HDSDR is guaranteed to work and may be the simplest way for a beginner.
SDR# should be easier but the FCD might get broken for a while by an update, it is not a priority in this now commercial software .
SDR-Console works with no problems but it is a complex program with many features a beginner does not need.

HDSDR

Home page: http://www.hdsdr.de/

Download: http://www.hdsdr.de/

FAQ: http://www.hdsdr.de/faq.html

HDSDR may be the surest way for a beginner first see Steve's PDF

Some notes on using HDSDR with a FCD are on Alan's (G4ZFQ) page.  Don't install this program into C:\Program Files\, but use a directory such as:  C:\Tools\HDSDR\  instead.

HDSDR requires the use of a helper DLL, named ExtIO_<device>.DLL.  The most recent is from the HDSDR site itself,  This has gain controls integrated directly within the program (see here).

 HDSDR just checks it's own directory for files named "ExtIO_*.DLL" and then:

• no files: starts without an ExtIO DLL
• one file: automatically tries to load this file
• multiple matching files: the program shows a file dialogue to let the user select. Or setup a "Profile" as described here https://sites.google.com/site/g4zfqradio/installing-and-using-hdsdr#Advanced
•  

Other helper DLLs are available for both the original FCD Pro and the newer FCD Pro+Look or ask at the new group, https://groups.io/g/FCDProPlus

For more information of the ExtIO file handling, please see this message.  Of course, HDSDR supports many more radios than just the FCDs.  Please see: http://www.hdsdr.de/hardware.html for a list of supported hardware.  The FCD DLLs are also copied there.

HDSDR installation and Operating Instructions. https://sites.google.com/site/g4zfqradio/installing-and-using-hdsdr 

HDSDR supports Doppler correction via a DDE link to WXtrack.

SDR#

Download page: http://airspy.com/download

Wiki http://sdrsharp.pbworks.com/w/page/62589136/FrontPage With installation instructions.

Note SDR# is now built for the Airspy but will work with many other SDRs including the FCD. Will not work with XP or earlier.

User group: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/SDRSharp/

SDR# supports Doppler correction via a DDE link to WXtrack, Orbitron and SatPC32.

SDR Console

Home page: http://sdr-radio.com/

Download: Follow the Software - Download links on this page.

Support is limited to the older FCD Pro in the early version 1.5, but support for the FCD Pro+ is in the later versions.

QUISK

Home page: http://james.ahlstrom.name/quisk/ 

Download only after reading the above page carefully.

QUISK is a simple SDR meant for experimenters and home-brewers.

It has a 'low footprint' and may run on low power machines, where other software will not.

FunSDR

Alberto, I2PHD has written this. There is a link in the FCDpro+ Yahoo group but not yet fully released. June 2016

The basic Control Utility for the PRO+

Enables the frequency and gain to be set with any soundcard SDR program/decoder that does not incorporate FCD control. May be useful to test. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO UPDATE FIRMWARE.

Shown here.