Replace These 11 Default Apps in Windows 11

[howardhwen]

Windows comes with a set of default apps that cover the basics – but for most of them, that's exactly their ceiling. Here are 11 better alternatives worth switching to.

Read the full article here.

Replace These 11 Default Apps in Windows 11

 

[abactuon]

Media Player alternatives
https://www.videohelp.com/software/sections/video-players?orderby=UpdatedVersion
I use pure MPV, but there are player builds with scripts that add missing functionality such as menus, etc.

File Explorer replacement and alternatives
File Explorer can't be uninstalled, so installing alternative programs is a bit questionable. Perhaps they copy files faster, of course. Something like Total Commander might be useful, for example, for quickly viewing hidden folders

 

[GeoffreyA]

For media player, I use MPC-HC, clsid's fork, which has become the main version. Minimal and brilliant.

 

[Skully]

I've been using RustDesk for a year or so and I like it a lot. Solid app.

 

[lnorthe]

I would recommend xplorer squared for file management / File Explorer replacement:

Xplorer2

xplorer² is a file and information manager that adheres to the philosophy "efficiency through simplicity".

www.techspot.com

I have used it for years and find it stable and customizable. It also has many features File Explorer lacks like color tags for files, folder/subfolder size, bookmarks, mass rename of files, etc.

 

[lnorthe]

Media Player alternatives
https://www.videohelp.com/software/sections/video-players?orderby=UpdatedVersion
I use pure MPV, but there are player builds with scripts that add missing functionality such as menus, etc.

File Explorer replacement and alternatives
File Explorer can't be uninstalled, so installing alternative programs is a bit questionable. Perhaps they copy files faster, of course. Something like Total Commander might be useful, for example, for quickly viewing hidden folders

Alternative apps can run independently of File Explorer, though some apps default to File Explorer instead of the alternative.

 

[arrowflash]

These are my picks:

Video Editing: VSDC Free Video Editor / Handbrake
Explorer replacement: I just use Explorer. It's good enough for me and all alternatives I've tried, have small things I dislike. But if someone is looking for an alternative, I suggest taking a look at Explorer++, FreeCommander and Altap Salamander
Media Player: MPC-HC from K-Lite Codec Pack
Messaging: I like Telegram, but I'll use any of them as needed.
E-mail client: Haven't used any in decades, I just use the web UIs
Alternative to Photos: IrfanView (my default image file opener) + XnView (for image browsing)
Tech Support: AnyDesk. TeamViewer shouldn't even be on this list, it used to be great but it's terrible nowadays.
Screenshot grabbing: Print Screen key on my keyboard (Snipping Tool is uninstalled). If any editing is needed I paste it on IrfanView or Paint.NET
Sticky Notes: I just use notepad programs for note taking and save them as .txt files. Never could get used to dedicated note taking programs.

PDF Viewer: I think PDF viewers should also be in this list. I never liked using web browsers as PDF viewers. I use SumatraPDF.

Notepad replacement: Should also be on this list, especially with the bloating and enshittification of Notepad that Microslop has been pulling. I've been using TED Notepad for more than a decade.

 

[Axiarus]

Alternatively, replace Windows with Linux.

 

[BadThad]

Anyone use Directory Opus 13? Looks like $60 for a lifetime license, could be worth it but I hate buying software cold.

 

[abactuon]

K-Lite Codec Pack

Everything you need is statically linked to the EXE file, for example in an MPV player.

 

[Zordon]

Anyone use Directory Opus 13? Looks like $60 for a lifetime license, could be worth it but I hate buying software cold.

I'm still on Dopus 12, which is still good, so 13 must be really good - it even has dark mode which 12 doesn't. An easy recommendation.