5 Essential Apps I Always Install on Every Modern Windows Computer, and Here's Why:

As a long-time Windows user: With Windows 98 being the first operating system I ever used, I've gained extensive experience with numerous software over more than two decades. Some of these programs are no longer around today, while others have left a lasting impact.

In fact: There's a select group of applications I consistently rely on. Every time I get a new computer, I install these five apps first. They instantly enhance my user experience, whether by improving my workflow or making internet browsing smoother and more efficient. Let's take a look at them, in no particular order.

Brave Browser: A Fast, Private Web Experience with Rewards

My Preferred Web Browser: Brave is undeniably my preferred web browser, thanks to its unique features focused on privacy and speed. Its built-in ad and tracker blocking capabilities, Brave Shields, contribute to much faster page loading compared to traditional browsers, fostering a smooth, distraction-free browsing experience.

Robust Privacy Protection: Brave Shields effectively stops third-party trackers, phishing attempts, cross-site cookies, and malware, providing a strong layer of privacy protection. This feature allows me to visit ad-heavy news sites without any hindrance.

Innovative Rewards System: Additionally, Brave features an innovative rewards system based on the Basic Attention Token (BAT) cryptocurrency. Users can opt to view privacy-preserving ads and earn BAT tokens, which can be used to support content creators, exchanged for other currencies, or utilized in Web3 applications. The browser also includes its own VPN, a valuable addition for enhanced security and flexible content access amid changing age restriction policies in various countries.

Great Flexibility: Brave is built on the open-source Chromium project, meaning it supports extensions from other browser stores like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, offering great flexibility to users. However, Brave's aggressive ad blocking can sometimes cause some websites to display incorrectly.

VLC Media Player: Infinite Compatibility and Flexibility

One of the Essential Apps: VLC Media Player is one of the essential applications that tops the lists of best Windows software, and this is not surprising. This player is distinguished by its superior ability to play almost all types of media files, from MP4 and MOV to WAV, FLAC, Flash, MPEG-A AVC, and DovX, making it a comprehensive solution for your media playback needs. I've always found VLC capable of handling any format, even rare video files from the nineties.

Simple and Effective Editing Tools: In addition to its playback capabilities, VLC offers a set of simple and effective editing tools. Users can easily add subtitles or control text playback speed, as well as an integrated audio panel that allows quick adjustment of audio settings. Although it is not professional editing software, these additional features enhance its value. VLC is known for being a highly reliable open-source media player, featuring a user-friendly interface that makes it the ideal choice for users of all levels.

ShareX: A Comprehensive Screen Capture and Editing Tool

ShareX Excels: Although Windows 11 includes its own Snipping Tool for screen capture, ShareX surpasses it in most aspects, making it an indispensable choice for users who require more advanced functionality. ShareX offers multiple methods for screen capture, including full screen, active windows, and specific regions, in addition to video recording capabilities.

Powerful and Integrated Editing Tools: What truly sets ShareX apart are its powerful and integrated editing tools, resembling a mini-Photoshop. Users can easily add shapes and text, crop images, apply expressive stickers, and blur or pixelate sensitive areas to ensure privacy. Once editing is complete, ShareX provides the ability to upload content directly to a wide range of external platforms, such as Google Drive and Imgur, facilitating instant sharing of screenshots and images. ShareX has significantly changed my workflow since I started using it in 2021, boosting productivity remarkably for both professionals and casual users alike.

WPS Office: The Integrated and Reliable Alternative to Office Suite

WPS Office: The Optimal Choice: While many online experts tend to recommend LibreOffice as a free alternative to Microsoft Office suite or Google Docs, I find WPS Office to be the optimal choice. In my personal experience, WPS Office offers higher reliability and exceptional compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats, ensuring smooth workflow and seamless document exchange.

WPS Office Features: WPS Office's excellence is not limited to that; it also provides direct and integrated access to popular cloud storage platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox, making document saving and sharing easier. Additionally, the application includes a smart AI-powered translation tool that supports over 30 different languages, making it a powerful tool for multilingual users.

Comparison with LibreOffice: Although LibreOffice is distinguished by being open-source and allowing extensive customization, WPS Office excels in ease of use and ready-to-use functionalities, making it the clear winner for most non-programming users.

Todoist: Your Ideal Companion for Effective Task and Project Management

My Favorite Organization App: Todoist is my favorite organization app, providing a comprehensive solution for managing daily tasks and complex deadlines. The app allows me to quickly add tasks and projects to my calendar, helping me stay organized and focused.

Key Features of Todoist: Among Todoist's most prominent features is the ability to assign priority labels to tasks, allowing me to clearly prioritize and know what needs my immediate attention. Labels also help categorize similar tasks across multiple projects, making progress tracking easier. Moreover, the app provides customizable reminders for time-sensitive tasks, ensuring nothing important is missed.

Integration with Other Apps: Todoist seamlessly integrates with over 80 external applications and services, including Slack, Google Drive, and Amazon Alexa, enhancing its flexibility and making it an integral part of any workflow. While the free version offers a generous set of features sufficient for most individuals' needs, Todoist Pro, at $4 per month, provides advanced capabilities for managing large teams and complex projects. To further enhance ease of use, a lightweight browser extension is also available, ideal for quick task jotting.