Setting up a new PC or doing a fresh Windows install? One of the first things you need to do is install the right software. But with thousands of options out there, how do you know which ones are actually worth having?
In this guide, we have put together a list of the 10 best free programs that every Windows PC should have. These are tools we personally use and recommend — no bloatware, no trials, just genuinely useful free software.
1. VLC Media Player
Category: Media Player
Download: videolan.org
VLC is the best media player on Windows, full stop. It plays virtually every video and audio format without needing to install any extra codecs. It is lightweight, fast, and completely free with no ads.
Whether you are watching downloaded movies, playing music files, or streaming online content, VLC handles it all.
Why you need it: Windows Media Player cannot play many common video formats like MKV and AVI. VLC plays everything.
2. 7-Zip
Category: File Compression
Download: 7-zip.org
7-Zip is a free file archiver that lets you open, extract, and create ZIP, RAR, 7Z, and many other archive formats. It is completely free and open source — no paid upgrade needed.
Most downloaded software on the internet comes in compressed archive files. 7-Zip is the tool you need to open them.
Why you need it: Windows can only open ZIP files by default. 7-Zip unlocks support for RAR and many other formats.
3. Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox
Category: Web Browser
Download: google.com/chrome or mozilla.org
While Microsoft Edge comes pre-installed on Windows, many users prefer Chrome or Firefox for their speed, extensions, and syncing features.
Chrome is excellent if you use Google services like Gmail and Google Drive. Firefox is a great alternative with stronger privacy features.
Why you need it: A reliable, fast browser is essential for everyday use.
4. LibreOffice
Category: Office Suite
Download: libreoffice.org
LibreOffice is a completely free alternative to Microsoft Office. It includes Writer (like Word), Calc (like Excel), and Impress (like PowerPoint). It can open and edit Microsoft Office files, making it a practical choice for students and workers who cannot afford the Microsoft subscription.
Why you need it: Microsoft Office costs money. LibreOffice gives you the same core features for free.
5. WinRAR or PeaZip
Category: File Archiver
Download: win-rar.com / peazip.github.io
While 7-Zip handles most formats, some archive files — especially RAR files with passwords — are best handled by WinRAR. The free version technically expires but continues to work indefinitely after the trial.
PeaZip is a 100% free and open-source alternative with a modern interface.
Why you need it: Many software downloads online come in RAR format with passwords.
6. Malwarebytes (Free Version)
Category: Malware Scanner
Download: malwarebytes.com
Windows Defender is decent, but Malwarebytes is excellent at catching malware, adware, and spyware that Defender misses. The free version allows you to run manual scans whenever you want.
Run a scan with Malwarebytes once a week as a second layer of protection.
Why you need it: A second opinion scanner catches threats that your primary antivirus may miss.
7. Notepad++
Category: Text Editor
Download: notepad-plus-plus.org
Notepad++ is a powerful free text editor that replaces the basic Windows Notepad. It supports syntax highlighting for dozens of programming languages, multiple tabs, find and replace, and much more.
Even if you are not a programmer, Notepad++ is incredibly useful for editing configuration files, viewing log files, and working with large text documents.
Why you need it: The built-in Windows Notepad is extremely basic. Notepad++ is far more powerful and still free.
8. qBittorrent
Category: Torrent Client
Download: qbittorrent.org
If you download torrent files, qBittorrent is the best torrent client available. It is completely free, open source, and has no ads or bundled software — unlike many other torrent clients.
Why you need it: A reliable, clean torrent client with no ads or sneaky installs.
9. TeamViewer (Free for Personal Use)
Category: Remote Desktop
Download: teamviewer.com
TeamViewer allows you to remotely control another computer or let someone else control yours. It is incredibly useful for helping family members with tech problems without being physically present.
The free version is fully functional for personal non-commercial use.
Why you need it: Perfect for remote tech support and accessing your PC from another location.
10. CCleaner (Free Version)
Category: System Cleaner
Download: ccleaner.com
CCleaner is a popular system cleaning tool that removes junk files, temporary files, browser cache, and registry errors. The free version is sufficient for most users.
Use it once a month to keep your PC clean and free up disk space.
Why you need it: Regular cleaning with CCleaner helps keep your PC running smoothly over time.
Summary Table
| Software | Purpose | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| VLC Media Player | Play all video/audio formats | Free |
| 7-Zip | Open ZIP, RAR, 7Z files | Free |
| Chrome / Firefox | Web browsing | Free |
| LibreOffice | Word processing, spreadsheets | Free |
| WinRAR / PeaZip | File compression | Free |
| Malwarebytes | Malware scanning | Free |
| Notepad++ | Advanced text editing | Free |
| qBittorrent | Torrent downloads | Free |
| TeamViewer | Remote desktop | Free (personal) |
| CCleaner | System cleaning | Free |
Final Thoughts
All 10 of these programs are free, trusted, and genuinely useful. Installing them on a fresh Windows PC gives you a solid foundation for work, entertainment, and security.
For more software recommendations and download guides, explore the rest of Vic Tech Computers and subscribe to our YouTube channel @VicTechComputers.
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