What is on your must install list for a new PC?

[Oscar_57]

Setting up a new computer is exciting, but it also means hours of installing software, tweaking settings and logging into accounts. Most of us have a mental list of the programs we install first, often in the same order every time. Some are essential utilities, others are favourite tools we cannot live without. Comparing lists is a great way to discover something new

My first installs are always a browser, a password manager, a media player like VLC, 7-Zip, a backup tool and Steam. Then I spend far too long removing bloatware, turning off adverts and changing settings that should never have been the default. It takes most of an evening before the PC feels like mine

Some people use package managers to install everything in one go, like Winget on Windows, Homebrew on Mac or apt on Linux. Others use services like Ninite, which bundles popular programs into a single installer. Those can save a lot of time when you set up machines regularly. Each method has its fans

Please share your list, ideally with a short note on why each item is there. Free and open source tools are especially welcome, since everyone can try them

What is on your must install list for a new PC?