Windows Programs/Applications

[Scott]

I've recently built a new PC and made the move back to Windows (my Macbook Pro is still ftw though) and have been trying out a few new applications for various things. I figured I'd start a thread to see what other programs people recommend for day-to-day use

I've just tried an application called 'Soluto' - https://www.soluto.com/

I was trying to see what was running on my pc during startup and diagnose a small issue, and it monitors what programs run and then provides a nice report in your browser for seeing what is causing slow boot times (and the exact time for that program) or causing crashes and stuff like that. It'll even disable the program from your startup application list or delay it until your pc has properly booted, and should cut times down nicely.

TL;DR - what are your favourite Windows programs?

[Niall]

heres a good one

Clicky

[Scott]

Funnily enough, I was waiting for you to reply to this thread with something about Apple and knew exactly what that link would be before hovering over it You're getting predictable!

[Niall]

yep just have to show my pure hatred for all things microsoft....well except xbox but only because ps3 is utter wank and i cant even begin to consider a wii

[Scott]

The main reason I'm going back to Microsoft is because I'm using this computer for gaming, and my mum will also be using it so it's easier for her to have that rather than a UNIX-based OS.

[Niall]

Yeah i know mate. If i was going for a all out gaming/faggot computer, it would be windows xp

[Scott]

I went ultra-faggot on this one so went for W7. As much as I'm a fan of XP there's no real reason not to go to W7 these days, especially since Vista (AKA Windows 7 RC1) was built upon and most of the shit parts were removed and it's generally a good OS. I imagine it'll be the case with Windows 8, too.

[Ed Doe]

Windows 8 is just silly imo.

As discussed today wft is with their new start menu. I preferred the old one, as it actually did stuff.

And then when you leave the start menu it's the friggin same as 7 anyway! Except the function buttons (ie. f5 to refresh f6 to select address line) have been changed. and it stays in full screen mode, but the address bar doesnt roll back on the screen. Just a faff imo; not a good start for an os that is sposed to be the easiest thing to navigate....

[Eeyore]

ok you want...

CCleaner - for cleaning up crap, uninstalling shizz and cleaning the registry
Defraggler - for defragmenting better than windows
speccy - for seeing temps and system sepc
foxit reader - for reading pdfs and isnt as annoying as anything adobe
Chrome - i always used opera before but it became to buggy and chrome is a lot better than when it first came out.
firefox - set to forget everything when you close it. this is not for porn.
ultramon - for a task bar on each monitor as i run two.
microsoft security essentials - for an antivirus thats free and awesome.
spotify - for music. windows media player for the stuff i own.
VLC player - for videos that wont play in media player
Windows live mail - for... mail.
sublime text 2 - for programming and web design
Filezilla - FTP client
Launchy - for launching/searching programs really fast!

Photoshop CS5, InDesign CS5.5, Illustrator CS5.1 for work

github - brilliant for syncing and having versions of different files all up on a server. this is slowly replacing my need for a USB and making backups!

[Scott]

I'm already running:
Chrome
VLC
CCleaner
Avast (been an AVG Free fan for a long time but giving this a try)
WinSCP - SFTP

I'll be using Notepad++ for program and general text editing.

Good call on Launchy. I've just seen that recommended elsewhere and will be giving it a go! Same goes for Github too.

[Ed Doe]

firefox - set to forget everything when you close it. this is not for porn.

f*cking

[WiNgNuTz]

Can't say I'm a fan of avg or avast, both seemed to let viruses through. I use comodo internet security suite now, as it covers antivirus, firewall and defense+ in one free package. Never let me down yet.

---

If ever comodo DOES let something through, I use hitman pro to get rid of it as well.

[kyleo92]

Rocket dock if you miss your Mac OS dock :-P

Personally I like windows 8 just reminds me of the app launcher on OS X

[cully]

just a small list of what i have installed

Adobe Acrobat 7.1.0 ProfessionalAdobe Photoshop CS2
AnyDVD
Audacity 1.2.6
CCleaner Piriform
ConvertHelper 2.2
ConvertXtoDVD 3.1.3.36
DVD Decrypter
DVD Shrink 3.2
DVDFab 6.0.1.0
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
FairUse Wizard 2
FlashFXP v3
FlashGet(Jetcar) 1.80
Free Photo Converter
Google Chrome
GrabIt 1.7.2
HijackThis 2.0.2
ieSpell
iTunes
K-Lite Mega Codec Pack 1.70
Magic ISO Maker v5.5
MagicDisc 2.7.105
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware version 1.51.2.1300
Microsoft Office Publisher 2003
Microsoft Office XP Professional
Mozilla Firefox 11.0
Nero 8
OpenOffice.org 3.3
PowerISO
PrintFolders 2.21
QuickTime
Skype™ 5.10
Spybot - Search & Destroy
SyncToy 2.1 (x86)
Tag&Rename 3.2
UltraISO Premium V8.66
VLC media player 1.0.5
Winamp Nullsoft, Inc
Windows Live Essentials
WinHTTrack Website Copier
WinRAR archiver
µTorrent BitTorrent Inc.

[Midnightclub]

Another good program to use especially if you torrent, Peerblock

[Matty]

Tor

[Midnightclub]

This also.. ^^

[Scott]

Peer block does nothing really. Bearing in mind it's a publicly accessible database, do you not think anti piracy organisations (presuming here that's why you want to use it) will just use a different IP address that's not already in the database? There were reports a long while back of certain groups using residential IP blocks rather than known commercial ones. You'd just end up blocking potential good peers rather than bad.

[cully]

what he said^^^^^

[Matty]

Peerblock I agree with Scott. Tor, different kettle of fish...

[Eeyore]

I really do recommend sublime text 2. give it a go. I think its epic!

[lolsteve]

Security essentials, good anti virus that doesn't hog up all the system resources *cough* norton *cough*
Spotify for music and ipod syncing since itunes seems to be designed to make windows slow as tits with all the start up and update processes it makes
Srware Iron, based on the chromeium source code but has removed the code which sends your data to google
I.e 9 , I'll get slated but in truth it's not all that bad a good step for microsoft and better firefox
Steam, For all your gaming needs
Shark007 codec, if you watch videos and the like
Winrar, for unpacking/packing files/music/fudge


p.s Windows 8 while the layout is how to say a bit messy with a mouse can be fixed , I'm looking into it at the moment since the under bonnet stuff on windows 8 is quite tempting with faster boot etc
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads...-Windows-8

[Midnightclub]

If you want windows 8.. but want it to look like windows 7... http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/software-and-w...-50009546/

[cpikey316_]

Minecraft.exe

[WiNgNuTz]

Minecraft.exe

GTFO!