Best Free Software Every Windows PC Owner Should Have in 2026
You don't need to spend a single dollar to have a fully equipped Windows PC. There is a huge range of free, high-quality software available today that covers everything from productivity and security to media and file management. Whether you just bought a new laptop or are setting up a PC from scratch, these are the essential free tools you should install right away in 2025.
1. VLC Media Player — For All Your Videos and Music
VLC is the most reliable media player ever made and it is completely free. It plays virtually every video and audio format without needing extra codecs — MP4, MKV, AVI, FLAC, MP3, and even damaged or incomplete files. It also streams online content, plays DVDs, and can convert media files between formats. If you only install one media app on your PC, make it VLC. Download it at videolan.org.
2. LibreOffice — A Full Microsoft Office Alternative
LibreOffice is a complete, free office suite that includes a word processor, spreadsheet tool, presentation maker, and more — covering everything Microsoft Office does at zero cost. It opens and saves Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files with good compatibility, making it perfect for students, freelancers, and anyone who doesn't want to pay for an Office subscription. Download it at libreoffice.org.
3. Malwarebytes Free — Extra Layer of Security
While Windows Defender is decent, Malwarebytes catches threats that Defender sometimes misses — particularly adware, spyware, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). The free version lets you run manual scans whenever you feel your PC is behaving strangely. Run it once a month alongside your regular antivirus for thorough protection. Download it at malwarebytes.com.
4. 7-Zip — The Best Free File Compression Tool
7-Zip is a lightweight, open-source file archiver that handles ZIP, RAR, 7Z, TAR, and almost every compressed file format you'll ever encounter. It is faster and more efficient than Windows' built-in compression tool and completely free with no ads. Right-click any file or folder to compress or extract — it integrates directly into Windows Explorer. Download it at 7-zip.org.
5. Brave Browser — Fast, Private, and Free
Brave is a Chromium-based browser that blocks ads and trackers by default, making web pages load significantly faster while using less RAM than Chrome. All your Chrome extensions work on Brave, and it syncs bookmarks and passwords across devices. It also has a built-in VPN option and rewards system if you opt in. For anyone frustrated with Chrome's speed and memory usage, Brave is the best free alternative. Download it at brave.com.
6. Obsidian — The Best Free Note-Taking App
Obsidian is a powerful, free note-taking app that stores all your notes as plain text files on your own device — meaning you own your data completely and it works offline. It supports Markdown formatting, internal linking between notes, and a visual graph view that shows how your ideas connect to each other. It is ideal for students, writers, researchers, and anyone who takes a lot of notes. Download it at obsidian.md.
7. ShareX — Free Screenshot and Screen Recording Tool
ShareX is one of the most powerful free screenshot tools available for Windows. It captures full screens, selected regions, scrolling pages, and records your screen as video or GIF. It also has built-in annotation tools, a color picker, and can automatically upload screenshots to cloud services like Imgur or Google Drive. This is the tool that replaces paid apps like Snagit for most users. Download it at getsharex.com.
8. Everything — Instant File Search for Windows
Windows' built-in search is notoriously slow. Everything fixes that. It indexes your entire file system in seconds and finds any file or folder instantly as you type — no waiting, no spinning circle. It is a tiny app that uses almost no system resources and runs quietly in the background. Once you use it, you will never go back to Windows search again. Download it at voidtools.com.
9. Notion — Free All-in-One Productivity Workspace
Notion combines notes, to-do lists, databases, calendars, and project boards all in one place. The free plan is generous enough for personal use and works across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. It is especially useful for managing projects, planning content, tracking goals, and organizing research. Teams and students alike use Notion as a central hub for everything they're working on. Sign up free at notion.so.
10. HandBrake — Free Video Converter
HandBrake is a free, open-source video transcoder that converts video files between formats and compresses large video files without significant quality loss. It is perfect for compressing videos before uploading, converting MKV files to MP4, or optimizing videos for specific devices. It supports batch processing so you can convert multiple files at once. Download it at handbrake.fr.
Conclusion
A fully functional, well-equipped Windows PC doesn't require spending money on software. From media playback and office work to security, note-taking, and file management, every tool on this list is completely free and genuinely excellent. Start by installing VLC, 7-Zip, and Malwarebytes — then work through the rest based on your needs. Bookmark this page so you can come back to it the next time you set up a new PC.
