The 5 apps I all the time set up first on any Home windows PC

I wish to hit the bottom operating each time I get a brand new machine, whether or not it is an iPhone, a pc, or a PEV. In the case of computer systems, it is not only a compulsion — I want one for work. In truth when my outdated laptop computer died earlier this yr, I went out and purchased a brand new one the subsequent day, and was again writing inside a matter of hours. I even had my workday soundtrack going once more.

So what do I set up first on a brand new Windows PC? A few of my apps are going to be straightforward to guess, however others are undoubtedly tailor-made to my life-style. My decisions inevitably evolve over time, too — so in a yr or two from now, they could possibly be fully totally different. I simply hope I do not want one other new laptop computer to check issues on.

Google Chrome

Hooked on an ecosystem, for higher or worse

Each time somebody runs Edge a single time simply to obtain Chrome, somebody at Microsoft sighs. That is how I think about it, anyway. The corporate might be legitimately pissed off — as of November 2025, Chrome had a 71.7% share of the worldwide browser market, with Edge a really distant third at 4.96%. That is fairly horrible for a browser that is baked into Home windows and has each cellular and desktop variations.

Personally, there are just a few causes I stick to Chrome, regardless of there being higher choices for privateness and RAM consumption. The primary ones are bookmark and password sync. At this level, I’ve properly over a decade of bookmarks stashed within the app, and a number of other years of saved passwords. As a result of Chrome is out there on nearly any machine I would care to make use of, even my Steam Deck, I by no means have to fret about forgetting an essential website or login.

Equally, I rely closely on Chrome’s tab sync and sharing options. Most of my work is completed on the net, so having the ability to load all of the tabs I want instantaneously saves a variety of bother. I can even do analysis on any cellphone or pill and push hyperlinks to my PC.

You is likely to be considering that there are related options in different browsers, and you would be proper — however since I began with Chrome, there isn’t any sturdy incentive to change over, particularly since I can use extensions to take care of privateness considerations. I would migrate to one thing like Courageous, ultimately.

Spotify

Nonetheless the reigning champion of streaming music

I am conscious that Spotify is a problematic firm lately. It does not pay artists properly sufficient; it hosts ICE adverts and Joe Rogan; it is not doing sufficient to fight a tide of AI-generated slop. Former CEO Daniel Ek has come below hearth for investments in an organization creating navy AI expertise. A few of my favourite artists have, understandably, chosen to boycott the platform, together with Joanna Newsom and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

I would already be on Apple Music if it weren’t for the truth that I vastly desire Spotify’s interface and playlists. I discover it simpler to browse and play tracks on the service, and take a look at as Apple would possibly, it may well’t compete with the standard and amount of Spotify’s playlists, for my part. Placing on Launch Radar each Friday has develop into a practice.

One other concern is casting compatibility, since there isn’t any equal of Spotify Join for Apple Music. Your solely decisions are Bluetooth, AirPlay, or in some circumstances Google Solid. That is lots for some folks, however it will imply an inferior expertise with the Echo Studio/Echo Sub combo I usually use.

In any occasion, I set up Spotify robotically as a result of I demand music throughout the workday. Writing in full silence can be so boring that I might truly get extra distracted, lured into doing all the things however writing.

GIMP or Adobe Photoshop

No matter my finances permits

I come from a professional pictures background, and that target picture modifying has continued into my tech journalism. I haven’t got my professional digicam rig anymore, sadly — however I nonetheless should shoot and edit product pictures, in addition to screenshots.

Each time potential, I desire to make use of Adobe Photoshop. It is the trade normal, and I’ve develop into accustomed to the best way it does sure issues, like curves, therapeutic brushes, and colour filters. After I was a photographer, my workflow concerned a one-two punch of Adobe Lightroom for batch edits, and modifying particular person photographs in Photoshop after they wanted a particular contact.

The factor stopping me from utilizing Photoshop every single day is pricing. You’ll be able to’t simply purchase the software program anymore — it requires a Creative Cloud subscription, and the most affordable plan with Photoshop is $20 per 30 days. The one method I may justify spending over $240 a yr is that if I went again to pictures full-time.

In the meantime, I have been capable of make do with GIMP, quick for GNU Picture Manipulation Program. It is tough to regulate to in the event you’re used to Photoshop, nevertheless it’s free and will get the job finished. I get the sense that with sufficient time, I may most likely deal with all the things I’ve finished previously. Adobe could have a restricted window to win me again.

Steam

The house of PC gaming

Should you’re planning to play video games on a PC, Valve’s Steam is just about unavoidable. There are different methods to purchase and launch video games — like GOG, itch.io, and the Epic Video games Retailer — however with few exceptions, a recreation cannot be successful if it is not on Steam. The Steam Retailer has been round since 2003, so many players have huge libraries tied to the app, and so they’re not keen to make use of a number of launchers if they do not should. Myself included.

More and more, there are different causes to make use of Steam, the most important most likely being the Steam Deck. It isn’t solely able to operating many Steam video games in handheld kind, however streaming a few of them out of your desktop or laptop computer if the Deck’s onboard processor cannot deal with them. It is primarily a PC equal of the Nintendo Change 2, solely higher. Additionally, in contrast to Nintendo, Valve and its companions provide main reductions on video games regularly.

What ought to be fascinating to see is how this progresses with the arrival of the Steam Machine mini-PC and the Steam Body VR headset. Valve is aiming to deliver the comfort of the Deck’s SteamOS to different kind elements, and it is not inconceivable that the corporate may displace the Xbox in the lounge inside just a few years. Microsoft’s going to should get its act collectively within the wake of the Xbox Series X.

Slack

Not only for the workplace

Whereas it is true that most people who use Slack are most likely compelled to for his or her profession, that does not should be case. Some personal teams use Slack to speak instead of Discord, akin to Tech Journalists Worldwide, which permits me to shoot the breeze with others within the trade. You do should be invited right into a Slack dialogue, however I recognize the truth that I can use a single chat app for all my work-related speak.

There’s not far more to say, however I do recognize Slack’s simplicity. It has a uniquely “clear” interface that is solely as advanced because it must be. It is simply preferable to Microsoft Groups.