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 21, 2013 12:00 AM
Using CloudMagic for unlimited searches is no longer free, but $5 per month is a small price for power users to pay for the Pro editions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rated: Jan 23, 2011 12:00 AM
Stark and unconventional, this quirky serif font is waiting for the right title role.
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.
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.
Rated: Sep 7, 2011 4:20 PM
Free Video Converter to AVI, WMV, MP4, MKV, SWF, 3GP, DVD, MP3, iPod, YouTube
IBM preps SmartCloud for real-time analytics
Skype for Linux 4.2 aims to deliver more polish