Downloading and installing a free or open source application is all well and good but that's not really enough. It is not enough to download an application on the internet and install it onto your system. It is not enough to run a few random applications and to then uninstall them and find out that the applications you installed are still running with all the same errors as they did at the time of installation. It takes more than just installing the application and letting it sit there.
A Windows system needs regular updating and fixing, it is essential that if you are going to be using any free or open source software that you are able to get the most out of it, otherwise you are just wasting your money and also your time. You will need to keep up to date with any latest security patches or any other updates that may come out for your chosen application. If you let your free or open source program sit there and be forgotten then it could end up being outdated very quickly, this could cause problems if you have tried to update your system recently. A computer that runs without updates is not the best, in fact it is practically a disaster waiting to happen.
If you want to save money on your upgrades or even on new software, then you need to be able to keep your computer running in the best way possible, that means keeping all your free and open source software updated regularly. The easiest way to do this is to use a Windows application such as a Windows Update, or even a registry cleaner to keep your system working to its best ability. You will be able to fix the most common errors and annoyances that Windows hosts by using these applications. This could mean you will spend less time hunting for errors or choosing from a list of very obvious ones.