To make the most out of your Windows 11 PC, it's essential to have the right set of apps installed. Here, we will explore the top 10 free but essential apps that every Windows 11 user should have on their PC.


1. Microsoft Edge


microsoft edge user interface


Microsoft Edge is the default web browser in Windows 11, and it has evolved into a fast, secure, and feature-rich browser. With built-in privacy and security features, seamless integration with Microsoft services, and support for extensions, Microsoft Edge is a must-have app for browsing the web on your Windows 11 PC.


Microsoft Edge offers a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate the web. It includes features like tab management, reading mode, and a built-in PDF reader for a seamless browsing experience. With Microsoft Edge, you can sync your browsing history, bookmarks, and settings across devices using your Microsoft account, ensuring a consistent browsing experience on all your devices.


Features:


  • Immersive Reader mode for distraction-free reading
  • Integration with Microsoft 365 for seamless productivity
  • Collections feature for organizing and sharing content
  • Inking feature for annotating web pages

Pros:


  • Excellent compatibility with touchscreens and stylus input
  • Built-in tracking prevention for enhanced privacy
  • Resource-efficient compared to other browsers
  • Integration with Windows 10 for seamless user experience

Cons:


  • Limited extension library compared to other browsers
  • Less customization options compared to some competitors


2. VLC Media Player


vlc media player user interface

VLC Media Player is a versatile media player that supports a wide range of audio and video formats. With its ability to play almost any media file, customizable interface, and advanced playback options, VLC Media Player is an essential app for enjoying your favorite music and videos on Windows 11.


VLC Media Player is known for its wide compatibility with various audio and video formats, making it a go-to media player for users who want a seamless playback experience without worrying about format compatibility issues. Whether you're watching movies, listening to music, or streaming online content, VLC Media Player offers a smooth and reliable playback experience.


Features:


  • Wide range of codec support for playing various media formats
  • Ability to stream online content and podcasts
  • Advanced audio and video settings for customization
  • Built-in equalizer for fine-tuning audio playback

Pros:


  • Lightweight and fast performance even with large media files
  • Ability to convert media files to different formats
  • Customizable hotkeys for convenient playback control
  • Open-source software with a dedicated community for support

Cons:


  • User interface can be overwhelming for beginners
  • Lack of built-in media library organization features



3. LibreOffice

libreofficeuser interface


LibreOffice is a free and open-source office suite that includes a word processor, spreadsheet program, presentation software, and more. With compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats, extensive features, and regular updates, LibreOffice is a great alternative to expensive office suites and an essential app for productivity on Windows 11.


LibreOffice provides a comprehensive set of productivity tools that rival commercial office suites, making it an ideal choice for users who need a reliable and feature-rich office suite without the hefty price tag. Whether you're writing documents, creating spreadsheets, or designing presentations, LibreOffice offers a range of tools and features to meet your needs.


Features:


  • Comprehensive suite of office applications including Writer, Calc, Impress, and Draw
  • Compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats
  • Extensive customization options for interface and functionality
  • Built-in PDF export and editing capabilities

Pros:


  • Free and open-source alternative to Microsoft Office
  • Regular updates and community-driven development
  • Cross-platform support for Windows, Mac, and Linux
  • Ability to run directly from a USB drive without installation

Cons:


  • Interface may feel less polished compared to commercial office suites
  • Compatibility issues may arise when collaborating with users of proprietary office software


4. 7-Zip


7-zip user interface


7-Zip is a free and open-source file archiver that supports a wide range of compression formats, including ZIP, RAR, and ISO. With its fast and efficient compression and decompression capabilities, 7-Zip is an essential app for managing and organizing files on your Windows 11 PC.


7-Zip provides a simple and user-friendly interface for creating and extracting compressed archives, making it easy to compress large files and folders for storage or sharing. With support for popular compression formats like ZIP, 7z, and TAR, 7-Zip offers flexibility and compatibility for handling various types of archives.


Features:


  • High compression ratio for reducing file sizes
  • Support for a wide range of archive formats including ZIP, RAR, and TAR
  • Encryption capabilities for securing archived files
  • Integration with Windows Explorer for easy access to compression options

Pros:


  • Lightweight and fast compression and extraction processes
  • Ability to create self-extracting archives for easy sharing
  • Command-line interface for advanced users and automation
  • Free and open-source software without any ads or bundled software

Cons:


  • User interface may feel outdated compared to other file archivers
  • Limited support for some less common archive formats



5. IPTV Smarters


iptv player user interface


IPTV Smarters is a popular and essential app for Windows 11 users who want to stream live TV channels, movies, and TV shows over the internet. There are many other IPTV players available for Windows that you can find here.


IPTV, which stands for Internet Protocol Television, allows users to access TV content through an internet connection rather than traditional cable or satellite services. IPTV Player applications provide a user-friendly interface for viewing IPTV streams on Windows 11 PCs, offering a convenient and flexible way to enjoy a wide range of content from around the world.


Features:


  • Support for streaming live TV channels and video-on-demand content
  • EPG (Electronic Program Guide) integration for scheduling and managing TV programs
  • Playlist management for organizing and customizing channel lists
  • Recording capabilities for saving live TV broadcasts

Pros:


  • Customizable interface with themes and layout options
  • Ability to add external plugins for additional features
  • Support for multiple IPTV protocols and formats
  • Multi-language support for a diverse user base

Cons:


  • Reliance on stable internet connection for uninterrupted streaming
  • Limited legal sources for IPTV content, leading to potential copyright issues


6. Notepad++


notepad++ user interface


Notepad++ is a powerful text editor that offers advanced features like syntax highlighting, 

code folding, and auto-completion. Whether you're a programmer, writer, or student, Notepad++ is an essential app for editing text files, writing code, and taking notes on your Windows 11 PC.


Notepad++ provides a lightweight and versatile text editing environment that caters to a wide range of users who work with text-based files. With support for syntax highlighting in various programming languages, users can easily distinguish between different elements of code and improve readability while writing and editing scripts, markup, or plain text.


Features:


  • Syntax highlighting for various programming languages
  • Tabbed interface for working with multiple documents simultaneously
  • Extensive plugin support for adding new features and functionality
  • Macro recording and playback for automating repetitive tasks

Pros:


  • Lightweight and fast text editor with minimal resource usage
  • Regular updates and community-contributed language definitions
  • Customizable shortcuts and settings for personalized workflow
  • Multi-view and split-screen options for comparing and editing text

Cons:


  • Limited support for collaborative editing and cloud synchronization
  • Interface design may feel dated compared to modern text editors



7. Audacity


audacity user interface


Audacity is a free and open-source audio editing software that offers a wide range of features for recording, editing, and mixing audio tracks. With support for multiple audio formats, plugins for additional functionality, and a user-friendly interface, Audacity is an essential app for audio editing and recording on Windows 11.


Audacity is a versatile audio editing tool that caters to users who need to create, edit, and enhance audio content for various purposes. Whether you're a musician, podcaster, or sound engineer, Audacity offers a comprehensive set of tools and effects for recording and editing audio tracks with precision and control.


Features:


  • Multi-track audio editing for creating complex sound projects
  • Wide range of audio effects and filters for enhancing recordings
  • Support for recording from multiple sources including microphones and instruments
  • Batch processing capabilities for applying effects to multiple audio files

Pros:


  • Free and open-source audio editing software with professional-grade features
  • Cross-platform compatibility for Windows, Mac, and Linux
  • Extensive documentation and community forums for learning and troubleshooting
  • Accessibility features for visually impaired users

Cons:


  • Steeper learning curve for beginners due to the complexity of features
  • Limited support for MIDI and virtual instrument integration



8. Thunderbird


thunderbird user interface



Thunderbird is a free and open-source email client that offers advanced features for managing multiple email accounts, organizing messages, and protecting your privacy. With support for email encryption, customizable interface, and add-ons for additional functionality, Thunderbird is an essential app for managing your emails on Windows 11.


Thunderbird provides a robust and secure email client that caters to users who need a reliable and feature-rich tool for managing their email communications. Whether you have one email account or multiple accounts from different providers, Thunderbird offers a unified inbox and customizable views for organizing and accessing your messages with ease.


Features:


  • Email account setup wizard for easy configuration
  • Tabbed interface for managing multiple email accounts and conversations
  • Add-on support for extending functionality with plugins and themes
  • Message filtering and tagging for organizing emails efficiently

Pros:


  • Secure and privacy-focused email client with encryption support
  • Cross-platform compatibility for Windows, Mac, and Linux
  • Integrated calendar and tasks management for streamlined productivity
  • Customizable user interface with themes and layout options

Cons:


  • Lack of real-time collaboration features for team communication
  • Occasional performance issues with large email databases


9. Paint.NET


paint.net user interface


Paint.NET is a free image editing software that offers a wide range of features for creating and editing images, including layers, special effects, and drawing tools. With its intuitive interface, support for plugins, and regular updates Paint.NET provides users with a user-friendly and intuitive interface that makes it easy to create and edit images without the complexity of professional graphic design software. With support for layers, users can work on different elements of an image independently, making it easier to manage and edit complex compositions.


 Paint.NET also offers a range of drawing tools, selection options, and special effects for enhancing and transforming images with creativity.


Features:


  • Layer support for advanced image editing and compositing
  • Wide range of tools for drawing, painting, and photo manipulation
  • Plugin support for adding new effects and features
  • History panel for undoing and redoing changes in editing sessions

Pros:


  • User-friendly interface with intuitive tools and controls
  • Regular updates and community-created plugins for expanding functionality
  • Fast performance even with large image files and complex edits
  • Free software without ads or subscription requirements

Cons:


  • Limited text and typography tools compared to professional graphic design software
  • Lack of advanced color management and printing options


10. CCleaner


ccleaneruser interface




CCleaner is a free system optimization tool that helps clean up junk files, remove temporary files, and optimize system performance. With its easy-to-use interface, customizable cleaning options, and advanced features for managing startup programs, CCleaner is an essential app for maintaining your Windows 11 PC in top condition.


CCleaner offers users a simple and effective way to clean up their system and improve performance by removing unnecessary files and optimizing system settings. With its one-click cleaning feature, users can quickly scan and clean junk files, temporary files, cache data, and other unnecessary clutter that accumulates over time and slows down system performance.


Features:


  • System cleaning tools for removing temporary files and optimizing disk space
  • Registry cleaner for fixing issues in Windows registry
  • Startup program manager for improving boot times
  • Browser cleaning tools for clearing cache, cookies, and browsing history

Pros:


  • User-friendly interface with one-click cleaning options
  • Regular updates and improvements to cleaning algorithms
  • Customizable cleaning rules and exclusions for personalized maintenance
  • Secure file deletion feature for protecting sensitive data

Cons:


  • Controversial history related to data privacy concerns in the past
  • Overzealous cleaning options may lead to accidental deletion of important files


Conclusion


The top 10 free but essential apps discussed here cover a wide range of functionalities. Having the right set of apps installed on your Windows 11 PC can enhance your productivity, entertainment, and more.


FAQs


1. How can users stay informed about new and noteworthy free apps for Windows 11 PC?

 

Staying informed about new and noteworthy free apps for Windows 11 PC involves leveraging various channels and resources for app discovery and recommendations. Subscribing to technology news websites, blogs, and newsletters can provide users with insights into the latest app releases and updates

 

2. What are the essential categories of apps for Windows 11 PC?

 

Essential apps for Windows 11 PC can be categorized into various types. Some examples of this include productivity, communication, security, entertainment, and system utilities. These are just some examples, and there are many more essential categories of apps for Windows 11 PC.