Still using only pre-installed apps on your Windows 11 PC? You're missing out on some truly powerful—and free—tools that can totally transform your experience.
Hey there, fellow Windows enthusiast! I remember the first time I booted up my Windows 11 laptop—everything looked slick, fresh, and just modern enough to feel exciting.
But after a few days, I realized something was off.
The built-in tools were okay, but I needed more—something to help me work better, play harder, and create smoother.
Over the years, I've explored dozens of free apps, and believe me, not all of them are worth the download.
Some slowed my PC to a crawl. Others felt... unfinished. But a handful? Absolute game-changers. So today, I’m spilling my favorite picks for the best free software every Windows 11 user should install. Whether you’re looking to edit photos, manage files, secure your system, or just make things more fun, I’ve got you covered. Ready to supercharge your setup? Let’s go!
Table of Contents
Top Free Productivity Tools
Productivity isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing smarter. For Windows 11 users, there are a handful of tools that truly help you work faster and better. One of my top picks? Notion. It's like a Swiss Army knife for organizing your digital life. You can create to-do lists, databases, notes, and even wikis all in one place. Then there’s LibreOffice, an open-source alternative to Microsoft Office. Honestly, unless you absolutely need advanced Excel macros, LibreOffice gets the job done. And don’t sleep on Microsoft PowerToys—it’s free from Microsoft themselves and adds a bunch of powerful features like FancyZones for window management, keyboard remapping, and a fast file search. Trust me, once you set it up, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.
Best Media Editing Software
Whether you're a budding YouTuber or just editing vacation photos, these tools are total lifesavers—and yes, they’re completely free.
| Software | Main Use | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|
| GIMP | Photo Editing | Layer-based editing like Photoshop |
| DaVinci Resolve | Video Editing | Professional-grade color grading |
| Audacity | Audio Editing | Noise reduction and multi-track editing |
Essential System Utilities
Windows 11 looks slick, but to make it run buttery smooth? You’ll need a few utility friends in your corner. Here's what I rely on:
- CCleaner – Cleans up junk files and registry errors
- Everything Search – Blazing fast file search utility
- 7-Zip – Lightweight file compression and extraction tool
- Revo Uninstaller – Removes programs and leftover files thoroughly
- TreeSize Free – Visualize what’s eating up your disk space
Free Security & Privacy Apps
Let’s face it—Windows 11 might be secure out of the box, but that doesn’t mean you should skip additional protection. I mean, who wants to get caught off guard by spyware or a sneaky tracking script? For real peace of mind, I recommend a trio of free but powerful tools. First up is Malwarebytes Free. It’s perfect for scanning and removing stubborn threats that Windows Defender sometimes overlooks. Then there’s GlassWire, which gives you a visual on your network traffic—so if something’s leaking data, you’ll know instantly. And finally, Bitwarden. I switched to this open-source password manager last year, and honestly, I feel so much safer now that I’ve ditched my browser’s weak auto-suggested passwords. These tools make your system safer without slowing it down.
Must-Have Developer Tools
If you're writing code, debugging, or just exploring automation, Windows 11 supports some stellar free tools. Here’s a side-by-side look at my top three:
| Tool | Purpose | Why It Rocks |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Studio Code | Text Editor / IDE | Fast, extensible, and backed by Microsoft |
| WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) | Linux Environment | Run Ubuntu and other distros inside Windows |
| Postman | API Testing | Great interface for building and testing APIs |
Entertainment & Streaming Favorites
After a long workday, you deserve to unwind. Windows 11 supports some of the best free apps to help you relax and escape. Here's what’s always on my machine:
- VLC Media Player – Plays literally any video format
- Spotify – Free music streaming with great playlists
- Krita – Digital painting for creative souls
- Twitch Desktop – Stream or watch your favorite gamers
- Steam – Tons of free games and a massive gaming community
Notion stands out for its versatility—it combines note-taking, databases, calendars, and project boards in one sleek interface.
Windows Defender is solid for basic protection, but pairing it with Malwarebytes gives you an extra layer without cost.
Absolutely. DaVinci Resolve offers professional-level tools for color grading and editing—even Hollywood uses it.
LibreOffice is the go-to for most people—it supports Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats without the price tag.
TreeSize Free is fantastic for visualizing what’s taking up space and helping you decide what to delete.
Steam is a must. Even if you don’t plan to buy games, its massive collection of free titles makes it totally worth installing.
So there you have it—my personal toolkit of the best free software you can install on Windows 11. These apps have helped me do everything from write blog posts (like this one!) to edit YouTube clips, declutter my hard drive, and even dive into some coding experiments. I honestly believe that with the right software, your computer stops being just a machine and starts becoming an extension of you. If any of these apps helped you out or if you’ve got a hidden gem you swear by, drop it in the comments. Let’s build a resource hub together. And hey, bookmark this post—you never know when you’ll need to set up a new PC or help a friend do the same. Talk soon, and happy computing!
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