Google and Picasa

Gimp For windows might work. It is photoshop "like" especially if your looking for editing etc. What are you looking for it to do?
Also , Why Free? If your leaving Google for the advertising and privacy issues ( My assumption) I think you'll find nothing is "free" Free programs have a cost in giving up something like ads privacy etc. Pay for a program and be"free" of the intrusion.

"gimp" is free and comparable to photo shop in many aspects

i have an OLD version of Picassa, its on my PC, NOT the cloud, my pix do not go anywhere unless I upload them to 'photobucket'

What are you wanting your photo program to do? Just managing photos, or also editing and/or photo-shopping?

I've heart that Picasa isn't that bad, but it's somewhat limited, too. Might consider switching to Photoshop Elements.
:)
Lynn