Okay before you read further, I have to fess up and say I just lied to you! I wanted your attention, but for good reason and you’ll thank me for it. Windows 8 is due next year, just three short years since 7 impressed our systems. And we all love Windows 7, so why should we consider upgrading? Microsoft hopes to convince us all, and they’ve begun to drip feed details. We’ve had hands-on access to the early preview release, and this coming in issue (255 on sale 4th July) we’re going to tell you all about our discoveries and some of the yet to be included functions that will blow your digital socks off.

Armed with our Window 8 knowledge we decided to scour the Intertubes for free software that will give you Windows 8 functionality right now. We’ve handpicked a selection of Window 8 alternatives and plumbed for a few from our wishlist we reckon Windows 8 should include right out  the box.  Enjoy!

Follow these links for our other ‘issue 255’ web packs:
The best mostly free video encoders!
Awesome SSD tools!
Get Windows 8 today!
Issue 255 game demo roundup!

Allmyapps
Windows 8 will introduce its very own App store! But you needn’t hang around until then, Allmyapps is an independent app store for desktop and web apps. (free version)
Download from here

AppUp
Another app store alternative, this time from Intel. AppUp caters specifically for netbook owners, touting a cheap and cheerful range of games and application software designed to work with smaller screens. (free version)
Download from here

Awesome Duplicate Photo Finder
We fully expect Windows 8 to improve upon it’s file search functions. To remove file clutter, a duplicate file find and removal feature is a must. Going one step further, Awesome Duplicate Photo Finder compares images not on their naming or file attributes but on the actual pixel content, even identifying duplicates that are different dimensions or colour corrected.  (free version)
Download from here

BatteryCare
This laptop essential could increase the lifespan of your battery. BatteryCare monitors the battery discharge and charge cycles to offer you advice to when you should perform a full discharge. (free version)
Download from here

ComPanel
A utility which enables you to add and remove items from view in My Computer and Control Panel. It’s perfect for customising the look of Windows and hide away functions you never use for a more streamlined appearance. (free version)
Download from here

Device Remover
An enhanced Windows hardware device manager. Displays in-depth details on installed hardware, drivers and registry entries. (free version)
Download from here

Driver Easy
It’s time consuming keeping every single hardware drivers up-to-date, but it should be right up there in your list general PC maintenance jobs. However, with Driver Easy you just click a button and the software scans your system and lets you know if updates exist and even downloads them for you.  (free version)
Download from here

Duplicate Cleaner
Helps you find and remove duplicate files from drives. Filter options narrow down criteria and the built-in preview lets you view file content. (free version)
Download from here

Finestra Virtual Desktops
Finestra Virtual Desktops is an elegant solution to managing many windows or tasks on the desktop. It allows you to divide your workspace up into multiple ‘virtual’ desktops, each of which is easily accessible on the fly. (free version)
Download from here

FreeCommander
This dual-panel file manager is an alternative Windows file manager. It comes with copy/move/delete function, FTP client, archive handling, file splitter,  file search, multi-file rename, MD5 creation/verify,  folder synchronisation and more. (free version)
Download from here

SafeHouse Explorer
To keep up with the techno villains Windows 8 will need to keep ahead of the game in security countermeasures. SafeHouse Explorer gives you solid 256-bit advanced encryption to completely hide and defend your sensitive files. (free version)
Download from here

Simple Sticky Notes
Who’d have thought that small square paper with a tacky strips would be worth millions? Simply, because they are damned useful. Simple Sticky Notes is essentially the virtual desktop version and just as handy for jotting down shopping lists and other random info you want to record. (free version)
Download from here

Soluto
The purpose of Soluto is to identify the software running on your PC that is slowing down boot times, general performance and crashes. Your system is cross-referenced against Soluto’s knowledgebase: a collective of database of frustrations and solutions. (free version)
Download from here

Startup Delayer
Startup Delayer reduces your boot startup times by delaying applications from starting as soon as you log onto your computer. When your computer is idle after the boot sequence is complete it will allow those delayed applications to launch. (free version)
Download from here

TrueCrypt
TruCrypt is a powerful disk encryption product that makes it possible to encrypt entire drive partitions or create virtual encrypted volumes using one of several encryption algorithms. (free version)
Download from here