After purchasing a new computer or reinstalling an operating system on an existing computer, you may need to install software to keep you fully operational and entertained. Most computers use the Window operating system, which comes with a set of preinstalled programs. However, they are not always sufficient.
The advantage of free programs is not only that you don’t have to pay, but also that there is a large community of users around them and many different instructions that can help you in a difficult situation. Free software is just as good as paid software, and in many cases superior.
Browser
You need a web browser so you can download free software directly from the internet, rather than messing around with flash drives and CDs. It is a special program that allows you to visit different websites and search for programs you want.
Microsoft Edge (in previous versions, Internet Explorer) is already included by default in the Windows operating system. It is quite simple and in most cases it is enough to download programs for your computer. However, there are more convenient and faster browsers, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. They are completely free and for them there are a bunch of different plugins and extensions to supplement the missing functionality.
Antivirus
An antivirus program is essential to protect your computer. Windows already has a built-in protector against many standard viruses and threats. However, you can install additional antivirus protection. In doing so, they will not conflict with the built-in one. Of free antiviruses, you can install Kaspersky Free (free utility), Avast, AVG AntiVirus FREE, Avira Free Antivirus and many others.
It is up to you to decide which antivirus to choose. But even paid antivirus won’t guarantee 100% protection because new threats appear every time. But all antiviruses can help to keep your work safe and your data safe.
Office suite
Everyone knows the Microsoft suite of office applications to work with text and spreadsheets: Word, Excel, PowerPoint. They work perfectly and are very popular. However, these programs are paid. For a free alternative, you can download OpenOffice or LibreOffice.
Archivators
Windows can create and decompress ZIP archives, but it does not know how to work with other formats. Therefore, you can install the 7-Zip archiver program. It is free and it will help you perform all kinds of operations with zipped files, protect archives with a password, watch the content of archives without unpacking them, and much more.
Viewing PDF and DjVu files
If you love reading e-books or frequently work with documents in the PDF format, you will need a special reader for this purpose. The most popular, and most importantly, free PDF reader is Foxit Reader. To read another widespread format – DjVu, most users use DjView.
Messengers and video calls
There are many free programs for communicating with relatives and friends over the Internet. Especially popular is the messenger Skype, which is used to send text messages and video calls. In addition, you will need headphones with a microphone and a webcam. By the way, WhatsApp is popular for communicating on mobile devices.
Video and audio player
Instead of the standard Windows Media Player and Cinema and TV, you can download and install more convenient and functional video and audio players. For video KMPlayer and for audio Aimp. These programs are well proven and popular.
Torrent
To download programs, movies, music and other items from the Internet for free, torrents are used. The most popular and free download torrent program is uTorrent.
Here we have considered the top most necessary programs for your computer: browsers, antivirus, office programs, archivers, book readers, messengers for communication. I hope this little guide will help you choose and download free programs for your computer.