Beyond Windows itself, a handful of software categories cover what almost every new PC needs before it's genuinely ready for daily use.
1. A Genuine, Activated Windows License
The foundation everything else depends on — see our clean install guide if you're setting up from scratch.
2. An Office Suite
For documents, spreadsheets, and email — see our Office 2024 vs Microsoft 365 comparison to pick the right license model for how you'll use it.
3. A Full Antivirus Suite
Windows Defender covers the basics, but see our antivirus buying guide if you want additional layers like a VPN or dark web monitoring bundled in.
4. A Modern Browser
Beyond the built-in option, having a secondary browser installed is useful for compatibility testing and separating personal/work browsing profiles.
5. A PDF Reader/Editor
For viewing, filling, and lightly editing PDF documents without needing a full document-editing suite for the task.
6. Cloud Backup or Sync
Whether through OneDrive (bundled with Microsoft 365) or a separate service, having files backed up off the local drive protects against hardware failure.
7. A System Maintenance Utility
See our guide on how CCleaner works for keeping junk files and startup bloat in check over time.
