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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Best of the Rest
Not satisfied with 32 apps? Here are 10 more programs that didn't make our "essentials" list, but are well worth your attention.
Synergy
A KVM switch (short for Keyboard, Video, Mouse) is a device that lets you control multiple computer with a single set of peripherals. And really, for the nerd elite, there’s no better way to show off than to use not just two monitors, but two whole computers at once. But KVM switches are sort of clunky, because not only do they add more clutter and cables to your setup, they require hitting some sort of switch to move between computers.
That’s where Synergy comes in. It’s a software KVM switch, allowing you to connect two or more computers over a network, and control them with a single keyboard and mouse, even if they’re running different operating systems. If you’ve got two computers running side by side (a big “if” that kept Synergy off our Essentials list), this app is an absolute must-have.
RipBot264
Ripping Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs used to be a perplexing affair, requiring multiple applications and hours upon hours of ripping, demuxing, transcoding, and remuxing before finally, often as not, you ended up with a file that was broken somehow. RipBot264 has made the high-def ripping game much, much easier. Install the application, as well as the three helper apps it requires, and you'll be up and ripping your Blu-ray collection in no time flat. While it's not as easy to use as Handbrake, we've found you typically get better results because the app uses a more recent version of the X264 codec than Handbrake does. While it's definitely not perfect (RipBot264 lacks an easy way to convert on-disc subtitles to a format that works with ripped video), but it's the easiest Blu-ray ripping app we've tested.
Google Earth
It kills us to have to put Google Earth on the “best of the rest” list, really it does. Sure, it’s not really essential—you can get all your mapping needs met at its web-based cousin maps.google.com, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of our very favorite apps. Does Google maps let you explore New York in glorious 3D? Does it let you check out what it’s like at the bottom of the Mariana Trench? Does it have maps of Mars?
We didn’t think so.
PuTTY
What is PuTTY? Like so much in life, if you have to ask, you probably don’t need it. Still, we’ll fill you in: Putty is a multi-protocol client application which is our longtime favorite choice for all our SSH needs. To many PC power-users an SSH client is absolutely vital to their everyday operations, and PuTTY’s the most popular windows client for a reason.
Still, these days most people’s “SSH needs” are pretty nonexistent, so we’ve got to let PuTTY wallow here with the best of the rest.
VLC Player
Playing media files on your computer can be tricky business. There’s a huge number of codecs and containers, which can have any number of weird interactions, making a mess of the business of playing your HD media files. Fortunately, there’s VLC, an application which will play basically any file, and doesn’t rely on any external codecs. It’s a welcome breath of fresh air in a morass of formats and players.
So why isn’t it on the list? Even though it can be a little tough, once you do manage to get your codecs set up, we think that Media Player Classic provides a better experience and better reliability than VLC.
Thunderbird
We absolutely abhor the sluggishness of Microsoft Outlook. That's why we prefer web-based email clients, like Gmail. But when we want to manage multiple email accounts, including POP and Exchange, we turn to Thunderbird. Mozilla's mail program gives us all the basic functions we want out of email, like fast searching and phishing protection. Like Firefox, Thunderbird can also be enhanced with an array of plug-ins, all including Mozilla's Lightning, which adds calendar and appointment management to the client.
Boxee
Here's one application, that just one week ago, would've made our Essentials list. Boxee (still in Alpha, with Windows version coming soon) is a slick internet video streaming frontend that taps into network feeds like CBS, ABC, and Comedy Central. It's great for watching video podcasts and youtube clips without bringing up a browser window, and features nifty social networking features so you can see what friends have been watching. Unfortunately, Boxee has just discontinued support for Hulu, their largest and most popular content provider. Until Hulu support comes back, we can't deem Boxee a must-have.
Virutaldub
Need to capture or process raw video from your digital camcorder? Virtualdub is the go-to application for converting AVI files into a large number of encoded formats and container packages. You won't be able to mix or significantly edit video files like you can with Adobe Premiere or even Windows Movie Maker, but for quick capture and encoding of your family vacation, look no further than Virtualdub.
TinySpell
Firefox already offers built-in spellcheck for text windows and forms, but what about every other Windows app? TinySpell is a free spell checker that monitors your text input in any program (including any words copied to the clipboard), and gives you replacement suggestions from its database of 110,000 words. The free version, unfortunately, doesn't give you a visual indicator of your typos (like a red underline). Instead, your mistakes are pointed out with an audio cue, which we eventually found to be a bit too annoying to keep on all the time. Maybe it's training us to be better spellers.
Recuva
Sometimes you just need someone to tell you everything will be okay, and that's what Recuva attempts to do. From start to finish, Recuva holds your hand through the process of getting your data back with a user-friendly Wizard. The first prompt asks what type of files you're looking for (pictures, music, documents, video, or all files), followed by where you want Recuva to look. If you don't know, select 'I'm not sure' and Recuva will rummage through your entire computer. Alternately, you can limit searches to the Recycle Bin, My Documents, a media card, or any other specific location you specify. Considering Piriform packs a powerful scanner wrapped up in a user friendly interface with a few useful advanced features sprinkled in, we have no trouble recommending Recuva as our favorite free file recovery app.
sweet list. However,
Submitted by tony487 on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:51am
sweet list. However, openoffice.org How is it with everyone? I mean, I would like to make the switch (I hate Office 2007) but am a bit apprehensive.
Thanks
WHAT????????????
Submitted by ready4war on Sun, 09/20/2009 - 3:05pm
WHAT???????????? CPU-Z?????????????????
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
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 Sata 7200 Hitachi ans 160GB IDE Caviar
600W Mach 1
X-Fi Professional Fatal1ty Ed
Gemnii
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 :.
lol
Submitted by jihnn on Fri, 02/20/2009 - 4:52pm
does anyone know a better way of tagging these articals for quick reference other than making a comment
there is something in here that i do not want to lose just don't have the time right now
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 mirc on Mon, 11/09/2009 - 9:48am
Thank you by admin
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
Submitted by DoctorX on Thu, 02/19/2009 - 1:58pm
What is with this VMWare server? that is such a fucking cluge. You have to use a browser to access your vms... A much better and faster VM is VirutualBox. With the latest, it supports opengl and directx. Also it is free. Did i mention that it is the fastest vm and completely crossplatform.
Come on maxpc, you are slipping.
Submitted by pellier on Thu, 02/19/2009 - 1:28pm
Boxee should still be a must have because it's not their fault or even Hulu's fault that the can't have it in boxee. Its great for watching everything else.
Submitted by rpcblast on Thu, 02/19/2009 - 12:38pm
doesnt truecrypt require a driver?
Submitted by nekollx on Thu, 02/19/2009 - 9:20am
no Driver Max? CCleaner? Defraggler?
Wow...
Submitted by ShroudedWolf51 on Fri, 09/25/2009 - 3:57am
Have to agree with you on CCleaner, but IMO JKDefrag/MyDefrag is better than Defraggler
Submitted by JDorfler on Thu, 02/19/2009 - 8:14am
http://www.opensourcewindows.org/
Sager NP5797 (Clevo)
nVidia GeForce 9800 GTX/Intel QX9300/4GB DDR3 1066
Vista/Ubuntu/Fedora OSes
Why IsoBurn? ImgBurn is much
Submitted by MAXPCreader07 on Thu, 02/19/2009 - 7:09am
Why IsoBurn? ImgBurn is much better and can do more.
Also have you looked at SMPlayer, its has builtin codecs like VLC but its nicer.
Also Im skeptical that Maximum PC readers would need Secunia PSI.
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