Looking for good/helpful software for windows to get. Stuff that offers QoL improvements etc
And no I don’t care about Linux so don’t bother suggesting I switch to it.
chocolatey
it’s a far cry from a package manager on an actually good operating system like openbsd ( it’s not linux ;) ), but it’s leagues better than cavemanning software off webpages with cancer like auto-updates to get around the lack of package management (or no updates, at all).
is great for making bootable USB drives.
to install linux with
Hwinfo
Windirstat
Ninite
Caffeine
VLC
Xnview
7-zip
Those go on every machine that I use, then you have your more specialized programs depending on industry.
It’s been many years since I had a windows desktop, but that list is right on. Great base software for your install.
Don’t use WIndirstat, It is needlessly slow. Use something like WizTree instead
7-zip
If you’re on Win 11, use NanaZip. It’s a fork with better integration with Windows 11’s crappy conext menu.
Caffeine
If you have PowerToys this is built in now.
+1 to NanaZip
perhaps WSL?
If you have a huge media library, an organizer like Kodi or Jellyfin helps a lot.
I use plex
Chocolatey
Such useful features. They should be built-in. But I’m glad they’re serviced separately so we get updates outside windows update cadence.
And open source
Process Explorer is still great.
- PowerToys - originally this was an internal set of utilities that MS engineers made and decided to publish, lots of useful stuff
- AgentRansack - For searching the content of files
- Everything - For searching for file names
- PUTTY - to connect to a more civilized OS (SSH client)
- Obsidian - one note but better and offline.
- Notepad++ - notepad but not shit
- HWInfo64 - detailed system infomation and sensor info
- WizTree - file usage analyzer, much better than the popular WinDirStat
What’s more civilized os mean?
Something that isn’t Windows or MacOS. The BSDs for example 😉
Or to join some BBS.
Let me guess Linux aka neckbeard os?
That’s an example, but you mentioned it yourself. The BSDs aren’t Linux.
Copyq clipboard manager
Do you know how this compares to Ditto?
No, sorry. Copyq ist available for Linux+windows, previously I used Comfort Clipboard Pro on windows only.
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F.lux removes blue from the screen. Makes it easier on your eyes.
If it came from an OEM then their tool that grabs driver/software updates. Lenovo Vantage for instance.
If it didn’t, then native apps that perform a similar task. Intel has one for their software/drivers, and another that’s only for their gpu. GeForce experience is another for their gpu cards. Likely others.
Powertoys. So many little apps that make things easier.
Monitor .inf files. I usually don’t notice an improvement but I like seeing my monitor in device manager instead of “Generic”
I used to say “Greenshot” but win11’s built in screenshot capture is good enough.
I go to the office website and make a PWA out of it. Makes it easy to open documents in their free web interface versions of office.
I make a PWA out of my gmail account web page.
Bitwarden or whatever password manager you use if not Edge.
Sharex. The ultimate scree shotting utility. There are dozens of post capture tasks like upload to website, copy to clipboard, save to file, etc. You can do all of them at once, and it even caputes gifs!
I highly recommend trying out a tiling window manager. Yes, they exist for Windows. No, they’re not as good as on Linux or BSD, but it’s a completely different workflow and you won’t know if it’s for you until you try it. Komorebi seems to be a popular choice. I tried workspacer but it was a PITA to configure (I say that as someone experienced in configuring and using a tiler). The Komorebi discord seems to have a channel for sharing configs so you can check it out as a source of inspiration or as a base to build your own config onto.
Also, a package manager like scoop or chocolatey. If I had to return to Windows, this would be a nonnegotiable.
Also, Chris Titus’ winutil for debloating, removing spyware, installing good common software and running a range of tweaks (including disabling or delaying feature updates for better stability).
Vivaldi. Yes, it’s technically proprietary (if you care about that stuff) but it’s really good, if you’re a power user in the browser, or if you’re a tab hoarder. I can’t see myself living without workspaces in the browser now. And the panel is nice if you’re into it.
That’s about it.
