by Muhammad Fahd Waseem

Created on: June 05, 2009   Last Updated: June 16, 2009

A PC normally has just the operating system (usually some version of Microsoft Windows) installed on it. However, that is only the baseline. To really make use of your computer productively, and keep it secure at the same time, you need to install extra software.

There are many categories of software that you need. The most important, and essential, software programs to have installed on a computer are given in this article. All of the following software is tested and verified to work on both Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Antivirus, Firewall and other Anti-Malware Software

Antivirus software is essential to keep your system safe from viruses, which are little programs that want to destroy your system. A firewall, on the other hand, keeps hackers and malicious software from intruding into your system.

Unfortunately, the best antivirus programs (Eset NOD32, Kaspersky, Symantec Norton) all cost money, though the best firewall (Comodo Personal Firewall) is free. But for the easiest solution, get and install one of the all round security suites:

Eset (Smart Security)

Kaspersky

Symantec (Norton Internet Security)

Video Players

The default Windows Media Player is very limited in its playback capabilities. For many of the video formats that are available on the Internet and elsewhere, you will need special 'codecs' to play them, or a separate video player altogether. The codecs will enable you to play all videos on the Windows Media Player, while the other video players have their own in-built codecs. Listed are the best (and free) softwares.

The K-Lite Mega Codec Pack

- OR -

The Video Lan Client Player

An Archive Handler

Many files are distributed in compressed 'archives' - little files that you need to extract to get the actual uncompressed, usable files. This is an essential requirement if you ever intend to download files from the internet for any purpose. The best archive handler out there also happens to be free and open source: 7-Zip.

Alternate Web Browser

The Internet Explorer that comes with your Windows is insecure, slow and unstable. In other words, it is a headache that will get worse as the computer gets older. It is highly recommended that you get an install an alternate web browser.

Mozilla Firefox

Opera

Google Chrome

Adobe Acrobat Reader

This program is so essential; it falls into its own category. This is used to open and read PDF files: the one standard format for most of the documents available anywhere. It is freely downloadable

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