I just ordered all of the parts for my PC and I am going to install Windows 7. I am just curious to know some things that I should install that are very useful for a PC to have.
I am going to use the PC for gaming but of course I am also going to use it as one would use any computer. I know of the site Ninite and would like any suggestions on things that you guys download when you build a PC or format and reboot an old one.
Thanks for reading and any advice and suggestions will be awesome!
As little as possible until you need it, and watch out for tag-along software that may try to install together with whatever you're downloading these days.
I have a lot that I install on a fresh system but such things tend to be relative my usage patterns. I'm just gonna drop some software names off the cuff: Autoruns, 7-Zip, CPU-Z, GPU-Z, HWMonitor64, Virtual CloneDrive, MPC - Home Cinema. And since I love to run things from keyboard hotkeys, HotKeyMan.
You can get back old context menu to taskbar items, make middle click close windows, change grouping and combining behaviour and add some more controls like cycle between windows by scrolling mouse wheel over taskbar.
Mich covered a large majority of programs with ninite.com. Out of those programs, I think 7-Zip is a must have. It's the best compression software I have ever used.
On a brand new system, I usually install the following
Chrome
Firefox
7-Zip
Teracopy
OpenOffice
VLC
Foobar (or Winamp; just depends on your preference and whether or not you listen to mp3s or flac)
An antivirus is typically a good idea; I use Avast. It's light on resources, and hasn't let me down so far.
Alongside the antivirus, I install a malware cleaner such as Malwarebytes. Run as needed.
VLC is a video player. It also differs from most other players by having its own video decoders. I personally prefer to use MPC-HC with LAV Filters and Haali Media Splitter.
foobar2000 is a highly customizable audio player. I personally prefer AIMP which I can describe as a "better winamp".
Teracopy is a utility that replaces windows copy dialog with a better one.
And I don't ever recommend installing any antiviruses. Scanners like malwarebytes are fine.
KMplayer (preference, I also like way more then VLC)
Deludge (torrent, free, no ads, z-train recomended a while back)
FLAC to MP3 converter for those pesky ipods.
Microsoft Office (craked lol)
Steam/Origin/Uplay/Games for windows live (anything to play any game I guess)
Cinebench
Memtest64
Unigen Valley/Heaven
That is all that's on my pc really. Obviously I don't do too much other then gaming and media but those programs have remained stable for me for roughly 6 months and counting, I swear it is just as fast as the day I installed windows. I really like Advanced System Cares registry/privacy/malware clean up and the countless tools it gives you to "clean your pc". As for the Kmplayer, I love it because (yes you can do this with other media players) it is pretty much non existent on my pc as I prefer to just use windows as my library and just select the files to automaticly open in kmplayer. It also has a MASSIVE selection of video/audio options I have yet to see from other media players but I haven't looked in a long time as it has left me so satisfied.
I would advise that people don't use MSI after burning (Or any GPU Overclocker that uses Rivatuner as it causes odd visual bugs and BSODs in some cases) I personally have had BSOD's caused by MSI afterburner and after uninstalling it I haven't had a single one since.
Advanced System care is not an antivirus. Or it can be but I do not have the "virus software installed" anyways, I like it for it's uninstall features, auto unlock/gives ownership of files on your pc that might have been locked or corrupt, auto fixed shortcuts, secure deletion of data, reg cleaner, disk cleaner, reg defrag, disk defrag, disk doctor, windows fix, system explorer, auto shutdown. It does everything I can think of when it comes to pc maintenance. I used to use ccleaner, and various other programs to do what advanced system care does but the convenience and organization of 1 program is great.
However I have seen lots of very bad iobit (creators of advanced system care) reviews but I have yet to have a single bad experience with it. Also I do not let it run in the background I use it (been using it for a couple years) about once a week to twice a month for strictly maintenance- no monitoring and I am so happy with it that it (the free version) that it's the only software other then games that I have actually paid for the pro version and still have yet to have a bad experience with it. Although I do have a hunch that most of the errors it claims are fake just to make me happy to see it working, I also vouch that it does do a great deal of good.
As far as torrent functionality what more could you possibly ask for? All I ever do is click the link online the program automatically starts and when its done I close it end of story, I'm curious how much better it gets?
As far as aac vs mp3 it's about convenience use what works for you and your audio equipment, I use the ipod in my car and want the most songs I can cram on it at once and since it's a crappy alpine head unit and has 4500 watts of bass in the rear I could care less about its quality, that's for the bedroom amp, quantity is for the car. Changing my 11000 mp3s to aac would just be too much of a pain in the ass unless it can be done smoothly without sacrificing any bad mp3s. But since your starting a fresh drive do the research and consider the best audio encoder for your needs.
Do a fresh clean install? Maybe conflicting software? I've never had problems with it and I can max out my 7950s clocks with it when need be with no issues but then again I'm just a light gamer and media hound. Probably user specific but I would like to to be heard I've been using that combo of programs for the media machine for years flawlessly but I have friends with issues and the difference between us is I don't do anything as I install. Ya the pc is power full enough but windows 7 is to damn stupid to properly install something while multitasking. I can't stress that enough.
Thanks. Although I dont understand half of what you said its definitely helpful. Ill need to do my research to understand all of the technical bits and to understand exactly what everything does. But I do appreciate your help.
i sometimes load up Razer Game booster (http://www.razerzone.com/gamebooster). although you will probably not need it.
it really helps out older computers by removing background stuff in windows. my older computer (athlon x2 64 4800+ and a HD4650) seen 5-10% FPS improvement and made the games smoother which made a big difference.