FreeMind for Windows

Used FreeMind for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffFebruary 21, 2024

Like all mind maps, FreeMind gives you the flexibility to organize thoughts on a page as they connect to each other and to the larger picture. After all, not all minds reason in subheadings and bullet points. You shape, place, and name that master idea (the root node), then create child or sibling spokes that relate to it.

FreeMind encompasses a fine range of features, including scads of icons and color formatting options to help you visually organize concepts. It also supports hyperlinks, which allow you to link Web sites and even documents to a map. In addition, you'll be able to export your landscape of thoughts in a variety of formats, including HTML, PDF, and JPEG. As flexible as it lets your mind be, FreeMind works within an older-style logical structure that could get frustrating for some. For instance, you must insert nodes by hand or using a hot key; you can't click and drag to create them (a shame).

It's evident how mind maps like FreeMind can hasten note-taking, or help you visualize a project, paper, or process. However, a revamped interface with more intuitive drag-and-drop functionality and versioning for collaborators wouldn't hurt, either.

FreeMind for Windows

Used FreeMind for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: April 25, 2014

Latest update: February 21, 2024

Version: 1.1.0

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 95
Windows 98 SE
Windows 8
Windows ME
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows Vista
Windows XP
Windows 7
Windows 98

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 295,322

Downloads Last Week: 1

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.1/5

34 User Votes

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brucelee9100April 17, 2017
Pros
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Cons
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Summary
really inneficient, limited options and badly organized. i also can't move nodes independently!
FreeMind is upside down
mpwarenFebruary 9, 2015
Pros
It fails on its basic premise, so I can't list a pro.
Cons
FreeMind, like all the other mind mapping apps I've tried out, has mind mapping upside down. The purpose of mind mapping is to brainstorm ideas, free associate among those ideas, then begin building an organizational structure as you figure out linkages. However, as soon as you open FreeMind you're locked immediately into making organizational decisions long before your creativity has even kicked in. If I already know the relationships among my ideas, i don't need mind mapping software.
Summary
<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Feb 9, 2015<p/>Since I submitted this review, I've discovered that XMind has been upgraded since the last time I tried it to include a "floating topic" option, which does indeed allow you to brainstorm. I also found yEd, a generic graph editor, which can be used to create unconstrained mind maps. Both are free.
no bloat, no adware
February 7, 2014
Pros
Does exactly what I wanted. Create mind maps quickly and easily.
Cons
Haven't found any yet.
Summary
If you want to create a mind map, use this!
Easy flowing Mind-Mapping program. I Love it!
curkendall1February 19, 2012
Pros
I found I can change the order of bubbled items using the CTRL + Cursor (Up/Down)! The ease of entering new thoughts and creating mind maps is great! The program shows when it has been changed with an "*" in the title and no "*" when 'Saved'... so I have a visual confirmation that the computer actually saved my latest mind-map changes. I like that! I can easily expand and collapse nodes, with a double-click.
Cons
I haven't figured out any way to make the bubbles/circles change sides from left to right, however, the program does have 'handles' on the circles which I can readily reposition on 'that' side.
Summary
Fast, Flexible, Pretty
cwuesterDecember 12, 2011
Pros
the one software that can capture the train of your thought, even when it seems you can't, or when there doesn't seem to be a train at all - what often starts as a simply collection of notes is swiftly organised and re-organised as patterns emerge, entries appear and disappear - the layout is strongly reminiscent of hand-drawn mind-maps, 'images' are therefore powerful, easy to remember and literally 'food for thought' - perfect for developing a plan of action, the points of a negotiation or due diligence process or the clauses of contracts - and keep such lists 'alife' as projects evolve
Cons
none worth mentioning
Summary
A good first experience.
BNL1811July 12, 2011
Pros
Fairly intuitive. Lots of options. Fun to play with, but is very useful at the same time.
Cons
Have not figured out how to move nodes around. They shift but stay in their original order.
Summary
My first mind mapping software experience, and a good one.
Good for personal project mangement
fdinessJune 18, 2011
Pros
Flexible and easy to use
Cons
Notes can't be converted to new seperate mind maps
Summary
Excellent program. Compare with Freeplane. Use both
considalApril 20, 2011
Pros
Easy to use. Immediately helps one visualize the organization of ones thoughts. Horizontal organization is easier to use than vertical organization (outline) schemes used in word processors.
Cons
Too easy. One may have a tendency to create too many new idea lines and then it becomes difficult find the idea line one made some time ago. One's own personal organization a must. Too easy to lose track.
Summary
I recommend this program highly to help one clarify ones ideas, organize projects, writing, etc. It should be given to every student starting as soon as they can type. I suggest one also download Freeplane and compare. Both are excellent choices. I am not sure which is better.
Great free mind map
AdrianTooApril 13, 2011
Pros
Very easy to use
Cons
Lacks colour to group similar items
Summary
I use this program every day.
SacramentoRobMarch 21, 2011
Pros
intuitive, low overhead, robust
Cons
could use a simple way to change storage paths on a branch of info. I moved some things to a different hard drive and had to re-enter the addresses for the links. There might be a search and replace that I wasn't patient
Summary
This is a really great program. When you are tired of looking for stuff on your hard drives and tired of trying to sort out all the details of your life, give this a try. It has sure helped me.

Developer’s Description

By FreeMind Team

Edit mind maps, XML/HTML documents, and directory trees.

FreeMind is intended for editing Mind maps, XML/HTML documents, and directory trees. In future, even network-structures will be supported such as Topic Maps (ISO). All this data is represented to the user as a Mind map. This is achieved with a modular design, which makes it possible to easily write modules, only designing the model of the problem (the data structure), without caring for the visual representation at all. Currently a Mind Mapping and a File Mode are implemented.