It’s been ages since I’ve put together a list of all my favorite Windows apps. So, here goes with an update! What would you add to this list?
Here are the questions this blog entry answers:
- How do I update to the latest version of Windows 10?
- How do I protect/secure my Windows 10 Computer?
- How do I encrypt my data so hackers can’t get to it?
- How do I secure my WiFi Connection from Hackers and Surveillance?
- How do I capture/edit images?
- How do I work with sound and video?
- How do I quickly add or find free software?
- How do I remotely control my Windows computers?
- How do I read ebooks on Windows 10?
And, if you are looking for Microsoft apps for your surface book/table or, maybe just great Win10 programs, you can click those links to find TONS of info.
1. How do I update to the latest version of Windows 10?
- Use the Microsoft Update Assistant to start the process of updating your Windows 10 computer. I recently updated to Windows 10 Creator’s Update and so far, so good!
- Keep your Windows computer up to date, using Windows Update and Patch My PC
- Eliminate 90% of security issues by not running your user account in administrator mode
- Anti-Malware
- Malware Bytes* – Great to use when you think your computer has been infected with malware/spyware and you need your computer “cleaned out.”
- AntiRansomware – Although still in beta, Malware Bytes’ solution to ransomware offers real-time protection against ransomware, catching it before it can encrypt your files.
- Spyware Blaster*– An easy to use “inoculation” program against spyware/malware.
- Spybot Search and Destroy* – The best part of Spybot is the TeaTimer which protects your computer’s registry against contamination and immunizes your browsers (IE, Firefox) against malware.
- AntiVirus
- BitDefender Free – This free for home use antivirus works great and does not drive you crazy with advertisements.
- Sophos Home Antivirus – This is another protection free for home use.
- Run Windows in Virtual Mode
- VMWare Player – Free for personal, home use
- VirtualBox – Not as good as VMWare Player (in my opinion) but still does the job
File/Folder Encryption?
- Mac/Windows/Linux computer?
- Chromebook or use Google Chrome?
- Try Minilock for individual file encryption
- Android device?
- Get ParanoiaWorks’ Secret Space Encryptor (SSE) for Android from Google Play store.
Text/Email Encryption?
- iOS/iPhone/iPad device?
- Any device?
- Text Encryption (save then open in your web browser)
You may also want to get a copy of File Shredder for Windows to securely delete information from your Windows computer.
Not sure this is necessary? It is and increasingly so. Be sure to take this information to heart.
“Virtual Private Networks provide an important element of privacy protection for users,” Electronic Frontiers Association says. . .VPNs [are] one of the most effective tools for protecting privacy when using the Internet, due to the degree of anonymity they provide when accessing online services.
Free VPNs for Your Browser
- Opera browser has a built-in VPN that works well
- DotVPN Chrome add-on works with your Chrome browser
VPNs that Protect All Internet Traffic from Your Windows Computer
- Private Internet Access (PIA) (approx <$40 annually or $6.95 per month)
- Express VPN
- NordVPN
Mobile VPN for Android and/or iOS
- All VPNs above have mobile versions
- OperaVPN (not to be confused with Opera browser) works great
- Screenshot Tools: PicPick or Greenshot
- Paint.net (Free) – A simple paint program, but you can do some simple photo/image editing in it. Windows only.
- PaintBrush (Free) – A simple paint program, like Paint for Windows. Mac only.
- Pixlr.com (Free) – Provides an express editing, as well as a more detailed app you can work with! Also available as iOS app.
- Fotor Photo Editor Online (Free) – A great app to use for photo editing that works via your browser, Android or iOS device.
- IrfanView (Free) – A simple editor that allows you to resize images. Windows only.
- The Graphics Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) (Free) – A cross platform “Photoshop” like tool. Can be complicated for newbies.
- ON1 Effects 10 Free for Mac and Windows (Free)
- Blink Cliplets
- Audacity (Free)
- Beautiful Audio Editor on Chrome browser) (Free)
- Microsoft Sway for narrated images or podcasts
- VLC Media Player (audio & video)
- Convert YouTube Music Videos to MP3 Audio Files with ATube Catcher
- Shotcut (Free)
- Powerpoint+Office Mix
- Screencastify and other tools
- Get this codec pack – XP Codec Pack
- Video Conversion Tools? AnyVideo Converter or
- Ninite.com: Install and Update All Your Programs at Once. Scroll down to see all the available apps. Get my favorite Ninite picks!
- Open Source Windows
- Compression Software (e.g. zip): 7-zip or PeaZIP
- File Copying/Moving or Management: TeraCopy and FreeCommander
- Text Editors: Notepad++, ConText
- Free Adobe Alternatives (Note: Descriptions come from the linked article from TechRadar)
- Scribus: Create great-looking, print-ready posters, newsletters and magazines
- GIMP: Refine your photos or create your own artwork from scratch, with support for Photoshop plugins
- LightZone: A digital darkroom for converting, editing and managing photos in batches or individually
- Inkscape: A versatile open source vector editor that’s ideal for hobbyist illustrators and web designers
- Unsplash: Professional-quality stock photos in the public domain – totally free to download and use
- Join.me (Free with Paid Option)
- AeroAdmin (Free)
- TeamViewer (Free with Paid Options)