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Free Downloads to Make Use of PC Idle Time

Stepping away from your PC? Don't let it stop working for you--or for a lofty purpose. These eight freebies do everything from backup to scientific research, all while you're not looking.

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Rating & Price
Products
License: Free

University of Berkeley BOINC

This screensaver uses your PC's idle time to perform processing for important scientific projects.

Full Review - Rated: June 20, 2011
PCWorld Rating
Prices from $8.00 License: Demo

Sinvise Systems Shutdown Timer

This tool can shut down your computer once it's done with a certain task. It can also restart it, log off, and do numerous other tasks.

Full Review - Rated: September 13, 2011
License: Free

Rectangle Red Wikipedia Screen Saver

Have your screensaver show you a random Wikipedia page.

Full Review
PCWorld Rating
License: Free

Code 42 Software CrashPlan (32-bit version)

This online backup service is super-friendly and also offers local and peer-to-peer backup.

Full Review - Rated: June 15, 2011
PCWorld Rating
License: Free

Bitcoin Project Bitcoin

Can you create a currency with no issuing authority? This app shows it can be done.

Full Review - Rated: June 17, 2011
PCWorld Rating
License: Free

Code 42 Software CrashPlan (64-bit version)

This online backup service is super-friendly and also offers local and peer-to-peer backup.

Full Review - Rated: June 15, 2011
PCWorld Rating
License: Free

Nozavi's Apps System Silencer

Control what happens when you leave your PC: Mute the sound, hide the taskbar, or lock the computer altogether.

Full Review - Rated: June 13, 2011
PCWorld Rating
License: Free

Pande Lab and Stanford University Folding@Home

This distributed computing project uses your computer to promote research on Alzheimer's, ALS, and more.

Full Review - Rated: June 13, 2011
PCWorld Rating
License: Free

Bitdreamers TimeComX Basic

This freebie automatically shuts down your computer or executes any other operation when it's idle or after some time passes.

Full Review - Rated: June 23, 2011

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