Windows Home is a versatile operating system designed to help many users, from casual home users to more advanced enthusiasts. While it has several built-in applications, installing third-party apps can significantly enhance your user experience, making your tasks easier, your time more productive, and your overall computing experience more enjoyable.
Whether using your PC for work, entertainment, or just browsing the web, these essential apps will help you get the most out of your Windows Home system.
Here are our top essential app recommendations for installing on Windows Home. They focus on fantastic free software that you can download immediately, ranging from security utilities to productivity apps and many suggestions for the areas in between.
Online Web Browser
Google Chrome is usually the default option, if only for compatibility with other Google services. Because Chrome allows for native cross-device syncing, it’s also an excellent option for Android users.
The open-source Firefox is an excellent browser with better privacy options. But Ungoogled Chromium can be a good option if you enjoy Chrome the way it is but don’t like Google’s tracking practices. Only use it if you know what you’re getting into, as it turns off a lot of Google-dependent services but doesn’t necessarily replace them with something else.
Backup & Cloud Storage
Cloud storage and backup are the crucial components of any toolkit. We’ve long been pleased by Dropbox’s simplicity of use, and information backup and restoration have always been challenging despite the wide variety of options. Dropbox provides a meager 2 GB of free cloud storage, but with a few more tactics and referrals, you can earn up to 16 GB.
If your storage needs are more extensive, consider your options and the various price points before choosing. Important substitutes for Dropbox and iCloud are Google One and Microsoft OneDrive, part of Windows. Cloud backup is highly competitive, and costs have somewhat decreased.
Office Productivity
Microsoft Office continues to rule in office productivity. If you use most apps and bonus features—such as 1TB of OneDrive storage—you could find it easier to justify an Office 365 subscription if you require it for business.
However, there are also plenty of free options. Try FreeOffice if you’re looking for a free office suite that closely resembles Microsoft’s on the Windows platform. LibreOffice is another free alternative; some writers love it, while others detest it. The open-source office suite provides all the essentials and more. WPS Office Free is the same.
For simple note-taking, Microsoft offers OneNote as a free cross-platform app. If you’re a Mac user, you can choose Notability.
Messaging and Video Chat
Messaging and video chat applications you need depend mostly on whom you want to talk to. Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, the most popular personal messaging services, have native desktop versions. iMessage is more private, which will please Apple users.
Zoom is the best option for reaching a large group. It has become synonymous with video chat and offers features like screen sharing and local recording.
Google Meet is a reliable online substitute that doesn’t require installation.
If you want to communicate effectively while gaming or collaborate with others, check out Discord, a free team collaboration application with good messaging and video chat features.
Keeping in contact with loved ones is always fun. Teams and Slack are the most often used platforms for teamwork in groups.
Antivirus
Windows and macOS offer respectable security right out of the box if you know what you’re doing. Common sense should be sufficient for power users, but the ordinary user might wish to add a layer of protection that won’t put too much strain on their machine.
Kaspersky Plus is a cybersecurity product intended to improve the protection of mobile and desktop computers. It emphasizes privacy, performance, and extra protection layers, providing capabilities beyond traditional antivirus software.
The program comes with capabilities to safeguard your online privacy and personal information. These include a password manager to safely store and manage passwords, a secure VPN for anonymous surfing, and camera security to stop unwanted access.
Kaspersky Plus’s user interface is intuitive and straightforward to use. Various tools and functionalities are easily accessible to users, and the software can be configured to operate automatically with little to no human input.
Creativity and Design
For creative professionals and enthusiasts, Adobe Creative Cloud is indispensable. It includes industry-standard tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro for graphic design, video editing, and more. While it’s a premium suite, its versatility and power make it a worthy investment for anyone serious about digital creativity.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for an accessible alternative to Photoshop, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is an excellent choice. It offers a wide range of photo editing, graphic design, and image composition features. While it may have a steeper learning curve than some other tools, its robust capabilities make it a valuable addition to any creative’s toolkit.
OS Add-ons
Clipboard managers are essential for Windows Home when you always have a clipboard history at your disposal. Adding recently copied and pasted content to your OS clipboard expands its functionality and increases productivity. Despite several options, ClipClip for Windows and Flycut for macOS are now our top picks.
Even while OS tools have significantly improved, and you could be happy with what comes in stock, we still prefer Monosnap because of its ease of use and capacity to upload to the cloud for sharing screenshots and annotations.
Teamviewer is the recommended option for cross-platform desktop sharing and remote control.
Furthermore, if you need to move massive files that are too big to store on your cloud, it’s a reasonably helpful tool to have on hand. A simple and inexpensive substitute is RemotePC.
CCleaner Portable is a well-liked option for basic OS cleaning and organization; use the Portable version on Windows, and you should be good, even with the recent controversy. Wise Disk Cleaner is a good substitute if you use anything else.
Lastly, BCUninstaller can help you uninstall most apps from your computer without leaving a trace.
Final Thoughts
You now know the essential apps to install in Windows 11 Home for a better user experience, as we have put up a guide on where to start when setting up your system. Whether you’re looking to boost productivity, keep your system secure, or enjoy your favorite media, the apps mentioned in this guide are essential for creating a better user experience on Windows Home.
By thoughtfully selecting and installing these apps, you can ensure that your Windows Home system meets all your needs and provides a seamless, efficient, and enjoyable user experience every day.
