The 32 Totally Essential (and Free) Apps for Every New PC
The 32 Totally Essential (and Free) Apps for Every New PC
Posted 02/19/2009 at 10:00am
| by The Maximum PC Staff
706
Comments
Print
You have to admit, Windows is a pretty barebones operating system, feature-wise. After a fresh install of XP or Vista (perhaps following a Clean Start), you're faced with a barren Start Menu and an empty desktop that's beaming with limitless potential. The problem is that it's up to you to hunt and download those applications that you really need in your day-to-day computing experience. And chances are, it's often difficult to find good software that's also free. That's where this guide comes in.
We've put together a list of what we think are the most essential PC apps for every Maximum PC reader. These are all free programs (except one) that should be immediately installed after a fresh build or reformat; 32 indispensable programs and utilities that we couldn't imagine computing without. From the best IM client to FTP browser and Notepad replacement, these essentials truly enhance the Windows experience (much more so than Microsoft's own Windows LIVE Essentials). We're not saying you'd use all 32 entries in our list on a daily basis, but if you are at all serious about utilizing your PC, we promise our picks will not go unused.
And at the end of the feature, we'll even show you how to install these apps in one fell swoop with a special configuration file we've created. Because if it were up to us, this is software that should be bundled with every copy of Windows.
WinDirStat
Have you ever sorted a folder by file size, hoping to track down a hard disk hog, only to be frustrated by the fact that Windows doesn’t let you see the size of nested folders’ contents? So have we, and that’s why we make sure that we’ve always got WinDirStat close at hand.
WinDirStat, short for Windows Directory Statistics, is an application which analyzes the composition of your hard drive, allowing you to identify which files are eating up your disk space. It presents this information in a size-ordered directory view, or as a colorful treemap, making it a snap to see exactly what is using up your hard drive space. Once you’ve figured out which files are taking up more than their fair share of your drive, you can get rid of them with WinDirStat’s built-in cleanup operations.
AnyDVD
For hassle free rips of DVD, Blu-ray, and even HD-DVD content, there's no simpler app to use than AnyDVD. Unlike more traditional DVD ripping tools, AnyDVD decrypts, unlocks the region code, and even removes annoying ads and that pesky FBI warning on the fly. It's not free, but it's well worth the cost for anyone who wants to exercise his fair use rights on Blu-ray or DVD discs. Your money is well spent, typically the brain trust at Slysoft manage to disable new copy protection tricks just a few short days after they go public, which is more than worth a few bucks a year. (standard version is 50EUR for 2 years, HD edition is 79EUR for 2 years)
Foxit PDF Reader
There are few things that can ruin your internet browsing groove like the painfully long wait you have to endure when opening an Adobe PDF file. Acrobat reader, as a program and browser plugin, is notoriously cumbersome and drains not only your time but gobs of memory as well. That's why we use Foxit Reader, a free lightweight application that weights in only at 3MB. The program launches with the speediness of a roadrunner, and gives you access to welcome features like text extraction and comment annotation. Just be careful when you install Foxit to uncheck the Ask.com toolbar and eBay icon options. A professional version of Foxit ($40), gives you advanced editing tools, but we're more than happy with the free offering.
VMWare Server
Virtualization isn't just one of the hot buzzwords in tech, it's a practical way to test software, patches, and operative systems. VMware is our pick for a robust and easy-to-use virtualization option, and VMWare Server is the company's free product. It runs on top of a host Windows or Linux machine to deploy multiple virtual machines by provisioning your hardware resources. The only big limitation of VMWare Server is that it doesn't currently support 3D acceleration, not is it officially compatible with Vista 64-bit. Still, it's relatively the easiest way to create and run virtual machines, even those created by Microsoft Virtual PC.
Steam
Remember when Steam first launched with Half-Life 2, and trolls all over the internet complained about the service's mandatory online connection? What fools, we were. Today, we can't imagine gaming on our PCs without Steam. Valve's app isn't just an ultra-convenient online store, it's our preferred method of staying connected to fellow online gamers. Gabe Newell recently remarked that Steam is more than just about combating illegally downloaded content, the program is Valve's way of catching up to the convenience and instant-access appeal of piracy. We think it's doing a fine job.
Dropbox
Get this: a Windows app that "just works." Yes, we're being serious. Dropbox came out of nowhere last year to stun us with its amazingly intuitive approach to online storage. The program creates a user folder that acts just like a folder on your hard drive. You can drag, drop, copy, and even save up to 2GB worth of files to the cloud ($100/year for 50GB), while the service works its magic and syncs up your documents in the background. The online interface lets you track your file transfer history and download any file remotely, as well as restore any files that may have been accidentally deleted. You can even create shared or public folders to pass files along to your friends and family. And you don't even have ot bear any online ads. Of course we're smitten.
More like this
kamiri
February 03, 2012 at 10:01am
The blog was absolutely fantastic! Lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need!
Desert Mountain Homes
yanyan
February 03, 2012 at 7:47am
good nice one,this is definitely need to my book thanks for posting this blog here and i will share this in other way keep it up..trustee sale delay
termopanepret
February 02, 2012 at 12:23am
Daily use Steam to play online games, especially Counter Strike. I do not know what I would do if there were no steam ...
termopane
CristopherJohn
February 01, 2012 at 5:17pm
Post is rocking and knowledgeable… I actually appreciate like you would write. bøger http://www.bookboon.com/dk
moonaseo
February 01, 2012 at 11:02am
I think there are lots of good comments on here, I want to bring up the point brought up before about using Tags, how do you generally use these for your self and on your websites? Im not just asking the author but asking people who are commenting. Thanks. Web Directory List
jimmy83
February 01, 2012 at 2:39am
They may participate directly in collaborative artifact production and promotion (such as can be found within the machinima community, for example). Just as importantly, a person can devote much of their energies to regularly visiting a site central
silver snowflake earrings |snowflake bracelet | Snowflake Earrings
lorina21
January 31, 2012 at 9:12pm
I have been checking out a few of your articles and i must say pretty clever stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your site.
san diego bankruptcy lawyers
yanyan
January 31, 2012 at 10:19am
I really appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again!..l tod schlosser
blakeray
January 30, 2012 at 11:54pm
Pflanzen anpflanzen und kultivieren. http://www.anpflanzen.info/
alexmick323
January 29, 2012 at 12:36pm
Do you guys have a page on facebook or something like that? I tried to find it but couldn't find any, I would really like to become a fan! I like most of your topics.
Glasgow Guest House
Edinburgh accommodation
Glasgow Guest House
asim
January 28, 2012 at 3:29pm
This is a very good post. It is hard to understand how they managed to pull off something like that. Keep up the good work.ipad textbooks
SuperBowl
January 27, 2012 at 2:51pm
Wade Phillips, get this damn team willing to play every watch superbowl online, or get free from Dallas. The word across the NFL was your specialty was Defense, show me some please! How the heck are we to get over the NY Football Giants, when whatever you really can expect is often a split with them anyway...In reality we had no business beating the Philadelphia Eagles and most true fans know this. The Cincinnati Bengals almost beat us and in all likelihood could have, had they had a real head coach of their own. The Washington Redskins did, and so did the Arizona Cardinals.
juliedavid3214
January 27, 2012 at 6:37am
This is a very informative article.I was looking for these things and here I found it. Like the site Suchmaschinenoptimierung I am doing a project and this information is very useful me. I always try to find information and hopefully I found more about what I am looking for.
Thanks
cutiemae
January 26, 2012 at 11:04pm
I recently came across your article and have been reading along. I want to express my admiration of your writing skill and ability to make readers read from the beginning to the end. I would like to read newer posts and to share my thoughts with you
tax settlement
Herzberg
January 26, 2012 at 10:33pm
The queries you told about after installing new operating e.g Xp or WIndow 7 is exactly user face these type of hurdle. The solution told by Apps is very handy for solve it.
Join Scentsy
alexmick323
January 26, 2012 at 1:36am
I think you're underestimating the music (and indeed any big media) industry's resistance to change. Just look at the removal of content Hulu, the RIAA's desire to up income from GarageBand and so on.
Rhythm clocks
Small world rhythm clocks
rhythm small world clocks
michioryo
January 26, 2012 at 1:08am
I really love this post I will visit again to read your post in a very short time and I hope you will make more posts like this.
aquacel
Directory
January 24, 2012 at 8:58am
I really appreciate your professional approach. I would like to thank you for the efforts you made in writing this post.
Kettles Reviews
asim
January 24, 2012 at 11:33pm
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.free textbooks
Directory
January 24, 2012 at 8:57am
Awesome blog. I enjoyed reading your articles. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work!
iPhone 5
mattmakransky
January 30, 2012 at 9:34am
AnyDVD is great, I always install it on my computers.
[http://www.motormania.co.uk|Car Care]
cutiemae
January 23, 2012 at 5:21pm
I like this topic.This site has lots of advantage. I found many interesting things from this site. It helps me many away..So i want some information for sharing this side with some of my friend. Thanks
stop foreclosure
yanyan
January 23, 2012 at 1:33pm
I appreciate, result in I discovered just what I was having a look for. You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day....
l tod schlosser
sl786982
January 23, 2012 at 10:24am
Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hoping for some more informative posts. Thank you for sharing great information to us.
fernseher mit internet
pams
January 23, 2012 at 3:34am
I am sure that I will use some in the near future. I will check all of them and I will be back with a review. http://www.lucie-hauri.com
graniteworktops
January 20, 2012 at 8:14pm
Great blog! It's very useful idea I ever read! Thanks! Quartz Worktops
http://www.fabulousgranite.co.uk
yanyan
January 20, 2012 at 9:25am
i am feeling lucky, as its the perfect one for what i am looking for. I will share this link on face book...mesothelioma lawyers
avivmanor8
January 27, 2012 at 3:36am
מגנטים לאירועים
מגנטים לאירועים
השלמת בגרויות
אתר תדמיתי
בניית אתר תדמיתי
בניית אתרי תדמית
בניית אתר
sophie78
January 20, 2012 at 4:46am
I precisely wanted to thank you so much yet again. I am not sure the things I would've worked on without the actual pointers shown by you regarding such field. It was a traumatic matter in my view, nevertheless understanding your specialised technique you processed it made me to jump over delight. I'm just thankful for the work and in addition wish you find out what an amazing job that you're carrying out teaching the others using your site. More than likely you've never come across any of us.
http://www.serrurier-nanterre.eu/serrurier-clichy-sous-bois.php
jimmy83
January 19, 2012 at 3:06am
I know so a great deal a lot more about this than I did previous to. Your blog seriously brought some items to light which i never would have believed about ahead of reading through it
pos system | pos systems
susan89f
January 18, 2012 at 11:26pm
The basic need and the basic application for a brand new computer for me is an antivirus. The rest is Realplayer, vlc player, flash plugin, games and gaming stuff. These are the basic things for me in a computer. The things that you mentioned are also required for other purpose, such as DVD maker is a must these days.
[url=http://www.gameseverytime.com/angrybirdsonline/]Angry Birds Online[/url]
blakeray
January 18, 2012 at 11:05pm
Success is not impossible in Network Marketing. All making money takes is Leads, advice, tips and hard work! http://www.networkmarketingelite.com/
blakeray
January 18, 2012 at 9:06am
Online Data Backup, remote backup and online server backup services. online backup services
michelle1
January 18, 2012 at 2:36am
It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I've read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!Custom Iron Gates team
jazzz12345
January 18, 2012 at 2:28am
I have already bookmarked it.It was really a good read. I also think quality is vitally important ! But saying that, your articles are always a fab read., Keep up the good work.
Places to visit in new york
jazzz12345
January 18, 2012 at 2:13am
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population. Barcelona is Spain's second largest city, with a population of nearly two million people, and the capital and largest city of Catalonia. thanks for sharing the informative post.
Places to visit in new york
andalusy
January 18, 2012 at 1:33am
Good posting, im subscribing to your rss. Thanks for sharing a very informative article. Many thanks once more
cutiemae
January 17, 2012 at 11:18pm
Sincerely, your article goes to the nitty-gritty of the topic. Your pellucidity leaves me wanting to know more. I will instantly grab your feed to keep up to date with your website. Sounding Out thanks is simply my little way of saying bravo for a remarkable resource. Accept my warmest wishes for your incoming publication.
foreclosures
Directory
January 17, 2012 at 6:28am
It was a very good post indeed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it in my lunch time. Will surely come and visit this blog more often. Thanks for sharing.
mold removal
jazzz12345
January 17, 2012 at 5:56am
According to Dunn, the adoption of these semantic Web protocols will provide greater contextulization of news along with powerful tools for syndication and curation. lap band los angeles
jazzz12345
January 17, 2012 at 12:13am
Integer tincidunt. Cras dapibus. Vivamus elementum semper nisi. Aenean vulputate eleifend tellus. Aenean leo ligula, porttitor eu, consequat vitae, eleifend ac, enim. Stop smoking products
cutiemae
January 17, 2012 at 12:11am
I think there are lots of good comments on here, I want to bring up the point brought up before about using Tags, how do you generally use these for your self and on your websites? Im not just asking the author but asking people who are commenting. Thanks. foreclosure
jazzz12345
January 16, 2012 at 10:50pm
According to Dunn, the adoption of these semantic Web protocols will provide greater contextulization of news along with powerful tools for syndication and curation. letter folder
mikelewis12
January 16, 2012 at 10:46am
Hey, It is a pretty good post. This post contains useful information which helps us a lot. I visit your website often and share with my friends.sewage treatment plant
lazygirl
January 16, 2012 at 11:23am
Fantastic precise info and this is one of the most nice blogs Ive read in a very long time 70-680 70-620 exam 70-640 dumps 70-642 70-643 exam , photo retouching ulcer treatment how to hack facebook account
mikelewis12
January 16, 2012 at 10:24am
This blog contains a lot of informative data and news which i first time read from here. sewage treatment plant
mikelewis12
January 16, 2012 at 10:21am
Great apps, I personally use dropdox and I love it. Other apps you mention in your post I will definetly give them a try.
sewage treatment plant
Connect with MaximumPC
Featured Content
Where have all the memorable videogame enemies gone?
This month's issue
Feature
How to Set Up A New PC
Feature
The State of GPU Computing
How-To
Benchmark an Android Phone
Build It
Sandy Bridge-E
Most Commented Articles
Latest Max PC Tweets
- maximumpc: We referred to "motherboad" prices in an earlier tweet. Not to be confused with motherboard prices, which are ALSO going up.5 hours 27 min ago
- maximumpc: Oh hooray. Motherboad price hikes inbound. http://t.co/nacDWfjJ8 hours 1 min ago
- maximumpc: AMD's New Direction For 2012: Heterogenous Computing, Trinity, and Hondo http://t.co/2KzhCT1N1 day 19 min ago
