13 Computer Programs Everyone Installed

Here's a nostalgic roundup of the essential computer programs nearly everyone used to have.

Chris Graciano
October 28, 2025
3 min read

13 Computer Programs Everyone Installed — Christin Hume on Unsplash

Before smartphones and app stores, computers relied on programs that shaped how we worked. These applications became household names, offering everything from music playback to instant messaging. Here’s a look at 13 computer programs almost everyone installed at some point.

1. 1. Winamp

The go-to music player for millions, Winamp was famous for its customizable skins and equalizer effects. It could handle MP3s long before streaming was a thing. For many, it wasn’t just software — it was the soundtrack to the early internet age.

2. 2. LimeWire

LimeWire turned file sharing into a cultural phenomenon. It made downloading songs and movies easy, though not always safe. Between mislabeled files and sneaky viruses, it was risky business, but everyone used it anyway.

3. 3. MSN Messenger

Microsoft’s MSN Messenger was where friendships, crushes, and inside jokes lived online. Users spent hours chatting, sending emoticons, and throwing digital “nudges.” When Skype replaced it, an entire era of internet conversation came to an end.

4. 4. RealPlayer

RealPlayer was one of the first ways to stream videos online. It promised futuristic entertainment but often struggled with lag and multiple errors. Still, it came pre-installed on many PCs, so everyone used it at least once.

5. 5. Internet Explorer

As the default Windows browser, Internet Explorer was practically unavoidable. It worked, but just barely; slow load times and constant pop-ups made it frustrating. Ironically, most people only used it to download a better browser like Firefox or Chrome.

6. 6. Napster

Napster changed music forever by making it easy to share MP3s across the world. It was shut down for piracy, but its influence was massive, paving the way for iTunes and streaming services. For a brief moment, it felt like the wild west of digital music.

7. 7. WinRAR

The file-compression tool that never really expired, WinRAR became legendary for its “40-day free trial” that lasted forever. It made opening zipped folders simple and reliable. Even today, its stubborn usefulness keeps it alive.

8. 8. AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)

AIM was the heartbeat of online communication in the late 1990s and early 2000s. With buddy lists, away messages, and those unforgettable notification sounds, it shaped how people chatted online. When it shut down in 2017, the internet lost one of its earliest communities.

9. 9. ICQ

Before messaging apps were everywhere, there was ICQ. Its distinctive “uh-oh!” alert became iconic for chat notifications. Though newer services overtook it, ICQ laid the foundation for the way we message today.

10. 10. Windows Media Player

Every PC had it, and everyone used it. From watching movies to listening to CDs, Windows Media Player handled it all. Its colorful visualizations during music playback became the background for countless dorm parties.

11. 11. Netscape Navigator

Once the king of all browsers, Netscape Navigator helped everyday users explore the web for the first time. It was fast, user-friendly, and pioneering. However, Internet Explorer’s dominance eventually pushed it into history.

12. 12. Kazaa

Kazaa was another file-sharing powerhouse, notorious for its huge library of music and equally huge amount of malware. Despite the risks, people couldn’t resist downloading their favorite tracks for free. It perfectly captured the chaotic spirit of early 2000s internet culture.

13. 13. Adobe Flash Player

For years, Flash powered nearly all the fun stuff online: games, animations, and videos. It was the engine behind countless nostalgic websites. By 2020, it was officially retired, marking the end of a creative chapter in web history.