You can test your computer’s memory for problems using free programs.
These programs are easy to use and don’t cost anything.
Learning how to check your RAM can help keep your computer working well.
Your computer’s memory (RAM) is sensitive, and testing new RAM for errors is wise. If you suspect a problem with your current RAM, it’s also beneficial to run these tests. These programs can help determine the health of your RAM.
These programs work from outside Windows, meaning they will run no matter if you have Windows (11, 10, etc.), Linux, or some other PC operating system.
What We Don’t Like
If you’re new to programs like this one, the advanced features can be confusing.
Latest version doesn’t work from a disc.
MemTest86 is a free, easy-to-use memory test software. If you only have time for one tool, it’s highly recommended to try this one.
While MemTest86 is free, PassMark offers a Pro version. Unless you’re a hardware developer, the free version, along with basic support from their website, should suffice.
I recommend installing MemTest86 on a bootable flash drive and running it from there. The latest version supports only UEFI boot; the v4 BIOS release (also through the link below) is available, too.
I’ll say it again: I highly recommend MemTest86! It’s my favorite tool for testing RAM, without a doubt.
What We Like
Runs the memory test completely automatically.
100 percent free to use.
Originally provided by Microsoft.
Downloads quickly because of the small file size.
Windows Memory Diagnostic (WMD) is a free tool from Microsoft, similar to other RAM testers. It performs comprehensive tests to identify any issues with your computer’s memory.
Just download the installer program and then follow the instructions to create a bootable floppy disk or ISO image for burning to a disc or flash drive.
After booting from whatever it is you made, Windows Memory Diagnostic will automatically begin testing the memory and will repeat the tests until you stop them. I like that it’s a bit hands-off like this because it’s easier to use.
If the first set of tests finds no errors, chances are your RAM is good.
You don’t need to have Windows (or any operating system) installed to use Windows Memory Diagnostic. You do, however, need access to one for burning the ISO image to the disc or USB device.
Memtest86+ is an updated version of the original MemTest86 memory test program. It is also completely free.
I’d recommend performing a memory test with this software if you have any problems running the Memtest86 RAM test or if Memtest86 reports errors with your memory and you’d like an excellent second opinion.
It might seem a bit strange that I rank this as the #3 pick, but since it’s so incredibly similar to Memtest86, your best bet is to try Memtest86, followed by WMD, which operates differently, providing you with a more well-rounded set of memory tests.
Something I don’t like about this tool, but that I can’t really hold against it considering the other options in this list, is that it’s text-based. Therefore, it might be hard to get used to for some people.
Memtest86+ is available in ISO format for burning to disc or USB. Just like with Memtest86, you’ll need a working operating system like Windows, Mac, or Linux to create the bootable disc or flash drive, which can be done on a different computer than the one that needs testing.
What We Like
No strings attached, free memory test program.
Perfect if your computer won’t boot to a disc or flash drive.
DocMemory Diagnostic by SimmTester.com is another memory test program with similar functionality to the tools listed above.
One major disadvantage is that it requires that you create a bootable floppy disk. Most computers today don’t even have floppy drives. The better memory test programs (above) use bootable discs like CDs and DVDs or bootable USB drives instead.
I’d recommend using DocMemory Diagnostic only if the memory testers listed above don’t work for you or if you’d like one more confirmation that your memory has failed.
On the other hand, if your computer can’t boot from a disc or USB drive, which is what the above programs require, DocMemory Diagnostic may be precisely what you’ve been looking for.
When You Should Consider Running Memory Tests
Consider running a memory test in these situations:
Your computer doesn’t boot or reboots randomly.
Programs are crashing unexpectedly.
You hear beep codes during a reboot.
Error messages like “illegal operation” appear.
You encounter Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors like “fatal exception” or “memory_management.”
It’s easier to check your RAM and replace it rather than rebuilding your computer only to find out the RAM is bad. Learn how to install RAM on a computer if you need to replace it.
After five years and $300 spent on 1Password, I finally made the switch to this excellent free password manager: KeePass. My only regret is not doing it sooner.
1
I Wanted Full Control Over My Data
1Password’s move away from local vaults wasn’t sudden, but it changed the deal for good. Paying $60 a year made less and less sense when every password, note, or license key had to live in their cloud, whether I liked it or not.
With KeePass, my password database sits exactly where I want it—on my laptop’s SSD and synced through my Dropbox account. The KDBX file is mine, encrypted with AES-256, and KeePass encrypts the entire database, including passwords, usernames, notes, and attachments.
This is less about paranoia and more about preference. When Target, Equifax, and even LastPass suffer breaches, keeping your data local starts looking less like overkill and more like common sense. KeePass has never been involved in any data breach, and the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) even recommends it.
My KeePass database has survived two laptop replacements, three OS reinstalls, and one accidental format. Each time, I simply copied my KDBX file back and entered my master password.
2
The Cost Just Didn’t Make Sense Anymore
Another reason for the switch was the mounting cost of premium password management. My 1Password family plan costs $60 per year. Unlike LastPass or Bitwarden, which offer limited free tiers, 1Password has no free option at all, so you’re paying from day 15 after the trial ends. Over five years, that’s $300—enough for a decent tablet or a weekend trip.
I was paying for features I rarely used and the privilege of renting access to my own passwords. As for the essential features, KeePass covers them well. My existing Dropbox plan covers cloud sync; browser add-ons work through KeePass plugins, and password generation works better with KeePass since you can adjust more options than 1Password offers.
For secure file storage, 1Password caps you at 1GB on personal plans, while KeePass handles files up to 4GB. I was paying purely for ease, and even that came with strings attached.
Every year, the subscription felt more like a tax on laziness. Why keep paying when free alternatives exist? That $60 could go toward actual security hardware, like a YubiKey security key to keep your accounts secure. KeePass costs exactly zero dollars, whether you use it for one password or ten thousand.
The subscription model also means you’re locked in. Once you stop paying, you lose access to your passwords. With KeePass, the software works forever. I could disconnect from the internet for a decade and still access my passwords.
3
Open-Source Transparency Matters to Me
Open-source tools are open to public scrutiny, meaning anyone can inspect and audit the code. The EU-FOSSA comprehensive audit [PDF] examined the KeePass code in 2016, finding zero critical or high-risk vulnerabilities and no hidden telemetry, usage analytics, or anonymous data collection.
Commercial password managers love their security theater. They’ll tell you about their zero-knowledge architecture and secure cloud infrastructure, but you’re taking their word for it. With KeePass, thousands of security researchers have examined the code. Even when vulnerabilities are discovered, the community identifies them, reports them, and addresses them promptly.
I also appreciate the philosophical difference. KeePass exists because one developer wanted a better password manager and kept improving it for 22 years, not to flip it for profit or build a startup but to solve a problem and share the solution. That’s the open-source spirit that feels different from commercial approaches. When 1Password moved to the Electron framework, replacing native apps with a web-based version, it highlighted the natural tension between business needs and user experience that open-source projects don’t face.
4
KeePass Offers the Cross-Device Flexibility I Need
I run Windows on my PC and Android on my phone. Most password managers handle this setup fine, but KeePass lets me do it exactly how I want.
On Windows, I use vanilla KeePass 2.x with a handful of plugins. Yes, the interface looks like it escaped from Windows XP, but it works. You’ll find KeePass runs noticeably faster than 1Password 7 ever did. My Android phone runs KeePass2Android, which integrates with the system autofill and even works offline. If you use an iPhone, you can choose between KeePassium or Strongbox.
That said, if the dated interface puts you off, KeePassXC might be more your speed. It’s a community fork that reads the same KDBX files but doesn’t look like it time-traveled from 2003. You lose some plugin compatibility but gain built-in browser integration and TOTP support without the setup hassle. Setting up KeePassXC is even simpler than vanilla KeePass—the process takes about 10 minutes compared to the hour I spent configuring plugins.
Syncing happens through Dropbox. If there are changes on two devices at once, KeePass handles conflicts well; it combines the changes and saves both versions in the history. That said, switching sync services isn’t as seamless as 1Password—you have to move your database file to the new service and manually update the file location in KeePass on each device. It’s not as seamless, but I’m okay with that trade-off for the flexibility it gives me.
The flexibility extends to authentication. I use a password, along with a key file stored on a USB drive. Lose either one, and the database stays locked. Some even add Windows user account integration as a third factor.
Browser integration took some setup, but now it works exactly how I want. I use KeePass plugins like KeePassHttp, along with browser extensions that support it, plus custom Auto-Type sequences for everything else. While the connection between the browser and KeePass is sometimes interrupted and requires a refresh—and I have to authorize new sites during setup—the Auto-Type feature, once configured, is more flexible than 1Password’s autofill ever was.
5
The Switch Was Easier Than I Expected
The entire migration took about two hours. First, I exported my data from 1Password to CSV and imported it into KeePass, which supports over 35 formats, including 1Password, Dashlane, LastPass, and Bitwarden. Then I spent another hour organizing entries into folders and setting up AutoType for my most-used sites.
The only real challenge was configuring sync, since KeePass doesn’t have built-in cloud sync. Following the KeePass documentation, I saved my database to a Dropbox folder and then assigned the same folder as the database folder on my Android phone for KeePass2 Android. Once configured, it works so well I forget it’s not built-in. When I edit on my phone, my laptop shows the changes in seconds.
Just remember, to ensure changes aren’t lost or conflicted, it’s best not to edit the database on more than one device at the same time, and always let Dropbox finish syncing before making edits elsewhere.
Looking back, I don’t miss the features I thought were a must-have for a password manager. For instance, I used to rely on Watchtower for breach monitoring, but now I simply check Have I Been Pwned often to look for any breaches. Instead of using Travel Mode, I manage sensitive entries by not syncing them to my phone. As for shared vaults, I’ve set up a separate database for our family passwords, and it works perfectly for our needs.
Two months in, I’ve saved $10, gained complete control, and learned my password manager inside out. The fact that my wife adapted to KeePass2Android so easily proves it’s not as intimidating as it first appears. What seemed like a downgrade turned out to be exactly what we needed.
Related
6 Free Tools That Check If Your Password Is Compromised
Don’t wait to find out if your password is compromised the hard way; use these tools and be proactive.
If you value complete ownership of your digital security and don’t mind a bit of initial setup, KeePass offers something commercial managers can’t: total control over your data without ongoing fees. Yes, paid options offer seamless setup and polished interfaces, but I discovered I was paying for features I didn’t really use.
Don’t get me wrong, 1Password is excellent at what it does. But with KeePass, I own my passwords, control my data, and save money each month. If anything, I wish I’d made this change sooner.
Windows 10 is nearing its end, and if your PC can’t run Windows 11, it’s headed to the scrapyard as well. But there’s one clever tool that can get Windows 11 running on your old PC, thanks to a simple loophole.
What Is Flyby11 and How Does It Work?
Flyby11 is a simple patcher to remove annoying hardware restrictions that prevent Windows 11 from running on older hardware. Even if Windows 11 doesn’t support your CPU because it lacks TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot, Flyby11 lets you install Windows 11 24H2 anyway.
The tool does this through a feature of the Windows 11 setup process that uses the Windows Server variant of the installation. Unlike a regular Windows 11 install, the server variant doesn’t impose the same hardware requirements and skips most hardware compatibility checks. This means you can run Windows 11 on most unsupported systems without needing sketchy command line commands that may or may not work.
Yadullah Abidi / MakeUseOf
Even though the setup runs in server mode, it still installs regular Windows 11, meaning the final result and your experience are no different. It’s surprisingly easy to use since it automates the downloading and mounting of a Windows 11 ISO file automatically, so you don’t need to tweak anything. The latest version (3.0 at the time of writing) even supports the Windows Media Creation Tool as a download source.
Related
It’s Finally Time to Upgrade to Windows 11
Upgrade before Windows 10 support ends.
This method is the same as described in the official Windows documentation for upgrading unsupported systems. This means it’ll likely continue to work, unlike other methods that are often loopholes Microsoft closes sooner or later. It’s completely free to download, and the source code is available on the official GitHub repository.
Updating to Windows 11 Using Flyby11
Compared to other ways of bypassing Windows 11’s hardware requirements, Flyby11 is the easiest to use and requires little to no technical expertise. All you have to do is follow these simple steps:
You might see a Windows SmartScreen filter when you first run Flyby11. This is completely normal; you can proceed with the installation by clicking the More info button and then Run anyway.
Download the ZIP archive containing the latest version of Flyby11 from the GitHub repository’s release page. Extract the archive and run Flyby11.exe.
Once the Flyby11 Upgrading Assistant opens up, it’ll check for CPU POPCNT and SSE4.2 support. If both are supported, your upgrade probability is very high; click the Start Upgrade Now button to get started.
Next, you’ll have to select a download source for downloading the Windows 11 ISO using a dropdown on the right. It’s recommended that you use the Download via Fido option, but you can also use the Windows Media Creation Tool or a local ISO file you may already have.
Once you select the Download via Fido option in the dropdown, a PowerShell command will run. You’ll see a window asking what version, release, edition, language, and architecture of Windows you’d like to download. The default options work without any changes, so keep clicking Continue until you see the Download button, then click that to start the ISO download.
Once the ISO is downloaded, Flyby11 should automatically start the installation process. If it doesn’t, drag and drop the downloaded ISO file into the Flyby11 window to mount it, and a Windows Server setup window will appear.
From this point, it’s a standard Windows install, so click the Next button on the Windows Server install window and proceed as instructed. You can even choose to keep your files, apps, and settings intact.
Once the installation is complete, Windows 11 should boot up on your PC. If you chose to keep your files, apps, and settings, they should be exactly as they were on your Windows 10 installation.
There Are Still Upgrade Limitations
Flyby11 makes installing Windows 11 on an older system as painless as it can be, but it can’t do everything. Microsoft’s hardware requirements aside, there are still some requirements you need to meet before Windows 11 can run on your system. These include:
CPU POPCNT: One of Windows 11’s restrictions is a requirement for the CPU POPCNT instruction. Most CPUs made after 2010 should support this, so unless you’re installing Windows 11 on a really old system, you’re good to go.
SSE4.2: This is another CPU instruction introduced by Intel in 2008. Almost every Intel Core i3, i5, i7, or AMD FX/Ryzen CPU supports it.
So unless you’re trying to install Windows 11 on a PC that’s over a decade old, you’re good to go. And if you are, I’d recommend upgrading your hardware before your OS, as Windows 11 isn’t going to run well on such old hardware.
Related
Don’t Let Microsoft Kill Your Windows 10 PC—Do This Instead
You may have to part ways with Windows 10, but don’t surrender your PC just yet.
While the hardware requirements are easy to pass, Microsoft claims unsupported PCs running Windows 11 aren’t guaranteed to receive Windows updates. You’ll likely still receive monthly security and quality updates, but there’s no telling how long they’ll be provided.
That said, you likely won’t get major version or feature updates like 25H2 unless you install them manually. This should be a simple matter of repeating the steps mentioned above to install the latest update as a fresh Windows install. However, there’s always a risk of updates being blocked in the future.
When Windows 10 support ends, I’m leaving Windows for good. But if you want to stick around, Flyby11 can get Windows 11 running on just about any PC—for now.
Some websites can help you when you don’t know the name of a song.
These sites make it easy to find songs by using just a few notes or lyrics.
Are you wondering what song is playing? Popular music-identification apps like Shazam are valuable tools that quickly identify unknown songs as they play. You can even use Shazam in your browser.
What if you need to find a song’s title when it’s not playing? Here are some of the best free online services that can help you identify a song if it’s stuck in your head or available as a file on your computer.
If you know enough of the lyrics, a quick Google search can provide results faster than these websites.
What We Like
Identifies songs from a sung or hummed sample.
Allows searching by lyrics, artist, or song title.
Midomi helps you find a song using voice sampling, making it easier to identify a tune stuck in your head. Just sing, hum, or whistle the melody.
The Midomi website is user-friendly. You only need a microphone and a few seconds of silence to provide your sample. You can also search using the lyrics you remember to see potential matches.
What We Like
Community-driven song identification.
Active community where you might get an answer in minutes.
Leaderboard encourages contribution.
Record with a mic or upload a file.
What We Don’t Like
Inaudible samples or inaccurate lyrics might not get answers.
No easy way to check if others have posted about the same song.
You must create an account to post a sample.
WatZatSong is ideal when you need to identify a song and singing or humming isn’t effective. Unlike Midomi, this platform relies on a community of real people to help you find the song name. Post your sample, and other users can listen and provide answers or guesses.
The service is effective and provides quick results unless your input is obscure or inaudible.
What We Like
Upload a file or record live audio.
Links to the YouTube video once a song is identified.
Compatible with all popular audio and video formats.
Similar to Shazam, AHA Music identifies unknown songs using audio fingerprinting and is very user-friendly. Just upload a file to let it work.
This music finder site conveniently provides a YouTube link to listen to the identified song. It samples up to 60 seconds before giving up, and the file can be as large as 100 MB.
Monitors installations to make them easier to remove
Identifies bundleware
IObit Uninstaller is highly recommended for program removal. It offers more features than Windows’ built-in app remover, such as discovering and removing rarely used programs, uninstalling browser toolbars and plugins, and identifying out-of-date software.
The standout feature of IObit Uninstaller is its right-click context menu integration, allowing you to remove programs directly from your desktop without searching for their uninstall utilities. A similar tool simplifies the removal of running programs.
Once a program is deleted, IObit can scan the registry and file system for missed leftover data, helping to keep your computer clutter-free. If you uninstall a program without IObit, it still prompts you to remove leftover items.
IObit Uninstaller can also create a System Restore point before making any changes, includes a file shredder, can force-remove a program, supports batch uninstalls, and includes other useful tools, too.
I regularly use this app on Windows 11, and I’ve tested it with Windows 10. It also works on Windows 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
What We Like
No need for installation (portable)
You can view the registry entry for any program
Lets you sort the list of programs by size
It’s easy to remove stubborn programs
Geek Uninstaller has been a favorite of mine for a while. I like it because you can run it after downloading it without installing it. It has excellent features, all in a file less than 10 MB!
Geek Uninstaller sorts programs by size or installation date, deletes software entries, searches programs, exports installed software lists to an HTML file, and provides program information via the Registry Editor or online.
This uninstaller deletes desktop and Microsoft Store apps. It can also forcibly remove a program by eliminating registry and file system references.
Some features, like batch removal, unfortunately, only work in the professional version.
I tested Geek Uninstaller with Windows 11, but it also uninstalls programs in Windows 10, 8, and 7.
What We Like
A perfect solution for advanced users who like to tinker with really specific options
It’s portable, so installation is unnecessary
As this screenshot indicates, Bulk Crap Uninstaller (aka BCU or BCUninstaller) is an advanced application uninstaller. I don’t recommend using this if you’re easily overwhelmed by lots of options, but I do recommend it if you like to have lots of control over how your programs work.
Besides cleaning leftover files and performing forced uninstallations, BCU offers advanced features like quiet uninstallations, system shutdown prevention, restore point creation, unlimited bulk removal, quick registry entry deletion, file/folder-based uninstallation, and pre/post-uninstallation commands.
There’s also a startup manager and a shortcut to Disk Cleanup and some other related Windows tools.
This is a wonderful software removal tool if you take the time to appreciate all its options. Check out the BCU Documentation page if you need help.
I tested this app with Windows 11. It also runs on Windows 10, 8, 7, and older Windows versions, and you can use it in both private and commercial settings.
What We Like
Can remove programs in bulk
Lets you make a restore point before uninstalling software
Most programs can be uninstalled automatically
It’s a portable application
What We Don’t Like
Doesn’t let you search for a program from the list
No filtering options (e.g., a size or name filter)
Can’t uninstall programs directly from File Explorer
Support has been discontinued
PC Decrapifier takes up less than 2 MB of space and supports batch uninstalls. It can run without being installed, so it’s a great option if you like to keep fix-it-related tools on a flash drive.
PC Decrapifier is ideal for beginners, offering a user-friendly wizard guiding you through the removal process, including selecting items to remove and creating a restore point before uninstallation.
Some programs can be uninstalled automatically and very quickly. For others, you must uninstall them manually, clicking through their wizards like a normal uninstallation.
While I was testing this program, four apps were selected for uninstallation. Only one required a walkthrough of a regular uninstall wizard, while the others were removed automatically without any prompts.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to filter or search through the list of software.
PC Decrapifier should work fine with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and older versions.
What We Like
Has a clean and modern user interface
Deletes rogue entries in the registry
Includes a way to delete programs that failed to uninstall with other means
Helps identify which apps you might want to remove
Wise Program Uninstaller facilitates program removal via the right-click context menu in File Explorer, making it easy to delete programs, particularly those with desktop shortcuts.
After deleting an app, it will automatically scan your computer for any remaining registry entries or files that may have been left over. I always like to see this feature in a software remover.
Forced Uninstall is an option that can force a program to be removed if you’ve already tried using the software’s regular uninstaller but were unable to get it removed properly.
This uninstaller can also remove program entries from the list of installed software, instantly search through all the programs, sort by installation date or size, and delete software in batches. It even includes built-in reviews submitted by other users.
I’ve used this to uninstall apps on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but it also runs on Windows 8, 7, and Vista. Windows XP users have to use the portable version.
What We Like
Removes remnants often left after an uninstall
Can delete the entire program because it monitors the install
Works from File Explorer for quick uninstalls
Lets you back up and restore whole programs
Includes other tools you might like
What We Don’t Like
Some of the tools included are not free to use
No option to make a restore point before uninstalling software
The other tools clutter the interface
In some ways, Advanced Uninstaller PRO is a lot like these other uninstaller apps. Common features like scanning for leftover registry items, context menu integration, and a search utility are included. However, a feature called Monitored Installations drove me to include it in the list.
That feature takes a snapshot of your computer before and after you uninstall an app. This allows Advanced Uninstaller PRO to quickly identify the changes that were made on the computer, thus allowing it to remove every single file the program modified during its installation process.
One downside is the cluttered interface due to extra tools like the registry cleaner and file shredder, which, while useful, should ideally be separate.
32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP are supported.
What We Like
Can identify possibly malicious programs
Applications can be removed in bulk
Has a clean and uncluttered interface
Lets you sort and search through the list
Puran Software, the maker of a few other popular system tools, also has a free application uninstaller called Puran Uninstaller.
It’s similar to some of the other programs on this list. It supports instant searching of installed software, batch uninstalls, force uninstalls, and allows individual program entries to be removed from the list of software.
Puran Uninstaller unique feature is its ability to verify a program’s identity using code signing. If an application’s signature doesn’t match the known signature, it’s identified as untrusted.
I tested Puran Uninstaller in Windows 11 and Windows 10, but you can also uninstall apps in Windows 8, 7, Vista, XP, Server 2008, or Server 2003.
What We Like
Organizes large programs into their own category
Deletes invalid program shortcut
Supports batch uninstalls
Also deletes Windows updates
Absolute Uninstaller is a free software remover that supports batch uninstalls, so you can check multiple programs to remove them consecutively. Newly installed programs are marked as such for quick identification.
One thing I like is the AutoFix invalid entries option in the menu that can scan all the installed programs to find any that don’t refer to an actual installed program. This may happen if you’ve removed a program in the past, but the entry remained in the list of installed software. While it does have a search function, it’s not nearly as good as the ones in most other programs I’ve reviewed here.
You can also modify the name of the listed programs, change the uninstall command line string and remove Windows updates.
This uninstaller app can be used with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and probably older versions of Windows, too, as well as Windows Server operating systems.
What We Like
Useful filtering tabs
Performs a deep cleaning after the regular uninstall
Can log new program installs to make them easier to remove later
Includes other cleanup tools
What We Don’t Like
Must create a user account, and log in before you can use it
Can’t uninstall programs in bulk (just one at a time)
Drops an unrelated shortcut on your desktop without asking
Ashampoo’s uninstallation app is easy to use and lets you remove regular programs and Windows apps and updates. There are also extra tools for browser cleaning, managing services, changing file associations, and wiping files.
Like other programs in this list, this one will scan for leftover files after the standard uninstallation to make sure everything gets removed. I also like the super helpful ability to force a new program installation to be logged so that leftovers will be easier to delete when you want to remove the program.
I often remove apps because I run low on hard drive space, so I was happy it had no problem finding the biggest programs on my computer. Other filtering options help locate recently installed programs and apps with negative reviews.
You can do quite a bit by right-clicking a program in the list, like research it online, rate it for other users to know how you feel about it, and delete its entry in the list. However, you can’t remove programs in bulk, so you have to uninstall each individually.
It works with Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7.
What We Like
Batch removal with zero input.
Detail of everything that will get deleted.
Monitor new installations.
Can be used without installation.
Uninstalr is a relatively new software uninstaller from Macecraft Software. Still, there are many reasons to like it… and a few reasons I don’t prefer this program over all the ones I’ve listed above.
Some of the good: it supports unattended batch uninstallations (you don’t have to click anything), it shows everything that will be deleted with the program, previously uninstalled software leftovers can be found, and it can keep track of new installations to ensure complete removal.
This software removal tool also detects portable apps and lets you sort installed programs by size or installation date.
One negative thing to mention is that it will automatically shut down all your open programs during the uninstallation, and your PC will reboot when all the program removals are done. There are some checkboxes to turn those actions off, but it doesn’t stick, so you have to do it each time you uninstall a new program. It is helpful to ensure that everything is deleted correctly, but I wish there were a way to prevent this from happening all the time.
Also, because the whole removal process is automated, the program recommends not even using your mouse during the uninstallation. If you have a lot of programs to delete at once, this could take several minutes to finish, so plan to walk away during this process.
Pay close attention to the list of items Uninstalr will delete if you proceed. Some users have reported that it tries to uninstall programs with a similar name as the one you chose to remove.
What We Like
Provides a unique way to remove programs
Can scan for leftovers to remove everything
A portable version is available
Makes a restore point automatically
Includes other useful free tools
What We Don’t Like
Batch removal isn’t supported
Can’t delete partially uninstalled programs
Doesn’t always work as advertised
A unique feature I enjoyed using in this program is Hunter Mode, which lets you manipulate a program by simply selecting its open window. You can uninstall the software, view its installation folder, kill the process, and even stop it from running at startup using this mode.
When uninstalling apps with Revo Uninstaller, you can run it in advanced mode. It scans the file system and registry for leftover items that are no longer needed but didn’t get properly uninstalled with the built-in uninstaller. You can then delete some or all of the leftover items.
Automatic restore point creation is a big plus in my book. Also, there’s a junk file cleaner and privacy cleaner included, among other extra tools.
I do like Revo Uninstaller, but because there’s also a professional version, it lacks a handful of the same features you’ll find in some other uninstaller tools from this list, like removing partially uninstalled applications and support for batch removals.
There’s both a regular installable version and a portable one. The official system requirements state that it works with Windows Server and Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
What We Like
Sort programs by size to find the largest ones
Search through the list of installed programs
Rename and delete program entries
Includes lots of other tools
What We Don’t Like
Doesn’t support batch uninstalls
You have to run the uninstalls manually
Only works from the program window, not File Explorer
CCleaner is best known as a free registry cleaner and junk file removal program, but it can also be used as a free software uninstaller.
You can search for installed software, remove and rename entries from the program list, and sort by name, installation date, size, or version number.
It’s a wise choice to use this tool for removing programs because you can quickly switch over to its file and registry cleaner to sweep up any residual files that an uninstaller may have left behind.
In fact, this is the program I used to delete apps for years before I found some of the better options (the ones listed above), though I still use it from time to time if I’m already in the program when I need to uninstall some apps.
Some other useful tools include a duplicate file finder, hard drive wiper, and startup manager.
This one works with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. A portable version of CCleaner is also available.
What We Like
Apps are deleted automatically (you don’t have to click anything)
Checks for and deletes any leftover remnants after each uninstall
Lets you remove programs in batch
No installation necessary (it’s portable)
OESIS Endpoint Assessment includes an application uninstaller called the OESIS Removal Module (formerly titled AppRemover).
Its biggest limitation is that not all installed programs can be removed. Programs identified as antivirus software, file-sharing applications, toolbars, and backup programs can be uninstalled, but nothing else.
Despite that, it made our list because of the OESIS Removal Module, which uninstalls the above software silently, with no intervention on your part. It also supports batch uninstalls and automatically scans for leftover files and registry entries to ensure that the entire program, including all its references, is deleted.
This is a portable program, which means you don’t need to install it on your computer to use it. It should work with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
What We Like
Monitors installs to know how to uninstall the program
Lets you restore deleted programs
Integrates with File Explorer for easy uninstalls
Able to delete Windows updates and drivers
Comodo is probably best known for its antivirus software, but it also has a decent uninstaller app called Comodo Programs Manager.
Its standout feature is the way it monitors program installs. After installing Comodo Programs Manager, any new software install will be monitored in real-time to keep track of every registry and file system change. Then, when you’re ready to delete the program, Comodo’s software removal tool knows exactly where to look for a thorough cleaning.
I love that it can restore a program from a backup if it was removed by accident. It’ll also remove programs from the right-click context menu in File Explorer, view the installation folder of any program, and sort the list of installed software by name, company, size, frequency of use, install folder, and install date. Some of these filtering options are rare to find in other similar programs.
Comodo Programs Manager can remove Windows Updates, drivers, and Windows features in addition to regular programs.
This program is only compatible with Windows 8, 7, Vista, and XP. You’ll need a different program from this list to uninstall apps on Windows 11 or Windows 10. This is a significant reason I don’t use it anymore, but I think it’s an excellent option if you’re running a compatible version of Windows.
What We Like
Has a unique way of removing troublesome software
Restore points can be made before uninstalls
Supports multiple ways to view the list of programs
Free Uninstall It is another program that can forcibly remove an application if it can’t be removed by normal means. It does so by scanning for registry and file items that refer to the program in question and then lets you remove them.
One difference between this program and others I’ve reviewed that forcibly remove programs is that Free Uninstall It can remove software by an executable even if it’s not listed in the list of installed programs.
Fortunately, unlike similar apps, there’s an option here to create a System Restore point before removing software.
An installation monitor is included that’s supposed to track how a program is installed to provide an easy way to remove it, but I wasn’t able to get it to work correctly.
This program should work with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
If you plan on reinstalling one of these programs after deleting the current version, make sure you’ve safely backed up the license information to avoid having to repurchase a product key.
All the programs listed above should be able to remove antivirus software, but if not, the developer’s dedicated uninstaller should do the trick.
Since antivirus programs are integrated much more tightly into Windows to protect it from threats, removing these programs can be especially difficult for the general programs in this list.
These dedicated uninstaller programs are used for removing the listed applications only. Using one when you don’t have the associated program won’t do anything.
Uninstall McAfee Products:McAfee Ultimate, McAfee Advanced, McAfee Premium, McAfee Total Protection, etc.
If you’re building a website, setting up custom email accounts, or even running your own FTP server, you’ll need a domain name and hosting. That can easily set you back hundreds of dollars. So I went on the hunt for a truly free domain name service, and here’s what I found out.
Can You Really Get a Free Domain Name for Your Website?
The short answer? Yes. You can snag a free domain name in two main ways:
By signing up for an annual (or longer) hosting plan. Some of the best domain registrars and web hosts throw in a domain for “free.”
Or by using a completely free domain name provider.
II’ll show you exactly how I got my free domain using a no-cost service, along with the pros and cons so you can decide if it’s right for you.
Meet Free Domain: A Free Domain Name Provider
I already own several domains, but I needed a website for a quick, short-term project. So I figured why pay if I didn’t have to?
While searching, I checked out options like Freenom (which wasn’t working at the time I tried), Neo Mail (an email host offering a free domain and a one-page website with any plan), AwardSpace, and several others.
Ultimately, I chose Free Domain, and here’s why:
They offer 100% free domains.
They’ve been around since 1998 and are an ICANN-accredited registrar.
They offer multiple domain extensions.
They include several extra features, also free, that I’ve paid for separately on other platforms in the past.
So, let’s get into what I loved (and didn’t love) about Free Domain.
What I Like About Free Domain’s Free Domains
I enjoyed the following features while using Free Domain.
1. Super Easy Domain Creation
Getting my free domain took just four quick steps and under a minute. Just head to Free Domain, type in your preferred name, choose a TLD, and click Check Availability. If it’s available, hit Claim This Name. That’s it.
2. Truly Free, No Strings Attached
Unlike some “free” domain providers that bombard you with ads or hidden fees, Free Domain really is free, with zero ads. I was impressed.
3. Free Forever
Your domain stays free forever. Just remember you’ll need to renew it every year at least 30 days before it expires, unlike Free Domain’s paid domains that you can prepay for up to 15 years.
4. Multiple TLDs to Pick From
You can choose from four free TLDs including:
.work.gd
.publicvm.com
.run.place
.linkpc.net
True, they’re not premium extensions, but they’re great for my small projects or temporary sites.
5. Free WordPress Hosting
Free Domain includes free WordPress hosting for six months. After that, it’s just $1.99 per month. There’s also a 30-day free trial for regular web hosting. It’s basically everything you need to get online, free for half a year.
6. Easy Domain Upgrades
Want to upgrade to a standard .com or other premium TLD? Free Domain supports 11 major domains plus 891 other extensions. When I tried getting a country-specific domain, though, it was $34.30 more than local registrars, so I passed.
7. Free SSL and Dynamic DNS Client
Free Domain also provides lifetime free SSL, FTP and database access, and Dynamic DNS if you don’t want to use a static IP address. It offers tons of extra features I didn’t even end up needing for my project.
Despite the perks, I struggled to get some of the advertised features to actually work. The user interface wasn’t the most intuitive, and certain tools were more complicated to set up than they should be.
What I Didn’t Like About Free Domain’s Free Domains
Even though there’s a lot to like, here are some reasons you might want to think twice before using Free Domain’s free domains:
1. Unpopular Domain Names
Free Domain’s extensions like .work.gd or .publicvm.com are fine for personal projects or demos, but they’re not ideal for most business use. I wouldn’t launch an online store or a professional portfolio on one.
2. Awkward Grammar on Their Website
I spotted obvious grammar and spelling mistakes throughout the Free Domain website. A few typos here and there I can understand, but consistent errors can be a turnoff, or even a red flag, especially for writers or anyone concerned about fraudulent websites.
3. Outdated User Interface
The moment I logged into the dashboard, it felt like I’d traveled back to 2001. Sure, it’s free, so I can’t complain too much, but if I were a paying customer, you can bet I’d be filing a complaint (in writing) about the outdated design.
4. Repeated Google SSO Issues
After setting up my account, I kept running into problems trying to log in with Single Sign-On (SSO). I had to manually enter my username and password every time. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely annoying.
5. Discontinued Email Support
I send a lot of emails, so I was excited to see Free Domain advertising 100% free, ad-free business emails with 50MB of storage each for two mailboxes. But when I tried to activate them, I got an error saying the service had been discontinued.
6. No More Free WordPress Hosting for Free Domains
When I tried to enable the free WordPress hosting included with my free domain, I also got an error message. My only option was to use a temporary .MyWP.info address, but that process also stalled with more errors, and the FAQ section (which was hard to find) didn’t help.
7. No Live Support
I wanted to contact support via live chat about these and other issues, but was pointed to DNS FAQs and email support instead. Turns out, only paying customers get live chat or priority email responses within 24 hours.
The good news? After some trial and error, I was eventually able to troubleshoot the errors and get WordPress installed. I explain how in the “How to Install WordPress…” section below.
So, Should You Try a Free Domain Service Like Free Domain?
I did, and it technically delivered what it promised: a free domain name plus six months of WordPress hosting. But it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. Looking back, I found AwardSpace easier and more straightforward to use.
How to Get a Free Domain from Free Domain
If you still want to give it a shot, here’s how to claim your free domain:
1. Visit Free Domain.
2. Enter your preferred domain name and pick one of the four supported TLDs.
3. Click Check Availability.
4. If it’s available, click Claim This Name. Otherwise, repeat steps 2–3 until you find one that’s free.
5. Click Sign Up for a New Account. You can sign up using the form or through Google or Facebook.
6. On the next page, verify your email. If the code doesn’t arrive, click Resend. The email will come from support@dns-exit.com.
7. Enter your verification code and click Submit.
8. Review your domain info, check the Dynamic IP box if you need it, otherwise just click Submit.
9. Click Verify DNS, then on the next page, click Submit.
How To Install WordPress From Your Dashboard
1. Go to Dashboard > WordPress Hosting (under Web Hosting).
2. Scroll down and click WordPress.
3. In the Application to Install WordPress section, enter a database name, then select the pre-filled DB username from the dropdown.
4. Click Install Application (ignore any error messages for now and retry the process several times).
5. After a few minutes, enter your temporary domain in your browser, log in with your username and Free Domain password, and you should land in your WordPress backend to start building your website.
If you see an error, log out and try again after a bit.
And that’s it, you’re now the proud owner of a free domain and website–for six months!
You can watch many TV shows for free online using sites like Fandango, Pluto TV, and Tubi.
These free streaming options often have ads, but they provide access to lots of popular shows.
Remember that not all platforms offer the latest episodes, so you may find older shows more often.
There are plenty of websites out there that let you stream free TV shows online—many of which include some of today’s most popular programs. We’ve spent hours on the couch to compile this list of only the best free and legal TV show sources currently out there.
There are pros and cons to each, but there’s definitely something for everyone no matter what kind of show you might be looking to watch.
What We Like
Large selection of shows.
Ability to filter free content.
Ability to download content to watch offline.
Fandango at Home is an online on-demand TV show and movie streaming service, with a number of shows and movies available to watch for free.
The free ones have ads, but for a platform that offers high-quality, relatively popular shows from networks like CBS, Fox, HBO and more, those ads are definitely tolerable.
You can filter TV shows by genre or select the checkbox for Free TV only, which filters out all the paid content so all you see is what’s available to watch for free.
As a nice bonus, you can also browse by Most Watched, Release Date and Recently Added to find hidden gems you might not be able to find otherwise.
Similar to ShareTV, Yidio is a TV show source aggregator that points you in the direction of other third-party hosts where you should be able to watch a particular episode.
You can use the sidebar to browse by genre and filter available shows by what’s available on several premium streaming services. If you’re looking for something to watch for free, you’ll want to select the Free filter.
When you select a show, you’ll be shown a summary based on IMDb info along with several thumbnails of episodes that are available. Select any thumbnail to be taken to the specific episode listing.
The downside to using Yidio is that its free listings aren’t the most accurate or up to date, and you may come across a show that only has short clips rather than full episodes available to watch for free despite its listing in the Free category.
What We Like
Great layout and ability to search/filter lots of content.
Detailed info for each show, including reviews.
Save shows to watch again or later through account.
The Internet Archive isn’t an official streaming service, but it’s one of the best places to look for public access to digital content. You can access old websites, software, games, music, video content and a massive library of public domain books.
In its Television section, you can browse through TV recordings that include shows, commercials, and even government proceedings. Many of these pieces of content have hundreds of thousands of views.
The site organizes content into collections based on type. You can also use the filters on the left side to find shows by year, topic, collection, creator and language.
What We Like
Good mix of live and on-demand shows.
Similar to traditional cable television.
Desktop and mobile apps available.
With the live-streaming Pluto TV platform, you can channel surf over 250 free channels in genres such as news, entertainment, sports, comedy, and more.
Some of the content is live and some of it isn’t. It’s a bit like RabbitTV Plus, except you don’t have to pay an annual fee to watch.
It’s similar to traditional cable; you can check out what’s currently on without a goal in mind for what to watch.
Although you won’t be able to catch hit network shows, you’ll be able to tune into many major networks’ news broadcasts and find familiar episodes of other relatively popular shows.
What We Like
Access to thousands of shows and movies.
Multi-platform availability.
New content added weekly.
What We Don’t Like
Tracks your viewing history.
Targeted advertising platform.
No clear way to filter TV shows from movies.
Tubi is another alternative that operates legally through license agreements. And just like Pluto TV, it also includes movies.
Tubi is totally free with a user account, which you can use to set up your watch queue or pick up where you left off from watching something previously. The platform tracks your viewing history so that it can learn about your preferences to make better suggestions for you.
Browse through all your standard categories such as Action, Drama, Comedy, and others or take a look at some of the interesting categories like Cult Classics andHighly Rated on Rotten Tomatoes.
With over 250,000 shows and movies available and more being added all the time, Tubi TV is quickly growing to become a TV favorite for internet users everywhere.
What We Like
Familiar interface and search tools.
Lots of related content, like fan cuts or highlight reels.
Lots of people don’t realize that YouTube is actually a great place to look for television shows.
While you won’t exactly get access to the most current or popular shows (unless you pay), nor a guaranteed high-quality viewing experience, you might still be pleasantly surprised by what’s available on the web’s largest video sharing network.
For example, if you search Boy Meets World—an old ABC family sitcom from the 90s—several uploaded episodes from virtually every season will come up. On the other hand, if you search for Grey’s Anatomy—a more current and popular television drama—you’ll notice results will come up where you’ll have to pay a fee to stream it legally on YouTube.
Some people get away with uploading popular TV show episodes for a certain time before they’re eventually reported or caught by YouTube. Depending on the timing and the show you’re looking for, you might be able to find something that actually shouldn’t be there due to copyright restrictions.
Don’t Forget Your Favorite Network’s Website!
If you have a TV show you love and you want to watch it for free because you missed it or maybe you don’t get that channel, a great way to catch up on it is to visit the network’s website and see if it’s available for streaming.
All of the networks below show some full episodes but also clips as well.
Here are some of the popular TV networks out there that provide options for streaming their TV shows:
NBC: NBC does a great job of quickly posting and keeping their TV shows around so you have plenty of time to watch them. It’s even possible for you to catch up on an entire series right from their website.
USA: Part of NBC, the USA Network brings you access to all of your favorite USA shows, including full episodes the day after they’ve aired.
ABC: They have full-length videos of the latest episode of every show as well as video clips, highlights, and sneak peeks into all your favorite ABC shows.
CBS: At CBS you can watch shows for free after they’ve aired on CBS. There are quite a few advertiser interruptions during the streaming video, but you’ll know when they’re coming because they are clearly marked on the screen.
FOX: FOX posts free TV shows for you to watch one day after they’ve aired on TV but they remain locked so that you can watch them until eight days after they’ve aired.
The CW: The day after the CW television shows air you’ll be able to watch them for free at their website.
PBS: PBS has a ton of free TV episodes online including Masterpiece Theater, PBS NewsHour, and Frontline.
MTV: MTV has full episodes of all your favorite MTV shows, including clips and after shows.
Freeform (ABC Family): The day after the TV shows on Freeform air, they post online so that you can enjoy them.
A&E: Watch full episodes of shows like Bates Motel, Storage Wars, and Dog the Bounty Hunter.
You might be required to provide your television provider information to watch certain streaming content on network platforms.
AI selfie apps are popular with teens and tweens for face swapping, photo enhancements, and social sharing.
Data storage and sharing, privacy vulnerabilities, and mental health risks are numerous.
Involvement, open communication, and free parental control apps can instill healthy digital habits in kids.
AI selfie apps have grown in popularity and availability, especially among tweens and teens, but the privacy risks are substantial. This article explains the dangers and free tools parents can use to keep their kids safe.
What Are AI Selfie Apps?
AI-powered selfie apps, such as Lensa AI and FaceApp, use artificial intelligence (AI) and facial recognition to enhance selfies with beauty filters, animated effects, background replacements, face swaps, and more.
Most of these apps are mobile-only and fit seamlessly into the world of social sharing. This familiarity makes the appeal of these apps second nature since young people are already using similar effects and tools on platforms including Instagram and Snapchat.
AI Selfie App Dangers for Kids
While AI selfie apps can provide hours of entertainment for teens and kids, the safety risks are undeniable and alarming.
Here are some of the most concerning aspects parents and caretakers should be aware of:
Data collection and sharing: The fine print isn’t always easy to navigate on these apps, obscuring details about the kind of information that’s collected (about device usage or uploaded photos, etc.) and shared with third parties—or used for AI model training.
Data breach risks: Like any cloud-based service, the risk of hacks and data breaches is always a possibility. For young people, image or personal data could end up in the hands of hackers, increasing the potential for exploitation, bullying, and permanent damage to their online footprints.
Mental health concerns: The fallout from data breaches and compromised online security is one thing, but the persistent exposure to distorted body image and beauty standards can take a toll on a young person’s developing sense of self and mental well-being.
Ways to Protect Kids From AI Image Misuse
The lack of any or robust parental controls in AI image apps is a significant hurdle, but parents do have some free protective tools at their disposal.
Device-Level Parental Controls
Whether your child has an Android or iPhone, parents can use some built-in settings to restrict access at the device level.
For iPhone families, these controls live under Screen Time settings and Content & Privacy Restrictions, while Android parents can use Google Family Link.
Examples of the precautions parents can take, include:
Disabling location services, especially for photo and camera apps.
Screen time settings that limit or deny access to AI selfie apps.
Blocking in-app purchases.
Creating child-specific accounts that limit what your kids can do on their devices.
Cost-Free Parental Control Apps
Beyond the device-specific settings parents can use to protect their kids, free versions of popular parental control apps can add another layer of supervision.
Direct monitoring of device behavior isn’t possible with built-in parental controls, which could make applications like Bark and BrightCanary, which surveil social media usage and questionable content, appealing.
Open Communication and Digital Literacy
Another tool parents shouldn’t overlook is the power of open communication about safe digital practices and ongoing check-ins.
Parents can monitor the safety ratings of apps before allowing teens and tweens to download them, review the privacy settings together, and teach their kids what to do if they see offensive content—whether that’s coming directly to them or using the reporting process laid out by a particular service.
Another crucial area to cover is discretion with uploading images. Teaching kids to think twice before sharing or posting content could safeguard them from harm in the short-term and help them develop lifelong healthy habits around social sharing and online privacy.
Various Restaurants and Stores are offering National Ice Cream Day Deals (with some examples listed below).
Thanks to Community Member swgfanforlife for finding this deal.
Note: Participation and availability will vary by location.
Examples:
Burger King
Royal Perks Members: Get a Free Soft Serve Cup or Cone with $1+ purchase. Today (7/20) only in the BK App or on bk.com.
Friendly’s
Guests who join the Friendly’s Fan Club Rewards program will receive a free cone or dish of Friendly’s signature ice cream on July 20th for National Ice Cream Day.
Not a member yet? Everyone else can still scoop up the fun with 90-cent single scoop ice cream, available in-store or to-go.
Dippin’ Dots
Free mini cups of Dippin’ Dots (any flavor!) during a two hour window at our franchise locations. Plus, the first 100 people in line will score a super cool, souvenir take home cup, in addition to the free mini cup of Dippin’ Dots.
GoPuff
Up to 30% off fan favorite items from top brands like Blue Bunny, Häagen-Dazs, Oreo Pints, Halo Top, FatBoy Ice Cream, GoodPop, ICEE, My/Mochi and more.
Gopuff FAM members will enjoy a 2 for $9 promo on select Ben & Jerry’s pints.
Dunkin’
3x Rewards Points on Frozen Beverages for National Ice Cream Day
The Roku Channel Store’s vast selection of apps makes it easy to watch just about anything online. While many users stick to popular options like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, there’s a wealth of hidden gems worth exploring, including apps for weather and art. Below is a curated list of lesser-known Roku channels to check out.
Tubi (pronounced too-bee) is one of the best free Roku channels. It’s an ad-supported channel with an extensive library of free movies from MGM, Paramount, and Lionsgate, and an extensive library of TV shows.
Tubi’s offerings are divided into genres such as action films, comedy, documentary, drama, horror, foreign movies, movies for kids, and more. Two great categories are Not on Netflix and Highly Rated on Rotten Tomatoes. It also includes original programming.
The Tubi onscreen menu looks similar to a Netflix menu, including a “continue watching” option that allows you to pick up where you left off if your viewing is interrupted.
Tubi doesn’t offer a huge selection of 4K videos, but there is a lot of great content that is worth watching that you may have missed or is an old favorite.
Put a little more art in your life with Artcast. This Roku Channel is both a screensaver and an art gallery. For $2.99 per month (following the 7-day free trial), you’ll access over 100,000 works of art.
Artcast galleries are auto-looped, so once started, you don’t have to return later and restart playback. However, if using Artcast Lite, ads are displayed before the galleries play. Also, when selecting a different gallery to display on Artcast Lite, you must wait for another set of commercials to play. Each photo or painting is displayed for 60 seconds.
Some of the Gallery categories for both Artcast Lite and Artcast Premium include:
Classical Art
Contemporary Art
Nature and Scenic
Travel and Culture
Pluto TV Menu–Roku Channel Version.
Pluto TV provides free news, sports, TV shows, music, and movies. Like a cable or satellite menu, you scroll through the categories and select what you want to see or hear (no need to install additional apps). This style of browsing makes this one of the best free Roku channels for anyone who is used to cable TV.
Channel categories include News, Sports (including boxing and wrestling), Comedy, Geek/Gaming, Life/Style, and Music and Radio. There is even a 4K channel (provided you have a compatible Roku device and TV).
Since many selections are live (the onscreen guide is set to your local time), programs or music may already be in progress. However, the on-demand movie offerings start when selected.
Since the selections and movies are free, most of them feature ads.
Roku offers its own channel in addition to the thousands of others available through the store. The Roku Channel has an exciting mix of content that provides users with a more compact version of what Roku offers without having to go from app to app to find what they may want to watch. Both free and paid content are provided.
If you are a fan of cult-status B-movies and old TV shows, Shout! TV is a free, ad-supported channel you can add via the Roku Channel Store.
Shout! TV has an extensive film and TV show library to draw from, including action, adventure, comedy, cult, documentary, drama, horror, martial arts, music, westerns, and more.
Watch classic episodes of MS3TK (Mystery Science Theater 3000) and films from the legendary work of Roger Corman.
If you are a Power Rangers fan, check out some episodes of Super Sentai — the original Japanese version of the series (subtitled in English).
You can also watch great classic stand-up comedy from Steve Martin and classic variety TV replays from The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour and The Red Skelton Show.
Shout! TV also has an original series, Backlot, featuring some great behind-the-scenes info on select classic cult films and TV shows.
If you are a fan of suspense, thrillers, and horror, you must check out Shudder. With films ranging from Bram Stoker’s Dracula to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, there are enough thrills and chills to keep you on the edge of your seat.
In addition to movies, we’ve seen classic series, such as Tales from the Darkside, and original series, such as Born to Kill and Black Lake. Some great podcasts explore film-related topics, such as Inside the Exorcist.
Shudder’s collections include Alien Encounters, A Woman’s Touch, Gross Anatomy, Folk Horror, and others.
You can experience Shudder free for seven days, after which you can cancel or stay on board with a monthly or yearly membership.
If you are an anime fan, you should check out Crunchyroll, which can be downloaded for free. Once installed, you can watch their basic service for free or go for one of the premium plans.
The Fan plan allows you to watch a limited selection of anime and live-action content (labeled as drama) with periodic commercials.
The Mega Fan option provides ad-free access to Crunchyroll’s entire film and TV library and new episodes of select Japanese anime and TV shows just minutes after they air on Japanese TV.
Ultimate Fan takes it up a notch with discounts on products sold on the Crunchyroll Store and VIP access to Japanese anime creators who attend fan conventions.
If you are unsure which viewing option is right for you, take advantage of the free trial. The free, ad-supported, limited-access option might be acceptable if you are only an occasional viewer.
Are you tired of cable news channels that are more opinion and gossip than actual news? If so, add Scripps News (formerly Newsy) to the Roku Channel list.
Scripps News covers stories from around the World in short, easy-to-understand videos that tell the story with necessary context and analysis without debating talking heads or pontificating by a biased host.
News stories are posted around the clock in the following categories: Top Stories, Live Stream, World, Business, U.S. News, Politics, Sci/Health, Entertainment, Tech, and Sports.
Scripps News is free to install and watch; no subscription or pay-per-view fee. However, there are occasional ads.
If you are fascinated with science but don’t understand it all, Curiosity Stream offers content that will amaze and inform you.
Curiosity Stream offers much of their content in 4K. If you don’t have a 4K-enabled Roku or TV (or fast enough broadband speed), you can still watch in HD.
Although you can install the app for free on your Roku device via the store to view content, there is a $4.99 monthly subscription fee (following a free 7-day trial period).
Curiosity Stream has exclusive series and films you can search by topic or name (such as a noted scientist, astronaut, or historical artist).
You may think that Curiosity Stream isn’t that different from the National Geographic or Discovery Channel. However, it eliminates some of the “pop” or “sensationalized” content sometimes shown on those channels and is ad-free.
Do you spend all day watching streaming videos in front of your computer or TV? Take a break and pick up an outdoor habit like gardening.
Check out Garden TV in the Roku Channel Store before you start. Once installed, check out everything you need to know to plant flowers, trees, lawns, and vegetables by watching the available instructional videos.
The Garden TV Channel is free, but an ad is shown before each video.
Are you a weather junkie? If so, check out WeatherNation on your Roku. With WeatherNation, you can check out current conditions in your area and the weather in other locations provided by the National Weather Service.
Additional weather news stories give you more context and understanding of what is happening and why.
Hosted weather reports are presented by certified meteorologists. No comedy hosts here!
WeatherNation is free from the Channel Store, but does feature ads.
If you like travel and sports, Red Bull TV is an excellent channel to add to your Roku viewing experience. The focus is on extreme and adventure sports such as off-road biking and motoring, cliff diving, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, flying, surfing, and more.
Red Bull TV also includes music, dance, and culture categories that expose you to competitions and festivals from around the World.
In addition to recorded travel and events, you can access select live events and original series or watch something recorded that is currently being streamed.
Red Bull TV is more than just a regional sports channel or ESPN. It combines non-traditional sports and adventure, making for a great viewing experience that can be installed via the Channel Store.
Are you a fan of British TV shows? If so, then Acorn TV may be for you.
Acorn’s program library is extensive, featuring exclusives, mysteries, dramas, comedy, documentaries, feature films, and programs and movies from other select European countries with English Subtitles.
If you are addicted to the British TV programs you usually watch on PBS, take it up a notch and commit yourself to Acorn TV.
You can install Acorn TV for free via the Channel Store. After a free 7-day trial period, the subscription fee is $8.99 monthly, which is nearly half the price of Netflix’s cheapest ad-free plan.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/free-memory-test-programs-2626178-a8ab6fa11747405a9ddd002d78d602ab.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1267&ssl=1 "Top Free RAM Test Programs for Optimizing Performance")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/memtest86-7-5-5a79b7d91f4e130037a68d4c.PNG)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/music-notes-3221097_1920-780db93bf8234bc88917bc2d6a55b54f.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1267&ssl=1 "Free Online Tools to Identify Unknown Songs")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/midomi-b3584a204a5145e9910cafb792cebd6f.png)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/free-uninstaller-programs-2625188-54ab5b23f10b4c4d9ecbf266ee464987.png?w=1920&resize=1920,1267&ssl=1 "Top Free Uninstaller Apps You Should Try in 2023")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/iobit-uninstaller-bulk-cf0ee5836c25495795dfe68cda3e689d.png)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/OscarWatchPartyGettyImages-1073094718-facb96c27cbb49febaaf6277e7aeb43b.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1267&ssl=1 "Watch TV Shows Online Free: Top Sites for 2025")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/OscarWatchPartyGettyImages-1073094718-facb96c27cbb49febaaf6277e7aeb43b.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1637873986-b1f3a3b8c336427cabc463d75d7d8387.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1267&ssl=1 "Free Tools to Protect Their Privacy")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-1637873986-b1f3a3b8c336427cabc463d75d7d8387.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/roku-tv-home-03dd537a373743748a21dbaf50932c53.png?w=1920&resize=1920,1267&ssl=1 "The Best Free Roku Channels You Haven’t Tried Yet")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/roku-tv-home-03dd537a373743748a21dbaf50932c53.png)