Pc software allows us to do a variety of tasks. For example, it can be used to create graphics and videos, edit photos, and play games. It can also protect your computer from viruses and perform other maintenance tasks.
When downloading pc software, look for sources that have been verified by experts. Also, avoid downloads that are packed with adware or toolbars.
Office software
An office suite is a group of programs for word processing, spreadsheets and presentation. They are usually designed to work together and support the same file formats. Most office suites are available as a subscription or one-time purchase, with some offering additional services like cloud storage and collaboration.
The original and best-known is Microsoft Office, which provides desktop versions for Windows, macOS and mobile devices. It also has a web-based version called Office Online and offers business solutions with higher tech support and bigger storage size for a premium.
Open-source suites like LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice provide free alternatives. The latter has a sophisticated program set including word processor Writer, spreadsheet tool Calc and presentation software Impress. Its user interface doesn’t look as smart as the Microsoft ribbon but it is easy to use and includes a good range of features.
Antivirus software
Antivirus software is a type of computer program that helps protect the data stored on a computer system from malicious threats. These threats can include viruses, worms, Trojans, and spyware.
Computer viruses are a malignant form of software that can spread from one computer to another and infect them with their code. When they enter a computer system, they can delete or corrupt data and even damage hardware.
Antivirus programs scan for malware, preventing it from infecting computers and laptops. They can also scan files for risks before they are opened. They can also use sandboxing, which runs suspicious files in a separate environment to see if they behave maliciously. They can also help protect devices against ransomware, which encrypts data and demands money in return for its release.
Driver updates
Drivers act as digital “interpreters” between your PC’s hardware and operating system. Outdated drivers can result in performance lags, especially in resource-heavy programs, and security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
Sifting through manufacturer websites for the latest drivers can be time-consuming and frustrating, which is why most users choose to download a driver updating program. These programs find the latest drivers, install them automatically and often have extra features like backups and scan schedules.
Free programs such as DriversCloud function as more than just driver updaters, offering a wide range of other features such as a system information tool and BSOD analyzer. Other driver updaters, such as Driver Easy, have a few features that are only available with a paid license, including bulk downloading and creating restore points.
Energy-saving software
Essentially, a computer program is made up of different parts that work together to perform specific tasks. The parts include the hardware, the operating system software and the application software.
System software manages the computer’s basic functions and acts as an interface between the hardware and user application programs. It is also the program that is initially loaded into memory when a computer is turned on. Examples of system software include the operating system, firmware and computer language translators.
Application software allows computers to accomplish human tasks, such as word processing and photo-editing programs. It also includes tools for security and optimisation. The operating system provides application software with the information it needs to operate, such as the type of key pressed and where the mouse is clicked.
HWinfo
HWinfo is a system information and monitoring utility for Windows, focusing on the hardware components of a PC. It features advanced real-time hardware analytics and supports the latest components, technologies and standards. It also includes benchmarks to test the performance of your CPU, RAM and hard drive.
The program collects a ton of data and organizes it in a hierarchical tree structure for easy navigation. This makes it much easier to use than similar tools like Speccy and CPU-Z.
The program can monitor almost every metric you can imagine, from the rail voltage of your GPU to the remaining battery life of your SSD. It can even display a simple OSD (on-screen display) that will show you the results of any supported item monitored.