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Top 10 Essential Windows Apps You Need in 2024

Windows is a powerful operating system, but with the right apps, you can make it even better. Here are 10 Windows applications that can significantly improve your user experience, enhance your productivity, and make your daily tasks easier. From dark mode automation to file management, these apps are must-haves for any Windows user.

1. Auto Dark Mode: Automate Your Display Settings

While Windows offers a dark mode, it lacks an automatic switching feature. Auto Dark Mode fills this gap, allowing you to toggle between light and dark modes based on sunset times, hotkeys, or even battery mode. You can also control dark mode for just apps, the Windows UI, or both. It’s an essential tool for any Windows user.

2. Everything Search & Flow Launcher: Supercharge Your Windows Search

Windows search has improved, but there are still better alternatives out there. Everything Search is renowned for its speed and efficiency in finding files, no matter how deeply buried. However, it doesn’t quite fit with the modern Windows 11 aesthetic. Flow Launcher steps in to provide a sleek, macOS-style search interface with support for plugins, including Everything Search. Combine the two for the best of both worlds: powerful functionality with a clean look.

• Everything Search: Rapid and thorough file searching.
• Flow Launcher: Modern search interface with plugin support.

3. Intel Unison: File Transfers Made Easy

If you frequently transfer files between your phone and PC, you need Intel Unison. This app allows you to seamlessly transfer files between devices, acting as a highly effective alternative to AirDrop. Available for both iPhone and Android, it also pushes your phone’s notifications to your desktop, eliminating the need to constantly upload files to cloud services like Google Drive.

4. Winaero Tweaker: Customize Your File Explorer

Winaero Tweaker is the go-to application for customising your Windows experience, with a particular focus on File Explorer. While Windows Explorer defaults to the ‘Homepage’ some of us may prefer a more classical approach that displays ‘This PC’. Winaero Tweaker allows you to launch directly into a specified directory, with ‘Downloads’ being a popular choice. As well as File Explorer, this application has many options to adjust aspects across the whole of Windows.

5. Noft Shell: Reclaim the Classic Right-Click Menu

Many Windows 11 users find the new right-click menu cumbersome due to the “Show more options” button. Noft Shell restores the old right-click menu, complete with icons to fit the Windows 11 design aesthetic. If you prefer the old menu but don’t want to install any additional software, you can use the keyboard shortcut: Press Shift and then right-click to get the traditional right-click menu panel.

6. Dopamine: A Modern Music Player

The default Windows media players are often clunky and unattractive. Dopamine offers a modern listening experience with an intuitive layout. It’s great for anyone with a locally stored music collection and has a great now playing interface too.

7. FX Sound: Fine-Tune Your Audio

To adjust your audio EQ on Windows consider using FX Sound. This app provides a simple and clean interface for adjusting your audio settings and allows you to apply an overall EQ to your output across all Windows applications. It also appears as a separate source in your sound outputs for easily switching between filters. For more granular control, consider Equalizer APO, though it has a more outdated interface.

8. The Arc Browser: A New Way to Browse

Frustrated with the popular browsers? The Arc Browser is a rising contender, available on Windows. It offers a unique browsing experience with features such as vertical tabs, split windows, spaces for organization, a modern UI, with a heavy emphasis on privacy and customisation. Built on Chromium, Arc seamlessly supports all of your Chrome extensions. A dedicated video may be worth checking out in the near future.

9. Sumatra PDF: Lightweight PDF Viewing

Rather than relying on your browser or expensive software like Adobe Acrobat Pro, you should try Sumatra PDF. This free, lightweight app provides the core PDF viewing functionality you need. It also includes a PDF history view and other useful controls.

10. ShareX: The Ultimate Screenshot Tool

ShareX is an all-in-one screenshot application that offers deep customization options and useful features. You can customize the workflow, upload locations, resizing, snapping, and even a pixel magnifying glass. While there are many screenshot apps available, ShareX is generally considered the go-to for most users.

Keywords

• Windows Apps
• Auto Dark Mode
• Everything Search
• Flow Launcher
• Intel Unison
• Winaero Tweaker
• Noft Shell
• Dopamine Media Player
• FX Sound
• Arc Browser
• Sumatra PDF
• ShareX
• Windows Software
• PC optimization
• Productivity Tools
• Software Licenses

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