I looked for the top free and better apps for Windows that can easily replace the natively built-in ones. While this is a growing – and potentially long – list, we kick it off with four of my favorites.

What are the top free and better apps for Windows?

Naturally, this depends on your individual needs and preferences. For me, it’s all about increasing my own productivity. Assuming that I am working on the right things – i.e., I am effective – this shifts the focus to doing these things better and faster by increasing my efficiency.

I have been using Windows since version 2.1. Even then, it came with a bunch of built-in tools and accessories. They were not great then and are not as good as they could be today.

Over the years – or rather decades – I tried many alternatives. Here are my current picks for the top free and better apps for Windows.

If you prefer watching over reading, you may like these videos:

IrfanView

My Take

One of the first things I always install on my PC is an alternative to the native Windows Photos app. My choice is to use IrfanView.

IrfanView has been around for more than 25 years and is a must-have application for millions of Windows users. It is a very capable image viewer and organizer in itself, and with the additional plugins, it gets even more powerful. Both, the core application and the plugins are completely free to use.

Features

IrfanView’s main characteristics are nicely summarized on its web page. It is

  • amazingly compact and fast
  • compatible with any Windows version as of XP
  • available for 32 and 64-bit systems
  • translated into multiple languages
  • simple but powerful

There are many good reasons to use IrfanView. Here are my top 3.

  • Speed & Stability

    IrfanView is fast, lightweight, and reliable. Viewing and editing images is highly efficient.

  • Frequent Updates

    After 25 years, IrfanView is still getting updated - and fast.

  • Plugins & Community

    An active community built - and maintains - a good collection of additional plugins. For free.

Pricing

One-time Fee

0

Subscription Fee

0

Registration Required?

NO

VLC Media Player

My Take

Moving on from pictures to moving images. Instead of the default Windows Movies & TV app, I prefer the free alternative VLC media player.

With more than 64 million downloads, this is clearly not just my go-to application for consuming video and audio content.

Another thing I do frequently with VLC is to convert media content. This can be a simple conversion e.g. from mkv to mp4 or the extraction of a video’s audio tracks only.

Features

While I use VLC on Windows, it is also available on

  • Linux
  • Mac OS X
  • Unix
  • iOS
  • Android

There are many good reasons to use VLC Media Player. Here are my top 3.

  • Speed & Stability

    VLC is no burden on your system at all. It's probably one of the leanest media players you can find.

  • Supported Formats

    VLC's website claims that they play all formats. I did not verify that, but I have yet to find one it does not play.

  • More than Viewing

    VLC allows you to convert media files from one format to another without any further tools.

Pricing

One-time Fee

0

Subscription Fee

0

Registration Required?

NO

Notepad++

My Take

Let’s switch a bit from content consumption to content creation. This brings us to another classic: Notepad++.

This is a lightweight yet powerful text editor. While its main strength is the support of various file types and programming languages, it is also a great replacement for the native Windows Notepad.

Features

Notepad++ offers

  • light and dark themes
  • plenty of built-in options for efficient text and code editing
  • 32-bit and 64-bit versions
  • a portable version
  • great flexibility for customizing how your code shall be displayed
  • tons of free plugins

There are many good reasons to use Notepad++. Here are my top 3.

  • Speed & Stability

    Notepad++ opens as fast - or faster - as Windows Notepad and faster than Visual Studio Code.

  • Multi Document Interface

    Notepad++ allows you to have multiple files open at the same time without having to run it multiple times.

  • Customizability

    You can easily modify any settings - e.g., for syntax highlighting - and create your own User Defined Language.

Pricing

Notepad++ and its community contributions are free. No registration is required.

ShareX

My Take

ShareX is a screen capture, file sharing, and productivity tool. It has been around for more than 14 years. And for good reason. It is lightweight, never in your way, and always there when you need it. It has never been easier to take screenshots of a selected region, window, or screen.

Features

ShareX lets you

  • capture full screens, windows, or custom regions
  • annotate your captures quickly and easily
  • share captures as files or links
  • customize hotkeys and post-capture workflows

There are many good reasons to use ShareX. Here are my top 3.

  • Integration

    After the initial configuration, ShareX is invisible until you need it. And then you get its full power with a single click.

  • Capture Annotation

    The built-in editing tool lets you annotate your captures quickly and easily. Ideal for creating quick instructional screen shots.

  • Sharing

    Apart from just copying the capture to your clipboard, ShareX lets you upload the capture, create a shortened link, and copy the link to your clipboard with just two clicks.

Pricing

One-time Fee

0

Subscription Fee

0

Registration Required?

NO

BC Uninstaller

My Take

BC Uninstaller is a free bulk program uninstaller with advanced automation, removing not only programs but also Microsoft Store applications, games installed via 3rd party software like Steam, and even applications where the uninstaller is damaged or missing.

Features

BC Uninstaller

  • makes uninstalling programs and applications fast and easy
  • removes any leftovers that are often missed by Windows’ default uninstaller
  • lets you uninstall multiple programs at once

There are many good reasons to use BC Uninstaller. Here are my top 3.

  • Speed

    It has never been faster to uninstall multiple programs than with the "quiet uninstall" option in BC Uninstaller

  • Effectiveness

    If you uninstall software, you also want to get rid of any leftovers. BC Uninstaller does this very well.

  • Safety

    You are prompted to set a restore point before uninstallation starts and to make a backup of your registry before cleaning it up.

Pricing

One-time Fee

0

Subscription Fee

0

Registration Required?

NO

EarTrumpet

My Take

EarTrumpet is a powerful volume control app for Windows. You can install it from the Microsoft Store. Once done, you will see its icon in your systray.

Features

  • quick access to volume settings
  • adjust volume per device and source

There are many good reasons to use EarTrumpet. Here are my top 3.

  • More control

    EarTrumpet is perfect for controlling individual sound sources and not just devices

  • Ease of access

    Getting to the settings takes fewer clicks than with the default Windows option

  • Look & Feel

    EarTrumpet feels like it is an integral part of the Windows UI, not like an additional app.

Pricing

One-time Fee

0

Subscription Fee

0

Registration Required?

NO

WizTree

My Take

Strictly speaking, we are now moving on to applications that don’t replace native Windows ones but add functionality, that really should be a part of Windows by default.

The first of these applications is WizTree, which claims to be the fastest disk space analyzer. While I cannot vouch for that, I can confirm that it is really fast, easy to use, and free without any ads or bloatware.

Features

  • super fast disk analysis
  • a detailed breakdown of disk usage
  • visualized overview of disk usage
  • portable version (no installation required)

There are many good reasons to use WizTree. Here are my top 3.

  • Find Clutter

    With WizTree you can quickly find what files are consuming most of your disk space

  • Remove Clutter

    Once identified, you can easily jump to Windows Explorer and delete/archive these files.

  • Speed

    WizTree scans your disk within a couple of seconds and its user interface is snappy, too.

Pricing

One-time Fee

0

Subscription Fee

0

Registration Required?

NO

QuickLook

My Take

The next application also belongs in the category of features that Windows should have. QuickLook does exactly what the name suggests. It allows you to quickly – really quickly – view the most common file types with a single keystroke. Install it, let it run in the background, and you are good to go.

Features

  • supports most common file types out of the box
  • plugins available for additional file types
  • instant viewing of file contents – or properties
  • works with Window Explorer (duh) and Total Commander

There are many good reasons to use QuickLook. Here are my top 3.

  • Instant Viewing

    Regardless of file type and (almost) file size, QuickLook views files instantly

  • Single Key Activation

    Just hit [SPACE] to open/close the viewer

  • Plugins

    If you want to view less common file types, there is most likely a plugin for them.

Pricing

One-time Fee

0

Subscription Fee

0

Registration Required?

NO

Total Commander

My Take

Total Commander has been around for ages and is as relevant and powerful a file management application as ever. It is certainly worth the one-time fee of 37 euros (plus VAT) for a lifetime license.

If you don’t believe me, download the version of your choice and use all its features for free for 30 days.

Features

  • two side-by-side windows
  • multiple tabs per window
  • fast file handling with shortcuts
  • powerful batch file renamer
  • integrated ftp client
  • integrated archiver
  • integrates with 3rd party apps (e.g., Notepad++, QuickLook, 7-Zip)

There are many good reasons to use Total Commander. Here are my top 3.

  • Easy to use

    All common file operations can be executed without needing your mouse at all

  • Batch Renamer

    The batch renamer is the most versatile - yet easy to use - one, I have seen.

  • Configuration & Integration

    Total Commander lets you customize the look and feel as well as shortcuts. It is also open to working with 3rd party applications.

Pricing

One-time Fee

37 EUR

Subscription Fee

0

Registration Required?

NO

Top free AND better apps for Windows - INFOGRAPHIC

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you. These are products I have used and stand behind.

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