Programs not needed on a new computer. Required programs for a laptop
During the operation of a computer or laptop, we install dozens of programs. Some of them are even installed hidden from the user, hang in the operating memory, take up space and lead to various kinds of problems: the computer starts to glitch, freeze, slow down, etc.
How to bring order to the installed software? How do you know which programs can and even need to be deleted, and which ones should not be deleted? If an inexperienced user starts to uninstall everything, this can lead to complete reinstallation Windows.
will come to the rescue free program"Should I Remove It?" After installation and launch, it will scan your PC and display a list of all software installed on it. Opposite each position you will see a green, yellow or red scale, which indicates how useful the program is and how safe it is to remove it.
Clicking on any item in the list will open its description. Writing according to qBittorrent it looks like this:
There you can find:
- The version of the program and the date of its installation
- What percentage of users decided to uninstall it on their computer
- The “Uninstall” button, which will start the uninstallation process
- The “What is it?” button, which will open a page in the browser with detailed description programs (where it is installed, who the manufacturer is, why it is needed, what it does, etc.)
I chose for a long time new computer, and finally here it is - standing on the table, the Windows screen saver is on the screen, but what to do next, what programs need to be installed? I saw something somewhere, heard something somewhere, in general my head is a mess! Let this article be a small guide to the TOP most necessary programs for a computer, according to the site.
No matter how hard Microsoft tries to refine its operating system, a clean OS can only be used in limited conditions - for example, at work, where installing additional programs is prohibited or there are no rights.
What to choose, paid or free programs
It just so happens that free programs alone are not enough, it turns out somewhere 50/50. I in no way advocate using cracked versions, but this is our reality that “cracked” programs are used everywhere. In my experience, to solve almost any problem there is at least one free program that is sufficient. But paid software is usually more convenient and has more features. But they are needed for large-scale work or for professional activities.
Antivirus – necessary protection
I have already touched on the topic of antivirus more than once; this is an absolutely necessary program that I download on any computer immediately after installing Windows. Perhaps an antivirus is the program that is better to buy and live in peace. Paid versions eliminate the headache of searching for updated keys and signature databases. Our most common ones:
Which one to choose is a personal matter for everyone. No one will provide 100% protection, so just choose which one you like best.
Good ones from the free ones:
Alternative browser
For the convenience of using the Internet, you will need to install one of them to replace the standard one. Internet Explorer/Edge. Popular in our area:
They are all free and very necessary programs. Today the browser from Yandex is rapidly gaining popularity. This is undoubtedly one of the best browsers, but everyone has their own preferences.
By speed and consumption system resources I prefer Opera. And those who like flexibility in configuration can choose Mozilla FireFox. If you remain on standard Internet Explorer, then at least update it to the latest version.
Archiver
Default Microsoft Windows does not know how to work with such a common archive format as “.rar”. Probably in the West everyone only uses zip. I install a shell that supports all the necessary archive formats, including “.zip”. WinRAR is built into the operating system, allowing you to work with archives from context menu in Explorer.
As an alternative, I can recommend the program 7-Zip. It also has everything required functions, but it can’t pack it into the “.rar” format. But it can unpack the “.7z” format.
Office suite
A must-have for working with texts and tables: Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Although I included this in the mandatory list, not everyone needs it. But I have never seen a laptop without Microsoft Office or its free equivalent OpenOffice. From the lighter ones office packages I recommend WPS Office.
To read PDF books you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. PDF is the most common format for documentation, books and instructions. Without a special program it will work, but the functionality will be limited to the most simple actions. Acrobat Reader is a completely free program.
Messenger, Internet phone
Programs for free communication around the world via the Internet:
- Skype is the most famous, but is becoming outdated, there is a detailed
- Viber is actively gaining popularity
- WhatsApp is one of the most popular in the world
All programs support voice, video and chat. An indispensable tool for communication, in addition to social networks. For this, headphones and a web camera (for video communication), as well as installed program on both devices of the interlocutors. Messengers also allow you to call landlines and mobile phones, but it's no longer free.
In order for you to communicate with relatives and friends, you need to find out what programs they themselves use. But usually everything is installed at once. I note that in order for Viber and WhatsApp to work on a PC, they must be installed on the smartphone too.
I showed the basic programs for a laptop in minimal variety. For the more advanced, I will recommend another package of software.
After installing the drivers, first of all I install file manager. This program provides convenient access to the file system, replacing the standard Windows Explorer. It is much more convenient to copy, move, change files. I recommend it to everyone! From launch Total Commander My work with the computer begins.
Mail client
To check their email, a person usually goes to a website such as gmail.com and looks at their inbox. But it's much more convenient to use special programs – email clients, especially if you have several email accounts.
The program connects to the server and downloads all mail to the computer. You can view it without browser delays, quickly switching between boxes. I recommend or Mozilla Thunderbird. The standard Microsoft Outlook (built into Windows XP/7 and Microsoft Office) and the Mail application in Windows 10 are not bad, but The Bat! I like it better because it is very easy to transfer mail to another computer or to a new operating system without the risk of losing important information.
Convenient video and audio player
I recommend it as a replacement standard Windows Media Player install separate video and audio players. No matter how hard the developers try, they cannot combine both a video and an audio player in one program so that everyone likes it. For these purposes it is better to use separate programs. The following have worked well for video playback:
Torrent downloader
Today, something worthwhile can be downloaded for free on the Internet either from file hosting services or using torrents. You will need the uTorrent program.
Password Manager
In order not to remember all the logins and passwords that you will certainly start to acquire, I recommend using one of the password managers. The program remembers all your passwords and stores them on the server. Subsequently, they can be used from anywhere, on any computer and browser. I recommend using or LastPass.
RoboForm is the first thing I install because it stores all my access to Internet services and applications on my computer. I also have a browser add-on Mozilla Firefox on a smartphone, with the help of which I always have up-to-date logins and passwords on my phone.
Cleaning the CCleaner system
I'm sure it's a useful thing for any system under Windows control 7/8/10 is a CCleaner program. Designed for periodic, approximately once a month, cleaning of the operating system and programs from accumulated garbage. Basically these are various temporary folders, files, caches, which not only clog free space on the disk, but also often degrade the performance of the computer. Especially useful for improving the performance of browsers that begin to slow down over time.
Optional Settings
Useful only if you have special system requirements.
A set of codecs for video and audio
By Windows default can play only the most basic video and audio file formats. To support other formats, you will need one of the codec sets, such as K-Lite Codec Pack or Win7Codecs. This installation is not necessary because any modern multimedia player already has all the common codecs built-in, or it immediately offers to download them.
Disc burning program
DVD drives are used less frequently than before, but are still found in almost every computer. I use the program to burn discs. For free ones, I recommend JetBee FREE or ImgBurn.
Outdated, somewhere else popular ICQ
A popular client for communicating via the ICQ protocol (“ICQ” in popular parlance). Previously, every computer had a former “de facto” standard for instant messaging over the Internet, such as free SMS, only larger volume. You can often see it in contacts on various service sites and online stores.
I use social networks, Telegram and ICQ at the same time. This way you can keep constant contact with people. Instead of the cumbersome ICQ program, I recommend installing a convenient QIP client. The program is in Russian and has a simple and intuitive interface.
Bonus – Punto Switcher
This is the minimum program that is needed for a computer and I use them myself. I literally opened my Start menu and selected the most basic thing. I do not recommend using different Windows builds, such as “Zver”, although some of the necessary software is already built into them. But it is precisely because of them that inexplicable problems with the computer later emerge.
18.03.2016
When installing or reinstalling Windows you will need to reinstall the most necessary programs for your work. If you are doing this for the first time, a trivial question may arise regarding what programs are needed?
There is no single list for everyone. The set of preferred programs varies from person to person. In this article, we will talk only about the most necessary ones, including those that you will use from the first seconds of working with a brand new operating system. So ?
Start with drivers
Anew installed system Windows 7 on a computer can immediately open many different formats and types of files. However, installing the same system on a laptop, you may encounter difficulties. It may be missing suitable drivers For various devices. For example, for a video card. And here you may stumble over the problem of performing some operations that are familiar to you. In this case, full communication with the computer will become impossible.
There are two ways out of this situation. The first thing is to find the disk that usually comes with any computer or laptop. If your computer has been upgraded, this disk may not be suitable. For a laptop, there is the following option - download drivers from the manufacturer’s official website. The company, as you understand, is indicated on the case and, most likely, written in rather large letters, and the model, most often, is written on the bottom of the laptop after the name of the manufacturer with the note “ Model».
If the above option does not suit you for some reason, use the program, which you can download from official website. This program will automatically select the necessary set of drivers for your computer.
There is another, most difficult and time-consuming option - searching for each of the drivers on the Internet in manual mode. For this type of work, we recommend that you be patient and have a good antivirus.
CompDude warns : If you are looking for drivers yourself, selecting each one separately, be sure to download them only from the official website of the manufacturer of a particular component or device.
Install antivirus
Having sketched out a list of necessary programs, do not rush to download and install them. Everything has its time! First, you should make sure your computer is protected by installing an antivirus. Before installation antivirus program You should not use the Internet or visit any sites that you are not confident in. Having caught a virus on the network, you may need to go back to the very beginning, namely, to the beginning of installing Windows 7. Use only trusted sites, consult with friends. Make sure the downloaded version of the antivirus is up to date. Outdated software will not be able to protect your computer from modern viruses. If possible, update the antivirus database.
You can find out more about what antiviruses exist, which one is best to choose for your computer and laptop, as well as where to download suitable antivirus software at .
Specialists Microsoft regularly release updates for Windows, which also includes all sorts of improvements, bug fixes, etc. Installing such updates will increase your computer's security against threats that are constantly trying to ruin your life. However, this is far from the only reason why you simply need to care about updating the system. Many programs require the latest versions and improvements. They may slow down, not work, or not install at all. Versions with built-in updates and basic software are not uncommon on the Internet. Having installed one of these assemblies, you may not need to update the system in the near future. However, it is extremely difficult to find a high-quality assembly that can meet all your expectations.
Codecs for audio and video
operating system Windows 7 includes a standard set of codecs for video playback and audio playback. However, these codecs do not support all formats. You are likely to encounter difficulty playing some video files or music. To increase the number of formats, you will need to install additional package codecs. One of the most complete collections is, which you can download at this link. This collection includes a pretty good Media Player Classic. Thanks to it, all popular file formats will be available on your computer.
Still, what programs are needed for a windows 7 computer?
You have done minimal system preparation: installed codecs, drivers and antivirus. Now let's look at the programs needed to open and work with all the files that the average PC user might need.
A browser is a program for searching all kinds of information on various websites. Thanks to it, you can download the necessary program, find your favorite movie or music, send a letter, communicate via social networks and share multimedia files. When installing Windows 7 the browser will be installed automatically Internet Explorer. Its functionality is not suitable for every user. However, thanks to it you can download from the Internet any convenient one for you.
On our website you can find an article about what browsers exist for a computer and, after reading , choose the one that suits you best.
- Microsoft Office.
This software package is designed for editing and creating text documents, tables, presentations, etc. Most users cannot imagine a computer without programs Excel And Word, which are the main subroutines Microsoft Office presented on official website.
If you don’t have enough money to buy this program, use its free analogue OpenOffice.org, or other software with similar functionality.
- Audio and video player.
Although this is not mandatory, it is still desirable software, since few people are satisfied with the functionality of a standard media player integrated into Windows OS.
Suitable for watching videos WinPlayer or VLC , supporting all current video formats. The ability to play them is limited only by the capabilities of your video card and the performance of the PC as a whole.
But for audio playback, the good old one, well known to everyone, will be quite enough or alternatively, AIMP . If you like to listen to music in lossless formats, we recommend using a simple and convenient Foobar 2000 , which can be downloaded from this link.
This program will help you view images that are stored on your computer. Internal, similar program systems Windows 7 , of course, will be able to open all pictures and photographs, however, the abundance of its capabilities is extremely small. This forces users to search additional programs, such as ACDSee Photo Software or others similar. First - professional program, allowing you not only to open and view, but also to edit images. The second is free, however, many photography lovers sympathize with it. You can download it at official website.
- Foxit Reader.
The program is designed to view files in pdf format. Almost all modern companies produce their catalogs, drawings, documents, brochures in this format. Programs from Windows, working with pdf does not exist today. A competitor to modern and nimble Foxit is a well-known program Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can download from this link.
Download Foxit Reader you can on official website.
- Archiver.
A proven archiver designed to reduce file volume. This program will help you send files via email, combining them. You don't need to send and drag into email separate files, it is enough to transfer the archive created in advance. The competitors of this program were free 7- Zip, WinZip and others.
Download trial version you can on developer website.
Thanks to this program, you can burn data to CD and DVD media. These media are losing their popularity every year. This is facilitated by the growth of information on the Internet, hard drives and Flash media. A standard Windows 7 program such as Windows Media can burn music discs, DVDs and CDs. Windows DVD Studio will help you create a DVD video disc. This is the functionality of standard Windows programs ends. For those who want to have a little more options, we recommend installing Nero
Buring
ROM
or Ashampoo
Burning
Studio
. These are the most convenient and quite popular programs in this area. However to the average user The free one, which you can download, will suffice from here.
A program that creates virtual emulation of a CD/DVD drive. This program will be able to open images of game discs and programs you found on the Internet. Disk image – full copy laser disk with information recorded on it. Such a disk should be inserted not into a mechanical drive, but into a virtual drive that works in a similar way. - a free, fairly popular program. An analogue of this program is Alcohol 120% and derivatives.
Download DAEMON Tools Lite you can by this link(official website).
- Skype.
A program for instant exchange of data and messages, as well as video messages. You will be able to make video calls to users from all over the world, as well as write text messages to them, exchange multimedia files, and organize conferences.
You can read more about Skype, as well as where to download it, here . If for some reason this program you are not satisfied, we recommend that you read.
- Punto Switcher(optional).
A unique program for automatically switching languages on your keyboard. The most popular keyboard layouts in our country are Russian and English. If necessary, the user can change the layout himself using hot keys or the language button on the desktop. However, rapid parallel communication on social networks, Skype and ICQ can make you make an involuntary mistake. Russian text will be typed in English layout. The result will be something similar to “dfjnkjdfldf”. The program will automatically track the writing language and, if necessary, independently change the layout. You can download this utility .
The programs we have reviewed are useful, but not required. If codecs, drivers are installed, an antivirus is installed, the system is updated - everything will work. The specifics of the work and your preferences will help you understand what programs are needed for a windows 7 computer? The list we present may differ greatly from the list of programs you need.
I’ll give criticism from myself both in relation to the topicstarter and in relation to the enemy)
1. Firewood - no comments here, they are needed. True, for starters (if possible), we update Windows via Windows update (as for Windows 7 and everything above), a good half of the firewood is installed, and that’s all. Why do you need to install firewood from the off site and the latest ones on the video card (otherwise you won’t work properly) and on the sound card (if it’s not built-in and you’re a hell of a sound guy)))) There are, of course, cases that none of the methods given by the author, it’s not suitable for some kind of crap (like a USB 3.0 controller on a monoblock motherboard, and there’s no damn disk in the box, and the firewood is on the offsite current on Win10 x64, and on a candybar, out of your ass, 7 x86 should be installed, but without firewood 2 USB ports don’t work, DRPs don’t help and you have to look for the controller chip and insert another driver altogether, but the main thing is that everything works) But this is an exception.
2. Browser, depending on who you like (someone surfs with Iklorer 5.0 and is fine with it). I won’t say anything against Edg, but browser extensions like AdBlock and BrowSec - well, have more fun with them.
3. Antivirus. A separate topic, of course. A full-time user shouldn't live without it. I completely agree, in Win8-10 the built-in defender is generally a neat thing, it catches everything with a bang, I missed dr web, kaspersky, nod32, but the defender caught everything. Avira, Avast, Comodo and the like (free versions, paid ones have not tested) are still trash, they let in viruses, and quite serious ones, after this I don’t install them and don’t recommend them to anyone. In general, in Windows 7 too (with latest updates) there is a built-in defender, but I can’t say anything about its operation, so if you have Windows 7, XP you need to install something like dr web, kaspersky, nod32.
4. Archiver. Built-in archiver...hmm...to be honest, I see zip less often, but rar is more common, especially in a corporate environment. WinRar is paid, this is its main disadvantage, 7Zip is required to be installed, it reads just a lot of archive formats, it’s great to use as a console archiver for backup, easy and most importantly free.
5. Codecs yes, definitely yes at home. Provided that you download movies somewhere and watch them on your computer. Among the population, this type of viewing is becoming a thing of the past. No one has been downloading films and TV series for a long time - they watch online, watch online on smart TV, watch online on a tablet, etc., etc. Codecs were relevant at the dawn of the development of peer-to-peer networks, when providers created their own local networks across cities/districts of the city and everyone hung in flylinkDC++, pumped up pyrobytes of films for themselves (which, by the way, they never watched), the films were in extremely different formats. Well, you can plug it into your home computer, just in case, but definitely not into your office computer. No codecs.
6. PDF, I once used it back in the distant version 4.0, in general I was satisfied with the interface and functionality, but in latest versions It has become very heavy, it is constantly breaking down to be updated, it launches its own services and in security reports it positions itself as an information collector on a par with Google, Apple, etc., so I am starting to abandon it. A good alternative to FoxitReader - lightweight and convenient. Regarding djvu “and the masses of different formats”, I haven’t seen djvu for a long time (at university only books on calculus and linear algebra were in this format), if someone is really interested in heaps of books scanned in poor quality, then you can djvu viewer without installation throw it away, but “mass of other formats” doesn’t even come to mind what it could be and who it could be useful for.
7. Office applications of any kind (well, when installing, we select Word and Excel, the rest is of course not needed at home), on a corporate computer, plus PowerPoint and Outlook, by the way, you can also use the mailer at home, it’s a convenient thing. And there are so many documents on the Internet in doc and xls format, so you can’t live without an office and people often take work home to finish a sign, some document, or even a presentation. If you do everything according to Feng Shui (Feng Shui in the field of copyright), then set up an open office - it will fit right into your home.
8. Disk images. Here UltraIso (by the way, paid, if anything) is needed by administrators, enikeys and others like them, and as a rule at work or for work purposes, it’s very good at collecting system images (the required wim archive is added to the original msdn image), boot disks are recorded (and in vain the critic shouts that the disks are like mammoth shit and we’re all suckers here, this is a hot topic at enterprises, and in some places even necessary - where the computers are categorized, who knows will understand), bootable flash drives etc. The average user doesn’t need UltraIso, especially since he needs to crack it additionally. “Win10-8 works with images out of the box - you are all suckers” the question is broader than it might seem, at the moment 7% is the market share of Windows XP, 50% is the market share of Windows 7 (MacOS - 9%, *nix - 2%) , draw conclusions about the work from the box with images))) Almost all games come in iso images, so at home DTLite won’t be superfluous for me; at work I don’t need it.
9. Skype is a rather individual thing, if you communicate with relatives from another city, then yes (or at work you organize something like a conference between branches). And now everyone is on telegram and wats"up, there are even video calls on mobile phones (:-D even the mail agent has it) and cellular communication has become quite cheap.
10.Torrent. Well, at home, yes, everyone seems to use this thing, but at work, of course not. some other incomprehensible rocking chairs are not needed, there are enough built-in ones in browsers. Still, we don’t download IE 4.0 via the dial-up channel (just don’t disconnect, just don’t disconnect!!! aaaaa!!! if anyone remembers Masyanya))))
12. Flash player. Well, if you’re into watching videos of all sorts of shit on the Internet, then you can put it on, but at work, definitely not.
13. Player. Well, if you install K-lite codecs, then install the MPC player with them (media player classic), a great thing, IMHO you don’t need an extra hat on your computer, and the player built into Windows is also ok.
14. Well, recording discs...again, Nero (I have nothing against an excellent program in its class) - it’s paid (copyrights, feng shui and all that). Just burn a disc or a disc with music - Windows (starting from 7) and the built-in player handle this perfectly. If you really want something special, that is free analogue BurnAwareFree is a normal theme. There is also freemake video converter - it burns discs, DVD can make menus and navigation.
15. Punto Switcher - well, it tastes good. I always set this for myself, though only at work; at home she didn’t give up. Unless someone types a lot of something (well, that is, works at home). In general, a convenient thing.
16. Remote access. Again teamviewer and ammy admin paid. If you want to work even harder helping everyone. This is if you have some kind of outsourced office, then yes, these programs are needed (oh my God, a violation of copyright and feng shui). And the enterprise has RDP. In general, there is one at home (if there is a white IP, of course), but at home I don’t recommend allowing it.
Modern operating systems include a huge complex software. Despite this, to fully use the computer, installation is required additional applications. In addition, it is necessary to install software on the PC aimed at maintaining and optimizing the operating system for its correct and uninterrupted functioning. This article describes only the programs you need. After Windows reinstallation 7 they should be installed first. Installation of the described utilities is required if they or their analogues are not already on your system.
Archiver
A large number of programs are supplied in RAR and ZIP formats, so the first thing you should do after installing the OS and drivers is install the archiver. The undisputed leader among such programs is Winrar. The application will require the purchase of a license.
If you can’t pay for the programs you need for Windows 7, best choice among the archivers there will be 7-zip. The utility can work with a large number of formats. File operations can be performed by drag and drop. The only drawback of the utility is the interface. Users who are accustomed to commercial products will find it unfinished and inconvenient.
Codec set
What programs are needed for Windows 7 if the computer will be used as a multi-purpose platform or multimedia center? In this case, installation of codecs is required. The fact is that today there are a huge number of formats multimedia files. The operating system after installation can work with a minimum of them.
By installing a set of codecs, the user will be confident that 90% of video and audio files will open in any player. Most popular package - K-Lite Codec Pack. The distribution includes not only codecs, but also a convenient player.
Internet browser
After installing the OS, it already has the Internet Explorer Internet browser, but in terms of convenience and security, this program cannot be compared with industry leaders. That's why the programs you need for Windows 7 include a third-party browser. Today the best products are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera.
Do not install the Amigo browser under any circumstances. In addition to its components, it installs advertising modules. If browsers from foreign manufacturers are not suitable, it is better to opt for a product from Yandex. Yandex Browser is based on Chrome, but includes components from a domestic developer that make working on the Runet more comfortable.
Adobe Reader
When describing the necessary programs for Windows 7, one cannot ignore utilities for reading PDF files. An alternative to Adobe Reader is Foxit Reader. The last solution is less popular, but copes with its functions no worse than the leader.
It is in PDF format supplied large number instructions and guides. They will allow inexperienced users to explore the functionality of applications. If you have difficulties choosing a driver or connecting equipment, the instructions for the devices will help in solving problems.
CCleaner
During the operation of the OS, a large amount of unnecessary files: browser cache, temporary files, image thumbnails, invalid registry keys. In order for your PC to work stably, you should regularly remove junk. It is difficult to perform this procedure manually, which is why you need to install CCleaner.
The application is absolutely free. The interface has been translated into Russian. After installation, the program adds itself to startup and enables system monitoring. When the computer needs cleaning, the utility will notify the user about this with a pop-up message.
Auslogics Disk Defrag
Defragmentation applications are also necessary programs for your computer. Windows 7 includes applications for HDD defragmentation, but the speed and quality of third-party products is a level higher. Auslogics Disk Defrag is distributed free of charge. It can defragment all popular file systems. Before you start optimizing your disk, it is recommended to clean up the garbage. The utility's interface is simple, so even inexperienced users will not have any difficulties in using it.
The program has a scheduler for delayed launch HDD optimization. The application may automatically shut down your computer after defragmentation is complete. The program also has a service that monitors the status hard drive and performs optimization while the PC is idle.
Antivirus
The necessary programs for Windows 7 that must be installed first are antiviruses. Malware are constantly being improved. Today it is impossible to guarantee stable operation of the OS without installing antivirus software.
You need to choose an antivirus from well-known manufacturers. The leaders in the segment are NOD, Dr. Web, Kaspersky Internet Security. If commercial products are not suitable, you should pay attention to Avast, AVG, Comodo.
