Best productivity Windows apps

These are apps made for Windows that are worth installing on almost any PC. Most are completely free, several are open source, and none needs a subscription to be useful. Apps that also run on Mac or Linux are generally listed under desktop apps instead.

For speed, Microsoft PowerToys adds a Command Palette (Win+Alt+Space) for launching apps, running commands and searching files, plus window layouts with FancyZones, while Flow Launcher is an open-source launcher (Alt+Space) that searches apps, files and file contents and grows with plugins. ShareX captures screenshots, scrolling pages, video and GIFs with a single keystroke and can upload them anywhere. Myna Recorder turns keyboard and mouse actions into editable macros, with an AI helper that writes macros you approve before they run.

For creative work, Paint.NET is a free image editor with layers and effects that is easier to learn than Photoshop, and VSDC Free Video Editor edits up to 8K on a multi-track timeline without watermarks. optimizerDuck adjusts Windows settings for performance and privacy; read what each change does before you apply it, and download every app from its official site or GitHub page.