Last time, we looked at software you don't need. Now let's look at some tools you should always have on your computer - besides the operating system, of course.
7-Zip
If you're a gamer, streamer, or deal with any creative stuff, you're going to have packages of files. Unfortunately, Windows doesn't always play nice with zip files.
7-Zip is a free and open-source file compression and decompression software. You can compress files into smaller files and extract files from existing places.
The biggest advantage of 7-Zip is its high compression ratio. You can create smaller archive files, which saves disk space and makes file transfers faster.
7-Zip also supports file encryption, so you can set a password to protect your archived files.
And 7-Zip is fully functional on the command line, which is great if you want to automate tasks or scripts.
VLC
Video playback should be smooth and resource-efficient. You should also not have to pay to watch a video with predatory software.
Computers have built-in video players, but they can be taxing on resources and don't support many formats.
VLC is a free and open-source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files, and various streaming protocols.
It's available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
WinDirStat
Whatever files you're dealing with, you need to keep track of how your disk space is being used.
Make sure you install WinDirStat. It's a free tool that helps manage disk space. It provides a visual representation of all your files and folders.
It breaks down the files into three distinct views: directory, treemap, and extension list.
The treemap shows each file as a colored rectangle proportional to the file's size. Each color indicates what type of file it is.
WinDirStat can help you locate large files that take up the most storage.
It combines several other disk management tools into one interface, making freeing up space simple.
Wrapping Up
Manage file compression and archives with 7-Zip. It even lets you encrypt your zipped files.
View video files in hundreds of different formats with VLC. It's fast, reliable, and free.
And take control of your drive space with WinDirStat. The different views help break down where the bulk of usage comes from.
