Top Windows software to avoid

Software to avoidUse this insteadWhy?
Adblock PlusUblock originsAdblock Plus sells ads(!)
Adobe Acrobat (PDF printing)Microsoft Print to PDFUse the Windows 10 built-in printer
Adobe Acrobat (PDF reading and modifying)Foxit ReaderFree and safer from viruses, but has ads
Anti-virus softwareWindows SecurityUse the Windows 10 built-in AV
CCleanerBleachBitCCleaner has been accused of spying
Google Chrome, Microsoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle and Microsoft will sell your data
Firewall softwareWindows FirewallUse the Windows 10 built-in firewall
OfficeLibreOfficeSave money
OutlookThunderbirdSave money
WinZip, WinRAR7zipFaster, more secure, no nagging, no ads
Windows Media PlayerVLC PlayerVLC works much better, more formats
Zoom, SkypeJitsiZoom is not secure, Jitsi doesn't sell your data

Other, recommended windows tools:

  • Desktop Restore - prevent your desktop icons getting messed up when your resolution changes
  • Etcher - burn disk images to SD cards, great for working with Raspberry Pi images
  • FreeFileSync - great incremental backup tool
  • Ridnacs - discover what is taking the most space on your hard drive
  • SDFormatter - the official SD card formatting software
  • SyncTrayzor - sync files between computers without giving them to Google or Dropbox
  • Tixati - fast & free torrent client
  • VeraCrypt - file and disk encryption tool
  • WinCDEmu - mount disk images such as .iso files
  • WinMerge - compare text files or folder contents
  • WinSCP - FTP / SFTP client

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