Essential Apps You Should Install on a New PC Running Windows or macOS

A few more good recommendation (freeware):
- Bandizip: I use this as my default compression tool. I also have 7zip installed, which I use for more particular compressed files.
- Honeyview: it's my default viewer, fast and with a clean UI (it's possible to hide every aspect of the interface, it's also borderless). It also adds a nice shell extension to preview images with the right click, useful also to convert (like XnView ShellExtension).
- PotPlayer: more modern than VLC, imho. Another very good video player is Light Alloy.
- TinyWall: best, free, firewall utility. It uses Windows built-in firewall, just makes it easier to manage it.
- Filezilla: a very robust FTP client.
- OBS studio: free screen recorder.
- Snipaste: my default screen grab utility. Portable, fast with many options.
- Sagethumbs: to add more file formats thumbnails to windows explorer.
- XnView + XnViewMP + ShellEx.
- Diffractor: one of the best image viewer/organizer. Incredibly fast with RAW images.
- MacType: to get a better font render on Windows.
- Listary: shortcut to favourite folders.
- AkelPad: my default TXT viewer/editor, I replaced Notepad with Akel.
- MusicBee: one of the best audio player/organizers.
- OneNote: great note taking/organizer.
 
psycros said:
I don't even install it - I just use the bootable flash drive
Click to expand...
I basically do the same thing with Acronis 2016. I created an ISO with the media builder. I then boot the ISO on an external USB hard drive (made bootable by Rufus), where I keep my images. I then copy all the images to my main PC for secondary storage. And recently had to rebuild my USB drive, so the secondary storage came in handy.
 
I mostly use apps and programs mentioned here. Though I just wanna add INTERNET DOWNLOAD MANAGER as one of the most essential app in my PC. since I download a lot of files. I wanna make sure that I maximize the full download speed of my internet connection as well as the download is resumable.
 
I almost forgot one the best tool for Windows: Double Commander.
It's a free alternative to Total Commander & Directory Opus. It's packed with a lot of handy tool, like a multi-rename tool, ftp, advanced search, favourite folders, filters and so on.
Another good one is Multi Commander, but I find Double Commander easier to configure.
 
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Not a bad list, however I lost respect when you mentioned Malwarebytes.

That program causes more problems than it's worth, and honestly has more false positive detections which end up rendering programs unusable than any other vendor on the market. Of course, you get what you pay for in the security industry, and Malwarebytes has long been a running joke to most...
 
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verysame said:
I almost forgot one the best tool for Windows: Double Commander.
It's a free alternative to Total Commander
Click to expand...
Total Commander has been my choice of file manager for 20 years. After hearing about Double Commander, I checked it out. At first there is differences. But after a few changes in the options, I can make Double Commander look and operate exactly as I have Total Commander configured. I'd even be willing to bet Double Commander is more configurable than Total Commander.

One of the nice things I like about Double Commander vs Total Commander. Total Commander is not cross-platform, where as Double Commander is cross-platform. If I was to migrate to Linux, I'd have no choice but to switch to Double Commander.
 
EVLSMRF said:
You should not be running Malwarebytes along with another AC provider based on conflicts of the filter drivers being used.
Click to expand...

I don't run them at the same time, I was just mentioning that they were both programs that I prefer. I do appreciate the tip though, thank you:)
 
I would start by not using Windoze ;-) and install one of the Linux based OSs, but if you must (no you shouldn't)...

* Messaging: Signal desktop, the companion to the mobile app. Encrypted and, unlike Skype where micro$ost can read your messages, it is safe.

* Browser: use Chromium, without the groogle tracking. I hope the mention of Opera was just a joke, with it's bullshit proxy "VPN" and possible Chinese state sponsored tracking

* Security: most of these application introduce further vulnerabilities to the already bad Windoze OS security. Check out Steve Gibson's podcast Security Now for further info
 
verysame said:
I almost forgot one the best tool for Windows: Double Commander.
It's a free alternative to Total Commander & Directory Opus. It's packed with a lot of handy tool, like a multi-rename tool, ftp, advanced search, favourite folders, filters and so on.
Another good one is Multi Commander, but I find Double Commander easier to configure.
Click to expand...

I've tried just about every file manager on the market and I can say that directory opus is worth it's purchase price. It is by leaps and bounds the most customizable. The interface is completely changeable (you can even make it adaptive depending on the folder you are in), you can create create scripts using multiple different programing languages, it has the best meta data management of any file manager (File attributes can be set and sorted by, files can be tagged, and files can be marked with different status icons).
 
For mp3 and other media formats tagging - Mp3Tag, it took me a few years to find this program, once I found it I began fixing my music library.

Breezy - I believe mac has a program like this, you need this program, trust me, it's a must have. I can't explain it, but look it up if you're using Windows

MPC - I tried using VLC, but last time I tried there was no shutdown,lock, exit after playback, or always on top when etc options, this alone is to difficult to give up. This is another program I found that just worked in my early pc days that worked for everything.

Qttabbar - there's two versions of this, added tabs to explorer windows and other options

Classic Shell - explorer enhancements

Launchy - I heard of wox, but in too happy with launchy to switch

SyncThing

Fences - this is a must especially the folder portals

ShareX - started using this a few days ago and it's perfect

GameSaveManager - must have to back up and restorations of your saves

7zip

I'm still looking for an email client, the windows 10 mail app, doesn't sync all the time

Mischief - infinite canvas, pro version is worth it

Paint.net I've been using thing since I first got into computers and I still use it occasionally, even with Photoshop installed.

Pushbullet , LastPass with chrome

Picasa - I like the way photo viewer works, if Google added this to their sync app I'd use it.

F.lux - what a relief and they just released a big update where you can have it turn off when your using specific programs.

I'm still looking for a better email app, that's isn't insanely priced
 
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DesktopOK- it restores desktop icons to their last manually saved positions. My rig always rearranges my icons after starting in safe mode.

Foxit Reader
Vivaldi browser
HWInfo
Realtemp (cpu monitor)
RTSS
7Zip
SuperAntiSpyware
Avast
CPUZ & GPUZ
 
For coding, I use Visual Studio Community Edition. I've been able to test against the Enterprise edition (I'm a CS student) and I haven't noticed many differences to my needs. The Community Edition has fit the bill and is free for most people.
 
BSim500 said:
"Also, there's stuff we used to install but we normally don't anymore: zipping utilities"
Click to expand...
Like many others above, I'd also add 7-zip as "essential". Just because Windows can open zip files doesn't make it the best for creating them.

Kraemepoo said:
No mention of Mp3s. What do you all use? I'm still using an old version of Winamp, still my favorite mp3 player 20 years later.
Click to expand...
I'm also still using exactly the same Winamp. For local media playback, I never did see any reason to 'replace' it with anything 10x the size...
Click to expand...

How about Aimp as a music player? The interface stays close to Winamp and works well. Also a rename and convert tool are built in.
 
Tgard said:
I noticed you mentioned zipping utilities as one thing you used to install but no longer do. I find 7zip and it's right-click context menu function to be indispensable. It works especially nice to make things like huge text files or word docs that I need to save for a long time smaller on my cloud storage. Zip it and store it forever with it not taking up too much room. I have also used 7zip for making install files smaller since I use the non-pay version of cloud storage and use it to transfer programs to install instead of finding it online, signing up again and re-downloading to each individual machine I service. Just works must quicker when anything is nice and zipped up for me.

I also don't care for Windows built-in handling of PDF files always and have some utilities for dealing more proficiently with them. It works basically in a pinch but I prefer other methods as well as Sumatra PDF for reading PDF files much faster than anything built in to Windows. I guess that doesn't make them indispensable but just convenient.
Click to expand...

Windows can't also unzip 7z files.
 
My 2 cents worth--

7-zip
Real time AV
(I use Avast Premier) Had issues with it but got them corrected free by contacting Avast.
Malwarebytes Premium
(Works good for me with no conflicts with Avast)
CCleaner
Classic Shell
Irfan View
Macrium Reflect
(I have a lifetime license)
Postimage
(For screenshots to post in forums)
Revo Uninstaller
Speccy
WinPatrol
Several different browsers
DriverMax
(Check Device Manager against what it suggests. Install updates for mouse & keyboard one at a time.)
Make a full system backup before making any changes to your system.
You will thank yourself later ! :D

EDIT--- If you like fooling around with icons get Microangelo Toolset & On Display.
(Not free but useful)

EDIT #2--- Just heard Classic Shell will be no longer updated by the creator for Windows 10.
I hope the Open Source community it has been turned over to can keep it working for future updates of Windows 10. :)
 
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Can someone recommend a picture viewer for Mac? I am not a Mac user, but I am trying to help a friend....

Its weird (for me at least) that the native picture viewer in Mac opens each photo in its own window!
 
By popular demand, we've added Media Player Classic Home Cinema (MPC-HC) to the article recommendations. Also a big miss (password managers) with a few links and recommendations.

It's clear some of you still consider WinAMP and other programs like Foxit Reader a must-have. Realizing this, we added a "Not Needed Anymore?" section, with links to those programs, but for most, they're not needed right away after clean installing.

techseven said:
Its weird (for me at least) that the native picture viewer in Mac opens each photo in its own window!
Click to expand...
There are things in macOS that will annoy and won't make sense to most Windows users (been there) but it's mostly about getting used to and discovering them. After an adjustment period you'll realize both have its pros and cons. To the point, to preview a file on a Mac you just hit spacebar.

As a side note, hitting Enter will not open, but rename a file. To open you must hit Cmd + O.
 
I would say for MS Office replacement: WPS Suite Free former Kingsoft Office Suite Free.
I would say for MS Paint replacement: Paint Net Free always been free.
I would say for Chrome browser replacement would go too: SRWare Iron 64-bit
I would say for Mozilla browser replacement would go too: Palemoon 64-bit
I would say for Evernote replacement would be: Simplenote free
I would say for free cleaner for Windows 10 would be Wise Disk Cleaner Free
I would say for a free spyware program SuperAnti-Spyware Free Edition
Windows 10 firewall still needs help for a free addition I would suggest Windows 7 Firewall Control Free.
Note: Firewall Control supports 32/64-bit versions. Does a great job doesn't hose the system at all.
 
First things First Don't forget O&O Shut up 10
I also use PeaZip, Opera, Power ISO, LibreOffice, MPC-HC
 
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