Essential Software for Your Windows PC: A Curated Guide (Updated April 2022)
Keeping your Windows PC productive, secure, and efficient requires the right set of software tools. Whether you’re a casual user, a professional, or a developer, selecting the best applications can significantly enhance your workflow. This guide presents a curated list of essential software, highlighting free and paid options, with recent updates to ensure you’re equipped with tried-and-true utilities.
Streamlined Package Management with winget
For those who utilize the Windows Package Manager (winget), I recommend exploring Yuki—a free and open-source utility that provides an interactive interface for effortlessly installing my recommended software. It simplifies managing your applications, especially as your setup grows more complex.
Must-Have Applications for Daily Use
Task Management: TickTick
After trying over twenty to-do apps, TickTick stands out as my favorite. Its cross-platform compatibility and robust feature set make task organization seamless across devices.
Honorable Mention: If you are deeply integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, Microsoft To Do offers tight Outlook integration, allowing flagged emails to appear directly in your task list—a productivity booster.
Modern Browsing: Microsoft Edge Dev
Built on Chromium, Microsoft Edge Dev is the latest iteration of Microsoft’s browser, packed with innovative features and active development. If you’re comfortable with Microsoft handling your data, Edge currently delivers top-tier performance and weekly feature updates.
Note-Taking & Journaling: Obsidian
Obsidian is a powerful, flexible note-taking app that excels as a personal knowledge base. The free version requires hosting your vault locally or in your cloud storage—setting this up is straightforward and allows for extensive customization via community plugins.
Media Playback: mpv.net
For versatile media playback with a clean interface and minimal configuration, mpv.net is an excellent choice. It works out of the box and supports a wide range of formats.
Default Media Player Enhancements: Windows Media Player
Microsoft has revitalized its built-in media player for
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