and removed it from the store as it contained mailicious code.

Just learn from this that even the most used and highly rated extensions are not necessarily completely safe

[CZghost]

Zoom is problematic, because some teachers use it for online consultancy, over MS Team which are part of the Office 365 suite the school uses. Therefore I have to have both MS Teams and Zoom installed, so I can talk to teachers in case I need help with something. In some weird cases, not very much, I guess very little much teachers use WhatsApp for online consultancy. I cannot tell teachers to ditch Zoom in favour of in-house MS Teams from Office 365 Professional that school has license for.

[TheFrantic]

My favorite (in terms of irony) product that claims to make your computer run faster is a USB drive that literally has a live Ubuntu installation.

[StefenTower]

Glary Utilities is my CCleaner replacement, and I've only run into a couple bugs which were fixed by their developers. It does a pretty good sweep of my system, although sometimes I will go deeper with Windows' built-in tools.

[BrianHartman]

I'm a happy user of both 7Zip and Vivaldi. I kind of liked Opera for the brief time I used it, but I find Vivaldi's tools (particularly the note-taking and translation) to be better than what I could get with Opera.

[mat_max]

I would include google chrome. Not only it's easily the worst browser regarding privacy and, other chromium browsers like brave and even edge have better performance and resource use

[jamesfleming]

I used driver booster for years. Did the job, kept me up to date with all my driver's, installed them without guys and was brilliant. Tonight, after installing new hardware, it insisted on being updated. Fair enough. It offered, for the first time ever, to also install other software. A VPN and a piece of screen capture garbage and I can't even recall what the third one was. I refused.
It installed them anyway and refused to let me uninstall them. My anti virus started isolating files I hadn't given permission to install and clasding them as malware.
I've spent hours so far manually deleting files associated with it and editing my registry.
So; Driver Booster now a bad actor installing malware.

[barrettloganj]

I just use iTunes for windows directly downloaded from apple (can't access Microsoft Store Button)

[australianbloke]

Beware of any programs that put a countdown clock on up-selling to a 'pro' version. These time limited offers are nonsense. If you need a pro version (I have paid for many) you don't want to be pressured by such tactics. Well designed software will sell itself. PS: 'pronunciate?' I hope that was a joke. 🙂

[delanehopkins]

This is such a much wanted video. I truly don't trust any social media or "free" add on's

[georgeferlazzo]

Hello again Tech Gumbo
Thank you for another Great Video 👍 I needed that timely advice 👍 Again thank you 😊

[the_]

I like the honesty about the featured softwares. Thank you

[SteveMacSticky]

on my windows computer, I am unable to uninstall Sophos antivirus software.

[kelvington]

I would avoid Noxplayer (PC android emulation) it installs a TON of heapware into your system, and it's still not free. Look I get it, if you give a program away for free, you need to support your business, but if you are selling a program, it should come without heapware. IMO

[jimgreene]

Similarly to the Opera browser, I keep reading that the WPS Office has Chinese connections that make it undesirable. Instead, the free, open source Libreoffice can give you all the office suite you need, comparable to Microsoft Office. In fact, since it looks more like MS Office than does WPS Office, it should be easier.

[jamesmarchetti]

Very important Video!! Saving me and others alot of Research time!! I will check your video list to see if you have done one message Apps!! There are 2 or 3 I don't use and avoid !!! I currently use the Signal App for chat, voice, and video calls including International!! It is supposed to be triple encryption???