This is the apps for Windows 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/
Storyboarder makes it easy to visualize a story as fast you can draw stick figures. Quickly draw to test if a story idea works. Create and show animatics to others. Express your story idea without making a movie.
To quickly makes storyboard on PC !
Free and open-source 2D animation software for vector and bitmap artwork, featuring tweening, bone rigging, timeline editing, and advanced layer types across all major platforms.
Free, open-source video editor featuring cross-platform support, unlimited tracks, trim and slice tools, 3D animated titles, and video effects for editing projects.
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
Flowblade
Mastershot is a set of free video tools that run in the browser: compress a video to a target size, trim, crop, resize, change speed, remove or extract audio, convert between formats (MOV, MKV, WebM, AVI, GIF and more to MP4), make GIFs, add text or subtitles.
A great video editing WebApp that is free to use but you need to register for using it.
Worth mentioning :
Omniclip
Natron is an open source, cross platform nodal compositing application. It is built around industry standard open source tech such as OpenFX, OpenEXR, OpenColorIO and OpenImageIO. The feature set includes realtime playback/RAM cache, multi-threaded rendering, 2d tracking...
For making visual FX for movie production or videos.
Worth mentioning :
Hitfilm Express
sfxia is a tiny chip-style sound generator for Windows that lets you easily create retro, 8-bit sounds by tweaking sliders or hitting a Generate button to randomly generate a new sound.
To generate retro sound fx ^^
Free open-source multi-track audio editor and recorder with 32-bit float processing. Supports many formats and plugins for Windows, macOS, Linux.
Cakewalk, formerly SONAR, is a comprehensive audio software for music composition, audio recording, editing, mixing and mastering. It features a full suite of high quality audio and MIDI effects and instruments and composition tools ranging from drum sequencer and piano roll...
Create, notate, and playback music with free, open-source software for Windows, Mac, and Linux supporting MIDI, MusicXML, PDF export, and community sharing.
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.
A versatile open-source 3D CAD modeler with modular architecture, suitable for engineering applications across multiple platforms, supporting Python scripting.
3D CAD for free, don't think you could use that for real production industrial workflow :)
Worth mentioning :
Sweet Home 3D
SketchUp
IconViewer is a free Windows Explorer extension that lets you easily view, copy, and save icons contained within programs and libraries. Open a files Properties box, select the "Icons" tab, and view the icons contained in the file.
Save icons as PNG
FreeFileSync is a folder comparison and synchronization software that creates and manages backup copies of all your important files. Instead of copying every file every time, FreeFileSync determines the differences between a source and a target folder and transfers only the...
To create backup more easily
Open-source suite for editing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, forms, and PDF files with co-editing modes, plugin support, AI assistant, and integration across 40+ platforms.
Open source alternative to
Microsoft 365 Copilot
Worth mentioning :
LibreOffice
Cross-platform email client providing POP/IMAP support, robust filtering, multiple accounts, and chat. Extendable via add-ons with RSS/Atom, etc.
Not as good as
Microsoft Outlook but if you care about privacy this is a nice e-mail client!
It is free for Mac, Windows and Linux if you download it from GitHub, and it's paid ($2) for Android and iOS.
A modern UI for your RSS feed :D
Obsidian is a note-taking app that lets you create a personal knowledge graph with ease. It is designed for non-linear thinking and allows you to easily link your notes together wiki-style.
Super powerful note making workflow ! Second brain for your PC
PureRef was created to be a simple and lightweight tool for artists to organize and view their reference images. Image can be scaled and collage can also be made.
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 ^^
An encrypted messaging app focused on privacy, supporting texts, calls, photos, videos, files, and group chats, with no ads or trackers.
I use this one as a way to quickly share small files, pictures, ideas and links securely between my phone and my PC!
Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, share research and cite your research sources directly in your favourite word processor, with 300 MB free online storage.
Zotero help you collect, organize, manage, search and cite your research sources or books.
This repository contains a build file to generate FLOSS release binaries of Microsoft's Visual Studio Code - Open Source ("Code - OSS") project, the open source core of the proprietary 
Visual Studio Code.
If I have to do some code I use this telemetry-free Visual Studio Code fork.
Lite XL is a lightweight text editor written mostly in Lua — it aims to provide something practical, pretty, small and fast, implemented as simply as possible; easy to modify and extend, or to use without doing either.
Stash and hold draggable content until you need it. Dropshelf makes moving and copying files easier and faster.
An open-source Windows scripting language enabling task automation through hotkeys, macros, and keystrokes, useful for creating custom forms and automating data entry.
Become a macro wizard and automate your life
Free open-source tool offers secure, end-to-end encrypted file and message sharing over local networks across major desktop and mobile operating systems.
Like airdrop but over Wi-Fi and for every device
Explore an amazing collection of familiar, friendly, and modern emoji in three styles: fluent, flat, and monochromatic. Search and save images in SVG and PNG formats. Fluent Emoji Gallery app is based on official Microsoft's repository - Fluent Emoji.
To quickly access emoji on Windows, useful if you use them a lot.
Considering that most text editors are eather too heavy or look too old, the author came up with Notepads, designed to be a modern-looking UWP app.
If you miss the Microsoft Notepad app
This is a continuation of Manta App, I'm taking care about the maintenance and new features as I need it.
For invoice making. It's an updated fork of
Manta which is no longer maintained. Invoncify adds new features !
A tiling window manager inspired by i3 on Linux but for Windows
Open-source password manager with AES-256 encryption and device sync. Store and access encrypted logins across platforms like iOS and Android.
My password manager and you should use one too!
Worth mentioning :
KeePassXC Local or selfhosted sync
The Tor software protects you by bouncing your communications around a distributed network of relays run by volunteers all around the world: it prevents somebody watching your Internet connection from learning what sites you visit, it prevents the sites you visit from learning...
When I want more privacy online I use Tor.
Free the internet from data collection with Mullvad VPN – a service that helps keep your online activity, identity, and location private. Only €5/month.
If Tor does not fit my use case I use this VPN!
Worth mentioning :
IVPN
Proton VPN (FREE LIMITED TIER)
Simple tool to configure Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) which can configure network activity on your computer.
A free and open source firewall for Windows
Windows Security (known as Windows Defender Antivirus before Windows 10 May 2020 Update, Windows Defender before Windows 10 Creators Update, or Microsoft Defender Antivirus before Windows 11) is an anti-malware component of Microsoft 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)!
Script/Utility/Application to debloat Windows 10. This comes in hand when setting up new Windows 10 machines without needing to manually remove the bloatware found within Windows 10, along with some "fail safe" features via the Revert-Changes function, and even stops...
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++
Open-source utility offering modules for bulk tweaks, bloatware removal, package management, privacy controls, automation, and custom Windows 11 adjustments.
A useful app to remove bloatware and telemetry from Windows 11 and give your PC a small boost and cleaning !
Script for Windows 11 automates removal of Copilot, Recall, AI Actions, Input Insights, AI-powered app integrations, and disables related features system-wide.
Secure and encrypt entire partitions or devices, including system drives, with automated, real-time protection and enhanced security measures.
To encrypt your disks or partitions.
Gpg4win enables users to securely transport emails and files with the help of encryption and digital signatures. Encryption protects the contents against an unwanted party reading it. Digital signatures make sure that it was not modified and comes from a specific sender.
Gpg4win (GNU Privacy Guard for Windows) is encryption software for files and emails.
ExifCleaner is a free app written in Electron framework, opensource desktop GUI app to remove exif metadata from images and video files with simple drag and drop. It's built on top of the proven ExifTool library and supports fast multi-core batch processing of files.
To remove metadata from your pictures.
A beautiful, fast, responsive, free and Ad-free podcast app designed for Windows 10. The FluentCast automatically adapts to the Windows 10 theme, or you can choose your favorite theme. You are in control. Browse the most popular podcasts by gender.
A podcast app that follow the Windows 11 Fluent Design principles
Free and open-source software to boost sound quality, volume, and bass. Including an equalizer, effects, and presets for customized audio.
A EQ for Windows, feels like a pro app
Worth mentioning :
SteelSeries GG Sonar feature
Advanced volume mixer for Windows 10 and 11 providing per-app control, device switching, audio visualization, hotkeys, automatic updates, and modern interface.
A powerful volume control center so you won't have to use the terrible one made by Microsoft ;)
The best Windows 11 volume mixer and audio manager. Free and open source. Per-app volume control, custom themes, and media overlay.
Apparently a Better EarTrumpet
SoundSwitch makes it easier to switch playback devices (sound cards). With SoundSwitch you configure once between which Playback devices you want to toggle and then you can press Ctrl+Alt+F11 to toggle automatically!.
Switching soundcard (output audio) with keyboard shortcut
Displays battery level, enables easy connect, audio streaming, and notifications for Bluetooth headphones on Windows, supporting many features like noise cancelling.
If you use Apple AirPods
Auto Dark Mode helps you to be more productive. When it is light outside, we enable you to have a bright and clearly readable OS. After the sun starts to set, your operating system switches to a matching theme to take care of your eyes.
This will improve your dark mode experience on both W10 or W11!
Comments
Reccomendation for Android emulator to add to the list:
MSI App Player
First of all A great list that you have made here! I love it! I have minor implementation that I want to add. I agree that Nox App Player is a good alternative than the Bluestacks. Just to inform that Nox is running under a Chinese company named Noxgroup. I am not a software engineer but after using BlueStacks for a while, the Nox really looks and interacts the same as an older version of Bluestacks. (Considering it as IP theft,) And if Nox player is sending telemetry to the company servers makes me doubt on how safe the data is stored to the eyes from CCP. So for now I use the WSA (Windows Subsystem for Android) https://github.com/microsoft/WSA
Yeah, honestly Android emulation on Android always has been quite shady I will consider removing Nox. Note that WSA support has been drop from Microsoft recently, I've recently added to AlternativeTo an app called WSABuilds which is an open source build that is still maintained. Once it is approved I'll add it to the list as the main Android Emulation option. I might keep Nox App Player but will add this guide to debloat it : https://gist.github.com/TameemS/72c4b92131977aced56e727d51599a48
Thanks for this comment ! 🫡
What makes Bluestacks shady ooc?
I would like to recommend sumatraPDF. Small, fast and can open almost any file type be it pdf, epub etc.
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
https://www.henrypp.org/product/simplewall
Source: https://github.com/henrypp/simplewall
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