Congratulations on your new laptop! It’s a powerful machine, but to truly unlock its potential and ensure a smooth, secure experience, you’ll need more than just what comes pre-installed. As a senior tech practitioner, I know the value of efficiency and robust tools. Therefore, I’ve curated a list of 9 **free laptop apps** that every new owner should consider installing. My selection criteria focused on utility, reliability, cross-platform availability where relevant, and a genuine ‘no strings attached’ free offering that doesn’t bombard you with ads or severely restrict features.
Think of these as your foundational software toolkit. They cover essential needs from secure browsing and password management to media playback, document editing, and vital security. Skipping these could leave your system vulnerable, your data disorganised, or your workflow clunky. Let’s get your new machine running optimally from day one.
1. Brave Browser
Brave is a web browser built on Chromium that prioritizes privacy and speed. It automatically blocks ads, trackers, and cross-site cookies by default, offering a cleaner, faster browsing experience while protecting your personal data from advertisers and malicious entities. In practice, this means fewer interruptions and better performance, especially on content-heavy sites.
To use it, simply download and install it from brave.com. You can easily import your bookmarks, passwords, and settings from your previous browser during the initial setup. Furthermore, its built-in Brave Rewards system allows you to opt-in to privacy-respecting ads and earn Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) that can support content creators.
Key takeaway: A privacy-focused browser that blocks ads and trackers for a faster, more secure web experience.
2. Bitwarden
Bitwarden is a free and open-source password manager that secures all your login credentials in an encrypted vault. It allows you to generate strong, unique passwords for every service and automatically fills them in for you, significantly reducing your risk of credential stuffing attacks and making your online life far more secure. From experience, many users underestimate the value of a dedicated password manager until a breach occurs.
Download the desktop application from bitwarden.com, create a free account, and set a strong master password – this is the *only* password you’ll need to remember. Then, install the browser extension for seamless auto-fill. A common mistake here is choosing an easy-to-guess master password; make it long and complex, and store it offline somewhere safe.
Key takeaway: A vital tool for generating, storing, and auto-filling strong, unique passwords securely.
3. LibreOffice
LibreOffice is a comprehensive, free, and open-source office suite that serves as an excellent alternative to Microsoft Office. It includes powerful applications for word processing (Writer), spreadsheets (Calc), presentations (Impress), vector graphics (Draw), databases (Base), and formula editing (Math), covering virtually all your productivity needs without any subscription fees.
Download the installer from libreoffice.org and follow the on-screen instructions. While highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx), be aware that complex formatting in some documents might not translate perfectly; it’s a trade-off for free, but usually negligible for most users. As a result, for basic and intermediate document work, it’s more than sufficient.
Key takeaway: A robust, free office suite providing word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations without subscription costs.
4. VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is arguably the most versatile media player available, capable of playing almost any audio or video format you throw at it without needing additional codecs. It’s also incredibly lightweight, supports streaming, disc playback, and even basic video conversion. The part that actually matters is its unparalleled codec support, meaning you’ll almost never encounter a file it can’t play.
Simply download VLC from videolan.org/vlc/ and run the installer. Once installed, you can set it as your default player for media files. You can also drag and drop files directly onto the player window. Its simple interface belies its powerful capabilities, making it ideal for both casual and power users.
Key takeaway: A universal, lightweight media player that handles virtually all audio and video formats effortlessly.
5. 7-Zip
7-Zip is a free, open-source file archiver with a high compression ratio. It supports a wide range of archive formats, including ZIP, RAR, ISO, and its native 7z format, for both compression and decompression. What most guides miss is its ability to not just extract, but also create highly compressed archives, which is useful for sending large files or backing up data efficiently.
Install 7-Zip from 7-zip.org. Once installed, it integrates directly into your right-click context menu in File Explorer, allowing you to easily extract files or add them to an archive. This functionality is essential for managing downloaded software or sharing multiple files.
Key takeaway: An indispensable tool for compressing and decompressing a vast array of file archive formats.
6. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
GIMP is a powerful, free, and open-source image editor that provides professional-grade features for photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring. It’s often considered a free alternative to Photoshop, offering layers, filters, brushes, and a wide array of tools for both simple edits and complex graphic design tasks.
Download the official installer from gimp.org. While GIMP offers incredible functionality, it does have a steeper learning curve than simpler tools like Paint.NET. However, countless tutorials are available online, making it accessible with a bit of dedication. This is an excellent tool for any new laptop owner needing basic photo manipulation or even advanced graphic work.
Key takeaway: A free, professional-grade image editor for everything from basic photo touch-ups to complex graphic design.
7. Malwarebytes Free
Malwarebytes Free is a leading anti-malware scanner that detects and removes threats that traditional antivirus software might miss, including malware, spyware, and adware. While not a full-time antivirus replacement, its on-demand scanner acts as a crucial second layer of defense, especially after downloading suspicious files or encountering unusual system behavior.
Download the free version from malwarebytes.com. The free version offers manual scanning and removal. Run a scan regularly, particularly after installing new software or visiting unknown websites. From a practitioner’s perspective, this tool is invaluable for catching residual threats and complementing your operating system’s built-in security. You can find more robust security advice on our utilities category archive.
Key takeaway: An essential on-demand scanner to detect and remove persistent malware and adware that standard antivirus might miss.
8. ShareX
ShareX is a feature-rich, open-source screenshot tool that goes far beyond basic screen capture. It allows you to capture screenshots in various shapes, record screen activity (GIFs and video), and then automatically upload them to over 80 different services (cloud storage, image hosts, etc.), complete with customizable actions like watermarking or adding effects. This app saves a tremendous amount of time if you frequently share visual information.
Install ShareX from getsharex.com. Once installed, you can configure hotkeys for different capture modes and set up your preferred upload destinations. The power of ShareX lies in its automation; for example, you can press one key to capture a region, upload it to Imgur, and copy the link to your clipboard, all in one go.
Key takeaway: A highly versatile screenshot and screen recording tool with extensive automation and sharing capabilities.
9. ProtonVPN Free
ProtonVPN Free offers a secure and private internet connection with no data limits, making it one of the best free VPN services available. It routes your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel, masking your IP address and protecting your online activities from surveillance. While the free tier offers servers in only three countries (US, Netherlands, Japan) and a single connection, it’s perfect for basic privacy protection on public Wi-Fi or for occasional geo-unblocking.
Download the client from protonvpn.com/free-vpn/ and create a free account. Select one of the available free server locations and click ‘Connect’. Be aware that free VPNs generally have slower speeds due to server load and prioritize paid users, so don’t expect blazing performance. However, for essential privacy, it’s an excellent starting point. Explore more ways to boost your productivity by checking out our productivity category archive.
Key takeaway: A reliable, free VPN service for basic online privacy and security, especially on unsecured networks.
Equipping your new laptop with these free applications will significantly enhance its utility, security, and your overall computing experience. My top pick from this list for any new laptop owner is unequivocally **Bitwarden**. In today’s interconnected world, strong, unique passwords are your first line of defense against cyber threats, and Bitwarden makes this essential practice effortless and secure.
While a new machine is exciting, neglecting its software foundation can lead to headaches down the line. Installing these tools is a proactive step that will save you time and potential trouble. Take the time to download and configure each of these apps now, and enjoy a faster, safer, and more productive computing journey.
Cover image by: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels
