Essential software for a new Windows 11 PC
The apps to install first on a new Windows 11 computer, and the order to do it in.
By the Aptorise editorial team · Windows · 8 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Update Windows first
Open Settings, then Windows Update, and install everything available. Restart and check again until nothing is left.
Install a browser and a password manager
Set up your browser, then a password manager so every new account gets a strong, unique password from day one.
Add the everyday essentials
An archiver, a media player and a PDF reader handle almost every file you will download.
Add power-user tools
PowerToys and Everything make Windows faster to use. ShareX covers screenshots and screen recordings.
Install everything at once with Winget
Use Build My Setup to choose your apps and copy one verified Winget command that installs them all.
Make a recovery USB
Create a bootable USB so you can repair or reinstall Windows if something goes wrong.
We link to official developer websites and app stores. We do not host third-party installers.
