• Mozilla Firefox icon
  • uBlock Origin icon
  • EagleGet icon
  • qBittorrent icon
  • PeaZip icon
  • +7

Must-have Apps After New Windows installation [V1.0: Basic]

Malaz YIMalaz YI12 appsUpdated
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Here is a list of software needed by everyday users to get the most out of their experience on Windows. In this list I tried to include as much open-source and free apps as possible. The list targets people with humble expertise in this field, and just want to replace the default apps in Windows with more powerful ones, and add some more apps to get a better environment on their desktop, all with short one option for each specialty. You can see an extended, detailed and updated list here: https://alternativeto.net/list/10598/the-complete-suite-of-programs-needed-after-new-windows-install-v2-0-advanced

  1. Open-source browser with Gecko engine, supporting HTML add-ons and providing privacy features like Enhanced Tracking Protection and third-party cookie blocking.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Linux Mobile
    • Flathub
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Flatpak
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Gecko
    • F-Droid
    More protection from the start
    Firefox Desktop (Light Theme)
    Firefox Desktop (Dark Theme)
    +8
    Firefox iOS (Light Theme)
    Malaz YIMalaz YI’s note

    Since the first thing we do after installing Windows, is to connect to the internet and check for drivers and stuff, I prefer using Firefox over the default Edge browser for noticeably better browsing in every aspect, from speed to privacy. Firefox is just the best all-around browser so far.

  2. uBlock Origin (uBO) is a CPU and memory-efficient wide-spectrum content blocker. It blocks ads, trackers, coin miners, popups, annoying anti-blockers, malware sites, etc., by default using EasyList, EasyPrivacy, Peter Lowe's Blocklist, Online Malicious URL Blocklist, and uBO...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Thunderbird
    • Opera
    • Node.JS
    • Mozilla Firefox
    uBlock Origin screenshot 1
    uBlock Origin screenshot 1
    uBlock Origin screenshot 2
    +3
    uBlock Origin screenshot 3
    Malaz YIMalaz YI’s note

    And since we have lots of work to be done in the browser, we better off getting rid of annoying ads and popups; And uBlock Origin is up to the task.

    *Just remember to whitelist your favorite websites to support them.

  3. EagleGet icon
     Like

    EagleGet is a free all-in-one download manager; it can be integrated to Chrome, IE, Firefox, Opera, offering support for HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, MMS and RTSP protocol as well as popular online video websites.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Internet Explorer
    • Google Chrome
    • Firefox
    EagleGet screenshot 1
    EagleGet screenshot 1
    EagleGet screenshot 2
    +3
    EagleGet screenshot 3
    Malaz YIMalaz YI’s note

    It's not perfect, but an okay download manager which will integrate to most browsers without problems, it lets the user decide whether to allow ads to appear inside the app (actually not intrusive ads, which is a good thing) or use it ad-free but limits the bandwidth in return.

  4. Open-source, ad-free torrent client offering a polished user interface, integrated multi-site search, RSS support, remote web control, and cross-platform availability.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Cloudron
    qBittorrent screenshot 1
    qBittorrent screenshot 1
    qBittorrent screenshot 2
    +2
    qBittorrent screenshot 3
    Malaz YIMalaz YI’s note

    Speaking of downloads, we should have a dedicated client for the growing file format: Torrent. qBittorenet is literally all you need: safe, open-source, easy-to-use and fast with minimal design.

  5. PeaZip icon
     Like

    PeaZip is free file archiver utility, based on Open Source technologies of 7-Zip, p7zip, FreeArc, PAQ, and PEA projects, for Linux, macOS and Windows.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    PeaZip
    Archive creation
    Archive extraction
    +4
    PeaZip on macOS
    Malaz YIMalaz YI’s note

    Unzipping, compressing, or extracting archived files of various format is almost a daily action for any computer user. The free open-source PeaZip will do the trick just perfectly.

    ( 7-Zip icon 7-Zip might be better option for some people, but I opted for PeaZip for its GUI which makes it easier for inexperienced users)

  6. Cross-platform, free media player supports multimedia files, DVDs, streaming, offers hardware acceleration, 4K, lossless audio, and more.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Windows Mobile
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • AppImageHub
    • Apple Watch
    • Snapcraft
    • Google Chrome
    • Apple TV
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Kindle Fire
    • Haiku
    • Android TV
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Xbox
    • OpenAPK
    VLC Media Player screenshot 1
    VLC Media Player screenshot 1
    VLC Media Player screenshot 2
    +4
    VLC Media Player screenshot 3
    Malaz YIMalaz YI’s note

    Now we should replace some of the boring and slow Microsoft's programs. For all in one media player solution, so I picked up VLC: The most popular, stable, fully-featured media player in the open-source world

  7. Honeyview icon
     Like

    Fast Windows image viewer with slideshow, custom skins, archive support, zoom, rotation, filters, and extensive format compatibility for comics, photos, and manga.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Honeyview screenshot 1
    Main Screen
    Choose Image Screen
    +1
    Preferences
    Malaz YIMalaz YI’s note

    in my opinion, the best image viewer that will definitely blow Microsoft's Windows Photo Viewer. You could also consider, the open-source, cross-platform, elegant viewer: nomacs icon nomacs

  8. A free, open-source viewer for Windows, supports PDFs, eBooks, Comics, with a simple, fast, and portable design prioritized for ease of use.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    SumatraPDF screenshot 1
    SumatraPDF screenshot 1
    SumatraPDF screenshot 2
    +3
    SumatraPDF screenshot 3
    Malaz YIMalaz YI’s note

    E-documents/E-books or PDFs are very common formats too. Viewing them on Windows is way better with Sumatra PDF. You could also consider the free, more feature-packed PDF reader: Xodo icon Xodo

  9. Office suite offering productivity tools for document creation, collaboration, and AI-enhanced editing across various platforms and devices.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    • Meta Quest
    Microsoft 365 Copilot screenshot 1
    Microsoft 365 Copilot screenshot 1
    Microsoft 365 Copilot screenshot 2
    +8
    Microsoft 365 Copilot screenshot 3
    Malaz YIMalaz YI’s note

    For productivity we all need an office suite, Microsoft Office seems to the best functional, most mature, modern, advanced one out there.

    MS office offers free license for 4 years for students, and that's why I've included in this list which is intended to offer only free packages.

  10. Free and open-source office suite with advanced word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, vector graphics, math formula editor, and database tools.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    Libreoffice Viewer on Android
    Libreoffice Writer Viewer on Android
    Libreoffice Calc Viewer on Android
    +11
    LibreOffice Writer on Linux
    Malaz YIMalaz YI’s note

    LibreOffice seems to be the best MS office alternative right now. it's got big community and a relatively rapid development going on.

  11. Protects devices from viruses and malware, offers real-time threat detection, home network scanning, password management, secure browsing, and regular updates.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Avast Free Antivirus screenshot 1
    Avast Free Antivirus screenshot 2
    Avast Free Antivirus screenshot 3
    Malaz YIMalaz YI’s note

    [Optional] If you're worried about viruses and malware, the free version of Avast will take care of your PC's security fairly enough. Be warned that using an AntiVirus can eat up much of your computer's resources in the background. You DON'T NEED an AntiVirus if you know and understand what you're doing with your machine.

  12. O&O ShutUp10++ means you have full control over which comfort functions under Windows 10 and Windows 11 you wish to use, and you decide when the passing on of your data goes too far. Using a very simple interface, you decide how Windows 10 and Windows 11 should respect your...

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    ShutUp10++ screenshot 1
    ShutUp10++ screenshot 1
    ShutUp10++ screenshot 2
    +2
    ShutUp10++ screenshot 3
    Malaz YIMalaz YI’s note

    Microsoft is often accused of violating privacy issues, ShutUp10 is a tool that helps you turn off the possible ways/features that Windows 10 uses to spy on users. Another good alternative I recommend is: DisableWinTracking icon DisableWinTracking (Open-source with an easier UI).

  • Edited by: #MZ

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