pcworld.site and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

19 Must-Have Software For Laptop That Is Best Worth Installing

If you’ve just purchased a brand new laptop, you are wondering about choosing the essential programs to install. We’ve compiled a selection of 19 must-have software for laptops that turns out to be a great guide for users.

Amongst thousands of apps on the Internet, each tool in our list provides you with a distinctive feature that helps optimize your laptop security and productivity without costing you a buck. Before we dive in, here are our lists of recommended laptops:

19 Must-Have Software For Laptop

Google Chrome Browser

Portable Google Chrome

Download here

It is praised that Google Chrome is the most familiar web browser ever. It offers Internet users super speedy and effective browsing with unlimited sources of information.

Chrome is a free cross-platform browser well compatible with all operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux and Android. You can turn on sync with Chrome, and it will automatically update all taps, history and cache of your Google account across your laptop, PC, mobile, and tablet.

Otherwise, you can opt for an incognito window which keeps all your activities on the Internet private if you don’t want any tracking from Google. It also provides tons of add-ons and extensions that customize your usage and preferences.

Seer

seer

Download here

Seer offers Windows a fabulous feature that is very handy for users. It helps preview images, videos and files before you download or copy them. This makes your computer well organized as you can decide which folder each file will go to without opening the file first.

You can also copy a photo or video and paste to clipboard while previewing it. Seer doesn’t support Word documents, but you still can preview the text files of different types.

There are both free and paid packages for Seer. If you desire a lifetime license, you need to pay only $12.18 to keep this app updated. Or you can download the free version and enjoy its benefits with slight differences.

7-Zip

7zip

Download here

If you wish for compressing and extracting different types of files, it’s worth knowing that the built-in support from Windows is not enough. That is why you should try 7-Zip, a brilliant tool that helps users archive and release anything.

It is a free tool that never bugs or spies you. All you’ve got to do is download and install the app, which takes place in a matter of minutes. And here you go, whenever you want to zip or unzip a file, 7-Zip will take care of it!

 Firefox

Download here

One better alternative for Google browser is Firefox. Despite the fact that it is not as prevalent as Chrome, the software still makes a conquest of many users for its fabulous features.

Firefox is exceptional for blocking popup ads which annoy many of us when using other Internet browsers. It offers various extensions and plugins to optimize users’ web-surfing experience. The smooth and free download with friendly interface also helps Firefox score a grand point.

Notepad2

Notepad2

Download here

Notepad2 is the well upgraded version for traditional Windows Notepad. This tool facilitates note-taking with extra features such as auto-saving, word and character counts, handy editing tools bar, and multiple-text assistance, to name but a few.

If you often edit different types of documents or writing code, Notepad2 is an ideal app that helps you work more efficiently. It is also free for download and takes up just a little RAM of your laptop storage.

VLC media player

VLC media player

Download here

VLC is kind of an all-in-one package that runs smoothly on all types of media. It is compatible with all platforms, even with smartphone operating systems like Android or iOS. The program is distinguished for its capability of streaming and transcoding videos.

VLC is free for download yet distributes a lot of amazing features for its users like subtitle support or video filters. For these reasons, VLC has been one of the greatest players for Windows.

Team Viewer

Team Viewer

Download here

We find that Teamviewer is the best option for remote access and screen sharing. With Teamviewer, you can connect your laptop with any other one from anywhere.

This tool helps you solve technical troubles for your friend or family’s PCs without the need of coming to their homes. Or you can run an online meeting or presentation for a group of people sitting right in your bedroom.

Teamviewer is free for personal use, but you’ve got to pay from $49 per month if the software is used for business purposes. With all its priorities and advantages, Teamviewer is totally worth your every penny.

CCleaner

CCleaner

Download here

Have you ever felt uneasy when you have to wait to load a website or open an application on your laptop? This could be the result of many cache applications running in the background.

CCleaner improves your device’ speed and productivity by scanning its memory to get rid of all redundant files, unused programs and junks. Your laptop will operate way faster and more smoothly as it is not overloaded any more, thanks to CCleaner.

MS Office

MS Office

Download here

Undoubtedly, MS Office is the soul of Windows. Everyone needs to use at least one tool in the package for their job or study. We are all familiar with Microsoft Word as it is universally used everyday.

Microsoft Powerpoint is the primary and the most useful tool for us to prepare and give presentations. Google Slides is a fantastic online tool for presentations as well, but it still can’t replace Microsoft Powerpoint.

Microsoft Excel is excellent for spreadsheet-related work. It is a must for any accountants, auditors, administrative assistants, human resources officers and tons of other office jobs.

MS Office is not free, though. Therefore, to save your money, you can find many cracked versions available on the Internet to install.

 Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials

Download here

Any laptop needs a security tool to protect it from viruses and potential threats. Microsoft Security Essentials is created to help reinforce the safety of your device.

It scans all the files in your system to check if there is any malware or spyware. This Microsoft tool is a perfect antivirus as it is powerful, fast and straightforward to use. Besides, you can easily install the app for free.

 Dropbox

 Dropbox

Download here

Dropbox offers free cloud storage and backup for different files. You can archive online all your documents, photos, and videos with Dropbox. Its data sync feature is an extra plus as it allows you to access data from different devices, as long as you log in the same account.

The software provides users 2GB of free cloud storage. If you want more space, you’ve got to pay for it at a reasonable price. Let Dropbox backup essential information and you will never have to worry about data loss.

ShareX

ShareX

Download here

It is handy to possess a screenshot tool on your laptop. ShareX meets all criteria to earn the crown for this category. It captures all moments that you would like to keep and takes photos of any information you need.

As an advanced alternative for Snipping Tool, ShareX adds incredible editing tools to its interface for no cost. This means you can easily adjust your screenshot to suit your needs with optimal assistance from the software.

 Paint.NET

Paint.NET

Download here

Paint.NET is specialized in editing photos. There are tons of great features that this tool offers to either enhance your image quality or customize your pictures as you wish for.

With Paint.NET, you can adjust your pictures with various filters, fix exposure, contrast, brightness or saturation till you feel satisfied. You can also crop pictures with different sizes, blur some parts or the whole background, and add words and shapes into your photos with easy manipulations.

 Rambox

 Rambox

Download here

These days, we all keep in touch with others by texting forth and back via different social networks. Whether we chat for work or daily life purposes, it’s sometimes hard to catch up with a great deal of messages from dozens of apps. Rambox is here just for you.

Rambox accumulates all the apps that you use into a window with each one a separate tab. By looking at the same page, you are easily aware of all the incoming messages from different sources. And when you don’t want to receive messages from a particular program, just click close for this tab – how easy it is!

Rambox is a charged software, but you still can access it free if you are comfortable with some limitations or you just simply don’t need the advanced features.

 Focus Booster

focus booster

Download here

Deadlines may sometimes be less favorable to many people. But it is definitely sure that we will work more effectively when we are forced to do it in a specific amount of time. It is simply because deadlines will help you to fulfill your tasks on time.

Focus Booster works under a time print mechanism. It is set to default as a 25-minute sprint / 5-minute break. But you can modify the time to suit your habits, as long as it is long enough for you to stay focused and achieve a small part of your task for each round.

The timer is floating in a small window that does not bother your screen, and you can mute the ticking sound. The app can also export a report of what you have done and how productive you were. But for this tracking and unlimited sessions, you will pay just $5/month, which is pretty low-cost. Otherwise, you can make use of the free version which is limited to 20 sessions/month.

 Folder Lock

Folder Lock

Download here

Locking your laptop with a password is never enough if it contains confidential information. Folder Lock adds a layer of protection that helps optimize your laptop security.

The software helps to protect from accessing your folders. You can set a different password for each folder or file, and it requires your ID credential to open them. You also can conceal anything that is important in your laptop with its tools.

Folder Lock is a useful tool that gives your device ultra-protection and is free to install. In case your laptop is lost or stolen, at least Folder Lock will somehow make you feel relieved since no one can crack your data.

Quick Access Popup

Quick Access Popup

Download here

Quick Access Popup is ideal for giving you prompt access to information from a popup menu. You just need to add files, folders, links, images or whatever you frequently use to this app, and they will all appear right on the screen with one click.

The software is convenient and handy when you are working on a project or writing a report that requires a lot of research from a variety of materials. Moreover, it is free to use and can popup from anywhere on your laptop.

Zapya

Zapya

Download here

Sharing and sending files can’t be easier with the emergence of many applications and social networks. Still, Zapya standouts for its flexibility and ease of use.

Zapya is a file-sharing tool that is easily applicable to different platforms. The noticeable point about this software is that it can transfer files without the Internet.

Imagine you are working from home and your boss needs you to share a document, but suddenly there is a power cut, and what would you do? In this case, don’t panic with Zapya in your hand.  Thanks to its presence, all problems were solved!

The app can also create a wifi hotspot, and you can share the wifi with other devices by entering the password. This way, you can access the Internet easily even when there is no Internet at all.

Thunderbird

Thunderbird

Download here

Thunderbird is an email client that has extraordinary features for the users. The app is solid and fast, free to use and has terrific add-ons to customize your experience.

Like Gmail or Outlook, Thunderbird offers full editing tools from its tabbed interface and are extremely easy to use. What makes this software prominent is that it gets rid of bugs and fishings, and it informs you which email contains the virus so that you don’t open it.

Conclusion

A good laptop should go with superb tools to get your jobs done most efficiently and productively. Our list of 19 must-have software for laptops consists of all spectacular programs that increase your device’s overall performance and strongly strengthen its security. We hope you will find the software that lives up to your expectations.

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 0 comments

Leave a Reply: