Free Addons and Utilities for Windows
By Bob Rankin
Bob Rankin lists his favorite free addons and utilities for Windows users.–PC Pitstop
Microsoft Windows gets the job done when it comes to providing all of the essential elements of an operating system. It manages memory, stores and organizes your files, makes it easy to launch programs, and connects you to the Internet. But there are a bunch of free addons that I consider essential for users who want to do more than play Solitaire. Here’s my list…
Free Addons and Utilities for Windows
If you’re like me, every time you get a new computer, or you re-install Windows from scratch, the work of adding your favorite extras begins all over again. Some are just for fun, some I consider essential productivity aids, and some are must-have security tools. Here are the software tools that I make sure are available on every Windows computer I manage, and some that I recommend for specific types of users. (This is a two-part series. See also: Essential Addons for Windows – Part Deux.)
SECURITY:
If you run Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7, there is no anti-virus protection included. Some PC vendors will install a trial version of the Norton or McAfee Internet security suites, but those expire after a few months, and you’re left with outdated or non-existent protection. Fortunately, there are plenty of free internet security software tools you can download. See my article Free Anti-Virus Programs to find download links for AVG, Avira and other excellent alternatives to the expensive commercial products.
Essential Windows Addons:
Windows 8 finally closed the security gap, by including Windows Defender anti-virus software in the package. This is a renamed version of Microsoft Security Essentials, a freebie that Microsoft also makes available for earlier versions of Windows.
MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is a supplementary tool that I recommend for ALL versions of Windows. Use it occasionally to scan for malware that may have snuck past your first line of defense.
Excerpt shared with permission from Bob Rankin.
