Revitalized Guide: Essential Apps for a Fresh Windows 11 Setup
Must-have software for Windows 11 power users upon PC setup:
Looking for a more enabled experience on your shiny new Windows 11? Why stick with the default tools when there's a plethora of top-notch alternatives out there, handpicked to bring you better performance, functionality, and customization options? Here's a curated selection of apps I recommend installing on your fresh Windows 11 setup, whether for a brand-new PC or a spick-and-span installation.
The Top 12 Apps to Supercharge Your Windows 11
Of course, this isn't a tailor-made list for specific user categories like video editors, graphic designers, or accountants, seeing as such roles typically call for specific toolsets. Instead, this is a versatile set of indispensable tools that every user should consider adding to their PC's foundation.
1. PowerToys
I'd be remiss in not kicking things off with PowerToys. This acclaimed app has a rich history, tracing its roots back to Windows 95 before being revitalized for Windows XP and again emerging for Windows 10 (and 11) in 2019. Developed by the folks at Microsoft, PowerToys is a collection of free, open-source utilities designed to bolster the operating system's functionality for power users.
2. Windows Terminal Preview
The Windows Terminal is a modern, speedy, efficient, and eminently customizable terminal app, lovingly crafted by the Microsoft team to serve as a central hub for running Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Linux on Windows 10, 11, and later versions. While Windows 11 includes the Windows Terminal, the official stable version often lags behind in terms of features and improvements. The Preview version, on the other hand, offers early access to upcoming features, bug fixes, and enhancements.
3. NanaZip
While navigating the file system of Windows 11, you'll find that File Explorer offers file compression and decompression abilities, supporting formats like ZIP, TAR, and RAR. However, these features come with limitations, such as the inability to compress and split a container or work with encryption. Nanazip aims to fill those gaps with its third-party tool. As an open-source fork of 7zip, NanaZip sports a contemporary interface that mimics the Windows 11 aesthetic and supports the new context menu available on Windows 11.
4. EarTrumpet
EarTrumpet is an open-source volume control app designed to lend greater control over your audio experience, enhancing and supplanting the default volume mixer. This little gem makes adjusting system-wide or per-application volumes effortless by offering a more intuitive and granular approach through the EarTrumpet flyout in the Taskbar.
5. QuickLook
QuickLook is a handy app that enables users to preview images, text files, and other formats without launching the dedicated app. With a simple keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + Spacebar), you can swiftly inspect files, making it a slick alternative to manually opening and navigating each file.
6. Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a free, open-source, and wildly popular code editor by Microsoft. Unlike the hefty Visual Studio, VS Code treads the line between a lightweight editor and an Integrated Development Environment (IDE), offering the fundamental tools needed for almost any sort of code development, and boasting an ease of use that appeals to both novice programmers and seasoned pros.
7. Obsidian
Bemused by notes apps that can't seem to meet your expectations? Give Obsidian a try. This award-winning note-taking app is a proper game-changer, catering to both basic note-taking needs and advanced users seeking to manage their ideas and thoughts in a more interconnected manner. The nuts and bolts of Obsidian are as follows:
- Cross-platform app: Since it runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, you'll have access to your notes wherever you go.
- Offline access: Thanks to files being stored locally on your device, you can operate sans internet connection.
- Linking: Connect ideas with links, creating a network of knowledge similar to how the brain works.
- Graph view: Visualize the connections between your notes in a dynamic, interactive graphic that reveals hidden relationships between your thoughts.
- Active community: A bustling community of users develops and shares plugins that add exciting functionality to the app.
- Templates: Use prefab templates for various types of notes to streamline your workflow.
8. Everything
While Windows 11 includes search functionality, it isn't always the most reliable or speedy, sometimes falling short when looking for a specific result. That’s when Everything steps in, leveling up the search game by indexing everything stored on your PC in real-time. With its lightning-fast search capabilities, this tiny tool offers a smoother experience compared to its built-in counterpart.
9. Files App
Wanting a more contemporary experience in file management? The Files App might be the answer. A third-party file manager for Windows 11 that provides a modern, enhanced alternative to the default File Explorer app. Some of the keen features that set Files apart include:
- Customizable interface: Independently tweak the color scheme and mode to personalize your file management experience.
- Dual pane support: Manage two folders side by side without the need to open multiple instances.
- Tags support: Organize your files and folders with customizable tags, making it a breeze to filter content based on your defined categories.
- Cloud integration: Manage files from multiple cloud drives, such as OneDrive, Google Drive, and iCloud, all within the app.
10. Auto Dark Mode
Tired of constantly toggling between dark and light modes? Auto Dark Mode puts an end to that annoyance by offering the option to switch modes automatically at a custom time, sunrise or sunset, or when the Night Light feature activates. Customize the desktop background to change with the color mode for an added touch.
11. WinDirStat
How does one get a grasp on their storage woes on Windows 11? By employing WinDirStat, of course! This free tool analyzes your entire drive, helping you determine exactly which files are taking up valuable space. Thanks to its graphical report, it's much easier to spot and wipe away junk files than by browsing through folders in File Explorer.
12. VLC
Rounding off this list is the venerable VLC Media Player (often simply called VLC), developed by the VideoLAN project. An enduring classic, this app sports cross-platform compatibility and the ability to play practically any media file you can throw at it, making it a must-have for any clean Windows 11 installation.
These apps aren't just popular; they're downright practical—filling in the blanks left by the built-in tools on Windows 11.
That's a Wrap!
What are some essential apps you can't live without on your Windows 11 installation? Share your thoughts below!
Additional Resources
fundamental guides, tips, and resources on all things Windows 11 and Windows 10:
- Windows 11 on our website - All you need to know
- Windows 10 on our website - All you need to know
- To unlock additional features and customization options within Windows 11, consider installing Microsoft's PowerToys, a free open-source utility.
- The Windows Terminal Preview offers early access to upcoming features, bug fixes, and enhancements for a smoother Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Linux experience on Windows 11.
- NanaZip, an open-source third-party tool, offers advanced file compression and decompression functionality missing within the default Windows 11 File Explorer.
- EarTrumpet, an open-source volume control app, offers a more intuitive and granular approach to managing your audio experience within Windows 11.
- QuickLook enables users to preview files without launching the dedicated app, offering convenience and time-savings.
- Visual Studio Code, a free open-source code editor developed by Microsoft, is popular among developers looking for a lightweight yet powerful code editor for multiple programming languages.
- Obsidian, an award-winning note-taking app, offers a networked knowledge environment for managing ideas, thoughts, and notes across multiple platforms.
- Everything, a powerful search tool, indexes files on your Windows 11 PC and offers faster, more reliable search results than the built-in Windows 11 search functionality.
- Files App, a modern third-party file manager for Windows 11, offers customizable interfaces, dual-pane support, tags support, and cloud integration.
- Auto Dark Mode enables users to automatically switch between dark and light modes on Windows 11 based on customizable time periods or system settings.
- WinDirStat, a free tool, analyzes your entire drive on Windows 11 and provides a graphical report to determines which files are taking up used storage space.
- VLC media player, developed by the VideoLAN project, is a cross-platform app that can play almost any video or audio file, making it indispensable for a clean Windows 11 installation.
These apps help Fill the gaps left by the built-in tools on Windows 11, improving your overall user experience and productivity.
