The “must-have” software depends heavily on individual needs and usage, but here are 11 software categories that most laptop users find beneficial, along with examples:

1. Antivirus Software: Essential for protecting your laptop from malware and viruses.

  * Examples: Bitdefender, Norton, McAfee, Malwarebytes (some offer free versions with limited features)

2. Office Suite: For creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

  * Examples: Microsoft 365 (subscription), LibreOffice (free and open-source), Google Workspace (subscription, cloud-based)

3. Cloud Storage: Back up your files and access them from anywhere.

  * Examples: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud Drive (some offer free storage with limitations)

4. Web Browser: For browsing the internet.

  * Examples: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Brave, Safari (built-in on macOS)

5. Image Editor: For basic photo editing and enhancements.

  * Examples: Adobe Photoshop (subscription, professional), GIMP (free and open-source), Canva (free and paid versions)

6. PDF Reader/Editor: For viewing, editing, and creating PDF files.

  * Examples: Adobe Acrobat Reader (free reader, paid editor), Foxit Reader, PDFelement

7. Communication Tools: Email, video conferencing, and instant messaging.

  * Examples: Microsoft Outlook, Google Gmail, Zoom, Skype, Slack, Microsoft Teams

8. Password Manager: Securely stores and manages your passwords.

  * Examples: LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane

9. File Compression/Extraction: For creating and extracting compressed files (ZIP, RAR).

  * Examples: 7-Zip (free and open-source), WinRAR

10. Note-Taking App: For capturing ideas, notes, and to-do lists.

  * Examples: Evernote, OneNote, Google Keep, Bear

11. Media Player: For playing audio and video files.

   * Examples: VLC Media Player (free and open-source), Windows Media Player (built-in on Windows), QuickTime Player (built-in on macOS)

This is not an exhaustive list, and some users might need specialized software for their work or hobbies. Choose the software that best fits your individual needs and always download from reputable sources to avoid malware.