Incomplete:
Take care when installing any third party software, often software is bundled with so called unwanted programs such as browsers or browser plugins such as toolbars or search providers which target you with adverts. Where possible select advanced installation and do not opt to install these unwanted programs.
Here is a list of software I like.
Windows Enhancements
- Actual Windows Manager – Multiple Monitor Taskbars and a variety of Other Options
- Start8 and ModernMix* – Fix the Windows 8.1 Interface
- Classic Shell [Free]
- Direct Folders [Free]
Office
- Microsoft Office*
- Mendeley Desktop – Referencing and Article Manager for Academic Writing. [Free]
- Mathtype* – Type Equations in Office. [Free]
- Microsoft Mathematics – Scientific Calculator for Microsoft Windows. [Free]
- Microsoft Mouse without Borders – Control Multiple Windows Computers with one Mouse and Keyboard, with a shared clipboard. [Free]
- ChemBasic – Chemical Drawing Program. [Free]
- Adobe Reader [Free]
- PDF XChange Viewer – Has OCR [Free]
- CutePDF Writer [Free]
- CutePDF Editor Online [Free]
- PDF Fill [Free]
- PDF Creator [Free]
Maintenance
- CCleaner* – Windows Cleaner [Free]
- Defraggler* – Windows Defragmenter [Free]
- Malwarebytes' AntiMalware* – AntiMalware [Free]
- DBAN* [Free]
- Unlocker [Free]
- Rufus [Free]
- RWEverything [Free]
- Belarc Advisor* [Free]
- EaseUs Partition Manager [Free]
Media
- 7Zip* – File Extraction and File Compression Program. Also allows file splitting and reconstruction. Use the .msi Installer. [Free]
- ImgBurn – CD/DVD Buring and Creation Program. Watch out for Potentially Unwanted Programs in the Installer. [Free]
- Virtual CloneDrive – natively open one or more .isos within Windows. [Free]
- VLC Player [Free]
- Debut Video Capture Software – Select to Download the Free Version [Free]
- FreeMake Video Convertor* [Free]
- FreeMake Video Downloader* [Free]
- Audacity – Audio Editing Program [Free]
- Microsoft Windows Live Movie Maker [Free]
- GIMP [Free]
- Image J [Free]
- SplashLite [Free]
Virtualisation
- VMWare Player [Free]
- Oracle VirtualBox [Free]
Really nice and comprehensive tips / guide and info!! Thanks for sharing!
There was 1 extra step that I had to take to get a freshly installed windows 8.1 registered with an Windows 8.0 upgrade key. I didn't see it mentioned here (I think) I found the solution somewhere else (credits to whoever discovered that but I couldn't find the appropriate link) was that I went to start screen and ran an elevated cmd and typed slmgr /rearm. Reboot and and I was able to enter my serial key.
It didn't work directly for you as it did in all my cases?
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows-8-1/microsoft-product-activation/product-activation-using-a-windows-8-1-product-key/
Others input it via an elevated command prompt using slgmr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx