My Top 10 favorite FREE Windows programs of all-time!

[@denniswinton4485]

Thanks for the tips on these programs. I have to say that your youtube channel is, hands down, the most useful for non-techies like me. I appreciate all the work you put into them.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Thank you! I try to make my videos easy enough for anyone to follow. Not always easy, so I appreciate the support 👍

[@mikimouse3001]

Great video, i really appreciate that you're being honest about your affiliation with malware bytes, as for the software im using if the os has it included(even if it's inferior to other alternatives), and if its free im just gonna use that, less hassle, less bloat. One piece of software i cant live without is 7zip. Anyway keep up the good work and dont mind the rude comments, your videos are like therapy for me.👍

[@chuckintexas]

Man I _LOVE_ your presentation format ! L&S'ed _right_ away ! Your approach to no-nonsense but friendly narration , really HELPS with the clarity of the message you're trying to comunicate ! I see a NUMBER of items _I_ plan to USE , and as inexpensive as they are , the paid "Pro" versions are oing on _my_ PC 👍 !

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Awesome! And thank you for the kind words ❤️

[@DaveITGuy]

Thanks, Scott! I rediscovered Thunderbird for my Mac. I hate using the default Apple Mail client.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Nice!

[@app103]

Some of my favorite daily use programs: Notezilla (payware) - Sticky notes on steroids. Asutype (payware) - Interactive correction or autocorrect spelling/typos, with custom text expander macros to make typing faster. If you find yourself typing the same things over and over, this will make it faster and easier. Screenshot Captor (donationware) - very powerful screen capture tool. Deckboard (freeware with paid pro option) - Use your phone or tablet to control your PC. Replaces need to purchase expensive Stream Deck hardware. Lacuna Launcher (donationware) - Launch multiple applications or open multiple files (in their default programs) with a single click, with command line options to set an initial delay and pauses between each application, to prevent them from competing for resources. (DISCLOSURE: I wrote this one)

[@Doxxy0]

i like the comment section, people recommending good little programs we may never heard about. gonna save this video just for this info very rare sight

[@drumpf4all]

FreeFileSync should be on your list. It’s awesomeness!

[@nishan_nb]

Great video! Thanks for sharing 👏

[@MerwinARTist]

I appreciate your no BS way of presenting your information! Thanks for sharing things that help make us all better off.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

You're welcome! I appreciate that

[@JoeBur]

Thank you. Some good advice, as usual. 🙂

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

I appreciate that

[@cmaples]

I actually already use several of these and am of course in total agreement with you. :) It made me feel good that I use a few that the experts utilize.

[@D.von.N]

For drivers you rather start with your machine manufacturer's website. I have found the Dell's one top notch. Even the Intel (if you have Intel) has a good one, and it will advise you to check whether the machine producer doesn't have a newer one, to prefer that one. Did my update just a couple days ago. Any other third party software can be just as good as Microsoft alone. They might not be exactly up to date, checking up on the original sources anyway. I would use this software as the final tuner, in case I missed something.

[@bernardmueller5676]

Thunderbird is AWESOME. Firefox is, too.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Agreed!

[@soundman601]

I use Linux Mint, as of a month ago, and Libre office is superb.

[@daveb7999]

Libre Office is great! Mint is also a perfect choice, I started with Ubuntu but Mint is nicely polished. I am using Manjaro now and have had no problems, it what I recommend for friends and family. Enjoy the FREEdom!🐧

[@farfiman]

A few others": "everywhere" to find files, Lightshot for screen capture, Total commander for file copying, Treesize(free)

[@Rood67]

*YES!!!* Total Commander is shareware (more like nag ware, but only when first opened). It is worth buying to support, but can be used indefinitely by clicking 1, 2, or 3 when first opened. Great file manager, large selection of plugins to even drill into the registry, download from web sights, multi-file rename with RegEx capabilities, I’d be thousands of words into this comment to cover everything TC can do, and this I use it for daily. Which is another reason I have a one time purchase lifetime license. Although TC has an incredible file search, Everything is faster. Once it has a general index, it can search all drive insanely fast. Get the location and do what one needs from TC.

[@pcman222285]

Discovered your top 10 favorite. Love them.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Thank you 👍

[@pibbles-a-plenty1105]

Error! Bad info. In Windows you CAN pick only the files in a folder you want to move. Just hold down CTRL, click to highlight the files you want to move, choose Copy, and then Paste them in the folder you are moving them to. Easy breezy.

[@chuckintexas]

The problem is the FILE cache . When it fills _up_ , moves and copies slow WAY _DOWN_ !!

[@MichaelSouhoka]

Inkscape and GIMP are not bad. They are free and have Windows versions. I use Inkscape as an alternative to Adobe Illustrator, and GIMP as an alternative to Adobe Photoshop.

[@hipparchos]

Honestly, as a former Corel Draw user, I find Inkscape almost identical. I am not a designer though, just a casual user

[@johng.4959]

MPC!!! Such a great media player. 👍

[@NazmusLabs]

MPC continues to get updates! it’s at version nine right now, released in 2024 open cmd and type winget upgrade --all May Allah (S.W.T.) guide you and bestow upon you His Blessings; Ameen. # F R E E P A L E S T I N E

[@rhondae8222]

Thank you for sharing. 👍

[@velociraptor8984]

"EVERYTHING" is an absolute must have as the search function in Windows sucks ....

[@f1remandg]

As always, great advice and from someone you can trust to give great advice.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

I appreciate that 👍

[@Keaton.]

You can USE softwares for drivers install/update, but you don't NEED them... Windows Update can fix 99% of your drivers once you connect to internet. Drivemax just install generic versions of drivers. Ex.: You have laptop w/ GTX 970 (yup, older) that doesn't work with any driver, it'll install the GTX 970 driver and it won't work properly. (yea, older example... but you know... there are still stuff like this like some realtek audio or network adapter...)

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Video drivers can be finicky, for sure. And I personally would always go to the website to download them directly. But when you have no wireless internet and the only way you can get back online is to restore your wifi adapter, or any other device that Windows update can't find, spending zero dollars for that peace of mind is well worth it IMO

[@Zootopia-tq4yx]

As for VLC, it is good for darker scenes right off the bat as compared to MPC-HC, no need for madVR plugin renderer as with MPC-HC as I mentioned just earlier. However, with VLC, on a rare occasion had issues playing some MP4 vids, and you typically had to disable the default Acceleration mode in settings.

[@gingeraiyle]

Aaahhhh okay, I was wondering about that, noticed it happens every now and then with some MP4s and I always wondered why they'd play fine in media player but not in VLC when everything else seemed to have worked fine.

[@RotaryTeamVincent]

I've found that often an OpenOffice doc or ppt can loose spacing or alignment when opened in MSOffice.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

I have seen that myself occasionally. Again, it's not perfect for everyone, but it's certainly better than spending money on a program just to view docs and such 👍

[@N9IWJ]

Excellent video thanks so much , I use a lot of your recommendations, and learned a few new

[@rambledogs2012]

MPC is great for anyone using their PC alongside a home cinema set up. It allows passthrough to an amp amongst other things and there are a good few instructional setups on the net based on what you want.

[@mstaindl]

Thanks for this - very useful. But what Note-taking app/s do you use please? I've been a long-time user of Evernote, but they've now hiked pricing skyhigh. Looking to what I can migrate to.

[@Zootopia-tq4yx]

As for 7-zip, upon every update, it will add a whole buncha right click context menus back, I prefer an uncluttered context menu, so after every update have to go into 7-zip settings and turn off its context menu option(s). I do however let Windows Explorer handle zip files natively.

[@lifeisagift.cherisheverymoment]

Great information. Thank you. I have used Apache longer than I can remember. The "best" application is an application that I use often, because it addresses an interest I have and it is designed in a way that makes sense to me. The least desirable development in software is the trend toward online applications and subscriptions. Software development is expensive, but paying an endless subscription to use software is a poor solution for end-users. Open-Source is a very attractive alternative, which I "donate" to when I can. A personal requirement at my age is the capability for Dark Mode.

[@D.von.N]

Re photosync, I would be cautious these days about saying you pay just once and never again. The trend is opposite and probably most software will be on regular subscription, eventually. Even Microsoft might bring on the OS on subscription, at least for some versions of it, the rumour goes. PS: I don't mind connecting my phone to the PC by a cable. Besides, what happened to bluetooth on its own? It doesn't work that way? I remember my old Sony Ericsson, we exchanged pics via the infrared signal. I think it was back in 2005 or so.

[@davinp]

Microsoft 365 is the subscription-based version while Microsoft Office 2021 is the stand-alone program that you pay a one-time fee. Also, note some of those free office programs may not have the feature to save to the cloud or 365's collaboration features.

[@stephencooper3583]

Correct. Also, I believe they are about to release Office 2024 stand-alone to replace 2021.

[@629Justme]

Im a lil ole school and don't let most programs actually find and "INSTALL" drivers. I have a program or two that will go out to see if any updates are there but I make the decision to install them. This includes "WINDOWS" updates. Guess how many times I found out that a driver update was bad and needed to be uninstalled on my Pc? None. Because I like my system to remain stable, I will only allow my antivirus to do auto updates. "I" make the decision to install if needed. If my system is running, I want to not install the problem.

[@Doxxy0]

same. i have a new laptop, it came with an 8gb partition full of programs im supposed to install "for the best experience". also first thing i do after install, is to switch off win10 updates also with wpdapp. i only need the latest edition of Common Sense to be safe if everything works perfectly without them, why i should install anything just to bloat my system?

[@michaelhenderson7658]

Thanks for your insight on libre.

[@morganfbilbo462]

I've used all 3. M office, Open O and Libre O. The best for me is Libre. Because MO is expensive, OO don't' update often enough, and LO updates regularly helping me feel as though I have the latest. And in the last 3 to 4 years, have never had any trouble with Libre Office. It does everything I as a home owner need.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

You're welcome!

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Perfect!

[@KeithCollyer]

I don't think Open/Libre Office handle pivot tables from Excel, so if you need them you need Excel. I think they have an equivalent, but not portable between MS and Open/Libre

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Actually I believe Open Office can handle them. See link below. Not 100% on Libre: forum.openoffice.org/en/forum/viewtopic.php?t=103556

[@frankieblea5614]

Not certain if anyone else has experienced this issue with Libre Office Writer. I was in the process of writing a book and after about 150 pages, it began to bog down. The document took long to open, and whenever I had to go back a few pages to edit or add something, it would all but hang. I eventually transferred my book to Microsoft Word and I have not experienced this problem any longer.

[@StephenCoste-j4y]

I am a former internet tech for a major isp. I used to like malwarebytes, however these days I find that the scan is extremely slow so I no longer recommend it

[@krisvanlommel]

What about Total Commander ? I still know and used Norton Commander in the DOS era ;-) it is so easy to select different filetypes, sort, copy, compress, extract, search files (between certain dates or higher then a certain filesize), search for a text string inside files, ... with 2 file windows. Just love it ! Also Speccy and CCleaner are on every PC

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Never used it. Glad it works for your needs, though!

[@tee-eye-why4730]

Samsung phones have the ability to sync with your PC via "link with windows" that allows pictures and video to be moved to/from phone/PC. It's a very slick tool!

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

👍

[@LeeMyers-Jr]

Programs that I always install Everything (file searcher) ShareX or Flameshot (screen copier) Irfanview (image viewer) FastCopy or TeraCopy (file copiers) WizTree (file space imager)

[@errolflyne4630]

every young him/her must exercise Everything, Irfanview, AIMP, SumatraPDF, SolveigMM (even pay if you need) and LightAlloy for good. Espcially Everythig is to be used 1 month to recognise its capabilities. k-lite package for codec issues.

[@ChristopherWorkman1996]

I use Malwarebytes and VLC Media Player on my computers, and they both do their jobs very well. I use VLC for files that Windows Media Player doesn't support as well as convert files with it. On my custom tri-boot(Vista, 7, & 10) PC, I currently still use Microsoft Office 2007. I have an old Office installation disc and I was surprised that it still works on Windows 10. When I get a Windows 11 laptop, I'll try Open Office.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Excellent! Libre Office is good too, in case you don't like Open Office 👍

[@chuckintexas]

@@AskYourComputerGuy - I need something that's as DIRECTLY _LIKE_ MS Word as I can get , _not_ just "compatible" . I use MS-Word for ALLOT of my page formatting , and photo grouping and printing . I _then_ circulate collections in MS-Word "save to PDF" .

[@joebeamer3182]

Your right on Drivermax, Malware Bytes found PUPs as well as could be viruses or malware I deleted mine.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Excellent!

[@kubbfan61]

Computer Guy, Sorry, just had to laugh at your pronunciation of "Photopea". I heard you pronounce it (FOTO-pee). I believe it is pronounced (Foe-TOE-pee-Ah). Think of cornucopia. Just wanted you to know you made my day with that!!! Great job on all your videos. I watch and enjoy each episode you make for us. Keep up the excellent work.

[@NazmusLabs]

I always pronounced it photo 🫛 . This is the first time I’m hearing this. The developer should have used the spelling “PhotoPia” if that was what he was intending May Allah (S.W.T.) guide you and bestow upon you His Blessings; Ameen # F R E E P A L E S T I N E

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

That's how I pronounced it in an earlier video and I got hammered for it. I was like "photo pea" doesn't make sense but "fo-tow-pia" sounds cool

[@Eternal_Tech]

According to Google, Photopea is pronounced "fow·tow·pee," so Computer Guy is correct. You may Google, "pronounce photopea", for confirmation.

[@rogerm1111]

An important correction. You don't have to manually check for updates in the free version of Malwarebytes. It does that itself whenever you run a scan.

[@kd-CarvingAway]

Thanks a bunch

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

You bet 👍

[@brighterhoopes]

Do you have to use WiFi for the PhotoSync? We use only the cable/ethernet connection. Would the USB cable connected to the laptop do the same? I have an Android phone.

[@__justin__]

If phone doesn't have wireless charging, plug in to PC, charge and transfer the files at the same time. With PC mouse. Just a fun maybe.

[@barrybennett1292]

Hi, great vid! Been wanting to do this since I was forced to create a ms pin to login. I have win10, no bit locker, no onedrive etc... To switch to a local account, do I just add an account where I select "Add user without ms account", give it admin and start using it. Is it that easy?

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

LOL you nailed it! Just that simple ❤️

[@barrybennett1292]

@@AskYourComputerGuy Thanks much :)

[@jamc666]

Total Commander is the best free file explorer alternative out there.

[@dennisclapp7527]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience. I am a charter member of the Ancient Society of Octogenarians. I will submit your name for inclusion in the Honor Role unless you would rather not receive the honor. 😉

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

I would be honored 👍

[@julian-gen]

Driver Max is not as good as Snappy Driver Installer SDI is completely free, maintained by volunteers and has no daily limits.

[@rogerm1111]

I don't use either, as there are much better alternatives.

[@pietro_s032]

​@@rogerm1111 so what do you use?

[@WumpusAmungus]

@@rogerm1111 "there are much better alternatives... but I'm going to be smug and not mention any of them"

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

👍

[@farmtruck9885]

Thanks, I just downloaded the free Malwarebytes, do you have to deactivate before the 14 days are up to keep it for free and scan manually or can you just wait until the trial is over and still scan manually? I couldn't download because it wasn't an approved app I had to change my setting to accept any app, should I change it back to what it was or just leave it?

[@Maltojo]

I've been using the free version for years. Never had a problem. You don't get live monitoring, but I use it just to scan my file system..

[@TylerHaley]

once the trial is over it converts to free version

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

You can us the 2 week trial and then deactivate it, which is what I wouldn't recommend 👍

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Not by itself. It will annoy you until you upgrade or switch back to free.

[@farmtruck9885]

@@AskYourComputerGuy Just to be sure, you are saying deactivate before the 2 week trial is up and DON'T let it run out on its own.

[@KirbyONeilDJSpeed]

Some Cool Programs many Thanks, some i use too is Ocam is a great screen capture, tool films your screen and has game mode, coffee zip i think stems from 7zip?, and an advanced photo editor, is Gimp , you may say don't use them because? and will I be open to suggestions .

[@martinbynion1589]

Gimp IS "ADVANCED"! Very powerful, but a bit complicated for many users, I feel. Including me 🙂

[@Penumbra-u8p]

You keep saying these programes are free, but many of them would like a donation. If people are going to use them on a regular basis wouldn't you consider it fair people did cough up a even just a little amount?

[@wozhardy]

Libre office is a spin off of open office years ago, when oracle bought sun that owned the open office.. Then oracle handed it over to apache. It looks like apache has not really supported open office compaired to libre office. That does not mean that libre office is perfect... But it is a decent office package.. Have u tried only office ?? It has its, lets say additional features... But its ok .

[@stephanieahern7982]

Hey guy, your the greatest. I have my own little business and have been really struggling since the covid. But I'm getting my things and business together and won't forget you. I'll spread the word for your site .👌🤘

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

I appreciate that more than you know 👍

[@naser40]

Thanks for your recommendations, I use this program to wps office , what do you think about it?

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Last I remember, WPS Office had too many ads for my taste

[@treasonwhat4]

Media Player Black is the successor to Media Player Classic

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

I believe you're rovtj. I've just used MPC for so many years and love it. Will check it out 👍

[@jamesmarchetti3286]

Great overall and important video and reminders for me for when I might have to use my laptop instead of my iPhone !! I liked, Subscribed and Shared !!! 😊

[@Archosphere]

cant you schedule program updates in task manager anymore? (for app/program like malbytes)

[@Rood67]

I believe you may be referring to Task Scheduler, and yes, if there is a command line option to do the update, you could set up a task to update anything, including MalWareBytes. But the kicker is, there has to be a way to do this outside of the program. You cannot create a task to open the GUI, make a selection from option, then click from a list of presented commands. Excellent suggestion to do it this way.

[@mr_hardy5329]

MPC is the best player for me. Also i use Greenshot.

[@maggieb3851]

I can't seem to find a download link for the last version of MPC_PC v1.7.13. Also when I download drivermax and open my folder. I get windows popup telling me about unwanted apps on the computer. Not sure whether to install it now or not.

[@wolfwilkopter2231]

K-Lite Codec Pack "Mega" version (includes everything you'll need or want and the MPC-HC 2.3.4..something) The old one is severly outdated and shouldnt be used anyways. Get the drivermax, if you really want a tool to do your driverstuff, which is something one that cares about his system, should be doing on his own imho... get it from a source you trust, like some PC paper or something...and then you should be good to go, but remember this tool has hard limits as freeware version, the full version costs money...

[@Fortespyproductions]

Potplayer is far better

[@acreguy3156]

I like SM Player but it doesn't remember the Maximized window function. It only offers the Full Screen option on opening. Maximizing has been a basic function since Windows 3.1!!!!!! Why did they drop the ball on this one? It would be nice to watch a video AND have the toolbars showing. *EDIT* I may have found the solution. If you check *Video > Stay on top > While playing* it will open maximized. This is not found in the Options menu but IT SHOULD BE THERE!

[@morganfbilbo462]

I have paid ESET Essentials as my A/V. Does it have malware detection? Or do I need Malware-bytes too? Back when I had AVG and Malware-bytes, they were a pain. They tell you that you have problems, but when you try to fix them, they want money.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Good question! I installed MalwareBytes as a secondary measure, but haven't needed it 👍

[@chuckintexas]

Wait - you're saying a software company _willing_ to provide a free SCANNER wants to be PAID for _actual_ PROBLEM solving ? SHOCKING !!

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

😂

[@darkman237]

Here's question, which has nothing to do with this vid. If you want a multi-layered approach for anti virus and each one tries to block another forcing an uninstall what is one to do? If one doesn't catch the thing, then the other one or the third should. I like the active that avast offers, but I can't use it with zone alarm anymore. I still like malwarebytes, but at present I can't even install the thing anymore, it won't start. What do you recommend?

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

I use Eset alongside MalwareBytes with no issues. Used to use Avast but not any more (video upcoming with details). You can try it here, highly recommended! www.jdoqocy.com/gi104wktqks79899C8DFH799EFEBDA

[@darkman237]

@@AskYourComputerGuy Thanks!

[@darkman237]

@@AskYourComputerGuy I was hoping for a free version.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

@darkman237 not many options out there for free. I would normally recommend Avast, but they were caught selling users surfing history. I'm done with them. Eset is the best, though, if that helps

[@coffeegrinder6319]

I use Windows Defender that comes with Windows. along side of Malwarebytes. That's all you need.

[@teddybear4020]

can i use driver max 16 to just update my drivers on laptop ........i c they were totallly out of date since new {{ without having to reinstall windows }} as i thought i heared u say

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

100% yes. That's what it's designed to do 👍

[@chaim4x]

can windows defender and malwarebytes run together on the computer ?

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Absolutely!

[@gristlevonraben]

good video!

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jpowerw]

There's a lot of VPNs out there, I am looking for a GPN! A GPN IS only for games! Have you heard of GPNs and can you direct me to a good one?

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Unfortunately, no

[@alansolomon9899]

You are one of my top go to guys for computer help. I am subscribed to your channel and "like" your vids. Quick question. I watched your video on using a local user log in to Windows rather than the standard Windows 11 log in. But what I do not know, is how to do this. Do I have to deleted and reload windows 11? Thanks. Alfsul

[@johnnyz7752]

I don’t think it’s pronounced “photo-pea”, I think it’s pronounced “pho-to-pee-a”, kinda like utopia. 14:51

[@pauladams1915]

I've just installed OpenOffice on your recommendation, but I cannot find the setting to save documents in Word format as default. Any help would be appreciated.

[@JasonWestaway]

Hi, I don't think you can. How I do it is once you type the document go to File --> Save As in the dropdown menu you will see a click it and choose "Windows 7/2000/XP (doc)" and click Save. A window will come up in Open Office about the change of format my advice leave the tick/checkmark in the box and click "Keep Current Format" which will save it as a .doc Maybe anyone else knows how to make .doc in Open Office default, or even Scott. Hope this helps. Take care

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Absolutely! Go to settings, load/save, change format to Word 97/XP 👍

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

That's one way. Or you can change the default by going to options, load/save and change the default to Word 97/XP 👍

[@JasonWestaway]

@@AskYourComputerGuy Huge thanks! from my side 👍

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

@JasonWestaway you bet! 👍

[@tonyjackman6699]

Does photopea support RAW files?

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

It does!

[@chuckintexas]

@@AskYourComputerGuy - GOOD ! _Thanks_ !

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

👍

[@krishanpaul2]

gvim, vlc, 7zip, gimp, all chat programs (zoom, discord, ec), acrobat reader. probably in that order.

[@EXTREMOZAU]

God videos i sugest Everything it makes life Better

[@SrdjanPoznanovic]

Best player is POT player for video and best music player is AIMP 🤷...

[@celdepescaun39]

Question: corrupted BIOS before, using CH341A programmer + some BIOS file downloaded fm internet 🙃, succeeded to revive my laptop. The problem is the downloaded BIOS file was not quite exactly for my laptop, almost the same but not exactly, so now I can not use my dedicated NV graphic card and NUM keys on the keyboard ( dual boot Win 10 + Fedora 40 - KDE spin, strangely on Fedora NUM key working 😇, but dedicated NV video card also not working ). My laptop has no battery ( only using on AC adaptor ) . Also I don't want to dismantle the laptop again , so as to re-flash the BIOS again with CH341A. How I can , somehow , re-flash the BIOS , without dismantling the laptop & on AC power only ? My approach was with a freeware program named RWEverything .... ( I am a newbie ) .... unsuccessful ( although I send an e-mail to developer, not answer ) Do you have some suggestions ? Thank you

[@selfdestructivef0rce]

These are great thanks. Quick question I'm using an application called handbrake a video editor and it's telling me to install .NET Desktop runtime what is it and is it safe to install?

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

It's a Microsoft thing. It's safe to download and run. And Handbrake is really good 👍

[@brighterhoopes]

Is OpenOffice compatible on an Apple?

[@Anthony-qt8wv]

I tried to install drivermax but it got deleted by my malwarebytes premium. It said it was used to manipulate a persons computer? I am not sure what is going on with it but i will skip that program for now.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Make an exception. It's a PUP (potentially unwanted program) because it can change Windows drivers. It's safe, I've used it for years 👍

[@brandonramsaran8312]

Hey goodday ,Should i preferably have only Avast antivirus on my pc or Malwarebytes on my pc Computer guy?

[@jimdean5284]

Hello Scott, I would like to say that, you are the man, your channel is FANTASTIC!!! 👍 JD The old guy NZ.

[@Texasman-i8i]

Anyone know where I can buy product key for windows 10 I bought my computer used. When I click activation I see the message that Windows is activated with a digital License luck to your Microsoft account Any time I turn on my computer Microsoft send message that Windows 10 l am running is not register This computer probably attach to original Owner user account

[@theqaz1828]

G2A probably. Dodgy sourced but official keys. Use at your own risk but generally good

[@gristlevonraben]

watch a recent Tek Syndicate video, they advertise whokeys and provide discounts

[@4339jk]

There is an option to get updates for MPC and do get them although they do state there are no more releases...???

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

👍

[@Motivatedlightmedia]

So malware bytes, and not any other antivirus like bitdender?

[@oronjoffe]

Windows Defender does a good job at spotting viruses etc. Malwarebytes complements it well by dealing with other forms of malware (e.g. adware). BitDefender, which is certainly good software, is more or less a match for Windows Defender so doesn’t add much to the system.

[@tprakash7349]

I have some temp files in my system which never get deleted no matter how hard I try, how should I delete them?

[@Doxxy0]

try Unlocker. after install it goes into your right click menu when you right click a file. but be careful, if a program needs the file you might break that program. also try googling the name of that file

[@nevillepurdon7678]

A question: I have been given a laptop with KMSpico on it. What is this?

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

KMSpico is a Windows activator. That means the original copy of Windows is probably not legal. Common on non-OEM (retail Windows)fixes

[@nevillepurdon7678]

@@AskYourComputerGuy Thank you. I am going to format and load my own software including an original Windows that I have purchased for the laptop. I just needed to know what it was as I had not heard of it.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

@nevillepurdon7678 you're welcome, good luck!

[@retiredbektek]

"Karen's Replicator" file syncer is pure gold. It's OLD and works fantastic to replicate one drive to another (keeps up with additions and "deletions" to slave drives so easily). Saved my bacon many times.

[@steveworley1339]

Yes it is great. I use it to do daily backups automatically on a schedule time basis

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Nice!

[@erojohn2]

I downloaded and use driver max free. It took me a couple of months to update my drivers. Laptop was working fine so was in no hurry. One problem my Norton says a few drivers need to be updated. Driver max says all ok. 🤔

[@rambledogs2012]

Snappy Driver is also a good driver updater. The UI looks a bit old but it works spot on.

[@wolfwilkopter2231]

Pls dont tell me you just mentioned Norton... 🤦‍♂ Why do ppl still use that piece of junk and malware? Norton is one of the worst options you can get.... Uninstall its with Revo Uninstaller including all options to get that out of the depths of your system and use Bitdefender instead.

[@erojohn2]

@@rambledogs2012 I tried to run this, I got to a blue screen from windows defender saying it might put the pc at risk.

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

I wouldn't trust Norton for anything, much less driver verification and updating

[@courageousmelon5654]

10:45 this is bad advise in my opinion, it opens up a threat vector for malware if it hasn't been updated since 2017.

[@mistie710]

Possibly, yes, but as as ex-user myself I can vouch for it though I tend to use vlc these days as it can be used for so much more than a playback application.

[@wolfwilkopter2231]

K-Lite codec pack (best the Mega pack) includes an actual version (right now 2.3.4.) of MPC-HC and is my daily driver.

[@justintyme6920]

Teracopy/Everything/WizTree/Spinrite (never free)

[@LieutenantSandcastle]

CCleaner?

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

CCleaner is decent for cleaning temporary files, but I wouldn't use it for anything else. And considering that Windows has a temp file cleaner built in, I'd say it's probably safer NOT to use it. Many other viewers have had spyware type experiences with it. I took it out of my toolkit a while ago 👍

[@thegadphly3275]

How about a good pdf read and edit program?

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Adobe Reader DC is great for reading. Don't know of any good free editors, but I'll keep my eyes and ears open

[@ComeonmenID10T]

try Foxit PDF Reader

[@chuckintexas]

Agreed . I use ADOBE Reader to circulate VIEWABLE 3D PDF's so someone can view a 3D Model on their coputer with NO _additional_ viewing of CAD programs loaded , amd only ADOBE Viewer - at last "search" properly reads and displays my 3D PDF Files .

[@edwardritchie2844]

do you have any video editing programs that are free without watermarks

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Not that I know of 🤷‍♂️

[@edwardritchie2844]

@@AskYourComputerGuy thank you love your channel

[@DavidCampbell-MarineBio]

Davinci resolve

[@wnctrailcam]

Shotcut

[@monkeysnark7043]

As mentioned, OpenShot is good, VSDC Video Editor does a free for life giveaway twice a year (for that current version), and that is another alternative. Digiarty has VideoProc Vlogger, which was , maybe still is free as a video editor.

[@eralko]

How about a SSD wipe program

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Working on that video 👍

[@sheikhtashdeedahmed]

Drivermax or Fback up?

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

DriverMax is great for backing up drivers. Fbackup is good for backing up files. They do 2 separate things 👍

[@sheikhtashdeedahmed]

@@AskYourComputerGuy thanks Scott. Your other reply on my other comment convinced me to download FBACKUP.

[@bernardmueller5676]

I do prefer MPC-BE.

[@MYXT608]

Hey man can you help me I recently downloaded something that had malware or a virus I don’t really know and I got a email with all of my passwords and a screenshot of my desktop and I don’t really know what to do please help me

[@app103]

Run Malwarebytes and let it remove any malware it finds. Change ALL of your passwords and turn on 2FA for everything that you can.

[@823Steve]

No photoSync for Android?

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

Yes, iPhone and Android both

[@ernieclue8268]

Photosync is free, why do they need then your creditcard, even if they say they will charge 0 🤔

[@AskYourComputerGuy]

I've never entered a credit card. When I upgraded to Pro (not Premium), I did need to pay but never to use the free version 👍