Free photo editing software?

[T40ORA]

I'm not much into editing pictures but I need something to perform basic fundtions. The stuff on my new Windows 8 laptop just doesn't work! I either can't edit, or I can't save - despite having all the right permissions.

Is there anything out there I can download for free? I thought Elements was free but it looks like a trial version only.

TIA

[TheEnd]

GIMP?
It's more like photoshop, but should cover the basics.

[T40ORA]

TheEnd said:

GIMP?
It's more like photoshop, but should cover the basics.

Is it easy to use?

[furtive]

Picassa is good for basic editing

[sgrimshaw]

Picassa is very easy to use.

Another option to try is the Starter version of Serif Photoplus - it's free:

http://www.serif.com/free-photo-editing-software/


Gimp is good and more powerful than the above, but has a steeper learning curve.

[Du1point8]

Evaluation copy of lightroom.

I enjoyed using it and testing it out, if I ever needed to manipulate photos again and enough of them I would buy.

But to test out as a free one off it was worth it.

[andy-xr]

Irfanview's good for basic stuff on WIndows, I dont have Windows 8 so not able to test it out but it works well on 7

[T40ORA]

OK guys thanks. I downloaded GIMP and it does seem functionally rich. I will play with it but may try a more simple one too.

[TheEnd]

I haven't really used GIMP much, but from what I can see, it has a big user base, lots of guides and plugins so shouldn't be too hard to get into.

[LC2]

Lightzone?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LightZone