Best Free Software's For New PC (Archive 2014-2018)

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CMLew

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Oct 30, 2015
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I class them into 2 groups nowadays:

True Beginner (a.k.a. Noobie):
1) Bitdefender Free
2) Chrome Browser + Ublock Origin
3) VLC Player
4) Foxit Reader

Novice and Above (with some knowledge of security/system):
1) NVT ERP
2) Chrome Browser + Ublock Origin
3) VLC Player
4) Pdf Xchange
5) Ccleaner free
6) Auslogic Defrag Free
7) EEK as OD scanner on thumbrive
 

King Alpha

Level 25
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Jun 21, 2013
1,492
  • Ad-blocker - AdGuard
  • Antivirus - Avast
  • Antimalware - Malwarebytes
  • Antikeylogger - Spyshelter
  • Disk/File Cleaner - CCleaner
  • Disk Defrag - Auslogics Disk Defrag
  • Disk Imaging - AOMEI Backupper and Macrium Reflect
  • Download Manager - Free Download Manager and EagleGet
  • File Archiver - 7zip
  • Firewall - Comodo Firewall
  • Image Editor - GIMP and Paint.net
  • Image Viewer - IrfanView
  • Media Player - VLC and PotPlayer
  • Music Manager - MusicBee
  • Office Suite - LibreOffice
  • Password Manager - LastPass
  • PDF Reader - SumatraPDF
  • Sandboxing Software - Sandboxie
  • Software Updater - PatchMyPC and Secunia PSI
  • Torrent Client - qBittorent
  • Tune-up Suite - Wise Care 365 and CCleaner
  • Uninstaller - Geek Uninstaller
  • Web Browser - Google Chrome
 

frogboy

In memoriam 1961-2018
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Jun 9, 2013
6,720
  • Ad-blocker - AdGuard
  • Antivirus - Avast
  • Antimalware - Malwarebytes
  • Antikeylogger - Spyshelter
  • Disk/File Cleaner - CCleaner
  • Disk Defrag - Auslogics Disk Defrag
  • Disk Imaging - AOMEI Backupper and Macrium Reflect
  • Download Manager - Free Download Manager and EagleGet
  • File Archiver - 7zip
  • Firewall - Comodo Firewall
  • Image Editor - GIMP and Paint.net
  • Image Viewer - IrfanView
  • Media Player - VLC and PotPlayer
  • Music Manager - MusicBee
  • Office Suite - LibreOffice
  • Password Manager - LastPass
  • PDF Reader - SumatraPDF
  • Sandboxing Software - Sandboxie
  • Software Updater - PatchMyPC and Secunia PSI
  • Torrent Client - qBittorent
  • Tune-up Suite - Wise Care 365 and CCleaner
  • Uninstaller - Geek Uninstaller
  • Web Browser - Google Chrome
Some very nice software right in there, nice choices i think. ;)
 
S

Smith83

When you have a new machine it is often times overloaded with Bloatware, before you install anything you will want to get rid of the useless trash that you will never use with automated program removal tools such as either of these.


D-Uninstaller
Decrapifier
Not Automated, but a very effective remover to have on hand. -- Geek Uninstaller.
http://www.decrap.org/
Then you will want to visit a site like Nnite.com to grab your favorite software.

You are always gonna want to block ads on your machine, who wants ads??? We see enough on tv, you should not be forced to watch a commercial in your free time.

Ublock Origin
Ad Blocking DNSThis also stops ads in steam and skype, since it terminates ads before they can even think about loading at the DNS level.

You will want your USB ports protected with a program like. Mcshield.


Also a light effective protection software.

Panda Free

360 Total Security
Secure APlus

There are more and this site will be more than happy to assist you finding the correct AV for your needs.

Stay up to date with windows and your software with these free effective tools.

Secpod Saner

Patch My Pc
Qualys Browser check

Keep Microsoft out of your Business with one of these.

Destroy Windows Spying
Spybot Anti Beacon


Take control over what items you wish to connect to the internet.

I have written a guide here for doing just that.
Tiny Wall.

You will want to keep your machine optimzed, so using Ccleaner to remove temp files and disable startups is a good idea. Keep the clutter to a minimum by running the highly effective Privazer once a week. And an effective defrag program should be added to the list as well.


When you are downloading things always be weary of extra toolbars and bundled garbage this is a great source of malware and can have you spending time fixing your computer when all you want to do is look at those cat pictures and research your old town you used to live in. :)

There are a couple programs that can help you avoid the toolbars and shady sites all together.

Unchecky
Web of Trust.

Also, if you have children then that last thing you want to worry about them seeing the horror that is right at your finger tips...

Luckily there are also some free items to protect the little ones minds from being warped like a sheet of 1/4 plywood in a pond.

DNS Angel
Open Dns Family.
K-9 Web protection.


If you want to tweak your machine to run as you see fit....

Simple System Tweaker.

Easy Service Optimizer


Always back up your important data at least once a week. Using one of the software mentioned, or invest in an external HDD or invest in a headache.

If you are a person who enjoys downloading things or the kids may sneak in on the computer after you had a long day of watching cats chasing plastic bags on youtube.

Bulletproof your machine for just such an occasion with one of this software.

Toolwhiz Time Freeze
 
B

beetal2015

  • Ad-blocker - AdGuard
  • Antivirus - Avast
  • Antimalware - Malwarebytes
  • Antikeylogger - Spyshelter
  • Disk/File Cleaner - CCleaner
  • Disk Defrag - Auslogics Disk Defrag
  • Disk Imaging - AOMEI Backupper and Macrium Reflect
  • Download Manager - Free Download Manager and EagleGet
  • File Archiver - 7zip
  • Firewall - Comodo Firewall
  • Media Player - VLC and PotPlayerPassword Manager - LastPass
  • Sandboxing Software - Sandboxie
  • Tune-up Suite - CCleaner
  • Uninstaller - Geek Uninstaller
  • Web Browser - Google Chrome
 
S

Sr. Normal 2.0

  • Ad-blocker - AdGuard (desktop) or uBlock Origin extension
  • Antivirus - Qihoo 360 TS
  • Antimalware - Zemana Antimalware
  • CD-DVD Burner- BurnAware
  • Desktop Search- Everywhere
  • Disk Defrag - Auslogics Disk Defrag
  • Disk Imaging - AOMEI Backupper
  • Download Manager - EagleGet
  • E-Mail Client - Thunderbird
  • File Archiver - BandiZip
  • File Manager - Clover
  • Firewall - ZoneAlarm
  • Image Editor - GIMP
  • Image Viewer - FastStone
  • Media Player - VLC
  • Office Suite - LibreOffice
  • Password Manager - LastPass
  • PDF Reader - SumatraPDF
  • ScreenCapture - ShareX
  • System Monitor - System Explorer
  • Torrent Client - Qbittorrent
  • Tune-up Suite - Wise Care 365
  • Uninstaller - Geek Uninstaller
  • Virtual Drive - WinCDEmu
  • Web Browser - Opera
 

Av Gurus

Level 29
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Sep 22, 2014
1,767
Maybe moderators can help with that, try to contact them.
 
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XIII

Level 5
Verified
Sep 20, 2016
162
  • Ad-blocker - uBlock Origin
  • Antivirus - Avast Antivirus
  • Antimalware - Emsisoft Emergency Kit
  • Desktop Search- Everything
  • File Archiver - 7-Zip
  • Firewall - Comodo Firewall
  • Image Editor - Paint.NET
  • Image Viewer - FastStone
  • Media Player - Potplayer
  • Password Manager - LastPass
  • PDF Reader - Adobe Reader DC
  • ScreenCapture - ShareX
  • System Monitor - Sysinternals
  • Torrent Client - Qbittorrent
  • Tune-up Suite - CCleaner
  • Uninstaller - Geek Uninstaller
  • Virtual Drive - WinCDEmu
  • Web Browser - Google Chrome
 

Evjl's Rain

Level 47
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Top Poster
Content Creator
Malware Hunter
Apr 18, 2016
3,684
  • Ad-blocker - uBlock Origin
  • Antivirus - Avast Antivirus
  • Antimalware - Zemana Antimalware portable, Voodooshield
  • Desktop Search- Everything
  • File Archiver - 7-Zip
  • Firewall - Comodo Firewall
  • Image Editor - FSViewer, Paint.net
  • Image Viewer - FSViewer
  • Media Player - Splash, AIMP, VLC (Acestream)
  • Password Manager - LastPass
  • PDF Reader - Foxit
  • ScreenCapture - Windows Snipping tool
  • System Monitor - Autoruns, Process Explorer
  • Torrent Client - uTorrent
  • Tune-up Suite - CCleaner + CCEnhancer, Privazer
  • Uninstaller - Geek Uninstaller, IoBit Uninstaller portable
  • Virtual Drive - Daemon tools
  • Web Browser - Coc Coc Browser (Chromium-based)
  • Disk Defrag - Auslogics Disk Defrag
  • Download Manager - EagleGet
  • Disk Imaging - Norton Ghost, Macrium Reflect
  • Sandboxing Software - Sandboxie
 

Windows_Security

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Mar 13, 2016
1,298
New PC assumes Windows10 and also assume that medium and advanced users install their own

For people totally unfamiliar with security
1. Set UAC to silently elevate and block unsigned program elevations
2. Add PUP-tweak to Windows Defender
3. Install Chrome, enable AppContainer, install Avast Online Security blocking ad- and tracking servers by default (allow others)

When they are not totally ignorant to PC security
1. Provide them two regfiles to Switch-ON/OFF blocking elevation of unsigned programs (and silent to default elevation) by UAC.
2. Install AVAST in aggressive hardened mode and explain them they need to renew their free license every year.
3. Install Chrome, enable AppContainer, install Avast Online Security blocking ad- and tracking servers by default (allow others)

Tell them to use Edge for banking and other HTTPS stuff and Chrome for the rest.
 
Last edited:

kev216

Level 21
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Aug 6, 2014
1,044
My list would be:

AdBlocker: Adguard
AntiEXE: NVT Exe radar Pro
AntiVirus: Sophos Home
AntiMalware: MalwareBytes or herdProtect or Norton Power Eraser
AntiPUP: Unchecky
Audio Editor: Audacity
Burning Software: ImgBurn
Disk Defrag: Auslogics Disk Defrag Portable
Disk Image/Backup: Veeam Endpoint Backup
DVD creator: DVD Flick
Editor: Notepad++
File Archiver: 7-Zip
File Recovery: Recuva
FTP Client: FileZilla
Firewall: Comodo Firewall or TinyWall
Image Editor: Paint.net
Media Player: MPC-HC
Office Suite: OpenOffice
PDF Reader: SumatraPDF
Remote PC: Teamviewer
Sandbox: Sandboxie
ScreenRecorder: Active Presenter (for desktop) or OBS or MSI Afterburner (for games)
System Monitor: Autoruns or Proces Explorer
System Specs: Speccy
Tune Up: Ccleaner
Torrent Client: QBittorrent or Tixati
USB Protection: MCShield
Uninstaller: GeekUninstaller
Video Converter: Handbrake
Video Editor: Lightworks
Virtualization: VMWare Workstation Player
Virtual Drive: Alcohol 52%
Web Browser: Vivaldi
 
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