These open source software that I systematically install on Windows
Microsoft Windows 11 Family
Operation of the price board
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In recent years, Microsoft has made many efforts to enrich Windows 11 and reduce the number of third -party applications that it is necessary to install to fully enjoy the bone. Between the improvement of the file explorer, the native support for archives or the serious application boosts such as paint or the note block for example, in 2025 it is no longer necessary to install dozens of applications to fill certain Windows gaps. Even on the security side, I haven’t installed antivirus for years since Microsoft has muscled the safety integrated into its operating systems. However, in some areas some applications are always better.
Today, let’s take a quick tour of the applications that I systematically install on a new Windows 11 PC. Even if it means doing this well, there is only free applications here, but also and above all open source. Do not hesitate to comment to share your little personal nuggets.
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Thunderbird
Thunderbird, Mozilla’s messaging software, comes back from afar. Today, the email client (Finally available on Android) is perfectly operational and complete and benefits from regular improvements. I also use it to manage my agenda, while future updates should allow me to soon uninstall some of the extensions I have installed there. I have not seen a web email management interface for a long time, and this is not a problem.
Mozilla Thunderbird
Mozilla Thunderbird, the reference electronic email software developed by the Mozilla Foundation. A light and free customer that will allow you to note all your email addresses.
- License:
Free software - Author :
Mozilla - Operating systems:
Windows 8/10/11/32 bit – 7/64 bit – 10 / laptop – 7, Linux, MacOS, Android - Categories:
Internet, communication, pro
Vlc
Vlc © Capture screen the digital
At the time of streaming, I rarely use VLC today. However, when I have a video to read, this classic French is always the ideal solution thanks to its velocity, its compatibility, its simplicity and its different tools. Small mention by passing for the Plex reader/server that I also use, although its open source Kodi alternative also does the job very well.
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VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player, the Open Source and Reference Multimedia Multimedia Player. It will allow you to read video files, DVDs and Blu-ray, streaming links, and more.
- License:
Free software - Author :
Video - Operating systems:
Windows 7/8/10/11 / Vista / 64 Bits – XP / 32 Bits – XP / Portable – XP, Linux, MacOS, Android, iOS iPhone / iPad - Categories:
Audio, video, multimedia
PowerToys
PowerToys © Capture screen the digital
Why Microsoft does not automatically integrate the tools of its PowerToys application in Windows is a mystery. The fact remains that this set of open source tools offers multiple advanced features that can help more than one person. I use it personally especially to quickly resize images and rename files by lot, but dozens of options around the interface, files and Windows options are offered. An essential for hackers or people in search of productivity.
Microsoft PowerToys
Microsoft PowerToys brings together several very practical utilities for your Windows computer: window manager, file explorer, images resizing, renamed files, etc.
- License:
Free license - Author :
Microsoft - Operating system:
Windows 10/11 / ARM – 10 - Category :
Utility
Sumatrapdf
Sumatra PDF © Sumatra PDF
The field of free PDF readers is a jungle as the solutions are numerous. Without having been able to try everything, my preference for Sumatrapdf is therefore worth what it is worth. The fact remains that this very simple open source solution does what I ask him without dragging. For the PDF edition, however, I must go through the most complete Adobe Acrobat.
Sumatra PDF
Sumatra PDF is simple, free and light software for visualization of PDF documents available on Windows only.
- License:
Free software - Author :
Krzysztof Kowalczyk - Operating system:
Windows 7/8/10/11 / Vista / 64 Bits – XP / 32 Bits – XP / Portable – XP - Category :
Office
7-Zip
7-Zip © Capture screen the digital
The observation on the multiplicity of PDF readers is found on the side of compression software. I have my preference for 7-zip, although my next Windows 11 resettlement I will have to try to see if the native bone support is enough to do without Tier software.
7-Zip
7-ZIP is archive creation software which allows to compress and decompress the archives in many formats. It supports Zip and 7z files and can extract RAR files.
- License:
Free software - Author :
7-Zip - Operating systems:
Windows 7/8/10/11 / Vista / 64 Bits – XP / 32 Bits – XP / Portable – XP, Linux, MacOS - Categories:
Utilities, office automation
Greenshot
Microsoft has greatly improved its Windows 11 Windows 11 screenshot tool over the updates. However, by reflex and for some very practical features, I always prefer to install Greenshot. For, in particular, quickly take catches in play, or quickly select only an area or a window via a keyboard shortcut, I did not find more practical.
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Greenshot
Greenshot is an open source and portable application that allows you to make screenshots.
- License:
Free software - Author :
Greenshot - Operating systems:
Windows 7/8/10/11 / XP / Vista, macOS - Categories:
Photo, multimedia
Caliber
Caliber © Capture screen the digital
To manage her electronic books on a reader from her PC, we still haven’t done better than caliber. In addition to being open source, the application has excellent follow -up and is very regularly updated.
Caliber
Caliber is an e-book library management tool (digital books) and converting your ebooks in a format compatible with your reader. The software is free and open source.
- License:
Free software - Author :
Kovid Goyal - Operating systems:
Windows 10/11 / laptop – 10, Linux, MacOS - Category :
Office
Proton Pass
Let’s finish with the question of password managers. Everyone will have their preference, especially since all the solutions are furiously alike. But as a satisfied Proton subscriber, I logically go through the extension for Proton Pass browser (when is a desktop application?). Connected to Proton Drive for my documents and occasionally Proton VPN, the Swiss solution accompanies me with each new machine.
Proton Pass: Password Manager
Proton Pass is a free password manager available in the form of a mobile application for Android and iOS, and an extension for many web browsers.
- License:
Free license - Author :
Proton AG - Operating systems:
Linux, macOS, online service, Android, iPhone / iPad iOS, Google Chrome / Mozilla Firefox extension - Category :
Security
Honorable mentions for some non -open source applications:
Let’s finish this small selection with a handful of applications which, if they are not open source, deserved a small quote despite everything.
Comes to the lead my vivaldi heart browser. If Firefox and others are preferred to him by the open source community, this browser based on Chromium compensates for this (large) weakness by unrivaled wealth and flexibility. It is not for nothing that this is the first software that I have systematically installed for 10 years.
Finally, in addition to Wiztree to easily manage my storage space, Paint.net for my image editing, and Droidcam which allows me to very simply use my smartphone as a webcam (from open source alternatives to these solutions probably exist), impossible not to mention the very practical beeper. Like Trillian before him, this software allows you to aggregate (via open source bridges) many messaging services in one place (Whatsapp, Instagram, Messenger, Signal …). The time saving is, you imagine, not negligible.
Beeper
Beeper Cloud is a messaging solution that centralizes all your favorite email accounts in a single interface. Available as a mobile app or desktop software.
- License:
Commercial license - Author :
Automattic Inc. - Operating systems:
MacOS Intel / Apple Silicon, Linux, online service, Android, iOS iPhone / iPad - Category :
Communication
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