When it comes to Windows, there are thousands of apps out there promising to improve productivity, boost privacy, or make your computer more enjoyable to use. But not every tool is worth your time. That’s why in this article, we’ll go through some of the best free (and a few paid) Windows apps that actually deliver real value.
I’ve personally tested these apps on the latest Surface Pro 12 with its ARM-based chip, but don’t worry — everything mentioned here works just as well on traditional x86 Windows laptops and desktops too.
So grab a coffee, sit back, and let’s dive into the list. I’ll explain what each app does, why it matters, and when you might actually need it.
1. Wintoys – Unlock Hidden Windows Features
Let’s start strong with Wintoys — a free app that truly feels like a must-have for Windows power users.
At its core, Wintoys gives you control over parts of Windows that are usually hidden or hard to access:
- Uninstall stubborn apps — Even those pesky apps that pretend they can’t be removed.
- Startup manager — A clean visual list of all apps that launch at startup, with easy toggles.
- Service monitor — See which services are running and control them in one place.
- Desktop tweaks — Hide the recycle bin for a minimalist desktop, boost wallpaper quality to 100%, and more.
💡 Personal favorite: You can shake a Windows window to clear all others or flick to the bottom right corner to instantly show the desktop. Small, but very satisfying!
Q: Do I need to be a tech expert to use Wintoys?
Not at all. Everything is presented with plain toggles and explanations, so you won’t accidentally break something.
2. Recall – Your Personal Knowledge Base
Moving on, let’s talk about Recall — one of the most interesting AI-powered apps for Windows.
Think of Recall as your second brain. It captures everything you read, watch, or listen to (like YouTube videos, PDFs, podcasts, or websites) and organizes it into a searchable knowledge base.
- You can save content through a browser extension, web app, or mobile app.
- The new feature, Chat with Knowledge Base, lets you have conversations with your own notes and saved content.
- Great for research projects. For example: researching cars? Recall can summarize and connect insights across videos, papers, and podcasts instantly.
It’s like having a memory that never forgets.
⚠️ Note: This app syncs your data to the cloud. While they emphasize privacy, always check what you’re comfortable storing outside your local machine.
3. Files – A Better File Explorer
Windows File Explorer works fine… until you use something better. Enter Files — a $10 app that blends the best of Windows Explorer and macOS Finder.
Here’s why it’s worth paying for:
- Tabbed browsing — Open multiple folders in one window.
- Archive support — Extract ZIPs and archives without extra tools.
- Folder size calculation — See exactly how much space each folder takes up.
- Preview panel — Get file details (size, resolution, thumbnails) without opening them.
- Cloud integration — Access Google Drive, OneDrive, etc. directly from the sidebar.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated with Windows Explorer, this app feels like a breath of fresh air.
4. QuickLook – Instant File Previews
Alright, let’s move to something small but life-changing: QuickLook.
This free utility brings a beloved macOS feature to Windows: press spacebar on any file and get an instant preview.
- Works for images, PDFs, videos, and documents.
- Videos are scrubbable right from the preview.
- Saves tons of time compared to opening apps just to “peek” at a file.
It integrates perfectly with Files (above) but also works in plain old Windows Explorer.
5. File Pilot – A Speed Demon Explorer
If you want something experimental, check out File Pilot. It’s currently in beta but already feels like the fastest file manager I’ve ever tried on Windows.
- Lightning-fast search with instant results.
- Multi-pane layouts for organizing tabs and folders.
- Currently free during beta, with an expected price of ~$40 later.
👉 If you handle huge directories daily, this could be a serious upgrade.
6. Never Sleep – Prevent Windows from Sleeping
Sometimes, all you need is simplicity. Never Sleep is a tiny free app that keeps your computer awake.
Why it’s useful:
- Prevent sleep during long file transfers.
- Keep the screen active during presentations.
- Ensure no interruptions during video shoots or live demos.
Sure, you could tweak power settings manually, but this one-click app does the job without hassle.
7. Microsoft PowerToys – Official Tweaks
If you like tinkering, you’ll love Microsoft PowerToys.
This official Microsoft toolkit includes:
- Awake — Same as Never Sleep but built-in.
- Color Picker — Use
Windows + Shift + Cto pick any color on screen. - FancyZones — Create custom window layouts.
- Keyboard shortcuts manager, image resizer, and much more.
This is the Swiss Army knife of Windows customization.
8. O&O ShutUp10++ – Privacy Control
Privacy matters. O&O ShutUp10++ is a free app that gives you control over Windows’ hidden data collection.
With a simple dashboard, you can:
- Disable telemetry.
- Stop apps from collecting data.
- Turn off location tracking.
- Block “suggestions” and ads baked into Windows.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Since this app changes deep system settings, create a restore point before making changes, just in case.
9. Blip – Cross-Platform File Sharing
Think AirDrop, but for every platform. Blip lets you send files between Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and even across the world.
- No need for cables or email attachments.
- Transfers resume if interrupted.
- Works over the internet, so no proximity limits.
For anyone working across multiple devices, this is a lifesaver.
10. DropShelf – Temporary File Storage
Here’s a clever one: DropShelf acts as a holding tray for files.
Imagine dragging images from Explorer into Affinity Photo. Normally, you’d juggle windows awkwardly. With DropShelf:
- Drag files into the “shelf.”
- Navigate freely.
- Drop them into the target app when ready.
It’s a small utility, but once you use it, you’ll wonder how you managed without it.
11. Pure Battery Add-on – Tray Battery Percentage
Windows still doesn’t show battery percentage in the tray by default. Pure Battery Add-on fixes that.
- Always see exact % remaining.
- Changes color (green when charging, red when low).
- Simple but super handy for laptops and tablets.
12. Fluent Weather – Minimal Weather App
If you want a clean, clutter-free weather app, Fluent Weather is perfect.
- Hourly and daily forecasts.
- No ads, no bloat.
- Modern design that matches Windows’ aesthetic.
13. Screenbox – Lightweight Media Player
Screenbox is a fast, modern media player that supports nearly any format.
- Uses VLC’s backend for reliability.
- Lets you save frames as screenshots (great for social media posts).
- Simple, responsive interface.
14. Ambie – Beautiful White Noise App
Need to focus or relax? Ambie creates ambient soundscapes.
- High-quality sounds (rain, waves, coffee shop vibes).
- Mix sounds together to create custom environments.
- Great for noise-canceling headphone users.
15. Bulk Update Hack – With Winget
Finally, here’s a built-in trick that many Windows users don’t know: updating all your apps via Winget (Windows Package Manager).
Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and type:
winget upgrade
This shows all apps with available updates. To update them all at once:
winget upgrade --all
It feels like magic — no need to manually check each app.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it — 15 apps and tools that can make Windows faster, more private, more productive, and even more fun to use.
Some are big feature-packed utilities (like Wintoys and PowerToys), while others are tiny helpers (like Pure Battery or Never Sleep). The best part? Almost all are free.
💡 My recommendation: Start with Wintoys, QuickLook, and PowerToys. These three alone will transform how you interact with your Windows machine. Then, add the smaller tools as you discover what fits your workflow.
Disclaimer
Many of these apps tweak Windows system behavior. Always download from official sources, and when making deep changes (like with O&O ShutUp10++), create a system restore point first to stay safe.
Tags
Windows apps, free software, productivity tools, Windows utilities, Windows privacy, PowerToys, Wintoys, QuickLook, Recall, Blip, File Explorer alternatives
Hashtags
#Windows #FreeApps #Productivity #Privacy #PowerToys #TechTools
