As a computer owner, you are likely familiar with different software types. What you need on a computer depends on one’s needs, particularly if we are talking about work.
At the same time, some software categories are pretty universal. In other words, you need it on pretty much every computer.
In case you have not bothered thinking about useful software to have or you wish to add more valuable tools to your computer, the list below should come in handy.
Antivirus
Let’s start with the obvious—antivirus software. It is hard to imagine using a computer without such a tool, even if you are tech-savvy and can identify potential cybersecurity threats from a mile away.
Having experience and knowledge is not enough, as malware can attack your device when you least expect it. At the end of the day, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Check both free and paid options for antivirus software and get one for your computer if you haven’t already. And make sure to leave the antivirus running in the background all the time, even if it is consuming a little bit of system resources.
Storage Cleaner
If clearing redundant computer files manually is a chore you want to skip, then keep reading. There are multiple storage cleaners that can take care of temporary system cache, localization files, plugins, app extensions, and more.
Some of the files you cannot even access without tinkering with system settings, and doing that is a bit tricky as you might delete an unrelated file accidentally. It makes sense to automate the process.
Communication
Whether it is socializing with coworkers, friends, or family members, you should not find it too hard to get one of the many available communication tools.
In fact, you might be interested in meeting some new people online, and Discord is one of the standout options for that. It offers pretty much everything you would want in communication service. You can join servers that have communities with like-minded people, meaning that it is easier to find someone who shares your hobbies.
For more professional matters, there is Slack. Many businesses use the tool to carry out their communication tasks. TeamViewer is worth a shout as well, though it is mostly used for video calls.
Time Tracking
Another tool for work (or personal projects, if you want) is a time tracker. For those who work on an hourly basis, it is quite difficult to keep track of their exact time, and using software makes a lot of sense.
Of course, you can make notes yourself while looking at the clock, but you might end up in a situation where you lose track of time because of getting too much into your work. Figuring out the exact minutes after is not ideal, to say the least. You do not want to guess because it can cause trouble later.
Internet Browser
Most computers come with default internet browsers. MS Windows has Internet Explorer (or rather Edge), while macOS offers Safari.
For the most part, default internet browsers are fine to use, but they might lack particular features that the user needs.
Take security, for instance. Opera and Tor are much better internet browsers as far as the privacy on the internet goes. The former even has a built-in virtual private network.
Then there is Google Chrome, the most popular internet browser at the moment. Even if Chrome is notorious for its memory usage, it still excels in extensions and other features, making it so popular.
Cloud Storage
Cloud storage is also a must, particularly if you have too many files on the computer and want to relocate them.
iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, and other cloud services offer a safe alternative to store your files. These platforms provide a few gigabytes of free space, but users can pay a monthly or yearly fee to gain up to a few terabytes of total available storage on their accounts.
Music Streaming
Music is a necessity for many, and it is not that common to keep separate track files on a computer these days. Instead, people use streaming services for the sake of convenience.
Spotify stands above all the other streaming platforms popularity-wise. If you get a premium plan, you can also disable those annoying ads and enjoy an even more pleasant user experience while listening to music.
Media Player
Even with YouTube, Netflix, and other streaming services, you should still have a video player on a computer.
The default options are okay, but upgrading to VLC is what many people do. It is recognized as one of the best media players right now, not to mention the fact that its developers offer the tool for free and are not running any ads on it.