What typically comes to mind with Windows and “free” is Malware, Spyware, Virus and other bad stuff.

Little wonder people are scared to do anything with their computers.

There are a multitude of excellent software’s for Windows that you DO NOT have to pay for. 

If you find it useful and can afford to do so, many accept donations. 

Some of these support MAC Users as well!

Here are a few:

Avast Anti Virus - free for home users

AVG Anti Virus - free for home users  

AMSN - similar to MS version but a lot less risk of virus and spam

Anti Spyware - Spybot Search & Destroy, Trend Micro House Call (Online Scan)

Apache Server - for your webserver.

Audacity - listen, edit and record sound files

Avidemux - Video Editor

Blackberry MAC Software - Free from RIM

CD Burner XP - for burning CD DVD even does blueray

Dia - A program for network drawings/ maps

Docx Reader - Office 07 now saves in docx format if you don’t have Orifice 07 use this

Gant Project - similar to MS Project

Gimp For Windows - similar to Photoshop - very powerful picture editor

Infrarecorder - similar to Nero - burn CD, DVD, RW and more

Linkscape - similar to Illustrator or Corel Draw

Mozilla Firefox - An alternative to using AEEEIII oh I mean IE

Mozilla Thunderbird - a great e-mail client - easily add calendars

NVU - similar to Dreamweaver

Open Office - Compatible with MS Office - Can edit and save .doc and others

Open Project - Replacement for MS Project

PDF Creater - allows you to create PDF files (so does Open Office)

Pidgin - Another client for MSN chatters

Rdesktop Mac - Remote Desktop to your PC with your MAC

Scribus - alternative to Pagemaker or Quark

Sketchup - similar to Autocad

Songbird - similar to itunes but plays much more

Tux Paint - similar to photoshop but designed for children up to age 12

Turbocash - similar to Quickbooks

Virtual Box - similar to VMware or Ms Virtual PC - will even let you run Vista

7-Zip - Similar to Winzip but handles a lot more than just .zip

For a complete list of Open Source software alternatives try here http://www.osalt.com/