MakeUseOf Pack 2010: 20+ Essential Windows Apps in One Pack

There are lots of applications out there in the World Wide Web. But which ones are the essential keepers and which ones are the useless duds? Sometimes it becomes a little difficult to tell. Well fear not because MakeUseOf, once again, rides to the rescue with our free easy-to-use MakeUseOf App Pack.

Put together by the great Ninite, the MakeUseOf Pack is split up into two levels, depending on your level of expertise. These apps have been extensively discussed and agreed upon by the whole MakeUseOf team and contains some of their personal favourites.


For all you basic users out there, we have the Padawan Pack, which contains all the basic apps that we recommend you download and use. This can be something as simple as a flash player for your browser right down to Recuva to restore any deleted files off your system. Take a look and see if there’s anything that catches your eye.

Next level up is the Jedi Master Pack, for all those who can truly feel the Force when it comes to downloading and installing apps. This recommends things like the KeePass Password Manager, TeraCopy which makes transferring files in Windows Explorer MUCH more easier and FileZilla which makes transferring files to your website a cinch.

And if that wasn’t enough, we also have a separate Security Pack for all of you who feel the urge to give your computers that extra special bit of attention. So choose from MalwareBytes, SuperAntiSpyware and TrueCrypt.

So what is the advantage of installing these apps via Ninite? Two reasons – simplicity and ease-of-use. The regular way to download and install a bunch of apps would be to visit their websites and install them all one-by-one. But with Ninite, all you need to do is just tick off the ones you would like to install, click “Get Installer“, run it and then all your requested programs will be installed one by one for you.

None of the programs require rebooting your system so just run the Ninite installer, let it do its work and then you will have everything installed that you requested. Easy!

And for all you Mac and Linux users, don’t panic because we are working on your packs next. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, Windows users, why not let us know your opinions about the MakeUseOf Pack for Windows. Did we choose the right apps or did we miss something important out? Let us know in the comments.


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35 Comments

Mark O'Neill

Mark O'Neill is the managing editor of MakeUseOf.com . You can find him on Twitter and Google Plus.

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If you have any questions related to stuff mentioned in the article or need help with any computer issue, just ask it on MakeUseOf Answers.

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  • Srivatsan Venkatesh July 14, 2010
    0 likes

    Good job having Chrome as the browser on the first pack!

    | Like
  • rgadawg July 14, 2010
    0 likes

    I’m impressed. You got the biggies, and that’s from a real geek. You missed a few that probably belong in a friendly user pack. Glad to see Music Monkey made the list. That is really the only app out there for serious MP3 collectors.

    Media Player, GOM Player
    Audio Library, WinAMP, SongBird
    Web Albums, Jalbum
    Calendar, SunBird
    PDF Tools, PDFxChange Viewer
    Desktop Publishing, Scribus

    Then for Media editing:
    Audio Editor, Audicity
    Media Editor, Virtual Dub
    Media Converter, Super Converter

    And for the power user:
    Tiime Manqagement, Chandler, ManicTime
    OCR, Free OCR
    Screen Shot, PicPic
    Screen Capture, Debut Capture
    Backup, Macrium Reflect
    Network Monitoring, Networx, NetTools Pro
    System Tools, Process Hacker, Process Lasso
    Secure Erase, Eraser, File Shredder
    Disk Monitor, Active Hard Disk Monitor, Flex TkExpress
    Disk Tools, Partition Manager
    File Compare, WinMerge
    File Managers, FreeCommander
    Alternate ToolBars, ASuite
    Driver Updater, DriverMax
    Software Updater, cNet’s Tech Tracker
    Uninstaller, RevoUninstaller
    Remote Control, Team Viewer

    Just for fun:
    Google Earth
    Stellarium

    | Like
    • Aibek July 15, 2010
      0 likes

      thanks for the input, I can see a bunch of apps here that I never even heard of. i am sure we’ll be reviewing some of the mentioned apps in the near future.

      | Like
  • rgadawg July 15, 2010
    0 likes

    I’m impressed. You got the biggies, and that’s from a real geek. You missed a few that probably belong in a friendly user pack. Glad to see Music Monkey made the list. That is really the only app out there for serious MP3 collectors.

    Media Player, GOM Player
    Audio Library, WinAMP, SongBird
    Web Albums, Jalbum
    Calendar, SunBird
    PDF Tools, PDFxChange Viewer
    Desktop Publishing, Scribus

    Then for Media editing:
    Audio Editor, Audicity
    Media Editor, Virtual Dub
    Media Converter, Super Converter

    And for the power user:
    Tiime Manqagement, Chandler, ManicTime
    OCR, Free OCR
    Screen Shot, PicPic
    Screen Capture, Debut Capture
    Backup, Macrium Reflect
    Network Monitoring, Networx, NetTools Pro
    System Tools, Process Hacker, Process Lasso
    Secure Erase, Eraser, File Shredder
    Disk Monitor, Active Hard Disk Monitor, Flex TkExpress
    Disk Tools, Partition Manager
    File Compare, WinMerge
    File Managers, FreeCommander
    Alternate ToolBars, ASuite
    Driver Updater, DriverMax
    Software Updater, cNet’s Tech Tracker
    Uninstaller, RevoUninstaller
    Remote Control, Team Viewer

    Just for fun:
    Google Earth
    Stellarium

    | Like
  • Gmnelson2009 July 16, 2010
    0 likes

    another good software updater I use is File Hippo Update Checker

    | Like
  • Darrell July 27, 2010
    0 likes

    i wouldnt recommend the Teamviewer app as in the past it has contained spyware and virus and plus it can easly be hacked by hackers i wouldnt put this App(TeamViewer) that is used for remote access to your computer or a friends computer you can use this Teamviewer for someone to connect to your computer so they can fix it or you can use it for Web Conferencing, Remote Support. But from past problems i know what people have had with this Teamviewer i would not recommend or use it myself nor would my friends and family so i think Ninite should remove the Teamveiwer app from its installer

    | Like
  • Prateek Jain July 27, 2010
    0 likes

    @darrell your apprehensions abt teamviewer may be real but still i think it is a gud application as it allows collabrations between users over the web.

    | Like
  • Prateek Jain July 27, 2010
    0 likes

    good packs by makeuseof…..u guys really make computing easy for us guys…..eagerly looking frwd to ur linux pack

    | Like
  • Dennis F. July 28, 2010
    0 likes

    Gimp & OpenOffice should be added to the list.

    | Like
  • Stanhh July 28, 2010
    0 likes

    Glary Utilities and Ashampoo Burning Studio?

    | Like
  • yuregininsesi August 7, 2010
    0 likes

    thank you guys, loved the pack!

    | Like
  • JuanMald September 14, 2010
    0 likes

    Would love to see a Ubuntu/Linux Pack!!! Great job guys!!!

    | Like
    • Mark O'Neill September 14, 2010
      0 likes

      Juan – we are putting the finishing touches to our Linux Pack. Stay tuned.

      | Like
  • Johnny5 September 14, 2010
    0 likes

    Do you have any TV Tuner Software recommendations for Ubuntu, also for a Anti-virus application?

    | Like
  • ananas September 28, 2010
    0 likes

    do you have something like this for mac? :D

    | Like
    • Mark O'Neill September 28, 2010
      0 likes

      Not yet. But who knows what the future will bring? ;-)

      | Like
  • ravi October 2, 2010
    0 likes

    Great way to install all software you need. I am wondering where the downloaded installer files are located.

    | Like