Key Takeaways
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Google Chrome, Steam, and VLC are essential apps to enhance your Windows computer experience.
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Discord, Zoom, and Snagit are essential apps for communication, productivity, and screenshot capture.
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Ditto Clipboard, WinDirStat, GIMP, and LibreOffice provide useful features for copy-paste, storage management, image editing, and office work.
Your Windows computer is an invaluable tool for work and entertainment. Although some key apps come pre-installed, it’s after you add third-party software that the PC really shines.
Whenever I do a fresh install of Windows on my PC or buy a new copy of Windows, I run the default web browser and download several key apps, including the web browser of my choice, to improve the overall functionality of my computer. I typically have more than 11 applications installed, but the ones I’ve listed below are the ones I absolutely can’t live without. If you’re a Windows user looking to get the most out of your computer, try these essential apps, in no particular order, and thank us later.
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Windows laptops connect work, entertainment, and creativity in powerful computers with impressive displays that fit every budget.
One Google Chrome
Experience fast, secure, and customizable web browsing.
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Google Chrome
It is a free, fast and secure web browser that offers extensive customization through extensions.
I chose Google Chrome as my web browser. It’s the first thing I install on every computer I own (Mac, Windows, Linux, etc.). If you don’t like Google Chrome, there are plenty of other browsers to choose from, but Windows only comes with Microsoft Edge preinstalled. That said, if you’re like most people who have decided to ditch Edge, you’ll need to install your preferred browser, and Chrome is a safe bet.
How to search images using Google Lens in Chrome browser
Google Lens can provide useful information about your images and can be accessed through Chrome and Google Search.
2 steam
Access a massive library of games, from indie games to AAA titles.
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steam
It is a comprehensive gaming platform that provides access to thousands of games in both free and paid options.
I use my Windows computer primarily for gaming, and Steam is a key part of that. Almost every PC game I own is on Steam, with a few exceptions: Epic, Ubisoft, and EA. From Valve first-party games like Dota 2 and Counter-Strike to other triple-A games and indie games, they’re all on Steam, often at discounted prices, making Steam a must-have for any PC gamer.
7 Ways to Fix Slow Game Downloads on Steam
If Steam is downloading slowly, these tips may help speed it up.
three VLC
Easily play almost any video or audio format
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VLC media player
It is a free and open source media player that supports almost all file formats without any additional codecs.
Sure, Windows comes with its own media player, and it’s improved over the years, but I still like how versatile VLC is compared to all the others. It can play almost any file format, no matter how obscure it is. If you have a random video file you want to watch, VLC will most likely play it without any problems. It is also a small and lightweight software that does not take up much space on your system. If you haven’t used VLC yet, it’s time to download it and give it a try.
How to Activate Microsoft Copilot in Windows 11 Even Without Access
Copilot continues to improve, but some Windows users are having trouble activating it. Here’s how: There’s also a way to force enable it if you don’t already have access.
4 Dissension
Join the community and chat with friends across devices
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Dissension
A free communication app for communities and friends that offers text, voice, and video chat across multiple platforms.
If you’re like me and play games on PC, you probably need a way to chat with your friends. Sure, Steam has built-in voice chat functionality, but the server functionality Discord offers is much better. It’s free to download, so you can create your own server and chat with friends without spending a penny. It’s also available on mobile, so you can communicate between play sessions on the go.
What is a Discord bot and how does it help my server?
A Discord bot (or app) is an essential tool for managing your server, making it a more vibrant and safe space for your members.
5 zoom
Host and join meetings using advanced collaboration tools
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zoom app
It is a video conferencing tool that offers a basic free plan with limited-time meetings and a premium plan starting at $14.99 per month for expanded features.
PCs aren’t just for games. It’s also a productivity and work machine. Zoom is the conferencing platform of choice for many businesses, so it requires installation. Fortunately, although this isn’t a particularly fun app, it has a lot of cool features that other video conferencing platforms don’t have. Paying for a Zoom One membership gives you access to more features. I haven’t owned a PC without Zoom since the pandemic, and you probably don’t want to either.
Why does my Zoom video appear upside down and how do I fix it?
Here’s why your Zoom video is mirroring or appearing backwards in a video call, and what you can do about it.
6 7-Zip
Quickly compress and extract files with high compression ratio
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7-Zip
A free file archiver with high compression ratio that supports a variety of formats, including its own 7z format.
You can open ZIP files using tools built into Windows, but they may lack functionality. That’s why I use 7-Zip to open ZIP files because it’s easier to use, faster, and has a much better interface. Is it flashy and exciting? No, not at all. But it does its job well and is definitely worth installing on your Windows PC.
Has your taskbar disappeared in Windows 11? Here are the reasons and solutions:
The Windows 11 taskbar is an important part of everyone’s workflow. However, sometimes they may go missing randomly. Here’s how to troubleshoot and restore:
7 Snaggit
Capture and annotate screenshots for detailed communication.
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SnagIt by TechSmith
A screen capture tool for easy sharing and annotation, available starting at $62.99.
This is another app designed to replace the built-in Windows utility. Most Windows capture tools are fine, but Snagit offers so many extra features that it’s worth buying and installing. This is especially true if you work in a field that requires you to take frequent screenshots (all screenshots in this article were captured with Snagit). Features include scrolling capture, easy-to-navigate capture library, video recording, text recognition, and more. It’s not free, but you can see if it’s right for you with a convenient trial.
I grew up a Windows loyalist, but once I went to Mac I wouldn’t go back. Here’s why:
After using both Mac and PC, there’s no argument. I’m sticking with Apple. Here’s why:
8 Likewise the clipboard
Store and manage your clipboard history for efficient workflow
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Likewise the clipboard
A free clipboard manager that stores your clipboard history so you can easily access and manage it.
Windows only keeps the most recent items you copy to the clipboard, and for some people that’s enough. Personally, I like to keep a record of what I copy and paste in case I need it again later, and Ditto is the perfect tool for the job. I use Clipy on Mac, but not on Windows. I found Ditto to offer a lot of useful features and to be easy to use. If you do a lot of copy and paste at work, Ditto is a game-changing tool that you must have on your PC.
15 Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts you’ll find useful
My favorite Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts are the ones that simplify working, navigating, and writing.
9 WinDirStat
Free up disk space by identifying and managing large files
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windy start
A free, open-source utility to analyze disk usage and clean up your disk.
Have you ever run out of storage space on your computer and aren’t sure what’s taking up all that space? WinDirStat scans your computer’s drives to show you all the large files taking up space, then lets you decide which files you can or should delete to free up space. Even if you install WinDirStat on a fresh Windows installation, you tend to use WinDirStat more because the longer the installation takes, the less space you have.
How to Install Windows 11 on Mac
You can run Windows 11 on your Mac. All you need to do is create a virtual environment. The easiest way is:
10 step
An open source alternative for photo and graphics editing
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step
It is a free and open source image editor that offers a feature set comparable to premium tools.
Everyone loves Photoshop. Not everyone likes paying for Photoshop. If you fall into the latter category, GIMP is a completely acceptable Photoshop replacement that includes many of the same features and is completely free. I find its interface a little clunkier than Photoshop’s, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a worthy replacement that I’ve relied on for years.
How to use virtual desktops in Windows 10 and 11
Virtual desktops are an underrated productivity booster in Windows. Everything you need to master to become a power user is here.
11 Libre Office
Free suite of productivity tools compatible with major file formats
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Libre Office
It is a free, open-source office suite that offers a powerful set of productivity tools that are compatible with other major office formats.
Like GIMP, LibreOffice is a powerful free replacement for expensive apps. In this case, you get a full suite of office software designed to replace Microsoft products. Instead of paying for Word, Excel, etc., you can download LibreOffice and manipulate your documents, spreadsheets, and other files with a smooth interface that will feel right at home if you’re familiar with Microsoft Office. If you’re tired of paying for Office, try LibreOffice. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.