The Windows setup for everyone (with free software only)
THIS LIST HAS BEEN DELETED DUE TO A BUG, SO IT MISSES SOME HONORABLE MENTIONS !
This is the apps for Windows 10 & 11 that I would recommend to anyone who just got a PC !
The same list for https://alternativeto.net/software/mac-os/ : https://alternativeto.net/list/29658/my-macos-setup/ https://alternativeto.net/software/linux-kernel/about/ (GUI apps only) : https://alternativeto.net/list/29661/my-linux-setup/
Default apps
I prefer to use this instead of the default File Explorer because it has tabs ! Windows 11 File Explorer now has that features built-in !
Worth mentioning : Explorer++ For nostaligics Double Commander For nerds OneCommander For nerds with better UI
A nice chromium browser with ads and trackers blocked out of the box ! Worth mentioning : Mozilla Firefox (Check Arkenfox if you want more privacy , install uBlock Origin ) LibreWolf If you want Firefox engine with more privacy out of the box Vivaldi (install uBlock Origin )
If like my you use multiple browsers daily this one will be useful. Set it as your browser by default and when clicking on a link it will prompt which browser you want to open.
I prefer this one over the default Microsoft Photos
Worth mentioning : nomacs qView minimal af opti IrfanView Customizable af
I prefer to use AIMP instead of Windows Media Player (Groove)
Worth mentioning : Museeks
The king of media player, better than Films & TV
Worth mentioning : MPV mpv.net Simpler lighter version of mpv
If you read ePUB on your PC I would recommend you this one. For manga lovers check : HakuNeko
Worth mentioning : Thorium Reader AudioBooks also supported ! YACReader Comics focused calibre
A free PDF reader if you need advanced features ! It will probably try to install McAffe or other stuff SAY NO!!!
Worth mentioning : PDFsam Basic features on free tier SumatraPDF Open source
Gaming
If you game on PC you know GOG GALAXY DRM-free games so you own them for real. Epic Games Store They gives free games every week, and 88% goes to the game editor/dev EA App If you suck Ubisoft Connect some games require that shit Battle.net Why not itch.io BE CAREFUL TO DOWNLOAD TRUSTED GAMES BECAUSE SOME UNKNOWN SHITS ARE VIRUSES!!!
If you want to emulate retro games this one is gold when you know how to use it ! Internet have tons of tutorials so you can master it !
If you want standalone emulators :
GBA : mGBA NDS : melonDS 3DS : Citra Gamecube and Wii : Dolphin Emulator WiiU : Cemu Switch : Yuzu
PSP : PPSSPP PSVita : Vita3K PlayStation : DuckStation PS2 : PCSX2 PS3 : RPCS3 PS4 : EXPERIMENTAL don't expect much of it for now !
Xbox (OG) : Cxbx-Reloaded Xbox 360 : Xenia
Master System : Mame Saturn : Mednafen (MAME can also emulate saturn) DreamCast : Redream
For more check : https://alternativeto.net/list/29770/the-ultimate-emulator-list/
On PC you have too many choices for game launchers. Put all your 3rd-parties libraries (Steam, gog, Ubisoft Connect, etc...) in one single beautiful place !
GOG GALAXY can do it too !
Windows 11 wil have some android app support but if you're on 10 this might be nice if you want android games on your PC !
Worth mentioning : BlueStacks LDPlayer GameLoop
If your friends game on PC, they probably use this one to communicate !
If you use a dedicated GPU this tool is really nice even if you don't have an MSI graphic card. It shows video card stats (temp, GPU usage, etc...). Allows overclocking, controlling of fans, etc...
For NVidia GPU ! It let you customize your drivers and NVidia related software, so it allow you to uninstall things you don't need/want ! Worth mentioning : TinyNvidiaUpdateChecker
If you have RGB on your gaming RIG this helps you manage them for any constructor like Razer, AORUS, ASUS, MSI, etc...
To manage games backups !
Worth mentioning : Game Backup Monitor
A nice tool to manage your mods. If you like to tweak and experiment with your games this one is gold !
Worth mentioning : Vortex Peviously known as Nexus Mod Manager
To use Dualshock (PS4 controller) on PC
Art & Design
Another really good free photo editor for Windows.
If you do photography this is useful for photo editing !
Worth mentioning : Polarr
If you want to draw !
Worth mentioning : FireAlpaca
If you want to do pixel art this one is gold !
Worth mentioning : LibreSprite Piskel also in WebApp
If you want to create font and make typography !
Worth mentioning : FontForge 100% free
Free lightweight 8-bit voxel art editor and interactive path tracing renderer.
Worth mentioning : Goxel
For 3D render and 3D animation. Nice UI, powerful tool and awesome community !
Worth mentioning : Blockbench Widely used for Minecraft modeling but it's easy, fast and fun to use but still gives impressive results !
For making video games or 3D environment !
Worth mentioning : Godot Engine
For story writing, plot making etc...
Worth mentioning : bibisco Manuskript
To quickly makes storyboard on PC !
If you want to do 2D animation !
Better than the dead Windows Movie Maker so if you have to edit small videos look at this one.
For more advanced users : Shotcut (Still quite simple) DaVinci Resolve Kdenlive
For making visual FX for movie production or videos.
Worth mentioning : Hitfilm Express
To generate retro sound fx ^^
If you want to compose / write music partition this open source app is awesome !
If you want to play music like a DJ this free and open source tool supports tons of decks from different brands !
Worth mentioning : Blueberry - DJ Mixing Software If you don't have any turntables.
3D CAD for free :)
Worth mentioning : Sweet Home 3D SketchUp
Productivity
Open source alternative to Microsoft 365 (Office)
Not as good as Microsoft Office Outlook but if you care about privacy this is a nice e-mail client !
For invoice making. It's an updated fork of Manta which is no longer maintained. Invoncify adds new features !
A modern UI for your RSS feed :D
Super powerful note making workflow ! Second brain for your PC
I use this one as a way to quickly share small files, pictures, ideas and links securely between my phone and my PC !
Zotero help you collect, organize, manage, search and cite your research sources or books.
If I have to do some code I use this telemetry-free Visual Studio Code fork.
Privacy & Security
My password manager and you should use one too !
Worth mentioning : KeePassXC
When I want more privacy online I use Tor.
If Tor does not fit my use case I use this VPN !
Worth mentioning : IVPN Proton VPN (FREE LIMITED TIER)
A free and open source firewall for Windows
Also known as Windows Defender this default app is working fine for me and should for you to, even better than some paid anti-virus or security suites (if your PC is connected to the internet) !
A useful script to remove bloatware and telemetry from Windows 10 and give your PC a small boost and cleaning !
Worth mentioning : Privatezilla WPD ShutUp10++
A useful app to remove bloatware and telemetry from Windows 11 and give your PC a small boost and cleaning !
To encrypt your disks or partitions.
Gpg4win (GNU Privacy Guard for Windows) is encryption software for files and emails.
To remove metadata from your pictures.
More tools
A powerful volume control center so you won't have to use the terrible one made by Microsoft ;)
If you prefer the classic start menu, Open Shell will bring it back on your Windows 10 PC !
I love the preview features built in macOS and this open source app brings it to windows !
Upgrade your Windows experience with this official tool from Microsoft !
If you work only on one screen this one is a must as it allow you to have a window always on top where you can place images and create moodboards. It's pay what you want so you can put 0 and it will be free ^^
If you are frustrated about Windows 10 settings app this one brings the old Control Panel features into Windows 10 design !
For emoji and memes
For BitTorrent downloading
Worth mentioning : PicoTorrent
Similar to Spotlight for macOS
I prefer to use PowerToys Run inside Microsoft PowerToys !
Download videos from multiple sources (YouTube, Vimeo, Twitter and +) to mp3 or mp4 !
Worth mentioning : Hitomi Downloader More functionnality like downloading all videos from a YouTube channel ! ClipGrab
Advanced screenshoting tool
Worth mentioning : Flameshot
If you want to record your screen use OBS !
Worth mentioning : FlashBack Simpler ModuleArt Quick Screen Recorder Simpler
To look at the sky on your PC !
More powerful than the default zip file manager in Windows
Worth mentioning : 7-Zip
Share large file securely over the Tor Network !
If you want live wallpapers and don't want to pay for Wallpaper Engine check this
If you want to interact or record your Android screen from your PC.
To replace the Phone Link app from Microsoft with a free and open source alternative. Not as polished for now :'(
Worth mentioning : Snapdrop WebApp
If you need to mount/emulate or create ISO !
Similar to CCleaner but with no crap !
If you got infected with bundleware and crapware BCUninstaller helps you removing them easily !
Real time information on your CPU and RAM such as temp, etc...
To see the health of your drives !
To identify the large files on your disk !
If you need to burn ISO on USB drive or SD card !
The name says it all !
Running linux (or windows) Virtual Machine inside your PC.
If your PC have no blue light filter integrated that's the way
Comments
You can add SimpleWall, it's the most intuitive and lightweight manual firewall i've come across. It gives peace of mind knowing that apps you installed can't phone home all the time without permission
SimpleWall is on the list for some time now, just click on "Load more apps" ;)
Very good list! I have some suggestions of my own.
Speccy - For a detailed log of your hardware and system specs
TreeSize Free - For knowing what folder is taking up how much space
snap2html - You can create an interactive html file that lists all your folders on your computer and their content. (Useful if you have multiple external hard disks and you're not sure which stuff is on what disc. This way you will save having to plug the disc and searching it.)
PotPlayer - Like VLC but it can also play flash games, plus it has better interface
Resilio Sync - Sync files between devices. It also has an android and mac version and its very easy to set up.
Bulk Rename Utility - As the name suggests it can rename items in bulk. Useful when you're renaming hundreds of files. UI is a bit messy but it has almost everything you might need,
JetBrains Pycharm Community - Python IDE. Very good and its free.
Hi I have some suggestions.
Instead of ShutUp10++ or others use: 
WPD
and
Instead of ShareX: 
Flameshot
Never heard of WPD, while it looks super basic it also looks like a nice easy option. I know Flameshot, might give an honorable mention, cuz in my opinion ShareX is far superior.
I'm so happy you mentioned Obsidian, FireAlpaca, and Mod Organizer 2! I love those apps
How do you use files as the default app?
I would like to recommend sumatraPDF. Small, fast and can open almost any file type be it pdf, epub etc.