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Most Popular Windows Downloads and Posts of 2014


Each year, we discover new downloads for Windows and highlight the tips and guides that can help you make the most of your system. Here were our most popular Windows posts this year.

In 2014, we rounded up the ten most useful Windows programs to have on hand, selected the best Windows music player application, made the most of our multi-monitor setup, and learned how to run a portable version of Windows from a USB drive.

Top 10 Incredibly Useful Windows Programs to Have On Hand

Some apps are essential, and you use them every day. Everyone knows their names: Firefox, VLC, 7-Zip, and so on. However, there's another class of app that gets less attention: the apps that are insanely useful to have in your back pocket on the rare occasions you need them. Here are 10 of our favorites.

The Best Music Player Application for Windows

There are a lot of great music players for Windows, and it's next to impossible to make a broad "best" statement that applies to everyone. But that doesn't stop the powerful, lightweight, and customizable MusicBee from winning our hearts for the best music player on Windows.

Lifehacker Pack for Windows: Our List of the Essential Windows Apps

Windows has more great programs than we can count, but some are essential to just about every PC setup. In this year's annual Lifehacker Pack for Windows, we're highlighting the must-have downloads for better productivity, communication, media management, and more.

Make the Most of Your Multiple Monitors in Windows

The price of extra monitors has fallen steadily over the years, quality has risen, and Windows is more multi-monitor friendly than ever. Here's how to make the most of your multi-monitor setup in Windows 7 and 8.

How to Run a Portable Version of Windows from a USB Drive

Ever wanted a copy of Windows you can take with you wherever you go, to use on any computer you want? It's possible: here's how to install a portable version of Windows 8 on a USB hard drive that you can take anywhere.

Five Best Desktop Antivirus Applications

Good browsing hygiene and "common sense" only get you so far on the internet. A good antivirus utility is worth keeping in your pocket in case either of those two things fail you (as they have been known to in the past) or someone less tech-savvy asks you for a good tool. This week we're looking at five of the best antivirus tools, based on your nominations.

Turn a Windows 8.1 PC Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot with the Command Prompt

Windows: Previously mentioned Virtual Router is the easiest way to create a Wi-Fi hotspot on Windows, but 7Tutorials showcases a method that requires no extra tools—just the Command Prompt.

All the New Stuff Coming to Windows 10

Microsoft gave us a small peek at the next version of Windows today, confusingly dubbed Windows 10. Here's what you can expect to see.

Who Is On My Wi-Fi Shows You Who Else Is Using Your Network

Windows: Whether you're troubleshooting poor performance on your own wireless network, or you're trying to figure out how overloaded the hotel Wi-Fi is where you're staying, Who Is On My Wi-Fi is a free Windows utility that can show you exactly what the name implies.

How to Install the Windows 10 Technical Preview Right Now

Yesterday, Microsoft announced the newest version of Windows. Today, the company is allowing adventurous users (like yourself) to try it out for free. Here's how.

GEGeek Tech Toolkit Fixes Windows Computers and Updates Itself

If you're the person friends, family and coworkers count on to fix their computers, you already know a portable USB toolkit is essential for repairs. GEGeek TechToolkit downloads hundreds of programs and updates itself.

The Complete Guide to Avoiding (and Removing) Windows Crapware

Windows has a lot going for it, but it's also saddled with one of computing's biggest annoyances: crapware. Here's everything you need to know about identifying, avoiding, and removing unwanted software from your system.

The Coolest Windows 10 Features Microsoft Didn't Announce

Microsoft unveiled its newest version of Windows last week. While the company was more than happy to tell us abouta bunch of new features, naturally they left a few out. Here are some of the best things we found while poking around with the new OS.

Download a Treasure Trove of 130 Free Ebooks from Microsoft

It has happened before, and it is happening again. Microsoft's MSDN blog has released a whole new batch of free technical ebooks that cover everything from Windows 8, to Office 2013, to SQL Server, and more.

How to Move On After Windows XP Without Giving Up Your PC

On April 8th, Microsoft will officially cut off support, service, and security updates for Windows XP. It's been a long time coming, but depending on where you stand, it's either overdue or absolute armageddon. If you're just coming out of the Windows XP world and need help getting oriented, here are some tips to help you get your bearings.

Can I Reinstall Windows On My Computer Without the Bloatware?

Dear Lifehacker,
I recently got a new laptop that came with Windows pre-installed, but it came with a lot of extra bloatware I'd rather not have. Can I do a clean install of Windows over it, or will my product key not work with a vanilla install?

Download and Install Microsoft Office 2013 Without the Disc

If your computer came with Office 2013 pre-installed (or if you lost your installation disc), you can still reinstall Office with your product key—you just need to download it straight from Microsoft.

Three Windows Shortcuts Every Beginner Should Know

If there's one thing that'll make you faster and more productive on a computer, it's keyboard shortcuts. There are a lot of keyboard shortcuts beginners should know, but here are three specific to Windows that can make getting around a lot easier.

The Best Tools Hidden in Windows' Command Line

While it may not always be the best choice in Windows, there are certain things you can only do from the command line. We've talked about a few command line essentials before, like using tracert to troubleshoot a flaky Internet connection and using recimg to create a custom Windows recovery image. Here are a few more you should probably know about (if you don't already).

How to Make Windows 8's Start Screen Actually Useful

Windows 8's Start Screen gets a bad rap, but with the right tweaks and a couple downloads, it can actually be pretty useful. Here's how to make the Start Screen into something you might actually want to use.


There you have it. It's been a good year for Windows tips and guides, but if you're craving more, be sure to check out our most popular Windows posts of 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008.