Advice Request What are the essential programs that you will still install on your Windows system in 2026, and what are the programs that you will stop using?

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lokamoka820 said:
I only need to edit my resume and make a few minor adjustments occasionally, so I don't need to install a full office suite. If I did need to use a full office suite, my choice would be LibreOffice, which I use on Linux because it's pre-installed.
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I understand, for me I do require the use of a full office suite and the best free alternative to MS Office that i have found is LibreOffice (also was introduced/used on linux)
 
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lokamoka820 said:
Do you have any recommendations regarding the settings?
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Just as Chrome; it only lacks some of the settings in Chrome and Edge which are located under security tab (Site settings); no option for Embedded content, Motion sensors, USB devices, Serial ports, File editing, HID devices, Clipboard, Payment handlers, Augmented reality, Virtual reality, Your device use, Window management, Fonts, and may be missing one or two more.
 
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Parkinsond said:
Just as Chrome; it only lacks some of the settings in Chrome and Edge which are located under security tab (Site settings); no option for Embedded content, Motion sensors, USB devices, Serial ports, File editing, HID devices, Clipboard, Payment handlers, Augmented reality, Virtual reality, Your device use, Window management, Fonts, and may be missing one or two more.
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What about extensions? I noticed that the link on the extensions page leads to Opera extensions instead of the Chrome Web Store.
 
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Web :
Ungoogled Chromium Woolyss
Thunderbird
IVPN
Transmission
Electrum
Monero
Tor

OFFICE :
Microsoft Office 2024
SumatraPDF
Faststone Image viewer
Paint
ScreenToGif
Notepad
Converseen

Audio :
Vlc
Burnaware
MediaHuman YTD
X-Media Recode
PowerISO
C-Media

Security :
Configure Defender
KeyScrambler
Windows Firewall Control
YogaDNS
UCheck
Kaspersky Removal Tool
KeepassXC
GPGWin (Kleopatra)

Maintenance :
WiseDiskCleaner
WiseRegistryCleaner
WiseProgramUninstaller (Hibit standby for now)
Privazer
TCPView
Autorun
DriverStoreExplorer
WizFile

Utility / Others :
StartAllBack
TrafficMonitor
NAPS2
WizKey
Winmerge
7-zip
O&O ShutUp
WinaeroTweaker
AutoHotKey
Ahk2
Windows Spy

Special for @lokamoka820 :
Pattern-color-light-blue-dark-wallpaper.jpg
 
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HWiNFO64
Process Explorer
Macrium Reflect
VLC
iTunes (for podcasts on an old iPod)
Handbrake
MakeMKV
FileBot (this one is a game changer for ripping blu rays and renaming the files)
Everything
CrystalDiskInfo
Chrome
FireFox
Backblaze
Plex (client)
PlexAmp
G.Skill lighting (to turn that damn RAM lighting off)
 
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There was a time where I'd install a lot of software for my PC. Times have changed, and I now install the bare minimum for the system to work and reduce the attack surface. My list would be:
  • Third party antivirus
  • If using Defender, a decent hardener for the antivirus
  • A Windows Hardener
  • Chrome
  • League of Legends & Steam
  • Discord
  • ESET Online Scanner
This is the end of my list :)
 
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Minimalist said:
I have reinstalled my system and decided to go with bare minimum when it comes to software being installed on my system.

Here is my list:
View attachment 296342
I use some other software but have decided to go with portable versions this time.
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Thank you for sharing; it's a good list, but isn't "Launchy" no longer in production? Is it still secure to use? "Flow Launcher" would be my choice if I could suggest an alternative.
 
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lokamoka820 said:
Thank you for sharing; it's a good list, but isn't "Launchy" no longer in production? Is it still secure to use? "Flow Launcher" would be my choice if I could suggest an alternative.
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Yes, Launchy is not developed any more but it offers what I need. Thank you for suggesting alternative, I will give it a try.
 
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lokamoka820 said:
Do you use all of these tools when performing monthly maintenance, or are some of them for testing purposes?
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Wizfile is more for manual search (leftovers of uninstalled software),Autorun and TCPView are more for checking, DriverStoreExplorer used once after fresh windows install for cleanup drivers, alls Wises used, PrivaZer too.
 
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