A set of programs for windows 8.1. Free programs for Windows download for free
Free applications completely replace the functionality of paid analogues. Of course, some software from manufacturers for money may contain several additional options, but this is not always a necessary condition. Let's talk about what programs you should install for Windows 8 in order to ensure comfortable operation of your laptop or computer. After all, not all basic applications can read, for example, pdf files or other non-Windows formats.
Essentials
The lack of a Start button in Windows 8th generation is extremely annoying for many users. So, in order to restore justice and bring the software back to normal, you can first install Start Menu X. The peculiarity of this utility is that it works in Russian. It is possible to easily change the structure of the Start menu and its appearance.
A normal system cannot do without an application that optimizes the computer. Within the Windows 8 Manager utility, there are 30 routines that significantly speed up your computer. It provides for cleaning the system of unnecessary files that are left behind by running applications, as well as setting up computer operating parameters.
With the help of such a useful utility, it is possible to gain access to various options and processes running in the system. Enable or disable certain programs and stabilize your interaction with it. The startup editor, cleaning unnecessary files and filtering Internet traffic is the most effective way.
Multimedia
Free applications like VLC for Windows 8 are a godsend for users. The software opens a huge number of video formats, so now no image can refuse to play. Now you can even listen to sound in the background.
The excellent 8 Zip archiver is designed exclusively for computers running Windows 8. It is optimized for touch hardware. You can create archives and view their compressed contents; users can open files even without first unzipping them. This utility supports a huge number of compression formats.
Communication
Applications for social networks do not leave anyone indifferent, as they help to instantly connect with those with whom a person constantly communicates. The VKontakte program for Windows 8 is the best thing you can get from a mobile utility and a page in a browser. There are options for manipulating the mouse or touch screen. An advanced interface and the ability to complain about posts, photos, and videos provide full-fledged functionality of a popular social network.
Navigation
Computer applications today offer a huge number of options thanks to their extensions. Google Chrome is always pleased with this policy, the latest version of which will be useful to install on your computer. Users can see on which page of the application specific actions occur. Now you don't need to frantically scroll through your browser to understand where the music is playing. Chrome will tell you everything with small notification icons. Chrome can also open pdf files and create office documents.
Safety
What about an app that protects against malware? A software called Comodo Internet Security is a great help here. This is one of those powerful ones that uses an advanced engine to fight worms and Trojan horses. The intuitive way this utility works allows you to detect malicious software that is not even included in the database of known viruses.
Working with Images
Do you need to work with pdf and photos? Photoshop Express is a free solution for Windows 8. It has the ability to work standardly with PDF files, as well as any types of images. You can remove red eyes or increase the saturation of the photo. 15 filters have been specially created for the application, which help you edit photos and pdf files with high quality.
Let's say you installed a new operating system. It is, of course, convenient, but life is difficult without additional applications. Text editors, email clients, browsers, antiviruses - it’s hard to imagine the life of a modern user without all these things. And the solutions offered by Windows developers do not always meet expectations. This article discusses the best programs and small utilities that may be useful for any Windows 8 user (and any other version too).
Browser
In the modern world, a computer is more and more often perceived simply as a point for accessing the Internet. Everything is conveniently packaged online. There is mail, file storage on the cloud, a text editor (hello, Google Docs), and even online virus checking. In short, the browser can replace almost all applications that the average PC user needs in everyday life.
That is why it is considered first. Microsoft's standard web browser is no good. It is slow and does not support plugins. 
It is recommended to choose from two giant browsers - Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Both applications are very popular, have a huge number of features and are growing rapidly. Chrome has very convenient integration with many services, and Firefox works faster under heavy load. Choose for yourself what you like best.
There is also a browser from Yandex. Essentially, this is a clone of Chrome, which implements several built-in functions useful for residents of the CIS. Yandex browser is a fairly popular and reliable application. 
If you often work with email, an email client is what you need. And in this category, Mozilla Corporation is developing Thunderbird with a huge lead over its competitors.
Office applications
Most people very often need to work with text. Save some information, write a letter or report, essay or abstract to an educational institution. For all this you need a special application - a text editor. 
The undisputed leader in this area is Microsoft Office. It has only one drawback - the distribution kit is paid. If, when choosing programs for Windows 8, you don’t want to have anything to do with piracy, and you hate buying applications, think about free analogues. For example, OpenOffice or AbiWord. Don’t forget about online resources like Google Docs – also a convenient and free way to work with text.
Additionally, you may need a utility to read PDF files. The best solution here is Adobe PDF Reader.
Computer protection
Windows 8 already has its own built-in antivirus of very good quality. If you do not have a paid license for applications from studios such as DrWeb or Kaspersky, it is better not to change it.
But for troubleshooting minor problems, the utility may be useful. This program is designed to combat various advertising scripts and “browser managers” that infect the operating system, causing many problems. 
CCleaner from Piriform is no less useful. It allows you to search for incorrectly removed applications and errors in the system registry and optimize Windows performance.
Microsoft Word 2016 is the most popular software of all the programs that are in the office suite used for the Windows 8 operating system. The program is characterized by an improved interface and serious, but not radical innovations.
Epson Easy Photo Print is a program that allows you to print photos. Nowadays, it is difficult to imagine how you can do without photographs, because so many different devices have been invented for photographing, processing and printing photographic images. The development of computer technology makes photographic printing more accessible
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2 is a compatible update for Microsoft .NET Framework versions 4* for Windows 8. You can download net framework 4.6.2 for free directly on our website.
Microsoft Visual C++ is a built-in environment from Microsoft designed for developing software and applications in the C++ language. You can download visual c++ on our website.
Microsoft Office 2007 is a package of office programs in Russian, which is designed for working with office documentation. The components create and edit text and graphic documents, provide the ability to develop databases and various types of documentation, maintain electronic notebooks and notepads with notes, and combine some
Total Commander is a well-known file manager designed to work on Windows. users can perform various operations with files such as copying, deleting, moving files, etc. We invite you to download Total Commander for Windows 8.
Xpadder is an application that can simulate mouse and keyboard clicks using a gamepad. In other words, you can play with a joystick in games where its use is not intended. You no longer need to specifically search for games designed for a gamepad.
VIber is a popular VoIP application that allows you to communicate with other users around the world for free. After the article you will find a link where you can download Viber to your computer in Russian for free for Windows 8.
Previously, Microsoft stated that the new version of Windows 10 will have a number of significant features that neither Windows 8 nor Windows 8.1 could boast of. The release of the tenth version is just around the corner, which gives us a reason to take stock of some results. Since the release of the first version of Windows 8, developers have released many programs, both designed exclusively for Windows 8 and compatible with earlier versions.
The same applications that existed before the Windows 8 era have been modernized by their developers to be better compatible with the new version of the operating system. And today we decided to present to your attention a selection of popular software products that have proven themselves to be the best on Windows 8 and 8.1.
Among them, we included not only utilitarian programs, but also infotainment applications, as well as games.
"Cloud Clients"
The most popular applications for working with cloud services, as before, are OneDrive, Dropbox and Box. And in RuNet also. Dropbox has lost some ground, mainly due to the fact that the amount of disk space it provides is an order of magnitude less than what its competitors offer. On the other hand, what’s stopping you from having several accounts in one or several cloud services at once?
By creating a dozen accounts, you can increase the amount of free storage space by 10. And to make working with them convenient, you can use a special application RainbowDrive, which is a single convenient shell for simultaneous access to different cloud storages or accounts.
"Culinary Apps"
We don’t know who first came up with the idea of organizing culinary recipes in the form of applications, but it clearly achieved its goal. App stores even have separate sections for such electronic “cookbooks.”
Jamie Oliver
One of the best cooking apps for Windows 8.1. Jamie Oliver boasts an impressive list of a wide variety of recipes from the world famous chef.
Timed2Perfection
If, when preparing dishes, you often have to ask yourself at what temperature to cook it, then the Timed2Perfection application is exactly for you. This program is a real catalog of temperature modes for cooking a wide variety of products, and Timed2Perfection shows the temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.
Recipe+ Nutrition Profiler
A very interesting and useful application that serves to determine the nutritional value of products, not only the main ingredients, but also ready-made dishes. Recipe+ Nutrition Profiler works offline, so you can use it even when you're not connected to the internet. The application database includes 12 thousand types of products and dishes. The application is paid, but it costs little - only $4.99.
"Games"
"Store" games for Windows 8 are more suitable for devices with touch displays, but can also provide a lot of fun for users of regular PCs and laptops controlled via a keyboard and mouse.
Halo: Spartan Assault
A cooperative shooter adventure game developed by 343 Industries in collaboration with Vanguard Games. Superb graphics, a well-thought-out plot and a breathtaking top-down view will completely immerse you in the world of the alternative Halo universe.
Medieval Apocalypse
Medieval Apocalypse takes you to a dark alternative apocalyptic Middle Ages, in which you have to wage a brutal war against the living dead. The game features addictive gameplay, excellent graphics and acoustics. Character leveling is supported.
Taptiles
A fascinating logic game in which you will need to match pairs of cube-shaped chips, disassembling the proposed figures into their component parts. The game is three-dimensional, so the pieces can be rotated in all directions, looking for the missing parts of the pieces. Taptiles has three modes and a variety of shapes that the developers say "give a unique experience." And one cannot but agree with the latter. The game is very colorful, bright, with excellent sound.
"Graphics Applications"
If you are interested in photography or prefer to express your creativity by creating graphic compositions from scratch, then you will certainly need good graphic editors. And the Windows Store has a lot to offer you.
Photoroom
Great app for photo design. Includes over 70 styles, frames, filters and lighting effects.
Fresh Paint
Fresh Paint or Fresh Paint is a simple application ideal for both adults and children who would like to paint. Fresh Paint doesn't require any artistic skills, other than a little design flair.
Gallery HD
A simple and convenient manager for storing and viewing photos on a local computer or network storage. Gallery HD allows you to turn your photos into an amazingly beautiful slideshow with soft scrolling and zoom capabilities.
"Audio players"
There's plenty of this stuff in the Windows Modern app store.
TuneIn Radio
A popular application for listening to radio stations around the world. There is a search by artist name, song title, album.
VEVO
This application provides access to the free VEVO service, which allows you to watch video clips, videos and even concerts in real time.
Clouder!
A good music app for listening to music. However, Clouder! This is not only a program, but also a service that allows you to upload your own collections of songs to the Internet and share them with other participants in the system. Also Clouder! allows you to download songs uploaded by other users to your computer.
"Office"
All of us, one way or another, have to deal with so-called office documents, as well as the need to organize them.
Word Viewer
A convenient program for viewing documents in “office” formats. This application, of course, will not replace Microsoft Word, since Word Viewer does not support file editing, but you will be able to view text office documents and print them without any compatibility problems.
OneNote
OneNote is one of the best apps for organizing personal information and creating small notes, both printed and handwritten. OneNote is a hybrid of text and graphic editors; it is simple, convenient, and supports synchronization with the OneDrive cloud service.
"Readers"
To be able to view text files downloaded from the Internet, office viewers alone are not enough. Each computer must have programs installed that understand PDF, FB2 and other popular “book” formats.
Kindle
Kindle is a real library, offering the reader more than a million works of different genres.
Audible
Nextgen Reader
Nextgen Reader is also a reader, but it is intended not for books, but for news feeds. Convenient and flexible, simple and functional - this RSS aggregator will save you from having to visit websites and help you keep up to date with all the latest news.
"Shopping"
Buying and selling via the Internet has not surprised anyone for a long time, having become the perfect norm for the majority of wealthy users.
eBay
One of the best services for searching, buying and selling goods. Search, bid, chat and buy the best products anytime, anytime.
Amazon
Another popular service for searching and purchasing goods. Worth taking into account.
"Communication and Social Networks"
An excellent tool for communicating with users of the social network Facebook. The application supports chatting, exchanging links, etc. The only thing you can't do on Facebook is play games.
A similar application, but only aimed at users of the social network Twitter. Relying on its freeness and security, the developers are positioning their application as the best for communicating on Twitter. Let's take his word for it.
"All sorts of things"
Different applications for all occasions. Will come in handy on the farm.
Toolbox for Windows 8
An application that includes 12 different utilities, including a calculator, timer, weather informer, clock, search and some other useful tools.
FileBrick
In terms of functionality it is closest to the RainbowDrive application. FileBrick provides convenient access to local and cloud file storage from one place. Can also be used as a DLNA server to enhance file sharing with YouTube, Picasa and Flickr.
Online video players
And in conclusion, we offer a mini-selection of applications that allow you to watch online videos.
Netflix
A popular video streaming service that offers its services through an inexpensive subscription, with which the user gets access to 10 thousand films, 3.5 thousand TV series and television shows.
Hulu/Hulu Plus
The application offers a choice of a huge number of television shows and science fiction films that can be watched in streaming mode.
Vyclone
A popular video service that allows you to upload videos and share them with other users. Originally developed for Android and iPhone, now available for Windows 8.1.
Hyper For YouTube
A specialized application designed for convenient viewing of high-quality videos from the popular YouTube service. It supports creating and saving playlists, downloading videos to your computer, and using multiple accounts simultaneously. That's all. What interesting applications for Windows 8.1 do you know?