Just wondering if anyone has a list/suggestions for must have programs to install on a new laptop…? I get that everyone's needs are different, but I'd imagine there are lots of programs that people install as soon as they boot up a new computer…..?
I guess WinRAR would be one for me, and maybe a PDF program?
Happy to hear your suggestions!
I guess WinRAR would be one for me
It's built into Windows these days.
Windows zip utility has never been good enough for serious zippers.
I have always used 7zip. WinRAR when I was mush younger, I don't even remember it anymore.
Windows zip utility has never been good enough for serious zippers.
It's fine for 99.999% of users.
With that math, you're suggesting only 272 people in Australia would need/want a better program for compressing files…..
@JustHereForTheBanter: That is probably close to correct. it is pretty rare nowadays to need more than the basics for zipping.
I like 7zip but I still haven't found a way to open the extracted folder in a new file explorer window post extraction.
WinRAR doesn't appear to be built into Windows 11 but W11 does give RAR support.
Memmaker
Double space
Pkzip
Norton util
Xtree Gold
After Dark Screensaver
XTree, XTreePro, XTreeProGold or XTreeGold, take your pick!
Xhamster?
Himem.sys
fdisk.exe
mscdex.exe
Defraggler
Memtest86
Winamp
Mirc
ICQ
Hyperterminal
c:\con\con
Why norton? The built in av is lot better than any of those third party crap that wastes cpu cycles and hogs memory
😬🤣
5 1/4 format!!! No encryption! Make bootleg copies Share with friends!
Why not
c:\> winget upgrade --all
Chocolatey is also great
Microsoft Encarta
Hell yeah mindmaze
MS Paint.
For ozbargain advice when you are in a bingle and need the communities poll results.
@MS Paint please confirm
I like Paint.NET better
3D Pinball for Windows - Space Cadet
Bonzi Buddy
I guess WinRAR would be one for me
7-Zip or bust
Best thing to have
Minesweeper
Spider Solitaire ftw
.
this
VLC
7zip, uTorrent 2.2.1, Total Commander, AIMP, Greenshot, Telegram, MPC-HC
uTorrent bad m'kay
I agree, qbittorrent is where its at
qBittorrent would always have issues randomly stopping seeding for me, I use Deluge now
@virajsen: I use a VPN now, but I've never received a letter from an ISP regarding torrents - ISPs I've been with are Telstra (when living with the parents during school), iiNet, Aussie Broadband, Superloop, and now Leaptel.
@virajsen: leeching i've never got a letter.
my sister had issues with her ISP sending letters when her kids were torrenting years ago.
i guessed they were seeding too much.
my settings usually only download one file at a time and upload as little as practical while the file is downloading.
i try to remove seeds as soon as they are completed.
queue up 50 downloads, remove most of them once they complete but others are still going, and they upload bugger all.
if i ever wanted to seed I'd likely rent a seedbox in a country with less restrictions.
to answer OP - VLC, 7zip, Deluge, Jellyfin, crystalDiskMark, Glasswire, Powertoys, Firefox with uBlock Origin, Speccy, CoreTemp, HWMonitor
@Antikythera: I've been seeding for years (with and without a VPN), and never had any ISP letters.
Torrents die when everyone does hit and runs, please don't be that guy.
@virajsen: Most ISPs don’t care as the only penalty allowed is the equivalent cost of purchasing the movie/software if the IP holder decides to sue. Since the legal fees will cost more than the maximum allowed penalty nobody is going to sue. And if nobody is suing then ISP don’t care.
MPC-HC is a bit outdated now. I'd go mpv.net
MPC-BE still supported and has great Winamp-esque UI
Wow still holding on to Greenshot.
Greenshot actually got an update not too long ago (26 Jul 2025), https://getgreenshot.org/2025/07/14/final-release-greenshot-…
Wow thanks, I had no idea. I love this program, but using v1.2.10 on a 4K monitor is a real PITA.
Greenshot is very good and simpler for some
But ShareX is phenomenal
Use GS thinking of moving to ShareX I heard it can record demos with mic so you can annotate
qBittorrent > uTorrent
yep uTorrent burnt the trust, it doesn't deserve patronage.
Firefox+Ublock origin, VLC, 7zip, ShareX, Discord, Localsend, PDF reader (anything not adobe), Notepad++
Firefox+Ublock origin
First thing after any win install: launch Edge, download Firefox, never intentionally launch Edge again.
Do you know that edge is faster than Firefox? Try to load website at the same time and see which one is faster.
Loading speed is one of multiple factors in considering what browser to use.
Notepad++
Laughs in privilege escalation vulnerabilities and code signing chaos
gvim FTW!
Hell yeah gvim
Firefox as well but with AdBlocker Ultimate.
How's Ublock origin compared to AdBlocker Ultimate?
Rufus
So I can flash a USB with my currently liked Linux distro to install over and wipe godforsaken Windows off my new device.
Ventoy
Yumiusb
Ventoy doesn't play nicely with secure boot, and it's included workaround is a pain.
rufus failed me when making a recovery usb for steamOS. had to use the alternative
A retro version of Microsoft Office with Clippy
Brave Browser (can even use YouTube without ads. No extra add-ons needed)
Internet Download Manager is a must for me
In addition to many listed above:
Libre office
TugZip
AVS
Garmin connect (sync the trusty forerunner 235 during charging)
Opera (handy as a fourth browser)
.
Avs?
Must have games for Windows or MS-DOS PCs:
King's Quest 1.
Commander Keen.
Captain Comic.
Prince of Persia
Mortal Kombat
Commander Keen is such a great game!
Civilization V and now VI thanks to the latest free offer.
If we are going back to that era surely you need Leisure Suit Larry.
Ken sent me
thanks!
Mame, Winamp, limewire
Dont forget ACDsee, Lotus notes,Alcohol 120%, Nero Burning Rom
Serious question. What's a good alternative to ACDsee? Windows picture viewer or what it's called, is absolute trash!
I haven't found one yet. ACDsee is still the best but it is paid. I was using Picasa for a while but that didn't last long.
FastStone Image Viewer
Microsoft PowerToys
photoshop to commit fraud
pdf x change editor
teamviewer
This is great for setting up/tweaking new install
https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil
This for management or programs
Thanks
Win10/11 if you have 4 or more cores I recommend freaky compactor and set it to lzx compression. Free gui for built in windows compact tool.
Then run it over your game folders to free up tons of space and enjoy better load times in said games.
Never heard of this…. Thanks
Very interesting if it works
Wait, game files get compressed and decompressing them loads quicker than just loading them as is? Is that correct? I would think the game would break at worst and load slower at best.
Given it is a gui over existing file system functionality from microsoft the odds of it breaking anything are low to nil.
It being faster is one of those hand wavey claims that could be true in some circumstances but even if it were doesn't particularly matter IRL. The vast majority of software is not disk access speed critical, including most games.
PowerToys - productivity
AutoHotkey - automation
ShareX - screen capture
VLC - media
Steam - gaming
perfect - autohotkey is the best - I love my big hotkey script that I have been evolving and running for 15years more than most things in life
jv on 30/07/2025 - 19:48 Comment score below threshold.
