It’s easy to become overwhelmed with all of the software solutions offered to us on a daily basis. After years of working with and repairing software issues, we’ve found that these programs work best for the users and administrators who rely on them the most :
Web Browsers
As John eloquently describes it – “A browser is the car and the internet is the highway. Any car you choose will get you to your destination, but not all cars have the same features and luxuries.” In other words, a browser is simply the program on your PC which connects you to the pages on the internet. Whether it’s a web-based email account, a Facebook feed or a banking statement you’re searching for, a web browser will take you there!
Almost every computer has a browser installed by default. Windows PC’s use Edge or Internet Explorer (depending on age of OS), Mac’s use Safari and Linux uses a form of Firefox. While some of these browsers work well and as intended, they are NOT created equally.
Google Chrome – We have found that this tried, true and trusted browser works better than the rest. IT personnel will even tell you – “If you can’t use the website, try again with Chrome!” Chrome browser by Google is a huge advantage for folks who enjoy syncing bookmarks, settings, contacts, mail accounts and stored passwords across all of their computers and devices through a unified Google account. However, you don’t even need a Google account to use most of the features included in this browser. Surf the web like it’s 2021 and ditch the other bland, clunky browsers with Google Chrome.
UBlock Origin – This free, lightweight extension for your Chrome browser blocks annoying pop-ups and advertising across the entire web. It is entirely free and has saved our customers from clicking fake offers, warnings and other phishing scams that may be served to you on websites. It also blocks a lot of advertising, even on Youtube videos! Watch the icon in your extension bar count the hundreds of ads you’re blocking and sigh in relief as you re-claim your precious time.
Download UBlock Origin – only works with Google Chrome browser
Google Remote Desktop – A lot of us are finding ourselves working from home more frequently these days, and most don’t have the means to lug a giant, dusty desktop home to setup in a makeshift office. Remotely control and use your office PC from the comfort of your living room with Google Remote desktop! All you’ll need is a Google account, a secondary computer and a decent internet connection. Once you’ve logged into a Google account on both machines and setup the remote software, you’re ready to clock in. The best part is that Google offers this service free of charge!
These applications vary in nature but can be helpful to users with specific needs or who are looking for free alternatives to expensive applications.
Open Shell – Remember when the Windows start menu was straightforward and easy to use? We do, and that’s why the first thing we install on any of our machines is Open Shell! Open Shell is a small program that replaces your useless, frustrating Windows 10 menu with the classic Windows 7 style start menu. Control panel is right where it should be along with all the familiar features of the start menu we’ve grown to love.
LibreOffice – The high cost of basic word-processing and spreadsheet software could make a millionaire cringe. That’s why we recommend LibreOffice, a highly-functional and FREE alternative, to our customers who need to get the job done without taking out a loan. LibreOffice is an open-source program built by folks who were tired of paying big bucks to print “Wet Paint” signs. We’ve found that it can do almost anything you’d need from the expensive equivalents, and if you’re used to similar software you’ll have no problem navigating LibreOffice.
GIMP – We all know that the most popular graphic design software (you know what we’re referring to) costs more than the average surgical procedure. Don’t give up an arm and leg just to get your graphic job completed, try GIMP! GIMP is an open-source graphic manipulation program at the low price of free-ninety-nine. If you’re familiar with the popular industry-standard programs, there will be a learning curve when getting used to GIMP, but it may be worth the hundred’s or thousand’s of dollars it could save you.
OBS – Open Broadcaster Software, or OBS, is a free and open-source screen-recording and capturing software with millions of features and configurations. Heck, even some of your local news channels use OBS to serve you weather and sports highlights! Whether it’s streaming to a social platform or capturing your screen to show a student or colleague how to re-create the steps, OBS has you covered. Capture sound and video from your monitors, microphones, cameras and other peripherals and record or stream them, all using this handy and highly-configurable program.
Keyboard Indicator – Do you have a keyboard that doesn’t tell you when your caps lock is on? I understand your pain. I’ve looked for an easy program for Windows 10 and found this free one. It’s honestly the best!
Most users aren’t aware that they’re computers and devices come included with built-in antivirus and protections to keep them safe. This is why it easy to be fooled or swayed by advertising that promises them a “safer” experience or urges a to-be customer to download software with false warnings about “potential threats”. In most cases, if you’re smart about what your doing on the web and ignore false advertising and spam messages, you’ll never have to worry about the “what-if” scenarios that 3rd-party antivirus sellers offer up.
In some cases users may need antivirus software because they work for a company who requires it, or have existing adware and malware on their PC they need to remove. They also might need a little more protection because they are more vulnerable to threats that might come along In this case, there is only ONE antivirus we can recommend : Malwarebytes.
Malwarebytes – The only antivirus we trust. So much so that we regularly use and recommend it for our customers! While some antivirus is known to up-sell you on added features you don’t need, Malwarebytes won’t. Malwarebytes also finds more instances of adware and malware than any other software we’ve tried! Most importantly, Malwarebytes doesn’t sell user data like other antivirus companies do. If you require antivirus software, look no further than Malwarebytes. Try it free for 14 days or register to get real-time protection.
Editing the registry of any Windows machine comes with big risks even if you know what you’re doing! If you don’t have all of your data backed up or aren’t familiar with how Windows operating system works on an advanced level, please refrain from using these tools or modifying the registry in ANY WAY.
CCleaner – CCleaner is a helpful tool to use when cleaning cookies, caches and other temporarily stored data from your machine. Cleaning the temporary data can speed up certain processes and free storage space when you’re in a pinch. We’ve found that the free version does the trick and will typically opt out of any additional offers from the software.
Eusing Registry Cleaner – This tool from Windows 7 era still does a fantastic job at finding and resolving irregularities in your registry. Eusing is great for when you’ve cleaned up your Windows installation and removed old or un-used software. This tool can help set registry values back to OS defaults and resolve funky issues that may be occurring on your system.
Windows 10 VPN connection behind a firewall – Windows 10 has been known to refuse connections to a VPN (using the built-in Windows VPN tool) when your connecting client is behind a firewall. Without having to disable your entire firewall, we’ve found that this RegEdit patch fixes that issue. You MUST reboot the client after making the registry modification for this to work.
Turn Off Windows 10 Updates – You can ‘postpone updates’, but are you tired of Microsoft using the public to beta test updates that have not totally been tested. I know we are! Why should we be stuck with computer problems just because of a faulty update by Microsoft. After installing the registry patch, you’ll need to reboot the PC for them to take effect.
What this change does… It turns off the AUTOMATIC UPDATES, but leaves the option of you going to check for new updates. It will alert you when there are some and GIVE YOU THE OPTION of installing them or not. There are TWO registry files included here. One will DISABLE UPDATES, the other will RE-ENABLE UPDATES. NOTE: This may need to be reapplied after a big update. Microsoft loves to go back and remove tweaks like this, so be warned. You might need to reinstall this registry patch after a Spring/Fall update. Just unzip the file, run ONLY ONE of the patches, to either turn off updates, or restore them back to normal.
Disable “Get More Out Of Windows” – Microsoft REALLY wants you to have a Microsoft account. This is ANOTHER WAY to trick you into setting up one. This registry fix will stop the annoying message upon reboot.
What this change does… It turns off the prompt some people see when they reboot their computer. It’s a blue screen that wants you to set up your computer with a Microsoft account. If you don’t fix it, you can select ‘Remind me later’, or it might want to remind you in 3 days. This should turn it off. However the next update might change this, so just be prepared.
We generally recommend leaving your profile as ‘local’ rather than tied to MS. If your account were hacked, you could be locked out of your PC. This is one helpful ‘fix’ to keep your data locally saved, and not in the cloud.
BeckPC does not manage or contribute to any of these programs, programmers or websites, however we do trust and use them frequently for ourselves and customers alike. We are not liable for any loss stemming from the use of our reccomendations.
