PCWorld's Favorite Downloads of 2011
All year long, we PCWorld reviewers immerse ourselves in desktop programs and Web software. After evaluating a program, often we uninstall it—but several of this year's finds earned places in our workflows and/or our hearts. These programs and services are the ones we reviewed for PCWorld Downloads and also kept using for our own productivity and enjoyment. Perhaps you started using them this year, too…and if not, well, a shiny new year is right around the corner.
Rated: Feb 29, 2012 8:15 PM
This browser extension delivers instant search for your online data, including Gmail, Google Docs, and Twitter.
Foxit Software Company Foxit Reader
Rated: Aug 1, 2011 4:35 PM
This free utility lets you view PDF files--and it takes up less space than Adobe Reader.
Rated: Aug 4, 2011 4:13 PM
Central to this Web app is a graphical synonym finder that's fun, useful, and educational.
Rated: Jul 25, 2011 12:11 PM
Auto-fill forms and Web logins on all your usual PCs with this excellent freebie.
Rated: Jul 25, 2011 12:11 PM
Auto-fill forms and Web logins on all your usual PCs with this excellent freebie.
Ambient Design ArtRage Studio Pro
Rated: Dec 19, 2011 3:19 AM
Create realistic digital paintings easily with ArtRage Studio Pro.
Rated: Sep 9, 2011 11:46 AM
Powerful, full-featured 3D design and modeling application Carrara has lots of existing models.
Corel Corporation Corel Painter
Rated: Jul 13, 2011 12:06 PM
This pro-grade art application lets you create art that doesn't look like it was made on a computer.
PCWorld.com Lonely Landscapes Windows 7 Theme
Rated: Nov 3, 2011 6:19 PM
This free Windows 7 theme puts a slide show of moody, ethereal landscape photographs on your desktop.
Daniel Gauthier Chinese Watch Shop
Rated: Jan 23, 2011 12:00 AM
Stark and unconventional, this quirky serif font is waiting for the right title role.
PCWorld.com Day of the Dead Windows 7 Theme
Rated: Oct 18, 2011 11:03 AM
This colorful Windows 7 theme features Mexican folk art skulls to celebrate Day of the Dead, and is also great for Halloween.
Sony Online Entertainment DC Universe Online
Rated: Feb 16, 2011 11:11 AM
Create your own DC hero and battle Braniac's forces (or each other).
Rated: Nov 8, 2011 11:49 AM
Lose yourself in the deep gameplay and old-school graphics of Aurora.
Amazon MP3 Uploader for Amazon Cloud Music Player
Rated: Dec 19, 2011 5:07 PM
Upload your music and play it via the cloud.
Ellora Assets Corporation Freemake Video Converter
Rated: Sep 7, 2011 4:20 PM
Free Video Converter to AVI, WMV, MP4, MKV, SWF, 3GP, DVD, MP3, iPod, YouTube
CloudMagic Brings Swift Gmail/Twitter Search to iOS and Android Apps