Switching to Windows, seeking input for app choices

While I’m waiting for my laptop to come, I’m putting together a list of apps to install. I would like any feedback and better alternatives. All I ask is that they aren’t on a subscription model if the price isn’t free.

• Video playback: VLC
• Password manager: KeePass
• Music jukebox: iTunes (I like my iPhone and still prefer offline backups)
• Office suite: FreeOffice
  
• PDF viewer: SumatraPDF
• Web browser: Firefox
• Email client: Thunderbird
  
• Video jukebox: does it exist?
• Firewall: TinyWall or Firewall App Blocker
• Selective backups/syncs: FileFreeSync
• FTP: FileZilla
• Torrent: Transmission
• Compression: 7zip
• Drive imaging: Macrium Reflect
• Drive diagnostics: HDDScan
• Virtualization: VMware Workstation Player
• CPU/GPU temperature monitoring: Open Hardware Monitor
• CPU undervolting: XTU

 

Few Changes, rest is good. I use Transmission for Windows as well, it's the best.

OfficeSuite: LibreOffice, looks like the beloved Office 2010 and has better compatibility
Compression: WinRAR (only because I like its interface more and it associates itself automatically with the *.zip/.RAR extensions
Drive Diagnostics: HD Sentinel
Also, best Internet Download manager which also integrates with any browser and gives you a download button next to any streaming video so you could easily download it in any quality = IDM
Best Paid Photo editor (One Time Fee) = Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020
Best Paid Video editor (One Time Fee) = Adobe Premiere Elements 2020
Best Free Photo Editor = GIMP
Best Free Video Editor = Shotcut
Best Paid PDF Viewer/Editor (One Time Fee) = PDF-XChange Editor
Best VPN for speed and 0 logging: hide.me

Make sure to right click on the files when you download them, go to Properties, then hit Unblock from the bottom right as it may be blocked since it was downloaded from the internet, if you don't do this before you run the file, then it may not install correctly.

To prevent this automatic blocking of files in the future so you don't have to go unblocking every file you download to ensure it runs properly, follow the guide in this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/are-you-sure-you-want-to-run-this-file-yes-or-no.825668/

 

I appreciate the suggestion for Shotcut as I had forgotten about looking into video editing!

I will keep a bookmark on the PDF alternative. I had a PDF editor on my Mac, but realized I didn’t use it much.

 

Right, I rarely use it but I'd rather have it for that one time when i do need it, if you know what I mean. You can install it as Free Version, it still has basic editing capabilities and when you really need to unlock everything you can buy the license. Download = http://downloads.pdf-xchange.com/PDFXPro8.zip

 

That is true, especially for signing stuff.

BTW, I have two more to add to my list and would like your take.

• GPU monitoring and over/underclocking: MSI Afterburner
• CPU monitoring and over/underclocking: XTU
• Automated condition-based file mover: File Juggler

 

1) Open Hardware Monitor - It displays both your CPU/GPU temps in one screen unlike HWiNFO which by default you have to scroll down to the bottom to see the GPU temps, look at my benchmarks here, you will see what I mean:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...1m-r2-review-by-spartan.833709/#post-11036256

2) You don't wanna underclock your laptop. You wanna undervolt it. Depending on the laptop model you get, if it's an Alienware, you can do that from the Alienware Command Center so no need for additional software. For other laptops, you can Intel XTU

3) Not sure what this file Juggler is. I use Syncback FTW. See:
The best and fastest way to backup your data!

 

Appreciate the undervolting clarification. My incoming laptop is a Clevo from HID, so it seems XTU may be the way to go.

As for File Juggler, on my Mac, I had a piece of software called Hazel, and what that did was it would monitor any folder you chose and performed certain actions based on what files entered it (for example, if a PDF is detected, it is moved into folder A; if it’s a gif, it’s moved to folder B). It also has an option to automatically empty a folder every so often.


Lastly, I didn’t read GlassWire’s details closely enough. The one feature I want - blocking connections by app - is locked behind a subscription. I am now considering either Firewall App Blocker ( http://m.majorgeeks.com/files/details/firewall_app_blocker_(fab).html) or TinyWall ( https://tinywall.pados.hu/).

 

Did you see the video I posted about SyncBack Pro?



It doesn't monitor anything live to not cause any performance drain. I just run it manually every once in a while, takes a few seconds to syn the changes

 

I’m not dissing your app; the purposes are different. SyncBackPro is for syncing between places or backing up, File Juggler (or Hazel on Mac) is a semi automated file organizer on a smaller scale. It helps keep folders decluttered and a little more organized - audio files here, PDFs there, PDFs that contain certain words here, etc,

 

Oh I didn't think you were. I have no experience in such an app for Windows though. Sorry.

 

No worries.

I find apps like this useful if I’m mass downloading in one session.

 

Remember I recommended IDM for downloading streaming videos? it also has built in categories which you can even manually specify what folders they go to