OK... I'm not overly fond of the Microsoft Windows Operating System (MSW OS), but when in Rome....
Many common applications such as basic office software (word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, flowcharts, etc.), graphics and image creation and editing, sound management and editing, and so forth, can be found (often for free) for use on MSW, as well as the Mac OS, and also the Linux OS (which is also free).
Occasionally however, there are applications that only run on MS Windows... plus it is the most common OS on Planet Earth... so for now we are pretty much stuck with it.
This section primarily deals with MSW specific issues, but you may see some cross-over to other systems as well. Occasionally (now more than ever) the lines tend to get blurred between system platforms... especially in regard to which programs you can use. Many software packages are available for both Windows and Mac, and some will include Linux as well.
Here are some MSW specific notes in this section.
:-)