I Always Install These 6 Free Apps on Every Windows PC – They Make Life So Much Easier

There’s a special kind of excitement that comes with a new Windows desktop or laptop. It’s a clean slate, a blank canvas full of potential.

But let’s be honest. After the initial boot-up, you’re met with the typical Microsoft Store bloatware and a set of default apps that just don’t cut it. Your new machine might be beefy, but its built-in tools can be surprisingly limited.

That’s why I have a go-to list of software I install immediately; free tools that are more powerful, more private, and more reliable than what comes in the box.

This curated list of five free, open-source Windows apps will fundamentally upgrade your experience, covering everything from media and productivity to privacy and security.

For Flawless Media: VLC Media Player

Have you ever tried to play a video file only to be met with an error message? The infamous “codec not found” error from Windows Media Player is a classic frustration.

Codecs are like digital translators that allow your computer to play different video and audio formats. Windows simply doesn’t include all of them. This is where VLC Media Player comes in. It is the universal player for all your media files.

VLC’s superpower is its massive, built-in library of codecs. It plays virtually anything you throw at it—MP4, MKV, AVI, you name it. It even handles DVDs, audio CDs, and various streaming protocols without needing you to hunt down extra software packs.

What makes VLC one of the most essential free apps is that it’s completely free and open-source software. No ads, no spyware, and no user tracking; just clean, reliable playback.

It’s also incredibly lightweight, running smoothly even on older computers, and it’s available on nearly every platform, from Windows to Android and iOS. For power users, it offers advanced features like converting media files, streaming over a network, and extensive subtitle customization.

In an age of bloated software, VLC focuses on one thing: playing media flawlessly. That unwavering reliability is why it’s the first media player I install.

DOWNLOAD VLC MEDIA PLAYER

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For Powerful Productivity: LibreOffice

A new PC is ready for work, but it lacks a key ingredient: a full office suite. Microsoft Office, the industry standard, requires a costly subscription nowadays. And this is a major barrier for many people.

LibreOffice is the definitive solution. It’s a complete, professional-quality office suite that costs absolutely nothing. It includes everything you need:

• Writer: A powerful word processor (like Microsoft Word).
• Calc: A feature-rich spreadsheet application (like Microsoft Excel).
• Impress: A tool for creating stunning presentations (like Microsoft PowerPoint).

The biggest question is always compatibility. Can it handle Microsoft Office files? The answer is a resounding yes.

LibreOffice has excellent support for formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx. While extremely complex documents with intricate macros might show minor formatting differences, it works seamlessly for the vast majority of users.

LibreOffice stands out as one of the best free Windows software options because it is actually FREE. There are no hidden fees or trial periods. It’s a full-featured package, not a “lite” version, even including tools for databases (Base) and mathematical formulas (Math).

Fundamental tools for writing a resume, managing a budget, or creating a school project are available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for a subscription.

DOWNLOAD LIBREOFFICE FOR WINDOWS

For Private Browsing: Mozilla Firefox

Your web browser is your gateway to the internet, making it one of the most important security and privacy choices you can make.

The default, Microsoft Edge, is built on the same Chromium engine as Google Chrome. This contributes to a web monoculture where Google has immense influence over web standards.

Mozilla Firefox offers a real alternative. Developed by the non-profit Mozilla Foundation, Firefox is built on its own engine, providing vital competition and championing an open, private web. Its commitment to user privacy is baked right in.

Firefox’s Enhanced Tracking Protection is on by default. It automatically blocks thousands of trackers from following you across websites, including social media trackers and cryptominers that can slow down your computer.

For even more protection, you can install powerful add-ons like Privacy Badger, which uses an algorithm to learn and block invisible trackers as you browse. Firefox gives you simple, transparent tools to control your data.

DOWNLOAD FIREFOX FOR DESKTOP

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A Worthy Alternative: Brave Browser

If you want maximum privacy with minimal setup, Brave is another fantastic choice. It is built on Chromium, so it feels familiar and has access to the entire Chrome Web Store extension library.

Brave’s main advantage is its aggressive, built-in ad and tracker blocking, which is enabled by default. It stops nearly everything out of the box. The choice between Firefox and Brave often comes down to philosophy.

Do you want to support a truly independent browser engine to foster web diversity (Firefox), or do you prefer to use the dominant engine fortified with the strongest possible default protections (Brave)? Either way, you’re getting one of the best free Windows software choices for web browsing.

DOWNLOAD BRAVE

For Smart File Archiving: 7-Zip

Windows can handle basic .zip files, but sooner or later, you’ll download a file in a different compressed format, like .rar or .7z. To open it, you’ll need a dedicated utility.

Many people turn to WinRAR, but despite its popularity, it’s not actually free. It’s trialware that will perpetually ask you to buy a license.

7-Zip is the faster and completely free solution. This lightweight tool is a powerhouse for all your archiving needs. It handles a huge variety of formats, so you’ll never be stuck with a file you can’t open.

The reason 7-Zip is one of the free apps on every Windows PC I recommend is its clear superiority over the old standard, WinRAR. Its native .7z format achieves a higher compression ratio, meaning it creates smaller files, saving you disk space.

Benchmarks have also shown that 7-Zip can be significantly faster at compressing files. It succeeds by offering a technically better product with a transparent model—no nag screens, ever.

DOWNLOAD 7-ZIP

7-Zip vs. WinRAR at a Glance

For Ironclad Security: Ente Auth

In today’s world, a password alone is not enough to protect your online accounts. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds a critical second layer of security. It requires you to provide a temporary code from an app on your phone, proving it’s really you.

Many people start with Google Authenticator, but it has a major flaw: poor backup options. If you lose your phone, you can be permanently locked out of your accounts.

Ente Auth is a modern, secure, and open-source authenticator that solves this problem and more, making it one of the most essential free apps for security.

Ente Auth’s killer feature is its secure, end-to-end encrypted backup and sync. This means your 2FA codes are safely backed up to the cloud, but only you can decrypt them.

You can seamlessly sync your codes across all your devices (Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS) without compromising your security. This convenience is why I install Ente Auth on my PC.

Furthermore, Ente Auth is fully open-source and has been externally audited for security. It’s unlike proprietary apps, where you simply have to hope the company is protecting your data.

The evolution of 2FA apps shows a clear trend: users now demand both convenience and verifiable privacy. Ente Auth delivers on both fronts.

DOWNLOAD ENTE AUTH

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Build a “Second Brain” with Obsidian

The five tools above are foundational. But if you want to go a step further and organize your knowledge, I recommend Obsidian.

Don’t mistake this for just a note-taking app; it’s a tool for building a “second brain”, or rather, a digital extension of your mind where you can capture, connect, and explore your ideas.

What makes Obsidian special is that your notes are stored as plain text Markdown files in a folder on your local device. You are never locked into a proprietary format or a mandatory cloud service. Your knowledge is yours, forever.

Obsidian’s power comes from bi-directional linking. By typing “]”, you can create a link between ideas. Over time, this builds a web of knowledge. The Graph View visualizes these connections, helping you see patterns and discover insights you never would have noticed otherwise.

With a vast ecosystem of plugins, you can customize it with calendars, task managers, and more, tailoring it perfectly to your workflow. It’s the ultimate tool for thinkers, researchers, and anyone who wants to cultivate their ideas over a lifetime.

DOWNLOAD OBSIDIAN FOR WINDOWS

Bonus: Ninite is the Ultimate Time-Saver for Installing Apps

If you’ve ever set up a new Windows PC, you know how tedious it can be to download and install all your favorite apps one by one. Ninite is a free tool that lets you install multiple apps in one go.

Instead of manually downloading each program, you simply choose the apps you want from Ninite’s website, and it creates a custom installer for you.

Run the installer, and Ninite will take care of everything: downloading the apps, handling updates, and even bypassing the extra “install this toolbar” junk that often comes with free software. It’s fast, efficient, and, best of all, it’s free!

The beauty of Ninite is how it streamlines the setup process. If you’re setting up a new PC or just reinstalling everything after a fresh system wipe, you can save hours. Whether it’s Firefox, VLC, LibreOffice, 7-Zip, or any of your go-to apps, Ninite handles them all.

One thing to note: Ninite is for installing apps only. If you need to uninstall or manage existing software, you’ll still have to do that manually through Windows settings.

But when it comes to getting a fresh system up and running, Ninite is definitely worth adding to your toolkit!

GET NINITE

Yet Another Alternative: Use winget to Install Apps Easily

If you’re a fan of automating your app installations, then winget (Windows Package Manager) is your new best friend. It’s a powerful tool that lets you install apps straight from the command line with just a few simple commands. No need to click through installers or hunt for download links; winget does all the heavy lifting for you.

To get started with winget, you just need to open PowerShell or Command Prompt as Administrator, then type the following commands to install your favorite apps. Here are the commands for some essential programs:

• VLC Media Player: winget install –id=VideoLAN.VLC  -e
• Mozilla Firefox: winget install –id=Mozilla.Firefox  -e
• Brave Browser: winget install –id=Brave.Brave  -e
• 7-Zip: winget install –id=7zip.7zip  -e
• WinRAR: winget install –id=RARLab.WinRAR  -e
• Ente Auth: winget install –id=ente-io.auth-desktop  -e
• Obsidian: winget install –id=Obsidian.Obsidian  -e

By using winget, you can install these apps with just one command each. It’s a great alternative to Ninite if you prefer to keep things simple and fast, especially when setting up a new PC or automating your workflow.

Upgrade Your Windows PC (and Productivity) for Free!

Setting up a new computer is the perfect opportunity to install software that serves you. By replacing limited defaults with these powerful, private, and free tools, you’re one step ahead in taking control of your digital environment.

These are my essential free apps to install on every computer. What are your must-have free apps on every Windows PC? Share your favorites in the comments below!