Things to download on a new laptop
So you have got a new laptop, but apart from a few applications the manufacturer has installed, it is a blank canvas. Windows includes a few basic programs, but you will quickly find they are not enough to do all the things you want to do.
A common mistake is to think that Microsoft Word is part of Windows. Unfortunately, that is not the case. It is actually part of Microsoft Office, which you might have to buy separately.
There are plenty of other apps that you will want to install straight away, such as some anti-virus software, Skype, a program that can open PDF files and a few utilities that make websites work properly.
All of this can be found for free and it’s easy to download and install everything. There are free versions of most paid-for software, such as Office and anti-virus suites. On the whole, these look and work just like their more expensive counterparts, and are just as good.
Of course, you can install as many or as few programs as you like, but here are some must 10 must-haves: 1. Web browsers: Chrome. This is an alternative web browser to Internet Explorer and - in our opinion - is superior. It’s fast and synchronises your bookmarks across several computers.
2. Messaging: Skype. Now includes Windows Live Messenger (or MSN Messenger as it used to be called). You can use it to chat via instant messages, or make voice or video calls to other Skype users - all for free. Now owned by Microsoft, Skype has become synonymous with video chat since its debut a decade ago. But it’s a lot more than that. A Skype account coupled with the desktop software gives you a full voice communication center, letting you call around the world cheaply (pricing varies) and receive calls from any phone. The Windows 8 app edition is a little more limited, but still offers great call quality in a simple interface. Back to article
3. Media: VLC. Not the prettiest media player, but supports just about any format you can throw at it, including both music and videos. Windows Media Player has been around for more than two decades and it can do a lot, but when it comes to playing video from a file or DVD, the open-source, small, multiplatform VLC Media Player reigns supreme, playing anything and everything. It won’t help you build playlists or organize music, but when you want to play back some obscure video file, VLC has got you covered.
4. Runtimes: Flash. Usually, you will need to install Flash to make some websites work properly. Certain kids’ websites are entirely Flash, while other sites use it to play videos or other interactive elements.
5. Runtimes: Java. Like Flash, you’ll probably find you need Java installed for some websites to work.
6. Imaging: Paint.NET. Windows has always has the basic Paint program, but it is extremely limited. Paint.NET is no Photoshop, but you can spruce up your digital photos, crop them and more with this great free app. Everyone knows the power of Photoshop, but it’s not for everyone. The next best thing for quick and dirty image editing that doesn’t require specialized tools is the amazing Paint.NET. It looks enough like Photoshop to keep experienced users happy, yet it’s small, fast, and most importantly, free. It even supports its own plug- ins. You’ll be thrilled by what it can do for images.
7. Documents: LibreOffice. Includes equivalents of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and can open Microsoft Office files, and save in formats that people who have Office can open.
8. Documents: Reader. One of the most popular formats for sending files is PDF. Installing Adobe Reader means you can open PDF files.
9. Security: AVG. Your laptop needs protection from malware and, short of paying for a full-blown Internet Security suite, this is one of the best free antivirus programs.
10. Compression: 7-Zip. Windows can open Zip files, but 7-Zip can handle many other types of compressed files as well.
11. Website: Ninite - Install or Update Multiple Apps at Once
The easiest, fastest way to update or install software. Ninite downloads and installs programs automatically in the background. Ninite is a service that lets users automatically install popular applications for their operating system. It allows users to make a selection from a list of applications and bundles the selection into a single installer package. There are currently two versions of the service, for Windows and Ubuntu.