Windows 11 comes equipped with a variety of applications and features designed to help you hit the ground running. However, to truly elevate your Windows experience, consider integrating additional apps into your workflow. While numerous tools are available online, I prefer the reliability of the Microsoft Store, where apps are vetted by Microsoft and updates are streamlined.
The Microsoft Store hosts an impressive selection of applications, ranging from productivity enhancers to entertaining customization options. Selecting the right apps can significantly improve your efficiency, help you manage files better, and enhance your everyday computing experience.
8 PDFgear
Your Comprehensive PDF Solution
In today’s digital landscape, PDFs are a common file format, and while Windows 11 allows basic viewing in Edge, it often falls short for more complex tasks. For those frequently managing PDFs—whether merging, rearranging pages, or converting files—PDFgear becomes an essential tool.
This user-friendly app provides a robust suite of PDF functionalities, allowing you to edit, fill forms, add images, and even utilize Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to make scanned documents searchable. Its straightforward interface minimizes the hassle of navigation, enabling you to focus more on your tasks and less on wrestling with menus. For regular PDF users, PDFgear surpasses many conventional online solutions.
7 EarTrumpet
Master Your Audio Controls
Windows provides a built-in volume mixer for managing audio levels on an app-by-app basis, but accessing it each time can be cumbersome. EarTrumpet addresses this inconvenience by placing individual volume sliders directly in your taskbar. This means you can effortlessly adjust the sounds of music, games, and notifications without navigating through multiple menus.
The intuitive design makes EarTrumpet feel like an integrated part of Windows rather than an external application. You can even set up custom keyboard shortcuts to access its features, transforming what was once a tedious task into a simple, streamlined process.
6 QuickLook
Quick Previews for Every File
Although Windows File Explorer does have thumbnail previews and a Preview Pane for images or documents, it falls short for bulk viewing, especially with larger files like videos or extensive documents. Rather than opening specific applications for each file type, QuickLook allows you to preview almost any file with a simple tap of the spacebar.
This feature replicates a familiar experience for Mac users, allowing straightforward browsing. Just select the file and press the spacebar to view, scroll, zoom, or even play media right from the preview. QuickLook streamlines file navigation, making it a quicker and more efficient task.
5 TreeSize Free
Identify Your Storage Hogs
Windows includes various tools aimed at freeing up storage, but they typically focus on removing unused applications and temporary files. Often, the true space hogs are large, overlooked files. While Windows provides some insight into storage usage by drive, it lacks a simple way to identify which folders occupy the most space.
TreeSize Free solves this by scanning drives to present a clear visualization of folder sizes and subfolders, allowing users to quickly identify large videos, backups, or forgotten downloads. I appreciate the app’s speed: it analyzes extensive drives in mere seconds, delivering instant insights into where your storage resources are being utilized.
4 PowerToys
Essential Productivity Enhancements
PowerToys brings a wealth of useful features to your Windows experience. Among its offerings is a Command Palette that mimics the Spotlight search of macOS, facilitating app access, command execution, and local file searches. The Workspaces feature enables users to launch specific app sets with a single click.
Additionally, the Keyboard Manager lets you customize keyboard layouts and shortcuts, which is invaluable when dealing with malfunctioning keys or replacing complex shortcuts with more accessible alternatives.
Moreover, PowerToys allows for bulk renaming of files, image resizing, and a Color Picker for swift identification and manipulation of color codes. As a Microsoft product, it integrates seamlessly with Windows, enhancing the overall user experience.
3 ShareX
Elevate Your Screenshot Game
While the Snipping Tool has made strides in its functionality, it may lack certain essential features such as capturing screenshots with the mouse pointer, conducting scrolling captures, or scheduling automatic captures. ShareX fills this gap with its expanding suite of features.
Beyond capturing standard screenshots, ShareX offers robust annotation capabilities, enabling you to blur, pixelate, or enhance images with shapes, emojis, and custom backgrounds. Its impressive customizability allows users to assign hotkeys to practically any action and integrate cloud syncing for effortless accessibility.
For anyone who regularly shares screenshots or needs a more efficient screen documentation method, ShareX proves to be an indispensable tool that should be an integral part of Windows.
2 Ditto
Retain Every Snippet Effortlessly
When navigating your PC, your clipboard might be filled with different items—from URLs and file paths to images and text snippets. While Windows offers a clipboard function, it can only store a limited selection of items.
Ditto is an open-source application that enhances your clipboard’s functionality by allowing access to an unlimited number of previously copied items. You can revisit, edit, and organize these snippets without the constraints of Windows’ native clipboard limitations.
This app operates quietly in the background and retains your data even after a reboot. You can personalize it with specific shortcuts for frequently used entries, making pasting them quick and easy.
1 Lively Wallpaper
Transform Your Desktop Aesthetic
While Windows allows for standard image wallpapers and simple slideshows, Lively Wallpaper takes customization to a new level. This app enables users to set GIFs, videos, or even web pages as dynamic desktop backgrounds, making your workspace uniquely personal.
With a plethora of pre-made wallpapers available, users can also utilize their own media files. Lively Wallpaper is compatible with multiple displays, ensuring each monitor can showcase individual animated backgrounds.
Keep in mind that live wallpaper might not be ideal for systems with limited resources or those focused on battery conservation. However, if your hardware can handle it, Lively Wallpaper offers a delightful way to personalize your digital environment.
Ultimately, these applications can significantly enhance your Windows experience. Each tool offers unique functionalities that enrich your productivity and enjoyment. The best part is that all these gems are conveniently found within the Microsoft Store, ensuring safety and reliability with easy installation.
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