Freeware Lair - Frequently Asked Questions

Note: If you have any questions that haven't been answered here, use our contact form to submit your query and we'll do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.

Q: How can I get technical support for a software product listed on Freeware Lair site?

A: Freeware Lair is a SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK, we are UNABLE TO OFFER TECHNICAL SUPPORT for listed products. If you are looking for customer service for listed products, please contact the authors directly. The contact info is usually included within the help documentation and "About" dialog box that can be accessed via "Help" menu of the program window. Otherwise you can enter the author's site by clicking on the link with author's name on appropriate detailed description page on Freeware Lair site and try to find contact information there.

Q: Will the program work on my PC?

A: To be sure that the software you are going to download will work with your system you will need to check the Operating System Compatibility and the Minimal System Requirements located below the description of the product.

Q: How do I download software?

A: Downloading a program to your computer is very easy. First of all, find the software you wish to download and click on "Download" link or button to be redirected to the download page. After 5 seconds, a Dialog Box will appear stating what you are about to download. Click "Save" button, specify the folder where you would like the downloaded file to be stored and click "Save". You should now see a small box displaying the progress of your download. Once your download is complete, go to folder where the downloaded file was saved and double click on it to start the installation. That's it.

Q: How do I unzip files?

A: Unzipping (i.e. extracting files from archive) is an easy task once you know how. If you use Windows Me/XP/Vista, you can open Zip files without any need of third party tools and display their contents as folders directly from Windows Explorer, otherwise you need an additional software to unzip files (WinZip, WinRAR, 7Zip, IzArc, Zipeg etc.). Double-click on zip archive to view the contents in a program window, then click on the "Extract" Button and specify the path to where you would like to extract these files. Close program window and find the location of the extracted files, you are now ready to run the setup file.

Q: How do I install software?

A: Installing software is very easy as most programs explain the steps to follow as you go through the setup process. Locate your downloaded file (if it is a .zip file, please refer to the question above to unzip it first) and double-click the setup file, this can be called "Setup.exe", "Install.exe" or the program name. Once the install process has begun be sure to read all documentation and answer any questions it may ask. Once the installation is underway, sit back and let the installation process to go forward. The installation program will then inform you if the process was successful. Lastly, it might instruct you to restart your computer. This is only necessary if you are asked to do so.

Q: How do I uninstall (remove) software from my computer?

A: Most programs can be uninstalled using the Windows "Add/Remove Programs" utility that can be found in "Start menu\Control Panel" or "Start menu\Settings\Control Panel". Here you will see a list of programs that are currently installed on your computer. Scroll down the list until you see the title of the program you wish to remove. Select it and choose to remove the program. If you cannot find the program in the list you will need to remove it via "Programs" list in your Start menu. Move through the list until you see the title of the program you wish to remove. Select it and look for "Uninstall" within the program shortcuts folder.

Q: What does "corrupt file" mean?

A: A "corrupt file" means that the file you downloaded is broken and unlikely to work. There are a number of reasons this could happen, the most common being an interruption to your Internet connection while the download was in progress. In such cases we suggest you to retry your download or better to use a download manager (GetRight, Orbit, Download Accelerator Plus, Free Download Manager, GigaGet etc.).

Q: What is "Shareware/Trial Software"?

A: The software available for free downloads at Freeware Lair is licensed in a number of different ways. "Shareware" licensed programs (sometimes referred to as "Free To Try", "Free Trial" or "Try Before You Buy") offer you a fully functional trial for a limited period of time (typically 30 days). Since you've tried a shareware program, you know whether it will meet your needs before you pay for it. If you like a shareware program and want to continue using it after the end of a trial period, you have to purchase the full unrestricted version. If on the other hand you do not wish to keep the software, you can just uninstall it.

Q: What is "Demo Software"?

A: "Demo" programs are usually meant to give you a small taste of a large program. They usually contain only selected parts of the program while giving you ample functionality, allowing you to decide if its fully functional version (usually provided as a separate download that can be accessed after purchasing the software) will suit your needs.

Q: What is "Commercial Software"?

A: Commercial software is software being developed by a business which aims to make money from the use of the software. In most of cases it is a demonstrational copy released by the manufacturer to entice customers to buy their product. A commercial demo will usually only work for a short period of time and/or have certain functions disabled.

Q: Why should I pay for and register a shareware/demo/commercial program?

A: "Shareware" is a commercial software, fully protected by copyright laws. Like other business owners, shareware authors expect to earn money for making their programs available for others. Paying for and registering a program entitles you to its unrestricted version, along with high-priority technical support from the author and other benefits. The more consumers who pay an author to use a program, the more likely the author will continue to improve it according to users' suggestions and to develop new programs.

Q: How do I purchase the full version of the software?

A: You can do it in two ways. To purchase via Freeware Lair site, just find the software in its related category or by searching for its name and click on "Buy Now" link/button if available to proceed to a registration service or payment system that will process your payment and notify the author about the order event. When author receives the payment notification, he provides you with the registration details in next 48 hours (usually from 6 to 12 hours).
To purchase through the program itself, open "Help" menu in program window and look for "Register" or "Buy now" item.

Q: What is "Freeware/Free Software"?

A: "Freeware" programs are completely free to use and keep. They are either distributed for the love of humanity, for fame, or as stripped down versions of programs that do cost money. Always check the license agreement if you consider using the freeware application for anything than your personal use.

Q: What is "Adware/Spyware"?

A: "Adware" (advertising supported software) is a product that does not require any payments but in exchange displays ads on your PC. Instead of you having to pay for the software, the company creates revenue by bundling ads in the software product.
"Spyware" is software that hides itself somewhere on your computer monitoring the behaviour of your activity on the web and passing this information on to advertisers. Spyware is often installed onto your PC when you download and install other software published as "Freeware" or as "Adware". We strongly recommend that you read the end-user license agreement very carefully before you install any program. Often buried in the licence agreement will be a disclaimer saying that information about you and your browsing habits will be sent to third party advertising company.

Q: What is "Malware/Badware"?

A: "Malware" (for "malicious software", syn. "Badware") is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It includes computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, intrusive adware, and other unwanted software. Malware should not be confused with defective software, that is, software which has a legitimate purpose but contains harmful bugs.