While I was setting up a new computer the other day, I thought about the apps I install during the process that I need and use everyday – the ones I can’t live without. That got me thinking about what types of apps you guys use on a regular basis and can’t live without on your Windows system.
Whether it’s a simple utility, favorite media player, browser addons, games, or expensive programs like Photoshop, everyone has favorite applications that they can’t live without.
Here’s a list of five programs that must be installed on all of my computers, in no particular order. Of course there are several more, but these are the first five that popped in my head right away.
Also, when you are about to install your favorite free and open source programs, use Ninite. It’s the fastest way to install multiple apps at once, and it installs them cleanly, i.e, no toolbars or extra crapware some programs try to sneak in.
If you want to install your programs separately for some reason, that’s fine, but remember to go directly to the developer’s site to download them. And please, avoid software download sites like CNET’s download.com. That one in particular is riddled with crapware to the Nth degree.
On a side note, I doubt any of you will pick iTunes, since we continually get feedback that it’s the worst software program ever. Especially the latest version, iTunes 12, I don’t think we have ever received such an enormous amount of negative comments about an iTunes version before.
But I digress, I don’t want to make this an iTunes bashing session.
So, what’s your list of must have Windows programs? Let us know in the comment section below!
22 Comments
Leave a Reply
Leave a Reply
yahooramji
Chrome, ms office, WinZip, fb, firefox
Brian Burgess
A few others I thought of are Revo Uninstaller Pro, Foxit Reader, Spotify and Skype if it’s an older version of Windows and not installed by default.
Alan
With me it has to be
LastPass
Firefox
WindowBlinds
Start8
DisplayFusion
MS Office
CCleaner
Easus ToDo BackUp
Your Uninstaller
Steam
and last but by no means least: BitDefender
Brian Burgess
Oh, that’s right! The Stardock apps Start8 and I ModernMix. We wrote up a couple articles on them.
https://www.groovypost.com/reviews/windows-8-start-menu-replacement-stardock-start8/
https://www.groovypost.com/howto/run-modern-windows-8-apps-on-desktop/
Of course another great program I use from Stardock is Fences:
https://www.stardock.com/products/fences/
Another good solution for the Start menu in Windows 8 is to use Classic Shell:
https://www.groovypost.com/howto/get-back-start-menu-windows-8-classic-shell/
I would also do Office (of course) Office 365 Personal is what I am currently using. But I also have the standard version of 2013 Professional
You guys just keep reminding me of the programs I always install, I am sure I’ll be reminded of several more as this discussion continues!
Brian Burgess
Oh, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention VirtualBox
Alan
I forgot Peazip as well. It would be interesting to read what you recomend for archive files Brian.
dysert
I’m sure I’ll forget some, but my must-haves include:
– Chrome
– KeePass
– Everything
– Office
– Agent Ransack
– AutoHotkey
– Dropbox
Steve
For me, in no particular order:
Google Chrome
Lastpass
Libre Office
VLC
ccleaner
7zip
Evernote
Dropbox
tadees
A few off the top of my head:
Format Factory (multimedia conversions)
Pea Zip (compression)
TeamViewer (remote access/control)
imgBurn (creating/burning .iso)
Daum Potplayer (similar to VLC, different look ‘n feel)
SketchUp (Google’s 3D creation tool)
MalwareBytes (security)
Speccy (full system details)
plex (home/remote multimedia server)
…and the Adobe CS6 suite. While not free like the rest of the list, it’s simply the best at what it does.
KONRAD POTH
Paperport 14 (indispensable but not well-supported!)
SecondCopy backup (best I have found)
IE
Malware Bytes
RoboForm
Gmail
Google
Photoshop
Fences
DIRECTORY OPUS
Kyle
SysInternals
MFCMapi
Itunes – for converting .WAV files to MP3 (recorded music)
OneDrive
NotePad++
BeyondCompare
SnagIt
TrueEncrypt
Spotify
SimpleDiagrams
Steve Krause
Hmm…. Here’s the apps I install on each box I build (I think…)
Ninite (of course)
Snagit (of course)
7Zip
1Password (Password Goodness)
Notepad++ (Code)
Dropbox
OneDrive (Moving over from Dropbox)
OneNote
Crashplan
VLC
iTunes (It works for me….)
Live Writer (However, I’m doing more and more in native WP)
Malware Bytes
TeamViewer (Tech support for the fam…)
imgBurn
Done?
Brian Burgess
If you take iTunes out of your list it would be better ;)
SHawn
Dropbox
Gimp
VLC
Chrome
Anne Edwards
Love all of those suggestions, however can someone recommend a safe data download measuring app please
tadees
Hope I’m not stepping on anyone’s Groovy toes – that’s certainly not my intent – but in reply to Anne’s request, I’ve been using gizmo/techsupportalert as a freeware source for many, many years. Their dl/ul monitor recommendations with full write-ups, explanations, and expectations can be found here: http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-download-upload-meter.htm
Hope that helps.
Anne Edwards
Thank you so much I had looked at one of those, and your reply helped. THANKYOU groovy post for updating regularly with great info. Anne
Anne Edwards
I also use malware bytes,avg,c cleaner defragmenter and spy bot, all great protection.
Ziggy
No order of preference: Firefox, Duckto, Microsoft Office, Portable Apps.com, Ccleaner, Picasa, Fotor, MalWareBytes, Agent Ransack, RegSeeker, AutoRuns, BandiZip, Q-Dir, Glary Utilities, ImgBurn, Pop Peeper and Thunderbird.
For the freebie lovers do check out PortableApps.com
Steve Krause
No order of preference? Now that’s no fun….
Dima
Adobe Photoshop Elements
CCleaner
DVD PixPlay
Image Resizer for Windows
IrfanView
Karen’s Replicator
Malwarebytes
Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft OneDrive
My Lockbox
Nero
Password Safe
Rainlendar 2
Revo Uninstaller
Shark007 Advanced Codecs
Stardock ModernMix
Windows Live Essentials
YTD Video Downloader
Forrest Hopkins
Gimp, 7zip, Blender, Notepad++, and of course Chrome