15 Essential Programs for

Windows
by Joey Maceda · July 8, 2017
  4397  47
Whether you’re a gamer, an enthusiast, a professional, a creator, or a casual, there are a ton of Windows
applications out there to improve your usage. In this list, we give you the ones that we deem essential,  and then
some.
While each category of user has their programs specific to their own unique needs, these 15 free programs will
be of good use to all of us.

1.) Google Chrome
If you are running Windows 10, then right out of the box, it will come with Microsoft Edge, the successor to the
infamous Internet Explorer. However, you may want something else. Most of us have already gotten used to
and loved Google Chrome over the years. It is a clean and fast browser that syncs your browsing data across all
your devices, making for a seamless experience within the Google ecosystem. Not a fan? You can also
try Firefox or Opera.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/chrome-desktop.png
2.) Malwarebytes
While not completely free, Malwarebytes is still a powerful security tool, even past its 14 day trial.
Malwarebytes is a solid option for protection for malware and spyware, and even has a reputation for protecting
against threats that other programs miss.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/malwarebytes.png

3.) PC Decrapifier
If you’re using a laptop, pre-built, or all-in-one, there is a handsome chance that your computer came with a
bunch of bloatware. PC Decrapifier is the simple solution to clean up and remove all the bloatware that is
effectively just slowing your system down.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/pc-decrapifier.png
4.) CCleaner
Taking cleaning even further, CCleaner deletes unnecessary files, Windows Registry entries, duplicate files,
and more, saving you some extra space.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ccleaner.png
5.) VLC Media Player
Look no further than VLC for playing the various forms of multimedia files, and even Audio CD’s and DVD’s.
Compatibility wise, it is miles ahead of Microsoft’s proprietary Movies and TV application, supporting a wider
range of video formats.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/vlc.png
6.) Spotify
The world’s most popular music streaming app, the desktop version of Spotify is a very welcome addition to
your suite of new software, especially if you are already using it on your other devices.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/spotify.png
7.) MusicBee
If music streaming isn’t your thing, or you still like to keep a personal digital music collection, MusicBee is a
great music player. It’s simple, lightweight, customizable, and packed with all the features you’d need.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/musicbee.png

8.) TeamViewer
Whether you’re the techie friend who fixes your friends’ computers, or you’re the latter, TeamViewer could
save you a fixing trip. It allows you to remotely connect and control another PC that is also running
TeamViewer.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/teamviewer.png
9.) 7-Zip
While Windows can create and open .ZIP archives, it does not have the ability to do the same with archives
of .RAR and .7z formats. With 7-Zip, you can create, open, and even encrypt archives of many different
formats.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/7zip.png
10.) Sumatra PDF
Fast, light, and simple, Sumatra PDF is no less than a great alternative PDF reader to the clunky, and
sometimes bothersome Adobe Reader.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/sumatra-pdf.png

11.) LibreOffice
While online office solutions like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, are becoming a better option nowadays,
thanks to real-time online saving features, it is still nice to have an offline office suite. If your system didn’t
come with Microsoft Office and you don’t want to shell out any cash, LibreOffice is a great feature-packed,
100% free alternative.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/libreoffice.png

12.) Paint.NET
While most don’t need an image editing program as elaborate as Adobe Photoshop, image editors may still be
relevant to less advanced users. Paint.NET is a light, but powerful and intuitive image editing program with
support for layers, special effects, and a variety of tools. It manages to do these while being free.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/paint.net_.jpg
13.) ShareX
Press the ‘PrtSc’ key, open Paint, press CTRL + V, save as JPEG. Sound all too familiar? ShareX makes taking
screenshots easier, allowing you to capture one with a single keystroke. It can capture the entire screen,
windows, or selected regions. Screenshots are saved locally, but can also be uploaded automatically to your
image host of choice.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/shareX.png
14.) F.lux
We mentioned Twilight for Android in our previous guide. F.lux functions in the same way, quietly sitting in
your system tray. It adjusts the color temperature of your display at night to filter out the harsh blue light it
emits, making it easier on the eyes.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/f.lux_.png
15.) CPUID HWMonitor
This one is for the intermediate to advanced user, but is still a valuable tool. HWMonitor is a monitoring
program that reads your computer’s vital statistics, the temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds.
image: https://www.yugatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/hwmonitor.png
If you took our advice and installed at least a few of these, your Windows PC is surely better optimized for
performance, and you now have a few cool tools as well.

Read more at https://www.yugatech.com/personal-computing/15-essential-programs-for-

windows/#Mg1DI1RyptQfkgJj.99