Best Free and Paid Software to Install on a New PC (2025 List)
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After assembling your PC and installing the operating system, it’s time to equip your machine with the right software. Whether you’re gaming, editing, studying, or just browsing, having a clean and functional software stack improves your experience and productivity.
This guide brings you the best free and paid apps for various categories — covering essentials, tools, entertainment, and performance in 2025.
System Essentials: The First Apps to Install
These are the core tools every new PC should have, regardless of your goals.
Software
Purpose
Free/Paid
Google Chrome / Firefox / Brave
Web browsing
Free
7-Zip / WinRAR
File compression/extraction
Free / Freemium
Microsoft PowerToys
Windows utilities and tweaks
Free
Everything
Lightning-fast file search
Free
ShareX
Screenshots and screen recording
Free (Open Source)
Security and Protection
Even with Windows Defender, some users prefer extra layers of protection.
Software
Purpose
Free/Paid
Windows Defender
Built-in antivirus
Free
Malwarebytes
Malware scanner
Free + Premium
Bitdefender / Kaspersky
Advanced antivirus
Paid
ProtonVPN / Windscribe
VPN service
Free + Paid tiers
Tip: Avoid running two antivirus programs in real-time — it can cause conflicts.
Affinity Suite (Photo, Designer, Publisher) – One-time payment
Gaming and Launchers
Platform
Purpose
Free/Paid
Steam
Main PC game library
Free to use
Epic Games Store
Weekly free games + titles
Free to use
Battle.net
Blizzard/Activision games
Free
EA App / Ubisoft Connect
Publisher-specific games
Free
Discord
Voice chat + communities
Free
GeForce Experience / AMD Adrenalin
GPU optimization tools
Free
Tip: Link accounts across platforms when possible to manage cloud saves and rewards.
Cloud Storage and Backup
Service
Storage (Free)
Paid Options
Google Drive
15GB
Google One plans
Dropbox
2GB
Plus/Professional
OneDrive
5GB
Bundled with Office
MEGA
20GB
Subscription tiers
iDrive / Backblaze
Full PC backups
Paid
Performance Monitoring and Maintenance
Software
Purpose
Free/Paid
HWMonitor / HWiNFO
Temperature and voltage monitor
Free
MSI Afterburner
GPU monitoring + overclocking
Free
CrystalDiskInfo
SSD/HDD health monitoring
Free
CCleaner
Disk cleanup & registry fix
Free + Paid
Revo Uninstaller
Clean software removal
Free + Pro
Communication and Remote Work
Software
Purpose
Free/Paid
Zoom
Video conferencing
Free + Pro tiers
Slack
Team messaging
Free + Paid
Telegram / WhatsApp Desktop
Messaging
Free
Microsoft Teams
Collaboration + video
Free + 365 bundle
Media Playback and Streaming
Software
Purpose
Free/Paid
VLC Media Player
All-format video/audio
Free
Spotify
Music streaming
Free + Premium
Netflix / Prime Video / Disney+
Streaming
Paid subscriptions
TIDAL / Deezer
High-fidelity audio
Paid
OBS Studio
Game and stream recording
Free
Utility and Customization Tools
Software
Function
Free/Paid
Rainmeter
Desktop customization widgets
Free
DisplayFusion
Multi-monitor management
Free + Pro
F.lux / Windows Night Light
Eye comfort
Free
Wallpaper Engine
Animated wallpapers
Paid (Steam)
AutoHotKey
Keyboard macros and automation
Free
Final Tips for Software Setup on a New PC
✅ Install only what you need — avoid unnecessary bloat ✅ Use trusted sources or official websites only ✅ Keep your software updated for security and performance ✅ Backup essential files and drivers early on ✅ Organize apps into folders or a custom Start Menu layout
Having the right tools on your new PC can dramatically improve performance, comfort, and workflow. This combination of free and paid software will help you get the most out of your build — from day one.
