What software should I install on a new gaming PC?

Congratulations on the new gaming PC! 🎮 My recommendation: keep it lean. A new gaming PC doesn't need 30 different utilities running in the background. You want good security, updated drivers, monitoring tools, useful gaming apps, and a few quality-of-life utilities. Assuming you're running Windows 11, here's what I'd install. # 1. Essential software Recommended Google Chrome or Firefox A good everyday browser. Firefox is my alternative recommendation if you prefer more privacy and customization. Choose one; you don't need both. 7-Zip Free file compression and extraction. Handles ZIP, RAR, 7z and many other formats. [Official download](https://www.7-zip.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) VLC Media Player Plays practically any video or audio format. [Official download](https://www.videolan.org/vlc/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Bitwarden Password manager. Great for keeping your passwords secure across devices. [Official website](https://bitwarden.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) # 2. Gaming essentials Highly recommended Steam Essential PC gaming platform. Game library, cloud saves, achievements, community and more. [Download Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/about/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Discord Voice chat, gaming communities, screen sharing and friends. [Download Discord](https://discord.com/download?utm_source=chatgpt.com) MSI Afterburner GPU monitoring, temperature monitoring, fan curves and performance monitoring. Works with many NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards. [Official download](https://www.msi.com/Landing/afterburner/graphics-cards?utm_source=chatgpt.com) CapFrameX Advanced FPS, frame-time and performance benchmarking. Excellent for checking how your games actually perform. [Official website](https://www.capframex.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) # 3. Hardware monitoring and diagnostics These are particularly useful with a brand-new PC. HWiNFO64 My top recommendation for checking CPU/GPU temperatures, fan speeds, voltages, clock speeds and hardware health. [Official download](https://www.hwinfo.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) CrystalDiskInfo Checks SSD/HDD health, temperature and SMART information. [Official download](https://crystalmark.info/en/software/crystaldiskinfo/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Fan Control Custom fan curves and more control over cooling. Optional, but useful if you want to fine-tune noise and temperatures. [Official website](https://getfancontrol.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) # 4. Optional extras | Software | What it's useful for | | --- | --- | | OBS Studio | Recording gameplay and streaming | | ShareX | Screenshots and screen recording | | Everything | Extremely fast file searching | | EarTrumpet | Better Windows audio controls | | PowerToys | Useful Windows productivity tools | | Epic Games Launcher | Epic games library | | GOG Galaxy | Game library management | # 5. Drivers: the most important part Before installing a bunch of applications, make sure you have the correct drivers. - NVIDIA GPU: [NVIDIA App](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/software/nvidia-app/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). - AMD GPU: [AMD drivers](https://www.amd.com/en/support/download/drivers.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com). - Intel GPU: [Intel drivers](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download-center/home.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com). - Motherboard: Visit the manufacturer's support page for your exact motherboard model. - Windows: Run Windows Update until everything important is installed. Also, don't install multiple antivirus programs. Windows Defender is a perfectly reasonable starting point for most gaming PCs. [Antivirus protection built into Windows](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/learning-center/best-antivirus-software-for-windows)[Set Up a New Gaming PC: Windows 11 Drivers and Settings](https://www.itechguides.com/how-to-set-up-a-new-gaming-pc-drivers-updates-and-essential-settings/) # 6. What I would NOT install Avoid these unless you have a specific reason: - Third-party driver updater programs. - Registry cleaners. - RAM cleaners and FPS booster applications. - Multiple antivirus suites. - Random debloat scripts. - Multiple RGB/control applications that duplicate each other's functionality. They often create more problems than they solve. # 7. Let's customize your gaming PC setup I can make you a much better list if I know your hardware. I'll use those details to put together a clean installation checklist, including what to install first, what to configure, and what is worth skipping.

**For a brand new gaming PC, the “necessary” software includes a mix of game launchers, performance tools, monitoring utilities, and security essentials. At minimum, you should install a game distribution client (like Steam), GPU driver software, and a system monitoring tool. Beyond that, adding capture/streaming apps, cleanup utilities, and overlays will maximize your experience.** --- ## 🎮 Core Gaming Platforms - **Steam** – The essential marketplace and launcher for most PC games. Supports achievements, mods, and Big Picture mode. - **Epic Games Store / GOG Galaxy / Ubisoft Connect / EA App / Battle.net** – Install whichever matches your library. GOG Galaxy is great for DRM‑free titles, while Playnite can unify all launchers into one hub.([Top 10 Best Computer Gaming Software | Top Picks 2026][1])([Best Computer Gaming Software | 10 Tools Compared (2026)][2]) --- ## ⚙️ Performance & Drivers - **Nvidia App / AMD Radeon Software** – Not just for driver updates; they include GPU monitoring, per‑game settings, overclocking, and capture tools like ShadowPlay.([As a lifelong PC gamer, these are the apps I couldn't live without - Digital Trends][3]) - **HWiNFO64** – Professional‑grade hardware monitoring (temps, voltages, fan speeds). Essential for diagnosing overheating or throttling.([Essential Must Install Apps for New Gaming Computers - Acer Corner][4]) - **MSI Afterburner + RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS)** – Popular combo for GPU overclocking and in‑game performance overlays. --- ## 📹 Capture & Streaming - **OBS Studio** – Free, open‑source tool for recording and streaming gameplay. Highly customizable.([The best free software for your gaming PC in 2025 | TechRadar][5]) - **Nvidia Broadcast / AMD alternatives** – AI‑powered noise removal, background blur, and streaming enhancements. --- ## 🛡️ System Utilities - **Revo Uninstaller** – Cleans leftover files when uninstalling software. Keeps your system lean.([Essential Must Install Apps for New Gaming Computers - Acer Corner][4]) - **CCleaner or BleachBit** – Disk cleanup and privacy protection. - **Malwarebytes** – Extra layer of security beyond Windows Defender. --- ## 🔧 Multiplayer & Networking - **LogMeIn Hamachi** – Creates secure virtual LANs for multiplayer gaming with friends.([The best free software for your gaming PC in 2025 | TechRadar][5]) - **Discord** – Voice chat, community hubs, and game integration. --- ## 📊 Quick Comparison | Category | Recommended Software | Why It’s Necessary | |----------|----------------------|--------------------| | Game Launchers | Steam, Epic, GOG Galaxy, Playnite | Access to games, unified library | | Drivers & Performance | Nvidia App / Radeon Software, HWiNFO64, MSI Afterburner | Updates, monitoring, overclocking | | Capture & Streaming | OBS Studio, Nvidia Broadcast | Record/stream gameplay | | System Utilities | Revo Uninstaller, CCleaner | Cleanup, stability | | Networking & Social | Hamachi, Discord | Multiplayer, communication | --- ## ⚠️ Risks & Trade‑offs - **Too many launchers** → Fragmented libraries; Playnite helps unify. - **Overclocking tools** → Can boost performance but risk instability if misused. - **Cleanup utilities** → Use cautiously; aggressive registry cleaning may cause issues. - **Third‑party overlays** → May conflict with anti‑cheat systems in some games. --- 👉 My recommendation: **Start with Steam, your GPU software, OBS Studio, HWiNFO64, and Discord.** Add other launchers only if your library requires them, and use cleanup/overclocking tools carefully. Would you like me to also map out a **“minimalist setup” vs “power‑user setup”** so you can decide how lean or feature‑rich you want your PC environment to be? [1]: https://worldmetrics.org/best/computer-gaming-software/ "Top 10 Best Computer Gaming Software | Top Picks 2026" [2]: https://wifitalents.com/best/computer-gaming-software/ "Best Computer Gaming Software | 10 Tools Compared (2026)" [3]: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/apps-every-pc-gamer-needs/ "As a lifelong PC gamer, these are the apps I couldn't live without - Digital Trends" [4]: https://blog.acer.com/en/discussion/2919/essential-must-install-apps-for-new-gaming-computers "Essential Must Install Apps for New Gaming Computers - Acer Corner" [5]: https://www.techradar.com/news/the-essential-free-software-for-your-gaming-pc "The best free software for your gaming PC in 2025 | TechRadar"

Setting up a brand-new gaming PC is an exciting milestone! Beyond the core drivers and Windows updates, you'll want a curated mix of performance utilities, communication tools, and essential launchers to get you up and running smoothly. Here is the essential software breakdown every new gaming rig needs, organized by category. ### 1\. Drivers & System Utilities (Crucial First Step) * **GPU Drivers (NVIDIA GeForce Experience / AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition):** Essential for maximizing game performance, fixing bugs, and enabling features like DLSS or FSR. _(Note: Also grab your motherboard manufacturer's utility - like Armoury Crate, MSI Center, or Gigabyte Control Center - just to check for BIOS updates, audio drivers, and RGB control)._ * **7-Zip or WinRAR:** Windows now has native support for `.zip` and `.tar` files, but for `.rar`, `.7z`, and multi-part archives, 7-Zip remains the fastest, cleanest, and entirely free utility. * **HWMonitor or HWiNFO64:** Fantastic for monitoring your CPU and GPU temperatures, fan speeds, and voltages while gaming to ensure your cooling is working properly. ### 2\. Game Launchers & Stores You don't need to install all of these at once, but these are the major ecosystems where your game library will live: * **Steam:** The heavyweight champion of PC gaming. * **Epic Games Store:** Great to have for their massive weekly free game giveaways. * **Xbox App / Game Pass:** Essential if you subscribe to PC Game Pass. * **GOG Galaxy:** A fantastic storefront that also serves as a "universal launcher" to combine your Steam, Epic, and console libraries into one interface. * **Discord:** The undisputed hub for chatting with gaming friends, joining community servers, and finding troubleshooting guides. ### 3\. Productivity, Media & Web Browsing * **Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Brave:** A reliable web browser (and don't forget to install your preferred ad blocker like uBlock Origin). * **VLC Media Player:** The ultimate local video player that handles practically every video and audio format without needing extra codec packs. * **Spotify or Apple Music:** For background music while you grind out matches. ### 4\. Optional Enhancements & Customization * **MSI Afterburner + RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS):** If you ever want to monitor your in-game frame rates (FPS), GPU usage, and temperatures live on-screen, or want to safely overclock/undervolt your graphics card. * **EarTrumpet:** A tiny, free Windows Store app that replaces the clunky default volume mixer, letting you independently adjust audio levels for individual apps (e.g., lower Discord while keeping game volume high) straight from your taskbar.

Congrats on the brand new gaming PC! Setting it up fresh is half the fun. Here is an organized, scannable list of the essential and highly recommended software you should install to get up and running, categorized by what they do. 1\. Essential Drivers & System Utilities * **GPU Drivers**: Absolutely critical for gaming performance. Grab **GeForce Experience** / **Nvidia App** if you have an Nvidia card, or **AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition** for AMD. * **Chipset & Motherboard Drivers**: Go straight to your motherboard manufacturer's website (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock) to grab the latest chipset and audio drivers. * **Ninite**: A massive time-saver. You can check a single list of safe utilities (like 7-Zip, VLC, Discord, Spotify, Chrome/Firefox) and it will download and install them all silently without bundled bloatware. * **7-Zip**: The gold standard for extracting compressed files (`.zip`, `.rar`, `.7z`). Skip WinRAR. 2\. Gaming Launchers & Stores * **Steam**: The primary hub for the vast majority of your PC games. * **Epic Games Store**: Good to have for their weekly free game giveaways alone. * **GOG Galaxy**: Excellent for keeping track of your library across _all_ launchers (Steam, Epic, Xbox, etc.) in one unified place. * **Xbox App / Game Pass**: Essential if you subscribe to PC Game Pass. * **Battle.net / EA App / Ubisoft Connect**: Install these only as needed for specific titles (like _Call of Duty_, _Apex Legends_, etc.). * **Discord**: For voice chat and gaming communities. 3\. Web Browsers & Media * **Google Chrome / Mozilla Firefox / Brave**: Pick your preferred browser for day-to-day surfing and extension support. (Microsoft Edge is fine, but most prefer a clean slate). * **VLC Media Player**: Plays literally any video or audio file format you throw at it without needing sketchy codec packs. * **Spotify / Apple Music**: For background tunes while you grind. 4\. Performance Monitoring & Diagnostics * **MSI Afterburner (with RivaTuner Statistics Server)**: Even if you don't use an MSI card, this is the best tool for overclocking your GPU and monitoring in-game framerates, temperatures, and hardware usage via an on-screen display. * **HWMonitor or HWInfo64**: Great lightweight utilities for checking your CPU and GPU temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds when diagnosing performance or heat issues. 5\. Security & Maintenance * **Windows Defender**: Leave it be! Built-in Windows Security is genuinely great nowadays and doesn't hog resources like third-party antivirus suites. * **Malwarebytes**: Keep the free version on hand for occasional manual deep-scans, but no need to run it constantly in the background. If you want to narrow things down, let me know: * What **graphics card** (Nvidia or AMD) do you have? * What **genres of games** do you plan on playing first? I can give you **more specific recommendations** or help you **optimize your Windows settings** for maximum FPS.

You don’t need much beyond Windows Update, current graphics drivers, and the game launchers you use. Install the GPU driver through NVIDIA’s or AMD’s official software/site; their utilities can also help keep drivers updated, but aren’t essential.([pcgamer.com][1]) For everyday protection, stick with Windows Security and avoid “driver updater,” “game booster,” and cleanup apps unless you have a specific need. Optional: Discord for voice chat, 7-Zip for archives, and your keyboard/mouse maker’s software if you need custom buttons, DPI, or lighting.([note.com][2]) [1]: https://www.pcgamer.com/the-first-programs-you-should-install-on-your-new-pc/ "The first programs you should install on your new PC" [2]: https://note.com/pcselect/n/n5118504e363b?hl=en "List of Software to Install After Buying a Gaming PC"