Best of Windows

These are the best tools for the job. I don't necessarily recommend all of them. I simply find them better than their alternatives.

Includes both FOSS and Proprietary applications. The former are usually preferred.

As
Asuka List by Asuka , last updated 
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  2. First and Foremost

    These are installed on my PC before everything else. They make Windows usable from the get-go.

  6. WPD icon

    WPD

     Like

    Windows debloating, without dumb registry hacks.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    WPD screenshot 1
    WPD screenshot 1
    WPD screenshot 2
    +2
    WPD screenshot 3

  7. Essentials & Utilities

    Your typical stuff. Browser, image viewer, etc. These are the best of their category, and they're all pretty good.

  8. Chromium icon

    Chromium

     Like

    Browser. Not Ungoogled.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • TrueOS
    • Xfce
    Start Page
    Settings
    Addons Shop
  14. MPV icon

    MPV

     Like

    Media player.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    • Haiku
    • Xfce
    • Chocolatey
    MPV screenshot 1
    MPV screenshot 1
    MPV screenshot 2
  15. Icaros icon

    Icaros

     Like

    Fix for missing thumbnails.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Windows Explorer
    Icaros screenshot 1
    Icaros screenshot 1
    Icaros screenshot 2
  16. Microsoft Word icon

    Microsoft Word

     Like

    Word processor.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    New document view
    Microsoft Word screenshot 1
  19. PDF-XChange Editor icon

    PDF-XChange Editor

     Like

    PDF Viewer & Editor. My replacement for both Sumatra and Acrobat.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    • Wine
    Version 10 (2024)
    Viewing PDFs
    Commenting and Annotations
    +3
    Editing PDF files
  20. Visual Studio Code icon

    Visual Studio Code

     Like

    Code editor. Almost an IDE. Electron-based, yet surprisingly good.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    • Snapcraft
    Visual Studio Code screenshot 1
    Visual Studio Code screenshot 1
    Visual Studio Code screenshot 2
    +2
    Visual Studio Code screenshot 3

  27. Could be better

    These are better than their alternatives. They just aren't that good.

  28. Paint.NET icon

    Paint.NET

     Like

    Image editor. Wish it had more features. This is closer to MS Paint than it is to Photoshop. Greenshot's editor often replaces it. Haven't looked into Affinity yet.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • .NET Framework
    Paint.NET screenshot 1
  29. Adobe Premiere Pro icon

    Adobe Premiere Pro

     Like

    Video editor. Has its quirks. Haven't looked into Resolve yet.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Adobe Premiere Pro screenshot 1
    Adobe Premiere Pro screenshot 1
    Adobe Premiere Pro screenshot 2
  30. Qalculate! icon

    Qalculate!

     Like

    Calculator. Slow to open. History and User-defined variables are worse than SpeedCrunch.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Main window
    History
    Keypad
    +7
    Programming
  31. FreeVD icon

    FreeVD

     Like

    Virtual Desktop indicator & hotkeys. You can probably replace it with an AH script.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Default Hotkeys.
    Window Pinning.
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