MORE FREEWARE
BROWSER AIDS
Last Updated April 14, 2005
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I DO NOT USE ANY SOFTWARE ON THIS PAGE (except those in the My Favorite Freeware box). These pages are for freeware suggestions site visitors have made for which I, personally, have no need and no interest. I can’t (and don’t) vouch for anything here. | ||
| If you don’t find what you need here, I recommend Pricelessware, a very sound, clean freeware site based on recommendations of alt.comp.freeware participants. | ||
| My Favorite Freeware | ieSpell Adds spell checking to any browser text box MyIE2 Tabbed overlay shell with added functionality for Internet Explorer Web Accessories Add new functionality to IE5 and 6 |
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Avant Browser Added 8/9/03 |
For 9x/NT/2K/XP. “Advertises as a stand-alone Browser, but relies on the settings, etc. from IE. It includes a tabbed interface, built-in pop-up blocker, and integrated Google search. I find it to be essentially bug free and very easy to set up and use. It also allows for multiple home pages, favorites groupings and skinning.” By Anderson Che. (Recommended by Dennis Eshelman)
Neale Stoffberg adds: “Smooth running, wonderfully stable, replaces IE browser, integrates itself quickly, imports IE settings favourites etc seamlessly, supports tabbed browsing, extremely configurable, stops pop-ups etc etc...I have no qualms in recommending this program...I have been using it for 3 months now with no issues at all!”
Mr. E.’s Note: Though Win95 and IE 5.5 are the minimum requirements, the author recommends at least Win98 and, preferably, at least Windows 2000, and at least IE6. If you are using Win NT 4.0, it should be at least SP6, and with at least IE 5.5. FWIW, I don’t see a single feature here that isn’t in the much more able MyIE2 that I use and recommend, but the Avant Browser is one of the most recommended alternative freeware items suggested by visitors of this site. |
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CacheSentry Updated 12/27/04 |
“Cleans up a lot of IE problems (all releases from 4.0 up).” By EnigmaticSoftware. (Recommended by MS-MVP Jim Byrd)
Mr. E.’s Note: I use this myself now, haven’t been able to tell that it does anything miraculous, but it doesn’t cause any problems on my Win XP system. Probably worth trying if you’re having cache management issues. |
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CopyURL Added 11/28/03 |
For 9x/NT/2K/XP. “Adds context-menu (right-click) functions for URLs: Copy URL, Copy Name, Copy Link.” By Moon Software. (Recommended by Pia Holm) |
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Favorites Search Added 2/12/02 |
“IE plug-in that adds a convenient explorer bar to search in Favorites. Sounds mundane, but it turns out to be extremely useful if you’ve a large Favorites collection. I wind up using this a lot.” By DzSoft. (Recommended by MS-MVP Jim Byrd) |
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Fresh Download Updated 7/28/03 |
Mr. E.’s WARNING: Not recommended. Betrayware. This download manager has been identified by a reputable site as adware, pure and simple. See: here. I considered removing this entry from the page altogether, then realized I could do more good by leaving it, but with this warning. |
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InfoGrid Added 2/12/02 |
“Replaces the function on your current [IE] Search button with a greatly expanded one including many other search engines (including Google and a 12 engine Meta search) and multiple search categories. If you don’t like it, there’s a Registry file which will return you to the ‘normal’ All-in-One and MSN searches. Highly recommended. The only drawback I’ve found is that the search results return in the right-hand frame... I’d prefer them in the search frame.” By R. Lee Heath? (Recommended by MS-MVP Jim Byrd) |
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Mozilla Firefox Updated 1/2/05 |
For 9x/NT/2K/XP. “It’s the best web browser I’ve come across. Nice and slender, and has tabbing support and pop-up blocking built into it. If you need new features, you can always add modules called browser extensions, to add nifty features, like a Google bar, web developer toolbar, ad-blocker, privacy protector, etc.” By The Mozilla Organization. (Recommended by Samuel Leathers)
Jeff Schultz adds: Mozilla Firefox is the freeware browser revolution designed to reduce spyware and increase security. Free popup blocker, Tabbed browsing, Smart searches, etc. It is just a better, smarter, faster, more secure browser. |
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Panicware Pop-up Stopper Updated 10/14/05 |
Mr. E.’s WARNING: Not recommended. Betrayware. There is a well-documented history of Panicware’s Popup Stopper deploying spyware. Despite allegations of their cleaning up their act, we continue to get highly infected/infested machines where removing this one application is the key to cleaning them. Do you really want to trust any company that ever did business this way? Hmm? |
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RoboForm Added 7/30/02 |
For Win9x/NT/2K/XP. “Automatically fills in those ubiquitous web-based forms. Adds form-filler hot buttons to IE 4.x [or later] or Netscape 6 — all you have to do is click the Fill Forms button. A wizard helps you create an identity that includes your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, username, password, bank account, and credit card information. A password manager memorizes and fills in web site passwords. RoboForm can handle multiple user identities, to protect your privacy.” By Siber Systems. (Recommended by Andrew Finkle) |
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Slim Browser Added 1/2/05 |
For 9x/NT/2K/XP/2003 (some limitations under Win95). “I have experience using just about every freeware browser released in the last four years (Opera as well) and none of them matches Slim Browser for ease of use. The pop-up blocker works most of the time, there’s a handy clean erase button, tabbing, and unequaled customizing options. Mozilla and Opera are overrated. This is the way to go if you want no-fuss web browsing.” By FlashPeak.com. (Recommended by Daniel Matthews) |
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SpoofStick Added 1/2/05 |
For 2K/XP. “This is a great program that becomes part of Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. ‘Phishing’ is becoming a problem for many users, and this a great way to ensure you know what link you are on.” By Phil Libin. (Recommended by Kiyomi R. Timko) |