These are the 18 essential programs every Windows PC user should use for productivity, quality of life and performance. I always have these programs and I would recommend everyone else to use them too:
- Voidtools Everything Alpha
Replaces slow Windows file search, you can disable Windows indexing. - Nanazip
7Zip replacement for Windows 11 - Microsoft Powertoys + WinToys
Has many useful features I enjoy and use - Quicklook
Calculates folder sizes while pressing space over any folder. Also preview any file content, while hovering on object, in File Explorer. Has many other useful addons you can add from plugin repository. - TrafficMonitor
View Network speed and data usage in Taskbar. CPU Frequency & Memory usage too. - Webcord
Lighter and Debloated feature complete version of Discord. - Simplewall
Easy Windows Firewall Manager - Wiztree
Easily and quickly view which folders and files are taking up space in your drives. - Stardock Fences & Groupy (Both paid)
Desktop and Application Management and Grouping applications - K-Lite Codec Pack
Feature complete video player with useful codecs - ImageGlass(Classic, not Microsoft Store version)
Better Image Viewer with support for all popular image formats. - Notepad++
Best notepad and code editor - Link Shell Extension
Easily view, create and manage junctions, shortcuts and redirections to save space. Easily redirect or create copies without taking up extra space on your disk. - Process Lasso + ParkControl
Feature-packed task manager, process priority setter and much more! - Playnite
All in one game manager and library, combining all game launchers in one. - BCUninstaller
Uninstall any program completely with no leftovers or orphaned files and folders. - Dimmer
For people like me, who are night owls, it helps to dim your screen through software. - NVCleaninstall
Install Nvidia Drivers without all the bloat and telemetry. - Nvidia Profile Inspector(NVPI) Revamped
Manually set profiles, DLSS Engines and much more, for better performance and optimizations.