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Favorite Software

By Steve Schmidt.
Last updated 2024-11-24.

My personal software favorites. I install and configure most of these apps on every Windows workstation computer that I setup for myself. All of these are free except for Microsoft Office and Teams.

  • Collections

    • PortableApps: Portable versions of over 500 free apps. #AiPA: "Available in PortableApps" marks those apps below that can be installed by themselves or downloaded and used through the PortableApps system.
    • The Best Free Software for 2024: List from PC Mag(azine) with some other great apps I use occasionally.

  • Web Browsers

    • Mozilla Firefox: My main Web browser. Use its sync feature to sync bookmarks, passwords, etc. between computers. #AiPA Favorite extensions:
    • Tor Browser: Web browsing as anonymous as it gets.
    • Google Chrome: A must-have for websites that misbehave in Firefox. #AiPA

  • Office / Editors / Designers

    • Microsoft Office: Mandatory for most small business users. See also the free LibreOffice next.
    • LibreOffice: Best free word processor, spreadsheet, presentation designer, and database alternative to Microsoft Office. #AiPA
    • Joplin: Note taking app extroidinaire. #AiPA Favorite plugins:
      • Math Mode: Calculator and measurement converter embedded within the note taking app. Amazing.
      • Templates: Create simple templates for creating new notes.
      • Freehand Drawing: Create and edit freehand drawings, like in Microsoft OneNote.
    • yEd: Powerful diagramming tool.
    • paint.net: Simple, powerful image / photo editing software. #AiPA
    • Microsoft Teams: The everything office team collaboration tool.

  • Viewers

  • Utilities

    • Resilio Sync: Synchronize file folders between computers without a server.
    • Microsoft OneDrive: Best of the online file storage options but prefer Resilio Sync for personal file syncing.
    • Perfect Backup: Excellent file and folder backup program.
    • Microsoft PowerToys: Some great utilities for Windows; something for everyone.
    • Duplicate Cleaner: Find and remove duplicate files.
    • NetTime: Small utility to keep your computer clocks highly synchronized.
    • Tree Size Free: Find which file folders are using the most storage space. #AiPA
    • Eraser: Erase files, folders, and free space securely. #AiPA
    • WinMerge: Compare file folders to find identical and different files, and review differences between text files. #AiPA
    • Avast Free Antivirus: Free antivirus program better than Microsoft Windows Defender.

  • Miscellaneous

    • Signal Desktop: The desktop companion to the Signal messaging app.
    • Maxima Computer Algebra System: A very sophisticated and capable calculator.
    • Bluestacks: Best Android on Windows experience.
    • Google Earth Pro: Better than the web versions; worth the install.

  • Built-in and Windows Store Apps

    • Phone Link: Make phone calls, send & receive texts, access smartphone apps in Windows.
    • Quick Assist: Help family, friends, and coworkers with a remote connection to their computer.
    • Snipping Tool: Capture screenshots, and with latest Windows, make screen recorder clips.
    • Microsoft To Do: Great for shopping lists and simple lists as there is a smartphone version.
    • BitLocker: Drive and device encryption for Windows.

  • Programming / Database / Analysis

    • Visual Studio Code: Mostly a programming text editor.
    • Git: Distributed software / file version control system.
    • Microsoft SQL Server Developer: Sophisticated database management system free for developers.
    • SQL Server Management Studio: The interactive tool for using SQL Server.
    • PostgreSQL: The most sophisticated free and open source database management system.
    • Python: Run little programs written by ChatGPT. Learn programming.
    • Orange Data Mining: Incredible data analysis tool. Opt for the portable version. Install the database drivers. Check out the add-ins.
    • Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): Linux programs integrated into Windows.
    • Cygwin: Lightweight version of Linux-like open source tools for Windows. Mostly use Windows System for Linux (WSL) instead now.

My (Un)License is incorporated herein.