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Forget paying $100, $75, or even $50 for software. We dug up more than 20 software gems that can help you with your day-to-day computing tasks and keep your PC in tip-top shape--and every application is either free or priced at less than $30.

We rated each program on its features, ease of use, and overall utility. We selected shareware and freeware applications that aren't demos of commercial, off-the-shelf products; don't expire after 30 days; exclude obtrusive ads; and have few "nag notes" for updates.

And while it's getting more difficult to find practical, downloadable software on the cheap, we still came across a good mix of tools, from system utilities to simple word processors to handy Microsoft Office add-ons. We encountered some fun stuff too, such as a space-combat game and a great music jukebox. So visit our Downloads section and get these programs. After all, who doesn't love a great bargain?

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