Installing Windows 10 comes with a huge collection of built-in apps. But there are a lot of useful and must-have apps for Windows for your PC that can help you do other things. You can use these kinds of apps to get rid of malware, play games, listen to music, draw, watch movies, communicate, and do other things.
Here is a list of the must-have apps for Windows 10, along with links to their websites and information about their most popular features.
Web browser: Chrome and Edge Overall Best
It can feel like you’re always looking for the best browser. Some things about our current web browser make us want to switch to a new one every year. When we think about our favourite web browsers right now, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are at the top of the list.
Google Chrome
This well-known browser is simple and easy to use. It lets you browse websites quickly and is thought to have the most browser extensions of any browser. It’s also useful for people who work on more than one device at the same time because it lets them sync between devices (like phones and tablets). Plus, it downloads files very quickly, making it one of the most popular web browsers in the world. Based on feedback from users and suggestions from professionals, the browser gets new features every month that make it work better. The browser doesn’t crash very often and has great features like checking the legitimacy of websites, making shortcuts, and muting for online video and audio files.
Download Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Collections, vertical tabs, and tab groups are built into Microsoft Edge. They help you stay organized and get the most out of your time online. Microsoft Edge comes with built-in security tools like Microsoft Defender SmartScreen and Password Monitor that can help keep you and your family safe online.
Trackers are tools that websites use to keep track of what pages people visit and when. Trackers can’t get to network and browser-based storage through Microsoft Edge’s tracking protection feature, which keeps users safe from being watched online.
Edge has cut down on the extra stuff that most modern browsers, like IE, had. For instance, it stopped supporting ActiveX controls, which can’t be moved from one computer to another and are known to cause security problems. Edge is a simple browser that was made with web standards and web services in mind. During development, it was given the code name Spartan, which comes from the browser’s light structure, which is meant to make Edge work on a lot of different platforms, most of which are mobile devices.
Download Here
Firefox
Everyone’s favourite browser, Firefox, has been the Swiss Army Knife of the web for a long time. It can let you know if your email address is linked to a known data breach, stop those annoying allow-notifications popups, stop browsers from “fingerprinting” you, and add a picture-in-picture video mode to the Mac version.
It can still be changed in any way you want, both in terms of how it looks and the extensions and plugins you can use. It was starting to lag behind other browsers like Chrome before the overhaul last year, but now it’s much faster and more stable, even on pretty basic hardware.
Download Here
Brave
Most web browsers make money by collecting information about you, but Brave is different because it doesn’t do that. When Brave needs to collect any data at all, it relies on data from all of its users to make its browser better. Its advertising model is based on user privacy. This Brave browser review will check if it lives up to its name as a safe web browser.
Besides being known for protecting privacy, Brave is also known for having built-in features that you would normally have to add with an extension. This has an ad blocker, HTTPS Everywhere, and even a wallet for cryptocurrencies. Having more built-in features is not only more convenient, but it also saves your CPU from the stress of adding too many extensions to your browser.
Download Here
Cloud storage: Google Drive and Mega Overall Best Free
The emergence of privacy-oriented providers and healthy competition among established market leaders like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft’s OneDrive have benefited users. Read about must-have apps for Windows here in detail:
Google Drive
As a cloud service, Google Drive’s primary purpose is to alleviate strain on your local storage. Cloud storage allows you to free up space on your computer by storing your files on the service’s own remote servers (the “cloud”). This frees up storage for things like games and must-have apps for Windows that require a lot of space.
Cloud services, however, have many more advantages than conventional methods of data storage. When you store data in the cloud, you can retrieve it from any internet-connected device, regardless of where you happen to be. In addition, you can easily collaborate with others by simply uploading and sharing your files online.
Google Drive is automatically installed with every Google account. With 15GB of free space after signup, the service is a strong contender for the title of best free cloud storage.
Download Here
Microsoft OneDrive
Put simply, OneDrive is cloud storage provided by Microsoft. Everyone with a Microsoft account has access to OneDrive. You can choose to sign up for any of the OneDrive limits which entitle you to 5GB of free storage. Alternatively, as a subscriber to Microsoft 365, you will get 1TB of data storage. This would interest enterprises with a need for large data storage space.
Now, while OneDrive is indeed a cloud storage platform, it can also serve as more than just that once you understand what’s Microsoft OneDrive account. Some organizations use it as a storage space for their document management systems or have it as a backup for important files and so much more.
Download Here
Dropbox
Many people use the term “cloud storage” to refer to Dropbox, which is a file-hosting service. There are many other cloud storage services available besides Dropbox, such as Microsoft OneDrive, Box, Sync, and Google Drive.
When you sign up for Dropbox, you gain access to a designated amount of space on a server in “the cloud.” After downloading and installing the Dropbox app on your computer, mobile device, or both, all of your local Dropbox files will be synchronized with the Dropbox cloud.
Download Here
System utility:
The system utility-based must-have apps for Windows are as follows:
Windows PC manager
Microsoft PC Manager is a centralized Windows management application that, like other third-party programs, helps users declutter their computers, get rid of unnecessary files, organize their large files, check the status of their PCs, and increase their performance. The PC Manager also centralizes a number of Windows tools, such as Storage Sense, Antivirus, and Security Settings. This means that the Microsoft PC Manager is the central hub for all administrative functions.
The beta version of Microsoft PC Manager is now available. However, it can be downloaded on any Windows PC that is capable of running it. The website states that the program works with Windows 11 and Windows 10 version 1809.
Download Here
Advanced System Care
The free version of IObit’s powerful SystemCare tools is called Advanced SystemCare. Cleaning out old temporary files that could be slowing down your computer is just one of the many utility tools built into SystemCare. The new AI mode will automatically clean your computer based on how you typically use it.
Both casual and power users of computers will find use for Advanced SystemCare’s many features. Unfortunately, many features are only available in the paid version; if you need more features, you may find that Total System Care or Wise Care are sufficient.
Download Here
TreeSize
To inspect disk usage without spending a dime, try Treesize Free. This utility makes it simple to learn the cause of a computer’s or file server’s decreasing free disk space. In fact, it provides instantaneous insight into which directories and their contents are hogging the most space on your hard drive. This program is easily accessible via the Start menu or via the context menu of a selected folder. Then, perform a scan to reveal all folders and subfolders in an Explorer-like interface, complete with detailed information about the size of each subfolder.
TreeSize allows you to examine your most vital storage systems and clean up and manage your files without any intermediaries. Manually or automatically on a schedule, you can evaluate space utilization with charts and graphs, generate reports, and hunt for old or duplicate files based on specific criteria.
Download Here
Ninite
Ninite is a user-friendly online service that installs a large number of programs simultaneously on a user’s computer.
Instead of manually managing the apps, it does so through a program you download first. Using the app installer to download multiple must-have apps for Windows at once is a fast, simple, and safe option.
Ninite provides a retry/reinstall link in the event that an already installed app requires maintenance. You can control your software programs through an interactive web interface. You can update, install, or uninstall must-have apps for Windows in bulk or one by one, depending on your preference. Machines that are currently offline can be given instructions through the web interface, and those instructions will be carried out the next time the machine is online. However, Ninite cannot update any currently active applications. To force an update, you must close the app manually.
Download Here
Ditto – Clipboard Manager
Ditto is an add-on for the clipboard that comes with Windows. Another must-have app for Windows. It keeps track of everything you put on the clipboard so you can get to any of them later. This app lets you save any kind of data that can be copied to the clipboard, including text, images, HTML, and your custom formats.
You can change how Ditto works to suit your needs by setting the maximum number of saved copies and the expiration date for copied entries.
A more advanced user can also set up computers on the same network to share their clipboard items by using IP addresses or computer names. You can mark a record as a sticky clip, which is another useful feature. This way, you can keep the most important ones at the top or bottom, and setting a hotkey for this is helpful. You can also group copy, which means you can put together a bunch of clips and set up a shortcut to copy them all at once.
Download Here
Antivirus:
The Antivirus must-have apps for Windows are:
Windows Defender
Windows Defender – the must-have app for Windows is an anti-malware program developed by Microsoft. It was an anti-spyware application developed to defend Windows PCs from malicious software and prevent unauthorized access. It was first included in the Windows Vista installation disc and is now a part of Microsoft’s free Security Essentials suite.
Unlike other free antivirus programs, Microsoft Defender Antivirus does not need to be installed on your computer. The Windows Security must-have app for Windows is launched when the Defender icon in the notification area is clicked on. The anti-virus protection and six other feature groups are easily accessible from the main security screen’s large icons. When you select a security option using the icons (or the corresponding menu item in the sidebar), a new page will open with more information about that option.
Download Here
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes – another one of the must-have apps for Windows is efficient anti-malware software with a minimal interface. While the app’s security and usability are top-notch, it’s missing some essential features of today.
We found a few unusual properties, in addition to the fact that it can identify up to one hundred per cent of either zero-day or four-week-old threats. Such tools include the ad-blocking Browser Guard and the exploit-preventing Exploit Protection.
However, Malwarebytes’ lack of essential antivirus features like a firewall, parental controls, or the ability to track and report data breaches isn’t made up for by its unique selling points. To be sure, it can be an effective safeguard for those who already employ other security measures and don’t require the antivirus to be flexible. But knowing that a trustworthy antivirus can be had for a more reasonable price alters the dynamics of the situation.
Download Here
Norton
In 2023, the Norton 360 security suite is widely considered a top option among antivirus software. It is possibly the most feature-rich antivirus software, has excellent malware detection rates, and provides good real-time protection. But what sort of protection does Norton’s software package provide?
Norton’s defences are based on machine learning, which results in high success rates when detecting malicious software. All malware threats we attempted to download were stopped by the virus scan and real-time protection during our testing. Norton also includes other useful extras, such as a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a password manager, and identity theft protection features. Making the must-have app for Windows.
Norton AntiVirus is not only completely risk-free, but it also boasts an impressive track record of 100% virus detection. A maximum of 6 points was achieved in protection, performance, and usability during the latest period of testing by an independent AV test.
Download Here
McAfee
If you need reliable, low-cost antivirus protection across all of your devices, McAfee is a great option. McAfee has features like a file shredder, PC cleaner, and identity protection in addition to the firewall, Wi-Fi security, password manager, and PC optimization found in most antivirus software. However, it does not offer VPN services to people in India. But, then too it is counted among must-have apps for Windows.
McAfee, a market leader in cybersecurity solutions, created McAfee Antivirus to protect computers from malware.
McAfee has one of the most advanced sets of security features available, making it a top choice among antivirus programs. In addition to preventing ransomware, cryptojacking, and other forms of malware from infiltrating your system at all times, these tools can also help you browse the web more quickly while keeping your private information safe. In a nutshell, it’s loaded with all the goodies that guarantee a trouble-free and secure online experience.
Download Here
Media player:
The must-have apps for Windows in media player are as follows:
POT Player
When it comes to media players for the computer, PotPlayer is among the must-have apps for Windows. There are many alternative media players available, including VLC and KMPlayer, but none that come close to matching the functionality of PotPlayer. Many people favour streaming media, but slow connections can be problematic. When this occurs, Windows users can fire up PotPlayer to watch locally stored videos or listen to locally stored music. It’s a good option for those who use PCs, as it can open a wide variety of file formats.
With PotPlayer, you won’t need a plethora of different media players to play all of your files. Because of PotPlayer’s compatibility with so many different media file types, users don’t need to install multiple media players on their computers. PotPlayer is a versatile media player that allows for individualized settings. The equalizer and audio effects are already installed, but users can tweak other settings to improve the quality of video and audio playback.
Download Here
VLC Media Player
If you’re using Windows and want a better media player, look no further than VLC Media Player. As it is a part of the must-have app for Windows list. Plunge into a world where adaptability and simplicity coexist in harmony with each other. VLC is adept at playing back video, audio, and streaming media.
VLC is a free and open-source media player that plays most audio and video files without requiring the installation of any additional codecs. All of its features, from playback to configuration, are easily accessible thanks to its clean, uncluttered interface.
Find out what’s new in media playback, deal with a variety of formats with ease, and take advantage of superior optimization across all of your devices. Get moving, right this minute! Get VLC Media Player and enjoy all of your digital media files in stunning detail.
Download Here
Office suite:
The must-have apps for Windows in Office Suite is as follows:
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is a collection of productivity programs developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers in the workplace. It was first released in 1990 and is a Microsoft-exclusive proprietary product. Microsoft Office has been the standard for many years in the distribution of office document management software. The must-have app for Windows for any office suite purpose.
Using Microsoft Office can streamline routine office tasks and boost efficiency. Word processors, spreadsheet programs, presentation software, and email managers are just a few examples of the specialized software available.
When it comes to office software, Microsoft Office is among the most well-known, flexible, and comprehensive options available. The software is so widely adopted that over 80% of businesses rely on it.
Download Here
LibreOffice
The flexible and powerful open-source office suite LibreOffice is recognized for its user freedom and feature-rich must-have apps for Windows. The robust office capabilities of LibreOffice, developed by a vibrant worldwide community, make it an intriguing alternative to proprietary office suites. Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Math, and Base are office-specific apps. All these features make it among the best and must-have app for Windows.
LibreOffice Writer, like Microsoft Word, has comprehensive document creation and formatting tools. It supports several document formats, including.docx, making it ideal for cross-office collaboration. As a powerful data analysis tool, Calc can handle sophisticated computations, charts, and graphs. Impress lets users create multimedia presentations.
LibreOffice is known for its open standards and compatibility. It supports open document formats (ODF), making your files accessible even if you switch office suites. Cross-platform LibreOffice runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. This free app’s active community assures frequent updates and improvements. This power, compatibility, and accessibility make LibreOffice a great alternative for people, organizations, and educational institutions seeking a dependable and affordable office suite.
Download Here
OpenOffice
Its flexibility and accessibility make OpenOffice a powerful and free office suite. It offers a complete office suite equivalent to many premium options. OpenOffice, sponsored by a community of developers, is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
OpenOffice is known for its user-friendly interface and is also a must-have app for Windows. It’s meant to look like previous Microsoft Office versions, making it easier for users to switch. Writer, Calc, Impress, and others in OpenOffice can handle a variety of file formats, making them compatible with numerous document types.
The stability and dependability of OpenOffice are notable. Users who want a reliable, free office suite should consider it, despite its development and update issues. It is ideal for people and companies that need basic office productivity without sophisticated capabilities offered by commercial competitors. OpenOffice is a reliable open-source office suite that is affordable and useful.
Download Here
Image editor:
The must-have apps for Windows in image editors are as follows:
GIMP (Open Source)
The powerful and flexible open-source image editing program GIMP is short for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a top alternative to Adobe Photoshop and absolutely a must-have app for Windows. GIMP is free to download and use, making it appealing to budget-conscious painters, photographers, and graphic designers who favour open-source software.
What makes GIMP stand out is its wide range of tools and functionality. It has drawing and painting tools, extensive selection and masking options, colour correction, and many filters and effects. It works with several image formats, including Photoshop, making it handy for pros.
GIMP is a worldwide community of developers and users that enhances it and provides free lessons and plugins since it is open-source. GIMP is an affordable option for digital artists, picture retouchers, and graphic designers who want to produce beautiful images without proprietary software. GIMP has many features for image alteration, whether you’re a novice or an expert.
Download Here
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is a popular image editing, graphic design, and digital art program. Due to its robust features and vast capabilities, it has been the industry standard for pros and amateurs since its launch. And also a must-have app for Windows. Adobe Photoshop lets users edit photos, create elaborate digital art, and develop gorgeous graphics.
The variety of picture alteration capabilities in Adobe Photoshop is impressive. Adjust colours, contrast, brightness, and sharpness, edit blemishes, and effortlessly delete or add components to photographs. Layers provide complex compositions where pieces may be modified separately, boosting software creativity. Photoshop’s many filters and effects let users customize their photos.
The photography, advertising, web design, and print media businesses utilize Adobe Photoshop. It helps photographers edit their photos afterwards. Its features help graphic artists create logos, graphics, and marketing materials. The software’s continual growth and interaction with Adobe’s Creative Cloud make it essential for advancing visual content production and design.
Download Here
Browser-Based Options
In recent years, browser-based choices have grown popular since they make accessing many services and must-have apps for Windows easy. Browser-based alternatives are platform-agnostic, a major benefit. These tools may be used on any device with an internet connection and a suitable browser, without installing operating systems or applications. Businesses and consumers benefit from this flexibility since it lowers compatibility difficulties and simplifies software maintenance. Additionally, browser-based alternatives generally update automatically, giving consumers the newest features and security improvements without any involvement. Making it stand out among must-have apps for Windows.
In addition to accessibility, browser-based alternatives provide collaboration and real-time data exchange. Cloud-based office suites, project management applications, and collaboration platforms are accessible through browsers, allowing teams to collaborate productively regardless of location. This is very useful in today’s distant and multinational workplace. Also, browser-based choices may boost data security. To secure sensitive data, providers invest in strong security measures like encryption and multi-factor authentication.
Eco-friendly browser-based choices are also used. Traditional software installs and local storage options use a lot of hardware and power. By using provider-maintained distant servers and infrastructure, browser-based must-have apps for Windows lessen environmental impact. Cloud computing saves energy and decreases technological waste by extending device lifespans. Thus, browser-based choices promote an eco-friendly digital ecology.
Download Here
PDF reader:
The best PDF readers and must-have apps for Windows are as follows:
Adobe Acrobat Reader
The widely used Adobe Acrobat Reader has changed PDF document interaction. Acrobat Reader makes viewing, printing, and annotating PDFs easy with its intuitive interface and extensive feature set. Acrobat Reader is a flexible PDF platform and must-have app for Windows for students examining lecture notes, professionals working on business documents, and individuals filling out forms.
Adobe Acrobat Reader excels in PDF editing. Users may highlight text, make comments, draw shapes, and write notes right on PDF documents, making them useful for file review and collaboration. It also works seamlessly with other Adobe tools to convert PDFs, combine PDFs, and digitally sign documents. This adaptability has made Acrobat Reader essential for professionals and enterprises worldwide.
Adobe Acrobat Reader works on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, making it accessible to users on numerous devices. Adobe’s constant upgrades show its dedication to providing a stable and cutting-edge PDF viewing experience. Adobe Acrobat Reader is a reliable and vital digital document management solution for reading PDFs and more.
Download Here
Sumatra PDF
The lightweight and flexible open-source PDF reader Sumatra PDF is famous for its speed and simplicity. Efficiency-focused users enjoy its basic style for a fast user experience. Sumatra PDF supports PDF, ePub, MOBI, XPS, DjVu, and more, making it flexible and compatible despite its lightweight nature. This makes it a must-have app for Windows and ideal for reading and displaying texts on Windows machines without resource-intensive applications.
Sumatra PDF’s speed is notable. It loads PDFs rapidly and scrolls and zooms smoothly, making reading easy. Its easy navigation makes it useful for professionals, students, and PDF file users. Sumatra PDF doesn’t need installation and may operate from a USB drive, making it ideal for mobile users or those who need a rapid PDF solution on several devices.
Sumatra PDF is also security-conscious. It avoids security risks by not supporting embedded scripts or other hazardous features like other PDF readers. For quick, lightweight, and secure PDF reading, Sumatra PDF is a good option because of its simplicity, speed, and compatibility with many document formats.
Download Here
Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is a popular PDF reader with many features and also a must-have app for Windows. This free PDF viewer, editor, and annotator has an easy-to-use interface. Foxit Reader’s lightweight design makes opening and navigating PDFs quick and responsive. Through its tabbed layout, users may easily multitask by opening numerous documents in distinct tabs.
Its extensive annotation options make Foxit Reader stand out. Add comments, highlight text, draw objects, and generate digital signatures in PDFs. Its annotation capabilities make it perfect for document criticism and collaboration. Foxit Reader additionally protects PDFs using encryption, passwords, and digital signatures, protecting their privacy and integrity.
Foxit Reader works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a flexible option for users. Its speed, user-friendliness, and sophisticated annotation features make it a popular option for personal and professional PDF management. Foxit Reader makes PDF reading and editing easy for students, professionals, and others.
Download Here
File archiver:
The best and must-have apps for Windows in file archivers are as follows:
7-Zip
Popular open-source file archiver 7-Zip is efficient and versatile. One of its virtues is its ability to compress and decompress data in several forms, including its native 7z format, which frequently has better compression ratios than other formats. This makes it ideal for lowering file sizes, saving storage space, and speeding up internet file transfers. 7-Zip supports ZIP, RAR, TAR, and other compressed file formats, making it flexible.
The simplicity and use of 7-Zip are also outstanding making it a must-have app for Windows. A simple and intuitive design makes the program easy to use for beginners and experts. It supports Windows, Linux, and macOS for cross-platform interoperability. Its open-source nature lets the community enhance and maintain it, making it reliable and adaptable.
Additionally, 7-Zip delivers powerful file encryption to secure archived data and compressed files. 7.zip is a popular and reliable tool for file archiving and compression, whether you need to produce compressed archives for data storage or transport or extract contents from an archive obtained from others.
Download Here
WinRar
The popular and flexible file compression tool WinRAR has been a digital file management staple for decades. RARLAB’s program has a simple interface and many functions to compress, decompress, and manage files. It supports ZIP, 7z, and RAR compression formats. WinRAR is useful for saving storage space and sending data rapidly over the internet since it reduces file sizes while retaining quality.
WinRAR’s exceptional encryption and security settings enable users to password-protect compressed files and folders, protecting important data. WinRAR’s high compression ratio lets users store and exchange files more effectively, especially with huge volumes of data. Multi-threading lets users employ multi-core computers for faster compression and decompression.
WinRAR works on macOS and Linux as well as Windows. Its cross-platform compatibility makes it useful for many users. All of these capabilities make WinRAR a must-have app for Windows and vital for managing files and data, whether for personal or business usage.
Download Here
Messaging:
The best messaging must-have apps for Windows are as follows:
WhatsApp has revolutionized global communication. WhatsApp, created in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, revolutionized instant messaging with a secure and easy-to-use platform for texting, phone calls, video calls, and file sharing. End-to-end encryption makes WhatsApp a popular option for personal and professional communication since only the sender and receiver can see their messages.
Its user-friendly design, platform availability, and minimal data use have made it popular. WhatsApp Business lets businesses engage with consumers through automated messaging, catalogue sharing, and customer assistance.
WhatsApp now offers group conversations, voice notes, status updates, and document sharing, making it a versatile communication tool. Nowadays, it is one of the must-have apps for Windows. It has had a big influence, but privacy, disinformation, and security problems have forced modifications and improvements. WhatsApp still connects individuals across countries, cultures, and time zones, shaping how we communicate in the digital age.
Download Here
Telegram
Telegram, a cloud-based instant messaging service, is secure and private. Telegram, founded by Pavel Durov in 2013, became famous for its end-to-end encryption, which keeps conversations private. This dedication to user privacy makes it a popular platform for encrypted communication. Telegram lets users build massive group conversations and channels, making it a great tool for communities, corporations, and organizations to interact and exchange information.
Telegram – the must-have app for Windows is known for its customisation possibilities. Groups of up to 200,000 individuals may be created and joined for community development, event coordination, and project management. Telegram allows users to create public channels to broadcast messages to a large audience, making it a useful tool for spreading news, updates, and information. Its “bots” allow developers to construct automated systems that can deliver messages, manage chores, and even play games, making the platform more versatile.
Telegram’s cross-platform interoperability and device synchronization allow users to view their messages and media from smartphones, tablets, and desktops. The app’s extensive media features enhance user experience by sharing documents, photographs, videos, and voice communications. Telegram’s growth and innovation, together with its dedication to user privacy and security, make it a popular messaging network.
Download Here
