Disasterware?

9 Safe Download Strategies

Nightmares of crashing PCs and out-of-control adware notwithstanding, some shareware and freeware options are simply too tempting to ignore. When you download software, be sure to follow these commonsense guidelines. If you hit a snag, some freeware and shareware programs may even help solve your problems.

>>TIP Choose your download site carefully. Not all sites test software for stability, usability, spyware, and viruses. Editors of PCWorld.com's Downloads section, on the other hand, carefully screen and review each program.

>>TIP Before you download, look for professional reviews or for comments from everyday users. The best download sites offer informed reviews from editors; others let visitors comment on the pros and cons of the software. Let somebody else's PC serve as the guinea pig.

>>TIP Ask yourself whether you need the software. Microsoft bundles numerous utilities in each version of Windows, including hard drive scanners and defragmenters, system monitors, and data backup programs. If a Windows tool can do the trick, why bother with a download?

>>TIP Check whether the software author or vendor offers technical support. If the software you want is a demo version of a retail package, you may find a phone number; if it's a homemade utility from a single programmer, you may have to settle for an e-mail address.

>>TIP Read the software agreement--yes, the whole thing--before you download; and monitor the installation closely. These two steps are the best way to find out whether your nifty free program carries an extra, unadvertised spyware bonus pack. If you have trouble deciphering the agreement, check to see whether the download shows up on Spychecker.com, an easily searchable public database that has information on which downloads include spyware and adware.

>>TIP If you've accidentally downloaded adware or spyware and now you want to get rid of it, start by determining whether the program's vendor offers an uninstall program. For example, you can rid yourself of Radiate's software by using a download from the company's Web site.

>>TIP If you want to scan your PC for spyware, give Lavasoft's free Ad-aware a try; this program spots and removes most of the major offenders. Make sure that you get the most up-to-date files so you don't miss anything.

>>TIP Uninstall with prejudice. If you run into problems with software, don't hesitate--just get rid of it. If a program doesn't come with an uninstall feature, try using Windows' Add/Remove program. If that doesn't work, consider 4Developers' Add/Remove 4Good, a $13 shareware product that lets you completely remove up to seven programs during its free trial period.

>>TIP Clean out the stray DLLs and leftover Windows Registry entries that uninstalled software leaves behind. Knowledgeable, confident users can do this manually; the rest of us are probably better off letting a reliable program do the job. We recommend Easy Desk Software's Perfect Companion, which is free to try and $30 to keep.