No matter if you are new or experienced PC user, these essential software programs will enhance your computing experience. Available as free downloads and easy installation on Windows computers.
Many new computers come preinstalled with some basic software tools, but these may not meet all your needs. Here are five tools every computer should possess.
Speccy
Piriform’s freeware PC hardware analysis tool, Speccy (free), is an all-in-one system analysis solution. It collects information about your CPU, motherboard, RAM, graphics card, hard drives, optical drives and other components to provide comprehensive statistics in one convenient place.
Temperature data for individual pieces of hardware is also collected and displayed, providing you with a clear and concise summary to better understand what lies beneath your computer.
Though Speccy may not offer as many features as PC Wizard or HWInfo64, it is more reliable in identifying hardware components. Furthermore, it allows you to take a snapshot of your computer’s configuration at a particular point in time for future reference or sharing with tech support.
IObit Advanced SystemCare
IObit Advanced SystemCare is one of the premier PC optimization tools, helping improve performance, security and health on PCs. It features disk cleanup, registry repair, malware detection/removal as well as privacy protection – with some additional services like software updater and phishing protection requiring subscription fees; but its core set of functions remains free for use.
Junk File Cleaner of this software is especially beneficial in clearing away unwanted files that clog hard drives and decrease performance, while Registry Error Fix helps eliminate errors that cause instability or crashes. Additional essential features include disk defragger and startup manager for seamless system performance management; its user-friendly interface even supports 36 languages!
Plex
Plex may be worth your consideration if you’re an avid video collector or simply seeking something different than traditional streaming services, enabling you to centrally manage and expand your media library while adding extra content such as movie posters, song lyrics, original air dates and so much more.
Plex’s free version comes with certain restrictions, while upgrading to Premium gives you mobile app access (plus additional features like live TV recording and Plex Pass AVOD), offline sync capability, parental controls and mobile device support.
Plex is designed for easy use: simply install its server app on a constantly running computer or compatible NAS box and download corresponding Plex apps for smartphones, tablets, computers and streaming devices. Once setup, Plex will detect new files automatically and update your library immediately.
Amazon Kindle
The Amazon Kindle is a portable, battery-powered e-reader device designed primarily to read eBooks. However, it can also store personal documents like PDFs and Microsoft DOC and DOCX files.
Kindles are useful devices for downloading content from Amazon’s Kindle Store and viewing unprotected MOBI, PRC, TXT, HTML and AZW files; some models even support playing audible enhanced (AA and AAX) audiobooks!
Amazon Kindles come in various case colors and sizes, from official Amazon covers to third-party accessory markets. All Kindles feature 16GB of storage.
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop has become the industry standard in image editing software and is used by photographers, graphic designers, and other creative professionals for various tasks such as retouching digital or scanned images, creating composite imagery, and altering digital art. It has even become part of everyday parlance!
This software features a layer-based editing system, which enables raster image creation and modification with multiple transparent overlays supporting transparency, acting as masks or filters that change underlying colors. Furthermore, nondestructive editing enables users to explore alternative editing strategies without losing original images.
Newer versions have introduced 3D design capabilities, CMYK color support and duotone settings; more recently released in 2022 offers improved neural filter quality and Sky Replacement options.
