Alternative apps to empower older versions of macOS or Windows

Part 2 There's a wealth of highly usable free software for the big proprietary desktop OSes. You can escape paying subscriptions and switch to free software without changing your OS.

In the first half of this short series, we looked at how to freshen up an aging Mac or Windows 10 PC, and ideally, how to wipe it and install a clean, bloat-free copy of its OS. That is all well and good, but this leaves the problem of what to put on that OS to get out of the trap of software you paid for but don't own.

The big question, of course, is what to use and where to find it. There are lists that can help, but you need to be very cautious. If the website looks fancy and modern, then it may be trying to sell you fancy modern tools that will cost you ...