Exploring the Best PC Games of All Time, In the vast landscape of gaming, some titles stand the test of time, captivating players across generations. These games not only define their eras but also set benchmarks for their genres. They offer immersive experiences, compelling narratives, and innovative mechanics, often being celebrated in discussions about the Best PC Game All Time. As we delve into this remarkable universe, we will explore the games that have become milestones in gaming history, continuing to resonate with both newcomers and veterans alike.
Main Points
Understanding what makes a game timeless.
A look at various genres represented among the best.
The journey of PC gaming is nothing short of fascinating. It began in the late 1970s, where a handful of text-based games captivated a niche audience. These early experiences laid the foundation for a massive industry. Over the decades, technical advancements and a growing community transformed the gaming landscape. As graphics improved and the internet emerged, multiplayer experiences flourished in ways many couldn’t have imagined. Today, PC gaming is a bastion of creativity and competition, with titles that fall into the realm of the Best PC Game All Time.
1970s – Early Beginnings: Simple text-based adventures dominated.
1980s – The Birth of Graphics: Introduction of iconic titles, pushing visual limits.
1990s – Online Connectivity: Multiplayer games emerged with the rise of the internet.
2000s – The Rise of FPS: First-person shooters redefined competitive gaming.
2010s – Diverse Genres: Expanding into RPGs, indie games, and esports.
This evolution encapsulates why many regard certain titles as the Best PC Game All Time. Thus, the evolution of PC gaming reflects not just technological progression but also our ever-growing desire for immersive experiences. Best PC Game All Time discussions often intersect with personal passion, making them a riveting topic among enthusiasts.
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2. Iconic Franchises That Shaped the PC Gaming Landscape
Throughout the years, several franchises have emerged, profoundly influencing the best PC game all time records. Titles such as StarCraft and The Sims revolutionized gameplay mechanics and storytelling. Each franchise brought unique elements that catered to diverse audiences, creating memorable multiplayer experiences. Additionally, their impact on genre evolution cannot be understated, as they established new benchmarks. It’s intriguing how these games shaped not only player expectations but also industry standards. They are truly the stalwarts of PC gaming.
Franchise Highlights
Franchise
Release Year
Genre
StarCraft
1998
RTS
The Sims
2000
Simulation
3. Genre Definers: Best RPGs, FPS, and Strategy Games of All Time
When we dive into the world of video games, three genres particularly stand out: RPGs, FPS, and strategy games. Each of these categories has produced unforgettable experiences that define the gaming landscape. Best PC game all time graphics often enhance immersion, vividly bringing stories to life. RPGs like “The Witcher 3” offer rich narratives, while FPS games such as “DOOM” deliver adrenaline-pumping action. Nevertheless, strategy games like “Civilization VI” challenge players to think critically, making choices that resonate across generations.
Unforgettable Titles and Their Legacy
In the realm of RPGs, the depth of character development is remarkable. Clearly, players invest not just time but emotion into their journey. FPS games prioritize quick reflexes and skill; however, they also foster intense multiplayer rivalries. Alternatively, strategy games emphasize patience and planning, rewarding foresight over mere speed. Therein lies the magic of gaming: each genre offers a unique lens through which we can explore vast, imaginative worlds.
4. The Impact of Graphics and Technology on Game Development
The evolution of graphics and technology has profoundly transformed game development, reshaping player experiences in remarkable ways. Artists now wield cutting-edge tools that render vibrant environments and lifelike characters, yet this complexity can paradoxically lead to oversaturation. Developers find themselves balancing visual fidelity with gameplay mechanics, creating a tug-of-war effect. Moreover, the integration of artificial intelligence complicates design choices. As teams navigate these challenges, they must also adapt to emerging trends, ensuring their games resonate with players. This interplay of art and technology fosters a dynamic game development landscape.
Key Factors Influencing Game Development
Realism: Players crave immersive experiences that blur the line between reality and the virtual world.
Innovation: Technological advancements inspire new gaming paradigms, resulting in unexpected gameplay mechanics.
Accessibility: Developers prioritize inclusive design, ensuring that elevating graphics don’t alienate less powerful devices.
As we venture into the future, understanding these influences remains crucial for creating engaging and memorable games.
5. Multiplayer Madness: Celebrating the Best Cooperative and Competitive Titles
In the vibrant realm of gaming, multiplayer experiences offer a unique blend of collaboration and competition. Engaging with friends or strangers fosters a sense of community, turning mere play into lively adventures. Take a deep dive into titles like “Among Us” and “Fortnite,” where strategies intertwine with spontaneity. Yet, the confusion often lies in balancing teamwork and individual prowess. Understanding when to unite and when to stand out can be the key. Join the chaos—your next great gaming session awaits!
6. Hidden Gems: Underrated PC Games Worth Your Time
If you’re tired of mainstream titles, explore the world of underrated PC games that often go unnoticed. These hidden gems challenge conventional gaming norms, offering rich storytelling and unique mechanics. For instance, titles like “Disco Elysium” blend existential themes with an innovative narrative style. You’ll find immersive experiences that resonate deeply, making players ponder. Additionally, “Owlboy” showcases stunning pixel art, yet it rarely receives the recognition it deserves. Take a chance and dive into these unique worlds.
Why Play the Underrated?
Many players miss out on these treasures, focusing solely on popular releases. However, hidden gems often provide more fulfilling experiences. They invite players to explore unfamiliar territories, encouraging curiosity. As one gamer aptly noted:
“The best stories are often found in the places you least expect.” — An avid gamer
Game Title
Description
Disco Elysium
A narrative-driven RPG with deep dialogue choices.
Owlboy
A pixel art adventure that emphasizes storytelling.
In conclusion, giving these hidden gems a chance can truly enhance your gaming repertoire. They not only provide unique gameplay experiences but also spark thoughtful conversations among players. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of the forgotten and the obscure!
7. The Future of PC Gaming: Trends and Innovations to Watch
As we look ahead, the landscape of PC gaming is remarkably evolving. New technologies promise to redefine how we experience games. Several key trends are emerging that could reshape the industry. Here are some noteworthy developments to keep an eye on:
Cloud Gaming: This allows players to access games without the need for high-end hardware, reshaping accessibility.
AI Integration: Advanced algorithms will enhance gameplay, from smarter NPCs to personalized gaming experiences.
Virtual Reality: The continued refinement of VR technology may bring immersive gaming to mainstream audiences.
Cross-Platform Play: Bridging the gap between different gaming communities will enable a more inclusive experience.
Blockchain Technology: This could revolutionize in-game economies and ownership, although its long-term impact remains speculative.
These innovations will likely create both excitement and confusion among players. As we witness these transformations, understanding their implications will be crucial. The future of PC gaming is not just about technology; it’s about creating vibrant communities and unparalleled experiences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the world of PC gaming is filled with timeless triumphs that resonate deeply with players. From captivating narratives to groundbreaking gameplay mechanics, the best PC games of all time have shaped our experiences and created lasting memories. As we reflect on these remarkable titles, it becomes clear that they transcend mere entertainment.
They offer a shared language, a sense of community, and an escape into worlds that feel both familiar and fantastical. While new games continue to emerge, the classics retain their charm, reminding us of the beauty of gaming’s evolution. So let’s celebrate these masterpieces and cherish the joy they bring us, because they truly represent the essence of what makes gaming a beloved pastime for so many.
Frequently Asked Questions
What criteria were used to determine the best PC game of all time?
The criteria typically include factors such as game design, innovation, storytelling, graphics, and player reception over time.
Are there any genres that dominate the list of the best PC games?
While various genres are represented, action, role-playing, and strategy games often feature prominently due to their storytelling and gameplay depth.
Can a game still be considered the best if it has aged poorly?
Yes, a game’s impact and legacy can endure despite aging graphics or mechanics. Many players value the experience and influence these games had on the industry.
How do player opinions influence rankings of the best PC games?
Player opinions are crucial as they provide insight into a game’s popularity and enjoyment. Surveys, reviews, and community discussions often shape these rankings.
Is it possible for new games to enter the ‘best of all time’ discussion?
Absolutely! New games can challenge the established titles and gain recognition as classics based on their innovation, gameplay, and lasting impact on the gaming community.
Best Audio Recording Software For Mac in 2024, If you are looking for good audio recording software, our blog here has listed some of the most popular and top recording software for macOS.
Known for its performance, ease of use and stability, Mac is the most preferred platform for audio and video professionals. Although a Mac comes with built-in audio recording software it cannot support high-end recordings like podcasts and music production.
The powerful macOS together with the best audio recording software will satisfy all your requirements smoothly. So without wasting any more time let’s have a look at some of our picks.
Best Audio Recording Software For macOS 2024
Here, we have listed the best bunch of sound recorder software that will work perfectly on your Mac device. You can refer to our list and choose one as per your desire.
1. Apowersoft
Suitable for both beginners and professionals Apowersoft is great audio recording software for various sorts of sounds. OCG, WAV, AAC are a few file formats supported by it.
It is an indisputable winner in creating and editing HD audio recordings and can also work seamlessly well as a CD ripper and audio converter tool. It is even capable of recording radio, VoIP calls, and streaming audio files.
It can support audio recording for up to 3 minutes in a go and allows you to download music from online music platforms. Apart from this, you can also use it to add music files to iTunes.
Features of Apowersoft:
• The app offers unlimited audio recording for free.
• Apowersoft does not charge any extra money for subscriptions or usage.
• Whether it is a meeting or a lecture, or any other event or audio, Apowersoft offers advanced recording outputs for all.
• With the help of the app, you can also play the recorded audio.
Pros
• Allows audio trimming
• Simplistic UI
• Zero cost
Cons
• Lacks some features that are available in paid alternatives.
Wavepad tops our list of best audio recording software for Mac for fairly good reasons and is loaded with an array of professional features. It is a great tool if you want to edit and update your audio in a hassle-free manner.
With its huge basket of editing tools, you can cut, copy, delete, paste compress tour recordings along with pitch shifting. Apart from this it also supports various other audio effects like amplify, reverb, equalizer, and many more.
This incredible recording software for Mac you can also princess batch files and enjoy noise removal techniques. WMA, VOX, AIF, MP3 are a few of the file formats supported by WavePad.
Features of WavePad
• The interface of the app is quite understandable.
• On the app, you will see the inputs in the form of waves for ease that are easy to manage and helps you create precise outputs.
• You can choose the output frequency from various values ranging from 6 to 192kHz.
• You can get precise inputs with the help of the app using various filters and effects.
QuickTime is undoubtedly the best audio recording software for Mac. And, as you may know, it is an in-built utility in Mac that is commonly accessed for video or audio playback. With QuickTime, you can also record your own content as well. QuickTime also allows you to record a video using any connected device or a webcam. Everything is super easy to implement with QuickTime. With minimal customization options, QuickTime’s user interface is really very impressive, clean, and easy to use. Plus, whatever you record will be available in a sole file.
Features of QuickTime:
• This app is more than just a regular audio recording app but a full-fledged multimedia player.
• The cross-platform tool is available for Windows, Mac, and other operating systems.
• You can easily navigate to various features and use them.
• The QuickTime app allows you to use the keyboard for maximum ease.
If you are looking for multi-purpose audio recording software for your mac that can help you in recording, editing, and creating background score then there is no better option than Adobe Audition. Its high-end recording and editing capabilities make it a perfect pick for not only home users but also for digital audio stations.
Its restoration tools, audio clean-up feature, and a massive array of plug-ins make it a highly powerful tool. Use its various plug-ins to add audio effects, remove noise with precision, and much more.
A great waveform editing environment powered with audio ducking features and AI-enhanced tool is perfect for making your audio recording life easy. Its clean and convenient UI also deserves a mention.
Features of Adobe Audition:
• The app is solely developed for recording and managing audio files.
• The app is perfect for professional music artists, interviewers, and other such personnel.
• A couple of clicks on the app allow you to do so much more than any traditional recording app.
• You can use other audio files as well to remix.
• You can integrate the app and use it with other ones for better results.
Next on our list of best sound recorder software for Mac is Audacity. It is an open-source freeware tool. In addition to expert features, it is also loaded with live recording capabilities and multi-track editing. If you want to do the audio recording in CD’S, convert various types of audio files and enjoy a hassle-free digital recording experience, then there is no better tool than Audacity.
Use it to cut, copy, paste, and track various audio tracks within seconds. FLAC, MP2, MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC are few file formats supported by this stunning Mac audio recording software.
Features of Audacity:
• If you want an open-source tool, then Audacity is the best.
• This cross-platformed solution is perfect for Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, and various other operating systems.
• The tool is completely free to use without any hidden or direct charges.
• You can import or export recordings or other audio files using this tool.
• The app shares a plethora of effects that you can use and apply.
• Smart editing options of Audacity are a must to try.
Powered with a professional and convenient user interface, Apple GarageBand surely deserves a spot on our list of best audio recording software for mac in 2024.
It is a great tool for music enthusiasts if you want to learn online piano and guitar. Enjoy class-apart free artist lessons and instrument classes with this incredible tool. It comes as an in-built feature with every mac device and can be used by both beginners and professionals.
Use it to record and mix audio music with ease. Apart from all the features mentioned above it also supports third-party plug-in along with a 24-bit recording.
Features of GarageBand:
• GarageBand is a well-designed app with tons of different features and accessibility options.
• The app allows you to select the sound of your favorite instruments and play their notes for enhanced audio creativity.
• You can select from a variety of modes for the perfect audio outputs.
• The app is the perfect choice if you want to use metal audio for outputs.
Developed by NCH Software, RecordPad is an ideal choice for all your audio recording needs. It works seamlessly with Mac devices and is fully compatible with Android, Windows, and Linux.
It is a great tool for recording music and audio files which can be saved in your hard drive as mp3 and AIFF files. You can also share your recordings with others via email. Burn your recording on CD with its built-in express burn feature and use its massive basket of editing features for noise reduction, editing silence, and equalizing your audio clip.
Its clean and convenient UI along with an easy-to-navigate design also deserves a fair mention. It is compatible with multiple music formats including FLAC, MP3, AAC, and WAV.
Features of Record Pad:
• Both free and paid versions of Record Pad are available to you.
• You can download and use the tool on Windows, macOS, iPhone, and other operating systems.
• The app allows you to record fresh audio or edit, merge, trim, or modify existing files in other ways.
• You can even burn the audio to a CD using the ExpressBurn feature.
If you are a musician, track editor, or composer, then look no further, Ardour is the ultimate tool for all your audio recording and editing needs. It is highly suitable for MIDI projects and multi-track recording.
The tool is compatible with a wide range of formats and systems and adds the utmost ease to the tour audio recording experience.
Features of Ardour:
• Using Ardour, you can easily record, edit, or modify audio files.
• The crossfading options of the tool are some of the smartest and strongest you will ever find.
• The easy undo and redo features are a lifesaver that allows you to try anything and everything.
• Ardour’s automotive features are top-notch.
• The interface of the software has numerous external control options.
Macsome Audio Recorder is one of the best audio recording software for Mac in 2024. It is an ideal option for recording audio from multiple sources. Macsome Audio Recorder is good enough for organizing all your recording files as well. Plus, you can also use the ID tags to organize your recording files. Apart from this, you can also add distinct recording profiles for applications and hardware. And, within a single click, you can start the recording procedure. Isn’t it something very nice? Without a single doubt, YES! However, the UI of Macsome Audio Recorder is very simple and not so impressive, but it offers productive yet effective features. It is all-in-one audio recorder software for Mac users.
Features of Macsome Audio Recorder
• Apart from the Mac, you can also install the tool in the form of a browser extension and plugin.
• The tool allows you to record the audio of your choice in MP3 and/or AAC formats.
• The software allows you to filter audio files into formats and other settings.
Logic Pro is the next name on this list of the best audio recording software for Mac in 2024. The tool is quite amazing and boasts an easy-to-use interface for all Mac users. Hence, even if you are a beginner to the tool, you can easily understand its performance patterns. Additionally, the learning curve of the software is also quite steep. You can use this all-in-one audio recorder software for Mac to show off your creativity on all kinds of projects.
Features of Logic Pro:
• Logic Pro is more than just a basic recording tool but an advanced solution for audio creation.
• The outputs of the software are Dolby Atmos compatible for better quality.
• The software contains a 3D Object Panner that makes editing feasible.
• This is an advanced solution with multiple helpful solutions for you.
Audio Hijack is the last name on this list of the best audio recording software for Mac in 2024. The tool is suitable for both beginners and professionals for recording and editing audio. You can easily use the tool to create podcasts as well as record your artistic talents with ease. The app also allows you to stream the audio using various spectrums and sources.
Features of Audio Hijack:
• If you want to extract the audio from some app, then Audio Hijack is the perfect choice for you.
• You can even record audio from third-party websites for the best results.
• If there is too much noise in the audio, the tool allows you to remove it.
• The tool is even more helpful for gamers who want to record live streaming of games and their audio.
Movavi Screen Recorder is the next best audio recording software for Mac in 2024. The software is an advanced alternative to the tools provided above. Although the tool is a screen recorder, it can also be used to record audio on your Mac without video or screen.
Features of Movavi Screen Recorder:
• Allows you to apter the screen and audio in multiple ways
Ocenaudio is another of the best audio recording software for Mac in 2024. The tool is quite efficient and allows you to record real-time audio on your Mac device. The tool offers a plethora of options for recording and more.
The audio recording software mentioned above are some of the best available options for both beginners and professionals.
We hope that our list of best audio recorder tools for mac has been of great help to you and has been able to answer your questions around “What is the best software that you can use to record audio on your Mac device ”.
How to factory reset Windows10 or Windows 11, Factory resetting Windows 10 or Windows 11 can be a great way to fix a sluggish or unresponsive computer. It clears our a lot of changes you might have made, applications that might be causing trouble, and old drivers that might not have been uninstalled properly. A fresh start can make your PC feel even better than general Windows speed up tricks.
Before you reset your system, you’ll want to back up important information that you don’t want to lose. This includes documents, photos, music, and movies, but there are other items to back up as well. Make sure that you know all of your saved passwords, export all of your browser bookmarks, and have installation files for all the software you’ll want to reinstall — or know where to get them.
Also, make sure you back up app-specific data, like custom filters saved in a photo utility, save files from your favorite games, and back up emails if using an offline client.
How to factory reset Windows 10 or Windows 11
How to factory reset Windows 10
Windows 10’s reset feature is found in the settings panel. It can rebuild a fresh copy of Windows 10 if you so choose, replacing all drivers and resetting all settings.
Note that this might be technically different from a “factory reset” option provided by manufacturers. Check your documentation or give technical support a call if you want to return your PC to how it was when you first pulled it out of the box. The manufacturer might have special partitions set up on the hard drive or might be able to provide a factory restore image on bootable media.
Step 1: Click the* Notifications* icon on the taskbar (or press the Windows button + A) and then select the All settings tile in the Action Center. You can also select the start button followed by the Gear icon on the Start Menu.
Step 2: Select Update & Security.
Step 3: Select Recovery listed on the left.
Step 4: On the right, you’ll see two options. The first, Reset this PC, is the method we’re going to use for this guide. When you are ready, click the Get Started button listed under Reset This PC.
The second, Advanced startup, is worth considering if you have a little more technical skill. It’s for modifying your computer on a deeper level or installing a completely different operating system. This comes in handy if your manufacturer provides a factory restore image or external drive containing the image to return your machine to its factory state — proprietary software included.
Unless you’re completely sure you understand what each of the options in this setting does, it’s probably best to leave it alone.
Step 5: A new window will appear with two options, Keep my files and Remove everything.
Here you need to decide whether you want to keep all of your files and folders intact, or truly start from scratch and then use your backup to restore those files and folders. Whichever you choose, you will need to reinstall all apps and programs acquired outside the Microsoft Store. Your settings, such as the Start Menu arrangement, will go back to their defaults.
Select one of the two options.
In both cases, it rebuilds Windows 10 using the current installation. It’s Microsoft’s “imageless recovery” system so installation media doesn’t need to lurk on a hidden partition, taking up space. However, the Local reinstall option may not be able to repair Windows 10 if it’s too broken, too corrupted. That’s where the Cloud download option comes in: Windows pulls everything from Microsoft’s servers to rebuild the local copy.
Both options return all settings to their factory defaults and remove all software not installed from the Microsoft Store. However, the Keep my files option keeps your profile intact along with the associated files and folders. What it doesn’t do is update Windows 10 to the latest version if you never bothered to install patches and feature updates. The Cloud download option installs the latest version stored in Microsoft’s cloud.
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Step 6: Select a source: Cloud download or Local reinstall.
Step 7: On the following screen, select the Choose settings link if you would like to alter the current reset settings. Otherwise, skip to Step 9.
The image is based on the Remove everything option and using the cloud as our source. Since our example PC has multiple drives, we have an additional “Delete files from all drives” setting. Note that you can toggle off reinstallation, but if you’re having serious issues related to Windows 10 components, a fresh copy might be ideal.
Likewise, if we took the Keep my files route and selected the Local reinstall option, we would see two toggles: Restore preinstalled apps and settings that came with the PC, and rebuild Windows 10 using the local installation.
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Step 8: Select the appropriate toggle next to the setting you want to alter and then select Confirm.
Step 9: Select Next to proceed.
Step 10: The Reset tool will present a summary. If you chose the Keep my files option, you’ll see a link you can click to see all the apps that will be removed during the reset, like Google Chrome, Steam, and even Microsoft 365. This list will be saved to your desktop when you finish the recovery process. You won’t see this link when you select the Remove everything option.
Make sure you are good with everything, and then select the *Reset *button.
Your PC will reboot automatically and enter the Windows Recovery Environment. The reset process might take an hour or more, so if you’re using a laptop, it’s a good idea to plug in the power cord. It may reboot itself several times. Wait for Windows to restart and begin the setup process, then enter your personal information and login information if prompted.
Once you’ve confirmed everything’s working, make sure Windows 10 is up to date and install the latest drivers from hardware manufacturers.
The factory reset process for Windows 11 is much the same as it is for Windows 10.
Step 1: Press the Windows + I keys together to open up important pinned apps. Here, look for the Settings menu with the gears icon, and select it.
Step 2: Select Update & Security. Look at the left-side menu and choose Recovery.
Step 3: Select the Reset PC option on the right.
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Step 4: At this point, things should look like they do in Windows 10. You will need to choose to “Keep My Files” or “Remove Everything.” Then you will be able to choose between a “Cloud Download” and a “Local Reinstall”.
Step 5: Here things get a little different. Instead of another Settings menu, Windows 11 streamlines the process for clarification and shows you the current settings you have chosen in a summary window. If everything looks all right, select Next. Do one final check, then select* Reset*.
Another way to factory reset Windows
Another method is to use the manufacturer’s recovery tool, usually located on a separate partition on your hard drive. You’ll find a wide variety of recovery software with name brands numerous enough to match the various brands of electronic devices in which you’ll install them. We have tried to make it less overwhelming by narrowing the list down to our preferred software. Each brand has a different name for what you are looking for, so here is a list of what to search for according to each brand:
•Acer: Acer eRecovery or Acer Recovery Management
•Asus: Asus Recovery Partition or AI Recovery
•Dell: Dell Factory Image Restore, DataSafe, Dell Backup & Recovery, and various other names
•HP: HP System Recovery or Recovery Manager
•Lenovo: Rescue and Recovery or ThinkVantage Recovery (on ThinkPads)
You can also access these recovery options outside of Windows, which means you still have hope if your OS won’t load. Every manufacturer is different, but you can find the method for accessing recovery just after powering on your machine. Read the text as your machine boots and look for the recovery mode key. Many devices use the F11 key as a shortcut to recovery mode.
The most common Windows 11 problems and how to fix them
With Windows 10 officially losing support next year, Windows 11 is poised to take over as the dominant operating system. Many users have already switched over to the latest Microsoft OS – and while it’s not perfect, most are finding it to be a nice step forward from Windows 10. Of course, there are a few quirks people will have to get used to, but most of the bugs and technical issues have already been ironed out.
That’s not to say Windows 11 is perfect. In fact, there are still a handful of common Windows 11 problems that people are encountering, including ones that cause no sound to play, network connections to be laggy, and games to run at less-than-optimal speeds. Thankfully, many of these issues are easy to resolve without extensive troubleshooting or the need to contact customer support.
If you’re experiencing any growing pains, here’s a look at the most common Windows 11 problems and how to fix them. Once you’ve solved your issue, be sure to look at our favorite Windows 11 tips and tricks to make the most out of the operating system.
No sound in Windows 11
Windows 11 does have sound. It should have sound. But if your version of Windows 11 stubbornly refuses to make any sound, you might need to fix it. There are a few reasons that you might have no sound on Windows 11, so try a few of these potential fixes:
• Check your volume levels: Right-click the speaker icon in the bottom right (next to the date and time) and select Open Volume Mixer. Make sure that the volume is raised high enough that you would hear it.
• Check the sound settings: Right-click the speaker icon in the bottom right and select Open sound settings. Check that next to Choose where to play sound, your speakers or headphones are selected.
• Check the connections: If you’re using external speakers, make sure they’re properly connected. Double-check any cable connection, and if you’re using wireless speakers or headphones, disconnect and reconnect them again.
• Run the Windows 11 audio troubleshooter: Right-click on the speaker icon in the bottom right and select Troubleshoot sound problems. Then follow the on-screen instructions.
Windows 11 network issues
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Can’t connect to the internet? Connection slower than expected? Windows 11 network problems can crop up from time to time. Try these possible fixes:
• Reset your router: It may not be Windows’ fault. Try resetting your modem and/or router to see if that fixes the issue.
• Reset your PC: Just rebooting can sometimes fix network issues. Give it a try.
• Reset Windows 11 network settings: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings menu. Select Network and internet > Advanced network settings. Scroll down and select Network reset. Select Reset now > Yes to confirm.
• Change the connection method: If you can, switch from Ethernet to Wi-Fi, or vice versa, to see if that helps.
• Run the Windows 11 networking troubleshooter: Search for Network Troubleshooter in the Windows search box. Select Find and fix network problems. Select Next > Troubleshoot my connection to the internet.
Your Windows 11 screen is flickering, blurry, or black
Is your screen not behaving properly in Windows 11? If it doesn’t look right, here are some fixes you can try:
• Turn it off and on again: Reset your PC and turn your monitor off and on again.
• Check the connections: Confirm the cables are connected correctly to your PC and monitor. If in doubt, unplug and replug them.
• Update your drivers: If you have a dedicated graphics card or chip, try updating your GPU drivers. Download the latest ones from AMD, Intel, or Nvidia from their respective websites. Need more help? Here’s our guide on how to update Windows 11 graphics drivers.
• Update Windows: Try updating to the latest version of Windows 11. Certain patches and fixes might address this issue for you. Here’s how to download the latest big update.
Games running slow on Windows 11
Gaming performance on Windows 11 has been a mixed bag since its debut, and some people have faced serious performance issues.
• Check that your system isn’t overheating: Check your CPU temperature (and your GPU while you’re at it) to make sure they aren’t overheating. If they are, that might be why gaming performance is down.
• Update your graphics drivers: Download the latest graphics drivers from AMD, Intel, or Nvidia from their respective websites.
• Install the latest Windows updates: Try updating to the latest version of Windows 11; some of the recent releases have gaming related patches. Here’s how to download the latest big update.
• Try disabling VBS: Windows 11’s Virtualization Based Security can reportedly cause some issues with gaming performance in Windows 11. Try disabling that to see if it helps.
If your game performance is still poor, you might need to adjust your in-game settings for better performance. Check out our guide to in-game settings so you can maximize your frames per second.
Windows 11 search can’t find your files
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Windows 11’s search tool is smart, but sometimes it acts really dumb. It might just need to index your files again, though. Try this:
Use Windows search to look for Index and select Indexing options. Select Advanced >Rebuild.
Now that you’re a wiz at Windows 11 troubleshooting, why not brush up on printer setups? Here’s how to set your printer up properly in Windows 11.
How to dual bootLinux and Windows, Windows might be your bread and butter, but you can dual-boot it with Linux if you want to tinker, or play around with a wider range of open source software. Whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11, you can install a range of different Linux distributions as a secondary operating system to give you the best of both worls.
Here’s how to dual boot Windows and Linux.
Microsoft
Start by installing Windows
The first step is to install Windows, assuming you’re starting from scratch. We have a full guide on how to install Windows 11, so make sure to keep that handy if you need extra detail. For dual booting, the process is largely the same minus one key difference.
Instead of allowing Windows to take up all of the space on your hard drive, you’ll allocate it a partition. If you have multiple hard drives for dual booting, you can allow Windows to take up the full space on your hard drive. This process works for Windows 10 and Windows 11, but we’ll be using Windows 10 for our example.
If you don’t have an extra Windows PC to create installation media, you can install Windows first before installing Linux (though you may need to fully defrag your hard drive to create a partition for Linux).
Step 1: With your spare PC, download the Windows Media Creation Tool and follow the steps to create installation media on one of your blank USB drives. Note: you may be asked to format the drive, which will remove all of the data.
How to dual boot Linux and Windows
Mark Coppock/Digital Trends
Step 2:Leaving your installation USB drive plugged in, turn off your PC. Turn it back on and select the F12 on your keyboard rapidly while the computer boots. This will take you to a boot menu. Select your Windows USB drive and continue.
Step 3:Follow the steps for the Windows installer until you reach the What type of installation do you want page. Choose Custom: Install Windows only.
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Step 4:You need to create a partition on your hard drive. You’ll likely see multiple partitions here unless you’re using a brand-new hard drive. Assuming you want to start from scratch, delete the partitions (note: this will remove all the data on your hard drive, so make sure your hard drive is backed up).
Step 5:Select your hard drive and select New to create a new partition. Set how large you want the partition to be and confirm. This will be the total amount of space Windows has access to, and you’ll need extra space to install Linux. We recommend splitting the empty space in half, allocating half to Windows and half to Linux.
Follow the remaining installation steps to finish.
How to Install Linux
Installing Windows first is a good idea because it makes installing Linux much easier. If you already have Windows installed, you can still dual boot Linux, but you’ll need to create a new partition on your hard drive.
We’ll be using Ubuntu for our example, but the process is similar for most Linux distros.
Step 1:Download the latest version of Ubuntu and store it somewhere you can easily access. Grab your second blank USB drive and insert it into your computer.
Step 2:Download balenaEtcher and open it up. Select your blank USB drive and your Ubuntu image and run the software to create your bootable Linux media.
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Step 3: Keeping your Linux USB drive plugged in, restart your computer and rapidly press the F12 key to enter the boot menu. Select your Linux USB drive to boot into the installation screen.
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Step 4: You will be able to try or install Ubuntu, so if you’re unsure about Linux, try out the OS first. It can run off of your USB drive, though with decreased performance. Once you’re settled, select Install Ubuntu to continue.
Select your keyboard layout and language and opt for a Normal installation. Make sure to check both boxes under the Other options section on this screen.
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Step 5: Ubuntu will automatically detect if you have Windows installed. Select Install Ubuntu alongside Windows 10 on this screen. The other option, Erase disk and install Ubuntu will remove Windows from your PC.
Step 6: If you started with a blank hard drive, you’re done. Finish the installation and use the boot menu referenced above to choose which OS to boot into (select the hard drive partition you want).
If Windows is taking up the entire drive, you’ll see a screen that allows you to allocate disc space to Ubuntu. Choose how much space you want to allocate and continue. We highly recommend creating a partition through Windows first, however, to avoid accidentally deleting data.
Most Linux distros will launch into a boot menu that allows you to select between Linux and Windows, but you may need to use the boot menu to choose which OS you want to load into.
How to dual boot Windows and Linux FAQ
Does dual boot slow down a PC?
No. Dual booting does restrict that quantity of storage space you have access to within each operating system, since you’ll need to dedicate drive space to not only the operating systems themselves, but their respective services, drivers, and applications. However, when you’re using either of the operating systems, you are not using the other one, so they don’t slow down your PC at all.
How do I share files between Windows and Linux on a dual boot?
The same way you would share files between two different computers running Windows and Linux. You can use a flash drive or external hard drive to manually transfer files between the two installations — the only difference is you don’t have to unplug the drive. You could use a cloud storage provider for the same purpose, or set up a shared folder on a partition both operating systems can access.
Depending on the files you’re transferring, there can be compatible issues, however, so consider the best way to transfer the data for your needs.
Windows is an operating system designed by Microsoft. The operating system is what allows you to use a computer. Windows comes preloaded on most new personal computers (PCs), which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.
Windows makes it possible to complete all types of everyday tasks on your computer. For example, you can use Windows to browse the Internet, check your email, edit digital photos, listen to music, play games, and do much more.
Windows is also used in many offices because it gives you access to productivity tools such as calendars, word processors, and spreadsheets.
Microsoft released the first version of Windows in the mid-1980s. There have been many versions of Windows since then, but the most recent ones include Windows 10 (released in 2015), Windows 8 (2012), Windows 7 (2009), Windows Vista (2007), and Windows XP (2001).
About this tutorial
This tutorial is designed to show you the absolute basics of using a Windows computer, including how to use the desktop, how to open different files and applications, and how to move and resize windows. The information in this tutorial will apply to more recent versions of Windows, including the ones mentioned above. However, once you’ve learned the basics, you may also want to review one of our version-specificWindows tutorials. Just select the version of Windows that’s installed on your computer:
While most versions of Windows are relatively similar, Windows 8 works very differently from other versions. However, if you have Windows 8 on your computer, you should now be able to upgrade to Windows 10, which is more similar to earlier versions, including Windows 7. We recommend upgrading your computer to Windows 10 if you can. Review our Windows 10 tutorial to learn how.
However, we’ll still point out any majordifferences between Windows 8 and other versions, which means you’ll see some Windows 8-specific information from time to time. If your computer uses Windows 8, you’ll want to review both this tutorial and our Windows 8 tutorial to learn more about the differences.
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Navigating Windows
Whether you’re new to computers or just Windows, it’s important to learn the basics of using your computer. If it all seems a little overwhelming right now, don’t worry! We’ll take you through it step by step and show you some of the most fundamental things you’ll need to know, including how to work with the desktop, open and close windows, and turn off your computer.
Watch the video below to learn the basics of navigating Windows.
The desktop
Once your computer has finished starting up, the first thing you’ll see is the desktop. You can think of the desktop as the main workspace for your computer. From here, you can view and manage your files, open applications, access the Internet, and much more.
Click the buttons in the interactive below to become more familiar with the desktop.
In Windows 8, you will usually see the Start screen before the desktop. To learn more, review our lesson on Getting Started with Windows 8.
Working with applications
An application—also known as a program—is a type of software that allows you to completetasks on your computer. Windows comes with many built-in applications you can use. For example, if you want to browse the Internet, you can use Microsoft Edge(or InternetExplorer if you’re using Windows 8 or earlier).
To open an application:
1.Using your mouse, click the Start button, then select the desired application. If you don’t see the one you want, click All Programs to see a complete list of applications. In our example, we’ll open Microsoft Edge.
2.The application will appear in a new window.
There is no Start menu in Windows 8, so you’ll usually open applications from the Start screen. Click the Start button to go to the Start screen, then click an app to open it.
Working with windows
Whenever you open a file, folder, or application, it will appear in a newwindow. You can have multiple items open at the same time in different windows. You’ll use windows all the time, so it’s important to know how to switch between open windows, how to move and resize windows, and how to close windows when you’re done using them.
In Windows 8, some programs will open on the Start screen, not the desktop. If you’re using Windows 8, note that the information below applies only to windows you have opened on the desktop.
Parts of a window
You’ll see the same three buttons in the upper-right corner of almost every window. These buttons allow you to perform several functions, including these below.
•Click the Minimize button to hide the window. The window will be minimized to the taskbar. You can then click the icon for that window on the taskbar to make it reappear.
•Click the Maximize button to make the window fill the entire screen.
•If the screen is maximized, the Maximize button will be temporarily replaced by the Restore button. Just click it to return the window to its original size.
•Click the Close button to close the window.
To move a window:
1.Click and drag the top of the window to move it to the desired location on the screen. When you’re done, release the mouse.
2.The window will appear in the new location.
To resize a window:
1.Hover the mouse over any corner of the window, then click and drag the mouse to make the window larger or smaller. When you’re done, release the mouse.
2.The window will be resized.
Switching between windows
If you have more than one window open at the same time, you can quickly switch between them by clicking the icon for that window on the taskbar.
Shutting down your computer
When you’re done using your computer, it’s important to shut it down properly. The procedure will vary slightly depending on which version of Windows you’re using.
To shut down your computer:
•If you’re using Windows 10, click the Start button, then the Power icon, then click Shut down.
•If you’re using Windows 8, click the Start button to access the Start screen, click the Power icon near the upper-right corner, and select Shut down. If you don’t see this option, it means you’ll need to upgrade to Windows 8.1. Review this page from our Windows 8 tutorial to learn how.
•If you’re using Windows 7 or earlier, Click the Start button, then select Shut down.
Restarting and Sleep mode
You can also click the power button button for more options. For example, if your computer has become unresponsive, you can choose Restart to quickly turn it off and on again.
You can also choose to put your computer into Sleep mode. This turns off most of your computer’s processes, but it remembers which applications and files are open. It allows the computer to start up more quickly because you won’t have to wait for the operating system and applications to load. Note that your computer may go into Sleep mode automatically if you haven’t used it for more than a few minutes.
If you have a laptop, you can simply close the lid to put it into Sleep mode.
Waking your computer from Sleep mode
If your computer is in Sleep mode, you’ll need to wakeit to use it. To wake the computer from Sleep mode, click the mouse or press any key on the keyboard.
What is Linux?
Linux (pronounced “linnucks”) is a monolithic, open-source kernel, and a family of operating systems based on that kernel. The Linux kernel was developed by Linus Torvalds, who announced it on the comp.os.minix newsgroup on August 25, 1991. Since then, it’s been ported to computer architectures including x86-64, x86, ARM, RISC, and DEC Alpha. It is licensed under version 2 of the GPL.
Developers can access all Linux source code, and are permitted under the license conditions to modify and distribute it.
Where is Linux used?
Presently, Linux is used by several million users worldwide. The composition of users varies from private users, training centers, universities, research centers, and companies. Below are examples of where Linux is used today.
• Android phones and tablets – Android phones and tablets use a form of Linux.
• Servers – A vast majority of the web servers that run many web pages (including this one) are using Linux.
• Supercomputers – All of the top supercomputers use a Linux-based operating system.
• TV, Cameras, DVD players, etc. – Most of the appliances that use some form of a computer use Linux.
• Amazon – Many of the computers that help run Amazon use Linux.
• Google – Computers that help run Google and Google search results use Linux.
• Planes – Airplanes computers and screens you watch on the plane use Linux.
• U.S. Postal service – The computers and servers that help run systems to sort and manage mail in the U.S.
• NYSE – The New York Stock Exchange uses Linux to help run its exchange.
• LHC – The Large Hadron Collider uses Linux.
• OLPC – The One Laptop Per Child program used Linux on all its computers.
Who makes Linux now?
Thousands of organizations, corporations, and individuals help develop Linux and each of its various distributions. For more information, visit LinuxFoundation.org. You can read what’s happening right now in Linux development at LKML.org, the Linux kernel mailing list.
Linux distributions, flavors, and variants
Linux may be obtained in different ways. All the necessary components can be downloaded free of charge from the Internet, which means an operating system can be assembled for almost nothing. An alternative is to use a so-called distribution, a Linux variation offered by many companies. They include a broad range of applications and full programs that significantly simplify the installation of Linux.
There are hundreds of different distributions of Linux were released. Below are a few that we currently have listed on our site. A great site that lists almost every distribution, and rankings is DistroWatch.
System requirements
There are many variants of Linux, each with hardware requirements. Some can run on minimal systems with small amounts of RAM and disk space.
To run Linux, and your computer meets the following specifications, it should be able to run any variant of Linux.
•64-bit Intel or AMD processor
•1 GB RAM
•10 GB of hard drive space
•CD/DVD drive or a USB (universal serial bus) port for installation
20+ Must-Have Software For Windows 10-11, If you are a computer-savvy person, know about the must-have software for Windows 10 you should use in 2024 to make the most out of your brand new PC and laptop.Microsoft’s beloved operating system – Windows 10 – comes with an array of most up-to-date features and functionality to give you a better and personalized computing experience. From work to gaming, we rely on a bunch of Windows 10 apps to cater to all our computer needs.
In spite of that, every now and then you may find yourself on the lookout for some additional apps for Windows 10 depending upon your requirements.
To solve this problem once and for all, you should start loading your system with all the essential and useful Windows 10 programs that would create a great impact on your work and play.
Keeping all this in mind, below we have mentioned some of the essential apps for Windows 10 that you need to make a note of ASAP. Move down the list and download the must have software for Windows 10, 11, or older version devices.
What Are the Must-Have Software For Windows 10, 11 In 2024?
Here we present you our curated list of must-have apps for Windows 10 and 11 that everyone should install on their PC right away. Let’s check out the best PC programs for Windows 10.
Let us introduce you to Win Riser. It is a program you will find extremely useful to speed up your computer and optimize its performance. Win Riser is among the top most-used Windows PC software for its brilliant PC cleaning and optimization capabilities. It is well-known for its deep scan and removal of accumulated junk, invalid and faulty Registry remover, integrated driver updater, and the following delightful features.
Key features of Win Riser
•Tracks and removes malware with a single click
•Deeply scans your PC for driver updates, junk files, or problems impacting its performance
•Creates a backup of existing drivers and allows their easy restoration whenever you want
•Creation of a system restore point, allowing you to restore your system if anything goes wrong
•Boasts an integrated tool to manage your device’s startup items
•You can customize the paths, apps, locations, etc., for scanning
•Allows you to ignore the registry items or drivers you do not wish to scan
•You can schedule the computer scans
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2. Driver Update Software
“A must have program for Windows 10 to update outdated drivers”
A driver or a device driver is a computer program (also known as cluster of files) that allows one or more hardware devices such as speaker, printer, graphic card, etc. to build connectivity and communicate with the computer’s operating system.
Without the correct drivers, the operating system would not be able to know what kind of a device is attached to the computer and how to operate or control its functions.
Therefore, it is extremely important to keep your Windows drivers up-to-date always for a smooth and healthy functioning of hardware components.
Using corrupt or out-of-date system drivers, you may face various compatibility or driver-related issues such as no sound, blue screen of death, shuttering or crashing problems, Wi-Fi connectivity issues, or some of the devices like printer may completely stop working.
The safest and easiest way to prevent such device conflicts is to use the best free driver updater software for your Windows 10 PC. Moreover, the driver updater is also an important software for Laptop Windows 10, 11, or older versions.
It is a powerful and extremely user-friendly utility that effortlessly auto-scans your entire PC and helps users install the latest, manufacturer-recommended drivers in just a blink of an eye.
Taking all the essential features of an ideal driver update into consideration, we suggest using Bit Driver Updater that can not only takes care of all driver-related issues but also maximizes the performance and processing speed of your computer. The best software for Windows 10, 11, 8 or 7 updates drivers on your system with minimal effort.
The best thing about this product is that you don’t need to shell out a fortune for it, it’s FREE!
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3. Duplicate Photo Finder – Free Up Disk Space
“A must-have program for Windows 10 to clean duplicate photos”
With the rise of widespread adoption of smartphone technology, taking selfies and pictures of everything that catches our attention has become more than just a trend.
However, these identical-looking selfies and duplicate photos tend to get piled up over time, consumes up to gigabytes of disk space, and makes it extremely difficult to manage your digital collection of albums. What if you find out basic software for Windows 10 or other versions that can clear up all the clutter and duplicate data from your device automatically?
To keep your photo gallery and system optimized, all you need is a dedicated duplicate photo cleaner software.
Since Windows 10 PC doesn’t come with an in-built duplicate photo remover tool, it is important to add this utility to your list of must-have apps for Windows 10.
Quick Photo Finder is one of those nifty, renowned software available in the marketplace that can make your job much easier.
It effortlessly finds and removes the multiple copies of duplicate ones, plus also helps you recover a significant amount of lost storage space that you forgot you ever had, all in just a matter of seconds!
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4. VPN (Virtual Private Network)
“A must-have software for Windows 10 to keep online identity secure”
Next on our list of essential software for PC is NordVPN. Depending on the country you reside in, there is a chance you might have to put up with geo-restricted content or your government blocking certain websites.
What if the list contains your favorite social media platforms or movie streaming sites?
So, have you ever wondered that your IP address, browsing activity, location, and online identity could be at risk? Well, cybercriminals and spies around the world can see everything you do online such as the websites you’ve searched for, the pictures you’re posting, the movies you’ve been watching, and lots more.
Therefore, it is important to use a good VPN service to hide your IP address and encrypt sensitive data to keep it secure from prying eyes.
The best thing about VPN is that it not only provides a safe passage for your internet traffic but also lets you bypass the censorship to access blocked websites from anywhere in the world along with superfast streaming and unlimited bandwidth.
“A must-have software for Windows 10 to unleash its maximum performance”
Cleaner Software is another must have programs for Windows 10. You don’t even want to know the amount of junk your computer can store up and how it can make your system lag behind in its functioning. All those files, caches, and digital debris that you most definitely don’t need.
To avoid that, you need an effective cleaner software. To save you from the hassle of finding one, we have below mentioned a couple of best Windows 10 software which are a must-have Windows applications for cleaning your PC and laptop efficiently.
IObit Advanced SystemCare
When the talk is about the best cleaning apps that you must have on Windows, we cannot skip IObit Advanced SystemCare. The best Windows software is a powerful and easy-to-use software has many interesting features, such as more than 30 troubleshooters ( for example, AI Mode, firewall protection, anti-tracking, and large file cleaner) to clean, protect, and speed up your computer.
You can make a click on the link below to download this cleaner-cum-booster to get the ultimate PC performance.
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CleanMyPC
CleanMyPC is a powerful tune-up utility tool developed by MacPaw Inc. to help you get a safer and cleaner PC. With the help of this tool, you can effortlessly scan every nook and cranny of your computer to delete megatons of junk files and boost the speed and overall performance of your PC.
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CCleaner
This powerful cleaning utility from Piriform is one of the best PC software on the face of the earth. It automatically deletes broken Windows registry entries and the temporary files. It also detects and identifies all the software that your system doesn’t require.
Bid those extra bits and bobs goodbye, and work with a fast functioning computer.
“An essential app for Windows 10 to recover lost or deleted data”
It happens a lot of times that we delete some important files obliviously and then regret this action for quite a long time.
But we might just have something that would ensure that this doesn’t happen again.
Whenever you delete a file, even from the Recycle Bin, the file isn’t actually wiped off the face of the earth. Its sector is still on the hard drive, and you can use that to recover your file (Yay!).
Now, let’s take a look at some of the file/ data recovery software & programs that you must have in Windows 10.
Stellar Data Recovery
The next on our list of PC software list for most essential apps os Stellar Data Recovery. It is one of the most capable and popular software used by Windows users to recover lost or deleted data. With the help of the free version of this program, you can easily retrieve up to 1 GB of lost or deleted files from Windows PC, laptop, USB stick, hard drive, etc.
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Recuva
Image source: Cloudwards
Recuva, a file recovery tool, assists the user to recover and restore her/his deleted files in the system.
After loading the software, the user just needs to choose which file she/he wishes to recover and from which location. Once the search is configured, the software will start a scan process and find the files matching the entered criterion. The user can, subsequently then, select the desired files to be recovered. There is one another file recovery software named EaseUS which also works fine.
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7. Utility Software
“Must-have Windows app for managing and improving the performance”
Another one on the list of best programs for Windows 10 is a Utility software. It is a one-stop solution for maintaining your PC. The software offers many tools which can help you in managing, optimizing, and analyzing the performance of the PC. The list of tools includes a disk defragmenter, backup utilities, disk cleaners, disk compression, network utilities, virus scanner, and many others.
By reviewing Utility software we have shortlisted the best must-have software for Windows 10 and an older version which you can install for maintaining your PC.
Revo Uninstaller Pro
Revo Uninstaller is a great software that can help you in various aspects of protecting and maintaining your PC. The best part about this software is that it can be used on mobile devices as well. It moreover offers some of the best tools like Windows app remover, force uninstaller, installation monitor, advanced scanning for residuals, logs database, and many others. We would recommend you to try this software for better performance and improve the life of the PC. All these features make Revo Uninstaller as best software for personal computer to improve the performance of your device.
Best File Copy Utility Softwares for Windows 2024, Cut, copy, paste. Sounds familiar? Millions of us, transfer and copy files almost on a daily basis. Let us find out thus, some of the best file transfer software and file copy software for Windows.
If you notice, there might be typical days when we have spent not just one but a few hours in transferring files and copying files. But, let’s say a typical file is quite large, then what happens? Of course, it takes a longer time for transfer. Several developers have come up with different data copy software applications that help you avoid the errors coming up during the transfer or copy of large files/folders from one system to another in Windows.
This is one of the most portable file copy software that can be used for copying and transferring the files from one system to another. This is also one of the fastest file copying apps available in the market.
The best part of using this app is that you don’t have to download the app at all; instead you have to just drag it to your desktop and then simply run it in your system. In addition to it, you can also keep the app in your pen drive or your flash drive for smooth installation into your PC anytime. The interface is highly easy-to-use and quite interactive.
Since it supports a huge number of file formats, you can copy any file into your PC comfortably with the help of this app. Newcomers and experienced PC users can all use it easily and effectively.
Features of File Fisher
•File Fisher offers a simple yet unique user interface
•This file copy tool does not require any installation as it is a portable tool
•You can easily transfer files from one format to another easily
•The software is compatible with all the Windows OS even with the latest ones too
What Are the Best File Copy Utility Software for Windows?
Let’s look at the detailed features of each of these best file transfer tools below:
This is one of the most portable file copy software that can be used for copying and transferring the files from one system to another. This is also one of the fastest file copying apps available in the market.
The best part of using this app is that you don’t have to download the app at all; instead you have to just drag it to your desktop and then simply run it in your system. In addition to it, you can also keep the app in your pen drive or your flash drive for smooth installation into your PC anytime. The interface is highly easy-to-use and quite interactive.
Since it supports a huge number of file formats, you can copy any file into your PC comfortably with the help of this app. Newcomers and experienced PC users can all use it easily and effectively.
Features of File Fisher
•File Fisher offers a simple yet unique user interface
•This file copy tool does not require any installation as it is a portable tool
•You can easily transfer files from one format to another easily
•The software is compatible with all the Windows OS even with the latest ones too
Use TeraCopy as data copy software to copy files comfortably within folders or into Windows desktop. TeraCopy provides a robust and interactive interface. This app is extremely flexible and is one of the most fast running apps. TeraCopy is available freely as well as in a paid version. The free version of TeraCopy also has a lot of features that help successful copying of files from one system to another.
With TeraCopy you can comfortably evade those files that seem to be troublesome and still continue copying rather than stop for some corrupted files. If you’re wondering how would be the transfer over a network then let me tell you with the use of TeraCopy it is a lot easier and faster. You can drag and drop files that can prevent moving folders accidentally.
Features of TeraCopy
•It is one of the simplest file copy utilities
•The software automatically skips corrupted or problematic files
•It even repairs the corrupt file and recovers data
•You can easily drag and drop files from one drive to another
Reasons to use TeraCopy
•Skips corrupted files: With TeraCopy at your disposal, corrupted files cannot block the file transfer as the application skips them instead of halting the entire process.
•Fast and easy to use: The options like drag and drop, high customization, etc. make this app fast and friendly enough for both beginners and advanced users.
•Useful shell integration: TeraCopy boasts individual plugins, i.e., shell integration support to save your time and effort.
The interface of Fast Copy is not one of the most efficient ones but the app is definitely one of the most efficient fast copy software for Windows. Fast Copy is freely available as a program and helps you move the files rapidly from one network to another.
To ensure enjoying the best speed, it employs multiple threads to read, write, verify and also uses the overlapped and direct I/O systems.
Due to the interface not everyone can use the app comfortably especially if you’re a novice, however, for an experienced PC user; it is indeed a wonderful copy software for Windows.
Features of Fast Copy
•It is one of the fastest file copying tools
•The software supports UNICODE and over MAX_PATH file pathnames
•It supports UNIX wildcard
•It uses multi-threads to bring out the best speed of devices
Reasons to use Fast Copy
•NSA File Wiping Support: One of the best things about Fast Copy is that it supports data sanitization methods approved by the National Security Agency (NSA) to keep your confidential information safe.
•Resource-friendly: This application does not bug your computer with unnecessary pressure on the resources as it is lightweight.
•Command-line: For the techies out there, it has command line and UI wrapper support.
ExtremeCopy can help copy files from one system to another quickly. It can enhance the speed of the machine based on the physical structure of the machine. There are a lot of user-friendly features in the app. However, it would not support copying files from the network.
The program is capable of integrating with the Windows Explorer making it easier to use. Extreme Copy is not a software that supports file syncing but is one of the best file transfer software available.
Features of ExtremeCopy
•The software offers the freedom to pause and skip any file easily
•You can easily resume the interrupted process
•It comes with a built-in error management feature
•It is one of the best file transfer software for PC
Reasons to use ExtremeCopy
•Fast copying: It lets you copy files much faster (20% to 120% speedier) than the native Windows copy tool.
•Optimizations: ExtremeCopy can be a perfect choice for you, as it optimizes the copying speed and its resource consumption automatically.
•Efficient free version: We agree that the free version of this software has no high-end features. But, it does not reduce its functionality, and you get the same fast copying speed for free.
This app has been in use for a very long time. This file copy software functions at an enormous speed. Unstoppable Copier is a recovery solution that copies and transfers all your files from the directory.
The best part of it is that they also try to repair the faulty and damaged files. It works on any of the Windows operating systems except Windows 10. This is one of the best interactive Windows copy software that one can obtain.
Features of Unstoppable Copier
•The software lets you copy, recover and repair files easily
•It offers great speed transfer
•Being one of the oldest software it offers the best tools and speed
•It is compatible with most of the Windows OS
Reasons to use Unstoppable Copier
•Command-line support: If you are a techie who is not a fan of those graphical interfaces, you’ll be glad to know that this application supports command-line UI.
•Backup tools: There are backup options available such as creating and saving transfer lists for future use.
•Blazing fast: Unstoppable Copier is among the most high-speed copying tools available currently to copy files.
With GS RichCopy 360 copying many files from one system/folder to another is swift and quite easy.
In fact, there is a backup software with GS RichCopy 360 for MS Windows operating systems. This backup software can allow you to synchronize through the servers, Windows OS and also through various networks. You can always know and see all the copied tasks through a special Wizard interface available only with this tool.
Features of GS RichCopy 360
•It can be considered as the fastest file transfer software for Windows 7,8 and 10
•To help you check all the tasks it offers WIzard Interface
•It can easily transfer data between network
•You can share files, directories, or even drives effortlessly
Reasons to use GS RichCopy 360
•Byte-level replication: One thing that you might find highly useful in this application (that many other similar programs lack) is its ability to replicate files at the byte level.
•Supports long path names: Some files have really long path names (over 260 characters long). But, you don’t have to worry, as this software supports them all.
•Simultaneous file copying: It does not take a long time to copy files using this software as it copies files (up to 255 threads) simultaneously.
You can use this tool to copy the files from one system to another in the shortest amount of time.
If there are many files to copy from one server to another, then you know very well how long it takes to copy, if you use the default Windows copy function. Therefore, the Perigee Copy tool can offer a quicker solution.
It is an easy-to-use software with an interactive interface that is effective in so many ways. However, the drawback with Perigee is its incompatibility with Windows OS versions 8 and 10.
Features of Perigee Copy 1.7
•It offers a very easy to adapt interface which can be used by any user
•Apart from just copying files, you can delete them too
•You get many features like archive bit, overwrite, and others.
•It works perfectly for the Windows 7 and older versions
Reasons to use Perigee Copy 1.7
•Shell integration: With this software’s integration with the Windows menu, you can perform copy-paste tasks much more easily.
•Security: You get a confirmation message whenever you perform any action to inform you about the files that are going to be affected to take care of their security.
•Feature-rich: If you are looking for software that is a complete package with all essential features, like overwrite, etc., this program can be your best choice.
For those users who are always transferring multiple files from one system to the other, Copy Handler can help immensely in transferring bulk files in less time.
It is a free to use app. Copy Handler operates at a faster rate, and aids in pausing, resuming, restarting and cancelling the different functionalities. It supports many languages at a time. You can transfer files between drives and computers in quite a less amount of time.
Drag and drop functions are also supported by the copy handler. To note, Copy Handler would resume the paused and unfinished copying of all files with a system restart. It is an extremely easy-to-use app and its effectiveness and flexibility is worth applauding.
Features of Copy Handler
•You can easily copy files in bulk using this best file copy software
•Easy drag and drop functionality for copying and moving files
•Even when the PC shutdown it pauses the process and can be easily resumed
•The software offers detailed statistics to help you understand better
Reasons to use Copy Handler
•Open source: One of the best things that make Copy Handler a perfect pick is that you can examine its code if the techie in you wants to do it.
•Complete control: You get full control over the entire copy/paste process and its speed.
•Queue support: Copy Handler has a unique feature that allows you to carry out multiple tasks at once in a specific order.
Robo Copy is not an app in actuality but rather a command-line utility to copy and transfer files from one server to another many times. Robo Copy replaces XCopy and has more offerings as a data copy software. If you have to run this utility, your command would be called Robo Copy.
It can work on Windows Vista and also on Windows 8. Robo Copy does not work on all PC’s as it does not have an interactive GUI.
You can call it more like a drive cleaner since it copies a drive to another drive. EaseUS disk is quite fast as a data copy software and the best versions for file copy are available for Windows 7, 8 and 10.
It is an extremely precise app and can clone the entire disk with perfect precision and accuracy.
Features of EaseUS Disk Copy
•The software is compatible with all major Windows OS
•It is a fast software for copying or cloning the whole disk to a new location
•You can easily create a bootable disk with this software
•The software is accurate and performs copying with 100% accuracy
Reasons to use EaseUS Disk Copy
•Ease of use: To copy/paste files with this software, all you need to do is follow a simple three-step process.
•One-click migration: Using this software, you can migrate your data, apps, and complete OS to a new hard drive safely with just a click.
•Easy replacement: You can get EaseUS Disk Copy to use SSD instead of an HDD effortlessly.
UltraCopier is an open source file copy software used to copy files. UltraCopier is very simple to use and has a multitude of premium features at your disposal for free. No matter how less versed you’re with a computer, you can always use this particular software without any difficulty.
There are some features like start, stop, resume that you can navigate through comfortably. You can perform a multitude of copy tasks from one server to another. It is also compatible with Linux and macOS.
Features of UltraCopier
•The software offers advanced features like speed limitations, pause, resume and stop
•You can easily perform multi-copy tasks
•It is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux
•UltraCopier has a built-in error management feature
Reasons to use UltraCopier
•Useful features: It offers some of the high-end features, such as speed controls and functionality to search in the copy lists.
•Customizations: If you are looking for a straightforward and customizable (with the plugin support) file copy utility, UltraCopier can be the best choice.
•Multilingual: UltraCopier boasts support for multiple languages and a portable form of the software.
MiniCopier, a super-fast utility to copy files very quickly. It is a completely automatic utility for copying files. All you need to get started is – just drag and drop the files that you want to copy, in the red basket presented in the software’s window. And, then it will begin the rest procedure automatically. It has the standard buttons as well such as Pause and Start.
Though the user interface of this application is very simple, at the same time, it is very effective and productive too. Apart from this, it also keeps records of those transfers as well which gets dismissed. Overall, it is the best way to copy or paste files and folders in no time.
Features of MiniCopier
•You can queue all the transfers easily on this software
•The transfer speed can be set easily with MiniCopier
•You can pause and resume the process anytime
•Using the software you can easily change the name of the file
Reasons to use MiniCopier
•Queue support: The software supports queuing, where you can add a transfer to the queue when current transfers are ongoing.
•Greater control: With options like limiting the copy and transfer speed of files, MiniCopier lets you be in charge of the process.
•Behavior setting: MiniCopier allows you to specify a default target file behavior.
The next best file copy utility software for Windows in our list is FF Copy. It is a file transfer utility for Windows users. With this, you just only need to copy or paste the file to a transfer queue and then it will be copied in the sequence. Comparatively, it is way faster than other such kinds of utilities. FF Copy lets you transfer multiple files or folders simultaneously.
Just in case, if the source becomes unavailable then FF Copy automatically re-generates the source and starts transferring the files after a while. It allocates the disk space and eliminates disk fragmentation. FF Copy is highly capable of boosting the speed of the entire process. Undoubtedly, if you are searching for the best way to copy files pretty instantly then you should rely on this amazing utility.
Features of FF Copy
•The software offers a feature to add files in queue for ease
•You can easily pause and resume the process as per requirements
•During file transfer issue you can easily skip to the next file transfer
•It offers a detailed description of the process
Reasons to use FF Copy
•Portability: FF Copy is a portable software, hence no installation is required to run it.
•System friendly: This software does not burden your system unnecessarily, as its memory and CPU utilization remains low.
•Fast speed: With features such as queue support, this software lets you copy/transfer multiple files really quickly.
KillCopy is an excellent and fastest file-transferring software available for Windows PC. This utility tool makes the overall process of file copying much easier with a drag-and-drop feature. In order to ensure an error-free file-transferring process, KillCopy utilizes a high-speed verification mode.
Features of KillCopy
•It comes with a KillDelete option to erase the source file, once the copying process completes.
•Has a feature called Auto Resume functionality that automatically starts the file transfer process when the process abruptly stops.
•It’s Turbo Mode enhances the copying speed of large files.
Reasons to Use:
•Parallel: This mode boosts copy speed when copying files between different physical devices.
•Speed Limit: This feature lets you limit the maximum copy transfer speed in Kbps units.
•Turbo Mode: This mode can improve the overall speed of the file copying process, especially when copying large files between local disks.
The next on our list of the best utilities to copy files and folders with NiceCopier. It is a quick and easy-to-use software that allows you to copy and paste data hassle-freely.
Moreover, it boasts many outstanding features, such as pausing and resuming the copy/paste process, an option to change the settings like running at startup, and much more.
Furthermore, below are its other features, pros, cons, and reasons to use it.
Features of NiceCopier
•A single window displays all the running tasks
•Calculates the best file copying speed
•Task queue creation to improve software performance
•Allows you to perform check-sum-based verification of files after copying them
Reasons to use
•Portable: One of the top reasons you should use NiceCopier is its portability. You can carry it in a flash drive and use it without downloading anything on the computer.
•Lightweight: NiceCopier does not pressurize your system resources and consumes very little space on the device.
Allow us to conclude this entire list of the best file copy utility software with Total Commander. Total Commander is not merely a copy utility but a smart file manager. With the help of the tool, you can run two windows side by side and use them to copy and move the data within the system and its storage. Let’s know more about this tool from the information below.
Features of Total Commander
•Custom columns
•Quick View panel
•Tabbed interface
•Built-in FTP client
•Thumbnails view
Reasons to use
•Thumbnail: One of the main reasons why you should download the Total Commander tool is that the tool offers a preview of the files in the form of thumbnails for ease of decision-making.
•Supports Multiple Archives: Total Commander supports various extensions of Archive files like CAB, ACE, TAR, GZ, RAR, UC2, ZIP, 7ZIP, etc.
Copywhiz is another best file copy utility software that you can try. Just like any other software on this list, Copywhiz is a very advanced and a great utility to enjoy copying data smartly.
Features of Copywhiz
•Easy copying
•Handles multiple files
•Integration is possible
•Smart UI
Reasons to use
•Recent Files: The software allows you to copy and manage recently modified or added files with ease.
•Personalized: Copywhiz allows you to look for files and copy them according to the name or extension of the file.
The next name on this list of the best file copy utility software for Windows 10/11 is SuperCopier. This is a simple tool that makes it feasible for you to copy data from one location to the other.
Features of Copywhiz
•Simplest file copying
•Smart UI
•Personalizable interface
Reasons to use
•Effective Performance: The software allows you to move or copy multiple files at once. Moreover, you also get lightning-fast copying speed with the tool.
•Smart UI: The user interface of SuperCopier is quite simple yet smart. Even a beginner can get the most out of the tool with ease.
Here’s another addition to this list of the best file copy utility software for Windows. OrganizerMaX is multiple levels better than the traditional copy utility of Windows. Using this tool, you can add tags, copy and paste, search for files, and do a lot more with ease.
Features of OrganizerMaX
•Simple interface
•Modifiable
Reasons to use
•Reliability: The software offers some of the most advanced features for a copy utility.
•Fast: OrganizerMaX is quite fast as compared to any other tool offered in this list.
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Final Words
These are some of the best file copy utility software available for Windows in 2024. Most apps are quite efficient in handling the speed with which the files are transferred from one server to the other or from one network to the other.
Bulk file transfers and copying is possible with some of these apps as well. Some can also help you transfer an entire folder from one server to another. With some apps you can avail many premium features whereas with other open source platforms you can enjoy splendid features free of cost.
Best gaming Mouse 2024, Our tried and tested gaming mouse picksI always enjoy testing out new contenders for this best gaming mouse guide. Plenty of mice turn out to be common street rats, to be sure, but every now and then something comes along that works so well it feels like an extension of my own hand. Without the implicit body horror, obviously.
Just like equipping yourself with one of the best gaming keyboards, finding the perfect peripheral for your other mitt is well worth doing. After all, what piece of hardware could make your life more comfortable than one you operate by touch? To help with the search, we present the very best gaming mice we’ve tested ourselves. The wired and the wireless, the cheap and the luxury, the lightweight and the button-rammed; if you push it around to control PC games, you’ll find the finest examples of it right here.
But then, w go for a gaming mouse in the first place, when (possibly more affordable) office mice can swing a cursor around without any brash ‘gAm3rrr’ branding? Honestly, any mouse is fine for the average point-and-click or puzzle game, though gaming mice often add some genuinely practical, some might even say sensible features. These can range from a wider array of rebindable buttons (especially handy for MMOs) to ergonomic upgrades, like widened thumb rests. And I know that RPS readers aren’t always madly in love with RGB lighting, but hey, you can always switch it off.
In any case, this guide aims to please a range of tastes. And, indeed, hand sizes. The other good news is that if one of our best gaming mouse picks is right for you, there’ll be no need to upgrade again for absolutely ages; mice are, like good keyboards or the best gaming headsets, among the most timeless PC hardware upgrades you can make. Just look at the reader favourite Logitech G502, which has sat atop this list for bloomin’ years.
Best gaming mouse
•Logitech G502 – the best gaming mouse overall
•Razer Basilisk V3 Pro – the best premium gaming mouse
•Logitech G203 – the best cheap gaming mouse
•Logitech G Pro Wireless – the best wireless gaming mouse
•Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 – the best lightweight wireless gaming mouse
•Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless – the best cheap wireless gaming mouse
•Corsair Ironclaw RGB – the best gaming mouse for big hands
•SteelSeries Aerox 3 / SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless – the best gaming mouse for small hands
•Roccat Kone XP Air – the best MMO gaming mouse
•Razer Viper – the best ambidextrous gaming mouse
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Logitech G502 Hero
The best gaming mouse overall
Back in the Before Times of 2019, RPS readers voted the Logitech G502 as your favourite gaming mouse. Good choice – I use one regularly as part of the main RPS test rig. There’s just something so wonderfully complete about it: a sweet blend of comfort, features and tactility, with plenty of opportunities for customisation.
That extends from the removeable weights, which you can swap in and out to adjust how the G502 feels, to the support for multiple sensitivity/input/RGB lighting profiles. Speaking of which, the 11 programmable buttons and close to perfectly placed, ready to be pressed without straining a thumb but not intruding into normal digit-resting space. There’s even a satisfying robustness to their clicking action that you don’t always get elsewhere, even on Razer or SteelSeries’ best mice.
The slight hitch is that the original Proteus Spectrum model only seems available at bizarrely inflated prices. Luckily, you can get the newer G502 Hero – which is basically identical, save for an updated, more sensitive sensor – for much more reasonable money.
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Razer Basilisk V3 Pro
The best premium gaming mouse
I’m almost loathe to replace the Razer Basilisk V3 in this corner of the list, but look, the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro is more or less the same mouse – just with wireless connectivity, a more sensitive optical sensor, and optional wireless charging support. This cutting of the cable doesn’t appear to have done performance any real harm, so even when I’m not on peripheral testing duty, it’s been the gaming mouse I’ve reached for – while the wired Basilisk V3 returns to the kit cupboard.
The Basilisk V3 Pro is a lot pricier than its wired counterpart, not to mention heavier, and if you want its wireless charger – the Razer Mouse Dock Pro – then that’s another big expense. Frankly, it’s a nice but unnecessary luxury, and at least with boring old cabled charging, you can keep using the mouse at the same time. And what a mouse this is: keenly sculpted to fit both palm and fingertip grips, with slip-proof textured rubber sections, tonnes of customisable buttons, solid-feeling optical switches, and a precise scroll wheel. This wheel also has a free-spinning mode, one of the Basilisk’s many similarities with the Logitech G502 series.
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Logitech G203
The best cheap gaming mouse
There are loads of budget gaming mice to choose from these days, but the Logitech G203 Lightsync is by far the best of the bunch. Its build quality is much better than its similarly priced rivals, such as the HyperX Pulsefire Core and Steelseries Rival 110, and it also has a more responsive sensor, too.
It’s reasonably small, but it’s also exceedingly light, making it feel lovely and smooth to move round your mouse mat. Nothing against larger mice, naturally, but they can be more of a chore to move quickly if you have small hands.
The G203 also has two extra side-buttons on the left hand side of the mouse, which can be programmed to do all sorts of diffferent functions. These include keyboard buttons, macros and media controls, and a dedicated DPI clutch / sniper button that lowers the mouse’s speed to whatever setting you like for as long as you hold it down – handy, if you’re into online competitive shooter games.
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Logitech G Pro Wireless
The best wireless gaming mouse
It’s getting on in years, but the Logitech G Pro Wireless remains our top pick of the wireless mice. Thanks to sustained price drops, it’s much more affordable than it was at launch, and its specs and design still stand up against more recent competition. Which is to say, it’s wonderfully agile and super comfy to use, and at 80g it’s impressively lightweight as well (just not to the extent of the newer Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 below). When you combine that featherlight nothingness with Logitech’s practically lag-free Lightspeed wireless tech and its brilliant Hero 16K sensor, the Pro Wireless is as hyper-competent a gaming mouse as it was in 2018.
It may not have a central DPI button like every other gaming mouse on the planet (it’s actually on the bottom of the mouse, for some incomprehensible reason), but Logitech’s intuitive Gaming Software tool gives you plenty of flexibility when it comes to customising its various buttons to suit your gaming habits. Whether you’re right or left-handed, you’ve got loads of options here, including being able to change your DPI or sensitivity setting on the fly for as long as you hold down your chosen button.
The Pro Wireless is also one of the most tasteful gaming mice, design-wise. Its smooth, simple curves are accented by a single zone of RGB lighting over its G logo on the rear of the mouse, and that’s it. Not jaunty angles, no glossy flourishes; just good old-fashioned design that doesn’t make you want to blush with embarrassment every time another human being claps eyes on it.
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Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2
The best lightweight wireless gaming mouse
As much as the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 resembles a barely-updated, right-hand-only G Pro Wireless, this mouse is full to bursting with upgraded tech and clever design touches. The sensor, for example, is a new version of the Hero sensor that can reach up to 32,000dpi, and even at much lower sensitivities it feels as unnervingly accurate as anything on the market. The hybrid optical-mechanic switches are fantastic as well, with just the right amounts of travel depth and clickiness – combined with Lightspeed wireless connectivity that near enough eliminates lag.
At 60g, it’s also tangibly lighter than the G Pro Wireless, and technically lighter than almost every other gaming mouse in this list. Even the scroll wheel is hollowed out to save weight, though thankfully this still has a stable, quiet spin to it. It’s absolutely not too flimsy, either. If anything, the build quality and massive non-stick feet give this mouse a stability that rivals much heavier ones.
The catch is a familiar one: the Pro X Superlight 2’s considerably higher price makes choosing between it and the older G Pro Wireless much harder than it would be otherwise. But the former’s upgrades, and generally smooth, extremely comfortable operation, earn it a place among the best.
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Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless
The best cheap wireless gaming mouse
The excellent Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless can be had for a whole lot less than the Clutch GM51 Lightweight Wireless. This is an absolute steal for those after an affordable wireless gaming mouse, and thanks to Corsair’s super fast Slipstream wireless technology, the Harpoon RGB Wireless feels just as nippy as its Logitech rival, making it great for gaming and general desktop duties alike.
The Harpoon Wireless has built-in low latency Bluetooth support as well, just in case you’ve got one too many 2.4GHz wireless devices getting in the way of things, but even in my many wireless device-ridden home it worked like an absolute dream.
Granted, that’s not enough to make it the best wireless mouse overall – battery life is shorter than on the Viper V2 Pro and Logitech G Pro Wireless, and the Harpoon RGB Wireless is heavier than both as well. Still, there’s a lot to like here besides all that, and you’ll be hard-pushed to find a more responsive mouse for less.
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HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2
The best lightweight gaming mouse
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is a replacement for one of my favourite ever lightweight gaming mice; I even gifted Ed a Pulsefire Haste the first time I met him. It’s time to move on, though, and while I’ll miss the bargain pricing of the original, the Pulsefire Haste 2 is a fantastically feathery mouse that will handle all but the most button-intensive MMOs.
It’s actually a few grams lighter than the Pulsefire Haste, even though it’s gone with a solid shell instead of keeping the previous holey design. This thing glides around like an air hockey puck, yet never feels delicate or poorly made, with crisp left/right click mechanisms and a pair of perfectly weighted thumb buttons. The only misjudgement is the slightly papery stick-on grips, but those are optional, and I’ve happily played on without them.
I’ve also used, and enjoyed, the Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless. This is more expensive and lacks the 8000Hz polling option that the wired model has, but otherwise, they’re close enough to identical. It’s also easily one of the lightest wireless gaming mice I’ve tried, at just 61g.
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Corsair Ironclaw RGB
The best gaming mouse for big hands
For those after a great mouse that doesn’t break the bank and offers loads of extra features, it simply doesn’t get much better than the Corsair Ironclaw RGB. Not only is its large, contoured shape very comfortable to use over periods of time, but its weight of 105g and responsive sensor make it lovely and fast in the hand, too.
Sure, the dash of RGB lighting won’t be for everyone (although you can always turn it off using Corsair’s iCUE software), but it’s a lot better-looking than the hard, ‘gamery’ edges and matt / gloss combo design of the similarly-priced Logitech G502 Hero (and G502 Proteus Spectrum, by extension).
The Ironclaw RGB also offers more functionality than the mildly equally unassuming Steelseries Rival 310. The Rival 310 is still a great choice for those looking to keep costs down (as is the identical Sensei 310 if you’re looking for a cheap ambidextrous mouse), but the Ironclaw does a lot more for the money, such as giving you an extra DPI or sensitivity profile to play with, a braided USB cable, seven programmable buttons instead of six, and the ability to turn one of those buttons into a ‘sniper’ button for on-the-fly DPI adjustments to give you better control when lining up shots in FPS games. All in all, it’s a great value mouse.
I, uh, do not have small hands. I fact I have quite large hands, the kind that create logistical problems when installing M.2 SSDs or eating Pringles. Yet even I can see the petite appeal of the SteelSeries Aerox 3 and its cable-cutting variant, the Aerox 3 Wireless.
Weighing just 57g and 66g respectively, these are some of the lightest, easiest-to-shift gaming mice around, and at 120mm long they’re compact without being too small for a comfortable grip. The Swiss cheese styling won’t be to everyone’s tastes, and could risk turning the Aerox 3 twins into piggy banks for dust if you don’t keep your desk clean, but the holes do help keep the weight down – as well as show off the onboard lighting. Don’t worry about the effect on build quality, either, as there’s no flexing or creaking around the more skeletal bits.
In fact, toughness is the Aerox 3’s party trick, as both models mice are water- and dust-resistant to the IP54 standard. That means the electronics are protected against solid muck ingress as well as slight splashes of liquid, a claim that held up in my testing. I chucked water and soft drinks at the Aerox 3 Wireless, and it always worked fine after drying off.
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Roccat Kone XP Air
The best MMO gaming mouse
MMO mice tend to look more like the Razer Naga Trinity (£50 / $79), with its great wall of thumb buttons, than the Roccat Kone XP Air. This initially appears to be more of a general-purpose, if still higher-end gaming mouse in the Logitech G502/Razer Basilisk vein.
The Kone XP Air still manages to squeeze in an abundance of buttons, however, and the total input count is nearly doubled with its Easy-Shift switch on the thumb rest. This works just like the Shift key on a keyboard: in addition to each button’s primary input, you can assign secondary inputs or macro combinations, and punch them in by clicking a button while holding down Easy-Shift. This lets you wield an MMO-worthy array of commands without infringing as much on the thumb rest space, a clever way of maintaining comfort.
If the Kone XP Air will burn too quickly through your peripherals budget, the wired Kone XP Air has the same layout at a much lower price – though I’ve used both and the Kone XP Air seemingly enjoys a higher build quality, especially for its firmer Easy-Shift switch. On the wired Kone XP, it’s a lot looser, and therefore much easier to press by accident.
The original Razer Viper is an excellent ambidextrous gaming mouse – particularly now it’s much cheaper than it used to be. We recommended the Asus ROG Pugio as well as the Viper due to their wildly different prices in the UK and US, but with Pugio stock levels getting lower and lower and prices going higher and higher as a result, it’s now nowhere near as good value as its Razer rival.
Besides, the Viper has a much more tasteful design than the Pugio, and its two main clicker buttons feel more responsive, too. Plus, the Viper is nicely light, coming in at just 69g. This means it’s super easy to swish around your mouse mat, and never becomes a drag when you’re playing games for long periods of time. Razer’s Synapse 3 software gives you loads of customisation options, too. Anyone disappointed by the Viper V2 Pro adopting a purely right-handed design can take solace in the fact that it’s most ostensibly basic predecessor remains a brilliant ambidextrous gaming mouse.
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Gaming mouse jargon buster
DPI: This stands for “Dots Per Inch”. It’s used to measure a gaming mouse’s sensitivity. The higher the DPI number, the more sensitive your gaming mouse will be.
That said, while many gaming mice boast top DPIs in the 10,000s, this is actually too fast for the human eye to keep track with. At best, most people only need around 1600 DPI, or maybe 2000 DPI if you’re a twitchy competitive FPS player. As such, don’t be put off by mice with lower DPI speeds, as you’ll get just as much use out of them as higher DPI mice.
CPI: Counts Per Inch, and another way of describing a mouse’s sensitivity speed. This is often only used by Steelseries, though, and is pretty much identical to DPI.
Polling rate: How many times the mouse communicates its position to your PC, per second. A 500Hz polling rate, for example, would report 500 times each second. Gaming mice generally target the 500-1000Mhz range, and there’s no real benefit to going higher than this, though cursor movements might not feel as smooth if you manually lower the polling rate below 400MHz or so.
Sniper button: A button that can change a mouse’s DPI speed on the fly when it’s being held down, often to a very low DPI to help players track headshots in competitive FPS games. Sometimes mice will have dedicated sniper buttons, while others will let you program this feature onto one of the side buttons.
Claw grip: A type of mouse grip that involves resting your palm on the back of the mouse and bending your index and middle fingers into a claw-like shape so the tips of them rest on the main right and left buttons. Professional players often say this allows for quicker, more precise mouse movements, and some mice will be designed with this grip in mind. In everyday use, though, it’s very uncomfortable.
Fingertip grip: Another type of mouse grip. This involves using a similar pose to the claw grip, only here your palm sits on your mouse mat, not the back of the mouse. It supposedly makes for faster mouse movements, as you’re only moving it with your fingers rather than your whole hand or arm. If you favour this grip, you’ll probably want a mouse with extra grippy sides.
Palm grip: This style of mouse grip involves resting your entire hand on the mouse. It’s a lot more relaxed than the claw and fingertip grip, and is better for large hand / arm movements. It’s probably how you’re holding your mouse right now.
Best free YouTube downloader apps 2024, Downloading content from YouTube doesn’t have to be stressful. Below, we round up a few of the best apps for saving YouTube videos and explain why you should avoid shady ripping sites.
YouTube has been around for almost two decades at this point. Naturally, plenty of users have come and gone during this time. Additionally, over the years, the platform refined its acceptable content rules and adopted a strict copyright claims system, leading to the deletion of millions of channels. In fact, if you go through one of your old playlists, you’ll almost certainly see at least one of the following errors:
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◦“This video is private”
◦“This video has been removed by the uploader”
◦“The channel associated with this video has been terminated”
◦“This video contains content from [company], who has blocked it on copyright grounds”
Once a video is removed from YouTube, you can’t even see its title anymore. Still, its ghost remains, causing a few seconds of silence whenever you reach that spot in the playlist. You know that you liked whatever video used to be there, but can’t quite remember what it was. Worse still, there’s no way to find out – it’s simply gone.
The only way to prevent this is to download your favorite YouTube videos. This is easier than you might expect, and allows you to make a permanent archive of content that would otherwise be forgotten forever. Here’s a short list of our favorite YouTube downloader apps, and a brief description of what makes each so special:
Best YouTube downloader apps in 2024
1.VideoProc Converter AI: Our first choice for saving YouTube videos. Supports up to 8K resolution and every format you can think of. Can even upscale low-quality video using AI-powered tools. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2.SnapDownloader: Intuitive and powerful service that lets you try all of its features without providing any payment info. Ideal for backing up lots of videos at once.
3.YTD Video Downloader: Simple, straightforward app that supports all of the most popular video-sharing sites. Free to use, with higher speeds and batch downloads if you upgrade to a paid plan.
4.4K Video Downloader: Flexible app that makes it easy to save entire YouTube playlists, extract subtitles, or automatically scrape new uploads. Allows a handful of free downloads, with no limits for paying users.
5.ByClick Downloader: This app is able to backup entire YouTube channels and adds a button to every video for one-click downloading. Free for the first 24 hours, but then you’ll have to upgrade. Only available on Windows.
6.Allavsoft Video and Audio Downloader: Works with YouTube, Vimeo, and many similar services. Offers a batch download feature, conversion tools, and 24/7 support. Five-minute video limit on free plans.
Criteria for the best YouTube downloader apps
There are hundreds of apps that let you download videos. That said, many are far more complex than they need to be for such a simple task. Then there are the downloaders that seem to work with every site except YouTube, or those that come bundled with adware. To make sure we only recommend the best of the best, we looked for services meeting all of these criteria:
•Can reliably download videos from YouTube and similar platforms
•Lets you convert the video to a format of your choosing (even audio-only)
•Has a free tier, money-back guarantee, or trial period
•Provides the ability to queue up multiple downloads
•Boasts a clean, simple, and novice-friendly interface
•Doesn’t ask you to install any sketchy programs during setup
VideoProc Converter AI is primarily a video-editing program but its downloading feature is second to none. Users can try this service for free, though you won’t be able to process videos that are longer than five minutes unless you upgrade to a paid plan. Still, we’d say this is worth doing since the app works with over 1,000 streaming sites including YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. It’s one of the few that’s able to download 8K resolution video.
You’re free to backup a single video, a playlist, or an entire channel, and there’s even a screen recorder in case you’d like to capture live streams as they’re happening. One of the interesting things about this service is that it includes AI-powered tools. These are useful for upscaling standard-definition video to 4K, restoring damaged film, or bumping the frame rate up to 60fps.
Pros:
•Supports all of the main video-sharing sites including YouTube
•Exceptionally versatile
•AI video-enhancement tools
•Very easy to use
Cons:
•Primarily designed for video editing
PRICE:VideoProc Converter AI has a free plan, but premium subscriptions cost $25.95 per year. These include a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free and cancel if you’re not satisfied.
2. SnapDownloader
(Windows, Mac)
SnapDownloader boasts a streamlined interface that’s easy to get the hang of. Users can either paste up to 100 links into the URL field or switch over to the built-in browser and find videos on any platform they like manually. This app supports 360 video, 8K resolution, and can automatically download subtitle files and separate audio. There’s even a trimming tool included so that you don’t waste time downloading silent, boring, or irrelevant parts of the video.
We’re big fans of this app’s scheduling feature. This lets you queue up URLs and choose a time for the downloads to begin. As such, you’ll be able to backup all of your content at a time when nobody else in your home needs to use the internet. SnapDownloader’s website has an FAQ section, but it’s a little sparse. Luckily, there is an email support form in case your question hasn’t been answered yet.
Pros:
•Suitable for YouTube, Tiktok, and more
•Granular control over what and when you download
•Fully-featured free trial
•Downloads up to three videos simultaneously
Cons:
•Website could use a few more support articles
PRICE:SnapDownloader provides a free trial with no payment info required. Afterward, you’ll have to pay $7.99 per month for access. Alternatively, annual plans cost $29.99 and lifetime licenses are $39.99. Monthly plans have a 24-hour guarantee period, and all others offer 30 days.
YTD Video Downloader has a very simple interface, with separate tabs for downloading and converting videos. Users can just enter a URL (or several) and the app will automatically grab everything, regardless of whether the link is to a channel, playlist, or individual video. All of the most popular formats are supported, and this app works with YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo, among other platforms.
This software is free to use, but there are a few caveats. For instance, you’re subject to daily download limits, your speeds are limited, and you can’t use the batch download feature unless you upgrade. There is a seven-day free trial, so unless you’re looking to download thousands of videos, you may not even need to pay anything. If you’re having problems, you can submit a support ticket. There is also a Frequently Asked Questions section on the website, though it’s fairly sparse.
Pros:
•Works on almost any device
•Novice-friendly design
•Ideal for downloading lots of videos at once
•Lengthy trial period
Cons:
•Premium plans are expensive if you pay monthly
PRICE:YTD Video Downloader is a freemium service, although to download multiple videos per day, you need a paid plan. These start at $6.99 USD per month, with annual plans costing as little as $35.88 following a seven-day trial.
4. 4K Video Downloader
(Windows, Linux, MacOS)
4K Video Downloader takes all the hassle out of backing up your favorite YouTube content. It supports YouTube shorts, playlists, and full channel archival, plus it works with your private videos provided you log in via the app’s internal browser. Naturally, other popular sites (like Twitch, BiliBili, and Facebook) are supported too.
There aren’t as many supported file formats, but all of the main ones like MKV, MP4, and OGG are accounted for. Additionally, we were pleased to see that 4K Video Downloader supports multiple languages. The site includes plenty of setup guides and tutorials, although the “contact us” link doesn’t actually do anything.
Looking for more than the free version offers? Good news: this app actually has reasonably-priced lifetime licenses. In other words, after paying a one-time fee, you can download as much as you like, forever. Paid users also unlock the multi-threading feature, allowing them to download up to three videos simultaneously.
Pros:
•Expansive support section, with posts in over a dozen languages
•Can download just about anything, even videos that are set to private
•One-time payment
•Allows multiple downloads at once
Cons:
•Can’t convert to as many video formats as its rivals
•No way to speak with staff as contact link broken
PRICE:You can use 4K Video Downloader for free indefinitely or unlock its full potential with a $25 lifetime pass. Alternatively, annual plans are available for $15. Each includes a two-week money-back guarantee.
5. ByClick Downloader
(Windows only)
ByClick Downloader goes the extra mile to make your life easier. The app inserts a button under every YouTube video, even if it’s embedded on another site, that lets you grab it with just one click. You can directly paste in video links, too. Whether you’re looking to backup your private videos, scrape an entire channel, or archive a Twitter feed, ByClick is up to the task.
The app can’t help you edit videos, but it can convert them to a few of the most popular formats. Additionally, users can choose whether to download a video’s subtitles or just the audio. The app supports roughly two dozen different languages, but unfortunately, the FAQ section on the website is only in English. As such, you may have to rely on translation tools to help you find answers. Users can speak with staff directly using the site’s built-in contact form.
Pros:
•Easily archive full YouTube channels
•Affordable lifetime plans
•Supports many video-sharing sites
Cons:
•Inconsistent multilingual support
•Only available on Windows
PRICE:ByClick Downloader has a 24-hour free trial that gives you access to all of its features. Afterward, you’ll have to pay to keep using the service. Lifetime plans cost $40 but at the time of writing, these are available at 50 percent off.
6. Allavsoft Video and Audio Downloader
(Windows, Mac)
Allavsoft Video and Audio Downloader might not be the prettiest service in this list, but it’s more than capable of backing up your favorite content. In fact, it claims to work with over 1,000 sites including YouTube, Spotify, and Facebook. Popular video formats like MP4, MOV, and AVI are supported, although unlike some of the tools above, Allavsoft’s maximum download quality is 4K.
In addition to its batch downloading functionality, this app comes with its own browser. This way, you can visit any site and simply grab any video you want. There’s also a screen recording feature in case you’d like to backup live streams. Allavsoft’s website doesn’t provide any support documentation or setup guides, but there is a contact form so you can get help if you need it.
Pros:
•Capable of saving video from just about anywhere
•Promises to respond to support requests within 24 hours
•Good amount of customization
Cons:
•More expensive that many of its competitors
•Can’t download 8K video
PRICE:Allavsoft Video and Audio Downloader has a free trial that lets you download up to five videos (provided they’re under five minutes long). Paid plans cost $19.99 per month, $29.99 per year, or $69.99 for a lifetime license. All plans include a 30-day guarantee.
Are there any other ways to download a YouTube Video?
Yes, several. However, they all come with their own disadvantages. Below, we’ll cover a few of the most common ways people download YouTube videos, and why they’re less than ideal.
Premium only allows you to download videos at a maximum of 1080p resolution. Further, you have to check into YouTube every 30 days (and in some places, every 48 hours) or you’ll lose the ability to watch the content you’ve downloaded. Those are some pretty steep disadvantages for a service that costs $13.99 per month.
In a perfect world, YouTube would let paying subscribers freely download any video they like for offline playback. That’s not the case, though. First off, while YouTube is available just about everywhere, there are some countries that don’t have access to YouTube Premium yet.
YouTube-ripping sites
Plenty of websites can help you download content from YouTube. However, many of these only rip audio, not video. Additionally, they usually only let you process one download at a time and may add the name of the website to the resulting filename. To make matters worse, there’s no easy way to tell whether the site is providing a legitimate service or simply trying to trick you into running malware.
Finally, these sites are often taken down when they get popular. YouTube has filed multiple lawsuits against the people who operate these platforms, claiming they facilitate copyright infringement or otherwise breach YouTube’s protection measures.
Browser extensions
A quick look at your browser’s extension store will reveal dozens of addons that claim to be able to download YouTube videos. You’ll notice that the ratings seem to be all over the place, though, and on closer inspection, it seems like most have at least a few comments saying they don’t work anymore.
Let’s say you find one that seems to work. Again, there’s no way of telling whether the file you download is actually a video or just a Trojan. Further, browser extensions tend to be created by single developers or small teams. In other words, any change to YouTube’s backend is likely to result in the app being broken for quite some time.
Am I allowed to download videos from YouTube?
YouTube’s terms of service explicitly say that you are not allowed to download any content without express permission from both the platform and the copyright holder (which you are extraordinarily unlikely to get).
The biggest flaw here is when you stream a video, you’re effectively downloading a copy of it whether you intend to or not. On the plus side, as far as we’re aware, YouTube has never taken action against a user for making a copy of someone else’s video.
In fact, there are plenty of examples of prominent YouTubers who freely admit to doing this. Hbomberguy, for instance, previously covered problematic creators and mentions having archived his target’s channels ahead of time to prevent them from hiding incriminating content. Kevin Stratvert, meanwhile, has millions of subscribers as well as a video specifically explaining how to download content from YouTube. In other words, you should be just fine.
Disclaimer: We are not lawyers and nothing in this article should be considered legal advice. Please do your research.
Why would I need to download a YouTube video?
One of the most common arguments against YouTube downloaders is that they’re often used for piracy. While that may be true, there are plenty of perfectly legitimate reasons why someone may want to get their own copy of a video. Here are just a handful:
•Backing up their own content
•Archiving other people’s content for historical or research purposes
•To include sections of someone else’s video in one of your own (assuming fair use)
•To prevent the permanent loss of media that can’t be found anywhere else
•So you can watch while offline or in a country where YouTube is not available
•Checking whether a visual issue such as artifacting is included in the video itself or caused by the way YouTube renders content in a browser
The best co-op games on PC in 2024, Playing games with other people is one of the beloved traditions of liking video games at all, and if you’re the friendly type like us at RPS, then you’ll enjoy games where you work with others, rather than against them. That’s why we’ve put together our list of the best co-op games on PC for you to find common ground with your besties. Whether you want to shoot monsters together, shoot robots together, or get a divorcing couple to work together as they run around their own home as tiny doll versions of themselves, then you can find something to enjoy on this list of co-op games.
We have broad tastes and definitions sometimes, but key for a co-op game is that you can play with a pal without fighting against each other – even if there might be friendly fire. This means you won’t find any team-based competitive games on this list, such as Dota or Counter-Strike, for example. That’s what our best multiplayer games list is for. We’ve also excluded games that switch between PvP and PvE like Sea Of Thieves of DayZ. They’re all great games, but they belong on a different list.
The best co-op games on PC
Here’s our full list of the best co-op games on PC. You can have a casual scroll through or click the links below to be directed straight to the game in question.
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25. Monster Hunter Rise
After Monster Hunter World rampaged onto PC, the bar for Capcom’s next entry in the dino-adjacent beast-hunting series was high, but Monster Hunter Rise is every bit its predecessor’s equal and makes for a thrilling co-op adventure. That’s why we’ve booted World off the list and replaced it with Rise. That’s evolution, baby.
If you’re not familiar with Monster Hunter, it’s essentially a giant playpen where you and your friends can go out and, well, hunt monsters. The biggest appeal is a group of you wailing on some titan, but there’s a comradery and teamwork in Monster Hunter Rise that is different from other co-ops. You all have to meet in a tavern, eat a big hearty meal before you set off, make sure you all have everything you need, and then off you go, skipping into the deep dark woods where the scary monsters await. It’s these little rituals that really make it shine as a co-op.
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24. Lethal Company (early access)
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Steam always has to have at least one co-op ghosty game in early access, over which people are going bananas. Right now that game is Lethal Company, and not without reason. It’s a bit of a horror game, as you form up in teams for some good old PVE. As contractors for the Company, you collect scrap from abandoned haunted moons that used to be industrial centres. Successfully salvaging enough scrap earns you cash, which you can use to jet off to new moons with more rewards. The trade off, of course, is higher risk.
There are mundane risks like traps, which one player can spot from the ship scanner and call out to those on the mission. But there are, of course, monsters to contend with, especially at night. Some you’ll only find indoors, while others stalk you on open ground. It’s a great mix of learning a bestiary and knowing what to do in different situations, with having a concrete goal (get salvage), and there are many and varied ways to die, so you learn quickly. If you got tired of Phasmophobia and are looking for something new in the same vein, this is it.
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23. Escape Academy
Escape rooms in real life are a lot of fun but extremely expensive for it. Escape Academy combines the twin benefits of being comparatively cheap and being designed by developers who made escape rooms in real life! It’s a great co-op game, whether you’re playing online or via asymmetrical couch co-op (i.e. one of you playing the game and the other writing things down and shouting).
The titular academy is a school where the entire curriculum is based around room escapes. Even art, which seems like a stretch. Each level is a timed escape, often in somewhat dangerous circumstances that you’d imagine would drive the school’s insurance premiums up, with secret codes, cryptic clues, and much frantic running around a library or a locked office as you collect special books, or put post-it notes in the right order.
It’s the right balance of fun and tense, and gets you all reacting exactly as you would if thrown into the Crystal Maze, fruitlessly telling each other you’ve found a paint tin, is that anything? The big, colourful 3D world is non-violent but successfully thrilling, and there are a bunch of DLCs to get stuck into, too.
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22. V Rising
V-rising casts you as a freshly awoken vampire on a quest to conquer the human world. It’s an open-world survival game where you and your vampire squad reap havoc on neighbouring towns in search of blood, all while building a lavish castle and exploring the surrounding gothic world.
Crafting and combat are easily accessible – this isn’t a mega difficult survival game – and gaining your vampiric powers (the best part of the game) is quick work, since V Rising’s boss-focused progression is easy enough to follow. You can decide to join PVP or PVE, but if you’d rather have your vampire rule their own little slice of the human world, you can set up your own world and invite your mates to join. V Rising is highly recommended for folks who are looking for a breezy survival sim, but with just enough meat to sink your teeth into.
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21. Overcooked 2
Overcooked and its sequel Overcooked 2 are both are silly games of simmering and sizzling, the physical manifestation of the phrase “too many cooks spoil the broth”. You’re in a kitchen with up to three other players, and you have to make food to order by preparing and combining certain ingredients. To get this done properly, everyone needs to carry out their appointed tasks pronto. Thing is, it doesn’t always work out that way.
The kitchens of Overcooked are constantly changing. Narrow spaces mean players get in each other’s way. Sometimes the whole level shifts. Benches on a ship will slide down the deck with each large wave, altering the layout entirely, while cooking in two trucks means that one part of the kitchen will occasionally accelerate, suddenly becoming off-limits. How will you get the chow off the hob before it boils into an inedible paste? By shouting at your fellow chefs, of course.
Overcooked 1 and 2 are much the same, but it’s 2 we’d recommend. For one, it’s now got online multiplayer as well as local, letting you play with those geographically distant friends. For two, you can now throw ingredients back and forth between chefs. Your co-chef needs more mushrooms? Maybe he’ll catch the one you just threw to him; maybe it’ll bonk him right in the face.
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20. Stardew Valley
There is a lot of shooting and adventuring on this list, but very few opportunities to hang out in a turnip field. Stardew Valley lets you live out an alternate life as a farmer, away from the hustle and bustle of cities and video games with guns. It’s about escape. Ever since the multiplayer update, you can now escape with friends.
It provides a place to be rather than a challenge to overcome. Each of you gets to dodder around town, either working together and divvying up tasks or ploughing away at individual farms. It’s not that the Valley feels sterile without other humans, but there are only so many blackberries you can hand over to your NPC neighbours before your relationships start feeling one dimensional. With real people in the mix, you get an actual community. Maybe your pal has a spare melon you can give to Penny for her birthday. Maybe they’ll bake you a cake. Or steal your chickens.
People breathe warmth and life into this farming game fantasy that’s already about those things. You’ve got the freedom to pursue whatever charming humdrum activity takes your fancy. Go fishing. Comb the beach. Or, if you want, mercilessly compete to see who can optimise profits. It’s your farm.
You can play through the whole of Vegas 2’s brilliant but flawed campaign with a friend, rappelling down walls, breaching windows and taking out terrorists in unison. While that will keep you busy a while, it’s Terrorist Hunt – a mode where you team up with three buddies to hunt down a set amount of enemies across large sandbox maps – that will keep you coming back.
Guns are powerful and fast; death comes faster. This makes methodically creeping through the maps as a unit, covering corners and assaulting defended positions, an incredibly tense affair. This only ramps up when your squad inevitably gets picked apart on the harder difficulties, right up until three of you are sat watching the lone survivor, the whole success of the mission pinned on them scraping through. It could even be down to you and you’ll feel the tension ramp up as you suddenly become aware of being judged.
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18. Payday 2
If you’ve never played Payday 2 or its predecessor, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was about perfect planning, stealth and crowd control. The reality is a bit different, and it usually goes like this: the four of you excitedly chat about how you’re going to approach a heist, you split up, someone fudges it almost instantly and every police officer in the world turns up to shoot you all in the head.
It’s more wave defense than precision stealth, with each player setting up traps, sharing ammo and trying to keep the police at bay as a timer ticks down. It’s chaotic and messy, but the shooting is weighty enough and the skill trees are satisfying to advance through. It’s possible get through each of the heists without raising an alarm, but it’s bloody hard and you stand very little chance until you’ve unlocked some of the more advanced skills. Still, the possibility hangs there like a 24 carat carrot, nudging you all to have another go until you’ve perfected every scenario.
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17. Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes
The best example of asymmetry in co-op. It involves at least two players – one of you is defusing a bomb with judicious mouse clicks and cautious wire snips, the other is giving instructions from a bomb-defusing manual. Neither player can look at what the other is doing. It’s one of the most perfect set-ups for the destruction of a healthy relationship and a fantastic example of leaving the screen itself behind.
You don’t have to print out the manual to read from it (you could just read the PDF file from a laptop) but we think it’s the best way to play. You flip hurriedly through pages, trying to decipher the theory of these explosive devices. Then comes the challenge of communicating the quirks and symbols of the page in a way that won’t be misunderstood. As the bomb handler, you’re consistently double-checking and second-guessing your team mate as they stammer out their directions. In the end, you’ve just got to trust them.
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16. Arma 3
Arma 3 takes place on a pair beautiful fictional Greek islands. It does have a single-player campaign, but it’s that island, the vehicles, guns and mechanics, and the painstaking attention to detail, that makes Arma 3 great. It’s a platform for the community to create their own games upon, and there’s enough community made content that if you get into it, you could be playing Arma 3’s cooperative mode to the exclusion of any other game.
There’s something about Arma’s design philosophy that makes it especially well suited to playing with other people. Partly there’s the realism, which obviously lends itself well to the kinds of genuine squad tactics you can enact when playing with some dedicated friends or a committed community like ShackTac. Partly it’s the way in which the islands are designed in spite of you, not in service to you, making your steady journeys across the landscape with another person feel more satisfying than overcoming a set of contrived obstacles. Hopefully one of you is a good pilot.
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15. Dead by Daylight
This is one for folks who love playing as the monster. Dead By Daylight is an asymmetrical survival horror sim not for the squeamish. In this 4vs1 co-op, three players take on the role of survivors and one player the killer, in a cat-and-mouse style multiplayer game with simple goals. Survivors must repair five out of seven generators scattered throughout a level to power the exit and escape. The killer, meanwhile, is hunting them, and can strike survivors with a weapon, and then drag them to a hanging hook and impale them on it. Ew.
Skills and abilities are balanced between the survivors and the killer; the killer, for example, is faster than the survivors in general, but is slower at specific tasks, like having to destroy obstacles instead of vaulting over them. With a spookily long list of Killers to play as (including horror film and game favourites like Ghost Face, Pyramid Head, and Michael Myers) there’s plenty of spooky fun to be found with this one.
Here’s a good ol’ fashioned beat-em-up, courtesy of Tribute Games. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is an old-school side-scroller that pays homage to the TMNT games of bygones past. If you’re a fan of the sewer-dwelling reptiles then you’ll love the pixelart renditions of favourite characters from the series, both heroes and villains alike.
This entry is a little different from others on our co-op list, in that its co-op playstyle is much more laid-back than many others of its stress-inducing co-op cohort. What’s great about Shredder’s Revenge that its undemanding basic button-mashing becomes one of its biggest strengths, making it perfect for groups of friends who just want an arcadey jaunt while also having a nice chinwag surrounded by empty pizza boxes.
Valhiem’s Steam page describes it as “brutal” but I actually think this is one of the most relaxing co-op games on this list. There’s something for everyone here. If you’d like to focus on laid-back Viking settlement building and boar hunting in a peaceful environment you can hang out in the sandbox’s first area and do exactly that; if you and your friends are looking for some proper Viking action, you can head off into the world and get your butt beaten by skeletons, grey dwarfs, trolls, and its beastly Norse-themed bosses.
Valheim is still in early access, but there is already loads stuffed into its open world for you to dive into. A beginner’s tip: watch out for falling trees. Seriously, they can straight-up kill you in one splat.
It’s a simple pitch: a group of dwarven friends with class-based skills walk into an asteroid, mine for materials, and fight back the critters who fancy them for dinner. What complicates matters is the need to leave again: once their pockets are full, the dwarves have got five minutes to down pickaxes and reach an escape pod before it leaves without them.
This is even more complicated than it seems, because the asteroid’s tunnels and caverns are a twisting warren interspersed with enormous drops. Re-trace your path inwards in reverse, in a rush, and it’s easy to get lost – and those drops are now, of course, climbs. If you thought to make your ad hoc constructions two-way when you threw them up on the way in, then no problem. If you were hasty, or if your platforms were destroyed by explosive enemies, then you’re going to need to construct a new route. The adrenaline rush of your extraction is a thrill with friends over voice comms all panicking together.
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11. Diablo 4
Like Diablos before it (notably Diablo 3), Diablo 4 is a muddy, grim fantasy world beset by demons, which means it’s sensible to take a friend or two. And, again like previous Diablo games, it’s playable with a squad of four from start fo finish, with drop in multiplayer that tracks progress you made so you can go back to it in single-player if you want. But why would you bother! Exploding skeletons and werewolf monsters is a breeze in Diablo 4, requiring a lot of clicking and spamming your favourite DOT spells, but little else. This means you have a lot of time to bond with your friends.
That’s maybe reductive; one of the best things about Diablo 4 is that it has an admirably freeing levelling system for all the classes, so you can respec on the fly to suit whoever you’re playing with. And if a particular boss is giving you trouble, you can change tactics. Get your Rogue a spell to go invisible so you can more easily res your colleagues, while you can change your Necromancer’s spell path to have more debuffing spells, giving your Barbarian attacks more bite, and you’re on your way to victory.
Borderlands 3 is classic “bigger is better” sequel design: everything you liked in Borderlands 2 (still a great co-op romp in itself) but with more. More gun variables, more character abilities, more locations, more vehicles, more rifles that grow legs and run around as a lead-spewing sidekick. The only thing it has less of is Claptrap, which is a blessing. And so it makes sense that co-op is the way to go in this bombastic FPS game.
At any one time one friend could be ordering a giant battle ant into the fray while another hops into a Titanfall-ish mech suit, a third activates a drone and a holographic double and the fourth performs psychic powerbombs in the middle of it all. The way these character skills can be further differentiated means you never really know which version of each character you’ll be rubbing shoulders with, turning co-operative sessions into a showcase for builds. Of course, the main takeaway is always: I want my own battle ant.
Importantly, it’s a friendlier co-op game than Borderlands 2, too. With instanced loot drops, players don’t have to fight over the same spoils of war, and the difficulty scales to each combatant, so a casual dabbler can comfortably leap into an old pro’s game.
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9. It Takes Two
Hazelight have a knack for designing clever, co-op-only puzzle games, and It Takes Two is definitely their best yet. You and a mate play as bickering couple May and Cody, who get turned into tiny doll versions of themselves after upsetting their daughter. Despite their relationship being the verge of a big divorce bust-up, they must work together to get back to their normal selves, and maybe learn a few life lessons along the way.
It’s not the happiest of stories, all told (and features some truly horrifying moments involving stuffed toys and broken vacuum cleaners), but its puzzles are absolutely top notch. Players must really work together to conquer It Takes Two’s imaginative obstacle courses, and its range of ideas is a clear step up from Hazelight’s first co-op-only game, A Way Out. Even better, only one person needs to actually buy the game, as every copy comes with a free friend pass for your player two.
While many are purists when it comes to From Software’s masterful action RPG, refusing to summon help or forcing themselves to equip just underwear whilst wielding only an overgrown twig, Dark Souls is fantastic in co-op. You can jump in with a friend, with a bit of planning, taking turns to help each other through each section. Even without friends, though, Dark Souls will have you forming bonds with silent strangers.
There’s an unwritten etiquette to the Souls games that sees people treating each other with respect, bowing to each other once summoned and waving each other off or cheering after a defeated boss. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of relief when a summoned co-op partner helps you finally beat Ornstein and Smough – the only thing that comes close is paying it back later, becoming the saviour in someone else’s story. Adam said it best in our review: “It’s superb, populating an already haunted world with phantoms and memories, and providing an eventual gateway by which to become an all-but anonymous hero or villain.”
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7. Spelunky
Spelunky is a moreish 2D platformer with roguelike elements that kicks your arse until it straightens your spine. Although the geometry might be constantly shifting with each frequent death, the rules that govern the enemy types remain constant. After a while, reflexes handle the enemies of The Mines – it’s like peeking into another dimension, but instead of losing your mind you become Neo. Can you dodge bullets? Yes.
Co-op changes the rules, making it perfect for seasoned players to team up. You might think things would be easier with more health and attack power, but stunning, whipping and blowing each other up will be a regular occurrence in the claustrophobic confines of the levels. More players only add more complication and four player co-op is chaos, creating more hilarious ways to fail. Timing, as ever, is key. Now see if you can make it to Hell with friends.
Los Santos is a gorgeous playground, each bend in the road bringing you level with a postcard view – every angle feels scrutinised. Trace a route from the peak of Mt. Chiliad, driving down through the dusty plains of the Grand Senora Desert, snaking by the hilltop mansions of Vinewood Hills, cruising on through the twinkling city itself and finally coming to stop at Vespucci Beach – all this, including the skies above and the sea beyond, is your online playground.
Grand Theft Auto Online is stuffed full of co-op scenarios, but the best experiences are found in the Heists. These multi-part missions ask you and three other players to take part in everything from the setup – casing the joint and grabbing getaway vehicles – all the way to the caper itself. While not all of them are literal heists, each one does an incredible job of making sure all four players are busy.
Everyone has their own job to do, sometimes all together, sometimes in pairs and sometimes alone. This, along with the randomness of the open-world’s systems, gives each one massive replay value. The only real downside is that you really need to play with three friends to get the most out of it. With each heist taking a couple of hours from setup to execution, it can be as difficult to organise as an actual heist.
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5. Minecraft
Nobody knew how huge Minecraft would be when the alpha released in 2010, but there were hints of it even from the first few hours, when the game’s initial players started building rudimentary shapes and sharing screenshots of what they’d created.
Today, Minecraft is played by people of all ages. Part of its appeal, aside from its openness, is the social aspect. Whether helping your child stave off monsters as you build a fantasy land together or collaborating with a group of adults to make a working hard drive, there’s something for everyone.
You can even play it as an RPG, killing mobs with your co-op partner, levelling up and building equipment to grow stronger, with the eventual goal of taking on the final boss, the Ender Dragon. Minecraft is whatever you want it to be and you can play it all with friends.
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4. Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 is based on the Dungeons & Dragons world and ruleset, and that’s a party-based tabletop roleplaying game – so why wouldn’t you want to make it a party in its digi-form? BG3 is the tale of a rag-tag bag of heroes saving a lush fantasy world, getting into scrapes, meeting weird NPCs, and engaging in huge turn-based battles against monsters and ghouls. Much of this, like Larian’s Divinity games, is based on using the different skillsets and abilities of your characters effectively, and that’s much easier to do when the different characters are specced and controlled by other people, rather than you juggling it all yourself.
Unlike other co-op games, Baldur’s Gate’s co-op is tied to a single save and campaign. No fairweather dropping in and out! But this makes it feel like more of a collegiate story that you’re telling together, like an adventure you’re having as a group. Like, in fact, a game of Dungeons & Dragons. It’s worth the effort, and the game itself is a beautiful and complex playground for you and some friends to explore.
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3. Left 4 Dead 2
Panicking with friends can be sublime. That shared fear and desperation, the yells and shrieks of people facing the same horde, each convinced they’re moments from being overwhelmed. In a sense, they already are.
Horror games reach into your lizard brain and convince your amygdala that you’re in trouble. Left 4 Dead 2 is one of the best, because it’s built around saving your friends from that state. When the necrotic tongue of a Smoker comes grasping for your mate, you get to save the day with a well placed shot. When a Hunter pounces on your pal who’s straggling at the back, there you are with a punch and shotgun blast. When a Tank jumps right into the middle of your group… well, you can’t survive every time.
That’s part of what makes triumph taste so sweet. You’re pulling together against an AI director that keeps you on your toes, sending in hordes when it thinks you can take them, but rarely throwing so much at you that it feels unfair. Every level is an appropriately intense ordeal, where cries of frustration can quickly turn into tears of laughter. Ten years on, Valve are still the kings of co-op horror. Especially if you play Versus mode, and know the Hunter tearing into you is your mate Dave.
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2. Portal 2
What happens when you take a single-player game about traversing intricate puzzle rooms with portals, and then double everything? It becomes twice as complicated and twice as satisfying. Portal 2 already expands on everything introduced in the bite-sized Portal, adding things like Excursion Funnels, Thermal Discouragement Beams, Propulsion Gel and other fancy sounding words, but the addition of another player changes things the most.
Four portals make each room more confusing to explore, especially when you consider both players need to reach the exit. In essence, many rooms require two solutions. Some puzzles require both thought and dexterity, and firing your friend across a chasm by moving a portal while they freefall through another eventually becomes as normal as walking.
There’s a lot of personality in the design of the two robotic protagonists, too – the Laurel and Hardy of shiny metal. When you’re working together, you’ll be high fiving each other’s metal hands and barking possible solutions through your headset.
If you’re not using chat, Valve were kind enough to provide lots of ways to communicate in-game, with players able to place markers and emote. Every puzzle solution is punctuated by a dance. Portal 2’s co-op is an experience you can’t quite replicate, its systems a perfect balance of cooperation and friendly rivalry. Grab a friend and become the most stupid pair of geniuses around.
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1. Helldivers 2
In like a bullet to the top of this list is the extraordinarily popular Helldivers 2. Robots to the left of you, bugs to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you, a squad of my pals, merrily immolating all the enemies before us and, quite often, each other.
Helldivers 2 combines a lot of things. Great shooting against horde-style enemies? You betcha. Improbably huge special abilities like actual nukes? Sure thing. Pretending you haven’t set off the bomb in the enemy nest and then exploding your mates for the jape? Absotively.
The titular Helldivers are teams of hard-hitting expendable soldiers sent to clear enemies on planets surrounding Earth, which is at the centre of a global war with giant bugs on one side and advanced robots on the other, so you head down in timed missions do beat them back a bit. The always-on friendly fire is a daring choice, but one players have embraced, along with furious debates over whether the Terminids or Automatons are the worse enemy to come up against.
Buried in amongst this, though, are hints that actually both murderous robots and murderous insects are both the fault of the Super-Earth, though many players enjoy the roleplay aspects of screaming “For democracy!” as they call down an airstrike on a giant monster spitting acid at your mate. Helldivers 2 is simultaneously layered and simple, and it is an instahit you’re sure to love.
Top 20 Best Co-op Games To Play With Friends on PC in 2024 | Best Multiplayer Steam Games
The Best FPS games on PC 2024, FPS games are a classic PC gaming staple, and whether you’ve been playing them since the 90s or started your journey more recently with the boom in battle royales, there are plenty to choose from when it comes to the all-time greats. To help you narrow down what to play next, we’ve created this list of the best FPS games to play right now, from single-player epics to team-based shooters you can play with mates. Heck, some don’t even necessarily have guns in them at all, and you may find the odd boomerang or bow in here too.
The 25 best FPS games on PC
You can find our list of the 25 best FPS games on PC below, which you can either browse in one big gulp, or jump straight to individual entries using the links below. And if your favourite FPS isn’t here, let us know in the comments below. It was number 26, honest.
Kicking off with a newbie to the list, Severed Steel is all about sick stunts. Wall runs, somersaults, dolphin dives, slick slides: if you want it, Severed Steel has it. As you run around each mission while pulling off stunts and completing objectives, you shoot voxel dudes with their voxel guns that you pick up on the go. As you shoot your guns and arm cannon, bodies and walls will explode in a glorious shower of destruction. Oh yeah, you have an arm cannon! It does big damage, and Severed Steel’s destructible voxel arenas (am I saying “voxel” enough?) become your playground when you start blasting through walls.
Severed Steel can feel disorienting at first, but it’s rather forgiving. You won’t take damage as long as you simply keep moving, so it’s all about chaining stunts together to close the distance between enemies and take them down before they land a single shot. It’s the complete opposite of Superhot’s near-constant slow-mo, but it makes you feel equally badass.
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24. Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil Village continues the journey of Ethan Winters and his unlucky hands. As he explores the titular village, you’ll fight lycans, zombies, and more with all sorts of guns. If, like me, you were also petrified by Resident Evil 7 and couldn’t muster the courage to defeat the Baker family, then rest assured that Village is a far less terrifying experience. The first run will still feel tense, and there are some horrifying moments, but overall the atmosphere isn’t as unsettling. A big reason why? Village leans into the chaotic action of Resident Evil 4 and 5, handing you plenty of powerful guns that you can use to pop heads with ease.
Village thrives on that action, and while the first half is a slower, more horror-focused experience, the latter half gives that up for an action game that fires on all cylinders. There are big boss fights, even bigger explosions, and hordes of enemies to slaughter as you see fit. If you’re hankering for more, the Mercenaries mode offers action-packed time trials that rank your combat abilities, while playing the campaign with cheats is an absolute treat. Trust us when we say infinite ammo grenade launchers are the best.
It’s safe to say that I was blown away by Boomerang X. As I said in my Boomerang X preview, it’s the DOOM game I’ve always wanted and it may have ruined FPS games for me. Gun are overrated – boomerangs are the new hotness.
Boy does the boomerang feel good to fling, and you’ll quickly get access to a handful of superpowers that’ll only make the wooden spinner even more fun to use. Like the ability to teleport to it mid-air, or the ability to slow-time to a crawl as you line up that perfect shot. Combat is remarkably fluid and there’s barely any downtime. It’s fast, frenetic, and a whole heap of cool. String together a flawless succession of moves, and trust me, the feeling is unrivalled.
Titanfall 2 could have been the best singleplayer FPS of 2016, if it hadn’t been for the new Doom. Nonetheless, if you want straight-up action thrills with a whole lot of flash, some particularly glorious movement and impressively stressful mech-based boss fights, this is going to make you very happy. And hey, there’s a robust soldiers vs giant robo-suits multiplayer mode in there too, building on what the multiplayer-only Titanfall 1 already established.
That is, assuming you can find opponents. Titanfall 2 suffered from something of a failure to launch, having resolutely lost the marketing wars of late 2016. It may stay alive over time thanks to word of mouth, but even if it doesn’t, definitely check it out for that singleplayer campaign. It is, however, on the brief side, so we strongly recommend playing on Hard difficulty – as well as making it last longer, it makes the mech fights particularly feel that much more satisfying once you finally claim a steel scalp.
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21. Halo Infinite
Halo Infinite landed out of nowhere with a surprise multiplayer launch in late 2021, but it disappeared equally as fast. That’s a shame, because it’s one of the best free to play games on PC right now. Sure, the progression system wasn’t great at launch and improvements were slow, but that core loop of running and gunning around arenas is Halo at its finest. With the campaign dropping a few months after (paid or on Game Pass), Halo Infinite quickly became a full Halo experience – and it might just be the best one in decades.
If you’re after something a bit bigger than Halo’s multiplayer arena shooter, then check out the sprawling open world campaign. Sure, an open world Halo might not have been on your wishlist, but careening around huge spaces in a Warthog while gunning down grunts and hoovering up collectibles is like a bigger and better version of Combat Evolved’s infamous Silent Cartographer level. If you simply miss the Halo of old, then don’t panic. Halo Infinite still has plenty of linear levels sprinkled throughout that feel like traditional Halo.
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20. Deathloop
In Deathloop, a puzzling plot sends you back through a repeating timeloop while you figure out how to assassinate eight visionaries. They’re a bunch of nasties on an island, and if you manage to kill all eight in one night, you can free yourself from the timeloop. The day is split into four sections – morning, noon, afternoon, and evening – and you can only enter one of four areas per chunk. The visionaries move between the four areas throughout the day, so the puzzle is finding a routine that lets you kill all eight. That usually involves finding the moments when they pair off, so that you can execute a sneaky double assassination.
Only, Deathloop isn’t actually that sneaky. Unlike its predecessors in Arkane’s Dishonored franchise, Deathloop seems to focus heavily on action, relishing in the FPS joys of headshotting a bunch of enemies. Time is a weird soup, after all, and death doesn’t really mean anything when you’re trapped in a loop. So, kill, die, and kill some more. It’s a liberating cycle that allows you to really go wild and experiment with playstyles, as you don’t need to worry about future repercussions of your actions if you never make it past today.
In that chaotic action, you’ll meet Julianna. She’s another assassin, but her target is you. Julianna can be controlled by an AI, but the real fun begins when another player takes on the role and invades your world. When Julianna invades, you become trapped in your current area until either one of you dies, or you manage to hack an antenna that allows you to escape. Invasions often result in a tense game of cat and mouse, followed by a huge firefight in which both players use every weapon at their disposal. It’s an explosive end to most missions that delivers frenetic action and memorable multiplayer moments.
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19. Rainbow Six Siege
Rainbow Six Siege does what Battlefield games have thus far only pretended to do: provide a multiplayer world which is destructible at a granular level. Instead of buildings collapsing when scripted levers are pulled, in Siege almost every door, window, wall, ceiling, and floor can have a hole poked in it via gunshot, grenades, battering rams and breaching charges.
It feels like technical wizardry and the consequences ripple throughout the entire experience, creating tension from the ability to be attacked from any angle, encouraging teamwork through asymmetric missions which force one team to defend themselves against the other’s attempt to breach their compound, and forcing traditional Rainbow Six tactical awareness without a planning phase by requiring you to hold a perfect mental map of the building around you at all times.
It’s equally impressive for being a team-based multiplayer shooter that feels fresh, offering something different from the Counter-Strikes and Call of Dutys while staying true to the spirit of the Rainbow Six series.
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18. Warhammer: Vermintide 2
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is all about killing rat people. Slicing them with swords, whacking them with maces, chopping through them with an axe – anything goes when you’re fighting the vermin hordes. Most importantly, though, it always involves bloody carnage that feels oh-so-good. If you’re in the mood for some simple, yet chaotic melee action, then Vermintide 2 is the game for you. And, for those of you screaming about how it isn’t an FPS, every class has some kind of ranged option to try. The bow is a personal favourite of mine, but there are also spells and guns that you can use to blow the rat people to pieces.
Cutting through rat folk might seem easy at first, but when elite enemies start picking your allies off, isolating them from the group for an easy kill, you’ll realise that teamplay is the key to survival. By forcing you to stick together, Vermintide 2 perfectly captures the feeling of being part of a fantasy party. Even if you’re unfamiliar with Warhammer lore, fans of Lord of the Rings or Dungeons & Dragons should find a lot to love here. Sure, Warhammer is a little more grimdark than Middle Earth or Faerun, but when you’re cleaving through rats with an axe while your mate unleashes a volley of arrows on an incoming horde, your fantasy-adoring spark is sure to ignite.
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17. Turbo Overkill
Turbo Overkill is a retro-inspired FPS following in the footsteps of Quake and DOOM, albeit with a techno twist. You’ll charge around arenas slaughtering all sorts of enemies, but along the way you find augments that you can install to gain new powers. That could be a subtle boost, such as extra armor on getting a chainsaw kill, or something a little more chaotic, such as massive explosions whenever you hit the ground. Traversing the map to find those upgrades is a treat, too, as Turbo Overkill constantly propels you forward with incredible speed through its neon-filled streets.
We gave Turbo Overkill a bestest best when it launched in early access in late 2021. But, to reiterate one of the most salient points: you have a chainsaw for a leg. Fun times follow, as you can use that chainsaw leg to skid and slide around while tearing through baddies. They explode in violent bursts of blood, but there’s no time to stop and look at your victims, as Turbo Overkill is all about delivering that huge damage with speed and style.
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16. Neon White
Carrying on from Turbo Overkill, here’s another game that’s about running fast. Neon White is a speedrunning FPS in which you use cards to either kill nasty demons, or launch yourself towards the goal in hopes of shaving off half a second.
It’s that second part that’s really fun, as each of Neon White’s levels quickly become complex puzzles to solve. It’s easy to get stuck in a loop of just running the same route over and over again, sure, but taking the time to step back and wander around the level to see every avenue and secret passage will give you insight into other potential paths. And then you run it and complete the mission an entire second faster. A second! Few things feel better than that.
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15. Hunt: Showdown
Hunt: Showdown‘s this mixture of PVP and PVP, underscored by serious tension. You take on the role of hunters with the express aim of assassinating an AI “boss” tucked away somewhere on the map. Trouble is, there are other squads also attempting to do the same thing. Die and you lose your equipment forever. Survive, and you’ll not only keep your stuff, but get some of the spoils too. That’s the tension for you – every single foray into the dark could spell disaster.
The audio design’s also sterling in Hunt: Showdown too, with gunshots that ring out from miles away, and the clang of chains could help you locate an enemy that’s stalking you nearby. Even swapping your weapon or reloading in quiet moments might give away your position. It’s an FPS that’s unlike anything out right now.
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14. Call Of Duty: Warzone 2
Warzone 2 may not be battle royale king like its predecessor once was, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t any good. Far from it! There’s a brand new gunsmith which lets you tinker with weapons in even greater detail, which makes for even spicier metas. The new map Al Mazrah is – in my opinion – better than Verdansk, in the way it facilitates fights and removes a lot of boring grey in favour of some actual colour.
Warzone 2 isn’t perfect by any means, but what it offers is a free-to-play, triple A shooter with COD’s brilliantly smooth FPSing. It’s also worth noting that the game often receives free updates to keep things fresh, so it’s unlikely you’ll get bored quickly.
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13. Team Fortress 2
That Team Fortress 2 is a sequel and a remake of a sober-as-a-nun multiplayer mod seems almost irrelevant now. But it’s part of what makes the game so important. Valve took years and years to settle upon a model for what has become one of the firmly-entrenched favourites of the PC gaming fraternity, and that they did so allowed it to prove that a multiplayer first-person shooter can be funny, even witty, and that constant experimentation and progression can keep a game alive and evolving long after it should have ground to a halt.
Team Fortress 2 felt like an experiment, and it still feels like an experiment, and that experiment was a success. A move to free-to-play and a hat-centric economy has kept TF2 thriving. The cost of this is that something of the original spirit was perhaps lost in this translation to gimmee, gimmee, gimmee, but we can forgive that.
2016 was in many ways a vintage year for first-person shooters, and the reason for that was because they understood their past. DOOM, obviously; Overwatch returned to Team Fortress rather than COD; Titanfall 2 was the big sci-fi silliness of the noughties again and Devil Daggers… well, Devil Daggers is from an alternate timeline where Quake changed everything and was never forgotten in favour of military men and careful plots.
A beautiful hellscape of big square pixels against a midnight backdrop, monstrous things looming at you from the darkness, and the dance, the endless dance. A pure test of everything that first-person shooters ever taught us. Reflex, awareness, movement, practice, true grit and no surrender. It is about your own time and only about your own time, because that is all that matters – everything else that shooters ever added is mere fluff.
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11. DOOM Eternal
DOOM 2016 was a bloody and brilliant reintroduction to the demon-slaying franchise, but DOOM Eternal takes it to new heights. It doesn’t waste any time making you wait around, opting instead to hand you a shotgun and force you out into the demon crowds. Within moments, you’re platforming around chaotic arenas with an upgraded shotgun, machine gun, and a chainsaw doing what that DOOM guy does best. Namely, rippin’ and tearin’.
Sure, you might have done that just a few years ago in its predecessor, but Eternal pushes you to get faster and more ferocious. It has some new platforming elements that not everyone will appreciate, such as wall climbing and swinging from poles, but when it comes to tearing through arenas filled with hulking demons, DOOM Eternal does it best.
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10. Left 4 Dead 2
Zombies: in 2008 they were still very exciting. They still are today when blessed with Valve’s magic touch, which in a few, brief, cyclic co-op skits adds more life, wit and hinted-at history to its characters and its world than most of the 8 hour+ singleplayer campaigns in this list stuck together. Including Left 4 Dead 2 in the list was complicated, however, given most of what makes it to strong was work done by the previous year’s Left 4 Dead.
It’s a sequel not that different to the original, and not a game that I felt, on its first outing, really changed anything. However, it’s clear with time that Left 4 Dead 2 was a major under-the-hood upgrade, both closer to what was intended for the zombie-blasting horror game, and also a bigger move in the direction of pure co-op, which wasn’t something that even seemed possible before the let’s-all-die-together first Left 4 Dead came along.
Another strong reason to choose this over L4D1 (which still has a more memorable cast of Survivors, to my mind) is how much it’s been expanded by mods. You can stick Deadpool in there, expand it from a 4-player game to a 16-player one, turn everyone into a dinosaur or recreate pretty much the entirety of L4D1 within it. Get thee to the Steam workshop and indulge.
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9. SUPERHOT / SUPERHOT VR (2016)
There ain’t nothin’ new under the sun – a miserable claim that SUPERHOT Team disproved twice in one year. First there was SUPERHOT itself, a shooter in which time only moves when you move (or shoot) (or throw something) (or punch). Then there was SUPERHOT VR, which singlehandedly redeemed the whole concept of virtual reality and easily made it into our pick of the best VR games.
SUPERHOT is both maximum-adrenaline thrills and highly tactical – transforming the first-person shooter from a game about precision aiming and reflexive movement into one in which every twitch counted. The world is super-slow-mo until you do anything, which grants you the time to plan the move but leaves you subject to a devious puzzlebox construction in which one action leaves you vulnerable to some other threat. It is sublime, and it is impossibly cool.
Particularly in VR, where you are making those movements yourself – the ducking, the punching, the throwing, the shooting. The Matrix fantasy without any of the bilge – just superhot action. A glorious, glorious reinvention of first-person violence.
Deep Rock Galactic combines drunk dwarves with some complex tunnel systems and lots of nasty subterranean bugs. The result is often sheer chaos, as four players charge into the depths to mine whatever they need for the big corporation in the sky. You pick a role, each of which has a unique weapon and traversal mechanic, and zip through the caves at incredible pace, collecting ores as you head towards a main objective.
The chaos comes when you’re trying to wrap your head around these main objectives, connecting winding pipelines or powering huge machines, while fending off those blasted bugs that just won’t stop. As you go, hordes of creepy critters will charge in your direction. A rational team might fight them together, deploying traps and getting into a strong defensive formation, but I find the fun in panickedly running away and screaming. But, whether you play Deep Rock Galactic as a true co-op shooter or as a wild romp in the caverns, it’s sure to be a good time.
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7. GTFO
Hurtling down into the dark depths of GTFO‘s Rundowns (levels) is a terrifying start. What’s even more terrifying, though, is when teammates don’t work together. We tend to quickly designate a leader when I play with friends, but someone always wanders off a little too far or fails to follow orders. Lots of screaming, shooting, and swearing ensues. It’s pure chaos with a horror-filled flair, and it’s a great time online. It demands teamwork and precision if you want to survive, but that fills every encounter with a level of tension that few other FPS games reach.
That tension is only heightened by the enemy variety crawling around every level. You never know what might lie behind each door, but spotting a Scout’s tendril as you enter a new area could spell the end of a run. The thrill of needing to adapt to whatever you find, and often sneak past enemies to preserve resources, makes GTFO the best co-op survival horror on PC.
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6. Half-Life: Alyx
Alright, yes, you’ll need a VR headset for Half Life: Alyx, alongside a powerful enough rig to run it nicely. But, if you’ve got both of these things, then you’re in for a treat.
Graham said in his Half-Life: Alyx review that this is “the Half-Life game you’ve been waiting for, even if it’s not the one you were expecting”. And this is because the game’s been designed with VR in mind. You’re now able to reach out and touch City 17, and the motion control shooting “feels better than Half-Life’s combat ever has”.
And Half-Life: Alyx embraces horror too, with moments where you’re cowering in corners or chucking objects to distract enormous monsters. You’re even able to cover your mouth with your actual hand, and have it replicated in-game. It’s very much been lifted by VR, and not harmed by it.
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5. Half-Life 2
Of course. So much is in Half-Life 2, from an unprecedented level of architectural design to facial animation which rendered anything else obsolete overnight, to a physics system which transformed shooter environments from scenery into interactive resource, to some of gaming’s most striking baddies in the Striders and a huge step forwards in making AI companions believable and likeable.
It’s also a long, changeable journey through a beautifully, bleakly fleshed-out world, and although of course you are on the hero’s journey, it’s careful to keep you feeling like a bit player in a wider conflict. That this, plus the cliffhanger ending of Episode 2, left so much more to be told leaves PC gaming in a perpetual state of frustration that the series has, publicly at least, ground to a halt. I don’t think all of it is as striking as it once was – particularly, much of the man-shooting feels routine and slightly weightless now – but Half-Life 2 gave us more than any other first-person shooter before, and maybe even since.
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4. Dusk
DUSK is a retro-styled FPS that’s retro, but doesn’t get stuck trying to mimic retro. It has the gut-spilling impact of the genre, yet mixes it with modern twists: like picking up items to create impromptu climable routes to hidden areas, or just slinging saw blades and soap at foes.
There’s a lot of coloured-key collecting to open doors in DUSK, but it’s spread across loads of complex, batshit maps that only get better as you barrel through through its campaign. There is, of course, a metal soundtrack paired with a level of spookiness designed to make you both enjoy the riff and jump out of your chair within five seconds of one another. Please don’t skip out on this.
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3. Valorant
There’s no elegant way to put this: Valorant is Counter: Strike but with wizards and ninjas. One team wants to plant a bomb, the other needs to stop this from happening. How? By inching around corners, having decent aim, and making strong callouts in the team chat. Patience is rewarded here, as is coordinating with your team to control each map.
If Valorant sounds like Counter: Strike, that’s because the gunplay is pretty similar. However, where it differs is in ability usage. You can choose from a roster of Agents who each have special powers that’ll let them do stuff like teleport across short gaps, flashbang around corners, or heal allies. If this sounds aggressively unbalanced, don’t worry, almost all of these abilities feel like useful tools, as opposed to pain-bringers.
I’d say I prefer Valorant to Counter: Strike nowadays, purely because it feels more current. There’s regular updates and some invaluable tools – like an aim training map – are baked into the game, as opposed to being buried away in a “community creations” section of a store.
Oh my, Apex, what excellent bumslides you have. What solid shootsing you offer. What a delightful bunch of canyons and swamps you’ve plonked us in. We should have known better than to doubt the makers of Titanfall 2’s robot antics. Since its launch Apelegs has added plenty of new characters, new maps, and even a new Arenas mode.
It’s a solid murder hike every time you dive into Apex Legends, and there really is nothing that matches its pace in the Battle Royale realm.
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1. Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is an incredibly fluid MMO FPS with some of the best shooting around, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Whether you want to team up with others to topple big bosses, turn on your fellow players and slug them with a shotgun in Crucible’s PvP modes, or play through epic stories that span the solar system, Destiny 2 has something for everyone.
Whichever activity you prefer, you can easily sink hundreds, if not thousands, of hours into it, and the brilliant gunplay makes it a constant joy. Not only is the best FPS around, I’ll wager that Destiny 2 is also the best superhero game right now. There’s something I love about swinging electro swords and firing off a golden gun imbued with solar energy to kill massive raid bosses in a bid to save the solar system.
Destiny 2 has so much to love, but that doesn’t mean it’s without fault. The onboarding experience is incredibly awkward for newbies, with the removal of the original Red War campaign and subesquent Forsaken expansion making the story completly incomprehensible without watching oodles of lore videos. That proves a chore for even the most dedicated of Guardians, and it’s a roadblock that’s almost guaranteed to alienate new players who try to hop in for a new expansion.
However, it’s a testament to Destiny 2’s strengths that we still recommend it so highly. It’s a masterful FPS with so much fun to be had, regardless of whether you prefer PvE or PvP. And, with so much content available for free, there’s no really no reason not to give it a go. So, off you pop, go decrypt some engrams, get some snazzy armor, and start shooting aliens. Eyes up. Guardian.