Good free programs for various tasks (Windows 10)?

JustAnotherSaver

The programs i have for various tasks on my Windows 7 machine were recommended to me but this is 4-5 years ago. I'm setting everything up to run Windows 10 so figured it's a perfect time to take a look at whether there's anything more suitable.

My only requirement is that the software is FREE.

1. Photo Editing.

I currently use IrfranView. Pretty much i don't do any serious editing, i only use this to resize images in terms of percent or occasionally pixels without quality loss.

2. Video Playback

I mostly use Windows Media Player but recently installed VLC media player and find it to be decent enough.

3. Email (desktop, local, whatever you wish to call it).

I currently use Windows Live Mail. I'm very happy with how it a) looks and b) operates BUT i've read that some Windows update stopped it working on Windows 10?? I cannot stand the browser/mobile layout of Gmail.

A while ago i was looking at potential alternatives and from what i saw, Thunderbird was pretty close to Windows Live Mail so that may be a goer. I took a brief look at the built in email app in Windows 10 but unless you can tweak it any then it's more like Gmail and less like Windows Live Mail & therefore of no use to me.

4. Video Editing

Again, i don't do anything serious. I just trim clips. I currently use a mixture of Windows Movie Maker & Sony Vegas Pro. Yesterday I saw a link to Movie Maker 10. Is this just an updated version of Windows Movie Maker that I use?

5. Blu-ray playback

I currently have Leawo blu-ray player installed but i'm not overly keen on it to be honest. Anything better to play blu rays?

RumRat

For email, eMclient, or, if you want something totally different Spike. 
Thunderbird would probably be the majority recommendation.

Neil_Jones

All those programs work happily on Windows 10 with the exception (probably) of Live Mail, though some people managed to get it working.  Same for Movie Maker, which is part of the same suite of programs.  Other video editing programs are available, but Sony Vegas Pro is not free.  Free trial, but that's all.

A suitable random replacement program for the mail is Thunderbird which can be set up to look similar to Live Mail, though it'll never look 100% exactly the same.

VLC can sometimes play Blu-Ray disks, though it depends on your title.

Cornucopia

For video editing, Lightworks free version is very capable (limited to 720p, tho).   Davinci Resolve is also an option, but is a bigger product and requires a hefty PC.

For picture editing, Paint.Net.  I like that it's more than MS Paint, but not as technical as Photoshop.

JustAnotherSaver

RumRat said:

For email, eMclient, or, if you want something totally different Spike.

I had a look on Google Images for eMclient, clicking through your link. It looks like the built in email app in Windows 10 to me which isn't really like the Windows Live Mail layout so therefore not what i'm looking for. Thanks all the same though.

I liked Windows Live Mail because it looked pretty much like Outlook Express from years ago. Maybe that helps to give you an idea of what i'm looking for?

I've actually tried these different kinds of layouts and i just really don't like them at all.

Neil_Jones said:

All those programs work happily on Windows 10 with the exception (probably) of Live Mail, though some people managed to get it working.  Same for Movie Maker, which is part of the same suite of programs.  Other video editing programs are available, but Sony Vegas Pro is not free.  Free trial, but that's all.

A suitable random replacement program for the mail is Thunderbird which can be set up to look similar to Live Mail, though it'll never look 100% exactly the same.

VLC can sometimes play Blu-Ray disks, though it depends on your title.

Thanks for the feedback.

Regards Sony Vegas, my version is free, but this was obtained years ago.

With VLC is it more the title or is it codecs you download for the player? I haven't been able to play a blu ray through VLC.

Cornucopia said:

For video editing, Lightworks free version is very capable (limited to 720p, tho).   Davinci Resolve is also an option, but is a bigger product and requires a hefty PC.

For picture editing, Paint.Net.  I like that it's more than MS Paint, but not as technical as Photoshop.

I read about Paint.Net last night actually. Looked decent. I've tried out Photoshop before, a really really REALLY old version. It baffled me no end. Too many settings. I'll take a better look at Paint.Net. Thanks.

Heedtheadvice

Picture edits: Photoscape powerful but simple to use, ......not as complex to use as Gimp or photoshop etc.

Email. Mailfence. Simple layout (a bit like outlook) basic one for two users is free, responsible saving of emails etc without loss if not used.....I have used it for a few years, been very reliable browser based so access from anywhere. Used originally for the attitude to privacy and security, I find it a lot more straight forward than gmail which I  too do not like.

A_Lert

Photo editing, I'd try Paint.NET and GIMP, see which one you like more.

Email, I'll give another recommendation for Thunderbird.

mksysb

Photo editing:  Gimp
Mail: Thunderbird
Video player: VLC
Video editing: Shotcut and Openshot

fenlander_uk

Photo editing. I have Photoshop Elements but find that I can do 90% of what I need (and much more quickly) with Faststone. More capable than Irfan, less so than GIMP, but GIMP is a head-banger to use. If you like to correct distorted picture geometry, such as vertical perspectives, ShiftN is excellent.
Mail: Thunderbird
Video player: Potplayer. More friendly than VLC and less processor hungry, with most picture adjustments available via hot keys.
Video editing. For what you do, Avidemux.

JustAnotherSaver

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

JustAnotherSaver

Is Java needed on a Windows 10 machine?

I read that it isn't, yet i'm sure i've been on sites that are telling me to update Java in recent months.