The moment you finish the out-of-box setup on a fresh Windows PC, there’s a small toolkit I install before I ever open Edge: a compact set of free, focused utilities that close gaps in Windows’ defaults and get the machine productive fast. That checklist — highlighted recently in a How‑To‑Geek roundup and echoed across reviewer day‑one guides — reads like a practical manifesto: a capable browser, a better file manager, universal media playback, true hardware monitoring, secure archive handling, and a few single-purpose tools that just work. This article dissects that list, verifies the most important technical claims, flags risks, and explains exactly why these apps earn a spot on my USB toolkit or day‑one winget script.
Background / Overview
Windows has improved its built-in tools considerably, but certain workflows still benefit from third‑party utilities. Reviewers and power users commonly install a predictable set of apps immediately after setup to cover frequent needs: web browsing, robust file management, image and media handling, fan and sensor control, and lightweight system monitoring. Batch installers (Ninite, winget/winstall) accelerate the process and reduce the friction of multiple downloads. Community roundups and technical guides repeatedly recommend similar lists because they deliver big wins for little effort.This piece examines ten of those must‑install free apps that often appear on day‑one lists, verifies vendor and community claims with independent sources where possible, and gives clear, actionable guidance for Windows users who want a fast, reliable setup.
The list at a glance
- Firefox — alternative web browser
- Total Commander — two‑pane file manager (shareware/demo)
- FanControl — flexible fan‑curve manager (multiple sensors)
- VLC Media Player — universal media playback
- FastStone Photo Resizer — batch image resizing and conversion
- Paint 3D (archived) — lightweight image editing (now deprecated by Microsoft)
- WinRAR — compression utility (40‑day evaluation with indefinite use)
- One Photo Viewer — simple, fast image viewer
- RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS) — framerate limiter & overlay
- HWiNFO — deep, real‑time system monitoring
Why install these on day one?
- Fast productivity: They fix recurring friction points (file search, formats, sensor data).
- Predictability: A repeatable baseline across machines saves time for reviewers and technicians.
- Low cost: All picks are free (some open source); a few are shareware with permissive reuse models.
- Flexibility: Most are lightweight, configurable, and can be scripted into repeatable installers.
App deep dives, verification and analysis
Firefox — Why it’s often the first stop
Firefox remains a respected, open‑source browser that many reviewers prefer for privacy control and extension parity. Installing it first (or keeping an installer on a flash drive) is common because the browser typically becomes the primary tool used to fetch the rest of the software and to manage accounts, bookmarks, and sync data. Alternatives include Chrome, Brave, and Edge depending on your privacy and extension needs. Community guides repeatedly list a browser like Firefox as a day‑one install.Strengths:
- Strong privacy features and extension ecosystem.
- Cross‑platform sync and profile portability.
- Browser choice shapes telemetry and cloud integration trade‑offs; review settings post‑install.
Total Commander — the old‑school two‑pane workhorse
Total Commander is a decades‑old, keyboard‑friendly file manager that remains popular among power users for its dual‑pane interface, batch rename, archive handling, and plugin ecosystem. It’s distributed as shareware: a fully functional trial is available, but a license is expected for continued commercial use. Multiple vendor and editorial references confirm the shareware model and the program’s enduring place among alternatives to File Explorer. Why install it day one:- Dual panes and powerful file tools make repetitive file operations far faster than Explorer.
- Useful for transfers, bulk renames, and FTP/remote file work.
- Interface is intentionally utilitarian; not everyone prefers the workflow.
- Commercial deployments should ensure license compliance.
FanControl — precise, sensor‑aware fan management
FanControl (community releases and forks) is now the go‑to for many builders who want flexible control of case fans and pump speeds using arbitrary temperature sources — CPU, GPU, motherboard, or external sensors. The project’s release repositories and documentation show explicit features that let you mix sensors, create custom curves, and even use GPU temperature as the trigger for case fans — precisely the use case many enthusiasts want when BIOS or vendor utilities fall short. Practical strengths:- Multiple temperature sources and curve editors.
- Profiles, hysteresis, and low resource usage.
- Driver and sensor compatibility can vary across motherboard and GPU families; check the project’s compatibility notes.
- Some versions previously used drivers flagged by Windows Defender; keep the app updated and follow project guidance if your AV flags a driver.
VLC Media Player — the universal player
VLC’s role as a reliable “plays anything” media player is well established. It ships cross‑platform, has broad codec support, and avoids dependence on external codec packs. Independent editorial coverage and the VLC project documentation confirm continued active maintenance and codec coverage, making VLC a low‑risk day‑one install for playback and quick transcoding tasks.Strengths:
- Plays almost every container and codec without fuss.
- No ads, open‑source model, and useful extras (streaming, conversion).
- Lightweight and reliable.
- UI is utilitarian; users seeking modern library management may prefer other players.
FastStone Photo Resizer — batch image work without Photoshop
FastStone Photo Resizer is a small, efficient tool for batch resizing, renaming, and converting images. Reviewers and writers who process photos for reviews prefer it for rapid batch operations. It’s not fancy, but it is fast and configurable — exactly what you need when preparing multiple assets for publishing. The app’s longstanding reputation for reliable batch processing makes it a practical inclusion.Paint 3D — archived, useful, but deprecated
The original How‑To‑Geek piece praises Paint 3D’s lightweight editing, annotation, and image composition features. However, Microsoft officially deprecated and removed Paint 3D from the Microsoft Store on November 4, 2024; the app no longer receives updates and is not available for new installs through the Store. Community archives have preserved installers — the TheDoggyBrad Paint3D archive is one such resource that offers the final signed appxbundles for offline installation. These archives can restore the app on machines where users prefer its workflow, but they carry the caveats of running discontinued software. Caution:- Deprecated apps won’t receive security fixes; use archived installs only after weighing risk and ideally offline or for non‑sensitive tasks.
- Prefer maintained alternatives for long‑term workflows (Paint.NET, IrfanView, or Photoshop Express).
WinRAR — powerful compression with an unusual trial policy
WinRAR is a powerful archiver that supports many formats and advanced options. Its well‑known business model gives a 40‑day evaluation; after that the software continues to function with a persistent purchase reminder. Multiple independent writeups and historical documentation verify that the program’s trial remains functionally usable beyond the evaluation window — the “nag screen” is the primary reminder to buy — though the EULA still expects commercial users to obtain licenses. This model has become a cultural norm: many home users keep WinRAR for years without paying, while businesses are expected to license the software. Guidance:- For personal use the indefinite‑trial behavior is pragmatic, but companies should purchase licenses to remain compliant.
One Photo Viewer — a focused photo viewer
One Photo Viewer (OPV) is a streamlined viewer many power users prefer over Windows Photos. It’s designed to be fast, support common RAW/HEIC formats (with extensions), and be easy to set as the default photo viewer. The app is actively maintained, offers a small Pro upgrade for extras, and is available via a simple installer or the Microsoft Store. The project’s site and packagers (Chocolatey, Store) confirm active releases and practical features for day‑one use. Pros:- Fast launch, simple UI, useful right‑click tools.
- Good for screenshot reviewers and quick previews.
- Some users report thumbnail or system integration quirks; test on representative files.
RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS) — overlay + framerate limiter with trade‑offs
RTSS remains the community standard for a low‑overhead framerate limiter and overlay. It’s highly accurate for frame capping and works with tools like MSI Afterburner and HWiNFO to surface in‑game telemetry. However, several community tests and technical writeups note that RTSS’s approach to frame pacing can introduce an extra frame of presentation latency compared with some in‑game limiters — a trade‑off for steadier frame timing and fewer stutters in many configurations. This “one‑frame” effect is widely discussed in technical communities and de facto accepted as a trade‑off: better pacing for most users, slightly higher latency for latency‑sensitive esports players. When using RTSS, measure input latency for competitive titles and prefer in‑game limiters if absolute minimum latency is essential. Practical tips:- Cap to just below your monitor refresh rate (e.g., 141–143Hz for a 144Hz panel) to minimize stutter while avoiding added tearing.
- Test both RTSS and in‑game limiters for your title and monitor combination.
- Recent RTSS builds or game/driver updates can sometimes introduce stutter; keep versions current and check community reports if you observe issues.
HWiNFO — the definitive real‑time hardware monitor
HWiNFO offers the deepest, most comprehensive sensor reporting available for Windows. It supports extensive hardware sensors, logging, threshold alerts, and interfaces with overlays like RTSS for on‑screen display. The official project and frequent third‑party reviews confirm HWiNFO’s breadth and accuracy, making it the go‑to monitoring tool for builders and power users. Use it to baseline temperatures, log sensor drift, and integrate telemetry into overlays. Why install it:- Real‑time telemetry across CPU, GPU, motherboard, storage, and more.
- Logging and report export for diagnostics and warranty troubleshooting.
- Reading and exporting sensor data requires careful handling if you plan to share logs (strip personally identifiable info).
A practical day‑one install sequence (copy/paste friendly)
- Run Windows Update and install drivers (chipset, GPU).
- Enable disk encryption (BitLocker/device encryption) and set up recovery options.
- Use a batch installer (Ninite) or winget script to install the bulk list:
- Example: winget install --id=Mozilla.Firefox && winget install --id=Rem0o.FanControl && winget install --id=VideoLAN.VLC
- Install HWiNFO and run sensors-only to record baseline idle temperatures.
- Install FanControl and create sensible default curves tied to CPU/GPU temps; validate in short stress tests.
- Install RTSS only if you need precise frame limiting or overlay; test latency vs in‑game limiter for competitive titles.
- Set defaults: One Photo Viewer as image handler, Total Commander if you need power file operations, WinRAR or 7‑Zip for archives.
- Trim autoruns and background apps; create a system restore point or an image backup.
Strengths, trade‑offs, and security considerations
- Strength: Fast wins. A short, curated list delivers immediate productivity improvements with minimal configuration.
- Strength: Transparency. Many picks are open‑source or well‑documented (VLC, HWiNFO, FanControl).
- Trade‑off: Background services and resource creep. Installing many small utilities raises startup/service surface; audit autoruns after installation.
- Security: Always download from official project pages, GitHub releases, Microsoft Store, or trusted package managers (winget, Chocolatey). Community archives (e.g., Paint 3D archive) are useful but come with the risk that discontinued software won’t receive security updates; treat such installs as temporary or for specific offline workflows only.
- Licensing: Respect shareware terms. WinRAR’s persistent evaluation mode is commonly used for home setups; organizations should license per the vendor EULA. Total Commander’s demo is fully functional but is a paid product for long‑term/commercial use.
When to deviate from the list
- Corporate/managed devices: Follow IT policy. Many enterprise environments restrict non‑Store apps and require signed installers.
- Competitive gamers: Avoid RTSS if objective latency testing shows a measurable disadvantage versus in‑game limiters; test with your hardware and titles before adopting RTSS universally.
- Security‑sensitive workflows: Prefer actively maintained, audited tools and avoid archived/deprecated apps for anything that touches confidential documents (Paint 3D archives should be treated cautiously).
Final verdict — a pragmatic day‑one toolkit
A new Windows PC is best made useful immediately with a small, focused toolkit. The apps recommended in the How‑To‑Geek roundup are a pragmatic starting point: they solve high‑frequency problems (playback and formats, file moves, image tweaks, thermal visibility, frame pacing) with minimal fuss. Use a batch installer or script to save time, verify vendor sources before installing, and test in your specific use cases — especially for framerate limiting and fan control where hardware quirks matter.If you adopt only three must‑have tools on day one, make them:
- A capable browser (Firefox or your preferred alternative) to manage downloads and passwords,
- HWiNFO for baseline telemetry and health checks, and
- VLC for universal media playback.
This kit is not dogma, but a reproducible, defensible starting point that turns the “blank desktop” into a reliable workspace in minutes. For builders, reviewers, and anyone who sets up machines repeatedly, packaging these utilities into a winget manifest or keeping a vetted Ninite/USB installer is the time‑saving secret that professional workflow efficiency rests on.
If you want a ready winget manifest or a compact Ninite/winget script for these exact tools (and optional modules), that can be provided as a copy/paste manifest you can run on any new Windows installation.
Source: How-To Geek The free apps I install before I even open Edge on a new Windows PC
