Getting a new PC is like opening a door to limitless possibilities. But what turns that powerful hardware into a productivity hub or entertainment haven?
It's the right software. We've got the scoop on the top software downloads that'll transform your PC into a digital powerhouse.
We've covered, everything from essential office tools like Microsoft Office or Truly Office to cutting-edge apps that boost your creativity and security. Your PC is your canvas; let's paint it with the best digital tools.
Web Browsers
A reliable web browser is the first thing you need to get started on your new PC. While all systems have a pre-installed browser, having another option is always good. For example, many users find Google Chrome faster, more secure, and more customizable (extension support) than Microsoft Edge or Safari. However, the options don't stop with Chrome - today's browser market is saturated with choices like Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Brave.
Apart from speed and security, another essential factor to consider when choosing a web browser is the user interface (UI). Some browsers offer a minimalist design, while others are more feature-rich. Choose whatever suits your browsing style the best.
Your Browser Options
- Google Chrome: This one's the speedster, backed by Google's might. It's like the flashy sports car of browsers, always ahead in speed and features.
- Firefox: It's known for privacy and a vibrant community of add-ons. Firefox is like a friendly neighbor who respects your privacy fence.
- Microsoft Edge: Edge is your built-in buddy if you're using Windows. It's efficient and designed for a seamless Windows experience.
- Safari: Safari is your go-to if you're in the Apple ecosystem. It's like a well-tailored suit, fitting perfectly with Apple devices.
- Opera & Opera GX: Opera is known for its sleek design and unique features like integrated messengers, ad-blockers, and VPNs. For gamers, Opera GX offers dedicated gaming features to enhance your online experience.
- Brave: This one's a relatively new browser but has been gaining popularity due to its focus on privacy and speed. Praised for its user-friendly interface and built-in ad-blocker.
Productivity Apps
Office software plays a pivotal role in today's digital landscape. Whether you're a student, professional, or entrepreneur, having the right productivity apps can significantly boost your efficiency. Using this software, you can create documents, spreadsheets, and even presentations to achieve your tasks and projects.
As productivity apps fill such a critical need, choosing the right ones for your new PC is essential. With that in mind, here are our top picks:
Truly Office
Truly Office offers a refreshing and innovative alternative for your office needs. It stands out as a cost-effective solution that gives you the flexibility to make a one-time purchase and enjoy perpetual usage, eliminating the burden of recurring subscription fees. With a comprehensive suite including Truly Word, Truly Sheets, Truly Slides, and more, Truly Office provides a complete office experience tailored to enhance productivity and efficiency.
Everyone can find a version suitable for their needs in three packages - Student, Business and Professional. You can also opt for a 30-day free trial to see Truly Office's innovative features firsthand.
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is a tried-and-tested software suite used extensively in offices, schools, and homes. Its comprehensive set of tools includes Word (document processing), Excel (spreadsheets), PowerPoint (presentations), Access (database management), Outlook (email client and organizer), Publisher (design tool), and OneNote (note-taking).
But Microsoft Office isn't cheap—it's subscription-based software that requires annual fees or a hefty one-time purchase fee in the hundreds of dollars. Whether it's worth the cost is up to your preference.
Utility Software
These are some of the must-have software programs that can help you keep your new PC running smoothly and efficiently. Upgrade your default functions to these utility tools for a better overall experience:
CCleaner
CCleaner is a popular system optimization tool that helps you clean junk and temporary files, fix registry issues, and manage startup programs to boost your PC's speed and performance. It also has a built-in uninstaller to remove unnecessary programs from your PC while freeing up space.
WinRAR or 7zip
Compressed files save space and make it easier to share large files. WinRAR or 7zip are essential tools for opening, creating, and managing compressed files of various formats. They also offer encryption options to secure sensitive data before sharing it. While WinRAR is a paid program, 7zip is a free, open-source alternative with similar features.
Todoist
Todoist is a simple and intuitive task management tool that helps you keep track of your tasks and prioritize them with due dates, labels, and reminders. You can also collaborate with others on projects and access your to-do lists from any device. Set alarms to stay on top of deadlines and improve your productivity.
Creative Software
You can't deny the importance of creativity in our lives, and that's why creative software is a critical download for your new PC. Whether you're into photography, graphic design, video editing, or music production, having dedicated software can help bring your ideas to life easily. Channeling your artistic side has never been easier with these tools:
Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe's Creative Cloud is the undisputed king of creative software. It offers a wide range of applications, including Photoshop (photo editing), Illustrator (graphic design), InDesign (desktop publishing), Premiere Pro (video editing), and more.
The only downside with Adobe's Creative Cloud is its subscription-based pricing model. But this is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment if you're serious about your creativity and have the budget for it.
GIMP
GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, a free and open-source alternative to Adobe Photoshop. It offers many of Photoshop's features, such as photo retouching, image composition, and graphic design tools. The best part is that GIMP is entirely free and available on multiple platforms.
Whether you're a professional or a hobbyist, GIMP is an excellent choice for all your creative needs.
Movavi Video Suite
Want to turn your home videos into professional-looking movies? Look no further than the Movavi Video Suite. This gem lets you wear many hats - video editor, converter, and screen recorder. You can make cool slideshows, record your screen, edit videos like a pro, and convert them to various formats. Plus, it's beginner-friendly, with handy guides for newcomers.
Antivirus and Malware Protection
Without proper protection, your new PC may be vulnerable to viruses, malware, and cyber threats. Most modern operating systems, like Windows 10 and Windows 11, include some built-in security features. But it's always best to have dedicated antivirus and malware protection software for extra peace of mind.
The internet is like a busy city with good and bad individuals. Cybercriminals seek to infiltrate your computer, steal data, or create havoc. Their tool of choice is malware, short for malicious software, which can take various forms — viruses, spyware, ransomware, and more. They can breach your system without your awareness.
Here are a few top antivirus programs you can consider downloading to protect yourself:
Bitdefender
Bitdefender is a robust and versatile antivirus software that offers excellent protection against all cyber threats. With its advanced features, such as real-time threat detection, anti-phishing, and ransomware remediation, you can browse the web without worrying about malicious attacks. Plus, it has minimal impact on your system's performance.
Avast
Avast is a popular antivirus program known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive protection against malware, spyware, and viruses. It also offers additional security features like a VPN and password manager.
Bitwarden
Protecting your passwords is crucial in today's digital world. Bitwarden is a free and open-source password manager that stores your passwords in an encrypted vault, making it virtually impossible for hackers to steal them. It also offers cross-platform support, meaning you can access your passwords from any device with internet connectivity.
Cloud Storage
Your new PC should have plenty of space to store your files, but what if you need to access them from another device or share them with others? That's where cloud storage comes in handy. Cloud storage is a service that allows you to store and access data over the internet instead of locally on your computer. It offers convenience, accessibility, and security for your personal or work-related files.
Cloud storage also serves as a reliable backup solution, ensuring your important files are safe even if your computer crashes or gets stolen. Here are a few popular cloud storage services to consider:
Google Drive
Google Drive is a popular cloud storage service that offers 15GB of free storage for every user with a Google account. You can access your files from any device and collaborate with others in real-time. Plus, you can upgrade to a paid plan for more storage and additional features.
Dropbox
Dropbox is another cloud storage service that offers easy file sharing and collaboration. It has a user-friendly interface and supports multiple devices, making it an excellent choice for personal or business use.
Microsoft OneDrive
Microsoft's OneDrive is integrated with Office 365, making it the go-to cloud storage service for Microsoft Office users. It offers seamless access to your files across all devices and has robust security features to protect your data.
Communication
Keeping in touch with friends, family, and colleagues is essential, especially in today's digital age. Here are a few communication tools you can download to your new PC:
Skype
Skype is a popular video calling and messaging app that allows you to stay connected with anyone, anywhere in the world. It's free to use and offers features like screen sharing and group calls. You can also make affordable international calls with Skype.
Discord
Discord is primarily used by gamers, but it's also great for general communication. It offers voice and video calls, text messaging, and screen-sharing features, amongst various entertainment features like games, fun emojis, and extensive profile customization. Plus, you can create or join different servers based on your interests or communities.
Slack
For those working remotely or in a team, Slack is an excellent communication tool. It offers organized channels for topics, direct messaging, and integrations with various apps like Google Drive and Trello. You can also conduct audio and video calls within the app.
Entertainment
You can't have a new PC without some entertainment options. Whether you want to relax, get creative, or have some fun, there's something for everyone. Here are a few suggestions to help you wind down after a long day:
Spotify
Spotify is a popular music streaming service that offers access to millions of songs, podcasts, and audiobooks. You can create personalized playlists and discover new music based on your preferences. The social aspect of Spotify also allows you to follow and share music with friends, create collab playlists, and track your listening habits with Spotify Wrapped.
Steam
Steam is the ultimate destination for PC gaming. It offers many games, from popular AAA titles to indie gems. You can also join communities and groups and play with friends online. If you're a gamer, Steam is a must-have on your new PC.
VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a reliable and versatile media player for movie nights or binge-watching your favorite TV shows. It supports various file formats and has essential playback features like subtitles and audio track switching. You can also customize the player's look. VLC offers many features not present in the default media players on your PC, making it a useful addition to your entertainment arsenal.
Calibre
Bookworms can turn their new PC into a virtual library with Calibre. It's a free and open-source e-book management tool that allows you to read, organize, and convert your e-books into various formats. You can also download news articles or blogs and save them as e-books for offline reading.
Customize Your New PC
When you first get a new PC, it may feel like just another device for work or school. However, you can personalize it to reflect your unique style and preferences. Whether you just want an amazing new desktop background or want to overhaul the look and feel of your system completely, here are some apps to help customize your new PC:
Wallpaper Engine
Have you ever wanted a live wallpaper on your PC? Wallpaper Engine makes it possible. It offers thousands of animated and interactive wallpapers the community creates, or you can create and upload your own. You can also customize the wallpapers with effects like particles, audio visualizers, and weather effects.
Rainmeter
Rainmeter is a desktop customization tool that allows you to display widgets and information on your desktop, such as system and network stats, weather forecasts, or RSS feeds. It has a vast library of customizable skins to choose from, or you can create your own. Personalize your desktop to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing with Rainmeter.
Conclusion
These must-have apps are just the tip of the iceberg when customizing and optimizing your new PC. With so many options, you can tailor your new device to fit your needs. Experiment with different apps, find what works best for you, and enjoy your new PC!
So, go ahead and make the most out of your new PC by downloading these essential apps and tools for productivity, communication, entertainment, and customization. With the right combination of apps, you can turn your new PC into a powerhouse that caters to all your needs. Don't be afraid to explore and discover new ways to maximize your PC experience.
If you don't know where to start, start with Truly Office. Our all-in-one office suite offers a complete solution for your productivity needs, from document creation and editing to cloud storage and collaboration. Try it out today! Your new PC will thank you.
