What outdated programs do you still rely on occasionally?
What outdated programs do you still rely on occasionally?
I hold licenses for Cyberlink PowerDirector 2025 (PD25), but I still rely heavily on PD14 (2014). My video editing work mostly involves restoring and improving old converted Standard Definition VHS tapes. PD14 handles that much better.
Newer versions of PD seem overly complex and I don’t find them appealing for the SD format. They focus mainly on HD, 4K, and beyond. To date, my Dell XPS 8930 SE running Windows 11 Pro 25H2 has remained stable with PD14, which is what I’m used to. I’ll miss it when it stops working like that.
Have a great weekend.
Regards,
Phil
I've been utilizing Total Commander for a while before they rebranded it as Windows Commander. It remains more convenient for certain operations, such as adjusting file dates.
Notepad and Paint are my go-to tools. I’m not sure if I’d label them old, but it’s clear why you’d need more than these. The calculator is really useful. I’d like to bring an older MSPaint executable onto my work computer—I don’t like the subtle changes over time. Paint 3D has been helpful a few times for transparency tasks.
I don’t rely as much on DOS anymore, but I’ll explore PC-EM during the holidays for some classic Linux gaming. Try running some of the old 9x games that don’t run well on today’s hardware or OS.
I still keep Windows 2000 on a box for my late 90s and 2000s gaming sessions.
I often rely on Zedtek ZtreeWin 2.2.19, which hasn't been updated since 2011. It's the simplest method for viewing the complete file list of a disk within a single window.
I usually rely on the new notepad app for Windows 11 frequently these days. I've been using both the old and new versions for a long time now, and it remains one of the most helpful Windows applications available. GPU-Z and CPU-Z are also a few other older tools that still serve me well.
Paradox 4.5 for DOS around 1993 (runs in DosBox).
Paintshop Pro 7 around 2000 for the capability to print multiple images (various pictures).
Paint for updating screenshots
Media player loaded with many album tracks set to shuffle during holidays so I don’t have to listen to radio ads
Aqua reel screen saver I’ve used for about 20 years if there are strange lines on the screen I believe the newest driver is broken... it used to be common