Installing apps is the first thing you’ll do after installing a new PC or reinstalling Windows. It’s easier to set up a new Windows installation when you know which programs are the must-haves.The following are 5 essential apps for Windows that everyone should install right away, along with some alternatives.
1. Chrome is the Internet browser of choice
Our top pick for a browser remains Google Chrome. With the Chrome browser, you can instantly search for an image using Google Lens, and you have access to a huge library of extensions. You’ve got a fantastic browser for all purposes with cross-platform syncing, so you can browse your desktop tabs on your phone and vice versa.
There are, however, a few flaws with Chrome. Several people want to avoid Google’s pervasive tracking in Chrome, and it consumes a lot of RAM. Fortunately, Firefox and Opera are both fantastic browsers that you can choose from.
2. Using Google Drive for cloud storage
The amount of free space included in Google Drive makes it the best cloud app service to install. With Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Drive, you have access to 15GB of free storage.With Google Drive, you can access your files from any platform.
You can also back up folders on your computer and external devices using the desktop app, which syncs files you place in the dedicated Google Drive folder.Additionally, the service integrates seamlessly with Google’s productivity suite, making it easy to share files. For Windows 10 and 11, Google Drive is an essential app for backup, flash drives, and shared folders.
3. Spotify: Streaming music
It used to be that you had to import and organise a collection of MP3s before you could listen to music on your desktop. The need to buy individual albums physically or digitally is no longer necessary with music streaming services.
When it comes to Windows 10 or 11, Spotify is our top choice. Although there are many music streaming services available, we think it is the most essential. Several Spotify Premium plans are worth it for avid listeners, and its ad-supported free plan lets you listen to as much music as you want.
Podcasts are also available on Spotify, making everything accessible in one place.Its Windows app is also separate from those of its competitors. Apple Music or YouTube Music might be better if you’re already invested in another ecosystem.
4. LibreOffice is a free office suite
At some point, you’ll need a productivity suite that lets you create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Such access isn’t only available by purchasing Microsoft Office, as some might think.LibreOffice should be installed on every Windows computer.
There are alternatives to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and more included in this free and powerful office suite. With LibreOffice, you’ll be flying through your work once you get used to a few small aesthetic differences from MS Office.There is no longer much use for OpenOffice, a once-popular alternative. FreeOffice is a good alternative to LibreOffice.
5. Paint.NET is the image editor
A good image editing program is essential for anyone who wants to learn the basics of image manipulation, blur sensitive information in screenshots, or retouch old photos. A free tool that is more accessible is Photoshop, which is the gold standard for this.
You can edit images with Paint.NET on Windows. This program is much more powerful than Microsoft Paint, but it does not overwhelm you with a lot of confusing tools. In just a few clicks, you can blur out parts of an image, auto-level photos to make them look better, and add text and shapes to your photos.If Paint.NET seems too basic for your needs, GIMP is a more advanced option.