Recommended PC Software
Keeping Software Simple
Question: How much software do you need and how much will it cost me?
Answer: Well, that depends on what you use your computer for. The cost is usually free.
WEB BROWSER - essential for just about everything - Keep them regularly updated to help protect against scam websites - don't get carried away installing add-ons as they will slow your browser down.
- Microsoft Edge comes pre-installed (now based on Chromium, as Google Chrome)
- Google Chrome is very popular - various other Chromium browsers are available (I use UR Browser)
- Mozilla Firefox is open-source, once a market leader and still a great product
EMAIL CLIENT (all include Calendars) - essential for registering anything - consider whether you want style or substance.
- Outlook for Windows (Previously Mail & Calendar) comes pre-installed and is improving. Ideal if you just have 1-3 email accounts.
- BlueMail is a great alternative and works with most email accounts. Can be synced with Android, iOS and other PCs.
- Thunderbird can be used as portable app on a USB or Cloud Drive and can be used for just about any email account. You can also easily add subfolders and Tags. You can also just view Favourite Folders which makes for a cleaner working environment. Not available for Mobile Phones (Windows, Apple & Linux only).
Merging with K9-Mail to develop a cross platform service.
PDF VIEWER - regularly needed for documents
- Adobe Reader is the most recognised but is resource heavy, usually pre-installed on Windows.
- Foxit PDF Reader is a lighter but still powerful alternative, with the ability to add notes or highlight sections. Installation Notes: Trust Manager - untick "Enable Safe Reading Mode" as this can cause problems viewing documents. Don't install the free 14 day trial unless you really need premium features.
OFFICE SOFTWARE- Word, Excel & PowerPoint are not free but you can get a short free trial.
- Google Docs, Sheets, Slides & Forms are available via a web browser but features can be very limited.
- LibreOffice is an open-source, Full Office Suite alternative with full compatibility with Microsoft Office files.
Video, Music Player & Image Viewer - Basic programs come installed with windows, however programs like VLC & IrfanView are small and powerful enough to open most files.
VIDEO CALLING - Skype is generally pre-installed but is rarely used any more.
- Zoom is the most popular with most businesses and ideal for personal use too, with 40 minute chats on the free version.
WINDOWS TWEAKS
Windows 11 Date & Time - ElevenClock - redesign and change click actions, such as Middle Click opening Task Manager.
Is there something else that you want but it's not listed just message me and I'll compare and test options for you. (Testing will be limited to free versions where available. Paid software can be reviewed but not tested)
Visit filehorse.com if you want to explore more software, for just about anything.
IMPORTANT NOTE - Watch out for "tick boxes" when installing any software as additional software or unwanted settings may be included by default.
NINITE - Installer & Updater
Select which software you want and Ninite will created a single file that will install all your software and avoid the unwanted tick boxes.
Safe & Secure
Anti Virus Protection, Safe Web Browsing, etc - I would recommend NOT paying a 3rd party company for software that is more than likely going to slow your computer and web pages down, falsely report downloads as containing viruses and blocking legitimate websites (such as Norton Safe Web).
VPN - If you only use your computer at home or via your own Mobile Hotspot you are unlikely need to waste money on VPN software. VPNs can be used to view foreign websites and give you protection if you regularly use public Wi-Fi.
Keep Windows Security updated. The Anti Virus & Firewall protection get good reviews. It compares extremely well compared to other free software.
Microsoft's PC Manager Protection Tab include Windows Update
Use an updated web browser such as Edge, Chrome or Firefox - all come with safe web protection for free. There are also more privacy based versions of Chrome & Firefox that are available for free. I don't recommend Opera as it has too many unwanted settings on as default.
Firefox is often reported as the safest of the main browsers, although there are other safety specific browsers either based on Firefox or Chrome (Chromium).
Links in emails and chats - even if they come from friends - Links that suggest you are in a video, can claim a free prizes, asking for a non-delivery fee or telling you there is a problem with your PayPal or bank are more than likely going to be scams. NEVER log in if you are asked to after following a link. If you are sent to a PayPal, bank, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc style page then don't use it. Use your normal Browser Bookmark OR use the Browser Search for the genuine login page.
If you think you may have been the victim of a scam then change your password immediately - if you use the same password and email address for all your accounts you should change those passwords too as hackers may try your details on other applications.
All these have Portable App options
Firefox (Download Portable App)
Open Source Web Browser
Google Chrome & Microsoft Edge (Download Iron Browser Portable App)
Popular Chromium Web Browsers - default setting may need changing to improve privacy and ease of use.
Many default settings add features that are not necessary and may gather information that you do not need to share.
VLC Media Player (Download Portable App)
Plays almost all music and video formats
IrfanView (Download Portable App)
Displays almost all image and video formats, as well as pdfs
LibreOffice (Download Portable App)
Open Source alternatives to Word, Excel & PowerPoint
Foxit PDF Reader (Download Portable App)
Lightweight alternative to Adobe PDF Reader - includes options to highlight and add notes
Notepad++ (Download Portable App)
An alternative to the standard Notepad
Many, many more programs are available for download - see the full list
TreeSize
Folder Viewer with Folder Sizes
Revo Uninstaller
Software Uninstaller, which includes checks for leftover files.
Other software that can be very useful, that don't have Portable Apps.
Alt Snap
Move stuck windows just by holding the Alt Key while moving the mouse
BlueMail (Windows Store or .exe file from dropdown list)
Multi Account e-mail client for Mobile & PCs
Zoom
Video Chat - for Windows or extensions for Outlook, Firefox & Chrome
8 Gadget Pack
Windows 11 now supports a few gadgets but 8 Gadget Pack has some others that you may find useful
Check how well your computer is performing and ensuring that your software is up to date
Mr Memory
Install scanner software to check for RAM & Hard Drive upgrade options
CrystalDiskMark (Download Portable App)
Test the Read/Write Speed of your disk drives
Novabench
System performance tests - CPU, GPU, Memory & Storage
Prices correct as at 18th March 2024 and are subject to change at any time. Discounts for Annual Subscriptions.
Based on 1 user account. Multiple user accounts are more expensive. Prices unchanged since March 2023.
Mega NZ prices are approximate as they are billed in Euros.
Microsoft 365 OneDrive is included with Windows. The other primary options are Dropbox, Google One Drive & Mega NZ. Mega NZ is Open Source and fully encrypted. Encryptions on other cloud backups may vary.
LOCAL STORAGE - If you only need access to shared files on your home network then a NAS Drive can be a useful option, with prices around £150 for 2TB storage.
If you only primarily use 1 computer then an external USB hard drive can be suitable, with prices around £60 for 1TB storage and £70 for 2TBs. Ensure they are at least USB 3.0 and ideally USB 3.2 for fastest possible speeds.
Mega NZ
20 GB Free (Best Free Storage & Encryption)
Monthly: 2 TB £8.80
Annual: 2 TB £88.00
I use this as my secondary Cloud Drive for Phone Camera Uploads
Mobile App includes PDF viewer
Google One Drive (download link)
15 GB Free (Best balance of Integration & Free Storage)
Monthly: 100 GB £1.59 - 2 TB £7.99
Annual: 100 GB £15.99 - 2 TB £79.99
I use this as my primary Cloud Drive for Portable Apps and Office Documents
Microsoft 365 One Drive
5 GB Free
Monthly: 100 GB £1.99 - 1 TB £5.99
Annual: 100 GB £19.99 - 1 TB £59.99
Limited storage, especially compared to Google & Mega
Dropbox
2 GB Free
Monthly: 2 TB £9.99
Annual: 2 TB £95.88
Too small for any real practical use & Most expensive of all the primary alternatives.
I use it for Thunderbird Portable as it is quite fast at transferring files
Autoruns (Download Portable App)
Shows all Startup, System processes and more
Driver Booster
Watch when installing as additional unwanted software may be included
Disk Genius
Hard Drive cloning software
Windows 10
Update Page with Media Creator Tool
Windows 11
Upgrade Page
By using the Command Prompt
type: winget upgrade (this will show you software that can be updated)
type: winget upgrade --all (updates the software)
And even better there is now UnigetUI(previously WingetUI)
Microsoft PC Manager
A useful, in development, tool from Microsoft that does more than just check for System Updates.
Not necessary by can be useful.