Windows has evolved significantly over the years, incorporating more features and native applications to meet users’ needs. However, there are alternative software options that truly deserve to be installed to fully exploit your PC’s potential. In this article, we present 8 essential applications that should be on every Windows PC.
Firefox, the Web Browser That Respects Your Privacy
I have chosen Firefox ❤️️ as my main web browser for many years now, and I highly recommend it. Beyond its excellent level of privacy protection, particularly blocking trackers and third-party cookies, its sleek and customizable interface won me over.
Firefox continually expands its features with each version, adding well-thought-out tools that simplify daily browsing. Among my favorites are its comprehensive screenshot tool, perfect for capturing a web page or quickly sharing an element, and its integrated PDF editor, very handy for annotating or signing documents without leaving the browser.
I also appreciate the ability to see my open tabs on other devices and my recent history, which is very useful when switching between a computer, smartphone, and tablet.
Finally, the Picture-in-Picture feature is a real plus for watching a tutorial or lecture while working on something else.
In short, Firefox is a complete and reliable browser that deserves its place on your PC!
Auto Dark Mode, a Handy Utility to Rest Your Eyes
I personally adopted dark mode on my PC in the evening or when the weather is gloomy because I find it more relaxing for the eyes. However, during the day and in brighter conditions, I prefer light mode for a refreshing interface.
While Windows natively offers the ability to switch modes, the problem is having to do it manually each time. That’s why I installed Auto Dark Mode, a well-designed free and open-source application that automatically changes Windows themes (light or dark) based on the time of day. Very convenient, so you don’t have to think about it!
The app allows you to set specific times to switch modes according to your preferences. You can also specify exceptions, like keeping light mode when playing video games or using specific applications.
Additionally, Auto Dark Mode offers the option to customize your wallpaper based on the theme, choose an accent color for interface elements, or change the appearance of your mouse cursor. All these options are easily accessible from the software interface.
if you want optimal visual comfort at any time of day, Auto Dark Mode is the app for you! Your eyes will thank you 👀!
Everything, the Tool to Quickly Find Your Files
Unfortunately, Windows’ built-in search is often slow and ineffective, failing to find the documents we’re looking for. This is where Everything comes in! This small free software is a true search engine for your PC, capable of finding any file in a click, thanks to real-time indexing.
Unlike Windows search, Everything continuously analyzes the names and paths of all files on your hard drive/SSD, allowing it to display results almost instantly, even if you have hundreds of thousands of files.
Its minimalist and clean interface won’t leave you puzzled: just type your search and let the magic happen. You can also use Boolean operators to refine your queries, or even search for files based on their modification date or size. A double-click on the desired result, and you’re done!
No more time wasted digging through your hard drive’s depths; Everything will save you precious time daily. An indispensable tool for anyone who handles numerous files and folders!
Screenpresso, a Comprehensive Screenshot Tool
As a web writer, I take screenshots daily to illustrate my articles. For this, I have my favorite: Screenpresso 📸! Admittedly, it may not be the lightest software on the market, but it perfectly meets my needs. And it’s a French software, so let’s cheer 🐓!
With Screenpresso, you can capture the entire screen, a specific area, or even a particular application. But that’s not all; Screenpresso also allows you to record your screen in video. Again, you can choose to capture the entire screen or just a specific region. This is ideal for creating tutorials or showing someone a precise operation.
What I love most is Screenpresso’s integrated editor. Once the capture is done, I can easily annotate it with arrows, shapes, text, or highlights. It’s perfect for drawing attention to a specific point or adding explanations. In a few clicks, my screenshot is ready to be shared.
Screenpresso is my Swiss army knife for screenshots and video recording. I can’t get enough of it! If you’re looking for a comprehensive and easy-to-use tool for professional screenshots and videos, go for Screenpresso; you won’t be disappointed!
Microsoft PowerToys, the Ultimate Toolbox to Boost Your Productivity
If you want to improve your productivity on Windows, Microsoft PowerToys is the tool you need! This free software suite developed by Microsoft is full of well-designed utilities that will significantly improve your workflow. Since discovering it, it has become indispensable to my daily life.
Among the many tools offered by PowerToys, I particularly adopted Always On Top, which keeps a window on top permanently. It’s super handy for keeping an eye on a video or an important document while working on something else. I’m also a fan of Image Resizer, which allows you to resize images in a few clicks from Windows Explorer without opening third-party software. A precious time saver!
But that’s not all. PowerToys also includes a text extractor to retrieve text from an image and a keyboard shortcut manager (Keyboard Manager) to customize key combinations according to your needs. And I haven’t even mentioned FancyZones for automatically organizing your windows or PowerRename for bulk renaming files.
Microsoft PowerToys is full of gems that will significantly enhance your productivity daily. It’s truly the ultimate toolbox for customizing and optimizing Windows to your needs. And the best part, it’s entirely free and open source!
VLC Media Player, Much More Than Just a Media Player
Although Windows natively includes a media player to play your audio and video files, I much prefer VLC Media Player. This free and open-source software doesn’t just play your media; it’s packed with useful features that make it a true multimedia Swiss army knife.
First, VLC can play almost all file formats, even the most exotic ones. No more compatibility issues; with VLC, you can play all your files regardless of their extension. But what I particularly appreciate are the additional features it offers. For example, did you know that VLC includes a video converter? Very handy for adapting a file to a specific device or reducing a video’s size.
Speaking of video, VLC also offers a very simple-to-use trimming tool. You can easily extract a specific portion of a video, whether to isolate an interesting passage or remove an unwanted part. And if you want to capture your screen in video, no need to install third-party software; VLC directly integrates a screen recorder!
Another little-known but very practical feature: the ability to play incomplete files. If you’ve downloaded a video that hasn’t finished loading, VLC can still play it, at least the part already downloaded. A real plus when you’re eager to watch content.
In summary, VLC Media Player is an ultra-versatile media player that goes far beyond simple file playback. And since it’s free and available on all platforms, you have no excuse not to adopt it!
Easy Backup, Your Data’s Lifesaver
We can never say it enough: regularly backing up your data is crucial to avoid unpleasant surprises in case of computer problems. For this, I found the ideal tool: Easy Backup. This backup software developed by the company Emjysoft (created by Julien Morel) allows you to secure your files effortlessly.
What I particularly like about Easy Backup is its clean and intuitive interface. No need to be a computer expert to understand how it works. With big buttons and a clear description of each, configuring backups has never been easier. In a few clicks, you can select folders to back up, choose the destination (external hard drive, NAS, cloud…), and schedule backup frequency.
Personally, I configured Easy Backup to daily back up my most important folders to my NAS. Since I work on these files every day, it’s reassuring to know they are regularly secured. And the best part, the software is ultra-fast! It only copies new or modified files since the last backup, saving precious time.
Another strong point of Easy Backup: its flexibility. You can choose to back up an entire hard drive, only certain folders, or even specific files. And if you need to restore data, nothing could be simpler. The software allows you to browse your backups like in Windows Explorer and easily recover the files you need.
Easy Backup is the perfect companion for anyone looking for a simple, fast, and efficient backup solution. And the fact that it’s developed by a French company is a real plus in my eyes.
NanaZip, File Compression Made Easy
For years, I used 7-Zip to compress and decompress my files. It’s a very complete and efficient tool. But recently, I switched to NanaZip, a fork of 7-Zip that takes all its features in a modernized interface, in line with Windows 11 design. And I must say I don’t regret my choice!
With NanaZip, compressing files is a breeze. Whether you need to create a ZIP archive to email documents or compress a large folder to free up space on your hard drive, NanaZip handles it in a few clicks. And the best part, it supports a multitude of archive formats, from the classic ZIP to the more exotic 7Z, including RAR, TAR, and many others.
But NanaZip doesn’t just compress your files; it decompresses them with the same ease. No need to look for a specific tool depending on the archive format; NanaZip handles them all! And thanks to its perfect integration into Windows Explorer, you can extract your files directly from the context menu in one click.
What I particularly appreciate about NanaZip is its modern and intuitive interface. No more the old look of 7-Zip; welcome a clean and pleasant design, perfectly integrated with Windows 11. But don’t be fooled; beneath its newcomer appearance, NanaZip remains a very complete tool. You can, for example, choose your archives’ compression level, add a password to protect them, or create self-extracting archives.
NanaZip is the worthy successor to 7-Zip, combining its predecessor’s power with a modern and user-friendly interface. It’s the ideal tool for anyone who regularly handles compressed files, whether to save space, share documents, or back up data. And best of all, it’s entirely free and open-source!
Conclusion
There you have it; you now know 8 applications that should be on every Windows PC. Privacy-respecting web browser, tool to force dark mode, ultra-fast file search engine, versatile screenshot software, toolbox to personalize Windows, universal media player, simple backup solution, or efficient file compressor… There’s something for everyone in this selection!
So don’t hesitate, try them and adopt them in your digital daily life. You won’t be disappointed! And if you have other software gems to share, feel free to let us know in the comments. Happy discovery!
