Essential Software for your Windows PC

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.

Here’s a curated list of “free apps many Windows users regard as indispensable,” along with why they’re valued. (Think of it like assembling your personal toolbelt: pick what fits you.)

Core Categories & Apps

Below are categories of tasks (filemanagement, editing, backup, etc.) and the top free apps people often can’t live without.

A Personal Reflection (and caution)

• “Essential” is subjective. What’s indispensable to a developer is different from a video editor or a casual user. Use this list as a menu, not a prescription.
• Trust your sources. Always download from official sites or reputable repositories (GitHub, official vendor pages). Some freeware comes bundled with adware if you get it from sketchy aggregators.
• Less is more. Installing twenty “utilities” might slow your system more than help. Choose the few that really solve a problem you face.
• Future-proofing your setup. Tools like Ninite or PowerToys help you in the long run – they save time when you move to a new machine or maintain your environment.

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

Windows 11 features a new, redesigned application simply called Media Player, which is the successor to the previous Groove Music app and the Movies & TV app, consolidating their functionality.

Here is an overview of the new Media Player and its key features on Windows 11.

The New Windows 11 Media Player

The new Media Player app has a modern design that aligns with the aesthetic of Windows 11. It’s built to manage and play both your local music and video collections.

Key Features:

• Unified Library: It replaces the Groove Music app and is designed to manage and play both your music and video files from your local storage.
• Modern Design: The interface has been completely refreshed to match the new look and feel of Windows 11.
• Full-Featured Music Library: You can quickly browse and play your music collection, manage playlists, and view rich artist imagery and album art during playback.
• Video Playback Support: The app includes full support for browsing, managing, and watching your local video files.
• Mini Player: A compact, always-on-top mini player allows you to watch or listen to media while working on other tasks.
• Playback Controls & Enhancements:
  • Playback Speed Adjustment: You can adjust the playback speed for both audio and video files.
  • Equalizer: A 9-band equalizer is included to fine-tune the sound quality of your music and videos.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: It’s optimized for accessibility with improved keyboard shortcuts.
• Format Support: It supports a wide range of audio and video file formats, including lossless formats like FLAC and open-source formats like Ogg Vorbis. If a file requires an extra codec, the app will help you install it from the Microsoft Store.
• CD Ripping: This feature was initially absent but has been reintroduced, supporting formats like AAC, WMA, FLAC, and ALAC.
• Personalization: You can personalize the app’s theme and accent color to match your preferences.

Windows Media Player “Legacy”

In addition to the new Media Player app, Windows 11 still includes the classic Windows Media Player, which is now referred to as Windows Media Player Legacy (WMP Legacy).

Key Differences and Why it Remains:

Many users keep the “Legacy” version enabled because it offers certain features not initially included in the new app (like DLNA streaming, CD burning, and some of the classic visualizations), and it ensures compatibility for older software that relies on its components.