Setting up a new Windows 11 PC? Whether it’s a laptop or desktop, here are some suggestions on how to quickly set it up with all the apps you need.
I know this because I've spent years testing PCs and fiddling with them my entire life, so I've spent more time than I'd like to admit reinstalling Windows and all my favorite programs. Over the years, I've discovered that there are a handful of applications that I use over and over again, and I recommend installing them on any new PC you buy.
Back in the day, we had to do everything ourselves, which meant I had to spend 20-30 minutes reinstalling apps every time I deleted a PC or bought a new one. But now there's Ninite, which means those bad old days are over.
If you don’t already know, Ninite is a utility that allows you to select your favorite apps from a list of supported apps, and then bundles those apps into an installer that you can insert onto a USB drive. Run this installer on any PC and it will instantly install all of the apps you selected in one go, meaning it’s a great way to keep a customized list of your must-have apps ready to install with ease.
That’s why I always carry a USB stick with me that contains a Ninite installer for all my favorite apps. I unbox a new laptop or PC every week or two, and not having to click through to half a dozen websites every time to download the apps I need for work is a lifesaver.
So if you want to save a bit of time and keep a USB drive loaded with your favorite apps in a back pocket, I recommend keeping these apps ready to go. They're all available on Ninite, so you can use the service to create a custom installer loaded with these key utilities or whatever else you like.
7-Zip
I don't need to compress as much as I used to now that it's much easier to share large files online, but I still install 7-Zip on every new PC because it's a good open source compression tool that comes in handy when you need to move large files.
Even if you don't plan on sharing files online regularly, it's a good idea to install 7-Zip, because sometimes someone will send you a file that basic Windows can't unzip. When that happens, you'll be glad to have 7-Zip ready to go.
All
Everything is a free search utility that works like Windows Search on steroids, and I find it really handy for quickly finding the files or images I need for work.
What is particularly useful is the fact that you can run custom searches on your PC using advanced search descriptors, searching for specific words or phrases in the files and filter by date, file type, etc. If you've ever had trouble finding something on your hard drive, Everything can be a great help.
Google Chrome
There are many good browsers out there, but I prefer Chrome because it seems pretty fast and reliable, and it supports all the websites and web services I need. Plus, I use Google for work and personal activities, so it's convenient to log into my browser with the same accounts.
Discord
It took me a while to adopt Discord after it launched in 2015, but today it feels like one of my most commonly used communication tools.
If Slack is for work, Discord is for fun, and I install it on every PC I own so I can stay in touch with all my disparate groups of friends around the world. Plus, Discord's chat technology is powerful enough that you can use it to stream games, record podcasts, or do other fun things with friends online, making it an indispensable utility for me.
Gimp
Everyone has their favorite free image editor, and mine is Gimp.
Try to look past the name and you'll find that this little utility is surprisingly useful, duplicating many of the features of a more robust editor like Photoshop at a fraction of the price.
It's not great for serious editing work, but for a dork like me who just needs to resize images and occasionally crop things, this free image editor is a lifesaver.
Steam
Steam has been one of the first apps I've installed on every new PC for decades, and for good reason: Steam is the place to buy and play the best PC games.
Sure, you can still get PC games from stores like the Epic Games Store, but Steam is the biggest and best PC game store in the business. I also stay in touch with a few friends on my Steam friends list, so it's nice to have it installed and running on my PC so I can keep track of who's playing what.
VLC
If Windows Media Player can't play an audio or video file, chances are VLC media player can handle it.
It's been my go-to media player for decades because it's simple, easy to use, and supports a variety of formats and codecs that otherwise wouldn't be playable on a freshly unboxed PC.
In conclusion
These are the apps I install on every PC I unbox, without fail, and it never fails to save me at least 15 minutes of downloading and installing apps every time I get my hands on a new Windows machine.
Using Ninite to install them all at once made my life a lot easier, so I highly recommend going that route rather than going to each app's website to download them individually. Of course, don't feel obligated to stick to what I've suggested: mix and match your favorite Ninite apps to create the perfect installer for your needs!