It’s not the best statement in the world, but here goes: I love Windows.
Maybe you do too. Maybe you don’t, but you have to use it for work. In any case, all is positive, Microsoft Windows is also something in a handful of tools that are simply archaic or simply powerful for the demands of the modern user.
The good news? The best things in life are often free, and swapping out the default Windows bloat for great free replacements has never been easier. Here are five worth downloading.
Commercial File Explorer for Files
The native File Explorer got a facelift and tweak, but it still feels sluggish and lacks modern organizational features, and navigation between multiple locations is still clunky. It is a famous folder tracker.
Say hello to files. This is the file manager windows if needed currently has. It has a dual pane view that embraces the sleek fluid design of Windows 11 and more importantly drags files between places like this.
It also supports file tagging, so you can stop relying on rigid folder hierarchies and start organizing your files with custom, color-coded tags. And the chef’s kiss: integration with popular cloud drive services.
Commercial Windows is looking for everything
You hit the search bar, type in the name of a file you know, and then watch the little dots dance. Windows Search Indexing is slow and resource-intensive.
Try everything by voidtools instead. Instead of indexing a file contentThis utility only indexes file and folder name In your drivers. The result is pure speed.
You start typing and the results appear immediately. If you know the name of the file you want, it will find everything before you finish the first syllable.
Trade the breakout tool for Sharex
The built-in decomposition tool handles the work when the job is “take a picture and save”. But what if you need to capture a scrolling window, write with arrows and immediately upload images to a shared link?
This is where Sharex shines. This open source utility turns a simple screenshot into a complete workflow. After capturing your site (with advanced options like scrolling), Sharex can automatically upload it to dozens of online services, shorten the link, and copy your link to your clipboard.
This eliminates the manual steps of saving, opening a browser, and downloading. It is a massive productivity wheel.
Notepad++ for Notepad
Notepad is a fossil: a blank canvas that knows how to hold text and nothing else. Great for pure simplicity, but completely useless for something that requires a basic efficiency like seeing source code or configuration files.
Notepad++ is not only a better text editor; It is a standard utility for developers and power users.
It offers a tabbed document view, syntax for dozens of languages, and incredibly powerful search and replace functionality. Handles large files beautifully and supports macros and plugin types that are infinitely smoother with text-based data.
Commercial recorder
Windows’ current voice recorder is serious about capturing audio: a basic, single-track program with zero customization capabilities. If you want to cut the start, remove background noise or layer tracks, you’re out of luck.
Free, open-source audio editing, the father of the family, is a full-fledged, multitrack digital audio workstation (DAW) that costs zero dollars.
You can record, edit, mix and play audio with an extensive library of free effects and tools. Whether you’re cutting an interview clip, cleaning up a podcast recording, or digitizing an old tape, you can rip it, blow the built-in Windows recorder out of the water, and offer Pro-Level features.