Start8 and Fences: First Apps Installed on New PC
Tuesday, February 17, 2015 by Island Dog | Discussion: Personal Computing
If you follow my posts you might have seen I planned and recently finished my new PC. Putting together a new PC is a bit of work, at least assembling all the parts together and making sure everything works. That's only one part of it though, as you also have to install Windows, install all your apps and games, and then get your data moved back.
My new PC doesn't have an optical drive, so I loaded up my Windows 8 ISO onto a USB drive and installed it. It didn't take long at all to install, and there was my new desktop. Once I got updates installed and all the necessary drivers installed it was now time to get all the software I needed installed.
Before I got too far into my new desktop, I found myself continually trying to open the start menu. After a few minutes of that, it was time to install Start8 and get my start menu back. I installed it and set it up to how I like it, which is to have the Windows keys on the keyboard open the Windows 8 Start screen, and the start button to open the start menu. Now it was much easier to navigate and quickly open places on my computer.
Next was to install Fences. I was downloading a bunch of apps to install and my desktop was quickly filling up with icons, so that is where Fences comes in. I created a folder portal with Fences to show my downloads folder, so everything I downloaded was placed there and was kept contained in that Fence. Instant order came to the desktop.
Once those were installed I started installing the most used and important apps. This is also a good time not to install everything you had before, and just focus on the software you really need and use. While I still have a few more things to install and get setup, these are my tops apps I got installed.
- Steam
- Office
- iTunes
- Chrome
- Firefox
- LastPass
- Dropbox
- Live Writer
- MetroTwit
- Snagit
Those are just a few of what I find most useful, but I still have several more to get installed. Here's my current desktop which I still need to do some more organizing with.
Get Start8: https://www.stardock.com/products/start8/
Get Fences: https://www.stardock.com/products/fences/
Reply #2 Wednesday, February 18, 2015 9:09 AM
It's just some image from a Windows theme. You can download them from here.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/themes?ocid=w8_client_themes
Reply #3 Wednesday, February 18, 2015 10:27 AM
It's just some image from a Windows theme. You can download them from here.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/themes?ocid=w8_client_themes
Sweet, thanks! Some great stuff there!
Reply #4 Wednesday, February 18, 2015 4:17 PM
One of the first things installed into my new machine was Fences....then ObjectDock ... but am still yet to install WB [sorry, Neil] as in the interim I've been dealing with FSX...which dumps you out of Aero anyway...
Reply #5 Tuesday, April 14, 2015 6:22 AM
The first program I install is an anti virus program and then MWBm The I run it to get rid of adware and other junk.
Reply #6 Tuesday, April 14, 2015 7:53 AM
- Chrome
- LastPass
- Start8
- Multiplicity
- Fences
- Jing/Snagit
- Office
- Steam
Everythign else is as needed
Reply #7 Friday, November 6, 2015 7:46 PM
Love fences!
The first programs I installl and run on new PC are malware / sleezware removers.
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Reply #1 Tuesday, February 17, 2015 4:53 PM
I usually go browser first, then Start8 and Fences, LOVE them. Although I do skip your step to have the windows key start the Windows 8 screen as I never use that screen.
By the way, that is one awesome picture you have for your desktop image. Is that Alaska?