What would you install on a basic users machine?

[TairikuOkami]

Yandex browser with enabled Autocomplete and Sync. Set OpenDNS or YandexDNS via built-in dnscrypt
Adguard extension, but set not to block ADs. Create Gmail and set Google as a default search engine
Adblocker for Youtube to compensate for a missing adblocker filter, which would block legitimate sites
Panda Free AV (if reliable connection) or Avast Free. There is no need for KAV, since it is in Yandex
CCleaner and create a shortcut to turn off a computer with it (to clean temp, internet cache, etc)

That is all for security related software as for the rest:

Reliability software: Visual C++ All-In-One, DX9.0c, K-Lite Basic Codec Pack, WiseCare
Usability software: 7-zip, PDF xChange Editor, MPC-BE, XnView, TeamViewer, LibreOffice

As a matter of fact, I have just did install all of those via TeamViewer, when setting up my friend's PC, except AV, he does not need any (not with my tweaks).

 

[The paranoid one]

Keep it easy for a beginner (this is, IMO, a very good free and easy config):
Yandex Browser or Opera
Sophos Home
Adguard extension
VLC
LibreOffice
FreeDownload Manager
Wisecare
Emsisoft Emergency Kit

... and the first one: don´t touch if you don´t know what are you doing

 

[insanity]

For a basic user I would install:
Adobe Reader,
Microsoft Office (or LibreOffice),
Firefox,
Google Chrome,
uBlock Origin for both browsers,
WinRAR
Klite Codec Pack Standard
Free Download Manager
qbittorrent
Notepad++
Avast Free Antivirus
Zemana Antimalware Free.

I think this setup covers most of the needs of the average computer user. My favourite AVs are Eset and Emsisoft, but assuming that a basic user is not willing to pay for a licence, then I'll choose Avast.

 

[tonibalas]

What i would install on a basic user machine?
Software that need minimum user interaction and are light on performance.
A chromium based browser with an adblock. My choice is Cent with Adguard.
Mozilla based browsers would be a choice if their performance will improve.
An AV that offer good protection out of the box,EAM and EAV( HIPS on Smart Mode).
A media player, VLC and Pot Player my choices.
7zip for unpacking.
That's my basic set up.
Now if you want to teach something to the basic user then you add some useful software.
I want my set up to be as light and with minimum interaction as possible

 

[Handsome Recluse]

Yandex browser with enabled Autocomplete and Sync. Set OpenDNS or YandexDNS via built-in dnscrypt
Adguard extension, but set not to block ADs. Create Gmail and set Google as a default search engine
Adblocker for Youtube to compensate for a missing adblocker filter, which would block legitimate sites
Panda Free AV (if reliable connection) or Avast Free. There is no need for KAV, since it is in Yandex
CCleaner and create a shortcut to turn off a computer with it (to clean temp, internet cache, etc)

That is all for security related software as for the rest:

Reliability software: Visual C++ All-In-One, DX9.0c, K-Lite Basic Codec Pack, WiseCare
Usability software: 7-zip, PDF xChange Editor, MPC-BE, XnView, TeamViewer, LibreOffice

What would Adguard do here then if it's not set to block ads. I'm assuming it's to break as little site as possible so, logically, the privacy and social media filters are also not enabled. Only the malware and phishing filters are. Or maybe you're saying English filters are not enabled rather than all ads which includes stuff like Peter Lowe's and Simplified Domain Filters.

 

[DeepWeb]

I would probably go with a set-it-and-forget-it setup so that person won't call me or have me come over when they have to configure something.

Set Windows 10 to automatically update everything (except mouse and keyboard drivers. It always breaks those)
Kaspersky Free
Windows Firewall
Disable all other browsers except Chrome
Chrome extensions:
uBlock Origin + uBlock Protector
Smart HTTPS
Decentraleyes

 

[CMLew]

My favorite one:
1) Clean install everything first remove all unnecessary wares.
2) Install Shadow Defenders.
3) Install EAM.
4) Install WFC.
5) Install Google Chrome.
6) Install Adguard.
7) Install anything that is portable (run from folders/thumbdrives).

 

[JHomes]

Rollback Rx Home, Macrium Reflect.

Both are free and effective backup and restore solutions.

 

[kev216]

When you say a basic users machine, I think about most of the non-really techy users that just use a computer to browse a bit or do some office stuff for work, and not about most of the MT member type users.
I think for that category of computer users, simplicity is the keyword. I would not install that much on such a computer. Just a free simple install and forget antivirus that does not display ads and doesn't need (much) configuration (Bitdefender free, Sophos Home free, Forticlient, Kaspersky free). Combining this with default windows firewall (but not combined with something like wfc or tinywall since they don't know how to configure it) and UAC to maximum. Depending on what the user wants, you can also install Chrome/Opera/Firefox with an adblocking extension, but Edge is fine too for just simple browsing. Other than that MS Office and maybe a video player like VLC or MPC-HC. Nothing more, if the user wants more, they can install it themselves.

 

[Transhumana]

SUA + UAC at max
Avast Free (hardened mode)
HMPA + HMP
Unchecky
Firefox with uBlock Origin, HTTPS Everywhere and NoScript (even though I know some basic users who find using NoScript a bit challenging)

 

[hamo]

 

[AlanOstaszewski]

I'm installing always theese programs on my Windows systems:
- Tor Browser (portable)
- Java 8 (for MC)
- Discord
- K-Lite Codecs
- LibreOffice
- Thunderbird
- 7Zip
- Windscribe
- Virtualbox
I do not need more

 

[Marko :)]

For a basic user:
Antivirus: Bitdefender Free or Kaspersky Free
Firewall: GlassWire
Web browser: Google Chrome
Browser extensions: HTTPS Anywhere, Avira Browser Safety & Adguard
On demand scanners: Malwarebytes, Emsisoft Emergency Kit, Zemana Anti-Malware
DNS: Norton ConnectSafe
Other tools: Unchecky

For an advanced user:
Antivirus: Avast Free Antivirus (with max. settings)
Firewall: Comodo Firewall
Web browser: Google Chrome
Browser extensions: HTTPS Anywhere, uBlock Origin, uBlock Origin Extra
On demand scanners: Malwarebytes, Emsisoft Emergency Kit, Zemana Anti-Malware
DNS: Norton ConnectSafe or OpenDNS
VPN: Windscribe VPN or ProtonVPN
Other tools: Unchecky

 

[Deletedmessiah]

View attachment 170605

Appguard is not suitable for basic users. I'm better than basic users but I can't handle Appguard.

 

[codswollip]

Shadow Defender, set to shadow on boot.