- Joined
- Apr 27, 2010
- Location
- Bethlehem, Georgia
Download musts for a PC (I put this together for a new PC, but it is also good for your current PC)
Do the Windows Update
Check if Media player is setup.
When looking for software. The safest place to look is CNET.COM
*** NOTE: When loading software you will come across the application trying to get you to load 3rd party software. It is always best NOT to load that software. Uncheck any boxes so the 3rd party software doesn't load. Also always do the custom install, so you can keep this software off your PC.
Definition of - 3rd party software - It is where Company B wants people to use their software. So they pay Company A money to include the software in the download of one of their applications(sometimes it is from a company they may own). PC makers also get money from software companies to install trial versions on the PC's.
Firefox browser (best to use this or Google Chrome over Explorer) http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/upgrade.html
Google Chrome http://www.google.com/chrome
Adobe Flash Player (it tries to load 3rd party Mcafee or some 3rd party software, uncheck the boxes) http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
Adobe Shockwave Player http://get.adobe.com/shockwave/
Microsoft's Free Antivirus - I have read good things about this one & use it myself. http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/default.aspx
Divx 7 - I use this player for viewing video & Music. http://download.cnet.com/DivX-7-for-Windows/3000-13632_4-10062728.html?tag=mncol
Picasa (photo software) http://download.cnet.com/Picasa/3000-2193_4-10160334.html?tag=mncol;pick
Skype ( Long distance) -You will need a microphone & speakers(or a headset) for this. http://download.cnet.com/Skype/3000-2349_4-10225260.html?tag=mncol
Malware bytes ( anti-malware software,This removes spyware) http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol
Foxit reader ( PDF reader) http://download.cnet.com/Foxit-Reader/3000-10743_4-10313206.html?tag=mncol
Media Player Codec pack (just found & will load on my PC) http://download.cnet.com/Media-Player-Codec-Pack/3000-13632_4-10749065.html?tag=mncol
7zip (zip software for zipping & unzipping files) http://download.cnet.com/7-Zip/3000-2250_4-10045185.html?tag=mncol
Google Earth (Explore the world from your computer) http://earth.google.com/intl/en/
Free Office tools instead of $300 Microsoft Office
Open Office.org http://download.cnet.com/OpenOffice-org/3000-18483_4-10263109.html?tag=mncol
Lots of web pages are using JAVA more & more. It is good to check for Java updates every 6 months or so.
The download will check & see if you need to update it.
Java http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp
Do the Windows Update
Check if Media player is setup.
When looking for software. The safest place to look is CNET.COM
*** NOTE: When loading software you will come across the application trying to get you to load 3rd party software. It is always best NOT to load that software. Uncheck any boxes so the 3rd party software doesn't load. Also always do the custom install, so you can keep this software off your PC.
Definition of - 3rd party software - It is where Company B wants people to use their software. So they pay Company A money to include the software in the download of one of their applications(sometimes it is from a company they may own). PC makers also get money from software companies to install trial versions on the PC's.
Free software you want to load on a new (or current) PC:
Firefox browser (best to use this or Google Chrome over Explorer) http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/upgrade.html
Google Chrome http://www.google.com/chrome
Adobe Flash Player (it tries to load 3rd party Mcafee or some 3rd party software, uncheck the boxes) http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
Microsoft's Free Antivirus - I have read good things about this one & use it myself. http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/default.aspx
Divx 7 - I use this player for viewing video & Music. http://download.cnet.com/DivX-7-for-Windows/3000-13632_4-10062728.html?tag=mncol
Picasa (photo software) http://download.cnet.com/Picasa/3000-2193_4-10160334.html?tag=mncol;pick
Skype ( Long distance) -You will need a microphone & speakers(or a headset) for this. http://download.cnet.com/Skype/3000-2349_4-10225260.html?tag=mncol
Malware bytes ( anti-malware software,This removes spyware) http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol
Foxit reader ( PDF reader) http://download.cnet.com/Foxit-Reader/3000-10743_4-10313206.html?tag=mncol
Media Player Codec pack (just found & will load on my PC) http://download.cnet.com/Media-Player-Codec-Pack/3000-13632_4-10749065.html?tag=mncol
7zip (zip software for zipping & unzipping files) http://download.cnet.com/7-Zip/3000-2250_4-10045185.html?tag=mncol
Google Earth (Explore the world from your computer) http://earth.google.com/intl/en/
Free Office tools instead of $300 Microsoft Office
Open Office.org http://download.cnet.com/OpenOffice-org/3000-18483_4-10263109.html?tag=mncol
Lots of web pages are using JAVA more & more. It is good to check for Java updates every 6 months or so.
The download will check & see if you need to update it.
Java http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp