Have you just installed Windows or bought a new PC or laptop and want to get started right away? Then you should check out our top 5 programs for Windows. In our opinion, this starter kit belongs on every Windows PC so you can work safely and comfortably.
Starter Kit: 5 Free Must-Have Programs for Windows
Windows comes pre-installed with many programs, whether on a new PC or after a clean install. Not all of them are useless, but not all are useful either. That’s why we recommend taking a look at our Windows starter kit.
We’ve compiled five essential, free Windows tools that will help you work more securely and productively. One thing you won’t necessarily need to adjust: Defender provides decent antivirus protection right out of the box. While our tests revealed better options, this built-in tool offers solid protection without bombarding you with ads for paid subscriptions.
In other areas, however, the selection isn’t quite as comprehensive. For example, Windows lacks a true backup tool that allows you to easily back up your data exactly where you want it. We also see a significant need for improvement in password managers, and those who want to edit images on their PC or occasionally use Office programs can also take advantage of the free Windows Starter Kit.
Free Starter Kit for Windows
Browser Recommendation: Brave
Download: Brave Browser
Advantages
Fast and easy to use
Privacy and security
Cool extras, such as Tor integration and a custom search function
Disadvantages
Exotic features like a crypto wallet
Brave is an open-source browser built on the Chromium engine, prioritizing privacy, speed, and user-friendliness. While speed and web standards are ensured by its Chrome-based foundation, Brave also blocks third-party ads and trackers by default, prevents fingerprinting, and bypasses cookie banners. Additionally, Brave automatically redirects visited websites to secure HTTPS connections.
The free browser comes with useful extras, such as Brave Search, an independent, private search engine that doesn’t use user profiling. It also features built-in AI, integrated directly into the browser, which provides quick answers and helps with working with content. However, these extras are a fine line; not everything is truly intended for the general public, and certainly not everyone needs a crypto wallet.
A unique feature is Brave’s integration of the Tor anonymity network. This means you can not only open a tab in private mode but also explicitly start a Tor environment. All traffic is then routed through the Tor network and anonymized via multiple intermediaries.
Brave Browser is fast and scores points with cool extras
Image: Screenshot/CHIP
Free password manager: Bitwarden
Download: Bitwarden
Advantages
Completely free to use
High security
Many features
Disadvantages
Darknet check only available with a paid subscription
Bitwarden is an open-source password manager that stands out for its high security, versatility, and particularly user-friendly features. Importantly, we recommend starting with the free version, which should be perfectly adequate for most private users.
You’ll also get some convenient features like login via Windows Hello or Touch ID. This allows you to unlock your password vault not only with a master password, but also with a fingerprint or facial recognition – a feature that costs money with other password managers.
Bitwarden stores all passwords encrypted (AES-256) and has undergone multiple independent audits. Security vulnerabilities were quickly patched, which speaks to the tool’s reliability. Synchronization works for free across all devices, meaning you can easily use your passwords on your phone or another PC.
Easy setup and the flawless import of passwords from other password managers are further advantages of Bitwarden. Passwords can be organized into folders and marked as favorites, ensuring clarity even when managing many passwords.
In addition to storing passwords, Bitwarden also saves credit card information, identity details, and notes. It also features an integrated password generator. However, the free version doesn’t offer all features; for example, the Darknet check is only available for an additional fee.
Bitwarden ist auch in der kostenlosen Version ein guter Passwortmanager
Backup-Tool: Aomei Backupper Pro
- Advantages
Flexible backup options
Easy to use
Reliable performance
Disadvantages
Online backups only in the manufacturer’s cloud
What Windows lacks is a backup program that offers users various ways to secure their data. Reliability and ease of use are paramount. With Aomei Backupper Pro, you can add a comprehensive backup program to Windows for free.
The software’s strengths: It provides all the essential backup functions in an easy-to-use interface. You can create local backups or use a NAS drive. Optionally, the software also stores backups in the manufacturer’s cloud (for an additional fee).
All the important backup features are included, such as scheduling, encryption, and compression. You can use the software to back up individual files and folders, as well as entire partitions, drives, or the entire system.
Data restoration is also possible from the same interface. For emergencies, Aomei Backupper Pro also creates bootable emergency media based on Windows or Linux.
Aomei Backupper Pro offers flexible data backup options.
Image: Screenshot/CHIP
Free Office Suite: LibreOffice
- Advantages
Completely free office suite
Alternative to Microsoft Office
Easy to use
Disadvantages
UI could use a refresh
In offices, Microsoft Office is the standard, but for private use, the paid suite is usually unnecessary. LibreOffice is a free and powerful alternative to Microsoft Office. It was developed as the successor to OpenOffice.
Anyone familiar with Microsoft Office or another office suite will feel right at home, as LibreOffice offers a clear user interface and versatile tools. It includes the following main components:
Writer (word processing)
Calc (spreadsheet)
Impress (presentations)
Draw (drawings and diagrams)
Base (database management)
Math (formula editor)With LibreOffice, you can create a wide variety of documents, such as letters, theses, brochures, financial reports, presentations, technical drawings, and more. It’s unlikely you’ll encounter any missing features, as this free office suite is comprehensively equipped.
Many document formats are supported, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher. The primary format is the open OpenDocument Format (ODF). Functions and templates can be easily added through extensions. LibreOffice is a powerful program, but a refresh of the user interface is long overdue.
Für den Privatgebrauch ersetzt LibreOffice Microsoft Office vollständig.
Bildbearbeitung: Paint.NET
- Advantages
Many image editing functions
Easy to use
Extensible via plug-ins
Disadvantages
Requires some learning for beginners
While you can edit images to a limited extent using Windows’ built-in tools, Paint.NET offers significantly more possibilities. This free image editor for Windows features an intuitive user interface and a wide range of tools and effects that allow you to really let your creativity flow.
Paint.NET is completely free to use, and even beginners should be able to manage its tools. The only difficulty might be initially grasping the sheer number of tools for image editing, retouching, and design. However, this is no different from other full-fledged image editing software, except that the competition usually costs money.
Experiment with the numerous effects and filters for editing and enhancing images, or even expand the functionality further with plug-ins. While Paint.NET isn’t Photoshop, it does support layers like the famous Adobe program and can therefore handle more complex image editing projects.
Paint.NET is therefore an excellent free alternative to more expensive image editing programs like Adobe Photoshop. It offers a good balance between ease of use and extensive features. Just give it a try; you can always buy paid software later if Paint.NET doesn’t suit you.
Paint.NET bietet umfangreiche Bearbeitungsmöglichkeiten.
Why are these specific programs included in the starter kit?
Windows comes with a lot of software, some of which is more useful than others. Of course, opinions vary from user to user, as tastes differ, but we’ve focused on the areas where we believe Windows falls short.
Take the browser, for example: Edge isn’t bad, but it’s currently quite bloated. Many users are turning to alternatives; Chrome and Firefox are very popular. From our perspective, there’s room for improvement in the browser.
Security is another major issue. Too few users are performing regular backups, and this is partly due to Windows, as its built-in backup programs are outdated or too limited. A program that simplifies backups is therefore essential. A password manager is also one of the first tools you should install on a fresh Windows installation, since passwords are practically indispensable online.
When selecting our recommendations, it was important to us that the programs be free to use, as not everyone wants to buy additional software. At the same time, we wanted to ensure that there weren’t too many limitations on their use.
Edge ist kein schlechter Browser, jedoch wirkt er aktuell überladen mit Funktionen.
The trick, in practice, is to keep Windows as lean as possible while still having a user-friendly system with the right programs. Unfortunately, Microsoft thwarts this plan right from the start, as it pre-installs a plethora of programs that most users don’t need.
What can you do about it? Uninstall the software you don’t use. You can do this program by program by right-clicking on apps in the Start menu and then clicking “Uninstall.” The downside of this method is that it’s time-consuming because Windows can only remove one program at a time.
However, smart software can help you slim down your system. With AppBuster from O&O, you can select which programs you want to remove and then uninstall them all at once. AppBuster also removes hidden apps and pre-installed third-party programs. And if something goes wrong, programs can be restored.
AppBuster entfernt vorinstallierte Programme, die Sie nicht brauchen.
Our top 5 list is a narrow selection of must-haves that every Windows user should have. However, there’s no shortage of additional software for Windows; our download section lists thousands of ways to further enhance Windows.
In the table below, we’ve included a few more suggestions for programs that are useful for Windows, in addition to our top 5. Keep in mind that you don’t have to install all of these programs, but everyone has different needs, and you might find some interesting tools here.
More interesting Windows tools
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