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Recommendation of Windows software [A long read]
Popular Windows Search Utility "Everything" Blocked by Microsoft : software
What essential Applications are a must-have when setting up a fresh Windows OS
What I do/install on every Windows PC - Software Essentials
Cool list, some look useful to me.
+1https://addons.mozilla.org/hu/firefox/addon/multi-account-containers/
+1 Hwinfo64 instead of HWMonitor (especcially sensors tab)
+1 Macrium Reflect Free (for backup)
+1 Portableapps.com (for everything to be used as portable app, for easy migration - drag and drop whole installed folder anywhere - works portable)
+1 Rainmeter (to pimp the poor old windows)
+1 PowerToys
More on reddit.comWhich other Microsoft websites offer downloads?
In this section, you will find links to other Microsoft websites that offer downloads. Note that almost all of the downloads available from these websites can also be found in the Microsoft Download Centre; however, the other Microsoft sites may offer services and information that you may not find in the Download Centre.
If you are looking for downloads for the Windows operating system or for Microsoft Office, try using Windows Update, which helps you keep your computer up to date without requiring you to visit the Download Centre.
- DirectX downloads
Get the latest version of Microsoft DirectX, and find other important DirectX updates for your version of Windows.
- Service Packs for Microsoft Products
Download service packs containing updates for system reliability, program compatibility, and security. See which service packs are currently available from Microsoft Help and Support.
- Windows Media Download Centre
Amplify your play with Microsoft Windows Media Player, encoders, codecs, and other related downloads.
- Azure downloads
Get SDKs and tools for managing and interacting with Azure services
- Windows developer resources
Get downloads and tools for Windows development
- Code samples
Get started with Microsoft developer tools and technologies. Explore our samples and discover the things you can build.
How do I install downloaded software?
Before you can use any software that you download, you must install it. For example, if you download a security update but do not install it, the update will not provide any protection for your computer. Follow these steps to save and install a download:
- On the download details page, click the Download button.
- A dialogue box will open. Click the Save button.
- You will be prompted to select a location for the download on your computer. Select an appropriate location, and click the Save button.
- When the file has finished downloading, you will see a second dialogue box. If you want to install the file immediately, click the Open button. This launches an installation wizard.
- If you do not want to immediately install the file, click the Close button. When you are ready to install the file, double-click the file to launch the installation wizard.
Note: When you save a download file, make sure to save it to a location that you will remember when you are ready to install the download. We suggest creating a special folder on your desktop to which you always save downloads. Follow these steps to create such a downloads folder:
- Right-click an unused area of your desktop.
- Point to New, and then click Folder.
- Give the folder a name, such as My Downloads.
Why are software updates necessary?
Microsoft is committed to providing its customers with software that has been tested for safety and security. Although no system is completely secure, we use processes, technology, and several specially focused teams to investigate, fix, and learn from security issues to help us meet this goal and to provide guidance to customers on how to help protect their PCs.
As part of the Microsoft software release process, all software released to the Download Centre is scanned for malware before it is made available for public download. Additionally, after release, the software available from the Download Centre is routinely scanned for malware. Microsoft recognizes that the threat environment is constantly changing and will continue to evolve over time, and we are committed to process improvements that will help protect our customers from malware threats
Recommendation of Windows software:
Note that this is purely my personal take on what I believe are good software that people should be universally aware of. Do read the comments. It's possible that I have forgotten to mention some pros or cons. And to all those that comment new pros and cons, thank you. Do note that I'm non-affiliated to any of the software provided.
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Bitwarden - A great universal password manager. It's a free, open source software with universal compatibility with other ecosystems. Pros: Free; Open source; functions on every device; great security. Cons: None that I'm aware of. Link: https://bitwarden.com/
Greenshot - A great application to take screenshots. You will have more control than ever compared to the average Windows provided Snipping Tool. Pros: Greater control; easier to use; completely free [on Windows]. Cons: It has multiple shortcuts that correspond to different screenshots. Link: https://getgreenshot.org/
Calibre - An amazing tool for people who enjoy reading e-books on their computers. It works with nearly every type of e-book. Pros: Free; open source. Cons: Looks seem outdated. Link: https://calibre-ebook.com/
Thorium Reader - This is a Calibre alternative. It is also an e-book reader. Pros: More modern look; free; open source [?]. Cons: Light background on main page, permanent so far. Link: https://www.microsoft.com/store/productId/9NFZP1G7M2SC
5.iTop Easy Desktop Free - A great alternative to Stardock Fences. Functionally similar, if not same. Pros: Free; containers quick hide. Cons: Not open source [?]. Link: https://www.itopvpn.com/itop-easy-desktop
[Sidenote: Almost all provided by iTop seems to be really useful]
6. Microsoft 365 - I don't know how many agree with me, but I find it a great office software. For personal use, you can buy a monthly subscription. You can get it for around 69€ [≈72 $] per year or for 7€ [≈ 7.4 $] per month. Pros: Easy to use, decent cloud managment; STUDENT DISCOUNT IF AFFILIATED. Cons: Pay to use. Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365
7. LibreOffice - This is another great piece of office software and this is a great alternative to MS 365. Pros: Free, Open Source. Cons: Slightly clunky look; no proper dark mode. Link: https://www.libreoffice.org/
8. Obsidian - A great note-taking software, especially towards those that need to create connections between different notes. Meaning that it is good for both students and teachers. [Note: Personal opinion of a university student + a future teacher.] Pros: Free; open source; IT HAS A STUDENT DISCOUNT OPTION. Cons: It can be slightly hard to get used to. Link: https://obsidian.md/
9. Microsoft Powertoys - This is another great app. Especially towards those that want to take their computer usage towards newer levels. One of the most useful parts I believe is the "Quick accent" feature, which allows you to use letters easily from other languages. But it also gives you access towards some other keys, example: ±≈¿¡∙ . It also has a text extractor built in. But one of the most useful features is the Powertoys Run. "PowerToys Run is a quick launcher for power users that contains some additional features without sacrificing performance." PowerToys Run features include: Search for applications, folders or files; Open web pages or start a web search. It just feels easier to look at compared to the search menu. Pros: Free; open source; easy to use; many features. Cons: None. Link: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys
10. Flow Launcher - This is a great alternative to PowerToys Run. It provides the same functions. Pros: Free; open source; more customizable [allows different plugins, more colors and different font]. Cons: Doesn't search up some things that PowerToys Run does. Link: https://www.flowlauncher.com/
11. PeaZip - This is a useful tool to deal with .zip and .rar and other similar compressed folders. Pros: Free; open source; easy to use. Cons: Annoying to swap themes. Link: https://peazip.github.io/
12. Portmaster - This is something I myself am relatively new to, but so far it works amazing. It is a free and open source firewall based ad blocker and network monitor. Contrary to what I thought, the software takes little power, space and RAM&CPU. It also seems to work its ad blocking quite well. Pros: Free; open source. Cons: Doesn't always block ads; you will need to take time to configure some settings, otherwise it might refuse some connections by default. Link: https://safing.io/
13. qBitTorrent - It's a tool for torrenting. Quite good really. Pros: Free; open source; easy to use. Cons: None so far. Link: https://www.qbittorrent.org/
14. Rainmeter - An amazing desktop customizing tool. It offers a huge amount of widgets for your desktop which will make it look great. Pros: Amazing customizability; Free; Open source. Cons: You need to scour the web for your widgets [Though it does give you a basic one out of the box] Link: https://www.rainmeter.net/
15. Thunderbird - An email client developed by Mozilla. Pros: Free; open source; decently easy to use. Cons: Slightly clunky build. Link: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/
16. WingetUI - This uses the Windows default Winget software updating. [Note: This is unofficial] It gives you a UI to use the Winget feature, which is CLI [Command-line interface] based. Pros: Free; open source; easy to use. Cons: Unofficial. Link: https://github.com/marticliment/WingetUI
17. Tabame - This is a great taskbar alternative that you can use all over the screen. For more info, please read their GitHub. Pros: Free; easy to use; open source. Cons: Your mouse should have at least 4 buttons to use it with your mouse [Though you can configure a keybind to open it without]. Link: https://github.com/Far-Se/tabame
18. Notepad++ : Quite a decent note-taking app. Pros: Free; open source, decently easy to use. Clicking close doesn't seem to delete, meaning it retains [for me] your data even closed. Cons: Color scheme is light, it's more catered towards quick coding. Link: https://notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/
19. Ventoy - Good for when you need to create bootable USB drives. Pros: Free; open source; allows multiple ISO files on 1 USB drive. Link: https://www.ventoy.net/en/index.html
Sidenote: Microsoft PC Manager - Quite a decent app for quick controlling of what uses how many resources and for cleaning your PC. How effective it is, I sadly can't be sure about. Pros: Free. Cons: I don't know, but probably the Always on Top that can't be removed. Link: https://pcmanager-en.microsoft.com/
Note: All software has been used by me for a minimum of 6 months [Except Ventoy and Thunderbird. Ventoy - Time: 0. Thunderbird: 1-month]
BROWSERS [Add-ons and type of people]:
Chrome - Good for general usage if you just need the bare minimum. [Overall: For bare minimum usage ?]
Firefox - If you want some more privacy and security. Not a miracle cure, though. [Overall: More privacy conscious people]
Edge - If you are into the Microsoft Ecosystem. It's decently easy to use, and it has some great default "widgets". The news page is annoying though. [Overall: Good for office use]
Opera GX - Great for gamers, to be precise, it is catered towards games. Has official mods. Decently good customizability. [Overall: If you want to customize your browser looks, but also need game info. Basically to: Gamers]
Brave - If you want Chrome, but with added security and innate ad blocking. [Overall: Those that want to upgrade towards Chrome looking, a little more secure browser]
Vivaldi - A huge customizability option. Warning: Procrastinators, be careful, you might start customizing, and re-doing it multiple times before you are satisfied. [Overall: More creative people]
Add-ons [universally usable]
uBlock Origin - A great AdBlock. Link: https://ublockorigin.com/
Dark Reader - For when you are just annoyed by that light mode, or want to change fonts. Link: https://darkreader.org/
Bitwarden - For all your passwords. Link: https://bitwarden.com/
LanguageTool - A good and free grammar checking. Link: https://languagetool.org/
Ruffle - For when you still need to use Flash using websites. Link: https://ruffle.rs/
Return YouTube Dislike - If you too are annoyed not seeing the dislike amount on YouTube. Link: https://www.returnyoutubedislike.com/
SponsorBlock - Use if you want to limit the amount of sponsors you see on YouTube. You can configure to allow self-promotions. Link: https://sponsor.ajay.app/
Enhancer for YouTube™ - Added control over your YouTube. Link: https://www.mrfdev.com/enhancer-for-youtube
Augmented Steam - For your Steam discount needs. [Note: Do read more about it yourself]: Link: https://augmentedsteam.com/
I don't care about cookies - Removes that pesky cookie notifications most of the time. Link: https://www.i-dont-care-about-cookies.eu/
Note: I have personally used all the browsers. Each for at least 6 months [Vivaldi excluded, that for 1 month only]
For all those that have reached the end. Thank you for reading. And I hope you liked it.