Windows, as the premier operating system is known most commonly for its large library of apps. Windows 10/11 currently stand head and shoulders above the competition. The best thing about this operating system is that you can find software that suits just about every need.
You can find both free and premium versions of a large assortment of apps, while surfing the web. You’re only real task is figuring out which tools (and apps) are most useful, given the large number of free ones, relative to premium versions.
This brings us to this article, where I hoped to make things easier for you. By compiling a list of the best free apps and tools currently available on the Windows platform.
1. VLC Media Player
VLC media is amongst the most well-known media players, available on Windows, Android, Linux and Mac. This software is free to use, and comes jam-packed with features.
When VLC Media Player is used on Windows, it supports a large array of audio and video file formats. So if you’re looking for something to watch your movies on and listen to your favourite songs, then you can’t go wrong with this app.
2. TweakPass
If you don’t have one, then you need one, right now. A password manager is designed to store all your passwords, for all your different accounts, eliminating the need to remember all of them.
TweakPass and password managers in general are designed to make your life a whole lot easier, eliminating a lot of hassle remembering all those different accounts, usernames and passwords, while online. Of the various password management tools, TweakPass is amongst the very best, as it comes with multi-layered security, making it more efficient in protecting your sensitive data.
It can consolidate all your different passwords into a single area. All you have to do is download, install and run a scan of your system. The tool will do the rest. It will locate and automatically add the login credentials it finds to its database.
So, if that sounds like something that may be of use to you, then I suggest you give it a try. Put away that pen and paper or even worse, .doc files you use to jot down your passwords, and use a password management tool.
3. 7-Zip
7-Zip is an unpacking and file archiver software tool for the Windows platform. This tool is capable of extracting a large number of compressed file types.
It also has the ability to compress files and documents, in many different formats. This is a must-have tool for just about every Windows user.
4. Google Chrome
Google Chrome is a must-have, amongst the various web browsers currently available. It’s very fast, comes with a number of convenient features, such as the ability to search Google Lens in an instant, and has a huge catalogue of Chrome extensions. It also features cross-platform syncing, which allows you to access the same desktop tabs on your mobile device and vice-versa.
However, Google Chrome is not flawless, as it does have its issue. Many people don’t like its invasive tracking and its ability to consume a considerable amount of system RAM. But the good thing about all that, is that you do have alternatives, many of which are almost as great, such as Opera and Firefox.
Microsoft Edge is another browser, based on Chromium that you may also want to try, in the event that you find Chrome not to your liking.
5. Audacity
It came out a long time ago, Audacity is easily one of the oldest, yet most effective and efficient PC recording tools out there. It comes with an interface that is very easy to use, making it an ideal app for Windows users, whether you’re a professional or a newbie. Audacity comes with tons of features and tools that allow you to multi-level track, mix and navigate in just a couple of drags and clicks. From the moment you install it, it has the ability to work with a large assortment of music file types. You can use it to convert your files into MP3, which isn’t particular common amongst many recording tools of its type.
In addition to that, Audacity is a pretty versatile app, capable of not only the usual voice recording, but also various other features, such as editing. This alone, makes it stand out as the best audio recording tool out there.
You can’t go wrong with it, and it’s all free of charge, of course.
6. Google Drive
If you don’t have much real interest in the cloud app sector, then let me make things easier for you. Go with Google Drive, as it comes with a large amount of free space. You get 15GB of storage space, free of charge, which you share across your Google accounts with Gmail and Google Photos.
Google Drive comes with its own app, for just about every platform, allowing you to take your files with you. In addition to its ability to sync files that you position in select folders, its desktop app, makes it easy for you to backup any files and folders using your system or an external storage device.
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Sharing files across this platform is also very easy, plus the service is already integrated into Google’s other productivity tools. Whether you opt to use it as your backup plan, or simply as flash storage, or for creating and using shared folders with someone else, Google Drive is an app that you should go with for both Windows 10 and 11.
When you pair it up with OneDrive (which comes pre-installed with Windows) or any other cloud storage service, you can get a considerable amount of space, and organise your files in a convenient and logical fashion.
Google Drive is free, but does cost, if you need more storage space.
7. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
When you first install Windows 10 and 11, it will come with Windows Defender, which is just about good enough for most users. However, for best practice purposes, it’s always best to have a secondary scanner installed, just to back things up.
This brings us to Malwarebytes, which is just about the best secondary scanner out there. With the free version you can scan the entirety of your system for viruses and other malicious threats. But it also features a premium edition that comes with a wide range of features that are definitely worth the cost.
You can download Malwarebytes from its official website, free of charge.
–AUTHOR INFO—
Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT Manager who now runs his own computer support website https://www.compuchenna.co.uk.