The 32 Totally Essential (and Free) Apps for Every New PC
Posted 02/19/09 at 12:00:00 PM by The Maximum PC Staff
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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.
Abercrombie
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Submitted by Rico_V on Sun, 05/17/2009 - 4:05am
Great list
Submitted by D3lt4 on Wed, 04/22/2009 - 4:09am
I wish there was a good pdf reader for ebooks....
Submitted by hadi2f on Tue, 04/21/2009 - 11:09pm
I just love that thing, it really should be on this list. Specially with the new features of the last version, simply awesome! http://iTinypad.com
Submitted by h2702 on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 3:17am
TinyPad has done it again! Loads of new features were added to it to make it simply the best and most useful notes-taking application!
The new version is now at http://iTinyPad.com
A must-have for all!
foobar2000 = lousy
Submitted by maxime29 on Wed, 03/04/2009 - 3:57pm
Used foobar2000 before, but I didn't like it. The layout of the media library is nice, but the functionality isn't good. I should be able to double click on an album and the program plays that album, not click it to add to a playlist. Importing m4a's is a mess. Metadata doesn't load properly. And at least with winamp I can dock the player at the top and it autohides.
Submitted by kingspatula on Mon, 03/02/2009 - 1:55pm
Another good app that is essential and very useful to meis PrimoPDF. A free easy way to make any file a pdf. No need for Adobe for ftw! Wrd on Foxit Reader just love it! Wish Mozilla would integrate PDFs already, hopefully in 3.1 *fingers crossed*
Submitted by Wingzero_x on Sun, 03/01/2009 - 10:03pm
Personallyas a long time Photoshop user I find GIMP a bit clunky. A better alternative (at least for the Windows users.) are Paint.net, and Artweaver.
Submitted by 140907 on Sun, 03/01/2009 - 3:46am
Why doesn't Maximum PC test Dr.Web antivirus? They say it is very good. http://www.drweb.com/?lng=en
And CureIt scanner is free! http://www.freedrweb.com/?lng=en
Here's a Few of Mine
Submitted by Stry8993 on Sat, 02/28/2009 - 8:14am
Spywareblaster (passive browser protection, just a nice layer of security)
Auslogics Disk Defrag (Fast fast fast!!!)
RivaTuner is also a nice free app for GPU OC'ing
Thats all I can think of off the top of my head.
I do like when everyone gets together and starts brainstorming and collaborating to make the list more effecient. Thanks for the heads up on KatMouse, been looking for something like that for a LONG while.
Submitted by h2702 on Fri, 02/27/2009 - 5:11am
I second for Tiny Pad!
Really cool app, and very light!
I downloaded it from their website, they supported me all the way, really awesome guys.
They even answer your opinions, excellent support.My thoughts: "EVERYBODY MUST HAVE IT!" http://tinypad.info
Submitted by raze1 on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 2:29pm
Great article! I'll just add a few other freebies that I find useful, but are not necessarily MUST HAVE
For your grandparents new desktop/laptop from BM store:
Pretty thorough and useful:
http://www.revouninstaller.com
No mention of any newsreaders was surprising. So of course, Grabit gets my vote.
Again i must throw my
Submitted by nekollx on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 1:51pm
Again i must throw my support behind Cobian for backup. Of the (admidily few) backup software's i've tried it is the only one that can back up a networked drive TO A SEPERATE network drive. Which was perfect for backing up our file server when its only NAS box crapped out. And I'm doing it remotly from a 3rd computer!
Submitted by JLD9 on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 1:46pm
You might want to let people know that they only have 32bit versions of this software out now. Through research I have found that they are currently working on a 64bit version, no word on a release date though. Just a heads up.
Submitted by surfacewound on Wed, 02/25/2009 - 5:21am
I'm cross-posting this from the podcast comments since it seems relevant in both locations.
Anyway, you guys forgot one of the best freeware apps ever, Katmouse. http://ehiti.de/katmouse/
With it you can scroll whichever window the mouse curser is on
without having to first give it keyboard focus. Why this isn't an
option in Windows I have no idea (OS X works this way by default), it's
really stupid to have to click on the window just to be able to scroll
in it.I also prefer tugzip to 7-zip, and don't see how Irfanview didn't make it on there.
Submitted by Travis Penner on Mon, 02/23/2009 - 12:44pm
You mentioned VLC, which was one of my favorite players until I discovered GOMplayer. I think it knocks VLC out of the park in terms of features and ease of use. It also plays pretty much EVERYTHING under the sun without having to dig up a codec for it. I haven't run across anything that it WONT play.
Gom can be found here;
Travis
KETARIN, My new favorite app that is
Submitted by StarWolf on Sat, 02/21/2009 - 10:38pm
Ketarin, my new favorite app that is some what new, and I have discovered thanks to some other websites is called Ketarin!
It is like Installpad, but will only download setup packages that you specify. Alot easier to use and less hassle to maintain than InstallPad, but InstallPad will be quite useful for dealing with my new computer or clients computers
It allows you to update and change names of the downloaded setup files.
The link is available here:
http://ketarin.canneverbe.com/
----
Also... Objectdock and
Submitted by cfmwarren on Sat, 02/21/2009 - 9:11pm
Also... Objectdock and really, all stardock software is a MUST.
www.stardock.com
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Submitted by Necratis on Sat, 02/21/2009 - 4:12pm
I am a LONG time advocate of VLC, mainly because i used either Windows XP 32 bit or Vista 32bit, but after recently jumping into the 64 bit Vista world, I wasnt able to find a version of VLC that works on 64 bit. Kantaris video player is based off the VLC code, but much better IMHO. You can install it on 32 or 64 bit, and it has all the same features as VLC, as well as VLCs famous ability to play everything. Its not as dumbed down as the VLC basic skin, but you will get used to it right away. You can get it here http://www.kantaris.org/
"When life gives you limes, make margaritas" - Jimmy Buffett
I've recently switched from
Submitted by n0ctis on Fri, 02/20/2009 - 8:09pm
I've recently switched from Foxit Reader to Sumatra PDF.
Submitted by okron1k on Wed, 02/25/2009 - 10:53am
i've also been using sumatra over foxit
Submitted by n0ctis on Wed, 08/26/2009 - 7:44pm
I switched back over usability issues.
________________________________________________________________
.: vires et honos :.
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does anyone know a better way of tagging these articals for quick reference other than making a comment
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Submitted by Shalbatana on Fri, 02/20/2009 - 12:47pm
did Windirstat incorporate sqeuoia view's display option? The lower window looks identical.
_______________________________
"There's no time like the future."
Submitted by bigsarge72 on Fri, 02/20/2009 - 10:37am
removed text, duplicate post
Submitted by bigsarge72 on Fri, 02/20/2009 - 10:35am
I like Digsby, I've been using it for a while. I haven't used TinyPad before, but I used editpad lite, which appears to be very similar.
Submitted by hadi2f on Sat, 02/21/2009 - 12:52am
unlike editpad lite, TinyPad is not a text editor: it allows you to manage your "pads" as they call it. You can archive/restore pads etc... plus, you don't need to worry about pressing the save button since everything is getting saved as you go. I really find the highlight feature useful in it too, and it has a firefox-like text search
No JkDeFrag..really?
Submitted by Burning_Sensation on Fri, 02/20/2009 - 9:16am
Can't believe JkDeFrag isn't here too. It runs circles around the native util and with large HDD sizes these days keeping things optimized for speed is key.
OK list, but prefer ImgBurn like many others here, even if it is bigger than 50k...
“A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history—with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila.” - Mitch Ratcliffe
Submitted by ultimatedelman on Fri, 02/20/2009 - 8:46am
I would say by far and away that AutoHotKey is the most useful piece of free software I have installed on my comp. It saves me an average of 2-3 hours a day in repetitive typing as well as prevents the occasional typo. It also makes logging in to sites a breeze. Ok, I would also put DropBox in the same category as AutoHotKey. Without DropBox, our current business model would fail.
Submitted by hadi2f on Fri, 02/20/2009 - 5:02am
wow wow wow you guys forgot about Tiny Pad
This thing becomes indispensable once you start using it! http://tinypad.info
I love this thing
Submitted by hadi2f on Fri, 02/20/2009 - 4:56am
wow wow wow you guys forgot about Tiny Pad!
This thing becomes indispensable once you start using it! http://tinypad.info/
I love this thing
Digsby
Submitted by kfarnung on Thu, 02/19/2009 - 5:35pm
I've been using Digsby forever and I absolutely love it. It's not without a bug here and there, but they are very quick to fix any problems that arise. I am very interested in getting Linux/Mac support as well though, that is a downfall for people who work in multiple platforms.
Other than that, I can't live without the cloud sync of all my contacts and address grouping.
Submitted by linkmaster6 on Thu, 02/19/2009 - 4:51pm
What about Imgburn? I use it for just about everything disc related and works great with anydvd, despite the warning.
Submitted by StarWolf on Sat, 02/21/2009 - 10:17pm
I love ImgBurn! So much easier than Nero, or other. And alot less hassle.
----
Submitted by kfarnung on Thu, 02/19/2009 - 5:32pm
I was thinking the exact same thing, I use ImgBurn for all my burning and ripping needs.
Submitted by jonahkirk on Thu, 02/19/2009 - 3:17pm
You forgot Belarc Advisor. Not only does it show you all the suff on your computer. All of your product and activation keys pop up too. A must before any clean reinstall.
Submitted by PB cracker on Thu, 02/19/2009 - 3:54pm
well that doesn't sound suspicious. I wonder if the program keeps this valuable information a secret.
Submitted by Shalbatana on Fri, 02/20/2009 - 12:45pm
It's a trusted product that's been around for years. One other useful feature is that it will tell you what security updates are missing from your XP install. Letting you dl them and update them manually (ie, no need for validation).
_______________________________
"There's no time like the future."
Submitted by cfmwarren on Thu, 02/19/2009 - 2:40pm
nHancer is also very useful if you are a gamer and have an SLI rig...
www.nhancer.com
"I was saving the galaxy when your grandpa was in diapers!"
Asus M2N-SLI mobo
Apevia X-Cruiser
AMD Athlon X2 5400+ OC'd 3 GHz
2 9600 GTs OC'd 700
4GB DDR2-800 OC'd 870
250GB Hitachi 7200RPM
160GB Western Digital Caviar
600W Mach 1 PSU
X-Fi Professional Fatal1ty Ed
Gemnii CPU Cooler
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